Patents by Inventor Kent James

Kent James 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: 20180255696
    Abstract: A system and method that automatically monitors product use, such as the type and amount of agricultural and/or horticultural product stored in and dispensed from a cartridge over time and/or by geographic location. Monitored data are stored in memory such as a tag on the cartridge and may be transmitted to a server for storage, aggregation, and analysis. The cartridge may be authenticated before being authorized for use for the benefit of a current user in dispensing the product. The cartridge may be refilled after confirmation of authorization codes on the cartridge and refilling equipment tags. The cartridge may be calibrated automatically based on the bulk density or other parameter of the product in the cartridge. Data may be aggregated from a plurality of cartridges automatically. As-applied data from individual cartridges may be used to verify, independent of operator input, treated area coverage and product application rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Eric G. Wintemute, Richard L. Rice, Kent James, John J. Richardson
  • Publication number: 20170105670
    Abstract: A substance measurement device includes: a container portion configured to receive a substance; a sensing device configured to measure a property of the substance related to at least one of a flow rate of the substance into the container portion, a level of the substance within the container portion, and a volume of the substance within the container portion; and at least one shield positioned within the container portion and configured to provide at least one of: a mechanical buffer between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device; and an electrical shield between the substance entering the container portion and the sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Brian D. Holt, Scott B. McClellan, Alvin Y. Le, Kent James Ogden
  • Patent number: 9560692
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Jean-Jacques Clar, Craig L. Koehrsen, Brian Gerard Funke, Brett Andrew Eisenmenger, Deepa Jeyamani, Kent James Chesko, Clarence Matthew Glover, Shahul Hameed Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20150198936
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Robert Jason McGEE, Jean-Jacques CLAR, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Brian Gerard FUNKE, Brett Andrew EISENMENGER, Deepa JEYAMANI, Kent James CHESKO, Clarence Matthew GLOVER, Shahul Hameed MOHAMMED
  • Patent number: 8007748
    Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from fluids, in particular gases at elevated temperature. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite, thus increasing the efficiency of the process. In select embodiments, powdered perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments powdered perlite is provided in an adsorption bed. Fluids containing metals or metal compounds in vapor form are permitted to pass through the adsorption bed until the expanded perlite powder is saturated (exhausted) with the metal and metal compounds adsorbed thereon. The perlite is then replaced, disposing of the exhausted perlite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Veera M. Boddu, Tushar K. Ghosh, Kent James Hay, Dabir S. Viswanath
  • Patent number: 7678178
    Abstract: A system and associated method for removing metal, including metal in vapor form, from high temperature fluid emissions such as may occur at the exhaust of furnaces or thermal treatment equipment. One embodiment is the Integrated Metal Emissions Control System (IMECS™) incorporating both a Steel Screen Particulate (SSP) Filter System and a Perlite Based Sorbent (PBS) System. IMECS™ uses the SSP Filter System, with pore sizes down to one micron, to capture toxic metal particulate materials and the PBS System to capture vapor phase metals using surface-modified perlite. Using the IMECS™, EPA-listed heavy metals have been removed from representative high-temperature emissions in field tests to easily meet the NESHAP standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Veera M. Boddu, Kent James Hay
  • Publication number: 20090165649
    Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from fluids, in particular gases at elevated temperature. In select embodiments, powdered perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments powdered perlite is provided in an adsorption bed. Fluid containing metals or metal compounds in vapor form is permitted to pass through the adsorption bed until the expanded perlite powder is saturated (exhausted) with the metal and metal compounds adsorbed thereon. The perlite is then replaced, disposing of the exhausted perlite. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite, thus increasing the efficiency of the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: VEERA M. BODDU, Tushar K. Ghosh, Kent James Hay, Dabir S. Viswanath
  • Patent number: 7524794
    Abstract: Perlite, particularly, perlite in powdered form, is employed to adsorb metals and metal compounds from a fluid flow. In select embodiments, the perlite is treated to expand its surface area and injected into a fluid stream, such as flue gas, held for a specific retention period, and removed for subsequent disposal. In other embodiments the perlite is provided in a fixed adsorption bed and the fluid flow permitted to pass through the bed until the perlite surface is exhausted. The perlite in the fixed bed is then replaced, with the exhausted perlite disposed of as appropriate. Treatment of perlite by boiling with sulfuric acid or suspending in a suspension of sulfur in carbon disulfide has been shown to significantly expand the surface area of perlite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Veera M. Boddu, Kent James Hay, Tushar K. Ghosh, Dabir S. Viswanath
  • Publication number: 20080289492
    Abstract: A system and associated method for removing metal, including metal in vapor form, from high temperature fluid emissions such as may occur at the exhaust of furnaces or thermal treatment equipment. One embodiment is the Integrated Metal Emissions Control System (IMECS™) incorporating both a Steel Screen Particulate (SSP) Filter System and a Perlite Based Sorbent (PBS) System. IMECS™ uses the SSP Filter System, with pore sizes down to one micron, to capture toxic metal particulate materials and the PBS System to capture vapor phase metals using surface-modified perlite. Using the IMECS™, EPA-listed heavy metals have been removed from representative high-temperature emissions in field tests to easily meet the NESHAP standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Veera M. Boddu, Kent James Hay
  • Patent number: 6811591
    Abstract: An autonomous pushed liquid recirculation system (APLRS) is installed in a vessel, such as an electroplating tank. It situates around the interior perimeter and adjusts to changes in the level of liquid, maintaining the same location and orientation respective to the liquid's surface. It establishes a current near the surface that pushes liquid across the narrow horizontal dimension of the tank from a front wall to a rear wall. The current serves to push any bubbles resultant from operations within the tank to the rear wall. Over the rear wall is mounted an abbreviated exhaust hood covering only a short width of the surface of the tank along the rear wall. Because the exhaust system has to scavenge only a portion of the surface since all bubbles now burst along the rear wall, a much smaller air handling apparatus may be specified with an attendant savings in energy costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Kent James Hay, Shaoying Qi
  • Patent number: 6786889
    Abstract: Desired portions of a balloon may be marked by varying the texture of the surface. Marking the balloon facilitates positioning of the balloon on a catheter and facilitates positioning a medical device on the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc
    Inventors: Frank Musbach, Kent James Zachman, Tracee Eidenschink, Wang Leng Yang
  • Patent number: 6736841
    Abstract: Desired portions of a balloon may be marked by varying the texture of the surface. Marking the balloon facilitates positioning of the balloon on a catheter and facilitates positioning a medical device on the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Musbach, Kent James Zachman, Tracee Eidenschink, Wang Leng Yang
  • Publication number: 20030004535
    Abstract: Desired portions of a balloon may be marked by varying the texture of the surface. Marking the balloon facilitates positioning of the balloon on a catheter and facilitates positioning a medical device on the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Musbach, Kent James Zachman, Tracee Eidenschink, Wang Leng Yang
  • Publication number: 20020195334
    Abstract: An autonomous pushed liquid recirculation system (APLRS) is installed in a vessel, such as an electroplating tank. It situates around the interior perimeter and adjusts to changes in the level of liquid, maintaining the same location and orientation respective to the liquid's surface. It establishes a current near the surface that pushes liquid across the narrow horizontal dimension of the tank from a front wall to a rear wall. The current serves to push any bubbles resultant from operations within the tank to the rear wall. Over the rear wall is mounted an abbreviated exhaust hood covering only a short width of the surface of the tank along the rear wall. Because the exhaust system has to scavenge only a portion of the surface since all bubbles now burst along the rear wall, a much smaller air handling apparatus may be specified with an attendant savings in energy costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Kent James Hay, Shaoying Qi
  • Patent number: 4718376
    Abstract: The invention is a method for controlling sootblowing in a power boiler or chemical recovery boiler. The method comprises assigning the sootblowers into a number of groups. Sootblowers within a group are generally adjacent to each other and cover heat transfer surfaces having similar fouling deposit formation characteristics. Each group will typically have up to 4 sootblowers. Every sootblower is assigned a weight factor which is the percentage of the total number of sootblowing cycles that the sootblower will be operative. Every sootblowing cycle in the boiler begins with the most upstream sootblower group and proceeds progressively through all of the other groups in the direction of the flow of combustion gases until the most downstream sootblower group is reached. By blowing in this manner the dislodged fouling deposits from the upstream heat transfer surfaces are swept in the direction of combustion gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Pierre E. Leroueil, R. Kent James, Gregory K. Brock