Patents by Inventor Ronald L. Stoddard

Ronald L. Stoddard 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: 11241591
    Abstract: An acoustic module with a transducer and a solid waveguide. The transducer and waveguide may be curved to focus the acoustic energy along a focal line. The transducer, the top surface of the waveguide and the bottom surface of the waveguide may extend along coaxial curves. The waveguide may include a recess closely receiving the transducer. The waveguide may include an integral skirt that provides a thermal mass. The acoustic module may include a space to accommodate thermal management options. For example, the acoustic module may include a heatsink, an active ventilation system and/or a phase change material. The ultrasound device may include a controller configured to perform a uniformity scan sweep during supply of operating power to the transducer. The uniformity scan sweep can extend through a frequency range that includes the operating point of the acoustic module and does not exceed an acceptable efficiency loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Ronald L. Stoddard, Michael E. Miles, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Joseph C. Van Den Brink, Colin J. Moore, A. Esai Umenei, Ryan D. Schamper, Mark S. Bartrum, Benjamin C. Moes, Karlis Vecziedins, Ziqi Wu, Mark C. Smith, Bradley J. Pippel, David S. Vachon
  • Patent number: 10481189
    Abstract: A wireless remote sensor (110) that is powered by an inductive transmitter (112) and is configured to produce an oscillating wave that varies based on one or more sensed parameters. The oscillating wave is communicated to the inductive transmitter (112) by reflected impedance, where it can be detected to determine the sensed value(s). In another aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with a Wheatstone bridge arrangement having an internal resonant circuit to produce an electromagnetic field indicative of the sensed value. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with optical feedback from a reference circuit and a sensor circuit. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote temperature sensor having coils printed on a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion so that the size and/or shape of the coils varies as the temperature increases or decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Cody D. Dean, David W. Baarman, Benjamin C. Moes, Hai D. Nguyen, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Joshua B. Taylor, Joseph S. Melton, Jr., Ronald L. Stoddard
  • Publication number: 20170043189
    Abstract: An acoustic module with a transducer and a solid waveguide. The transducer and waveguide may be curved to focus the acoustic energy along a focal line. The transducer, the top surface of the waveguide and the bottom surface of the waveguide may extend along coaxial curves. The waveguide may include a recess closely receiving the transducer. The waveguide may include an integral skirt that provides a thermal mass. The acoustic module may include a space to accommodate thermal management options. For example, the acoustic module may include a heatsink, an active ventilation system and/or a phase change material. The ultrasound device may include a controller configured to perform a uniformity scan sweep during supply of operating power to the transducer. The uniformity scan sweep can extend through a frequency range that includes the operating point of the acoustic module and does not exceed an acceptable efficiency loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald L. Stoddard, Michael E. Miles, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Joseph C. Van Den Brink, Colin J. Moore, A. Esai Umenei, Ryan D. Schamper, Mark S. Bartrum, Benjamin C. Moes, Karlis Vecziedins, Ziqi Wu, Mark C. Smith, Bradley J. Pippel, David S. Vachon
  • Publication number: 20150123679
    Abstract: A wireless remote sensor (110) that is powered by an inductive transmitter (112) and is configured to produce an oscillating wave that varies based on one or more sensed parameters. The oscillating wave is communicated to the inductive transmitter (112) by reflected impedance, where it can be detected to determine the sensed value(s). In another aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with a Wheatstone bridge arrangement having an internal resonant circuit to produce an electromagnetic field indicative of the sensed value. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote sensor with optical feedback from a reference circuit and a sensor circuit. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless remote temperature sensor having coils printed on a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion so that the size and/or shape of the coils varies as the temperature increases or decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Cody D. Dean, David W. Baarman, Benjamin C. Moes, Hai D. Nguyen, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Joshua B. Taylor, Joseph S. Melton, Jr., Ronald L. Stoddard
  • Patent number: 7821208
    Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald L. Stoddard, Joshua K. Schwannecke
  • Publication number: 20080164817
    Abstract: An inductively powered gas discharge lamp assembly having a secondary circuit with starter circuitry that provides pre-heating when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at a pre-heat frequency and that provides normal operation when power is supplied to the secondary circuit at an operating frequency. In one embodiment, the starter circuitry includes a pre-heat capacitor connected between the lamp electrodes and an operating capacitor located between the secondary coil and the lamp. The pre-heat capacitor is selected so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a lesser impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas of the lamp when power is applied to the secondary circuit at the pre-heat frequency, and so that the electrical flow path through the pre-heat capacitor has a greater impedance than the electrical flow path through the gas when power is applied the operating frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Scott A. Mollema, Ronald L. Stoddard, Joshua K. Schwannecke
  • Patent number: 4463966
    Abstract: A trailer steering hitch system for towing and trailer vehicles in which a tongue extends between the vehicles and in which a cable system extends along the tongue from a stationary elliptical pulley disposed beneath the towing vehicle to a rotating elliptical pulley beneath the trailer, the trailer having the wheels of its forward wheel system mounted for turning in accordance with the rotational position of the trailer elliptical pulley, the tongue being attached to the trailer in a manner for extending straight-forwardly therefrom at all times, inclination of the truck with respect to the tongue as the truck turns causing a cable movement bringing corresponding rotation of the trailer elliptical pulley for turning the wheels of the forward trailer wheel system toward that side of the trailer in which the towing vehicle is turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Ronald L. Stoddard