Patents by Inventor John Sears

John Sears 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).

  • Publication number: 20220374737
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide techniques for scoring a driver or vehicle. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed comprising receiving metrics associated with a vehicle; generating a deviation vector based on the metrics and a plurality of aggregated values corresponding to the metrics; computing a driver update value based on the deviation vector and a plurality of model parameters, each of the plurality of model parameters corresponding to the metrics; and computing a driver score based on the driver update value, a previous score, and a learning rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Raghu V. DHARA, Shravan SUNKADA, Christopher CHEN, John SEARS
  • Patent number: 9719521
    Abstract: A gas supply system for a mechanical seal turns on the gas supply at a pressurized flow rate at the time of compressor case pressurization and remains on during compressor rotation until pressure is adequate. The gas supply system has an intensifier that includes a pair of mechanically inter-connected pneumatic pressure cylinders which comprise a drive cylinder that affects movement of a boost cylinder wherein the displacement of these mechanically interconnected pistons in the drive cylinder and boost cylinder intensifies the pressure being discharged by the boost cylinder and supplied as a barrier fluid to the mechanical seal. The intensifier uses a control valve and operating system which includes a fast-acting 5/2-way solenoid valve having a feedback loop connected to a control system which includes a microprocessor that controls valve actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: John Sears, Vladimir Bakalchuk, Luis Figueroa
  • Publication number: 20140150421
    Abstract: A gas supply system for a mechanical seal turns on the gas supply at a pressurized flow rate at the time of compressor case pressurization and remains on during compressor rotation until pressure is adequate. The gas supply system has an intensifier that includes a pair of mechanically inter-connected pneumatic pressure cylinders which comprise a drive cylinder that affects movement of a boost cylinder wherein the displacement of these mechanically interconnected pistons in the drive cylinder and boost cylinder intensifies the pressure being discharged by the boost cylinder and supplied as a barrier fluid to the mechanical seal. The intensifier uses a control valve and operating system which includes a fast-acting 5/2-way solenoid valve having a feedback loop connected to a control system which includes a micro-processor that controls valve actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: John Sears, Vladimir Bakalchuk, Luis Figueroa
  • Patent number: 8082939
    Abstract: A dry gas seal leakage recovery system is provided which collects seal leakage gas from one or more mechanical seal assemblies, pressurizing and controlling the outlet distribution pressure of the collected seal leakage, and re-injecting the gas back into the compressor or seal supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: John Sears, Shawn Patterson
  • Publication number: 20100294374
    Abstract: A dry gas seal leakage recovery system is provided which collects seal leakage gas from one or more mechanical seal assemblies, pressurizing and controlling the outlet distribution pressure of the collected seal leakage, and re-injecting the gas back into the compressor or seal supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: John SEARS, Shawn PATTERSON
  • Publication number: 20050061452
    Abstract: A system and method for rapidly and reliably sealing off a selected opening from the passage of smoke, noxious fumes, or contaminated air includes a powered clutch and viscous governor that provides a fail-safe mode of operation. A curtain is positioned in a housing adjacent to an upper limit of an opening such as a hoist access-way. The curtain is wrapped around a spindle that is connected to a spool via two cords. The curtain is held in the housing in a stored configuration by a powered clutch so that upon removal of power, either via a controller or by power loss, the clutch releases the spool allowing the cord to unwind lowering and thus deploying the curtain. A capacitor can be included to prevent inadvertent deployments due to momentary power loss. The speed at which the spool rotates, and correspondingly the curtain deploys, is limited by a viscous governor coupled to the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Applicant: Smoke Guard Corporation
    Inventors: John Sears, Tasche Strieb, Eric Holstine, Kevin Klocek, Thomas Allen
  • Publication number: 20050035170
    Abstract: A backpack is provided incorporating a framesheet and having superior torsional flexibility and load support. The backpack includes a sack configured to be disposed on a user's back and having a first side adjacent to the user's back, when worn. The framesheet is attached to the first side of the sack, generally with the spine of the user. A surface contour is provided to the framesheet that facilitates load support and inhibits barreling. The framesheet has a first width in the upper region and a second width less than the first width, the second width residing in the intermediate between the scapulas and the hip bones of the user. Optionally, a stay can also be provided to the backside of the framesheet, preferably along the centerline thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: Bianchi International
    Inventors: John Sears, Wayne Gregory