Patents by Inventor Kurt O'Bryan

Kurt O'Bryan 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: 11722106
    Abstract: Multifunctional RF limiting amplifiers having various configurations and functions are disclosed. In a first configuration, the RF limiting amplifier includes an active load output circuit that allows one to adjust the output impedance based upon the anticipated connected load impedance. In a second configuration, the RF limiting amplifier includes a pair of emitter-followers to buffer the output of a first stage, allowing the RF limiting amplifier to drive one or more second stages. A third configuration includes a pair of RF limiting amplifiers with their outputs mixed to implement a down conversion function. The third configuration may be used to drive dual SAW resonators for detecting the presence of biological or chemical agents. The RF limiting amplifier may be implemented in either bipolar junction transistors or CMOS transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt O. Wessendorf, Darren W. Branch
  • Patent number: 11456701
    Abstract: Both parallel-type and serial-type dual-mode oscillators employing stress compensated cut resonators having various configurations are disclosed. Both classes of dual-mode oscillators employ multiple tank circuits to pass one frequency of the resonator and block the other frequency. The tank circuits isolate the operation of the two oscillator sub-circuits that form the dual-mode oscillator from one another. The dual-mode oscillators may be implemented with either bipolar or CMOS transistors. The parallel-type dual-mode oscillators employ inverters to provide gain. The serial-type dual-mode oscillators employ a two (or three) stage design including a follower circuit first stage and an inverting amplifier/limiter circuit second stage, with an optional intervening transimpedance amplifier stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wessendorf
  • Patent number: 10566936
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to a high-impedance current source are described herein. The current source outputs a substantially constant current by way of a first transistor that draws current from a supply. The current source is configured to feed-back noise from the supply to a feedback resistor at an input of an operational amplifier (op-amp) by way of a second transistor. The feedback resistor and the op-amp are configured such that responsive to receiving the supply noise feedback, the op-amp drives a gate voltage of the first transistor to cause the first transistor to reject the supply noise and cause the output of the current source to remain substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wessendorf
  • Patent number: 10483912
    Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to non-inverting multi-mode oscillators. An oscillator circuit can include a non-inverting sustaining amplifier and a feedback network. The non-inverting sustaining amplifier includes an amplifier input and an amplifier output. The feedback network includes a crystal, an input portion, and an output portion. The crystal of the feedback network can be connected between the amplifier input and the amplifier output of the non-inverting sustaining amplifier. The input portion of the feedback network can be connected between the amplifier input and ground, and can include an inductor realized using a tank circuit. Further, the output portion of the feedback network can be connected between the amplifier output and ground, and can include a capacitor. Moreover, the crystal can operate in series resonance mode or parallel resonance mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wessendorf
  • Publication number: 20190201909
    Abstract: An eccentric assembly for a crusher is disclosed. The eccentric assembly attaches both an eccentric and a counterweight to an underlying rotatable gear that supplies rotational force to the assembly. The eccentric includes an eccentric barrel and an eccentric flange, and the sides of the eccentric are disproportionately weighted. Similarly, the counterweight is disproportionately weighted in an inverse configuration to the eccentric. The eccentric and the counterweight are bolted, pinned, keyed, screwed, nailed, or otherwise fastened to an upper side of the gear. Additionally, the eccentric and the gear both have fluid channels disposed therein for transporting lubricant, such as oil, through the crusher. In particular, the gear may include internally bored fluid passages or external drains for receiving and dispelling the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kurt O'Bryan, Michael James Noble
  • Publication number: 20190099760
    Abstract: A cone crusher is described including: a stationary main shaft; and a crushing head; wherein the ratio of the diameter of the main shaft to the diameter of the head is greater than 0.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kurt O'Bryan, Jerrod Dulmes
  • Patent number: 10090826
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to a high-impedance current source are described herein. The current source outputs a substantially constant current by way of a first transistor that draws current from a supply. The current source is configured to feed back noise from the supply to a feedback resistor at an input of an operational amplifier (op-amp) by way of a second transistor. The feedback resistor and the op-amp are configured such that responsive to receiving the supply noise feedback, the op-amp drives a gate voltage of the first transistor to cause the first transistor to reject the supply noise and cause the output of the current source to remain substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wessendorf
  • Patent number: 9758713
    Abstract: A hydraulic cementing composition and a method of making the same is disclosed. The composition is useful to form a sheath of hardened cement in the annular space between a well pipe disposed in a well bore and the walls of the well bore. The cementing composition is a mixture of dry ingredients comprising hydraulic cement and an additive to control the loss of fluid from an aqueous slurry containing the cementing composition. The fluid loss additive and a method of making the same is disclosed. The fluid loss additive is the reaction product of three chemical compounds each having an ethylene backbone and functional groups selected from carboxylates, hydrogen, anhydrides and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FRITZ INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Ferrell, Jr., Kurt O. Lindstrom, Luis M. Perales, Hongfeng Ren
  • Patent number: 9714372
    Abstract: A hydraulic cementing composition and a method of making the same is disclosed. The composition is useful to form a sheath of hardened cement in the annular space between a well pipe disposed in a well bore and the walls of the well bore. The cementing composition is a mixture of dry ingredients comprising hydraulic cement and an additive to control the loss of fluid from an aqueous slurry containing the cementing composition. The fluid loss additive and a method of making the same is disclosed. The fluid loss additive is the reaction product of three chemical compounds each having an ethylene backbone and functional groups selected from carboxylates, hydrogen, anhydrides and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FRITZ INDUSTRIES, INC. A CORP. OF TEXAS
    Inventors: James C. Ferrell, Jr., Kurt O. Lindstrom, Luis M. Perales, Hongfeng Ren
  • Patent number: 9321953
    Abstract: A hydraulic cementing composition and a method of making the same is disclosed. The composition is useful to form a sheath of hardened cement in the annular space between a well pipe disposed in a well bore and the walls of the well bore. The cementing composition is a mixture of dry ingredients comprising hydraulic cement and an additive to control the loss of fluid from an aqueous slurry containing the cementing composition. The fluid loss additive and a method of making the same is disclosed. The fluid loss additive is the reaction product of three chemical compounds each having an ethylene backbone and functional groups selected from carboxylates, hydrogen, anhydrides and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FRITZ INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Ferrell, Jr., Kurt O. Lindstrom, Luis M. Perales, Hongfeng Ren
  • Publication number: 20130208912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) having an alternative engine (2) and having at least one first loudspeaker (7) for outputting a sound to the surroundings of the vehicle (1), wherein a microphone (3, 4, 5) is provided in the engine space of the vehicle (1) in order to pick up the engine sounds of the engine (2) and that amplifier means (6) are provided in order to amplify the picked-up engine sounds and wherein the first loudspeaker (7) is provided in the engine space in order to re-output the picked-up engine sounds in amplified form directly in the engine space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: BDP SICHERHEITSTECHNOLOGIEN GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wiederwohl
  • Patent number: 8285394
    Abstract: A demultiplexer circuit is disclosed which can be used with a conventional neural stimulator to extend the number of electrodes which can be activated. The demultiplexer circuit, which is formed on a semiconductor substrate containing a power supply that provides all the dc electrical power for operation of the circuit, includes digital latches that receive and store addressing information from the neural stimulator one bit at a time. This addressing information is used to program one or more 1:2N demultiplexers in the demultiplexer circuit which then route neural stimulation signals from the neural stimulator to an electrode array which is connected to the outputs of the 1:2N demultiplexer. The demultiplexer circuit allows the number of individual electrodes in the electrode array to be increased by a factor of 2N with N generally being in a range of 2-4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt O. Wessendorf, Murat Okandan, Sean Pearson
  • Publication number: 20120232746
    Abstract: In a safety system (S) for an aircraft (1) for storing flight (FD) and voice data (SD) relevant for reconstructing crashes, comprising a data collection device (6) which is connected to sensors (4, 5) of the aircraft (1) and by means of which relevant flight data (FD) and voice data (SD) of the aircraft (1) can be collected and stored by means of a black box-terra (7) which is substantially inseparably attached to the aircraft (1), the black box-terra (7) being accommodated in an impact-proof and fireproof housing, a data splitter (9, 15) is provided by means of which the flight (FD) and voice data (SD) to be stored in the black box-terra (7) can be delivered in parallel to a black box-water (8; 8.1 to 8.9), and it is furthermore provided that the black box-water (8; 8.1 to 8.9) is likewise designed for storing the collected flight (FD) and voice data (SD), wherein the black box-water (8; 8.1 to 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: BDP SICHERHEITSTECHNOLOGIEN GMBH
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wiederwohl
  • Patent number: 8215576
    Abstract: A gyratory crusher is provided that has a crusher head, an eccentric assembly connected to the crusher head, a bushing positioned between the eccentric assembly and the crusher head, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. The retaining member has an opening and a plurality of holes. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the eccentric assembly such that a portion of the eccentric assembly is within the opening. Each fastener extends through a respective hole to the crusher head. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the crusher head and the eccentric assembly such that the retaining member is decoupled from the bushing. The cone crusher is preferably configured to crush rock, stone, ore or minerals. A method of making or retrofitting a crushing device such as, for example, a cone crusher or other gyratory crusher, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: FLSMIDTH A/S
    Inventors: Joseph P. Martinez, Jr., Kurt O'Bryan, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8000804
    Abstract: An electrode array for neural stimulation is disclosed which has particular applications for use in a retinal prosthesis. The electrode array can be formed as a hermetically-sealed two-part ceramic package which includes an electronic circuit such as a demultiplexer circuit encapsulated therein. A relatively large number (up to 1000 or more) of individually-addressable electrodes are provided on a curved surface of a ceramic base portion the electrode array, while a much smaller number of electrical connections are provided on a ceramic lid of the electrode array. The base and lid can be attached using a metal-to-metal seal formed by laser brazing. Electrical connections to the electrode array can be provided by a flexible ribbon cable which can also be used to secure the electrode array in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt O. Wessendorf, Murat Okandan, David J. Stein, Pin Yang, Joseph Cesarano, III, Jennifer Dellinger
  • Patent number: 7950246
    Abstract: The invention is an assembly of abutting vacuum insulated panels configured and arranged to form a retention chamber with a slip surface providing a low kinetic coefficient of friction interposed between the panels within the abutment areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Minnesota Thermal Science, LLC
    Inventors: William N. Mayer, William T. Mayer, Kurt O. Mankell
  • Publication number: 20110094830
    Abstract: A machine for lifting and/or rotating a vehicle or other object, comprising two or more column assemblies generally located on opposite sides of the vehicle or other object. Each assembly comprises a base, a support column, a lifting mechanism, optionally a cross beam connected to the lifting mechanism, and one or more transfer beams that transfer vehicle or object loads to the column assemblies directly or via the cross beams. All loads are transferred substantially in the planes of the lifting mechanisms. the lift may be mounted on rollers and casters and, thus, movable; fastening of the lift to a floor is not required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Kurt O'Ferrall Lund
  • Publication number: 20110084156
    Abstract: A gyratory crusher is provided that has a crusher head, an eccentric assembly connected to the crusher head, a bushing positioned between the eccentric assembly and the crusher head, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. The retaining member has an opening and a plurality of holes. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the eccentric assembly such that a portion of the eccentric assembly is within the opening. Each fastener extends through a respective hole to the crusher head. The retaining member is positioned adjacent to the crusher head and the eccentric assembly such that the retaining member is decoupled from the bushing. The cone crusher is preferably configured to crush rock, stone, ore or minerals. A method of making or retrofitting a crushing device such as, for example, a cone crusher or other gyratory crusher, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FLSMIDTH EXCEL LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Martinez, JR., Kurt O'Bryan
  • Patent number: 7825735
    Abstract: A transimpedance amplifier system is disclosed which simultaneously generates a low-gain output signal and a high-gain output signal from an input current signal using a single transimpedance amplifier having two different feedback loops with different amplification factors to generate two different output voltage signals. One of the feedback loops includes a resistor, and the other feedback loop includes another resistor in series with one or more diodes. The transimpedance amplifier system includes a signal linearizer to linearize one or both of the low- and high-gain output signals by scaling and adding the two output voltage signals from the transimpedance amplifier. The signal linearizer can be formed either as an analog device using one or two summing amplifiers, or alternately can be formed as a digital device using two analog-to-digital converters and a digital signal processor (e.g. a microprocessor or a computer).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt O. Wessendorf
  • Patent number: 7644545
    Abstract: A baffled insulation product for ventilating air under a roof from an open space is provided comprising an elongated insulation mat having top and bottom major surfaces, the top major surface facing the roof when the product is installed in the open space, the insulation mat having a baffle integral therewith proximate to the top major surface, comprising at least one airflow channel for the ventilating air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Certainteed Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt O. Mankell, R. Allan Snyder, Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Mark Trabbold, Nick Flocco, Kenneth D. Knapp