Patents by Inventor William A. Miller

William A. 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).

  • OPEN MESH MEMBERS AND RELATED FILL PACKS
    Publication number: 20210389064
    Abstract: An open mesh member for insertion into a cooling tower utilizing polluted or clean water and counterflow or crossflow airflow includes a plurality of corrugations including upper support frames, lower support frames and a wall strand. The upper and lower support frames extend at a corrugation angle relative to a height axis. The corrugations have a plurality of openings through a thickness of the mesh member. A planar edge positioned at a first end of the mesh member. A beveled edge positioned at a second end of the mesh member. The beveled edge includes a first bevel extending distally from one of the upper support frames. The bevel includes first and second legs and a distal end. The first and second legs extend substantially parallel relative to the associated upper support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Brentwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. KULICK, III, Luke LINGLE, William MILLER
  • METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CURVED HEAT EXCHANGER USING WEDGE SHAPED SEGMENTS
    Publication number: 20210381779
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes brazing an end of a second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: William T. Lockwood, Matthew William Miller, Luke J. Mayo
  • Method for removing liquid from a slurry
    Patent number: 11179909
    Abstract: A method for removing liquid from a slurry includes: (i) feeding the slurry into the inlet of a press; (ii) removing liquid from the slurry as the slurry advances through a deliquifying section of the press, thereby producing a pressate stream; (iii) forming a plug of material as the slurry is advanced through a plug formation section of the press; (iv) advancing the plug of material to a discharge section of the press; and (v) removing additional liquid from the plug of material by operating the press so that the pressure in the discharge section of the press is greater than the pressure of the pressate stream by at least 2 psi. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling discharge consistency from a press, without provision of discharge restrictors, by varying the pressure differential between a discharge section of the press and a pressate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Voith Patent GmbH, Iogen Energy Corporation
    Inventors: William Miller, Trevor Richardson, Stephen A. Rowland
  • Irrigation system with variable gear ratio transmissions
    Patent number: 11140837
    Abstract: A center-pivot irrigation system having mobile towers interconnected by spans actuatable about a center-pivot, constant speed motors for each of the mobile towers, and variable gear ratio transmissions each driven by one of the constant speed motors and each driving one of the mobile towers. The irrigation system may also include a control system sending command signals to the variable gear ratio transmissions, independently increasing or decreasing a speed of the mobile towers via the variable gear ratio transmissions. The irrigation system may also include a sensors for providing alignment information regarding the spans to the control system. The control system may independently command the transmissions to speed up or slow down one of the mobile towers relative to alignment information received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Mark William Miller
  • Vehicle lamp assembly
    Patent number: 11125407
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing that defines an opening. A light source is operably coupled with the housing. The light source is configured to emit light. A lens is coupled to the housing proximate the opening. The lens includes a first side that has an A-surface of the lens. A second side has a B-surface of the lens. A first optic defines an interior surface of the first side of the lens. The A-surface is free of the first optic. A second optic is defined on the second side. The first optic and the second optic are aligned to collimate and disperse the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Linsheng Chen, Robert William Miller
  • System and method to improve boiler and steam turbine start-up times
    Patent number: 11125118
    Abstract: A system for reheating a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to the boiler or mixer. The system also includes a first flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam through the turbine, and a sensor the sensor operable to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control at least the first flow control valve, to control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Antonio Mambro, William Miller, Francesco Congiu, Danny Gelbar
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE BOILER AND STEAM TURBINE START-UP TIMES
    Publication number: 20210285335
    Abstract: A system for warming a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to a first heat exchanger operably connected to receive the heated steam at the second temperature from the output of at least the first section of the turbine and transfer heat to at least one of water and steam in the boiler or the mixer, feedwater for the boiler, and a thermal energy storage system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: ANTONIO MAMBRO, WILLIAM MILLER, FRANCESCO CONGIU, DANNY GELBAR
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE BOILER AND STEAM TURBINE START-UP TIMES
    Publication number: 20210285341
    Abstract: A system for reheating a power generation system including a boiler and a mixer fluidly coupled to the boiler, a turbine first section operable to receive steam from the boiler at a first temperature. The turbine supplies steam at a second temperature to the boiler or mixer. The system also includes a first flow control valve operable to control a flow of steam through the turbine, and a sensor the sensor operable to monitor at least one operating characteristic in the boiler system. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive the monitored operating characteristic and control at least the first flow control valve, to control the amount of steam directed through the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: ANTONIO MAMBRO, WILLIAM MILLER, FRANCESCO CONGIU, DANNY GELBAR
  • VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20210285613
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing that defines an opening. A light source is operably coupled with the housing. The light source is configured to emit light. A lens is coupled to the housing proximate the opening. The lens includes a first side that has an A-surface of the lens. A second side has a B-surface of the lens. A first optic defines an interior surface of the first side of the lens. The A-surface is free of the first optic. A second optic is defined on the second side. The first optic and the second optic are aligned to collimate and disperse the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Linsheng Chen, Robert William Miller
  • INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT INSERTERS AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20210275324
    Abstract: Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Dittmann, William Miller, Jeff Walker
  • Wind turbine generator for low to moderate wind speeds
    Patent number: 11105317
    Abstract: A 3 megawatt wind turbine generator having a rotor configured to efficiently extract power from low to moderate winds having an average speed of between about 7.5 and 8.5 meters/second is provided. The rotor includes three aerodynamic blades having an aspect ratio of 15 mounted on a modular hub. The relatively shorter and wider aerodynamic blades result in a rotor having a specific power of about 0.27, a specific power rating of about 260 watts/m2, and a solidity of about 6%. The modular hub is formed from three interconnected hub sections, each of which formed from a single plate of spring steel bent along its sides into a modular shape. The bends in the plates forming the hub sections act like corrugations that more strongly resist the larger stresses applied to the hub as a result of the relatively shorter and wider aspect of the aerodynamic blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: 21ST CENTURY WIND, INC.
    Inventors: William Miller, Peder Mørck Hansen
  • CROSS CORRUGATED MEDIA AND RELATED METHOD
    Publication number: 20210262741
    Abstract: A fill pack includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet has a first end, a second end and a first plurality of flutes. A first microstructure includes first top flat strips, first bottom flat strips and first conduit sides connecting the first top flat strips to the first bottom flat strips. A plurality of first radii connect the first top flat strips to the first conduit sides and the first bottom flat strips to the first conduit sides. The second sheet has a second plurality of flutes. A second microstructure includes second top flat strips, second bottom flat strips and second conduit sides connecting the second top flat strips to the second bottom flat strips. A plurality of second radii connect the second top flat strips to the second conduit sides and second bottom flat strips to the second conduit sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Brian EDWARDS, William MILLER
  • Treatment of Female Genital Schistosomiasis
    Publication number: 20210260062
    Abstract: Formulations of praziquantel are used to locally treat female genital schistosomiasis. The formulations can be applied to the upper or lower female genital tract, depending on the location of the infection. Thick or viscous formulations can be used advantageously in the vagina. Solutions of active ingredient can be instilled in the uterus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Villya LLC
    Inventor: William Miller
  • Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media and electronic devices for virtual control of agricultural devices
    Patent number: 11073978
    Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of mobile agricultural devices that includes establishing electronic communication with a plurality of transceivers mounted to the mobile agricultural devices and building a model including a virtual representation of each of the mobile agricultural devices. The method also includes displaying the model at a user interface including a display and a gesture sensor. The method further includes receiving location data regarding the mobile agricultural devices via the transceivers and adjusting at least one of the virtual representations of the mobile agricultural devices within the model to reflect the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Mark William Miller
  • BUTT CLOSURES AND ORGANIZER ASSEMBLIES THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20210223494
    Abstract: An organizer assembly includes a primary basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first open end and a second closed end, the primary basket defining an interior. The organizer assembly further includes a bracket assembly extending along a transverse axis at the first open end of the basket, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies. The organizer assembly further includes a plurality of organizer trays, each of the plurality of organizer trays rotatably connectable to the bracket assembly at one of the plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of the plurality of organizer trays is rotatable between a first position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the longitudinal axis and a second position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: David Wittmeier, David Lane, Cecilia Stout, William Miller
  • Method for manufacturing a curved heat exchanger using wedge shaped segments
    Patent number: 11060802
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes stacking a plurality of parting sheets, a plurality of lengthwise closure bars, and a plurality of widthwise closure bars to form a rectangular first heat exchanger section. The first heat exchanger section includes at least one widthwise passage extending between a pair of the widthwise closure bars and at least one lengthwise passage extending between a pair of the lengthwise closure bars. The method also includes brazing the rectangular first heat exchanger section together and cutting a first side and a second side of the rectangular first heat exchanger section to give the first heat exchanger section a tapered-trapezoid profile. The method further includes brazing an end of a second heat exchanger section to the first or second side of the first heat exchanger section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: William T. Lockwood, Matthew William Miller, Luke J. Mayo
  • Intervertebral implant inserters and related methods
    Patent number: 11045331
    Abstract: Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk Dittmann, William Miller, Jeff Walker
  • LASER DIODE DRIVE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20210175684
    Abstract: A laser diode drive system for generating a drive current for a laser diode is described. The laser diode drive system comprises a first laser diode driver connected to the laser diode by a first cable to provide a drive current source for the laser diode. A second laser diode driver is then connected to the laser diode by a second cable to provide a low current sink for the laser diode. A feedback control loop is employed to provide a feedback signal for the second laser diode driver from to sample of an output field of the laser diode. The laser diode drive system exhibits low power consumption while being capable of creating sufficient feedback bandwidth to reduce the excess optical noise by at least an order of magnitude at 1 MHz compared with laser diode drive systems comprising just a first laser diode driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Graeme Peter Alexander MALCOLM, Gareth Thomas MAKER, William MILLER
  • Irrigation motor and gearbox temperature monitoring and control system
    Patent number: 11031901
    Abstract: A control system for monitoring a motor and wheel drive gearbox of an irrigation system drive train. The control system includes a motor sensor for sensing an operating state of the motor and a gearbox sensor for sensing an operating state of the wheel drive gearbox. If the motor operating state exceeds a motor operating state threshold or changes too quickly, or if the wheel drive gearbox operating state exceeds a wheel drive gearbox operating state threshold or changes too quickly, the control system operates the drive train at a reduced capacity or in a modified mode such that the operating state is not exceeded or does not change too quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Parod, Richard E. Provaznik, Mark William Miller
  • SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF A SUBSTANCE OF INTEREST IN A SAMPLE
    Publication number: 20210133538
    Abstract: A detection device for detecting the presence of a substance of interest in a sample is described. The device can include a data store comprising executable instructions for at least one convolutional neural network, CNN, configured to process images: and a processor coupled to the data store and configured to execute the instructions to operate the at least one CNN. The detection device can be configured to: obtain spectrometry data, operate a first one of the CNNs to process the spectrometry data to obtain a first CNN output; apply a mask to the spectrometry data to obtain masked data; operate a second one of the CNNs to process the masked data to obtain a second CNN output; and determine if the substance of interest is present in the sample based on both the first CNN output and the second CNN output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Jerome Troy, John W. Edwards, Heather Goldman, David Joiner, William Miller