Patents by Inventor R. Bentley

R. Bentley 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: 12172581
    Abstract: Described are supports for holding a portable electronic device. The support includes a body having an upper pivot location and a lower pivot location relative to a passenger seat back, a support structure coupled to the body, and a plurality of projections extending from a surface of the support structure. Each projection is shaped to receive a lower edge of a portable electronic device and secure the portable electronic device to the body when the portable electronic device is received by the plurality of projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Tyler L. Newbold, Stephen D. Angliss, Kyle Kayfus, Juan Francisco Lopez Chavira, Paul R. Bentley
  • Patent number: 12084187
    Abstract: Described are devices and methods for arresting forward motion of a passenger seat back in a controlled manner using an energy absorbing element connected between structural elements of a pivotally-attached passenger seat back. The energy absorbing element includes an interference element and an energy absorbing element that are operably connected with each other so that, in an upright configuration, the combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists movement of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, and in transition to a folded-forward configuration, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow forward movement of the passenger seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Safran Seats USA LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Bentley, Marc W. Kinard
  • Patent number: 11898068
    Abstract: A reversible adhesive apparatus includes a base and an adhesive layer. The base is configured with a series of concave and convex shapes at a top surface of the base according to some embodiments. The base is configured with a raised portion and a surrounding portion at a top surface of the base according to some other embodiments. The adhesive layer is disposed on top of the base. The adhesive layer configured to provide reversible adhesion on a top surface of the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Crum, Robert H. Schmidt, David A. Vasko, Neil R. Bentley, Tracy M. Clark, Michael D. Cook
  • Patent number: 11829158
    Abstract: Synchronization of multiple vehicles in an independent cart system to reduce spacing and increase throughput designates one of the movers as a leader and at least one additional mover as a follower, defining a chain of vehicles. A motion command for the chain is provided to a controller for the leader, and the controller generates a motion profile. The controller passes this motion profile to a controller for each of the follower movers. If the follower is unable to maintain the motion profile for the leader, the controller for the follower generates a message to the controller for the leader indicating a modification to the motion profile is required. The controller for the leader modifies the motion profile and forwards the modified motion profile to controllers for each follower. If all movers are following the modified profile, the controller for the leader may return to the original motion profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Tracy M. Clark, Jason A. Young, Neil R. Bentley, Jesse R. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 11667480
    Abstract: An industrial transportation system includes one or more movers and a robot system. The robot system is configured to load one or more items on the surface of respective movers and unload the one or more items from the surface of respective movers. Each of the one or more movers includes a first surface configured to provide reversible adhesion between the mover and an item loaded on the mover. The reversible adhesion of the surface is activated at loading and deactivated at unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle A. Crum, Robert H. Schmidt, David A. Vasko, Neil R. Bentley, Tracy M. Clark, Michael D. Cook
  • Publication number: 20230166843
    Abstract: Described are devices and methods for arresting forward motion of a passenger seat back in a controlled manner using an energy absorbing element connected between structural elements of a pivotally-attached passenger seat back. The energy absorbing element includes an interference element and an energy absorbing element that are operably connected with each other so that, in an upright configuration, the combination of the energy absorbing element and the interference element resists movement of the passenger seat back with respect to the first structural element of the passenger seat back, and in transition to a folded-forward configuration, the interference element deforms the energy absorbing element to slow forward movement of the passenger seat back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Paul R. Bentley, Marc W. Kinard
  • Publication number: 20230068768
    Abstract: Synchronization of multiple vehicles in an independent cart system to reduce spacing and increase throughput designates one of the movers as a leader and at least one additional mover as a follower, defining a chain of vehicles. A motion command for the chain is provided to a controller for the leader, and the controller generates a motion profile. The controller passes this motion profile to a controller for each of the follower movers. If the follower is unable to maintain the motion profile for the leader, the controller for the follower generates a message to the controller for the leader indicating a modification to the motion profile is required. The controller for the leader modifies the motion profile and forwards the modified motion profile to controllers for each follower. If all movers are following the modified profile, the controller for the leader may return to the original motion profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Tracy M. Clark, Jason A. Young, Neil R. Bentley, Jesse R. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 11581838
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Jadav Das, Tracy M. Clark, Robert H. Schmidt, Neil R. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20220289118
    Abstract: Described are supports for holding a portable electronic device. The support includes a body having an upper pivot location and a lower pivot location relative to a passenger seat back, a support structure coupled to the body, and a plurality of projections extending from a surface of the support structure. Each projection is shaped to receive a lower edge of a portable electronic device and secure the portable electronic device to the body when the portable electronic device is received by the plurality of projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler L. Newbold, Stephen D. Angliss, Kyle Kayfus, Juan Francisco Lopez Chavira, Paul R. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20210403762
    Abstract: A reversible adhesive apparatus includes a base and an adhesive layer. The base is configured with a series of concave and convex shapes at a top surface of the base according to some embodiments. The base is configured with a raised portion and a surrounding portion at a top surface of the base according to some other embodiments. The adhesive layer is disposed on top of the base. The adhesive layer configured to provide reversible adhesion on a top surface of the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle A. Crum, Robert H. Schmidt, David A. Vasko, Neil R. Bentley, Tracy M. Clark, Michael D. Cook
  • Publication number: 20210403252
    Abstract: An industrial transportation system includes one or more movers and a robot system. The robot system is configured to load one or more items on the surface of respective movers and unload the one or more items from the surface of respective movers. Each of the one or more movers includes a first surface configured to provide reversible adhesion between the mover and an item loaded on the mover. The reversible adhesion of the surface is activated at loading and deactivated at unloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle A. Crum, Robert H. Schmidt, David A. Vasko, Neil R. Bentley, Tracy M. Clark, Michael D. Cook
  • Publication number: 20210234488
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Jadav Das, Tracy M. Clark, Robert H. Schmidt, Neil R. Bentley
  • Patent number: 10985685
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Jadav Das, Tracy M. Clark, Robert H. Schmidt, Neil R. Bentley
  • Publication number: 20210099119
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting power between a track and independent movers in a motion control system includes a pick-up coil provided proximate to the magnets on the movers. The fundamental component of the voltage applied to the drive coils interacts primarily with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets on the movers and not with the pick-up coil. Consequently, the pick-up coil does not interfere with desired operation of the movers but rather, interacts primarily with the harmonic components and has current and voltages induced within the pick-up coil as a result of the harmonic components. The energy captured by the pick-up coil reduces the amplitude of eddy currents on the mover. After harvesting the harmonic content, the pick-up coil may be connected to another circuit on the mover and serve as a supply voltage for the other circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Xikai Sun, Jadav Das, Tracy M. Clark, Robert H. Schmidt, Neil R. Bentley
  • Patent number: 10878849
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating video clips is provided herein. A method includes displaying, by a client device, one or more video streams, displaying, by the client device, a plurality of soft buttons, each of the plurality of soft buttons associated with a different length of time, receiving, by the client device, a selection of a soft button from the plurality of soft buttons, and displaying, by the client device, a presentation area including one or more segments of the one or more video streams, the one or more segments of the length of time associated with the selected soft button and captured from the one or more video streams, wherein the presentation area has an x-axis representing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Frank R. Bentley, Rohit S. Bodas, Michael E. Groble
  • Patent number: 10717365
    Abstract: A controller for an independent cart system simplifies programming and automatically adapts operation each mover travelling along a track. The controller includes a configuration table defining segments of the track, which includes a maximum velocity and/or a maximum acceleration for each mover within the segment. A motion command for a mover commands motion across multiple segments between the starting point and the ending point. As the mover travels, the controller receives a position feedback signal corresponding to the present location of the mover. The controller obtains the maximum velocity and/or maximum acceleration for the mover corresponding to the segment in which it is located. The controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration of the mover along the segment in which it is presently located. As the mover transitions between segments, the controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration according to the new segment in which the mover is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Oliver C. Haya, Neil R. Bentley, Robert H. Schmidt, Eric J. Wildi
  • Patent number: 10720864
    Abstract: An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Oliver C. Haya, Neil R. Bentley, Robert H. Schmidt, Eric J. Wildi
  • Patent number: 10663388
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately and efficiently testing a HEPA filter in a sterile environment, such as a clean room, by creating a closed-loop system. The system includes a multi-port interface including at least a challenge port and a verification port, each port being in communication with an area upstream from the HEPA filter. Through the challenge port, test substances are introduced to a supply air duct that is in communication with a HEPA filter. Through the verification port, a concentration of the test substances can be measured for comparison with a concentration that passed through the HEPA filter, i.e. downstream from the HEPA filter. As such, test substances can be dispersed throughout the air conditioning system before interacting with the HEPA filter, and accurately measured. The closed loop between the ports provides an accurate measurement of the concentration of test substances to test the HEPA filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Performance Assurance Systems LLC
    Inventors: Dean A. Pedalino, Peter L. Day, John R. Bentley, II
  • Publication number: 20200020358
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating video clips is provided herein. A method includes displaying, by a client device, one or more video streams, displaying, by the client device, a plurality of soft buttons, each of the plurality of soft buttons associated with a different length of time, receiving, by the client device, a selection of a soft button from the plurality of soft buttons, and displaying, by the client device, a presentation area including one or more segments of the one or more video streams, the one or more segments of the length of time associated with the selected soft button and captured from the one or more video streams, wherein the presentation area has an x-axis representing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Frank R. Bentley, Rohit S. Bodas, Michael E. Groble
  • Publication number: 20200017308
    Abstract: A controller for an independent cart system simplifies programming and automatically adapts operation each mover travelling along a track. The controller includes a configuration table defining segments of the track, which includes a maximum velocity and/or a maximum acceleration for each mover within the segment. A motion command for a mover commands motion across multiple segments between the starting point and the ending point. As the mover travels, the controller receives a position feedback signal corresponding to the present location of the mover. The controller obtains the maximum velocity and/or maximum acceleration for the mover corresponding to the segment in which it is located. The controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration of the mover along the segment in which it is presently located. As the mover transitions between segments, the controller automatically adjusts the speed and/or acceleration according to the new segment in which the mover is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Yuhong Huang, Oliver C. Haya, Neil R. Bentley, Robert H. Schmidt, Eric J. Wildi