Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Bell

Thomas A. Bell 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).

  • Publication number: 20180340398
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a combined multicoupler for connecting a tool to a top drive. The combined multicoupler includes a load frame comprising a frame body having a load shoulder, and a side door coupled to the frame body. The side door opens from the frame body to allow a tool sliding horizontally into the load shoulder, and the side door closes to lock the tool in the load frame. The combined multicoupler further comprises a drive stem movably coupled to the load frame, wherein the drive stem moves vertically to connect and disconnect with the tool in the load frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Thomas BELL
  • Patent number: 10133369
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a processor of a stylus, a tilt direction of the stylus based on respective first signal strengths at a plurality of receivers. The tilt direction comprises a direction of the stylus along an axis of a touch-sensing device. The method further includes generating, by the processor of the stylus, a response signal comprising information indicative of the tilt direction of the stylus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20180217689
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a stylus includes a first, sensor disposed proximate a first end of the stylus. The first sensor is adapted to receive a first receive signal via a first capacitive coupling with a touch sensor of a device. The first end of the stylus is at a tip-end of the stylus. The stylus also includes a second sensor disposed proximate the first end of the stylus. The second sensor is adapted to receive a second receive signal via a second capacitive coupling with the touch sensor of the device. A proximity of the first sensor to the first end of the stylus is greater than a proximity of the second sensor to the first end of the stylus. A widest portion of the first sensor has a greater width than at least a portion of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 9989249
    Abstract: An inward firing multi burner system is provided that can modulate its output and have two or more independent gas/air supplies firing via multiple burners in the same burner cylinder or burner head compartment. Independent control of one or more of gas/air supplies to the multiple burners yields a comparatively large modulation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Burnertech Combustion Engineers, Ltd.
    Inventor: David Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20180152253
    Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Bell, Christopher Griffin, Jacob Heaps, Joel Hazy
  • Publication number: 20180147812
    Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Bell, Christopher Griffin, Jacob Heaps, Jordan Kortmeyer
  • Publication number: 20180148608
    Abstract: Materials and methods for mitigating passive intermodulation. A membrane for reducing passive intermodulation includes a first polymeric layer, a second polymeric layer, and a continuous metal layer encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. A self-adhesive radio frequency barrier tape includes a waterproof polymeric top layer, a metal-containing layer adhered by an adhesive layer to the polymeric top layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adhered to the metal-containing layer, and a release liner on a bottom surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. A method of mitigating passive intermodulation includes passing a probe over an area of interest, the probe being sensitive to an intermodulation frequency of interest, and identifying a suspected source of passive intermodulation when the amplitude of the probe output exceeds a threshold at the frequency of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Bell, Christopher Griffin, Jacob Heaps, Eric Olson
  • Publication number: 20180129345
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing logic. The logic is configured to perform, when executed by the processor, operations including detecting, in response to driving a plurality of electrodes of a touch sensor with a first drive signal haying a first polarity, a first sense signal. The first sense signal has a second polarity, the second polarity being an inverse of the first polarity. The logic is further configured to perform operations including driving, in response to detecting the first sense signal, the plurality of electrodes with a second drive signal having the second polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 9939930
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a stylus includes a first sensor disposed proximate a first end of the stylus. The first sensor is adapted to receive a first receive signal via a first capacitive coupling with a touch sensor of a device. The first end of the stylus is at a tip-end of the stylus. The stylus also includes a second sensor disposed proximate the first end of the stylus. The second sensor is adapted to receive a second receive signal via a second capacitive coupling with the touch sensor of the device. A proximity of the first sensor to the first end of the stylus is greater than a proximity of the second sensor to the first end of the stylus. A widest portion of the first sensor has a greater width than at least a portion of the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 9925648
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for installing thread protectors on threaded pipe ends having a servo motor, a housing, a shaft assembly, and a gripper with a plurality of jaws. The shaft assembly has a hollow shaft, rotationally mounted within the housing, and a solid shaft slidably mounted within the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and solid shaft are coaxial and rotationally coupled. The gripper is mounted on the end of the solid shaft, outside of the housing, and is biased away from the housing. A sensor monitors the relative axial motion between the solid shaft and the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: JMP ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas McLaughlin, Brent Thomas Bell, Kevin Wade Ackerman
  • Patent number: 9864456
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing logic. The logic is configured to perform, when executed by the processor, operations comprising detecting, in response to driving electrodes of a touch sensor with a first drive signal having a first polarity, a presence of a stylus. The presence of the stylus is detected based on a first sense signal, the first sense signal having a second polarity. The operations further comprise detecting, in response to driving the electrodes with a second drive signal having the first polarity, a second sense signal having a third polarity. The third polarity is an inverse of the second polarity. The operations further comprise driving, in response to detecting the second sense signal having the third polarity, the electrodes with a third drive signal having a fourth polarity. The fourth polarity is an inverse of the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Amtel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20170357338
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a stylus includes a first sensor disposed proximate a first end of the stylus. The first sensor is adapted to receive a first receive signal via a first capacitive coupling with a touch sensor of a device. The first end of the stylus is at a tip-end of the stylus. The stylus also includes a second sensor disposed proximate the first end of the stylus. The second sensor is adapted to receive a second receive signal via a second capacitive coupling with the touch sensor of the device. A proximity of the first sensor to the first end of the stylus is greater than a proximity of the second sensor to the first end of the stylus. A widest portion of the first sensor has a greater width than at least a portion of the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20170268004
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of ApoCIII mRNA and protein in an animal. Also provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for increasing HDL levels and/or improving the ratio of TG to HDL and reducing plasma lipids and plasma glucose in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate any one or more of cardiovascular disease or metabolic disorder, or a symptom thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Mullick, Rosanne M. Crooke, Mark J. Graham, Kenneth W. Dobie, Thomas A. Bell, III, Richard Lee
  • Publication number: 20170177137
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing logic. The logic is configured to perform, when executed by the processor, operations comprising detecting, in response to driving electrodes of a touch sensor with a first drive signal having a first polarity, a presence of a stylus. The presence of the stylus is detected based on a first sense signal, the first sense signal having a second polarity. The operations further comprise detecting, in response to driving the electrodes with a second drive signal having the first polarity, a second sense signal having a third polarity. The third polarity is an inverse of the second polarity. The operations further comprise driving, in response to detecting the second sense signal having the third polarity, the electrodes with a third drive signal having a fourth polarity. The fourth polarity is an inverse of the first polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20160202783
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes determining a position of an input within a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first number of electrodes having a first orientation and a second number of electrodes having a second orientation. The second orientation is different from the first orientation. The method also includes selecting a first set of the first number of electrodes and a first set of the second number of electrodes such that the determined position of the input is within an overlap of the first set of the first number of electrodes with the first set of the second number of electrodes. An area of the overlap is smaller than the touch-sensitive area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20160202784
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes determining a position of a touch input in a touch-sensitive area of a touch sensor. The touch sensor includes a first number of electrodes having a first orientation and a second number of electrodes having a second orientation. The second orientation being different from the first orientation. The method also includes selecting a first set of the first number of electrodes corresponding to at least a portion of an area of the touch input within the touch-sensitive area; and applying a first pre-determined voltage to the selected first set of the first number of electrodes based at least in part on the area of the touch input being larger than a pre-determined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Publication number: 20160202785
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method includes selecting, for a touch sensor including a first number of electrodes and a second number of electrodes, a first set of the first number of electrodes and a second set of the second number of electrodes. The first number of electrodes has a first orientation and the second number of electrodes has a second orientation. The second orientation being different from the first orientation. An overlap area is formed by an overlap of the first set and second set. The method also includes applying, during a first time period, a signal including a first pre-determined voltage to the first set and the second set such that, during the first time period, the overlap area has a first signal state; and applying, during a second time period, the signal to the first set and a second pre-determined voltage to the second set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Bell
  • Patent number: 9380238
    Abstract: A detector for determining the location of a pulsed laser spot reflected from a scene, which comprises a CCD sensor for imaging the scene comprising an array of pixels arranged in rows (R1, R2, R3) and columns (C1, C2, C3), a serial read-out register arrangement (not shown), and charge transfer electrodes (Ø1H, Ø1V, Ø2) capable of transferring signal charge in at least two adjacent pixels to read-out register arrangement locations representative of the row location of at least one of the adjacent pixels and the column location of at least one other of the adjacent pixels. The charge transfer electrodes are two phase, but three or more phase arrangements are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: E2V TECHNOLOGIES (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Raymond Thomas Bell, Kevin Anthony Derek Hadfield
  • Publication number: 20160169508
    Abstract: An inward firing multi burner system is provided that can modulate its output and have two or more independent gas/air supplies firing via multiple burners in the same burner cylinder or burner head compartment. Independent control of one or more of gas/air supplies to the multiple burners yields a comparatively large modulation range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: BURNERTECH COMBUSTION ENGINEERS, LTD.
    Inventor: David Thomas BELL
  • Publication number: 20160098105
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at each of at least four receivers of a stylus, a signal from an electrode line oriented along a first axis of a touch-sensing device and determining, by a processor of the stylus, a signal strength of the signal at each of the at least four receivers of the stylus. The received signal has a different signal strength at each of the at least four receivers. The method includes determining, by the processor of the stylus, a tilt direction of the stylus based on the determined signal strength at a plurality of the at least four receivers, and providing, by a transmitter of the stylus, a response signal to the touch-sensing device. The tilt direction includes a direction of the stylus along a second axis of the touch-sensing device and the second axis is oriented in a different direction than the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Thomas Bell