Patents by Inventor Steven W. Holt

Steven W. Holt 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: 9468942
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Neil A. Zumberger, Steven W. Holt
  • Publication number: 20160059256
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Neil A. Zumberger, Steven W. Holt
  • Patent number: 9238242
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Neil A. Zumberger, Steven W. Holt
  • Publication number: 20140299675
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a. calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: STOLLE MACHINERY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Neil A. Zumberger, Steven W. Holt
  • Patent number: 8794547
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement therewith. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against the solenoid. The solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset. The virtual needle position and the actual needle position are then calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC
    Inventors: Neil A. Zumberger, Steven W. Holt
  • Publication number: 20130306756
    Abstract: A device for calibrating a spray gun and an associated method are provided. The spray gun has a nozzle that is opened and closed by moving an internal needle out of and into sealing engagement with the nozzle. A virtual position of the needle is tracked and recorded by the control system. The control system is recalibrated when the virtual position and the actual position of the needle do not correspond. The device includes a sensor structured to detect characteristics of the current used to power the solenoid, and to identify an anomaly in solenoid current characteristics associated with an actuator member seating against said solenoid. During calibration, the solenoid is placed in a calibration configuration and the identifiable anomaly is detected. When the identifiable anomaly is detected, the spray gun is returned to an initial configuration and the virtual needle position is reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: NEIL A. ZUMBERGER, Steven W. HOLT
  • Patent number: 5563700
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence material irregularities and holes in thin walled opaque objects such as can ends having a generally centrally disposed integral rivet formed therein. A radiation source is focused so that a substantial portion of emitted radiation is concentrated on the portion of a can end in which the rivet is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Steven W. Holt, Jack Fletcher, Shu An