Patents by Inventor Robert Stephen

Robert Stephen 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: 20200114781
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including: a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a first pyro-fuse; a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse in series arrangement with a second pyro-fuse; and where the first leg and the second leg are coupled in a parallel arrangement; a controller, including: a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path; and a pyro-fuse activation circuit structured to provide a pyro-fuse activation command in response to the current flow exceeding a threshold current flow value; and where at least one of the first pyro-fuse and the second pyro-fuse is responsive to the pyro-fuse activation command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Publication number: 20200118345
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for visualizing nonconformance data for a physical object. An augmented reality application in a portable computing device plots, in a defined coordinate cube, points corresponding to nonconformance locations on the physical object. The augmented reality application determines a sub-set of the points plotted that correspond to a region of the physical object visible in an image of the region of the physical object acquired by the portable computing device at a position of the portable computing device, where the sub-set of the points exclude nonconformance locations occluded from view by a physical object structure of the physical object in the image. The augmented reality application displays the nonconformance data for the sub-set of the points visible in the image in association with a sub-set of the nonconformance locations for the physical object in the image displayed on a display system in the portable computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jeremiah Kent Scott, Robert Stephen Kanematsu Baker, Bryan James Beretta, Michael Louis Bernardoni
  • Publication number: 20200114782
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path, and a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path. The current protection circuit includes a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse, a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a contactor. The first leg and the second leg may be coupled in a parallel arrangement. The system further has a controller that includes a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path, and a fuse management circuit structured to provide a contactor activation command in response to the current flow. The contactor may be responsive to the contactor activation command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Publication number: 20200114783
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path, and a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path. The current protection circuit includes a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse, a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a solid state switch, and wherein the first leg and the second leg are coupled in a parallel arrangement. The system further includes a controller that includes a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path, and a fuse management circuit structured to provide a switch activation command in response to the current flow, wherein the solid state switch is responsive to the switch activation command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Patent number: 10619881
    Abstract: The goal of the Spatial Environmental Control Unit as a continuation based on the Multifunctional Environmental Control Unit is to create a user friendly accurate analysis and control of heat transfer dynamics in a spatial area that is responsive to the thermal dynamics of the area of interest and accurate to maintain an acceptable level of thermal control as environmental and human biological conditions change without requiring excessive interruptions to the user for manual adjustment. The Spatial Environmental Control Unit (SECU) makes the current norm of an “absolute” temperature control approach for thermal control and human comfort obsolete. A COMFORT “theory of relativity” will now be the new norm. The proposed dynamic process of mapping and analyzing the thermal changes rapidly within the area of interest responds to the unpredictable thermal changes in environment better than the best static or “learning” process currently available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Hunka
  • Patent number: 10615587
    Abstract: A bipolar DC power transmission scheme including first and second DC poles, each including a respective DC power transmission medium extending between first and second ends; a plurality of converters wherein each end of the transmission medium of each of the poles is operatively connected to at least one of the converters to form a rectifier and an inverter at opposite ends of the DC power transmission media; and a controller to operate at least one converter of one of the rectifier and inverter in a control mode and at least one converter of the other of the rectifier and inverter in a second control mode in response to a fault occurring on either of the poles. Additionally, the first control mode decreases and the second control mode increases the operating DC voltage of the or each corresponding converter from a normal operating voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Robin Gupta, Robert Stephen Whitehouse, Carl David Barker, Andrzej Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 10614646
    Abstract: Lockout/tagout devices are configured to receive multi-user, electronically generated locking and unlocking commands over wireless interfaces to realize lockout safety chains of a desired length to assure worker safety in an industrial system. Electronically implemented systems and methods are also disclosed providing for enhanced worker safety, increased security, and improved lockout/tagout oversight involving a reduced number of locking devices and with fewer complications compared to conventional lockout/tagout devices, systems and processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Vinicius M. Petroni, Matthew G. Mohr, John P. Stampfel
  • Patent number: 10611668
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for cutting and separating arbitrary shapes of thin substrates of transparent materials, particularly tailored composite fusion drawn glass sheets, and the disclosure also relates to a glass article prepared by the method. The developed laser method can be tailored for manual separation of the parts from the panel or full laser separation by thermally stressing the desired profile. The self-separation method involves the utilization of an ultra-short pulse laser that can be followed by a CO2 laser (coupled with high pressure air flow) for fully automated separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Dana Craig Bookbinder, Stephan Lvovich Logunov, Sasha Marjanovic, Albert Roth Nieber, Garrett Andrew Piech, Kamjula Pattabhirami Reddy, Pushkar Tandon, Sergio Tsuda, Natesan Venkataraman, Robert Stephen Wagner
  • Patent number: 10608434
    Abstract: A power transmission network including: a variable power source; an AC transmission link for AC power transmission from the variable power source to at least one source side converter; at least one source side converter including: an AC connecting point operably connected to the AC transmission link; and a DC connecting point for connection to a DC transmission link; and a control system configured to operate the source side converter or at least one of the source side converters in a frequency damping mode to control an AC voltage at its AC connecting point and thereby damp at least one frequency component at its AC connecting point and/or in the AC transmission link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Andrzej Adamczyk, Carl David Barker, Robert Stephen Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 10597321
    Abstract: Processes of chamfering and/or beveling an edge of a glass substrate of arbitrary shape using lasers are described herein. Two general methods to produce chamfers on glass substrates are the first method involves cutting the edge with the desired chamfer shape utilizing an ultra-short pulse laser to create perforations within the glass; followed by an ion exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Sasha Marjanovic, David Andrew Pastel, Garrett Andrew Piech, Jose Mario Quintal, Helmut Schillinger, Sergio Tsuda, Robert Stephen Wagner, Andrea Nichole Yeary
  • Patent number: 10598703
    Abstract: Electrical current sensing and monitoring methods include connecting a compensation circuit across a conductor having a non-linear resistance such as a fuse element. The compensation circuit injects a current or voltage to the conductor that allows the resistance of the conductor to be determined. The current flowing in the conductor can be calculated based on a sensed voltage across the conductor once the resistance of the conductor has been determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Santosh Kumar Sharma, Ameer Khan, Hrushikesh Arun Barve
  • Publication number: 20200090892
    Abstract: A high voltage power fuse having a dramatically reduced size facilitated by silicated filler material, a formed fuse element geometry, arc barrier materials and single piece terminal fabrications. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, John Michael Fink
  • Patent number: 10580077
    Abstract: A system is presented by which a consumer such as an insurance applicant may procure a testing process in a comparative manner to facilitate comprehension of their health state relative to others in their community. Physical heath measurements and blood and urine samples are taken from an applicant through, for example, a visit by a phlebotomist or other medical practitioner. Physical readings are then sent to a third party laboratory that produces a risk assessment score for the applicant and notes other data potentially affecting lifespan longevity of the applicant. That information is then transmitted to a life expectancy processor to calculate various life expectancy values and establish a comparative life expectancy ranking for the applicant. A life expectancy ranking is then produced relative to others in the applicant's community, and that ranking is displayed in a graphical format to facilitate understanding by the applicant as to their relative health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Longevity Quest, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Briggs, Larry Joel Adams
  • Patent number: 10561529
    Abstract: A method and system provide a surgical handpiece including a housing and a horn. The housing has a retrograde channel and a chamber a therein. The retrograde channel connects an irrigation line and the chamber. The horn is held within the housing such that a portion of the horn resides within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: James Y. Chon, Robert Stephen Maurer, Jr., Satish Yalamanchili
  • Publication number: 20200051252
    Abstract: Navigation instructions are determined using visual data or other sensory information. Individual frames can be extracted from video data, captured from passes through an environment, to generate a sequence of image frames. The frames are processed using a feature extractor to generate frame-specific feature vectors. Image triplets are generated, including a representative image frame (or corresponding feature vector), a similar image frame adjacent in the sequence, and a disparate image frame that is separated by a number of frames in the sequence. The embedding network is trained using the triplets. Image data for a current position and a target destination can then be provided as input to the trained embedding model, which outputs a navigation vector indicating a direction and distance over which the vehicle is to be navigated in the physical environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Abel Karl Brown, Robert Stephen DiPietro
  • Publication number: 20200036281
    Abstract: In the field of line commutated converters, for use in high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission, a line commutated converter (10) comprises a plurality of converter limbs (12A, 12B, 12C) that extend between first and second DC terminals (16, 18). Each converter limb (12A, 12B, 12C) includes first and second limb portions (22, 24) which are separated by an AC terminal (26A, 26B, 26C). The first limb portions (22) together define a first limb portion group (28) and the second limb portions (24) together define a second limb portion group (30). Each limb portion (22, 24) includes at least one switching element (36, 36 2, 36 3, 36 4, 36, 36 6) that is configured to turn on and conduct current when it is forward biased and it receives a turn on signal and to naturally turn off and no longer conduct current when it is reverse biased and the current flowing through it falls to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Whitehouse, Carl David Barker
  • Publication number: 20200033075
    Abstract: Heat transfer devices, electronic devices, and methods for heat transfer with an external body. Heat transfer devices include a first disc, a second disc positioned adjacent to the first disc, and at least one spacer positioned between the first disc and the second disc. The first disc defines an aperture and comprises a pin cooling structure extending from around the aperture. The pin cooling structure comprises a distal end configured to facilitate heat exchange between the pin cooling structure and an external/adjacent/separate body and one or more side walls. At least one of the one or more side walls, the distal end, and the aperture at least partially define a pin volume. The second disc defines an inlet that is configured to (i) receive a fluid, and (ii) allow the fluid to flow from the inlet and into the pin volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher C. Veto, Ernest E. Bunch, Robert Stephen Kowell
  • Publication number: 20200024548
    Abstract: A cleaning agent, preferably a dishwashing detergent, in particular an automatic dishwashing detergent, having at least one low-water, preferably substantially water-free, gel phase, which contains at least one particular non-ionic surfactant, preferably in quantities from 0.1 to 15 wt. %, from 0.5 to 10 wt. %, in particular from 0.8 to 8.5 wt. %, particularly preferably from 1 to 7 wt. %, for example from 1.0 to 4.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the gel phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Oliver Kurth, Robert Stephen Cappleman, Michael Kreis, Boray Torun, Filiz Yapici, Thomas Weber, Thomas Doering, Matthias Sunder
  • Publication number: 20200024549
    Abstract: Cleaning agents, preferably dishwashing detergents, in particular the automatic dishwashing detergent, having at least one low-water, preferably substantially anhydrous gel-like phase which contains at least one water-soluble zinc salt, preferably zinc sulfate and/or zinc acetate, particularly preferably zinc acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Oliver Kurth, Michael Kreis, Thomas Doering, Robert Stephen Cappleman
  • Publication number: 20200024555
    Abstract: A washing and/or cleaning agent portion which includes at least one chamber and a water-soluble wrapping, characterized in that it includes at least one particulate phase. The at least one particulate phase being brought into direct contact with at least one liquid composition, and to corresponding preparation methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Matthias Sunder, Luca Bellomi, Oliver Kurth, Robert Stephen Cappleman