Patents by Inventor Peter Thomas

Peter 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: 8353370
    Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate having an interface surface; and an ultrahard material layer disposed on the interface surface. An interface surface includes a plurality of surface features, wherein at least one of the plurality of surface features intersects a neighboring surface feature at a height that is intermediate an extremity of the at least one of the plurality of surface features and a base of the at least one of the plurality of surface features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Federico Bellin, Yi Fang, Michael Stewart, Nephi M. Mourik, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Publication number: 20130004820
    Abstract: A battery coolant jacket for use with a plurality of cells is provided, the jacket comprised of a hollow enclosure configured to permit a liquid coolant to flow through the enclosure, entering via a coolant inlet and exiting via a coolant outlet; a plurality of cell apertures that extend completely through the hollow enclosure, where each cell aperture is sized to fit a cell; and a plurality of coolant segregation walls that are integrated into the hollow enclosure and separate the cells into groups of cells, and where each coolant segregation wall forms a barrier between the cell group contained within that coolant segregation wall and the liquid coolant flowing through the hollow enclosure. The coolant jacket may include at least one flow control wall integrated within the hollow enclosure that controls the coolant flow pathway between the enclosure's coolant inlet and outlet, for example causing the coolant flow pathway to alternate directions between adjacent cell groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Tennessen, Jeffrey C. Weintraub, Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Patent number: 8332404
    Abstract: Data processing apparatus comprising: a chunk store containing specimen data chunks, a manifest store containing a plurality of manifests, each of which represents at least a part of a data set and each of which comprises at least one reference to at least one of said specimen data chunks, a sparse chunk index containing information on only some specimen data chunks, the processor being operable to: process input data into input data chunks; identify manifests having at least one reference to one of said specimen data chunks that corresponds to one of said input data chunks and on which there is information contained in the sparse chunk index; and prioritize the identified manifests for subsequent operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Camble, Gregory Trezise, Mark David Lillibridge, Kevin Lloyd Jones, Kave Eshghi, Vinay Deolalikar
  • Patent number: 8323711
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh
  • Patent number: 8287546
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide a combination compressor/distractor useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Emily E. King, Bruce A. Riceman, Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20120227332
    Abstract: A system for producing thermally stable cutting elements may include a heat source, a pressure vessel, at least one polycrystalline diamond body attached to a carbide substrate, and a leaching agent is disclosed, wherein the heat source includes a container comprising at least one receiving mechanism and at least one retention mechanism, and wherein the carbide substrate is disposed in the at least one receiving mechanism of the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent is disposed in the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent removes the catalyzing material from the interstitial spaces interposed between the diamond particles of the at least one polycrystalline diamond body, and wherein the at least one retention mechanism of the pressure vessel seals at least a portion of the carbide substrate into the at least one receiving mechanism and prevents the leaching agent from contacting at least a portion of the carbide substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: J. Daniel Belnap, Peter Thomas Cariveau, Loel Corbett, Ronald K. Eyre
  • Publication number: 20120222359
    Abstract: A counterweight mechanism that includes a radial arm with a weight and a series of elements interconnected between the door and the arm. The weight provides a closing force when in a first position and provides an opening force when in another position. The weight may be an over center weight and the closing force reduces when the weight moves toward an over center position. The counterweight mechanism may require manual resetting after the weight is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gordon Timothy Ayshford, Victoria Margaret Arthur, Peter Thomas McGuigan
  • Patent number: 8246624
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for inserting a spinal stabilization rod. A rod insertion tool can include a body defining a passage, a pivot rod disposed in the passage and a rod retaining member. Movement of the pivot rod can cause the rod retaining member to rotate and consequently the spinal stabilization rod to rotate. The rod insertion tool can be sized to fit through channels in sleeves used during implantation of a spinal stabilization system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20120188048
    Abstract: A three phase compact high short circuit current reactor also commonly known as an inductor is disclosed which can be easily be modified during initial construction to provide predefined gaps between the internal core sections for enhancing performance for each individual customized application. Inductor core sections are commonly oriented horizontally. The present design provides a core construction which includes multiple vertically stacked coils with yokes positioned between adjacent coils for facilitating flux cancellation to enhance performance. The coils can be round or square in cross-section and normally are made of either wire or foil usually of copper or aluminum. The material of the core is preferably of a silicon steel material which can be grain-oriented or non-grain-oriented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Christian T. Hughes, Peter Thomas Bircsak
  • Publication number: 20120132443
    Abstract: A process for the removal of CO2 and/or H2S from a gas comprising CO2 and/or H2S. The process comprises contacting the gas in an absorber with an absorbing solution wherein the absorbing solution absorbs at least part of the CO2 and/or H2S so as, to produce a CO2 and/or H2S lean gas and a CO2 and/or H2S rich absorbing solution. At least part of the CO2 and/or H2S rich absorbing solution is heated to produce a heated CO2 and/or H2S rich absorbing solution. At least part of the CO2 and/or H2S is removed from the heated CO2 and/or H2S rich absorbing solution in a regenerator to produce a CO2 and/or H2S rich gas and a CO2 and/or H2S lean absorbing solution. In the process, at least part of the heat for heating the CO2 and/or H2S rich absorbing solution in step b) is obtained in a sequence of multiple heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Jiri Peter Thomas Van Straelen
  • Publication number: 20120132470
    Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Publication number: 20120137097
    Abstract: An apparatus, for connection to a storage device, comprising: a module for communication with a software application and operable to receive instructions to copy data to the storage device; a chunking and identifier generation module operable to receive the data, to process the data into one or more chunks, to generate a first chunk identifier, representative of the identity of a first of the or each chunk of data and, upon processing of the data, to initiate the issuance of a confirmation signal to the software application indicating that the data has been copied to the storage device; and an interface for communication with the storage device, wherein the interface is operable to send the first chunk identifier to the storage device, and to send the first chunk of data to the storage device upon receipt of a transfer instruction from the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Alastair Slater, Simon Pelly, Peter Thomas Camble
  • Publication number: 20120129844
    Abstract: There is provided a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. There are also provided processes for the manufacture of a compound of Formula 1, and the use of a compound of Formula 1 as a medicament and in the treatment of cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: David Buttar, Kevin Michael Foote, Maria-Elena Theoclitou, Andrew Peter Thomas
  • Patent number: 8185366
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for modeling the performance of a fixed cutter bit drilling an earth formation. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a drill bit and an earth formation to be represented as drilled, simulating the bit drilling the earth formation, displaying the simulating, and adjusting at least one parameter affecting the performance. The method of design is used to make a fixed cutter drill bit. In another embodiment the method includes numerically rotating the bit, calculating bit interaction with the earth formation during the rotating, and determining the forces on the cutters during the rotation based on the calculated interaction with earth formation and empirical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sujian J. Huang, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Publication number: 20120116467
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Emily E. King, Bruce Riceman, Charles R. Forton, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Publication number: 20120114257
    Abstract: Image selection method amongst a plurality of digital images (102) classified in a plurality of images categories (104a, 104b 104c), the method comprising the following steps: -allocating to each image at least one strength value (112, 112i, 112j, 112k), -allowing an user to select (120) images amongst the plurality of digital images, -collecting (122) user data, -updating (130) the strength value of all images classified in a same category than an image selected by the user as a function of the collected user data, and -upon selection of an image by the user, automatically selecting (142) at least one additional image classified in at least one same category than an image selected by the user, and for which the strength value exceeds a threshold value -making the selected images available (146) for subsequent use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Fry, John Denis Piper, Graham Robert Kiddle, Hani Muammar, Alan Payne
  • Patent number: 8167071
    Abstract: An engine hood for a motor vehicle has an outer planking and an inner part. Between the outer planking and the inner part, a supporting part is arranged, which reinforces the outer planking. In order to reduce the manufacturing costs for an engine hood while maintaining a favorable delay pattern in the event of a head impact, the supporting part has supporting elements which, in the event of an essentially vertical admission of force, permit a displacement of the outer planking relative to the inner part until the supporting part rests with its predominant surface against the inner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Thomas, Klaus-Dieter Wolf
  • Publication number: 20120071885
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for manipulating a portion of the spine. A support body provides support for extender sleeves that are coupled to bone screws implanted in bone. The extender sleeves are coupled to the support body in a manner that allows translation and rotation of the extender sleeves relative to the support body. Movement and rotation of the extender sleeves in selected directions can be allowed while movement and rotation in other directions can be inhibited. The extender sleeves can be manipulated to move the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Forton, Larry T. Khoo, Peter Thomas Miller
  • Patent number: 8140637
    Abstract: An apparatus, for connection to a storage device, comprising: a module for communication with a software application and operable to receive instructions to copy data to the storage device; a chunking and identifier generation module operable to receive the data, to process the data into chunks, to generate a first chunk identifier, representative of the identity of a first of the chunks of data and, upon processing of the data, to initiate the issuance of a confirmation signal to the software application indicating that the data has been copied to the storage device; and an interface for communication with the storage device, wherein the interface is operable to send the first chunk identifier to the storage device, and to send the first chunk of data to the storage device upon receipt of a transfer instruction from the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alastair Slater, Simon Pelly, Peter Thomas Camble
  • Patent number: D666212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Lee Coffman, Stephen O. Lemay, Angela Guzman Suarez, Peter Thomas Westen