Patents by Inventor William Naber
William Naber 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).
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Patent number: 11945123Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Aaron Beck, William Naber
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Publication number: 20240039265Abstract: Systems and methods for tensioning an electrical cable adapted to be manipulated by one or more remotely operated robotic appendages. Tensioners mounted to a rigid object configured to adjust the tension of a connecting line attached to an electrical cable such that the tension of the connecting line is applied to a length of the electrical cable such that another portion of the electrical cable becomes slack, thereby allowing one or more robotic appendages to remove, replace, repair, or conduct any alteration or modification to said electrical cable or to a rigid object that supports the electrical cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Robert Nichols, David Lindquist, William Naber, Cole Schlup
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Publication number: 20240033925Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Jonathan Westin Sykes
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Publication number: 20240033950Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
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Publication number: 20240033916Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
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Publication number: 20240038413Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: William Naber, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, Jonathan Westin Sykes
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Patent number: 11794359Abstract: A system, method, and device for a remotely controlled robot unit affixed to a boom assembly. The robot unit comprises at least one arm for performing an action, a remotely controlled movable six-degree-of freedom camera mount, at least one camera disposed on the camera mount to capture visual information, and at least one depth camera disposed on the camera mount to capture three-dimensional depth information. Captured sensory information may be transmitted to an operator using a head mount and motion controls for controlling movement of the robot unit. Operator movement captured by the head mount and motion controls may be compared to a digital representation generated from the three-dimensional depth information to aid in positioning and moving the robot unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
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Patent number: 11742108Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing and maintaining an electrical bonding connection between remotely operated equipment and an energized power line using one or more robotic arms disposed on the remotely operated equipment. Sensory information is communicated to an operator at a remote location across a dielectric gap to maintain electrical isolation of the remotely operated equipment.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: William Naber, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, Jonathan Westin Sykes
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Patent number: 11717969Abstract: Systems and methods for cooperative aerial robotics for working in an aerial work environment. In some embodiments, a robot system may comprise a robot unit comprising high-dexterity manipulators for performing high-dexterity work. The robot system may further comprise a high-capacity manipulator for performing high-capacity work. The robot system may comprise a plurality of sensors for detecting the work environment and providing a representative work environment to an operator and/or a controller for operation of the robot system to complete the aerial work. The robot system may be remotely operated by an operator, automatically, and/or autonomously. The robot system may be disposed at the top of a boom of an aerial device for performing work in high-voltage areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Jonathan Westin Sykes
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Patent number: 11689008Abstract: Systems and methods for tensioning an electrical cable adapted to be manipulated by one or more remotely operated robotic appendages. Tensioners mounted to a rigid object configured to adjust the tension of a connecting line attached to an electrical cable such that the tension of the connecting line is applied to a length of the electrical cable such that another portion of the electrical cable becomes slack, thereby allowing one or more robotic appendages to remove, replace, repair, or conduct any alteration or modification to said electrical cable or to a rigid object that supports the electrical cable.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert Nichols, David Lindquist, William Naber
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Patent number: 11660750Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a task in an operation environment of an aerial device with an autonomous or semi-autonomous robot are described. In some embodiments, a robot is disposed at an end of a boom of an aerial device. The robot may comprise cameras, actuators, sensors, processors, and manipulators that work together to perform tasks fully autonomously or semi-autonomously. Furthermore, the robot may comprise tools for performing the tasks and computer-executable instructions for performing the tasks may be based on the various sensory inputs, the tools, and the tasks to be performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2022Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, David Lindquist, William Naber, Robert Nichols
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Patent number: 11434121Abstract: An environmental alert system and method for an aerial device including a boom having both insulative and conductive members is disclosed. Temperature, moisture, and humidity sensors are employed on both sides of a location that the boom transitions from being constructed of metal to a dielectric. If environmental data is received indicating the possibility of breakdown in dielectric integrity of the insulative portion due to environmental conditions, warnings are issued to operators.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Lindquist, William Naber
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Patent number: 11434114Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring and regulating winch line pull for winches are disclosed. A tension measuring system may be mounted to a winch mounting bracket for measuring tension in the winch line during use. The tension measuring system may comprise at least one load cell for measuring the tension in the winch line. A control system may receive a measured tension value for the winch line, compare the measured tension value to a target tension value, and consequently adjust the motor. The control system may be configured to hold the winch line at a substantially constant tension. The measured tension values may be logged and graphically displayed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Brian R. Graham, William Naber
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Patent number: 11435390Abstract: A dielectric alert system and method for an aerial device including a boom having both insulative and conductive members is disclosed. Specifically, an ion-density detection system measures the potential for a dielectric breakdown in the environment of an insulative aerial system. The ion-density detection device can be a UV sensor or a UV camera. If data is received indicating the possibility of dielectric breakdown of the insulative portion, warnings are issued to an operator, crew, or any other interested party.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: David Lindquist, William Naber
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Publication number: 20210331321Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, sensory information associated with a remote location using a remote capture device and a head-mounted display. In some embodiments, the system comprises a fiber-optic cable to transmit a signal comprising sensory information collected by the remote capture device to the head-mounted display. Further, the remote capture device may be secured onto a boom of an aerial device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2020Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Westin Sykes, Timothy J. Mourlam, Aaron Beck, William Naber
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Patent number: 11075574Abstract: A device, system, and method for providing electrical power to an electrically isolated region utilizing an electrically insulating drive shaft to transmit rotational energy over an electrically isolated gap to an electrical generator disposed in the electrically isolated region. Electrical power generated by the generator is used to power at least one electronic device in the electrically isolated region or to charge a battery, while maintaining electrical isolation.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Beck, William Naber, Timothy J. Mourlam
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System and method for automatic shutoff of a hydraulic fluid flow in the event of a loss in pressure
Patent number: 10337631Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for a system and method for operating a hydraulic tool near high-voltage components. The hydraulic tool may be connected to couplers and receiving hydraulic fluid from a pump and returning the hydraulic fluid to a tank in an open center system or returning the hydraulic fluid to a tank in a closed center system. In the event of a loss in pressure the valves in the system change state stopping the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic tool without the use of electrical components.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Altec Industries, Inc.Inventor: William Naber -
Publication number: 20070251404Abstract: The invention is of an improved method and process for printing plastic tag blanks for producing plastic identifier tags (such as cattle ear tags). By printing images on tag blanks using conventional ink jet printers and thereafter “welding” the image to be plastic of the printed tag blank, a durable image is provided all the tag without the need for undertaking conventional hot stamp printing with its associated costs, inconveniences, and even safety hazards as associated with the heated metallic print blocks of such conventional method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2005Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: William McCoy, Charles Bakula, Dennis Apana, William Nabers