Patents by Inventor Michael R. Smith

Michael R. Smith 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: 20250019311
    Abstract: The processes and products described herein optimize transformation of BNNT as-synthesized material into BNNT intermediary materials. Process steps include refining to remove boron particulates, high temperature refining to break bonds between BNNT, h-BN nanocages, h-BN nanosheets and amorphous BN particles, centrifuging and microfluidic separation, and electrophoresis. Resultant BNNT intermediary materials include purified BNNT in solution, BNNT gels, h-BN nanocages, and h-BN nanosheets, gel spun BNNT fibers, hydrophilic defect enhanced BNNT materials, BNNT patterned sheets, and BNNT strands. Applications that will utilize these BNNT precursor feedstock materials include making BNNT based aligned components, thin films, aerogels, thermal conductivity enhancements, structural materials, ceramic, metal, and polymer composites, and removal of PFAS pollutants from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Mohammad H. KIRMANI, Thomas G. DUSHATINSKI, Clay F. HUFF, Kevin C. JORDAN, Eric R. KENNEDY, Lyndsey R. SCAMMELL, Michael W. SMITH, Jonathan C. STEVENS, R. Roy WHITNEY
  • Publication number: 20250019548
    Abstract: An anti-icing coating having a continuous phase and a discrete phase. The continuous phase includes a fluorine-containing polymer formed from a fluorine-containing precursor having a functionality of greater than 2. The discrete phase includes a plurality of domains having a fluorine-free hygroscopic and/or hydrophilic material. The plurality of domains are dispersed within the continuous phase and are immersible with the continuous phase. At least a portion of the fluorine-free material is bonded to the fluorine-containing polymer with an isocyanate-containing moiety. The fluorine-containing polymer is crosslinked with a crosslinking molecule having at least 4 functional groups. The fluorine-free material is a poly(ethylene glycol).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, Anthony L. Smith, Michael D. Alarcon, Ratandeep Singh Kukreja, Dayananda Narasimhaiah, April R. Rodriguez, Ashley Dustin, Andrew P. Nowak, Michael Jared Ventuleth
  • Patent number: 12118124
    Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to privatize consumer data are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a consumer data acquirer to collect original data corresponding to (a) confidential information associated with consumers and (b) behavior information associated with the consumers, and a data obfuscator. The data obfuscator is to determine a degree to which the original data is to be obfuscated and a type of obfuscation to be applied to the original data based on the original data, generate obfuscation adjustments of the original data based on the degree and the type, and generate an obfuscation model based on the obfuscation adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bruce C. Richardson, Shixiao Li, Martin Quinn, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230359772
    Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to privatize consumer data are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a consumer data acquirer to collect original data corresponding to (a) confidential information associated with consumers and (b) behavior information associated with the consumers, and a data obfuscator. The data obfuscator is to determine a degree to which the original data is to be obfuscated and a type of obfuscation to be applied to the original data based on the original data, generate obfuscation adjustments of the original data based on the degree and the type, and generate an obfuscation model based on the obfuscation adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Bruce C. Richardson, Shixiao Li, Martin Quinn, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11783085
    Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to privatize consumer data are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a consumer data acquirer to collect original data corresponding to (a) confidential information associated with consumers and (b) behavior information associated with the consumers, and a data obfuscator. The data obfuscator is to determine a degree to which the original data is to be obfuscated and a type of obfuscation to be applied to the original data based on the original data, generate obfuscation adjustments of the original data based on the degree and the type, and generate an obfuscation model based on the obfuscation adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bruce C. Richardson, Shixiao Li, Martin Quinn, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11777285
    Abstract: Cable pullers are provided. A cable puller includes a frame, and a boom assembly rotatably connected to the frame. The boom assembly includes a drive assembly, a first arm extending in a first direction from the drive assembly, a second arm extending in a second opposite direction from the drive assembly, and a third arm rotatably connected to the second arm. Rotation of the boom assembly relative to the frame causes rotation of the third arm relative to the second arm to a position wherein a longitudinal axis of the third arm is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Current Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11724800
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator is configured for use on an aircraft rotor rotatable about a mast axis and has upper and lower weight assemblies, each comprising a weight with a center of gravity being a radial distance from the mast axis. The weight assemblies are configured for rotation together relative to the rotor at a selected angular rate about the mast axis, the weights being located on opposing sides of the mast axis. A first motor is configured for selective translation of one of the weight assemblies relative to the other weight assembly along the mast axis between a minimum-moment configuration, in which the centers of gravity of the weights revolve about the mast axis in the same plane, and a maximum-moment configuration, in which the centers of gravity of the weights revolve about the mast axis in different planes for producing a whirling moment about the mast axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, David Heverly, Michael R. Smith, Michael Scott Seifert, Thomas C Parham, Jr., Gary Miller, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Richard E. Rauber
  • Patent number: 11577826
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a first ring with an eccentric weight, a coaxial second ring with an eccentric weight, and a central ring coaxial with the first and second rings and located therebetween. A first post extends from the first ring toward the central ring and is received in a first arcuate groove formed on the central ring, whereas a second post extends from the second ring toward the central ring and is received in a second groove formed on the central ring. A motor is configured for driving the central ring in rotation about the axis relative to the motor. The grooves are equal in length, and a center of the first groove is located on an opposite side from a center of the second groove. Rotation of the central ring by the motor causes rotation of the first and second rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, Frank Bradley Stamps, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Michael R. Smith, Thomas C. Parham
  • Publication number: 20230015929
    Abstract: A lean burn fuel spray nozzle comprises: a lean burn fuel spray nozzle head comprising a pilot fuel injector with a pilot fuel injector outlet and a main fuel injector with a main fuel injector outlet; a feed arm adapted to feed pilot fuel from pilots pipework to the pilot fuel injector through a pilot fuel circuit and feed main fuel from mains pipework to the main fuel injector through a main fuel circuit; and a switching device comprising a switching valve adapted to switch between a Main On position, wherein the main fuel injector is in fluid communication with the mains pipework such that main fuel is sprayed through the main fuel injector outlet, and a Main Off position, wherein the main fuel injector outlet is not in fluid communication with the mains pipework such that main fuel is prevented to flow through the main fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC, ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Michael R SMITH, Imon-Kalyan BAGCHI
  • Publication number: 20220194567
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a first ring with an eccentric weight, a coaxial second ring with an eccentric weight, and a central ring coaxial with the first and second rings and located therebetween. A first post extends from the first ring toward the central ring and is received in a first arcuate groove formed on the central ring, whereas a second post extends from the second ring toward the central ring and is received in a second groove formed on the central ring. A motor is configured for driving the central ring in rotation about the axis relative to the motor. The grooves are equal in length, and a center of the first groove is located on an opposite side from a center of the second groove. Rotation of the central ring by the motor causes rotation of the first and second rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, Frank Bradley Stamps, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Michael R. Smith, Thomas C. Parham
  • Publication number: 20220126989
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator is configured for use on an aircraft rotor rotatable about a mast axis and has upper and lower weight assemblies, each comprising a weight with a center of gravity being a radial distance from the mast axis. The weight assemblies are configured for rotation together relative to the rotor at a selected angular rate about the mast axis, the weights being located on opposing sides of the mast axis. A first motor is configured for selective translation of one of the weight assemblies relative to the other weight assembly along the mast axis between a minimum-moment configuration, in which the centers of gravity of the weights revolve about the mast axis in the same plane, and a maximum-moment configuration, in which the centers of gravity of the weights revolve about the mast axis in different planes for producing a whirling moment about the mast axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, David Heverly, Michael R. Smith, Michael Scott Seifert, Thomas C. Parham, JR., Gary Miller, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Richard E. Rauber
  • Publication number: 20220075899
    Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to privatize consumer data are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a consumer data acquirer to collect original data corresponding to (a) confidential information associated with consumers and (b) behavior information associated with the consumers, and a data obfuscator. The data obfuscator is to determine a degree to which the original data is to be obfuscated and a type of obfuscation to be applied to the original data based on the original data, generate obfuscation adjustments of the original data based on the degree and the type, and generate an obfuscation model based on the obfuscation adjustments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Bruce C. Richardson, Shixiao Li, Martin Quinn, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11267561
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor of an aircraft has a track housing adapted for rotation relative to the rotor and configured for rotation at a second angular velocity greater than a first angular velocity of the rotor. A track is located within the track housing and has a reaction surface, a pair of weights being configured for movement within the track and in contact with the reaction surface. A stop assembly has a pair of stops spaced 180 degrees apart, the stops separating the weights from each other, and each weight being allowed to travel within the track between the stops. A motor rotates the track housing relative to the rotor. The weights are free to travel relative to each other between a minimum-force configuration, in which the weights are positioned 180 degrees apart, and a maximum-force configuration, in which both weights are adjacent one of the stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, Frank Bradley Stamps, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Michael R. Smith, Thomas C. Parham
  • Patent number: 11260982
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a float bag comprising an air bladder configured to inflate when an aircraft lands in the water, a girt coupled to the air bladder and configured to attach the air bladder to the aircraft via at least one airframe fitting, and a load attenuator coupled to the girt and configured to be positioned between the girt and the airframe fitting when the float bag is attached to the aircraft, wherein the plurality of load attenuators are configured to mechanically deform in a progressive failure fashion from a first effective length to a second effective length greater than the first length in response to an applied tensile load on the load attenuators coupled to the plurality of girts and the aircraft airframe, wherein the load attenuators are selected to reduce the force with a total length that minimizes buoyancy depth of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Cheng-Ho Tho
  • Patent number: 11255269
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve for a fuel system having a body with at least one inlet and one outlet, the inlet fluidly connected to a pressurised fuel source in use. A shuttle is mounted within the body, the shuttle having a cavity of fixed volume and movable between a first position where fluid is permitted to flow through the inlet and is prevented from flowing through the outlet and a second position where fluid is prevented from flowing through the inlet and is permitted to flow through the outlet. A piston is configured to engage the fluid within the shuttle cavity to move the shuttle between the first and second position. A biasing mechanism biases the shuttle towards the first position and where the shuttle moves towards the second position when the fluid within the shuttle reaches a critical pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220026600
    Abstract: A mesoscale modeling system and method that enables meteorologists to adjust forecasts to account for known biases of weather forecasting models and outputs high-resolution images consistent with the adjusted forecasts. The mesoscale modeling system and method may also use a weather forecasting model to forecast future weather events based on one or more adjustments provided by the meteorologists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: User-Centric IP, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael R. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11214361
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for an aircraft has first and second coaxial spinners configured for rotation about a mast axis and relative to a rotor. Upper and lower weights of each spinner are spaced radially from the axis and positioned 180 degrees from each other about the axis. The weights of each spinner are spaced from each other a distance parallel to the mast axis, each weight rotating about the mast axis in a different plane. The spinners rotate together relative to the rotor at a selected angular rate and are selectively rotatable relative to each other between a minimum-moment configuration, in which the upper weight of each spinner is angularly aligned with the lower weight of the other spinner, and a maximum-moment configuration, in which the upper weights are angularly aligned and the lower weights are angularly aligned, producing a whirling moment about the mast axis as the spinners rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Bradley Stamps, David Heverly, Michael R. Smith, Michael Scott Seifert, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Gary Miller, Jouyoung Jason Choi, Richard E. Rauber
  • Patent number: 11176272
    Abstract: Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to privatize consumer data are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a consumer data acquirer to collect original data corresponding to (a) confidential information associated with consumers and (b) behavior information associated with the consumers, and a data obfuscator. The data obfuscator is to determine a degree to which the original data is to be obfuscated and a type of obfuscation to be applied to the original data based on the original data, generate obfuscation adjustments of the original data based on the degree and the type, and generate an obfuscation model based on the obfuscation adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Bruce C. Richardson, Shixiao Li, Martin Quinn, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11173521
    Abstract: A vibration attenuator for a rotor is rotatable about a mast axis and has a frame configured for rotation about the mast axis relative to the rotor. A first mass is axially translatable in a first direction relative to the frame parallel to a first axis, and a first biasing force urges the first mass toward a first-mass rest position in which the first mass is symmetric about the mast axis. A second mass is axially translatable in a second direction relative to the frame parallel to a second axis, and a second biasing force urges the second mass toward a second-mass rest position in which the second mass is symmetric about the mast axis. A selected first or second mass moves radially outward from the rest position to oppose vibrations in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: David Heverly, Frank Bradley Stamps, Gary Miller, Richard E. Rauber, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Michael R. Smith, Michael Scott Seifert, Jouyoung Jason Choi
  • Patent number: 11143791
    Abstract: A mesoscale modeling system and method that enables meteorologists to adjust forecasts to account for known biases of weather forecasting models and outputs high-resolution images consistent with the adjusted forecasts. The mesoscale modeling system and method may also use a weather forecasting model to forecast future weather events based on one or more adjustments provided by the meteorologists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: User-Centric IP, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael R. Smith