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).

  • Publication number: 20200015708
    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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES ROBERT UPLINGER, II, ROBERT M. NICHOL, WALTER JOHN KELLER
  • Publication number: 20200018384
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Patent number: 10501749
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful for modulating gene expression in plants, including molecules derived from Medicago truncatula sequences, are provided. plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules are further provided, as are methods of their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jaishree M. Chittoor, Amy J. Miyamoto, Amy M. Nichols, Mohammed Oufattole, Michael W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 10465200
    Abstract: Recombinant DNA molecules and constructs useful for modulating gene expression in plants, including molecules derived from Medicago truncatula sequences, are provided. Plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules are further provided, as are methods of their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jaishree M. Chittoor, Amy J. Miyamoto, Amy M. Nichols, Mohammed Oufattole, Michael W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 10458526
    Abstract: Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for improving the performance and increasing the life of continuously variable transmissions (CVT). A first stator may be formed with an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of a second stator. A stator may have radial slots formed to extend farther radially inward than slots on the other stator. The larger outer diameter of a stator or the formation of guide slots on a first stator extending farther radially inward of guide slots on a second stator may prevent egress of a planet axle from a radial slot, increase range of the CVT, allow for larger tolerances to reduce losses, and other advantages, Slots on a timing plate may be formed having a width greater than a width of guide slots formed on either stator to allow the stators to control adjustments while the timing plate avoids runaway axles. The shape, including junction between surfaces on a timing plate or stator may also prevent an axle from egressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brian Benjamin Sweet, Brad P. Pohl, Fernand A. Thomassy, William J. Elliott, David Galvin, Daniel J. Dawe, David Brian Jackson, Wayne Leroy Contello
  • Patent number: 10448864
    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: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventors: James Robert Uplinger, II, Robert M. Nichol, Walter John Keller
  • Publication number: 20190195321
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Robert A. Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Oronde J. Armstrong, Donald C. Miller, Daniel J. Dawe, Fernand A. Thomassy, Matthew P. Simister, Wesley R. Poth, Jon M. Nichols, Charles B. Lohr
  • Patent number: 10323732
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can be used in concert with an electric motor to facilitate power assistance to a rider in a bicycle. In some embodiments, the CVT and motor is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In some embodiments, 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 CVT, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. In some embodiments, the motor is configured to drive elements of the CVT. In other embodiments, the motor is configured to drive the crankshaft. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Christopher M. Vasiliotis
  • Publication number: 20190135702
    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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: NOKOMIS, INC.
    Inventor: ROBERT M NICHOL
  • Publication number: 20190109445
    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: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jared A. Leese, Joseph M. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190109443
    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: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil V. Bhate, Joseph M. Nichols, Sean Tucker
  • Patent number: 10208840
    Abstract: Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) having a plurality of balls, each ball having a bore through which a ball axle passes, are provided. In some aspects, the CVTs include first and second rings on either side and in contact with the plurality of balls, and an idler assembly including an idler having a non-uniform outer diameter. The profile of the idler ensures lubricant flows to a largest diameter of the non-uniform outer diameter, and lubricant sprays off the largest diameter to lubricate one or more components of the CVT. A lubrication system may include a scraper configured to remove lubricant that accumulates in an interior of the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Brad P. Pohl, Daniel J. Dawe, Oronde J. Armstrong, Charles B. Lohr, Loren T. McDaniel, Matthew P. Simister, Fernand A. Thomassy, Ghayyurul I. Usmani, Paul M. Elhardt, Terry L. Stewart, Peter D. Poxton, Elton L. Eidson
  • Patent number: 10160980
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to artificial photosynthesis. In one aspect a system includes a photoanode chamber including a photoanode assembly, a photocathode chamber including a photocathode assembly, an electrical connection electrically connecting the photoanode assembly and the photocathode assembly, a membrane separating the photoanode chamber and the photocathode chamber, and a microorganism disposed in the photocathode chamber. The photoanode assembly is operable to oxidize water to generate oxygen, protons, and electrons. The membrane is permeable to the protons and operable to allow the protons to travel to the photocathode chamber. The electrical connection provides electrons to the photocathode assembly. The microorganism comprises a metabolic pathway to reduce carbon dioxide and to generate a carbon-based compound using the electrons or hydrogen formed by two protons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Peidong Yang, Michelle C. Y. Chang, Christopher J. Chang, Chong Liu, Joseph J. Gallagher, Eva M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 10066713
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a carrier assembly to facilitate the support of components in a CVT. In another embodiment, a carrier includes a stator support member and a stator interfacial member. In some embodiments, the stator interfacial member is configured to interact with planet subassemblies of a CVT. Various inventive planet subassemblies and idler assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the planet subassemblies include legs configured to have a sliding interface with a carrier assembly. Embodiments of a hub shell, a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Matthew P. Simister, Daniel J. Dawe, Charles B. Lohr, Timothy M. Obrzut
  • Publication number: 20180246273
    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: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz
  • Publication number: 20180230479
    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: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Jaishree M. Chittoor, Amy J. Miyamoto, Amy M. Nichols, Mohammed Oufattole, Michael W. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20180230478
    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: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Jaishree M. Chittoor, Amy J. Miyamoto, Amy M. Nichols, Mohammed Oufattole, Michael W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 10036453
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a main shaft configured to support and position various components of the CVT. Shift cam discs cooperate with ball-leg assemblies to shift the transmission ration of the CVT. Load cam discs, a torsion disc, rolling elements, and a hub cap shell are configured to generate axial force, transmit torque, and manage reaction forces. In one embodiment, a splined input shaft and a torsion disc having a splined bore cooperate to input torque into the variator of the CVT. Among other things, various ball axles, axle-ball combinations, and reaction force grounding configurations are disclosed. In one embodiment, a CVT having axial force generation means at both the input and output elements is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Smithson, Brad P. Pohl, Oronde J. Armstrong, Donald C. Miller, Daniel J. Dawe, Fernand A. Thomassy, Matthew P. Simister, Wesley R. Poth, Jon M. Nichols, Charles B. Lohr
  • Publication number: 20180202527
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    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: 9958602
    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: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Philip McDonald, Joseph M. Nichols, Andrew P. Schmalz