Patents by Inventor Steve Simons

Steve Simons 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: 9823153
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving tire uniformity using estimates of process harmonic magnitude(s) from static balance measurements for a set of tires are provided. In particular, a sequence of observed magnitudes of static balance can be obtained for a set of tires. The sequence of observed magnitudes can be analyzed in conjunction with a baseline magnitude pattern associated with the process harmonic to derive a magnitude of the process harmonic. The magnitude of the process harmonic can be used to improve the uniformity of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: William David Mawby, Steve Simons, James Michael Traylor, Anton Felipe Thomas, Jonathan Sauls
  • Publication number: 20160116363
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving tire uniformity using estimates of process harmonic magnitude(s) from static balance measurements for a set of tires are provided. In particular, a sequence of observed magnitudes of static balance can be obtained for a set of tires. The sequence of observed magnitudes can be analyzed in conjunction with a baseline magnitude pattern associated with the process harmonic to derive a magnitude of the process harmonic. The magnitude of the process harmonic can be used to improve the uniformity of tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: William David Mawby, Steve Simons, James Michael Traylor, Anton Felipe Thomas, Jonathan Sauls
  • Patent number: 9278416
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, computer readable media, apparatuses, milling machines and methods to automatically load and/or unload work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto a work piece to position the work piece in a milling region. The apparatus can also include an effector configured to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece and is configured further to apply a cleaning force to a path that the work piece traverses to the milling region. In some cases, the apparatus can include an ejector configured to remove a milled work piece from the milling region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Steve Simons
  • Patent number: 9278415
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, computer readable media, apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, a method of operating a loader includes applying a cleaning force to portions of contacting surfaces of guide members at different times. The cleaning force originates within pairs of the guide members. The method can also activating a loader member to displace a work piece in a plane that includes the contacting surfaces of the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Steve Simons
  • Patent number: 8931622
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Steve Simons
  • Publication number: 20120141219
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to devices, integrated circuits, computer readable media, apparatuses, milling machines and methods to automatically load and/or unload work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto a work piece to position the work piece in a milling region. The apparatus can also include an effector configured to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece and is configured further to apply a cleaning force to a path that the work piece traverses to the milling region. In some cases, the apparatus can include an ejector configured to remove a milled work piece from the milling region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Simons
  • Publication number: 20120093606
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to milling machines and milling techniques, and more particularly, to apparatuses, milling machines and methods to control automatic loading and/or unloading of work pieces in relation to the adverse milling machine environments. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a subset of guide members constituting a staging region, a loader member configured to impart a loading force unto the work piece to transition the work piece from the staging region, and an effector coupled to the loader member. The effector is configured to apply a cleaning force to a path in a first interval of time and is configured further to transfer the loading force from the loader member to the work piece in a second interval of time, and an alignment device configured to align the subset of guide members and the effector to form a portion of the path in a first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Simons