Patents by Inventor Wayne L. Miller

Wayne L. Miller 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: 6682044
    Abstract: A pinch valve for pinching closed a tube which has a linear actuator connected pivotally a pointer. The linear actuator is parallel to the tube and the end of the pointer that engages the tube is made to follow a path that is perpendicular to the tube when the valve is closed. When the pinch valve is closed, the pointer is perpendicular to, and supported by, both the linear actuator and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Wayne L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020088954
    Abstract: A pinch valve for pinching closed a tube is comprised of a linear actuator connected pivotally a pointer. The linear actuator is parallel to the tube and the end of the pointer that engages the tube is made to follow a path that is perpendicular to the tube when the valve is closed. When the pinch valve is closed, the pointer is perpendicular to, and supported by, both the linear actuator and the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5838158
    Abstract: An instrument determines one or more physical properties, including dielectric, in a web or other material. A resonant cavity in the instrument resonates at a known band of frequencies. The instrument generates a constant frequency signal within the known band, divides the signal into a measuring signal and a reference signal. With the instrument proximate the web, the measuring signal is passed into the resonant cavity. A first fraction passes through the resonant cavity. incurring a phase shift. A second fraction is reflected from the cavity. The phase shift in the measuring signal is compared to the reference signal, and a first output signal is sent to a controller. The magnitude of the reflected signal is determined, and a second output signal is sent to the controller. Using the first and second output signals, the controller calculates a resultant property value (e.g. moisture content), using the combined values of phase shift and reflected power to cancel out the affect of distance of the e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Appleton Mills
    Inventors: David A. Beck, Wayne L. Miller
  • Patent number: 5731990
    Abstract: This invention pertains to an instrument, and methods of use, for collecting and mathematically manipulating physical property data relating to a material such as a felt for a papermaking machine. An indeterminate number of data values are collected, and a determinate number of data points are calculated therefrom. The data points, representing physical properties of the material, are correlated to specific loci on the material, thus identifying specific data points with specific loci on the material or web. The methods are useful for determining, for example, moisture content of a pepermaking felt at specific locations on the felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Appleton Mills
    Inventors: David A. Beck, Wayne L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4035801
    Abstract: A method and system for obtaining and displaying distance information to multiple DME ground stations using a single airborne transmitter-receiver and for displaying groundspeed to one of the stations. A DME is time multiplexed between two channels and display-memory means, the distance value being held in the display corresponding to each channel until that channel and the display corresponding thereto is updated or until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Further, a DME which provides a distance data output in both search and track modes is multiplexed between primary and secondary channels and display-memory means, and is permitted to go into track on the primary channel but only into search on the secondary channel. When the system is on the secondary channel appropriate information is stored and the DME is returned to primary channel operation in the track mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: The Cessna Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Wayne L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4028698
    Abstract: A DME apparatus and method for determining the distance of an aircraft from a ground station and the groundspeed thereof. Replies to the transmitting aircraft are distinguishd from replies to other aircraft and squitter by digitally storing information indicative of the times of receipt of all replies received during a first cycle and determining whether any of the stored times are identical to the times of receipt of replies received during the cycles following the first cycle for a predetermined number of successive cycles. If this criterion is met distance information is derived and displayed and a range gate is generated and combined with incoming replies. If replies fall within the range gate for at least a predetermined percentage of cycles then the apparatus is switched into the track state in which all replies are ANDed with the range gate before storage and the coincidence determination is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: The Cessna Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Wayne L. Miller, Ernest J. Carnicelli
  • Patent number: RE30069
    Abstract: A method and system for obtaining and displaying distance information to multiple DME ground stations using a single airborne transmitter-receiver and for displaying groundspeed to one of the stations. A DME is time multiplexed between two channels and display-memory means, the distance value being held in the display corresponding to each channel until that channel and the display corresponding thereto is updated or until a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Further, a DME which provides a distance data output in both search and track modes is multiplexed between primary and secondary channels and display-memory means, and is permitted to go into track on the primary channel but only into search on the secondary channel. When the system is on the secondary channel appropriate information is stored and the DME is returned to primary channel operation in the track mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1979
    Assignee: The Cessna Aircraft Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne L. Miller