Patents by Inventor Robert A. Earl

Robert A. Earl 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: 20240125612
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data associated with an object external to a vehicle. The sensor data includes a sequence of data packets. Each data packet corresponds to a time frame in a sequence of time frames. The method includes determining a classification of the object based at least on the sensor data, determining that a particular data packet corresponding to a particular time frame in the sequence of time frames is corrupt or missing, generating a replacement data packet based on one or more data packets that correspond to one or more time frames adjacent to the particular time frame, generating a sequence of visual representations of the object corresponding to the sequence of time frames. At least one visual representation in the sequence of visual representations corresponding to the particular time frame is generated based on the replacement data packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Earl Rasmusson, Taggart Matthiesen, Craig Dehner, Linda Dong, Frank Taehyun Yoo, Karina van Schaardenburg, John Tighe, Matt Vitelli, Jisi Guo, Eli Guerron
  • Publication number: 20240123550
    Abstract: A piston for a reciprocating piston engine includes a piston body including a piston form and a superalloy overlay cladding and metallurgically bonded with a portion of the piston form. The superalloy overlay includes a first weld layer disposed on the piston form which includes a first plurality of adjoining weld beads. The superalloy overlay further includes a second weld layer disposed on the first weld layer which includes a second plurality of adjoining weld beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Earl Hoye, Sameehan Shrikant Joshi, Howard S. Savage
  • Publication number: 20240116610
    Abstract: Multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are operated by a host platform by configuring the AUVs with intermediate nodes (such as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs)) so as to allow the host platform to manage multiple AUVs. The intermediate nodes act as a relay for communications between the host platform and the AUVs allowing the host platform to scale to higher numbers of vehicles thus simultaneously operating the entire fleet of AUVs. The AUVs may provide underwater mapping data. The host platform may be stationary. The host platform may communicate with the intermediate nodes by satellite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: SeaTrepid DeepSea LLC
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Christ, David Earl Selby
  • Publication number: 20240092012
    Abstract: A system for three-dimensional printing is disclosed. The system comprises: a rotary tray configured to rotate about a vertical axis; a printing head, each having a plurality of separated nozzles; and a controller configured for controlling the inkjet printing head to dispense, during the rotation, droplets of building material in layers, such as to print a three-dimensional object on the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy MENCHIK, Andrew James CARLSON, Kevin Ready CAMPION, Robert Earl SIMON, Nathaniel Michael PETERSON
  • Patent number: 11927103
    Abstract: A method of mitigating thermal rotor bow in a rotor assembly of a turbine engine may include performing a plurality of motoring cycles. The plurality of motoring cycles may include receiving feedback on a temperature within a turbine engine in a post-shutdown state, actuating a starter motor when the temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold, operating the starter motor for a motoring time to exhaust some residual heat from the turbine engine, and shutting down the starter motor after the motoring time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Charles Hon, Amid Ansari, Michael Scott McCambridge, Thomas Earl Gillingham
  • Patent number: 11927455
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for an augmented reality transportation system. For example, the systems and methods described herein present an augmented reality environment for a driver or a passenger including augmented reality elements to mark specific locations within a display of real-world surroundings. Additionally, the systems and methods described herein analyze historical information to determine placements for augmented reality elements. The systems and methods also enable a user to share an augmented reality or virtual reality environment with another user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Duncan Eyler, Martin Conte MacDonell, Taggart Matthiesen, Jesse Jones McMillin, Robert Earl Rasmusson, Jr., Mark David Teater
  • Patent number: 11925538
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes a bonding unit configured to bond a first web layer to a second web layer via a bond pattern that includes at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The bonding unit secures an elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The passage has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Earl Andrews, David Edward Schuette, Jeffrey Wayne Fritz, Justin Marshall Lafferty
  • Publication number: 20240077327
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a plurality of available locations for a vehicle to pick up or drop off a user in an area based on sensor data that is captured by the vehicle and is associated with physical characteristics of the area. The method includes calculating a viability value for each of the plurality of available locations. The viability value is calculated based on the physical characteristics of the area as determined from the sensor data. The method includes ranking the plurality of available locations according to the viability values of the plurality of available locations. An available location with a higher viability value is ranked above an available location with a lower viability value. The method includes sending instructions to present, on a computing device, one or more selectable locations of the plurality of available locations based on the ranking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Earl Rasmusson, Taggart Matthiesen, Craig Dehner, Linda Dong, Frank Taehyun Yoo, Karina van Schaardenburg, John Tighe, Matt Vitelli, Jisi Guo, Eli Guerron
  • Publication number: 20240058187
    Abstract: A ramp assembly includes a guide rail at least partially disposed in a void space between ramp platform edge guards, above a ramp platform, and below a ramp cover to reduce the overall height/thickness of the ramp assembly as compared to prior art ramp assemblies that locate guide rails below the ramp platform. A transition flap assembly provides lateral guidance for the ramp platform and carriage assembly. The transition flap assembly and ramp platform assembly engage to ensure at least approximate contact between the transition flap and ramp platform when the ramp platform is deployed and to maintain a spaced relationship between the two when the ramp platform is between the deployed and stowed positions. A sliding door track is configured to provide structural reinforcement to a track pan area of a floor. The guide rail may include an enhanced end stop to decelerate the ramp platform over a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Scott Stranko, Robert Earl Bettcher, III, Justin Hargraves
  • Patent number: 11903801
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes an anvil with weld pattern comprising at least one anchoring region and at least one deactivating region. The anchoring region includes anchoring welds that form anchoring bonds that fuse facing web layers and anchor elastic thread(s) in position relative to the facing web layers. The deactivating region includes a break bar constructed to sever the thread(s). A method of manufacturing the elastic composite structure includes positioning a tensioned elastic thread between web layers, fusing the web layers to form an anchored zone that includes anchoring bonds that fuse the web layers and anchor the tensioned elastic thread therebetween, and cutting the thread to form a deactivated zone between adjacent portions of the anchored zone that is free of tensioned threads. The method further includes fusing the web layers within the deactivated zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Earl Andrews, David Edward Schuette, Jeffrey Wayne Fritz, Justin Marshall Lafferty
  • Patent number: 11897186
    Abstract: A system for three-dimensional printing is disclosed. The system comprises: a rotary tray configured to rotate about a vertical axis; a printing head, each having a plurality of separated nozzles; and a controller configured for controlling the inkjet printing head to dispense, during the rotation, droplets of building material in layers, such as to print a three-dimensional object on the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Stratasys Ltd.
    Inventors: Guy Menchik, Andrew James Carlson, Kevin Ready Campion, Robert Earl Simon, Nathaniel Michael Peterson
  • Patent number: 11892084
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The valve assembly includes a retaining member joined to the second portion of the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends outward from the outer stem surface. The retaining member includes a first retaining member surface, a second retaining member surface, and a void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David Andrew Dalton, Robert Earl Magness, John Boyet Stevens, Philip Andrew Sawin, Jennifer Elizabeth Hosmer
  • Publication number: 20240005576
    Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include displaying vehicle environment awareness. In some embodiments, a visualization system may display an abstract representation of a vehicle's physical environment via a mobile device and/or a device embedded in the vehicle. For example, the visualization may use a voxel grid to represent the environment and may alter characteristics of shapes in the grid to increase their visual prominence when the sensors of the vehicle detect that an object is occupying the space represented by the shapes. In some embodiments, the visualization may gradually increase and reduce the visual prominence of shapes in the grid to create a soothing wave effect. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Han Han Xue, Jisi Guo, Katherine Marisa Dill, Johan Ulrich Lewin Jessen, Audrey Liu, Oleg Vadim Panichev, Robert Earl Rasmusson
  • Publication number: 20230401633
    Abstract: A system and method to determine a correct garment fit, where a fit is represented as a label which includes shape and size, and is suitable for mapping to garments manufactured appropriate to that representation. The system provides a user interface including a perception interface enabling user fit perception choices, and measurement interface for capturing measurement data, a measurement analysis server and a fit analysis server. The measurement server receives data from the user interface to produce a measurement representation. The fit server receives data from the user interface to produce a fit representation. The method includes receiving, from a client, a garment fit query which includes a garment type, the client's perception of garment fit, and a set of client body measurements; calculating a prediction of the client's perception fit; and calculating a predicted final fit based on the client's perception fit and the client body measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Earl NIMON, David Alexander NIMON
  • Publication number: 20230365240
    Abstract: A rescue throw device includes a bag, rope, and a string that can be used to assist a person in distress in water or in other emergency situations where the rescuee needs to be pulled to be extracted. The rescue throw device can include built-in floatation, weights, and drainage holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Earl Beard, JR., Nicholas Beard, Vince Nelson
  • Publication number: 20230332555
    Abstract: An apparatus for a combustion cylinder of a reciprocating piston engine includes a combustion cylinder end face component including a first side configured to face the combustion cylinder and extending in a radial direction of the combustion cylinder and a pocket recessed into the first side and including a recessed pocket surface. The combustion cylinder end face component may be one of a piston and a cylinder head. A thermal barrier coating is inlaid in the pocket. The thermal barrier coating includes a ceramic-metallic layer directly coating the recessed pocket surface and a ceramic layer directly coating the ceramic-metallic layer and including an outer surface facing the combustion cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mohr, Robert Earl Hoye, Timothy Shipp, Leonard W. Brancamp, JR.
  • Patent number: 11788855
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes sending a set of instructions to present, on a computing device, one or more available locations for a vehicle to pick-up or drop-off a user in an area. The one or more available locations are based on sensor data of the area that is captured by the vehicle. The method includes receiving a user selection to select a location associated with the area for the vehicle to pick-up or drop-off the user. The method includes adjusting a viability value of one or more locations to pick-up or drop-off the user. The viability value is adjusted based at least on the selected location. The method includes, based on the adjusted viability value of the one or more locations, determining a location from the one or more locations. The method includes instructing the vehicle to travel to the determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Earl Rasmusson, Taggart Matthiesen, Craig Dehner, Linda Dong, Frank Taehyun Yoo, Karina van Schaardenburg, John Tighe, Matt Vitelli, Jisi Guo, Eli Guerron
  • Patent number: 11788856
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data corresponding to an environment external of a vehicle. The sensor data include data points. The method includes determining one or more subsets of the data points. The method includes comparing the one or more subsets of the data points to one or more predetermined data patterns. Each of the one or more predetermined data patterns corresponds to an object classification. The method includes computing a confidence score for each subset of data points of the one or more subsets of the data points as corresponding to each of the one or more predetermined data patterns based on the comparison. The method includes generating a classification for an object in the environment external of the vehicle based on the confidence score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Earl Rasmusson, Taggart Matthiesen, Craig Dehner, Linda Dong, Frank Taehyun Yoo, Karina van Schaardenburg, John Tighe, Matt Vitelli, Jisi Guo, Eli Guerron
  • Publication number: 20230284599
    Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient delivery output, for an oxalic acid vaporizer, for use with a hive-mounted vaporizer adapter device to more uniformly distribute hot vapor into an interior of a beekeeping device. The efficient delivery output includes an output body having a proximal end and a distal end, and an oxalic acid vapor passageway extending between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein the proximal end is configured to direct and concentrate oxalic acid vapors received from an oxalic acid reservoir of the oxalic acid vaporizer; and the distal end is configured to deliver the concentrated oxalic acid vapors to a central area of the beekeeping device. The vaporizer adapter device engages with a beekeeping hive. The adapter device includes an adapter body (e.g., a flat plate) having at least one hive engagement feature (e.g., side edges of the plate); at least one manipulation feature (e.g., a lip for gripping a front of the plate); and a recess for providing a reservoir (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Earl Pollock, IV
  • Patent number: 11752779
    Abstract: Systems for providing on-demand cup printing and dispensing for food service are provided herein. A cup dispenser includes a cup source configured to hold a stack of cups and one or more cup-moving elements configured to cause a cup from the stack of cups to move through the cup dispenser. The cup dispenser includes a motor configured to operate the one or more cup-moving elements to cause the cup to move through the cup dispenser along a path. The cup dispenser also includes a printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information on the cup that is based on the food service order associated with the cup. The cup dispenser further includes a dispensing section that provides the cup, which includes the at least one of order information or personalization information printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michelle Lynn Auda, Daniel Huffaker, Brandon Seth Cross, Daniel James Geddes, Nathaniel Michael Peterson, Andrew James Carlson, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Jason Aaron Morgan, Lenox Gregory Wilson, Mikhail Tikh, Robert Earl Simon, Ryan David Carignan, Alex Vaughn Grady