Patents by Inventor Michael Crane

Michael Crane 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: 20140083225
    Abstract: A control module for an electrically powered wheelchair is configured to generate control signals for the electrically powered wheelchair in response to user input. The control module comprises: a base portion; a joystick configured to generate the control signals corresponding to user movement of the joystick relative to the base portion; and a pivotable screen mount configured to provide a mount on the base portion for a display screen on which information relating to operation of the electrically powered wheelchair can be displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Penny & Giles Controls Limited
    Inventors: Charles Edward DOWNS, David Huw Taylor, Jolyon Michael CRANE, Malcolm BENNETT
  • Patent number: 8424834
    Abstract: A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Magna International
    Inventor: Michael Crane
  • Patent number: 8118529
    Abstract: The present invention is a tolerance adjusting attachment which is part of a bracket member used for providing proper alignment between more than one externally visible component. The tolerance adjusting attachment has a support aperture formed as a portion of the bracket member, and an adjuster core at least partially extending through the support aperture, the adjuster core operably associated with at least one structural member for providing proper positioning of the bracket member in relation to the structural member. The present invention also includes an adjuster clip at least partially extending through and movable through a portion of the bracket member such that the position of the adjuster core is secured relative to the bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crane, Martin R. Matthews, Anthony J. Povinelli
  • Patent number: 8104827
    Abstract: The present invention is a component for providing alignment between at least two external components. The present invention is a bracket member having at least two attachment structures, and at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures, and the at least two attachment structures provide adjustable positioning between the at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures such that the position off the at least two externally visible components can be adjusted relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crane, Tom Cobb, Thomas M. Pilette
  • Patent number: 8011735
    Abstract: A wheel assembly kit for a Mecanum wheel is provided. The kit includes a convex hub having a central axis and a perimeter. The perimeter comprises a plurality of flat spoke faces extending therearound. A spoke is releasably couplable to each spoke face. The spoke is alignable on the spoke face in a first orientation for one of left-handed and right-handed drive. When the spoke is rotated ninety degrees about its respective spoke face, the spoke is alignable in a second orientation for the other of the left-handed and the right-handed drive. A method of assembling the wheel assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jules Scogna, Andrew Adaman, Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20100327127
    Abstract: A composite appliance base used for manufacture and assembly of various appliances such as a clothes washing machine, clothes dryer, or the like. The composite appliance base includes a heater box, an electric motor mount, a fan shroud, and at least one duct. There are also various inlets which are used for water hoses (in the case where the composite appliance base is used for a washing machine or the like) as well as exhaust ducts and integrated cable clips. In one embodiment, the composite appliance base includes a base portion and a fan shroud, as well as a first duct in fluid communication with the fan shroud. The composite appliance base also includes a second duct which functions as the heater box; the heater box is operable with a heater device to heat air flowing through the heater box, the duct, and the fan shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Michael CRANE
  • Patent number: 7820318
    Abstract: A battery mount is disclosed. The battery mount includes a body having a lateral axis, a central groove extending along the lateral axis, and an arcuate cut-out extending from a top surface of the body on either side of the lateral axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: eStop Robotics LLC
    Inventors: Adam Schuman, Michael Crane, Kevin Durkin, Jules Scogna, Joseph Troy, Megan Durkin, Elizabeth Hale
  • Patent number: 7781918
    Abstract: Electrical switch circuitry including a relay with contacts and a transistor. A control circuit switches the transistor ON in response to a voltage difference across the relay contacts reaching a predetermined value, such that in use, electrical current is caused to flow through the transistor while the electrical contacts of the relay are closing or opening. This reduces electrical arcing across the contacts of the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: P G Drives Technology Limited
    Inventor: Jolyon Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20100156168
    Abstract: A wheel assembly kit for a Mecanum wheel is provided. The kit includes a convex hub having a central axis and a perimeter. The perimeter comprises a plurality of flat spoke faces extending therearound. A spoke is releasably couplable to each spoke face. The spoke is alignable on the spoke face in a first orientation for one of left-handed and right-handed drive. When the spoke is rotated ninety degrees about its respective spoke face, the spoke is alignable in a second orientation for the other of the left-handed and the right-handed drive. A method of assembling the wheel assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Jules Scogna, Andrew Adaman, Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20090272865
    Abstract: The present invention is a tolerance adjusting attachment which is part of a bracket member used for providing proper alignment between more than one externally visible component. The tolerance adjusting attachment has a support aperture formed as a portion of the bracket member, and an adjuster core at least partially extending through the support aperture, the adjuster core operably associated with at least one structural member for providing proper positioning of the bracket member in relation to the structural member. The present invention also includes an adjuster clip at least partially extending through and movable through a portion of the bracket member such that the position of the adjuster core is secured relative to the bracket member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael CRANE, Martin R. Matthews, Anthony J. Povinelli
  • Publication number: 20080220322
    Abstract: A battery mount is disclosed. The battery mount includes a body having a lateral axis, a central groove extending along the lateral axis, and an arcuate cut-out extending from a top surface of the body on either side of the lateral axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Adam Schuman, Michael Crane, Kevin Durkin, Jules Scogna, Joseph Troy, Megan Durkin, Elizabeth Hale
  • Publication number: 20080173775
    Abstract: The present invention is a component for providing alignment between at least two external components. The present invention is a bracket member having at least two attachment structures, and at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures, and the at least two attachment structures provide adjustable positioning between the at least two externally visible components connected to the at least two attachment structures such that the position off the at least two externally visible components can be adjusted relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael CRANE, Tom Cobb, Thomas M. Pilette
  • Publication number: 20080157563
    Abstract: A The present invention is a support system for a panel having a carrier member to which a component support structure is attached, at least one component support structure to which a first externally visible component and the contoured finish panel require attachment, a first attachment structure for providing fixed position attachment of the first externally visible component, and a support member having a contoured surface for supported the contoured finished panel in a fixed position. The present invention also includes a second attachment structure which provides adjustable positioning of the support member to the support structure such that a close tolerance fit can be facilitated between the first externally visible component and the contoured finish panel by selecting the position of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crane, Thomas M. Pilette, Martin R. Matthews, Anthony J. Povinelli
  • Publication number: 20080073473
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hood rod retention mechanism having a component, at least one extension, and a hood rod. The at least one extension is integrated into the component and has a base that extends from a surface of the component and a top. The hood rod is retained by the at least one extension when the hood rod is adjacent the at least one extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Mervyn J. Archer, Thomas M. Pilette, Gari M. Schalte, Brad Stewart, Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20060237374
    Abstract: The present invention concerns apparatus for applying ultrasonic energy which comprises an applicator (1) having an outwardly facing surface, the apparatus further including an extender (6) which extends from the outwardly facing surface, and at least one booster (7) at the end of the extender remote from the applicator for boosting ultrasonic energy applied thereto to cause the applicator to oscillate, wherein the applicator, extender and booster are integrally formed. The invention also concerns the manufacture of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Applicant: Sonico Limited
    Inventors: Tony Amato, Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20050284134
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to an exhaust treatment apparatus having an NOx reduction system comprising first and second catalyst beds in series with associated first and second ammonia injectors. The first catalyst bed with its associated ammonia injector preferably targets removing only about 80 to about 95% percent of the NOx in the vehicle exhaust. The second catalyst bed with its associated injector preferably target removing about 70 to about 100% of the remaining NOx. Staging the reduction system in this manner improves control over NOx reduction and reduces the risk of ammonia slip. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of treating vehicle exhaust to remove NOx and an SCR reactor comprising a housing having an entrance port, an exit port, and an ammonia injection port, wherein the injection port is configured to inject ammonia in between SCR catalyst beds contained in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Subbaraya Radhamohan, Michael Crane
  • Publication number: 20050282285
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to controlling the ammonia feed rate to an SCR reactor using a NOx sensor cross-sensitive to ammonia. The sensor, positioned downstream of the reactor, is interrogated by introducing a pulse in the ammonia feed rate. A positive response to a positive pulse indicates ammonia slip. A negative response to a positive pulse indicates NOx breakthrough. Another aspect of the invention related to a combination of feed-back and feed-forward control. Upon detecting ammonia slip, the controller enters into an ammonia slip recovery mode in which the ammonia feed rate is reduced for a period to restore the reactor's ammonia or NOx buffering capacity. After the recovery period, feed-forward control is restored, optionally with an updated control objective. A further aspect of the invention relates to a learning probabilistic model for feed-forward control trained according to the occurrence or non-occurrence of NOx breakthrough and ammonia slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Subbaraya Radhamohan, Michael Crane
  • Patent number: 6839437
    Abstract: A cryptographic system for use in a data processing system. The system includes a security layer and a plurality of cryptographic routines, wherein the plurality of cryptographic routines are accessed through the security layer. Also included is a keystore and a keystore application program interface layer coupled to the security layer. The keystore application program interface layer receives a call from an application to perform a cryptographic operation, identifies a routine, calls the routine to perform the cryptographic operation, receives a result from the routine, and returns the result to the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Crane, Sohail H. Malik, John Clay Richard Wray
  • Patent number: 6510236
    Abstract: An authentication framework for authenticating clients, each of which is coupled to an authentication device of one of a plurality of permitted authentication device types. An authentication method begins by having a client pass to an application server a request for authentication. The request includes a user id and device id identifying a client and an authentication device coupled thereto. The application server determines which device authentication server the request is intended for, and then forwards authentication data in the request to that server. If the device authentication server verifies that the authentication data is acceptable, an authorization token is returned to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Crane, Ivan Matthew Milman
  • Patent number: 6315297
    Abstract: A seal assembly (10) for a pump provides sealing between a rotating shaft assembly (11, 12) and a fixed casing (13). The casing (13) has inner and outer stationary sealing faces (33, 34). A spacer (21) is rotationally locked to the sleeve (12), but the sleeve (12) is able to move axially relative to the spacer (21), at least to a limited extent. Inner and outer rotating heads (26, 27) are carried by spacer (21) and are biased by axial springs (32) against respective stationary sealing faces (33, 34). The seal assembly provides a double seal between rotating and stationary members, yet accommodates axial movement of the shaft sleeve (12). The sealing components are located in a chamber (14) containing liquid lubricant, and a paddle (25) is provided on the spacer (21) to induce circulation and misting of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sealing Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Conway, Bradley John Ryan, Kenneth Michael Crane