Patents by Inventor William G. Sampson

William G. Sampson 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: 20230391179
    Abstract: An electric vehicle battery transportation storage vessel includes a first housing portion configured to securely receive a storage battery of an electric vehicle, a second housing portion arranged to seal the storage battery in the first housing portion, and selectively open whereby the storage battery can be removed from or placed into the first housing portion. A sealing mechanism is configured to seal the first housing portion to the second housing portion. Battery monitoring equipment is configured to couple to the storage battery and perform battery maintenance on the storage battery. A memory configured to store information related to battery maintenance performed on the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, Kevin I. Bertness, Lance M. Losinski, Keith Hospodarsky
  • Publication number: 20230063349
    Abstract: A power adapter for an automotive vehicle maintenance device includes a power input connection and a power output connection the is configured to connect to the automotive vehicle maintenance device. The power adapter also included connection circuitry the is configured to connect the power input connection to the power output connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson, Justin Brown, Ryan Sweeney, Matt Szymczak, Rob Hayward, Rick Johnson, Jason Dolinski, Andrew Schulz, Bob Bach, Dan Kovarik
  • Patent number: 11566972
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes a Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to the storage battery and a microprocessor configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the storage battery. A forcing function source is configured to apply a forcing function signal to the storage battery through the Kelvin connection. A sensor is electrically coupled to the storage battery and configured to sense an electrical response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function signal. A tire tread gauge is arranged to be inserted into a tread of a tire. The tire tread gauge including a visual indicator. An image capture device is configured to capture an image of the tire tread gauge when the tire tread gauge is inserted into the tread of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MIDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 11545839
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging a first storage battery and a second storage battery electrically connected together in series includes a first Kelvin connection, a second Kelvin connection and a third Kelvin connection coupled to the storage batteries. At least two of the Kelvin connections are configured to charge at least one of the first and second batteries. A charging source configured to selectively couple a charge signal to a storage battery through the Kelvin connections. A switching device selectively couples the charging source and measurement circuitry to at least two of the first, second and third Kelvin connections. A microprocessor selectively controls the switching device, charges the batteries, and measures a parameter of the batteries as a function of the charging signal applied to the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MIDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20210135462
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging a first storage battery and a second storage battery electrically connected together in series includes a first Kelvin connection, a second Kelvin connection and a third Kelvin connection coupled to the storage batteries. At least two of the Kelvin connections are configured to charge at least one of the first and second batteries. A charging source configured to selectively couple a charge signal to a storage battery through the Kelvin connections. A switching device selectively couples the charging source and measurement circuitry to at least two of the first, second and third Kelvin connections. A microprocessor selectively controls the switching device, charges the batteries, and measures a parameter of the batteries as a function of the charging signal applied to the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20210048374
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes a Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to the storage battery and a microprocessor configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the storage battery. A forcing function source is configured to apply a forcing function signal to the storage battery through the Kelvin connection. A sensor is electrically coupled to the storage battery and configured to sense an electrical response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function signal. A tire tread gauge is arranged to be inserted into a tread of a tire. The tire tread gauge including a visual indicator. An image capture device is configured to capture an image of the tire tread gauge when the tire tread gauge is inserted into the tread of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, Kevin l. Bertness
  • Patent number: 7940053
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Midtronics, Inc., Interstate Battery System of America
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Publication number: 20100289498
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7791348
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7777612
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. The apparatus includes at least one portable tool and a controller. The portable tool includes circuitry configured to communicate with the controller. The portable tool further includes anti-theft circuitry, which is configured to disable the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Sampson, John S. Philbrook
  • Patent number: 7642787
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Midtronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Publication number: 20080204030
    Abstract: Battery maintenance equipment is provided for use in maintaining storage batteries. The battery maintenance equipment includes battery maintenance circuitry. A redemption code output is provided and configured to provide an output having a redeemable value in response to the battery maintenance circuitry. A method includes outputting a redemption code in response to usage of battery maintenance equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis V. Brown, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Michael E. Troy, William G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7126341
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 6906522
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery. The battery tester provides a replacement battery output as a function of battery environment information and battery replacement information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Publication number: 20030184306
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery. The battery tester provides a replacement battery output as a function of battery environment information and battery replacement information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Publication number: 20030038637
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson