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).

  • Patent number: 10999537
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 10809598
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
  • Publication number: 20200213537
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 10536650
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 10338576
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aditi Koppikar, Charles William Weidner, Khantil Rajendra Shah, Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Raheem Iqbal
  • Publication number: 20190045145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 10185332
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sunil Puthen Veedu Unnikrishnan, Giriprasad Venkata Narasimha Chebiyyam, Charles William Weidner
  • Publication number: 20180292732
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
  • Patent number: 10079983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 10025164
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
  • Publication number: 20170344032
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Sunil Puthen Veedu Unnikrishnan, Giriprasad Venkata Narasimha Chebiyyam, Charles William Weidner
  • Publication number: 20170336784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Aditi Koppikar, Charles William Weidner, Khantil Rajendra Shah, Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Raheem Iqbal
  • Patent number: 9798101
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Daniel Fournier
  • Publication number: 20170257577
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Patrick R. Woolfenden, Brian R. Gattman, William Weidner
  • Patent number: 9645346
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, William F. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9638886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, Michael Loukusa
  • Patent number: 9632392
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, Michael Loukusa
  • Patent number: 9476584
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Awadesh Kumar Tiwari, Sidharth Abrol, Rasika Suresh Kalwit, Achalesh Kumar Pandey, John Alexander Petzen, Charles William Weidner
  • Publication number: 20160306262
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: William Weidner, Peter Alan Driscoll, David Alan Smart
  • Publication number: 20160131865
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: William Weidner, Timothy Olsen, William F. Jackson, JR.