Robert A Bishop

US Patent:

20050031416, Feb 10, 2005

Filed:

Sep 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/935205

Inventors:

Robert Bishop - Aiken SC, US

International Classification:

E02B011/00
G06F003/00

US Classification:

405037000, 405130000

Abstract:

The invention is a system for managing a plurality of areas of interest of a golf course. The system comprises a plurality of electromechanical subsystems and a programmable master control module. Each subsystem provides to a specific area at least one of air under pressure and a partial vacuum. In each area of interest, a local control module is responsive to a directive and to a datum. The local control module is configured to operate the subsystem and is in communication with the programmable master control module. The programmable master control module receives from at least two of the plurality of local control modules information representing a status of the respective specific area to which the local control module is dedicated, and in response to the information and to a command, the programmable master control module issues a directive to the local control module to operate the electromechanical subsystem.

US Patent:

20050246997, Nov 10, 2005

Filed:

Apr 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/821697

Inventors:

Robert Bishop - Pembroke MA, US

International Classification:

E04D001/00

US Classification:

052522000

Abstract:

Single-piece clips for securing objects to surfaces by insertion through a gap or channel in the surface such as, for example, outdoor decking comprised of spaced-apart planks. The clips include a head, legs and feet properly dimensioned to prevent the clip from being pulled out once positioned. The head provides an aperture to which object fasteners/connectors can be attached, while the legs and feet provide three-dimensional stabilization preventing an object so connected from being displaced.

US Patent:

20060127183, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/331793

Inventors:

Robert Bishop - Aiken SC, US

International Classification:

E02B 11/00
E02B 13/00

US Classification:

405037000

Abstract:

The invention is a system for managing a plurality of areas of interest of a golf course. The system comprises a plurality of electromechanical subsystems and a programmable master control module. Each subsystem provides to a specific area at least one of air under pressure and a partial vacuum. In each area of interest, a local control module is responsive to a directive and to a datum. The local control module is configured to operate the subsystem and is in communication with the programmable master control module. The programmable master control module receives from at least two of the plurality of local control modules information representing a status of the respective specific area to which the local control module is dedicated, and in response to the information and to a command, the programmable master control module issues a directive to the local control module to operate the electromechanical subsystem.

US Patent:

20070237583, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Aug 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/496902

Inventors:

Michael E. Corwon - Aiken SC, US
Michael K. Crowe - Evans GA, US
Robert F. Bishop - Aiken SC, US

International Classification:

E02B 13/00

US Classification:

405 37

Abstract:

A system and method for conditioning turf at of one or more golf course areas includes an aeration subsystem having subsurface aeration conduits for aerating the area, and an air blower unit in fluid communication with the aeration conduits configured to provide one of a vacuum in a vacuum mode and air under pressure in a pressure mode in the conduits. A control module is provided which responds to a directive for controlling operation of the aeration subsystem in response to sensing environmental parameters. The control module operates the blower in repetitive cycles of intermittent operation in one of the vacuum mode and pressure mode wherein each cycles includes a blower-on and blower-off mode. The blower-on mode operates the blower units for a first time interval and the blower-off mode ceases operation of the blower units for a second time interval during each cycle.

US Patent:

48751359, Oct 17, 1989

Filed:

Dec 2, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/278877

Inventors:

Robert P. Bishop - Carver MA
Anthony J. Sabetti - Greenville RI
Thomas Charboneau - Plainville MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01G 700

US Classification:

361283

Abstract:

A pressure sensor has a pressure responsive capacitor electrically connected to a signal conditioning circuit which is calibrated after mounting in a housing to provide an electrical signal corresponding to an applied pressure. The capacitor has thin metal capacitor plates on facing surfaces of a ceramic diaphragm and base and is adapted to receive an applied pressure on the diaphragm. Terminals from the capacitor are disposed on an opposite surface of the capacitor base; the circuit has a flexible substrate having a first end overlying the opposite base surface mounting circuit components electrically connected to the capacitor terminals and has an opposite end folded over the first end electrically connected to connector terminals on a connector body overlying the base; and the housing includes a metal sleeve fitted over the capacitor and body having a rim clamping the capacitor and connector body together to form the sensor. The connector body has a tubular portion open at both ends accessible from outside the body and extending to the flexible circuit to permit circuit calibration through the tubular portion and has an encapsulant therein sealing the body after calibration. Circuit pads capacitively coupled to ground connections at each end of the flexible circuit substrate are provided on substrate tabs which extend between the body and housing rim to be clamped in electrical engagement to each other and to the housing to provide improved electromagnetic compatibility for the sensor.

US Patent:

47784954, Oct 18, 1988

Filed:

Jun 23, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/877587

Inventors:

Robert P. Bishop - Halifax MA
Peter G. Berg - Attleboro Falls MA
Stephen B. Offiler - Attleboro MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B01D 5100

US Classification:

55269

Abstract:

A cover for an automotive vapor canister has a heat-spreading member heated by a self-regulating electrical resistance heater of positive temperature coefficient of resistivity for heating air which is periodically introduced into the canister for purging the canister. The cover has a first cover means of thermally insulating material defining a thin inner air flow path section to pass air being introduced into the canister over the heat-spreading member for transferring heat to the air and to receive additional heat within the first cover means and has a second cover means of thermally insulating material defining a thin outer air flow path section overlying and connected with the inner air flow path section to pass the air over the first cover means prior to being advanced into the inner flow path section for withdrawing said additional heat from the first cover means to preheat the air and improve air heating efficiency.

US Patent:

54991587, Mar 12, 1996

Filed:

Nov 14, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/339038

Inventors:

Robert P. Bishop - Pembroke MA
Paul L. Hainey - Douglas MA
Stanley J. Lukasiewicz - North Attleboro MA
Allan J. Siuzdak - Cumberland RI
Robert E. Luminello - Johnston RI
Vishwa N. Shukla - North Attleboro MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01G 700

US Classification:

3612834

Abstract:

A monolithic capacitive pressure transducer (12) is shown composed of ceramic material having a first closed cavity (12) separated from a surface thereof by a flexible wall member and a second closed cavity (16) defined by rigid wall members. Capacitor plates (32, 36; 40, 44) are formed on two opposed surfaces defining each cavity. Vias (33, 37; 41, 45) are formed extending from the capacitor plates to permit electrical connection therewith. The transducer is made by separately forming under pressure a diaphragm (20) and first and second base portions (22, 30) having recesses (24) in the top and bottom surfaces using ceramic powder coated with an organic binder. A metal layer is deposited on the pieces which are then joined together to form a single unit. A spacer (26) may be inserted in the recesses to ensure that a predetermined gap is maintained in each cavity during the joining operation. The parts are then debinderized by heating to a first temperature level to allow the binder organics, as well as the spacer organics if a spacer is employed, to be vaporized and/or decomposed and removed through the open pores of the diaphragm and base.

US Patent:

54367956, Jul 25, 1995

Filed:

Mar 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/218785

Inventors:

Robert P. Bishop - Pembroke MA
Paul L. Hainey - Douglas MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01G 700
H01G 5011
G01L 912

US Classification:

3612834

Abstract:

A monolithic capacitive pressure transducer (12, 12') is made by separately forming under pressure a diaphragm (22, 22') and a base (24, 24') having a recess (14) in the top surface using ceramic powder coated with an organic binder. Metal layers are deposited on the two pieces and the pieces are then joined together to form a single unit. A spacer (36) may be inserted in the recess to ensure that a predetermined gap is maintained between the two parts during the joining operation. The parts are then heated to allow the binder organics, as well as the spacer organics if a spacer is employed, to be vaporized and/or decomposed and removed through the open pores of the diaphragm and base and then sintered to change the parts into a monolithic body and to convert the metallized layer into a conductive layer bonded to the ceramic. In one embodiment the metal layers include terminal pads (18b, 19c, 20c) formed on the diaphragm and joinder pads (19b, 20b) formed on the base around terminal receiving bores (34, 32) each in alignment with a terminal pad. In a second embodiment terminal pads (18b', 19d', 20d') are formed on the diaphragm with vias extending radially inwardly from terminal pads (19d', 20d') to respective connecting pads (19c', 20c') which are aligned with joinder pads (19b', 20b') formed on the base.