Patents by Inventor Taylor N. Thompson, Sr.

Taylor N. Thompson, Sr. 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).

  • Positioning device for temperature sensor in freeze drying
    Patent number: 4966469
    Abstract: A positioning device for a temperature sensor in a flask for freeze drying. The device comprises a generally circular plastic stopper having an opening approximately in its center. The stopper is snap-fittingly secured to the top of the flask. A central, annular tube extends through that opening and into the flask. A thermocouple having a generally circular cross section is coiled around and supported by the annular tube so that it is free and is in the center of the flask. The thermocouple is retractable and extensible to permit the use of the thermocouple in flasks of various lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: FTS Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Fraser, Taylor N. Thompson, Sr.
  • Freeze dryer for unattended operation
    Patent number: 4823478
    Abstract: The freeze dryer device of the invention furnishes automatic operational, power outage and defrost control providing for an operator to perform other productive activities during operation of the freeze drying device. Upon initiation by the user, the operational control conditions the freeze drying device to receive bottles of frozen sample product to be freeze dried. Upon the drying device becoming properly conditioned in temperature and pressure, the device of the invention provides the user an indication to apply the sample bottles to the device. The power outage control protects the integrity of the samples applied to the drying device by sensing both temperature and pressure before returning to normal operation. If either temperature or pressure are above certain values after the power outage, the device of the invention stops normal operation by opening manifold chamber to atmospheric pressure while maintaining the refrigeration system operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: FTS Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Taylor N. Thompson, Sr.
  • Process and device for determining the end of a primary stage of freeze drying
    Patent number: 4780964
    Abstract: A tray-type freeze drying device determines the end of a first stage of a freeze drying process by regularly and drastically reducing the pressure surrounding the product being freeze dried. No decrease in product temperature during the reduction in pressure indicates the completion of the sublimation of water from the product and the end of the first stage of drying. A decrease in product temperature during the drastic reduction in pressure indicates the need to continue the sublimation procedure and the first stage of drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: FTS Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Taylor N. Thompson, Sr.