Patents by Inventor Scott L. Thomson

Scott L. Thomson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11702832
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards vacuum-assisted toilet systems and methods of using the vacuum-assisted toilet systems. An example vacuum-assisted toilet system includes a toilet bowl defining an outlet and a flush valve fluidly coupled to the outlet. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water source fluidly coupled to the toilet bowl. The water source is configured to supply water to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water actuator coupled to the water source. The water actuator is configured to control the amount of water that is supplied by the water source to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes a controller that is configured to at least partially control the operation of one or more components of the vacuum-assisted toilet system, such as at least one of the flush valve or the water actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson
  • Patent number: 11560704
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards noise reduction pipes, vacuum-assisted toilet systems including the same, and methods of using the same. An example noise reduction pipe includes a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end. The first end is configured to be coupled to an outlet of a toilet bowl and the second end is configured to be coupled to an inlet of a flush valve. The noise reduction pipe defines a fluid flow path that extends between the first end and the second end such that waste may flow from the first end to the second end. The noise reduction pipe also includes one or more bends. Each of the bends exhibits a radius of curvature that is greater than about 5 cm or a length that is greater than about 30 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson, Michael Rose
  • Patent number: 11408161
    Abstract: An example vacuum-assisted toilet includes a toilet bowl including an outlet. The outlet of the toilet bowl is fluidly coupled to a first flush valve, for example, using a first pipe. The first flush valve is fluidly coupled to a second flush valve that is positioned downstream from the first flush valve. For example, the first flush valve may be fluidly coupled to the second flush valve using a second pipe. The second flush valve is fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. The vacuum source may include, for example, a holding tank having a vacuum pressure therein, a vacuum pump, or any other suitable vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20210404162
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards vacuum-assisted toilet systems and methods of using the vacuum-assisted toilet systems. An example vacuum-assisted toilet system includes a toilet bowl defining an outlet and a flush valve fluidly coupled to the outlet. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water source fluidly coupled to the toilet bowl. The water source is configured to supply water to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes at least one water actuator coupled to the water source. The water actuator is configured to control the amount of water that is supplied by the water source to the toilet bowl. The vacuum-assisted toilet system also includes a controller that is configured to at least partially control the operation of one or more components of the vacuum-assisted toilet system, such as at least one of the flush valve or the water actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20210404160
    Abstract: An example vacuum-assisted toilet includes a toilet bowl including an outlet. The outlet of the toilet bowl is fluidly coupled to a first flush valve, for example, using a first pipe. The first flush valve is fluidly coupled to a second flush valve that is positioned downstream from the first flush valve. For example, the first flush valve may be fluidly coupled to the second flush valve using a second pipe. The second flush valve is fluidly coupled to a vacuum source. The vacuum source may include, for example, a holding tank having a vacuum pressure therein, a vacuum pump, or any other suitable vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20210404165
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards noise reduction pipes, vacuum-assisted toilet systems including the same, and methods of using the same. An example noise reduction pipe includes a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end. The first end is configured to be coupled to an outlet of a toilet bowl and the second end is configured to be coupled to an inlet of a flush valve. The noise reduction pipe defines a fluid flow path that extends between the first end and the second end such that waste may flow from the first end to the second end. The noise reduction pipe also includes one or more bends. Each of the bends exhibits a radius of curvature that is greater than about 5 cm or a length that is greater than about 30 cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Kent L. Gee, Scott D. Sommerfeldt, Scott L. Thomson, Michael Rose