David Smith

David Smith, Daleville, VA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090121483	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR WIND TURBINE GENERATORS - Methods and systems for reducing heat loss in a generator system are provided. The generator system includes an electrical generator and a power converter. The method includes generating electricity in the generator at a first power factor and converting electricity in the converter at a second power factor in a first mode of operation and generating electricity in the generator at a third power factor wherein the third power factor is greater than the first power factor and converting electricity in the converter at a fourth power factor wherein the fourth power factor is less than the second power factor in a second mode of operation such that the power output of the generator system in the second mode of operation is substantially equal to the power output of the generator system in the first mode of operation and the generator currents are facilitated being reduced.	05-14-2009
20100049486	Systems and Methods for Simulating Plant Operations - Embodiments of methods and systems of a system for simulating a plant are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a system for simulating a plant. The system may include a controller including plant operation logic for executing control commands to the plant. The system may further include a simulator in communication with the controller, where the simulator may consist of high bandwidth hardware having at least one high bandwidth model of at least a first plant behavior. The simulator may also consist of at least one processor with at least one low bandwidth model of at least a second plant behavior.	02-25-2010
20100133904	DC BUS VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR TWO STAGE SOLAR CONVERTER - Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter.	06-03-2010
20110096579	DC BUS VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR TWO STAGE SOLAR CONVERTER - Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter.	04-28-2011
20110205773	METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR HIGH DC SOURCE VOLTAGE WITH LOWER DC LINK VOLTAGE IN A TWO STAGE POWER CONVERTER - A system for supplying AC power from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic array is disclosed. The system includes a converter and an inverter coupled by a DC link. Control methods and systems are provided to maintain the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source. During steady state conditions, the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage are maintained below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source by controlling the output of the inverter. The DC link voltage is temporarily adjusted to allow for higher DC link transients when the DC power source is first coupled or re-coupled to the system. During conditions when the inverter is decoupled from the system, the converter is controlled to maintain the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source.	08-25-2011
20120062044	Methods and Systems for Operating a Two-Stage Power Converter - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter.	03-15-2012
20130030587	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER CURTAILMENT IN A POWER NETWORK - A power curtailment system is electrically coupled to a power converter and configured to control the power converter to adjust output power of the power converter in response to a power curtailment requirement condition. The power curtailment system includes at least one sensor configured to measure at least one environmental factor in an environment of the power converter over time. The power curtailment system further includes a controller configured to adjust a power curve over time based on the at least one environmental factor and, upon the power curtailment requirement condition, control the power converter to provide an adjusted output power based on data from the power curve and the power curtailment requirement condition.	01-31-2013
20130049363	PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE CONTROL SYSTEM - A permanent magnet (PM) machine system is provided having a PM machine and a controller in communication with the PM machine. The PM machine has a q-axis voltage feedback signal and a pullout torque that represents a peak torque that the PM machine generates. The controller includes a q-axis current regulator that produces a commanded q-axis voltage that is supplied to the PM machine. The controller also includes at least one control logic for monitoring the q-axis voltage feedback signal of the PM machine.	02-28-2013
20130076134	Power Converter Islanding Detection - A power converter including a detection apparatus and method for detecting an islanding condition based on measurements of one or more currents and voltages within the power converter provided to a current regulator to generate a signal that is provided in a positive feedback loop and is indicative of an islanding condition.	03-28-2013
20130076150	Acoustic Noise Modification in Power Converters - A boost converter including two or more inductors coupled to an input DC power source and to switches that can each be modulated with a modulation signal to control the output power of the boost converter. Two or more of the modulation signals have a relative phase other than 360° divided by the number of switches.	03-28-2013
20130076327	POWER SYSTEM JUNCTION TEMPERATURE CONTROL - An electrical power generating system including a power generating device, a power converter connected to the power generating device, and an electrical controller connected to the power converter. The electrical controller is configured to limit a peak junction temperature of the power converter by applying at least one junction temperature derating function.	03-28-2013
20130077367	SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE IN GRID FAULT EVENT CONTROL - System, power modules, and methods for supplying an output voltage to an electric grid are provided. One example power module includes a switching device configured to supply an output from a power generator to an electric grid, a feedback unit configured to provide a feedback signal indicative of a deviation of a parameter associated with the electric grid, and a controller coupled to the feedback unit and the switching device. The controller is configured to adjust a reactive current of the output in response to at least one grid fault event to ride through the at least one grid fault event, to modify the deviation provided from the feedback unit, to control the switching device based on the modified deviation, and to detect an islanding condition based on the parameter associated with the electric grid.	03-28-2013
20130077372	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The power conversion system includes a power converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The power conversion system also includes a system controller communicatively coupled to the power converter and configured to select from a first reduced power operating point and a second reduced power operating point when a power available from the PV array is greater than a rated output power of the power conversion system.	03-28-2013
20130088080	Dynamic Break and Distortion Filter - Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a dynamic break and distortion filter. In one embodiment, an apparatus can include an inverter providing alternating current (AC) power at one of a first and second chopping frequency and a filter. The filter can include an input port receiving the AC power and an output port providing output power by selectively passing the AC power from the input port to the output port. The filter may further include an inductor electrically connected to one of the input port and output port and a capacitor electrically connected to the inductor and to a resistor, wherein current does not substantially flow through the inductor and capacitor at the first chopping frequency and does substantially flow through the inductor and capacitor at the second chopping frequency, and wherein the AC power with the second chopping frequency is dissipated in the resistor.	04-11-2013
20130107587	PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY EMULATORS	05-02-2013
20130107594	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM	05-02-2013
20130119763	PRECHARGING AND CLAMPING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A power converter includes a plurality of direct current (DC) conduits and a precharging and clamping circuit coupled to the DC conduits. The precharging and clamping circuit includes at least one diode, at least one switching device coupled in parallel with the diode, and at least one contactor device coupled to an alternating current (AC) source and the diode. The at least one contactor device is configured to facilitate alternating said precharging and clamping circuit between precharging operation and voltage clamping operation.	05-16-2013
20130155732	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The power conversion system includes a power converter coupled to a power source and the electrical grid. The power conversion system also includes a converter controller coupled to the power converter and configured to control operation of the power converter to actively cancel harmonic current received at the power converter from the electrical grid.	06-20-2013
20130176752	ADAPTIVE POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM - A power converter includes a plurality of switches electrically coupled to each other for converting input power to output power. Each of the switches is sufficiently isolated to protect adjacent switches upon failure of one or more switches. The power converter also includes a controller for reconfiguring operation of the switches to provide at least a partial operating mode upon a switch failure.	07-11-2013
20130222951	FAULT PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM - A fault protection scheme for a photovoltaic power converter system is provided. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a fault protection circuit is coupled between a power converter and a ground reference. The fault protection circuit includes a fuse and a current sensor coupled in series with the fuse. A controller is configured to receive current readings from the current sensor and compare the current readings to a current threshold. The current threshold is selected to be less than the fuse current rating of the fuse. The controller identifies a fault condition if the current flowing through the ground protection circuit exceeds the current threshold value. A contactor can also be provided to temporarily lift the power converter relative to the ground reference to determine the existence of other fault paths in the system.	08-29-2013
20130258732	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING REACTIVE CURRENT IN POWER CONVERTER BURN-IN TESTS - A system and method for reducing reactive current in burn-in test systems for solar power converters is disclosed. An emulator configured to simulate a DC power source and the power converter subject to the burn-in test can be coupled in a two-unit circulating configuration. An AC feeder line configured to supply power to the two-unit circulating configuration. A controller can be configured to adjust the output of one or more of the emulator and power converter to reduce reactive current flowing in the AC feeder line. For instance, the controller can adjust the modulation of switching devices used in the power converter or emulator to adjust the power factor of various components of the burn-in test system to compensate for the reactive current in the AC feeder line.	10-03-2013
20130274946	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING A POWER PLANT - A power plant for providing alternating current (AC) power to an electrical grid is described. The power plant includes a first power converter couplable to the electrical grid at a first point of interconnection for receiving power from a first power source. The power plant also includes a second power converter couplable to the electrical grid at the first point of interconnection for receiving power from a second power source. The power plant also includes at least one sensor for measuring a voltage level at the first point of interconnection and a central controller for coordinating operation of the first power converter and the second power converter to determine an impedance of the electrical grid.	10-17-2013
20140020444	METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR USE IN MONITORING A TACHOMETER - Methods and systems for use in monitoring a tachometer are provided. A method for use in correcting a signal from a tachometer coupled to a rotating shaft in a wind turbine includes receiving a raw tachometer signal from the tachometer coupled to a wind turbine shaft, the signal indicating the speed and/or angular position of the shaft, determining a cyclic error exists in the raw tachometer signal, and providing a corrective signal to adjust a torque within the wind turbine using the determined cyclic error.	01-23-2014
20140056041	POWER GENERATION SYSTEM, POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving power from the power generation unit, and a bus coupled to the converter, wherein a voltage is generated across the bus when electricity is conducted through the power converter system. The power converter system also includes an inverter coupled to the bus, wherein the inverter is configured to supply power to an electrical distribution network. A control system is coupled to at least one of the converter and the inverter, wherein the control system is configured to adjust an operation of the at least one of the converter and the inverter to reduce the voltage across the bus during at least one of a low voltage event and a high voltage event.	02-27-2014
20140159677	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZATION OF DUAL BRIDGE DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATOR (DFIG) - The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for improving reliability of dual bridge doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) by reducing the number of required components in the converters associated with such DFIGs. A converter is constructed using a pair of current conducting bridges wherein one of the current conducting bridges is controlled and the second is not controlled. The uncontrolled bridge may correspond to a pair of diodes while the controlled bridge may correspond to a pair of transistors, in particular, a pair of IGBT transistors.	06-12-2014
20140204643	CONTROL SCHEME FOR CURRENT BALANCING BETWEEN PARALLEL BRIDGE CIRCUITS - A control scheme for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits in a power converter system is provided. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel to increase the output power capability of the power system. The parallel bridge circuits can be controlled pursuant to a control scheme for reducing current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. In particular, a pulse test can be performed in which a pulse is applied to each of the plurality of bridge circuits. The switch timing of the switching elements responsive to the pulse can be measured and analyzed to determine a timing difference adjustment for one or more of the switching elements of the plurality of bridge circuits. The timing difference adjustment can be stored and used to adjust all subsequent switching events in the parallel bridge circuits.	07-24-2014
20140247021	METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING SWITCHING FREQUENCY OF A DOUBLY-FED INDUCTION GENERATOR (DFIG) - The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for controlling variable speed generators, particularly converters associated with doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) to permit use of harmonic attenuating filters that are generally smaller and less costly than previous similar filters. The subject matter provides for controlling line-side and rotor-side converters in such a manner that the frequencies generated by the converters are interleaved in a manner that the filters see a higher switching frequency and thus may be designed based on those higher frequencies, thereby requiring smaller and less expensive components.	09-04-2014
20140293489	Systems and Methods for Use in Identifying and Responding to Type of Grid Fault Event	10-02-2014
20140301120	Systems and Methods for Use in Recovering a Converter After Grid Fault Event - Systems, power modules (	10-09-2014
20140354244	CONNECTION FOR IMPROVED CURRENT BALANCING IN A PARALLEL BRIDGE POWER CONVERTER - A power generation system may include a generator and a power converter coupled to the generator. The power converter may include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. Each bridge circuit may be coupled to an inductor. In addition, the power converter may include a plurality of parallel shorting devices. The shorting devices may be coupled to the bridge circuits such that an impedance of the inductors is effectively coupled between the shorting devices and the generator.	12-04-2014
20150103573	POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM, DAMPING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving current from the power generation unit. A bus is coupled to the converter, and energy is stored within the bus when the current is conducted through the power converter system. A damping circuit is configured to be coupled to the bus and to the power generation unit, and a control system is coupled to the converter and to the damping circuit. The control system is configured to selectively discharge at least a portion of the energy stored within the bus through the damping circuit when the control system determines that a predetermined condition is met.	04-16-2015
20150145251	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM WITHIN A POWER STORAGE/DISCHARGE MODE OR A DYNAMIC BRAKE MODE - In one aspect, a system for operating a power generation system within a battery storage/discharge mode or a dynamic brake mode may generally include a power convertor having a DC link, a switching module coupled to the DC link and a selector switch configured to selectively couple the switching module to one of a storage device or a resistive element of the power generation system. The selector switch may be movable between a first position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the storage device such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the storage device via control of the switching module, and a second position, wherein the switching module is coupled to the resistive element such that power is capable of being directed between the DC link and the resistive element via control of the switching module.	05-28-2015
20150252784	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INITIALIZING A STARTUP SEQUENCE OF A WIND TURBINE - The present subject matter is directed to a method for initializing a startup sequence of a wind turbine. The method includes a step of defining a plurality of operating conditions of the wind turbine. As such, upon satisfaction of the plurality of operating conditions, a run-ready signal may be generated, wherein the run-ready signal indicates a readiness of a power converter of the wind turbine to generate power. The method may also include defining a subset of the plurality of operating conditions, wherein the subset of operating conditions are independent of speed conditions of the wind turbine. Another step of the method includes generating a spin-ready signal for the wind turbine upon satisfaction of the subset of operating conditions. The method may also include controlling a rotor of the wind turbine based at least in part on the spin-ready signal.	09-10-2015
20150267684	SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT OF A WIND TURBINE USING CONTINGENCY COMMUNICATIONS - The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.	09-24-2015
20150309119	AUTOMATED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING A POWER CONVERTER - A method and apparatus for testing operability of a power converter with an existing power conversion assembly of a renewable energy system is disclosed. The method includes transferring a first pulse of energy from an existing power conversion assembly to a power filter of the power converter through first cells within a bridge circuit of the power converter. Another step includes determining a first current-voltage feedback associated with the first pulse. A next step includes transferring a second pulse of energy from the power filter to the existing power conversion assembly through second cells within the bridge circuit such that a portion of the first pulse moves back to the existing power conversion assembly. Another step includes determining a second current-voltage feedback associated with the second pulse. The first and second current-voltage feedbacks are compared with nominal tolerances of the power converter to ensure the power converter is operating properly.	10-29-2015
20150309123	AUTOMATED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING A CROWBAR CIRCUIT OF A POWER CONVERTER - The present disclosure is directed to an automated apparatus and method for testing a crowbar circuit of power converter. The crowbar circuit includes an anti-parallel diode and a voltage-controlled switching element, e.g. a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR). The method includes implementing a first test sequence for testing operability of the diode and a second test sequence for testing operability of the voltage-controlled switching element. More specifically, the first test sequence determines a first current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the diode and the second test sequence determines a second current-voltage feedback that is indicative of the operability of the voltage-controlled switching element.	10-29-2015
20150349688	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM CONNECTED TO A WEAK GRID - A method for controlling a power generation system connected to a weak grid may generally include operating a power converter of the system so as to produce current at or above a power factor threshold associated with a power factor operating requirement for the system, detecting that a generator speed of the system has increased over a period of time, detecting that a local reference voltage for the system has decreased within the same period of time over which the generator speed has increased and adjusting the operation of the power converter to produce current at a reduced power factor below the power factor threshold so as to increase a real power output of the system.	12-03-2015

David Smith, Buckinghamshire GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110066925	ERROR DETECTION - A system and a method detects errors when writing data to a memory in a computer system. An error detection memory write request for writing an error detection value to a memory location within the memory section is issued, the error detection value being associated with the block of data. A data memory write request for writing the block of data to the memory section is issued such that at least part of the block of data is written to the memory location. A check is performed to determine whether the error detection value in the error detection memory write request corresponds to the block of data in the data memory write request.	03-17-2011

David Smith, Bristol GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100180129	APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNITS - An arrangement of arithmetic logic units carries out an operation on at least one operand, wherein the operation is determined by operation codes received by the arithmetic logic units. The operation codes and at least one operand are received on a first clock cycle. The result of the operation is output from at least one arithmetic logic unit to at least one further arithmetic logic unit. A result of the plurality of arithmetic logic units is then output on a next clock cycle.	07-15-2010
20110004721	LOADING SECURE CODE INTO A MEMORY - A method and system of controlling access to a programmable memory including: allowing code to be written to the programmable memory in a first access mode; preventing execution of the code stored in the programmable memory in the first access mode; verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory; if the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory is verified, setting a second access mode, wherein in the second access mode, further code is prevented from being written to the programmable memory, and execution of the code stored in the programmable memory is allowed.	01-06-2011
20110004807	LOADING SECURE CODE INTO A MEMORY - A method of verifying the integrity of code in a programmable memory, the method including: receiving the code from an insecure memory; generating error detection bits for the code as it is received from the insecure memory; storing the code and the error detection bits in the programmable memory; and verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory by performing an authentication check on the code and the error detection bits stored in the programmable memory.	01-06-2011
20110060919	ENCRYPTION KEYS - A system is provided which includes a key memory storing a group of keys for use in decryption and a programmable memory configured to store a set of rules governing access to the key memory and a first engine for deriving a first key using a second key from the key group. The engine is configured to transmit a request for access to the second key from the key memory. The system further includes logic connected between the engine and the key memory and further connected to the programmable memory. The logic is configured to receive the request from the engine and to use the set of rules to control the access to the second key in the key memory. The programmable memory is writeable in situ to replace the set of rules with an alternative set of rules.	03-10-2011
20130097343	ARRANGEMENT, METHOD, INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND DEVICE FOR ROUTING REQUESTS - A request routing circuit includes m inputs for receiving m input request signals and n outputs for outputting a set of n output request signals. A routing subsystem within the request routing circuit is provided between the m inputs and the n outputs and comprises k inputs and n outputs, where m is greater than k, and where the routing subsystem is configured to operate over a plurality (m/k, rounded up to the next integer) of cycles to provide the set of n output request signals based on the m inputs to the n outputs.	04-18-2013
20130151792	PROCESSOR COMMUNICATIONS - A processor module including a processor configured to share data with at least one further processor module processor; and a memory mapped peripheral configured to communicate with at least one further processor memory mapped peripheral to control the sharing of the data, wherein the memory mapped peripheral includes a sender part including a data request generator configured to output a data request indicator to the further processor module dependent on a data request register write signal from the processor; and an acknowledgement waiting signal generator configured to output an acknowledgement waiting signal to the processor dependent on a data acknowledgement signal from the further processor module, wherein the data request generator data request indicator is further dependent on the data acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement waiting signal generator acknowledgement waiting signal is further dependent on the acknowledgement waiting register write signal.	06-13-2013
20130166890	APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNITS - An arrangement of at least two arithmetic logic units carries out an operation defined by a decoded instruction including at least one operand and more than one operation code. The operation codes and at least one operand are received and corresponding executions are performed by the arithmetic logic units on a single clock cycle. The result of the execution from one arithmetic logic unit is used as an operand by a further arithmetic logic unit. The decoding of the instruction is performed in an immediately preceding single clock cycle.	06-27-2013
20160077983	PROCESSOR COMMUNICATIONS - A processor module including a processor configured to share data with at least one further processor module processor; and a memory mapped peripheral configured to communicate with at least one further processor memory mapped peripheral to control the sharing of the data, wherein the memory mapped peripheral includes a sender part including a data request generator configured to output a data request indicator to the further processor module dependent on a data request register write signal from the processor; and an acknowledgement waiting signal generator configured to output an acknowledgement waiting signal to the processor dependent on a data acknowledgement signal from the further processor module, wherein the data request generator data request indicator is further dependent on the data acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement waiting signal generator acknowledgement waiting signal is further dependent on the acknowledgement waiting register write signal.	03-17-2016

David Smith, New South Wales AU

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110017111	APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A PESTICIDE TO PERENNIAL CROPS - An applicator assembly for applying an active substance to the root zone of a plurality of plants, the applicator assembly comprising: a subsoil applicator having a cutting element for generating an incision in the ground, an injector associated with the cutting element to allow the active substance to be injected into the incision; and a positioning device adapted to allow the position of the cutting element to change position such that an incision is generated in some material in the root zone while the cutting element moves over other material in the root zone.	01-27-2011

David Smith, Needham, MA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090053370	Package for molded food product and method - A solid food product is molded in a mold cavity and is thereafter packaged in the mold cavity. The mold cavity is formed in a sheet and includes a side wall which extends from the sheet and a bottom wall which includes an inverting portion which extends from said side wall and a central portion. The central potion of the bottom wall includes a plurality of ridges which form a decorative design. A liquid food product is introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify to form a molded solid food product. The central portion of the bottom wall is thereafter pushed into the mold cavity to invert said inverting potion and to push the molded food product away from the central portion of the bottom wall. The molded food product includes ridges which correspond to the ridges in the bottom wall of the mold cavity. A lid is attached to the sheet to enclose and package the molded food product within the mold cavity.	02-26-2009
20110020505	PACKAGE FOR MOLDED FOOD PRODUCT - A solid food product is molded in a mold cavity and is thereafter packaged in the mold cavity. The mold cavity is formed in a sheet and includes a side wall which extends from the sheet and a bottom wall which includes an inverting portion which extends from said side wall and a central portion. The central potion of the bottom wall includes a plurality of ridges which form a decorative design. A liquid food product is introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify to form a molded solid food product. The central portion of the bottom wall is thereafter pushed into the mold cavity to invert said inverting potion and to push the molded food product away from the central portion of the bottom wall. The molded food product includes ridges which correspond to the ridges in the bottom wall of the mold cavity. A lid is attached to the sheet to enclose and package the molded food product within the mold cavity.	01-27-2011
20120244267	METHOD OF MOLDING A FOOD PRODUCT - A method of in-molding a food item in a package defining at least one cavity for holding the food item and having an opening for accessing the food item. Liquid food product is introduced into the at least one cavity and allowed to solidify to form a solid food product, which is then unseated.	09-27-2012
20140106041	METHOD OF MOLDING A FOOD PRODUCT - A method of in-molding a food item in a package defining at least one cavity for holding the food item and having an opening for accessing the food item. Liquid food product is introduced into the at least one cavity and allowed to solidify to form a solid food product, which is then unseated.	04-17-2014
20140261408	CARTRIDGE FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING A CARTRIDGE FOR A SMOKING ARTICLE - The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.	09-18-2014
20140270729	HEATING ELEMENTS FORMED FROM A SHEET OF A MATERIAL AND INPUTS AND METHODS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ATOMIZERS - The present disclosure relates to an input for production of atomizers and atomizers formed from a sheet of a material, and which may be employed in an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The input may include a carrier and heating elements coupled thereto. The heating elements may include first and second ends and interconnected alternating loops disposed therebetween. The heating elements may be oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the carrier, or perpendicular thereto. The heating elements may be coupled to a liquid transport element by bending the interconnected loops at least partially around the liquid transport element. The ends of the heating element may be coupled to heater terminals. A related method for forming atomizers is also provided.	09-18-2014
20140270730	ATOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE FORMED FROM A CONTINUOUSLY EXTENDING WIRE AND RELATED INPUT, CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD - The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire continuously extending along a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define end portions, contact portions, and a heating portion. The wire may be continuously wound about the liquid transport element such that each of the portions of the wire defines coils. A related input, cartridge, and method of forming atomizers also provided.	09-18-2014
20150245659	ATOMIZER FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE AND RELATED INPUT, AEROSOL PRODUCTION ASSEMBLY, CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD - The present disclosure relates to atomizers for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The atomizer may include a liquid transport element and a wire extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length thereof. The wire may define contact portions configured to engage heater terminals and a heating portion configured to produce heat. The heating portion may include a variable coil spacing. In other atomizers, the wire may extend at least partially through the liquid transport element proximate the contact portions. Related inputs, cartridges, aerosol production assemblies, and methods of forming atomizers are also provided.	09-03-2015
20150335071	Sealed Cartridge for an Aerosol Delivery Device and Related Assembly Method - The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device. The aerosol delivery device may include a control body and a cartridge. The cartridge may include a base, a flow director, an outer body, a reservoir substrate, an outer body, and a mouthpiece. Heating elements may be molded into the flow director. The flow director may be welded to the base and the outer body, or the base and the flow director may include deformable ribs that engage the outer body. The flow director and the outer body may cooperatively define a reservoir compartment in which the reservoir substrate and the atomizer are received. The flow director and the base may define an electronics compartment in which an electronic control component is received. A related assembly method is also provided.	11-26-2015
20160066621	Cartridge for an Aerosol Delivery Device and Method for Assembling a Cartridge for a Smoking Article - The present disclosure relates to a cartridge for an aerosol delivery device such as a smoking article. The cartridge may include a base, a reservoir substrate, and an atomizer. The reservoir substrate may define a cavity therethrough. The atomizer may comprise a liquid transport element and a heating element extending at least partially about the liquid transport element. The atomizer may extend through the cavity through the reservoir substrate such that the heating element is positioned proximate an end of the reservoir substrate. Ends of the liquid transport element may extend to an opposing end of the reservoir substrate. A related method for assembling a cartridge for a smoking article is also provided.	03-10-2016

David Smith, Naantali FI

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080255169	Sulphonamide Derivatives - The invention relates to sulphonamide derivatives of formula (I),	10-16-2008
20110021760	CRYSTALLINE VAP-1 AND USES THEREOF - The present invention relates to crystalline vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) and in particular to methods for the use of structural information of crystalline human VAP-1 for ligand and/or inhibitor identification, design and production, as well as screening assays for detections of same. The invention further relates to inhibitors identified by the assays according to the present invention.	01-27-2011
20130195883	USE OF VAP-1 INHIBITORS FOR TREATING FIBROTIC CONDITIONS - The present invention relates to inhibitors of VAP-1 and their use as medicaments in treating fibrotic conditions. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a fibrotic condition on the basis of elevated level of soluble VAP-1 or SSAO activity in a bodily fluid, and to a kit for use in said diagnostic method.	08-01-2013
20140024648	NEW PYRIDAZINONE AND PYRIDONE COMPOUNDS - The invention relates to pyridazinone and pyridone compounds having formula (I) or (I′), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and solvates thereof (I) wherein R	01-23-2014

David Smith, Knivsta SE

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110003717	MICROTITRE PLATE - A microtitre plate with wells having transparent bottoms, wherein the microtitre plate includes at least one physical deformation between at least two adjacent wells. The physical deformations may have the shape of e.g. a channel, a ridge, a hole, a slit or a step.	01-06-2011
20130277893	MICROTITRE PLATE - A method of manufacturing a microtitre plate with wells having transparent bottoms, where the microtitre plate includes at least one physical deformation between at least two adjacent wells.	10-24-2013

David Smith, Beloit, WI US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100300957	Backwash assembly and method having a rotating backwash arm for cleaning cloth filter media - The present invention relates to stationary cloth media filtration systems and devices, as well as processes and devices, including improved cloth media filter backwashing using a rotating backwash arm assembly.	12-02-2010
20100300989	BACKWASH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD HAVING A ROTATING BACKWASH ARM FOR CLEANING CLOTH FILTER MEDIA - The present invention relates to stationary cloth media filtration systems and devices, as well as processes and devices, including improved cloth media filter backwashing using a rotating backwash arm assembly.	12-02-2010
20110108496	Method of Filtration Using Cloth Media and Self-Aligning Backwash Assembly - The present inventions relate to water and wastewater treatment devices including stationary cloth filter media support structures forming effluent plenums for the filtered influent and self-aligning backwash assemblies for efficient periodic cleaning of the cloth filter media.	05-12-2011
20110120960	Processes for water and wastewater treatment, Including stationary cloth media filtration - The present invention relates to stationary cloth media filtration systems and devices, as well as processes and devices for uniform flow distribution and improved cloth media filter backwashing.	05-26-2011
20130068685	Stationary Cloth Media Filtration - The present inventions relate to water and wastewater treatment devices including stationary cloth filter media support structures which support structures also form the effluent plenum for the filtered influent.	03-21-2013

David Smith, Ottawa CA

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100011373	Shared Persistent Communication Thread - A computer-implemented method and system organizes communications by combining and integrating distinct communication events conducted through diverse communication modes into to a single conversation. Notification of an occurrence of an event is received and, in response to the notification, a conversation object representing a conversation is generated. A plurality of participants is associated with the conversation. A communication entry is associated with the conversation object. The communication entry has a message for at least one of the participants. The conversation object and the communication entry are stored in persistent memory. Shared access to the conversation object stored in persistent memory is limited to the plurality of participants associated with the conversation.	01-14-2010
20100268571	System and method for determining availibility of a group to communicate with a user - The method comprises defining a group having at least one member that has a knowledge of the selected subject. A personal agent is provided for each member of the group. The personal agent is configured to discover an availability of the corresponding member through selected availability policies submitted to the personal agent. A group agent is provided for the group configured to communicate with at least one personal agent in the group to report on the availability of the corresponding members of the group. An availability of at least one member of the group to communicate with a user about the selected subject over the digital communication network is determined using the group agent. The availability of the at least one member of the group is reported to enable the user to determine the availability of the group to communicate about the selected subject.	10-21-2010

David Smith, Rochester, MN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100250791	Low power physical layer for SATA and SAS transceivers - Described embodiments provide for switching from a low-power mode of a device such as, for example, a SAS or SATA receiver, to an active mode. The device enters the low-power mode by shutting down i) logic devices of a physical layer of the device and ii) a decoding circuit of the device. Activity at an input of a receiver of the device is detected while in low-power mode, and the device switches, in response to the detected activity, from the low-power mode to the active mode by powering up i) the logic devices of the physical layer and ii) the decoding circuit when activity is detected, thereby responding to the detected activity as if it is a predetermined command.	09-30-2010

David Smith, Fort Jennings, OH US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100051302	GRAVITATIONAL LATCH FOR WING LIFT WHEELS - The present application discloses an improvement to hydraulically operated wing lift wheels used in tillage equipment. According to embodiments of the present invention, a hydraulic lockout mechanism is provided that uses gravity to rotate a weighted latch into a position that prevents full retraction of a hydraulic cylinder when in a certain orientation. When in other orientations, the weighted latch is in a position that allows the hydraulic cylinder to fully retract.	03-04-2010

David Smith, Coppell, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100004947	System and Method for Providing Health Management Services to a Population of Members - A preferred embodiment comprises providing heath management services by collecting member assessment data, collecting member biometric data, and generating risk factors for one or more members based upon the member assessment data and the member biometric data. The risk factors are analyzed using a set of rules to stratify the member population based upon risk and wellness coaching and outreach services are provided the population based upon risk levels.	01-07-2010

David Smith, San Diego, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090207589	READING STAND - A reading stand is described which includes a stabilizing base, a column extending upward from the base, and an arm projecting laterally from the column. Mounted at or near the end of the arm is a clamp which is used to hold reading material and/or a reading material support. Reading material placed in the claim is fully or at least substantially below the level of the arm, thereby providing greater clearance between a reader's body and the arm.	08-20-2009
20130253703	MOBILE ROBOTIC ASSISTANT FOR MULTIPURPOSE APPLICATIONS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to a robotic assistant comprising a projector for projecting media on a surface, a sensor for sensing the media, and a motion control module for moving the robotic assistant.	09-26-2013
20140126567	DISTRIBUTED CO-OPERATING NODES USING TIME REVERSAL - Methods and systems for coherent distributed communication techniques using time reversal are disclosed. In one aspect, cooperating nodes of a cluster can move relative to each other and relative to an intended receiver of the nodes' data transmissions. The nodes are synchronized to a common time reference, and data for transmission from the cluster is distributed to the nodes. The intended receiver sends a sounding signal to the nodes. Each node receives the sounding signal, obtains the channel response between the intended receiver and itself, and time-reverses the channel response. Each node then convolves its time-reversed channel response with the data to obtain the node's convolved data Each node waits a predetermined time following the time reference signal, as determined based on the common time reference. At the expiration of the predetermined time period, the nodes simultaneously transmit their convolved data	05-08-2014
20140301494	DISTRIBUTED CO-OPERATING NODES USING TIME REVERSAL - Dynamic, untethered array nodes are frequency, phase, and time aligned, and used to focus their transmissions of the same data coherently on a target, using time reversal. Alignment may be achieved separately for the radio frequency (RF) carriers and the data envelopes. Carrier alignment may be by phase conjugation. The data is distributed across the nodes. Data distribution and/or alignment may be performed by a Master node of the array. The nodes capture a sounding signal from the target, in the same time window. Each node converts the captured sounding signal to baseband, for example, using in-phase/quadrature downconversion. Each node stores the baseband samples of the sounding pulse. Each node convolves time-reversed samples of the sounding signal with the data, and upconverts the convolved data to radio frequency. The nodes emit their respective convolved and upconverted data so that the emissions focus coherently at the target.	10-09-2014
20150085853	SYNCHRONIZATION OF DISTRIBUTED NODES - Dynamic, untethered array nodes are frequency, phase, and time aligned/synchronized, and used to focus their transmissions of the same data coherently on a target or in the target's direction, using time reversal or directional beamforming. Information for alignment/synchronization may be sent from a master node of the array to other nodes, over non-RF links, such as optical and acoustic links. Some nodes may be connected directly to the master nodes, while other nodes may be connected to the master node through one or more transit nodes. A transit nodes may operate to (2) terminate the link when the alignment/synchronization information is intended for the node, and (2) pass through the alignment/synchronization information to another node without imposing its local clock properties on the passed through alignment/synchronization information. In this way, an end point node may be aligned/synchronized to the master node without a direct link between the two nodes.	03-26-2015

David Smith, Vancouver CA

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090197686	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) CHARACTERS HAVING CONTINUOUS REEVALUATION OF CURRENT GOALS AND HAVING NAVIGATION PATH - A method for driving an artificial intelligence (AI) character involving computing a navigational graph for a virtual environment and moving the AI character along a current path for an AI character from a current location to a current destination is disclosed. While moving the AI character along the current path the potential alternative destinations are continuously evaluated and a new destination or the current destination based upon a heuristic analysis of the alternative destinations and the current destination. The system also continuously determines whether the AI character can leave the current path.	08-06-2009

David Smith, Sugar Land, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090171800	SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING RECEIPTS - Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.	07-02-2009

David Smith, Laporte, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090087602	Propylene based polymers for injection stretch blow molding - Injection stretch blow molded (ISBM) articles and methods of forming the same are provided herein. In one embodiment, the ISBM articles generally include a propylene based random copolymer having a molecular weight distribution of from about 9 to about 20. In another embodiment, the ISBM articles generally include a propylene based random copolymer formed from a Ziegler-Natta catalyst including a succinate internal donor.	04-02-2009
20090146345	Preform design for injections stretch blow molding - Preforms for use in injection stretch blow molding processes and such processes are described herein. The preforms generally include a neck having an internal neck diameter and an external neck diameter and a body having an internal body diameter and an external body diameter, the internal body diameter and the external body diameter forming a sidewall, wherein the internal body diameter is at least 80% of the internal neck diameter. The preforms further include an end-cap positioned on the body at a transition point and having an end-cap depth and a transition point radius, wherein the end-cap depth is greater than the transition point radius.	06-11-2009

David Smith, Leland, NC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090060113	DEBRIS SHIELD UPPER TIE PLATE FOR NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD TO SHIELD ASSEMBLY FROM DEBRIS - A nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including: a fuel bundle including an array of fuel rods and water rods mounted in an upper tie plate and housed in walls of a channel, and a pore type debris shield mounted at least partially in the channel, above or below the upper tie plate, the shield extending to or over the walls of the channel, whereby deflecting and/or capturing falling debris from entering the fuel assembly, wherein the shield is design to be durable, yet flexible, and porous.	03-05-2009
20090060114	DEBRIS SHIELD FOR UPPER TIE PLATE IN A NUCLEAR FUEL BUNDLE AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DEBRIS - A nuclear reactor fuel assembly including: an upper tie plate having apertures to receive and support fuel rods of a fuel bundle; the fuel bundle includes an array of the fuel rods mounted and housed in the walls of a channel, and a load bearing or non-load bearing debris shield may be mounted in the upper tie plate, wherein the debris shield is porous to prevent the passage of debris. The debris shield is mounted in the frame of the upper tie plate. The debris shield can be either a removable unit, or it can be attached as a permanent integrated structure within the upper tie plate. The upper tie plate frame is also porous, e.g., has small vertical openings to allow fluid to pass through the frame and block passage of debris. The openings in the frame increase the effective flow area of passages through the upper tie plate and thereby compensate or offset any flow restrictions due to the debris shield. Preventing debris falling into the fuel bundle is expected to assure the operational life of the fuel assembly by reducing the risk of fuel rod failure and premature discharge from the reactor core.	03-05-2009
20090080590	METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SHIELD A NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE DEBRIS SHIELD IN UPPER TIE - A method to capture, retain and remove debris falling into a nuclear reactor fuel bundle assembly including a bundle of fuel rods mounted below an upper tie plate and housed in a hollow metal channel, the method includes: inserting a debris shield in the upper tie plate; maintaining the shield in the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, and water rods, while the fuel bundle assembly is in an operating nuclear reactor core; capturing debris falling in the fuel assembly on the debris shield; after capturing the debris, removing the fuel bundle assembly with the inserted debris shield from the nuclear reactor core to a maintenance/fuel inspection pool and thereafter removing the debris shield from the upper tie plate, cleaning and then reinserting the cleaned debris shield back into the upper tie plate, and moving the fuel bundle assembly from the maintenance/fuel inspection pool back into the nuclear reactor core.	03-26-2009
20090092217	METHOD TO SHIELD NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLY WITH REMOVABLE DEBRIS SHIELD IN UPPER TIE PLATE - A method to prevent debris falling into a nuclear reactor fuel assembly including a bundle of fuel rods mounted below an upper tie plate and housed in a channel including: inserting a debris shield in the upper tie plate; maintaining the shield in the upper tie plate and above the fuel rods, while the fuel assembly is in an operating nuclear reactor core; flowing coolant through the bundle and the debris shield during operation of the nuclear reactor core, and capturing or deflecting debris falling in the fuel assembly with the debris shield.	04-09-2009

David Smith, Lindon, UT US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090027824	Current Zero Cross Switching Relay Module Using A Voltage Monitor - Assemblies, systems, and methods which prolong relay life by dynamically compensating the make and break contact timing between the contact points of the relay and a zero crossing point of the power supply's waveform are provided according to the present disclosure. The life cycle of the relay components are dramatically increased through the use of these assemblies, systems, and methods due to a decrease in arcing and other physically damaging phenomena between the contacts of the relay. The present disclosure also provides for assemblies, systems, and methods whereby a processor analyzes the inductive kickback effect in the relay load voltage signal and dynamically adjust the relay open time such that the inductive kickback effect is minimized. In exemplary embodiments, the systems/methods provided herein advantageously adjust the relay open time such that the relay switching time corresponds with current zero cross and do so without requiring complicated current monitoring components.	01-29-2009

David Smith, Monticello, IL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080283537	SPILL-RESISTANT CUPS WITH ACTIVE INGREDIENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS - Spill-resistant cups for consuming beverages with delivery systems for simultaneously dispensing one or more agents which can reduce the rate of beverage-induced tooth decay and/or enamel erosion are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the spill-resistant cup can include a hollow cup body defining a beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup also includes a lid assembly with a drinking spout having one or more spaced-apart drinking holes. The drinking spout is configured to be engaged by a consumer's mouth. The lid assembly can positively engage the cup body to enclose the beverage holding chamber. The spill-resistant cup can also include an agent delivery system for controlled delivery of the active ingredient to the consumer's mouth. Further, the spill-resistant cup can include a flow control element configured to limit a flow rate of the beverage from the beverage holding chamber to the drinking holes disposed in the drinking spout.	11-20-2008

David Smith, San Jose, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080210301	METAL CONTACT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - In a solar cell having p doped regions and n doped regions alternately formed in a surface of a semiconductor wafer in offset levels through use of masking and etching techniques, metal contacts are made to the p regions and n regions by first forming a base layer contacting the p doped regions and n doped regions which functions as an antireflection layer, and then forming a barrier layer, such as titanium tungsten or chromium, and a conductive layer such as copper over the barrier layer. Preferably the conductive layer is a plating layer and the thickness thereof can be increased by plating.	09-04-2008

David Smith, Columbus, OH US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080213717	METHOD OF INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF MELTING METAL - A process for increasing the thermal radiation absorbance of objects that are to be melted or softened. An agent is applied to the object, such as an aluminum sow, and the object is placed in a furnace. The furnace exposes the object to thermal radiation, such as by blasting the sow with jets of burning gas, and the material melts. The increase in absorbance on the outer surface of the object reduces the amount of energy needed to melt or soften the material, as thermal energy is absorbed by the object more rapidly than uncoated materials.	09-04-2008

David Smith, Campbell, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110126898	SOLAR CELL CONTACT FORMATION USING LASER ABLATION - The formation of solar cell contacts using a laser is described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming a poly-crystalline material layer above a single-crystalline substrate. The method also includes forming a dielectric material stack above the poly-crystalline material layer. The method also includes forming, by laser ablation, a plurality of contacts holes in the dielectric material stack, each of the contact holes exposing a portion of the poly-crystalline material layer; and forming conductive contacts in the plurality of contact holes.	06-02-2011
20110214719	METHOD OF FABRICATING A BACK-CONTACT SOLAR CELL AND DEVICE THEREOF - Methods of fabricating back-contact solar cells and devices thereof are described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming an N-type dopant source layer and a P-type dopant source layer above a material layer disposed above a substrate. The N-type dopant source layer is spaced apart from the P-type dopant source layer. The N-type dopant source layer and the P-type dopant source layer are heated. Subsequently, a trench is formed in the material layer, between the N-type and P-type dopant source layers.	09-08-2011
20110240105	LEAKAGE PATHWAY LAYER FOR SOLAR CELL - Leakage pathway layers for solar cells and methods of forming leakage pathway layers for solar cells are described.	10-06-2011
20120000528	METHOD OF FABRICATING A SOLAR CELL WITH A TUNNEL DIELECTRIC LAYER - Methods of fabricating solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are described. Solar cells with tunnel dielectric layers are also described.	01-05-2012
20120073650	METHOD OF FABRICATING AN EMITTER REGION OF A SOLAR CELL - Methods of fabricating emitter regions of solar cells are described. Methods of forming layers on substrates of solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are also described.	03-29-2012
20130333747	HIGH CURRENT BURN-IN OF SOLAR CELLS - A method of high reverse current burn-in of solar cells and a solar cell with a burned-in bypass diode are described herein. In one embodiment, high reverse current burn-in of a solar cell with a tunnel oxide layer induces low breakdown voltage in the solar cell. Soaking a solar cell at high current can also reduce the difference in voltage of defective and non-defective areas of the cell.	12-19-2013
20140305501	METHOD OF FABRICATING A BACK-CONTACT SOLAR CELL AND DEVICE THEREOF - Methods of fabricating back-contact solar cells and devices thereof are described. A method of fabricating a back-contact solar cell includes forming an N-type dopant source layer and a P-type dopant source layer above a material layer disposed above a substrate. The N-type dopant source layer is spaced apart from the P-type dopant source layer. The N-type dopant source layer and the P-type dopant source layer are heated. Subsequently, a trench is formed in the material layer, between the N-type and P-type dopant source layers.	10-16-2014

David Smith, Toronto CA

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110314163	WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK FOR SMART APPLIANCES - A communications module, and a consumer device comprising the communications model, is provided for use in a communication network with one or more consumer devices or “smart” appliances. The communications module includes a wireless transceiver for communication with the network, for example in accordance with the ZigBee protocol, and an interface for communicating with a host processor of the consumer device. The module receives scheduled event data over a wireless link on behalf of the host processor, and schedules events for execution by the host processor upon receipt of commands transmitted by the module. The communications module may include a virtual host module, which translates commands between a protocol used by the host processor and a protocol used by the communications module. The communications module is also configured to automatically seek and join a network, and to discover and bind to services provided over the network.	12-22-2011

David Smith, Arlington, VA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120174198	Shared Registration Multi-Factor Authentication Tokens - A system and method for more efficiently establishing a chain of trust from a registrant to a registry. A registrant credential is associated with a Shared Registration command and is sent by a registrar to a registry. Upon successful validation, a token is generated and bound to a registrant identifier. The token is included along with the registrant identifier in subsequent discrete Shared Registration commands submitted to the registry on behalf of the registrant. The registrant thus needs to submit its credential only once for changes that require several discrete commands. Also, it is more efficient for the Shared Registration System to validate a token for a set of commands than to validate different registrant credential for each discrete command.	07-05-2012
20120254386	Transfer of DNSSEC Domains - Systems and methods of transferring a DNSSEC enabled domain from a losing hosting provider to a gaining hosting provider are described in which the transfer of the domain may be achieved without disruption to a DNSSEC validation of the domain. Systems and methods, such as those directed to registry and/or registrar servers, may include transferring a DNSKEY or Delegation Signer (DS) record from a gaining hosting provider to a losing hosting provider prior to transferring the domain from the losing hosting provider to the gaining hosting provider. A gaining hosting provider may sign DNS records of the domain with the gaining hosting provider DNSKEY prior to transferring the domain from the losing hosting provider to the gaining hosting provider. Additionally, a registry server, or similar device, may be configured to act as an intermediary between the losing hosting provider and the gaining hosting provider during the transfer process.	10-04-2012
20120278626	DNSSEC Inline Signing - Systems and methods of performing incremental DNSSEC signing at a registry are described in which digital signature operations may be performed as part of a single transaction including DNS add, update, and/or delete operations and the like. Exemplary methods may include receiving a domain command from a requester, the domain command including an identifier of a domain. The received domain command may be executed with respect to data stored by the registry for the domain. As part of an individual transaction including the execution of the domain command, the registry may also sign DNSSEC records for the domain using a private key of an authoritative server. After the DNSSEC records have been signed, the registry may incrementally publish the signed DNSSEC records to a separate server. Exemplary methods may also include “took-aside” operations in which, for example, add, update, and/or delete operations may be executed on data stored in a registry database and reported to a requester, prior to applying digital-signatures to the DNSSEC data. After reporting that the instructions have been executed, the registry may generate a digital signature based on the add, update, and/or delete changes, and commit the digital signature to a registry resolution database.	11-01-2012
20120284505	DNSSEC SIGNING SERVER - Systems and methods for performing DNSSEC signing are described in which digital signature operations may be performed by a network accessible signing server that is configured to interact with a separate client application. Exemplary methods may include receiving a signing request at the signing server from the client application to sign first data. The signing server may determine an active KSK and/or an active ZSK for the first data. The first data may then be transmitted by the signing server to a digital signature modules, which may include, for example, a hardware support module, or software signing applications. The signing server may receive a digitally signed version of the first data from the digital signature module, and provide the signed first data to the client application.	11-08-2012
20150372822	DNSSEC SIGNING SERVER - Systems and methods for performing DNSSEC signing are described in which digital signature operations may be performed by a network accessible signing server that is configured to interact with a separate client application. Exemplary methods may include receiving a signing request at the signing server from the client application to sign first data. The signing server may determine an active KSK and/or an active ZSK for the first data. The first data may then be transmitted by the signing server to a digital signature modules, which may include, for example, a hardware support module, or software signing applications. The signing server may receive a digitally signed version of the first data from the digital signature module, and provide the signed first data to the client application.	12-24-2015

David Smith, Roseville, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120243212	PORTABLE AND BENDABLE UTILITY LIGHT - A portable and bendable utility light is disclosed. Example embodiments include a body fabricated from a flexible non-metallic material, the body including a spine and a handle, the spine including a plurality of articulated light cells and corresponding radiused gaps between each light cell to facilitate bending of the spine in a plurality of directions; and an electrical assembly enveloped within the body, the electrical assembly including a conducting plane, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in electrical connection with the conducting plane and positioned within each of the plurality of articulated light cells, as power source in electrical connection with the conducting plane, and a switch in electrical connection with the power source and the conducting plane.	09-27-2012

David Smith US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120263056	APPARATUS, METHODS, AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Selected embodiments are directed to methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for wireless radio frequency communications. Adjacent antenna array elements of a receiver antenna array are separated by less than the diffraction limit of the radio frequency communication band in which the apparatus and methods operate. A plurality or multiplicity of near-field scatterers are asymmetrically placed in the immediate vicinity of each of the antenna array elements, to perturb the pattern of each of the antenna elements, making the patterns different even below diffraction limit spacing. A transmitter spatially and temporally focuses simultaneous transmissions on each of the antenna array elements, using time reversal communication techniques. The transmitter may transmit through multiple antenna elements, and the channel from the transmitter to the receiver may be subject to multipath phenomena.	10-18-2012

David Smith, Ellicott City, MD US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120328037	ANTI-GEOLOCATION - Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture make Geolocation of a source transmitter more difficult or impossible. Scatterers common to a source transmitter and an intended receiver are identified using a variety of techniques, such as iterative time reversal (ITR) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a scatter matrix. The source transmitter then uses time reversal and knowledge of the signatures of the scatterers to focus its transmissions on one or more of the scatterers, instead of the intended receiver. The source transmitter may have multiple antennas or antenna elements. The source transmitter and/or the intended receiver may include antenna elements with Near-Field Scatterers to enable spatial focusing below the diffraction limit at the frequencies of interest. The source transmitter may be a plurality of ad hoc nodes cooperating with each other.	12-27-2012
20140022128	GEOLOCATION - In selected embodiments, a process of geolocation of a transmitter uses a receiver with an antenna array that is non-line-of-sight (NLoS) to the transmitter. A first plurality of scatterers within line-of-sight (LoS) of the array is located using multilateration based on time difference of arrival (TDoA) from the first scatterers, and applying a spatial consistency requirement. Time of emission/reflection from the first scatterers is also determined. The coordinates and timing of the first scatterers are used to locate either the transmitter or another set of scatterers, by applying multilateration to the TDoA at the first scatterers, and applying the spatial consistency requirement. The process is iteratively repeated until the transmitter is identified. The multilateration may be linearized without sacrificing precision. In each iteration, a non-singularity requirement is applied to ensure that the selected scatterers produce unambiguous results.	01-23-2014
20160047894	ANTI-GEOLOCATION - Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture make Geolocation of a source transmitter more difficult or impossible. Scatterers common to a source transmitter and an intended receiver are identified using a variety of techniques, such as iterative time reversal (ITR) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) of a scatter matrix. The source transmitter then uses time reversal and knowledge of the signatures of the scatterers to focus its transmissions on one or more of the scatterers, instead of the intended receiver. The source transmitter may have multiple antennas or antenna elements. The source transmitter and/or the intended receiver may include antenna elements with Near-Field Scatterers to enable spatial focusing below the diffraction limit at the frequencies of interest. The source transmitter may be a plurality of ad hoc nodes cooperating with each other.	02-18-2016

David Smith, Troutville, VA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20130014552	Electronically-Controlled Removable Core Lock - An electronic small format interchangeable core (“SFIC”) lock is configured so that core locking features are electronically controlled, and keys can be electronically programmed to operate either as a normal user key able to open the lock or as a control key able to open the lock and to remove the SFIC cores. The same key will operate as a normal access key or as a control key, depending on how the key is programmed.	01-17-2013

David Smith, Richmond, IN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20130041352	Self-Cleansing Bladder Drainage Catheter - An indwelling endourethral drainage catheter includes a tubular distal portion and a spiral first portion. A central lumen extends along substantially the entire length of the catheter. The spiral first portion defines an outer spiral channel in fluid communication with the central lumen. The distal end of the catheter is anchored externally so that the catheter is held against advancement into or out of the urethra. In certain methods, the diameter of the spiral first portion may be changed to address obstructions within the urethra or facilitate navigation of the catheter along the urethra.	02-14-2013
20140142616	Methods and Devices to Reduce Damaging Effects of Concussive or Blast Forces on a Subject - A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function	05-22-2014
20140276278	METHODS AND DEVICES TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY FROM CONCUSSIVE OR BLAST FORCES - A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of radiant energy, blast, or concussive events includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during or before the incidence of the imparting event. Reducing blood outflow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial volume and/or pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood outflow further increases the intracranial pressure and volume, and thereby increases the pressure and volume of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure and volume reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function	09-18-2014
20140277101	METHODS AND DEVICES TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY FROM CONCUSSIVE OR BLAST FORCES - A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of radiant energy, blast, or concussive events includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during or before the incidence of the imparting event. Reducing blood outflow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial volume and/or pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood outflow further increases the intracranial pressure and volume, and thereby increases the pressure and volume of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure and volume reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function	09-18-2014

David Smith, Eindhoven, PA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20130133664	PATIENT INTERFACE DEVICE INCLUDING A DYNAMIC SELF ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM - A patient interface device (	05-30-2013

David Smith, Durham, NC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20130335256	METAMATERIAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Compressive imaging captures images in compressed form, where each sensor does not directly correspond with a pixel, as opposed to standard image capture techniques. This can lead to faster image capture rates due to lower I/O bandwidth requirements, and avoids the need for image compression hardware, as the image is captured in compressed form. Measuring the transformation of an emitted multimodal signal is one method of compressive imaging. Metamaterial antennas and transceivers are well suited for both emitting and receiving multimodal signals, and are thus prime candidates for compressive imaging.	12-19-2013

David Smith, Oakmont, PA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140134416	MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL DEVICES MADE FROM HYDROPHILIC RUBBER MATERIALS - This invention relates to medical, health care and non-medical devices comprising a rubbery or elastomeric polymer material taking up more than 5% by weight of water and at most 500% by weight of water after immersion in demineralized water at room temperature for a sufficient time to reach saturation. The material may be in the form of a foam, or in the form of a coating adapted for adhesion to a substrate, or in the form of a sheet, or in the form of a fiber, and may comprise: —repeating units from one or more hydrophobic organic monomers, and —repeating units from one or more monomers (a) being modified with one or more hydrophilic side groups.	05-15-2014

David Smith, Reston, VA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140143331	SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DOMAIN NAME SUGGESTIONS - Systems and methods are provided for providing domain name suggestions based on user preferences and terms extracted from one or more information sources. Terms may be continuously extracted from information sources and used to generate domain name suggestions. Generated domain name suggestions may then be delivered to customers. The systems and methods may utilize customer preferences in providing the domain name suggestions, such as preferences as to information sources or topics of interest. The systems and methods may be self-learning, taking historical domain name registration information into account to improve the domain name suggestions.	05-22-2014

David Smith, Georgetown CA

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140223505	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA - Devices and methods are provided for managing media content across multiple communication systems and related devices. In various embodiments, a client node detects a first media content stream being presented. The client node then generates and provides a content stream identification request message to the control system. In response, the control system provides content identification data associated with the first content stream to the client node, which processes it to generate and provide a content request message to a control server node.	08-07-2014

David Smith, Washington, MO US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140178661	ELECTRICAL INSULATION PAPER, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, AND ARTICLES MANUFACTURED THEREFROM - A fibrous substrate comprising a consolidated product of a fiber composition is provided comprising polyimide fibers; fibers selected from aromatic polyamide fibrids or polycarbonate fibers; aromatic polyamide fibers. A process of preparing a fibrous substrate is disclosed, comprising forming a layer from a slurry comprising a suspension solvent; and fiber composition comprising a combination of polyimide fibers; aromatic polyamide fibers; aromatic polyamide fibrids; each based on the total weight of the fibers in the fiber composition; dewatering the layer; and consolidating the layer to form the fibrous substrate; wherein a layer of polyimide fiber aromatic polyamide fibrid is applied to each surface of the fibrous substrate either before or after said consolidating step, and the substrate and polyimide layers are together subjected to a consolidating step. In another embodiment, articles comprising the above fibrous substrates are provided.	06-26-2014

David Smith, Austin, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140257840	PRECISE ENGAGMENT IN A MEDICAL INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEM - A medical information handling system executes a medical application with which a client device is communicatively coupled to support presentation of a graphical user interface for the medical application in a display of the client device. The medical information handling system also executes an injection engine. The injection engine retrieves data from a remote data source among a set of data sources including a pharmaceutical database, an insurance database, and a public health database and correlates the retrieved data with at least one medical input entered via the graphical user interface. The injection engine selects a message content from among a positive message, negative message and neutral message based upon the at least one medical input and the retrieved data and injects into the graphical user interface a message containing the selected message content.	09-11-2014

David Smith, Knoxville, TN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140318240	Soak Chamber and System to Measure the Seed Density Hydration Profile of Seeds - Apparatuses, systems, and methods for measuring the hydration profile of seeds during Soaking. In some example embodiments, the volume change of irregular-shaped seeds during soaking is measured as the difference in the volume for a given chamber and the volume of water to fill a chamber with seeds at pre-defined time intervals. A device according to some example embodiments of the present general inventive concept includes a soak chamber to hold the seed, a water bath as a source of the input water, and a measuring tank where the water volume can be determined with a level sensor. The soaking temperature is maintained constant by water baths with a circulating tank surrounding the soak chamber to reduce heat loss.	10-30-2014

David Smith, Coventry GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140340211	METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING DRIVER FEEDBACK - The present invention relates to a method of evaluating at least one operating parameter of a motor vehicle. A system variable relating to an operating parameter of the vehicle is measured. A look-up map (A; S; B) associated with the operating parameter is accessed. The look-up map (A; S; B) comprises of one or more sets of threshold values (R	11-20-2014

David Smith, Chatswood AU

Patent application number	Description	Published
20140352585	APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A PESTICIDE TO PERENNIAL CROPS - An applicator assembly for applying an active substance to the root zone of a plurality of plants, the applicator assembly comprising: a subsoil applicator having a cutting element for generating an incision in the ground, an injector associated with the cutting element to allow the active substance to be injected into the incision; and a positioning device adapted to allow the position of the cutting element to change position such that an incision is generated in some material in the root zone while the cutting element moves over other material in the root zone.	12-04-2014

David Smith, Wetherby West Yorkshire GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150022912	Mirror assembly with adjustable fastening - A mirror assembly (	01-22-2015

David Smith, Warwick GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150083035	VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER AND RELATED METHOD - The present invention relate to a method of rendering speed limit data on a vehicle speedometer (	03-26-2015

David Smith, Temecula, CA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150096060	Systems and Methods for Accessing Digital Content Using Electronic Tickets and Ticket Tokens - Systems and methods for accessing digital content using electronic tickets and ticket tokens in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user device includes a processor, a network interface, and memory configured to store an electronic ticket, and a ticket token, and the processor is configured by an application to send a request for digital content, receive a ticket token from a merchant server, wherein the ticket token is generated by a DRM server and associated with an electronic ticket that enables playback of the requested digital content, send the ticket token to a DRM server, receive an electronic ticket that enables playback of requested digital content, request the digital content associated with the electronic ticket, and play back the requested digital content using the electronic ticket.	04-02-2015

David Smith, Madison, AL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150106572	SCRIPTED MULTIPROCESS PROBING WITHOUT SYSTEM PRIVILEGE - A controller process loads a module based on a user-generated script into itself. The controller process also generates a shared memory mapping using offset pointers as opposed to absolute pointers. The controller process loads the module and the shared memory mapping into target processes indicated by the user-generated script in order to probe the target processes.	04-16-2015

David Smith, Beaverton, OR US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150161306	FAULT INSERTION FOR SYSTEM VERIFICATION - A computer implemented method of modifying a compiled design of an electronic circuit is disclosed. The method includes accessing a stored compilation representing the design, and causing the computer to generate a modified version of the stored compilation in response to an indication of a change to a portion of the design.	06-11-2015

David Smith, Delmar, NY US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150178529	SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT AN EVENT ASSOCIATED WITH A PERSON RELATIVE TO A BED - A system and method to detect an event associated with a first object relative to a second object and a support is provided. The system can include an antenna at a support to receive the first object, a tag reader in communication with the antenna and a tag located on the second object. In response to detecting a change in impedance of the antenna associated with the presence of the first object, the tag reader communicates a presence signal. In response to detecting the tag within a threshold proximity of the tag reader, the tag reader generates a tag signal. A remoter server is operable to detect an association of the first and second objects based on a comparison a time associated with each of the tag signal and the presence signal, and in response then creates an output indicative of a detected event based on the association for illustration.	06-25-2015

David Smith, Wadsworth, OH US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150233431	CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER INCLUDING ONE-WAY CLUTCH - A concentric slave cylinder is provided. The concentric slave cylinder includes a housing including a wall; a piston slidable along the wall in a forward direction and a return direction, the piston including a first angled surface, the piston and the housing forming a hydraulic chamber therebetween; and a ring slidable along the wall in the hydraulic chamber in the forward direction and limiting sliding of the piston in the return direction, the ring including a frustoconical portion having a second angled surface for engaging the first angled surface to limit the sliding of the piston in the return direction.	08-20-2015
20150240884	DOUBLE CLUTCH MOUNTING ASSEMBLY - A double clutch mounting assembly for a motor vehicle drive train is provided. The double clutch mounting assembly includes a double clutch; a damper configured for connecting the double clutch to an engine crankshaft; and a clutch actuator for actuating the double clutch fixed to the double clutch. One of the double clutch and the damper includes a pilot configured for insertion into an engine crankshaft to center the double clutch, damper and clutch actuator with respect to the engine crankshaft. A method of forming a double clutch mounting assembly is also provided. The method includes forming a subassembly by axially fixing a dual mass flywheel and a double clutch together and axially fixing a concentric slave cylinder to the double clutch.	08-27-2015
20150308514	CLUTCH WITH WIRE PIVOT RING HAVING STRAIGHT SECTIONS - A pivot ring for a clutch includes a central axis; a plurality of circumferentially curved portions; a plurality of engagement portions, each engagement portion circumferentially disposed between respective first and second circumferentially curved portions from the plurality of circumferentially curved portions and including: an alignment portion; a first and second stiffened attachment portions extending in lines from the alignment portion to the adjacent curved portions; and, first and second circumferential distal ends. Each engagement portion is arranged to receive a respective lever for the clutch; and, the first and second distal ends are arranged to fixedly connect to the clutch. Also presented is a clutch assembly including: an axis of rotation; a pressure plate having opposing first and second surfaces; a plurality of levers, and the pivot ring. Each lever is pivotably connected to a respective engagement portion, such that the plurality of levers is displaceable to close the clutch.	10-29-2015
20150308515	DOUBLE CLUTCH WITH NESTED LEVERS - A double clutch, including: a backing plate; a first clutch including at least one first clutch plate, a first piston, a first plurality of levers engaged with the first piston, a first shim engaged with the first plurality of levers, and a first actuator engaged with the first shim and arranged to axially displace the first shim to close the first clutch; and a second clutch including:	10-29-2015
20150362044	TRANSMISSION WITH DUAL INPUT AND GEAR RATIO MULTIPLICATION - A transmission including: a first number of input shafts; an output shaft; a second number of gears non-rotatably connected to the output shaft; a third number of lay shafts; and full synchronizer clutches. Each full synchronizer clutch includes: a respective first half synchronizer clutch arranged to non-rotatably connect a respective first gear to a respective lay shaft included in the third number of lay shafts, and disconnect the respective first gear from the respective lay shaft; and a respective second half synchronizer clutch arranged to non-rotatably connect a respective second gear to the respective lay shaft, and disconnect the respective second gear from the respective lay shaft. The transmission is arranged to provide a fourth number of total reverse and forward speed ratios equal to the first number multiplied by the second number multiplied by the third number.	12-17-2015

David Smith, Bodicote GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150238044	Machine For The Preparation Of Beverages - A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages from beverage cartridges containing one or more beverage ingredients, the beverage preparation machine comprising means for receiving, in use, a beverage cartridge and means for passing water through the beverage cartridge to thereby produce a beverage, the beverage preparation machine further comprising a code reader for interpreting a code provided on or in the beverage cartridge.	08-27-2015

David Smith, Urmston GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150248405	Document Management System and Method - The document management system comprises a remote document repository arranged to receive and store a document; extract data from or related to the document; and perform an action based on the extracted data.	09-03-2015

David Smith, Niskayuna, NY US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20150365512	SECURE PAIRING OF END USER DEVICES WITH INSTRUMENTS - A role-based access control method and/or system permits end users to securely pair their mobile devices via a pairing apparatus with one or more instruments to, for example, remotely monitor operations of the instruments. In an embodiment, the process includes a pairing apparatus receiving a pairing request from an instrument including a unique access code, and receiving a pairing request from an end user mobile device that includes an end user mobile device identifier and an access code. If the unique access code matches the end user's access code, then the end user mobile device identifier is added to a security group and a successful pairing message is transmitted to at least one of the instrument and the end user mobile device.	12-17-2015

David Smith, Dalkeith GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160003038	Determining Gas Content of a Core Sample - An inner barrel for a core barrel or a core barrel assembly, the inner barrel having one or more side walls bounding at least partially an elongate internal volume for receiving, in use, a collected core sample, wherein the or each side wall is adapted to provide at least one fluid flow path from the elongate internal volume to outside the inner barrel.	01-07-2016

David Smith, Lake Oswego, OR US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160032453	SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VAPOR DELIVERY - A vapor delivery system includes an ampoule to store liquid precursor and a heater to partially vaporize the liquid precursor. A first valve communicates with a push gas source and the ampoule. A second valve supplies vaporized precursor to a heated injection manifold. A valve manifold includes a first node in fluid communication with an outlet of the heated injection manifold, a third valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the first node and an outlet in fluid communication with vacuum, a fourth valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the first node and an outlet in fluid communication with a second node, a fifth valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the second node, and a sixth valve having an outlet in fluid communication with the second node. A gas distribution device is in fluid communication with the second node.	02-04-2016
20160079036	Systems and Methods for Suppressing Parasitic Plasma and Reducing Within-Wafer Non-Uniformity - A substrate processing system for depositing film on a substrate includes a processing chamber defining a reaction volume. A showerhead includes a stem portion having one end connected adjacent to an upper surface of the processing chamber. A base portion is connected to an opposite end of the stem portion and extends radially outwardly from the stem portion. The showerhead is configured to introduce at least one of process gas and purge gas into the reaction volume. A plasma generator is configured to selectively generate RF plasma in the reaction volume. An edge tuning system includes a collar and a parasitic plasma reducing element that is located around the stem portion between the collar and an upper surface of the showerhead. The parasitic plasma reducing element is configured to reduce parasitic plasma between the showerhead and the upper surface of the processing chamber.	03-17-2016

David Smith, Hoboken, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160038300	SPINAL INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - An implant to be surgically positioned between two adjacent vertebrae made of a biocompatible material having two distinct areas of geometry—a front/anterior distracting portion and a second stabilizing back end/posterior portion. The device is inserted into the disc space on its side—in a first position—up until a point and then the device is rotated 90 degrees along a z-axis—into a second position—and then pushed the remainder of the way into the disc space. As viewed from the bottom of the device (in the second position—the position of the implant after rotation, the device is L-shaped, about L-shaped, or an angled dual leg configuration. A base member forms an angle anywhere between 30 to 150 degrees with a connected extended member.	02-11-2016

David Smith, Huntsville, AL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160043869	SECURE REMOTE KERNEL MODULE SIGNING - Implementations for a secure remote kernel module signing are disclosed. In one example, the method includes receiving an indicator of a public key associated with a client computing device, determining that the public key associated with the client computing device is in common with a public key associated with a first server computing device, compiling the script, signing the compiled script with a private key that is associated with the public key that is in common with the client computing device and the first server computing device without generating a new private key, and sending the signed compiled script to the client computing device.	02-11-2016

David Smith, Coventry, Warwickshire GB

Patent application number	Description	Published
20160049023	Method and System for Providing Feedback to a Driver of a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle - A method of providing feedback to a driver of a hybrid or electric vehicle having an energy regeneration mode of operation is provided. The method comprises determining a distance saved value in dependence on an amount of energy recovered during the trip cycle by operation of the vehicle in the regeneration mode. The distance saved value represents the distance which could have been travelled using the recovered energy. The method further comprises displaying the determined distance saved value on a display (	02-18-2016