Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Gray

Joseph C. Gray 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: 8800813
    Abstract: A metering product delivery pump system that includes a product accumulator assembly, at least one controlled product dispensing assembly and a rotary gate valve assembly for each controlled product dispensing assembly is provided. The product accumulator assembly is coupled to receive product. The at least one controlled product dispensing assembly outputs product to a product package. Each rotary gate valve assembly is coupled to selectively pass product between the product accumulator system and an associated controlled product dispensing assembly. Each rotary gate valve assembly includes a rotary gate valve and at least one blade configured and arranged to engage the rotary gate valve to cut solid product as the rotary gate valve is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Buckles, John P. Hotek, John T. Hays, Gary D. Westland, Allan D. Olson, Joseph C. Gray
  • Patent number: 6564142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of determining the load on one of the plurality of aircraft wheels, determining the aircraft inclination with respect to level, relating the wheel load to the aircraft center of gravity based on the aircraft inclination. The load determination may be conducted by measuring the load on the nose wheel or at some selected point along the longitudinal axis spaced from the main landing gear. An inclinometer is used to measure the aircraft inclination at the time the load is determined. A processor may be provided for receiving the load cell signal and inclination information, and determining wheel load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Aero Modifications & Consulting, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Don S. Godwin, Kenneth D. Driver, Joseph C. Gray, Richard J. Gritter
  • Publication number: 20020099497
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of determining the load on one of the plurality of aircraft wheels, determining the aircraft inclination with respect to level, relating the wheel load to the aircraft center of gravity based on the aircraft inclination. The load determination may be conducted by measuring the load on the nose wheel or at some selected point along the longitudinal axis spaced from the main landing gear. An inclinometer is used to measure the aircraft inclination at the time the load is determined. A processor may be provided for receiving the load cell signal and inclination information, and determining wheel load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Don S. Godwin, Kenneth D. Driver, Joseph C. Gray, Richard J. Gritter
  • Patent number: 6353793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of wheels includes the steps of determining the load on one of the plurality of aircraft wheels, determining the aircraft inclination with respect to level, relating the wheel load to the aircraft center of gravity based on the aircraft inclination. The load determination may be conducted on the aircraft nose wheel using a lever apparatus including a frame having a forward end and an aft end the aft end including an attachment device located at the aft end for providing detachable engagement with the wheel axle. The lever apparatus also includes a pivot arm having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotally attached to the frame at a pivot point located between the forward end and the aft end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Aero Modifications & Consulting, LLC
    Inventors: Don S. Godwin, Kenneth D. Driver, Joseph C. Gray, Richard J. Gritter
  • Patent number: 5740029
    Abstract: The invention provides a real time process control system for control of machinery. The system has a master control module and a slave control module which receives control signals from the master control module. Both control modules send control signals to a control effector and cause changes in at least one effect causing quality of the control effector. The slave control module establishes a target value for the effect causing quality of the control effector based on the signal it receives from the master microprocessor. A sensor connected to the control effector and to the slave control module provides signals in the slave control module which indicate an actual value for the effect causing quality of the control effector. A feedback loop controls the control signal from the slave microprocessor to the control effector to adjust the value of its effect causing quality in accordance with the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Vincent Ferri, Robert D. Dimsa, Joseph C. Gray, Michael E. Romansky