Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Kennedy, III

Thomas J. Kennedy, III 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).

  • ACOUSTOPHORETIC SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY USING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL STANDING WAVES
    Publication number: 20150176001
    Abstract: A system having improved trapping force for acoustophoresis is described where the trapping force is improved by manipulation of the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer includes a ceramic crystal. The crystal may be directly exposed to fluid flow. The crystal may be air backed, resulting in a higher Q factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf balls including highly neutralized polymer having a hardness modifier
    Patent number: 9061182
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core made from a highly neutralized polymer that has been mixed with a hardness modifier. The modifier may be a process oil or a plasticizer. In particular, the modifier may be a naphthenic process oil, a paraffinic process oil, a phthalate plasticizer, a trimellitate plasticizer, an adipate plasticizer, a sebacate-based plasticizer, a maleate-based plasticizer, and blends thereof. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a golf ball that includes changing the hardness of a highly neutralized polymer core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Seisuke Tomita
  • Process for making thermoplastic golf ball material and golf ball with thermoplastic material
    Patent number: 9044646
    Abstract: A thermoplastic golf ball material is made by combining and reacting (a) an unneutralized copolymer of ethylene and at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, which has from about 5 to about 12 percent by weight acid monomer; (b) a metallocene-catalyzed copolymer of ethylene and octene; (c) an unsaturated fatty acid; and (d) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 65 to about 90% of the acid groups, to produce an ionomeric thermoplastic material. The ionomeric thermoplastic material may be used in a core, a cover, or a layer between a core and a cover of a golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf Balls Including Dense High Acid Ionomers
    Publication number: 20150133235
    Abstract: Golf balls having one or more structural components that include a highly neutralized acid polymer with a high acid content and a uniformly increased density. The core of the golf ball may be made up of the highly neutralized acid polymer. The highly neutralized acid polymer may have desired hardness and flexural modulus values. The highly neutralized acid polymer enables the golf ball to provide consistent play characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • ACOUSTOPHORESIS DEVICE WITH MODULAR COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20150125948
    Abstract: An acoustophoresis device made up of modular components is disclosed. Several modules are disclosed herein, including ultrasonic transducer modules, input/output modules, collection well modules, and various connector modules. These permit different systems to be constructed that have appropriate fluid dynamics for separation of particles, such as biological cells, from a fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Barnes, Dane Mealey, Walter M. Presz, JR., Stanley Kowalski, III, Louis Masi, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • GOLF BALL WITH CORE MATERIAL CONTAINING RUBBER AND POLYURETHANE
    Publication number: 20150087442
    Abstract: A golf ball has a core, core center, or core layer containing a thermoset elastomer and a polyurethane prepared by combining a thermosetting elastomer and an isocyanate-functional polyurethane, which may be an elastomeric polyurethane, then curing the thermosetting elastomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf ball having an over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer cover and having a soft feeling when hit
    Patent number: 8987405
    Abstract: A golf ball having an over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer cover that may be cross-linked. The golf ball may have an outer cover layer and an inner cover layer. The 100% modulus of the outer cover layer is less than that of the inner cover layer providing a soft feeling when hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Chen-Tai Liu, Chien-Hsin Chou, Hui-Kai Liao
  • Over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, method of making, and articles comprising the elastomer
    Patent number: 8980155
    Abstract: An over-indexed, optionally cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer. Also, the method of making the elastomer, and articles, including golf balls, comprising the elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Diamine as adhesion enhancer
    Patent number: 8956488
    Abstract: Diamine is used to enhance adhesion between polyurethane and polyolefinic material or ionomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Method for making over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer precursor and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer made from the precursor
    Patent number: 8946375
    Abstract: A method for making over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer precursor. The precursor may be cross-linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Chien-Hsin Chou, Hui-Kai Liao
  • Golf ball and method of manufacturing a golf ball
    Patent number: 8920264
    Abstract: A golf ball and a method of manufacturing a golf ball is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a golf ball includes molding a cover made of thermoplastic resin over at least one intermediate layer of a golf ball; permeating an isocyanate solution comprising an isocyanate compound and a co-reactant compound into an outer portion of the cover; and permeating a catalyst into the outer portion of the cover. The catalyst catalyzes a reaction between the isocyanate compound and the co-reactant compound to form a reaction product. The co-reactant compound can be a second isocyanate compound, the catalyst can be a quaternary ammonium salt, and the reaction product can be isocyanurate. The reaction product modifies at least one physical property of the outer portion such that the physical property of the outer portion is different than the physical property of the inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • FLUID DYNAMIC SONIC SEPARATOR
    Publication number: 20140377834
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as animal cells from fluid-cell mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of falling cells as the cells coalesce, agglomerate, and the weight of the agglomerated mass overcomes the drag and ultrasonic standing wave forces in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Bart Lipkiens, Jason Dionne, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Method of toughening thermoplastic polyurethane and articles comprising toughened thermoplastic polyurethane
    Patent number: 8906508
    Abstract: A method of toughening thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The TPU is dipped into a urethane solution having a penetrating agent, then heated and dried for a period sufficient to toughen the surface. Also, articles such as golf balls having a toughened thermoplastic polyurethane surface. The toughened thermoplastic polyurethane surface is more scuff-resistant and has a greater strain-rate shear resistance than the TPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • GOLF BALL WITH VISIBLE LIGHT-CURED COATING AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20140357425
    Abstract: A golf ball or other article of sports equipment is coated with a clear coating including a free radical-curable material and a photoinitiator that absorbs light in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum to generate free radicals. The coating is cured with radiation in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum. An indicium may be printed on the uncoated ball with a free radical-curable material and a photoinitiator that absorbs light in the visible light region and may, if not completely cured when the coating is applied, be further cured along with the applied clear coating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Coats, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • GOLF BALL WITH LOW DENSITY
    Publication number: 20140357424
    Abstract: A golf ball has a diameter of at least about 43.6 mm and a density of from about 0.85 g/cm3 to 1.05 g/cm3. The golf ball can be made of ionomer resin or a combination of ionomer resins, including highly neutralized polymers and highly resilient polymers as disclosed. The golf ball may have a solid core made of a highly neutralized polymer or highly resilient polymer and a cover of an ionomer resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ishii, Arthur P. Molinari, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • ACOUSTIC BIOREACTOR PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20140329997
    Abstract: A series of multi-dimensional acoustic standing waves is set up inside a growth volume of a bioreactor. The acoustic standing waves are used to hold a cell culture in place as a nutrient fluid stream flows through the cell culture. Biomolecules produced by the cell culture are collected by the nutrient fluid stream and separated downstream of the cell culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Chris Leidel
  • GOLF BALL WITH SOFT COATING AND HARD COVER
    Publication number: 20140274473
    Abstract: A golf ball has a cover with a Shore D hardness of at least about 59 and a coating on the cover that has at least one of (a) a pencil hardness of 2 B or less, (b) a Sward hardness of about 40 or less, or (c) a Hit (Young's Modulus)<20 N/mm2 and hmax>0.55 micrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hideyuki Ishii, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf Ball Comprising Silicone Composition
    Publication number: 20140274467
    Abstract: A golf ball comprising a silicone composition and a method for making the golf ball by liquid injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Fluid turbine
    Patent number: 8801362
    Abstract: A fluid turbine comprises a turbine shroud and an optional ejector shroud. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud are formed from a hard shell and a membrane. The hard shell forms a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an interior surface of the shroud. The membrane forms an exterior surface of the shroud. The resulting construction is lighter than previous turbine shrouds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ogin, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William Scott Keeley
  • BIOREACTOR USING ACOUSTIC STANDING WAVES
    Publication number: 20140154795
    Abstract: A perfusion bioreactor includes at least one ultrasonic transducer that can acoustically generate a multi-dimensional standing wave. The standing wave can be used to retain cells in the bioreactor, and can also be utilized to dewater or further harvest product from the waste materials produced in a bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, JR., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin