Pitchford
Barth Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110284777 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 11-24-2011 |
Barth R. Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20130113631 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING POWER THROUGH THE FLOW OF WATER - A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit. | 05-09-2013 |
20140061519 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 03-06-2014 |
20140110613 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range. | 04-24-2014 |
Barth Robins Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20090058088 | Systems and Methods for Remote Utility Metering and Meter Monitoring - A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring. | 03-05-2009 |
20130207815 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE UTILITY METERING AND METER MONITORING - A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit. | 08-15-2013 |
Chris Pitchford, Chineham GB
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20100211507 | OVER THE AIR UPDATE OF PAYMENT TRANSACTION DATA STORED IN SECURE MEMORY - A system, apparatus, and method for processing payment transactions that are conducted using a mobile device that includes a contactless element, such as an integrated circuit chip. The invention enables the updating, correction or synchronization of transaction data maintained by an Issuer with that stored on the device. This is accomplished by using a wireless (cellular) network as a data communication channel for data provided by an Issuer to the mobile device, and is particularly advantageous in circumstances in which the contactless element is not presently capable of communication with a device reader or point of sale terminal that uses a near field communications mechanism. Data transferred between the mobile device and Issuer may be encrypted and decrypted to provide additional security and protect the data from being accessed by other users or applications. If encryption keys are used for the encryption and decryption processes, they may be distributed by a key distribution server or other suitable entity to a mobile gateway which participates in the data encryption and decryption operations. | 08-19-2010 |
20130060647 | OVER THE AIR UPDATE OF PAYMENT TRANSACTION DATA STORED IN SECURE MEMORY - A system, apparatus, and method for processing payment transactions that are conducted using a mobile device that includes a contactless element, such as an integrated circuit chip. The invention enables the updating, correction or synchronization of transaction data maintained by an Issuer with that stored on the device. This is accomplished by using a wireless (cellular) network as a data communication channel for data provided by an Issuer to the mobile device, and is particularly advantageous in circumstances in which the contactless element is not presently capable of communication with a device reader or point of sale terminal that uses a near field communications mechanism. Data transferred between the mobile device and Issuer may be encrypted and decrypted to provide additional security and protect the data from being accessed by other users or applications. If encryption keys are used for the encryption and decryption processes, they may be distributed by a key distribution server or other suitable entity to a mobile gateway which participates in the data encryption and decryption operations. | 03-07-2013 |
20130060706 | OVER THE AIR UPDATE OF PAYMENT TRANSACTION DATA STORED IN SECURE MEMORY - A system, apparatus, and method for processing payment transactions that are conducted using a mobile device that includes a contactless element, such as an integrated circuit chip. The invention enables the updating, correction or synchronization of transaction data maintained by an Issuer with that stored on the device. This is accomplished by using a wireless (cellular) network as a data communication channel for data provided by an Issuer to the mobile device, and is particularly advantageous in circumstances in which the contactless element is not presently capable of communication with a device reader or point of sale terminal that uses a near field communications mechanism. Data transferred between the mobile device and Issuer may be encrypted and decrypted to provide additional security and protect the data from being accessed by other users or applications. If encryption keys are used for the encryption and decryption processes, they may be distributed by a key distribution server or other suitable entity to a mobile gateway which participates in the data encryption and decryption operations. | 03-07-2013 |
Chris Pitchford, Farnham Surrey GB
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110290588 | TEMPORARY VIEWING PLATFORMS - A modular construction kit adapted to construct both a hexagonal and an elongate linear shaped horizontal free-standing temporary viewing platform and combinations thereof, the modular construction kit comprising a plurality of components adapted to be attachable and detachable from each other whereby the temporary viewing platform can be readily constructed and taken apart, the plurality of components comprising: | 12-01-2011 |
20140130427 | TEMPORARY PLATFORM - Provided is a modular construction kit adapted to construct a raised temporary platform, the modular construction kit comprising one or more floor elements, wherein the floor element comprises a monocoque structure forming a floor section and a flange section, wherein the flange section is adapted to strengthen the floor element and is adapted to be attached to a further element to form a self-supporting floor, without the requirement for a supporting floor frame. | 05-15-2014 |
David Pitchford, Alcoa, TN US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110204169 | SCREEEN ASSEMBLY FOR A MINERAL PROCESSOR - A screen assembly for use in a minerals processing apparatus comprising an elongate separation screen defining an upper surface having a material reception area towards a first end and a material delivery area towards a second end, so arranged that in use material received onto the material reception area is caused to move toward the material delivery area, the separation screen having a plurality of through apertures configured such that as material so moves toward the material delivery area material components below a predetermined size tend to fall through the apertures and material components above a predetermined size continue to the material delivery area; wherein the separation screen is provided with a cleaner device comprising a support structure having on a surface thereof a plurality of projections arrayed in coincident pattern with at least some of the through apertures in the separation screen, and in that the cleaner device is deployable between a cleaning configuration whereat the support structure is brought into close proximity below the separation screen such that the projections into through their corresponding apertures in the separation screen and an undeployed configuration away from such close proximity. A materials processing apparatus and in particular a mineral sizing system incorporating such a screen assembly. | 08-25-2011 |
Donald S. Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110284777 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 11-24-2011 |
20140061519 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 03-06-2014 |
20140110613 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range. | 04-24-2014 |
Donte Deshon Pitchford, Snellville, GA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20120240018 | Method of Collecting Photographs for a Picture Portion of a Commemorative Publication with a Plurality of Digital Photo-Enabled Electronic Devices - A publishing company follows a process to collect photographs for a picture portion of a commemorative publication with a plurality of digital photo-enabled electronic devices. First, the publishing company should provide a website for an event coordinator to view their photo collecting service. Once the event coordinator agrees to the photo collecting service, the publishing company provides the event coordinator with a phone number and an email address that are specific to the event coordinator. The event coordinator then distributes the phone number and the email address to the guests at the event so that the guests can take pictures with their digital photo-enabled electronic devices and send those pictures back to the publishing company. The publishing company stores the collection of photographs, which were taken by the guests, to a database server. Finally, the collection of photographs can be used to create the picture portion of the commemorative publication. | 09-20-2012 |
Eric N. Pitchford, Shreveport, LA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20140004234 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO EXTEND COOKING OIL LIFE IN FRYERS | 01-02-2014 |
Gary Lee Pitchford, Galena, MO US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20080289543 | Folding, auto-leveling extension table - An extension table apparatus with automatic height adjustment and folding capability. This apparatus is primarily designed for use with portable or stationary frame-mounted woodworking equipment such as planers, joiners, drum sanders and power saws. With one end of the table attached to a height-adjustable surface such as a planer bed, the apparatus uses a leveling assembly extending beneath the table to support and maintain the other end of the table. Simple lever principles and strategically located pivot points keep the table coplanar with the planer bed as it is raised or lowered. The leveling assembly transfers most of the weight of the workpiece and table to the floor, instead of the machine. The apparatus attaches only to the machine permitting mobility of the apparatus and machine. The design of mounting brackets, length of parts and pivoting action allows folding of the apparatus to facilitate storage. | 11-27-2008 |
James A. Pitchford, Mission, TX US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20100163047 | PROTECTIVE COVER FOR RESPIRATORY DEVICE - A protective cover for preventing entry of particulate matter into a delivery hose of a respiratory device includes a filter member having a peripheral edge portion. The filter member is composed of a filter material having a mesh size capable of preventing the particulate matter to pass therethrough. The protective cover further includes a support member having an inner edge portion and an outer edge portion. The inner edge portion of the support member is attached to the peripheral edge of the filter member, such that, the support member circumferentially surrounds the filter member. Furthermore, the protective cover includes a securing member attached to the outer edge portion of the support member, such that, the securing member circumferentially surrounds the support member. The securing member is capable of gripping an end portion of the delivery hose of the respiratory device. | 07-01-2010 |
John H. Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110284777 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 11-24-2011 |
20140061519 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 03-06-2014 |
20140110613 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range. | 04-24-2014 |
Mark Pitchford, Fombell, PA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20120284209 | RFID CONTROLLED PARKING SYSTEM - A customer-based electronic device (such as a cell phone or an embedded RFID chip in a vehicle's electronics) is combined with a facility-dispensed ticket to control vehicle entrance and exit to a controlled property. In one embodiment, a cell phone is used to provide a unique RFID number utilizing Near Field Communication (NFC) or similar technology for establishing entry and exit times, parking space control and automatic billing technology for each vehicle. In such an embodiment, a backup paper ticket is dispensed to each vehicle upon entry to the controlled property. The paper ticket contains a broadcast electronic signal (for example, an RFID signal) which is matched to the unique cell phone RFID number of the cell phone. The electronic system then controls all aspects of the vehicle's movement while on the property. This movement, in one embodiment, includes access to parking areas, access to special parking spots, such as reserved spaces, premium VIP, and handicapped areas. The system also can provide information as to how many spaces are available at any given time and exactly where the available spaces are located. In one embodiment, billing for the use of the property is accomplished automatically to accounts linked to the driver's cell phone. | 11-08-2012 |
Rick Pitchford, Suwanee, GA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20100182911 | System, Method and Computer Program for In-Place, Lightweight Ack Promotion in Network Environment - A method for in-place, lightweight Ack packet promotion is provided. The method includes receiving a new Ack packet via a network; searching through a transmit queue for an old Ack packet that corresponds to the new Ack packet; and replacing the data in a number field, a checksum field, a window size field, and a timestamp options field of the old Ack packet with data in a number field, a checksum field, a window size field, and a timestamp options field of the new Ack packet. | 07-22-2010 |
Robert Pitchford, Basingstoke GB
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110273452 | DATA DISPLAY - Methods and systems for displaying data are described. The display system extracts first data from a first data set, such as management system data. The first data includes one or more variables between a start time and an end time that may be user-defined. The display system uses the extracted data to populate a temporary database and process the data in the temporary database, such that there is no need to unduly interfere with the functionality of the management system. The data in the temporary database is processed to generate a plot value for each variable for each of a plurality of time slices. Finally, the plot values are presented as a series of images using a video processor to generate an intuitive visual representation of the data. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276670 | AUTOMATED DEVICE INTEGRATION - A method and system is provided in which new types of devices (such as sensors) can be integrated into a network in an automated manner. The system includes a repository for device information. When a new device is detected in a network, a management system for the network obtains device information from the repository and uses that information to integrate the device into the network. | 11-10-2011 |
20110276769 | DATA PROCESSOR - A system is described that generates reports from very large data sets. The reports are generated in real-time (or close to real time). Data from the large data set is replicated to a buffer as it arrives in the system. Once sufficient data is obtained (e.g. when the buffer is filled), the data is processed to generate a report. The report may summarize the data obtained and may be stored for later use. By storing summary data instead of the full data, the data storage requirements are reduced. | 11-10-2011 |
20130060969 | AUTOMATED DEVICE INTEGRATION - A method and system is provided in which new types of devices (such as sensors) can be integrated into a network in an automated manner. The system includes a repository for device information. When a new device is detected in a network, a management system for the network obtains device information from the repository and uses that information to integrate the device into the network. | 03-07-2013 |
20130124581 | DATA PROCESSOR - A system is described that generates reports from very large data sets. The reports are generated in real-time (or close to real time). Data from the large data set is replicated to a buffer as it arrives in the system. Once sufficient data is obtained (e.g. when the buffer is filled), the data is processed to generate a report. The report may summarize the data obtained and may be stored for later use. By storing summary data instead of the full data, the data storage requirements are reduced. | 05-16-2013 |
20130141437 | Data Display - Methods and systems for displaying data are described. The display system extracts first data from a first data set, such as management system data. The first data includes one or more variables between a start time and an end time that may be user-defined. The display system uses the extracted data to populate a temporary database and process the data in the temporary database, such that there is no need to unduly interfere with the functionality of the management system. The data in the temporary database is processed to generate a plot value for each variable for each of a plurality of time slices. Finally, the plot values are presented as a series of images using a video processor to generate an intuitive visual representation of the data. | 06-06-2013 |
Scott Pitchford, Las Vegas, NV US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20100078457 | HOODED BACKPACK AND SPEAKER COMBINATION DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR - A hooded backpack and speaker combination device which has a plurality of pockets on its shoulder straps for housing various electronic devices including a switch pocket and switch allowing communication with a selected electric device via speakers housed within a hood attached to the top of the backpack. | 04-01-2010 |
Simon Charles Pitchford, Cambridgeshire GB
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110044997 | METHODS - The current invention provides a method for mobilising endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and/or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a patient, wherein the method comprises the steps of (i) administering a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) agonist to the patient; and (ii) administering an antagonist of CXCR4 to the patient. Also provided are uses of EPC and MSC harvested using the methods of the invention. | 02-24-2011 |
Steve Pitchford, Birmingham GB
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20140149381 | SYSTEM FOR DETECTING LINK SPAM, A METHOD, AND AN ASSOCIATED COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - A system for determining whether a website is an illegitimate website, the system comprising: a requester module configured to request one or more rules from a host server for a website and to receive a response from the host server in response to a request; an analysis module configured to determine whether a response or lack of a response received by the requester module indicates that the website is an illegitimate website; and a record module configured to store an indication that the website is an illegitimate website, wherein the one or more rules provide one or more instructions to a robot computer program regarding access of the website by the robot computer program. | 05-29-2014 |
Tyler Pitchford, Palm Beach Gardens, FL US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20120047011 | Systems and Methods for Delivering Proximity-Based Marketing Content to Mobile Devices - Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for delivering proximity-based marketing content to mobile devices. According to one embodiment, companies or marketers generate content (e.g., advertising content) to be distributed to mobile devices of consumers as those consumers become geographically proximate to physical locations associated with the companies or marketers. According to one embodiment, a central application server is used for purposes of generating and managing marketing content, and that content is transmitted to various client devices, routers, and/or servers (e.g., “plug” computers) for further distribution to mobile devices within a proximate range of the client devices. In one aspect, the client devices identify consumer mobile devices within a predetermined geographic area that is proximate to the client devices (e.g., based on a media access control (MAC) address associated with the mobile device), and push marketing content to those mobile devices for display to the consumers. | 02-23-2012 |
William D. Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20110284777 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 11-24-2011 |
20130113631 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING POWER THROUGH THE FLOW OF WATER - A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit. | 05-09-2013 |
20140061519 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. | 03-06-2014 |
20140110613 | Wireless Fluid Shut-Off Valve - A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range. | 04-24-2014 |
William Dudley Pitchford, Fairfax, VA US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20090058088 | Systems and Methods for Remote Utility Metering and Meter Monitoring - A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring. | 03-05-2009 |
20130207815 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOTE UTILITY METERING AND METER MONITORING - A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit. | 08-15-2013 |