Patents by Inventor John R. Powers, Jr.

John R. Powers, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7493854
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a jam detection and safety system for machines prone to jamming, such as a baler. In particular embodiments, the system is implemented in a horizontal baler having a shear bar and a hydraulic ram that advances material being baled past the shear bar into a compression chamber. The system includes a strain gage mounted on the shear bar and a controller that is electrically connected to the strain gage. The controller receives strain signals from the stage gage and compares the strain of the shear bar to a predetermined strain threshold corresponding to a jamming condition. If the strain exceeds the predetermined threshold, the controller automatically deactivates the ram, such as by disconnecting line power from the baler and/or by turning off the control power of the baler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignees: The Government of the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, West Virginia University
    Inventors: John R. Etherton, John R. Powers, Jr., Eugene Anthony McKenzie, Jr., Kenneth Means, Brad Newbraugh
  • Patent number: 6897783
    Abstract: A personal electrical injury protection system is provided which can be worn by electricians, construction workers, or other individuals working around or with low-voltage lines (i.e. generally less than about 600 volts). The personal electrical injury protection system has both a proximity warning component which provides a warning of potential electrical hazards upon close approach to the low-voltage power line and an electrical contact protection component which turns off the power upon actual electrical contact with the power line. The present personal electrical protection system relies on a radio frequency transmitter attached to the worker or person to be protected and a radio receiver/controller connected to the power line. The radio frequency transmitter has a low frequency generator which is used for electrical-contact protection and a high frequency generator which is used for proximity warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Shengke Zeng, John R. Powers, Jr., Larry L. Jackson, David L. Conover
  • Publication number: 20030011484
    Abstract: A personal electrical injury protection system is provided which can be worn by electricians, construction workers, or other individuals working around or with low-voltage lines (i.e., generally less than about 600 volts). The personal electrical injury protection system has both a proximity warning component which provides a warning of potential electrical hazards upon close approach to the low-voltage power line and an electrical contact protection component which turns off the power upon actual electrical contact with the power line. The present personal electrical protection system relies on a radio frequency transmitter attached to the worker or person to be protected and a radio receiver/controller connected to the power line. The radio frequency transmitter has a low frequency generator which is used for electrical-contact protection and a high frequency generator which is used for proximity warning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Shengke Zeng, John R. Powers, Jr., Larry L. Jackson, David L. Conover