Patents by Inventor Robert A. Black

Robert A. Black 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: 20050287065
    Abstract: System for analyzing an in vivo response of a subject include a radiation detector for detecting radiation present in at least one localized solid tissue region of interest in a subject associated with internal activity of an administered quantity of an analyte comprising at least one of C-14 labeled glucose, a C-14 labeled constituent thereof, and a C-14 labeled glucose derivative, in the at least one solid tissue region of interest over a desired time interval of interest; and a reader in communication with the implantable detector for collecting radiation data from the detector associated with the detected radiation to determine at least one of the following; the in vivo dynamic, kinetic, and metabolic response of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Steven Suddarth, Charles Scarantino, Robert Black
  • Patent number: 6974947
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing rotation includes a plurality of motion sensors constructed in a substantially coplanar arrangement. The plurality of motion sensors is each configured to generate incremental movement data indicative of movement of the sensor in two dimensions. A rotation data generator generates rotation data based on the incremental movement data. The rotation data represents rotation of a first one of the motion sensors about a second one of the motion sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Michael J. Brosnan, Roopinder Singh Grewal
  • Publication number: 20050090738
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation sensor patches that have adhesive onto the skin of a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The sensor patches are configured to be relatively unobtrusive and operate during radiation without the use of externally extending power cords or lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Black, Steven Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Mann, Phillip Lehman
  • Publication number: 20050010110
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and computer program products include positioning single-use radiation internal dosimeters with MOSFETs into a patient to evaluate the radiation dose delivered during a medical procedure or treatment session. The MOSFETs can be unpowered during irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Black, Steven Widener, John Carroll, Gregory Mann, Phillip Lehman
  • Patent number: 6765181
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for induction heat treatment of electrically conductive workpieces. The inductor assembly is formed from a single piece inductor that utilizes an electrically non-conductive top, side and bottom frames to hold flux concentrators in place over the sides of the inductor. Flux concentrators can be changed by unfastening the frame members, removing the existing flux concentrators, inserting new flux concentrators, and fastening the frame members. One or more of the frame members may serve as a receiving chamber for supply of a quench medium to an induction heated workpiece positioned in an opening in the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Inductoheat, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhu S. Chatterjee, Byron L. Taylor, Micah Robert Black
  • Publication number: 20040134113
    Abstract: A gun support apparatus is provided, which includes a base portion, a first arm member, and a second arm member. The first arm member is attached to the base portion. The second arm member is attached to the base portion. Each of the first and second arm members includes an upright member, a distal support member, a first link, and a second link. The first link is pivotably coupled to the upright member and attached to the distal support member, such that the first link is located between the distal support member and the upright member. The second link is pivotably coupled to the upright member and pivotably coupled to a distal end of the first link, such that the second link is located between the distal support member and the upright member. The second link has a variable length, and may include a dampener, spring, and/or friction element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Mark A. Deros, Robert Black
  • Patent number: 6750186
    Abstract: A tablet or pellet for cleaning mineral deposits from the interior of a dishwasher machine is placed within the machine, and the machine is run through its normal dishwashing cycle. The pellet or tablet is formed of a mixture of a binder matrix and a chelating agent capable of carrying out chelation solubilization on the mineral deposits. The pellet or tablet withstands substantial dissolving during the initial rinse cycle or cycles, and then dissolves to provide a pH no greater than 6 during the wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Black
  • Publication number: 20040031191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fragranced wax candle and fragranced wax composition comprising paraffin wax, a fragrance containing an antioxidant, with or without vegetable wax and/or beeswax, saturated fatty acid, hindered amine, and an additive. Also disclosed is a method for incorporating an antioxidant into the fragranced candle wax composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel D'Amico, Robert Black, Daniel Perlman, Richard Signorelli
  • Patent number: 6690746
    Abstract: A signal recognizer capable of classifying any of all commonly used communications signals. The recognizer has a number of modules that may operate in parallel, each module associated with a different signal type. Each module determines signal parameters by first estimating one or more parameters of a detected signal of interest. The estimated parameter(s) is then used as the basis for demodulating the input signal. The demodulated symbols are used for hypothesis testing, during which the module decides on a candidate signal type for that module. Each module subjects its candidate signal type to a “false alarm” test, which evaluates the likelihood that the signal is not the signal type associated with the module. The resulting confidence data is collected and analyzed to determine a best candidate signal type from among all the modules, together with its signal parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: James A. Sills, Q. Robert Black
  • Publication number: 20030226360
    Abstract: A heat energy conversion apparatus having a heat exchanger into which a heating fluid is introduced and an inlet and an outlet for a gaseous second fluid that is to be heated and pressurized by heat transfer from the heating fluid. The heat exchanger outlet is connected to the inlet of a gas motor, and the heat exchanger inlet is connected to the outlet of a gas pump driven by the gas motor. The gas motor removes the heated gaseous second fluid from the heat exchanger at a higher volumetric flow rate than the pump delivers the gaseous second fluid in its unheated state into the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Black
  • Publication number: 20030189166
    Abstract: An apparatus for sensing rotation includes a plurality of motion sensors constructed in a substantially coplanar arrangement. The plurality of motion sensors is each configured to generate incremental movement data indicative of movement of the sensor in two dimensions. A rotation data generator generates rotation data based on the incremental movement data. The rotation data represents rotation of a first one of the motion sensors about a second one of the motion sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Michael J. Brosnan, Roopinder Singh Grewal
  • Publication number: 20030148907
    Abstract: A tablet or pellet for cleaning mineral deposits from the interior of a dishwasher machine is placed within the machine, and the machine is run through its normal dishwashing cycle. The pellet or tablet is formed of a mixture of a binder matrix and a chelating agent capable of carrying out chelation solubilization on the mineral deposits. The pellet or tablet withstands substantial dissolving during the initial rinse cycle or cycles, and then dissolves to provide a pH no greater than 6 during the wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Black
  • Patent number: 6033736
    Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion and durability of both new paint coatings, and older cracked or peeling paint coatings on an architectural surface is described. An aqueous wax emulsion (AWE) which, upon drying, forms an aqueous wax emulsion coating (AWEC), is adherent to an architectural surface as well as to new and older paint coatings. The AWEC is furthermore waterproof, and is hyper-permeable to water vapor, thereby preventing moisture-related bubbling and peeling of the new and older paint coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Brandeis University
    Inventors: Daniel Perlman, Robert Black
  • Patent number: 5444451
    Abstract: The invention described herein relates generally to the field of direction finding and source location. The invention has broad application in areas requiring superresolution spectral analysis. The invention described in the context of any array processing problem in which the location of a transmitter is to be determined at a single receiving site based on passive measurements of the propagation waveform. The invention exploits the information received by a pair of sensors to extract intersensor delay and interpath delay times in the presence of multipath propagation. Two sensors are used in order to normalize the effects of signal modulation. Combining the sensor pairs in groups, the direction-of-arrival may be determined for each signal from the intersensor delay times thus derived. The invention additionally provides for the estimation of transmitter location by using the intersensor and interpath delay times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Richard L. Johnson, Q. Robert Black, Allan G. Sonsteby
  • Patent number: 4947079
    Abstract: A circuit for cutting a "notch" in an alternating current supply waveform with the minimization of dissipated power comprising a pair of GTO's so poled to conduct current therethrough and also through a pair of power consuming diodes when the switches are "on" during alternate half cycles, the switches being turned "off" at the start of the "notches", and the current is resumed thereafter by a pair of oppositely poled SCR's which are turned "on" and which bypass power diodes so as to conserve power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Jr., Arlon D. Kompelien
  • Patent number: 4937504
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with a fluorescent light dimming circuit to delay the application of power to the lamp for a first time period sufficient to allow the electronic components to stabilize and thereafter to delay any dimming signal to the lamp and, instead, apply full power to the lamp for a time period sufficient to allow the filament of the lamp to warm up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Jr., Arlon D. Kompelien
  • Patent number: 4923117
    Abstract: A burner control system has a microprocessor for testing parameters of operation and for indicating deviations from a preset range for each. The sensors monitoring the parameters provide their outputs as analog voltages to analog to digital (A/D) converters which provide the parameters in digital form. Tests using preset voltage standards increase the likelihood of A/D converter accuracy. In addition, as operating conditions for the burner change, different preset ranges are used for each sensor output when testing them so as to provide maximum confidence of proper burner operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Wilmer L. Adams, James I. Bartels, Robert A. Black, Jr., Kenneth B. Kidder, William R. Landis, Paul B. Patton
  • Patent number: 4904906
    Abstract: A dimmer for a fluorescent light in which the fluorescent light is supplied with an electrical signal having a varying magnitude, the dimmer positioning a notch of reduced signal magnitude within the electrical signal for controlling the illumination level of the fluorescent light wherein the illumination level is dependent upon the position of the notch within the varying electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Larry S. Atherton, Robert A. Black, Jr., Arlon D. Kompelien
  • Patent number: 4899088
    Abstract: A circuit for use with the dimming control of a fluorescent light in which a "notch" is created and positioned to vary the power to the inductive ballast and the circuit including a pair of gate turn-off thyristors operable to supply a current path for stored energy in the inductive ballast only during the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Jr., Arlon D. Kompelien
  • Patent number: 4558389
    Abstract: A microcomputer utilizing a crystal controlled clock and a power line responsive clock operates both the control system and into a safety timing means. The safety timing means can take the form of a pair of retriggerable monostable multivibrators that are operated to monitor the microcomputer along with a feedback circuit from a load control means. The feedback from the load control means senses the status of a safety switch means and provides the microcomputer with the ability to monitor and be monitored for safe operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Black, Jr., Rodney L. Clark, Kenneth B. Kidder, Paul B. Patton