Patents by Inventor Thomas Sawyers

Thomas Sawyers 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: 12074404
    Abstract: An RF connector that has a main body, a clamp, and a cap. The connector has an internal torque limiting mechanism that enables the connector to be installed in the field such that the connector is correctly positioned at the axial stop point of the RF cable during insertion. This is enabled by an internal preloaded cap/seal interface that requires a predetermined breakaway torque to cause the cap to rotate relative to the clamp. The breakaway torque is less than a torque that would be required to over-install the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, Jr., Jeremy Charles Benn
  • Publication number: 20240247809
    Abstract: An electric grill includes a firebox divided into a plurality of zones. Each zones has an electric heating element, and a temperature probe. A controller having operative control to detect temperatures using the temperature probes adjusts power to the electric heating element for each of the plurality of zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: JAMES D. KRING, RAMIN KHOSRAVI RAHMANI, Seth Sawyer, Thomas Kessler
  • Patent number: 11695237
    Abstract: A connector comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor basket and an annular abutment/alignment guide disposed therebetween. The inner conductor socket transmits RF signals from one connector portion to another connector portion across a mating interface. The outer conductor basket comprises a plurality of axially projecting fingers operative to electrically ground the connector. The annular abutment comprises an outwardly facing abutment surface and an alignment guide disposed integrally with the annular abutment. The alignment guide has a flanged end portion projecting: (i) radially outboard from an upper or forward end of the annular abutment and (ii) over the tip ends of each axially projecting basket finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, Jr., Jeremy Charles Benn, Nic Olivares
  • Patent number: 11659845
    Abstract: A method of packaging a fresh meat product in a low oxygen environment is provided. The method comprises applying a natural plant component to a surface of the fresh meat product and sealing the fresh meat product in a package that contains a low oxygen environment. The natural plant component includes a sufficient amount of nitrites to convert myoglobin in the fresh meat product to nitrosomyoglobin and thereby improve the color of the fresh meat product. A meat color improvement solution and a pre-packaged food product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Ty Baublits, Jason Thomas Sawyer
  • Patent number: 11404833
    Abstract: An RF Connector and grounding device therefor comprises a driver, a contact ring and a spring clamp having a split ring washer disposed therebetween. The split ring washer interposes the driver on one side of the washer and the contact ring on the other side thereof and defines an aperture for receiving a prepared end of a coaxial cable. The washer is connected to one side of an annular ring while a shouldered flange is disposed on the opposing side of the ring. Upon delivering a compressive clamping force to a compression cap, the split ring washer is captured between adjacent peaks or corrugations of the outer conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, Jr., Colter P. Mahlum, Brandon M. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20220140521
    Abstract: An RF connector having an integral weather protection system for protecting the connector from water, ice, salt, debris and other foreign damage. The connector comprises a Weather Protection (WP) assembly circumscribing a connector body, which, in turn, sealably mounts to a coaxial cable. The WP assembly comprises a housing, a compliant sealing ring and a biasing element. The WP housing sealably mounts over an end of the connector body and defines an aperture at an opposite end thereof to receive the coaxial cable and facilitate axial translation of the housing relative to the connector body. The compliant sealing ring has an inwardly facing sealing surface which defines a diameter dimension. And, the biasing element is reconfigurable from an expanded to a collapsed state in response to axial displacement of the housing relative to the connector body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, JR., Brandon M. Stevens, Jeremy Charles Benn, Christopher P. Natoli, Jeffrey P. Dennis
  • Publication number: 20220131285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a RF connector that has a main body, a clamp, and a cap. The connector has an internal torque limiting mechanism that enables the connector to be installed in the field such that the connector is correctly positioned at the axial stop point of the RF cable during insertion. This is enabled by an internal preloaded cap/seal interface that requires a predetermined breakaway torque to cause the cap to rotate relative to the clamp. The breakaway torque is less than a torque that would be required to over-install the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, JR., Jeremy Charles Benn
  • Publication number: 20210249829
    Abstract: An RF Connector and grounding device therefor comprises a driver, a contact ring and a spring clamp having a split ring washer disposed therebetween. The split ring washer interposes the driver on one side of the washer and the contact ring on the other side thereof and defines an aperture for receiving a prepared end of a coaxial cable. The washer is connected to one side of an annular ring while a shouldered flange is disposed on the opposing side of the ring. Upon delivering a compressive clamping force to a compression cap, the split ring washer is captured between adjacent peaks or corrugations of the outer conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, JR., Colter P. Mahlum, Brandon M. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20210119381
    Abstract: A connector comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor basket and an annular abutment/alignment guide disposed therebetween. The inner conductor socket transmits RF signals from one connector portion to another connector portion across a mating interface. The outer conductor basket comprises a plurality of axially projecting fingers operative to electrically ground the connector. The annular abutment comprises an outwardly facing abutment surface and an alignment guide disposed integrally with the annular abutment. The alignment guide has a flanged end portion projecting: (i) radially outboard from an upper or forward end of the annular abutment and (ii) over the tip ends of each axially projecting basket finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventors: THOMAS Sawyer Urtz, Jeremy Charles Benn, Nic Olivares
  • Patent number: 10950972
    Abstract: A cable connector cover includes a unitary body configured to receive a connector mounted to a coaxial cable and comprises an interface portion, an intermediate portion and a cable relief portion. The interface portion has a forward inner surface defining a forward space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of an interface component. The interface portion comprises a first resilient material having a first characteristic softness. The intermediate portion has an intermediate inner surface defining an intermediate space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of a connector body. The intermediate space is smaller than the forward space. The cable relief portion has a rearward inner surface defining a rearward space configured to receive and engage the cable portion. The cable relief portion has a second characteristic softness which is stiffer than the first characteristic softness of the interface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon M. Stevens, Thomas Sawyer Urtz, Jr., Jeremy Charles Benn
  • Patent number: 10637186
    Abstract: A connector for mechanically and electrically coupler a coaxial cable to a port which minimizes the component parts to enhance reliability and reduce cost without sacrificing performance. The connector includes a sleeve operative to engage the outer conductor of the coaxial cable while a coupler is configured to effect relative displacement of the coaxial cable and interface port. The sleeve and coupler each include aligned bores for receiving the coaxial cable which presents a center conductor pin and a collapsible outer conductor toward the interface port. As the coaxial cable is axially displaced toward the port, the center conductor pin engages a socket of the port while an annular compression surface of the port simultaneously engages an annular outer conductor edge of the port, collapsing the outer conductor against the port to enhance electrical conductivity and RF performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190305475
    Abstract: A cable connector cover includes a unitary body configured to receive a connector mounted to a coaxial cable and comprises an interface portion, an intermediate portion and a cable relief portion. The interface portion has a forward inner surface defining a forward space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of an interface component. The interface portion comprises a first resilient material having a first characteristic softness. The intermediate portion has an intermediate inner surface defining an intermediate space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of a connector body. The intermediate space is smaller than the forward space. The cable relief portion has a rearward inner surface defining a rearward space configured to receive and engage the cable portion. The rearward space is smaller than the intermediate space. The cable relief portion has a second characteristic softness which is stiffer than the first characteristic softness of the interface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon M. Stevens, Thomas Sawyer Urtz, JR., Jeremy Charles Benn
  • Patent number: 10234918
    Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of disconnecting a battery from a system, includes detecting that a reset button has been depressed for a preset time period. In response to the detecting, communication lines can be broken between an embedded controller and a system battery, and a command can be sent to the system battery to disconnect itself from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Qijun Chen, Thomas Sawyers, Raghotham Nathadi
  • Patent number: 10110039
    Abstract: A system according to examples of the present disclosure includes a battery charger electrically coupled to a battery and a battery charging circuit. The battery charging circuit includes an operational amplifier having a negative input to receive a pre-bias voltage, a positive input, an output, and a voltage offset. The battery charging circuit also includes a charge controller having an analog-to-digital converter to receive a voltage output from the output of the operational amplifier and a voltage supply to supply a voltage input into the positive input of the operation amplifier to cancel the voltage offset of the operational amplifier. In the example, the voltage output of the charge controller is a function of the voltage input of the charge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyers, Jon G Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20180102662
    Abstract: A system according to examples of the present disclosure includes a battery charger electrically coupled to a battery and a battery charging circuit. The battery charging circuit includes an operational amplifier having a negative input to receive a pre-bias voltage, a positive input, an output, and a voltage offset. The battery charging circuit also includes a charge controller having an analog-to-digital converter to receive a voltage output from the output of the operational amplifier and a voltage supply to supply a voltage input into the positive input of the operation amplifier to cancel the voltage offset of the operational amplifier. In the example, the voltage output of the charge controller is a function of the voltage input of the charge controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: THOMAS SAWYERS, JON G. LLOYD
  • Patent number: 9910450
    Abstract: An example provides an apparatus for determining an attribute of an adapter based on a ratio of voltage divider outputs. The apparatus may include a first analog-to-digital converter to provide a first digital signal corresponding to a first output voltage of a first voltage divider connected between a power node and a ground node, the first voltage divider formed, at least in part, when the apparatus is operatively coupled to the adapter. The apparatus may include a second analog-to-digital converter to provide a second digital signal corresponding to a second output voltage of a second voltage divider connected between the power node and the ground node. The attribute of the adapter may be determined based on a ratio of the output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Sawyers, Jon G Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20180006420
    Abstract: A connector for mechanically and electrically coupler a coaxial cable to a port which minimizes the component parts to enhance reliability and reduce cost without sacrificing performance. The connector includes a sleeve operative to engage the outer conductor of the coaxial cable while a coupler is configured to effect relative displacement of the coaxial cable and interface port. The sleeve and coupler each include aligned bores for receiving the coaxial cable which presents a center conductor pin and a collapsible outer conductor toward the interface port. As the coaxial cable is axially displaced toward the port, the center conductor pin engages a socket of the port while an annular compression surface of the port simultaneously engages an annular outer conductor edge of the port, collapsing the outer conductor against the port to enhance electrical conductivity and RF performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Sawyer Urtz, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170269659
    Abstract: In an example implementation, a method of disconnecting a battery from a system, includes detecting that a reset button has been depressed for a preset time period. In response to the detecting, communication lines can be broken between an embedded controller and a system battery, and a command can be sent to the system battery to disconnect itself from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: QIJUN CHEN, THOMAS SAWYERS, RAGHOTHAM NATHADI
  • Patent number: 9500120
    Abstract: An integration ring is configured to interconnect two components, such as an exhaust manifold and a turbine housing. The integration ring may include an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart from one another. A spacer may be positioned between the inner wall and outer wall. A first and second pocket may be formed between the inner and outer walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Flexible Metal, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Blackie, Ross Thomas Sawyers, Michael Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20160161568
    Abstract: Examples disclose a power system comprising a powered circuit to measure a voltage from an adjust pin associated with a power adapter. The voltage indicates a unique attribute of the power adapter. The power system also comprises a controller to identify the unique attribute of the power adapter based on the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: THOMAS SAWYERS