Patents by Inventor Robert J. Redding

Robert J. Redding 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).

  • Patent number: 4592069
    Abstract: A modem or other data handling apparatus for connection to a transmission line includes an inductance simulation circuit for providing a low d.c. resistance to allow circulation of a line holding current, whilst presenting a high a.c. shunt impedance to the audio data tones on the line. The simulation circuit comprises two tranistors connected as a high gain amplifier across an input resistor in the modem/line coupling circuit amplifier via a capacitor and the amplifier applies tone signals across the input resistor to augment the tones thereacross. The conductive transistors also act as a low resistance connected across the input resistor for the passage of the line holding current. The simulation circuit acts, in effect, as an inductance, without the use of inductive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4364273
    Abstract: Apparatus to detect and/or locate an inhomogeneity in a medium comprises a transducer to transmit frequency-modulated ultrasonic energy through the medium and a transducer to receive reflected energy. The transducers are connected to a phase-locked loop which maintains a required relationship between the phase of the transmitted modulation and the phase of the received modulation by adjustment of the modulation frequency. The modulation frequency adjustment is kept within predetermined upper and lower frequency limits so that the loop can lock only on to received ultrasonic energy which has travelled a distance within a predetermined region in the medium. The energy may be scanned across the region to produce a profile of the inhomogeneity, such as tissue at a certain depth within a limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4320666
    Abstract: Fluid flow measuring apparatus comprises two ultrasonic transducers (1, 2) between which an ultrasonic energy beam is transmitted through the fluid. The beam is frequency modulated (4, 5) by an audio signal, and the relationship between the frequency or phase of the received modulation signal (6, 7, 8) and that of the transmitted modulation signal gives a measure (10) of the speed of flow of the fluid. Beams of ultrasonic energy are preferably fed in two mutually opposite directions, for example by switching (3) the transducers to act alternately as transmitter and receiver, and the measurement is computed from the two relationships. An anemometer (FIG. 7) comprises two such systems arranged to produce mutually perpendicular ultrasonic beams, and a computer (25) to compute wind speed (28) and direction (29) from the frequency or phase relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4305283
    Abstract: A position determining apparatus comprising a taut electrically-conductive member; a pulse generator to feed a pulse of electric current along the member; a magnet located at a variable first point along the member, for example on a float on the surface of a liquid the level of which is to be determined, to apply a magnetic field to the member at that point; and a transducer positioned at a second point along the member to sense the arrival at the second point of a mechanical impulse induced in the member by interaction between the current pulse and the magnetic field as the current pulse passes the magnet. A time measuring circuit responsive to the time interval between the feeding of the current pulse and the arrival of the mechanical impulse at the second point is used to determine the position of the first point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Whessoe Limited
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4176542
    Abstract: Analytical devices such as chromatographs are disclosed wherein an intrinsically safe source of electrical energy is used to heat analytical elements of the devices, and optionally to power other circuits of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4119950
    Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring gas content on a site, to provide an indication if an undesirable gas content occurs, comprises a transmitter for feeding ultrasonic waves through the gas to a receiver. The ultrasonic waves are frequency-modulated and the phase of the modulation at the receiver relative to that at the transmitter is monitored. Either the relative phase is maintained constant, for example by a phase-locked loop so that the modulation frequency varies as a function of the gas content, or the frequency is maintained constant and the phase varies with the gas content. Any appreciable change in the frequency or phase may indicate a potentially undesirable change in the gas content. A plurality of transmitter/receiver pairs can be enabled in sequence to monitor a large area, the respective frequencies or phase displacements being monitored by a central processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4103298
    Abstract: An indicator device for providing a high-intensity visual indication of an occurrence comprises a flash tube which is fed with a high voltage from a capacitor, the capacitor being charged by means energized from an intrinsically safe supply. Trigger pulses are applied to the flash tube in response to the occurrence, so that the tube emits flashes in response thereto. An annunciator can comprise a plurality of the devices housed in a single unit and fed from a single power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Browne-Davies Electronic Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 4022131
    Abstract: A release apparatus, for example for releasing fire extinguishant, comprises an electrically-rupturable link such as, for example, an electrically-fired detonator; and a circuit responsive to a voltage applied to the apparatus to charge electrical energy storage means, such as a capacitor, while the applied voltage is in one state and at least partially to discharge the stored energy into the link to rupture the link when the applied voltage changes to another state, such as reversed polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1977
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding
  • Patent number: 3975666
    Abstract: In order to provide intrinsically safe operation of an electromagnetically operated device, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic valve, a circuit in accordance with the invention includes electrical energy storage means, such as a capacitor, which is charged from a source at an intrinsically safe energy level and is subsequently at least partially discharged via switching means through an operating coil of the electromagnetic device. The capacitor is preferably charged from an intrinsically safe d.c. supply via a diode which inhibits discharging of the capacitor back into the d.c. supply. The switching means preferably operates to connect the capacitor to the operating coil when the charge on the capacitor reaches a predetermined level, as determined by a voltage sensitive device which responds to the capacitor voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Skinner Precision Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Redding