Patents by Inventor Rich Slates

Rich Slates 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).

  • Method for measuring a gap between a proximity probe and a conductive target material
    Patent number: 6842020
    Abstract: A digital eddy current proximity system including a digital impedance measuring device for digitally measuring the proximity probes impedance correlative to displacement motion and position of a metallic target object being monitored. The system further including a cable-length calibration method, an automatic material identification and calibration method, a material insensitive method, an inductive ratio method and advanced sensing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Bently Nevada, LLC
    Inventor: Rich Slates
  • Digital eddy current proximity system: apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20020153880
    Abstract: A digital eddy current proximity system including a digital impedance measuring device for digitally measuring the proximity probes impedance correlative to displacement motion and position of a metallic target object being monitored. The system further including a cable-length calibration method, an automatic material identification and calibration method, a material insensitive method, an inductive ratio method and advanced sensing characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventor: Rich Slates
  • Digital eddy current proximity system: apparatus and method
    Patent number: 6346807
    Abstract: A digital eddy current proximity system including a digital impedance measuring device for digitally measuring the proximity probes impedance correlative to displacement motion and position of a metallic target object being monitored. The system further including a cable-length calibration method, an automatic material identification and calibration method, a material insensitive method, an inductive ratio method and advanced sensing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Bently Nevada Corporation
    Inventor: Rich Slates
  • Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature stability of an inductor using a magnetically coupled metallic object
    Patent number: 6246229
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature stability of an inductor by using a magnetically coupled metallic object is disclosed in which a metallic object is magnetically coupled to the inductor by a magnetic field emanating therefrom. In one embodiment, the apparatus is tailored for use in a proximity probe of a machine monitoring system and includes the metallic object magnetically coupled to a sensing coil for controlling a resistance versus temperature profile including compensating for a proximity effect resistance of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Bently Nevada Corporation
    Inventor: Rich Slates
  • Transducer mounting bracket and verification device: apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5850046
    Abstract: A transducer mounting apparatus (10) is disclosed which includes a two-piece mounting bracket (20) and a verification device (100). The two-piece mounting bracket (20) includes a precisely machined base plate (22) and sliding plate (60). At least one transducer (150) is mounted to the sliding plate (60) and the sliding plate (60) is slideably coupled to the base plate (22) for precisely mounting and slideably positioning at least the one transducer (150) adjacent a "target" to be monitored thereby. The verification device (100) couples to the base plate (22) and is employed in a method for calibrating and verifying the operation of at least the one transducer (150) prior to at least the one transducer (150) being mechanically locked into position by rigidly securing the sliding plate (60) to the base plate (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Bently Nevada Corporation
    Inventors: Rich Slates, Ron Wilson, Tom Pfoh, Larry Covino