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| 20120317985 | ELECTRIC FIELD CONTROL OF TWO OR MORE RESPONSES IN A COMBUSTION SYSTEM - A combustion system may include a plurality of heated volume portions. At least two of the plurality of heated volume portions may include corresponding respective electrodes. The electrodes may be driven to produce respective electric fields in their respective volumes. The electric fields may be configured to drive desired respective responses. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130004902 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ELECTRODYNAMICALLY DRIVING A CHARGED GAS OR CHARGED PARTICLES ENTRAINED IN A GAS - Gaseous particles or gas-entrained particles may be conveyed by electric fields acting on charged species included in the gaseous or gas-entrained particles. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130071794 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLATTENING A FLAME - A charge electrode configured to impart a time-varying majority charge on a flame and a shape electrode located outside the flame may be driven synchronously by a voltage source through time varying voltage(s). The flame may be flattened or compressed responsive to an electric field produced by the shape electrode acting on the charges imparted on the flame. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130230810 | INERTIAL ELECTRODE AND SYSTEM CONFIGURED FOR ELECTRODYNAMIC INTERACTION WITH A FLAME - An inertial electrode launcher may be configured to project charged particles or a voltage comprising an inertial electrode proximate a flame or combustion gas produced by the flame. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130230811 | INERTIAL ELECTRODE AND SYSTEM CONFIGURED FOR ELECTRODYNAMIC INTERACTION WITH A VOLTAGE-BIASED FLAME - A combustion system includes a subsystem for electrically biasing or charging a flame and a virtual electrode launcher configured to launch a virtual electrode in proximity to the flame or combustion gas produced by the flame. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130255548 | MULTIPLE FUEL COMBUSTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - According to embodiments, a co-fired or multiple fuel combustion system is configured to apply an electric field to a combustion region corresponding to a second fuel that normally suffers from poor combustion and/or high sooting. Application of an AC voltage to the combustion region was found to increase the extent of combustion and significantly reduce soot evolved from the second fuel. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20140050644 | CHARGE-INDUCED SELECTIVE REDUCTION OF NITROGEN - A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system include a reagent charging apparatus configured to apply one or more electrical charges to a NOx reducing reagent. The electrical charges enhance mixing of the reagent with fluids carrying NOx and/or enhance reactivity of the reagent with NOx. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140170571 | COMBUSTION CONTROL ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USE - Combustion control electrode assemblies, combustion control systems using such assemblies, and methods of manufacturing and using such assemblies are disclosed. The electrode assemblies may include one or more electrodes including a sintered refractory metal material for heat and/or wear resistance. In an embodiment, an electrode assembly for a combustion control system may include at least one substrate and at least one electrode formed on the at least one substrate. The at least one electrode may include a sintered refractory metal material. The at least one electrode may be configured to be mounted proximate to or contacting a flame. The electrode assembly may further include at least one voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. The at least one electrode and the at least one voltage source may be collectively configured to apply an electric field to one or more regions at least proximate to the flame. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20150064086 | ELECTRIC REAGENT LAUNCHER FOR REDUCTION OF NITROGEN - A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) or selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system include a reagent charging apparatus configured to apply one or more electrical charges to a NOx reducing reagent. The electrical charges enhance mixing of the reagent with fluids carrying NOx and/or enhance reactivity of the reagent with NOx. | 03-05-2015 |
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| 20130000985 | RECONFIGURABLE DOWNHOLE ARTICLE - A reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article comprises a base material. The article also comprises a removable material disposed on or within the base material that is configured for removal from the base material in response to a wellbore condition, wherein the base material and the removable material define a base article that is configured to perform a first function, and wherein upon removal of the removable material, the base material defines a modified article that is configured to perform a second function that is different than the first function. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130004664 | METHOD OF MAKING AND USING A RECONFIGURABLE DOWNHOLE ARTICLE - A method of making a reconfigurable article is disclosed. The method includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of base material particles. The method also includes providing a powder comprising a plurality of removable material particles; and forming a base article from the base material comprising a plurality of removable material particles. A method of using a reconfigurable article is also disclosed. The method includes forming a base article, the base article comprising a base material and a removable material, wherein the base article comprises a downhole tool or component. The method also includes inserting the base article into a wellbore. The method further includes performing a first operation utilizing the base article; exposing the removable material of the base article to a wellbore condition that is configured to remove the removable material and form a modified article; and performing a second operation using the article. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20140374086 | RECONFIGURABLE DOWNHOLE ARTICLE - A reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article comprises a base material. The article also comprises a removable material disposed on or within the base material that is configured for removal from the base material in response to a wellbore condition, wherein the base material and the removable material define a base article that is configured to perform a first function, and wherein upon removal of the removable material, the base material defines a modified article that is configured to perform a second function that is different than the first function. | 12-25-2014 |
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| 20080224413 | Sealing material to metal bonding compositions and methods for bonding a sealing material to a metal surface - A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20100108253 | Sealing material to metal bonding compositions and methods for bonding a sealing material to a metal surface - A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100108308 | Sealing material to metal bonding compositions and methods for bonding a sealing material to a metal surface - A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20130062049 | SHAPED MEMORY POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE (PPS) FOR DOWNHOLE PACKER APPLICATIONS - A downhole element to isolate or complete a wellbore includes a shape memory material including polyphenylene sulfide. The polyphenylene sulfide is the cure product of being cured at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. The shape memory material is thermally activated between an actuated and unactuated shape, and the polyphenylene sulfide in the shape memory material is a closed cell foam, open cell foam, or solid. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130126190 | ION EXCHANGE METHOD OF SWELLABLE PACKER DEPLOYMENT - A downhole article includes an ion exchange polymer; and a composition that includes an elastomer and an absorbent material. A method of maintaining expandability of a downhole article includes disposing a downhole article comprising an elastomer, absorbent material, and an ion exchange material in a borehole, the ion exchange material comprising host ions; and exchanging fluid ions in a fluid with host ions from the ion exchange material to maintain the expandability of the downhole article. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130146312 | SELF-INHIBITED SWELL PACKER COMPOUND - A downhole sealant includes a composition that includes a polymer; an absorbent material; a primary crosslink network including primary bonds between chains of the polymer; and a secondary crosslink network which is transient. A method of regulating the swell rate of the downhole sealant includes disposing a downhole sealant comprising a polymer and an absorbent material in a borehole; maintaining a primary crosslink network of the polymer; and decomposing a secondary crosslink network of the absorbent material in response to a condition to regulate the swell rate of the downhole sealant. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130168894 | SHAPE MEMORY POLYPHENYLENE SULFIDE MANUFACTURING, PROCESS, AND COMPOSITION - Disclosed is a process for making shape memory polyphenylene sulfide, comprising: curing polyphenylene sulfide to produce cured polyphenylene sulfide; comminuting the cured polyphenylene sulfide to form cured polyphenylene sulfide particles; disposing the cured polyphenylene sulfide particles in a mold; heating the mold for flowing the cured polyphenylene sulfide; compressing, by applying a compressive force, the cured polyphenylene sulfide; cooling the cured polyphenylene sulfide; relieving the compressive force; and de-molding the cured polyphenylene sulfide to produce the shape memory polyphenylene sulfide. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130180401 | DOWNHOLE FLUID SEPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system for separating fluids of a fluid mixture including a filter element operatively arranged for enabling a first component of a fluid mixture to flow therethrough while impeding flow of at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. An additive is configured to improve a first affinity of the filter element for the first component relative to a second affinity of the filter element for the at least one other fluid component of the fluid mixture. A method of separating fluids is also included. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20140051612 | SWELLABLE ARTICLE - A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included. | 02-20-2014 |
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| 20090084550 | Water Swelling Rubber Compound for Use In Reactive Packers and Other Downhole Tools - Through the combination of at least two polymer families, and the optimization of other components, a rubber compound has been developed for use in downhole applications that will swell in water-based fluids. A cellulose component, such as carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), is used together with an acrylate copolymer (AC) that can increase the swelling capacity of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) in water to over 1000%. The amount of swelling achieved depends on physical boundaries and limitations, the salinity of the water, and the temperature. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20100308517 | COATED SPRING AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A spring suitable for use in an acidizing wellbore is disclosed. The spring includes a spring member comprising an Ni-base or a Co-base alloy, the spring member having an outer surface. The spring also includes an acidizing fluid resistant coating layer disposed on the outer surface of the spring member. A method of making a spring suitable for use in an acidizing wellbore environment is also disclosed. The method includes forming a spring member comprising an Ni-base or a Co-base alloy, the spring member having an outer surface. The method also includes disposing an acidizing fluid resistant coating layer on the outer surface of the spring member. In an exemplary embodiment, the spring may include a torsion spring used in a flapper valve. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20120208934 | Water Swelling Rubber Compound for Use in Reactive Packers and Other Downhole Tools - Through the combination of at least two polymer families, and the optimization of other components, a rubber compound has been developed for use in downhole applications that will swell in water-based fluids. A cellulose component, such as carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), is used together with an acrylate copolymer (AC) that can increase the swelling capacity of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) in water. The amount of swelling achieved depends on physical boundaries and limitations, the salinity of the water, and the temperature. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20130009339 | METHOD OF CURING THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER FOR SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL - A method of preparing a cured thermoplastic material includes curing a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. A method of making a shape memory material also includes curing a thermoplastic polymer to prepare a cured thermoplastic material. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130012635 | CURED THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER FOR SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL AND ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROM - A thermoplastic material comprises the cure product of a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., the thermoplastic polymer being cured at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. An article is formed from the thermoplastic material. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130020084 | AFFIXATION AND RELEASE ASSEMBLY FOR A MILL AND METHOD - A downhole affixation and release assembly including a first component; a second component, and an interconnection device for at least temporarily securing the first component to the second component. The interconnection device operatively arranged to at least partially degrade upon exposure to a fluid. Also included is a method of affixing and releasing two components. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20140167312 | METHOD OF CURING THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER FOR SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL - A method of preparing a cured thermoplastic material includes curing a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. A method of making a shape memory material also includes curing a thermoplastic polymer to prepare a cured thermoplastic material. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20160122299 | INITIATOR NANOCONSTITUENTS FOR ELASTOMER CROSSLINKING AND RELATED METHODS AND ARTICLES - An initiator nanoconstituent comprises a nanoparticle covalently bonded to a group having a free radical. The nanoparticle may be bonded to the group via an ether group or an amide group. The initiator nanoconstituent may be formed in situ, in a mixture comprising an elastomer material to be crosslinked. The initiator nanoconstituent is formed from an organic nanoconstituent compound that includes the nanoparticle and an organic group that does not include a free radical at the time the mixture is formed. At least one chemical bond of the organic nanoconstituent compound may be ruptured, in situ, to form the initiator nanoconstituent, which may then bond with polymer molecules of the elastomer material and form a crosslinked elastomer material. Downhole tools or components thereof may include such crosslinked elastomer material. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160138359 | SWELLABLE COMPOSITIONS, ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROM, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A swellable composition comprises: a matrix material; and a condensed expandable graphite material disposed in the matrix material. A seal arrangement comprises: a swellable member and a sealing member disposed on a surface of the swellable member; wherein the swellable member comprises a condensed expandable graphite material. The condensed expandable graphite material in the swellable composition and the swellable member has a bulk density of about 1 to about 8 g/cm | 05-19-2016 |
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| 20120009539 | Intraoral Light-Emitting Device - The present invention relates to methods, systems, kits and devices that emit light to the oral cavity. The device includes a light source; a power source in electrical communication with the light source; and a bite actuated switch in electrical communication with the power source and the light source. The device is a size or shape that fits within an oral cavity of an individual. Since the device along with the light and power source are self contained, the user have their hands-free and can perform other activities while using the device. The device, methods, systems, and kits, further include the use of an agent (e.g., antibacterial agents, tooth whitening agents, cleaning agents) that assists or enhances the efficacy of the light therapy. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120028222 | CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ANTIBIOTIC IMREGNATED DELIVERY SYSTEMS AS AN INTRACANAL MEDICAMENT IN ENDODONTIC THERAPY - Endodontic fibers comprising a biocompatible polymer vehicle permeable to medicaments, or combinations of medicaments are described. Such fibers can be used, for example, in a method for the local delivery and sustained release of medicaments to periodontal or intracanal treatment sites. Endodontic fibers described include modified periodontal fibers and intracanal fibers. | 02-02-2012 |
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| 20080312460 | Multi-Frequency Ultrasonic Apparatus and Process for Producing Biofuels - The present invention is an ultrasonic apparatus and process that utilizes multiple-frequency ultrasonic energy during production of biofuel. The ultrasonic apparatus includes a process tank containing a reactant fluid and at least two groups of ultrasonic transducers coupled to the process tank, wherein each group of transducers generates different frequencies. The process for transesterizing vegetable oils or fatty acids into fatty-acid alkyl esters includes steps of placing a reactant fluid including vegetable oils or fatty acids into the process tank, and applying ultrasonic energy to the reactant fluid in the tank at two separate frequencies in the range of 15 kHz to 1.5 MHz. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20100012148 | MEGASONIC PROCESSING APPARATUS WITH FREQUENCY SWEEPING OF THICKNESS MODE TRANSDUCERS - A megasonic processing apparatus and method has one or more piezoelectric transducers operating in thickness mode at fundamental resonant frequencies of at least 300 KHz. A generator powers the transducers with a variable-frequency driving signal that varies or sweeps throughout a predetermined sweep frequency range. The generator repeatedly vanes or sweeps the frequency of the driving signal through a sweep frequency range that includes the resonant frequencies of all the transducers. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100126942 | MULTI-FREQUENCY ULTRASONIC APPARATUS AND PROCESS WITH EXPOSED TRANSMITTING HEAD - The present invention is an ultrasonic device with the transmitting head located outside a housing enclosure while radial mode PZTs and tail mass are located inside the housing enclosure. The ultrasonic device and related process are useful for any process involving supplying ultrasonic energy to a liquid, including controlling algae and decontaminating liquids with multiple ultrasonic transmitters driven at variable frequencies. A broad range of algae can be successfully controlled and various liquids can be decontaminated or otherwise processed in a rapid and effective way. Each transmitter is housed in an enclosure that can float on the surface of tanks; pools, reservoirs, lakes, ponds, and water and waste-water facilities. Alternatively, the transmitters can be attached to a structure and positioned with the transmitting head immersed into the liquid. The exposed transmitting head efficiently transmits ultrasonic energy to the liquid. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20110094548 | MEGASONIC MULTIFREQUENCY APPARATUS WITH MATCHED TRANSDUCERS AND MOUNTING PLATE - A megasonic processing apparatus matches the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of megasonic thickness-mode transducers to the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of a plate or other mounting structure upon which the transducers are mounted. The multifrequency transducers are piezoelectric transducers operating in thickness mode at different operating frequencies. The thickness of the mounting plate at the transducer locations is selected to provide a resonant or harmonic frequency matched to that of its corresponding transducer. Two or more megasonic transducers are bonded to the same radiating surface. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110132575 | Cleaning Industrial Heat Exchangers Through Utilization of Thicknenss Mode Ultrasonics - Methods and apparatuses for cleaning heat exchangers and heat exchanger components utilizing thickness mode ultrasonics. Heat exchanger components are placed in a tank. The tank is filled with cleaning media. One or more thickness mode transducers are placed in the tank and the thickness mode transducers are operated to clean the tank. In further embodiments, one or more thickness mode transducers are integrated within a heat exchanger. The transducers are operated to clean the heat exchanger space and components located therein. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110242944 | Unrestricted Mounting of Ultrasonic Transducers - An ultrasonic processing apparatus is disclosed that supports an ultrasonic rod transducer without restricting the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations from the rod transducer to liquid in a processing tank. A support structure supports one or both converter heads of the rod transducer without restricting its vibration. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120279531 | ULTRASONIC AIR BLANKET REFLECTOR - An air blanket reflector, which is placed inside and next to the walls of an ultrasonic tank, reflects ultrasonic energy. The air blanket reflector has a relatively thin metal plate, such as 14 gauge stainless steel, facing the interior of the tank and an air-filled cavity on the opposite side of the thin metal plate. The thin metal plate reflects ultrasonic energy away from the walls of the tank to reduce the amount of ultrasonic energy absorbed by the tank. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20140275587 | ULTRASONIC AND MEGASONIC METHOD FOR EXTRACTING PALM OIL - A process for extracting palm oil includes an ultrasonic horn press and a megasonic clarifier. The ultrasonic horn press uses ultrasonic vibrations to rupture the palm fruit. After pressing and filtering the palm oil from the ultrasonic horn press, the megasonic clarifier applies megasonic vibrations to clarify the palm oil. The ultrasonic horn press and megasonic clarifier significantly reduce the use of water and minimizes pollution as compared to conventional processes. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150343499 | MEGASONIC MULTIFREQUENCY APPARATUS WITH MATCHED TRANSDUCER - A megasonic processing apparatus matches the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of megasonic thickness-mode transducers to the fundamental resonant or higher-level harmonic frequencies of a plate or other mounting structure upon which the transducers are mounted. The multifrequency transducers are piezoelectric transducers operating in thickness mode at different operating frequencies. The thickness of the mounting plate at the transducer locations is selected to provide a resonant or harmonic frequency matched to that of its corresponding transducer. Two or more megasonic transducers are bonded to the same radiating surface. | 12-03-2015 |
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| 20090283287 | DEVICE FOR PREVENTING ELECTRICALLY INDUCED FIRES IN GAS TUBING - The present invention provides a device for preventing electrically induced gas fires involving gas tubing such as Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and gas appliance connectors (GAC). Connectors for coupling the gas tubing to gas lines and appliances are affixed at each end of the tubing. These connectors are made of a conductive material. Conductive wire (i.e. mesh surrounding the gas tubing) provides a direct electrical contact between the end connectors. If an electrical charge goes to ground via the gas tubing, such as from a lightning strike or an appliance short, the current is carried between the end connectors by the conductive wire instead of the gas tubing itself, thereby preventing damage to the gas tubing from the current. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20110024655 | Leak Prevention Method for Gas Lines - The present invention provides failsafe system for cutting gas off gas flow in response to electrical insults that may damage gas tubing. The invention uses an inductive sensor to detect electrical surges along a ground conductor that provides a ground path for gas tubing. The sensor is coupled to control circuitry that provides a continuous pulse train to a solenoid that forms part of a valve that controls gas flow through the gas tubing. The pulse train from the control circuitry keeps the valve open. In response to an electrical surge detected along the ground conductor (e.g., from lightning), the control circuitry stops the pulse train to the solenoid, which in turn causes the gas valve to close and stop the gas flow through the tubing. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20120090861 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTION AND CESSATION OF UNINTENDED GAS FLOW - A method and apparatus for detecting and preventing electrically induced fires in a gas tubing systems constructed of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and Gas Appliance Connectors (GAC). The system of the present invention may include one or more energy detection schemes to detect electrical energy surges on the gas line. When such a surge is detected, the control circuitry of the present invention causes an electric main gas valve de-energize into a closed position. In addition, the system of the present invention further includes a residual gas dispersal system that automatically vents the residual downstream gas pressure remaining in the gas tubing system after the closure of the main gas valve. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120152584 | Device for Preventing Electrically Induced Fires in Gas Tubing - The present invention provides gas tubing that is resistant to electrical insult. The gas tubing includes an inner Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and a shunt that surrounds the CSST. This shunt may be a mesh or solid metal layer and is conterminous with the CSST and has a higher conductivity than the CSST. The shunt mesh increases the charging rate of the gas tubing in the presence of electric charge above that of CSST, thereby reducing electrical potential differences between the gas tubing and adjacent structures in the presence of electric charge. This reduced potential difference reduces the likelihood of electrical arcing from such adjacent structures to the gas tubing during events such as lightning strike. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20130014830 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTION AND CESSATION OF UNINTEDNED GAS FLOW - A method and apparatus for detecting and preventing electrically induced fires in a gas tubing systems constructed of Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) and Gas Appliance Connectors (GAC). The system of the present invention may include one or more energy detection schemes to detect electrical energy surges on the gas line. When such a surge is detected, the control circuitry of the present invention causes an electric two-way main gas valve to de-energize into a position wherein the flow of gas from a gas feeder pipe to the gas tubing system is blocked and residual gas pressure in the gas tubing system is automatically vented to the atmosphere. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130284490 | ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An electrical wiring system/method that overcomes dangers associated with transient voltages in electrical system wiring harnesses by controlling the voltage differential between NEUTRAL and GROUND wires with respect to HOT wire(s) within an electrical cable during TVSS faulting conditions is disclosed. This voltage control minimizes the temporary voltage rise in chassis potential of a grounded appliance that may occur during TVSS operation or during an internal equipment short or GROUND fault condition. The system/method accomplishes this goal by asymmetrically configuring the wiring conductance paths associated with the NEUTRAL or GROUND conductors within the wiring harness and in some preferred embodiments configures the NEUTRAL and GROUND wires to have larger cross sectional areas than the HOT wire(s). The system/method may in some preferred embodiments be advantageously implemented in commercial/residential applications involving alternating current (AC) power distribution and the like. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130344204 | Beverage Mixing System and Method - A beverage mixing system/method allowing faster mixing/blending of frozen beverages is disclosed. The system/method in various embodiments utilizes inductive coupling to introduce heat into the frozen beverage during the mixing/blending process via a rotating driveshaft and attached mechanical agitator to speed the mixing/blending process. Exemplary embodiments may be configured to magnetically induce heat into the driveshaft and/or mechanical agitator mixing blade to affect this mixing/blending performance improvement. This heating effect may be augmented via the use of high power LED arrays aimed into the frozen slurry to provide additional heat input. The system/method may be applied with particular advantage to the mixing of ice cream type beverages and other viscous beverage products. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20150155694 | Electrical Wiring System and Method - An electrical wiring system/method implementing transient voltage suppression is disclosed. The system/method incorporates HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND wiring in conjunction with a series drop resistor (SDR) on the HOT conductor that supplies current to the load device. Parallel shunting metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are used in conjunction with corresponding shunt diode rectifiers (SDRs) to suppress transients on the HOT conductor to either the GROUND conductor and/or NEUTRAL conductor. The parallel shunting MOV/SDR pairs may be integrated into a singular structure that is encapsulated in an insulating material to permit implementation of the transient protection wiring system/method into electrical loads and common power distribution equipment such as electrical outlets and power strips. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150155695 | Electrical Wiring System and Method - An electrical wiring system/method implementing transient voltage suppression is disclosed. The system/method incorporates HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND wiring in conjunction with a series drop resistor (SDR) on the HOT conductor that supplies current to the load device. Parallel shunting metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are used in conjunction with corresponding shunt diode rectifiers (SDRs) to suppress transients on the HOT conductor to either the GROUND conductor and/or NEUTRAL conductor. The parallel shunting MOV/SDR pairs may be integrated into a singular structure that is encapsulated in an insulating material to permit implementation of the transient protection wiring system/method into electrical loads and common power distribution equipment such as electrical outlets and power strips. | 06-04-2015 |
| 20150303673 | Electrical Wiring System and Method - An electrical wiring system/method implementing transient voltage suppression is disclosed. The system/method incorporates HOT, NEUTRAL, GROUND wiring in conjunction with a series drop resistor (SDR) on the HOT conductor that supplies current to the load device. Parallel shunting metal oxide varistors (MOVs) are used in conjunction with corresponding shunt diode rectifiers (SDRs) to suppress transients on the HOT conductor to either the GROUND conductor and/or NEUTRAL conductor. The parallel shunting MOV/SDR pairs may be integrated into a singular structure that is encapsulated in an insulating material to permit implementation of the transient protection wiring system/method into electrical loads and common power distribution equipment such as electrical outlets and power strips. | 10-22-2015 |
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| 20100207337 | LOCKING CHUCK - A chuck including a cylindrical body with a nose section and a tail section, the nose section having an axial bore formed therein. A sleeve is rotatably mounted about the body. Rotation of the sleeve in a closing direction moves the jaws toward a longitudinal axis of the axial bore and rotation of the sleeve in an opening direction moves the jaws away from the longitudinal axis. An O-ring is disposed adjacent the sleeve in a plane that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. A bearing has a first race adjacent the body, a second race adjacent the sleeve and bearing elements therebetween. One race defines a ratchet and the other of the first race and the second race defines a pawl biased toward the ratchet. The O-ring biases the pawl toward the ratchet and when the pawl engages the ratchet prevents the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20110272897 | LOCKING CHUCK - A chuck including a body with a nose section defining an axial bore formed therein, a plurality of jaws movably disposed with respect to the body, and a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body so that rotation of the sleeve moves the jaws relative to the axial bore. A bearing has a first race, a second race, and at least one bearing element disposed therebetween, one of the first race and the second race defining a ratchet and the other defining a pawl biased toward the ratchet. A biasing element is disposed between the pawl and the sleeve. The biasing element exerts a biasing force on the pawl toward the ratchet and the ratchet and the pawl prevent the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race when engaged. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20130093144 | LOCKING CHUCK - A chuck including a body with a nose section defining an axial bore formed therein, a plurality of jaws movably disposed with respect to the body, and a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body so that rotation of the sleeve moves the jaws relative to the axial bore. A bearing has a first race, a second race, and at least one bearing element disposed therebetween, one of the first race and the second race defining a ratchet and the other defining a pawl biased toward the ratchet. A biasing element is disposed between the pawl and the sleeve. The biasing element exerts a biasing force on the pawl toward the ratchet and the ratchet and the pawl prevent the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race when engaged. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20140203525 | LOCKING CHUCK - A chuck including a body with a nose section defining an axial bore formed therein, a plurality of jaws movably disposed with respect to the body, and a sleeve rotatably mounted about the body so that rotation of the sleeve moves the jaws relative to the axial bore. A bearing has a first race, a second race, and at least one bearing element disposed therebetween, one of the first race and the second race defining a ratchet and the other defining a pawl biased toward the ratchet. A biasing element is disposed between the pawl and the sleeve. The biasing element exerts a biasing force on the pawl toward the ratchet and the ratchet and the pawl prevent the second race from rotating in the opening direction with respect to the first race when engaged. | 07-24-2014 |
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| 20100101404 | HIGH-ENERGY IMPACT ABSORBING POLYCARBONATE MOUNTING METHOD - The present invention provides a bi-active method of mounting a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or a laminate in a semi-rigid metallic framing system along two parallel sides of a rectangular shaped sheet or laminate with the two shorter parallel sides being unconstrained. In the case of a square shaped sheet, two parallel sides are supported in the semi-rigid frame, and the other two parallel sides are unconstrained. The semi-rigid frame utilizes cylindrically shaped hardware (i.e., bolts, rivets, studs, etc.) to hold the sheet or laminate. The semi-rigid frame is designed, via section and material properties, to flex and hinge about fixed mounting points along the length of the frame. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100143662 | ARCHITECTURAL RESIN PANELS WITH TRANSLUCENT VENEER LAYERS - Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20110048219 | Blast-resistant barrier - A blast-resistant barrier comprising a plurality of units each including a panel having a thickness of greater than 20 to less than 40 millimeter is disclosed. The panel is in the form of a monolithic polycarbonate sheet or laminate that is positioned vertically between the source of a blast and the blast target, the laminate including at least two polycarbonate sheets and an optional image layer interposed therebetween. The panel is fixedly attached to a frame which is firmly embedded in concrete in a manner calculated to provide stiffness sufficient to absorb and withstand external forces resulting from said blast. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110120639 | EFFICIENT LAMINATION PRESS WITH RADIANT HEATING - An efficient lamination presses can rapidly heat and precisely control the temperature of a laminate assembly to create final products with excellent structural and aesthetic properties. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can include a radiant heating assembly. The radiant heating assemblies can uniformly heat one or more platens using radiation. The platens in turn can comprise material having a high thermal conductivity, which can allow them to quickly transfer heat to a laminate assembly. The platens can further comprise one or more fluid channels that enable rapid cooling. The rapid heating and cooling capability can enable fast processing times for laminate panels at much lower energy levels than with conventional presses. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120640 | EFFICIENT LAMINATION PRESS WITH FLEXIBLE PLATENS - An efficient lamination presses can rapidly provide both heating and cooling, as well as pressure to resin sheets to create a laminate end-product. Specifically, an efficient lamination press can comprise one or more components and apparatus that can apply uniform fluid pressure across one or more platens. The one or more platens, in turn, can flex about one or more contours in a layup assembly. For example, an exemplary platen can comprise a plurality of coupled platen extensions, which can flex or otherwise adjust about each other to help create flexibility in the platen, and thus, uniform pressure across a laminate assembly. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20130032290 | EFFICIENT LAMINATION PRESS WITH THIN FLEXIBLE PLATENS - Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying heat and pressure to a laminate assembly and to form a unitary product therefrom with increased processing efficiency. One implementation includes an apparatus that can decrease processing time by directly heating and cooling platens that press the laminate assembly. Additionally, the lamination press can allow the platens to flex about the laminate assembly, thereby applying substantially uniform pressure to the laminate assembly. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20150217551 | EFFICIENT LAMINATION PRESS WITH THIN FLEXIBLE PLATENS - Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for applying heat and pressure to a laminate assembly and to form a unitary product therefrom with increased processing efficiency. One implementation includes an apparatus that can decrease processing time by directly heating and cooling platens that press the laminate assembly. Additionally, the lamination press can allow the platens to flex about the laminate assembly, thereby applying substantially uniform pressure to the laminate assembly. | 08-06-2015 |
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| 20120224674 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING CROSSTALK VECTORING FAILURES IN MULTI-CARD VECTORING GROUPS - A communication system comprises a plurality of line cards having transceivers coupled to a plurality of subscriber lines. Each line card has at least one active transceiver within the same vectoring group, and each line card also has vector logic capable of cancelling crosstalk induced by an active transceiver that is a member of the vectoring group. In the event of a vectoring fault that prevents a line card from receiving vectoring information from at least on other line card, the vector logic is configured to disable vectoring for the interferers affected by the error in order to prevent vectoring operations based on obsolete vectoring coefficients from adversely affecting the quality of the communicated signals. The transceivers communicating signals affected by the suspended vectoring operations are also configured to adjust their constellation density profiles, thereby reducing their data rates, to accommodate the increased noise level resulting from the loss of vectoring. By handling the vectoring fault in such manner, communication can continue without requiring a retrain. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120224683 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS SELECTIVELY EXCLUDING TONES FROM VECTORING - A discrete multi-tone (DMT) transceiver communicates tones across a subscriber line. Vectoring is employed in an effort to reduce the effects of crosstalk. However, for some tones, such as tones significantly affected by radio frequency interference (RFI) or other forms of alien noise, vectoring may actually introduce distortions such that the vectoring degrades rather than improves overall signal quality. Control logic of the DMT transceiver is configured to sense when tones are affected by significant levels of alien noise and to exclude such tones from vectoring, thereby improving signal quality for such tones. The control logic also may lower the constellation densities of such tones in order to accommodate the vectoring exclusions applied to such tones. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120236856 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATIONS ACROSS DROP CONNECTIONS - A controller at a distribution point (DP) of a communication system is coupled to a plurality of customer premises (CP) transceivers via drop connections in a point-to-multipoint architecture. Each drop connection is coupled to at least one switch that operates under the control of the controller for selectively isolating the drop connection from the controller, as well as the CP transceivers of other drop connections. In this regard, by controlling the states of the switches, the DP controller can control to which of the CP transceivers it is communicatively connected, and during operation the DP controller controls the switches such that it is communicatively connected only to the CP transceivers for which communication is desired or needed during a particular time interval. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120243404 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING VECTORING STREAMS IN MULTI-CARD VECTORING GROUPS - A communication system comprises a plurality of line cards having transceivers coupled to a plurality of subscriber lines. Each line card has at least one active transceiver within the same vectoring group, and each line card also has vector logic capable of cancelling crosstalk induced by an active transceiver that is a member of the vectoring group. Further, the line cards are coupled to one another via a ring connection across which vectoring information is passed from one line card to the next. In the event of a failure of one of the line cards, the failed card is bypassed by the vectoring stream so that the operational line cards can continue crosstalk vectoring operations despite such failure. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120250490 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BYPASSING FAILED LINE CARDS IN MULTI-CARD VECTORING GROUPS - A communication system comprises a plurality of line cards having transceivers coupled to a plurality of subscriber lines. Each line card has at least one active transceiver within the same vectoring group, and each line card also has vector logic capable of cancelling crosstalk induced by an active transceiver that is a member of the vectoring group. Further, the line cards are coupled to one another via a ring connection across which vectoring information is passed from one line card to the next. In the event of a failure of one of the line cards, the failed card is bypassed by the vectoring stream so that the operational line cards can continue crosstalk vectoring operations despite such failure. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120250491 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING TIME SLOTS OF VECTORING STREAMS BASED ON BIT LOADING - A communication system comprises a plurality of line cards having transceivers coupled to a plurality of subscriber lines. Each line card has at least one transceiver within the same vectoring group, and each line card also has vector logic capable of cancelling crosstalk induced by a tone communicated by any member of the vector group. Further, the line cards are coupled to one another via a data connection across which a vectoring stream carrying vectoring information from one line card to the next. The bandwidth of the vectoring stream is reduced by dynamically adjusting time slots of the vectoring stream based on bit loading for the communicated tones. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20130010585 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING AMONG NETWORK DISTRIBUTION POINTS - A communication system has a trunk extending from a network facility, such as a central office, with a plurality of distribution points positioned along the trunk. Each leg of the trunk defines a shared channel that permits peak data rates much greater than what would be achievable without channel sharing. As an example, the connections of each respective trunk leg may be bonded. Further, the same modulation format and crosstalk vectoring are used for each leg of the trunk. The crosstalk vectoring cancels both far-end crosstalk (FEXT) that couples between connections of a given trunk leg and crossover crosstalk that couples between one trunk leg and another. In addition, logic determines an amount of excess capacity available for each leg of the trunk and controls error correction based on the determined excess capacity. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130011142 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTENDING OPTICAL NETWORK SERVICES ACROSS NON-OPTICAL CHANNELS - An optical communication system comprises a network interface device (NID) having a media converter coupled to an optical fiber of a passive optical network (PON). The media converter converts optical signals from the PON into electrical signals for communication across at least one non-optical channel, such as a conductive or wireless connection, to customer premises equipment (CPE), such as a residential gateway or other customer premises (CP) device. Rather than implementing an optical media access control (optical MAC) layer in the NID, an optical MAC layer for handling PON protocols and management is implemented by the CPE, thereby effectively extending the customer end of the PON across at least one non-optical connection to the CPE. By implementing the optical MAC layer at the CPE, the complexity of the NID is reduced thereby lowering the cost of the NID. In one embodiment, in an effort to further reduce the complexity of the NID, the optical MAC layer is configured to control a laser-on state of an optical transmitter in the NID. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130251371 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCHEDULING BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES IN OPTICAL NETWORKS - A passive optical network (PON) has an optical line termination (OLT) that terminates an optical fiber servicing a plurality of optical network units (ONUs). Each ONU has one or more traffic containers (TCONTs) addressable by the OLT. The PON dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) implements a scheduling hierarchy, including several scheduling layers, such that disjoint sets of TCONTs can be grouped together, then disjoint sets of groups can be grouped, and so on. In such hierarchy, the residential traffic can be grouped separately from the business traffic. Further, within either the residential or business group, traffic may be grouped to define scheduling layers (“sub-groups”) within the residential or business group. Scheduling in one group or sub-group is performed independently of the scheduling in other groups or sub-groups, subject to the available bandwidth for each group. The scheduling may be controlled to allow the residential services to be oversubscribed while still ensuring compliance of service level performance metrics for the business services. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20150125151 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTENDING OPTICAL NETWORK SERVICES ACROSS NON-OPTICAL CHANNELS - An optical communication system comprises a network interface device (NID) having a media converter coupled to an optical fiber of a passive optical network (PON). The media converter converts optical signals from the PON into electrical signals for communication across at least one non-optical channel, such as a conductive or wireless connection, to customer premises equipment (CPE), such as a residential gateway or other customer premises (CP) device. Rather than implementing an optical media access control (optical MAC) layer in the NID, an optical MAC layer for handling PON protocols and management is implemented by the CPE, thereby effectively extending the customer end of the PON across at least one non-optical connection to the CPE. By implementing the optical MAC layer at the CPE, the complexity of the NID is reduced thereby lowering the cost of the NID. In one embodiment, in an effort to further reduce the complexity of the NID, the optical MAC layer is configured to control a laser-on state of an optical transmitter in the NID. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150350083 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ALLOCATING NETWORK BANDWIDTH ACROSS ACCESS MODULES - A telecommunication system uses a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithm based on current load conditions for controlling transmissions to a plurality of access modules of an access node in order to achieve a fair allocation of network bandwidth at the access node. As an example, access modules at an access node communicate via a control channel with dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) logic that receives load information from each of the access modules. Using such load information, the DBA logic dynamically controls the upstream data rates so that a fair allocation of network bandwidth is achieved across all of the access modules. Specifically, the data rates are controlled such that packet flows for services of the same class achieve the same or similar performance (e.g., average data rate) regardless of which access module is receiving each respective packet flow. | 12-03-2015 |
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| 20130272314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AVOIDING CROSSTALK - A controller at a distribution point (DP) of a communication system is coupled to a plurality of customer premises (CP) transceivers via drop connections. The controller is configured to schedule upstream and downstream data transmissions across the drop connections such that they do not overlap from one drop connection to another thereby avoiding the effects of crosstalk. A flexible frame structure is used to permit dynamic scheduling changes. Overhead for the flexible frame structure is permitted to overlap on the drop connections, and a reduced bit loading is used to communicate the overhead relative to the bit loading used for data transmissions. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20140050227 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER OPTIMIZED FRAMING - Power dissipation within a network service unit, such as digital-subscriber-line access multiplexer (DSLAM), is treated as a resource that is to be shared among subscribers. In this regard, the total amount of available power dissipation is quantified, and the framing for the data streams communicated across the subscriber lines are controlled to ensure that specified power dissipation limits are not exceeded, accounting for one or more factors, such as traffic load, service level agreement (SLA) specifications, available power, and temperature. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20150326479 | TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING DYNAMIC SHAPING FOR ALLOCATING NETWORK BANDWIDTH - A telecommunication system employs dynamic shaping across a plurality of access modules of an access node using a dynamic bandwidth allocation (DBA) algorithm that is based on current load conditions for each of the access modules in order to achieve a fair allocation of network bandwidth at the access node. In one exemplary embodiment, access modules at an access node communicate via a control channel with shaper control logic that receives load information from each of the access modules. Using such load information, the shaper control logic dynamically controls the shaper rates for the access modules so that a fair allocation of network bandwidth is achieved across all of the access modules. Specifically, the shaper rates are controlled such that packet flows for services of the same class achieve the same or similar performance (e.g., average data rate) regardless of which access module is communicating each respective packet flow. | 11-12-2015 |
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| 20150381233 | MANAGING CROSSTALK IN DSL SYSTEMS - Methods, systems, and apparatus for crosstalk avoidance in a telecommunications network are disclosed. In one aspect a method includes determining, by a network element and for each vectoring group from multiple vectoring groups, a transmission load of the vectoring group based on transmission loads of links within the vectoring group; allocating, by the network element, a different transmission interval to each vectoring group from the multiple vectoring groups based on the transmission load of the vectoring group and transmission loads of other vectoring groups in the multiple vectoring groups; and transmitting, during each different transmission interval, at least a portion of the transmission load of the vectoring group that was allocated the different transmission interval. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150381309 | MANAGING CROSSTALK IN DSL SYSTEM - Methods, systems, and apparatus for crosstalk avoidance in a telecommunications network are disclosed. In one aspect a method includes determining, by a network element and for each vectoring group from multiple vectoring groups, a transmission load of the vectoring group based on transmission loads of links within the vectoring group; identifying, by the network element, a resource allocation interval (RAI) that is shared by the multiple vectoring groups; determining, based on the transmission load of each vectoring group and by the network element, a first portion of the RAI that will be a normal operation interval (NOI) and a second portion of the RAI that will be a discontinuous operation interval (DOI); transmitting, by the network element, data over all of the multiple vectoring groups during at least a portion of the NOI; and transmitting, by the network element, data over fewer than all of the vectoring groups during the entire DOI. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150381508 | LINK BIASED DATA TRANSMISSION - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for implementing biased bonding. In one aspect, a method includes estimating an offered load. Data are transmitted over a first communications link of two or more different types of communications links while the estimated offered load is less than or equal to a specified amount. A determination is made that the estimated offered load has exceeded the specified amount. In response to the determination data are transmitted over both of the first communications link and a second communications link of the two or more different types of communications links in response to determining that the estimated offered load has exceeded the specified amount. | 12-31-2015 |
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| 20100143662 | ARCHITECTURAL RESIN PANELS WITH TRANSLUCENT VENEER LAYERS - Implementations of the present invention relate aesthetically pleasing decorative architectural resin panels having a thin or brittle veneer layer, such as thinly sliced natural wood or stone. In particular, at least one implementation includes a flat or curved decorative resin panel made with a natural wood veneer layer whose structural integrity has been maintained despite being subject to various heats and pressures. The resulting resin panel is at least partially translucent, and allows for a unique display both of the resin sheets used to form the panel and of the thin wood materials encapsulated therein. Additional implementations relate to the use of other brittle veneer layers, such as translucent stone, translucent metals, or the like, which also provide unique, decorative architectural, aesthetic features. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100153234 | VIEWING AND ORDERING CUSTOMIZED RESIN PANELS THROUGH WEB-BASED INTERFACES - A web-enabled resin panel customization website, hosted through a web portal, provides, through a client computer system, one or more user interfaces configured to receive a plurality of user selections, and provide a realistic display of the resulting output. In one implementation, a processing module overlays transparent portions of images representing a translucent resin substrate with one or more images representing decorative objects, films, or the like. The processing module can also combine pixel information from each of the added/overlain layers. In either case, the processing module sends a combined pixel data stream that can be rendered by a client system, and thus provide a user with a realistic depiction of the user's resin panel selections. The customization website further includes one or more user interfaces that enable a user to store specific resin panel design profiles, and order resin panels corresponding to those specific design profiles. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20110179718 | SLIDING PANEL SYSTEM - A roller door system includes one or more sets of rollers configured to mount to a panel frame member on an upper end of a panel, and move through a complementary upper guide. A lower side of the panel frame can also be guided through one or more bottom tracks. These components, when coupled with the resin panel, can provide the ability to provide a smooth gliding motion for the resin panel door. In addition, the frame in which the panel is mounted can be configured with one or more components to accommodate the unique expansion and contraction properties of resin materials, and thus allow a stable, long term mounting solution. The upper guide and the lower track can also be configured with one or more components or mechanisms for pitch adjustment, as well as to adjust for uneven or irregular mounting surfaces. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20120031008 | SLIDING PANEL SYSTEM - A roller door system includes one or more sets of rollers configured to mount to a panel frame member on an upper end of a panel, and move through a complementary upper guide. A lower side of the panel frame can also be guided through one or more bottom tracks. These components, when coupled with the resin panel, can provide the ability to provide a smooth gliding motion for the resin panel door. In addition, the frame in which the panel is mounted can be configured with one or more components to accommodate the unique expansion and contraction properties of resin materials, and thus allow a stable, long term mounting solution. The upper guide and the lower track can also be configured with one or more components or mechanisms for pitch adjustment, as well as to adjust for uneven or irregular mounting surfaces. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20150140252 | VARIABLE INTERLAYER LAMINATE PANELS AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME - A variable interlayer laminate panel can include resin material derived from other resin panels, enabling use of waste trimmings from the manufacture of the other resin panels. Implementations therefore enable manufacturers to produce high-fashion but waste conscious resin panels that have a high degree of recycled content. In one implementation, a manufacturer forms a laminate panel by positioning a plurality of independent resin portions over a first resin substrate, and then by positioning a second resin substrate over the resin portions. The resin portions comprise embedded decorative elements, and at least two different resin portions comprise different types of decorative elements. The manufacturer then forms the laminate panel through the application of pressure and heat. The resulting panel has a variable interlayer formed from the independent resin portions. The laminate panel is usable as part of a panel system. | 05-21-2015 |
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| 20120312676 | PROXIMITY SWITCH HAVING LEARNED SENSITIVITY AND METHOD THEREFOR - A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having learned sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Also included is sense control circuitry processing the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The switch further includes sensitivity control circuitry learning a user sensitivity based on user activation of a sensor and controlling the sensitivity of one or more proximity switches. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20130271202 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD HAVING ADAPTIVE TIME DELAY - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of the proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry monitors the signal responsive to the activation field, determines a rate of change in signal amplitude for each signal, and generates an adaptive time delay based on the control circuitry. The control circuitry further detects a peak amplitude of the signal and determines activation of the switch after expiration of the time delay following the peak amplitude detection. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130271203 | PROXIMITY SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF SENSING USER INPUT BASED ON SIGNAL RATE OF CHANGE - A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The assembly and method detects a signal associated with each proximity switch, determines a rate of change of the signal associated with the first switch and a rate of change of the signal associated with a neighboring second switch and determines whether to activate the first switch based on at least one of the first rate of signal change and second rate of signal change. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130328616 | PROXIMITY SWITCH AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING SENSITIVITY THEREFOR - A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having sensitivity control. The switch includes a proximity sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. Control circuitry processes the activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the activation field to a threshold. The threshold is adjusted down when a substantially stable sensor signal is detected below the threshold for a minimum time period, and the threshold is adjusted up when a sensor signal greater than the threshold by a predetermined value is detected. | 12-12-2013 |
