Patents by Inventor R. Thomas

R. 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).

  • GRAIN DEHYDRATING COMPRESSOR FOR WET GRAIN SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160257086
    Abstract: A device according to various embodiments for preparing wet grain can include at least a first screw configured to receive wet grain. A second screw receives the wet grain from the first screw. At least one of a compressing element and a dehydrating element is included with at least one of the first screw and the second screw to cause a physical property change to the wet grain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • DYNAMICALLY BINDING DATA IN AN APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20160259657
    Abstract: A computer-usable storage medium having instructions embodied therein that when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for binding data in an application. An expression is created via a framework based on input from a developer. The expression is received at an expression engine wherein the expression describes a relation between a first property of a first data of the application to a first property of a second data of the application. A binding is created between the first data and the second data based on the relation via the expression engine. The first property of the second data is changed based on a change to the first property of the first data wherein the changing occurs because of the binding. The receiving the expression, the creating the binding, and the changing the first property are orchestrated via the framework to manage when the expression is executed in the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: James Tierney, John R. Thomas
  • DISTILLER GRAIN PRODUCTION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160249673
    Abstract: A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • REVERSE BEARING SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20160245341
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a bearing comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The bearing further comprises a plurality of threads adjacent to the second end. The plurality of threads comprise a first slot perpendicular to the plurality of threads. The bearing system also includes a washer comprising a first surface adjacent to the second end of the bearing and a plane parallel to the first surface. The washer further comprises a plurality of side tabs extending from a second surface in a direction parallel to the plane and a first tab extending from the first surface in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The first tab mates with the first slot of the bearing. The bearing system further comprises a nut positioned between the first end of the bearing and the first surface of the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventor: Randall R. Thomas
  • Multiple activity toy
    Patent number: 9403101
    Abstract: A multiple activity toy for both entertaining and improving a child's manual dexterity includes a box-like housing having a front panel displaying a plurality of transparent or translucent graphic images and including a pair of spaced-apart three-way switches that control the on/off state of a string of battery powered LED's that are plugged into apertures located beneath the graphic images. Also included in the housing is a record/playback circuit to which a plurality of push-button switches are connected to control the recording and playback of voice, music or other sounds via a speaker mounted within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventors: Sean L. Thomas, Pamela R. Thomas
  • QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PLATE TECTONIC MODELS
    Publication number: 20160209544
    Abstract: A method for quantitatively evaluating multiple computer-based plate tectonic models for application in a geographic region of interest, in some embodiments, comprises: selecting a plurality of computer-based plate tectonic models; using multiple computer-based plate tectonic models to generate one or more predictions for one or more geological parameters; obtaining observational data for each of said one or more geological parameters; for each of said one or more geological parameters, quantitatively comparing the predictions and the observational data to determine model rankings; and displaying said model rankings on a computer display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Minguez, Thomas Matthew Laroche, Keith R. Thomas, Alan Morgan, Elizabeth Anna Edwards Johnson
  • BALL VALVE WITH ANTI-ROTATIONAL PRESSURE PLATE
    Publication number: 20160208935
    Abstract: A ball valve having an anti-rotational pressure plate that allows for a balanced pressure load on a valve member is provided. Additionally, the pressure plate can also fix the rotation of an adjacent flow disk, allowing for angular-orientation specific flow characterizing features to be used with the flow disk. By fixing the rotation of the flow disk, the ball valve can characterize flows using a greater variety of flow disk geometries, including angular-orientation dependent and angular-orientation independent flow disks. Further, the pressure plate could also be directly in the form of a flow disk that has anti-rotation features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Buildings, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt R. Thomas
  • WIRELESS TRANSACTION MEDIUM HAVING COMBINED MAGNETIC STRIPE AND RADIO FREQUENCY COMMUNICATIONS
    Publication number: 20160196547
    Abstract: A wireless financial transaction instrument, such as a card, has a magnetic stripe, a display, and an on-board power supply, such as a battery, and is usable with a dual capture point of sale terminal. Information is received by such a terminal from the card wirelessly, and also from the magnetic stripe, and the data received contactlessly is preferably used to verify that read from the stripe. The display can display the account number on command, or to display a current balance, or amount of credit remaining, or any combination of these items of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: David S. Bonalle, Michael D. Donovan, Sherrie G. Jackson, Scott Glen Paylor, Medina J. Senghore, Tracey R. Thomas
  • Ball valve with anti-rotational pressure plate
    Patent number: 9377120
    Abstract: A ball valve having an anti-rotational pressure plate that allows for a balanced pressure load on a valve member is provided. Additionally, the pressure plate can also fix the rotation of an adjacent flow disk, allowing for angular-orientation specific flow characterizing features to be used with the flow disk. By fixing the rotation of the flow disk, the ball valve can characterize flows using a greater variety of flow disk geometries, including angular-orientation dependent and angular-orientation independent flow disks. Further, the pressure plate could also be directly in the form of a flow disk that has anti-rotation features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Builders, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt R. Thomas
  • STAGED HEAT EXCHANGERS FOR MULTI-BYPASS STREAM GAS TURBINE ENGINES
    Publication number: 20160177828
    Abstract: A gas turbine bypass flow arrangement comprises an outer housing and an inner housing, an outer bypass duct defined between the outer housing and the inner housing and an inner bypass duct defined inwardly of the inner housing. A first heat exchanger is positioned at an upstream location within the outer bypass duct and a second heat exchanger is positioned within the inner bypass duct at an upstream location. A downstream heat exchanger is positioned to be in the path of air downstream of the second heat exchanger in the inner bypass duct. Air flowing across the downstream heat exchanger passes from the inner bypass duct into the outer bypass duct. A gas turbine engine is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan K. Snyder, Michael R. Thomas
  • Dynamically binding data in an application
    Patent number: 9367338
    Abstract: A computer-usable storage medium that when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for binding data in an application. An expression is created via a framework based on input from a developer. The expression is received at an expression engine wherein the expression describes a relation between a first property of a first data of the application to a first property of a second data of the application. A binding is created between the first data and the second data based on the relation via the expression engine. The first property of the second data is changed based on a change to the first property of the first data wherein the changing occurs because of the binding. The receiving the expression, the creating the binding, and the changing the first property are orchestrated via the framework to manage when the expression is executed in the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Embarcadero Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Tierney, John R. Thomas
  • CURVED PLATE/FIN HEATER EXCHANGER
    Publication number: 20160123230
    Abstract: A plate/fin heat exchanger includes multiple stacked panels defining a curvature. Each of the panels has a first corrugated sheet defining a first set of passages and a second corrugated sheet defining a second set of passages. Each of the corrugated sheets includes multiple aligned corrugations, and the corrugations of the first corrugated sheet are not aligned with the corrugations of the second corrugated sheet. Each of the corrugations has a corrugation height defined as a length of said corrugation tangential to a curvature of the plate/fin heat exchanger, and wherein each of the first corrugated sheets includes axially aligned corrugations defining a wedge shaped radial cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • RESILIENT INTERPOSITIONAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160095706
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into joints to pad cartilage defects, cushion joints, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. Rather than using periosteal harvesting for cell containment in joint resurfacing, the walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability to avoid extrusion or dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: R. Thomas Grotz
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENABLING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
    Publication number: 20160098659
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracey R. Thomas, Katherine G. Chen
  • Distiller grain production device
    Patent number: 9282764
    Abstract: A device for producing a high density compact livestock feed from a loose granular material according to various embodiment can include a source for supplying a loose granular material to be treated and moving the treated material through a series of successive treatment zones. Rotatable screws are provided within an extruder to compress and transport the treated material a die. The treated material is pressed through the die while a two-dimensional cross-section compression is applied to the treated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nationwide 5, LLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Thomas
  • CLIENTLESS METHOD FOR CONTEXT DRIVEN WIRELESS INTERACTIONS
    Publication number: 20160073397
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and apparatuses for the provision and management of value added services without a requirement for specific client software on a wireless receive/transmit unit (WRTU). The methods and apparatuses described may be applied to wireless networks supporting HTTP transfers without disrupting the wireless network configuration. In the embodiments described herein, a web request may be received by a Service Management Entity (SME) that may be located in an access point (AP) from a WRTU. The SME may transmit a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file to the WRTU. This PAC file may include a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with a Service Delivery Entity (SDE), and the URL chosen may be based on rules associated with a location of the WRTU. The SDE may then receive a second web request from the WRTU and respond by transmitting a message to the WRTU such as a transaction trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: AIRSENSE WIRELESS LTD.
    Inventors: Edward R. Thomas, David P. Thompson, Alain C. Briancon
  • RESILIENT MEDICALLY INFLATABLE INTERPOSITIONAL ARTHROPLASTY DEVICE
    Publication number: 20160058548
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a resilient interpositional arthroplasty implant for application into joints to pad cartilage defects, cushion joints, and replace or restore the articular surface, which may preserve joint integrity, reduce pain and improve function. The implant may endure variable joint compressive and shear forces and cyclic loads. The implant may repair, reconstruct, and regenerate joint anatomy, and thereby improve upon joint replacement alternatives. Rather than using periosteal harvesting for cell containment in joint resurfacing, the walls of this invention may capture, distribute and hold living cells until aggregation and hyaline cartilage regrowth occurs. The implant may be deployed into debrided joint spaces, molding and conforming to surrounding structures with sufficient stability to avoid extrusion or dislocation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: R. Thomas Grotz
  • System and Method for Enabling Integrated Channels in an IP Marketplace
    Publication number: 20160027117
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for merchandising intellectual property (IP) and conducting IP transactions is disclosed. A standardized data collection method enables IP assets to be characterized, rated and valuated in a consistent manner. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between the IP Marketplace participants throughout the IP transaction process. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracey R. Thomas
  • System and method for enabling product development
    Patent number: 9245244
    Abstract: A comprehensive platform for developing digital products. A standardized process is applied to a product development effort and an online portal provides tools to aid the product development, assessment, funding and commercializing products. Project management, workflow and data security functionality enable consistent, efficient and secure interactions between users. Business rules, workflows, valuation models and rating methods may be user defined or based upon marketplace, industry or technology standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Tracey R. Thomas, Katherine G. Chen
  • Providing users with a preview of text mining results from queries over unstructured or semi-structured text
    Patent number: 9208217
    Abstract: The system and methods described herein provide results previewing for an interactive text mining system in order to feedback partial query results to users before all results that are responsive to a query have been found. These partial results allow the user to see the progress of their text mining query much sooner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Linguamatics Ltd.
    Inventors: David R. Milward, Roger W. Hale, Malcolm R. Parsons, Sylvia F. Knight, Christopher I. Sullivan, Jason Trenouth, James R. Thomas