Patents by Inventor Michael Odell

Michael Odell 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: 12163774
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are solar-based semi-mobile recharge skids (“solar skids”) for augmenting on-site fixed charging stations and/or mobile recharge stations, as well as for autonomous operation—that is, the solar skids may operate in conjunction with fixed charging stations, mobile recharge stations, both, or neither (i.e., operating independently). These solar skids are able to supply DC power for charging high-power electric-based autonomous vehicles—including providing variable charging power levels if needed—in a relatively short period of time and at relatively low cost. Various implementations are also directed to modular—based solar skids that can be interconnected for even higher levels and greater availability of recharge power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael Odell Blanton, John Henry Gold
  • Patent number: 12123702
    Abstract: Disclosed are solutions for proactively sensing the condition of the ground in the path of the autonomous vehicle in order to mitigate the risks of an autonomous vehicle encountering troublesome terrain, navigation obstacles, and other potential risks to the continued uninterrupted operation of said autonomous vehicle. Accordingly, various implementations disclosed herein are directed to the use of ground analysis sensors to assist in the detection of navigationally difficult terrain including, for example, the use of cantilevered sensors operating well in front of the autonomous vehicle's front wheels (drive wheels or otherwise).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr., Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Patent number: 12117532
    Abstract: Disclosed is an approach for recalibrating a mobile base station (MBS) after it has moved to a non-survey location by determining a satellite-signal-accurate (SSA) location for the mobile base station based on GPS signals received by the mobile base station and further determining a near-survey-accurate (NSA) location for the mobile base station based on the determined SSA location for the mobile base station and applying an offset calculated by the navigational vehicle based on relatively fixed objects for which near-survey-accurate locations are known.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Odell Blanton, Jr., Kristopher Charles Kozak
  • Patent number: 12038752
    Abstract: Disclosed are solutions for autonomous vehicle navigation that, in the context of an exemplary solar farm, enable the autonomous vehicle to detect solar panels directly, estimate the centerline of the panels regardless of the tilt angle, and then determine the distance and/or direction (globally or relative to the vehicle) from the centerline to the autonomous vehicle in order to then estimate the position of the latter (that is, where the centerline of the solar panel becomes a surrogate for a static, fixed feature for purposes of navigation.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Odell Blanton, Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Patent number: 12016265
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance system comprising: a robot tractor comprising; a robot body; a drive system including one or more motorized drive wheels to propel the robot body; a control system coupled to the drive system, the control system configurable to store a mow plan that specifies a set of paths to be traversed for a grounds maintenance operation and control the drive system to autonomously traverse the set of paths to implement the mow plan; a battery system comprising one or more batteries housed in the robot body; and a low-profile mowing deck coupled to the robot body, the mowing deck adapted to tilt and lift relative to the robot body, wherein the control system is configured to control tilting and lifting of the mowing deck and cutting by the mowing deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael D. Eyman, Tony Padgett, Jeff Dayov, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11951977
    Abstract: Disclosed are solutions for an autonomous vehicle to real-time detect and determine dynamic and/or obscured obstacles to support navigation and services to within a desired proximity of said obstacles. Certain such implementations are specifically directed to autonomous mowers, for example, capable of real-time object detection to determine location and orientation of solar panels in a solar farm, for example, and based on the location and orientation of such solar panels further determine the location of their corresponding posts that may be otherwise obstructed from direct detection by the autonomous mower's other sensing systems possibly due to vegetation growth around the posts or other reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORP.
    Inventors: Michael Odell Blanton, Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Patent number: 11944032
    Abstract: An autonomous mowing system comprising: a memory configured to hold a set of path data defining a set of paths, the set of paths comprising a transit path to a maintenance area and a set of mow paths to cover the maintenance area; a processor coupled to the memory; a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor, the set of instructions comprising instructions for: using the set of path data, determining a plurality of candidate routes that traverse the transit path and fully cover the maintenance area and a total cost for each of the plurality of candidate routes; determining a least cost route from the plurality of candidate routes; and configuring an autonomous mower to follow the least cost route to mow the maintenance area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: RENU ROBOTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr., Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Patent number: 11510361
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance system comprising: a robot tractor comprising; a robot body; a drive system including one or more motorized drive wheels to propel the robot body; a control system coupled to the drive system, the control system configurable to store a mow plan that specifies a set of paths to be traversed for a grounds maintenance operation and control the drive system to autonomously traverse the set of paths to implement the mow plan; a battery system comprising one or more batteries housed in the robot body; and a low-profile mowing deck coupled to the robot body, the mowing deck adapted to tilt and lift relative to the robot body, wherein the control system is configured to control tilting and lifting of the mowing deck and cutting by the mowing deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Renu Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael D. Eyman, Tony Padgett, Jeff Dayov, Michael Odell Blanton, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220237550
    Abstract: A system for managing data for diverse legal projects. The system comprises a project creation user interface that is configured to receive data defining a legal project by a legal discipline and a project type. The system includes a data lake that is configured to store unstructured data and structured data. The structured data is in the form of relational tables that are specifically configured for a respective one of a plurality of legal disciplines and project types. A new relational table is instantiated upon creation of the legal project in the project creation user interface. The relational table is configured specifically for the legal project based on the legal discipline and the project type. The unstructured data is in a form of documents associated with the legal project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Daniel Jennings, Viren Umesh Bhakta, Keara Elizabeth Fallon, Timothy Daniel Igoe, Megan Morris Ramsey, Michael Odell Schoneman, Jason William Wilcynski
  • Publication number: 20210084812
    Abstract: An autonomous mowing system comprising: a memory configured to hold a set of path data defining a set of paths, the set of paths comprising a transit path to a maintenance area and a set of mow paths to cover the maintenance area; a processor coupled to the memory; a computer-readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions executable by the processor, the set of instructions comprising instructions for: using the set of path data, determining a plurality of candidate routes that traverse the transit path and fully cover the maintenance area and a total cost for each of the plurality of candidate routes; determining a least cost route from the plurality of candidate routes; and configuring an autonomous mower to follow the least cost route to mow the maintenance area
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael Odell Blanton, JR., Kristopher Charles Kozak, Marc Christopher Alban
  • Publication number: 20200375093
    Abstract: A grounds maintenance system comprising: a robot tractor comprising; a robot body; a drive system including one or more motorized drive wheels to propel the robot body; a control system coupled to the drive system, the control system configurable to store a mow plan that specifies a set of paths to be traversed for a grounds maintenance operation and control the drive system to autonomously traverse the set of paths to implement the mow plan; a battery system comprising one or more batteries housed in the robot body; and a low-profile mowing deck coupled to the robot body, the mowing deck adapted to tilt and lift relative to the robot body, wherein the control system is configured to control tilting and lifting of the mowing deck and cutting by the mowing deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Tim Alan Matus, Michael D. Eyman, Tony Padgett, Jeff Dayov, Michael Odell Blanton
  • Publication number: 20160002664
    Abstract: Genetically modified (transgenic) true grasses that are resistant to infection by rust fungi are provided, as are methods of making such transgenic plants. The true grasses are genetically modified by gene silencing of fungal patliogenicity genes that are normally expressed in haustoria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Scot Howard HULBERT, Chuntao YIN, Samantha Llene DOWNEY, Michael Odell PUMPHREY, Xianming CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110214829
    Abstract: Method for compensating for uneven shrinkage in a paper web in the press and drying sections of a paper machine, in which there is at least one open draw. In the method, a flow guide/guides are used in the head box, by means of which the machine direction orientation tendency of the fibres is reduced in the edge areas of the web and the angle of detaching of the web from the centre roll is adjusted, by directing onto the web an air jet that is located in the cross direction and the pressure of which can be adjusted in the said direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Runtech Systems Oy
    Inventors: Kimmo Loippo, Michael Odell
  • Patent number: 7536806
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for improving runnability, and dryer section length, by using a vertical impingement dryer before a first dryer cylinder of a group of dryer cylinders. After a pressing section, the web is dried with a pre-impingement dryer, closely followed by a vertical impingement dryer, which is closely following by the first dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer and vertical impingement dryer of the first dryer cylinder to have a drying temperature of approximately 80° C. with no undesirable sticking to the dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer can be arranged to dry a first side of the web, and a vertical impingement dryer after the first dryer cylinder is arranged to dry a second side of the web. The impingement drying takes place directly against the web without an intervening fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Kari Juppi, Antti Komulainen, Markku Lummila, Michael Odell, Martti Salminen, Riikka Antikainen, Petter Honkalampi
  • Publication number: 20080244811
    Abstract: The objective of The Pro's Discard eight (8) designs of fashions and supplies is to bring the single usage then discard technology to the professional service industries in the forn of affordable protective gear, giving better control over safety and the spread of contarnitive bacteria and gerrns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Odell Davis
  • Publication number: 20080115902
    Abstract: Fibrous stock is supplied by a paper or board machine headbox (1) between looped forming wires (11, 12). Water is removed in a two part first dewatering zone (Z1), the first part formed by a suction forming roll engaging a forming wire (12) and the second part formed by a fixed forming shoe engaging opposite a forming wire (11). The wires (11, 12) are guided so the first dewatering zone causes essentially non-pulsating dewatering in the stock. Water is removed in a second dewatering zone (Z2) formed by fixed dewatering blades (21) on the other side of the wires (11, 12) and supported against the stock therebetween (21) and on the opposite side of the wires (11, 12) by dewatering blades (24), loaded in a controlled manner against the fixed dewatering blades (21) at gaps (22) between these so that pulsating dewatering is caused in the second zone (Z2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: METSO PAPER, INC.
    Inventors: Antti Poikolainen, Jeffrey Irwin, Michael Odell, Hannu Korhonen, Ari Puurtinen, Sami Anttilainen
  • Patent number: 7364643
    Abstract: Fibrous stock is supplied by a paper or board machine headbox (1) between looped forming wires (11, 12). Water is removed in a first dewatering zone (Z1) formed with a fixed forming shoe (3) having a curved surface against which a wire (12) is supported while the opposite wire (11) is unsupported in the area of the shoe (3). Water is removed in a second dewatering zone (Z2) formed by fixed dewatering blades (21) on the other side of the wires (11, 12) and supported against the stock therebetween (21) and on the opposite side of the wires (11, 12) by dewatering blades (24), loaded in a controlled manner against the fixed dewatering blades (21) at gaps (22) between these so that pulsating dewatering is caused in the second zone (Z2). The wires (11, 12) are guided so the shoe (3) causes essentially non-pulsating dewatering in the stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Antti Poikolainen, Jeffrey C. Irwin, Michael Odell, Hannu Korhonen, Ari Puurtinen, Sami Anttilainen
  • Publication number: 20070084078
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for improving runnability, and dryer section length, by using a vertical impingement dryer before a first dryer cylinder of a group of dryer cylinders. After a pressing section, the web is dried with a pre-impingement dryer, closely followed by a vertical impingement dryer, which is closely following by the first dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer and vertical impingement dryer of the first dryer cylinder to have a drying temperature of approximately 80° C. with no undesirable sticking to the dryer cylinder. The pre-impingement dryer can be arranged to dry a first side of the web, and a vertical impingement dryer after the first dryer cylinder is arranged to dry a second side of the web. The impingement drying takes place directly against the web without an intervening fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Kari Juppi, Antti Komulainen, Markku Lummila, Michael Odell, Martti Salminen, Riikka Antikainen, Petter Honkalampi
  • Publication number: 20060162890
    Abstract: Fibrous stock is supplied by a paper or board machine headbox (1) between looped forming wires (11, 12). Water is removed in a first dewatering zone (Z1) formed with a fixed forming shoe (3) having a curved surface against which a wire (12) is supported while the opposite wire (11) is unsupported in the area of the shoe (3). Water is removed in a second dewatering zone (Z2) formed by fixed dewatering blades (21) on the other side of the wires (11, 12) and supported against the stock therebetween (21) and on the opposite side of the wires (11, 12) by dewatering blades (24), loaded in a controlled manner against the fixed dewatering blades (21) at gaps (22) between these so that pulsating dewatering is caused in the second zone (Z2). The wires (11, 12) are guided so the shoe (3) causes essentially non-pulsating dewatering in the stock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: Antti Poikolainen, Jeffrey Irwin, Michael Odell, Hannu Korhonen, Ari Puurtinen, Sami Anttilainen
  • Patent number: 6669820
    Abstract: A twin-wire former in a paper machine has two forming wire loops (10, 20), which define between themselves a twin-wire zone. At least one dewatering box (30) is located inside one of the wire loops (10, 20) to remove water through the wire from a web (W) being formed. At least one loading blade (40) is located opposite the dewatering box (30) inside the other wire loop (20; 10) in contact with the other wire. The dewatering box (30) includes at least three successive dewatering zones (30a, 30b) in which every second zone (30a) has a vacuum (p) and every second zone (30b) is vacuum-free. The at least one loading blade (40) is placed inside one of the wire loops (20; 10) at a location where it is opposed by a respective vacuum-free zone (30b), which is preceded and followed by a vacuum zone (30a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Odell