Patents by Inventor Lonnie G. Johnson

Lonnie G. Johnson 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).

  • Publication number: 20090004371
    Abstract: An amorphous lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) thin film is produced by the sol-gel method wherein a polymer is mixed with a liquid alcohol to form a first solution. A second solution is then prepared by mixing a lanthanum alkoxide with an alcohol. The first solution is then mixed with the lanthanum based second solution. A lithium alkoxide and a titanium alkoxide are then also added to the lanthanum based second solution. This process produces a batch of LLTO precursor solution. The LLTO precursor solution is applied to a substrate to form a precursor layer which is then dried. The coating techniques that may be used include spin coating, spraying, casting, dripping, and the like, however, the spin coating technique is the preferred method recited herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Davorin Babic
  • Patent number: 7320520
    Abstract: A portable multimedia projection system includes a portable housing, a DVD player, a channel tuner, an image projection device, a controller and a remote control receiver. The image projection device externally projects images. The controller is electrically coupled to the channel tuner and the image projection device. The controller directs video signals from the channel tuner to the image projection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070212583
    Abstract: A battery (10) is disclosed having a lithium foil anode (11) embedded within a liquid electrolyte (12) which is positioned between two similarly constructed battery cathode halves (13) and (14). Each cathode half has a first glass barrier (16) coupled to a first porous metal substrate (17), a second glass barrier (18) coupled to a second porous metal substrate (19), a third glass barrier (20) coupled to a third porous metal substrate (21), and a lithium air cathode (22). A peripheral layer of edge sealant (25) surrounds the peripheral edge of the electrolyte and bonds the two halves together. The battery also includes an anode terminal (27) coupled to the anode and a cathode terminal (28) coupled to the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7160639
    Abstract: An reversible engine (10) is disclosed having a conduit system (11), a first electrochemical cells (12), and a second electrochemical cell (13). The conduit system (11) includes a first conduit (15) extending from the first electrochemical cell (12) to the second electrochemical cell (13), and a second conduit (16) extending from the second electrochemical cell (13) to the first electrochemical cell (12). The heat engine (10) also includes a heater (18) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the second electrochemical cell (13), a cooler (19) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the first electrochemical cell (12), and a regenerative heat exchanger (20) thermally coupled to the first and second conduits (15) and (16) for the transfer of heat therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, James R. Muller
  • Patent number: 7052136
    Abstract: A portable multimedia projection system includes a portable housing, a channel tuner, an image projection device and a controller. The image projection device externally projects images. The controller is electrically coupled to the channel tuner and the image projection device. The controller directs video signals from the channel tuner to the image projection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6966651
    Abstract: A portable multimedia projection system includes a portable housing, a media player disposed, a sound system, an image projection device, a controller and a vibration dampening device. The sound system has at least one internally-mounted speaker. The image projection device externally projects images. The controller is electrically coupled to the media player, the sound system and the image projection device. The controller directs audio signals from the media player to the sound system and directs video signals from the media player to the image projection device. The vibration dampening device is coupled between the housing and at least one of the media player, the at least one internally-mounted speaker and the image projection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson Research and Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6949303
    Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (10) is disclosed having a housing (11) divided by a hydrogen concentration cell (12) so as to define a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (14). A first mass of hydride material (17) is contained within the first chamber while a second mass of hydride material (18) is contained within the second chamber. The hydrogen concentration cell has a first gas diffusion electrode (20), a second gas diffusion electrode (21) and a proton conductive membrane (22) therebetween. The release of hydrogen from one of the masses of hydride material and its redox reaction creates an electrical potential across the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson Electro Mechanical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Zhenhua Mao
  • Patent number: 6899967
    Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (110) is disclosed having a housing (111) defining an opening (112) and an internal chamber (113). An electrochemical cell (116) is mounted within the opening (112) which is electrically coupled to a circuit (117). A mass of metal hydride material (118) is positioned within the chamber (113). The circuit (117) includes a load (127) and a battery (128) electrically coupled in series. The system may also be adapted to generate DC power with the addition of a rectifier (131).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Excellatron Solid State, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6835493
    Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having a polyimide supporting substrate (11), a cathode current collector (13), a lithiated transition metal oxide or transition metal cathode (14), an electrolyte (15), an anode (16) and an anode current collector (17). The polyimide supporting substrate (11) is heated or dehydrated to remove water from therein. The cathode (14) is annealed at a relatively low temperature of approximately 300 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Excellatron Solid State, LLC
    Inventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Steve Buckingham, Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6737180
    Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (70) is disclosed having a tubular housing (71), a thermal inertial core (72), and a tubular hydrogen electrochemical cell (79) which in combination define a first chamber (73) and a second chamber (74). A first tubular mass of hydride material (90) is contained within the first chamber while a second tubular mass of hydride material (91) is contained within the second chamber. The hydrogen concentration cell has a first gas diffusion electrode (20), a second gas diffusion electrode (21) and a proton conductive membrane (22) therebetween. The release of hydrogen from one of the masses of hydride material and its redox reaction creates an electrical potential across the cell. The housing (71) is adapted to transfer heat to and from the second mass of hydride material (91). Heat is also transferred between the thermal inertial core (72) and the first mass of hydride material (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Electro Mechanical Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6709778
    Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (70) is disclosed having a housing divided by a hydrogen electrochemical cell (79) so as to define a first chamber (73) and a second chamber (74). A first mass of hydride material (90) is contained within the first chamber while a second mass of hydride material (91) is contained within the second chamber. The hydrogen concentration cell has a first gas diffusion electrode (20), a second gas diffusion electrode (21) and a proton conductive membrane (22) therebetween. The release of hydrogen from one of the masses of hydride material and its redox reaction creates an electrical potential across the cell. The housing first chamber (73) is adapted to transfer from the skin of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Electro Mechanical Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6686076
    Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (70) is disclosed having a housing divided by a hydrogen concentration cell (76) so as to define a first chamber (71) and a second chamber (72). A first mass of hydride material (84) is contained within the first chamber while a second mass of hydride material (85) is contained within the second chamber. The hydrogen concentration cell has a first gas diffusion electrode (20), a second gas diffusion electrode (21) and a proton conductive membrane (22) therebetween. The release of hydrogen from one of the masses of hydride material and its redox reaction creates an electrical potential across the cell. The housing first chamber (71) is tapered so that the housing easily pierces the ground upon impact from an elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Excellatron Solid State, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040018424
    Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having a polyimide supporting substrate (11), a cathode current collector (13), a lithiated transition metal oxide or transition metal cathode (14), an electrolyte (15), an anode (16) and an anode current collector (17). The polyimide supporting substrate (11) is heated or dehydrated to remove water from therein. The cathode (14) is annealed at a relatively low temperature of approximately 300 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Steve Buckingham, Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6679155
    Abstract: A launcher (10) is provided having a separation unit (15) and a launch tube (16) in fluid communication with the separation unit (15). The separation unit (15) has a pressure sensing chamber (23) for sensing the pressure within the separation unit (15), a separation chamber (24) in fluid communication with the pressure sensing chamber (23), and a combustion chamber (26) in fluid communication with the separation chamber (24). The combustion chamber (26) is in fluid communication with the launch tube (16) through opening (28). The rocket launcher (10) also includes a hydrogen separation circuit (21) and an ignition circuit (22). The hydrogen separation circuit (21) includes a battery pack (44) electrically coupled to a fuel cell (45) which when powered separates water into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The ignition circuit (22) includes a piezoelectric spark generator (61) for igniting the hydrogen gas produced by the fuel cell and contained within the combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Yaschur, John T. Applewhite, Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030203276
    Abstract: An reversible engine (10) is disclosed having a conduit system (11), a first electrochemical cells (12), and a second electrochemical cell (13). The conduit system (11) includes a first conduit (15) extending from the first electrochemical cell (12) to the second electrochemical cell (13), and a second conduit (16) extending from the second electrochemical cell (13) to the first electrochemical cell (12). The heat engine (10) also includes a heater (18) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the second electrochemical cell (13), a cooler (19) mounted in thermal communication with the conduit system (11) adjacent the first electrochemical cell (12), and a regenerative heat exchanger (20) thermally coupled to the first and second conduits (15) and (16) for the transfer of heat therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, James R. Muller
  • Patent number: 6540108
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a expandable pressure tank (19) having an elastic bladder (30) encased within an outer shell (29), and a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the expandable pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the expandable pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by the biasing force of the elastic bladder. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the expandable pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6525976
    Abstract: Systems and methods for an integrated circuit that reduces switching noise including an inverter network having at least two transistors, a micro-battery, such as a thin film battery, coupled to the inverter network and a resistor coupled at one end to the micro-battery and connected to a power source at the other end. When the transistors transition from one logic state to another logic state, for a period of time more than one transistor is turned on. Unless controlled, this state produces a high amount of current and a resultant voltage spike. The current demanded during this transition period is drawn from the micro-battery preventing a peak voltage flowing to and disrupting the analog components. The battery re-charges gradually and thus, no voltage spike occurs. Further, integrated circuit components are isolated from the power line by the resistor that limits the current drawn on the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Excellatron Solid State, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6517968
    Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having an aluminum cathode current collector (11) having a transition metal sandwiched between two crystallized cathodes (12). Each cathode has an electrolyte (13) deposited thereon which is overlaid with a lithium anode (14). An anode current collector (16) contacts the anode and substantially encases the cathode collector, cathode, electrolyte and anode. An insulator (18) occupies the spaces between the components and the anode current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Excellatron Solid State, LLC
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Ji-Guang Zhang
  • Patent number: 6511516
    Abstract: A method of producing a layer of lithiated material is provided wherein a mixture of Li(acac) and Co (acac)3 is dissolved in an aqueous solvent to produce a solution. The solution is deposited upon a substrate by atomizing the solution, passing the atomized solution into a heated gas stream so as to vaporize the solution, and directing the vaporized solution onto a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie G. Johnson, Richard Breitkopf, John Baxley
  • Patent number: RE39947
    Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a expandable pressure tank (19) having an elastic bladder (30) encased within an outer shell (29), and a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the expandable pressure tank. The conveyance of liquid into the expandable pressure tank causes the liquid to be pressurized by the biasing force of the elastic bladder. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the expandable pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson Research & Development Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson