Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Ross

Thomas A. Ross 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: 20120291447
    Abstract: A combustor nozzle includes a first and second liquid fuel passages that terminate at first and second fuel ports. A first diluent passage terminates at a first diluent outlet radially surrounding the second fuel ports. A second diluent passage terminates at a second diluent outlet between the first diluent outlet and the second fuel ports. A third diluent passage surrounds at least a portion of the first and second diluent passages. A method for supplying fuel to a combustor includes flowing a liquid fuel through a first fuel passage and flowing an emulsified liquid fuel through a second fuel passage. The method further includes flowing a first diluent through a shroud surrounding the second fuel passage to a first diluent passage surrounding at least a portion of the second fuel passage and flowing a second diluent through a second diluent passage radially disposed between the first diluent passage and the second fuel passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Boardman, Geoffrey David Myers, William Thomas Ross
  • Publication number: 20120266604
    Abstract: A fuel nozzle and a method for operating a combustor are disclosed. The method includes flowing a fuel and an oxidizer through a fuel nozzle, the fuel nozzle comprising an inner tube, an intermediate tube, and an outer tube each configured for flowing one of the fuel or the oxidizer therethrough. At least one of the inner tube, the intermediate tube, or the outer tube includes a plurality of swirler vanes. The method further includes imparting a swirl to the fuel and the oxidizer in the fuel nozzle, and exhausting the fuel and the oxidizer from the fuel nozzle into a combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Predrag Popovic, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, William Thomas Ross, Vladimir Belvaev
  • Publication number: 20120234011
    Abstract: A combustor includes an end cover having a nozzle. The nozzle has a front end face and a central axis. The nozzle includes a plurality of fuel passages and a plurality of oxidizer passages. The fuel passages are configured for fuel exiting the fuel passage. The fuel passages are positioned to direct fuel in a first direction, where the first direction is angled inwardly towards the center axis. The oxidizer passages are configured for having oxidizer exit the oxidizer passages. The oxidizer passages are positioned to direct oxidizer in a second direction, where the second direction is angled outwardly away from the center axis. The plurality of fuel passages and the plurality of oxidizer passages are positioned in relation to one another such that fuel is in a cross-flow arrangement with oxidizer to create a burning zone in the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Predrag Popovic, Abinash Baruah, Gilbert Otto Kraemer, William Thomas Ross
  • Publication number: 20120230645
    Abstract: A multi-drop closure system for containing and managing a bundle of optical fibers includes an enclosure and a slack basket system. The enclosure defines a slack basket chamber to hold the bundle of optical fibers. The slack basket system includes a retainer tab assembly mounted in the enclosure. The retainer tab assembly includes a tab member movable between: an open position, wherein the tab member is positioned to provide more open access to the slack basket chamber and thereby enable the bundle of optical fibers to be more easily inserted into, removed from, and/or manipulated in the slack basket chamber; and a retaining position, wherein the tab member overlaps the slack basket chamber to retain the bundle of optical fibers in the slack basket chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Ross Marmon, Roy Keller Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120230644
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice enclosure system includes an enclosure and first and second endplate assemblies. The enclosure defines an enclosure chamber. The first and second endplate assemblies are adapted to be interchangeably mounted on the enclosure to provide different respective configurations for connecting fiber optic cables to the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Ross Marmon, Roy Keller Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120211281
    Abstract: A low headroom confined space drilling system is disclosed, comprising a low headroom drilling apparatus, a drilling fluid supply system, a drilling fluid collection system, and a drilling fluid recycling apparatus for supplying a recycled drilling fluid to the drilling apparatus. A method of installing a geoexchange borehole in an interior space of a building is also disclosed, comprising installing a borehole access chamber in a floor slab of a building, positioning a low headroom floor mounted rotary drilling apparatus over the borehole access chamber, providing a pressurized drilling fluid to the drill rod string and powering a rotary downhole drilling device attached to the drill rod string to advance the borehole to a desired depth, recovering a drilling fluid and drill cuttings from the borehole, removing drill cuttings from the recovered drilling fluid using the drilling fluid recycling apparatus and returning a recycled drilling fluid to the drilling apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Ross KING
  • Publication number: 20120101179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to soft, closed cell polyolefin foams showing a good combination of high temperature resistance and softness as well as a laminate and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: David Purcell, Remco Willemse, Thomas Ross, Mark R. Hennessy, Frank Thomas Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110315260
    Abstract: A protective pipe cover and support apparatus is disclosed that provides for secure attachment to an underlying surface, such as a concrete, tarmac or stone surface, for example, and which provides for secure retention and support of multiple pipes or other conduits within the pipe cover and protection of the pipes against loads, impacts and/or other forces applied to the pipe cover. The protective pipe cover includes a load bearing cover element with lateral load bearing supports which bear against an underlying surface, a curved outer web extending between the lateral supports, and a central load bearing support extending between the outer web and an underlying surface, and including an anchor for attachment to the surface. The pipe cover also includes a pipe support with multiple pipe retainer clips for resiliently retaining multiple pipes situated between the outer web of the load bearing cover element, and the underlying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Ross King
  • Patent number: 7823739
    Abstract: A collapsible shipping container includes a floor, a roof, and a pair of bifolding sidewalls, that collapse accordion style to place the sidewalls and roof in a configuration wherein the roof is collapsed onto the sidewalls, and the sidewalls are collapsed onto the floor. The container further includes a pair of end walls having upper and lower end wall sections. The upper end wall sections may be lowered by activation of a power source to lie on the roof in the collapsed configuration. Collapse and erection of the shipping container may be accomplished with the aid of auxiliary equipment, such as a fork lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: C Cubed I LLC
    Inventors: Howard Sidney Sadkin, Lawrence Alan Sadkin, Martin Jay Sadkin, Joseph McDonald Lowry, III, Thomas Richard Jones, Travis Robert Johnson, Thomas Ross Marmon, Thomas James Miller, Eric Christopher Schenck
  • Publication number: 20100067510
    Abstract: An apparatus to provide a multi-media communications access point for vehicles that permits subscribing devices to transmit file data, and telephonic or video data to other remote devices via an HSDPA RF communications network. The apparatus includes a wireless access switch, a cellular data transceiver, an optional data network signal booster, two antennas, and an input-output interface panel. Firmware in the wireless access point allows high-speed access to the cellular data network and point to point mobile communications from one apparatus to another minor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Ross Roper, Kendall Aaron Bauldree
  • Patent number: 7627083
    Abstract: A system and method for automatic digital radiographic inspection of round aerospace parts (18) and irregularly shaped aerospace parts (19) includes a radiation source (14) and a radiation detector (16) located on opposite sides of the aerospace part to receive the radiation from the radiation source. In operation the radiation source and the radiation detector are manipulated by a robot (10) in six independent axes of motion. The aerospace part is rotated by a part manipulator (20) to provide the seventh axis of motion and the aerospace part is tilted to provide the eighth axis of motion. This allows every portion of the aerospace part to be examined. The radiation detector converts the impinging radiation into electrical signals and the system generates the radiographic images and archives these images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: VJ Technologies
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Ross, Samir Anjelly, James Harcourt Brim, Robert Louis Lukasik
  • Patent number: 7584745
    Abstract: A injection conversion body with internal injector compartment for converting a normally carbureted internal combustion engine to a fuel injected engine while concealing the fuel delivery system. The original engine carburetor is removed. The plenum assembly is mated to the original engine intake manifold and a suitable throttle body is mated to the intake apertures which are oriented to permit installation without modification to the vehicle body work or relocation of other engine components. Air drawn through the throttle body is mixed with fuel from fuel injectors inside the plenum as it is directed to and exits the fuel air exhaust opening and enters the engine intake manifold. Interchangeable restriction plates are provided for insertion into the plenum fuel air exhaust opening to tune the fuel/air mixing characteristics to match the needs of the engine with which it is mated. Fuel is delivered to the fuel injectors through an internal, concealed fuel rail and fuel lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Ross, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090107459
    Abstract: A injection conversion body with internal injector compartment for converting a normally carbureted internal combustion engine to a fuel injected engine while concealing the fuel delivery system. The original engine carburetor is removed. The plenum assembly is mated to the original engine intake manifold and a suitable throttle body is mated to the intake apertures which are oriented to permit installation without modification to the vehicle body work or relocation of other engine components. Air drawn through the throttle body is mixed with fuel from fuel injectors inside the plenum as it is directed to and exits the fuel air exhaust opening and enters the engine intake manifold. Interchangeable restriction plates are provided for insertion into the plenum fuel air exhaust opening to tune the fuel/air mixing characteristics to match the needs of the engine with which it is mated. Fuel is delivered to the fuel injectors through an internal, concealed fuel rail and fuel lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Ross, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080135545
    Abstract: A collapsible shipping container includes a floor, a roof, and a pair of bifolding sidewalls, that collapse accordion style to place the sidewalls and roof in a configuration wherein the roof is collapsed onto the sidewalls, and the sidewalls are collapsed onto the floor. The container further includes a pair of end walls having upper and lower end wall sections. The upper end wall sections may be lowered by activation of a power source to lie on the roof in the collapsed configuration. Collapse and erection of the shipping container may be accomplished with the aid of auxiliary equipment, such as a fork lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Howard Sidney Sadkin, Lawrence Alan Sadkin, Martin Jay Sadkin, Joseph McDonald Lowry, Thomas Richard Jones, Travis Robert Johnson, Thomas Ross Marmon, Thomas James Miller, Eric Christopher Schenck
  • Publication number: 20080021470
    Abstract: An anterior cervical plate has a lower surface adapted to engage the cervical spine and a top surface. At least one location along the plate there are two transversely aligned bone screw holes. A locking element is pivotally mounted between these two bone screw holes for movement between an open position which uncovers the two bone screw holes and a locking position wherein the locking element at least partially covers each of the two bone screw holes. A positive positioning structure positively positions the locking element in the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: ZIMMER SPINE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Ross
  • Patent number: 7306605
    Abstract: An anterior cervical plate has a lower surface adapted to engage the cervical spine and a top surface. At least one location along the plate there are two transversely aligned bone screw holes. A locking element is pivotally mounted between these two bone screw holes for movement between an open position which uncovers the two bone screw holes and a locking position wherein the locking element at least partially covers each of the two bone screw holes. A positive positioning structure positively positions the locking element in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Zimmer Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Ross
  • Patent number: 7141068
    Abstract: A spinal spacer assembly comprises spacer tubes of different cross sections including kidney shaped, oblong, oval and round. The spacer tubes have internal ribs for receiving top and bottom end caps. Such end caps are pressed into the top and bottom openings of the spacer tube so as to be supported on and frictionally engage the internal ribs. The end caps are flush with the tops and bottoms of the spacer tubes except for serrations on the end caps which may project outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Ross, Wayne P. Gray
  • Publication number: 20060151953
    Abstract: The present invention is a standard deck of playing cards with a theme. The deck contains four English suits: spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. Each suit includes an ace, king, queen, jack, and ranks ten through two, with each card depicting the symbol of its suit. Each of the face cards and ranks ten through two contain at least a portion of a unique recipe that is consistent with the theme. For example, if the theme was cookie recipes, then all of the aces in the deck have at least a portion of a recipe for a cookie recipe such as soft chocolate chip cookies. Other themes include cakes, deserts, appetizers, vegetarian, low in carbohydrates, seasonal recipes such Thanksgiving or Christmas recipes, and recipes for drinks such as liquor or coffee drinks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas Ross
  • Publication number: 20050075633
    Abstract: An anterior cervical plate has a lower surface adapted to engage the cervical spine and a top surface. At at least one location along the plate there are two transversely aligned bone screw holes. A locking element is pivotally mounted between these two bone screw holes for movement between an open position which uncovers the two bone screw holes and a locking position wherein the locking element at least partially covers each of the two bone screw holes. A positive positioning structure positively positions the locking element in the locking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Ross
  • Publication number: 20050006847
    Abstract: An electronic dart game assembly and dart game include an electronically scored dart board which contains a plurality of scoring segments, a computer processing unit which provides a display with random scoring segment instructions that the player must meet, a countdown time for throwing a dart by the player, and a tabulation of the marks obtained by the player when the player achieves a predetermined game requirement, and dispensing an award to the player if the player has met a predetermined number of game requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Ross