Patents by Inventor Thomas Nixon

Thomas Nixon 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).

  • Publication number: 20240068427
    Abstract: Systems and methods capable for use in the development of high-speed, shape-transitioning, inward-turning inlets for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, and inlets formed thereby. The systems and methods preferably provide for designing high-speed inlets for air-breathing hypersonic vehicles, wherein unique solutions are defined in each osculating plane of the inlet. Such systems and methods optionally provide an optimization process for tuning the post throat-shock Mach number of the inlet, and/or designs a shock-capture surface using a parallel-streamlines methodology, and/or a double cowl-lip geometry to allow flow to spill overboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Mark Edward Noftz, Joseph Stephen Jewell, Andrew James Shuck, Jonathan Poggie, Andrew Nixon Bustard, Thomas James Juliano
  • Patent number: 11839626
    Abstract: Antimicrobial polymer coating formulations are prepared that protect biological surfaces by treating, reducing, ameliorating, preventing or inhibiting pathogenic microorganism ingress to a human or animal host, reducing the potential for infection, particularly by necrotizing fasciitis originating microorganisms, through use of a polymer coating barrier containing antimicrobial agents that facilitates sustained release of biocidal agents active against such opportunistic microorganisms. Such formulations are effective for inhibiting microbial ingress pertaining to soft tissue and skin tears, abrasions, punctures and surgical wounds, and can be used as in water environments and as a skin protectant sunscreen and insect repellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ROCHAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Charles Salamone, Katelyn Elizabeth Reilly, Ronald Thomas Nixon, Ann Beal Salamone, Kelly Xiaoyu-Chen Leung
  • Patent number: 11326474
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine shroud assembly with a carrier and a plurality of turbine shroud segments. Each turbine shroud segment includes a blade track segment and a mount assembly. The carrier is arranged to extend circumferentially at least partway around an axis. The blade track segment includes a shroud wall and a mount post that extends radially away from the shroud wall. The mount assembly is configured to couple the blade track segment with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Thomas Nixon, Jay Lane, Aaron D. Sippel, Robert F. Proctor
  • Publication number: 20210246081
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component is provided that includes: a CMC body in which an environmental protection layer is completely embedded within a CMC material of the CMC body, the environmental protection layer comprising a ceramic that has a higher impact and/or environmental resistance than the CMC material. Methods for manufacturing the CMC component are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: David J. Thomas, Thomas Nixon, Michael Whittle, Jeffrey Crutchfield
  • Publication number: 20210172339
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a turbine shroud assembly with a carrier and a plurality of turbine shroud segments. Each turbine shroud segment includes a blade track segment and a mount assembly. The carrier is arranged to extend circumferentially at least partway around an axis. The blade track segment includes a shroud wall and a mount post that extends radially away from the shroud wall. The mount assembly is configured to couple the blade track segment with the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Ted J. Freeman, Thomas Nixon, Jay Lane, Aaron D. Sippel, Robert F. Proctor
  • Patent number: 10820949
    Abstract: A slave manipulator manipulates a medical device in response to operator manipulation of an input device through joint control systems. The stiffness and strength of the slave manipulator are adjustable according to criteria such as the mode of operation of the slave manipulator, the functional type of the medical device currently being held by the slave manipulator, and the current phase of a medical procedure being performed using the slave manipulator by changing corresponding parameters of the control system. For safety purposes, such changes are not made until it is determined that it can be done in a smooth manner without causing jerking of the medical device. Further, an excessive force warning may be provided to surgery staff when excessive forces are being commanded on the slave manipulator for more than a specified period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Prisco, Hubert Stein, Paul Millman, David Bailey, William Nowlin, Michael Ikeda, Thomas Nixon
  • Publication number: 20170360825
    Abstract: Antimicrobial polymer coating formulations are prepared that protect biological surfaces by treating, reducing, ameliorating, preventing or inhibiting pathogenic microorganism ingress to a human or animal host, reducing the potential for infection, particularly by necrotizing fasciitis originating microorganisms, through use of a polymer coating barrier containing antimicrobial agents that facilitates sustained release of biocidal agents active against such opportunistic microorganisms. Such formulations are effective for inhibiting microbial ingress pertaining to soft tissue and skin tears, abrasions, punctures and surgical wounds, and can be used as in water environments and as a skin protectant sunscreen and insect repellent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ROCHAL INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Charles SALAMONE, Katelyn Elizabeth REILLY, Ronald Thomas NIXON, Ann Beal SALAMONE, Kelly Xiaoyu-Chen LEUNG
  • Publication number: 20160095876
    Abstract: Antimicrobial polymer coating formulations are prepared that protect biological surfaces by treating, reducing, ameliorating, preventing or inhibiting pathogenic microorganism ingress to a human or animal host, reducing the potential for infection, particularly by necrotizing fasciitis originating microorganisms, through use of an polymer coating barrier containing antimicrobial agents that facilitates sustained release of biocidal agents active against such opportunistic microorganisms. Such formulations are effective for inhibiting microbial ingress pertaining to soft tissue and skin tears, abrasions, punctures and surgical wounds, and can be used as in water environments and as a skin protectant sunscreen and insect repellent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Charles SALAMONE, Katelyn Elizabeth REILLY, Ronald Thomas NIXON, Ann Beal SALAMONE, Kelly Xiaoyu-Chen LEUNG
  • Publication number: 20120330613
    Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra Sillman, Gregory K. Toth, Thomas Nixon, Robert P. Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 8285517
    Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra Sillman, Gregory K. Toth, Thomas Nixon, Robert P Sundstrom
  • Publication number: 20110098861
    Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra Sillman, Gregory K. Toth, Thomas Nixon, Robert P. Sundstrom
  • Patent number: 7835823
    Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra Sillman, Gregory K. Toth, Robert P. Sunstrom, Thomas Nixon
  • Publication number: 20090062813
    Abstract: A slave manipulator manipulates a medical device in response to operator manipulation of an input device through joint control systems. The stiffness and strength of the slave manipulator are adjustable according to criteria such as the mode of operation of the slave manipulator, the functional type of the medical device currently being held by the slave manipulator, and the current phase of a medical procedure being performed using the slave manipulator by changing corresponding parameters of the control system. For safety purposes, such changes are not made until it is determined that it can be done in a smooth manner without causing jerking of the medical device. Further, an excessive force warning may be provided to surgery staff when excessive forces are being commanded on the slave manipulator for more than a specified period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical INC.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Prisco, Hubert Stein, Paul Millman, David Bailey, William Nowlin, Michael Ikeda, Gregory K. Toth, Thomas Nixon
  • Publication number: 20070156285
    Abstract: A medical robotic system comprises a number of components that may be monitored to determine their preventive maintenance needs by recording usage-related information for the monitored components into associated non-volatile memories. When usage of the component exceeds a specified usage threshold, the system displays a warning message on its display screen to have preventive maintenance performed for the component. If the usage continues without such maintenance and exceeds a higher usage threshold, the system displays an error message on its display screen and the system transitions into an error state during which medical procedures are not allowed to be performed. The usage-related information may also be communicated to a remote computer which gathers and processes usage-related information from a number of medical robotic systems to estimate resource requirements for timely performing preventive maintenance on the medical robotic systems, and anticipated service revenues from such maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Intuitive Surgical INC.
    Inventors: DEBRA SILLMAN, GREGORY K. TOTH, THOMAS NIXON, ROBERT P. SONSTROM