Patents by Inventor Robert G. Thomson

Robert G. Thomson 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: 6447583
    Abstract: A rotating drum adsorber process and system includes a rotating drum of adsorbent medium in a shell including partitions which define an adsorption sector, a regeneration sector and a cooling sector, and which continuously rotates through the sectors. The process and system includes an arrangement for sensing the temperature difference between the temperature of the discharge exiting the leading edge of the regeneration sector and the regeneration sector average discharge temperature for automatically controlling various operating conditions of the rotating drum adsorber system. A computerized method for accurately predicting the contamination level of the gas stream exiting the adsorption sector and optimizing the performance and fractionation efficiency of the rotating drum adsorber system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Flair Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Thelen, Brian Peterson, Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 6278293
    Abstract: A circuit (10) for providing TTL logic signals at an output (24) employs dual pull up devices (20, 30) at the output. The first device (20) is a bipolar transistor that acts as an emitter-follower to quickly pull up the output in response to applied logic signals to drive the output to a logic one state. Thereafter, the second device (30) which is a MOS transistor is turned on to drive the magnitude of the high logic output signal to substantially VCC, the positive power supply voltage supplied to the circuit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5638859
    Abstract: A drain valve is disclosed which comprises a float chamber for accumulating a fluid. A float is disposed within the float chamber for fluid level determined movement therein. A pivotable arm is operatively connected to the float. Pilot valve means are provided which comprise valve body means and valve shuttle means. The valve body means receive a portion of the pivotable arm and have a valve seat and an inlet in communication with a source of pressure and an outlet. Valve shuttle means are provided for controlling fluid flow from the float chamber in response to the movement of the float and pivotable arm. The valve shuttle means have a closed position wherein the source of pressure maintains the valve shuttle means in sealed relation with the valve seat and an open position wherein the valve shuttle means is not in sealed relation to the valve seat such that that inlet is communication with the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Flair-Pneumatic Products Corp.
    Inventors: Robert G. Thomson, John E. Thelen
  • Patent number: 5276874
    Abstract: A digital data processing system having an index file containing a plurality of file headers includes an arrangement having a file header processing portion for iteratively retrieving file headers from an index file and for establishing in response thereto a descriptor defining a directory in a directory tree, each descriptor defining the relationship of the corresponding directory to a parent directory in the directory tree, and a group vector processing portion, responsive to processing of a file header by the file header processing portion, for generating a group vector comprising a plurality of pointers to said descriptors, each pointer defining the relationship of a directory to one or more child directories in said directory tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 4760278
    Abstract: The transfer switch assembly typically automatically transfers electrical loads from a normal electrical power source to an emergency electrical power source upon reduction or loss of normal power source voltage. It can also automatically re-transfer the load to the normal power source when the normal voltage has been restored within acceptable limits. The device includes a rotor and couplers for cooperating with switch toggles of circuit breakers to actuate the circuit breakers. First and second links connect the rotor to the couplers. The links have outer ends connected to the couplers, and inner ends hingedly connected to the rotor at positions spaced circumferentially apart relative to the rotor axis. In this way, rotation of the rotor in one direction moves the couplers to open one circuit breaker and, after a short period of time, to close the remaining circuit breaker so that one circuit breaker opens prior to closing the other circuit breaker. The transfer switch can also be actuated manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 4739246
    Abstract: A Current Reference for providing a feedback signal to a current driver in a current-series, feedback-controlled current source circuit that includes at least one, but more likely more than one, controlled current source. The Current Reference comprises a current mirror having an input transistor coupled to an output transistor in a current mirror configuration. The input transistor of the current mirror is driven by a constant current source, Icc, so that the current mirror output transistor causes a current substantially equal to Icc to flow out of a summing node. A sensing transistor is coupled to a controlled current source for providing a current into the summing node that is representative of the current delivered by the controlled current source. As a result, the current flowing away from the summing node and into a phase inverter is representative of the difference between the delivered current and Icc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 4731830
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an interface circuit for coupling with a relative high-level VOICE circuit and a relatively low-level DIALER circuit to a subscriber line. A first shunt transistor is coupled across the telephone line and has its collector current forced by a current sink driven from the VOICE circuit. A second shunt transistor is coupled in a current mirror configuration to the first shunt transistor and supplies current to the DIALER circuitry. The interface circuit includes a saturation prevention circuit coupled to the current sink and to the second shunt transistor for sensing a tendency of the second shunt transistor toward saturation and for increasing the collector current load on that transistor in response. The saturation prevention circuit includes a voltage offset element and a sensing transistor arranged to form a loop with the collector-to-base junction of the second shunt transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 4700144
    Abstract: A differential amplifier feedback current mirror includes a feedback current source that provides a correction current to one input of a differential amplifier. The correction current is synthesized by comparing a sample of the current delivered by a string of controlled current sources to a reference current set up by a constant current source. A current driver is included in the differential amplifier feedback loop and a current source buss is driven by the current driver. The feedback configuration assures that the current delivered by the dependent controlled current sources accurately tracks the current established by the reference current source, irrespective of the base current offset attributable to each of the dependent controlled current sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson
  • Patent number: 4683351
    Abstract: Circuitry for supplying power to low-level DIALER portions of a telecommunications integrated circuit device comprises a PNP current sourcing transistor mirrored to a bypass transistor. The bypass transistor is coupled across the TIP and RING terminals of the subscriber line so as to maintain current flow sufficient to prevent the central office from "dropping out". A sensing transistor drives a current sink coupled to the current sourcing transistor in order to prevent that transistor from dropping into saturation and degrading the necessarily high impedance level that must be presented across the subscriber line. Saturation is prevented through the operation of a circuit loop that includes the base-collector junction of the current sourcing transistor, the emitter to-base junction of the sensing transistor, and a voltage offset element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Thomson