Patents by Inventor Thomas A. McMillan

Thomas A. McMillan 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: 11821212
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction comprising a roll bar extending laterally between first and second arms. The roll bar comprising a removable and replaceable roller tube portion defining a wide opening within the roll bar and an inner roller mechanism housed within the wide opening. The inner roller mechanism comprising a drop end bracket rotatably and slidably coupling a second roll bar to the roll bar, the second roll bar extending laterally within the roll bar, a screen supported by the second roll bar, wherein the screen is extendable or retractable responsive to rotation of the second roll bar, and a tray supporting the second roll bar during extension and retraction of the screen, the tray supported by the removable and replaceable roller tube portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan, Vincent J. Frerich
  • Publication number: 20210404187
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction is disclosed herein. The awning assembly comprising a first main arm for coupling to a dwelling, a second main arm rotatably coupled to the first main arm at a first end and supportingly coupled to a roll bar at a second end, the roll bar coupled to a canopy, and a hard wire connection housed within the first main arm for coupling to a power source. The awning assembly further comprising a detachable attachment module coupled to the first end of the second main arm and functionally coupled to the hard wire connection, the detachable attachment module comprising a plurality of electrical components, the plurality of electrical components comprising at least one of a microphone, a heating element, an input/output port, an image capture device, a speaker, an illumination source, and a transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: SCOTT THOMPSON, Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan
  • Patent number: 11124970
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction is disclosed herein. The awning assembly comprising a first main arm for coupling to a dwelling, a second main arm rotatably coupled to the first main arm at a first end and supportingly coupled to a roll bar at a second end, the roll bar coupled to a canopy, and a hard wire connection housed within the first main arm for coupling to a power source. The awning assembly further comprising a detachable attachment module coupled to the first end of the second main arm and functionally coupled to the hard wire connection, the detachable attachment module comprising a plurality of electrical components, the plurality of electrical components comprising at least one of a microphone, a heating element, an input/output port, an image capture device, a speaker, an illumination source, and a transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Carefree/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Scott Thompson, Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan
  • Patent number: 11054509
    Abstract: Microbeamformers coupled to groups of array elements which partially beamform groups of elements for the formation of multiple receive lines are provided. In the microbeamformers, a delay line can be configured to output multiple signal streams that can be delayed by different amounts to support multiline receive in a microbeamformer. A read process during beamforming is not destructive, thereby allowing multiline receive beams to be generated from a single delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Steven Russell Freeman, Michael Thomas McMillan
  • Publication number: 20210079659
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction comprising a roll bar extending laterally between first and second arms. The roll bar comprising a removable and replaceable roller tube portion defining a wide opening within the roll bar and an inner roller mechanism housed within the wide opening. The inner roller mechanism comprising a drop end bracket rotatably and slidably coupling a second roll bar to the roll bar, the second roll bar extending laterally within the roll bar, a screen supported by the second roll bar, wherein the screen is extendable or retractable responsive to rotation of the second roll bar, and a tray supporting the second roll bar during extension and retraction of the screen, the tray supported by the removable and replaceable roller tube portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan, Vincent J. Frerich
  • Publication number: 20210062515
    Abstract: A lateral arm assembly and method of operation includes a lateral arm awning assembly comprising a box cassette supporting a roll bar, A first end cap having a first end cap portion and a second end cap portion, the first end cap portion coupled to a first box end of the box cassette and the second end cap portion coupled to a first bar end of the roll bar, the second end cap portion removably couplable to the first end cap portion, and a second end cap coupled to a second box end of the box cassette, the first box end opposite the second box end, the second end cap spaced from the first end cap by the box cassette, the second end cap having a third end cap portion and a fourth end cap portion, the third end cap portion coupled to the second box end and the fourth end cap portion coupled to a second bar end of the roll bar, the first bar end opposite the second bar end, the fourth end cap portion removably couplable to the third end cap portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: David Thomas McMillan, Travis Styron Titus, Peter Adamkovics, Gregory Keith Heimbuck
  • Publication number: 20180291633
    Abstract: An awning assembly and method of construction is disclosed herein. The awning assembly comprising a first main arm for coupling to a dwelling, a second main arm rotatably coupled to the first main arm at a first end and supportingly coupled to a roll bar at a second end, the roll bar coupled to a canopy, and a hard wire connection housed within the first main arm for coupling to a power source. The awning assembly further comprising a detachable attachment module coupled to the first end of the second main arm and functionally coupled to the hard wire connection, the detachable attachment module comprising a plurality of electrical components, the plurality of electrical components comprising at least one of a microphone, a heating element, an input/output port, an image capture device, a speaker, an illumination source, and a transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: SCOTT THOMPSON, Gregory Keith Heimbuck, David Thomas McMillan
  • Patent number: 10094228
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine turbine blade assembly includes a hollow airfoil joined to blade root, dovetail slot heat shield bonded or attached to a bottom surface of the root, and a shield outlet from heat shield open to inlet apertures extending radially through a radially inner root end of the root. Heat shield may have body with legs extending upwardly from heat shield bottom, slanted open upstream end, and free ends of the legs longer than the heat shield bottom. Flanges may be located along free ends and bonded to bottom surface. Body, heat shield bottom and/or the legs may be rounded. Disk includes a plurality of dovetail slots formed in a rim, complimentary plurality of turbine blades removably retained in dovetail slots by the roots, slot bottoms of the dovetail slots extending circumferentially between disk posts in rim. Heat shield bottoms may be radially spaced apart the slot bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard William Jendrix, Christopher Thomas Schuppe, Christopher John Van Derven, Samuel Joseph Stoughton, Charles Thomas McMillan, John David Bibler
  • Publication number: 20180119426
    Abstract: A canopy assembly and method of assembly are disclosed herein. The canopy assembly comprises a canopy, a roll tube, and a flexible polyrod. The canopy fixedly encircles first and second polyrods at first location spaced between a distal end and a proximal end of the canopy and at a second location at the distal end of the canopy. The roll tube comprises first and second channels extending longitudinally across the roll tube. The first polyrod is housed within the first channel to maintain a position of the canopy section relative to the roll tube. The second polyrod is housed within a canopy rail to attach the canopy to a support structure. A flexible polyrod, non-fixedly and at least partially encircled by the canopy is housed within the second channel to maintain a position of a valance section of the canopy relative to the roll tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Scott Thompson, David Thomas McMillan, Gregory Keith Heimbuck
  • Publication number: 20180003810
    Abstract: Microbeamformers coupled to groups of array elements which partially beamform groups of elements for the formation of multiple receive lines are provided. In the microbeamformers, a delay line can be configured to output multiple signal streams that can be delayed by different amounts to support multiline receive in a microbeamformer. A read process during beamforming is not destructive, thereby allowing multiline receive beams to be generated from a single delay line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Steven Russell FREEMAN, Michael Thomas MCMILLAN
  • Patent number: 9546557
    Abstract: A nozzle, a nozzle hanger, and a ceramic to metal attachment system are provided. The ceramic to metal attachment system includes the nozzle, a ceramic matrix composite, and the nozzle hanger, a metal. The attachment system also includes a clamping member adjacent a second surface of the nozzle and a mounting member of the nozzle. The attachment system includes a plurality of attachment members securing the nozzle, the clamping member, and the nozzle hanger together. A sealing member of the nozzle hanger seals off an airfoil of the nozzle from adjacent airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Hamilton Grooms, III, Darrell Glenn Senile, Charles Thomas McMillan, Michael Todd Radwanski
  • Publication number: 20160319681
    Abstract: Gas turbine engine turbine blade assembly includes a hollow airfoil joined to blade root, dovetail slot heat shield bonded or attached to a bottom surface of the root, and a shield outlet from heat shield open to inlet apertures extending radially through a radially inner root end of the root. Heat shield may have body with legs extending upwardly from heat shield bottom, slanted open upstream end, and free ends of the legs longer than the heat shield bottom. Flanges may be located along free ends and bonded to bottom surface. Body, heat shield bottom and/or the legs may be rounded. Disk includes a plurality of dovetail slots formed in a rim, complimentary plurality of turbine blades removably retained in dovetail slots by the roots, slot bottoms of the dovetail slots extending circumferentially between disk posts in rim. Heat shield bottoms may be radially spaced apart the slot bottoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Richard William Jendrix, Christopher Thomas Schuppe, Christopher John Van Derven, Samuel Joseph Stoughton, Charles Thomas McMillan, John David Bibler
  • Publication number: 20140004293
    Abstract: A ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component and a method of attaching a static seal to a ceramic matrix composite component are provided. The CMC component includes a first end and a second end. A CMC metal interface member is attached to the second end. The CMC metal interface member is operable to join to a static seal in a gas turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Hamilton GROOMS, II, Darrell Glenn Senile, Robert Alan Frederick, Charles Thomas McMillan
  • Publication number: 20140001285
    Abstract: A nozzle, a nozzle hanger, and a ceramic to metal attachment system are provided. The ceramic to metal attachment system includes the nozzle, a ceramic matrix composite, and the nozzle hanger, a metal. The attachment system also includes a clamping member adjacent a second surface of the nozzle and a mounting member of the nozzle. The attachment system includes a plurality of attachment members securing the nozzle, the clamping member, and the nozzle hanger together. A sealing member of the nozzle hanger seals off an airfoil of the nozzle from adjacent airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: James Hamilton GROOMS, III, Darrell Glenn SENILE, Charles Thomas MCMILLAN, Michael Todd Radwanski
  • Patent number: 7761991
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine assembly including at least a first member and a second member. The method comprises inserting a threaded fastener through an opening formed in a flange, and providing at least one shank nut including a flanged mating end, an opposite non-mating end, and a body extending therebetween. The body includes an internal surface, an external surface, and a centerline extending between the body ends. The flanged mating end includes a substantially planar exterior surface that is aligned perpendicularly to the centerline and an annular groove that extends from the exterior surface at least partially towards the non-mating end. The method also comprises securing the assembly together such that the mating end is positioned flush against the flange and such that the threaded fastener extends at least partially into a bore extending through the shank nut and defined by the shank nut internal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Walter, Charles Thomas McMillan, Bradley Frank Anastasia, Jeffrey Lee Mason, Steven Alan Ross, Michael John Vukelich
  • Publication number: 20080260494
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine assembly including at least a first member and a second member. The method comprises inserting a threaded fastener through an opening formed in a flange, and providing at least one shank nut including a flanged mating end, an opposite non-mating end, and a body extending therebetween. The body includes an internal surface, an external surface, and a centerline extending between the body ends. The flanged mating end includes a substantially planar exterior surface that is aligned perpendicularly to the centerline and an annular groove that extends from the exterior surface at least partially towards the non-mating end. The method also comprises securing the assembly together such that the mating end is positioned flush against the flange and such that the threaded fastener extends at least partially into a bore extending through the shank nut and defined by the shank nut internal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Walter, Charles Thomas McMillan, Bradley Frank Anastasia, Jeffrey Lee Mason, Steven Alan Ross, Michael John Vukelich
  • Patent number: 7296957
    Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a gas turbine engine assembly including at least a first member and a second member. The method comprises inserting a threaded fastener through an opening formed in a flange, and providing at least one shank nut including a flanged mating end, an opposite non-mating end, and a body extending therebetween. The body includes an internal surface, an external surface, and a centerline extending between the body ends. The flanged mating end includes a substantially planar exterior surface that is aligned perpendicularly to the centerline and an annular groove that extends from the exterior surface at least partially towards the non-mating end. The method also comprises securing the assembly together such that the mating end is positioned flush against the flange and such that the threaded fastener extends at least partially into a bore extending through the shank nut and defined by the shank nut internal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee Walter, Charles Thomas McMillan, Bradley Frank Anastasia, Jeffrey Lee Mason, Steven Alan Ross, Michael John Vukelich
  • Patent number: 6658994
    Abstract: A cabinet maintains one or more food products at a predetermined temperature. In one general aspect, the cabinet includes at least one modular shelving unit capable of interconnecting with one or more additional modular shelving units. Each modular shelving unit includes a passageway for storing food products, a display for presenting information regarding food products stored in the passageway, and a control system for individually controlling the operations of the modular shelving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Chromalox, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. McMillan
  • Patent number: 6011243
    Abstract: A cabinet and control system for maintaining a food product within a predetermined temperature range for a holding period of time not exceeding a predetermined maximum time. The cabinet comprises a housing having a front panel and a passageway opening at the front panel. The passageway is capable of receiving at least two containers of the food product. A temperature element positioned in said passageway maintains the passageway within the predetermined temperature range. A processing circuit tracks the amount of time each container of food product remains within the passageway. The processing circuit provides a signal output indicating which container has been within said passageway the longest and an alarm signal when either container remains within said passageway beyond said maximum time. A display positioned on said housing proximate to said passageway receives the said signal output and indicates which container has been within the passageway the longest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventors: Anthony W. Arnold, Steven B. Collins, Jack M. Johnson, Jeffrey S. Williams, John M. Cox, John Guthrie, Thomas A. McMillan
  • Patent number: 4870991
    Abstract: An apparatus for directing a liquid fertilizer into an irrigation system having a liquid fertilizer flow conduit with the valve of a solenoid valve and the float of a float switch located in series and an electric circuit with the switch of the float switch, solenoid of the solenoid valve and automatic timer device in series. The apparatus directs fertilizer therethrough when electricity is delivered to the switch, solenoid, and automatic timer device when the switch is closed by the float and the timer is conducting electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Inventors: Thomas A. McMillan, Henry W. Mitchell