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).

  • Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation
    Patent number: 8602400
    Abstract: A vibration isolator is disclosed having a housing which defines a fluid chamber. A piston, which is movable to and from a down position, is disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chamber. A passage having a predetermined diameter extends through the piston to permit the vibration isolation fluid to flow from one fluid chamber to the other. An elastic element is provided for reducing transmission of vibrations from the piston to the housing when the piston is at the down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Emery N. Ward, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David Haynie, Terry K. Thompson, David P. Shipman, James A. Wilson
  • PIEZOELECTRIC LIQUID INERTIA VIBRATION ELIMINATOR
    Publication number: 20130306420
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Taeoh Lee, David E. Heverly, JR., Robert J. Pascal
  • Aircraft occupant protection system
    Patent number: 8588996
    Abstract: An occupant protection system for an aircraft comprising a sensor system for sensing flight condition information and a control system, which includes an impending crash detection system and an impact detection system. The impending crash detection system receives flight information from the sensors determines whether a crash is likely to occur. If an impending crash is detected, the impending crash detection system activates impact modes of a first group of aircraft systems. The impact detection system receives flight information from the sensor system and determines whether an impact has occurred or is occurring. If an impact is detected, the impact detection system activates impact modes of a second group of aircraft systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Hill, Michael R. Smith, Charles E. Covington, Nicholas Lappos, Walter Sonneborn
  • VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VOIP) TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130286861
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes: receiving, by one or more server devices, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) traffic management rules from a network operations center; gathering, by the one or more server devices, VoIP traffic data from a VoIP network; analyzing, by the one or more server devices, the VoIP traffic data; creating, by the one or more server devices, a ticket based on the VoIP traffic management rules and the VoIP traffic data; and automatically sending, by the one or more server devices, the ticket to the network operations center based on the VoIP traffic management rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. SMITH, Timothy R. NESS, Timothy J. MASON, Michael J. COONS
  • Self Tuning Vibration Absorber
    Publication number: 20130282204
    Abstract: A system and method to adjustably create a reacting force in response to a vibrating force of a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration absorber that creates a range of reacting forces. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and the vibrating force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration absorber is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration absorber such that the reacting force equals the vibrating force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael Seifert, Frank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith, David E. Heverly
  • Self Tuning Vibration Isolation System
    Publication number: 20130274961
    Abstract: A system and method to isolate vibrations from a vibrating structure. The system includes an adjustable vibration isolator that creates a reacting force matching the vibratory force of the vibrating structure. The method includes continuously monitoring the reacting force and vibratory force with a sensor system operably associated with a control unit having an algorithm to determine if adjustment of the vibration isolator is required. If required, the control unit commands a driver to selectively adjust the vibration isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael Seifert, Frank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith, David E. Heverly
  • Method and system for including network security information in a frame
    Patent number: 8561140
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman W. Finn, Michael R. Smith
  • Method and system for including security information with a packet
    Patent number: 8555056
    Abstract: A method and system for including security information with a packet is disclosed. A packet is detected as it exits a first network and enters a second network. The first network is configured to support a network security technique, and the second network is not configured to support the network security technique. Network security information associated with the network security technique is included with the packet. A network device is configured to include network security information in overhead of a packet. A method for identifying a first network device in a network is also disclosed. Identification information of the first network is communicated to a second network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Padmanabha Nallur, Wilson Kok, Michael Fine
  • Dual Frequency Damper for an Aircraft
    Publication number: 20130241124
    Abstract: A dual frequency damper includes a liquid inertia vibration eliminator (LIVE) portion and a fluid damper portion. LIVE portion and fluid damper portion operate in series and function so that dual frequency damper is optimized in both stiffness and damping at multiple frequencies. LIVE portion acts as a frequency dependent switch to selectively cause low frequency oscillatory forces to be treated primarily by the high spring rate and high damping rate characteristics of the fluid damper portion, and also to select high frequency oscillatory forces to be primarily treated by the low spring rate and low damping rate characteristics of the LIVE unit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bosworth, Mithat Yuce, Frank B. Stamps, Michael R. Smith
  • Method and apparatus for providing network security using security labeling
    Patent number: 8539571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network security using security labeling is disclosed. The method includes comparing first security level information and second security level information, and indicating processing to be performed on the packet based on the comparing. The first security level information is stored in a security label of a packet received at a network node, while the second security level information is stored at the network node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Smith
  • Port-based loadsharing for a satellite switch
    Patent number: 8526427
    Abstract: A method may involve: receiving a packet (e.g., via a port or uplink interface in a satellite switch) and conveying the packet between one or more ports and one of several uplink interfaces. The one or more ports and the uplink interface are associated with each other. The association can be independent of VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network). As an example, such a method can involve: receiving a first packet via a first port; conveying the first packet to a distribution-layer via a first uplink interface; receiving a second packet via a second port; and conveying the second packet to the distribution-layer via a second uplink interface, where the first uplink interface is associated with the first port and the second uplink interface is associated with the second port. In some embodiments, ports and uplink interfaces are associated by being assigned to the same virtual linecard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Jeffrey Ym Wang, Ali Golshan
  • Piezoelectric liquid inertia vibration eliminator
    Patent number: 8499907
    Abstract: A tunable vibration isolator with active tuning elements having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning port. A piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is disposed within the fluid chambers and the tuning ports. The tunable vibration isolator may employ either a solid tuning mass approach or a liquid tuning mass approach. The active vibration elements are preferably solid-state actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, Taeoh Lee, David E. Heverly, Jr., Robert J. Pascal
  • Processes for maximizing high-value aromatics production utilizing stabilized crude benzene withdrawal
    Patent number: 8481797
    Abstract: Processes for maximizing high-value aromatics production utilizing stabilized crude benzene withdrawal are provided. Aromatic reactor effluent comprising a C5? fraction and a C6 to C10 fraction is separated into a benzene-rich stream and liquid and vapor streams depleted in benzene, one of the liquid streams depleted in benzene being a benzene-depleted C6? fraction. At least a portion of the C5? fraction from the benzene-rich stream is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Gavin P. Towler
  • Aircraft occupant protection system
    Patent number: 8474753
    Abstract: A crash attenuation system for an aircraft includes an airbag carried by the aircraft that is inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag is in fluid communication with at least one vent passage for channeling gas from within the interior of the airbag to a region external to the airbag that allows the gas to escape without being obstructed by the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag. A vent valve is provided within the vent passage for controlling a flow of gas through the vent passage, thereby controlling deflation of the airbag. The vent valve is continuously adjustable to and between an open state, a closed state, and any number of partially open states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Hill, Michael R. Smith, Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho
  • Vibration Isolation System
    Publication number: 20130119591
    Abstract: A vibration isolator includes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a lower fluid chamber, a piston, a tuning passage, and a linear inductance motor assembly for changing the isolation frequency of the vibration isolator. The piston is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration tuning fluid is located in the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage. The linear inductance motor assembly includes a magnet member and an inductance coil at least partially surrounding the magnet member. A control system is configured to selectively actuate the magnet member; wherein selective actuation of the magnet member selectively imparts a pumping force on the tuning fluid, thereby changing the isolation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Taeoh Lee, Michael R. Smith, Frank B. Stamps, David E. Heverly, JR.
  • Virtual service domains
    Patent number: 8442041
    Abstract: In one embodiment, ports of a network device are assigned to virtual service domains (VSDs). The ports are coupled to a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) of the network device. Each VSD is associated with one or more virtual service engines (VSEs) in a particular order. Each VSE is configured to apply a particular service to traffic traversing the VSE. Traffic received at a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) of the network device that is destined for a particular VSD, and is received on a port that has not been assigned to the particular VSD, is forwarded to the particular VSD via the one or more VSEs associated with the particular VSD such that the traffic traverses the one or more VSEs in the particular order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Srinivas Sardar, Udayakumar Srinivasan, Shankar Ramachandran, Chidambareswaran Raman, Ajit Sanzgiri, Michael R. Smith
  • PYLON MOUNTING SYSTEM WITH VIBRATION ISOLATION
    Publication number: 20130105621
    Abstract: A pylon mounting system with vibration isolation is provided. The system generally includes a housing that defines a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, a fluid disposed within the fluid chambers; a piston assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, and a tuning passage defined by the piston assembly for providing fluid communication between the fluid chambers. The piston assembly has a first arm and a second arm, and each arm has a tubeform bearing for providing pitch and roll stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Steven Spears, Frank B. Stamps, Michael S. Seifert
  • Crash attenuation system for aircraft
    Patent number: 8418957
    Abstract: A crash attenuation system for an aircraft, the system having an airbag carried by the aircraft and inflatable generally adjacent an exterior of the aircraft. The airbag has at least one vent for releasing gas from the interior of the airbag. A gas source is in fluid communication with the interior of the airbag for inflating the airbag with gas generated provided by the gas source. A vent valve is provided for controlling a flow of gas through each vent, each vent valve being selectively configurable between an open state, in which gas can pass through the associated vent from the interior of the airbag, and a closed state, in which gas is retained within the interior of the airbag. The gas source is provided for at least partially re-inflating the airbag after venting of gas through the at least one vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Smith, Cheng-Ho Tho, Somen Chowdhury
  • CONSTANT AREA VENT FOR EXTERNAL CRASH ATTENUATION AIRBAG
    Publication number: 20130068883
    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 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho, Michael R. Smith, Andrew T. Hill, Samgeeth Rajan
  • Active Vent and Re-Inflation System for a Crash Attenuation Airbag
    Publication number: 20130032665
    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. 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: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Zi Lu, Cheng-Ho Tho, Michael R. Smith