Patents by Inventor Scott A. McFarland
Scott A. McFarland 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: 20240110659Abstract: A knit sleeve for providing thermal protection about an elongate member contained therein and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a circumferentially continuous, tubular knit inner wall bounding a central cavity that extends lengthwise along a longitudinal central axis between open opposite ends. The sleeve further includes a knit outer wall with opposite edges extending lengthwise in generally parallel relation with the longitudinal central axis, with one of the opposite edges of the knit outer wall being integrally knit to the inner wall and the other of the opposite edges of the outer wall being wrappable about the inner wall into fixed relation about the inner wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Scott McFarland, Xiaodan Qiu, Jordan Boatwright
-
Publication number: 20230346503Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrosurgical electrode extending in a distal direction from the distal end of the housing, a plurality of light sources in the housing, and an optical lens assembly including a plurality of optical components that are (i) coupled to each other at a distal end of the optical lens assembly and (ii) separated from each other at a proximal end of the optical lens assembly. Each optical component includes a proximal reflector surface and a distal transmission surface. Each proximal reflector surface extends distally from a respective light source and has an aspheric shape that is configured to substantially collimate the light reflected by the proximal reflector surface. Each distal transmission surface is configured to output the light from the optical component in the distal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Laura Constance Frey, Scott McFarland, Paul Sheridan, Micheal Burke, Fernando Erismann
-
Publication number: 20230320775Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore, a shaft coupled to the housing, and an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the shaft. The shaft extends distally from the interior bore of the housing. The shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the housing. The shaft includes a smoke evacuation channel extending from a proximal end of the shaft to a distal end of the shaft. A distal portion of the electrosurgical electrode extends distally from the shaft, and wherein the electrosurgical electrode is rotatable relative to the housing and the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Laura Constance Frey, Scott McFarland, Paul Sheridan, Micheal Burke, Fernando Erismann
-
Publication number: 20230187783Abstract: A battery cell interface material provides multiple types of protection between adjacent cells of an electric vehicle battery pack is provided. The interface material is an integral wall assembly having the following: a middle wall constructed of one of interlaced multifilament flame-resistant yarn or a non-woven material, the middle wall having opposite sides. A pair of intermediate layers, with each intermediate layer being bonded to a separate one of the opposite sides of the middle wall. A pair of outer layers, with each outer layer being bonded to a separate one of the pair of intermediate layers, such that each intermediate layer is sandwiched between one of the pair of outer layers and the textile middle wall, with each outer layer facing a cell wall of the electric vehicle battery being configured to be bonded directly to the cell wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Tianqi Gao, Scott McFarland, Alexis Zambino Mason, Jordan Boatwright
-
Publication number: 20220304741Abstract: In an example, an electrosurgical device includes a housing defining an interior bore. The electrosurgical device also includes a shaft telescopically moveable in the interior bore of the housing. The shaft includes an optical waveguide at a distal end of the shaft, and a smoke evacuation channel circumferentially surrounding the optical waveguide at the distal end of the shaft. The electrosurgical device also includes an electrosurgical electrode coupled to the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Laura Constance Frey, Conor Mac An Tuile, Scott McFarland, Paul Sheridan, Micheal Burke
-
Publication number: 20220226037Abstract: An electrosurgical tool for conveying electrical energy comprising an elongated electrode extending in an axial direction from a proximal electrode end to a distal electrode end. The distal electrode end defining a working end configured for cutting or coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy received by the electrosurgical tool. At least one layer of an insulation material covering an outer surface of the working end so that a portion of the outer surface of the working end is not covered by the insulation material. When electrical energy is provided to the elongated electrode, current is only conducted through an exposed portion of the outer surface of the working end. At least one layer of the insulation material prevents current from straying from the outer surface of the working end covered with the insulation material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2020Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Kevin Buckley, Gerard Nunan, Kevin Manley, Scott McFarland, Micheal Burke
-
Patent number: 11361543Abstract: An object detection system may include an imager configured to generate image data indicative of an environment in which a machine is present, and a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of the environment in which the machine is present. The object detection system may further include an object detection controller including one or more object detection processors configured to receive an image signal indicative of the image data, identify an object associated with the image data, and determine a first location of the object relative to the position of the imager. The one or more object detection processors may also be configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of the sensor data, and determine, based at least in part on the sensor signal, the presence or absence of the object at the first location.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jacob Charles Maley, Pranay Kumar Reddy Kontham, Robert Scott McFarland, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Peter Joseph Petrany
-
Publication number: 20210174088Abstract: An object detection system may include an imager configured to generate image data indicative of an environment in which a machine is present, and a sensor configured to generate sensor data indicative of the environment in which the machine is present. The object detection system may further include an object detection controller including one or more object detection processors configured to receive an image signal indicative of the image data, identify an object associated with the image data, and determine a first location of the object relative to the position of the imager. The one or more object detection processors may also be configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of the sensor data, and determine, based at least in part on the sensor signal, the presence or absence of the object at the first location.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jacob Charles Maley, Pranay Kumar Reddy Kontham, Robert Scott McFarland, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Peter Joseph Petrany
-
Patent number: 10949685Abstract: A controller may process a plurality of video frames to determine an apparent motion of each pixel of one or more pixels or each group of pixels of one or more groups of pixels of each video frame of the plurality of video frames. The controller may select one or more processed video frames, of the plurality of processed video frames, that correspond to a duration of time and may generate a composite video frame based on the one or more processed video frames. The controller may generate a video frame mask based on the composite video frame and may obtain additional video data that includes at least one additional video frame. The controller may cause the video frame mask to be applied to the at least one additional video frame and may cause the at least one additional video frame to be processed using an object detection technique.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Peter Petrany, Jacob C. Maley, Vamsi Pannala, Robert Scott McFarland
-
Publication number: 20210027072Abstract: A controller may process a plurality of video frames to determine an apparent motion of each pixel of one or more pixels or each group of pixels of one or more groups of pixels of each video frame of the plurality of video frames. The controller may select one or more processed video frames, of the plurality of processed video frames, that correspond to a duration of time and may generate a composite video frame based on the one or more processed video frames. The controller may generate a video frame mask based on the composite video frame and may obtain additional video data that includes at least one additional video frame. The controller may cause the video frame mask to be applied to the at least one additional video frame and may cause the at least one additional video frame to be processed using an object detection technique.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Peter PETRANY, Jacob C. MALEY, Vamsi PANNALA, Robert Scott McFARLAND
-
Patent number: 10842128Abstract: A device is described comprising a microcontroller coupled to a transformer, wherein the transformer comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the microcontroller is connected to a secondary circuit at a first location. The microcontroller is configured to provide a voltage at a first value to the primary winding for a period of time, wherein ceasing the delivery of the voltage induces a flow of current through the secondary winding and the secondary circuit, wherein the secondary circuit comprises at least one resistor and a resistive load, wherein the resistive load is variable. The microcontroller is configured to measure and/or compute voltage, time constant and peak current values with respect to the secondary circuit. The microcontroller is configured to monitor the intensity level at the resistive load using peak current and time constant values.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventor: Scott McFarland
-
Patent number: 10613559Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: RADIO SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Scott A McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
-
Publication number: 20190204860Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Scott A. McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
-
Publication number: 20190174717Abstract: A device is described comprising a microcontroller coupled to a transformer, wherein the transformer comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the microcontroller is connected to a secondary circuit at a first location. The microcontroller is configured to provide a voltage at a first value to the primary winding for a period of time, wherein ceasing the delivery of the voltage induces a flow of current through the secondary winding and the secondary circuit, wherein the secondary circuit comprises at least one resistor and a resistive load, wherein the resistive load is variable. The microcontroller is configured to measure and/or compute voltage, time constant and peak current values with respect to the secondary circuit. The microcontroller is configured to monitor the intensity level at the resistive load using peak current and time constant values.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2017Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventor: Scott McFarland
-
Patent number: 10268220Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Radio Systems CorporationInventors: Scott A McFarland, Keith R Griffith
-
Patent number: 10151843Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, including a boundary test unit to evaluate a boundary violation according to the current actionable position and current actionable speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary, wherein the current actionable position is a sum of a prior actionable position and a product of a degraded position difference and a position tracking coefficient, and a current actionable speed is a function of a prior actionable speed and a degraded speed estimate.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Radio Systems CorporationInventors: Scott McFarland, Keith Griffith, Rick Seltzer
-
Publication number: 20180017981Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Scott A. McFarland, Keith R. Griffith
-
Publication number: 20160116602Abstract: Systems and methods of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, including a boundary test unit to evaluate a boundary violation according to the current actionable position and current actionable speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary, wherein the current actionable position is a sum of a prior actionable position and a product of a degraded position difference and a position tracking coefficient, and a current actionable speed is a function of a prior actionable speed and a degraded speed estimate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Scott McFarland, Keith Griffith, Rick Seltzer
-
Publication number: 20140261234Abstract: An electronic pet gate. The electronic pet gate includes a gate transmitter generating a barrier field and a gate receiver generating a deterrent stimulus in the presence of the barrier field. The gate transmitter includes a loop antenna in a low profile elongated sill and a barrier signal generator. The loop antenna transmits the barrier signal and has an elongated geometric shape configured to shape the radiated electromagnetic field into a truncated ellipsoid. The truncated ellipsoidal barrier field has significant field strength along the length of the low profile sill and minimal field strength along the sides of the low profile sill. The low profile sill is designed to securely rest on the floor to block access to an area restricted to a pet without being a substantial physical impediment or hazard to people passing over low profile sill.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: RADIO SYSTEM CORPORATIONInventors: Greg Gillis, Scott McFarland, Keith Griffith
-
Publication number: 20130127658Abstract: A method, and an apparatus to perform the method, of tracking a mobile subject based on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) data, the method including detecting motion of the mobile subject independently of the GNSS data with a motion detector, receiving the GNSS data and determining an actionable position and speed of the mobile subject, with an actionable position and speed unit, according to GNSS position and speed, detection results of the motion detector, and at least one of, or any combination of, GNSS solution metrics, GNSS signal metrics, or a prior actionable position and speed, and evaluating, with a boundary test unit, the actionable position and speed of the mobile subject relative to a predetermined boundary.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Radio Systems CorporationInventors: Scott A. MCFARLAND, Keith Griffith, Rick Seltzer