Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Johnson

Thomas F. Johnson 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: 11968700
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing network access services to mobile users via mobile terminals over a satellite system. In embodiments, dynamic multiplexing of traffic from fixed terminals and mobile users on the same satellite beam can take advantage of statistical multiplexing of large numbers of users and on different usage patterns between fixed terminals and mobile users. In embodiments, quality-of-service (QoS) is controlled for mobile devices at a per-user level. Mobile users may be provisioned on the satellite system according to a set of traffic policies based on their service level agreement (SLA). System resources of the satellite may be allocated to mobile users based on the demand of each mobile user and the set of traffic polices associated with each mobile user, regardless of which mobile terminal is used to access the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Ryan Johnson, Brian T. Sleight, Thomas Duncan Lookabaugh, James Esserman, William F. Sullivan, Meherwan Polad
  • Patent number: 11912013
    Abstract: Ink-based digital printing systems useful for ink printing include a rotatable charge-retentive reimageable surface layer configured to receive a layer of fountain solution. The fountain solution is carried to the charge retentive surface by a fog or mist including fountain solution aerosol particles, dispersed gas particles, and charge directors that impart charge to the fountain solution aerosol particles. The charge-retentive reimageable surface may be charged to a uniform potential, and selectively discharged using an ROS according to image data to form an electrostatic latent image. The charged fountain solution adheres to portions of the charge-retentive reimageable surface according to the electrostatic latent image to form a fountain solution image thereon. The fountain solution image can be partially transferred to an imaging blanket, where the fountain solution image is inked. The resulting ink image may be transferred to a print substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kathryn F. Murphy, Thomas Wunderer, Anne Plochowietz, David K. Biegelsen, Joerg Martini, David Mathew Johnson, Palghat S. Ramesh
  • Patent number: 7834593
    Abstract: A protection system and method for a battery charger is disclosed for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a battery during charging in order to protect the battery when such a thermal runaway condition has been detected. The protection system in accordance with the present invention does not require external temperature sensors nor does it rely on actions by the technician or user. Briefly, the protection system includes one or more electrical sensors normally provided with conventional battery chargers for sensing one or more electrical parameters during charging and providing an indication of a possible thermal runaway condition based upon the trend of the electrical charging parameters. In general, the protection system monitors the charging characteristics of a battery for a complete or partial charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Johnson, John S. Whiting
  • Publication number: 20090218990
    Abstract: A protection system and method for a battery charger is disclosed for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a battery during charging in order to protect the battery when such a thermal runaway condition has been detected. The protection system in accordance with the present invention does not require external temperature sensors nor does it rely on actions by the technician or user. Briefly, the protection system includes one or more electrical sensors normally provided with conventional battery chargers for sensing one or more electrical parameters during charging and providing an indication of a possible thermal runaway condition based upon the trend of the electrical charging parameters. In general, the protection system monitors the charging characteristics of a battery for a complete or partial charging cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas F. Johnson, John S. Whiting
  • Patent number: 6875954
    Abstract: A hidden heat strip for providing heat at the edge of a roof to prevent formation of ice. Each heat strip comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped assemblies having a heat cable inserted from under the assemblies and positioned adjacent to a notched front panel. Support clips extend from a bottom portion and a vented top panel is disposed above the heat cable. Spaced-apart reinforcement ribs are located between side panels of the assemblies to support shingles and prevent sagging. The heat strip is placed between rows of shingles and is not easily observed from the ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Richard S. DeBenedetto, Thomas F. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040094530
    Abstract: A hidden heat strip for providing heat at the edge of a roof to prevent formation of ice. Each heat strip comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped assemblies having a heat cable inserted from under the assemblies and positioned adjacent to a notched front panel. Support clips extend from a bottom portion and a vented top panel is disposed above the heat cable. Spaced-apart reinforcement ribs are located between side panels of the assemblies to support shingles and prevent sagging. The heat strip is placed between rows of shingles and is not easily observed from the ground level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Richard S. DeBenedetto, Thomas F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5787927
    Abstract: Apparatus for coupling to an aircraft a high pressure air flow from ground equipment to start engines includes a hollow housing attachable to the ground equipment. A pair of members defining a first valve form a clamshell within the housing. Such members are biased to a closed relationship and are rotatable to an open relationship. A hollow coupling member includes a ring for rotating such valve members equally to the open relationship in response to incremental linear movements of the ring member. The coupling member receives a hollow start nipple in the aircraft. A pair of members defining a second valve form a clamshell rotatable within the housing in a direction opposite to the direction of the first clamshell rotation. The second valve members are biased to close such valve and are rotatable to an open relationship. The coupling member includes prongs which act linearly on the second valve members, in a manner similar to the ring action on the first valve members, to open such valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: TA Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5551759
    Abstract: A dual use belly-dumping and end-dumping vehicle includes a frame mounted on wheels for transport and a pivotable hopper carried in the frame. A lower pivot element is mounted to the frame with a corresponding lower pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. An upper pivot element is also mounted on the frame with a corresponding upper pivot engaging element mounted on the hopper. Lifting cylinders are mounted between sides of the frame and sides of the hopper for pivoting the hopper at the lower pivot element between a horizontally held position and a first angled position at which the hopper is disengaged from the lower pivoted element and engaged at the upper pivot element so that it is pivoted to a second angled position for dumping materials from the end of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: JHC Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg M. Hoss, James E. Thompson, Thomas F. Johnson, Martin Kirbie, Andrew J. Speer, III
  • Patent number: 5549359
    Abstract: A dual use belly-dumping and end-dumping vehicle includes a frame mounted on wheels for transport and a pivotable hopper carried in the frame. The hopper is provided with angled side walls and end walls defining a top opening and a bottom opening. A pair of hopper bay doors are pivotably connected through a pair of pivot arms to the end walls of the hopper. The hopper bay doors have an inwardly pivoted position at which the hopper bay doors cover the bottom opening and an outwardly pivoted position at which the hopper doors pivot in opposite directions from each other to uncover at least part of the bottom opening. Each door of the pair of bay doors pivots about separated pivot points on the end walls, which pivot points are spaced apart from a center line of the hopper a predetermined distance which is less than one-half of the distance between the center line and each respective side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: JHC Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregg M. Hoss, James E. Thompson, Thomas F. Johnson, Martin Kirbie, Andrew J. Speer, III
  • Patent number: 5237709
    Abstract: A valve assembly provides for a controlled flow of waste material from a toilet in an aircraft under all weather conditions including freezing. The valve assembly includes a first valve disposed within a hollow tube and manually movable between a first position sealing the tube against the passage of waste material and a second position providing for such passage. The valve includes first and second members and a plate manually rotatable within the tube between the first and second positions, the second member and the plate receiving a multiplied force from a further rotation of the first member to pivot to a position sealing the valve to the tube. An energy storage member associated with the second member facilitates the pivotable movement of the second member. Detents in the tube and at the end of the second member retain the plate in sealing relationship with the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: TA Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Robert M. Byerly, Thomas F. Johnson