Patents by Inventor R. Smith

R. 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).

  • Publication number: 20240158098
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for installing ribs and/or spars to a wing panel while a contour is enforced. Methods include suspending a wing panel beneath a shuttle that enforces the contour, advancing the wing panel through work stations via the shuttle, and installing a rib or a spar (or another wing panel) at a work station, while the contour is enforced. Other methods include locating a wing panel beneath a shuttle, coupling adjustable-length pogos to the wing panel at locations distinct from those corresponding with an installation location, e.g. for a rib or a spar, and controlling the length of the pogos to enforce a contour to the wing panel. Some systems include a track, work stations disposed along the track, and a shuttle to advance along the track and convey a wing panel to each of the work stations while enforcing a contour onto the wing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20240158099
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a wing. Methods include suspending an upper wing panel of an aircraft beneath a shuttle, translating a rib to a position it, and placing the rib into contact with, then affixing the rib to, the upper wing panel, while suspended. Some methods include installing ribs and spars to the upper wing panel, and joining a lower wing panel to the ribs and spars, while the upper wing panel is suspended. Some methods involve joining ribs to spars (e.g., all, or some) to produce a support structure that is then affixed to the upper wing panel. Systems include a shuttle that suspends an upper wing panel, and a cart that includes supports to hold a rib, a chassis to translate the rib to a position beneath the upper wing panel, and a lifting apparatus to lift the rib into contact with the upper wing panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones
  • Publication number: 20240158097
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 11981590
    Abstract: A septic tank system includes a multiple compartmented (or chambered) supplemental tank. The supplemental tank has a cover/lid with a plurality of strategically situated access holes (both small and large ports) for servicing the various chambers from above ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: KLEANTU LLC
    Inventors: John R. Smith, Ron Keffer, Robert Horger, Andrew C. Middleton, Robin L. Weightman, Peter Goodale, Richard Donahue
  • Patent number: 11976926
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enable world geodetic system (WGS) to cartesian coordinate conversion for driving. A path of a vehicle comprising lane-group segments (LGSs) is received. The LGSs comprise respective origins in WGS coordinates, respective path points in WGS coordinates; and respective groups of constants. For a first of the LGSs, global cartesian path coordinates are calculated, based on modified Bowring techniques, for the path points of the first LGS. The coordinates are calculated using the constants of the first LGS and respective differences between the path points of the first LGS and an origin of the first LGS. The vehicle can navigate along the path using the global cartesian path coordinates calculated for the first LGS. By using modified Bowring techniques and pre-calculated constants for each LGS of the path, accuracy can be maintained over long distances and across boundaries without requiring substantial computational overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Matthew R. Smith, Tanto Sugiarto
  • Publication number: 20240141574
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a tub and a rotatable basket therein. Methods of operating the washing machine appliance may include, and/or the washing machine appliance may be configured for, measuring a first inertia of a load of articles in the basket by rotating the basket at rotational speeds outside of a resonance speed zone. A water extraction operation is performed after measuring the first inertia of the load of articles. The water extraction operation includes rotating the basket at speeds outside of the resonance speed zone. A second inertia of the load of articles after the water extraction operation is measured by rotating the basket at rotational speeds outside of the resonance speed zone. A load type of the load of articles is determined based on the second inertia. The basket is rotated at speeds within the resonance speed zone only once prior to the water extraction operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Darrin R. Smith, Mark William Thomas Worley, Ryan Ellis Leonard
  • Patent number: 11959046
    Abstract: A method of creating a protective coating on an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is provided. The method includes providing carbon dioxide to an alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid and allowing the alkali metal hydroxide and carbon dioxide to react thereby forming a carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer on the exterior of the solid wherein the carbonate or bicarbonate-containing layer is non-hygroscopic and water soluble, and wherein greater than 80% of the hydroxide in the hydroxide-containing solid does not react with the carbon dioxide, and further wherein the alkali metal hydroxide-containing solid is substantially free of lithium hydroxide. A method of testing for the presence of carbonate-containing coating on an alkali metal hydroxide containing solid is also provided. The method includes exposing the coated solid to 95 weight percent ethanol, collecting the ethanol effluent and testing the effluent for alkali metal hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Kim R. Smith, Mark P. Peterson, Keith E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20240122080
    Abstract: A superconductor device includes a high superconductivity transition temperature enhanced from the raw material transition temperature. The superconductor device includes a matrix material and a core material. The enhancing matrix material and the core material together create a system of strongly coupled carriers. A plurality of low-dimensional conductive features can be embedded in the matrix. The low-dimensional conductive features (e.g., nanowires or nanoparticles) can be conductors or superconductors. An interaction between electrons of the low-dimensional conductive features and the enhancing matrix material can promote excitations that increase a superconductivity transition temperature of the superconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Philipp Braeuninger-Weimer, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Conor L. Myhrvold, Cameron Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Victoria Y.H. Wood, David R. Smith, John Brian Pendry, Charles Whitmer, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Brian C. Holloway, Stuart A. Wolf, Vladimir Z. Kresin
  • Patent number: 11954228
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing identity verification services to users by providing a staking mechanism to incentivize participants in an identity verification system to be truthful and accurate and determining validator accuracy and associated setting of fees for using validator attestations to create an efficient, private and secure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Civic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Riedel, Jonathan R. Smith, Vinodan K. Lingham, Llewellyn Claasen, James A. G. Kilroe, Kyle M. Levin
  • Patent number: 11951658
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing a composite member. The system and methods are configured to move different types of composite plies from different supply stations. The composite plies are moved along a conveyance member and then with a transfer station to a forming tool. One or more forming members form the composite plies onto the forming tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Edward Krajca, Darrell Darwin Jones, Paul Chace Wilcoxson, Kurtis S. Willden, Long Hoang Ly, Daniel R. Smith, Jr., Jeremy Justice
  • Patent number: 11944782
    Abstract: A priming system including a resilient chamber having flexible walls and a first check valve in a first fluid pathway between the resilient chamber and a fluid reservoir such that a fluid flows through the first check valve only in a direction from the fluid reservoir toward the resilient chamber and the fluid returns to the fluid reservoir through a second fluid pathway between the resilient chamber and the fluid reservoir upon compression of the walls of the resilient chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CAREFUSION 303, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Yeh, Jake R. Smith, Soon Y. Park, Tammy Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20240093587
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for trapping particles disposed in a fluid. The apparatus may comprise one or more cavities disposed axially along a length of a tubular housing, one or more connecting components disposed at opposing ends of the housing, and may optionally comprise a check valve system. Alternate embodiments are provided for forming each of the one or more cavities, which may comprise a combination of a cavity frame and cavity surface. The method may comprise flowing a fluid into a first end of a particle trap apparatus at a rate of fluid flow, directing the fluid flow at least partially through one or more cavity sub-assemblies disposed in the particle trap apparatus, collecting the particulate matter in one or more of the cavity sub-assemblies when the rate of fluid flow may slow or become suspended, and clearing collected particles from the one or more cavity sub-assemblies upon restoration of fluid flow in a primary direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: PetroQuip Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joe Coon, Roddie R. Smith, John Lee Emerson, Josh Hornsby
  • Publication number: 20240094120
    Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (“glyphosate”) from N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (“PMIDA”), and more particularly to methods for control of the conversion of PMIDA, for the identification of reaction end points relating to PMIDA conversion and the preparation of glyphosate products having controlled PMIDA content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Leonard AYNARDI, David Z. BECHER, Robert E. BYRD, Eduardo Aurelio CASANOVA, James P. COLEMAN, David R. EATON, Walter K. GAVLICK, Eric A. HAUPFEAR, Oliver LERCH, Carl MUMFORD, Alfredo OBA, Stephen D. PROSCH, Peter E. ROGERS, Bart ROOSE, Mark D. SCAIA, Lowell R. SMITH, Donald D. SOLETA, John WAGENKNECHT
  • Publication number: 20240095263
    Abstract: A map control module receives a stream of map data characterizing a geographic region proximal to a vehicle and outputs a moving map, and the moving map is divisible into a matrix of cells. A map item control receives a stream of point of interest (POI) data characterizing a plurality of POIs within the boundary and categorizes each of the plurality of POIs to define a set of categories. The map item control determines a display location of a map item within the matrix of cells for each of the plurality of POIs and determines an importance for each POI within a same category. The map item control forms a set of clusters of map items. Each map item in a given cluster of map items has a same cell and a same category. The map item control selects a top-item for each cluster of map items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS M. DYER, VERNER KEITH DEVLIN, WILLIAM R. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11931085
    Abstract: A driver-specific back-out prevention mechanism is disclosed that includes a screw and a body. A first driver can be used for coupling and decoupling the screw with the body, and a second driver can only be used for adjusting the position of the screw in the receiving body. The body includes a cavity for receiving a head of the screw, with the cavity having an inward flange. The screw includes upper and lower sockets, with a channel extending though the head from the lower socket and a lock body disposed in the channel. Engagement with the first driver allows the locking body to move such that the fastener can be inserted and removed from the body. Engagement with the second driver displaces the locking body such that the locking body interferes with the flange such that screw fastener cannot be removed from the body by the second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MEDOS INTERNATIONAL SÀRL
    Inventors: Keanan R. Smith, Joshua Rodriguez, Raymond F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11934969
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to implement a bias identification engine that identifies bias in the operation of a trained cognitive computing system. A bias risk annotator is configured to identify a plurality of bias triggers in inputs and outputs of the trained cognitive computing system based on a bias risk trigger data structure that specifies terms or phrases that are associated with a bias. An annotated input and an annotated output of the trained cognitive computing system is received and processed by the bias risk annotator to determine if they comprise a portion of content that contains a bias trigger. In response to at least one of the annotated input or annotated output comprising a portion of content containing a bias trigger a notification is transmitted, to an administrator computing device, that specifies the presence of bias in the operation of the trained cognitive computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kristin E. McNeil, Robert C. Sizemore, David B. Werts, Sterling R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20240084056
    Abstract: Elastomeric polyolefin-based ionomers and methods for making same. The ionomers can include a copolymer comprising: C2-C60 ?-olefin monomer units; optional C2-C60 ?-olefin comonomer units different than the monomer units; optional diene units; and about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % metal alkenyl units, based on the weight of the copolymer, wherein the metal alkenyl units have the formula —R(A?)—, wherein R is an alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and A? is an anionic group. The copolymer can further include one or more metal cations derived from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, group 3-12 metals, group 13-16 metals, and combination(s) thereof. The ionomer has a glass transition temperature of ?60° C. to 5° C., and a weight average (Mw) of 50 to 5,000 kg/mol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Tzu-Pin Lin, Carlos R. Lopez-Barron, Avery R. Smith, Brian J. Rohde, Alex E. Carpenter, Matthew W. Holtcamp, Jo Ann M. Canich, John R. Hagadorn
  • Publication number: 20240085623
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, an array of elements forms an artificially-structured material. The artificially-structured material can also include an array of tuning mechanisms included as part of the array of elements that are configured to change material properties of the artificially-structured material on a per-element basis. The tuning mechanisms can change the material properties of the artificially-structured material by changing operational properties of the elements in the array of elements on a per-element basis based on one or a combination of stimuli detected by sensors included in the array of tuning mechanisms, programmable circuit modules included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, data stored at individual data stores included as part of the array of tuning mechanisms, and communications transmitted through interconnects included as part of the array of elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Arnitz, Patrick Bowen, Seyedmohammadreza Faghih Imani, Joseph Hagerty, Roderick A. Hyde, Edward K.Y. Jung, Guy S. Lipworth, Nathan P. Myhrvold, David R. Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Yaroslav A. Urzhumov, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 11926435
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a structure. The systems and method including micro pulsing a structure along a track in a process direction by less than a length of the structure. The structure is indexed to one or more work stations by mating indexing features in a manufacturing excess of the structure to complementary features at the work stations. The work stations would the perform work on the structure at the work stations while the structure is indexed to the work stations. Iteratively repeating the micro pulsing and indexing and working upon the structure until it is ready to advance to the next assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel R. Smith, Darrell D. Jones, Frederick M. Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 11927662
    Abstract: A method of evaluating current sensor measurements of an electric machine system includes acquiring a first current signal corresponding to a first measurement of a first phase current of a three phase electric current supply to an electric machine, and acquiring a second current signal corresponding to a second measurement of a second phase current of the three phase electric current supply. The method also includes determining a machine velocity, shifting the first current signal by a signal processing component to generate a shifted first current signal having a shifted phase, the signal processing component including a tuning parameter that is a function of the machine velocity, calculating an amplitude difference between the shifted first current signal and the second current signal, and determining a plausibility of the first measurement and the second measurement based on the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Caleb W. Secrest, James R. Smith