Patents by Inventor Michael Howard

Michael Howard 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: 9526233
    Abstract: A bee vectoring apparatus includes a tray for positioning in the exit path of a beehive. The tray includes a bottom, a bee entrance end, and a bee exit end. The apparatus includes a tray lid positioned above the bottom, with first and second barrier walls extruding downwardly from the lid. A ceiling extends between bottom ends of the first and second barrier walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bee Vectoring Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howard D. Hearn Collinson, Peter Kevan, Todd Gordon Mason, John Clifford Sutton
  • Publication number: 20160356236
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling fuel injection in an engine equipped with a dual injector system including a port injector and a direct injector. A ratio of port injected fuel to direct injected fuel is adjusted based at least on intake valve temperature. The proportion of fuel port injected into a cylinder is increased as the intake valve temperature for the given cylinder increases to improve fuel vaporization in the intake port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Krengel, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 9516768
    Abstract: An improved conduit apparatus in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept includes one or more conduits that each enclose therein an electrical conductor that carries a phase of a multi-phase electrical supply. The conduits are connected to the walls of the electrical enclosures with an attachment apparatus that extends between the conduits and the walls of the electrical enclosures. A clamp apparatus retains the electrical conductors in a state of tension within an interior region of the conduits in a position spaced from the walls of the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Garett Sims, Austin Parker Finley, Michael Howard Abrahamsen
  • Publication number: 20160350886
    Abstract: Computer processor generated analysis and presentation of patent and business data in a common interface is described. The aggregation and analysis includes a method and system for evaluating a patent or patent application and proposed claim text by examining claim related information maintained in databases as well as image related information maintained in databases. The method includes deriving unique signatures of individual claims and ascertaining scope of individual claims relative to other claims in a collection, such as claims found in a classification schema and also deriving unique characteristics from images and ascertaining the scope of similarity between the images. A signature and scope of the patent claims and images may be graphically depicted to a user using various graphic elements in a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: IP Street Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Carl Reed Jessen, Lewis C. Lee, Michael Howard Ebinger, Ryan Glenn Roemer, Chad Eberle
  • Publication number: 20160332501
    Abstract: Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Bret A. Voss, Mark A. Negley, William J. Sweet, Kevin R. Housen, Jason S. Damazo, Michael D. Gonzales, Michael Howard-Edward Ware, Lee Charles Firth
  • Patent number: 9482604
    Abstract: A system for and method of stretching a membrane is provided. The system has a top plate and a bottom plate that are in parallel with each other and a plurality of flexible v trusses. The top plate is configured to move vertically. The v trusses are placed in circle and have arms pointing to the center. There is a clamp for each arm for clamping a membrane. When external force is applied to push the top plate towards the bottom plate, the force bends the trusses, which is translated to the horizontal displacement of the trusses with arms. As the trusses move outwards, the clamped membrane is stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: William Campbell, Michael Howard, Jarrett Shamlian, Kai-Tak Wan
  • Patent number: 9482189
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a reference voltage for an intake manifold oxygen sensor based on ingestion of hydrocarbons from a fuel system canister and/or an engine crankcase. During conditions when purge or crankcase ventilation hydrocarbons are ingested in the intake aircharge, the intake oxygen sensor is transitioned from operating at a lower reference voltage to a higher reference voltage where the effects of the ingested hydrocarbons on the sensor output are nullified. An EGR dilution of the intake aircharge is estimated based on the output of the sensor at the higher reference voltage while an amount of hydrocarbons ingested is estimated based on a difference between sensor outputs at the higher and lower reference voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Daniel A. Makled, James Alfred Hilditch, Richard E. Soltis, Michael Howard Shelby, Daniel Joseph Styles
  • Patent number: 9478952
    Abstract: An electrical isolator includes a flexible non-electrically conductive membrane and an inelastic flexible dielectric member journalled in the membrane and extending from the first end of the membrane to the second end of the membrane. First and second coupling members are anchored to the ends of the dielectric member. The ends of the membrane are mated in sealed engagement with the coupling members so that the coupling members fluidically seal the ends of the membrane and fluidically seal the dielectric member within the membrane. The membrane is filled with a dielectric fluid so as to displace any air in the membrane and the dielectric member. The coupling members are adapted to couple to objects at opposite ends of the electrical isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David Karl Wabnegger, Robert Wayne Palmer, Jody Milton Greer, Michael Howard Boudreau
  • Patent number: 9470654
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas sensor is disclosed, wherein the sensor includes a pumping electrode configuration and a measuring electrode configuration, and wherein the method includes operating the sensor in a first mode in which a first, lower pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove an interfering compound from the sensor without electrochemically removing the analyte from the sensor is applied across the pumping electrode configuration and a measuring potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied across the measuring electrode configuration; and operating the sensor in a second mode in which a second, higher pumping potential sufficient to electrochemically remove the analyte from the sensor is applied to the pumping electrode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Kubinski, Richard Soltis, Jacobus H. Visser, Yi Ding, Michael Howard Parsons
  • Patent number: 9441636
    Abstract: A rotor, for a compressor of a gas turbine, comprising a rotatable support for rotation about an axis of rotation and a plurality of blades. Each blade comprising a hub, a leading edge and a trailing edge and a chord is defined between the leading edge and the trailing edge. Each of the blades extends from its hub away from the rotatable support and at least one of the blades has a hub-thickness to chord ratio greater than 10 percent. The leading edge of the at least one of the blades at its hub is positioned at a leading-edge-hub-radius from a position of the axis of rotation and the trailing edge of the at least one of the blades is positioned at its hub at a trailing-edge-hub-radius from the position of the axis of rotation. The trailing-edge-hub-radius is greater than the leading-edge-hub-radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: John Dodds, Jillian C. Gaskell, Michael A. Howard
  • Patent number: 9441564
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for estimating an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include disabling EGR flow when the impact of PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor is above a threshold. The impact of the PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor may be based on a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and a DPOV sensor when EGR is flow and a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and expected blow-by when EGR is not flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, James Alfred Hilditch, Stephen B. Smith, Michael Howard Shelby, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Mohannad Hakeem
  • Patent number: 9435287
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for controlling fuel injection in an engine equipped with a dual injector system including a port injector and a direct injector. A ratio of port injected fuel to direct injected fuel is adjusted based at least on intake valve temperature. The proportion of fuel port injected into a cylinder is increased as the intake valve temperature for the given cylinder increases to improve fuel vaporization in the intake port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gopichandra Surnilla, Eric Krengel, Joseph Lyle Thomas, Todd Anthony Rumpsa, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Publication number: 20160249535
    Abstract: A tray for positioning in an exit path of a beehive comprises a base, a bee entrance end, and a bee exit end. Spaced apart side walls extend upwardly from the base. The sidewalls extend generally lengthwise between the bee entrance end and bee exit end. A plurality of posts extend upwardly from the base and are positioned between the bee entrance end and the bee exit end. The posts are generally circular in cross-section. The posts act as obstacles around which the bess must walk to reach the bee exit end from the bee entrance end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: BEE VECTORING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Michael Howard D. Hearn Collinson, Todd Gordon Mason, John Clifford Sutton, Peter G. Kevan
  • Publication number: 20160252026
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving combustion stability, in particular during transient operations such as tip-out to lower load conditions, when EGR is being purged. Until a desired LP-EGR rate is achieved, fuel may be delivered as a split injection with at least an intake stroke injection and a compression stroke injection. Subsequently, single fuel injection may be resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Wooldridge, Gopichandra Surnilla, Jianwen James Yi, Brad Alan Boyer, James Alfred Hilditch, Michael Howard Shelby, Benjamin Richard Petersen
  • Patent number: 9429312
    Abstract: A component is for an electric power system. The component includes: a user access panel; a first element for directing visible light; a second element for directing visible light, the second end of the first element facing the second end of the second element; a movable conductor structured to move between a first position and a second position; and a stationary conductor structured to engage the movable conductor. In the first position the movable conductor is disposed between the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element, thereby blocking visible light from passing from the first element to the second element. In the second position the movable conductor is not disposed between the second end of the first element and the second end of the second element, thereby permitting visible light to pass from the first element to the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jon Christopher Beaver, Michael Howard Abrahamsen, Donald R. Fenner
  • Publication number: 20160237922
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving engine knock control by accounting for a drop in charge cooling efficiency of a knock control fluid at higher temperatures. In response to the prediction of an elevated temperature of a knock control fluid at a time of release from a direct injector, a pulse width of the injection is adjusted. Any knock relief deficits are compensated for using alternate engine adjustments, such as boost or spark timing adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Brad Alan VanDerWege, Michael Howard Shelby
  • Patent number: 9419413
    Abstract: An arc management system for an electrical enclosure assembly is provided. The electrical enclosure assembly includes a housing assembly and a conductive bus assembly. The arc management system includes a number of conductive bus extension assemblies, a number of first and second arc horn assemblies, and a number of ground conductor assemblies. Each conductive bus extension assembly includes a conductive member coupled to the conductive bus assembly. Each first arc horn assembly includes a conductive arc horn member. Each first arc horn member is in electrical communication with an associated bus extension conductive member. Each second arc horn assembly includes a conductive arc horn member. Each ground conductor assembly includes a ground conductive member. Each second arc horn member in electrical communication with an associated ground conductor assembly ground conductive member. Each first arc horn member is associated with a second arc horn member and disposed an effective distance therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Garett Sims, John Joseph Shea, Michael Davis Pearce, Michael Howard Abrahamsen
  • Patent number: 9414735
    Abstract: A mop bucket (100) having a side (104) and a detachable wringer (112). Part of the side extends into the bucket to form a support (108) for the detachable wringer (112). The side may be the base (102) of the bucket. The wringer support (108) may have a cavity (111) that is accessible from the side and which is shaped to receive a corresponding support on a corresponding bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: VALE MILL (ROCHDALE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Howard, Darren Brian Trowsdale
  • Publication number: 20160230263
    Abstract: Slurry coating composition for selectively enriching surface regions of a metal-based substrate, for example, the under-platform regions of a turbine blade, with chromium. The slurry coating composition contains metallic chromium, optionally metallic aluminum in a lesser amount by weight than chromium, and optionally other constituents. The composition further includes colloidal silica, and may also include one or more additional constituents, though in any event the composition is substantially free of hexavalent chromium and sources thereof. The coating composition can be used in a process that entails applying the coating composition to a surface region to form a slurry coating, and then heating the coating to remove any volatile components of the coating composition and thereafter cause diffusion of chromium from the coating into the surface region to form a chromium-rich diffusion coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Bernard KOOL, Brian Thomas HAZEL, Michael Howard RUCKER
  • Patent number: 9399757
    Abstract: The present invention relates dry granulated cell culture media which do not comprise peptones or tryptones, especially to dry granulated cell culture media formulations that support the growth of mammalian, and/or insect and/or plant cells. The present invention further relates to the production of these dry granulated cell culture media and their use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Howard Rayner-Brandes, Xiaojian (David) Zhao