(ATLANTA) August 13, 2018 – Varec, a petroleum industry innovator and wholly-owned subsidiary of FORTUNE 500® information technology, engineering, and science leader Leidos, announced one of its engineers was recently recognized for developing an innovative U.S. patent. The recognition took place during a Leidos ceremony honoring all patent awardees across the corporation over the past two years, along with distinguished awardees across other categories.
Dirk Holcomb, a 24-year Varec veteran, was awarded his most recent patent titled Liquid Level Transmitter Utilizing Low Cost, Capacitive, Absolute Encoders, on December 2, 2016. As a Principle Hardware Engineer, Holcomb has been integral in helping Varec develop several new technologies over the years. This latest patent was a result of the unique way he was able to use capacitive encoders for a new transmitter the company was seeking to launch into the market.
Years ago, most transmitters were using optical encoders, which had several drawbacks. Optical encoders were susceptible to dust and other contaminates that could cause LED failure, as well as extended assembly time and high costs. An alternate approach using magnetic encoders suffers from resolution degradation that can arise from misalignment between magnets and sensors. Holcomb’s goal was to develop an encoder that could overcome these issues and provide a reliable, real-time system and process.
The resulting product, the widely popular 2920 Float and Tape Transmitter, is a liquid level monitoring and transmission system that includes a mechanical assembly in communication with the liquid in a container and a dual electronic encoder assembly in communication with the mechanical assembly. The first encoder addresses fine level measurements, with a second encoder for coarse level measurements, in conjunction with a processor for controlling the operation of the two encoders and a power control system.
“We were thrilled when Leidos decided to recognize this patent award at our annual Technical Publication Awards Ceremony,” said Marty Favero, President of Varec. “Innovation is necessary for growth in every organization and Dirk has been a long-tenured and valued innovator on our hardware development team. He has provided us with a number of key additions to our intellectual property over the years and we couldn’t be more proud of his contributions to Varec’s success.”
To learn more about Varec, please visit www.varec.com.
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Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 29, 2017, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
CONTACT:
Melissa Koskovich
(571) 526-6850
Koskovichm@Leidos.com
Jason Kello
(571) 526-6011
Jason.Kello@Leidos.com
ABOUT VAREC, INC.
Varec, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos, is considered the pioneer of inventory tank gauging instrumentation nearly 90 years ago. Today, Varec is a worldwide leader in fuels management systems for total asset visibility and control, supplying integrated hardware and software solutions to oil and gas, defense and aviation markets. The Varec FuelsManager suite of product solutions has been a longtime standard of major oil companies and the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as aviation tank farm operators and service providers. With its headquarters and manufacturing facility outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Varec also has offices in Virginia, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.varec.com.
ABOUT LEIDOS
Leidos is a Fortune 500® information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company’s 31,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $10.17 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2017. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.