Patents by Inventor Walter THOMA

Walter THOMA 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).

  • Publication number: 20230130591
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating system comprising: a heating arrangement for heating a process medium; an inverter configured to receive an input direct-current voltage from a power supply and to produce an intermediate alternating-current voltage; a transformer configured to receive the intermediate alternating-current voltage produced by the inverter and to supply an output alternating-current voltage to the heating arrangement; a sensor arrangement configured to generate a first sensor output signal indicative of a thermodynamic parameter of the process medium or the heating arrangement; and a controller configured to control the inverter based on the first sensor output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Mark Trussler, Walter Thomas Robinson, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 11618651
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator assembly includes a header beam and a first elevator cab supported by the header beam. A plurality of vertically oriented rods extend beneath the first elevator cab. A horizontally oriented mid-beam is coupled to a first one of the rods near a first end of the mid-beam and coupled to a second one of the rods near a second end of the mid-beam. A second elevator cab is situated beneath the first elevator cab and beneath the mid-beam. At least one linear actuator is supported at least partially on the mid-beam. The linear actuator selectively causes vertical movement of the second elevator cab relative to the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Enrico Manes, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20230098718
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating system comprising: a heating element for heating a process medium; a DC power converter configured to receive an input direct-current voltage from a power supply and to deliver an output direct-current voltage to the heating element; a sensor arrangement configured to generate a first sensor output signal indicative of a thermodynamic parameter of the process medium or the heating element; and a controller configured to control the DC power converter based on the first sensor output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Richard Mark Trussler, Walter Thomas Robinson, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 11597629
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a plurality of components respectively configured for at least one function during operation of the elevator system. A plurality of sensors are each associated with at least one of the components. Each sensor senses at least one characteristic of an actual performance of an associated one of the components. A processor is configured to receive respective indications from the sensors regarding the actual performance of the associated components, determine a difference between the actual performance and a desired performance of any of the components based on the respective indications, and determine an adjustment to the operation of the elevator system based upon the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Schmidt, Soumalya Sarkar, Paul R. Braunwart
  • Patent number: 11572251
    Abstract: A system for elevator door sensor fusion, fault detection, and service notification is provided. The system includes a processor and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include monitoring outputs of a plurality of sensors. It is determined whether the outputs of the plurality of sensors follow an expected pattern. Based at least in part on determining that the outputs of the plurality of sensors do not follow the expected pattern: identifying a sensor in the plurality of sensors that is not following the expected pattern, and transmitting a notification indicating that the sensor is exhibiting unexpected behaviour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Schmidt, Abdelilah Sakti, Michael J. Tracey
  • Publication number: 20220382969
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for convenient, secure digital data archiving and utilization across multiple communication channels. The method includes extracting one or more data input fields from a form and generating one or more user prompts to be presented to a user in order to complete at least one of the one or more entries of the one or more data input fields. The method further includes causing the transmission of at least one of the one or more user prompts to the user and receiving a prompt response from the user. The method further includes displaying to the user a completed generated form in an appropriate channel format, and provides a process for secure e-signature and cross-stream utilization of user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Heller, Charanjit S. Bagga, Muralidhar Chowdarapu, Burton M. Covnot, Indradeep Dantuluri, Sandeep Gandhi, Saurabh Khanna, Silvia Adriana Krasuk, Mardochee Macxis, Walter Thomas Robinson, Rupal V. Shah, Mansoor Zafar
  • Patent number: 11492151
    Abstract: An atmospheric suit includes a torso portion with one or more layers, and fibers of a first material arranged in each of the one or more layers. Optical fibers are interspersed with the fibers of the first material in each of the one or more layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph C. Rampone, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220350961
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for digital form integration and presentation. The method includes extracting one or more data input fields from a form and generating one or more user prompts to be presented to a user in order to complete at least one of the one or more entries of the one or more data input fields. The method further includes causing the transmission of at least one of the one or more user prompts to the user and receiving a prompt response from the user. The method also includes determining whether the prompt response meets one or more form requirements for a given entry and updating the form upon determination that the prompt response meets one or more form requirements for a given entry. The method further includes displaying to the user the form in an appropriate channel format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indradeep Dantuluri, Charanjit S. Bagga, Muralidhar Chowdarapu, Burton M. Covnot, Sandeep Gandhi, Ryan Scott Heller, Saurabh Khanna, Silvia Adriana Krasuk, Mardochee Macxis, Walter Thomas Robinson, Rupal V. Shah, Mansoor Zafar
  • Publication number: 20220350958
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for a template based design approach for cross channel digital data parsing and generation. The system allows for onboarding of various types of forms to push them out to users via multiple various user viewing channels. The invention identifies the sections or fields of the form that require user input and presents those fields using an advanced digital solution illustrated in the channel format. The system is expandable, allowing for a single backend upload of additional forms irrespective of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indradeep Dantuluri, Charanjit S. Bagga, Muralidhar Chowdarapu, Burton M. Covnot, Sandeep Gandhi, Ryan Scott Heller, Saurabh Khanna, Silvia Adriana Krasuk, Mardochee Macxis, Walter Thomas Robinson, Rupal V. Shah, Mansoor Zafar
  • Publication number: 20220350960
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for convenient, secure digital data archiving and utilization across multiple communication channels. The method includes extracting one or more data input fields from a form and generating one or more user prompts to be presented to a user in order to complete at least one of the one or more entries of the one or more data input fields. The method further includes causing the transmission of at least one of the one or more user prompts to the user and receiving a prompt response from the user. The method further includes displaying to the user a completed generated form in an appropriate channel format, and provides a process for secure e-signature and cross-stream utilization of user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Scott Heller, Charanjit S. Bagga, Muralidhar Chowdarapu, Burton M Covnot, Indradeep Dantuluri, Sandeep Gandhi, Saurabh Khanna, Silvia Adriana Krasuk, Mardochee Macxis, Walter Thomas Robinson, Rupal V. Shah, Mansoor Zafar
  • Publication number: 20220333652
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus has a first and a second actuating element that delimit a pressure chamber. The actuating apparatus has a rotary decoupling bearing coupled via a compensation assembly to the second actuating element for joint movement along the spatial axis. The compensation assembly comprises a first ramp element which is supported axially on the second actuating element and is preloaded relative to the second actuating element by a first preloading apparatus for rotation about the spatial axis and a second ramp element coupled to the rotary decoupling bearing. An axial overall length of the compensation group along the spatial axis changes in the case of a rotation, of the first ramp element relative to the second actuating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Stephan HAHN, Michael GÖB, Daniel SIEGLER, Matthias ABESKA, Walter THOMA, Christopher BÖHM
  • Patent number: 11467463
    Abstract: A overcharge-aware electrochromic device driver for preventing overcharge of an electrochromic device is described. One driver applies a constant supply current to an electrochromic device from a power supply. The driver determines an amount of charge as a function of time and current supplied to the electrochromic device. The driver determines whether the amount of charge reaches an overcharge limit before a sense voltage reaches a first sense voltage limit. Responsive to the amount of charge reaching the overcharge limit, the driver sets the sense voltage as a second sense voltage limit that is lower than the first sense voltage limit, ceases the constant supply current, and applies one of a variable voltage or a variable current to the electrochromic device from the power supply to maintain the sense voltage at the second sense voltage limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halio, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Barnum, Hugues Duncan, Douglas Frederick Brainard
  • Patent number: 11409180
    Abstract: A system includes a gateway having a memory, and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is to identify a first subset of a data stream associated with a smart window system. The first subset of the data stream includes sensor data that has changed more than a threshold amount. Responsive to identifying the first subset of the data stream, the processing device is to transmit the first subset of the data stream to a server device. The server device is to generate one or more instructions based on the first subset of the data stream. Responsive to receiving the one or more instructions from the server device, the processing device is to cause one or more electrochromic devices to be controlled based on the one or more instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Halio, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Barnum, Jason Aaron Litzinger
  • Publication number: 20220234758
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are related unmanned aerial vehicles tethered to ground stations with an expendable airborne fiber-optic link. The tethers may be fiber-optic cables that can be used as a communications conduit between a ground station and a UAV for providing vehicle positioning/control information to the UAV as well as transmitting a large amount of information/data to the UAV. As the information being transmitted between to the UAV the ground station is critical, fiber-optic cables provide the bandwidth and transmission capabilities required with the added benefit of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) immunity, making this an ideal solution for these applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Max Edward Klein, David Porter, Walter Thomas Castleberry
  • Patent number: 11377326
    Abstract: An elevator door control system, an elevator system, and an elevator door control method based on to-be-carried object grouping identification. The elevator door control system includes one or more three-dimensional sensors, arranged to capture three-dimensional data of to-be-carried objects in an elevator waiting region, wherein the three-dimensional data includes depth data; a data processing device, communicating with the three-dimensional sensor, and configured to receive and process the three-dimensional data, to provide grouping data of one or more groups obtained according to correlations between the to-be-carried objects and position data of each to-be-carried object in the elevator waiting region; and a control device, connected to an elevator door, communicating with the data processing device, and configured to control operation of the elevator door according to the grouping data and the position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Hui Fang, Zhen Jia, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11332345
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a movable door associated with a passenger compartment, the door moveable between an opened position and a closed position configured to provide access to, or egress from, the passenger compartment. The method includes monitoring a landing area of the elevator door with at least one sensor, and determining a level of urgency of an approaching passenger based on the information from the at least one sensor. If the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold, modifying a closing of the elevator door based on the level of urgency. The method may also include modifying a closing speed of the elevator door if the level of urgency exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ziyou Xiong, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11242226
    Abstract: Embodiments include techniques for operating an elevator safety control system and method. The techniques include charging one or more portions of an elevator system, the elevator system includes an elevator door and elevator frame, and monitoring a charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system. In addition, the techniques include detecting a change in the charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system, and responsive to the detection, controlling an operation of the elevator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fanping Sun, Joseph V. Mantese, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220002116
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for an elevator door of an elevator car, wherein a controller controls the elevator door to travel in a proximate direction when closing and travel in a distal direction when opening, the system including: a panel that forms an exterior surface of an elevator door, the panel including a front surface extending in a widthwise direction between a proximate end and an opposing distal end to form a front surface of the elevator door, the panel including a proximate end surface extending in a depthwise direction to form a proximate end surface of the elevator door, the proximate end surface of the panel comprising a resilient portion that is capable of engaging a sensor in the panel when the elevator door is closing, and thereafter the controller instructs the elevator door to reopen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph C. Rampone, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11213076
    Abstract: A collar support system for supporting a shirt collar in a stylish orientation to improve a wearer's appearance and for retaining the collar in its stylish orientation throughout a day's activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Inventor: Walter Thomas Bueneman
  • Publication number: 20210371246
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator assembly includes a header beam and a first elevator cab supported by the header beam. A plurality of vertically oriented rods extend beneath the first elevator cab. A horizontally oriented mid-beam is coupled to a first one of the rods near a first end of the mid-beam and coupled to a second one of the rods near a second end of the mid-beam. A second elevator cab is situated beneath the first elevator cab and beneath the mid-beam. At least one linear actuator is supported at least partially on the mid-beam. The linear actuator selectively causes vertical movement of the second elevator cab relative to the rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Zaffir A. CHAUDHRY, Enrico MANES, Walter Thomas SCHMIDT