Patents by Inventor Larry D. Vaught

Larry D. Vaught 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: 7495366
    Abstract: A compact slip ring (20), which is particularly adapted for use in small spaces, is adapted to provide electrical contact between a rotor (22) and a stator (21). The improved slip ring broadly includes an electrically-conductive monofilament (24) having one end (28) mounted on the stator and having a distal end (34); a sleeve (25) mounted on and secured to the marginal end portion of the monofilament, adjacent the distal end; and a fiber bundle (26) having a longitudinal axis (39), one marginal end portion of the fiber bundle being recessed in and secured to the sleeve, the other end of the fiber bundle engaging the rotor such that the longitudinal axis of the fiber bundle will be substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line tangent to the rotor surface at the point of contact with the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Day, Norris E. Lewis, Jerry T. Perdue, Larry D. Vaught, Hettie H. Webb, Barry K. Witherspoon
  • Patent number: 7339302
    Abstract: The present invention provides several improvements in a slip ring (36) that is adapted to provide electrical contact between a rotor (42) and stator (40). In one aspect, a brush tube (39) is crimped around the upper marginal end portions of a plurality of individual fibers (38) inserted therein. In another aspect, a collimator tube (41) extends downwardly beyond the end of the brush tube to limit lateral movement of the fibers in the bundle when the rotor rotates. In yet another arrangement, a spring (55, 56) is arranged to bear against a current-carrying conductor to adjustably vary the force by which the lower ends of the fibers are urged to move toward the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Norris E. Lewis, Jerry T. Perdue, Larry D. Vaught, Hettie H. Webb, Barry K. Witherspoon
  • Patent number: 7158700
    Abstract: A fiber optic transceiver (37) is adapted for use in transmitting and receiving optical signals in a fiber-optic network (30). The improved transceiver comprising: a multi-mode optical fiber (36) having a longitudinal axis (x—x) and having a proximal end (35). The fiber is adapted to convey optical signals in either direction therealong. A photodetector (32) is arranged in longitudinally-spaced relation to the fiber proximal end. The photodetector has a sensitive surface (34) operatively arranged to receive light energy exiting the fiber through the proximal end. A light source (31) is arranged between the fiber proximal end and the photodetector surface. The light source is arranged to selective emit light energy into the fiber through the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Duncan, Kanwai P. Lo, Larry D. Vaught, Barry K. Witherspoon
  • Patent number: 7105983
    Abstract: The present invention provides several improvements in a slip ring (36) that is adapted to provide electrical contact between a rotor (42) and stator (40). In one aspect, a brush tube (39) is crimped around the upper marginal end portions of a plurality of individual fibers (38) inserted therein. In another aspect, a collimator tube (41) extends downwardly beyond the end of the brush tube to limit lateral movement of the fibers in the bundle when the rotor rotates. In yet another arrangement, a spring (55, 56) is arranged to bear against a current-carrying conductor to adjustably vary the force by which the lower ends of the fibers are urged to move toward the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Day, Norris E. Lewis, Jerry T. Perdue, Larry D. Vaught, Hettie H. Webb, Barry K. Witherspoon