Patents by Inventor Robert Pinnock

Robert Pinnock 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: 11662460
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting misalignment of a radar unit (2; 22) of a vehicle (3; 23), the apparatus comprising: a magnet (1; 21), which may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, arranged to be mounted on the vehicle (3; 23) spaced from the radar unit (2; 22); a magnetic field sensor (4; 24), typically a three-axis magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall Effect Sensor, arranged to be coupled to the radar unit (2; 22) and having an output at which a signal indicative of the magnetic field at the magnetic field sensor (4; 24); and a processor (5; 25) coupled to the output and arranged to determine a misalignment of the radar unit (2; 22) based on the output of the magnetic field sensor (4; 24). Where the magnet is an electromagnet (21), the field strength of the electromagnet (21) can be varied by its drive circuit (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Pinnock, Roger Hazelden
  • Publication number: 20200271776
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting misalignment of a radar unit (2; 22) of a vehicle (3; 23), the apparatus comprising: a magnet (1; 21), which may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, arranged to be mounted on the vehicle (3; 23) spaced from the radar unit (2; 22); a magnetic field sensor (4; 24), typically a three-axis magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall Effect Sensor, arranged to be coupled to the radar unit (2; 22) and having an output at which a signal indicative of the magnetic field at the magnetic field sensor (4; 24); and a processor (5; 25) coupled to the output and arranged to determine a misalignment of the radar unit (2; 22) based on the output of the magnetic field sensor (4; 24). Where the magnet is an electromagnet (21), the field strength of the electromagnet (21) can be varied by its drive circuit (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Pinnock, Roger Hazelden
  • Publication number: 20200217928
    Abstract: Apparatus for detecting misalignment of a radar unit (2) of a vehicle (3), the apparatus comprising: an accelerometer (4) arranged to determine the acceleration of the radar unit (2) along three axes, and having an output for a signal indicative of the acceleration; and a processor arranged coupled to the output of the accelerometer; in which the processor is arranged to determine the misalignment based on the acceleration measured by the accelerometer (4), and in which the determination of the misalignment is made: about two axes, if the vehicle (3) is stationary; and about a third axis perpendicular to the two axes when the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Robert Pinnock, Adam Heenan, Emst Casaban, Navya Ramuni, Martin Thompson, Martin Rändler, Martin Hahn
  • Patent number: 7030119
    Abstract: The invention features a method for treating chronic pain using a compound of formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Stephen Douglas Barrett, Alexander James Bridges, Haile Tecle, Alistair Dixon, Kevin Lee, Robert Pinnock
  • Patent number: 5521884
    Abstract: A vibrating element transducer is provided in which a vibrating element and a substantially non-vibrating reference element are positioned side by side and illuminated via an optical fibre. The surfaces of the vibrating element and the reference element are formed at slightly different distances from the end of the optical fibre. The differing distances are arranged such that interference between the light reflected from the vibrating element and from the reference reflector can be used to determine the frequency of vibration of the vibrating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: James E. Humphries, Alan J. Jacobs-Cook, Robert A. Pinnock
  • Patent number: 5473156
    Abstract: An optical displacement sensor comprises first and second optical fibers which transmit light to and receive light reflected from first and second fixed reflectors. A third optical fiber transmits light to and receives light reflected from a moving reflector on the end of a core which moves in response to the displacement to be measured. The intensities of the light reflected to the fibers allows the displacement to be determined with immunity from variations such as in transmissivity and refractive index of a medium between the fibers and the reflectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Pinnock, Stephen D. Hawker, Roger J. Hazelden, Izumi Sakai
  • Patent number: 5426981
    Abstract: A vibrating sensor comprises an elongated element arranged to vibrate at a frequency dependent upon an external stress applied to the sensor, and an optical fiber for coupling light into an end of the element to excite it into vibration. A light-absorbing layer is provided on a longitudinal surface of the element such that the element will change its configuration, e.g. by bending, as the layer absorbs light and heats that side of the element, this alteration in configuration causing a reduction of radiation which is absorbed so that the element restores. The element may define a Fabry-Perot interferometer between its opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Alan J. Cook, Robert A. Pinnock
  • Patent number: 5418361
    Abstract: An optical displacement sensor suitable for use in drowned environments where the refractive index of a medium in the optical path may vary, comprises a light source emitting first to fourth wavelengths. The first and second wavelengths are within the infrared region of the spectrum, whereas the third and fourth wavelengths are in the visible region of the spectrum. A zone plate focuses the first and second wavelengths to respective positions substantially at the extremes of movement of a reflective element whose position is to be measured. The zone plate also focuses the third and fourth wavelengths to respective positions. A cold mirror is interposed between the zone plate and the reflective element and is arranged to transmit the first and second wavelengths and to reflect the third and fourth wavelengths. The ratio of the intensities of the light reflected from the cold mirror gives information about the refractive index of the medium in the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Robert A. Pinnock, Stephen D. Hawker