Patents by Inventor Michael A. Wells

Michael A. Wells 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: 20240163676
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing a payment object reader with a computing device are described. An example method includes detecting, by a computing device and while in a pairing mode, a plurality of payment object readers. Each of the plurality of payment object readers is configurable to be paired wirelessly with the computing device. Each of the plurality of payment object readers outputs a signal strength representative of a location of the payment object reader relative to the computing device. The computing device tracks respective signal strengths of the plurality of payment object readers over time. Based on a determination that a change in a signal strength of a particular payment object reader of the plurality of payment object readers represents movement of the particular payment object reader relative to the computing device, a wireless communication channel is established between the particular payment object reader and the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Koun Han, Robert Harrison Gilliam, Michael Wells White
  • Publication number: 20240150891
    Abstract: An apparatus deposits carbon-containing structures on a substrate conveyed through an interior space of a housing. The interior space has a central zone between a first peripheral zone and a second peripheral zone. The substrate enters the housing through a first opening of the housing, passes through the first peripheral zone, central zone, and second peripheral zone, and leaves the housing through a second opening of the housing. The second peripheral zone has a gas inlet with a gas outlet opening that feeds a carbon-containing process gas into the housing. The housing has a heating device partially disposed in the central region for thermally activating the process gas. A pump evacuates gas from the interior space through a gas outlet. Means are provided for the controlled entry of a reactive gas into the first and second peripheral zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Alexandre JOUVRAY, Bryan Michael WINGFIELD, Ashley Thomas WELLS, Goncalo Pedro GONCALVES
  • Patent number: 11976439
    Abstract: A cutting edge tip includes an attachment portion defining an adapter receiving void. A working portion extends forwardly from the attachment portion. A first lateral end portion is disposed along the lateral direction, the first lateral end portion defining a first lateral end surface that jogs laterally. Also, a second lateral end portion is disposed along the lateral direction opposite of the first lateral end portion. The second lateral end portion also defines a second lateral end surface that jogs laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Michael Wells, Douglas C. Serrurier, Jason Grant Jura
  • Publication number: 20240125543
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for producing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) product by cooling and liquefying a natural gas stream via indirect heat exchange with a gaseous refrigerant and then flashing and separating the liquefied natural gas stream to obtain the LNG product. In particular, the gaseous refrigerant may be a refrigerant circulating in a reverse Brayton cycle. The gaseous refrigerant is warmed in the shell side first, second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections each having a tube side and a shell side, the shell side of the first coil-wound heat exchanger section being separated from and operating at a different pressure to the shell side of the second and third coil-wound heat exchanger sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Julian Roberts, Katherine Bannister Wells, Christopher Michael Ott
  • Publication number: 20240129380
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, using a processing device, a first condition associated with an operation at a data center, where the operation at the data center pertains to a first location at the data center, the first location corresponding to a first parameter value. The method further includes providing the first condition as an input to a machine learning model. The method also includes performing one or more reinforcement learning techniques using the machine learning model to cause the machine learning model to output an indication of a final location associated with the operation, where the final location corresponds to a final parameter value that is closer to a target than the first parameter value corresponding to the first location at the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Siddha Ganju, Elad Mentovich, Michael Balint, Eitan Zahavi, Michael Sabotta, Michael Norman, Ryan Wells
  • Publication number: 20240105280
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of analysing genetic data about an organism comprising receiving a plurality of input units. Each input unit comprises information about the association between genetic variants in a region of the genome and phenotypes or phenotype combinations. The method comprises carrying out iterations comprising, for each variant determining for which of the phenotypes or phenotype combinations the variant is causal based on the input units. If the variant is causal for phenotypes or phenotype combinations, a sampled effect size is determined of the variant on the phenotypes or phenotype combinations based on the input units and information about correlations between the variants in the region. For each variant, a prediction effect size is determined variant on the phenotypes or phenotype combinations based on an average across the iterations of the sampled effect sizes or of posterior effect sizes calculated using the sampled effect sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: GENOMICS PLC
    Inventors: Rachel MOORE, Vincent Yann Marie PLAGNOL, Michael WEALE, Daniel WELLS, Christopher Charles Alan Spencer
  • Publication number: 20240102268
    Abstract: A wear member includes a forward working portion that is disposed along its longitudinal axis including a closed end, and a rear attachment portion that is disposed along the longitudinal axis including an open end with an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior counterbore with a major diameter, and a minor diameter. A ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter ranges from 1.8 to 2.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Douglas C. SERRURIER, Eric T. SINN, Jason Grant JURA, Corey Michael WELLS
  • Patent number: 11931513
    Abstract: A patient interface for delivery of a supply of pressurised air or breathable gas to an entrance of a patient's airways comprising: a cushion member that includes a retaining structure and a seal-forming structure permanently connected to the retaining structure; a frame member attachable to the retaining structure; and a positioning and stabilising structure attachable to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Rupert Christian Scheiner, William Laurence Hitchcock, Anthony Paul Barbara, Adam Francis Barlow, Craig David Edwards, Lachlan Richard Goldspink, Kirrily Michele Haskard, Murray William Lee, Frederick Arlet May, Gerard Michael Rummery, Shiva Kumar Shanmuga Sundara, Chia Ik Tan, Stewart Joseph Wagner, Alicia Kristianne Wells, Martin Forrester, Ralph Jourdan
  • Publication number: 20240084558
    Abstract: A spring loaded retainer includes a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion defines a second maximum outside dimension, and a first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Michael Wells, Jason Grant Jura, Eric T. Sinn, Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Patent number: 11911767
    Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a syringe identification system for use with a positive displacement pipette, such as a handheld powered positive displacement pipette. An exemplary syringe identification system may include a sensor, such as a color sensor, that is located at or near a distal end of the pipette and arranged such that the sensor is operative to read an identifying marking(s) on a syringe that has been installed to the pipette. The sensor may be a color sensor having an illumination source and configured to read a color code on the syringe. The color code may be usable to identify the syringe to the pipette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Hill, Michael McNaul, Bob Wells, Simon Shakespeare, Matthew Newman
  • Patent number: 11879235
    Abstract: A wear member includes a forward working portion that is disposed along its longitudinal axis including a closed end, and a rear attachment portion that is disposed along the longitudinal axis including an open end with an exterior surface, and an interior surface. The interior surface defines an interior counterbore with a major diameter, and a minor diameter. A ratio of the major diameter to the minor diameter ranges from 1.8 to 2.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Serrurier, Eric T. Sinn, Jason Grant Jura, Corey Michael Wells
  • Patent number: 11873625
    Abstract: A spring loaded retainer includes a lug receiving portion defining a first maximum outside dimension, the lug receiving portion also defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. A drive portion defines a second maximum outside dimension, and a first flat is disposed on the outside of the lug receiving portion proximate to the first sidewall or the second sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Michael Wells, Jason Grant Jura, Eric T. Sinn, Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Publication number: 20240011259
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism includes a retainer with a skirt that has a surface of revolution with an axis of rotation. The skirt extends 180.0 degrees or less about the axis of rotation, forming a thru-slot. A drive portion extends axially from the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Jay Ulrich, IV, Eric T. Sinn, Brandon H. McCaffrey, Corey Michael Wells, Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Publication number: 20240011258
    Abstract: A lock assembly for attaching a wear member to a base includes a threaded retaining block with a C-spring attached to the retaining block that fits into an aperture of the base. A threaded lock pin fits into the aperture of the wear member, and the threaded aperture of the retaining block, retaining the wear member onto the base. The threaded lock pin engages the C-spring that prevents unintentional rotation of the threaded lock pin so that the threaded lock pin is trapped in the aperture of the wear member, preventing its unintentional removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Sinn, Corey Michael Wells, Brandon Hammig McCaffrey, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Publication number: 20240011257
    Abstract: A lock assembly for attaching a wear member to a base includes a retaining block with a spring attached to the retaining block that fits into an aperture of the base. A lock pin fits into the aperture of the wear member, and the aperture of the retaining block, retaining the wear member onto the base. The lock pin engages the spring that prevents unintentional rotation of the lock pin so that the lock pin is trapped in the aperture of the wear member, preventing its unintentional removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Michael Wells, Eric T. Sinn, Brandon Hammig McCaffrey, William Jay Ulrich, IV, David Bruno Parzynski, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240011256
    Abstract: A lock includes a drive portion and a pin receiving portion. The drive portion includes a polygonal aperture, and the pin receiving portion includes a hole with an internal surface of revolution that defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, a circumferential direction, and a slot extending at least partially through the pin receiving portion into the hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Jay Ulrich, IV, Eric T. Sinn, Brandon H. McCaffrey, Corey Michael Wells, Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Patent number: 11871237
    Abstract: In some examples, a system and method for pairing a payment object reader with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal is described herein. The method includes determining, by a wireless transceiver, a first value of signal strength corresponding to a current position of the payment object reader and a second value of signal strength corresponding to a new position of the payment object reader. The POS terminal then identifies the first wireless device as an intended candidate for pairing with the second wireless device based on variation in signal strength from the first value of signal strength to the second value of signal strength. Accordingly, the POS terminal establishes a wireless communication channel between the POS terminal and the payment object reader device for exchange of information. Once paired, the payment object reader allows the POS terminal to accept payments from a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Koun Han, Michael Wells White, Robert Harrison Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11861623
    Abstract: Examples, methods and systems described herein may include determining, by a payment processing system, whether a second payment mechanism may be used to perform a payment transaction when a first payment mechanism is preferred and/or when the first payment mechanism has failed. Determining to use the second payment mechanism can be based on (i) an analysis of a communication status indicator received from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal that indicates which payment mechanisms are capable of communicating with the POS terminal, (ii) data received from the POS terminal that is associated with a read of a payment object, and/or (iii) an allowance criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wells White, Charles Nicholson, David Terra, Jason Holmes, Martin Mroz
  • Patent number: 11836695
    Abstract: A payment handling system may operate to handle payments for the cost of a transaction in which one or more devices operate in an offline mode. The payment handling system may allow for merchant devices to make modifications to local versions of an open ticket while in an off-line mode. When a merchant device subsequently enters an online mode, the systems and techniques may operate to reconcile differences between the local versions of the open ticket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Block, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Philip Renke, Michael Wells White, Eric Dickeson Muller, Mathew Wilson
  • Publication number: 20230383503
    Abstract: A retainer includes a drive portion defining a drive portion outer diameter, and a lug receiving portion with a skirt defining a lug receiving slot that extends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. The skirt also defines a skirt outer diameter that is greater than the drive portion outer diameter. Also, the drive portion has a hook tab that extends from the drive portion and that is spaced away from the skirt a minimum distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Grant Jura, Eric T. Sinn, Douglas C. Serrurier, Corey Michael Wells