Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Kinney
Thomas B. Kinney 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).
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Publication number: 20140107810Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Patent number: 8090452Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Publication number: 20100076604Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Publication number: 20100011127Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault, William Baker
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Publication number: 20090164031Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: INVENSYS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Patent number: 7054922Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring and control of a Foundation Fieldbus process network utilizes an applet/servlet pair, the applet residing on a remote node on a wide area network such as the Internet, the servlet residing on a node communicably linked to the wide area network and to the process network. The servlet is operative to collect data via the FMS layer from one or more process devices such as field devices residing on the process network and to have translated the collected data and to transmit the translated data via the wide area network to the applet residing on the remote node. The information is displayed to the user by an appropriate interface such as the graphical interface of a browser running on the remote node. The user may initiate communications by instantiating the applet via a hyperlink in a web page or otherwise, and may input and receive information via the browser's graphical interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas B. Kinney, Serge Miller
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Patent number: 7020532Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2004Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Publication number: 20040254648Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Alexander Johnson, Paul C. Badavas, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Thomas B. Kinney, Seyamak Keyghobad, Bo Ling, Richard L. Thibault
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Patent number: 6594530Abstract: The present invention is a block oriented control system that allows interoperability between devices made by different manufacturers. A block oriented control system is a system which includes a plurality of field devices incorporating a physical layer, communication stack, and user layer, with the field devices being connected by a transmission medium, such as a bus. The physical layer receives signals from the bus and translates the signals into a message for the communications stack, and receives messages from the communications stack and translates the messages into signals for the bus. The communication stack controls the communications between devices operating in the control system. The user layer is a block oriented approach to the system's control functions, and includes function blocks and system management. The function blocks are standardized encapsulations of control functions, such as analog input or proportional/derivative.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Fieldbus FoundationInventors: David A. Glanzer, Terrence L. Blevins, Ram Ramachandran, Kenneth D. Krivoshein, Patricia E. Brett, Jack Elias, William R. Hodson, Frank Lynch, Ashok K. Gupta, Lee A. Neitzel, Thomas B. Kinney, Chuji Akiyama, Yasuo Kumeda, Hiroshi Mori, Mitsugu Tanaka
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Publication number: 20030093460Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring and control of a Foundation Fieldbus process network utilizes an applet/servlet pair, the applet residing on a remote node on a wide area network such as the Internet, the servlet residing on a node communicably linked to the wide area network and to the process network. The servlet is operative to collect data via the FMS layer from one or more process devices such as field devices residing on the process network and to have translated the collected data and to transmit the translated data via the wide area network to the applet residing on the remote node. The information is displayed to the user by an appropriate interface such as the graphical interface of a browser running on the remote node. The user may initiate communications by instantiating the applet via a hyperlink in a web page or otherwise, and may input and receive information via the browser's graphical interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Thomas B. Kinney, Serge Miller
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Patent number: 6501995Abstract: A control system has blocks or other components that facilitate validation of their own replacements, e.g., downloaded via e-commerce transactions. The system includes first and second process control components. The first component is coupled to a third process control component, with which it transfers information, e.g., as part of an active or ongoing control process. The second component can be, for example, an update or other potential replacement for the first component. The first and/or second components can effect substitution of the second component for the first. More particularly, they can effect coupling of the second component for information transfer with the third component and decoupling of the first component from such transfer with the third component. Preferably, such coupling and decoupling occur while the process control system remains active.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: The Foxboro CompanyInventors: Thomas B. Kinney, T. Eric Christiansen, Peter D. Hansen, Bo Ling, Paul C. Badavas, Richard L. Thibault
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Patent number: 6424872Abstract: The present invention is a block oriented control system that allows interoperability between devices made by different manufacturers. A block oriented control system is a system which includes a plurality of field devices incorporating a physical layer, communication stack, and user layer, with the field devices being connected by a transmission medium, such as a bus. The physical layer receives signals from the bus and translates the signals into a message for the communications stack, and receives messages from the communications stack and translates the messages into signals for the bus. The communication stack controls the communications between devices operating in the control system. The user layer is a block oriented approach to the system's control functions, and includes function blocks and system management. The function blocks are standardized encapsulations of control functions, such as analog input or proportional/derivative.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Fieldbus FoundationInventors: David A. Glanzer, Terrance L. Blevins, Ram Ramachandran, Kenneth D. Krivoshein, Patricia E. Brett, Jack Elias, William R. Hodson, Frank Lynch, Ashok K. Gupta, Lee A. Neitzel, Thomas B. Kinney, Chuji Akiyama, Yasuo Kumeda, Hiroshi Mori, Mitsugu Tanaka
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Patent number: 4762130Abstract: A helical balloon is attached to the distal end of a catheter to serve when inflated as a therapeutic tool for the removal of blood clots and as a diagnostic tool for physical measurements and the application of treatment and other materials.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1987Date of Patent: August 9, 1988Assignee: Thomas J. FogartyInventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Thomas B. Kinney, James C. Finn, III
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Patent number: 4611593Abstract: A vessel occluding instrument for facilitating the surgical treatment of an anatomical vessel. The instrument comprises an elongated body member having top and bottom surfaces, opposed sides, and first and second opposed ends; a length of resilient tape extending from adjacent the first opposed end of the body member; a securing device positioned adjacent the second opposed end for releasably holding the resilient tape; and a resilient pad secured to the bottom surface of the body member, the resilient pad comprising a cohesive-adhesive covering sheet for releasing securing the pad to the vessel, whereby the sheet and the vessel collectively produce an adherence relationship therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1984Date of Patent: September 16, 1986Assignee: Thomas J. FogartyInventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, James C. Finn, III, Thomas B. Kinney, George D. Hermann
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Patent number: 4606347Abstract: A balloon catheter of the linear eversion type is provided with a sealed through lumen which will pass guide wires and other objects without disturbing the sealed nature of the balloon system.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1985Date of Patent: August 19, 1986Assignee: Thomas J. FogartyInventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, James C. Finn, III, Thomas B. Kinney
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Patent number: 4599808Abstract: Drying material such as lumber by controlling the difference between inlet drying air dry bulb temperature and outlet drying air dry bulb temperature while maintaining wet bulb temperature constant, so that drying is characterized by a constant rate of evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1984Date of Patent: July 15, 1986Assignee: The Foxboro CompanyInventors: Frederick D. Gelineau, Thomas B. Kinney
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Patent number: 4526175Abstract: A dilatation catheter is provided with an elongated balloon element having a distal evertable dilating portion and a proximal connector portion. The proximal connector portion extends through and past a large chamber where part of it may be layed-up in a loop or loops, and said connector portion also extends through O-ring braking and sealing structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1983Date of Patent: July 2, 1985Assignee: Thomas J. FogartyInventors: Albert K. Chin, Thomas B. Kinney
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Patent number: 4483340Abstract: A dilatation catheter of the type having a balloon element adapted to be retracted by axial twisting following deflation is provided with a pair of concentrically related balloon twisting elements, one of which is adapted to be removed following full wind up of the balloon element so that the relative stiffness of the twisted balloon section of the catheter will be approximately the same as that of the balance of the catheter.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1980Date of Patent: November 20, 1984Assignee: Thomas J. FogartyInventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Thomas B. Kinney