Patents by Inventor Michael K. Ross

Michael K. Ross 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: 20180347362
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 9670924
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20160138590
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20140348683
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 8753099
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a earn plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, Starrotor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 8560411
    Abstract: A computerized system and method are presented for exchanging information between a buyer, a seller, and a lender. The system permits sellers and lenders to input buyers that are then submitted for activation. The buyers use the system to obtain information about items, while the sellers and lenders make consistent contact with the buyer in order to work with the buyer. Information about the buyers is shared with both the sellers and the lenders. A business plan is also input into the computerized system by the financial institution employing the lender. This business plan includes goals for numbers of sellers and buyers using the system, and for loan officer candidates to be recruited. Activity on the computerized system is calculated for compliance with the business plan. Feedback is provided to management relating to whether the business plan is being met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Preferred Home Buyers Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Polston, Aaron Matthew Vennie, Jeffery Matthew Colville, Michelle Patrice Hiller, Joan Marie Skallman, Ronald J. Steele, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20110200476
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a earn plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 7770506
    Abstract: An armored cab for a vehicle is provided, the cab including multiple layers of armoring material, and having a shape to assist in the deflection of radar and the various types of ordinance which may be fired or exploded against the armored cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems LP
    Inventors: Ricky Don Johnson, Regis Luther, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20100011948
    Abstract: An armored cab for a vehicle is provided, the cab including multiple layers of armoring material, and having a shape to assist in the deflection of radar and the various types of ordinance which may be fired or exploded against the armored cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Ricky Don Johnson, Regis Luther, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20100003152
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Mark T. Holtzapple, George A. Rabroker, Michael K. Ross
  • Publication number: 20030163408
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a computerized system and method for exchanging information between a buyer, a seller and lender. The present system and method permit a seller to enroll buyers and easily focus sales efforts at buyers who might not yet be ready to purchase. The system and method seamlessly integrate lenders, permitting lenders to participate earlier in the buying process. Also, the system and method help educate and develop buyers, and provide for more personalized contacts with the lender and the seller even during the earlier stages of the buying process. In one aspect, a computerized method for exchanging information between a buyer, seller and lender is disclosed. The computerized method shares buyer-specific information between the seller and the lender. The computerized system also generates item-information for the buyer based on the buyer-specific information. The computerized system also monitors buyer activity related to the item information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen Polston, Michael K. Ross, Michelle Patrice Brevig, Jeffrey Matthew Colville
  • Patent number: 5962307
    Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for preparing organic acids and their salts from biomass. Biomass flows from a region of fresh biomass and high acid and acid salt concentration to a region of digested biomass and low acid and acid salt concentration in a fermentation apparatus under anaerobic conditions. Organic acids and acid salts produced by the process of the present invention are volatile fatty acids such as acetic, butyric and propionic acids and their salts such as calcium acetate, calcium propionate, and calcium butyrate. The apparatus of the present invention contains at least two fermentation reactors in series to increase the biomass residence time in the reactors. The fermentation reactors of the present invention are imbedded in the ground with earthen berms as support for sides having three layers. The core of the reactors are covered with a flexible covering to maintain an anaerobic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Mitch Loescher, Michael K. Ross
  • Patent number: 5874263
    Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for preparing organic acids and their salts from biomass. Biomass flows from a region of fresh biomass and high acid and acid salt concentration to a region of digested biomass and low acid and acid salt concentration in a fermentation apparatus under anaerobic conditions. Organic acids and acid salts produced by the process of the present invention are volatile fatty acids such as acetic, butyric and propionic acids and their salts such as calcium acetate, calcium propionate, and calcium butyrate. The apparatus of the present invention contains at least two fermentation reactors in series to increase the biomass residence time in the reactors. The fermentation reactors of the present invention are imbedded in the ground with earthen berms as support for sides having three layers. The core of the reactors are covered with a flexible covering to maintain an anaerobic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Mark Holtzapple, Richard Davison, Mitch Loescher, Michael K. Ross