Patents by Inventor Keith Berning

Keith Berning 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: 20200128153
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler
  • Patent number: 10432827
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler
  • Patent number: 10350647
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20180339313
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: ALAN ROMACK, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20160001330
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: ALAN ROMACK, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20150183404
    Abstract: A vehicle speed, ambient temperature or surface-condition responsive wash system 89 has a control system configured to adapt the wash system's operation to sensed operating conditions. The adaptive system and method selectively controlling aimed windshield washer fluid sprays comprises a multi (e.g., two) mode system with a washer fluid driving pump 80 having an impeller 121 that is activated to supply fluid under pressure to a multi-mode nozzle assembly 98. Selectable first, or low pressure, and second, or high pressure, modes are provided by controlling the pump's polarity and impeller spin direction, hi an exemplary embodiment, a two-mode pump 80 is initially operated in the second mode, or reverse direction, producing a lower pressure flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Shridhar Gopalan, Thomas Marsden, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20140060582
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhar, Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler
  • Patent number: 8205812
    Abstract: An improved fluidic device that operates on a pressurized liquid flowing through it at a specified flow rate to generate an oscillating spray of liquid droplets having desired properties (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Russell D. Hester, Keith Berning
  • Publication number: 20100072307
    Abstract: An improved fluidic device that operates on a pressurized liquid flowing through it at a specified flow rate to generate an oscillating spray of liquid droplets having desired properties (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Russell D. Hester, Keith Berning
  • Patent number: 7677480
    Abstract: For those spray applications that use a fluidic oscillator of the type that generates a spray by having a pressurized liquid flow through the oscillator and exhaust into a surrounding environment, and where such an oscillator has a boundary surface which has fabricated into it a channel in the form of what is referred to herein as fluidic circuit, an improved enclosure for this oscillator includes: a body having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein a portion of this interior surface is configured to attach to the oscillator boundary surface so as to form with the oscillator's channel an enclosed pathway through which the to-be-sprayed liquid may flow, and wherein a segment of this interior surface is configured so as to yield specified properties of the resulting spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Russell, Keith Berning, Russell D. Hester
  • Patent number: 7246760
    Abstract: A swivel mount for a spray head configured to be at least partially recessed within a mounting surface of a wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry Marty, Gerald McNerney, Russell D. Hester, Keith Berning
  • Publication number: 20060108442
    Abstract: For those spray applications that use a fluidic oscillator of the type that generates a spray by having a pressurized liquid flow through the oscillator and exhaust into a surrounding environment, and where such an oscillator has a boundary surface which has fabricated into it a channel in the form of what is referred to herein as fluidic circuit, an improved enclosure for this oscillator includes: a body having an interior and an exterior surface, wherein a portion of this interior surface is configured to attach to the oscillator boundary surface so as to form with the oscillator's channel an enclosed pathway through which the to-be-sprayed liquid may flow, and wherein a segment of this interior surface is configured so as to yield specified properties of the resulting spray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Gregory Russell, Keith Berning, Russell Hester
  • Patent number: 7014131
    Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Berning, Daniel E. Steerman, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Gregory Russell
  • Publication number: 20050184173
    Abstract: A swivel mount for a spray head configured to be at least partially recessed within a mounting surface of a wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Garry Marty, Gerald McNerney, Russell Hester, Keith Berning
  • Publication number: 20030234303
    Abstract: A fluidic insert that receives fluid under pressure from a fluid inlet tube and generates a specified spatial distribution of the fluid exiting the insert includes: (1) a body member having top, bottom, front and rear outer surfaces, (2) top and bottom fluidic circuits located, respectively, at least partially within the member's top and bottom surfaces, wherein each of these circuits has at least one power nozzle, an interaction chamber, and an outlet whose exit lies within the member front surface, (3) the bottom fluidic circuit having a portion of its surface area located upstream of the power nozzle and adapted so that it can mate with a fluid inlet tube that supplies fluid to the insert, and (4) an inter-circuit flow passage that allows fluid to flow from the bottom fluid circuit to the top fluid circuit, the bottom end of this passage located such that it is downstream of the point where the inlet tube mates with the bottom circuit and upstream of the bottom circuit's power nozzle, with the top end of t
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Berning, Daniel E. Steerman, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Gregory Russell