Patents by Inventor Robert Davidson

Robert Davidson 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: 20060148950
    Abstract: Zirconia particles, methods of making zirconia particles, composite materials that contain the zirconia particles, methods of making the composite materials, and zirconia sols that contain the zirconia particles are described. The zirconia particles are substantially non-associated and have an average size no greater than 50 nanometers and may contain yttrium. The zirconia particles are prepared by a method that includes two separate hydrothermal treatments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Davidson, Brant Kolb, Danny Anderson, James Higgins, Mark Hendrickson, John Brady
  • Publication number: 20060124621
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes a source of welding-type power and a controller. The controller is a state-based controller, and/or a deterministic control module, connected to the controller output. The state-based control module includes, in an embodiment, software instructions and a digital processor, and/or a state transition table stored in a spreadsheet data base. The controller is responsive to a feedback circuit. One or more welding peripherals, such as a wire feeder or robot, are connected to the controller. The current state may be represented by data in a first line of a spreadsheet and a state-ending event by a second, perpendicular, line of a spreadsheet. The subsequent state is determined by the intersection of the first and second lines in another embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Holverson, Robert Davidson, James Uecker
  • Publication number: 20060081578
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding include initiating a pulse welding process includes initiating a welding arc by providing CC type welding power, maintaining the arc by providing CV type power. Then, pulse type welding power is provided. The method and system can be used to start short circuit, or other welding processes by providing short circuit power, or welding power of a given mode, instead of providing pulse power. Also, in one alternative, a method and system of initiating a pulse, short circuit, or given welding process includes initiating a welding arc by providing CC type welding power at least until a pseudo-equilibrium for the arc is established. Then, providing welding power in a pulse, short circuit, or the given mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Holverson, James Uecker, Robert Davidson, Richard Hutchison
  • Patent number: 7025564
    Abstract: An improved design for turbines increases efficiency while reducing potential for fish kill. In an embodiment of the present invention as relates to Kaplan turbines, the gap between stay vanes and their corresponding wicket gates is reduced or eliminated by provision of an extension to the trailing edge of the stay vane. In alternative embodiments, the extension may be added to the wicket gate or affixed to both in an arrangement that permits free movement of the wicket gate. To facilitate eliminating the gap altogether, the extension may be made of a pliable material or be fabricated in a telescoping or accordion arrangement to permit contact with opposing parts without damage thereto. By designing extensions using accepted hydraulic principles, a better fit of the stay vane to its associated wicket gate, and possibly to the turbines runners may be effected, further improving operational efficiency and possibly even extending maintenance intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Alois Nichtawitz, Karl C. Angerer, Robert A. Davidson, Rodney J. Wittinger
  • Publication number: 20060040353
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lower eukaryotic host cell producing human-like glycoproteins characterized as having a terminal ?-galactose residue and essentially lacking fucose and sialic acid residues. The present invention also provides a method for catalyzing the transfer of a galactose residue from UDP-galactose onto an acceptor substrate in a recombinant lower eukaryotic host cell, which can be used as a therapeutic glycoprotein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Davidson, Tillman Gerngross, Stefan Wildt, Byung-Kwon Choi, Juergen Nett, Piotr Bobrowicz, Stephen Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7002103
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power includes a source of welding-type power and a controller. The controller is a state-based controller, and/or a deterministic control module, connected to the controller output. The state-based control module includes, in an embodiment, software instructions and a digital processor, and/or a state transition table stored in a spreadsheet data base. The controller is responsive to a feedback circuit. One or more welding peripherals, such as a wire feeder or robot, are connected to the controller. The current state may be represented by data in a first line of a spreadsheet and a state-ending event by a second, perpendicular, line of a spreadsheet. The subsequent state is determined by the intersection of the first and second lines in another embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Holverson, Robert Davidson, James Uecker
  • Patent number: 7003720
    Abstract: An electronic shipment planner is adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Robert A. Davidson, Corey Goux, Michael Newcity
  • Publication number: 20060016792
    Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a welding arc is disclosed. The method of initiating the arc includes the steps of defining a wire feed speed based on a user selected wire feed speed and then abruptly reducing the wire feed speed before the wire feed speed reaches a relatively stabilized speed for welding, thereby allowing a welding arc to initiate and propagate to a generally steady state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventors: James Uecker, Robert Davidson, Charles Kaufman, Michael Klegin
  • Publication number: 20060006159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the(at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Davidson, James Uecker, Todd Holverson, David Almy, Curt Beck
  • Publication number: 20050278657
    Abstract: An electronic shipment planner is adapted for electronically presenting shipment and scheduling information to a user. The shipment and scheduling information includes at least one shipment event date. The shipment planner is linked to a shipment data repository containing shipment and scheduling information. A system interface communicates with the shipment data repository. An interactive shipment data link is electronically associated with the shipment and scheduling information, and cooperates with the system interface as commanded by the user to access and retrieve the associated shipment and scheduling information contained in the shipment data repository. A calendar display interface displays the shipment planner to the user in a calendar format, such that the interactive shipment data link is provided on the shipment event date associated with the shipment and scheduling information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Davidson, Corey Goux, Michael Newcity
  • Publication number: 20050246739
    Abstract: A method that uses a computer network to provide a single point of access between a plurality of video & audio devices and a plurality of video & audio content provider systems. The present invention is a method for providing a searchable, aggregated directory view of available video & audio content from multiple content providers as well as additional services such as content renting. The present invention includes a method for identifying users as subscribers of content providers' memberships.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050208617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to eukaryotic host cells having modified oligosaccharides which may be modified further by heterologous expression of a set of glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases to become host-strains for the production of mammalian, e.g., human therapeutic glycoproteins. The process provides an engineered host cell which can be used to express and target any desirable gene(s) involved in glycosylation. Host cells with modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides are created or selected. N-glycans made in the engineered host cells exhibit GnTIII activity, which produce bisected N-glycan structures and may be modified further by heterologous expression of one or more enzymes, e.g., glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases, to yield human-like glycoproteins. For the production of therapeutic proteins, this method may be adapted to engineer cell lines in which any desired glycosylation structure may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Piotr Bobrowicz, Stephen Hamilton, Tilman Gerngross, Stefan Wildt, Byung-Kwon Choi, Juergen Nett, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050185568
    Abstract: The present invention provides a storage device. The storage device comprises a field emitter, a storage medium having a storage area being in one of at least three states to represent information stored at the storage area, and a read circuit for sensing the state of the storage area and providing an output signal representative of the sensed status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050176969
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): [in which: R1 represents a direct bond, an oxygen atom, a group >CH2, a sulphur atom, a group >C?O, a group —(CH2)2— or a group of formula —N—Ra, where Ra is hydrogen or an alkyl; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each hydrogen or various groups or atoms; R8, R9, R10 and R11 are each hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkyl; or R9 and R11 form a fused ring system with the benzene rings to which they are attached; R12 is a direct bond, oxygen atom or methylene; and X is an anion; and esters thereof] are useful as cationic photoinitiators, especially for use in surface coating applications, such as printing inks and varnishes, and which are intended to be cured by polymerisation initiated by radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Shaun Herlihy, Robert Davidson, Brian Rowatt
  • Publication number: 20050170452
    Abstract: The present invention relates to host cells having modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides which may be modified further by heterologous expression of a set of glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases to become host-strains for the production of mammalian, e.g., human therapeutic glycoproteins. The process provides an engineered host cell which can be used to express and target any desirable gene(s) involved in glycosylation. Host cells with modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides are created or selected. N-glycans made in the engineered host cells have a GlcNAcMan3GlcNAc2 core structure which may then be modified further by heterologous expression of one or more enzymes, e.g., glycosyl-transferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases, to yield human-like glycoproteins. For the production of therapeutic proteins, this method may be adapted to engineer cell lines in which any desired glycosylation structure may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Stefan Wildt, Robert Miele, Juergen Nett, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050165126
    Abstract: Photoinitiator compounds of formula (I): {where: A represents a direct bond or a group of formula —[O(CHR7CHR6)a]y—, —[O(CH2)bCO]y—, or —[O(CH2)bCO](y-1)—[O(CHR7CHR6)a]—, where one of R6 and R7 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen or methyl; a is a number from 1 to 2; b is a number from 4 to 5; Q is a residue of a polyhydroxy compound having 2 to 6 hydroxy groups; x is a number greater than 1 but no greater than the number of available hydroxyl groups in Q; y is a number from 1 to 10; R1, R2, R3 and R4 are individually the same or different and each is hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkyl; or R1 and R3 are joined to form a fused ring system with the benzene rings to which they are attached; and R5 represents a direct bond, an oxygen atom or a methylene group} are useful as cationic photoinitiators, especially for use in surface coating applications, such as printing inks and varnishes, and which are intended to be cured by polymerisation initiated by radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Shaun Herlihy, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050118243
    Abstract: A viscous gel for delivering minor effective amounts of active substances through the nasal membrane into the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Hensley, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050067611
    Abstract: An ultra-high density data storage device using phase-change diode memory cells, and having a plurality of emitters for directing beams of directed energy, a layer for forming multiple data storage cells and a layered diode structure for detecting a memory or data state of the storage cells, wherein the device comprises a phase-change data storage layer capable of changing states in response to the beams from the emitters, comprising a material containing copper, indium and selenium. A method of forming a diode structure for a phase-change data storage array, having multiple thin film layers adapted to form a plurality of data storage cell diodes, wherein the method comprises depositing a first diode layer of material on a substrate, and depositing a second diode layer of phase-change material on the first diode layer, the phase-change material containing copper, indium and selenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Ashton, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050037277
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): {where n is a number from 1 to 6; R3 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; A represents a group of formula —[O(CHR2CHR1)a]y—, —[O(CH2)bCO]y—, or —[O(CH2)bCO](y?1)—[O(CHR2CHR1)a]— (where one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl); a is from 1 to 2; b is from 4 to 5; y is from 3 to 10; Q is a residue of a polyhydroxy compound having 2 to 6 hydroxy groups; and x is greater than 1 but no greater than the number of available hydroxyl groups in Q} and esters thereof are useful as photoinitiators for the preparation of energy-curable compositions, such as varnishes and printing inks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Shaun Herlihy, Roger Burrows, Robert Davidson
  • Publication number: 20050027592
    Abstract: Powered platforms for various kinds are each characterized by a corresponding measure of fuel economy. Fuel economy credits are provided to a party who contributes a material that effects an improvement in such fuel consumption for a given powered platform. In a preferred embodiment, such fuel economy credits can be traded. When acquired from another party, such credits can be used to offset fuel economy performance shortfalls. The “material” can comprise any of a wide variety of substances, components, assemblies, design specifications, control strategies (including enabling software), and so forth. The powered platforms can include stationary powered platforms or mobile powered platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: F. Pettigrew, Scott Schwab, Robert Yondola, Robert Davidson, Allen Aradi