Patents by Inventor Stephan Meinke

Stephan Meinke 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: 9199801
    Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for log stability determination are described. A log position optimizer may be configured to identify one or more rest positions for a log to be conveyed on a sharp chain. The rest positions may be identified based on identification of contact points where the sharp chain may contact the log that have no intervening contact points that prevent stable contact between the log and the sharp chain. A preferred rest position may be selected out of the identified rest positions. The preferred rest position may be selected based on determination of which contact points are stable or unstable. This determination may be made for each contact point in a cross-sectional plane of the log. The log position optimizer may then control a log positioning mechanism to position the log in the selected rest position. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Meinke
  • Publication number: 20140209213
    Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for control of cutting tools for logs on a conveyor are described herein. A preferred position may be determined for a log on a conveyor, such as, for example a chain conveyor. The preferred position may be determined based on a scan of the log prior to the log being placed on the conveyor. After the log is placed on the conveyor an initial portion of the log may be scanned by a second scan and the initial portion may be compared to a corresponding portion of the preferred position for the log. Differences may be determined between the scanned portion and the corresponding portion of the preferred position. One or more cutting tools may then be controlled, such as in position and/or orientation, to adjust for the determined differences. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: U. S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Doiel, Brad Birlew, Stephan Meinke, Brian Walts
  • Publication number: 20140214194
    Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for log stability determination are described. A log position optimizer may be configured to identify one or more rest positions for a log to be conveyed on a sharp chain. The rest positions may be identified based on identification of contact points where the sharp chain may contact the log that have no intervening contact points that prevent stable contact between the log and the sharp chain. A preferred rest position may be selected out of the identified rest positions. The preferred rest position may be selected based on determination of which contact points are stable or unstable. This determination may be made for each contact point in a cross-sectional plane of the log. The log position optimizer may then control a log positioning mechanism to position the log in the selected rest position. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Meinke
  • Publication number: 20140208901
    Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for control of cutting tools for logs on a conveyor are described herein. A preferred position may be determined for a log on a conveyor, such as, for example a chain conveyor. The preferred position may be determined based on a scan of the log prior to the log being placed on the conveyor. After the log is placed on the conveyor an initial portion of the log may be scanned by a second scan and the initial portion may be compared to a corresponding portion of the preferred position for the log. Differences may be determined between the scanned portion and the corresponding portion of the preferred position. One or more cutting tools may then be controlled, such as in position and/or orientation, to adjust for the determined differences. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Stephen Doiel, Brad Birlew, Stephan Meinke, Brian Walts
  • Patent number: 8738176
    Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and systems for log stability determination are described. A log position optimizer may be configured to identify one or more rest positions for a log to be conveyed on a sharp chain. The rest positions may be identified based on identification of contact points where the sharp chain may contact the log that have no intervening contact points that prevent stable contact between the log and the sharp chain. A preferred rest position may be selected out of the identified rest positions. The preferred rest position may be selected based on determination of which contact points are stable or unstable. This determination may be made for each contact point in a cross-sectional plane of the log. The log position optimizer may then control a log positioning mechanism to position the log in the selected rest position. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Natural Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Meinke