Patents by Inventor Samuel M. Thomas

Samuel M. 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).

  • Method and apparatus for determining a measured direction relative to an external magnetic direction
    Patent number: 3959889
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for determining a measured direction such as the direction of a ship or airplane relative to an external magnetic field such as the magnetic field of the earth. This apparatus comprises means for establishing a magnetic field rotating at constant angular velocity, located to influence the external magnetic field. The rotating magnetic field vector bears a known angular relationship as a function of time to the measured direction. A detector is located to be influenced by the rotating and external fields for detecting the occurrence of a predetermined angular relationship between the rotating and external magnetic field vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Inventor: Samuel M. Thomas