Patents by Inventor William R. Shields

William R. Shields 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: 5899959
    Abstract: A paper web formation measurement system provides on-line measurement and control of visual properties of a moving web of paper. The measurement system includes an image acquisition system for capturing images of the moving web, and an image analysis system for analyzing captured images. The image acquisition system includes a strobe lighting system for backlighting the moving web and a charge injection device (CID) camera for capturing light transmitted through the web to form an image of the web in non-standard (non-RS-170), full frame format. Captured images are digitized by the image analysis system to 256 graylevel and analyzed to produce a mathematical formation index representing visual properties of the web. The mathematical formation index, which is derived from a graylevel distribution histogram, is presented to paper production personnel to enable on-line adjustment of process variables to maximize paper quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William R. Shields, Kapil M. Singh, James F. Suska, Ronald A. Stone
  • Patent number: 5786894
    Abstract: A system for determining characteristics of objects in wood pulp includes a pulp sampling and dilution system for diluting and dispersing samples of pulp, and an imaging/analysis system for capturing images of pulp objects, including fibers, and analyzing the captured images. Samples of pulp are provided to a dispersion tank where pulp is dispersed within a liquid to form a wood pulp slurry having a consistency in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.001 percent. The dispersed pulp is conducted to a transparent flow cell for imaging and analysis of pulp objects. Light radiating from a light source is reflected off surfaces of objects within the dispersed pulp, producing scattered light. One or more cameras capture scattered light from objects as the objects pass through a camera's field of view. The output of the cameras are digitized and filtered to eliminate motion blur, and the filtered visual image displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: International Paper Company
    Inventors: William R. Shields, Kapil M. Singh, James F. Suska, Jody MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5152504
    Abstract: A vacuum valve that forms a tight vacuum seal is disclosed. The valve incorporates a hollow, malleable, metallic O-ring that deforms and conforms readily under pressure to seal the space between a movable valve member and a valve seat. When the valve is closed, the O-ring is compressed between opposed machined surfaces of the valve member and the valve seat, readily deforming and conforming to those surfaces, thus creating a vacuum-tight seal thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Janis Research Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence W. Nixon, William R. Shields
  • Patent number: D287621
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Environmental Air Control, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Shields