Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Sharp
Thomas A. Sharp 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).
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Method and Apparatus for Controlling LCL Converters Using Asymmetric Voltage Cancellation Techniques
Publication number: 20130039099Abstract: A method and apparatus for LCL resonant converter control utilizing Asymmetric Voltage Cancellation is described. The methods to determine the optimal trajectory of the control variables are discussed. Practical implementations of sensing load parameters are included. Simple PI, PID and fuzzy logic controllers are included with AVC for achieving good transient response characteristics with output current regulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: Utah State University Research FoundationInventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Devro Sealy, Bryan Thomas Sharp, Aaron Gilchrist -
Publication number: 20120316185Abstract: There are described cyclohexyl amide derivatives useful as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists Formula (I).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: NOVARTIS AGInventors: David Beattie, Ian Bruce, Anny-Odile Colson, Andrew James Culshaw, Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20090188473Abstract: A fuel tank assembly comprising a fuel tank having a plurality of walls spaced apart by a floor, a flange having a top portion and a bottom portion, and extending downward from one of the plurality of walls, is provided. The fuel tank assembly further includes a housing, a crimp ring and a lip, wherein the crimp ring is fitted over the lip for engaging the flange and the housing. A fuel pump is housed within the housing, wherein the housing is arranged to fixedly position at least one inlet connected to the fuel pump at or in close proximity to the floor of the fuel tank. A fuel reservoir extends away from the floor having at least one passage formed therein, the fuel reservoir being positioned within the fuel tank so as to create an accumulated area of the fuel tank surrounding the at least one inlet, wherein fuel enters the accumulated area through the at least one passage for receipt by the at least one inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Inventors: Thomas A. Sharp, Michael R. Teets
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Patent number: 7533354Abstract: Techniques are provided for prioritizing a choice. A priority box associated with a choice is provided. A priority value is received as input for the priority box, wherein the priority value both selects and ranks the associated choice. The priority value is displayed within the priority box.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Frederick Thomas Sharp, Chenhong Xia
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Publication number: 20080011100Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that enables the periodic calculation of the relative phase of the left eigenvector for a vibrating conduit. During normal operation, two drivers are used in tandem to excite the main bending mode of the conduit (202). Periodically, first one (204), then the second (206), of the two drivers is disabled, allowing measurements that enable the determination of the relative phase of the left eigenvector (208) for the vibrating conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2004Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: Thomas Sharp, David Normen, Stuart Shelley
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Publication number: 20070273361Abstract: An input by-pass circuit for a current probe has first and second switches coupled between current probe inputs and current sensing circuit inputs. A switch control is coupled to the switching circuit for selectively coupling and decoupling the current probe inputs to the current sensing circuit such that the current signal continuously flows in the device under test.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Jonathan Dandy, Kerry Stevens, Michael Mende, Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20070257662Abstract: A current probe for acquiring a current signal from a current carrying conductor via a current diverting element has a probe body and first and second electrically conductive contacts extending from one end of the probe body for connecting to current diverting element. A current sensing circuit is coupled to the first and second electrically conductive contacts for generating an output signal representative of the current flowing in the current carrying conductor. An electrically conductive cable is coupled to receive the output signal from the current sensing device and extends from the other end of the probe body for coupling to an oscilloscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Michael Mende, Robert Nordstrom, Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20070257657Abstract: A current probing system has a current probe and a detachable adapter. The current probe has a probe body with electrically conductive contacts that mate with electrically conductive contacts on the adapter. Leads extend from the adapter for coupling to a current carrying conductor. The leads can connect to a plug that is coupled to a current diverting device for coupling a current signal to the current probe. The adapter may also include a switch that selectively couples the current signal to the current probe when the adapter is mated with the current probe. The contacts of the current probe are coupled to a current sensing circuit which generates a voltage output representative of the current signal. The voltage output is coupled to an oscilloscope via an electrical cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Kerry Stevens, Michael Mende, Jonathan Dandy, Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20070257661Abstract: A current probing system for acquiring a current signal from a current carrying conductor has a current diverting element mounted on the conductor for serially coupling the current signal to a current probe. The current probe has a probe body and first and second electrically conductive contacts extending from one end of the probe body for connecting to the current diverting element. A current sensing circuit is coupled to the first and second electrically conductive contacts for generating an output signal representative of the current flowing in the current carrying conductor. An electrically conductive cable is coupled to receive the output signal from the current sensing device and extends from the other end of the probe body for coupling to an oscilloscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Inventors: Michael Mende, Robert Nordstrom, Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20070232731Abstract: A composition for improving the heat reflectivity and the heat resistance of a metal substrate. The coating composition comprises a latex resin including acrylic polymers; silica; and a fire retardant including at least one of a phosphated pentaerythritol ammonium salt, an organo-polyphosphate ammonium salt, an ammonium salt, and a Magnesium salt. The silica reflects and resists heat. Additionally, the silica raises the decomposition temperature of the resin by insulating the resin from heat and reflecting heat away from the resin. This, in turn, increases the ability of the composition to maintain its bond to the substrate at high temperatures. As such, the coating remains on the substrate where it reflects and resists heat, i.e., it does not easily brush or rub off after several hours of exposure to high heat. The silica can be rice hull silica.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2007Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: James Knocke, Albert Beatty, Thomas Sharp
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Patent number: 7020667Abstract: A data collection and retrieval system and associated method allow the capture and replication of data presented at various Web pages into a database application through text parsing of the HTML source code of that document. The system allows the user to select one or more Web pages containing data of interest; to specify exactly which data within any page is to be captured; to specify how frequently data is to be collected; and to specify the conditions for collection and retrieval. The advantage of the system is realized through efficient, automated data collection that would otherwise be impractical. The system includes an initialization stage and an automatic execution stage. The initialization stage provides the user interface which allows the user to select the source file that contains data the user wishes to copy, target database that will receive the data, and timing criteria for automatic transfer of data.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Alan Guest, Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Patent number: 6964010Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for displaying diagnostic messages is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of accepting user input into the computer, generating at least one message wherein the message comprises an associated message context, grouping the diagnostic messages according to the message context, and presenting the grouped messages to the user. In one embodiment, the messages are diagnostic messages that are generated for each instance where user input data violates an input constraint, and the messages are grouped according to the violated input constraint. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps defined above.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20040166273Abstract: A sheet of material 2 which can be incorporated into a booklet has an adhesive strip 5, foldable portion 7 and first and second perforated fold 8a and 8b. Information can be entered into the space delimited between the first and second perforated folds 8 and 10 and concealed by removing a protective paper 6 from the adhesive strip 5 and folding the foldable section 7 at perforated folds 8, such that it sticks to the adhesive strip 7 and conceals information in space 9. The perforated folds 8 and 10 delimit and create a detachable strip 11 which can be torn away in order to reveal the information in space 9 when required.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Thomas W. Connell, Thomas Sharp Connell
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Patent number: 6771292Abstract: Providing feedback concerning a content pane to be docked in a host window is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a description of a position of a content pane within a host window and utilizing a diagram to indicate the position and the orientation of the content pane within the host window. Docking is allowed to occur anywhere in the host window, not only in the border regions. In addition, docking positions include the positions inside the split panes. Given a vertical splitter bar, for example, the left-top, left-bottom, right-top, and right-bottom positions are available. The thumbnail feedback when docking shows how existing docking panes will be moved and resized, as well as the orientation and relative size of the resulting docking pane.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Patent number: 6738769Abstract: A sorting system and method that sorts records based on multiple fields by converting the fields to a common data type and sorting the common data type fields using a single sorting algorithm whereupon the records can be ordered based on the sorted common data type fields. The single sorting algorithm can quickly, efficiently, and accurately sort the records because the index fields have been converted to appropriate simple values in a common data type.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20040015523Abstract: A data collection and retrieval system and associated method allow the capture and replication of data presented at various Web pages into a database application through text parsing of the HTML source code of that document. The system allows the user to select one or more Web pages containing data of interest; to specify exactly which data within any page is to be captured; to specify how frequently data is to be collected; and to specify the conditions for collection and retrieval. The advantage of the system is realized through efficient, automated data collection that would otherwise be impractical. The system includes an initialization stage and an automatic execution stage. The initialization stage provides the user interface which allows the user to select the source file that contains data the user wishes to copy, target database that will receive the data, and timing criteria for automatic transfer of data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael Alan Guest, Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Patent number: 6658622Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture, and a memory structure for accepting data input into a computer is disclosed. The method presents an independent component and a dependent component to the user. The independent component comprises an input area for accepting independent input data. The dependent component comprises a dependent component input area for accepting dependent component input data and is associated with a dependent component constraint that is at least partially dependent on the independent component input data. User input is accepted into the dependent component input area, and an assistance policy associated with the dependent component is followed when the user input violates the dependent component constraint. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps defined above.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1998Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William Holland Aiken, Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Publication number: 20020140737Abstract: Providing feedback concerning a content pane to be docked in a host window is disclosed. The method and system comprises providing a description of a position of a content pane within a host window and utilizing a diagram to indicate the position and the orientation of the content pane within the host window. Docking is allowed to occur anywhere in the host window, not only in the border regions. In addition, docking positions include the positions inside the split panes. Given a vertical splitter bar, for example, the left-top, left-bottom, right-top, and right-bottom positions are available. The thumbnail feedback when docking shows how existing docking panes will be moved and resized, as well as the orientation and relative size of the resulting docking pane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Frederick Thomas Sharp
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Patent number: 6424974Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing a programming development environment that supports the development of portable server routines. More specifically, the present invention discloses a method for storing and retrieving server routines within the database independent of any file I/O system. Also, the present invention discloses a debugging environment that allows debugging of server routines in a multi-tier environment, wherein the source code being debugged runs on the development machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Curt L. Cotner, Wendy Lynne Koontz, Gerald H. Roth, Frederick Thomas Sharp, Shu-Huar Joseph Yeh
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Publication number: 20020091691Abstract: A sorting system and method that sorts records based on multiple fields by converting the fields to a common data type and sorting the common data type fields using a single sorting algorithm whereupon the records can be ordered based on the sorted common data type fields. The single sorting algorithm can quickly, efficiently, and accurately sort the records because the index fields have been converted to appropriate simple values in a common data type.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Frederick Thomas Sharp