Search Patents
  • Velocity sensor
    Patent number: 6374673
    Abstract: A velocity sensor is disclosed comprising a housing, a ferromagnetic fluid which substantially fills the housing, and a magnetic proof mass suspended in the ferromagnetic fluid. The magnetic proof mass has a cylindrical center portion and end portions which taper from the central portion to the poles of the proof mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Texas Components Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Schendel
  • Extended range accelerometer
    Patent number: 6062081
    Abstract: A low noise, extended dynamic range accelerometer useful for sensitive seismic observations. The accelerometer's extended range is obtained by utilizing a single opposing magnetic field to non-linearly oppose movement of a magnetic proof mass. The accelerometer may also utilize an external bias magnetic field located apart from the magnetic proof mass to provide a constant gravitational offset source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Components Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Schendel
  • Extended range accelerometer
    Patent number: 5756896
    Abstract: A low noise extended dynamic range accelerometer useful for sensitive seismic observations. The accelerometer's extended range is obtained by utilizing fixed end magnets which non-linearly oppose movement of the magnetic proof mass. Additionally, an aluminum housing material contributes eddy current dampening which produces a critically damped system over a broad range of accelerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Texas Components Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Schendel
  • Electrical system with cooling or heating
    Patent number: 6253556
    Abstract: An electrical system is disclosed which includes a supply voltage and electronic circuitry which requires an operational voltage that is less than the supply voltage. A thermoelectric heat pump is interposed between the supply voltage and the electronic circuitry to produce heating or cooling using the excess power which would otherwise be dissipated in a regulator. A voltage regulator is provided between the output of the thermoelectric heat pump and the electronic circuitry to provide the operational voltage to the electronic circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Components Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Schendel
  • Resin composition for capstock
    Patent number: 7338706
    Abstract: A resin composition for capstock, comprising 100 to 30 parts by weight of an impact resistance modifier having a multilayer structure, and 0 to 70 parts by weight of a methyl methacrylate (co)polymer containing 50 to 100% by weight of methyl methacrylate and 50 to 0% by weight of a monomer which is copolymerizable therewith, wherein the total amount of the impact resistance modifier and the methyl methacrylate (co)polymer is 100 parts by weight, wherein the outer layer of said impact resistance modifier and/or said methyl methacrylate copolymer is copolymerized with 0.5 to 40% by weight of a reactive monomer based on the total amount of the impact resistance modifier and the methyl methacrylate (co)polymer as a polymer component, and wherein the homopolymer of said reactive monomer has an SP value of 9.8 (cal/cm3)/1/2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Kaneka Corporation, Kaneka Texas Corporation
    Inventors: Riichi Nishimura, Takahiko Sugaya
  • Method and apparatus for making components by direct laser processing
    Patent number: 6355086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method an apparatus for fabricating a component by a direct laser process. One form of the present invention contemplates a gas turbine engine blade having an abrasive tip formed directly thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Board of Regents, The University of Texas
    Inventors: Lawrence Evans Brown, Timothy Paul Fuesting, Joseph Jefferson Beaman, Jr., Suman Das
  • Components having actively controlled circuit elements
    Publication number: 20040160714
    Abstract: Protection and filtering functions are provided for external circuits by internal circuits that use controlled elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: VLT Corporation, a Texas corporation
    Inventors: Patrizio Vinciarelli, Jay Prager
  • Method and apparatus for rapidly estimating the doppler-error and other receiver frequency errors of global positioning system satellite signals weakened by obstructions in the signal path
    Publication number: 20030128158
    Abstract: Frequency-offset components are extracted from a set of digitized samples of signals transmitted by a satellite. The samples are squared to produce squared samples and decimated. The squared samples are auto-correlated to produce an auto-correlate, and the auto-correlate is truncated. The truncated auto-correlate is transformed into the frequency domain to obtain double-frequency offset components. The scaled offset frequencies are used to compensate for Döppler-shift and receiver frequency errors and for Döppler induced time errors in digitized samples used to estimate pseudorange information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: FAST LOCATION. NET, LLC, a Texas Corporation
    Inventor: Louis H. M. Jandrell
  • Method and apparatus for rapidly estimating the doppler-error and other receiver frequency errors of global positioning system satellite signals weakened by obstructions in the signal path
    Publication number: 20020111739
    Abstract: Frequency-offset components are extracted from a set of digitized samples of signals transmitted by a satellite. The samples are squared to produce squared samples and decimated. The squared samples are auto-correlated to produce an auto-correlate, and the auto-correlate is truncated. The truncated auto-correlate is transformed into the frequency domain to obtain double-frequency offset components. The scaled offset frequencies are used to compensate for Döppler-shift and receiver frequency errors and for Döppler induced time errors in digitized samples used to estimate pseudorange information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Fast Location. Net, LLC, a Texas corporation
    Inventor: Louis H.M. Jandrell
  • Factorized power architecture with point of load sine amplitude converters
    Publication number: 20040174147
    Abstract: A Factorized Power Architecture (“FPA”) method and apparatus includes a front end power regulator (“PRM) which provides one or more controlled DC bus voltages which are distributed through the system and converted to the desired load voltages using one or more DC voltage transformation modules (“VTMs”) at the point of load. VTMs convert the DC bus voltage to the DC voltage required by the load using a fixed transformation ratio K=Vout/Vin and with a low output resistance. VTMs exhibit high power density, efficiency and, owing to their inherent simplicity and component utilization, reliability. VTMs may be paralleled and share power without dedicated protocol and control interfaces, supporting scalability and fault tolerance. Feedback may be provided from a feedback controller at the point of load to the front end or to upstream, on-board power regulator modules (“PRMs”) to achieve precise regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: VLT Corporation, a Texas corporation
    Inventor: Patrizio Vinciarelli
  • Asbestos-free asphalt roof coating
    Patent number: 4302370
    Abstract: An asbestos-free asphalt composition is provided of the kind used in roofing applications. A polypropylene carbonate coupling agent is used with high density polyethylene fibers to prevent settling or separation of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Texas Refinery Corporation
    Inventor: Mark W. Buse
  • Ball joint apparatus and method of fabrication
    Publication number: 20040100095
    Abstract: A ball joint apparatus for a pressurized fluid line includes a bellows and a pair of opposed tube portions to accommodate limited flexure between the tube portions. The apparatus also includes an annular ball element positioned over one of the tube portions and an annular housing member mounted on the other tube portion and overlapping the ball member. As initially formed, the overlapping end of the housing member is open and of a diameter exceeding the maximum diameter of the ball member to permit ease of assembly. After the component parts are in position and welded as desired, the apparatus is placed in a hydraulic press and the open end of the housing member is necked down by a swaging process to establish bearing contact with the ball member. Alternative arrangements of the apparatus are provided for use with stainless steel tubing and with titanium tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: AVICA, INC., a Texas corporation
    Inventors: Vadim Berengut, Arthur Lyman Moore, Louis Rivera, Wilford R. Tate
  • Production of hydrogen by radiolysis
    Patent number: 4121984
    Abstract: Water is decomposed into its components (hydrogen and oxygen) by direct radiation from a nuclear reactor. The addition of soluble boron compounds or boron-containing particles to a mist, vapor, steam or spray of water converts the neutrons derived from nuclear fusion reactions into highly ionizing radiation; thus increasing the effectiveness of decomposition and hydrogen gas yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1973
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Gas Transmission Corporation
    Inventors: Henry J. Gomberg, Robert J. Teitel
  • Expandable chamber fusion reactor system
    Patent number: 4304627
    Abstract: A piston is moved by a laser incited fusion reaction such as deuterium-tritium (D-T) to thereby produce an expandable fusion chamber. When a gaseous substance such as CO.sub.2 is presented in the presence of the fusion reaction, it is dissociated into CO and O.sub.2 component mixture and the expansion of the chamber rapidly cools the mixture and quenches the back reaction thereby producing a greater CO yield. Also the piston produces peripheral power from the fusion reaction in the form of mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Texas Gas Transmission Corporation
    Inventor: John G. Lewis
  • Investment management
    Patent number: 6052673
    Abstract: Data processing for novel form of relationship management links, supervises, and balances depositors, marketing agents, financial intermediaries, mortgage brokers, and borrowers in an inflation-adjusted financing program. Funds are deposited in participating financial institutions in return for certificates of deposit yielding a fixed rate of interest, plus principal growth at a yearly rate equal to that year's rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers, All Items. Funds on deposit are loaned to borrower, either directly or through brokers, at a rate calculated by adding three components: a fixed debt service rate, a fixed constant interest rate, and an inflation factor interest rate which reflects the effects of inflation on the outstanding loan balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Trans Texas Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Tomas Leon, Lewis J. Spellman
  • Investment management
    Patent number: 8121924
    Abstract: Data processing for novel form of relationship management links, supervises, and balances depositors, marketing agents, financial intermediaries, mortgage brokers, and borrowers in an inflation-adjusted financing program. Funds are deposited in participating financial institutions in return for certificates of deposit yielding a fixed rate of interest, plus principal growth at a yearly rate equal to that year's rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers, All Items. Funds on deposit are loaned to borrower, either directly or through brokers, at a rate calculated by adding three components: a fixed debt service rate, a fixed constant interest rate, and an inflation factor interest rate which reflects the effects of inflation on the outstanding loan balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Trans Texas Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: To{acute over (m)}as Leon, Lewis J. Spellman
  • System and method of investment management including means to adjust deposit and loan accounts for inflation
    Patent number: 4742457
    Abstract: Data processing for novel form of relationship management links, supervises, and balances depositors, marketing agents, financial intermediaries, mortgage brokers, and borrowers in an inflation-adjusted financing program. Funds are deposited in participating financial institutions in return for certificates of deposit yielding a fixed rate of interest, plus principal growth at a yearly rate equal to that year's rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers, All Items. Funds on deposit are loaned to borrower, either directly or through brokers, at a rate calculated by adding three components: a fixed debt service rate, a fixed constant interest rate, and an inflation factor interest rate which reflects the effects of inflation on the outstanding loan balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Trans Texas Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Tomas Leon, Lewis J. Spellman
  • Optically and thermally responsive nanohybrid materials
    Patent number: 9728703
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating electricity include using an optically and thermally responsive material comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes and Copper sulfide nanoparticles. This material acts as a thermoelectric generator lacking rectifying effects. In some forms, the generator may generate electricity from a light source alone, a heat source alone, or a source of both light and heat. Some forms exhibit enhanced optical and thermal switching characteristics, light absorption, photocurrent and thermocurrent generation under light illumination or/and thermal radiation, providing a new route to obtain thermoelectricity without any cooling or heat-sink component. Moreover, measurements showed thin films of SWNT CuS NPs had significantly increased light absorption (up to 80%) compared to untreated SWNT thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignees: Louisiana Tech Research Corporation, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Long Que, Wei Chen
  • System and method of investment management including means to adjust deposit and loan accounts for inflation
    Patent number: 5832461
    Abstract: Data processing for novel form of relationship management links, supervises, and balances depositors, marketing agents, financial intermediaries, mortgage brokers, and borrowers in an inflation-adjusted financing program. Funds are deposited in participating financial institutions in return for certificates of deposit yielding a fixed rate of interest, plus principal growth at a yearly rate equal to that year's rate of growth in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers, All Items. Funds on deposit are loaned to borrower, either directly or through brokers, at a rate calculated by adding three components: a fixed debt service rate, a fixed constant interest rate, and an inflation factor interest rate which reflects the effects of inflation on the outstanding loan balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Trans Texas Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Tomas Leon, Lewis J. Spellman
  • Method and apparatus for early detection of kicks
    Patent number: 10920579
    Abstract: A well monitoring system particularly useful in detecting kicks in the well includes a well, a well system, and a computing apparatus. The well defines a wellbore and the well system includes at least one sensor measuring at least one well condition. The computing apparatus hosts a well monitoring software component that performs a method to detect a kick in a well. The method includes: storing a set of real-time data from a measurement of a well condition by the sensor, the measurements being correlative to an unplanned fluid influx into the well; modeling the operation of the well with a physics-based, state space model of the well system to obtain an estimate of the well condition; and applying the real-time data set and the estimate to a probabilistic estimator to yield a probability of an occurrence of a kick and a confidence measure for the probability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Beaman, Jr., Scott Fish, David A. Foti, Warren J. Winters
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