Patents by Inventor Michael R. Harris

Michael R. Harris 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: 11963683
    Abstract: A surgical system may include tiered-access features. The surgical system may be used to analyze at least a portion of a surgical field. Based on a control parameter, the system may scale up or down various capabilities, such as visualization processing, endocutter communication, endocutter algorithm updates, smart cartridge connectivity, smart motor control for circular stapler, smart energy control, cloud analytics, hub connectivity control, and/or hub visualization and control interactions. The control parameter may include system aspects such as processing capability or bandwidth for example and/or the identification of an appropriate service tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Patrick L. Creamer, Shane R. Adams, Jason L. Harris, Kevin M. Fiebig, Michael J. Vendely
  • Publication number: 20240108334
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Michael J. Vendely, Shane R. Adams, Nicholas J. Ross, Matthew D. Cowperthwait, Jason L. Harris, Kevin M. Fiebig, Eric B. LaFay, Jose Luis De Cordoba Matilla, Raymond E. Parfett, Curtis A. Maples, Sarah A. Worthington, Jacqueline C. Aronhalt
  • Patent number: 11948439
    Abstract: A method of measuring one or more conditions within a predetermined area includes receiving at a control system a signal including scattered light and time of flight information associated with a plurality of nodes of a detection system, parsing the time of flight information into zones of the detection system, identifying one or more features within the scattered light signal, and analyzing the one or more features within the scattered light signal to determine a presence of the one or more conditions within the predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jie Xi, Michael J. Birnkrant, Junyang Lin, Jun Hou, Peter R. Harris, Tianyuan Chen
  • Patent number: 11911030
    Abstract: A surgical instrument controls communication capabilities between the surgical instrument and a removeable component. The surgical instrument may determine parameters associated with the surgical instrument and the removable component. Based on the parameters, the surgical instrument determines a level or tier of communication between the surgical instrument and the removable component. The surgical instrument may determine to configure one or more of the following levels: one-way static communication with the component; two-way communication with the component; real-time two-way communication with the component; and communication with a surgical hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Patrick L. Creamer, Shane R. Adams, Jason L. Harris, Kevin M. Fiebig, Michael J. Vendely
  • Patent number: 11708229
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
  • Publication number: 20230174328
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11472647
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20220185604
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
  • Patent number: 11332328
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
  • Patent number: 11319171
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotary rail car dumper includes a rotational frame supporting at least one baffle. The rotational frame is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion of the rotational frame between an upright position wherein the entire load is in the rail car and a dumping position wherein the load can exit the rail car. A backside airflow diverter is located beneath the rotational frame and includes a curved upper surface. A lower margin of the at least one baffle contacts the curved upper surface during at least part of the rotational motion of the rotational frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Dennis D. Hall, Kal N. Ugargol
  • Publication number: 20210292114
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 11027932
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20200354174
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotary rail car dumper includes a rotational frame supporting at least one baffle. The rotational frame is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion of the rotational frame between an upright position wherein the entire load is in the rail car and a dumping position wherein the load can exit the rail car. A backside airflow diverter is located beneath the rotational frame and includes a curved upper surface. A lower margin of the at least one baffle contacts the curved upper surface during at least part of the rotational motion of the rotational frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Dennis D. Hall, Kal N. Ugargol
  • Publication number: 20200354175
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
  • Patent number: 10759614
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotary dumping of rail cars, including a material receiving pit. A rotary rail car dumper includes a rotational frame supporting at least one baffle. The rotational frame is configured to dump a load from a rail car during rotational motion of the rotational frame between an upright position wherein the entire load is in the rail car and a dumping position wherein the load can exit the rail car. A backside airflow diverter is located beneath the rotational frame and includes a curved upper surface. A lower margin of the at least one baffle contacts the curved upper surface during at least part of the rotational motion of the rotational frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Air-Cure, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Dennis D. Hall, Kal N. Ugargol
  • Patent number: 10759615
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduce release of dust generated during rotary dumping of rail cars in a dumping facility. The method includes removing dust laden air from a space bounded by a backside airflow diverter, a rotational frame, a first baffle and a second baffle while the rotational frame is rotating with a rail car by drawing the dust laden air through a secondary air intake that passes through the backside airflow diverter into a backside hood. A dust control apparatus includes a diverter, overlying a backside hood having a concave curved upper surface; and at least one secondary air intake positioned to pass through the diverter being located approximately where pressure in the backside hood remains neutral or negative relative to a pressure even there is a transient increase in air pressure in a lower portion of the backside hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Air-Cure, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Harris, Jason Santers
  • Publication number: 20200247625
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 10662008
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Air-Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20190315584
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris
  • Patent number: 10351365
    Abstract: A truck dumper including a material receiving hopper, a tilt table configured to dump a load from the truck or truck trailer into the material receiving hopper. The invention includes a stilling shed positioned above the material receiving hopper and at least one curtain baffle suspended below the roof of the stilling shed. The curtain baffles are positioned such that there is a gap located near the roof and an upper margin of the at least one curtain baffle through which air can flow. The invention further includes an air exhaust structure configured to exhaust dust laden air from the interior of the stilling shed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Air Cure Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael R. Harris