Patents by Inventor Tim Shaw

Tim Shaw 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: 10954719
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Publication number: 20200032586
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Patent number: 10428583
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Publication number: 20170342774
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Patent number: 9759012
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Publication number: 20170089140
    Abstract: A boring tool is movable through the ground. A transmitter supported by the boring tool transmits an electromagnetic homing signal. A portable device monitors the electromagnetic homing signal and receives the electromagnetic homing signal in a homing mode for guiding the boring tool to a target position. A processor generates steering commands for guiding the boring tool based on a bore plan in a steering mode such that at least some positional error is introduced without using the electromagnetic homing signal. Switching from the steering mode to the homing mode is based on monitoring of the electromagnetic homing signal as the boring tool approaches the portable device to then guide the boring tool to the target position location in compensation for the positional error. Intermediate target positions are described as well as guiding the boring tool based on the homing signal so long as the portable device receives the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Tim Shaw, John E. Mercer, Albert W. Chau
  • Publication number: 20160318779
    Abstract: Methods for treating fruits and/or vegetables to oxide any organic contaminates thereon are provided, using an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution can include a ferrous salt and an acid, and can be exposed to oxygen gas, allowing the organic contaminates to be oxidized via exposure to the aqueous solution and oxygen gas. Then, the outer surface of the fruits and/or vegetables can be washed to remove the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution can have a pH of about 4 to about 9, and can also be adjusted during the method. Methods are also disclosed for oxidizing organic compounds in an aqueous sample via measuring the pH of the aqueous sample; determining an appropriate chemical equation for oxidation based upon the pH measured; and thereafter, adjusting the pH of the aqueous sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: John Ferry, Justina Burns, Tim Shaw, Preston S. Craig
  • Publication number: 20130022720
    Abstract: Methods for treating fruits and/or vegetables to oxide any organic contaminates thereon are provided, using an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution can include a ferrous salt and an acid, and can be exposed to oxygen gas, allowing the organic contaminates to be oxidized via exposure to the aqueous solution and oxygen gas. Then, the outer surface of the fruits and/or vegetables can be washed to remove the aqueous solution. The aqueous solution can have a pH of about 4 to about 9, and can also be adjusted during the method. Methods are also disclosed for oxidizing organic compounds in an aqueous sample via measuring the pH of the aqueous sample; determining an appropriate chemical equation for oxidation based upon the pH measured; and thereafter, adjusting the pH of the aqueous sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: John Ferry, Justina Burns, Tim Shaw, Preston S. Craig