Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Wright

Thomas A. Wright 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: 10372327
    Abstract: A cursor-based character input interface inputs a character selected by a cursor. A character prediction unit is adapted to predict one or more next characters based on a current input character, wherein the input interface is adapted to present the one or more predicted next characters as a supplementary interface in proximity to the current input character, and wherein the one or more predicted next characters of the supplementary interface are selectable by the cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Carr, Emma L. Foley, Josephine D. Messa, Thomas A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9903242
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Thomas A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9657614
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Thomas A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9488317
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil from a sump to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. A load on the electric pump corresponds to a current draw on the electric pump motor. This current draw is used to indicate when there is a low oil level in the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160305294
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Thomas A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150132163
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. Three operational modes are described including an electric mode, a transition mode, and a cruise mode. Various monitoring and control features are incorporated into the hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wright, Ronald E. Dailey
  • Publication number: 20150135123
    Abstract: A cursor-based character input interface inputs a character selected by a cursor. A character prediction unit is adapted to predict one or more next characters based on a current input character, wherein the input interface is adapted to present the one or more predicted next characters as a supplementary interface in proximity to the current input character, and wherein the one or more predicted next characters of the supplementary interface are selectable by the cursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua M. Carr, Emma L. Foley, Josephine D. Messa, Thomas A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150093258
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Thomas A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20130118593
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a hybrid module which is located between an engine and a transmission includes a parallel arrangement of a mechanical pump and an electric pump. Each pump is constructed and arranged to deliver oil from a sump to other portions of the hydraulic system depending on the operational mode. A load on the electric pump corresponds to a current draw on the electric pump motor. This current draw is used to indicate when there is a low oil level in the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030044553
    Abstract: A fuel tank comprising two or more sections bonded together with an adhesive which bonds to low energy surface materials and has fuel barrier properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ravi Ramanathan, Gregory J. Korchnak, David M. Courter, Marty C. Cornell, Arthur F. Cawley, Thomas A. Wright, Marc A. McMaken, Kenneth J. Ritzema, Steven B. Swartzmiller
  • Patent number: 4974410
    Abstract: An inverted flight valve between a scavenge pump intake and bottom and top drains of an oil sump in an engine of an aircraft having inverted flight capability, the valve including a valve body with a closed bore therein, a main port in the bore connected to the scavenge pump intake, first and second ports in the bore on opposite sides of the main port and connected to the bottom and top drains, a pair of valve seats in the bore between the main port and respective ones of the first and second ports, and a valve spool having lands at opposite ends slidable in the bore. The valve spool slides in the bore under the influence of gravity between a first position in non-inverted flight wherein one land seats on one of the valve seats to seal the top drain and a second position in inverted flight wherein the other land seats on the other valve seat to seal the bottom drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Wright, Keith A. Miedema
  • Patent number: 4154093
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the viscoelastic characteristics of a sample of a viscous liquid or gel contained within a closed can or other cylindrical vessel. The can and sample are subjected to torsional oscillation about a vertical axis by an oscillation source through an elastic coupling member, the oscillation source operating either (i) at a fixed, predetermined frequency or (ii) at the resonant frequency of the can and sample. Measurements are made of the amplitude of oscillation of the can and sample and of either (i) the angular phase difference between the oscillation of the can and sample and those of the source or (ii) the resonant frequency of the can and sample. The measured data may be used either to compare the sample with a standard material or to calculate viscoelastic moduli of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Limited
    Inventors: Norman D. P. Smith, Thomas A. Wright