Patents by Inventor William G. Faulkner

William G. Faulkner 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: 11969201
    Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Robert H. Wham, Edward L. Brannan, William D. Faulkner, Mark A. Johnston, Aaron G. Mattmiller, Donald L. Tonn
  • Patent number: 5906270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt having a plurality of link assemblies. Each of the link assemblies has a forward end, a rearward end, a first side and a second side. A forward shaft opening extends through the forward end of each link assembly and a rearward shaft opening extends through the rearward end of each link assembly. A plurality of link shafts are provided for interconnecting adjacently disposed link assemblies such that the link assemblies are laterally movable relative to adjacently disposed link assemblies. One of the link shafts extends through the forward shaft opening of each of the link assemblies and through the rearward shaft openings of an adjacently disposed link assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5601180
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus of the type in which an object is transported on a conveyor belt and in which the conveyor belt slidingly engages a guide member, the guide member having a plurality of nodules extending therefrom so as to form a plurality of channels and define a low friction contact surface for reducing drag between the conveyor belt and the contact surface when the conveyor belt is set in motion. The low friction contact surface of the guide member also is slidingly engagable with the object when the guide member is used as a side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventors: Dorian F. Steeber, Robert E. Reaser, William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5490591
    Abstract: A conveyor with cleats having a curved product-carrying surface on one side and a curved product-releasing surface on the opposite side. The cleats are pivotally linked to form an endless loop. A sprocket assembly and motor are provided to rotate the endless loop. The cleats extend outwardly from the loop and are spaced such that product items may be disposed between adjacent cleats. The loop has a transfer bend where product items shift by gravity from one cleat to an adjacent cleat. At the point where product items exit from the conveyor, the curved product-releasing surface gently deposits the product items onto an output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5431275
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt comprising a plurality of link assemblies adapted to be interconnected so as to permit coplanar rotational movement relative to one another. Each of the link assemblies having a plurality of forward link ends and a plurality of rearward link ends. A link shaft is disposed through the forward link ends and the rearward link ends of adjacent link assemblies for interconnecting the link assemblies to form the spiral conveyor belt. Each of the link shafts is tapered at least near the first end thereof to permit movement of the tapered portion of the link shaft in shaft openings in the forward and rearward link ends as the spiral conveyor belt is turned on a radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: William G. Faulkner
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5413211
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to conveyor belts and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a conveyor belt having ribs formed on a lower surface thereof for moving particles generally outwardly toward the first and the second sides of link assemblies which form the conveyor belt, and to a conveyor belt constructed of modules shaped so that the interconnections between modules are offset between each link assembly and adjacent link assemblies, and a flight link having curved portions formed the faces thereof so product slides on the surfaces rather than being toppled and a conveyor belt with a tracking product groove to substantially limit lateral movement of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignees: William Faulkner, Marie-Francoise Bigot Faulkner
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5358096
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt adapted to turn on a radius. The spiral conveyor belt comprises a plurality of link assemblies with each of the link assemblies having a plurality of forward link ends and a plurality of rearward link ends. Each link assembly is positioned near one of the other link assemblies with the forward link ends on one of the link assemblies being disposed near the rearward link ends on the other link assembly. A link shaft is disposed through the forward link ends and the rearward link ends of the adjacent link assemblies for interconnecting the link assemblies to form the spiral conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignees: William G. Faulkner, Marie-Francoise Bigot Faulkner
    Inventors: William G. Faulkner, Marie-Francoise B. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5339946
    Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of link assemblies with a leading end of each link assemblies being connectable to the trailing end of one of the other link assemblies for forming the conveyor belt. A plurality of spaced apart leading shaft projections are formed on the leading end of each link assembly and a plurality of trailing shaft projections are formed on the trailing end of each link assembly. Each of the leading shaft projections has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of each of the trailing shaft projections. Each of the leading shaft projections has a first wall and a second wall. The first and the second walls are each formed on a radius and curved inwardly from an upward end toward a lower end of each leading shaft projection. The trailing shaft projections are disposed in the spaces between the leading shaft projections and the curved walls on the leading shaft projection cooperate to expose a substantial portion of the shafts connecting adjacent link assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignees: William G. Faulkner, Marie-Francoise Bigot Faulkner
    Inventors: William G. Faulkner, Marie-Francoise B. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5318169
    Abstract: A spiral conveyor belt adapted to turn on a radius. The spiral conveyor belt comprises a plurality of link assemblies with each of the link assemblies having a plurality of forward link ends and a plurality of rearward link ends. Each link assembly is positioned near one of the other link assemblies with the forward link ends on one of the link assemblies being disposed near the rearward link ends on the other link assembly. A link shaft is disposed through the forward link ends and the rearward link ends of the adjacent link assemblies for interconnecting the link assemblies to form the spiral conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignees: William G. Faulkner, Marie Francoise Bigot Faulkner
    Inventors: William G. Faulkner, Marie-Francoise B. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5165514
    Abstract: A flight assembly for use in a conveyor wherein the flight assembly includes at least two flight links. The two flight links are removably connected in an end to end relationship for maintaining an alignment between the forward faces and the rearward faces of the two flight links. In one embodiment, a plurality of flight assemblies are incorporated in a take-away conveyor. In one other embodiment, each flight link has an angled portion and a curved portion formed on each of the first and second ends thereof for permitting articles to slide over the forward faces and the rearward faces of the flight links without engaging one of the ends of the flight projections in a manner disturbing such sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5065860
    Abstract: An improvement in a woven conveyor belt comprising a plurality of links wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of connectors with each connector having one portion connected to one of the links and another portion connected to another link for cooperating to substantially prevent the woven conveyor belt from becoming unwoven or unconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 5020656
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to conveyor belts and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a conveyor belt having ribs formed on a lower surface thereof for moving particles generally outwardly toward the first and the second sides of link assemblies which form the conveyor belt, and to a conveyor belt constructed of modules shaped so that the interconnections between modules are offset between each link assembly and adjacent link assemblies, and a flight link having curved portions formed the faces thereof so product slides on the surfaces rather than being toppled and a conveyor belt with a tracking product groove to substantially limit lateral movement of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 4972942
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of link assemblies connected together by a plurality of link shafts. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of first guards with each first guard connected to one end of one link assemblies and encompassing one end of one of the link shafts for protecting the end of the link shaft and substantially preventing the end of the link shaft from engaging objects during the operation of the conveyor belt. A plurality of second guards are connected to the opposite end of the link assemblies for encompassing the opposite ends of the link shaft for protecting such opposite ends and substantially preventing such opposite ends from engaging objects during the operation of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 4729469
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is composed of plurality of substantially identical interlinked modules each of which is of integral plastic molded construction. Each module includes a body of plate-like planar configuration and first and second link ends outwardly extending from respective opposite edges of the body, the link ends being mateable with corresponding link ends of adjacent modules. The upper surface of the body and contiguous surfaces of the link ends define a flat conveying surface such that a conveyor belt composed of assembled modules provides an effectively continuous flat top conveyor for carriage of products. Each module includes an array of sprocket teeth across the width of the module and midway between the link ends, which are arranged in operative pairs coacting with corresponding portions of a sprocket wheel for positive belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: D291777
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Lapeyre, William G. Faulkner
  • Patent number: D319328
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Inventor: William G. Faulkner