Patents by Inventor Melinda D. Simpson

Melinda D. Simpson 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).

  • Magnetic encoder assembly
    Publication number: 20080191691
    Abstract: A first magnetic encoder assembly includes a magnetic encoder ring. The magnetic encoder ring has a circumferential surface and a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a direction which substantially continuously varies in angle as one travels along the circumferential surface. A second magnetic encoder assembly includes a substantially-linearly-extending magnetic encoder strip. The magnetic encoder strip has a magnetic working length and a magnetic field. The magnetic field has a direction which substantially continuously varies in angle as one travels along the magnetic working length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas A. Baudendistel, Melinda D. Simpson, Alan H. Green, Jerold L. Barlage
  • System and method for controlling a brake
    Patent number: 6959969
    Abstract: A method for detecting a contact point of a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism includes an actuator controlled by a motor. The method includes the steps of establishing a parameter of the motor and a derivative of the parameter and, if the parameter has passed a previous value under no load conditions and the amplitude of the derivative of the parameter has passed a predetermined threshold, responsively establishing a zero position of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Melinda D. Simpson, Jon T. Zumberge, Robert J. Disser