Patents by Inventor Derek Thompson

Derek Thompson 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: 12222635
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing a portable and convenient way of projecting and displaying content originating from a mobile device, tablet device, display device, or screen. A method may include connecting a first side panel to a first side edge of a front panel. A second side panel may be connected to a second side edge of the front panel. A rear panel may be connected to a first side edge of the first side panel, a first side edge of the second side panel, and a top edge of the front panel. The rear panel may be disposed at an angle of less than 90 degrees with respective to a horizontal plane of the rear panel. The front panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel may include a translucent, transparent, or semi-transparent material configured to diffuse light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Inventors: Laura Sierra Rider-Hill, Derek Thompson Spychalla
  • Patent number: 12195205
    Abstract: An electrothermal plasma production device is presented. The plasma production device includes: a plasma production chamber; an RF antenna external to the plasma production chamber; a propellant tank and flow regulator external to the plasma production chamber and in communication with the plasma production chamber; and a plenum disposed between the propellant tank and the plasma production chamber. The RF antenna, in combination with an AC power source, is configured to provide an RF energy to an interior region of the plasma production chamber and to an interior region of the plenum with sufficient power to ionize at least some of the propellant in the plenum. The plasma production chamber is configured to include a propellant injector for receiving propellant at a first closed end of the plasma production chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: PHASE FOUR, INC.
    Inventors: David Tsai, Derek Thompson, Mohammed Umair Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 12196158
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a multimode propulsion system (MMPS) are presented. The MMPS includes a chemical thruster, an electric thruster, and a shared propellant tank. The MMPS further includes a propellant decomposition chamber that transforms, via a catalytic and/or electrolytic process, the propellant from the tank into vapor form for use as gas propellant by the electric thruster. The electric thruster can be configured for targeted ionization of one or more constituent species present in the vapor form of the propellant. Flow activation/control from the tank to the chemical and electric thrusters is provided by a fluidic feed system. The branches include a check valve and a pressure regulator in series connection. A normally closed squib valve prevents propellant flows/leaks from the tank to either the chemical or the electric thrusters when the MMPS is not in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: PHASE FOUR, INC.
    Inventors: Jesse Sidhu, Mohammed Umair Siddiqui, Derek Thompson, Jason Jackson Wallace
  • Publication number: 20240401337
    Abstract: Example apparatuses and methods are directed to an apparatus for clearing a downspout connected to a gutter, methods of making the same, and methods of clearing a downspout. An example apparatus may include a base configured to be attached to an extension pole, and a hook secured to the base. The hook comprises a first projection, a second projection, and an intermediate curved portion joining the first and second projections. The second projection extends to an end knob and may be configured to be extended downward through a gutter to position the end knob within a downspout extending below the gutter while the base is positioned below an upper edge of the gutter adjacent the downspout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventor: Derek Thompson
  • Publication number: 20240263599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a multimode propulsion system (MMPS) are presented. The MMPS includes a chemical thruster, an electric thruster, and a shared propellant tank. The MMPS further includes a propellant decomposition chamber that transforms, via a catalytic and/or electrolytic process, the propellant from the tank into vapor form for use as gas propellant by the electric thruster. The electric thruster can be configured for targeted ionization of one or more constituent species present in the vapor form of the propellant. Flow activation/control from the tank to the chemical and electric thrusters is provided by a fluidic feed system. The branches include a check valve and a pressure regulator in series connection. A normally closed squib valve prevents propellant flows/leaks from the tank to either the chemical or the electric thrusters when the MMPS is not in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Jesse SIDHU, Mohammed Umair SIDDIQUI, Derek THOMPSON, Jason Jackson WALLACE
  • Publication number: 20220281620
    Abstract: An electrothermal plasma production device is presented. The plasma production device includes: a plasma production chamber; an RF antenna external to the plasma production chamber; a propellant tank and flow regulator external to the plasma production chamber and in communication with the plasma production chamber; and a plenum disposed between the propellant tank and the plasma production chamber. The RF antenna, in combination with an AC power source, is configured to provide an RF energy to an interior region of the plasma production chamber and to an interior region of the plenum with sufficient power to ionize at least some of the propellant in the plenum. The plasma production chamber is configured to include a propellant injector for receiving propellant at a first closed end of the plasma production chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: David TSAI, Derek THOMPSON, Mohammed Umair SIDDIQUI
  • Patent number: 5503367
    Abstract: An exhaust gas obturator comprises a tubular housing (11a) having a butterfly valve (14a,15) journalled in the wall thereof. The butterfly valve spindle (14a) passes through a chamber (24,25) on one side of the housing and carries a sealing ring (26) thereon and located in the chamber (24,25). The sealing ring (26) is a close sliding fit on the butterfly valve spindle (14a) when the obturator is closed, exhaust gas pressure on the upstream side enters the chamber (24,25) and urges the seal (26) against a cover plate (23a) thereby to prevent the escape of exhaust gas to atmosphere. The chamber (24,25) is preferably vented to the downstream side. The seal may alternatively be biased by resilient means (not shown).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: WABCO Automotive U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Derek Thompson, Magnus E. Flett
  • Patent number: 5394901
    Abstract: An exhaust gas pressure modulation valve for a diesel engine vehicle combines the functions of an exhaust brake and a warm-up valve and has a single butterfly valve (12) to close the exhaust passage. The butterfly is reactive and opens automatically at a predetermined back pressure to prevent engine damage. The butterfly includes a small bypass passage or aperture (29) to permit a low throughput of exhaust gas when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Wabco Automotive (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Derek Thompson, Robert G. Baines
  • Patent number: 5372109
    Abstract: An exhaust modulator in or to be fitted in the exhaust system of an engine, having a body defining a flowpath therethrough for engine exhaust gases, a gate in the exhaust flowpath movable between an open and a closed position, one or more bleed flowpaths communicating between opposite sides of the gate, and a flow control mechanism. The mechanism is responsive to one or more operating parameters to control the flow of exhaust gases along the one or more bleed flowpaths so as to limit the back pressure applied to the engine to different predetermined levels as required for operation of the modulator in selected modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: WABCO Automotive (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Derek Thompson, Robert G. Baines
  • Patent number: 4754997
    Abstract: In a glider door for use in a bus or streetcar with a step within the door, one lower corner of the door panel is cut away so as to clear the step when the door is open, and a subsidiary panel of a size to close the door panel is carried by a lower swing link supporting the door panel so as to close the cut away portion when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Stone International PLC
    Inventor: Derek Thompson-Ashworth