Patents by Inventor William S. Murray
William S. Murray 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: 11691825Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
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Publication number: 20220411197Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
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Patent number: 11440744Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
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Patent number: 11353477Abstract: An omnidirectional anemometer and a method for using such an anemometer to measure the airflow along a conveying path, such as a helical path through a processing chamber. The anemometer is a low-profile, omnidirectional, three-axis anemometer with minimal airflow-occluding structure. Because of its low profile, the anemometer can fit in spiral conveyors with a short tier pitch.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: William S. Murray, David W. Bogle, Juan Borbon
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Publication number: 20210292098Abstract: System and methods for estimating the number of packages in a measurement zone to gauge package flow. A linear array of distance-measuring sensors measures the height profile of a mass of packages conveyed past. The profile is differentiated, and steps in the differentiated profile are counted to detect package edges and to produce an estimate of the number of packages in the measurement zone. The estimate can be used to adjust the speed of the conveyor to provide a constant package flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: William S. Murray, Jeremiah E. Oertling
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Publication number: 20210072275Abstract: An omnidirectional anemometer and a method for using such an anemometer to measure the airflow along a conveying path, such as a helical path through a processing chamber. The anemometer is a low-profile, omnidirectional, three-axis anemometer with minimal airflow-occluding structure. Because of its low profile, the anemometer can fit in spiral conveyors with a short tier pitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: William S. Murray, David W. Bogle, Juan Borbon
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Patent number: 10794686Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining belt speed and pitch using correlation techniques. The apparatus includes a pair of rangefinders separated by a predetermined distance. The rangefinders each measure the distance to the belt at two positions separated from each other in the direction of belt travel. The apparatus creates at least one time-series profile record corresponding to the profile of a belt. The time delays between occurrences of a regularly spaced topographical feature in the belt's profile are used by a processor to compute belt pitch and speed. Correlation techniques are used for robust results.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: William S. Murray, Jason Lagneaux
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Patent number: 10761038Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting materials on a conveyor belt using multi-energy x-ray absorption imaging. A spectroscopic x-ray detector consisting of a line array of pixels receives x-rays from an x-ray source directed through the conveyor belt. The x-rays are attenuated as they pass through the belt and materials on the belt. The pixels each produce an energy spectrum of the received x-rays. The received energy spectrum of each pixel is related to the source x-ray spectrum to determine a measured attenuation, which is then related to an attenuation model that includes the attenuation coefficients of a set of preselected constituent materials expected to be in or on the belt. Mathematical regression is used to fit the measured attenuation to the attenuation model to find the thickness of each constituent material for each pixel.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: William S. Murray
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Publication number: 20190368862Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining belt speed and pitch using correlation techniques. The apparatus includes a pair of rangefinders separated by a predetermined distance. The rangefinders each measure the distance to the belt at two positions separated from each other in the direction of belt travel. The apparatus creates at least one time-series profile record corresponding to the profile of a belt. The time delays between occurrences of a regularly spaced topographical feature in the belt's profile are used by a processor to compute belt pitch and speed. Correlation techniques are used for robust results.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: William S. Murray, Jason Lagneaux
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Publication number: 20190257773Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting materials on a conveyor belt using multi-energy x-ray absorption imaging. A spectroscopic x-ray detector consisting of a line array of pixels receives x-rays from an x-ray source directed through the conveyor belt. The x-rays are attenuated as they pass through the belt and materials on the belt. The pixels each produce an energy spectrum of the received x-rays. The received energy spectrum of each pixel is related to the source x-ray spectrum to determine a measured attenuation, which is then related to an attenuation model that includes the attenuation coefficients of a set of preselected constituent materials expected to be in or on the belt. Mathematical regression is used to fit the measured attenuation to the attenuation model to find the thickness of each constituent material for each pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventor: William S. Murray
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Patent number: 6781134Abstract: A handheld CZT radiation detector having a CZT gamma-ray sensor, a multichannel analyzer, a fuzzy-logic component, and a display component is disclosed. The CZT gamma-ray sensor may be a coplanar grid CZT gamma-ray sensor, which provides high-quality gamma-ray analysis at a wide range of operating temperatures. The multichannel analyzer categorizes pulses produce by the CZT gamma-ray sensor into channels (discrete energy levels), resulting in pulse height data. The fuzzy-logic component analyzes the pulse height data and produces a ranked listing of radioisotopes. The fuzzy-logic component is flexible and well-suited to in-field analysis of radioisotopes. The display component may be a personal data assistant, which provides a user-friendly method of interacting with the detector. In addition, the radiation detector may be equipped with a neutron sensor to provide an enhanced mechanism of sensing radioactive materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William S. Murray, Kenneth B. Butterfield, William Baird
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Patent number: 4213868Abstract: A coupling having dissimilar metal mating parts is provided with a grease comprising a hydrocarbon base oil containing a stearate gelling agent, particularly a Na, Li or Ba stearate. This coupling is anti-galvanic corrosive. Such couplings are useful in fire-fighting equipment where often aluminum and bronze components are in mating relationship, such as fire hose adaptors and hose nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1978Date of Patent: July 22, 1980Assignee: Witco Chemical CorporationInventors: Clarence J. Bitely, Jr., Luther D. Dromgold, William S. Murray, Jr.
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Patent number: 4153080Abstract: A firefighting hose has an exposed woven textile jacket and an internal elastomer lining which has openings each of which is formed of a set of radiating cracks. In use, water emerging from the openings is absorbed in the jacket to protect the hose from flame and ember damage. The hose is formed by forming and uniting the jacket and lining, and making the openings by penetrating the hose with a reciprocating needle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1978Date of Patent: May 8, 1979Assignee: Goodall Rubber CompanyInventors: William S. Murray, Jr., Clarence W. Borden