Patents by Inventor William A. Morrison

William A. Morrison 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: 11257599
    Abstract: The method includes installing a system for inspecting the core shroud on the core shroud, driving the system horizontally around the core shroud, and using a sensor of the system to inspect the core shroud, where the system includes a trolley, an arm, a tether, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting the core shroud. The ROV includes a body configured to be operatively connected to the tether, and the sensor is configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the core shroud. The arm is configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV is configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether, and the tether is configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface of the core shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Carl Vigliano, William A. Morrison, Edmund S. Mercier
  • Patent number: 10910102
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus operable to collect biometric and/or physiological data of a patient located on the patient support apparatus, using one or more sensors that are coupled to the patient or coupled to a component of the patient support apparatus. The system can use the biometric and/or physiological data to verify the identity of a patient that is associated with the patient support apparatus or a patient room. Based on the patient verification, the system can update patient electronic medical records to include the biometric and/or physiological data, and/or perform other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Agdeppa, Michael S. Hood, Laetitia Gazagnes, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michelle E. McCleerey, William A. Morrison, David L. Ribble, Karanveer Singh
  • Patent number: 10811150
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting a core shroud having an outer surface may include: a body configured to be operatively connected to a tether; and/or a sensor, configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the shroud. The tether may be configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface. A system for inspecting a core shroud may include: a trolley; an arm; the tether; and/or the ROV. The arm may be configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV may be configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether. A method for inspecting a core shroud may include: installing a system for inspecting the shroud on the shroud; driving the system horizontally around the shroud; and/or using a sensor of the system to inspect the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Vincent Carl Vigliano, William A. Morrison, Edmund S. Mercier
  • Patent number: 10512573
    Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole Johannigman, William A. Morrison, Douglas A. Seim
  • Publication number: 20180053572
    Abstract: A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for inspecting a core shroud having an outer surface may include: a body configured to be operatively connected to a tether; and/or a sensor, configured to be operatively connected to the body, and configured to provide inspection information of the shroud. The tether may be configured to provide vertical position information for the ROV relative to the outer surface. A system for inspecting a core shroud may include: a trolley; an arm; the tether; and/or the ROV. The arm may be configured to be operatively connected to the trolley. The ROV may be configured to be operatively connected to the arm via the tether. A method for inspecting a core shroud may include: installing a system for inspecting the shroud on the shroud; driving the system horizontally around the shroud; and/or using a sensor of the system to inspect the shroud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: VINCENT CARL VIGLIANO, William A. MORRISON, Edmund S. MERCIER
  • Publication number: 20170112696
    Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Nicole JOHANNIGMAN, William A. MORRISON, Douglas A. SEIM
  • Publication number: 20170046620
    Abstract: A method of providing decision support in connection with a care recipient and a suite of care delivery devices which includes at least one adjustable system includes the steps of 1) receiving a command to effect a change to a parameter of the adjustable system, 2) assessing whether or not carrying out the command will result in one or more ramifications, and 3) if a ramification is identified, a) issuing a report related to the identified ramification, and b) complying with the command only if a confirmation is received subsequent to the assessing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 9539155
    Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicole Johannigman, William A. Morrison, Douglas A. Seim
  • Publication number: 20160338891
    Abstract: A patient support system includes a patient support apparatus operable to collect biometric and/or physiological data of a patient located on the patient support apparatus, using one or more sensors that are coupled to the patient or coupled to a component of the patient support apparatus. The system can use the biometric and/or physiological data to verify the identity of a patient that is associated with the patient support apparatus or a patient room. Based on the patient verification, the system can update patient electronic medical records to include the biometric and/or physiological data, and/or perform other tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Eric D. Agdeppa, Michael S. Hood, Laetitia Gazagnes, Charles A. Lachenbruch, Michelle E. McCleerey, William A. Morrison, David L. Ribble, Karanveer Singh
  • Patent number: 9155474
    Abstract: A confocal scanning system for the multispectral imaging of fluorescence from a tissue sample based on time domain mapping of spectral components of the fluorescence using coated fiber tips disposed on multimode optical fibers. A fiber grating spectrometer based on two serial arrays of coated fiber tips disposed on multi-mode fiber, and delay lines between them provide spectral slices of the florescence. The coated fiber tips are arranged such that the shortest wavelength spectral components are reflected first and the longest wavelength components last. Fiber-based delay lines delay the reflections from each successive fiber tip such that they are uniformly separated in time, and in the order of its spectral wavelength number. The spectral bins are used to colorize the images to show the presence of abnormal tissue at cellular spatial resolution. A second scan with increased laser flux can destroy the diseased tissue revealed by the first scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Omega Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Carver, Sheetal K. Chanda, William A. Morrison, Sarah A. Locknar, Robert L. Johnson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150051497
    Abstract: The present invention is a confocal scanning system for the multispectral imaging of fluorescence from a tissue sample based on the mapping of the spectral components of the fluorescence into the time domain using coated fiber tips disposed on multimode optical fibers. A fiber grating spectrometer based on two serial arrays of coated fiber tips disposed on multi-mode fiber, and delay lines between them provide spectral slices of the florescence. The coated fiber tips are arranged such that the shortest wavelength spectral components are reflected first and the longest wavelength components last. Fiber-based delay lines delay the reflections from each successive fiber tip such that they are uniformly separated in time, and in the order of its spectral wavelength number. The spectral bins are used to colorize the images to show the presence of abnormal tissue at cellular spatial resolution. A second scan with increased laser flux can destroy the diseased tissue revealed by the first scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Gary E. Carver, Sheetal K. Chanda, William A. Morrison, Sarah A. Locknar, Robert L. Johnson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140115784
    Abstract: A system includes a patient support apparatus that has one or more therapies. The therapies are optionally available depending on the acuity of the patient. A request for enablement of a therapy is transferred to a service provider for approval and, when approved, the therapy is enabled by the service provider. The patient support apparatus may be in communication with a server that is in communication with multiple patient support apparatuses so that the server is operable to selectively enable therapies on various patient support apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HILL-ROM SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Nicole JOHANNIGMAN, William A. MORRISON, Douglas A. SEIM
  • Patent number: 5330854
    Abstract: Boron nitride is coated on filaments of elemental carbon and/or silicon carbide, the coated filaments are contacted with an infiltration-promoting material containing elemental carbon to produce a preform wherein the filaments are substantially parallel and each filament is enveloped with infiltration-promoting material, and the preform is infiltrated with molten silicon to produce a composite containing boron nitride coated filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raj N. Singh, William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5205970
    Abstract: A method of infiltration forming silicon carbide bodies having an improved surface finish comprises, infiltrating a porous carbonaceous preform with molten infiltrant to form a silicon carbide body. The body is heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum to a temperature where the infiltrant is molten while the body is positioned in contact with an infiltrant wicking means. Preferably, the wicking means has infiltrant wicking capillaries at least as large as the infiltrant wicking capillaries in the body. Capillary force draws excess infiltrant on the surface of the body from the surface leaving the reaction formed silicon carbide body with a surface substantially free of excess infiltrant droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Milivoj K. Brun, William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5043303
    Abstract: Boron nitride is coated on filaments of elemental carbon and/or silicon carbide, the coated filaments are contacted with an infiltration-promoting material containing elemental carbon to produce a preform wherein the filaments are substantially parallel and each filament is enveloped with infiltration-promoting material, and the preform is infiltrated with a molten solution of boron and silicon producing a composite containing boron nitride coated filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raj N. Singh, William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5021367
    Abstract: Fibrous material is coated with boron nitride and a silicon-wettable material, the coated fibrous material is admixed with an infiltration-promoting material which is at least partly elemental carbon and the mixture is formed into a preform which is infiltrated with a molten solution of boron and silicon producing a composite containing boron nitride coated fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raj N. Singh, William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 5015540
    Abstract: Fibrous material is coated with boron nitride and a silicon-wettable material, the coated fibrous material is admixed with an infiltration-promoting material which is at least partly elemental carbon and the mixture is formed into a preform which is infiltrated with molten silicon producing a composite containing boron nitride coated fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marcus P. Borom, William B. Hillig, Raj N. Singh, William A. Morrison, Leonard V. Interrante
  • Patent number: 4944904
    Abstract: Fibrous material is coated with boron nitride and a silicon-wettable material, the coated fibrous material is admixed with an infiltration-promoting material which is at least partly elemental carbon and the mixture is formed into a preform which is infiltrated with a molten solution of boron and silicon producing a composite containing boron nitride coated fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raj N. Singh, William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4942730
    Abstract: A textile yarn ring spinning or twisting apparatus of the type comprising a spindle for carrying a yarn support tube, the spindle being rotatable about its axis to enable yarn to be wound on the tube to form a yarn package, a yarn reserve winding member around which yarn may be wound prior to the doffing of a wound package from the spindle, and a yarn severing device so positioned adjacent the axis of the spindle and between the reserve winding member and an adjacent portion of the spindle on which the end of the package is located as to engage yarn extending from the reserve winding member to the wound package on the spindle. In accordance with the invention the drive mechanism enables relative rotation between the reserve winding member and the severing device so that the length of yarn extending from the package on the spindle to the reserve winding member may be severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: James Mackie & Sons Limited
    Inventor: William A. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4899530
    Abstract: A yarn spinning, twisting or doubling machine having bobbin doffing and donning apparatus for the spindles of the machine, the apparatus comprising bobbin conveying means extending along and above a row of spindles, a series of bobbin grippers spaced at the same pitch as the spindles, each gripper being mounted for vertical movement between its respective spindle and the conveyor, each gripper being designed to hold or grip a bobbin at a point beyond one end of a package wound on the bobbin so that the grippers can lift the wound bobbin from its spindle for engagement by means on the conveyor and then release the bobbin for subsequent removal, or grip an empty bobbin on the conveyor and move it to its respective spindle and control means operable to move the conveyor after it has received the full doffed bobbins and to bring empty bobbins into line with the spindles so that the grippers can place empty bobbins on the spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: James Mackie & Sons Limited
    Inventor: William A. Morrison