Patents by Inventor Robert L. Woods

Robert L. Woods 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: 9891136
    Abstract: A method for determining a bearing setting of a bearing in a shaft assembly, in which the shaft assembly includes a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing, with the bearing including a first bearing part coupled to the shaft and a second bearing part coupled to the housing, includes positioning a first portion of a measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the housing and a second portion of the measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the shaft. The method also includes measuring with the measuring device a parameter indicative of an amount of contact between the first bearing part and the second bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Stacy K. Worley, Kyle K. McKinzie, Robert L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170089806
    Abstract: A method for determining a bearing setting of a bearing in a shaft assembly, in which the shaft assembly includes a housing and a shaft rotatable with respect to the housing, with the bearing including a first bearing part coupled to the shaft and a second bearing part coupled to the housing, includes positioning a first portion of a measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the housing and a second portion of the measuring device in direct or indirect contact with the shaft. The method also includes measuring with the measuring device a parameter indicative of an amount of contact between the first bearing part and the second bearing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas K. Brownell, Stacy K. Worley, Kyle K. McKinzie, Robert L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160327491
    Abstract: Provided is an indicator device responsive to air flow that may signal the need to change an air filter after a prescribed amount of airflow has passed the air filter or clogging of the air filter has occurred. The indicator device may be mounted on the outer surface of the filter where visible for inspection. After a prescribed amount of airflow has passed the air filter or clogging of the air filter has occurred, the indicator device may change color, thereby alerting the user of the need to replace the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Robert L. WOOD
  • Patent number: 9086521
    Abstract: Light transmissive structures include a light transmissive substrate that includes optical microstructures. The optical microstructures have a geometric feature that is configured to reduce glare in light transmitted through the light transmissive structure. Moreover, the plurality of optical microstructures also have a geometric feature that is configured to vary randomly and/or pseudorandomly across the light transmissive substrate so as to diffuse light transmitted through the light transmissive structure. Related fabrication methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Rinehart, Robert L. Wood, Ken G. Purchase
  • Publication number: 20150140917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed duct vehicle cab post. A cab frame includes a hollow cab post having an air vent in a sidewall thereof and open first and second ends. A piece of unexpanded foam is attached to a clip. The clip has a base forming a foam piece support to which the piece of unexpanded foam is attached. The clip has a gripping member, and an arm connecting the base to the gripping member. The clip and the foam piece are inserted through the vent and into the post so that the unexpanded foam piece is inside the post and spaced apart from an edge of the vent and between the vent and the first end of the post. The gripping member is coupled to the post so that the gripping member grips, an edge of the vent. The cab frame and/or the post is then heated so that the foam expands and forms a seal within the post between the vent and the first end of the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: PAUL Thomas BRUSS, Terry S. Koch, Robert L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 8974069
    Abstract: A diffuser is configured to diffuse radiation from multiple light sources. The diffuser includes a substrate having optical structures that exhibit both microvariations and macrovariations along the substrate. For example, an array of microlenses may be provided that include at least one feature that varies as a function of the spacing between the light sources. Lighting systems using these diffusers may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ken G. Purchase, William R. LeFew, Robert L. Wood, Robert M. Soule, III
  • Patent number: 8887880
    Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Robert L. Wood, Jr., Briton T. Eastman, Poongundran Ganapathi
  • Patent number: 8740741
    Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Wood, Jr., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
  • Publication number: 20140022783
    Abstract: Light transmissive structures include a light transmissive substrate that includes optical microstructures. The optical microstructures have a geometric feature that is configured to reduce glare in light transmitted through the light transmissive structure. Moreover, the plurality of optical microstructures also have a geometric feature that is configured to vary randomly and/or pseudorandomly across the light transmissive substrate so as to diffuse light transmitted through the light transmissive structure. Related fabrication methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Rinehart, Robert L. Wood, Ken G. Purchase
  • Publication number: 20130244561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed duct vehicle cab post. A cab frame includes a hollow cab post having an air vent in a sidewall thereof and open first and second ends. A piece of unexpanded foam is attached to a clip. The clip has a base forming a foam piece support to which the piece of unexpanded foam is attached. The clip has a gripping member, and an arm connecting the base to the gripping member. The clip and the foam piece are inserted through the vent and into the post so that the unexpanded foam piece is inside the post and spaced apart from an edge of the vent and between the vent and the first end of the post. The gripping member is coupled to the post so that the gripping member grips, an edge of the vent. The cab frame and/or the post is then heated so that the foam expands and forms a seal within the post between the vent and the first end of the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: PAUL Thomas BRUSS, Terry S. Koch, Robert L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130065720
    Abstract: A differential axle assembly for a work machine having a differential lock capability. The differential axle has a differential gear housing, which utilizes a sealed housing on the outside thereof and a bleed flow path for pressurized liquid lubricant actuating a differential lock feature to provide adequate cooling flow for the differential gear set and differential lock mechanism under heavy duty circumstances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert L. Wood, JR., Michael J. Cliff, Craig R. Eike
  • Publication number: 20120233784
    Abstract: A gel cushion includes a first zone containing a gel matrix configured in a first pattern designed to support an object positioned thereon with a first degree of firmness. A second zone contains a gel matrix configured in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern, the second pattern being designed to support an object positioned thereon with a second degree of firmness different from the first degree. An optional third zone contains a gel matrix configured in a third pattern that is different from both the first pattern and the second pattern, the third pattern being designed to support an object positioned thereon with a third degree of firmness different from the first and the second degree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: ROBERT L. WOOD
  • Patent number: 8263318
    Abstract: Microstructures are fabricated by impinging a radiation beam, such as a laser beam, through a substrate that is transparent to the laser beam, into a negative photoresist layer on the substrate. The negative photoresist layer may be subsequently developed to provide a master for optical and/or mechanical microstructures. Related systems, microstructure products and microstructure masters also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Thomas A. Rinehart, Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 8128257
    Abstract: An LCD can include a Compact Collimating Reflector (CCR), is configured to be located downstream in a light path from an LCD light source, where the CCR is configured to reflect light from the LCD light source to provide collimated light downstream from the CCR. A light diffusion film is located downstream from the CCR and is configured to receive the collimated light from the CCR. An LCD panel is located downstream from the CCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 7984838
    Abstract: A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Wesley Shores, Gabriel A. Johnston, Robert L. Woods
  • Publication number: 20110070547
    Abstract: Microstructures are fabricated by impinging a radiation beam, such as a laser beam, through a substrate that is transparent to the laser beam, into a negative photoresist layer on the substrate. The negative photoresist layer may be subsequently developed to provide a master for optical and/or mechanical microstructures. Related systems, microstructure products and microstructure masters also are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Thomas A. Rinehart, Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 7867695
    Abstract: Microstructures are fabricated by impinging a radiation beam, such as a laser beam, through a substrate that is transparent to the laser beam, into a negative photoresist layer on the substrate. The negative photoresist layer may be subsequently developed to provide a master for optical and/or mechanical microstructures. Related systems, microstructure products and microstructure masters also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, Thomas A. Rinehart, Robert L. Wood
  • Patent number: 7861617
    Abstract: A hand-operated swage device includes a first hand-operated actuator and a second hand operated actuator that, when actuated together, control the sequential operation of a clamping mechanism and a swaging mechanism of the hand-operated swage device. For example, the first actuator of the swage device is disposed on a first handle while the second actuator is disposed on a second handle of the swage device. To operate the hand-operated swage device, an operator grasps the first handle with one hand and grasps the second handle with his other hand to actuate both of the actuators in a substantially simultaneous manner. Actuation of both actuators controls sequential delivery of pressurized air to a first pneumatic device mechanically coupled to the clamping mechanism and to a second pneumatic device mechanically coupled to the swaging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Simonds International, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Weatherly, Sr., Gregory S. Richardson, Paul Gardner, Norman Andrew Brown, Marc Elkins, Roy Erdwins, Robert L. Woods
  • Patent number: 7854183
    Abstract: A swage anvil includes a coupling portion that, when mated with a corresponding die of a swaging device, allows lateral positioning of the swage anvil (i.e., substantially parallel to a long axis of the saw blade) relative to the long axis of the saw blade. The swage anvil also includes a tooth contact face that substantially mirrors an angle of the back portion of each tooth of the saw blade. As such, after a manufacturer inserts the swage anvil into the swage device and laterally translates the swage anvil, the tooth contact face abuts the back portion of the saw blade tooth to support the tooth during a swaging procedure. With the aforementioned configuration of the swage anvil, translation of the swage anvil along a single axis provides support to the back portion of the saw blade tooth along two axes. As such, use of the swage anvil decreases the set-up time required in conventional swaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Simonds Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James S. Weatherly, Sr., Gregory S. Richardson, Paul Gardner, Norman Andrew Brown, Marc Elkins, Roy Erdwins, Robert L. Woods
  • Publication number: 20100300776
    Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Robert L. Wood, JR., Briton T. Eastman, Poongundran Ganapathi