Patents by Inventor Paul Fries

Paul Fries 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: 9986212
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20180146510
    Abstract: An article of clothing including a garment body and a heating system coupled to the garment body. The heating system includes a plurality of heating zones configured to heat different portions of the garment body. A battery pack supplies power to the heating system. A controller selectively provides power from the battery pack to the multiple heating zones. A user input member is provided for selecting a mode of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Jonathan A. Zick, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20180072396
    Abstract: One example includes an altitude control system arranged in a balloon. The system includes a transparent outer chamber configured to receive incident infrared radiation. The system also includes an inner chamber comprising suspended particles configured to change the optical transmission of the inner chamber between a first state having a first transmissivity and a second state having a second transmissivity. The first transmissivity is greater than the second transmissivity. The system further includes a state controller configured to electrically activate the suspended particles to change the optical transmission of the inner chamber from the first state to the second state to change an altitude of the balloon based on the incident infrared radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: TAYLOR EVAN MATTHEWS, ANTHONY PAUL FRY, JESSICA MARIE LAVIGNE, RAFY UDDIN ATHAR
  • Patent number: 9849961
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon including a payload, a balloon film with lifting gas disposed within the balloon film, a sealing ring operably coupled to the balloon film, a retention element configured to retain the payload in contact with the sealing ring, and a release element configured to cause the retention element to release the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Patent number: 9834321
    Abstract: An apparatus for launching an aircraft secured to a balloon by a tether includes a support member and a launch arm connected to the support member and rotatable relative to the support member about an axis. At least one mechanism releasably connects the aircraft to the launch arm and has a first condition securing the aircraft to the launch arm when the aircraft has a first orientation relative to the launch arm. The release mechanism has a second condition automatically releasing the aircraft from the launch arm when the aircraft has a second orientation relative to the launch arm different from the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Patent number: 9809294
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon including a balloon film, a lifting gas disposed within the balloon film, a payload operably coupled to the balloon film, and a heat transfer element operably coupled between the payload and the balloon film configured to transfer heat from the payload to the lifting gas causing a change in buoyancy of the high altitude balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Publication number: 20170295347
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Patent number: 9693024
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20170081012
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon including a balloon film, a lifting gas disposed within the balloon film, a payload operably coupled to the balloon film, and a heat transfer element operably coupled between the payload and the balloon film configured to transfer heat from the payload to the lifting gas causing a change in buoyancy of the high altitude balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Publication number: 20170081011
    Abstract: A high altitude balloon including a payload, a balloon film with lifting gas disposed within the balloon film, a sealing ring operably coupled to the balloon film, a retention element configured to retain the payload in contact with the sealing ring, and a release element configured to cause the retention element to release the payload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Taylor Evan Matthews, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Publication number: 20160304216
    Abstract: An apparatus for launching an aircraft secured to a balloon by a tether includes a support member and a launch arm connected to the support member and rotatable relative to the support member about an axis. At least one mechanism releasably connects the aircraft to the launch arm and has a first condition securing the aircraft to the launch arm when the aircraft has a first orientation relative to the launch arm. The release mechanism has a second condition automatically releasing the aircraft from the launch arm when the aircraft has a second orientation relative to the launch arm different from the first orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: TAYLOR EVAN MATTHEWS, Anthony Paul Fry, Jessica Marie Lavigne, Rafy Uddin Athar
  • Patent number: 9196881
    Abstract: A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool and the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Paul Fry, Mike N. Jones, Scott Schneider, Hughes Marie R.F. Sanoner
  • Publication number: 20150271873
    Abstract: An article of clothing including a garment body and a heating system coupled to the garment body. The heating system includes a plurality of heating zones configured to heat different portions of the garment body. A battery pack supplies power to the heating system. A controller selectively provides power from the battery pack to the multiple heating zones. A user input member is provided for selecting a mode of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Jonathan A. Zick, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20150201170
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20150171632
    Abstract: A portable power source includes a housing and a battery receptacle supported by the housing. The battery receptacle is configured to receive a battery. The portable power source also includes a first power tool battery pack port that is configured to receive a first power tool battery pack. The portable power source further includes a charging circuit coupled to the battery receptacle and the power tool battery pack, and an inverter. The charging circuit is configured to receive power from the battery receptacle and to provide power to the power tool battery pack port. The inverter includes a DC input coupled to the battery receptacle, inverter circuitry, and an AC output. The inverter circuitry is configured to receive power from the battery receptacle via the DC input, invert DC power received from the battery receptacle to AC power, and provide the AC power to the AC output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Fry, Kyle Harvey
  • Patent number: 8988522
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Publication number: 20150014008
    Abstract: A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool and the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Paul Fry, Mike N. Jones, Scott Schneider, Hughes Marie R.F. Sanoner
  • Patent number: 8851200
    Abstract: A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool and the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Gray, Paul Fry, Mike N. Jones, Scott Schneider, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner
  • Publication number: 20140160268
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry
  • Patent number: 8659652
    Abstract: A visual inspection device includes a body having a support portion and a grip portion extending from the support portion. The device also includes a flexible cable having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion, and a camera assembly coupled to the second end portion of the flexible cable. The camera assembly includes an image sensor operable to transmit image data through the flexible cable. The device further includes a display supported by the support portion of the body. The display is electrically connected to the flexible cable to display image date from the image sensor. The device is powered by a rechargeable battery pack removably coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Schneider, Rick Gray, Raymond Wai-Man Chan, Desmond Wai-Nang Tse, Errol John U. Badajos, Derek Chiu-Hing Chow, Hugues Marie R. F. Sanoner, Paul Fry