Patents by Inventor Donald E. Thompson

Donald E. 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: 7832330
    Abstract: A cooker to smoker adapter is provided, and in one embodiment the cooker to smoker adapter includes first and second walls constructed to cooperate with a wall of a cooker to provide a fuel containment zone for receipt of fuel to be used in a smoking process. In another embodiment, one of the walls includes at least one aperture to readily permit the addition of fuel to the fuel containment zone. In yet another embodiment, a second aperture is provided in one of the walls, this aperture being adapted to receive a reservoir for a liquid. In a further embodiment, a liquid holding reservoir is provided integral with one of the walls. In another embodiment, stand-alone structures are provided to define a fuel containment zone to permit the burning of fuel while avoiding direct radiant transmission of heat from the fuel containment zone to a food which is being smoked. In one embodiment, the stand-alone structure is adapted to receive a reservoir for water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6597970
    Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Rudy Steury, Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6576107
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid when the filter comprises a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned in a housing and having filter media disposed between the plates so that during the operation of the filters, fluid flows axially through the media between the electrode plates and into a central recovery zone and is discharged from the filter. A replaceable filter cartridge, a method for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter, a filtration system for removing both water and other contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter in combination with a water-removal filter and a system for maintaining a supply of filter dielectric fluid for a dielectric fluid user on a continuous basis are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6416270
    Abstract: A self-service kiosk having a walk-in enclosure, interactive selection panel, multi-section inventory storage area for dispensing items and accepting returns. User selections are entered via instructions entered at an interactive panel containing a selection menu of graphical icons and messages. A programmable controller monitors entered identification data and payments to control the dispensing and return of selected items from assigned storage locations via X-Y-Z track driven, transfer and end effect assemblies. Associated software manages payment transactions via a bill receiver, coin changer, credit card verifier, and receipt printer and develops associated administrative inventory status reports. One end effect includes a hook that interconnects to storage trays. The end effect extends and retracts the trays onto a support platform and conveys the trays and items back and forth from the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Compu Shop Services, LLC
    Inventors: Rudy Steury, Donald E. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20010037941
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid when the filter comprises a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned in a housing and having filter media disposed between the plates so that during the operation of the filters, fluid flows axially through the media between the electrode plates and into a central recovery zone and is discharged from the filter. A replaceable filter cartridge, a method for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter, a filtration system for removing both water and other contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter in combination with a water-removal filter and a system for maintaining a supply of filter dielectric fluid for a dielectric fluid user on a continuous basis are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6284118
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid when the filter comprises a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned in a housing and having filter media disposed between the plates so that during the operation of the filters, fluid flows axially through the media between the electrode plates and into a central recovery zone and is discharged from the filter. A replaceable filter cartridge, a method for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter, a filtration system for removing both water and other contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter in combination with a water-removal filter and a system for maintaining a supply of filter dielectric fluid for a dielectric fluid user on a continuous basis are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6129829
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid when the filter comprises a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned in a housing and having filter media disposed between the plates so that during the operation of the filters, fluid flows axially through the media between the electrode plates and into a central recovery zone and is discharged from the filter. A replaceable filter cartridge, a method for removing contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter, a filtration system for removing both water and other contaminants from a dielectric fluid using the filter in combination with a water-removal filter and a system for maintaining a supply of filter dielectric fluid for a dielectric fluid user on a continuous basis are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5785834
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter utilizes two separate filter cartridges in a parallel flow configuration with respect to incoming dielectric fluid containing particulates. Each cartridge is connected to opposite sides of a high voltage power supply, resulting in the electrodes contained in one of the cartridges having an opposite polarity than the electrodes contained in the other cartridge. This, in turn, results in having the fluid borne particulates exiting one cartridge being charged oppositely to those exiting the other. The fluid streams exiting the two cartridges are joined together, allowing the particulates to flocculate. These larger groupings of particulates may then be mechanically filtered in a third cartridge. The parallel flow configuration results in an electrostatic filter that is relatively insensitive to water contained in the dielectric fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Contamco Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5630926
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter utilizes two separate filter cartridges in a parallel flow configuration with respect to incoming dielectric fluid containing particulates. Each cartridge is connected to opposite sides of a high voltage power supply, resulting in the electrodes contained in one of the cartridges having an opposite polarity than the electrodes contained in the other cartridge. This, in turn, results in having the fluid borne particulates exiting one cartridge being charged oppositely to those exiting the other. The fluid streams exiting the two cartridges are joined together, allowing the particulates to flocculate. These larger groupings of particulates may then be mechanically filtered in a third cartridge. The parallel flow configuration results in an electrostatic filter that is relatively insensitive to water contained in the dielectric fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Contamco Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5332485
    Abstract: An electrostatic filter utilizes a series of parallel plates which are charged at differing potentials and separated by porous filter material to remove particulate matter from dielectric fluids. The filter includes a fluid tight housing which is constructed to include an easily removable filter cartridge comprised of a shell that conforms to the housing and includes the plate and porous filter elements. The housing further includes a quick disconnect end cap that includes an electrical connection to a power supply. An electrically conductive spring is interposed between the power supply and an adjacent plate. This arrangement allows for a very simple, safe, quick and cost effective procedure to change filter cartridges. The cartridge structure additionally allows for the easy checking of proper continuity between electrodes during the cartridge assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Contamco Corporation
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4594138
    Abstract: A filter for removing fine particles from dielectric fluids having a housing adapted for connection in a fluid system for flow of fluids axially therethrough; a plurality of oppositely charged porous electrode plates connected in parallel electrical relation and adapted for connection to a source of direct current electrical energy; and porous filter media disposed between adjacent electrode plates to collect particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4587992
    Abstract: A reservoir for hydraulic fluids and hydrocarbon fluids having an outer tank, an inner tank contained therein, an inlet conduit for the delivery of fluids to the outer tank with a minimum of turbulence, an outlet for withdrawal of fluids from the inner tank, and a vent for venting air into and out of the outer tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Donald E. Thompson