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).

  • Method and system for controlling a transfer case clutch to protect against excessive heat
    Patent number: 7630812
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle driveline including a transfer case whose output is continually connected to a first output, a clutch, operating partially engaged, responds to a control signal to change the degree of clutch engagement, whereby a second output is connected driveably to the first output. A digital computer continually calculates a change in clutch temperature at frequent intervals and updates a running sum of clutch temperature changes. The control causes the clutch to more fully engage if the current calculated clutch temperature exceeds a predetermined reference clutch temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hong Jiang, Bal Sankpal, Steven Thomas, Timothy Allen
  • HAIR TREATMENT FLUID APPLICATION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20090293897
    Abstract: A hair treatment fluid application device includes a flexible container for containing a hair treatment fluid, an applicator body having outlet orifices for applying the hair treatment fluid to hair, the flexible container having a passage opening for allowing egress of the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container to the applicator body, a housing for accommodating the flexible container, a piston for exerting pressure on the flexible container for forcing the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container through the passage opening to the applicator body by deforming the flexible container, and a driver for driving the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: KOK WAH MA, STEVEN Thomas SLOT
  • SOLAR-CELL MODULE WITH IN-LAMINATE DIODES AND EXTERNAL-CONNECTION MECHANISMS MOUNTED TO RESPECTIVE EDGE REGIONS
    Publication number: 20090283137
    Abstract: A solar-cell module. The solar-cell module includes a plurality of solar cells that are electrically coupled together. The solar-cell module further includes an in-laminate-diode assembly electrically coupled with the plurality of solar cells. The in-laminate-diode assembly is configured to prevent power loss. The solar-cell module also includes a protective structure at least partially encapsulating the plurality of solar cells. In addition, the solar-cell module includes a plurality of external-connection mechanisms mounted to a respective plurality of edge regions of the protective structure. An external-connection mechanism of the plurality of external-connection mechanisms is configured to enable collection of current from the plurality of solar cells and to allow interconnection with at least one other external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Croft, William James McColl, Shawn Everson, Jason Stephan Corneille, Kent Whitfield, Todd Krajewski, Darin Britwhistle
  • Cure Accelerators for Anaerobic Curable Compositions
    Publication number: 20090277356
    Abstract: The present invention provides products of isocyanate functional material(s) and compound(s) selected from the group of compounds represented by structural Formula (I): wherein X, Y and R1 are as described herein, use of such compounds as anaerobic cure accelerators, and compositions including such compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: HENKEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony F. Jacobine, Andrew Messana, David M. Glaser, Steven Thomas Nakos
  • Cure accelerators for anaerobic curable compositions
    Publication number: 20090278084
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds represented by structural Formula (III): wherein X, R1, R2, and R4 are as described herein, reaction products of compounds of Formula (III) and isocyanates, use of such compounds and reaction products as anaerobic cure accelerators, methods of making the same, and compositions including such compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: HENKEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Messana, Anthony F. Jacobine, Steven Thomas Nakos, David M. Glaser
  • Cure Accelerators for Anaerobic Curable Compositions
    Publication number: 20090281335
    Abstract: The present invention provides compound(s) selected from the group of compounds represented by structural Formula (I): wherein X, Y and R1 are as described herein, use of such compounds as anaerobic cure accelerators, and compostions including such compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: HENKEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Messana, Anthony F. Jacobine, Steven Thomas Nakos, David M. Glaser
  • Apparatus and process for monitoring a vehicle condition
    Publication number: 20090243829
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a vehicle condition comprises a sensor for sensing the vehicle condition and a transmitter for transmitting signals indicative of the sensed vehicle condition. The transmitted signals include a first signal set and a second signal set. A receiver mountable on the vehicle is provided for receiving the transmitted signals. The receiver has a first operating state when the vehicle ignition is OFF and a second operating state when the vehicle ignition is ON. The first signal set includes a wake-up portion to wake up the receiver when the receiver is in its first operating state and an information portion. The second signal set includes an information portion. The transmitted signals include at least one first signal set and at least one second signal set during a predetermined time period when the vehicle ignition is OFF and when the vehicle ignition is ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Xing Ping Lin, Steven Thomas Skalski
  • INTERCONNECT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20090235979
    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 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Mulugeta Zerfu Wudu, Jason Stephan Corneille, Steven Thomas Croft, Steven Douglas Flanders, William James McColl
  • SMOOTHING A METALLIC SUBSTRATE FOR A SOLAR CELL
    Publication number: 20090229666
    Abstract: A method for smoothing the surface of a metallic substrate. The method includes providing a metallic substrate and smoothing a surface of the metallic substrate by irradiating the surface with a high-intensity energy source, such that the surface is smoothed to remove defects from the surface by creating an altered surface layer. The altered surface layer is configured to receive at least one layer in a fabrication process of an electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jason Stephan Corneille, Steven Thomas Croft, Mulugeta Zerfu Wudu, William James McColl
  • Process for the preparation of a tetraalkycyclobutane-1,3-diol using a promoted-copper catalyst
    Patent number: 7582804
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the presence of a promoted copper-based catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jennifer Ellen McCusker-Orth, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Anthony Dominick Messina, Steven Thomas Perri, Zhufang Liu, Philip Conrad Heidt, Brent Alan Tennant
  • Method of improving abrasion resistance of plastic article and article produced thereby
    Patent number: 7576140
    Abstract: The invention includes embodiments that relate to a method of improving the abrasion resistance of a plastic article. The method comprises: (a) providing a composition comprising at least one siloxane compound and at least one thermoplastic polymeric material; (b) forming an article from the composition of step (a); and (c) exposing the article formed in step (b) to an energy source selected from an electron beam source, a gamma radiation source, and a combination thereof. The invention also includes embodiments that relate to an article comprising an abrasion resistant surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Ryo Tamaki, Steven Thomas Rice, Hieu Minh Duong
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BLENDED ANIMATION ENABLING AN ANIMATED CHARACTER TO AIM AT ANY ARBITRARY POINT IN A VIRTUAL SPACE
    Publication number: 20090195544
    Abstract: A method for blended animation by providing a set of animation sequences associated with an animated character model is disclosed. In one embodiment, a geometric representation of a blend space is generated from the set of animation sequences using locator nodes associated with each animation sequence. A subset of animation sequences is selected from the set of animation sequences by casting a ray from a reference bone to a target through the geometric representation and selecting animation sequences that are geometrically close to the intersection of the cast ray and the geometric representation. A blend weight is determined for each member animation sequence in the selected subset of animation sequences. A blended animation is generated using the selected subset of animation sequences and the blend weights, then rendered to create a final animation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Wrinch
  • Palladium-copper chromite hydrogenation catalysts
    Patent number: 7538060
    Abstract: Disclosed are catalysts comprising copper chromite, palladium and lanthanum having hydrogenation activity. The combination of copper chromite with palladium and lanthanum enhances catalyst activity more than the presence of either palladium alone or palladium in combination with alkali or alkaline earth metals. The catalysts are useful for the preparation of methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen and for the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds such as, for example, aldehydes, ketones, and esters, to their corresponding alcohols. The catalysts may be used for the preparation of cyclohexanedimethanols from dialkyl cyclohexanedicarboxylates or of ethylene glycol from alkyl glycolates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Scott Donald Barnicki, Bruce LeRoy Gustafson, Zhufang Liu, Steven Thomas Perri, Paul Randolph Worsham
  • Fire suppression delivery system
    Publication number: 20090120653
    Abstract: Within the Fire Suppression Delivery System, also referred to as The Fire Nemesis System™, Fire Nemesis System™, and Fire Nemesis™, the fire extinguishment encasements are modified to include a projectile airbrake to improve maneuverability; foam firefighting material encasement; and for direct application within marine vessels, including a sentinel encasement. The software security means of the System is enhanced to prevent unauthorized access to its data and software controlled functions. Two new adaptations of the Fire Nemesis System™, i.e., the Fourth and the Fifth Generation systems, were created. The Aerial Fire Suppression Drone is enhanced and includes a vertical flight design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Steven Thomas
  • Method of improving abrasion resistance of plastic article using functionalized polymers and article produced thereby
    Patent number: 7524562
    Abstract: The invention includes embodiments that relate to a method of improving the abrasion resistance of a plastic article. The method comprises: (a) providing a composition comprising at least one e-beam active thermoplastic polymeric material; (b) forming an article from the composition of step (a); and (c) exposing the article formed in step (b) to an electron beam source. The invention also includes embodiments that relate to an article comprising an abrasion resistant surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Ryo Tamaki, Steven Thomas Rice, Hieu Minh Duong, Xian-Zhi Zhou, Gary Charles Davis, Elliott West Shanklin
  • Process for the preparation of a tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol using an iridium-promoted cobalt-based catalyst
    Patent number: 7524994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the presence of an iridium-promoted cobalt-based catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jennifer Ellen McCusker-Orth, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Anthony Dominick Messina, Steven Thomas Perri, Zhufang Liu, Philip Conrad Heidt, Brent Alan Tennant
  • Process for the preparation of tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol in the presence of a cobalt-based catalyst
    Patent number: 7521583
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the presence of a cobalt-based catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jennifer Ellen McCusker-Orth, Jerome Leonard Stavinoha, Jr., Anthony Dominick Messina, Steven Thomas Perri, Zhufang Liu, Philip Conrad Heidt, Brent Alan Tennant
  • Transgenic plants with enhanced agronomic traits
    Publication number: 20090100536
    Abstract: This invention provides transgenic plant cells with recombinant DNA for expression of proteins that are useful for imparting enhanced agronomic trait(s) to transgenic crop plants. This invention also provides transgenic plants and progeny seed comprising the transgenic plant cells where the plants are selected for having an enhanced trait selected from the group of traits consisting of enhanced water use efficiency, enhanced cold tolerance, increased yield, enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, enhanced seed protein and enhanced seed oil. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing transgenic seed and plants with enhanced traits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Thomas Adams, Ameeta K. Agarwa, Jeffrey Ahrens, James A. Ball, Amarjit Basra, Erin Bell, Terry L. Bradshaw, Paul S. Chomet, James H. Crowley, Jill Deikman, Molian Deng, Meghan Donnarummo, Kimberly Faye Zobrist Duff, Stephen Duff, Michael D. Edgerton, Banu Gopalan, Xiaoping He, Mackenzie Heal, Brendan S. Hinchey, Shihshieh Huang, Richard G. Johnson, Vincent Jung, Keith Kretzmer, Lucille B. Laccetti, Chao Qiang Lai, Garrett J. Lee, Michael H. Luethy, Timothy J. Leland, Jingdong Liu, Bin Lu, Adrian A. Lund, Linda L. Madson, Kathleen P. Malloy, Marcus Paul McNabnay, Manchikanti Padmavati, Thomas Ruff, William Start, Daniel Tennessen, Carl P. Urwin, Gabriela Vaduva, K.R. Vidya, Steven Thomas Voss, Christine Voyles, Zhango Xin, Nanfei Xu, Qingzhang Xu, Qiang Zhang, Yajuan Zhao, Li Zhou
  • SEMI-AUTOMATED OPHTHALMIC PHOTOCOAGULATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20090093798
    Abstract: An ophthalmic treatment system and method for performing therapy on target tissue in a patient's eye. A delivery system delivers treatment light to the patient's eye and a camera captures a live image of the patient's eye. Control electronics control the delivery system, register a pre-treatment image of the patient's eye to the camera's live image (where the pre-treatment image includes a treatment template that identifies target tissue within the patient's eye), and verify whether or not the delivery system is aligned to the target tissue defined by the treatment template. The control electronics control the delivery system to project the treatment light onto the patient's eye in response to both an activation of a trigger device and the verification that the delivery system is aligned to the target tissue, as well as adjust delivery system alignment to track eye movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Charles
  • HAIR TREATMENT FLUID APPLICATION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20090050169
    Abstract: A hair treatment fluid application device includes a flexible container for containing a hair treatment fluid, an applicator body having outlet orifices for applying the hair treatment fluid to hair, the flexible container having a passage opening for allowing egress of the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container to the applicator body, a housing for accommodating the flexible container, a piston for exerting pressure on the flexible container for forcing the hair treatment fluid from the flexible container through the passage opening to the applicator body by deforming the flexible container, and a driver for driving the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: KOK WAH MA, STEVEN Thomas SLOT