Patents by Inventor Gregory Thompson

Gregory 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: 6483008
    Abstract: By this invention, methods to produce oleic fatty acids in plant seed oils are provided. The methods of the present invention generally involve the suppression of a host plant cells endogenous &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase I protein. Also described in the instant invention are the plants, cells and oils obtained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Calgene LLC
    Inventors: Katayoon Dehesh, Vic C. Knauf, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6426447
    Abstract: By this invention, modification of the fatty acid composition of a plant seed may be achieved as a result of the activity of a DNA sequence foreign to the plant species to be modified. In particular, it has been found that a plant oil having a modified fatty acid composition can be obtained upon the expression of genes derived from plants of different species than the host plant, upon the expression of genes derived from bacteria, and from the transcription of anti-sense sequences which are complementary to endogenous genes of the plant host cell. In a preferred embodiment, transcription of the fatty acid modifying foreign DNA sequence is restricted to the developing seed tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Vic C. Knauf, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6348642
    Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of Ricinus communis cDNAs encoding &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, are provided. Also of interest are plants, plant parts and plant cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Calgene, LLC
    Inventors: Vic C. Knauf, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6271609
    Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasterners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Hollenbeck, James E. Grimm, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6232687
    Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Hollenbeck, Dennis P. Bobay, James E. Grimm, Norman Golm, Jr., Gregory Thompson, Jeffrey A. Hall
  • Patent number: 6133666
    Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Hollenbeck, Dennis P. Bobay, James E. Grimm, Norman P. Golm, Jr., Gregory A. Thompson, Jeffrey A. Hall
  • Patent number: 6117677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA constructs comprising a plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase and a second DNA sequence which is not naturally joined to the given plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase. The plant stearoyl-ACP desaturase is under the regulatory control of a transcription and translation initiation region preferentially expressed in plant embryo tissue.The amino acid sequence and methods to purify safflower stearoyl-ACP desaturase to homogenity are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: Gregory A. Thompson, Vic C. Knauf
  • Patent number: 6118198
    Abstract: An electric motor having a snap-together construction without the use of separate fasteners. The construction of the motor removes additive tolerances for a more accurate assembly. The motor is capable of programming and testing after final assembly and can be non-destructively disassembled for repair or modification. The motor is constructed to inhibit the ready entry of water into the motor housing and to limit the effect of any water which manages to enter the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Hollenbeck, James E. Grimm, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6028247
    Abstract: This invention relates to plant thioesterases, means to identify such proteins, amino acid and nucleic acid sequences associated with such protein, methods to obtain, make and/or use such plant thioesterases. Also, by this invention, the existence of a heretofore unproven factor critical to the biosynthesis of medium-chain fatty acids in plants is demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventors: Toni Alois Voelker, Hue Maelor Davies, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5723595
    Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use of plant desaturase enzymes, especially .DELTA.-9 desaturases, are provided. Of special interest are methods and compositions of amino acids and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant desaturases as well as sequences, especially nucleic acid sequences, which are to be used as probes, vectors for transformation or cloning intermediates. Biologically active sequences may be found in a sense or anti-sense orientation as to transcriptional regulatory regions found in various constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Thompson, Vic C. Knauf
  • Patent number: 5697630
    Abstract: There is provided hitching apparatus including a mounting means (10) including a base plate portion (11) supporting integrally formed struts (12) to which is fabricated an upper mounting socket (13). The base plate portion (11) is secured to the goose-neck of a vehicle by means of the threaded stud and nut of a conventional tow ball. The mounting socket (13) is adapted to receive the tongue portion (17) of a guide assembly including a pair of guide plates (21) which in use diverge from their mounting portion (20) to extend rearward and outward of the tow-ball. Reversing the vehicle to the hitch of the trailer with the hitching assembly installed results in either the hitch directly contacting the mounting portion (20) or engagement of the hitching portion with either of the guide plates (21) whereupon the hitching portion is guided to the mounting portion (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Austvent Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Colin Gregory Thompson, Roland Francis Thompson
  • Patent number: 5551853
    Abstract: An axial vane rotary device (14) includes a stator (16) with a cylindrical internal chamber (34) defined an annular outer wall (40) and two side walls (36, 38) of the stator. Each side wall has an annular cam surface (42, 44). A rotor (54) is rotatably mounted within the chamber. The rotor has an annular outer wall (66) and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, axially extending slots (64) extending therethrough. A vane (68) is slidably received in each slot. The vanes reciprocate axially and alternatively expand and compress spaces between adjacent vanes and the cam surfaces as the rotor rotates. The cam surfaces have alternating first portions (92) and second portions (90). The second portions are further from the rotor than the second portions. The first portions of one said cam surface are aligned with second portions of another said cam surface. The slots extend radially outwards on the rotor to the annular outer wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Regi U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Cherry, James E. Smith, Victor E. Mucino, Nigel N. Clark, Gregory Thompson, Patrick R. Badgley
  • Patent number: 5509793
    Abstract: An axial vane rotary device (14) includes a stator (16) with a cylindrical internal chamber (34) defined an annular outer wall (40) and two side walls (36, 38) of the stator. Each side wall has an annular cam surface (42, 44). A rotor (54) is rotatably mounted within the chamber. The rotor has an annular outer wall (66) and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, axially extending slots (64) extending therethrough. A vane (68) is slidably received in each slot. The vanes reciprocate axially and alternatively expand and compress spaces between adjacent vanes and the cam sur-faces as the rotor rotates. The cam surfaces have alternating first portions (92) and second portions (90). The second portions are further from the rotor than the second portions. The first portions of one said cam surface are aligned with second portions of another said cam surface. The slots extend radially outwards on the rotor to the annular outer wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Regi U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Cherry, James E. Smith, Victor H. Mucino, Nigel N. Clark, Gregory Thompson, Patrick R. Badgley
  • Patent number: 5510255
    Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s).In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventors: Vic C. Knauf, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5475099
    Abstract: By this invention, compositions and methods of use related to .beta.-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, hereinafter also referred to as "synthase", are provided. Also of interest are methods and compositions of amino acid and nucleic acid sequences related to biologically active plant synthase(s).In particular, synthase protein preparations which have relatively high turnover (specific activity) are of interest for use in a variety of applications, in vitro and in vivo. Especially, protein preparations having synthase I and/or synthase II activities are contemplated hereunder. Synthase activities are distinguished by the preferential activity towards longer and shorter acyl-ACPs. Protein preparations having preferential activity towards shorter chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase I-type. Synthases having preferential activity towards longer chain length acyl-ACPs are synthase II-type. Of special interest are synthases obtainable from Ricinus communis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Calgene Inc.
    Inventors: Vic C. Knauf, Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5449308
    Abstract: A pair of buoy winding apparatus includes a housing having a pair of opposite end portions and a central cavity defined therein between the opposite end portions and being open at a side thereof for receiving a marker buoy therein, a support shaft mounted to one opposite end portion of the housing and having an end protruding into one end of the central cavity, the end of the support shaft being adapted to rotatably engage one end of the marker buoy so as to rotatably support the one end of the marker buoy, and a drive motor mounted to the other of the opposite end portions of the housing and having an output drive shaft extending therefrom with an end protruding into an opposite end of the central cavity, the end of the output drive shaft being adapted to non-rotatably engage an opposite end of the marker buoy so as to rotatably drive the marker buoy, in response to actuation of operation of the drive motor, about a rotational axis defined by and between the support and drive shafts and extending between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Inventor: Gregory A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5429084
    Abstract: An axial vane rotary device (14) includes a stator (16)with a cylindrical internal chamber (34) defined an annular outer wall (40) and two side walls (36, 38) of the stator. Each side wall has an annular cam surface (42, 44). A rotor (54) is rotatably mounted within the chamber. The rotor has an annular outer wall (66) and a plurality of angularly spaced-apart, axially extending slots (64) extending therethrough. A vane (68) is slidably received in each slot. The vanes reciprocate axially and alternatively expand and compress spaces between adjacent vanes and the cam surfaces as the rotor rotates. The cam surfaces have alternating first portions (92) and second portions (90). The second portions are further from the rotor than the second portions. The first portions of one said cam surface are aligned with second portions of another said cam surface. The slots extend radially outwards on the rotor to the annular outer wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Sky Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian W. Cherry, James E. Smith, Victor E. Mucino, Nigel N. Clark, Gregory Thompson, Patrick R. Badgley
  • Patent number: 4895150
    Abstract: A housing for enclosing a power source for operating an implanted artificial organ is provided. The housing has an annular rim defining an aperture and is mounted in the human body such that replacement of the power source through the aperture is effected from outside the body without resort to surgical means. The housing is secured in the body by attachment to internal tissue, preferably bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Nu-Tech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton S. Isaacson, Anthony P. Lioi, Gregory A. Thompson, Donald D. Kinsworthy
  • Patent number: 4716101
    Abstract: A method and assay kit for determining the presence of an enzyme in a sample are provided. A sample suspected of containing the enzyme is applied to an image gel, which may be any conventional material, typically agarose gel. The sample may first be subjected to electrophoresis, or may be detected directly using the present invention. The image gel includes an immobilized phase capable of binding a product of the enzyme but not the substrate. By exposing the enzyme to substrate, and drawing the resulting reaction mixtures through the image gel, only the product is bound in the image gel. The presence of enzyme may then be determined by detecting the product in the image gel. In addition to developing electrophoresis gels, the method of the present invention will find great use in screening a plurality of complex mixtures which have been separated by other conventional techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Calgene, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Thompson, Huw M. Davies
  • Patent number: D361879
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventors: Latricia F. Gregory-Thompson, Reginald E. Thompson