Patents by Inventor Wayne Mitchell

Wayne Mitchell 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: 20250114101
    Abstract: A surgical driving system includes a driver and a cutting accessory. The driver includes a body driven by a motor. First and second arms project from the body, each arm having its own alignment tip. The arms define a channel between each other. The alignment tips are offset. Each tip includes two alignment surfaces facing away from each other. The cutting accessory includes a distal portion having a cutting tip and being coupled to a tool shaft. A proximal portion of the cutting accessory is coupled to the tool shaft and received within the channel. The proximal portion has a drive section with a flat to engage the arms of the driver. The proximal portion also has an alignment section separate from and proximal to the drive section to engage the alignment tips of the driver to orient the drive section relative to the arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: MAKO Surgical Corp.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Boyer, Richard Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 12242545
    Abstract: A document management system can include an artificial intelligence-based document manager that can perform one or more predictive operations based on characteristics of a user, a document, a user account, or historical document activity. For instance, the document management system can apply a machine-learning model to determine how long an expiring agreement document is likely to take to renegotiate and can prompt a user to begin the renegotiation process in advance. The document management system can detect a change to language in a particular clause type and can prompt a user to update other documents that include the clause type to include the change. The document management system can determine a type of a document being worked on and can identify one or more actions that a corresponding user may want to take using a machine-learning model trained on similar documents and similar users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Docusign, Inc.
    Inventors: Christina Silva Hamlin, Eric M. Zenz, Jacob Scott Mitchell, William Gerard Wetherell, Sedine Jei San Agustin, Aylin Selcukoglu, Megan Elizabeth Schwarz, David Minoru Hirotsu, Dia A. Abulzahab, Mangesh Prabhakar Bhandarkar, Isaac John Steiner, Saul Adams Aguilar, Michael Wayne Fountain
  • Publication number: 20210040509
    Abstract: A dehydration system energy recycling system (17) and method whereby latent heat energy is transferred from a high proof vapor produced by a dehydration element (16?) into a lower proof feed mixture received into the dehydration element. The high proof vapor is first compressed (48) downstream of a dehydration apparatus (18) to increase its saturation temperature, and is then condensed to release latent heat energy. The latent heat energy is used to heat the lower proof feed mixture upstream of the dehydration apparatus. A grain-to-alcohol plant incorporating the dehydration system energy recycling system requires little or no virgin boiler steam to drive the dehydration system, while an associated evaporation element (24) of the plant can be driven by heat energy captured in a dryer exhaust energy recycling (DEER) system (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, JR., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20210002594
    Abstract: Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10865370
    Abstract: Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10859257
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides a first steam at high pressure. A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a second, relatively lower pressure steam (78), thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the second steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52), which may be a heated liquid or a third steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10350511
    Abstract: An improvement which reduces the reflux requirement for a fractional distillation system of an alcohol production plant (40, 60, 70, 80). The improvement includes a mixing device (44) for combining a water/alcohol mixture having an enhanced alcohol content (50, 62, 72, 82) with the reflux liquid (16) in the absence of a vapor/liquid equilibrium interface to form a reflux mixture (56) for supply to the rectifier column (14). The mixture having an enhanced alcohol content may be sourced from a location along the rectifier-reflux vapor to liquid system flow path, or from another source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: BIOLEAP, INC.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10345043
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting waste heat from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14), such as in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides steam at a high pressure to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust and provides steam (60) at an intermediate pressure, thereby eliminating the need for a pressure reducing valve in order to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand in the plant. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20190203928
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides a first steam at high pressure. A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a second, relatively lower pressure steam (78), thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the second steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52), which may be a heated liquid or a third steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, JR., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 10267511
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (54). A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a first relatively lower pressure steam (78) to the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the first relatively lower pressure steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52) to the balance of the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180172349
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting waste heat from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14), such as in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides steam at a high pressure to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust and provides steam (60) at an intermediate pressure, thereby eliminating the need for a pressure reducing valve in order to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand in the plant. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Bioleap, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, JR., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9989310
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust via a dryer exhaust condensing economizer (24) and provides a steam mixture (60) to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand of the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72). Dryer exhaust condensate (30) may be used in an exhaust gas scrubber (22) upstream of the dryer exhaust condensing economizer to remove pollutants and to saturate (26) the exhaust gas for improved heat transfer. Heat transfer may be further improved by operating the dryer exhaust condensing economizer at an elevated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: BIOLEAP INC.
    Inventors: James Knight, Jr., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20180031227
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (54). A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a first relatively lower pressure steam (78) to the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the first relatively lower pressure steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52) to the balance of the plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: MSW Consulting, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, JR., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20170227287
    Abstract: Waste heat is extracted from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust via a dryer exhaust condensing economizer (24) and provides a steam mixture (60) to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand of the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72). Dryer exhaust condensate (30) may be used in an exhaust gas scrubber (22) upstream of the dryer exhaust condensing economizer to remove pollutants and to saturate (26) the exhaust gas for improved heat transfer. Heat transfer may be further improved by operating the dryer exhaust condensing economizer at an elevated pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: MSW Consulting, Inc.
    Inventors: James Knight, JR., Olan Wayne Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9357824
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Globepac, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Mitchell McDonald, Colton Sands McDonald, Joseph Ridge McDonald, Suzanna Rose McDonald
  • Publication number: 20160037887
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: GLOBEPAC, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Mitchell MCDONALD, Colton Sands MCDONALD, Joseph Ridge MCDONALD, Suzanna Rose MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20150107949
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Wayne Mitchell MCDONALD, Colton Sands MCDONALD, Joseph Ridge MCDONALD, Suzanna Rose MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20130048686
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a foldable bag that includes a rear wall part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side; a front wall part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side; a middle part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side. The front wall part is engaged to the middle part along a fold line, and the rear wall part is engaged to the middle part along a fold line. The foldable bag is moveable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBEPAC, LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Mitchell MCDONALD, Colton Sands MCDONALD, Joseph Ridge MCDONALD
  • Patent number: 7525913
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of controlling timing of release of traffic for a communication switch. The traffic originates from at least one source, is directed to a common ingress point of the switch and is directed to a common egress point in the switch. The egress point has a maximum egress transmission rate. The traffic has at least one datastream. Each datastream has a requested transmission rate. The method comprises, for each datastream, establishing a maximum cell release rate such that a sum of each of the maximum cell release rate does not exceed the maximum egress transmission rate and utilizing the maximum cell release rate to govern release of local traffic in the datastream from the ingress point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jason Thibodeau, John William Galway, Jason Sterne, Michael Wayne Mitchell, Peter Donovan
  • Publication number: 20090076457
    Abstract: An anchoring system for an elongated medical article comprises an anchor pad and a retainer mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer includes a base, a cover, and a compressible member including a receptacle into which the medical article to be retained is placed. When the cover is closed, the medical article is secured within the receptacle by the pressure of the compressible member and the cover upon the medical article. One or more biasing members act upon the compressible member to increase the frictional forces acting on the retained section of the medical article. The receptacle may form a channel that follows a curved path through the retainer. The retainer may also include guide extensions to support the medical article along a transverse bend toward the skin of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Venetec International, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bierman, Richard Pluth, Wayne Mitchell