Patents by Inventor Robert M. Oates
Robert M. Oates 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).
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Patent number: 6315484Abstract: An information handler, project manager and the like that includes one or more file sheet holders (16) with horizontally extended, vertically offset slits (18), as well as file sheets (22) that insert into the slits on each file sheet holder. A small portion of each file sheet is too wide to enter a slit. For smooth operation and durability in small embodiments, plasticized paper is used for both the file sheet holders and file sheets.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Inventor: Robert M. Oates, Jr.
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Patent number: 5015949Abstract: An apparatus for detecting turbine blade passing times includes a sensor for producing an input signal each time a blade passes the sensor. Automatic gain control circuitry including a digital multiplier, peak detector and error amplifier regulates the amplitude of the input signal. A zero-crossing detector produces an output signal each time the input signal crosses a reference axis. A pre-trigger comparator produces a gating signal coinciding with the expected arrival time of the blade at the sensor. A gating device is responsive to the gating signal for conducting output signals which occur during the expected arrival time of the blade at the sensor. A monostable vibrator produces a digital pulse coinciding with the time at which the blade passes the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1988Date of Patent: May 14, 1991Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Karl C. Koch, Robert M. Oates, Carlo F. Peteronio, Charles W. Einolf, Jr.
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Patent number: 4922757Abstract: An apparatus for detecting blade passing times includes a sensor for producing an input signal each time a blade passes the sensor. A zero crossing detector produces an output signal each time the input signal crosses a reference axis. A phase shifter shifts the phase of the input signal to produce a gating signal coinciding with the expected arrival time of the blade at the sensor. A gating device is responsive to the gating signal for conducting output signals which occur during the expected arrival time of the blade at the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1988Date of Patent: May 8, 1990Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Paul F. Rozelle, Karl C. Koch, Charles W. Einolf, Jr., Robert M. Oates
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Patent number: 4912522Abstract: A light driven remote system and power supply therefor that includes a laser diode that provides pulses of light to a fiber optic cable. The pulses of light are detected by a remote photodiode that is connected in parallel with a step-up transformer. The output of the step-up transformer is filtered to provide power for a remote system. Data transmission from the remote system is synchronized with transmission of light to the photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1988Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: ASEA Brown Boveri Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, Leonard C. Vercellotti, J. Richard Hansen, Joseph C. Engel
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Patent number: 4899044Abstract: An optically coupled remote sensor apparatus comprises a tuned circuit incorporating a sensor and a light emitting diode (LED) connected in parallel with the tuned circuit. The natural resonant frequency of the tuned circuit is determined by the sensor whose electrical parameter is a function of the condition to be sensed. The sensed condition correlates to a frequency of light pulses emitted from the LED, which light pulses are only emitted when the pulsed light source frequency coincides with the natural resonant frequency of the tuned circit.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1988Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: J. Richard Hansen, Juris A. Asars, Robert M. Oates
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Patent number: 4644270Abstract: A plurality of proximity sensors are disposed in a turbine flow guide to measure flow guide-to-turbine blade tip distance at various points around the flow guide. The sensor signals are detected and the peak-to-peak voltage of the detected signals provides an indication of the desired distance measurement. The signals are also monitored and if ambient operating conditions causes the signals to exceed predetermined positive or negative thresholds, corrective signals are generated so as to bring the detected signal back into an acceptable range. A proximity sensor is also provided to measure axial movement of the rotor to which the blades are attached so that the other sensor signals can be modified as a function of the measured axial position.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1985Date of Patent: February 17, 1987Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, Carlo F. Petronio, Mark G. Kraus
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Patent number: 4518917Abstract: A plurality of proximity sensors are disposed in a turbine flow guide to measure flow guide-to-turbine blade tip distance at various points around the flow guide. The sensor signals are detected and the peak-to-peak voltage of the detected signals provides an indication of the desired distance measurement. The signals are also monitored and if ambient operating conditions causes the signals to exceed predetermined positive or negative thresholds, corrective signals are generated so as to bring the detected signal back into an acceptable range.A proximity sensor is also provided to measure axial movement of the rotor to which the blades are attached so that the other sensor signals can be modified as a function of the measured axial position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1982Date of Patent: May 21, 1985Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, Carlo F. Petronio, Mark G. Kraus
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Patent number: 4482930Abstract: A non-linear resistor assembly protecting equipment such as series capacitors is itself protected by a bypass spark gap, the firing of which is produced by a digitized pulse train, each pulse of which indicates a known increment of energy input to the varistors and is processed by counters and logic gates to achieve an initiating firing pulse upon the occurrence of a predetermined number of pulses indicating the energy input has reached predetermined limits within a given time period. The initial firing pulse is further processed through stages including semiconductor device switching, trigger spark gap firing and energy dumping from an energy storage capacitor into the elements of the main bypass spark gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1982Date of Patent: November 13, 1984Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Charles A. Peterson, Louis C. Grove, Jr., Robert C. Miller, Robert M. Oates
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Patent number: 4259620Abstract: A low cost, small rating AC motor drive includes an inverter in which static controlled switches are in two sets associated with opposite poles and controlled in such a way that current continuously fed is sensed relative to one set for feedback current sensing and that the switch current is modulated in the other set in order to regulate the motor current. When starting, or overloaded, the motor drive speed is automatically reduced under air gap motor sensing.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1978Date of Patent: March 31, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, Theodore M. Heinrich
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Patent number: 4255234Abstract: In a nuclear reactor flux mapping system consisting of two operationally independent electronic subsystems for controlling the positioning of separate groups of in-core detectors within core thimbles, a communications link is provided between the two subsystems to enable one subsystem and its associated group of detectors to assume the flux mapping responsibility of the other subsystem in the event of a subsystem malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1978Date of Patent: March 10, 1981Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: James A. Neuner, Robert M. Oates
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Patent number: 4239595Abstract: In an automatic flux mapping system utilizing a microprocessor for control and data information processing, signals from the in-core detectors providing the flux mapping operation are converted to a frequency link and are made available to the microprocessor via a programmable timer thus minimizing the participation of the microprocessor so that the microprocessor can be made more available to satisfy other tasks.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1979Date of Patent: December 16, 1980Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, James A. Neuner, Robert D. Couch, Jr., Alan M. Kasinoff
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Patent number: 4114077Abstract: A system is provided for preventing overtemperature of the rotor bars of large squirrel-cage induction motors. A transmitter is mounted on the rotor and supplied with power from the rotor winding itself by a special current transformer. The transmitter is controlled by a temperature sensing element which causes it to transmit a signal in response to excessive temperature, and a slip frequency signal is also transmitted as a reliability check. A stationary receiver picks up the signal from the transmitter and includes circuitry for deenergizing the motor in response to the excessive temperature signal and for preventing energization of the motor if the slip frequency signal is not received.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1977Date of Patent: September 12, 1978Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Robert M. Oates, Raymond W. Mackenzie
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Patent number: 4112287Abstract: An apparatus for inductively heating cooking utensils comprising four induction cooking coils excited by a central power oscillator providing an alternating sinusoidal excitation voltage at about 25 kilohertz which is 100% amplitude modulated at 120 hertz. Power to the four induction coils is duty cycle controlled by four 60 hertz triacs each series inserted between the power oscillator and a respective one of the induction coils. The triacs switch to excite their respective induction coils only at the zero point of the excitation voltage modulation envelope. Line power fluctuations are minimized by sequential switching of the triacs in a manner that results in an effective power switching frequency of approximately 46 hertz when all four induction cooking coils are excited. The central power oscillator is inherently protected from high Q load conditions without the provision of feedback loops.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1976Date of Patent: September 5, 1978Assignee: White-Westinghouse CorporationInventors: Robert M. Oates, Theodore M. Heinrich
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Patent number: 4096395Abstract: An automatic transfer control device for selectively energizing an electrical distribution system from a pair of electrical power sources. The device includes voltage sensors for sensing electrical conditions on each of the sources. The device may be used on either three-wire or four-wire systems. The voltage sensors comprise an operational amplifier for artificially generating a phase-to-phase voltage from two phase-to-ground voltages. The artificially generated voltage is used to detect sequence reversal on the sources being monitored. Separate means are provided to select a source from which to draw control power for the device, the control power criterion being different from the transfer criterion.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1976Date of Patent: June 20, 1978Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: George F. Bogel, Robert M. Oates
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Patent number: 4085300Abstract: The invention relates to induction heating for cooking. Solid state reciprocal power switches are used to excite a resonant power output circuit including an induction coil to be inductively coupled to a cooking utensil. A first control signal which is a function of the Q of the coil, the direct current voltage applied to the power switches and the frequency of operation of the power switches is used to offset the power circuit from oscillating at resonance in order to control the power output. A solid state differential circuit is used responsive to a second control signal establishing the level of power desired and to the first control signal for regulation about the selected power level. The same differential circuit is responsive to a third control signal to insure low starting power or in case of a failure of the power line. Minimum power output is provided at the lower end of the ultrasonic frequency spectrum without entering the audible frequency range.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1976Date of Patent: April 18, 1978Assignee: White-Westinghouse Corporation, Inc.Inventors: Raymond W. MacKenzie, Peter Wood, Theodore M. Heinrich, Robert M. Oates