Patents by Inventor Simon Powell
Simon Powell 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).
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Patent number: 10753125Abstract: In one embodiment, a lock mechanism includes a control element arranged for rotation about an axis between an active position and an inactive position. The control element includes a control head having one or more axially extending projection(s). The lock mechanism further includes a lock element that is axially aligned with the control element and includes a lock element head. The lock element head has one or more axially extending projection(s). The projection(s) of the control head and the projection(s) of the lock element head are arranged such that in the active position, the lock element and control element are held apart by the projections, and such that in the inactive position, the projections can mesh together to permit axial movement of the lock element relative to the control element.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MOOSE JUNCTION LIMITEDInventors: David Ogden, Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20150068257Abstract: In one embodiment, a lock mechanism includes a control element arranged for rotation about an axis between an active position and an inactive position. The control element includes a control head having one or more axially extending projection(s). The lock mechanism further includes a lock element that is axially aligned with the control element and includes a lock element head. The lock element head has one or more axially extending projection(s). The projection(s) of the control head and the projection(s) of the lock element head are arranged such that in the active position, the lock element and control element are held apart by the projections, and such that in the inactive position, the projections can mesh together to permit axial movement of the lock element relative to the control element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: David Ogden, Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20100320776Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the stroke of a reciprocable member, comprising a base member provided with an elongate recess, a reciprocable member located within the recess and extending from the open end of the recess, the reciprocable member comprising first and second relatively moveable parts, one part located for reciprocation within the other, the said other part being provided with a transversely moveable projecting member, the wall of the elongate recess being shaped to cause the projecting member to move as a result of reciprocation of the said other member, and said one part being shaped so that transverse movement of a projecting member is inhibited or permitted depending on the relative positions of the one and other parts of the reciprocable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2007Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: PBT (IP) LIMITEDInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 7798538Abstract: A latch mechanism comprises a housing (11), a plunger (12) mounted for reciprocation in the housing, a pawl (17) mounted with the housing for movement into and out of engagement with the plunger (12) and means for moving the pawl, wherein the means for moving the pawl comprises an electrically controlled piezo ceramic actuator (30) located within the plunger (12) and the pawl (17) is provided with a part (24) projecting into the plunger (12) and arranged to be contacted by the actuator (30) in order to control operation of the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventors: Simon Powell, Allan Robert Boutall
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Patent number: 7624964Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow comprising a body (100) provided with a fluid passageway having an inlet (10) an outlet (90), a valve member for inhibiting fluid flow through the passageway, and means for moving the valve member (40, 50) so as to provide for controlled flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the valve member is in the form of a blade, one end of which is mounted at a location (41, 51) remote from the passageway; and wherein the means (60) of moving the valve member is arranged to act on the other end of the blade whereby to control fluid flow through the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 7270355Abstract: An electrically controlled door lock (11) provided with a blocking member (21) and a detent (20), the blocking member being in contract with an electrically controlled actuator (24) such as a piezo-electric member which is used to control movement of the blocking member which in turn causes either the release of a locking member (12) from a door to allow the door to be opened or the engagement of the locking member to prevent the door from being opened.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventor: Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20070001543Abstract: A mechanical arrangement comprises a housing (10) arranged to receive an elongate member (11) which is mounted within the housing for reciprocation, the elongate member having an extension (11a) projecting outside the housing to form an output member, wherein the elongate member is formed with a shaped aperture (18) which receives an electrically actuated blocking member (19) which controls the stroke of the elongate member as it is moved towards and away from the elongate member in a direction transverse to the direction of reciprocation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: Simon Powell, George Perkins, Pietro Mandurino
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Patent number: 7124783Abstract: A rapier for a rapier loom comprises:—a low mass self-tightening rotary clamp with its axis of rotation aligned to the direction of maximum acceleration;—a collapsing pivot linkage that converts the force used to close the self-tightening clamp into the force used to open it;—a piezo-electric trigger device system that controls the change of state of the collapsing pivot linkage wherein the device is charged at the start of the insertion cycle and discharged at the centre of the loom to change the state of the system; and an electronic circuit comprising a photo-transistor that is connected with the piezo-electric of the trigger system such that when a suitable level of light is introduced to the device the actuator becomes dischargedType: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventors: Simon Powell, Paul Michael Weaver
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Publication number: 20060214434Abstract: A latch mechanism comprises a housing (11), a plunger (12) mounted for reciprocation in the housing, a pawl (17) mounted with the housing for movement into and out of engagement with the plunger (12) and means for moving the pawl, wherein the means for moving the pawl comprises an electrically controlled piezo ceramic actuator (30) located within the plunger (12) and the pawl (17) is provided with a part (24) projecting into the plunger (12) and arranged to be contacted by the actuator (30) in order to control operation of the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Simon Powell, Robert Boutall
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Publication number: 20060152017Abstract: A linkage mechanism comprising a moveable member mounted for movement with respect to a fixed member to which it is connected. The moveable member is provided with first and second elements spaced from each other with one element constituting a moveable element while the other constitutes a datum element. The relative movement between the moveable member and the fixed member is achieved by means which are located and arranged to preferentially utilise the first of the spaced elements as the datum with respect to which the second element is moved. The mechanism further comprises a means for selectively inhibiting movement of the second element which is preferably electrically controlled, whereby to cause the second element to become the datum. The linkage mechanism may be utilised in a door lock.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventor: Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20060097216Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow comprising a body (100) provided with a fluid passageway having an inlet (10) an outlet (90), a valve member for inhibiting fluid flow through the passageway, and means for moving the valve member (40, 50) so as to provide for controlled flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the valve member is in the form of a blade, one end of which is mounted at a location (41, 51) remote from the passageway; and wherein the means (60) of moving the valve member is arranged to act on the other end of the blade whereby to control fluid flow through the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2003Publication date: May 11, 2006Inventor: Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20060076853Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the operation of a piezo ceramic actuator comprising means for applying a voltage to the piezo ceramic actuator, the means arranged such that a linear charge is applied to the piezo ceramic device (10) which in turn produces a linear displacement of the piezo ceramic device. The control circuit preferably comprises four transistor switches (20) in H-bridge configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Paul Weaver, Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20060006662Abstract: An electrically controlled door lock (11) provided with a blocking member (21) and a detent (20), the blocking member being in contract with an electrically controlled actuator (24) such as a piezo-electric member which is used to control movement of the blocking member which in turn causes either the release of a locking member (12) from a door to allow the door to be opened or the engagement of the locking member to prevent the door from being opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: January 12, 2006Inventor: Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20050071215Abstract: A method for determining a product inventory buffer. An anticipated product demand is estimated by a buyer at the start of a time period and the realized demand is determined at the end of the time period. A relationship is determined between the anticipated and the realized demand over a plurality of time periods and statistically analyzed to determine the inventory buffer for a target shipping confidence.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Chris Armbruster, Jeffry Moore, Simon Powell
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Publication number: 20050016616Abstract: A rapier for a rapier loom comprises:—a low mass self-tightening rotary clamp with its axis of rotation aligned to the direction of maximum acceleration;—a collapsing pivot linkage that converts the force used to close the self-tightening clamp into the force used to open it;—a piezo-electric trigger device system that controls the change of state of the collapsing pivot linkage wherein the device is charged at the start of the insertion cycle and discharged at the centre of the loom to change the state of the system; and an electronic circuit comprising a photo-transistor that is connected with the piezo-electric of the trigger system such that when a suitable level of light is introduced to the device the actuator becomes dischargedType: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Simon Powell, Paul Weaver
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Patent number: 6707657Abstract: An integrated electrically actuable mechanical release mechanism provides three separate fault detectors each arranged to detect a different current-driven fault in an electrical circuit. In a preferred embodiment a bimetallic strip is used to detect a low-current fault condition insufficient to trip a short-circuit detection mechanism, an active material bender is used to detect current imbalances between live and neutral lines, and a coil and armature are used to detect short circuits. The integrated mechanism has the advantage that electrical safety can be guaranteed across a range of electrical operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 6568293Abstract: An apparatus for producing linear motion from rotary motion is disclosed comprising a drive rod (10) of circular cross section which is arranged to be rotated at a constant speed in the same direction. A carriage (11) which is arranged to be mounted on the rod for axial movement along the length thereof is provided with at least one roller member (12a, 12b) arranged to engage the rod at an angle to the axis of rotation of the rod. The rotary motion of the red then causes the roller member to rotate, thereby generating an axial rector component in a direction along the rod, thus causing the carriage to move in a linear direction along the rod.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: PBT (IP) LimitedInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 6472625Abstract: An over-center clamping mechanism is disclosed having a pivot guide to guide the pivot of one of the link arm members of the mechanism which comprises a piezoelectric actuator. The actuator is arranged to withdraw the pivot guide from the plane of the action of the mechanism, thereby allowing the guided pivot free movement of the plane of action which has the effect of collapsing the mechanism when is a clamped state.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: PBT ( IP) LimitedInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 6439539Abstract: An electrically controllable valve comprising at least one input port (13) and one or more output ports (12, 14), at least one sealing means (17, 18) being arranged to control the flow of a fluid between said input port and at least one of said output ports, said valve comprises one or more piezo-electric actuators (26) arranged to control the state of said sealing means, whereby the flow of fluid through said valve may be electrically controlled.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: PBT (IP) LtdInventor: Simon Powell
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Patent number: 6323581Abstract: An electrically controlled actuator comprises at least two co-planar blades formed by a U-shaped pressing from a sheet of material. The end of one blade (60) is used as a mounting for the actuator and the end of the other blade (85) is used as an actuation surface. Piezo ceramic material is fixed to opposite surface of the two blades in order to flex the actuation surface with respect to the fixed surface. An electrically relay or residual current device incorporating such an actuator is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Greenbrook Electrical PLCInventor: Simon Powell