William John Stone

US Patent:

6600553, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Oct 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/422300

Inventors:

William C Stone - Gaithersburg MD

Assignee:

National Institute of Science and Technology U.S. Dept of Commerce

International Classification:

G01C 308

US Classification:

356 401, 3561411, 172 45, 901 47

Abstract:

The invention relates to a three-dimensional measuring device, comprising a rotating 360 degree sensor head, a laser scanner and an extendable mast system. The sensor head contains a 360 degree rotating multi-faceted mirror, which determines total path distance from the laser scanner to a particular target. Angular orientations on both the scanner and the faceted mirrors are calculated by a precision encoding system. The measured total path distance, mast system extension, scanner head rotation, mirror rotation angles, and mast deflection are all used to calculate the location of a target point in 3-D space relative to the scanner. The sensing device can be utilized in the construction and nuclear power areas. In the nuclear power area, the mast system can be extended into a contaminated area which the sensor remains outside the contaminated area, thereby avoiding contamination problems.

US Patent:

49320459, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Aug 2, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/227134

Inventors:

James A. Kasoff - Baltimore MD
William C. Stone - Derwood MD

Assignee:

Kasoff Enterprises, Inc. - Baltimore MD

International Classification:

G06M 102
G06M 108

US Classification:

377 242

Abstract:

A waterproof digital lap counter automatically counting and indicating the number of laps traversed by a swimmer having the lap counter attached to a hand or foot comprises a LCD array including a digital counter, driver and LCD embedded within a sealed inner housing which is slidably and nonrotatably supported in an outer housing. Counting and indication of laps traversed occurs automatically and is triggered by abutment of the lap counter against the side of the swimming pool during the swimming stroke or flip turn of the swimmer. Abutment of the lap counter against the side of the pool momentarily closes a switch which sends an input signal to the LCD array representative of a lap traversed. The LCD array counts and provides a visible indication of the number of input signals received which corresponds to the total number of laps traversed.

US Patent:

54310105, Jul 11, 1995

Filed:

Oct 18, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/137342

Inventors:

William C. Stone - Gaithersburg MD

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Commerce - Washington DC

International Classification:

B63H 1100

US Classification:

60204

Abstract:

A high speed control apparatus and method utilized in a system having a high pressure fluid supply for producing precisely controlled, amplitude and duration variable thrust are disclosed, the apparatus including a piezoelectric stack responsive to a control signal input, a displacement amplifier operatively associated with the stack, and a high pressure axial valve assembly coupled with the amplifier. A microprocessor control system and energy storage and power amplifier system provide the calibrated output voltage control signal which drives the piezoelectric stack in such a manner as to produce rapidly changing displacements in the stack (as frequent as 10 microseconds) which are subsequently amplified by the displacement amplifier. The valve assembly opens as the piezoelectric stack expands upon application of a step change in voltage, allowing fluid to expand through the valve assembly and create thrust that is substantially equal in duration and directly proportional in amplitude to the control signal.