Patents by Inventor Thomas Miskell

Thomas Miskell 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: 9453755
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately measuring fluid level in a vessel is provided. Generally, the system contains an elongated portion being a coaxial tube having a hollow center, an arm being coaxial in shape, and a sensor containing a transmitter capable of creating and transmitting an excitation electromagnetic pulse for traversing the elongated portion and the arm, and a receiver for receiving reflected pulses, wherein a proximate end of the elongated portion joins a distal end of the arm in a manner to create a waveguide for an electromagnetic pulse provided by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Meggitt (Orange County), Inc.
    Inventors: Ronie Lavon, Carlos Eduardo Carvalho, Thomas Miskell, Vincent Rizzo, Kevin John Petriel
  • Patent number: 8746045
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for using time domain reflectometry to determine the identity of a fluid in a vessel, and to determine whether the quality of a fluid in a vessel is within acceptable parameters. Methods include identifying a fluid by comparing a derived characteristic of a fluid to a reference characteristic, determining the quality of a fluid by determining if a derived characteristic is within an acceptable quality range, monitoring a fluid for a dynamic change in quality or state, and identifying a fluid by comparing a transition reflection waveform to a reference signature transition. The methods are implemented in systems for identifying a fluid layer in a vessel, such as fuel, free liquid water or ice, detecting misfueling or fuel contamination, and detecting fluid state changes, such as the formation of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Meggitt (Orange County), Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Carvalho, John L. Sinnamon, Thomas Miskell, Vincent J. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20140152322
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for using time domain reflectometry to determine the identity of a fluid in a vessel. The method includes transmitting an interrogation pulse into a vessel containing a fluid, receiving a reflection of the interrogation pulse off of a transition boundary, characterizing the properties of the reflection, where the properties include polarity, slope, phase, and amplitude, and comparing the properties of the reflection to a reference boundary transition signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Meggitt (Orange County), lnc.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Carvalho, Thomas Miskell
  • Patent number: 8393208
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a level of a liquid is provided. Generally, the apparatus contains a first coaxial cable section including a first center conductor, a first outer conductor and a solid dielectric between the first center conductor and first outer conductor. The apparatus also contains a second coaxial cable section including a second center conductor, a second outer conductor and an air dielectric between the second center conductor and second outer conductor. Further, a coupling is provided between the first and second coaxial cable sections, wherein the second coaxial cable section is disposed in a liquid for determining a level of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Meggitt (New Hampshire), Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miskell, George Ki
  • Publication number: 20110282599
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately measuring fluid level in a vessel is provided. Generally, the system contains an elongated portion being a coaxial tube having a hollow center, an arm being coaxial in shape, and a sensor containing a transmitter capable of creating and transmitting an excitation electromagnetic pulse for traversing the elongated portion and the arm, and a receiver for receiving reflected pulses, wherein a proximate end of the elongated portion joins a distal end of the arm in a manner to create a waveguide for an electromagnetic pulse provided by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: Meggitt (New Hampshire), Inc.
    Inventors: Ronie Lavon, Carlos Carvalho, Thomas Miskell, Vincent Rizzo, Kevin John Petriel
  • Publication number: 20110246100
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for using time domain reflectometry to determine the identity of a fluid in a vessel, and to determine whether the quality of a fluid in a vessel is within acceptable parameters. Methods include identifying a fluid by comparing a derived characteristic of a fluid to a reference characteristic, determining the quality of a fluid by determining if a derived characteristic is within an acceptable quality range, monitoring a fluid for a dynamic change in quality or state, and identifying a fluid by comparing a transition reflection waveform to a reference signature transition. The methods are implemented in systems for identifying a fluid layer in a vessel, such as fuel, free liquid water or ice, detecting misfueling or fuel contamination, and detecting fluid state changes, such as the formation of ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Vibro-Meter Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos E. Carvalho, John L. Sinnamon, Thomas Miskell, Vincent J. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20110209543
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a level of a liquid is provided. Generally, the apparatus contains a first coaxial cable section including a first center conductor, a first outer conductor and a solid dielectric between the first center conductor and first outer conductor. The apparatus also contains a second coaxial cable section including a second center conductor, a second outer conductor and an air dielectric between the second center conductor and second outer conductor. Further, a coupling is provided between the first and second coaxial cable sections, wherein the second coaxial cable section is disposed in a liquid for determining a level of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: VIBRO-METER, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Miskell, George Ki
  • Patent number: 7650785
    Abstract: A liquid characterization and level sensor with a coaxial probe attached to a closed loop servo circuitry combined with a DSP and novel algorithms to scan, lock and track signals to ascertain the level and purity of fluid in a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Vibro-Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Miskell, Vincent J. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20090235737
    Abstract: A system and method for accurately measuring fluid level in a vessel is provided. Generally, the system contains an elongated portion being a coaxial tube having a hollow center, an arm being coaxial in shape, and a sensor containing a transmitter capable of creating and transmitting an excitation electromagnetic pulse for traversing the elongated portion and the arm, and a receiver for receiving reflected pulses, wherein a proximate end of the elongated portion joins a distal end of the arm in a manner to create a waveguide for an electromagnetic pulse provided by the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Vibro-Meter Inc.
    Inventors: Ronie Lavon, Carlos Eduardo Carvalho, Thomas Miskell, Vincent Rizzo, Kevin John Petriel
  • Patent number: 5354592
    Abstract: An edge treatment for solid surfacing is provided which is attachable to a cantilevered margin (60) of the solid surfacing (50). The edge treatment may have a curved contour on a top (12) for finishing the cantilevered margin (60) of the solid surfacing (50). Angles in the cantilevered margin (60) are covered with corner edge treatments (10) having an inner cylindrical surface (16) and an outer cylindrical surface (18). A groove (20) is carved into the corner edge treatment (10) on a side thereof adjacent the cantilevered margin (60). The cantilevered margin (60) is provided with a tongue (62) having a complemental cross-section to that of the groove (20). The corner edge treatment (10) connects to the tongue (62) of the cantilevered margin (60) with adhesive interposed therebetween to form a secure and easily assembled edge for the solid surfacing (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas Miskell