Patents by Inventor Michael E. Patterson

Michael E. Patterson 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: 10707063
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for calibration, calibration verification, and sensitivity checks for a detector. The methods and systems include calibrating a detector by releasing at least one calibrant from at least one calibrant chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include verifying the calibration by releasing at least one verification substance from at least one verification chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include checking a sensitivity of the detector by releasing at least one sensitivity substance from at least one sensitivity chamber in flow communication with the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hartwig Schmidt, Michael E. Patterson, Stefan R. Lukow, Kenneth R. Gonthier, Hanh T. Lai, Vibha Mishra
  • Publication number: 20180182603
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for calibration, calibration verification, and sensitivity checks for a detector. The methods and systems include calibrating a detector by releasing at least one calibrant from at least one calibrant chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include verifying the calibration by releasing at least one verification substance from at least one verification chamber in flow communication with the detector. The systems and methods further include checking a sensitivity of the detector by releasing at least one sensitivity substance from at least one sensitivity chamber in flow communication with the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Hartwig Schmidt, Michael E. Patterson, Stefan R. Lukow, Kenneth R. Gonthier, Hanh T. Lai, Vibha Mishra
  • Patent number: 8109849
    Abstract: An apparatus for compressing an automatic belt tensioning cylinder to permit a belt to be placed around, the engine pulleys, includes a pneumatic cylinder and a jig, the jib being adapted to hold the tensioning cylinder during compression thereof by the pneumatic cylinder. The jig holds a plunger sensor that is operable to detect the presence of the tensioning cylinder, and to control the flow of pressurizing fluid such that the pneumatic cylinder cannot be operated in an extension direction when the tensioning cylinder is absent from the jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Mason, Ryan M. Johnson, Freedus McDermitt, Michael E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7594422
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide novel, industrially applicable, and non-obvious apparatus and methods for automatically, routinely, and accurately calibrating a trace detection portal. Embodiments of the apparatus include a calibrant container; a substance (or substances) uniquely identifiable by a trace detection portal as a calibrant; unique placement of the calibrant container's outlet relative to a substance collection port of a sample collection chamber; and/or computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, cause a consistent release of a measured amount of calibrant into the sample collection chamber upon command and/or at pre-determined time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Perry, Michael E. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20080098794
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide novel, industrially applicable, and non-obvious apparatus and methods for automatically, routinely, and accurately calibrating a trace detection portal. Embodiments of the apparatus include a calibrant container; a substance (or substances) uniquely identifiable by a trace detection portal as a calibrant; unique placement of the calibrant container's outlet relative to a substance collection port of a sample collection chamber; and/or computer executable instructions that, when executed by a computer processor, cause a consistent release of a measured amount of calibrant into the sample collection chamber upon command and/or at pre-determined time intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin J. Perry, Michael E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7324004
    Abstract: A method for reducing false detects may include emitting an infrared light beam from a primary emitter to a primary monitor detector, measuring a first voltage value using a primary receive detector and setting a primary smoke alarm flag corresponding to a primary channel if the first voltage value is above a first threshold value. The method may also include measuring a second voltage value using a secondary receive detector, setting a secondary smoke alarm flag corresponding to a secondary channel if the second voltage value is above a second threshold value and setting an alarm indicating a smoke condition if the primary smoke alarm flag and the secondary smoke alarm flag are set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace T. Van Winkle, Lester J. Lowery, Timothy L. Fujawa, John Lohmeier, Aileen K. McDowall, Richard K. Morey, Michael E. Patterson, Andrew D. Bunn, Maria M. Cornejo