Patents by Inventor William A. Gowan

William A. Gowan 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: 7370574
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Matthew Steckmann, William A. Gowan, Rayvonn Donnell Core, William Matthew Moscrip
  • Patent number: 7360444
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Matthew Steckmann, William A. Gowan, Rayvonn Donnell Core, William Matthew Moscrip
  • Publication number: 20070017299
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Steckmann, William Gowan, Rayvonn Core, William Moscrip
  • Publication number: 20070017298
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Steckmann, William Gowan, Rayvonn Core, William Moscrip
  • Patent number: 7121149
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Matthew Steckmann, William A. Gowan, Rayvonn Donnell Core, William Matthew Moscrip
  • Patent number: 6868738
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to interact with a cylindrical mold for a gyratory compactor so as to determine a property of the gyratory compactor is provided, wherein the mold is adapted to contain a sample therein. Such an apparatus comprises a rigid disk-shaped plate defining an axis and a periphery, with the plate being adapted to be disposed within the mold. At least one sensing device is operably engaged with the plate, wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to measure a proximity of the at least one sensing device with respect to a reference member and to produce a corresponding signal indicative of the property of the gyratory compactor. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to determine the gyration angle of the mold, while in another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to determine the pressure exerted on the sample within the mold. The property of the mold may be determined either statically or dynamically. Associated apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William Matthew Moscrip, William A. Gowan
  • Publication number: 20040194552
    Abstract: A gyratory compactor apparatus is provided for interacting with a sample within a generally cylindrical mold having a flange. Such an apparatus comprises a frame defining an axis and an offsetable member engaged with the frame for engaging one end of the mold. The offsetable member is displaceable from the axis and is concurrently movable in an orbital motion thereabout. A pressure ram is movable along the axis and a mold-engaging device is engaged with the frame for receiving the mold such that the mold and frame axes are coaxial. The pressure ram is axially movable within the mold to apply a compaction pressure on the sample, and thereby maintains a portion of the mold at a gyration point along the frame axis. The mold-engaging device axially moves the mold into engagement with the offsetable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Raffaello Verna, Dirk Matthew Steckmann, William A. Gowan, Rayvonn Donnell Core, William Matthew Moscrip
  • Publication number: 20040079166
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to interact with a cylindrical mold for a gyratory compactor so as to determine a gyration angle of the mold is provided, wherein the mold is adapted to contain a sample therein. Such an apparatus comprises a rigid disk-shaped plate defining an axis and a periphery, with the plate being adapted to be disposed within a wall of the mold. At least one inductive sensing device is operably engaged with the plate, wherein the at least one inductive sensing device is configured to measure a proximity of the at least one inductive sensing device with respect to the wall of the mold and to produce a corresponding signal indicative of the gyration angle of the mold. The gyration angle of the mold may be determined either statically or dynamically. Associated apparatuses, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William Matthew Moscrip, William A. Gowan
  • Publication number: 20040020306
    Abstract: An apparatus adapted to interact with a cylindrical mold for a gyratory compactor so as to determine a property of the gyratory compactor is provided, wherein the mold is adapted to contain a sample therein. Such an apparatus comprises a rigid disk-shaped plate defining an axis and a periphery, with the plate being adapted to be disposed within the mold. At least one sensing device is operably engaged with the plate, wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to measure a proximity of the at least one sensing device with respect to a reference member and to produce a corresponding signal indicative of the property of the gyratory compactor. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to determine the gyration angle of the mold, while in another embodiment, the apparatus is configured to determine the pressure exerted on the sample within the mold. The property of the mold may be determined either statically or dynamically. Associated apparatuses, devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William Matthew Moscrip, William A. Gowan
  • Patent number: 5343712
    Abstract: A temperature controller for facilitating the storage of wine and like perishables in a household refrigeration unit includes a temperature sensing device, adapted to be positioned in a chilled compartment of the refrigeration unit, and a temperature controller circuit, operatively connected to the temperature sensing device, for overriding an internal thermostat of the refrigeration unit. The temperature controller circuit maintains the refrigeration unit's chilled compartment at a desired user selected wine storage temperature by periodically enabling and disabling the supply of electrical power from an external power supply to the refrigeration unit's chiller (e.g., compressor). The temperature controller circuit is maintained in a housing adapted to be positioned on or adjacent the refrigeration unit. The housing may also include a display for visually indicating the temperature of the chilled compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Precision Storage, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Gowan