Patents by Inventor M. Robinson

M. Robinson 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: 20170305471
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Patent number: 9787032
    Abstract: Ground springs for connector receptacles. The ground springs may protect circuitry in an electronic device from stray voltages when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housed in the electronic device. One example may have a contacting portion located such that when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle, the contacting portion of the ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on a tongue of the connector receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Talalayev, George Tziviskos, Kevin M. Robinson, Daniel A. Bergvall, Edward J. Cooper, Brett W. Degner, David H. Narajowski, Ari Miller, Houtan R. Farahani
  • Patent number: 9779191
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus and method for assessing non-kinetic weapon performance for negating missile threats are generally described herein. In some embodiments, vulnerabilities of missile threats and techniques for negating the threats are identified. A probability of negation associated with an effectiveness of each of the techniques against the vulnerabilities is calculated. The calculated probability of negation of each technique against each vulnerability are conditioned at a plurality of times associated with a plurality of asymmetric missile defense (AMD) layer elements to produce temporal level probabilities of negation. Each temporal level probabilities of negation are conditioned based on a probability of validation of deployment and a probability of verification of mitigation to produce a battle damage assessment probability of negation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Paul C. Hershey, Robert E. Dehnert, Jr., John J. Williams, John N. Carbone, Jeanne M. Robinson, David J. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 9731773
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20170212554
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a metal housing. The metal housing may have an upper housing in which a component such as a display is mounted and a lower housing in which a component such as a keyboard is mounted. Hinges may be used to mount the upper housing to the lower housing for rotation about a rotational axis. A slot-shaped opening may separate the upper and lower housing. Flexible printed circuits with ground traces may bisect the slot-shaped opening to form three electrically isolated slots each of which is aligned with a respective cavity antenna. The antennas may have antenna grounds formed from portions of the metal housing and other conductive structures. Resonating elements for the antennas may be supported by an elongated ventilation port structure along the rear edge of the lower housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Jerzy S. Guterman, Joel D. Barrera, Kevin M. Robinson, Daniel D. Hershey
  • Publication number: 20170181336
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a two-piece metallic board level shield (BLS). In an exemplary embodiment, the BLS is solderable to a printed circuit board (PCB). The BLS includes a lid or cover and a fence or frame. The lid and fence are complementary in shape. The lid may be mounted onto the fence via a locking mechanism in a first position and a compressed second position, where the locking mechanism provides resistance against internal upward forces when the BLS has been compressed into a second position. The BLS may be soldered to the PCB while in the first position, and subsequently compressed into the second position after the solder has hardened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Robinson, Paul W. Crotty, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170165693
    Abstract: A container comprises a receptacle, a manually-operated positive displacement dispensing nozzle, and a draw tube extending from the nozzle. The receptacle includes an upper body wall and an intermediate body wall connected by a first curved wall, and a lower sump wall connected with the intermediate body wall by a second curved wall. The lower sump wall and a bottom wall are connected by a third curved wall. The second curved wall, the lower sump wall, the third curved wall and the bottom wall form a sump into which the draw tube lower end extends to a midpoint. The volume of the sump below the midpoint is substantially equal to the volume of the sump above the midpoint, the draw tube end is spaced substantially equal distance from the surrounding lower sump wall, and the volume of the sump is about three times the volume of the draw tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Tinsley, Toni M. Robinson-Smith
  • Patent number: 9641589
    Abstract: A method for extending a functionality of a computing device programmed to obtain physiological measurements from a patient includes: registering, at the computing device, a plug-in module, the plug-in module providing additional functionality for the computing device; using the plug-in module to communicate with a medical device; commanding the medical device to obtain physiological information from a patient; receiving data associated with the physiological information from the medical device; and transferring the data to a central repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Irwin, Marshall W. Magee, Mark E. Pingel, Gary L. Arnold, David D. Gamble, David E. Rynkiewicz, Michael D. Hoch, James M. Robinson, Matthew J. Bobowski
  • Publication number: 20170106521
    Abstract: A power tool is provided including a gear case having a spindle, a motor case connected to a rear end of the gear case, a handle portion attached to a rear end of the motor case, and a motor housed inside the motor case. The motor includes a stator, a rotor rotationally arranged inside the stator, and a fan in rotational connection with the rotor. At least one air intake is arranged at least one of the motor case or the handle portion near the rear end of the motor case. A power module including power switches and a heat sink is housed in at least one of the motor case or the handle portion near the rear end of the motor case such that rotation of the fan causes air flow to enter through the air intake and flow near the heat sink and through the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph P. Kelleher, William F. Gallagher, Sean R. Templeton, Mark R. Poetzl, Seth M. Robinson, Marcell E. Coates, Madhur M. Purohit, Timothy J. Seeley, Joshua M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9610711
    Abstract: A tooling system may include a cure tool and a biasing element. The cure tool may have a cure tool coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and may be configured for curing a composite article formed of two or more components having dissimilar component CTEs. The biasing element may be fixedly attached to the cure tool and has a biasing element CTE that may be different than the cure tool CTE. The biasing element may be configured such that a combination of the cure tool CTE and the biasing element CTE causes a heat-up displacement in the cure tool when heated and the composite article is cured in a distorted shape. When the cured composite article is cooled, the cured composite article may substantially assume an as-designed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert T. Loftus, Jr., Jason M. Robinson, Mitchell J. Lee
  • Patent number: 9575514
    Abstract: An enclosure for a portable computing device is disclosed. The enclosure includes a top case and a bottom case. The bottom case includes a retention feature that receives a snap member. The top case includes a tapered protrusion that is received by the snap member in order to secure the top case to the bottom case. Other features may be included. For example, the retention feature may also receive a tab member that secures the snap member to the retention feature. The retention feature and the tapered protrusion allow for alternate securing means between the top case and the bottom case. As a result, fewer fasteners are required to secure the top case with the bottom case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Robinson, Houtan R. Farahani
  • Patent number: 9555905
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for removal of orbital debris are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a spacecraft control unit configured to guide and navigate the apparatus to a target. The apparatus also includes a dynamic object characterization unit configured to characterize movement, and a capture feature, of the target. The apparatus further includes a capture and release unit configured to capture a target and deorbit or release the target. The collection of these apparatuses is then employed as multiple, independent and individually operated vehicles launched from a single launch vehicle for the purpose of disposing of multiple debris objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Griffith, Sr., Rajiv Kohli, Susan H. Burns, Stephen J. Damico, David J. Gruber, Christopher J. Hickey, David E. Lee, Travis M. Robinson, Jason T. Smith, Peter T. Spehar, David S. Adlis, Brian M. Kent
  • Publication number: 20170020035
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of shielding apparatus or assemblies having a frame with drawn latching features or portions that are configured for removably attaching a cover to the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a shielding apparatus suitable for use in providing electromagnetic interference shielding for one or more electrical components on a substrate. In this example, the shielding apparatus generally includes a cover and a frame. The cover includes one or more openings. The frame includes a top surface and sidewalls configured to be disposed generally about one or more electrical components on a substrate. The frame is partly drawn in construction such that the frame includes one or more drawn latching features or portions configured to be engaged within the one or more openings of the cover to thereby releasably attach the cover to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Robinson, Mark Fucci, Paul W. Crotty, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170003718
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
  • Publication number: 20170000931
    Abstract: The present invention provides single sheet and compound para-xylene films for therapeutic uses. For example, the present invention provides single sheet para-xylene films useful as tissue separators and/or adhesion barriers in a subject, where the top and/or bottom surfaces of such films have a water contact angle between 75 and 95 degrees (e.g., to prevent adhesion formation). The present invention also provides compound films composed of at least two para-xylene polymer films with a therapeutic molecule layer in between. Such compound films, when used in vivo (e.g., as a tissue separator and to treat inflammation or atrial fibrillation) allow either therapeutic molecule elution through one of the para-xylene layers, or therapeutic molecule release when the compound film is pierced, such as when it is sutured in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Dean Ho, Erik M. Robinson, Sunjay Kaushal, Patrick M. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 9510157
    Abstract: A system for tracking a mobile resource in a manufacturing site is described. The system includes a transmitter mounted on the mobile resource to transmit a first signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a transceiver disposed at the manufacturing site to receive the first signal via a wireless network and transmit a second signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource and a duration for which the mobile resource is located at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a controller to communicate with the transceiver and a database. The controller is configured to receive the second signal, identify the location of the mobile resource based on the second signal and information in a database, determine location of the mobile resource with respect to a fixed resource, and determine operational characteristics of the mobile resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Robinson, Christopher M. Sketch
  • Publication number: 20160334793
    Abstract: Optical detectors and methods of optical detection for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are disclosed. The disclosed optical detectors and may be used to dynamically position UUVs in both static-dynamic systems (e.g., a fixed light source as a guiding beacon and a UUV) and dynamic-dynamic systems (e.g., a moving light source mounted on the crest of a leader UUV and a follower UUV).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: University of New Hampshire
    Inventors: Barbaros Celikkol, Firat Eren, Shachak Peeri, Yuri Rzhanov, M. Robinson Swift, May-Win Thein
  • Publication number: 20160327980
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
  • Publication number: 20160327986
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having several features is disclosed. The device can include a retention member that retains flexible circuits extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the device, thereby allowing some components to be moved from a top portion of the device to a bottom portion. The device may include a cover plate can be secured with a display in the top portion to cover the retention member and other internal components. The device can include an omni-directional port designed to receive a connector different orientations and provide power to the device. The device can include a flexible keyboard having butterfly keycaps. The device can include an array of openings for an audio driver, with some of the array including through holes and blind holes. The device can also include a touch pad having a force feedback sensor and a haptic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Houtan R. FARAHANI, Craig C. LEONG, Matthew W. BLUM, Zheng GAO, Kevin M. ROBINSON, Keith J. HENDREN
  • Publication number: 20160306068
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automatically detecting and quantifying materials in containers (e.g., luggage, storage containers, equipment or componentry for processing or handling). An X-ray radiograph of a container is generated. A set of materials of interest (e.g., plutonium, steel) is selected to determine if the object comprises or contains materials of interest. An estimate of the areal densities or thicknesses of each of the selected materials of interest is obtained by minimizing an objective function with respect to the areal densities or thicknesses for each of the selected materials of interest. Adaptive regularization is implemented in the objective function to improve optimization results by adding a constraint to the objective function, where the constraint penalizes the objective function for solutions that do not line up with a prior belief about the solution form (e.g., the solution should not be negative or especially noisy).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Deinert, Andrew J. Gilbert, Benjamin S. McDonald, Sean M. Robinson, Ken D. Jarman, Tim A. White