Patents by Inventor William T. Larkins
William T. Larkins 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: 9464684Abstract: A component vibration control system is disclosed. The vibration control system includes a first physical end stop, a second physical end stop, a damper assembly, a position sensor configured to determine a component position, and a processor in communication with the position sensor and the damper assembly. The processor is configured to set a first virtual end stop position, regulate a damping force of the damper assembly as the component moves toward the first virtual end stop position, and determine a second virtual end stop position based on a first distance of the component from a set position.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Contratto, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 8968244Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Patent number: 8521361Abstract: A ride height control system and method may be used to control load distribution at wheel locations in a vehicle suspension system at target ride height. Load distribution may be controlled by adjusting the forces applied by the suspension system at respective wheel locations while maintaining a target ride height. In an exemplary air spring suspension system or hydropneumatic suspension system, the applied forces may be adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the suspension system at the respective wheel locations. The ride height control system and method may determine and establish balanced target ride height forces (e.g., planar forces) to be applied at the wheel locations of the vehicle to prevent a cross-jacking condition. The ride height control system and method may also determine and establish target ride height forces for a vehicle on an uneven surface to prevent imbalances caused by wheel displacement.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Fourth Floor Associates, Inc.Inventors: William T. Larkins, Edward Lanzilotta, Damian Harty
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Publication number: 20130178831Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Patent number: 8437911Abstract: A ride height control system and method may be used to control load distribution at wheel locations in a vehicle suspension system at target ride height. Load distribution may be controlled by adjusting the forces applied by the suspension system at respective wheel locations while maintaining a target ride height. In an exemplary air spring suspension system or hydropneumatic suspension system, the applied forces may be adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the suspension system at the respective wheel locations. The ride height control system and method may determine and establish balanced target ride height forces (e.g., planar forces) to be applied at the wheel locations of the vehicle to prevent a cross-jacking condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Fourth Floor Associates, Inc.Inventors: Edward Lanzilotta, Damian Harty, William T. Larkins
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Publication number: 20120046827Abstract: A ride height control system and method may be used to control load distribution at wheel locations in a vehicle suspension system at target ride height. Load distribution may be controlled by adjusting the forces applied by the suspension system at respective wheel locations while maintaining a target ride height. In an exemplary air spring suspension system or hydropneumatic suspension system, the applied forces may be adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the suspension system at the respective wheel locations. The ride height control system and method may determine and establish balanced target ride height forces (e.g., planar forces) to be applied at the wheel locations of the vehicle to prevent a cross-jacking condition. The ride height control system and method may also determine and establish target ride height forces for a vehicle on an uneven surface to prevent imbalances caused by wheel displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: FOURTH FLOOR ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: William T. Larkins, Edward Lanzilotta, Damian Harty
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Publication number: 20120046828Abstract: A ride height control system and method may be used to control load distribution at wheel locations in a vehicle suspension system at target ride height. Load distribution may be controlled by adjusting the forces applied by the suspension system at respective wheel locations while maintaining a target ride height. In an exemplary air spring suspension system or hydropneumatic suspension system, the applied forces may be adjusted by adjusting the pressure in the suspension system at the respective wheel locations. The ride height control system and method may determine and establish balanced target ride height forces (e.g., planar forces) to be applied at the wheel locations of the vehicle to prevent a cross-jacking condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: FOURTH FLOOR ASSOCIATES, INC.Inventors: Edward Lanzilotta, Damian Harty, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 7933688Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electrically controlled pressure relief valve may use a soft position control loop to control the position of the valve. A pressure relief valve may also include a modified orifice shape to improve stability, to uniformly distribute the effective bandwidth over the valve operating range, and to provide a tunable default mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Fourth Floor Associates, Inc.Inventors: John LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 7798997Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Lee Grant, Charles M. Grinnell, Richard J. Lanigan, William T. Larkins, Marc A. Mandro, Robert Manning
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Publication number: 20100161182Abstract: A component vibration control system is disclosed. The vibration control system includes a first physical end stop, a second physical end stop, a damper assembly, a position sensor configured to determine a component position, and a processor in communication with the position sensor and the damper assembly. The processor is configured to set a first virtual end stop position, regulate a damping force of the damper assembly as the component moves toward the first virtual end stop position, and determine a second virtual end stop position based on a first distance of the component from a set position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Michael S. Contratto, William T. Larkins
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Publication number: 20080119963Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electrically controlled pressure relief valve may use a soft position control loop to control the position of the valve. A pressure relief valve may also include a modified orifice shape to improve stability, to uniformly distribute the effective bandwidth over the valve operating range, and to provide a tunable default mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Applicant: ACTIVE SHOCK, INC.Inventors: John LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 7299112Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electrically controlled pressure relief valve may use a soft position control loop to control the position of the valve. A pressure relief valve may also include a modified orifice shape to improve stability, to uniformly distribute the effective bandwidth over the valve operating range, and to provide a tunable default mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: ActiveShock, Inc.Inventors: John LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 7214210Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing an intravenous drug in a vial to a patient includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike and a chamber. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. A valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Lee Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard J. Lanigan
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Patent number: 6904344Abstract: A semi-active control methodology is provided for a spring/mass system, for example a real-time adjustable shock absorber system. The methodology includes defining a plurality of operating zones based on system parameters and user-definable or preset inputs. The methodology also includes processing to account for non-inertial spring/mass system response and multidimensional forces acting on the system, and an acceleration hedge calculation to accurately define system operation at extrema of travel. The methodology is generally directed at producing a plurality of valve control signals, selecting among the valve control signals, and applying the selected control signal to the valve in a closed-loop feedback system to adjust the energy in the spring/mass system.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: ActiveShock, Inc.Inventors: John A. LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Publication number: 20040254701Abstract: A semi-active control methodology is provided for a spring/mass system, for example a real-time adjustable shock absorber system. The methodology includes defining a plurality of operating zones based on system parameters and user-definable or preset inputs. The methodology also includes processing to account for non-inertial spring/mass system response and multidimensional forces acting on the system, and an acceleration hedge calculation to accurately define system operation at extrema of travel. The methodology is generally directed at producing a plurality of valve control signals, selecting among the valve control signals, and applying the selected control signal to the valve in a closed-loop feedback system to adjust the energy in the spring/mass system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: John A. LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Publication number: 20040176724Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing an intravenous drug in a vial to a patient includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike and a chamber. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. A valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Dean L, Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Patent number: 6732033Abstract: A semi-active control methodology is provided for a spring/mass system, for example a real-time adjustable shock absorber system. The methodology includes defining a plurality of operating zones based on system parameters and user-definable or preset inputs. The methodology also includes processing to account for non-inertial spring/mass system response and multidimensional forces acting on the system, and an acceleration hedge calculation to accurately define system operation at extrema of travel. The methodology is generally directed at producing a plurality of valve control signals, selecting among the valve control signals, and applying the selected control signal to the valve in a closed-loop feedback system to adjust the energy in the spring/mass system.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Active Shock, Inc.Inventors: John A. LaPlante, William T. Larkins
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Patent number: 6726656Abstract: A system and method for the preparation and delivery of intravenous drugs includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply and vial receptacles. The system may also include a liquid outlet for providing the intravenous drug in mixed, liquid form to the patient. The system may include a chamber having a variable volume, and a valve mechanism, which may be actuated to control flow between the liquid outlet, the variable-volume chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet, the vial receptacles, the variable-volume chamber, the liquid outlet and the valve mechanism may be located in a disposable cassette, which may be received in a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Deka Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Dean L. Kamen, Charles M. Grinnell, Marc A. Mandro, Dennis Gilbreath, Kevin Grant, Jason A. Demers, William T. Larkins, Robert Manning, Richard Lanigan
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Patent number: 6709417Abstract: A valve (7) for use in controlling the flow of IV fluid from a source to a patient. A cassette may include along the fluid passage through the cassette, first and second membrane-based valves (6, 7) on either side of a pressure-conduction chamber (50), and a stopcock-type valve (20). The stopcock valve is preferably located downstream of the second membrane-based valve (7), which is preferably located downstream of the pressure-conduction chamber (50). The membrane defining the valving chamber of the second membrane-based valve (7) is preferably large and resilient, so that the valving chamber(75) may provide a supply of pressurized intravenous fluid to the patient, when the valve (6) is closed and the stopcock valve (20) provides a restriction downstream of the valve (7). The pressure-conduction chamber (50) preferably has a membrane (41) that is stable in the empty-chamber position but relatively unstable in the filled-chamber position.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: DEKA Products Limited PartnershipInventors: Philip Houle, William T. Larkins, Richard Lanigan
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Patent number: 6614132Abstract: An electrical energy storage system for supplying power to a load comprises a plurality of flywheel energy storage systems, each supplying a power output signal, and a connector circuit. The connector circuit connects the flywheel energy storage systems to the load, but the flywheel energy storage systems are not connected to each other. Each of the flywheel energy storage systems comprises a flywheel turning at an initially predetermined rate, a motor/generator coupled to the flywheel, a bi-directional inverter circuit coupled to the motor/generator and to the load, and a control circuit coupled to the motor/generator and the bi-directional inverter circuit. The control circuit controls the power output signal of the flywheel energy storage system independently of the other flywheel energy storage systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Beacon Power CorporationInventors: Richard L. Hockney, Geoff B. Lansberry, Vladislav Davidkovich, William T. Larkins, Emil Muchnik