Patents by Inventor William Weidner
William Weidner 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: 10999537Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 10809598Abstract: An add-on lens assembly supporting an add-on lens for a camera includes a locking mechanism actuatable by the user in order to increase the attachment force between the lens and the camera. The add-on lens assembly may include a rotatable lock ring having a cam pin that navigates along a surface of a cam such that when the lock ring is rotated, the cam pin causes the cam to translate axially. Axial translation of the cam may compress a spring within the assembly and increase the attachment force between the lens assembly and the camera. The increased force between the add-on lens assembly and the camera may provide additional support for large or heavy assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
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Publication number: 20200213537Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 10536650Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 10338576Abstract: Systems and methods for providing intelligent management of balance of plant are provided. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a system for determining a malfunction of a feedwater pump includes one or more processors and a database communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors can be configured to receive plant parameters. The one or more processors can be further configured to correlate the plant parameters to historical operational values. Based at least partially on the correlating, the one or more processors may be operable to identify a malfunction in a feedwater pump. Based at least partially on the identifying, the one or more processors may be operable to provide an advisory action concerning an operation of the feedwater pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aditi Koppikar, Charles William Weidner, Khantil Rajendra Shah, Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Raheem Iqbal
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Publication number: 20190045145Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 10185332Abstract: A level control system for controlling the liquid level in a boiler drum is provided. The level control system uses an integration parameter when operating in a non-transient condition to provide a control signal into a flow control loop controlling a level control valve for the liquid level in the boiler drum. When a transient condition is identified by a predictive controller, the integration parameter is interrupted and a gain vector is generated to modify the control constants and optionally modify feedforward to adjust control signal into the flow control loop during transient operation of the level control valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sunil Puthen Veedu Unnikrishnan, Giriprasad Venkata Narasimha Chebiyyam, Charles William Weidner
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Publication number: 20180292732Abstract: An add-on lens assembly supporting an add-on lens for a camera includes a locking mechanism actuatable by the user in order to increase the attachment force between the lens and the camera. The add-on lens assembly may include a rotatable lock ring having a cam pin that navigates along a surface of a cam such that when the lock ring is rotated, the cam pin causes the cam to translate axially. Axial translation of the cam may compress a spring within the assembly and increase the attachment force between the lens assembly and the camera. The increased force between the add-on lens assembly and the camera may provide additional support for large or heavy assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
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Patent number: 10079983Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 10025164Abstract: An add-on lens assembly supporting an add-on lens for a camera includes a locking mechanism actuatable by the user in order to increase the attachment force between the lens and the camera. The add-on lens assembly may include a rotatable lock ring having a cam pin that navigates along a surface of a cam such that when the lock ring is rotated, the cam pin causes the cam to translate axially. Axial translation of the cam may compress a spring within the assembly and increase the attachment force between the lens assembly and the camera. The increased force between the add-on lens assembly and the camera may provide additional support for large or heavy assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
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Publication number: 20170344032Abstract: A level control system for controlling the liquid level in a boiler drum is provided. The level control system uses an integration parameter when operating in a non-transient condition to provide a control signal into a flow control loop controlling a level control valve for the liquid level in the boiler drum. When a transient condition is identified by a predictive controller, the integration parameter is interrupted and a gain vector is generated to modify the control constants and optionally modify feedforward to adjust control signal into the flow control loop during transient operation of the level control valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: Sunil Puthen Veedu Unnikrishnan, Giriprasad Venkata Narasimha Chebiyyam, Charles William Weidner
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Publication number: 20170336784Abstract: Systems and methods for providing intelligent management of balance of plant are provided. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a system for determining a malfunction of a feedwater pump includes one or more processors and a database communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors can be configured to receive plant parameters. The one or more processors can be further configured to correlate the plant parameters to historical operational values. Based at least partially on the correlating, the one or more processors may be operable to identify a malfunction in a feedwater pump. Based at least partially on the identifying, the one or more processors may be operable to provide an advisory action concerning an operation of the feedwater pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Aditi Koppikar, Charles William Weidner, Khantil Rajendra Shah, Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Raheem Iqbal
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Patent number: 9798101Abstract: Methods and systems for mounting a lens in a lens cell. The system may include a spindle assembly including a motor and a spindle, which may be an air bearing spindle, a passage within the spindle and an opening at the end of the passage at the surface of the spindle head, a vacuum source connected to the passage of the spindle to create suction at the opening, a stage configured to securely receive a lens mount with a lens cell such that a central axis of the lens cell is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the spindle, a micropositioner configured to reposition the lens on the spindle head, and a motion gauge configured to detect eccentric rotation of a lens as lens motion when the lens is positioned on the head of the rotating spindle.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Daniel Fournier
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Publication number: 20170257577Abstract: Infrared cameras can include an infrared sensor and an infrared lens assembly defining an optical axis. A camera can include an inner gear engaging the infrared lens assembly and a focus ring that engages the inner gear. The inner gear can engage the focus ring and the infrared lens assembly such that rotation of the focus ring about its central axis can cause the rotation of the infrared lens assembly about its optical axis, which may be offset from the central axis of the focus ring. The camera can include a sensor can threadably engaging the infrared lens assembly and fixed relative to the infrared sensor such that rotation of the infrared lens assembly causes the infrared lens assembly to move relative to the infrared sensor. The sensor can can support other components such as a visible light lens assembly or a laser within a perimeter of the focus ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
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Patent number: 9645346Abstract: Doublet lenses and doublet lens assemblies, and methods of assembling doublet lenses and assemblies, including a first lens having a convex surface and a concave surface, the concave surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, and a second lens having a convex surface and a concave surface, the concave surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion. The peripheral portion of the first lens abuts the peripheral portion of the second lens with an airspace between the central portion of the first lens and the central portion of the second lens. The peripheral portions of the first and second lenses are shaped to fit together in a mating relationship which prevents sliding of the first and second lenses relative to each other in a radial direction after the lenses are brought together.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, William F. Jackson, Jr.
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Patent number: 9638886Abstract: A lens assembly for a camera including a first lens mounted to a base portion, and a second lens mounted to a lens frame, where the first lens and the second lens are positioned co-axially along a central axis. The lens assembly includes a linear guide system for maintaining alignment of the first and second lenses. An embodiment of the linear guide system includes a first elongated element elongated along a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, parallel to and offset from the central axis. The elongated element may support and guide the lens frame for linear movement along a linear path parallel to the central axis. Some embodiments of the lens assembly include a second elongated element or rotation restriction element.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, Michael Loukusa
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Patent number: 9632392Abstract: A lens assembly for a camera or a camera including a first lens mounted to a base portion, and a second lens mounted to a lens frame, where the first lens and the second lens are positioned co-axially along a central axis. The lens assembly includes a linear guide system for maintaining alignment of the first and second lenses. An embodiment of the linear guide system includes a first elongated element elongated along a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, parallel to and offset from the central axis. The elongated element may support and guide the lens frame for linear movement along a linear path parallel to the central axis. Some embodiments of the lens assembly include a second elongated element or rotation restriction element.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Fluke CorporationInventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, Michael Loukusa
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Patent number: 9476584Abstract: A method of controlling a water level in a steam drum includes predicting a transient in the steam drum based on plant characteristics including steam flow from the steam drum, drum pressure in the steam drum, and one or both of a gas turbine load and a position of a bypass valve configured to control the steam flow from the steam drum to two or more steam flow conduits. The method further includes generating a sliding setpoint to control the water level based on predicting the transient in the steam drum.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Sidharth Abrol, Rasika Suresh Kalwit, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, John Alexander Petzen, Charles William Weidner
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Publication number: 20160306262Abstract: An add-on lens assembly supporting an add-on lens for a camera includes a locking mechanism actuatable by the user in order to increase the attachment force between the lens and the camera. The add-on lens assembly may include a rotatable lock ring having a cam pin that navigates along a surface of a cam such that when the lock ring is rotated, the cam pin causes the cam to translate axially. Axial translation of the cam may compress a spring within the assembly and increase the attachment force between the lens assembly and the camera. The increased force between the add-on lens assembly and the camera may provide additional support for large or heavy assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
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Publication number: 20160131865Abstract: Doublet lenses and doublet lens assemblies, and methods of assembling doublet lenses and assemblies, including a first lens having a convex surface and a concave surface, the concave surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion, and a second lens having a convex surface and a concave surface, the concave surface comprising a peripheral portion and a central portion. The peripheral portion of the first lens abuts the peripheral portion of the second lens with an airspace between the central portion of the first lens and the central portion of the second lens. The peripheral portions of the first and second lenses are shaped to fit together in a mating relationship which prevents sliding of the first and second lenses relative to each other in a radial direction after the lenses are brought together.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, William F. Jackson, JR.