Patents by Inventor Mark M. Thornton

Mark M. Thornton 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: 9718556
    Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel tank of an aircraft includes a temperature sensor, a cooling system, and a control module. The temperature sensor detects a fuel temperature within the fuel tank. The cooling system maintains the fuel temperature below a control temperature. The phase change cooling system includes a heat exchanger. A cooling fluid flows through the heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with a surface of the fuel tank. The control module is in signal communication with the temperature sensor and the cooling system. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the temperature sensor, determining if the fuel temperature is above the control temperature, and generating an activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moravec, Rodney N. Graham, Alan Grim, Patrick J. Mulvaney, David A. Adkins, II, Eric C. Olson, Ivana Jojic, Mark M. Thornton, Jean-Philippe A. Beliéres
  • Publication number: 20160152343
    Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel tank of an aircraft includes a temperature sensor, a cooling system, and a control module. The temperature sensor detects a fuel temperature within the fuel tank. The cooling system maintains the fuel temperature below a control temperature. The phase change cooling system includes a heat exchanger. A cooling fluid flows through the heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with a surface of the fuel tank. The control module is in signal communication with the temperature sensor and the cooling system. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the temperature sensor, determining if the fuel temperature is above the control temperature, and generating an activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Bradford A. Moravec, Rodney N. Graham, Alan Grim, Patrick J. Mulvaney, David A. Adkins, II, Eric C. Olson, Ivana Jojic, Mark M. Thornton, Jean-Philippe A. Belières
  • Patent number: 8140297
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) chip is fabricated from components that have been cut out of a two-dimensional (2D) chip. The components from the 2D chip are layered and coupled to create the layers of the 3D chip. By testing the 2D chip first, the layers of the 3D chip have been pre-tested, thus reducing testing and production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald K. Bartley, Charles L. Johnson, Mark M. Thornton, Patrick R. Varekamp
  • Publication number: 20100185410
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) chip is fabricated from components that have been cut out of a two-dimensional (2D) chip to create the layers of the 3D chip. By testing the 2D chip first, the layers of the 3D chip have been pre-tested, thus reducing testing and production costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: GERALD K. BARTLEY, CHARLES L. JOHNSON, MARK M. THORNTON, PATRICK R. VAREKAMP
  • Patent number: 5526228
    Abstract: A computer system unit which includes an acoustic dampening cooling fan shroud panel mounted on a rear surface thereof. The computer system unit is generally rectangular, encloses an electronic component package and includes a front panel and a pair of generally parallel side panels. An intermediate rear panel, generally parallel to the front panel, mounts one or more cooling fans which draw air through the generally rectangular unit. A cooling fan shroud panel which includes an acoustic noise reduction lining is then mounted to the intermediate rear panel. The cooling fan shroud panel includes an aperture for ventilation which is displaced from the mounting position of the cooling fans such that acoustic noise resultant from cooling fan operation is minimized. The aperture within the cooling fan shroud panel extends into at least one surface thereof which is not parallel to either the side panel or the intermediate rear panel wherein ventilation is substantially unobstructed by adjacent vertical surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell E. Dickson, John T. Gullicksrud, David W. Hill, Tim K. Murphy, Michael D. O'Connell, Mark M. Thornton