Patents by Inventor Robert L. Miller

Robert L. Miller 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: 20080295502
    Abstract: A regeneration device is disclosed. The regeneration device may include a housing and a perforated plate. The housing may have a passage configured to receive a flow of combustion air, and a separate bore configured to receive an electrical device. The perforated plate may be mounted to the housing to at least partially define an air chamber. Furthermore, the regeneration device may include at least one purge passageway located to communicate combustion air from the air chamber with the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn B. Cox, Thomas R. McClure, Robert L. Miller, Stephen M. Wiley
  • Publication number: 20080295485
    Abstract: An regeneration system for use in a power system is disclosed. The regeneration system may include a source of intake air, an engine brake configured to reduce the speed of an engine by compression and release of the intake air, and a valve configured to divert a portion of the intake air to an auxiliary device. The regeneration system may further include a controller in communication with the engine brake and the valve. The controller may be configured to move the valve to reduce the portion of intake air diverted to the auxiliary device when the engine brake is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen M. Wiley, Robert L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080295500
    Abstract: A regeneration device for use in an exhaust treatment system is disclosed. The regeneration device has a first housing with a plurality of passages configured to receive coolant and injection fluid. A second housing is secured to the first housing and configured to receive coolant and injection fluid. The second housing has at least one cooling recess annularly disposed within the second housing to receive and circulate coolant in proximity to a tip end of the second housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Glenn B. Cox, Thomas R. McClure, Robert L. Miller, Stephen M. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7446253
    Abstract: A system and method of enhancing guitar instruction based on Tablature Plus encoding of playing techniques within a MIDI file or other data structure, that may be rendered on an associated player application that provides multimedia output of the piece being played including a number of playing techniques. The system hardware for encoding the information includes string motion monitoring, and optionally a hand motion and finger positioning sensor, such as a data glove or a video motion capture system, for simultaneously registering the actions of the guitarist while playing the piece. The software comprises algorithms for determining note pitch and duration, and for extracting playing techniques from the data being collected. Multimedia player software is also described which renders a visual and audio output for the Tablature Plus encoded file, wherein the encoded playing techniques are represented within the display output. The system is adaptable to instruction for any instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: MTW Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Benjamin Knapp, Robert L. Miller, Kevin A. McFarland
  • Publication number: 20080264046
    Abstract: A regeneration device for use with an exhaust treatment system is disclosed. The regeneration device may have a housing with a fuel passageway and a first air passageway. The regeneration device may also have an injector disposed in the housing in fluid communication with the fuel passageway and the first air passageway. The regeneration device may further have a combustion canister connected to receive a fuel/air mixture from the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Sean O. Cornell, Glenn B. Cox, Xiaohui Gong, Robert L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080209895
    Abstract: An exhaust treatment device for a combustion system is disclosed. The exhaust treatment device may have a housing, and an injector disposed within the housing to deliver an injection fluid into a flow of exhaust. The exhaust treatment device may also have at least one fluid supply passage that is disposed within the housing and being in fluid communication with the injector to supply the injector with injection fluid. The exhaust treatment device may further have at least one purge passage disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the injector to supply the injector with a purge fluid. The exhaust treatment device may additionally have a first valve element that is mounted to the housing and disposed at an entrance of the at least one purge passage The first valve element may be configured to provide a unidirectional flow of purge fluid to the at least one purge passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Stephen M. Wiley, Glenn B. Cox, Thomas Randall McClure
  • Publication number: 20080164625
    Abstract: This invention provides a packing element for use in a chemical processing apparatus housing a mass transfer reaction. The packing element has lobes and channels radially disposed around a common axis and alternately spaced from one another. The lobes abut at least 60% of the circumference of the smallest circle that circumscribes the element and the channels form openings that abut no more than 40% of the circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Hassan S. Niknafs, Robert L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080093751
    Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes randomly oriented ceramic packing elements having at least three openings therethrough that accommodate feedstock with combustible and/or noncombustible matter that accumulates in the openings is described. The openings occupy at least 10% of the surface area on one side of the packing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Hassan S. Niknafs
  • Patent number: 7363360
    Abstract: An element management system (EMS) for monitoring elements of a communication network utilizes a plurality of clients, a plurality of network elements, and an element management system (EMS). The clients and the network elements are interfaced with the EMS. The EMS is configured to track which of the network elements are of interest to the clients and to automatically monitor the network elements based on which of the network elements are determined, by the EMS, to be of interest to the clients. The EMS is further configured to provide the clients with information indicative of the monitored elements. Furthermore, the EMS may be configured to store graphical user interface (GUI) code that can be utilized to provide a GUI for monitoring and/or changing a network element. The EMS may provide the GUI code to the clients on demand and may enable a user to update the GUI code stored at the EMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Adiran, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, II, Steven A. Bailey, Kent E. Darzi
  • Publication number: 20080078172
    Abstract: An aftertreatment burner for an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The aftertreatment burner may have a mounting member, and a canister connected to the mounting member to form a combustion chamber. The aftertreatment burner may also have a fuel injector disposed within the mounting member to selectively inject fuel into combustion chamber, and an air supply line configured to supply air to the combustion chamber. The aftertreatment burner may further have an igniter disposed within the mounting member to ignite the fuel/air mixture, and a thermal couple configured to detect the ignition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Thomas Randall McClure, Kevin James Karkkainen
  • Publication number: 20080053072
    Abstract: A spark plug arrangement for an exhaust treatment device is disclosed. The spark plug arrangement may have a body, and a center electrode extending from an end of the body. The spark plug arrangement may further have a mounting member with a bore configured to receive the body, and a grounded electrode extending proximal the center electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Thomas Randall McClure, Kevin James Karkkainen, Robert Matthew Lucas
  • Publication number: 20080035547
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering or purifying water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20080034734
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a regeneration assembly to regenerate a filter assembly during a regeneration cycle, and for supplying fuel to at least one fuel injector unit associated with the regeneration assembly during the regeneration cycle. The method includes dispensing a cleaning substance into a fluid flow path associated with the regeneration assembly during a cleaning cycle. The method further includes directing the cleaning substance through the at least one fuel injector unit during the cleaning cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin James Karkkainen, Brian A. Cull, Robert L. Miller, Maarten Verkiel
  • Publication number: 20080034733
    Abstract: A method of purging fuel supply components for a combustion chamber of a regeneration assembly is disclosed. A regeneration cycle is performed during which fuel is supplied from a fuel source to the combustion chamber with fuel supply components including a fuel supply circuit and at least one fuel injector unit. At least a first purging cycle is initiated to purge residual fuel from the fuel supply components. During the purging cycle, a flow of purging gas is directed to the at least one fuel injector unit to purge residual fuel from the at least one fuel injector unit. Also during the purging cycle, a flow of purging gas is directed to the fuel supply circuit to purge at least a portion of the fuel in the fuel supply circuit toward the fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Glenn B. Cox, Ronald D. Shinogle, Alan R. Stockner, Xiaohui Gong, Rodney L. Rolffs
  • Publication number: 20080008217
    Abstract: A laser module comprising a laser device attached to a heat sink that is configured to provide a relatively low thermal resistance for thermal management of the laser device, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is substantially matched to the CTE of the laser device for reducing stress caused by thermal cycles and bonding. In one embodiment, the heat sink comprises a substrate made out of a first material, and including one or more via holes filled with a second material distinct from the first material of the substrate. By properly selecting the first and second materials, configuring the overall mass of the substrate with respect to the overall mass of the filled via holes, and positioning and arranging the filled via holes with respect to the laser device, the desired effective thermal resistance and CTE for the heat sink may be achieved. In another embodiment, the laser module comprises a laser device attached to a submount, which is, in turn, attached to a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Raman Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20080008216
    Abstract: A laser module comprising a laser device attached to a heat sink that is configured to provide a relatively low thermal resistance for thermal management of the laser device, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is substantially matched to the CTE of the laser device for reducing stress caused by thermal cycles. The heat sink includes a shell made out of a first material, and an insert situated within the shell and made out of a second material distinct from the first material of the shell. By properly selecting the first and second materials, configuring the overall mass of the shell with respect to the overall mass of the insert, and positioning, arranging, and/or orienting the insert with respect to the laser device, the desired effective thermal resistance and CTE for the heat sink may be achieved. In one embodiment, the shell includes a material, such as copper, or a metal matrix composite such as copper graphite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Miller, Raman Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20070277510
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation system is disclosed for providing exhaust to at least one component downstream of an engine. The system includes a supply of low pressure fluid, an engine fluid sump, and an exhaust valve disposed in an engine cylinder. The system also includes a hydraulic actuation system operably connected to the exhaust valve of the engine cylinder and a braking control valve operably connected to the hydraulic actuation system. The system further includes a device for accumulating fluid and a device for fluidly coupling the hydraulic actuation system to the accumulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas R. McClure, Sean O. Cornell, Robert L. Miller, John S. Pipis
  • Patent number: 7223913
    Abstract: A system and method of enhancing guitar instruction based on Tablature Plus encoding of playing techniques within a MIDI file or other data structure, that may be rendered on an associated player application that provides multimedia output of the piece being played including a number of playing techniques. The system hardware for encoding the information includes string motion monitoring, and optionally a hand motion and finger positioning sensor, such as a data glove or a video motion capture system, for simultaneously registering the actions of the guitarist while playing the piece. The software comprises algorithms for determining note pitch and duration, and for extracting playing techniques from the data being collected. Multimedia player software is also described which renders a visual and audio output for the Tablature Plus encoded file, wherein the encoded playing techniques are represented within the display output. The system is adaptable to instruction for any instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Vmusicsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Benjamin Knapp, Robert L. Miller, Kevin A. McFarland
  • Patent number: 7179372
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering or purifying water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7175758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for recycling a wash solution used in powder coating which uses filters. The invention also relates to methods and apparatuses for recycling wash solutions used in spray washing, steam cleaning or car washes using filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller