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).

  • Business Introduction Tool
    Publication number: 20150106148
    Abstract: A method for managing business introductions includes retrieving unfiltered data generated by a professional networking service and filtering a plurality of business connections to generate a filtered list of business connections. The filtered list of connections to send to an end user device, and a selected connection is subsequently received. The method further includes generating a draft message to a business contact requesting an introduction to the selected connection and sending the draft message to the end user device. Once a revised message is received from the end user device, a server sends the revised message to the business contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: BIZINTRO
    Inventor: Steven Thomas
  • Trench-gate RESURF semiconductor device and manufacturing method
    Patent number: 9006822
    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: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Peake, Phil Rutter
  • Energy storage system
    Patent number: 8950181
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Ivy, Guy Carl Eastwood
  • METHOD FOR APPLYING A POWDER COATING
    Publication number: 20150037508
    Abstract: A method for the application of at least two different powder coating layers to a substrate comprising the steps of application of a first powder coating layer followed by the application of a second powder coating layer, without any substantial curing of the first powder coating layer prior to the application of the second powder coating layer, followed by the simultaneous curing of the first powder coating layer and the second powder coating layer, wherein the first powder coating layer or the second powder coating layer comprises 1 to 10 weight % of a conductive component having a resistivity of below 5 ?cm at a packing volume of ?70%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: AKZO NOBEL COATINGS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Thompson, Robert Edward Barker, Neil Lewis Engward, Gavin John Scott
  • ELECTRIC GLORY HOLE FURNACE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150036712
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SPIRAL ARTS INC
    Inventors: STEVEN THOMAS GIBBS, FRED CHARLES METZ
  • ELECTRIC GLORY HOLE DOOR ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150034624
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: SPIRAL ARTS INC
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Gibbs, Fred Charles Metz
  • ELECTRIC GLORY HOLE INSULATION PACKAGE
    Publication number: 20150030048
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SPIRAL ARTS INC
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Gibbs, Fred Charles Metz
  • ELECTRIC GLORY HOLE HEATING ELEMENT BAFFLE
    Publication number: 20150021311
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SPIRAL ARTS INC
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Gibbs, Fred Charles Metz
  • ELECTRIC GLORY HOLE VIDEO CAMERA ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150024858
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Spiral Arts Inc
    Inventors: STEVEN THOMAS GIBBS, Fred Charles Metz
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20150017618
    Abstract: A system, method, and software product psychologically profile an athlete using a mobile device. Data collected from the athlete using an app running on the mobile device is received and processed to determine a psychological profile score and at least one activity to train the athlete is provided based upon the psychological profile score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Portenga
  • Interconnect assembly
    Patent number: 8912429
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hanergy Holding Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Mulugeta Zerfu Wudu, Jason Stephen Corneille, Steven Thomas Croft, Steven Douglas Flanders, William James McColl
  • INDUSTRIAL ASSET HEALTH MODEL UPDATE
    Publication number: 20140365191
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for updating a model for generating a health profile of an industrial asset based upon data pertaining to the industrial asset. The health profile comprises a maintenance plan(s), which respectively comprise one or more recommended maintenance actions to be performed with respect to the industrial asset during a prediction period. The model may be periodically and/or intermittently updated based upon a comparison between the recommended maintenance actions and actual events of the industrial asset during the prediction period. Moreover, in some embodiments, different models may be selected for generating future health profiles of the industrial asset based upon a comparison between the recommended maintenance actions and actual events of the industrial asset during the prediction period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Zyglowicz, Karen J. Smiley, Shakeel M. Mahate, Chihhung Hou
  • INDUSTRIAL ASSET HEALTH MODEL UPDATE
    Publication number: 20140365271
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems are provided for generating a health profile of an industrial asset based upon data pertaining to such an industrial asset. The health profile describes an expected condition of the industrial asset during a prediction period, a predicted cause of the expected condition, and/or a predicted impact of the expected condition. In some embodiments, the health profile is generated using a model that is configured to be periodically and/or intermittently updated. Further, in some embodiments, a diagnostic profile may be generated describing diagnostic actions that may be taken to improve predictions included within a health profile and/or to improve a confidence in one or more of those predictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Karen J. Smiley, Steven Thomas Zyglowicz, Shakeel M. Mahate, Chihhung Hou
  • VARIABLE GEOMETRY HEAT SINK ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140360699
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly and method wherein a base plate is mountable to a heat source and spaced fins on the base plate define flow channels therebetween. Self actuating louvers are configured to increase flow through select channels in response to increased temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Marthinus van Schoor, Steven Thomas
  • Method of Manufacturing Portion of Slide Fastener
    Publication number: 20140359979
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a slide fastener. The method comprises providing a first tape having a first edge; providing the first tape with a row of coupling elements along the first edge of the first tape, the coupling elements being configured to interdigitate with a further row of coupling elements. The method further comprises attaching a first layer of a fluid resistant material to the first tape, attaching an extending layer of a fluid resistant material to the first layer, the extending layer forming an extension member comprising a first overhang portion which extends beyond a second edge of the first tape opposite the first edge of the first tape. The first layer of fluid resistant material is attached to the first tape and the extending layer is attached to the first layer such that there is no fluid path through the first layer and/or extending layer to the first tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Eiji Gonda, Steven Thomas
  • Dual fuel common rail system and method of transitioning from diesel only to dual fuel method of operation
    Patent number: 8909457
    Abstract: A dual fuel common rail system may be operated in a regular mode in which a relatively large charge of gaseous fuel is ignited by compression igniting a relatively small injection quantity of liquid diesel fuel. The dual fuel system may be operated in a single fuel limp home mode in which liquid diesel fuel is injected at higher pressures. When transitioning from the single fuel limp home mode to the dual fuel regular mode, accumulated leaked liquid fuel in the gaseous nozzle chamber of each fuel injector is purged and burned in the respective engine cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Puckett, Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi
  • Trench-gate semiconductor device
    Patent number: 8901638
    Abstract: A trench-gate semiconductor device is disclosed, in which the player (10,6) which forms the body region (in a n-channel device) extends adjacent the trench (4) deeper into the device, to lie adjacent a lower trench electrode (3b, 3c). Since the p-layer extension (6) forms part of the channel, it must be very low doped, in order not to increase unduly the channel resistance in the on-state. The replacement of some of the out-diffusion resistance in the drift region by the (smaller) channel resistance results in a lower over-all Rdson. In the off-state, the p-layer forms, together with the underlying n-drift layer, a non-abrupt function, so that the depletion region in the off-state extends closer to the top surface (2) than for a conventional RSO trench-MOS, being split between the p- and n-layers, rather than all being in the n-drift region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Peake, Phil Rutter
  • Electric glass hot shop system
    Patent number: 8891582
    Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Corning Museum of Glass, Spiral Arts Inc
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Gibbs, Fred Charles Metz
  • LIQUID NATURAL GAS CRYOGENIC TANK LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140333444
    Abstract: A method of detecting leakage of a fluid from a tank is disclosed. The method may include determining cumulative commanded fluid consumption of the fluid in the tank over a selected time period, determining an actual change of a volume of the fluid in the tank over the selected time period, and comparing the cumulative commanded fluid consumption to the actual change of volume of the fluid. The method may further include producing a leak warning upon the actual change of volume of the fluid over the selected time period exceeding the cumulative commanded fluid consumption over the selected time period plus a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: STEVEN THOMAS GRANT, FRANK LOMBARDI, DANIEL REESE PUCKETT
  • Ion Beam Sample Preparation Apparatus and Methods
    Publication number: 20140332699
    Abstract: Ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods are described. The apparatus has disposed in a vacuum chamber at least one tilting ion beam irradiating means with intensity control, a rotation stage with rotation control, a sample holder, and an adjustable positioning stage that has two axes of positional adjustment that are operable to move the region of the sample being prepared by the ion beam relative to the ion beam. The apparatus may also include a vacuum-tight optical window for observing the sample and a shutter for protecting the optical window from debris while the sample is prepared in the ion beam. The apparatus may also include an instrument controller responsive to the state of the apparatus and to the condition of the sample and is operable to control the preparation of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Coyle, John Andrew Hunt, Michael Patrick Hassel-Shearer