Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Wilson

Thomas A. Wilson 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: 8487743
    Abstract: A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David T. Proefke, Ingobert K. Lassrich, Thomas A. Wilson, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Patent number: 8442755
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing a motor vehicle side door from coming into contact with an obstacle are provided. One system includes an outside rear view mirror, a camera coupled to the outside rear view mirror, and a controller coupled to the camera. The camera is configured to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle, and the controller is configured to disable the side door if the obstacle is within a threshold distance of the side door. Another system replaces the camera with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle. A method includes determining the distance between a plurality of motor vehicle side doors and the obstacle, and automatically disabling each motor vehicle side door that is within a threshold distance of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. Kollar, Thomas A. Wilson, Nigel G. Jones
  • Patent number: 8049451
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a near field detection system. The apparatus comprises a glass plate, the glass plate having a first edge and comprising a first electrode, the first electrode disposed along the first edge of the glass plate, adapted to detect the presence of an object in near proximity to the glass plate, and adapted to transmit a signal in response to the presence of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek L. Patterson, Scott A. Niemiec, Craig A. Kollar, Edward M. Sanocki, Jr., Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7825853
    Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Syracuse Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Bruce, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100082206
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing a motor vehicle side door from coming into contact with an obstacle are provided. One system includes an outside rear view mirror, a camera coupled to the outside rear view mirror, and a controller coupled to the camera. The camera is configured to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle, and the controller is configured to disable the side door if the obstacle is within a threshold distance of the side door. Another system replaces the camera with an ultrasonic sensor to detect the obstacle and determine the distance between the side door and the obstacle. A method includes determining the distance between a plurality of motor vehicle side doors and the obstacle, and automatically disabling each motor vehicle side door that is within a threshold distance of the obstacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Kollar, Thomas A. Wilson, Nigel G. Jones
  • Publication number: 20100039215
    Abstract: A system for activating a predetermined set of vehicle features on a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a valet keyfob in wireless communication with the vehicle and configured to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features when enabled, and a first processor coupled to the vehicle and configured to enable the valet keyfob to activate the predetermined set of vehicle features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David T. Proefke, Ingobert K. Lassrich, Thomas A. Wilson, Fred W. Huntzicker
  • Publication number: 20100026552
    Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Syracuse Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Bruce, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090235588
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a near field detection system. The apparatus comprises a glass plate, the glass plate having a first edge and comprising a first electrode, the first electrode disposed along the first edge of the glass plate, adapted to detect the presence of an object in near proximity to the glass plate, and adapted to transmit a signal in response to the presence of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Derek L. Patterson, Scott A. Niemiec, Craig A. Kollar, Edward M. Sanocki, JR., Thomas A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090000196
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preventing a door from contacting an obstacle. One system includes a camera, a sensor, and a controller. The camera and the sensor are each configured to detect if the obstacle is within a path of the door. Another system includes an ultrasonic sensor, a near field sensor, and a controller. The ultrasonic sensor and the near field sensor are each configured to detect if the obstacle is within a path of the door. The controller in each system is configured to disable the door if the obstacle is detected within the path. One method includes the steps of visually or non-visually detecting if an obstacle is within an opening/closing path of a door when the obstacle is within or outside a camera field of view, respectively, and disabling the door if the obstacle is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GMGLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Craig A. Kollar, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7248210
    Abstract: The present invention is a man-portable counter-mortar radar (MCMR) radar system that detects and tracks enemy mortar projectiles in flight and calculates their point of origin (launch point) to enable and direct countermeasures against the mortar and its personnel. In addition, MCMR may also perform air defense surveillance by detecting and tracking aircraft, helicopters, and ground vehicles. MCMR is a man-portable radar system that can be disassembled for transport, then quickly assembled in the field, and provides 360-degree coverage against an enemy mortar attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Syracuse Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Bruce, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4441428
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new Blasting Device especially adapted to drilling oil and gas wells, characterized by a shaped charge of explosives, having a liner of depleted uranium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4414082
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new manner of carrying out chemical reactions by injection of selected forms of energy into the reaction zone by novel means. By applying this principal, many new processes result with application in a large number of different industries. The new process is generally capable of operation at room temperatures, which has advantages in the creation of certain sensitive products including uniformly doped semi-conductors, new catalysts, pure gases, high purity materials of any kind, controlled coatings, new polymers, combustion enhancement, difficult separation, petroleum refinery operations, and carrying out any reaction in which the injection of specific energy types is helpful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Inventors: Michael P. Neary, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4335160
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new manner of carrying out chemical reactions by injection of selected forms of energy into the reaction zone by novel means. By applying this principal, many new processes result with application in a large number of different industries. The new process is generally capable of operation at room temperatures, which has advantages in the creation of certain sensitive products including uniformly doped semi-conductors, new catalysts, pure gases, high purity materials of any kind, controlled coatings, new polymers, combustion enhancement, difficult separation, petroleum refinery operations, and carrying out any reaction in which the injection of specific energy types is helpful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Inventors: Michael P. Neary, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4327765
    Abstract: An improved butterfly valve having leak detecting means, the valve body having a flow passageway therethrough, and co-axial top and bottom shaft openings and a seat circumscribing the flow passageway, a disc having an uninterrupted circumferential sealing surface having two spaced apart circumferential sealing contacts providing a circumferential valley therebetween. An upper and lower shaft portion is received in the body shaft openings, one of the shaft portions being secured to the disc providing means of positioning the disc and one of the shaft portions having a passageway therein communicating with the exterior of the valve body, the disc having a passageway communicating with the disc circumferential valley and the shaft passageway so that fluid leakage past either one of the disc sealing contacts will be conducted exteriorly of the body as an indication of loss of valve integrity when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wilson, James D. Ward
  • Patent number: 4311603
    Abstract: This invention relates to improvement of solar collectors of the type which gather thermal or sensible heat. Efficiency is increased through the present invention by selecting a fluid which(a) is optically dense(b) is water based(c) absorbs energy over a broad wavelength range(d) does not enter into photochemical or thermal reaction(e) has a lowered melting point(f) is not viscous(g) is neither toxic nor flammable.This results in extremely high thermal collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventors: Michael P. Neary, Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4171548
    Abstract: A toilet of the free-standing type having a bowl fixture adapted for being secured to a floor whereby there is a floor drain for receiving the bowl discharge, the floor drain being spaced by an indeterminately given rough-in distance from a wall. A tank fixture is secured to the bowl fixture with the tank fixture proximate the wall for supplying water for flushing of the toilet bowl. The bowl fixture includes a bowl siphon communicating with the bowl and the siphon having a discharge opening is spacedly remote from the floor drain. The discharge opening is presented rearwardly of the bowl and toward the wall. Connected at one end of the siphon discharge opening is a discharge conduit arrangement for receiving the bowl discharge via the siphon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4153268
    Abstract: Apparatus for attachment as an accessory to a cycle such as a bicycle, for stabilizing the cycle upon rearward rotation thereof about the rear wheel when the front wheel is raised from the surface upon which the cycle is located. The apparatus comprises a pair of elongated members secured to the structure of the cycle and extending generally rearwardly from the cycle and a brace extending rearwardly from the cycle to remote portions of the elongated members. A wheel arrangement is carried at remote ends of the elongated members for rolling engagement with the surface at a point rearward of the cycle upon rearward rotation thereof about the rear wheel axis through a predetermined angular extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wilson, Hallie W. Baxter