Patents by Inventor Mark Spencer

Mark Spencer 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: 12513419
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the optical phase of incident light using direct detection and for producing speckle-free images, designed for use with coherent illumination and reflective imaging geometries. Applications include speckle mitigation for active imaging, resolution enhancement using synthetic aperture methods, and digitally correcting aberrations in images or refocusing. The system hardware combines pupil-plane phase modulation with dual-plane direct-detection measurements of the image and pupil-plane intensities. The reconstruction software uses a regularized-inversion estimation framework that couples a data-fidelity model, a physics-based model for rough surface scattering of coherent light, and convolutional neural network model for natural images. The regularized inversion framework is solved iteratively using alternating projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Casey Pellizzari, Timothy Bate, Mark Spencer
  • Patent number: 12462624
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for monitoring and correcting a condition of an engine. A system for monitoring an engine comprises a plurality of sensors each coupled to a cylinder of the engine and configured to detect pressure data from each cylinder, a controller coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the pressure data and a monitor coupled to the controller for displaying the pressure data. The controller comprises a processor and a computer-readable data storage device. The storage device stores program instructions that, when executed by the processor, stores the pressure data captured by the controller and parses or combines this data into at least one parameter that represents the condition of the engine and/or summarizes one or more issues that may affect engine performance. This provides valuable information to the user(s) in real time, allowing the user(s) to make immediate correction actions to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2025
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2025
    Assignee: Emprise Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Spencer
  • Publication number: 20250322700
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for monitoring and correcting a condition of an engine. A system for monitoring an engine comprises a plurality of sensors each coupled to a cylinder of the engine and configured to detect pressure data from each cylinder, a controller coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the pressure data and a monitor coupled to the controller for displaying the pressure data. The controller comprises a processor and a computer-readable data storage device. The storage device stores program instructions that, when executed by the processor, stores the pressure data captured by the controller and parses or combines this data into at least one parameter that represents the condition of the engine and/or summarizes one or more issues that may affect engine performance. This provides valuable information to the user(s) in real time, allowing the user(s) to make immediate correction actions to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventor: Mark Spencer
  • Patent number: 12277813
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for monitoring and correcting a condition of an engine. A system for monitoring an engine comprises a plurality of sensors each coupled to a cylinder of the engine and configured to detect pressure data from each cylinder, a controller coupled to the sensors and configured to receive the pressure data and a monitor coupled to the controller for displaying the pressure data. The controller comprises a processor and a computer-readable data storage device. The storage device stores program instructions that, when executed by the processor, stores the pressure data captured by the controller and parses or combines this data into at least one parameter that represents the condition of the engine and/or summarizes one or more issues that may affect engine performance. This provides valuable information to the user(s) in real time, allowing the user(s) to make immediate correction actions to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: Emprise Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Spencer
  • Patent number: 11774391
    Abstract: An analyzer for a grease interceptor for measuring identity of materials and levels of fat, oil, and grease (FOG), water, sludge and air having a probe which includes a controller and a sensor sub-unit. Sensor circuits include a microcontroller, timers, and sampling capacitors. The sensor sub-unit includes a plurality of electrode ring pairs coupled to a plurality of timers for converting capacitance measurements to frequencies under the control of a microprocessor in the controller. The frequencies identify the measured levels. A calibration of the probe converts a range of frequency values of each sensor circuit to an arbitrary scale for improved accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Water Analytics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Spencer
  • Publication number: 20220244208
    Abstract: An analyzer for a grease interceptor for measuring identity of materials and levels of fat, oil, and grease (FOG), water, sludge and air having a probe which includes a controller and a sensor sub-unit. Sensor circuits include a microcontroller, timers, and sampling capacitors. The sensor sub-unit includes a plurality of electrode ring pairs coupled to a plurality of timers for converting capacitance measurements to frequencies under the control of a microprocessor in the controller. The frequencies identify the measured levels. A calibration of the probe converts a range of frequency values of each sensor circuit to an arbitrary scale for improved accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Water Analytics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Spencer
  • Patent number: 11340096
    Abstract: An analyzer for a grease interceptor for measuring levels of fat, oils, and grease (FOG), water, sludge and air having a probe which includes a controller and a sensor sub-unit. Sensor circuits include a microcontroller, timers, and sampling capacitors. The sensor sub-unit includes a plurality of electrode ring pairs coupled to a plurality of timers for converting capacitance measurements to frequencies under the control of a microprocessor in the controller. The frequencies identify the measured levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Water Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Joseph Genovese, William J. Schneller, Robert A. Troiano, II
  • Publication number: 20200209016
    Abstract: An analyzer for a grease interceptor for measuring levels of fat, oils, and grease (FOG), water, sludge and air having a probe which includes a controller and a sensor sub-unit. Sensor circuits include a microcontroller, timers, and sampling capacitors. The sensor sub-unit includes a plurality of electrode ring pairs coupled to a plurality of timers for converting capacitance measurements to frequencies under the control of a microprocessor in the controller. The frequencies identify the measured levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Joseph Genovese, William J. Schneller, Robert A. Troiano, II
  • Patent number: 9358429
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly includes a golf club shaft, a golf club head having a hosel portion with a hosel opening, a hosel insert, a shaft adapter, and a fastener. The hosel insert is secured to the hosel portion and includes at least one inwardly extending pawl. The adapter extends about a longitudinal axis, and defines a shaft opening. The adapter includes outwardly projecting teeth aligned with the hosel insert. Each tooth includes leading and trailing surfaces. The leading surface is shaped to enable rotational movement of the adapter about the axis with respect to the hosel insert in a first rotational direction. The trailing surface is shaped to selectively engage the pawl to inhibit rotational movement of the adapter with respect to the hosel insert in a second rotation direction that is opposite the first direction. The fastener is releasably coupled to the head and the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Michael Vrska, Mark Spencer, Richard P. Hulock
  • Publication number: 20150367185
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly includes a golf club shaft, a golf club head having a hosel portion with a hosel opening, a hosel insert, a shaft adapter, and a fastener. The hosel insert is secured to the hosel portion and includes at least one inwardly extending pawl. The adapter extends about a longitudinal axis, and defines a shaft opening. The adapter includes outwardly projecting teeth aligned with the hosel insert. Each tooth includes leading and trailing surfaces. The leading surface is shaped to enable rotational movement of the adapter about the axis with respect to the hosel insert in a first rotational direction. The trailing surface is shaped to selectively engage the pawl to inhibit rotational movement of the adapter with respect to the hosel insert in a second rotation direction that is opposite the first direction. The fastener is releasably coupled to the head and the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Vrska, Mark Spencer, Richard P. Hulock
  • Publication number: 20150367186
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly includes a golf club shaft having a tip portion, a golf club head, a hosel insert, a shaft adapter and a fastener. The hosel portion defines an upper hosel opening. The hosel insert is secured to the hosel portion and includes a first set of upwardly extending projections. The shaft adapter extends about a first longitudinal axis, and defines a shaft opening for engaging the tip portion. The shaft adapter includes a second set of downwardly extending projections for selectable engagement with the first set of projections. The first and second sets of projections are shaped to enable rotational movement of the shaft adapter about the first axis with respect to the hosel insert in a first rotational direction, and to inhibit rotational movement of the shaft adapter with respect to the hosel insert in a second rotation direction, opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Vrska, Mark Spencer, Richard P. Hulock
  • Patent number: 9144719
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly includes a shaft, a club head having a hosel portion with a hosel opening, a hosel insert, a shaft adapter, and a fastener. The hosel insert is secured to the hosel portion and includes at least one pawl. The hosel portion or the hosel insert includes a first set of projections. The adapter extends about a first longitudinal axis and includes a second set of teeth aligned with the hosel insert, and a third set of projections for selectable engagement with the first set. Each tooth includes first leading and trailing surfaces. The first leading surface is shaped to enable rotational movement of the adapter about the axis with respect to the hosel insert in a first rotational direction. The first trailing surface is shaped to selectively engage the pawl to inhibit rotational movement of the adapter in a second rotation direction, opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Michael Vrska, Mark Spencer, Richard P. Hulock
  • Patent number: 9144720
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly includes a shaft, a club head having a hosel portion, a hosel insert, a shaft adapter, and a fastener. The hosel insert is secured to the hosel portion and includes a plurality of inwardly projecting teeth. Each tooth includes leading and surfaces. The adapter extends about a first longitudinal axis and includes at least one outwardly extending flexible or biased element aligned with the teeth. The leading surfaces are shaped to enable rotational movement of the adapter about the axis with respect to the hosel insert in a first rotational direction. The trailing surfaces are shaped to selectively engage the element to inhibit rotational movement of the adapter in a second rotation direction, opposite the first rotational direction. The assembly is adjustable between several locked positions. Each of the locked positions defines a separate loft and/or lie position of the head with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
    Inventors: Michael Vrska, Mark Spencer, Richard P. Hulock
  • Publication number: 20090173376
    Abstract: The present invention is a desiccant system for controlling moisture in a solar collector. The desiccant system has a desiccant bed enclosed within a housing, and is thermally coupled to the solar collector as well as being fluidly coupled to it through an orifice. Waste heat from the solar collector is conducted to the desiccant system and is used to regenerate the desiccant bed. The desiccant system includes moisture barriers which cause moisture from the desiccant to preferentially be released to the external environment rather than entering the solar collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SOLFOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Stephen Askins
  • Publication number: 20090026279
    Abstract: The present invention provides an environmental control system for controlling moisture in a solar energy collector. The environmental control system facilitates the flow of air within and through the solar energy collector by using and enhancing a thermal gradient within the solar energy collector caused by exposure to sunlight. Two or more orifices are located in an enclosed solar energy system to permit air to enter, circulate and remove moisture from the system. The position of the two or more orifices and a thermal gradient generated by the solar energy collector facilitates this process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: SOLFOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Dittmer, Marc Finot, Mark Spencer
  • Patent number: 7473000
    Abstract: A solar concentrator may include a substantially planar surface, a curved primary mirror having a first perimeter, at least a portion of the first perimeter being in contact with the substantially planar surface, a secondary mirror disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror, the secondary mirror associated with a desired focal area, and a shield element disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror. The shield element is to prevent a portion of light reflected by the secondary mirror from reaching the primary mirror. In some aspects, a portion of the shield element may be disposed between the substantially planar surface and a plane which is substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface and which includes a portion of the desired focal area. The shield element may include a reflective surface to reflect light received from the secondary mirror toward the desired focal area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Solfocus, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Stephen J. Horne
  • Publication number: 20080142077
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention control an atmosphere of a volume surrounding an energy conversion unit, such as a concentrator photovoltaic device. Differences between pressures within the volume and pressures outside the volume are controlled to reduce stress on seals and to prevent contaminants and moisture from flowing into the volume. A chamber for housing an energy conversion unit in accordance with one embodiment includes a housing and a controller. The housing defines a first unit volume for containing the energy conversion unit. The controller is coupled to the first unit volume and automatically controls an environment in the first unit volume. In one embodiment, the controller provides a flow path from a second unit volume outside the housing to a bladder within the first unit volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Stephen Horne
  • Publication number: 20080142076
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention seal an inside volume of an energy conversion unit from the outside atmosphere. A chamber for housing an energy conversion unit includes a lid having a first rim, a housing having a second rim, and a continuous seal sealing the first rim to the second rim. The lid and the housing form a volume with an atmosphere for securely housing an energy conversion unit. The seal has sidewalls that extend from the first rim to the second rim and includes an embedded ribbon that extends along a length of the seal such that the atmosphere is controlled by the continuous seal. Preferably, the embedded ribbon oscillates between the sidewalls in a pattern, such as a wave, a square wave, or a zig-zag. Preferably, the energy conversion unit is a concentrator photovoltaic device that includes optics for focusing light onto a photo-sensitive area of the photovoltaic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Horne, Mark Spencer
  • Publication number: 20080137205
    Abstract: A solar concentrator may include a substantially planar surface, a curved primary mirror having a first perimeter, at least a portion of the first perimeter being in contact with the substantially planar surface, a secondary mirror disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror, the secondary mirror associated with a desired focal area, and a shield element disposed between the substantially planar surface and the curved primary mirror. The shield element is to prevent a portion of light reflected by the secondary mirror from reaching the primary mirror. In some aspects, a portion of the shield element may be disposed between the substantially planar surface and a plane which is substantially parallel to the substantially planar surface and which includes a portion of the desired focal area. The shield element may include a reflective surface to reflect light received from the secondary mirror toward the desired focal area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Stephen J. Horne
  • Publication number: 20080093197
    Abstract: A conveyance device is configured to carry a product. The conveyance device includes a first path configured to carry the product in a first direction, a second path configured to carry the product in a second direction, and a transfer assembly positioned adjacent to a portion of the first path to facilitate transfer of the product from the first path to the second path. The conveyance device also includes a guide system configured to move the transfer assembly along the first path. The guide system includes a base positioned proximate the first path and the second path and an arm coupled to the base and extending above a portion of the first path and a portion of the second path. The arm is configured to move in a first manner and a second manner relative to the base. The transfer assembly is movably coupled to the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: ARROWHEAD CONVEYOR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Spencer