Patents by Inventor Robert A. Simmons

Robert A. Simmons 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: 20180346924
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of plant molecular biology, more particularly to regulation of gene expression in plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicants: PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC., E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: ANDREW CARL CROW, SCOTT HENRY DIEHN, ALBERT LAURENCE LU, CARL ROBERT SIMMONS, LYNNE EILEEN SIMS
  • Patent number: 10094566
    Abstract: A system having a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a combustor coupled to the turbine. The combustor includes a combustion chamber, one or more fuel nozzles upstream from the combustion chamber, and a head end having an end cover assembly. The end cover assembly includes an oxidant inlet configured to receive an oxidant flow, a central oxidant passage, and at least one fuel supply passage. The central oxidant passage is in fluid communication with the oxidant inlet, and the central oxidant passage is configured to route the oxidant flow to the one or more fuel nozzles. The at least one fuel supply passage is configured to receive a fuel flow and route the fuel flow into the one or more fuel nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: General Electric Company, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bradford David Borchert, Jesse Edwin Trout, Scott Robert Simmons, Almaz Valeev, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy, Igor Petrovich Sidko, Leonid Yul'evich Ginesin
  • Patent number: 10024539
    Abstract: A method of providing fuel to a combustion chamber of a combustion can in a radial direction of the combustion can, and a micromixer cap having axially arranged fuel stages that receive fuel from a radial direction, the fuel stages supplies fuel to different radial zones of micromixer tubes arranged in a concentric configuration to provide a mixture of fuel and air for combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Scott Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20170356652
    Abstract: The present application provides a combustor for a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of fuel nozzles and an effusion plate assembly positioned about the fuel nozzles. The effusion plate assembly may include a cold pate, a hot plate, and a number of swirl inducing structures extending therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Arjun Singh, Scott Robert Simmons, Niranjana Giriyapura Thontadharya
  • Publication number: 20170303467
    Abstract: A strand trimmer and method of use thereof. The strand trimmer includes a pair of pivotable arms each having a motor, a follower wheel, and a cutter-spindle assembly disposed thereon. The arms are biased toward one another and are guided by the follower wheels to pivot around obstacles passing between the arms. The motor rotates the cutter-spindle assembly to move cutting strands extending therefrom through a cutting path with sufficient rotational velocity to cut vegetation. The cutter-spindle assembly includes a spool and a strand-feed mechanism. The spool is oriented to rotate about a horizontal axis. The strand-feed mechanism includes a solenoid actuated plunger within a shaft of the cutter-spindle assembly. The plunger engages the spool to control rotation of the spool and thereby feeding out of incremental lengths of the strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Trimverse LLC
    Inventor: Robert Simmons
  • Publication number: 20170176016
    Abstract: A combustor cap module is provided with a retention system to facilitate assembly and disassembly. The combustor cap module further includes a cap face assembly having a cooling plate; a cylindrical sleeve including a connecting surface for attaching the cap face assembly to the retention assembly; and a coupling member mounted in a downstream fuel nozzle opening in the cooling plate. The retention system includes a support plate having an inner panel that defines an upstream fuel nozzle opening. The coupling member extends through the upstream fuel nozzle opening, such that its upstream end extends upstream of the support plate. A retaining ring at least partially encircles the upstream end of the coupling member and is engaged by a spring plate that is removably secured to the support plate at multiple locations. A method for assembling a combustor cap module is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Lewis Davis, III, Scott Robert Simmons, David Kenton Felling
  • Publication number: 20170089583
    Abstract: A method of providing fuel to a combustion chamber of a combustion can in a radial direction of the combustion can, and a micromixer cap having axially arranged fuel stages that receive fuel from a radial direction, the fuel stages supplies fuel to different radial zones of micromixer tubes arranged in a concentric configuration to provide a mixture of fuel and air for combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Scott Robert SIMMONS
  • Patent number: 9585770
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device may be adapted to be attached to a limb to enable the limb to replicate normal motion so that the user regains substantially normal operation of the limb. The orthotic device may have a frame system formed of a lightweight supportive material and configured to receive the user's limb, and an electronically actuated muscle operatively connected to the frame system for expanding and contracting at predetermined levels to mimic movement of the limb, when functioning normally. The orthotic device may also have a controller operatively connected to the muscle for transmitting signals corresponding to the predetermined levels to the muscle, and a sensor controlled by the user for actuating the muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventors: George Robert Simmons, III, Michael T. McDonnell, Jr., Bryn Garrity, Michael Huber, Michael Ciavarella
  • Patent number: 9480300
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed having a frame system, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The frame system may include a lightweight supportive material, and may be configured to receive a user's foot. The first actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and develop push of the forefoot of the user's foot during a walking step. The second actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and raise a user's toes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ellen M. And Michael T. McDonnell Jr. Family Foundation
    Inventors: Michael T McDonnell, Jr., George Robert Simmons, III, Sean James Wilson, Brendan Michael Kearney, Jess Ethan Swaringen, Lester James McMackin, Sarah Ann Oliveri, Berjamin Alan Inkrott, Megan Elizabeth Braisted, Brian Joseph Walsh
  • Publication number: 20160223202
    Abstract: A system having a gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a turbine and a combustor coupled to the turbine. The combustor includes a combustion chamber, one or more fuel nozzles upstream from the combustion chamber, and a head end having an end cover assembly. The end cover assembly includes an oxidant inlet configured to receive an oxidant flow, a central oxidant passage, and at least one fuel supply passage. The central oxidant passage is in fluid communication with the oxidant inlet, and the central oxidant passage is configured to route the oxidant flow to the one or more fuel nozzles. The at least one fuel supply passage is configured to receive a fuel flow and route the fuel flow into the one or more fuel nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Bradford David Borchert, Jesse Edwin Trout, Scott Robert Simmons, Almaz Valeev, Ilya Aleksandrovich Slobodyanskiy, Igor Petrovich Sidko, Leonid Yul'evich Ginesin
  • Publication number: 20160201073
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for regulatory elements from Petunia Vein Clearing Virus. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the regulatory element sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant or plant cell with a nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the regulatory elements of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: SCOTT HENRY DIEHN, ALBERT LAURENCE LU, CARL ROBERT SIMMONS
  • Patent number: 9115808
    Abstract: A transition piece seal assembly includes a first seal, and a second seal joined to the first seal. The second seal being spaced from the first seal to define a coolant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 9052113
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a downstream surface having an axial centerline. A plurality of passages through the downstream surface provide fluid communication through the downstream surface, and a downstream section of each passage has at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical shape. A method for modifying a combustor nozzle includes machining a downstream side of a body to remove a recast surface in a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication through the body. The method may further include machining a downstream section in each passage to form at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical surface in each passage proximate to the downstream side of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Patrick Benedict Melton, Russell DeForest, Donald Mark Bailey
  • Publication number: 20150106972
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding plant defense proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: PIONEER HI BRED INTERNATIONAL INC
    Inventors: James Joseph English, Carl Robert Simmons, Nasser Yalpani
  • Publication number: 20150005896
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed. The orthotic device may be adapted to be attached to a limb to enable the limb to replicate normal motion so that the user regains substantially normal operation of the limb. The orthotic device may have a frame system formed of a lightweight supportive material and configured to receive the user's limb, and an electronically actuated muscle operatively connected to the frame system for expanding and contracting at predetermined levels to mimic movement of the limb, when functioning normally. The orthotic device may also have a controller operatively connected to the muscle for transmitting signals corresponding to the predetermined levels to the muscle, and a sensor controlled by the user for actuating the muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ellen M. and Michael T. McDonnell Jr. Family Foundation
    Inventors: George Robert Simmons, III, Michael T. McDonnell, JR., Bryn Garrity, Michael Huber, Michael Ciavarella
  • Publication number: 20140259799
    Abstract: An orthotic device is disclosed having a frame system, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The frame system may include a lightweight supportive material, and may be configured to receive a user's foot. The first actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and develop push of the forefoot of the user's foot during a walking step. The second actuator may be coupled to the frame system, and may be configured to activate and raise a user's toes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ELLEN M. AND MICHAEL T. MCDONNELL JR. FAMILY FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Michael T. McDonnell, JR., George Robert Simmons, III, Sean James Wilson, Brendan Michael Kearney, Jess Ethan Swaringen, Lester James McMackin, Sarah Ann Oliveri, Berjamin Alan Inkrott, Megan Elizabeth Braisted, Brian Joseph Walsh
  • Patent number: 8794544
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a downstream surface having an axial centerline. A plurality of passages extend through the downstream surface and provide fluid communication through the downstream surface. A plurality of slits are included in the downstream surface, and each slit connects to at least two passages. A method for modifying a combustor nozzle includes machining a plurality of slits in a downstream side of a body. The method further includes connecting each slit to at least two passages that pass through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick Benedict Melton, Scott Robert Simmons, Russell DeForest, Donald Mark Bailey
  • Publication number: 20130209250
    Abstract: A transition piece seal assembly includes a first seal, and a second seal joined to the first seal. The second seal being spaced from the first seal to define a coolant passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott Robert Simmons, Ronald James Chila
  • Patent number: 8484978
    Abstract: A method of assembling a fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine having a natural operating frequency includes providing a flange and providing a premix tube. The flange is fabricated from a first alloy such that the flange is configured to exhibit a first frequency that is different than the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine. The premix tube is fabricated from a second alloy such that the premix tube is configured to exhibit a second frequency that is different from the natural operating frequency of the gas turbine engine. The premix tube is coupled to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Mark Bailey, Scott Robert Simmons, Marcus Byron Huffman
  • Patent number: 8365535
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle manifold comprising a flange, a stem and a swirler is provided. The flange has a first fluid inlet fluidly connected to a radially extending first flow passage, the stem includes at least a first axially extending and only partially circumferentially extending flow channel, and the swirler has at least a first radially extending premix passage. The flange and the stem can comprise a homogeneous component, or two separate components fluidly connecting the first axially extending flow channel to the first flow passage, to form a fluid connection between the flange and the stem, the swirler comprises another component fitted together with the flange and stem component and fluidly connecting the first premix passage and the first flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Stanley Kevin Widener, Scott Robert Simmons