Patents by Inventor Kenneth C. Thomas

Kenneth C. Thomas 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: 11959831
    Abstract: Detecting a leak from a site in a sealed system with a source of pressurized gas which is capable of passing through the site, a composition of matter which adheres to the surfaces of the system and which is capable of showing the presence of the gas escaping from the site. The method includes: injecting gas into the system to a pressure in excess of the surrounding pressure, and covering the external surface with the composition to identify the location of the site by the interaction of the escaping gas with the composition. The composition is foam that includes a surfactant which forms a least one bubble in the presence of escaping gas and an indicator which changes color in the presence of the escaping gas. The leak is an opening down to at least the size of a hole 0.001? in diameter. A gas detector may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Automotive Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Steven G. Thoma, Kenneth D. Ley
  • Patent number: 11953404
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions of matter formulated to work in conjunction with CO2 gas for identifying the exact leak site location of small and large leaks in sealed systems. The leak finding compositions of matter foam, or are in the form of a foam, when applied to the one or more external surfaces of a system, that is closed and pressurized with CO2, where a leak site location is suspected. This foam then changes color from a first color to a second color over the exact leak site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Automotive Test Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson, Kenneth D. Ley, Steven G. Thoma
  • Patent number: 4720510
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing phenolformaldehyde foams, also known as phenolic foams, of improved properties. The inventive feature resides in using a controlled combination of the various components in the curing reaction mixture and in controlling the temperature within the mass of the curing mixture. The process is applicable to production of block or laminated foams. Phenolic foams find increasing use in building applications where their thermal insulation and fire resistant properties are of value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Gerald C. Marks, Kenneth C. Thomas, Per I. Quist
  • Patent number: 4681902
    Abstract: This invention relates to flame retardant phenol aldehyde foams which have a k value below 0.020 W/mk. The foams have as flame retardants a blend of a halosubstituted diphenyl oxide and an organic phosphorus compound. The feature of the invention is that unlike conventional flame retardants, the blend now used does not adversely affect the low k value i.e. the low thermal conductivity of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Alexander W. S. Duncan, David G. Summers, Kenneth C. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4390777
    Abstract: A process for the fusion welding of nickel alloy steel members wherein a ferrite containing pellet is inserted into a cavity in one member and melted by a welding torch. The resulting weld nugget, a fusion of the nickel containing alloy from the members to be welded and the pellet, has a composition which is sufficiently low in nickel content such that ferrite phases occur within the weld nugget, resulting in improved weld properties. The steel alloys encompassed also include alloys containing carbon and manganese, considered nickel equivalents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Thomas, Eric D. Jones, Marvin A. McBride