Patents by Inventor William Spencer

William Spencer 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: 20120036625
    Abstract: A toilet lever system includes a body for extending through a toilet wall, a stem extending through the body for movement relative to the body, a decorative flange covering the stem and removeably attaching to the body, and a handle attaching to the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: James Leroy Daniels, William Spencer
  • Publication number: 20120012470
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a system can include a probe configured to be coupled to a concrete surface of a portion of concrete. The system can include a waveform generator configured to trigger flow of a current to the portion of concrete via the probe and configured to reference a potential of a reinforcing bar embedded within the concrete. The system can also include a current detector configured to detect a magnitude of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Paul David Bartholomew, William Spencer Guthrie, Brian Anthony Mazzeo
  • Publication number: 20110270823
    Abstract: Systems and methods of generating virtual views may provide for identifying a first position in a first list based on a view selection such as a drag of a scroll bar. A plurality of remaining positions may be identified in a corresponding plurality of remaining lists based on the first position. In one example, the first position is used as a key to search each of the plurality of remaining lists. Solutions may also provide for generating a merged list view based on the first position and the plurality of remaining positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Roman, William A. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20110268624
    Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Guy Richard Chandler, Keith Anthony Flanagan, Paul Richard Phillips, Paul Schofield, Michael Leonard William Spencer, Hedley Michael Strutt
  • Publication number: 20110215430
    Abstract: A micromechanical device assembly includes a micromechanical device enclosed within a processing region and a lubricant channel formed through an interior wall of the processing region and in fluid communication with the processing region. Lubricant is injected into the lubricant channel via capillary forces and held therein via surface tension of the lubricant against the internal surfaces of the lubrication channel. The lubricant channel containing the lubricant provides a ready supply of fresh lubricant to prevent stiction from occurring between interacting components of the micromechanical device disposed within the processing region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Miradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongmin CHEN, William Spencer WORLEY, Hung-Nan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110198371
    Abstract: A dosing device for dispensing liquid from a container (1) in which flow through flow openings (23) to an outlet tube (44) is blocked after controlled delay by an obturator (3) moveable within a control chamber (2) mounted in a container neck (101) behind the outlet tube (44). Movement of the obturator (3) is governed by restricted flow through control openings (28) at the rear of the control chamber. Restoration of the obturator to the back of the control chamber facilitates repeated dosing. An elastomeric element (6) of resiliently deformable material promotes a seal to achieve a cleanly defined dose. In one proposal the elastomeric element coats the surface of the obturator and/or the outlet tube (64) to cut off the flow. Another proposal provides a one-way elastomeric valve element (63) for blocking the flow openings to enable rapid recovery after a dosing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Brian Robert Law, Jeffrey William Spencer, David John Pritchett
  • Publication number: 20110132996
    Abstract: A device for distributing a slurry to a roadbed or other surface is described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: William Spencer Guthrie, John M. Coyle, David Odell Anderson, Charles Hope
  • Publication number: 20110111544
    Abstract: A MEMS mirror for a laser printing application includes providing a CMOS substrate including a pair of electrodes, and providing a reflecting mirror moveable over the substrate and the electrodes. Voltages applied to the electrodes create an electrostatic force causing an end of the mirror to be attracted to the substrate. A precise position of the mirror can be detected and controlled by sensing a change in capacitance between the mirror ends and the underlying electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, William Spencer Worley, III, Dongmin Chen, Ye Wang
  • Patent number: 7939756
    Abstract: A modular electrical cover plate assembly has an outer frame having two side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. At least one cover plate is mounted within the frame. Locking structure is provided for locking the frame to the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: James Daniels, William Spencer
  • Patent number: 7938297
    Abstract: Certain pump dispensers, for example foam dispensers, are specially adapted for inverted use. One feature especially useful in a foam dispenser having both an air cylinder and a liquid cylinder with respective pistons is an intake conduit arrangement to increase the clearance of liquid from the container. An intermediate shell fits over the upright liquid cylinder body and carries an inlet valve positively urged upward to the closed position to prevent leaking. A conduit shell fits over the intermediate shell and creates an intake conduit extending down the side of the liquid cylinder to an intake opening lower down the pump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Robert Law, David John Pritchett, Jeffrey William Spencer
  • Patent number: 7932569
    Abstract: A micromechanical device assembly includes a micromechanical device enclosed within a processing region and a lubricant channel formed through an interior wall of the processing region and in fluid communication with the processing region. Lubricant is injected into the lubricant channel via capillary forces and held therein via surface tension of the lubricant against the internal surfaces of the lubrication channel. The lubricant channel containing the lubricant provides a ready supply of fresh lubricant to prevent stiction from occurring between interacting components of the micromechanical device disposed within the processing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Miradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongmin Chen, William Spencer Worley, Hung-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 7898561
    Abstract: A MEMS mirror for a laser printing application includes providing a CMOS substrate including a pair of electrodes, and providing a reflecting mirror moveable over the substrate and the electrodes. Voltages applied to the electrodes create an electrostatic force causing an end of the mirror to be attracted to the substrate. A precise position of the mirror can be detected and controlled by sensing a change in capacitance between the mirror ends and the underlying electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, William Spencer Worley, III, Dongmin Chen, Ye Wang
  • Patent number: 7891522
    Abstract: An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Rieke Corporation
    Inventors: Brian R. Law, Jeffrey William Spencer, Robert D. Rohr, David J. Pritchett
  • Patent number: 7890674
    Abstract: A system for providing dynamic queue splitting to maximize throughput of queue entry processing while maintaining the order of queued operations on a per-destination basis. Multiple queues are dynamically created by splitting heavily loaded queues in two. As queues become dormant, they are re-combined. Queue splitting is initiated in response to a trigger condition, such as a queue exceeding a threshold length. When multiple queues are used, the queue in which to place a given operation is determined based on the destination for that operation. Each queue in the queue tree created by the disclosed system can store entries containing operations for multiple destinations, but the operations for a given destination are all always stored within the same queue. The queue into which an operation is to be stored may be determined as a function of the name of the operation destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7858245
    Abstract: An integrated fuel processor apparatus and enclosure for converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas. The integrated apparatus includes a fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich reformate that contains water and a combustible gas component. The fuel processor is enclosed in a gas impermeable enclosure that has a collection vessel for receiving water separated from the reformate stream. Methods for manufacturing an apparatus for separating water from a reformate stream for safe disposal and methods for separating water from a reformate stream for safe disposal are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Wheat, Kenneth Joseph Bunk, Ralph Stanley Worsley
  • Patent number: 7840705
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and program product for replicating message status changes across messaging systems. Specifically, under the present invention, when a status of a message for a user is changed on a messaging system, the status change is entered into a log associated with the user along with a clock time of the messaging system. The status change is then replicated to a replica messaging system along with the clock time of the original messaging system. Upon receipt, the replica messaging system will ensure that the status change is the most recent activity for the message. If so, the status change will be entered into a log of the replica messaging system along with the clock time of the original messaging system and a clock time of the replica messaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Holden, Damien F. Katz, William A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7829227
    Abstract: An integrated fuel processor apparatus and enclosure for converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas. The integrated apparatus includes a fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich reformate that contains water and a combustible gas component. The fuel processor is enclosed in a gas impermeable enclosure that has a collection vessel for receiving water separated from the reformate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: William Spencer Wheat, Kenneth Joseph Bunk, Ralph Stanley Worsley
  • Publication number: 20100191915
    Abstract: A system for providing dynamic queue splitting to maximize throughput of queue entry processing while maintaining the order of queued operations on a per-destination basis. Multiple queues are dynamically created by splitting heavily loaded queues in two. As queues become dormant, they are re-combined. Queue splitting is initiated in response to a trigger condition, such as a queue exceeding a threshold length. When multiple queues are used, the queue in which to place a given operation is determined based on the destination for that operation. Each queue in the queue tree created by the disclosed system can store entries containing operations for multiple destinations, but the operations for a given destination are all always stored within the same queue. The queue into which an operation is to be stored may be determined as a function of the name of the operation destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: William A. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7763489
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a electromechanical device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the presence of one or more channels that contain and deliver a lubricant material that can reduce the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts of the device. Embodiments of the present invention also generally include an enclosed device package, and a method of forming the enclosed device package, that has one or more lubricant containing and/or transporting channels that that deliver lubricant material to a device disposed within the enclosed device package. Each lubricant containing channel acts as a ready supply of “fresh” lubricant to prevent stiction from occurring between interacting components of the device disposed within the enclosed region of the device package. The ready supply of “fresh” lubricants may also be used to replenish damaged lubricants (worn-off, broken down, etc) at the contacting surfaces where stiction generally occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Miradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongmin Chen, William Spencer Worley
  • Patent number: 7763085
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a hydrogen-enriched reformate. The apparatus includes a fuel processor for converting a fuel to a reformate having fluctuations in pressure and or flow rate, means for reducing the fluctuations, a compression unit for compressing the reformate and one or more of a purification unit and a storage unit downstream of a compression unit. Means for reducing the fluctuations in the reformate can include one or more of a buffer and a conduit for providing a controlled flow of a supplemental fluid to an inlet of the compression unit. The supplemental fluid can include the compressed reformate, a hydrogen-enriched reformate, and mixtures thereof. The apparatus can include means for regulating power to the compression unit that can incrementally increase power to the compression unit particularly during start up. The purification unit can include one or more of a hydrogen selective membrane and a pressure swing adsorption unit. Methods for producing hydrogen are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Alan Kenefake, William Spencer Wheat, Hongqiao Bruce Sun, Bhaskar Balasubramanian, Vesna Radovan Mirkovic, Daniel Glenn Casey