Patents by Inventor G. Kent Thompson

G. Kent 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).

  • Frangible components and their use in a system for energy absorption
    Patent number: 9573700
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a core of individual components having properties such that a system assembled from the components absorbs the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle. The components may be interlocking components. The components may be manufactured of ceramic or polymeric composite or other materials that are strong enough to absorb the vehicle's energy and help stop the vehicle safely by the system's ability to crush or deform upon impact, and not so strong that it causes the vehicle to crumple against the barrier. In one particular embodiment, the components may be modified packing elements that are traditionally used in gas to liquid columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Galbus, Silvia C. Valentini, Hong Zou, Youhong Li, G. Kent Thompson, Richard L. Orner, Jr., Yijian Shi
  • FRANGIBLE COMPONENTS AND THEIR USE IN A SYSTEM FOR ENERGY ABSORPTION
    Publication number: 20150034439
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a core of individual components having properties such that a system assembled from the components absorbs the kinetic energy of a moving vehicle. The components may be interlocking components. The components may be manufactured of ceramic or polymeric composite or other materials that are strong enough to absorb the vehicle's energy and help stop the vehicle safely by the system's ability to crush or deform upon impact, and not so strong that it causes the vehicle to crumple against the barrier. In one particular embodiment, the components may be modified packing elements that are traditionally used in gas to liquid columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. Galbus, Silvia C. Valentini, Hong Zou, Youhong Li, G. Kent Thompson, Richard L. Orner, JR., Yijian Shi
  • VEHICLE INCURSION INHIBITORS
    Publication number: 20110020062
    Abstract: Detailed are systems and techniques for protecting structures from vehicular attack. The systems incorporate deformable materials sufficient to disable or otherwise inhibit certain vehicular traffic yet support weights and weight distributions typically associated with pedestrian or other non-threat traffic. Bodies of deformable materials further may include rigid structures or vehicle-immobilization devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: ENGINEERED ARRESTING SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: PETER T. MAHAL, Hugh Kenneth De Long, III, G. Kent Thompson, Daniel J. Edwards, Yijian Shi, Gerald T. Cox, JR., Roosevelt Reid
  • Vehicle incursion inhibitors
    Patent number: 7837409
    Abstract: Detailed are systems and techniques for protecting structures from vehicular attack. The systems incorporate deformable materials sufficient to disable or otherwise inhibit certain vehicular traffic yet support weights and weight distributions typically associated with pedestrian or other non-threat traffic. Bodies of deformable materials further may include rigid structures or vehicle-immobilization devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Mahal, Hugh Kenneth De Long, III, G. Kent Thompson, Daniel J. Edwards, Yijian Shi, Gerald T. Cox, Jr., Roosevelt Reid