Patents by Inventor Wayne M. Spani
Wayne M. Spani 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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Patent number: 9041340Abstract: Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Inventor: Wayne M Spani
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Publication number: 20140232339Abstract: Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2013Publication date: August 21, 2014Inventor: Wayne M. Spani
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Patent number: 5463906Abstract: An inexpensive disposable plastic flow body interchangeably flow connects in line a conduit flowing fluid, and also, concurrently, acoustically connects to one or more ultrasonic transducers, so as to serve as an acoustic chamber for use with an ultrasonic flowmeter in the measurement of fluid flow velocity and/or volume. The flow connection is preferably accomplished by plugging, preferably by inserting nozzles into surgical tubing. The external ultrasonic transducer(s) is (are) normally connected under pressured contact, typically under spring forces which are preferably of external origin. Acoustic-coupling elements in the walls of the acoustic chamber serve to match the acoustic impedance of the flow body to acoustic impedance of blood. The disposable plug-connected flow body is particularly safe, sterile and convenient for extracorporeal ultrasonic blood flow measurement.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1994Date of Patent: November 7, 1995Assignee: Triton Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wayne M. Spani, William S. Kemper
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Patent number: 5440936Abstract: Multiple, typically four, acoustic transducers of a time delay acoustic flowmeter are arrayed in a X-cross, crisscross, folded geometry so as to establish a lengthy multiple-leg, typically a two-leg, acoustic path within a compact volume. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from a transducer A to a transducer B, then electrically amplified and applied to a transducer C which retransmits the ultrasonic signal to a transducer D. The compact transducer configuration is particularly suitable for use during in-vivo blood flow measurement. The acoustic signal is maintained in amplitude from one leg to the next by amplification as an electrical signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1992Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Triton Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wayne M. Spani, William S. Kemper
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Patent number: 5363848Abstract: In an acoustic flowmeter of the transit time or Doppler type the electro/acoustic, and/or acousto/electric, gain of one or more elongate acoustic transducers is varied spatially along the length of the transducer. When the transducer(s) are situated across the width of a lumen that is both flowing fluid and surrounded by material that attenuates sound differently that does the fluid during acoustic fluid flow measurement, the differing transducer(s') gain(s) serves to compensate for differing acoustic attenuations in different acoustic paths. Particularly during in-vivo acoustic blood flow measurement, the non-uniform acoustic gain(s) serves to compensate for the differing acoustic attenuations of blood and tissue, commonly fat, surrounding a blood vessel, and to produce a more accurate measurement of blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1992Date of Patent: November 15, 1994Assignee: Triton Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wayne M. Spani, William S. Kemper
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Patent number: 5001425Abstract: A device for detecting the passage of a ferromagnetic object through a predetermined space has a substantially circular base which circumscribes the space. An inner detector coil and an outer detector coil are concentrically mounted in coplanarity on the base. Voltages are induced on the coils in response to the passage of a nearby magnetic field, such as the small permanent magnetic field associated with a ferromagnetic object. A signal processing circuit compares the induced voltages on the coils to indicate passage of a metal object through the circumscribed space when the inner coil voltage exceeds the outer coil voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1989Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Winfield CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Beling, Wayne M. Spani
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Patent number: 4897591Abstract: The present invention is an electrical circuit for regulating the average current through and the voltage across a load, such as a rechargeable battery. The circuit includes at least one semiconductor switching device connected in series with the load for controlling the current through the load. A current control loop is provided in the circuit to maintain the average current through the load at a constant level despite changes in the resistance of the load. Also provided is a voltage control loop which acts to limit the voltage across the load to a value below a predetermined voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1987Date of Patent: January 30, 1990Assignee: Fisher Scientific Group Inc.Inventor: Wayne M. Spani
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Patent number: 4703314Abstract: An empty container detector for use with a drip chamber comprises a photoelectric transducer associated with the fluid container which generates a variable control signal to alternately indicate whether the light path of the photoelectric transducer is being refracted by a fluid. A second photoelectric transducer is associated with a fluid container above the fluid level in the container to establish a reference signal which is modulated by drops falling into the container and which has a component corresponding to the condition wherein the light path is not refracted or attenuated by the presence of a fluid. Electrical means are provided to connect the first photoelectric transducer to the second photoelectric transducer to linearize and normalize the reference signal with the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1986Date of Patent: October 27, 1987Assignee: Fisher Scientific Group, Inc.Inventor: Wayne M. Spani
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Patent number: 4665391Abstract: An empty container detector comprises a photoelectric transducer associated with the fluid container which generates a variable control signal to alternately indicate whether the light path of the photoelectric transducer is being refracted by a fluid. A second photoelectric transducer is associated with the fluid container above the fluid level in the container to establish a reference signal corresponding to the condition wherein the light path is not refracted or attenuated by the presence of a fluid. Electrical means are provided to connect the first photoelectric transducer to the second photoelectric transducer to linearize and normalize the reference signal with the control signal. A comparator is associated with the photoelectronic transducers and connected to an alarm which indicates when the control signal is substantially equivalent to the reference signal and thus indicating the lowering of the fluid level below the light path of the first photoelectric transducer.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1986Date of Patent: May 12, 1987Assignee: Warner-Lambert CompanyInventor: Wayne M. Spani
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Patent number: 4587434Abstract: A microprocessor controlled currency note validator includes a transport for propelling an inserted note longitudinally past an optical scanning station. Infrared and visible color reflectance readings and opacity readings are taken along several longitudinally extending tracks on the note. The microprocessor normalizes the reflectance readings to accommodate for variations in soiling and compares the normalized reflectance readings and the opacity readings against stored acceptance band data, correcting for pattern registration variations if necessary. The length of the note is also checked and a validation signal is provided if the note passes the optical tests and the length test. During the idle cycle, the microprocessor automatically adjusts the optical circuitry to compensate for component drift and dirt buildup. The microprocessor also provides a visual display of any detected malfunctions.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1985Date of Patent: May 6, 1986Assignee: Cubic Western DataInventors: John B. Roes, Billy B. Winkles, Guy M. Kelly, Wayne M. Spani, Donald W. Schuster
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Patent number: 4376942Abstract: A thermal printing system in which printing speed is maximized by electronically controlling the temperature of the print elements in accordance with the varying dot pattern being printed. The system includes a thermal printer module and a printer circuit which are specially adapted to be utilized in a modularized device such as a ticket vending machine. The printer circuit includes a microprocessor which demodulates serial data commands and stores the demodulated data in an input buffer. The microprocessor decodes the information in the input buffer and sets up an output buffer containing character data to be printed on the ticket. The microprocessor causes the character data stored in the output buffer to be printed on the ticket using software timing loops to selectively control the temperature of the individual print elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1980Date of Patent: March 15, 1983Assignee: Cubic Western DataInventors: John E. Toth, Wayne M. Spani, Chandler R. Deming, Anthony W. Cumo