Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Kennedy

Thomas J. Kennedy 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: 9688958
    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. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FLODESIGN SONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, Chris Leidel
  • Publication number: 20170173498
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as oil from an oil-water mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of the oil as the oil coalesces, agglomerates, and becomes more buoyant than the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Ari Mercado, Brian Dutra, Walter M. Presz, JR., Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Louis Masi
  • Publication number: 20170175073
    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: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, JR., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin, John Rozembersky
  • Patent number: 9675902
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as oil from an oil-water mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of the oil as the oil coalesces, agglomerates, and becomes more buoyant than the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: FLODESIGN SONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Ari Mercado, Brian Dutra, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Louis Masi
  • Publication number: 20170159005
    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 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, JR., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin
  • Publication number: 20170159007
    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 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, JR., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin
  • Patent number: 9670477
    Abstract: Devices for separating materials from a host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a flow chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer and reflector create an angled acoustic standing wave oriented at an angle relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber. The angled acoustic standing wave results in an acoustic radiation force having an axial force component that deflects the materials, so that the materials and the host fluid can thus be separated. The angled acoustic standing wave can be oriented at an angle of about 20° to about 70° relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber to deflect, collect, differentiate, or fractionate the materials from the fluid flowing through the device at flow rates of about 400 mL/min up to about 700 mL/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Ben Ross-Johnsrud
  • Patent number: 9669579
    Abstract: A method for forming a structural member and a structural member produced thereby includes positioning a first composite section and a second composite section within a tool. The tool has an inner surface and a wall intersection and is supported by a tool platform. The tool platform and a pressure platform are relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The tool has a non-planar outer surface against which the member may be pressed. A composite splice member is positioned at least partially overlapping both the first composite section and the second composite section to form a joint in the composite structural member. The composite structural member is pressed against the non-planar outer surface of the tool by applying pressure to the joint from a pressure bladder. Heat is applied to the composite structural member at the joint to cure the composite splice member to the first composite section and the second composite section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: William T. Kline, Charles J. Nelson, Thang D. Phung, Curtis M. Groth, Robert G. Meyer, Peter J. VanVoast, Charles Y. Hu, Geoffrey A. Butler, Dan D. Day, Thomas J. Kennedy, Luis A. Perla, Richard A. Ransom, Justin L. Holland, Erik Lund, Joseph F. Warren
  • Publication number: 20170137774
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for separating beads and cells from a host fluid. The method includes flowing a mixture containing the host fluid, the beads, and the cells through an acoustophoretic device having an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric material driven by a drive signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A drive signal is sent to drive the at least one ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave. A recirculating fluid stream having a tangential flow path is located substantially tangential to the standing wave and separated therefrom by an interface region. A portion of the cells pass through the standing wave, and the beads are held back from the standing wave in the recirculating fluid stream at the interface region. Also disclosed is an acoustophoretic device having a coolant inlet adapted to permit the ingress of a cooling fluid into the device for cooling the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Rudolf Gilmanshin, Louis Masi, Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, Erik Miller, Walter M. Presz, JR., Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9616630
    Abstract: Methods of making a golf ball that includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties, includes various injection and compression molding steps. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. In other embodiments, a grid for the lattice layer is formed first, then filled using an injection molding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Publication number: 20170088809
    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: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Jeffrey King, Jason Barnes, Brian McCarthy, Dane Mealey, Erik Miller, Walter M. Presz, JR., Benjamin Ross-Johnsrud, John Rozembersky
  • Publication number: 20170081629
    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: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Barnes, Dane Mealey, Walter M. Presz, JR., Stanley Kowalski, III, Louis Masi, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Brian McCarthy, Ben Ross-Johnsrud
  • Publication number: 20170044517
    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: October 4, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Walter M. Presz, JR., Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9566474
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Yontz, Bradley C. Tutmark, Yasushi Ichikawa, Hideyuki Ishii, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9567449
    Abstract: A dispersion of a processing aid in oil is disclosed. Further, a method of forming the dispersion in accordance with methods for preparing rubber compositions is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Seisuke Tomita, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Patent number: 9567559
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: FLODESIGN SONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, III, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Jason Dionne, Brian Dutra, Ari Mercado, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Arthur Martin
  • Publication number: 20170029802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating a first biomaterial from a second biomaterial can use functionalized material retained in a liquid-filled chamber at locales within an acoustic standing wave field. A culture suspension containing the first biomaterial and the second biomaterial flows into the liquid-filled chamber and at least portions of the first biomaterial with features complementary to the functionalized material becomes bound to the functionalized material while other portions of the culture suspension containing the second material pass through the chamber. The portion of the first biomaterial bound to the functionalized material is subsequently released from the liquid filled chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Rudolf Gilmanshin, Walter M. Presz, Louis Masi, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Publication number: 20170008029
    Abstract: An acoustophoretic device is disclosed. The acoustophoretic device includes an acoustic chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer includes a piezoelectric material driven by a voltage signal to create a multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber emanating from a non-planar face of the piezoelectric material. A method for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid is also disclosed. The method includes flowing the mixture through an acoustophoretic device. A voltage signal is sent to drive the ultrasonic transducer to create the multi-dimensional acoustic standing wave in the acoustic chamber such that the second fluid or particulate is continuously trapped in the standing wave, and then agglomerates, aggregates, clumps, or coalesces together, and subsequently rises or settles out of the host fluid due to buoyancy or gravity forces, and exits the acoustic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M Presz, JR., Kedar Chitale, Thomas J Kennedy, III, Rudolf Gilmanshin, Dane Mealey, Brian Dutra, David Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 9526950
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Publication number: 20160369236
    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. The nutrient fluid stream dislodges some cells from the cell culture, which can then be recovered for cell therapy applications. The cell culture continues to expand and reproduce, permitting continuous recovery of cells from the bioreactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Bart Lipkens, Louis Masi, Stanley Kowalski, Chris Leidel