Patents by Inventor Michael A. MacDonald

Michael A. MacDonald 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: 20190275780
    Abstract: A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: George CUCCHI, Bei-Hong LIANG, Michael MACDONALD
  • Patent number: 10392857
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shaker doors with solid cores and methods for making the same. The shaker doors contain different core materials at the recessed panel than the raise peripheral region to provide dimensional stability and reduced distortion when the doors are exposed to high humidity. The devices and methods also provide for easy assembly of solid core shaker doors, including fire rated doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: John Robinson, Steven Swartzmiller, Steven Gutkowski, Robert Allen, Roland Karsch, Michael MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10315334
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method of making a door having first and second door skins and an internal frame. The top and bottom surfaces of the frame are coated with an adhesive and the frame is placed on a first door skin. The second door skin is then placed on the opposite surface of the frame. The assembled components are then pressed to bond the first and second door skins to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Bei-Hong Liang, Michael MacDonald, Geoffrey Hardwick, Robert Ritchie, George Cucchi, Bruce Fedio
  • Patent number: 10317775
    Abstract: An adjustment device and associated method is disclosed, for adjusting an equipment, such as a camera, having an actuator for adjusting a variable setting, such as a lens setting (focus, iris, zoom). A control system drives the actuator and command component of the adjustment device to reflect a position of the actuator. In a slave mode, the command component is driven by the control system. In an override mode, a manual operation of the command component drives the actuator of the equipment. Also disclosed are a method for building a model of a lens, a method for treating an image capture to produce a visual effect, a method for creating a node in a model representing a given space, a method for setting a node in a model based on a known node, and a method for calibrating a node in a model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Andra Motion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Fisher, Julian Taylor, Michael Macdonald, Jeffrey Levy
  • Patent number: 10306134
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a setting of an equipment related to image capture comprises capturing position data and orientation data of a sensing device; determining position information of a region of interest (i.e. a node) to be treated by the equipment, relative to the position and orientation data of the sensing device; and outputting a control signal directed to the equipment, in order to control in real-time the setting of the equipment based on said position information of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Andra Motion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Fisher, Michael Macdonald, Julian Taylor, Jeffrey Levy
  • Publication number: 20190120218
    Abstract: An oil pumping system to carry oil from an oil sump in a pump housing to an internal oil reservoir in another portion of the pump housing. A top plate is attached to a pump rod and moves in accordance with a reciprocating motion of the pump rod. A bottom plate is below the top plate. A pump mechanism, disposed between the top plate and bottom plate, includes a valve seat that contacts the bottom plate, and an upper portion that contacts the top plate. A first biasing element is configured to urge the valve seat upward away from the bottom plate. A second biasing element is configured to urge the plunger upward away from the valve seat. Upward movement of the pump rod allows oil to flow into the pump mechanism. Downward movement of the pump rod causes the bottom of the valve seat to seal against the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20190120217
    Abstract: A method for operating a tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus that includes first and second linear mechanical actuator systems each having a motor, and also includes a rod for a sucker-rod pump. The method calls for constructing the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems to operate within a single housing, and simultaneously operating each of the two motors in a manner that imparts reciprocating vertical motion to respective-vertically movable members of the first and second linear mechanical actuator systems. Each motor has a reversibly rotatable element that is operatively connected to the vertically-movable member of its respective linear mechanical actuator system, thus establishing a fixed relationship between the rotational position of the rotatable element and the vertical position of its respective vertically-movable member. The simultaneous operation of the two motors imparts a reciprocating vertical motion to the pump rod of the sucker-rod pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. MacDonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10232599
    Abstract: A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: George Cucchi, Bei-Hong Liang, Michael MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20190047171
    Abstract: A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: George CUCCHI, Bei-Hong LIANG, Michael MACDONALD
  • Patent number: 10197048
    Abstract: A tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus for imparting reciprocating, substantially-vertical motion to a pump rod for a sucker-rod pump. The tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus includes first and second linear mechanical actuator systems disposed in a single housing. These linear mechanical actuator systems impart and control vertical motion of the pump rod. Each linear mechanical actuator system includes a rack and pinion gearing arrangement. Each rack is operatively connected with two pinions. Each pinion is operatively connected to a motor. Rotation of the two motors in a first direction results in an upward motion of the rack and connected sucker rod pump. Rotation of the two motors in a second direction, opposite the first direction, results in a downward motion of the rack and sucker rod pump. The tandem motor linear rod pumping apparatus includes at least one electronic controller to control the operation of the two motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Unico, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Hilgers, Michael A. Macdonald, Benjamin J. Gregory, Ronald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10159369
    Abstract: The present embodiment provides a straw that is bent near its middle portion to form a reservoir compartment to store a liquid for cooling. When a user sips from the straw, hot liquid from a container enters the reservoir compartment, where it begins to cool towards the surrounding air temperature. When the liquid in the reservoir compartment reaches an acceptable drinking temperature, the user again sips from the straw, which allows him to drink the cooled liquid from the reservoir compartment, and to draw additional hot liquid from the container into the reservoir compartment for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Gregory Michael MacDonald
  • Patent number: 10106936
    Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a drum, a frame supporting the drum, an eccentric shaft configured to be rotated by a vibration motor, and a primary eccentric weight attached to the eccentric shaft inside the drum. At least one active isolation eccentric weight is located outside the drum so that when the eccentric shaft is rotated, a phase of a vibration generated by the at least one active isolation eccentric weight is substantially opposite to that of a vibration generated by the primary eccentric weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Michael Macdonald, Christopher Grove
  • Publication number: 20180176456
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a setting of an equipment related to image capture comprises capturing position data and orientation data of a sensing device; determining position information of a region of interest (i.e. a node) to be treated by the equipment, relative to the position and orientation data of the sensing device; and outputting a control signal directed to the equipment, in order to control in real-time the setting of the equipment based on said position information of the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Antony Fisher, Michael Macdonald, Julian Taylor, Jeffrey Levy
  • Publication number: 20180171567
    Abstract: A vibratory compactor is described that includes a drum, a frame supporting the drum, an eccentric shaft configured to be rotated by a vibration motor, and a primary eccentric weight attached to the eccentric shaft inside the drum. At least one active isolation eccentric weight is located outside the drum so that when the eccentric shaft is rotated, a phase of a vibration generated by the at least one active isolation eccentric weight is substantially opposite to that of a vibration generated by the primary eccentric weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Michael Macdonald, Christopher Grove
  • Patent number: 9951482
    Abstract: A vibratory compactor comprising an active isolation apparatus for reducing a vibration generated during the rotation of an eccentric shaft having an eccentric weight attached thereto. The active isolation apparatus comprises a drum, a propulsion motor configured to rotate the drum, a drive plate disposed between the propulsion motor and the drum in such a way as to be connected to the propulsion motor to transmit a rotating force to the drum, and a drum support configured to rotatably support the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Michael MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9912857
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a setting of an equipment related to image capture comprises capturing position data and orientation data of a sensing device; determining position information of a region of interest (i.e. a node) to be treated by the equipment, relative to the position and orientation data of the sensing device; and outputting a control signal directed to the equipment, in order to control in real-time the setting of the equipment based on said position information of the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Andra Motion Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Fisher, Michael Macdonald, Julian Taylor, Jeffrey Levy
  • Publication number: 20180046062
    Abstract: An adjustment device and associated method is disclosed, for adjusting an equipment, such as a camera, having an actuator for adjusting a variable setting, such as a lens setting (focus, iris, zoom). A control system drives the actuator and command component of the adjustment device to reflect a position of the actuator. In a slave mode, the command component is driven by the control system. In an override mode, a manual operation of the command component drives the actuator of the equipment. Also disclosed are a method for building a model of a lens, a method for treating an image capture to produce a visual effect, a method for creating a node in a model representing a given space, a method for setting a node in a model based on a known node, and a method for calibrating a node in a model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Antony Fisher, Julian Taylor, Michael Macdonald, Jeffrey Levy
  • Patent number: 9820027
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for removing sweat from the inner ear by creating a vacuum in connecting tubing between the inner ear and a converging-diverging nozzle. When air enters the front of the converging-diverging nozzle, its velocity accelerates as it flows through the smaller cross-sectional area in the middle section, which causes a drop in pressure in the middle section and a resulting vacuum in the connecting tubing. This vacuum draws sweat from the bottom of the inner ear toward the middle of the converging-diverging nozzle, where it drips out of either end, resulting in sweat being removed from the inner ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Gregory Michael MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20170306574
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides vibratory compactor comprising an active isolation apparatus for reducing a vibration generated during the rotation of an eccentric shaft having an eccentric weight attached thereto. The active isolation apparatus comprises a drum, a propulsion motor configured to rotate the drum, a drive plate disposed between the propulsion motor and the drum in such a way as to be connected to the propulsion motor to transmit a rotating force to the drum, and a drum support configured to rotatably support the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventor: Michael MACDONALD
  • Publication number: 20170232635
    Abstract: A door pressing system for pressing interior passage doors, exterior entry doors, bi-fold doors, and/or closet doors features a multi-door pressing station including first and second presses, a loading device, and a discharging device. The pressing station is configured to alternatively move the first and second presses into operative alignment with the loading and discharging devices. The press in operative alignment delivers a pressed assembled door to the discharging device and receives an assembled door layup to be pressed from the loading device. The other press that is out of operatively alignment presses an assembled door received therein. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: George CUCCHI, Bei-Hong LIANG, Michael MACDONALD