Patents by Inventor Michael A. Griffin

Michael A. Griffin 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: 6739141
    Abstract: Refrigerant is circulated through a vapor compression system including a compressor, a gas cooler, an expansion device, and an evaporator. Preferably, carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant. The expansion device is a work recovery device which extracts energy from the expansion process and is coupled with a fluid pumping device that cools the refrigerant flowing through the gas cooler. The fluid pumping device pumps fluid through the gas cooler at a flow rate related to the energy extracted from the expansion process. The system provides a self-controlling mechanism to regulate the pressure in the gas cooler. If the pressure in the gas cooler increases, more energy is extracted from the expansion process, increasing the flowrate of the fluid pumping device, and decreasing the pressure of the refrigerant in the gas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias H. Sienel, J. Michael Griffin
  • Publication number: 20040054240
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (2) for the reduction of organic waste (4) in which the apparatus (2) comprises a conveyor (32, 40, 128) to move the waste (4) within the apparatus (2). There is also provided a first chamber (10) comprising weighing means to determine a weight of the waste and purging means to purge the apparatus of oxygen. A second chamber (12) comprises reduction means to treat, sterilize and reduce the waste for a first period of time and a third chamber comprises cooling means to cool the reduced and sterilized waste for a second period of time. There is also provided sealing means (18, 34, 36) to seal each of the first (10), second (12) and third (14) chambers from the other chambers and from exterior of the apparatus when in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Steven L. Kantor, Michael Griffin, Roman Ruginets, Douglas Norton
  • Publication number: 20040015553
    Abstract: A single content region in a chat history display is used to display entries representative of a plurality of messages corresponding to all chat histories for all of chat threads currently engaged in by a given mobile terminal. Additionally, a buddy list display supports management of chat buddies, a detail view display allows otherwise truncated messages to be displayed, and a text message editor display supports the composition of text messages. Each chat user may designate public display identifiers for purposes of identification to other chat users. Additionally, each user may designate private display identifiers for each of his/her buddies, which private display identifiers may be used to replace the public display identifiers for that user's buddies when displayed on the user's mobile terminal. In this manner, the use of speech and text based group chatting and similar services in wireless communication environments is more readily enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Chris Michael Griffin, Bashar Jano, Jin Woo Lee, Mihaela Kamenova Mihaylova, Christopher Robert Dale Wilson
  • Publication number: 20040015547
    Abstract: A system and method for providing chat group services to wireless mobile terminals is disclosed. The chat forum permits integrated voice and text messaging. The system includes plural mobile terminals, each being capable of running a chat client application. A server complex is connected to one or more wireless carrier networks by way of a packet-based network, such as the Internet. The server complex includes server applications and components for supporting the chat group services and communicating with the chat clients on the mobile terminals. The system also includes features that permit the integration of legacy mobile terminals, communication with machine interfaces using a chat metaphor, and robustness and reliability of operation across various wireless operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Chris Michael Griffin, Bashar Jano, Jin Woo Lee, Mihaela Kamenova Mihaylova, Christopher Robert Dale Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030221434
    Abstract: The expansion of a high pressure or intermediate pressure refrigerant in an expansion device in a transcritical vapor compression system converts the potential energy into usable kinetic energy. The kinetic energy provides work which is employed to fully or partially drive an expansion motor unit which is coupled to rotating auxiliary machinery. By providing work to the rotating auxiliary machinery, system efficiency is improved. The auxiliary rotating machinery can be an evaporator fan or a gas cooler fan to pull the refrigerant through the evaporator and gas cooler, respectively. Alternatively, the auxiliary rotating machinery can be a water pump or an oil pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Jeff J. Neiter, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, J. Michael Griffin, William A. Rioux, Young K. Park, Russell G. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6647742
    Abstract: The expansion of a high pressure or intermediate pressure refrigerant in an expansion device in a transcritical vapor compression system converts the potential energy into usable kinetic energy. The kinetic energy provides work which is employed to fully or partially drive an expansion motor unit which is coupled to rotating auxiliary machinery. By providing work to the rotating auxiliary machinery, system efficiency is improved. The auxiliary rotating machinery can be an evaporator fan or a gas cooler fan to pull the refrigerant through the evaporator and gas cooler, respectively. Alternatively, the auxiliary rotating machinery can be a water pump or an oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff J. Neiter, Sivakumar Gopalnarayanan, J. Michael Griffin, William A. Rioux, Young K. Park, Russell G. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20030091668
    Abstract: A process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits is provided and includes feeding the animal a composition comprising from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about 30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, and a supplemental fiber source. The supplemental fiber source is present in amounts which provide from about 1 to about 13 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to control fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: The Iams Company
    Inventors: Gary Mitchell Davenport, Gregory D. Sunvold, Gregory A. Reinhart, Michael Griffin Hayek
  • Patent number: 6383529
    Abstract: A process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits is provided and includes feeding the animal a composition comprising from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about 30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, and a supplemental fiber source. The supplemental fiber source is present in amounts which provide from about 1 to about 13 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to control fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Iams Company
    Inventors: Gary Mitchell Davenport, Gregory D. Sunvold, Gregory A. Reinhart, Michael Griffin Hayek
  • Publication number: 20020012709
    Abstract: A process and composition for controlling fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation in animals such as cats and rabbits is provided and includes feeding the animal a composition comprising from about 10 to about 42 wt % crude protein, from about 4 to about 30 wt % fat, from about 1 to about 25 wt % total dietary fiber, and a supplemental fiber source. The supplemental fiber source is present in amounts which provide from about 1 to about 13 weight percent of supplemental total dietary fiber. The animal is maintained on the diet for a sufficient period of time to control fecal hair excretion and trichobezoar formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Gary Mitchell Davenport, Gregory D. Sunvold, Gregory A. Reinhart, Michael Griffin Hayek
  • Patent number: 6238708
    Abstract: A composition and process are provided for controlling postprandial glycemic and/or insulinemic response in companion animals such as dogs. The pet food composition includes a source of protein, a source of fat, and a source of carbohydrates from a grain source which excludes rice. Use of the preferred carbohydrate sources including a blend of corn and sorghum; a blend of corn, sorghum, and barley; a blend of corn, sorghum, and oats; and a blend of oats and barley tends to modulate the animal's glycemic and insulinemic responses after a meal. This effect is even more marked when the composition is fed to geriatric companion animals such as dogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: The Iams Company
    Inventors: Michael Griffin Hayek, Gregory Dean Sunvold, Stefan Patrick Massimino
  • Patent number: 6237005
    Abstract: A web server computer system includes a dispatcher program that processes transaction request messages received from a web browser. The dispatcher program includes a combination of persistent and transient interpreters that are used to process the transaction. The persistent interpreters are maintained in memory for an indefinite period of time and across multiple transactions. One type of persistent interpreter is a master interpreter that is used to coordinate the processing activity. A second type of persistent interpreter is a pristine interpreter that provides relevant context for any application programs required to process the transaction. A transient interpreter is maintained in memory for a finite duration, such as across a single transaction. One type of transient interpreter is a transaction interpreter that is used to process the transaction request message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: David Michael Griffin
  • Patent number: 6076257
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus wherein a blade holder includes two blades which are each designed for cutting web material (e.g., dry film photoresist) in a reverse manner prior to application of the material to a substrate (e.g., dielectric-conductor structure) designed for eventual usage as a printed circuit board or as part thereof (e.g., if laminated up with other, similarly formed substrate members).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Ralph Case, Michael James Cummings, John Michael Griffin, Michael Vito Longo
  • Patent number: 6070322
    Abstract: A method for reverse cutting with material wherein a blade holder includes two blades which are each designed for cutting web material (e.g., dry film photoresist) in a reverse manner prior to application of the material to a substrate (e.g., dielectric-conductor structure) designed for eventual usage as a printed circuit board or as part thereof (e.g., if laminated up with other, similarly formed substrate members).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Ralph Case, Michael James Cummings, John Michael Griffin, Michael Vito Longo
  • Patent number: 5983655
    Abstract: A thermal storage monitoring and control system employed on a container refrigeration unit utilizes a "thermal flywheel" algorithm in combination with a data processor to control the temperature level within a cargo container to a maximum value. The thermal monitoring and control system operates the refrigeration system in a manner that causes the heat gain by the load during hot afternoons and evenings to be offset by the thermal storage built into the cargo. The monitoring and control system can be configured to operate automatically or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: William Paul Kistner, J. Michael Griffin, August W. Gutheim
  • Patent number: 5947285
    Abstract: A medical waste disposal system for contaminated products to be disposed having a hollow, disposal container and a housing enclosure which is engageable with and covers the container. The housing enclosure has an opening and a tumbler which is pivotally mounted to prevent access to the interior of the housing enclosure when a contaminated product is being deposited into the interior of the disposal container. In one embodiment, upon dropping waste into the opening of the housing enclosure, the tumbler rotates to simultaneously close the upper opening in the housing enclosure and open a lower opening which allows the waste to drop into the disposal container. After the waste has dropped, the tumbler, which is weighted, returns to its original position. When the disposal container reaches full capacity, the tumbler is blocked by the medical waste in the disposal container thereby preventing rotation to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Brian Mach, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: 5918762
    Abstract: A secure installing system for mounting a container on a frame member, with ease of access to the container. The installing system is appropriate for use in a medical environment such as a hospital. The frame member may be a shelf bracket, or a cabinet for housing a medical waste container, and may be mounted to a wall. A container such as a glove box holder is installed on the frame member. The container may have a dispenser opening providing ready access to materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The container is securely mounted to the frame member using a hook and snap arrangement and may be disengaged from the frame member in order to exchange stored materials such as tissues or surgical gloves. The hook and snap arrangement protect against accidental dislodging of the container from the frame member, thereby preventing possible contamination of stored materials. Frame members that are shelf brackets may support two containers each.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: D438964
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: D414864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: D415273
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh
  • Patent number: D421122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Graphic Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Rodolfo Gaba, Michael Griffin, Ignaty Gusakov, Ruane S. Jeter, Gordon H. Marsh