Michael J Hetherington, 413870 Danbridge Dr, Lansing, MI 48906

7394051, Jul 1, 2008

Dec 28, 2005

11/320071

Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

P.I. Engineering, Inc. - Williamston MI

G01J 1/20

2502033, 382103

A cost-effective and accurate model train position transponding arrangement deploys inexpensive CCD cameras to “watch” the layout and determine the locations of trains and landmarks. Each item of interest features an optical beacon, preferably an infrared LED, which can be “seen” by the cameras. Filtering out other light and using color cameras these bright spots can easily be tracked by software. These beacons can be stationary, embedded in the track or mobile, mounted on the trains. Certain LEDs can be controlled to simply flash at a certain frequency if more accuracy is needed to determine the source of the bright spot. The cameras are preferably mounted more or less overhead, but any angle with sufficient visibility of the layout will work because the image will be calibrated to the actual layout. In cases where the LED beacon is blocked from the camera's vision the software may interpolate the position of the beacon based on the last known position and velocity. With 2 or more beacons on a single train, the software can make inferences about the other beacons based on the known physical separation between the beacons on the train.

7489144, Feb 10, 2009

Feb 15, 2006

11/355279

Jack Hetherington - Haslett MI, US
Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

P.I. Engineering, Inc. - Williamston MI

G01R 27/26

324662, 324663

Cost-effective methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring both absolute position and fluctuations using a moving dielectric medium between fixed electrodes. A position sensor according to the invention includes a pair of spaced-apart electrodes, an elongated dielectric that moves between the electrodes, and electrical circuitry interconnected to the electrodes to determine the position of the dielectric relative to the electrodes. To realize a linear position sensor, the electrodes are electrically conductive rods or wires, and the dielectric is also an electrically non-conductive rod or wire. The dielectric may be flexible or stiff, in which case the dielectric and the electrodes are preferably substantially parallel to one another. Alternatively, the spaced-apart electrodes may be concentric tubes, with the dielectric being an electrically non-conductive tube slideably disposed between the electrodes. In different embodiments, the dielectric is a liquid-receiving tube.

8065951, Nov 29, 2011

Feb 15, 2006

11/355032

Jack Hetherington - Haslett MI, US
Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

P.I. Engineering, Inc. - Williamston MI

F01B 3/04

92 39, 108 4, 434 58

A motion platform/simulator uses pumps coupled to servo-controlled electric motors to pump fluid directly into and out of rubber bellows-type actuators. Peristaltic or gear pumps may be used in conjunction with linear transducers/encoders. The fluid can be a gas such as air or one of many non-toxic fluids, even water, as the pump or actuators require no lubrication from the working fluid. In the preferred embodiment, a mechanical pivot such as a U-joint is situated between the platform and the ground surface, and each transducer is located immediately adjacent an actuator. A reservoir or reservoirs may be provided to supply and receive fluid to and from the actuator(s) through the pump(s) or, alternatively, the pump(s) may be coupled between two actuators, thereby eliminating the need for a fluid reservoir. A pump may be coupled between two stacked actuators or different actuators located at different points on the platform.

2008016, Jul 10, 2008

Jan 8, 2008

11/970935

Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

G06F 3/048

715856

A computer interface makes it easier to control a 3D virtual device on a display screen with a 2D pointing device such as a mouse. A virtual device having an associated movement and underlying function is rendered on a display screen. A cursor is moved to the device, and if it is selected, a graphical user interface (GUI) is displayed including a control icon with the cursor automatically pre-positioned in relation to the control icon. If the control icon is adjusted the virtual device is moved on the display screen and the function associated with the device is performed. Upon de-selection of the device the GUI disappears from the display screen. In the preferred embodiment, the cursor is moved with a mouse and the device is selected with a mouse button. The cursor is then automatically positioned in overlapping registration with the control icon upon the selection of the device. The control icon may be a slider, knob, switch or any other type of implement appropriate to the control of the virtual device. The invention is particularly useful in controlling devices such as forward-back levers wherein at least a portion of the movement of the device is visualized as into or out of the display screen.

2009002, Jan 29, 2009

May 16, 2008

12/122338

Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

P.I. Engineering, Inc. - Williamston MI

G09B 9/04

434 29

A complete hardware and software railroad training system gives the trainee a hands-on operators experience in a safe and productive classroom environment. The system and method combines a complete virtual simulation of a yard and the associated equipment with a cost-effective Operator Control Unit (OCU) to fully address Remote Control Operation (RCO), including equipment handing, yard familiarization, rules and safety training. A simulated locomotive training system according to the invention comprises a computer system generating a display of an avatar in a simulated railroad environment including a virtual locomotive and associated equipment. The OCU, a hand-held unit in communication with the computer system, includes one or more video-game or “game-pad” type controls, enabling a user to manipulate the avatar in the simulated railroad environment. The controls may be joystick controllers, allowing a user to navigate, view and select objects and actions in the simulated railroad environment without the user's hands having to leave the OCU. Right and left controls, each operated by one finger on each of a user's hands, respectively direct the movement of the avatar in the simulated railroad environment and change the view of the avatar in the simulated railroad environment.

2013001, Jan 17, 2013

Jul 13, 2012

13/548365

Michael Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

P.I. Engineering, Inc. - Williamston MI

G01P 15/08

7351416

A touchpad useful in timing competitive sporting events such as swim meets includes a touch plate having a front surface and a back surface, one or more accelerometers coupled to the touch plate, electrical circuitry in communication with the accelerometers to detect motion indicative of a user's touch, and communications circuitry to transmit information indicative of a user's touch to a display, storage device or other remote unit. The back surface of the touch plate may have resilient ridges or a backing structure that more positively ensures contact recording. The circuitry may battery powered with rechargeable batteries. The communications circuitry may use wireless RF technology such as WiFi synchronized absolute time to transmit the touch information to a central timing system. In competitive swimming events, the communications circuitry utilizes a standard Colorado Timing systems banana plug.

2013008, Apr 11, 2013

Oct 8, 2012

13/647029

Richard Ledebuhr - Bath MI, US
Michael H. Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

C02F 1/20
B01D 17/02
C02F 1/68
B01D 19/00
C02F 1/40

210750, 210150, 210151, 210767

A scrubbing system and method reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors released during hydraulic fracturing. The water created by the process itself is used to help control the VOCs. During the collection process, the water and VOCs separate in a tank. A small amount of the water from below the separated VOCs is pumped to atomization equipment above the flowback liquid. In the preferred embodiment, rotary atomizers are used to create a mist of very fine droplets. Emulsifiers may be added to the water at the atomizer. The mist containing the emulsifiers is distributed throughout the space above the flowback water in the tank and on the liquid surface and walls of the tank. The mixing of the mist containing the emulsifiers and the VOC vapor allows the emulsifiers to capture the VOC vapor and return it to the liquid surface.

2013017, Jul 11, 2013

Jan 5, 2012

13/344272

Richard Ledebuhr - Bath MI, US
Michael H. Hetherington - Williamston MI, US

Ledebuhr Industries, Inc. - Williamston MI

F28B 9/08

261151, 261 782, 261 361

A system to control drips from rotary atomizers without the use of recirculation pumps or drain tubes. The drips are collected in a catch basin suspended under the atomizer and reintroduced to the rotary atomizer by one of three methods; a mechanical pumping action from a cone or impeller extending from the rotating part of the atomizer, a suction from a Venturi section built into the fluid delivery tube, or by aspirating the fluid back into the atomizer by using the exhaust air from an air motor. Additionally, to prevent bacterial growth and to completely eliminate any moisture after shutdown, a heating element can be incorporated into the catch basin to sterilize and evaporate any excess fluid.