Patents by Inventor M. Nichols

M. Nichols 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: 11290212
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for calculating time delays by a Wasserstein approach are provided. A plurality of signals are recorded by a plurality of sensors (three or more), respectively, and received at a controller. The plurality of signals recorded by the plurality of sensors are generated in response to a signal emitted by a source. The plurality of signals are converted into a plurality of probability density functions. A cumulative distribution transform for each of the plurality of probability density functions is calculated. A time delay for each unique pair of the plurality of sensors is calculated by minimizing a Wasserstein distance between two cumulative distribution transforms corresponding to the unique pair of the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Meredith N. Hutchinson, Jonathan M. Nichols, Gustavo K. Rohde, Nicole Menkart, Geoffrey A. Cranch
  • Publication number: 20220074470
    Abstract: A ball-planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) capable of stable control in forward and reverse rotation over a range of speed ratios including underdrive and overdrive is provided. Imparting a skew angle (zeta) causes unbalanced forces that change the tilt angle (gamma), resulting in a change in speed ratio of the CVT. Angularly orientating a control system of the CVT with a positive offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a first direction of rotation or angularly orientating the control system with a negative offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a reverse direction of rotation. A control system for configuring the offset angle (psi) may lead or trail the planets. The control system may configure a larger offset angle for more stable control or may configure a smaller offset angle for higher sensitivity in potential rollback scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Jon M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20220034971
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided comprising providing an energy storage device including two or more energy storage elements; initiating execution of an energy storage capacity module operative to test a capacity of a first energy storage element; removing the storage element from service, while maintaining service of the energy storage device; measuring a capacity of the removed storage element; receiving the measured capacity at a lifing model; executing the lifing model to generate an output; and manipulating operation of the energy storage device based on the generated output. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Danielle KALITAN, Jason M. NICHOLS
  • Patent number: 11229379
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the analysis of gaseous compounds, especially for determining the concentration of a gas or gases in a gas mixture by microwave spectroscopy. Microwave radiation is generated at one or more frequencies the gas is most responsive to, transmitted by antenna, passed through the gas under test, received by antenna, and the absorption and/or reflection of the microwave radiation is measured by means such as digitization and analysis using the FFT spectrum versus energy response generated, the response subsequently used to calculate the gas concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventors: James Robert Uplinger, II, Robert M Nichol, Walter John Keller
  • Publication number: 20220014280
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for removing noise from a received signal. A signal is received, at a controller, that was recorded by a sensor and emitted by a source. The signal includes a signal of interest component and a noise component. The noise component of the signal is sampled, and the sampled noise component of the signal is used to estimate a variance in the noise component. An energy of the signal of interest component of the signal is determined. A cumulative distribution function for the received signal is calculated, and a cumulative distribution function of the signal of interest component of the received signal is then calculated based on the estimated variance in the sampled noise component, the determined energy of the signal of interest component of the signal, and the calculated cumulative distribution function for the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Meredith N. Hutchinson, Jonathan M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210367414
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 11174922
    Abstract: A ball-planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) capable of stable control in forward and reverse rotation over a range of speed ratios including underdrive and overdrive is provided. Imparting a skew angle (zeta) causes unbalanced forces that change the tilt angle (gamma), resulting in a change in speed ratio of the CVT. Angularly orientating a control system of the CVT with a positive offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a first direction of rotation or angularly orientating the control system with a negative offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a reverse direction of rotation. A control system for configuring the offset angle (psi) may lead or trail the planets. The control system may configure a larger offset angle for more stable control or may configure a smaller offset angle for higher sensitivity in potential rollback scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Jon M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210281361
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for calculating time delays by a Wasserstein approach are provided. A plurality of signals are recorded by a plurality of sensors (three or more), respectively, and received at a controller. The plurality of signals recorded by the plurality of sensors are generated in response to a signal emitted by a source. The plurality of signals are converted into a plurality of probability density functions. A cumulative distribution transform for each of the plurality of probability density functions is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Meredith N. Hutchinson, Jonathan M. Nichols, Gustavo K. Rohde, Nicole Menkart, Geoffrey A. Cranch
  • Patent number: 11088518
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as an electrical device or a wall box, may have a mounting mechanism that may be configured to mount the apparatus to a wall in a manner that may facilitate secure fastening to the wall. The apparatus may comprise at least one mounting clamp that may have a fin and a drum that receives a mounting screw. The fin of the mounting clamp may be configured to be located within a pocket formed in the body. When a mounting screw is driven, the mounting clamp may rotate from the pocket into a position in which the drum of the mounting clamp may be received in a channel formed in the body. The drum may be configured to move through the channel as the mounting screw is further driven. The gap may be sized to retain the mounting clamp within the channel as the drum moves therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20210184442
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Publication number: 20210103088
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 10916925
    Abstract: A temperature control system may include a temperature control device, an electrical wall box having a hole for passing a wire or cable into the wall box, and a gland configured to be inserted into the hole of the wall box. The temperature control device may include a temperature sensor. The wall box may be configured to be mounted to a wall. The temperature control device may be configured to be mounted to the wall box such that the temperature sensor is located within the wall box. A wire or cable may be passed from a wall cavity of the wall, through the gland once inserted into the hole of the wall box, into an interior of the wall box, and attached to the temperature control device. The gland and the wall box may be configured to prevent air within the wall cavity from entering the wall box when the wire or cable is passed into the wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Publication number: 20210031817
    Abstract: A system and method generate a trip plan for a trip of a vehicle system along a route. The usage of an engine during the trip is determined based on engine operational parameters, energy storage device operational parameters, and one or more objectives of the trip desired to be achieved. The usage of the energy storage device during the trip is also determined based on the engine operational parameters, the energy storage device operational parameters, and the one or more objective, including when to charge or discharge the energy storage device during the trip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: James D. Brooks, Gayathri Seenumani, Harry Kirk Mathews, JR., Jason M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10782471
    Abstract: A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20200271201
    Abstract: A ball-planetary continuously variable transmission (CVT) capable of stable control in forward and reverse rotation over a range of speed ratios including underdrive and overdrive is provided. Imparting a skew angle (zeta) causes unbalanced forces that change the tilt angle (gamma), resulting in a change in speed ratio of the CVT. Angularly orientating a control system of the CVT with a positive offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a first direction of rotation or angularly orientating the control system with a negative offset angle (psi) configures the CVT for operation in a reverse direction of rotation. A control system for configuring the offset angle (psi) may lead or trail the planets. The control system may configure a larger offset angle for more stable control or may configure a smaller offset angle for higher sensitivity in potential rollback scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Jon M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10746270
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Gregory G. Stevenson, Brad P. Pohl, Fernand A. Thomassy, Charles B. Lohr, Jeremy Carter, John W. Sherrill, Brian B. Sweet
  • Patent number: 10711869
    Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald C. Miller, Robert A. Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Charles B. Lohr, Jon M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10633291
    Abstract: A window pane for an interceptor missile includes a light transmissive base material and light transmissive additive particles dispersed within a thickness of the light transmissive base material so as to define stress nodes, the stress nodes localizing, upon applied thermal shock or thermal heating, crack propagation around each stress node and/or between two or more adjacent stress nodes and preventing a continuous crack propagation through any one of a length, a width and a thickness of the window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert M. Nichol
  • Publication number: 20200095593
    Abstract: The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs, as well as their nucleotide sequences, useful for modulating gene expression in plants. The invention also provides transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a DNA molecule operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecule, as are methods of their use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Jaishree M. Chittoor, Amy J. Miyamoto, Amy M. Nichols, Mohammed Oufattole, Michael W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 10574539
    Abstract: A data store may contain data describing systems associated with an enterprise. The data store may contain electronic records, each containing a record identifier and a set of record characteristic values, including a service tier goal. A compliance score may be automatically calculated based on an assessment of record characteristic values, the service tier goal, and at least a system availability value, an incident response time value, and an incident restoration time value. A remediation recommendation may be generated, including steps that, when performed, will result in the selected system meeting the service tier goal. An indication representing the remediation recommendation may then be transmitted in connection with an interactive user interface display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Patrick D. Brown, John G. Buccetti, Daniel R. Console, Lisa J. Kissane, Robert M. Nichols, Hugh J. Quinn, Irma Rivera, Kenneth A. Saucier, Angela L Secondino, Susan R. Vecchio, Donna M. Warnock