Patents by Inventor Van I. Phifer

Van I. Phifer 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).

  • Systems and methods for mitigating condensation in aircraft lighting
    Patent number: 11104451
    Abstract: An exterior lamp for an aircraft including a housing defining an interior volume, a heat source disposed within the interior volume of the housing, a light source disposed within the housing configured to emit a light therefrom, a protective lens coupled to the housing proximate the light source, wherein the protective lens is configured to transmit the light, and a capillary transport apparatus having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is coupled to the heat source and the second end is disposed in a catchment basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc
    Inventor: Van I. Phifer
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MITIGATING CONDENSATION IN AIRCRAFT LIGHTING
    Publication number: 20210221533
    Abstract: An exterior lamp for an aircraft including a housing defining an interior volume, a heat source disposed within the interior volume of the housing, a light source disposed within the housing configured to emit a light therefrom, a protective lens coupled to the housing proximate the light source, wherein the protective lens is configured to transmit the light, and a capillary transport apparatus having a first end and a second end wherein the first end is coupled to the heat source and the second end is disposed in a catchment basin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventor: Van I. Phifer
  • Control systems for a mining vehicle
    Patent number: 9169615
    Abstract: A mining shovel includes a dipper assembly comprising a dipper arm coupled to a dipper, a boom assembly configured to support the dipper assembly, and an overcrowd prevention system including one or more sensors configured to monitor an axial force. The mining shovel also includes a swing abuse prevention system, including one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more compound loading forces, and one or more sensors configured to monitor a torsion loading force. The mining shovel also includes a control module configured to receive signals from the sensors, and to control at least the crowding force applied to the dipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: James Ryan, Van I. Phifer
  • CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR A MINING VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20140199147
    Abstract: A mining shovel includes a dipper assembly comprising a dipper arm coupled to a dipper, a boom assembly configured to support the dipper assembly, and an overcrowd prevention system including one or more sensors configured to monitor an axial force. The mining shovel also includes a swing abuse prevention system, including one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more compound loading forces, and one or more sensors configured to monitor a torsion loading force. The mining shovel also includes a control module configured to receive signals from the sensors, and to control at least the crowding force applied to the dipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: James Ryan, Van I. Phifer