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).

  • Patent number: 9249856
    Abstract: A vibration isolator can include an upper housing defining an upper fluid chamber; a lower housing defining a lower fluid chamber; a piston resiliently coupled to the upper housing with an upper elastomer member, the piston being resiliently coupled to the lower housing with a lower elastomer member; a tuning passage associated with the piston; and a tuning fluid disposed within the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage, the tuning fluid comprising a polytungstate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Maurice D. Griffin, Michael R. Smith, Michael Seifert
  • Patent number: 9246799
    Abstract: Techniques are provided to decouple service chain structure from the underlying network forwarding state and allow for data plane learning of service chain forwarding requirements and any association between services function state requirements and the forward and reverse forwarding paths for a service chain. In a network comprising a plurality of network nodes each configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective network node, a packet is received at a network node. When the network node determines that the service function it applies is stateful, it updates context information in a network service header of the packet to indicate that the service function applied at the network node is stateful and that traffic for a reverse path matching the classification criteria is to be returned to the network node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Guichard, Paul Quinn, David Ward, Surendra Kumar, Navindra Yadav, Michael R. Smith, Nagaraj A. Bagepalli
  • Patent number: 9237158
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network security using role-based access control is disclosed. A network device implementing such a method can include, for example, an access control list. Such an access control list includes an access control list entry, which, in turn, includes a user group field. Alternatively, a network device implementing such a method can include, for example, a forwarding table that includes a plurality of forwarding table entries. In such a case, at least one of the forwarding table entries includes a user group field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160006651
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques useful in a network comprising a plurality of network nodes each configured to apply one or more service functions to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A network node receives packets encapsulated in a service header that includes information defining a first set of context headers stacked into an association of metadata that is relevant to one or more service functions within a service path comprised of one or more network nodes. The network node performs at least one of the service functions in the service path and rewrites the service header with a second set of context headers. The second set of context headers include metadata derived from performing the service function(s) at the network node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: James Guichard, Paul Quinn, David Ward, Surendra Kumar, Nagaraj A. Bagepalli, Michael R. Smith, Navindra Yadav
  • Publication number: 20150376090
    Abstract: A process is presented for the production of light olefins. The process provides for the separation of the effluent stream from a catalytic cracking process into a stream having light olefins and a stream having heavier hydrocarbons. The heavier stream is oligomerized to generate an oligomer stream having heavier hydrocarbons, and then separated into a stream to be passed to the catalytic cracking process, and a stream to be passed to a reforming unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Robert L. Mehlberg, Michael R. Smith, Trung Pham
  • Patent number: 9178812
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques useful in a network comprising a plurality of network nodes each configured to apply one or more service functions to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A network node receives packets encapsulated in a service header that includes information defining a variable set of context headers stacked into an association of metadata that is relevant to one or more service functions within a service path comprised of one or more network nodes. The network node interprets a forwarding state and a next-hop network node for the service path from the service header, and determines a service action or associated metadata from the set of context headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James Guichard, Paul Quinn, David Ward, Surendra Kumar, Nagaraj A. Bagepalli, Michael R. Smith, Navindra Yadav
  • Publication number: 20150295831
    Abstract: An example method for network address translation (NAT) offload to network infrastructure for service chains in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet at a network infrastructure in a network comprising a plurality of service nodes interconnected through the network infrastructure, each service node executing at least one service function, identifying the packet as belonging to a first flow based on a cookie in a network service header of the packet that indicates a service chain that includes a sequence of service functions to be executed on the packet at the service nodes, determining that a service function in the service chain is to be offloaded from one of the service nodes to the network infrastructure for subsequent packets of the first flow, and executing the offloaded service function at the network infrastructure for subsequent packets of the first flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Surendra M. Kumar, Paul Quinn, James N. Guichard, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150195218
    Abstract: A virtual network device includes several different virtual network device sub-units, which collectively operate as a single logical network device. An interface bundle includes interfaces in more than one of the different virtual network device sub-units included in the virtual network device. The interface bundle is coupled to a virtual link bundle, which connects the virtual network device to another device. The interface bundle is managed as a single logical interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Jeffrey YM Wang, Ali Golshan
  • Patent number: 9045222
    Abstract: The external crash attenuation airbag includes an inflatable bladder which is inflatable to an exterior of an aircraft, so that the inflatable bladder is generally located between the aircraft and a crash surface when inflated. The airbag includes a vent configured to burst at a predefined burst pressure, the vent being located along a side portion of the inflatable bladder. The airbag also includes a vent support located approximate the vent, the vent support being configured to prevent deformation and therefore maintain the effectiveness of a venting area of the vent, and the vent support being rigid and annular and includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are hinged together around the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho, Michael R. Smith, Andrew T. Hill, Samgeeth Rajan
  • Publication number: 20150139800
    Abstract: A restraint system for a transmission in an aircraft can include a first strut having a first fluid chamber, a first piston resiliently coupled to a first housing with a first elastomeric member. The restraint system can include a second strut having second fluid chamber, a second piston resiliently coupled to a second housing with a second elastomeric member. The restraint system can include a fluid line between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber. The first strut and the second strut collectively provide not only torque restraint, but also torque measurement and fore/aft vibration isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Hendricks, Maurice D. Griffin, Michael R. Smith, Taeoh Lee
  • Publication number: 20150124826
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of forwarding packets on a network, such as a leaf-spine network having leaf devices and spine devices. The methods may include receiving a packet at an ingress leaf device, and determining based, at least in part, on a header of the packet whether the packet is to be transmitted to a spine device. The methods may further include ascertaining based, at least in part, on a header of the packet whether to perform encapsulation on the packet, encapsulating the packet according to a result of the ascertaining, and then transmitting the packet to a spine device according to a result of the determining. Also disclosed herein are network apparatuses which include a processor and a memory, at least one of the processor or the memory being configured to perform some or all of the foregoing described methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas James Edsall, Navindra Yadav, Francisco M. Matus, Kit Chiu Chu, Michael R. Smith, Sameer Merchant, Krishna Doddapaneni, Satyam Sinha
  • Publication number: 20150106896
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for including network security information in a frame is disclosed. Network security information is included in a secure portion of overhead of a frame. The network security information is configured to facilitate network security. A network device configured to process a frame is also disclosed. The frame includes frame security information and network security information. The frame security information is configured to facilitate securing a portion of overhead of the frame, and the network security information is located in the secure portion of the overhead of the frame and is configured to facilitate network security.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman W. Finn, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8999256
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrotreating unit and hydrocracking a liquid hydrotreating effluent stream in a hydrocracking unit. A hot separator separates the diesel in a liquid hot hydrotreating effluent stream that serves as feed to the hydrocracking unit. Low sulfur diesel product can be saturated to further upgrade its cetane rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Zimmerman, Peter Kokayeff, Michael R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8990430
    Abstract: A virtual network device includes several different virtual network device sub-units, which collectively operate as a single logical network device. An interface bundle includes interfaces in more than one of the different virtual network device sub-units included in the virtual network device. The interface bundle is coupled to a virtual link bundle, which connects the virtual network device to another device. The interface bundle is managed as a single logical interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Jeffrey Y M Wang, Ali Golshan
  • Publication number: 20150041584
    Abstract: A crash attenuation system has an airbag inflatable generally adjacent to an exterior of the aircraft. The system includes a gas generator in fluid communication with an interior of the airbag. The system also includes a vent system having a vent passage supported by the aircraft, the vent passage being configured to allow gas to escape from within the airbag during an impact to a second set of airbags for flotation. The vent system also includes an actuator door for sealing the vent passage, thereby preventing gas from leaving the airbag. The actuator door is actuated by an actuator, the actuator being in fluid communication with the gas generator through an actuator duct. The system operates such that deployment of gas from the gas generator causes the actuator to inflate, thereby causing the actuator door to seal the vent passage. The gas generator is configured to re-inflate the airbag after the actuator door seals the vent passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho, Michael R. Smith, Michael Seifert
  • Publication number: 20140377140
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrotreating unit and hydrocracking a liquid hydrotreating effluent stream in a hydrocracking unit. A hot separator separates the diesel in a liquid hot hydrotreating effluent stream that serves as feed to the hydrocracking unit. Low sulfur diesel product can be saturated to further upgrade its cetane rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Paul R. Zimmerman, Peter Kokayeff, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140374311
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed in a hydrotreating unit and hydrocracking a liquid hydrotreating effluent stream in a hydrocracking unit. A hot separator separates the diesel in a liquid hot hydrotreating effluent stream that serves as feed to the hydrocracking unit. Low sulfur diesel product can be saturated to further upgrade its cetane rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Paul R. Zimmerman, Peter Kokayeff, Michael R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140362857
    Abstract: Presented herein are techniques useful in a network comprising a plurality of network nodes each configured to apply one or more service functions to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A network node receives packets encapsulated in a service header that includes information defining a variable set of context headers stacked into an association of metadata that is relevant to one or more service functions within a service path comprised of one or more network nodes. The network node interprets a forwarding state and a next-hop network node for the service path from the service header, and determines a service action or associated metadata from the set of context headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: James Guichard, Paul Quinn, David Ward, Surendra Kumar, Nagaraj A. Bagepalli, Michael R. Smith, Navindra Yadav
  • Patent number: 8902908
    Abstract: Disclosed are, inter alia, methods, apparatus, data structures, computer-readable media, mechanisms, and means for supporting a large number of virtual local area networks (VLANS) in a bridged network. Packets are received that include 802.1Q Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifiers (VIDs). However, rather than accessing the VLAN forwarding information directly based on the VID as conventionally performed, the VLAN forwarding information to use for a particular packet is determined based on an interface (e.g., virtual or physical interface, port, MPLS label, GRE tunnel or other abstraction of the interface). In other words, the interface associated with the packet identifies a context for determining the VLAN forwarding information based on the VID included in the packet. Therefore, network bridging devices can support more VLANs than that imposed by the 4096 possible values of a VID.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Gyaneshwar S. Saharia, Gaetano Borgione, Atul Rawat
  • Patent number: 8888079
    Abstract: A vibration isolator having an upper housing defining an upper fluid chamber, a lower housing defining a lower fluid chamber, a piston resiliently disposed within the upper housing and the lower housing, a tuning passage defined by the piston, for providing fluid communication between the upper fluid chamber and the lower fluid chamber, a tuning fluid disposed within the tuning passage, the upper fluid chamber, and the lower fluid chamber. A reservoir in fluid communication with the upper fluid chamber for providing pressurization control of the vibration isolator. An expanded accumulator region for providing Increased pressure retention during maintenance and operation of the vibration isolator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps