Patents by Inventor R. Davidson

R. Davidson 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: 20230043413
    Abstract: A floor tile is disclosed that includes a metal framework that supports a plurality of tiles. The metal framework defines recesses having a depth D that are separated by ridges. The ridges are coated with an anti-slip coating. The tiles are each assembled into one of the recesses. The tiles have a height H that is less than D and a top surface that is recessed below the anti-slip coating on the ridges. Methods for making and installing the floor tile are disclosed that includes the steps of applying an anti-slip coating to an upper surface of a metal framework. Assembling a plurality of tiles into the recesses. An adhesive is applied between the tiles and the recesses to secure the tiles with the top surface of the tiles being recessed relative to the ridges. The floor tile is installed on a floor with an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: William R. DAVIDSON, Jeffrey R. BAKER
  • Publication number: 20230044501
    Abstract: A floor tile is disclosed that includes a metal frame, a backing plate, and a plurality of tiles assembled to the metal frame and the backing plate. The metal frame defines a plurality of openings, and has a thickness T. The openings are separated by a plurality of connected strips that are coated with an anti-slip coating. The backing plate is attached to a bottom side of the metal frame. The plurality of tiles are each assembled into one of the plurality of openings with the backing plate supporting the tiles. The tiles have a height H that is less than T and have a top surface that is recessed below the anti-slip coating on the connected strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: William R. DAVIDSON, Jeffrey R. BAKER
  • Publication number: 20220366137
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can generate user input correction suggestions based on the user's context. For example, the user's context can include content that the user has open or has recently opened on the computing device or another computing device. For example, when the user opens an item of content, the computing device can generate a context dictionary that includes words, phrases, etc., that describe the opened content. When the user provides input (e.g., text, speech, etc.) the computing device can use the context dictionary to generate input correction suggestions. The computing device can synchronize the context dictionary with other computing devices that the user may be using so that the user's context on one device can be used by another device to generate input correction suggestions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jason J. Ivan, Christopher S. Linn, Douglas R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 11478870
    Abstract: A pulsed welding regime includes a peak phase in which energy is added to an electrode and a weld puddle, and a molten ball begins to detach from the electrode, followed by a dabbing phase in which current is significantly reduced to place the ball in the weld puddle with addition of little or no energy. The resulting short circuit clears and the system proceeds to a background phase. The current in the dabbing phase is lower than the current during the background phase. The process may be specifically adapted for particular welding wires, and may be particularly well suited for use with cored wires. The dabbing phase allows for lower energy to be transferred to the sheath of such wires, and resets the arc length after each pulse cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Peter Donald Mehn, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11383317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power is disclosed and includes a short clearing prediction module that uses the second derivative with respect to time of the output voltage, or an error between a measured output voltage and an output voltage predicted using the first derivative with respect to time of the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard M. Hutchison, James L. Uecker
  • Patent number: 11386266
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to text correction and generating text correction models. In an example process for text correction, text input is received. In response to receiving the text input, a text string corresponding to the text input is displayed. The text string is represented by a token sequence. The process determines whether an end of the token sequence corresponds to a text boundary. In accordance with a determination that the end of the token sequence corresponds to a text boundary, the process determines, based on a context state of the token sequence, one or more textual errors at one or more tokens of the token sequence. An error indication for a portion of the text string corresponding to the one or more tokens is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Davidson, Bishal Barman, Vivek Kumar Rangarajan Sridhar
  • Patent number: 11370050
    Abstract: A welding system and method provide for generating a controlled waveform for welding power output, the waveform comprising a plurality of successive peak phases followed by a short circuit between a welding wire electrode and an advancing weld puddle. Each then present peak phase is regulated based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the short circuit that will occur following the then present peak phase. Some embodiments permit regulating at least one waveform phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur, and regulating at least one short response phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Justin Durik, Richard Schuh, David Almy, Richard Martin Hutchison
  • Patent number: 11344962
    Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Anthony J. Kowaleski, Bruce A. Casner, L. Thomas Hayes, Richard J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20220134462
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described to address issues associated with welding with cored wires. In certain processes, a welding wire may “stick” or fuse to a contact tip. To mitigate the negative effects of a wire fusing to a contact tip, a double pulse waveform is applied. A first pulse is applied at a first current level above a threshold current level required to transfer a ball of molten welding wire in a peak phase, and a second pulse is applied in the background phase at a second current level below the threshold current level to limit and/or eliminate fusion between the wire and the contact tip. In examples, the second current level is sufficient to dislodge a spot weld between the welding wire and the welding torch yet insufficient to transfer a ball of molten welding wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Shuang Liu, Robert R. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20220097161
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described to address issues associated with welding with cored wires. In certain processes, a welding wire may “stick” or fuse to a contact tip, such as at termination of a weld. To mitigate the negative effects of a wire fusing to a contact tip, the wire remains in motion at a time prior to the end of the weld, as the weld ends, and/or for a time after the end of the weld, to limit and/or eliminate fusion between the wire and the contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Shuang Liu, James Lee Uecker, Robert R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 11263399
    Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device can generate user input correction suggestions based on the user's context. For example, the user's context can include content that the user has open or has recently opened on the computing device or another computing device. For example, when the user opens an item of content, the computing device can generate a context dictionary that includes words, phrases, etc., that describe the opened content. When the user provides input (e.g., text, speech, etc.) the computing device can use the context dictionary to generate input correction suggestions. The computing device can synchronize the context dictionary with other computing devices that the user may be using so that the user's context on one device can be used by another device to generate input correction suggestions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jason J. Ivan, Christopher S. Linn, Douglas R. Davidson
  • Publication number: 20210348370
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a handle that rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to an angled interface for adjusting a first water parameter. A dial is supported for rotation independent of the handle for adjusting a second water parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Joshua Wales, Kyle R. Davidson, Kurt J. Thomas, Derek A. Brown, Ryan J. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20210299776
    Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a synergic control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and control circuitry configured to: based on the synergic control signal, synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed; and output a feedback control signal to control an operator feedback device based on the synergic control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Robert R. Davidson, Craig Steven Knoener, Charles Ace Tyler, Thomas A. Bunker
  • Publication number: 20210299774
    Abstract: An example welding-type power supply includes power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; communications circuitry configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation, wherein the control signal is representative of a value within a first predetermined range of values; and control circuitry configured to: determine, based on at least one physical characteristic of a welding operation, a first limit range of a voltage, a current, or a wire feed speed and a second limit range of a second one of the voltage, the current, or the wire feed speed; and synergically control the first one and the second one of the voltage, the current, or the wire feed speed within the first limit range and within the second limit range based on the value of the control signal, wherein the first limit range and the second limit range are mapped to the first predetermined range of values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Robert R. Davidson, Craig Steven Knoener, Charles Ace Tyler, Thomas A. Bunker
  • Publication number: 20210299775
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control at least two of a voltage of the welding-type power output by the power conversion circuitry, a current of the welding-type power, or a wire feed speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph C. Schneider, Robert R. Davidson, Craig Steven Knoener, Charles Ace Tyler, Thomas A. Bunker
  • Patent number: 11091901
    Abstract: A faucet assembly including a handle that rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to an angled interface for adjusting a first water parameter. A dial is supported for rotation independent of the handle for adjusting a second water parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Joshua Wales, Kyle R. Davidson, Kurt J. Thomas, Derek A. Brown, Ryan J. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20210237188
    Abstract: Welding wire preheating systems and methods are disclosed. An example welding method includes: receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; monitoring feedback voltage to determine a termination of preheating; and terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20210237189
    Abstract: An example welding-type power supply, includes: power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; and control circuitry configured to: control the power conversion circuitry to output the welding-type power based on a voltage-controlled control loop; and in response to detecting an output voltage less than a threshold voltage: during a first state, control the voltage-controlled control loop based on a first value of a control parameter of the voltage-controlled control loop to increase a response rate of the voltage-controlled control loop; and during a second state following the first state, control the voltage-controlled control loop based on a second value of the control parameter, wherein the second value of the control parameter causes a reduction in energy output by the power conversion circuitry relative to the first state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Justin Durik, Robert R. Davidson
  • Patent number: 11040410
    Abstract: Welding wire preheating systems and methods are disclosed. An example welding method includes: receiving a signal indicative of initiation of welding process; prior to initiating a welding arc based on the received signal, controlling voltage or current applied to a welding electrode to preheat the electrode to a temperature above an ambient temperature but below a melting point of the welding electrode; monitoring feedback voltage to determine a termination of preheating; and terminating preheating prior to initiating the welding arc in accordance with a welding protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Richard J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11027358
    Abstract: Systems and methods for auto-tuning a MIG welding process are disclosed. A welding-type power supply may include a power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power; and a controller configured to control the power conversion circuitry based on a plurality of operating parameters. The operating parameters may include an inductance parameter, a slope parameter, or a wet time parameter. During the welding process, in order to control the power conversion circuitry, the system may measure an output from the power conversion circuitry, and may update the inductance parameter, the slope parameter, or the wet time parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Robert R. Davidson, Valarie Schwartz, Dustin Wagner