Patents by Inventor Wayne M. Blackwell
Wayne M. Blackwell 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).
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Publication number: 20100013654Abstract: A self-contained monitoring and remote testing (SMART) unit for a mail conveyance machine includes a housing and a set of condition monitoring devices provided in the housing. The housing may be sized and adapted for conveyance by the mail conveyance machine. A ruggedized processor may be included in the housing. The processor may receive data from the set of condition monitoring devices during conveyance of the unit through the mail conveyance machine. The processor may be adapted to endure vibrations and impact during conveyance. Each of the condition monitoring devices of said set may be configured to measure a different property of the conveyance machine as the housing is conveyed therethrough. The measurements from the condition monitoring devices can be used to determine an operating condition of the conveyance machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: Bruce A. Williams, Wayne M. Blackwell
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Publication number: 20090303555Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving the effectiveness with which a line scan camera may read information presented on the surface of an item, such as a flats mail item having name and/or address information printed thereon which is enclosed or partially covered in transparent and/or semi-transparent material. Some embodiments provide a camera platen having a surface area which promotes a smoothing and/or brushing of material covering the information on the surface of a mail item, thereby reducing wrinkles, angulations or deformities in the covering that might otherwise cause shadows and/or glare that could obscure the information. Smoothing and/or brushing may, for example, be achieved using a platen having surface areas formed of materials having different coefficients of friction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2008Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Jonathan Barton, Wayne M. Blackwell
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Patent number: 7552918Abstract: A device and system for registering or justifying product such as mail pieces in a vertical position for future processing of such mail pieces. The system includes a mounting block having an angled bore and a driven alignment mechanism mounted within the angled bore. The driven alignment mechanism includes a shaft assembly mounted in the angled bore such that the shaft assembly is at approximately a same angle as the angled bore. At least one surface is mounted to the shaft assembly which, when contacting a product, is driven and provides a downward correction vector to the product for vertically aligning the product.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Jamie R. Swetland
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Patent number: 7547176Abstract: A system and method for loading mail objects. The system includes a bucket assembly which holds variable sized mail holding containers. An actuator system moves the bucket assembly between at least an upright position, an intermediate tilt position and a fully tilt position. At least one sensor detects whether any of the variable sized mail holding containers has reached a fill capacity at each of the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. A feedback control system controls an indexing of the bucket assembly, via the actuator system, between the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. In the intermediate position, packages or other mail objects are permitted to settle within any of the variable sized mail holding containers such that additional packages or other mail objects can be introduced into the any of the variable sized mail holding containers in the intermediate position.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp.Inventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Mark Grandstaff
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Patent number: 7201369Abstract: A device and system for registering or justifying product such as mail pieces in a vertical position for future processing of such mail pieces. The system includes a mounting block having an angled bore and a driven alignment mechanism mounted within the angled bore. The driven alignment mechanism includes a shaft assembly mounted in the angled bore such that the shaft assembly is at approximately a same angle as the angled bore. At least one surface is mounted to the shaft assembly which, when contacting a product, is driven and provides a downward correction vector to the product for vertically aligning the product.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Jamie R. Swetland
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Patent number: 7175017Abstract: An article or postal mail conveyor or transportation system which has an in-line mechanism integrally incorporated therein that has been specifically constructed and assembled so as to enable mail tray and mail tub receptacles, which may initially be disposed upon the conveyor or transportation mechanism in improperly oriented states or dispositions, to be automatically moved to properly oriented dispositions or states such that the mail tray and mail tub receptacles can in fact be processed further by automated apparatus or equipment without encountering or causing operational difficulties. The mechanism for re-orienting the mail trays or mail tubs comprises a four-sided tubular housing within which conveyor rollers are disposed upon the four walls of the tubular housing such that any one of the walls of the tubular housing can effectively serve as the floor member of the housing along which the mail trays or mail tubs can be conveyed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Carey, Wayne M. Blackwell, Bruce A. Williams
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Patent number: 7080968Abstract: A system and method for loading product onto a conveyor. The system includes a conveyor movable in at least a first direction and a metering section located proximate to at an end of the conveyor. The metering section includes a plate mechanism movable between a first position and a second position and a door adapted to be opened to a feeder. The door is at least partially supporting a predetermined amount of product and is positioned between a movable distance of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Bruce H. Hanson
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Patent number: 6926271Abstract: A flat mail edge biasing machine and method of use for separating stacks of bulk flats (products) into at least two separate stacks each with bound edges oriented in a same direction. The flat mail edge biasing machine has a feed head mechanism which is capable of detecting a bound or non-bound edge of the product, and sort the products based on the detection. The sorting includes moving the products from a center compartment to side compartments. In the side compartments, the products stacks with the bound edges oriented in a same direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Bruce H. Hanson, Wayne M. Blackwell
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Publication number: 20040265101Abstract: A system and method for loading mail objects. The system includes a bucket assembly which holds variable sized mail holding containers. An actuator system moves the bucket assembly between at least an upright position, an intermediate tilt position and a fully tilt position. At least one sensor detects whether any of the variable sized mail holding containers has reached a fill capacity at each of the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. A feedback control system controls an indexing of the bucket assembly, via the actuator system, between the upright position, the intermediate tilt position and the fully tilt position. In the intermediate position, packages or other mail objects are permitted to settle within any of the variable sized mail holding containers such that additional packages or other mail objects can be introduced into the any of the variable sized mail holding containers in the intermediate position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Mark Grandstaff
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Patent number: 6612565Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between the detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Michael D. Senger
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Publication number: 20030155284Abstract: A flat mail edge biasing machine and method of use for separating stacks of bulk flats (products) into at least two separate stacks each with bound edges oriented in a same direction. The flat mail edge biasing machine has a feed head mechanism which is capable of detecting a bound or non-bound edge of the product, and sort the products based on the detection. The sorting includes moving the products from a center compartment to side compartments. In the side compartments, the products stacks with the bound edges oriented in a same direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Bruce H. Hanson, Wayne M. Blackwell
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Patent number: 6585256Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Michael D. Senger
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Patent number: 6511062Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Michael D. Senger
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Patent number: 6499737Abstract: A flat article conveyor system comprises a forming wheel which is provided for operative cooperation with a grooved roller whereby a relatively shallow and temporary longitudinal crease, rib, or spine is formed or impressed within relatively thin pieces or units of mail, or similar flat articles, as the pieces or units of mail, or similar flat articles, are conveyed so as to effectively reinforce the piece or unit of mail, or similar article, such that the piece or unit of mail will not experience curl or sag so as not to subsequently rollover when, for example, the particular piece or unit of mail, or similar flat article, is being released from a conveyor mechanism into a stacking or similar accumulation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Douglas A. Slocum, Wayne M. Blackwell, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Publication number: 20020153654Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Michael D. Senger
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Publication number: 20020121738Abstract: A flat article conveyor system comprises a forming wheel which is provided for operative cooperation with a grooved roller whereby a relatively shallow and temporary longitudinal crease, rib, or spine is formed or impressed within relatively thin pieces or units of mail, or similar flat articles, as the pieces or units of mail, or similar flat articles, are conveyed so as to effectively reinforce the piece or unit of mail, or similar article, such that the piece or unit of mail will not experience curl or sag so as not to subsequently rollover when, for example, the particular piece or unit of mail, or similar flat article, is being released from a conveyor mechanism into a stacking or similar accumulation chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Douglas A. Slocum, Wayne M. Blackwell, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
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Publication number: 20020053768Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for controlling the presentation of articles to the singulation head of a system for singulating a stack of edge-mounted articles, for example mixed mail, which mechanism senses the instantaneous pressure at which the lead article of the stack is pressed against the singulation head. A feedback control may be provided responsive to a difference between detected instantaneous pressure and a desired target pressure for controlling at least one drive member in a manner so as to reduce such difference. Where there is a pick window of instantaneous pressure at which singulation can be effectively performed, a control may also be provided to inhibit operation of the singulation head when the instantaneous pressure is outside the pick window.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2002Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Michael D. Senger