Patents by Inventor Kent Thompson

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).

  • Patent number: 9061936
    Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Terry Joe Hanna, Thomas Kent Thompson, Russell Donovan Arterburn
  • Patent number: 8967834
    Abstract: A curved dead front display assembly is provided which includes a first plastic layer, a transparent structural plastic layer, a mask layer with light transparent windows defining at least one graphic, a baffle layer having light transmitting hollow chambers, and a printed circuit board featuring light emitting diodes and electrical signal connections. The curved geometry achieves a sharp graphic image by electrically adjusting energy to each of the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Iluminage Beauty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth Dykes Timmerman, Gregory Kent Thompson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140369789
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods that include rotatable skids for engaging the surface on which forage bales rest during bale loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Curt Graham, Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Publication number: 20140003889
    Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that aligns itself during bale pick-up. Methods for transferring bales that use such an apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Rustin Van Bentzinger, Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Publication number: 20140003886
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods which use a conveyored loading assembly for gathering bales and, in particular, round bales such as a hay or corn stover bales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Publication number: 20140003887
    Abstract: Hydraulic control systems for regulating the transfer of bales in an apparatus for gathering bales and methods for transferring bales that use such control systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Darin Dux
  • Publication number: 20140003888
    Abstract: Apparatus for gathering bales that substantially match conveyor speed to ground speed. Methods for gathering bales that use such apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Darin Dux, Kent Thompson, Curt Graham
  • Publication number: 20130314642
    Abstract: A non-black dead front display assembly is provided which includes a first plastic layer which in the absence of backlighting is opaque to a viewer, a transparent structural plastic layer, a mask layer with light transparent windows defining at least one graphic, and a support component for supporting a light source for backlighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Kenneth Dykes TIMMERMAN, Gregory Kent THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20130314900
    Abstract: A curved dead front display assembly is provided which includes a first plastic layer, a transparent structural plastic layer, a mask layer with light transparent windows defining at least one graphic, a baffle layer having light transmitting hollow chambers, and a printed circuit board featuring light emitting diodes and electrical signal connections. The curved geometry achieves a sharp graphic image by electrically adjusting energy to each of the LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Conopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
    Inventors: Kenneth Dykes TIMMERMAN, Gregory Kent THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8479592
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide field test devices and methods for testing the compressive gradient strength of installed vehicle arresting systems, such as those installed on airport runways. Current methods of testing such arresting systems are conducted on sample materials in-house, and these methods are not applicable or useful when tests need to be conducted on currently-installed systems in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Zou, Andrea L. Manning, Graham Kent Thompson, Yijian Shi
  • Patent number: 8021075
    Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units for that and other applications and which are resistant to such effects are described, with related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Silvia C. Valentini, Graham Kent Thompson, Jr., Yijian Shi, Hugh Kenneth DeLong, III, Randall Craig Ohneck, Richard David Angley
  • Patent number: 8021074
    Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units for that and other applications and which are resistant to such effects are described, with related methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Silvia C. Valentini, Graham Kent Thompson, Jr., Yijian Shi, Hugh Kenneth Delong, III, Randall Craig Ohneck, Richard David Angley
  • Publication number: 20110185771
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Kent Thompson, Terry Joe Hanna, Russell D. Arterburn
  • Patent number: 7966795
    Abstract: A mowing device including a disc, the disc providing a mount for at least one knife, said knife being pivotably mounted to said disc by a pivot pin, said pivot pin defining a mounting axis, such that the knife can rotate about said pivot pin between a first extended position and any retracted position, said disc being constructed of a basic material thickness and comprising a mounting surface; said mowing device including a knife adapter comprising a cylindrical aperture and a projection; said pivot pin comprising a first cylindrical section of a first diameter to fit into said cylindrical aperture in said knife adapter, and a second cylindrical section, of a second diameter, with a groove defined by a groove width and a pin section thickness at the groove of a dimension less than said second diameter; said mowing device including a retainer constructed of a material thickness equal to or less than the width of said groove, with a key-hole shaped aperture defined by a first circular section with a first insid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufactruing Company
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Rustin V. Bentzinger, Martin Koorn
  • Patent number: 7946138
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Thomas Kent Thompson, Terry Joe Hanna, Russell D. Arterbum
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100254762
    Abstract: Aircraft arresting beds at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units for that and other applications and which are resistant to such effects are described, with related methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Silvia C. Valentini, Graham Kent Thompson, JR., Yijian Shi, Hugh Kenneth Delong, III, Randall Craig Ohneck, Richard David Angley
  • Patent number: D630654
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kent Thompson, Karl Maasdam