Patents by Inventor Norman A. Smith
Norman A. 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: 5882781Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers whilst at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibres.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1997Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter Geoffrey Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5839586Abstract: An apparatus for organizing and hanging a plurality of I.V. bags on a carousel for use primarily in a refrigerator which includes a central column having disk spacable there along which are rotatable relative to the central column, the disk further being equipped with a plurality of hangers for organizing I.V. bags held in refrigerated suspension prior to dispersion to patients.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Inventor: Norman A. Smith
-
Patent number: 5737821Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter Geoffrey Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5705264Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Aerpspace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter Geoffrey Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5664305Abstract: A succession of fibrous sheet segments (10) are supplied from a rotary magazine (12) to a rotating bowl (14). Segments are added to the bowl with their adjacent radial edges abutting each other and are passed beneath a reciprocating needle board (20), whereby filaments from the segments in upper layers are displaced into segments in lower layers to bind the segments together and form a self-supporting preform. Two needle heads (22) are able to move up and down and rotate in order to pick up a segment from the store and deposit that segment on the bowl. A few barbed needles (22A) pick up the segment and more grooved needles (22B) push through fibre to tack the segments down. A conical roller (28) bears against the top of the segments after they leave the needle board to bear against the preform to compress the fibres and also to provide a monitor of the distance between the needle board or the mounting block and the top layer of the preform.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1994Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter Geoffrey Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5388320Abstract: Duplex layers of carbon fibre each comprising a lower portion of uni-directional filaments and an upper staple fibre portion are laid one on top of the other in an annular form. Needles are reciprocated through the layers to cause the staple fibre to be pushed downwardly to interconnect the layers. The base supporting the layers being assembled is gradually lowered until there comes a time when the bottom of the needle stroke no longer passes through all of the layers. At that time additional layers comprising staple fibre only are added and needled down into the stack to enrich the lower layers. After that enrichment the stack is then built up by adding further duplex layers. When all of the duplex layers have been added, further staple fibres may be added to the stop of the stack and needled in order to enrich the upper layers with interconnecting staple fibres, which upper layers would otherwise be deficient in interconnecting staple fibre.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Norman Smith, Peter G. Lawton
-
Patent number: 5323523Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers whilst at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1991Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter G. Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5184387Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for producing a shaped filamentary structure and more particularly, to filamentary structures which can be subjected to further processing to produce a carbon-carbon product. A specific use of the invention is in the production of discs for use in aircraft braking systems.The method includes needle punching a unidirectional layer of filaments to give a degree of dimensional stability; cutting a plurality of segments from the layer of needle punched filamentary material; assembling a plurality of segments in side-by-side contiguous relationship to produce a filamentary layer of the required structural shape; superimposing at least one similar layer on the first layer and needle punching the assembled layers to produce cross-linking of the layers.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1991Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter G. Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5113568Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for producing a shaped filamentary structure and more particularly, to filamentary structures which can be subjected to further processing to produce a carbon-carbon product. A specific use of the invention is in the production of discs for use in aircraft braking systems.The method includes needle punching a unidirectional layer of filaments to give a degree of dimensional stability; cutting a plurality of segments from the layer of needle punched filamentary material; assembling a plurality of segments in side-by-side contiguous relationship to produce a filamentary layer of the required structural shape; superimposing at least one similar layer on the first layer and needle punching the assembled layers to produce cross-linking of the layers.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Inventors: Peter G. Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 5081754Abstract: A method of producing a shaped fibrous fabric structure is similar to that described in the parent application, in that a continuous filament sheet is subjected to a needle punching action, segments are cut from the sheet and these segments are assembled to form an annulus, and then subjected to rotary motion under a reciprocating needling head and continuing to add segments to build up a stack of layers while at the same time continuing the needling action, and lowering the base of the stack relatively to the needling head. However, in a final step, one or more layers of segments are added to the top of the stack, and these are needled into the stack without lowering the stack. Furthermore, these additional layers are preferably made entirely of stapled fibers.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1990Date of Patent: January 21, 1992Assignee: Aerospace Preforms LimitedInventors: Peter G. Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 4955123Abstract: The invention is concerned with apparatus for producing a shaped filamentary structure and more particularly, a filamentary structure which can be subjected to further processing to produce a carbon-carbon product. A specific use of the invention is in the production of discs for use in aircraft braking systems. The invention comprises an apparatus comprising an open-topped receptable for assembled segments formed by cutting a plurality of segments from a layer of needle punched filamentary material; a needling head located over only part of the receptacle; means for rotating the receptacle to bring a complete annulus of the filamentary segments in it under the needling head and a support located inside the receptacle and means for rotating the support with the receptacle, and lowering the support relatively to the receptacle during the needling operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1987Date of Patent: September 11, 1990Inventors: Peter G. Lawton, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 4845411Abstract: A brushless DC motor has no poles. Every 180.degree. electrical 3 coils, each a portion of a total winding, are wound onto the stator in 3 slots and in overlapping fashion. The overlapped portions of the coils are wound in the same flux creating direction. The windings are connected at a central, floating connection. Transistors connected to the remaining ends of the windings direct current to or from the windings so that two coils are always conductive in every 360.degree. electric arcuate length of stator. Hall devices 120.degree. electrical apart have their outputs fed to a logic, commutation circuit that decides, based on rotor positions, which of the transistors to cause to conduct.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1987Date of Patent: July 4, 1989Assignee: Rotron, IncorporatedInventor: Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 4779330Abstract: A motor including a stator winding energization circuit on a printed circuit board. Terminals secured to the stator have stator winding ends welded thereto. For purpose of mechanically and electrially connecting the stator and the PC board, the stator is connected to the board in the manner of circuit components, by insertion of the terminals in conforming slots on the board and by wave soldering the tips of the terminals to the board's conductors.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1986Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Comair Rotron, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Genco, Norman Smith, Peter Scott
-
Patent number: 4633110Abstract: A motor including a stator winding energization circuit on a printed circuit board. Terminals secured to the stator have stator winding ends welded thereto. For purpose of mechanically and electrically connecting the stator and the PC board, the stator is connected to the board in the manner of circuit components, by insertion of the terminals in conforming slots on the board and by wave soldering the tips of the terminals to the board's conductors.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1985Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: Rotron, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Genco, Norman Smith
-
Patent number: 4560646Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein L is a direct bond or consists of a chain of carbon atoms or of a divalent ring system, R.sub.1 to R.sub.4 are hydrogen or alkyl, R.sub.5 or R.sub.6 are hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, or R.sub.5 together with R.sub.6 complete a ring system, and R.sub.7 is hydrogen or a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein L, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are as defined. These compounds are useful developing agents for activation processing.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1984Date of Patent: December 24, 1985Assignee: Ciba Geigy AGInventors: William E. Long, Norman A. Smith, Terence C. Webb, Stephen R. Postle, Kenneth M. McCombe, Martin C. Grossel
-
Patent number: 4540785Abstract: Hydroquinones of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is the residue of a 5- or 6-membered ring, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, R.sub.1,R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are hydrogen or alkyl and R.sub.6 is hydrogen or a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein X and R.sub.1 are as defined above, are of use as protected developing agents in photographic silver halide material.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1983Date of Patent: September 10, 1985Assignee: Ciba-Geigy AGInventor: Norman A. Smith
-
Patent number: 4526908Abstract: Homogenous liquid polyol blend compositions containing (a) certain aliphatic polyols, (b) phthalate diester polyols of said aliphatic polyols, and (c) trimellitate polyols of said aliphatic polyols. Such polyol blend compositions are useful in making homogenous liquid resin prepolymer blends compositions containing, in addition to such a polyol blend, fluorocarbon blowing agent, cell stabilizing surfactant, and urethane and/or isocyanurate catalyst. Such a resin prepolymer blend composition is suitable for reaction with organic isocyanates to produce cellular polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate polymers.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1984Date of Patent: July 2, 1985Assignee: Stepan CompanyInventors: George Magnus, Norman Smith, Bonnie Keyes
-
Patent number: 4454827Abstract: A furnace system for automatic, continuous and efficient burning of fragmented wood-type fuel incorporates a wood-type fuel combustion chamber, a fragmented wood-type fuel feeder or conveyor for trickle feeding fuel into the chamber at selected uniform rates, a heat exchanger or heat exchange plenum, igniter for igniting the fuel fragments supported in the combustion chamber, a flame sensor mounted relative to the combustion chamber for sensing the presence of flames from fuel supported in the combustion chamber, one or more blowers providing forced air or forced draft, and a control circuit for controlling and sequencing operation of the elements for the furnace system and for operatively coupling the flame sensor and igniter for switching off the igniter upon sensing of flames from the wood-type fuel.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1982Date of Patent: June 19, 1984Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of MaineInventors: Norman Smith, John G. Riley
-
Patent number: 4446216Abstract: Photographic material which comprises in at least one silver halide emulsion layer or a layer or layers adjacent thereto at least one substituted hydroquinone compound of the formula ##STR1## where R is hydrogen or optionally substituted alkyl, aryl or a heterocyclic group, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen, halogen or optionally substituted alkyl,x is 0 or 1,y is 0 or 1,and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a group of the formula ##STR2## where R, x and y are as just defined.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1982Date of Patent: May 1, 1984Inventors: Norman A. Smith, Stephen R. Postle, William E. Long
-
Patent number: 4312278Abstract: A furnace system suitable for independent use and for retrofitting conventional central heating oil furnaces to permit controlled continuous and efficient combustion of fragmented wood type fuels. Wood chips or other fuel fragments are trickle fed into a refractory wood type combustion chamber. For retrofitting an oil furnace the oil burner gun is removed. A flame tube adapter couples the wood type fuel combustion chamber into the oil combustion chamber and heat exchanger plenum of the conventional furnace. The oil burner gun of the retrofitted furnace is used to ignite the wood chips or other fuel fragments during start up. A blower establishes forced draft. The furnace system includes automatic controls for sequencing operation of the elements of the retrofitting furnace system. An independent wood chip furnace system is also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1980Date of Patent: January 26, 1982Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of MaineInventors: Norman Smith, John G. Riley, Edward R. Huff, Dwight C. Worcester