Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Brown
Thomas M. Brown 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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Patent number: 11992004Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The nozzle comprises a nozzle housing and an insert assembly contained within the nozzle housing. When coupled, a top casing including a fluid inlet and a bottom casing including at least one fluid outlet form the nozzle housing. The insert assembly comprises at least one nozzle insert to fluidically couple the fluid inlet and the fluid outlets such that fluid entering from the fluid inlet exits the nozzle housing through the fluid outlets.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Thomas Welch Brown, Eric M. Gawehn
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Patent number: 11991947Abstract: A treatment system for spraying treatment fluid onto plants in a field is described. The treatment system includes a highly configurable treatment mechanism including an array of nozzles and valve assemblies coupled into manifolds, and manifold assemblies. The manifolds of the manifold assemblies can be oriented in an open state or a nested state, the open state with no overlap between nozzles of adjacent manifolds and the nested state with overlap between nozzles of adjacent manifolds. The manifolds can have multiple configurations, examples of which include a tube manifold and an offset manifold. The nozzles of the system can have multiple configurations, examples of which include a tri-spray nozzle, a bar nozzle, a fan nozzle, and a deflected fan nozzle. The system can be controlled by a system controller which detects plant material and instructs a nozzle or combination of nozzles to spray treatment fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2023Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventors: Thomas W. Brown, Eric M. Gawehn, Kent Anderson
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Patent number: 11992936Abstract: A surgical system uses a single entry port in a wide variety of surgeries. To insert multiple surgical instruments into a patient through a single entry port requires that the shaft of at least one of the surgical instruments be bent between the base of the surgical instrument and the point where the shaft contacts a channel in an entry guide. Each surgical instrument is positioned by an instrument manipulator positioning system so that when the shaft is inserted in a channel of the entry guide, any bending of the shaft does not damage the surgical instrument and does not inhibit proper operation of the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: Anthony K. McGrogan, Thomas G. Cooper, David Q. Larkin, Kent M. Anderson, Jeffrey D. Brown, Paul E. Lilagan, Michael Ikeda
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Publication number: 20240081457Abstract: Various embodiments of a voltage detection device and of related safety systems are provided. In various embodiments, the voltage detection device is configured to couple to safety headwear, such as via the one or more housing(s) of the voltage detection device coupling directly to the safety headwear or the voltage detection device coupling to an adaptor mounted to the hard hat.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Ruslan Budnik, Jesse J. Brown, Todd Andrew Zeilinger, Samuel L. Lombardi, Thomas S. Whitburn, Scott Michael Cline, Claire A. Sigworth, Bryce M. Lee, Brandon L. Feil
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Patent number: 8986793Abstract: A method of producing a metal element of an electronic device on a substrate, including the steps of: forming a mixture of a material comprising metal atoms with a liquid, depositing the material from the liquid mixture onto a substrate, and then irradiating at least part of the deposited material with light to increase the electrical conductivity of the deposited material.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Paul Cain, Anoop Menon, Henning Sirringhaus, James D. Watts, Tim Von Werne, Thomas M. Brown
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Patent number: 8969852Abstract: An electronic device including at least first and second transistors integrated together on a substrate and each including an organic semiconductor region, wherein the first and second transistors are either both n-type or both p-type but wherein one of the first and second transistors is a normally-ON transistor and the other of the first and second transistors is a normally-OFF transistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Paul A. Cain, Henning Sirringhaus, Nicholas J. Stone, Thomas M. Brown
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Patent number: 8546723Abstract: A method for generating via-hole interconnections by laser ablation, wherein the layers to be removed and ablated from the substrate are essentially transparent to the laser radiation, but the laser light is absorbed in an underlying absorbing layer with a sufficiently high optical density at the laser wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Thomas M. Brown, Carl Hayton
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Patent number: 8349673Abstract: A method of producing a plurality of transistors each including a source/drain electrode pair comprising a conductor material and a channel comprising semiconductor material between the source and drain electrodes of said source/drain electrode pair; the method comprising (i) forming over a substrate at least a first layer of said conductor material or a precursor thereto and a second layer of said semiconductor material or a precursor thereto; and (ii) thereafter removing selected portions of at least said first and second layers so as to define at least two adjacent source/drain electrode pairs that are unconnected to each other within said first and second layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Paul A. Cain, Carl Hayton, Anoop Menon, Thomas M. Brown
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Publication number: 20080194056Abstract: A method of producing a plurality of transistors each including a source/drain electrode pair comprising a conductor material and a channel comprising semiconductor material between the source and drain electrodes of said source/drain electrode pair; the method comprising (i) forming over a substrate at least a first layer of said conductor material or a precursor thereto and a second layer of said semiconductor material or a precursor thereto; and (ii) thereafter removing selected portions of at least said first and second layers so as to define at least two adjacent source/drain electrode pairs that are unconnected to each other within said first and second layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2006Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Paul A. Cain, Carl Hayton, Anoop Menon, Thomas M. Brown
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Patent number: 7137502Abstract: A mail tray singulator for controlling the handling, movement and sensing of mail trays or other mail items into a single file arrangement on a conveyor system for downstream processing. The mail tray singulator includes conveyor modules configured at preferably right angles with respect to one another. The modules are configured so that they can be readily adapted to preexisting conveyor systems with minimal reconfiguration. The system may use differing speed, height and belt friction conveyor belts between adjacent modules to achieve separation and enhance the effect of the right angle configuration between adjacent conveyor modules. Guard rails and side rail rollers may also be employed. Photoeyes, in conjunction with a programmable logic controller, allow the conveyors to be started/stopped based on pre-programmed scenarios.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Carey, Thomas M. Brown, Dale J. Larson
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Patent number: 7114608Abstract: A directional transition module for moving an article translating on a primary roller conveyor extending along a first axis to a secondary conveyor for translation along a second axis angularly disposed with respect to the first axis includes at least one flexible drive member supported by a chassis for cycling through a predetermined driver cycle having an upper cycle portion and a lower cycle portion. The upper cycle portion is such that, when the directional transition module is installed for use in conjunction with the primary roller conveyor, the drive member cycles between first and second rollers of the primary roller conveyor. The drive member includes first and second segments wherein the first segment has a profile sufficiently low such that, when the first segment cycles through the upper cycle portion, it does not extend above a plane defined by the tops of the first and second rollers.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Brown, Richard T. Evans, Kenneth E. Gluck, Douglas G. Miller, Eugene Stradley
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Patent number: 7104395Abstract: A conveyor conveys objects. The conveyor includes a plurality of sections, a first control panel, and a second control panel. The plurality of sections define the structure of the conveyor. Each of the plurality of sections has components for controlling the mechanical operation of each section. The controller controls and powers the conveyor. The first control panel provides control and power to a first group of four of the plurality of sections. The first control panel provides power to the components of the first group. The second control panel provides control and power to a second group of four of the plurality of sections. The second control panel provides power to the components of the second group. The modular interconnectivity components interconnect the controller, the first control panel, the second control panel, the first group, and the second group. The controller provide control and power to the first control panel and the second control panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Brown, Anthony J. Desanto, Gary J. Locke
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Patent number: 6950299Abstract: An electronic device including first, second and third conductor layers respectively arranged as the source, drain and gate electrodes of a field effect transistor, the third conductor layer being capacitively coupled with both the first and second conductor layers but with the second conductor layer to a greater degree than with the first conductor layer, wherein the electronic device is operable as a non-linear capacitor by applying an alternating voltage across the third conductor layer and the first conductor layer whilst leaving the second conductor layer at a floating potential.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Plastic Logic LimitedInventors: Nicholas J. Stone, Paul A. Cain, Thomas M. Brown
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Publication number: 20040262130Abstract: An alternatively configurable roller conveyor module includes left and right frame members rotatably supporting rollers for rotation above roller axes extending along a roller plane. Each frame member includes upper and lower edges and includes roller-mounting apertures extending along a roller-plane axis situated between the upper and lower edges and corresponding to the intersection of the roller plane with the frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Thomas M. Brown, Richard T. Evans, Kenneth E. Gluck, Douglas G. Miller, Eugene Stradley
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Publication number: 20040223288Abstract: An electronic device including first, second and third conductor layers respectively arranged as the source, drain and gate electrodes of a field effect transistor, the third conductor layer being capacitively coupled with both the first and second conductor layers but with the second conductor layer to a greater degree than with the first conductor layer, wherein the electronic device is operable as a non-linear capacitor by applying an alternating voltage across the third conductor layer and the first conductor layer whilst leaving the second conductor layer at a floating potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Applicant: PLASTIC LOGIC LIMITEDInventors: Nicholas J. Stone, Paul A. Cain, Thomas M. Brown
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Publication number: 20040084284Abstract: A conveyor conveys objects. The conveyor includes a plurality of sections, a first control panel, and a second control panel. The plurality of sections define the structure of the conveyor. Each of the plurality of sections has components for controlling the mechanical operation of each section. The controller controls and powers the conveyor. The first control panel provides control and power to a first group of four of the plurality of sections. The first control panel provides power to the components of the first group. The second control panel provides control and power to a second group of four of the plurality of sections. The second control panel provides power to the components of the second group. The modular interconnectivity components interconnect the controller, the first control panel, the second control panel, the first group, and the second group. The controller provide control and power to the first control panel and the second control panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Thomas M. Brown, Anthony J. Desanto, Gary J. Locke
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Publication number: 20040024730Abstract: Inventory management of work-in-process (WIP) inventory within a processing facility is accomplished with a staged holding area in concert with control systems. Receiving of material into the staging area is tracked by scanning mechanisms such as Radio Frequency ID (RFID) or bar coding methods. Aggregation of material is recorded by cart sizing factors into the automatic control system. Carts are stored temporarily in locations arranged in a pre-determined grid fashion. The grid location information for a cart is made known to the automatic control system for reference or reporting to production supervisors. Down-stream processing can request staged inventory material from staging operators via overhead message boards or computer screens. Requests may be by particular types of material or by specific cart grid location. Manual entry or manual release of material is also accommodated including manual corrections of staged materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Thomas M. Brown, Richard T. Evans, Mary B. Wilcoxen
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Publication number: 20030219331Abstract: A control and method of use implemented by an unloading mechanism for unloading products from an intermediate container onto a conveyor for downstream processing. The controls tilt the mechanism, in embodiments, to a relative angle from a horizontal or supporting surface and proximate the conveyor. A gate is controlled to slidably mount between an open position and a closed position in order to allow product slide from the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Thomas M. Brown, Patrick J. Carey, Dale J. Larson
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Publication number: 20030209408Abstract: A mail tray singulator for controlling the handling, movement and sensing of mail trays or other mail items into a single file arrangement on a conveyor system for downstream processing. The mail tray singulator includes conveyor modules configured at preferably right angles with respect to one another. The modules are configured so that they can be readily adapted to preexisting conveyor systems with minimal reconfiguration. The system may use differing speed, height and belt friction conveyor belts between adjacent modules to achieve separation and enhance the effect of the right angle configuration between adjacent conveyor modules. Guard rails and side rail rollers may also be employed. Photoeyes, in conjunction with a programmable logic controller, allow the conveyors to be started/stopped based on pre-programmed scenarios.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Patrick J. Carey, Thomas M. Brown, Dale J. Larson
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Patent number: 6613688Abstract: A model-based approach for generating an etch pattern to decrease topographical uniformity involves placing reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) in a region of a semiconductor substrate (40, 60) according to the topography of the region and adjacent regions. The reverse dummy features are placed inconsistently over the semiconductor substrate (40, 60) because the need for reverse dummy features is inconsistent and varies from design to design. In one embodiment, the reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) having varying widths are placed with varying spacing between them and are placed in different regions. The determination of location, size and spacing of the reverse dummy features (50, 52, 70) is determined based upon the uniformity effect over the entire semiconductor die and may be used in conjunction with the placement of printed dummy features.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignees: Motorola, Inc., Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Brown, Edward O. Travis, Jeffrey C. Haines