Patents by Inventor Russell Hester

Russell Hester 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: 11529932
    Abstract: A self-contained, compact camera wash system 1000 for a drone 800 or as an automotive aftermarket kit 1101 uses a pressurized container 1002 similar to a common aerosol can to supply washer fluid to a washer nozzle 1020 via actuable valving. The fluid supply container is small for use with drone cameras (e.g., ˜15 ml in volume) and is readily packaged in a compact assembly. For the automotive aftermarket kit 1101 a larger volume container volume is provided and configured to be easily replaced as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventor: Russell Hester
  • Patent number: 11192124
    Abstract: A fluidic nozzle of the scanner type has its outlet spray pattern skewed from its chamber axis (A) by an amount determined by the asymmetry of its outlet orifice (23, 33) about that axis. A spray assembly (70, 90) of such nozzles, such as a showerhead, can be designed using nozzles with selected pattern skew angles to achieve desired spray coverage. Indexing tabs (97) and slots (96) are used to angularly position the nozzles in the showerhead. A portion of each nozzle may be formed with the showerhead faceplate (71) as an integral piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Russell, Russell Hester
  • Patent number: 11186974
    Abstract: A flow-restricted compound spray generating device 100 includes a spray face member 120B including at least one fluidic circuit oscillator defining geometry 132 including an outlet orifice 138 in the spray face member's central area configured to aim an oscillating spray 300 having a selected oscillating spray thickness distally along a spray axis 112. The spray face member 120B also includes a plurality of non-oscillating (e.g., laminar or jet) spray generating orifices 160B arrayed evenly around the spray face member's periphery to aim a plurality of non-oscillating laminar or jet sprays 302 distally along the spray axis 112 to provide a ring of high velocity streams arrayed around the central oscillating spray 300 to generate a compound spray 310 with an outflow which has a pleasing spray density with an apparent outflow thickness which is substantially equal to the spout orifice's diameter 320.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Russell, Russell Hester, Benjamin D. Hasday
  • Patent number: 11154876
    Abstract: A conformal, cup-shaped fluidic oscillator spray nozzle member (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is configured to generate one or more oscillating sprays from fluid flowing into a substantially open proximal end and distally into a substantially closed distal end wall with one or more centrally located orifices defined therein. A multi-input, multi-output cup-shaped fluidic oscillator (200, 300, 400) is configured to generate a selected fluid spray from a plurality of (e.g., 2-8) fluid product inlets which are configured in interacting pairs and feed into a common interaction region of the fluidic nozzle geometry. Optionally, an outlet “A” can be positioned in the interaction region and allow for air entrainment into the interaction region or external oscillating spray streams to generate a foamed spray of fluid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: dlhBowles, Inc.
    Inventors: Shridhar Gopalan, Evan Hartranft, Russell Hester
  • Publication number: 20210094048
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to various fluid nozzles possessing the ability to produce a keystone-shaped spray pattern. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to one or more fluid nozzles that are able to produce a keystone-shaped spray pattern. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to two or more fluid nozzles that are able to be stitched together to produce a keystone-shaped spray pattern. In still another embodiment, the fluid nozzle, or nozzles, of the present disclosure are able to produce a desired spray pattern at low flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Russell Hester, Zachary Kline, Chunling Zhao
  • Publication number: 20200254464
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous nozzle assembly that includes a fluidic geometry that extends between an inlet and an outlet, wherein a flow of fluid is configured to enter the inlet and process through the fluidic geometry and exit the outlet in a predetermined spray pattern. The continuous nozzle assembly may be made by additive manufacturing methods. In one embodiment, provided is a fluidic oscillator insert that includes a fluidic geometry that is manufactured by additive manufacturing techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Alan ROMACK, Zachary KLINE, Russell HESTER
  • Publication number: 20200128153
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20190322245
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor cleaning system that includes one or more vehicle sensors and a cleaning device. The system determines parameters for a cleaning event based on sensed information, operating parameters of the vehicle, or environmental information. The system cleans the one or more sensors to allow for safe operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary Kline, Russell Hester, Benjamin Sumpter, Thao Nguyen, Christopher Punzi
  • Patent number: 10432827
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20190270433
    Abstract: A self-contained, compact camera wash system 1000 for a drone 800 or as an automotive aftermarket kit 1101 uses a pressurized container 1002 similar to a common aerosol can to supply washer fluid to a washer nozzle 1020 via actuable valving. The fluid supply container is small for use with drone cameras (e.g., ˜15 ml in volume) and is readily packaged in a compact assembly. For the automotive aftermarket kit 1101 a larger volume container volume is provided and configured to be easily replaced as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventor: Russell Hester
  • Patent number: 10350647
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Romack, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20190201918
    Abstract: A fluidic nozzle of the scanner type has its outlet spray pattern skewed from its chamber axis (A) by an amount determined by the asymmetry of its outlet orifice (23, 33) about that axis. A spray assembly (70, 90) of such nozzles, such as a showerhead, can be designed using nozzles with selected pattern skew angles to achieve desired spray coverage. Indexing tabs (97) and slots (96) are used to angularly position the nozzles in the showerhead. A portion of each nozzle may be formed with the showerhead faceplate (71) as an integral piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory A. Russell, Russell Hester
  • Publication number: 20180339313
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: ALAN ROMACK, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Publication number: 20180238032
    Abstract: A flow-restricted compound spray generating device 100 includes a spray face member 120B including at least one fluidic circuit oscillator defining geometry 132 including an outlet orifice 138 in the spray face member's central area configured to aim an oscillating spray 300 having a selected oscillating spray thickness distally along a spray axis 112. The spray face member 120B also includes a plurality of non-oscillating (e.g., laminar or jet) spray generating orifices 160B arrayed evenly around the spray face member's periphery to aim a plurality of non-oscillating laminar or jet sprays 302 distally along the spray axis 112 to provide a ring of high velocity streams arrayed around the central oscillating spray 300 to generate a compound spray 310 with an outflow which has a pleasing spray density with an apparent outflow thickness which is substantially equal to the spout orifice's diameter 320.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory A. Russell, Russell Hester, Benjamin D. Hasday
  • Patent number: 9987639
    Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: DLHBOWLES, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Russell, Shridhar Gopalan, Christopher South, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler, Kerrie Allen, Srinivasaiah Sridhara
  • Publication number: 20180015487
    Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory RUSSELL, Shridhar GOPALAN, Christopher SOUTH, Russell HESTER, Eric KOEHLER, Kerrie ALLEN, Srinivasaiah SRIDHARA
  • Patent number: 9776195
    Abstract: A long throw Pop-Up Irrigation Nozzle assembly has no oscillating or rotating parts and includes a cylindrical body having a fluid inlet and a sidewall defining at least one fluidic circuit configured to generate a selected spray pattern when irrigation fluid flows through the body. In order to throw long distance, droplet velocity, droplet size and droplet initial aim angle determine the throw to provide a low precipitation rate (“PR”) for fluidic sprays. The nozzle assembly and method of the present invention achieve a PR of 1 in/hr or less and good spray distribution with a scheduling coefficient (“SC”) of about 1.5 without utilizing any moving components to provide a significantly more cost effective nozzle assembly, as compared to prior art rotator nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: dlhBowles Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Russell, Shridar Gopalan, Chris South, Russell Hester, Eric Koehler, Kerrie Allen, Srinivasaiah Sridhara
  • Publication number: 20170216852
    Abstract: A conformal, cup-shaped fluidic oscillator spray nozzle member (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) is configured to generate one or more oscillating sprays from fluid flowing into a substantially open proximal end and distally into a substantially closed distal end wall with one or more centrally located orifices defined therein. A multi-input, multi-output cup-shaped fluidic oscillator (200, 300, 400) is configured to generate a selected fluid spray from a plurality of (e.g., 2-8) fluid product inlets which are configured in interacting pairs and feed into a common interaction region of the fluidic nozzle geometry. Optionally, an outlet “A” can be positioned in the interaction region and allow for air entrainment into the interaction region or external oscillating spray streams to generate a foamed spray of fluid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Shridhar GOPALAN, Evan HARTRANFT, Russell HESTER
  • Publication number: 20160001330
    Abstract: An external lens washing system has an aiming fixture configured to support and constrain an external lens which is exposed to the elements and apt to become soiled with debris. A nozzle assembly is configured to be supported and aimed toward the external lens by the aiming fixture and has at least one laterally offset washing nozzle projecting from the aiming fixture to a spray washing fluid toward the external lens surface, spraying at a shallow, glancing spray aiming angle to impinge upon and wash the lens external surface. Optionally, an integrated image sensor and lens washing assembly is configured for use with a remote control method for cleaning an exterior objective lens surface and includes a sealed image sensor housing assembly including an integral, remotely controllable lens cleaning system with an optimized configuration for aiming one or more cleansing sprays from one or more laterally offset fluidic oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: ALAN ROMACK, Keith Berning, Russell Hester, Evan Hartranft, Robert Bower, Srinivasaiah Sridhara, Eric Koehler
  • Patent number: 9193055
    Abstract: A method is presented for controlling operation of a power tool having an electric motor drivably coupled to an output spindle. The method includes: receiving an input indicative of a clutch setting for an electronic clutch, where the clutch setting is selectable from a plurality of driver modes; setting the value of a maximum current threshold in accordance with the selected one of the plurality of driver modes; determining rotational speed of the electric motor; determining an amount of current being delivered to the electric motor; comparing the amount of current being delivered to the electric motor to the maximum current threshold; and interrupting transmission of torque to the output spindle when the amount of current being delivered to the electric motor exceeds the maximum current threshold and the rotational speed of the electric motor is decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Jongsoo Lim, Brian Sterling, Paul White, Russell Hester