Patents by Inventor Steven Thomas

Steven 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: 9895630
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for accurately measuring and allocating treated oil. Separators can be modified to include automatic control systems utilizing active flow controls and level sensors. The automatic control systems can be configured to cause oil to flow at a rate and with a duration sufficient to accurately measure the amount of oil transferred from the separator. The systems and methods also provide for a method of correcting for oil density variations. The systems and methods also allow for fail-safe operations by having the active flow controls fail in an open position allowing pre-existing passive flow control valves to operate normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Valin Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Adler, Steven Thomas Croft, Jared Micah Lanig
  • Patent number: 9895843
    Abstract: According to some aspects, a method of additive fabrication wherein a plurality of layers of material are formed on a build platform is provided. The method may comprise forming a layer of material in contact with a container, and subsequent to the forming of the layer of material, rotating the container relative to the build platform and moving the build platform relative to the container, thereby creating an effective fulcrum about an axis, wherein the rotating of the container and moving of the build platform causes the layer of material to separate from the container. According to some embodiments, the container may be configured to rotate about a fixed axis. According to some embodiments, moving the build platform may comprise moving the build platform toward the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Formlabs, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxim Lobovsky, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale
  • Publication number: 20180030896
    Abstract: An acoustic liner for a turbine engine, the acoustic liner includes a support layer that includes a set of partitioned cavities with open faces, a perforated sheet that includes a set of perforations with corresponding inlets, the perforated sheet supported by the support layer such that perforations are in overlying relationship with the open faces to form paired perforations and cavities that define acoustic resonator cells, and a coating applied to the perforated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew Michael ROACH, Richard David CEDAR, Steven Thomas DAVIES, Timothy Richard DEPUY, Graham Frank HOWARTH, Michael Moses MARTINEZ
  • Publication number: 20180016987
    Abstract: An acoustic liner for a turbine engine, the acoustic liner includes a support layer that includes a set of partitioned cavities with open faces, a facing sheet operably coupled to the support layer such that the facing sheet overlies and closes the open faces, a set of perforations located in the facing sheet and in fluid communication with a corresponding one of the cavities to form a set of acoustic resonators, and at least a subset of the perforations have an axially-oriented, relative to the axial flow path, inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: MIDDLE RIVER AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Graham Frank Howarth, Andrew Michael Roach, Steven Thomas Davies, Richard David Cedar, Michael Moses Martinez, Timothy Richard DePuy
  • Patent number: 9864942
    Abstract: A portable table number device, comprising a housing having a bottom side with an outer edge arranged to rest on a table surface, said housing comprising a power source, an RFID reader arranged to detect an RFID table ID tag on or under said table surface, computer memory means comprising a table number device ID, wireless communication means arranged to wirelessly communicate a detected RFID tag table ID by said RFID reader together with said table number device ID to an external table number receiving device, a surface proximity sensor, such as a light sensor or micro-switch arranged in a recessed portion of said housing within said outer edge, said surface proximity sensor having a first state wherein no proximate surface is detected and a second state wherein a proximate surface is detected, said second state occurring if said bottom side of said housing is placed on said table surface, and power management means arranged to keep said RFID reading device in a sleep mode wherein no or relatively little pow
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Almos Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steve Rakoczy, Steven Thomas McGuinness
  • Publication number: 20180006015
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to circuitry operable with enhanced capacitance and mitigation of avalanche breakdown. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus and/or method involves respective transistors of a cascode circuit, one of which controls the other in an off state by applying a voltage to a gate thereof. A plurality of doped regions are separated by trenches, with the conductive trenches being configured and arranged with the doped regions to provide capacitance across the source and the drain of the second transistor, and restricting voltage at one of the source and the drain of the second transistor, therein mitigating avalanche breakdown of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Philip Rutter, Jan Sonsky, Barry Wynne, Yan Lai, Steven Thomas Peake
  • Patent number: 9828038
    Abstract: A road debris system and apparatus for use with a car or vehicle transport trailer. Embodiments include a transport trailer coupled to a truck. A plurality of resistive mounting brackets are attached to the truck. Embodiments also include a plurality of cantilever rods, a first end of each of the cantilever rods attached to one of the plurality of mounting brackets. The second end of each of the plurality of cantilever rods extend away from the respective mounting bracket. A debris guard is coupled to the plurality of cantilever rods such that an edge of the debris guard distal from the mounting bracket may articulate up and down, and such that an end of the debris guard adjacent a front of the transport trailer may articulate up and down. The debris guard is dimensioned to fill a gap between a back end of the truck and the front of the transport trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cottrell, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Bryan Howes, Steven Thomas Sexton, Lawrence Scott Moore
  • Publication number: 20170333920
    Abstract: A sprayhead having a valve including a body with an inlet and first, second, and third chambers; a first diverter movable between a first position, in which the second chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the first chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet, and a second position, in which the first chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the second chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet; and a second diverter movable between a first position, in which the third chamber is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber, and a second position, in which the third chamber is fluidly connected to the second chamber. The sprayhead having a first outlet that receives fluid from the first chamber; a second outlet fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in the first position; and a third outlet that receives fluid from the third chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder
  • Patent number: 9808620
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that may be used to treat one or more restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms of a patient. One example method may include generating first and second stimulation waveforms using a waveform generator; electrically stimulating at least a portion of a sacral region of the patient, based on the first and second stimulation waveforms, using a number of electrodes; damping or interfering with electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain to the patient's legs via a femoral nerve of the patient using the electrical stimulation; and reducing the one or more symptoms of RLS based on damping or interfering with the electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: INVICTA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Kent
  • Publication number: 20170312766
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: PERRY D. ERICKSON, Steven Thomas Radder, Amruta Velapure
  • Patent number: 9785959
    Abstract: An approach is provided for logically connecting customer endpoint devices to transaction services. The customer endpoint devices perform a customer purchase transaction and require access to transaction services to process payments and benefits that may be available for certain items. The customer endpoint devices use a transaction connection mediator to isolate communications with the transaction services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Brett S. Taylor, Michael Cain Finley, Steven Thomas Latham, Christopher Anthony Lybeer
  • Publication number: 20170288078
    Abstract: An interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly includes a trace that includes a plurality of electrically conductive portions. The plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured both to collect current from a first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell. In addition, the plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of the plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Mulugeta Zerfu Wudu, Jason Stephen Corneille, Steven Thomas Croft, Steven Douglas Flanders, William James McColl
  • Publication number: 20170269143
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Publication number: 20170270731
    Abstract: Electronic locking devices, systems, and methods may employ an accelerometer to detect an acceleration associated with displacement of a portion of an electronic locking device, for example, displacement of a housing that includes a display of the electronic locking device. Responsive to such an acceleration being detected, a message is transmitted to a device remote from the locking device. The message may include a photograph and or audio signal. Concurrently with the transmission of the message, a greeting may be played and/or displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gabriel Bestard Ribas, Steven Thomas Bakondi, Lloyd Seliber
  • Patent number: 9757740
    Abstract: A fluid control valve including a body, a first diverter, and a second diverter. The body includes an inlet that receives a supply of fluid, and first, second and third chambers. The first diverter is movable between first and second positions. When the first diverter is in the second position, the first chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the second chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet. When the first diverter is in the first position, the second chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the first chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet. The second diverter is movable between first and second positions. When the second diverter is in the second position, the third chamber is fluidly connected to the second chamber. When the second diverter is in the first position, the third chamber is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder
  • Patent number: 9735254
    Abstract: A trench-gate device with lateral RESURF pillars has an additional implant beneath the gate trench. The additional implant reduces the effective width of the semiconductor drift region between the RESURF pillars, and this provides additional gate shielding which improves the electrical characteristics of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Nexperia B.V.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Peake, Philip Rutter
  • Publication number: 20170224987
    Abstract: An oral appliance is disclosed that provides electrical stimulation to a patient's tongue in a manner that prevents collapse of the tongue and/or soft palate during sleep. More specifically, the appliance may induce a reversible current or currents in a lateral direction across the tongue in a manner that shortens the patient's Palatoglossus muscle and/or Styloglossus muscle SGM, which in turn elevates the base of the tongue toward the roof of the oral cavity, changes the shape of the tongue, pulls the patient's soft palate downward towards a base of the tongue, and/or decreases a volume of the tongue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Kent, Karena Yadira Puldon, Harold Byron Kent
  • Publication number: 20170216586
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are disclosed that may be used to treat one or more restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms of a patient. One example method may include generating first and second stimulation waveforms using a waveform generator; electrically stimulating at least a portion of a sacral region of the patient, based on the first and second stimulation waveforms, using a number of electrodes; damping or interfering with electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain to the patient's legs via a femoral nerve of the patient using the electrical stimulation; and reducing the one or more symptoms of RLS based on damping or interfering with the electrical signals transmitted from the patient's brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Kent
  • Patent number: 9707572
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Perry D. Erickson, Steven Thomas Radder, Amruta Velapure
  • Publication number: 20170200108
    Abstract: Logistical operations (e.g., warehouses) may use a voice-enabled workflow to facilitate the work tasks of a staff (i.e., population) of workers. Typically, it is necessary for a worker to travel from location-to-location to complete assigned work tasks. As such, a worker's time spent travelling often correlates with the worker's overall work performance. Understanding the worker's travel performance is highly desirable, but computing a fair and accurate travel-performance metric is difficult. One reason for this is that the distance a worker travels is often unknown. The present invention embraces a system and method for accurately and fairly assessing a worker's travel performance by analyzing the worker's voice dialog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Kwong Wing Au, Christopher L. Lofty, Steven Thomas, John Pecorari, James Geisler