Patents by Inventor Dale J. Thomforde

Dale J. Thomforde 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: 9815697
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: GrandNano, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Publication number: 20150020954
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 8845941
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GrandNano, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Publication number: 20140041791
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GrandNano, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 8551376
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: GrandNano, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Publication number: 20120205834
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 8162643
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Publication number: 20100244307
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 7744793
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander B. Lemaire, Charles A. Lemaire, Leif T. Stordal, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 7079528
    Abstract: In a method of communicating a plurality of parallel data packets from a first data parallel bus to a second parallel data bus, each of the plurality of parallel data packets is separated into a first portion and a second portion. Each first portion is converted into a first serial data stream and each second portion is converted into a second serial data stream. The first serial data stream is transmitted over a first serial data channel and the second serial data stream is transmitted over a second serial data channel. The first serial data stream is converted into a plurality of first received portions and the second serial data stream is converted into a plurality of second received portions. Selected first received portions are combined with corresponding selected second received portions so as to regenerate the plurality of parallel data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ziegler, Mark J. Hickey, Jack C. Randolph, Susan M. Cox, Dale J. Thomforde, Robert N. Newshutz
  • Patent number: 7065101
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling transmission of parallel data from a first parallel bus to a second parallel bus via a serial data channel includes a first logic element that generates a synchronization character used in a serial data transmission protocol upon detection of a parallel synchronization packet. A serializer converts data from the first logic element into a serial data stream. A de-serializer converts the serial data stream into a plurality of parallel data packets. A second logic element detects the synchronization character and converts the synchronization character into a parallel synchronization packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ziegler, Mark J. Hickey, Jack C. Randolph, Susan M. Cox, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Publication number: 20030112798
    Abstract: In a method of communicating a plurality of parallel data packets from a first data parallel bus to a second parallel data bus, each of the plurality of parallel data packets is separated into a first portion and a second portion. Each first portion is converted into a first serial data stream and each second portion is converted into a second serial data stream. The first serial data stream is transmitted over a first serial data channel and the second serial data stream is transmitted over a second serial data channel. The first serial data stream is converted into a plurality of first received portions and the second serial data stream is converted into a plurality of second received portions. Selected first received portions are combined with corresponding selected second received portions so as to regenerate the plurality of parallel data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ziegler, Mark J. Hickey, Jack C. Randolph, Susan M. Cox, Dale J. Thomforde, Robert N. Newshutz
  • Publication number: 20030091039
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling transmission of parallel data from a first parallel bus to a second parallel bus via a serial data channel includes a first logic element that generates a synchronization character used in a serial data transmission protocol upon detection of a parallel synchronization packet. A serializer converts data from the first logic element into a serial data stream. A de-serializer converts the serial data stream into a plurality of parallel data packets. A second logic element detects the synchronization character and converts the synchronization character into a parallel synchronization packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Frederick J. Ziegler, Mark J. Hickey, Jack C. Randolph, Susan M. Cox, Dale J. Thomforde
  • Patent number: 4896259
    Abstract: A data reading and modifying device of a computer system has a main storage for storing first data, portions of which are to be modified by various modifying data. The access speed of the main storage is slower than the speed at which the modifying data is accessed. A controller initiates fetches of first data from the main store and selects the modifying data. A register is coupled to the main storage for receiving and storing first data as it is provided from the main storage. Portions of the register are reserved for modifying data which is preferably inserted into the register before receipt of the first data as controlled by the controller. The first data received from the main storage is inserted into remaining portions of the register and insertion of, first data into portions reserved for modifying data is inhibited, such that modified data is available without a write back to the main storage location of the data to be modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Jacobs, David O. Lewis, Dale J. Thomforde