Patents by Inventor Michael Waters

Michael Waters 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: 20240150264
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining isobutene from an isobutene containing C4-hydrocarbon mixture (1) in a plant comprising an etherification unit (3), a first distillation unit (5), an ether cleavage unit (10) and a second distillation unit (12), the process comprising: (a) contacting the C4-hydrocarbon mixture (1) with a primary alcohol (2) and reacting the mixture with the primary alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form the corresponding alkyl tert-butyl ether in the etherification unit (3); (b) distilling the reaction mixture (4) from the etherification unit (3) in the first distillation unit (5), a C4-hydrocarbon raffinate being withdrawn as the overhead product (6), and the alkyl tert-butyl ether being withdrawn as the bottom product (7); (c) vaporizing the bottom product from the first distillation unit (5) in an evaporator (8) obtaining a vapor stream (9); (d) reacting the vapor stream (9) of step (c) in the presence of an acidic catalyst obtaining isobutene and the primary
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Suman THOTLA, Hans-Guenter Wagner, Randolf HUGO, Gerrit WATERS, Michael HUEBNER, Markus NEUDERT, Thomas ROUSSIERE
  • Publication number: 20240140885
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining isobutene from an isobutene containing C4-hydrocarbon mixture (1) in a plant comprising an etherification unit (3), a first distillation unit (5), an ether cleavage unit (8) and a second distillation unit (10), the process comprising: (a) contacting the C4-hydrocarbon mixture (1) with a primary alcohol (2) and reacting the mixture with the primary alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst to form the corresponding alkyl tert-butyl ether as an intermediate product and diisobutene as a by-product in the etherification unit (3); (b) distilling the reaction mixture (4) from the etherification unit (3) in the first distillation unit (5), a C4-hydrocarbon raffinate being withdrawn as the overhead product (6), the alkyl tert-butyl ether and diisobutene being withdrawn as the liquid or vaporous bottom product (7), and vaporizing the bottom product (7) if it is withdrawn as a liquid; (c) reacting the vaporous bottom product (7) in the presence of an acidic catalyst
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Hans-Guenter WAGNER, Randolph HUGO, Thomas ROUSSIERE, Suman THOTLA, Gerrit WATERS, Michael HUEBNER, Markus NEUDERT
  • Publication number: 20240140887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for starting up a plant for removing isobutene from an isobutene-containing C4-hydrocarbon mixture, the plant comprising an etherification unit containing moist acidic ion exchange resin, a first distillation unit, an ether cleavage unit, and a second distillation unit. The invention further relates to a process for shutting down the plant from a stationary operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Hans-Guenter WAGNER, Suman THOTLA, Gerrit WATERS, Michael HUEBNER, Markus NEUDERT, Randolph HUGO, Thomas ROUSSIERE
  • Publication number: 20240108433
    Abstract: Devices and methods for improved access to a surgical site are the basis of the present disclosure. The improved access can be provided by way of a displacement wrap that can be used to engage tissue that impedes access to the surgical site. The displacement wrap, which can be a textile, can be wrapped around the tissue and subsequently manipulated to move the wrap, and thus the tissue, out of the way to improve access. The displacement wrap includes locking features formed in it that allow for selective tensioning of the tissue being engaged and moved. The locking features can engage another portion of the wrap and/or can be engaged by another component associated with the wrap, such as a locking suture. Methods of using the wrap in various surgical procedures that would benefit from moving tissue to improve surgical site access are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen J. Orphanos, Vivian Liang, James Brownhill, Mollie Waters, Michael Fortin
  • Publication number: 20240098849
    Abstract: There is provided a personal warming device having an inner core having a housing containing a power source, and a heating sleeve that extends about substantially the entire perimeter of the housing. The personal warming device further includes a jacket that provides a substantially fluid-tight seal about the inner core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Publication number: 20240076891
    Abstract: A system for basing drones is described. A network of geographically diverse hangars provides storage and charging locations as well as backhaul communications infrastructure and video monitoring. As drones are needed, a central command point tasks an available drone, which may or may not already be located in proximity to a target. If additional drones are needed, drones can be flown to the area of interest and continuous coverage provided by charging drones while an active drone is conducting the mission, then rotating charged drones into the active mission. Structures for the hangars, the overall system, and methods of operation are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory Lester Waters, Adam George Mirza, Dan William Nobbe, Matthew T. Kling, Gary Michael Shapiro, Alden Hayden Kelsey
  • Publication number: 20230200478
    Abstract: There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith. Also provided are accessories including light modules for use with headgear, clothing, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 11661720
    Abstract: An attachment system for a work vehicle implement includes an implement attachment assembly. The implement attachment assembly includes a support structure coupled to a receiver assembly. The support structure includes a first mounting feature configured to engage a first corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from a bottom surface of a work vehicle, and a second mounting feature configured to engage a second corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the work vehicle. The first and second mounting features of the support structure are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis relative to a direction of travel of the work vehicle, and the first and second mounting features of the support structure are configured to substantially block horizontal and vertical movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle via engagement with the first and second corresponding mounting features of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Eric Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 11478035
    Abstract: Lighted headgear are provided that include removable self-contained light modules. The self-contained light modules can include a housing that contains one or more light sources and a rechargeable power source. The housing may include a protruding engagement portion for removably securing the self-contained light module to a cap portion of the lighted headgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 11347771
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a tool for performing asynchronous upgrades of data stored in computer databases. In one embodiment, an upgrade tool may be configured to split existing data records into data blocks. Each data block may be queued in an asynchronous queue. When processing capacity is available, the data block may undergo an upgrade operation, and another data block may be added to the queue. Once all data blocks are upgraded, the upgraded data records may be used by applications accessing the database. In one embodiment, different types of upgrade operations may be performed on the data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wan-Chang Pi, Michael Roy Clive Seaman, Shawn Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 11206888
    Abstract: There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith. Also provided are a light module and a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Waters Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Publication number: 20210085010
    Abstract: There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith. Also provided are a light module and a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10847985
    Abstract: Flashlights include an elongated housing, a power source, a switch, and LED light source disposed in a forward portion of the housing to project light through an opening on a forward surface of the housing, and a cooling fin structure extending rearwardly from the forward surface to effectively dissipate generated heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Waters, Charles Waters
  • Publication number: 20200345094
    Abstract: Lighted headgear are provided that include removable self-contained light modules. The self-contained light modules can include a housing that contains one or more light sources and a rechargeable power source. The housing may include a protruding engagement portion for removably securing the self-contained light module to a cap portion of the lighted headgear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10791783
    Abstract: There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith. Also provided are a light module and a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Waters Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10775001
    Abstract: A flashlight comprising a housing, a circuit board fixed in the housing and having opposite main surfaces with the circuit board oriented so that a first one of the main surfaces faces in a first direction and a second one of the main surfaces faces in a second, opposite direction, a light source disposed on the second main surface of the circuit board, an electrical contact mounted on the first main surface of the circuit board to be fixed in the housing, a battery having opposite first and second ends and having a first terminal at the first end thereof, and a conductive band electrically coupled to the circuit board and engaging the second end of the battery to bias the first terminal towards the electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Waters Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10716350
    Abstract: There is provided lighted headgear having various configurations, components thereof, and other accessories combined therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Publication number: 20200115881
    Abstract: An attachment system for a work vehicle implement includes an implement attachment assembly. The implement attachment assembly includes a support structure coupled to a receiver assembly. The support structure includes a first mounting feature configured to engage a first corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from a bottom surface of a work vehicle, and a second mounting feature configured to engage a second corresponding mounting feature extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the work vehicle. The first and second mounting features of the support structure are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis relative to a direction of travel of the work vehicle, and the first and second mounting features of the support structure are configured to substantially block horizontal and vertical movement of the support structure relative to the work vehicle via engagement with the first and second corresponding mounting features of the work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Eric Michael Waters
  • Patent number: 10618145
    Abstract: A pressing device for pressing a first component, such as a roof panel, onto an additional component, such as one or more a vehicle side bodywork components or vehicle side bodywork supports. A hose is arranged in a housing and is filled with a fluid to selectively press the first component onto the additional component to facilitate a laser brazing operation by closing a gap between the first component and the additional component. A T-shaped pressure element is arranged in the housing and is moved relative to the housing by controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FORD-WERKE GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Waters
  • Patent number: D939139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Waters Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Waters