Patents by Inventor Robert Howard

Robert Howard 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: 20260102288
    Abstract: A system for creating a tissue interface. The system includes a scanner, at least one processor, and a memory. The scanner is configured to scan a tissue site and generate a signal corresponding to a topography of the tissue site. The at least one processor is configured to receive the signal corresponding to the topography of the tissue site and to receive user input at a user interface identifying a therapy to be applied at the tissue site. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and is configured to store instructions that when executed by the at least one processor in response to receiving the signal corresponding to the topography of the tissue site cause the system to transform the signal corresponding to the topography of the tissue site into a model site surface and generate a model tissue interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: Benjamin A. PRATT, Timothy Mark ROBINSON, Thomas Alan EDWARDS, Robert HOWARD
  • Publication number: 20250368577
    Abstract: The system and method of manufacturing water-soluble ceramic downhole well tooling enables the manufacturing of sustainable and ecofriendly well tooling that can be disposed of inside downhole wells to eliminate the need for removal processes. A quantity of sodium silicate up is heated to a melting point to form molten sodium silicate ceramic. Once the molten sodium silicate ceramic is obtained, the molten sodium silicate ceramic is poured into the casting mold to shape the molten sodium silicate ceramic to the desired tool piece shape. Then, the molten sodium silicate ceramic is cooled within the casting mold to form the specific tool piece. Once cooled, the specific tool piece is removed from the casting mold to separate the formed tool piece from the casting mold. Finally, the primary quantity of ceramic refractory coating is applied to the specific tool piece to form a primary external coat layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventor: Robert Howard
  • Publication number: 20250360261
    Abstract: Systems and methods for negative pressure wound therapy. The system includes a dressing, a therapy device, and a pressure sensing device. The dressing is configured to be positioned at the tissue site. The therapy device is configured to fluidly couple to the dressing. The therapy device includes a pump configured to deliver negative pressure to the dressing, a first wireless communication device, and a controller configured to control the pump. The pressure sensing device is configured to be fluidly coupled to the dressing at a sensing location external to the therapy device and to wirelessly communicate a pressure signal from the sensing location to the first wireless communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin A. PRATT, Robert HOWARD, James K. SEDDON
  • Publication number: 20250339603
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in a negative pressure wound therapy environment. A therapy device can include a pump housing and a power module configured to couple to the pump housing. The pump housing comprises a pump configured to deliver negative pressure to a dressing, a first pressure sensor configured to sense a pressure at the pump, a controller operably coupled to the pump and the first pressure sensor within an interior of the pump housing, and a first communications connector configured to provide communication with the controller from an exterior of the pump housing. The power module comprises a battery configured to provide power, a second pressure sensor configured to sense an ambient pressure, and a second communications connector configured to be coupled to the first communications connector to operably connect the battery and the second pressure sensor to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Benjamin A. PRATT, Robert HOWARD, James K. SEDDON, Richard M. KAZALA, Michael R. OLIVA, Larry T. RANDOLPH
  • Publication number: 20250186263
    Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a negative-pressure source to a tissue site includes a base having a first side and a second side, a post member extending outward from the first side of the base, a port coupled to the post member, and a top flange coupled to the post member opposite to the base. The post member may include a winding surface configured to carry a conduit. The port may be configured to fluidly couple the conduit to the tissue site through an aperture in the second side of the base. The top flange may include a deformable lip configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The deformable lip may be positioned closer to the first side of the base in the closed position than in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Inventors: Robert HOWARD, Benjamin A. PRATT, Dominic NOLAN
  • Publication number: 20250161550
    Abstract: A system for treating a tissue site with negative pressure includes a dressing, a negative-pressure source, a micropump, and a controller. The dressing is configured to be positioned at the tissue site. The negative-pressure source is configured to supply the negative pressure to the dressing through a fluid pathway. The micropump is configured to be positioned in fluid communication with the fluid pathway. The controller is associated with the micropump and configured to generate an alert signal if a deviation condition is met in an actual operating frequency of the micropump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventors: Shannon C. INGRAM, Robert HOWARD, Benjamin A. PRATT
  • Patent number: 12168310
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Victory Elements, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Ajit Yeshwant Sane
  • Publication number: 20240407954
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing negative pressure therapy are described. The system includes a dressing configured to be positioned adjacent to a tissue site, and a therapy unit. The therapy unit includes a pump module and a forced air module. The pump module includes a piezoelectric pump sealed between a pump casing, and a lid. The forced air module includes a forced air device configured to generate a fluid flow and a pathway enclosure configured to form a fluid path across the lid. The system further includes a canister with a pathway connection and an airflow pathway extending through the canister. The airflow pathway is lined with an evaporative membrane configured to allow evaporated fluids in the canister to escape to ambient air. The forced air module directs the fluid flow into the canister through the pathway connection and over the evaporative membrane to maximize fluid evaporation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Benjamin A. PRATT, Robert HOWARD, Thomas A. EDWARDS
  • Publication number: 20240307607
    Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system includes a therapy unit (102), a first pump (112), a piezo-electric pump (116), and a controller (202). The first pump (112) is configured to draw a negative pressure at a wound site (105) through a first tubular member (122). The piezo-electric pump (116) is fluidly coupled with the first tubular member (122) through a bypass tubular member (124) and is configured to detect a fluid indication. The controller (202) includes processing circuitry configured to obtain feedback signals from the piezo-electric pump (116) and determine if fluid is present at the piezo-electric pump (116) based on the feedback signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Robert HOWARD, Benjamin A. PRATT, Shannon C. INGRAM
  • Publication number: 20240083816
    Abstract: The present invention is a ceramic sol-gel coating system. A sol-gel solution is applied to a tilled roadbed. The roadbed is formed, then a cross-linker is applied. The roadbed is then rolled. The sol-gel solution and cross-linker react to form a ceramic sol-gel coating around the road aggregate. The coating reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form calcium carbonate rock, capturing the carbon dioxide directly from the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Sari Frank
  • Publication number: 20240033414
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a tissue site with negative pressure, the apparatus having a dressing, a dressing interface fluidly coupled to the dressing, and a conduit comprising a first end and a second end. The first end may be fluidly coupled to the dressing interface. The apparatus may also comprise a conduit chamber configured to retain at least a portion of the conduit and to allow the second end of the conduit to be extended from the dressing interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Robert HOWARD, Christopher Brian LOCKE
  • Publication number: 20230141611
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Victory Elements, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Ajit Yeshwant Sane
  • Patent number: 11638780
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a drain line milking apparatus is disclosed. The drain line milking apparatus includes an apparatus body comprising a plurality of side opening for receiving a currently connected drain line to milk fluids away from a user, a removable cover disposed over the apparatus body, a circular disk comprising one or more cam openings, a motor to turn the circular disk and one or more circular cams disposed in the one or more cam openings. The circular disk is disposed within the apparatus body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Randy Hinders
  • Patent number: 11577426
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Victory Elements, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Ajit Yeshwant Sane
  • Patent number: 11091971
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a hydraulically operated actuation device to actuate the downhole tool and a control system that regulates flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuation device. The control system includes a pilot module and a power module. The power module has a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a pressure source and a fluid return. The power module is fluidly coupled to the actuation device at an output line and a power line. A first power module check valve is arranged in the power line, a second power module check valve is arranged in a control pressure return line fluidly coupled to the fluid return, a first input communicates with the first solenoid valve, and a second input communicates with the second solenoid valve. A pilot-operated check valve is actuatable in response to a pilot signal to drain hydraulic fluid from the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Oser, Robert Howard, Desmond Jones
  • Patent number: 11093536
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that enable users to provide explicit declarations that are used to generate recommendations for the users. An explicit declaration is received from a user of a user device. The explicit declaration is configured to influence a subsequent recommendation. The words of the explicit declaration are processed to generate a record. A recommendation rule is generated based on the generated record. The recommendation rule is executed to generate a recommendation for the user. The generated recommendation is provided to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Paruchuri, Robert Howard, Jared Adam Brown, Colleen Elizabeth Hamilton, Paul Robert Nash
  • Publication number: 20200406496
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include dissolvable and intentionally degradable objects that are useful for hydraulic fracking operations. Such objects are at least in part manufactured using materials that are soluble in certain fluids including water. The dissolvable and intentionally degradable fracking objects can be manufactured from one or more materials, including composite materials. In one embodiment, dissolvable fracking objects are manufactured from ceramic materials that are soluble in fluids such as water. Such dissolvable fracking objects include fracking balls and plugs. These fracking balls and plugs are arranged to seal a well for a predetermined period of time and dissolve over that predetermined period of time until the well is no longer sealed. In another embodiment, tools generally useful in fracking operations are manufactured to have desirable elastomeric properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Victory Elements, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Ajit Yeshwant Sane
  • Publication number: 20200217157
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a hydraulically operated actuation device to actuate the downhole tool and a control system that regulates flow of hydraulic fluid to the actuation device. The control system includes a pilot module and a power module. The power module has a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve fluidly coupled to a pressure source and a fluid return. The power module is fluidly coupled to the actuation device at an output line and a power line. A first power module check valve is arranged in the power line, a second power module check valve is arranged in a control pressure return line fluidly coupled to the fluid return, a first input communicates with the first solenoid valve, and a second input communicates with the second solenoid valve. A pilot-operated check valve is actuatable in response to a pilot signal to drain hydraulic fluid from the power module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Oser, Robert Howard, Desmond Jones
  • Patent number: 10574750
    Abstract: Network services may include data associated with one or more entities. An aggregator service may host respective application programming interfaces (APIs) of the services at a single endpoint of the network such that the entities, including associations and relationships between entities, may be federated. For example, the services may register the entities of which the data of each of the services is associated with through a declarative entity model to establish an API schema for each of the services, which may be published at the aggregator service. In response to receipt of a request for entity related data from a client, the aggregator service may employ the declarative entity model to determine which of the services are associated with the entity related data such that a query may be submitted to the services, and how to aggregate responses to the query received from the services for transmission to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Yina Arenas, Dmitry Pugachev, Robert Howard, Sriram Dhanasekaran, Marek Rycharski, Vijaya Manohararaj, Daniel Kershaw, James Kleewein, Anthony Bloesch, Titus Miron, Vikrant Arora, Murli Satagopan, Jon Rosenberg, Yordan Rouskov
  • Patent number: 10268826
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided that address issues related to data privacy by enabling users to elect various levels of data sharing. A user of a user device is enabled to indicate their comfort level with sharing, transmitting, or otherwise exposing individual activity records (data entities) with respect to various activity categories. The exposure of activity records may be controlled with respect to on-device and off-device components. Furthermore, privacy profiles may be automatically generated for the user, and the privacy profiles may be automatically activated in corresponding situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
    Inventors: Colleen Hamilton, Robert Howard, Lee Dicks Clark, John Yovin, Shawn Brown, Sogol Malekzadeh