Edward F Howell

US Patent:

7473859, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Jan 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/622483

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US
Christopher Keimel - Schenectady NY, US
Long Que - Rexford NY, US
Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore - Bangalore, IN
Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe - Bangalore, IN
Xuefeng Wang - Schenectady NY, US
Edward Keith Howell - Hendersonville NC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H01H 51/22

US Classification:

200181, 200329

Abstract:

A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e. g. , a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e. g. , a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e. g. , an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence. The gating voltage control sequence may comprise a first interval for ramping up the gating voltage to a voltage level for producing an electrostatic force sufficient to accelerate the actuator through a portion of the gap to be traversed by the actuator to reach a respective actuating condition. The gating voltage control sequence may further comprise a second interval for ramping down the gating voltage to a level sufficient to reduce the electrostatic force acting on the movable actuator.

US Patent:

7643256, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Dec 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/567296

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US
Edward Keith Howell - Hendersonville NC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 8, 361 2, 361 13, 361 31

Abstract:

A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

US Patent:

20080304687, Dec 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/759229

Inventors:

Edward Lamar Howell - Orlando FL, US

International Classification:

H04R 17/02

US Classification:

381362

Abstract:

This invention relates generally to film and television production. It is designed to easily control and support a boom pole for long periods of time while allowing the operator to maintain comfortable ergonomic positioning and movement of the head, arm and hands during operation. It achieves this by means of a simple machine. The basic embodiment of the invention consists of five (5) main components. 1. An ergonomically positioned control handle which the operator grips; the boom pole itself (or a holder to which may be fastened in position an existing boom pole), which is rigidly connected to the control handles. 3. A means for pivoting (the fulcrum), or other machine means for transferring force, mounted to a harness, and to which is attached the connecting segment, allowing the boom to rotate and move when force is applied to the control handles. 4. Counterweights which can be fastened to the connecting segment at the farthest point possible opposite the fulcrum from the extended end of the boom pole, and/or mechanisms for fastening such weights. 5. A wearable harness including shoulder straps which can be connected in front, and optionally including a belt around the waist where additional support is required, and to which is mounted, on the back, the pivoting assembly, and the rest of the apparatus. By applying force to the control handle, the operator is able to move the boom pole up and down, side to side, or to rotate it.

US Patent:

20110296715, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Feb 16, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/028220

Inventors:

Edward Lamar Howell - Orlando FL, US

International Classification:

A43B 23/24

US Classification:

36136

Abstract:

This invention relates generally to human space flights to Earth orbit and beyond. It is designed for use in micro-gravity environments, to allow the wearer to make use of one or both feet as prehensile appendages. The invention enables the operator to use their feet for gripping, holding and manipulating. It achieves this by means of flexible footwear with molded extensions that protrude from under the toes and ball of the foot, creating additional leverage for the flexion and extension of the toes. The basic embodiment of the invention consists of six (6) main components. 1. A solid extrusion, positioned under the metatarsal bones of the foot, extending downward from the plantar surface. 2. A second solid extrusion, positioned under the first phalange of the foot, extending downward from the plantar surface. 3. A third solid extrusion, positioned under the second, third, fourth and fifth phalanges collectively, extending downward from their plantar surfaces. 4. A foot covering, encompassing the phalanges and metatarsus of the foot, and integrating the three extrusions. 5. A means for anchoring or securing the foot covering to the user's foot. 6. A means for allowing full flexion and hyperextension of the phalanges, and by extension, the extrusions positioned under the phalanges.