Patents by Inventor Thomas Allan Weaver

Thomas Allan Weaver 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: 9159459
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide systems, applications, apparatuses, and methods related to nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor cooling. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors, methods of transferring heat of a nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor, methods of transferring heat from a nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor, methods of transferring heat within a nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: TERRAPOWER, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, John Rogers Gilleland, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150239365
    Abstract: A system and method for management of an energy storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The energy storage system may comprise a battery system for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle. Vehicles may be in a group of fleet. The management system may be configured to use data and information available from data sources over a network or by instrumentation/sensors for vehicle systems. Data and information could be used in a system to manage the configuration and operation of the energy storage system and components, manage/control inventory and use/life-cycle of components, and/or aggregated/analyzed in analytics function for systems and components. Predictive control of the battery system may be implemented through a management system using data sources external to the vehicle. Inventive concepts and features of the systems and methods are indicated in the specification and FIGURES.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: RODERICK A. HYDE, JORDIN T. KARE, DAVID B. TUCKERMAN, THOMAS ALLAN WEAVER, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR.
  • Patent number: 9079505
    Abstract: A system and method for management of an energy storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The energy storage system may comprise a battery system for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle. Vehicles may be in a group or fleet. The management system may be configured to use data and information available from data sources over a network or by instrumentation/sensors for vehicle systems. Data and information could be used in a system to manage the configuration and operation of the energy storage system and components, manage/control inventory and use/life-cycle of components, and/or aggregated/analyzed in analytics function for systems and components. Predictive control of the battery system may be implemented through a management system using data sources external to the vehicle. Inventive concepts and features of the systems and methods are indicated in the specification and FIGURES.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9056556
    Abstract: A system and method for management of an energy storage system for a vehicle is disclosed. The energy storage system may comprise a battery system for a vehicle such as an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle. Vehicles may be in a group or fleet. The management system may be configured to use data and information available from data sources over a network or by instrumentation/sensors for vehicle systems. Data and information could be used in a system to manage the configuration and operation of the energy storage system and components, manage/control inventory and use/life-cycle of components, and/or aggregated/analyzed in analytics function for system and components. Predictive control of the battery system may be implemented through a management system using data sources external to the vehicle. Inventive concepts and features of the systems and methods are indicated in the specification and FIGURES.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ELWHA LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150157877
    Abstract: Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Thomas Allan Weaver
  • Publication number: 20150102154
    Abstract: A motor vehicle system includes a motor vehicle including an aircraft landing portion, and an actively propelled unmanned aircraft configured to be supported on the aircraft landing portion. The vehicle and aircraft are configured such that the vehicle can provide at least one of fuel and electrical energy to the aircraft while the aircraft is supported on the aircraft landing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: William D. Duncan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Robert C. Petroski, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20150050159
    Abstract: A turbine blade includes a core element having a base portion, a tip portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the base portion and the tip portion. The intermediate portion includes a non-uniform cross-section and is a high-strength fiber material. The turbine blade further includes a shell disposed around the core element, and the volume between the core element and the shell forms a void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, William David Duncan, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood,, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8936629
    Abstract: Apparatus, devices, methods, systems, computer programs and computing devices related to autofluorescent imaging and ablation are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I LLC
    Inventors: Edward S. Boyden, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Dennis J. Rivet, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8929505
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include methods of assembling a vented nuclear fission fuel module. Given by way of non-limiting example and not of limitation, an illustrative method of assembling a vented nuclear fission fuel module includes receiving a nuclear fission fuel element capable of generating a gaseous fission product. A valve body is coupled to the nuclear fission fuel element, and the valve body defines a plenum therein for receiving the gaseous fission product. A valve is disposed in communication with the plenum for controllably venting the gaseous fission product from the plenum. A flexible diaphragm is coupled to the valve for moving the valve. A cap is mounted on the valve, and a manipulator extendable to the cap for manipulating the cap is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TerraPower, LLC
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8912719
    Abstract: A mercury-free low-pressure lamp having a bulb is provided. The bulb includes an emissive material and one or more phosphors. The emissive material includes at least one of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, wherein when the bulb is in a non-operational state, the emissive material condenses into a liquid or solid, and when the bulb is in an operational state the emissive material forms an emitter, the emitter in combination with one or more gases generate photons when excited by an electrical discharge. The one or more phosphors are configured to convert at least a portion of the photons to other visible wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8889312
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140328444
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide a nuclear fission reactor, a vented nuclear fission fuel module, methods therefor and a vented nuclear fission fuel module system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Charles E. Ahlfeld, Pavel Hejzlar, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, David G. McAlees, Jon D. McWhirter, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Ashok Odedra, Clarence T. Tegreene, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., George B. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8865361
    Abstract: An electrochemical device (such as a battery) includes at least one electrode having a fluid surface and one or more sensors configured to detect an operating condition of the device. Fluid-directing structures may modulate flow or retain fluid in response to the sensors. An electrolyte within the device may also include an ion-transport fluid, for example infiltrated into a porous solid support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey F. Deane, Bran Ferren, William Gates, W. Daniel Hillis, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8857191
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsive technique includes providing at least some first thrust associated with a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one axial flow jet engine. The hybrid propulsive technique includes extracting energy from the working fluid that is at least partially converted into electrical power, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to torque. The hybrid propulsive technique further includes rotating an at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan of at least one rotatable propeller/fan assembly at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to torque, wherein the rotating of the at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan of the at least one rotatable propeller/fan assembly is arranged to produce at least some second thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140262729
    Abstract: A heat pipe is configured relative to a distillation column to adjust one or more conditions in the distillation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Richard N. Zare
  • Publication number: 20140262741
    Abstract: A heat pipe is configured relative to a distillation column to adjust one or more conditions in the distillation column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Richard N. Zare
  • Publication number: 20140239806
    Abstract: A mercury-free low-pressure lamp having a bulb is provided. The bulb includes an emissive material and one or more phosphors. The emissive material includes at least one of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, wherein when the bulb is in a non-operational state, the emissive material condenses into a liquid or solid, and when the bulb is in an operational state the emissive material forms an emitter, the emitter in combination with one or more gases generate photons when excited by an electrical discharge. The one or more phosphors are configured to convert at least a portion of the photons to other visible wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Tony S. Pan, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood,, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140231506
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a mobile device continuously and/or automatically scans a user environment for tags containing non-human-readable data. The mobile device may continuously and/or automatically scan the environment for tags without being specifically directed at a particular tag. The mobile device may be adapted to scan for audio tags, radio frequency tags, and/or image tags. The mobile device may be configured to scan for and identify tags within the user environment that satisfy a user preference. The mobile device may perform an action in response to identifying a tag that satisfies a user preference. The mobile device may be configured to scan for a wide variety of tags, including tags in the form of quick response codes, steganographic content, audio watermarks, audio outside of a human audible range, radio frequency identification tags, long wavelength identification tags, near field communication tags, and/or a Memory Spot device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel A. Gerrity, William Gates, Pablos Holman, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Nathan P. Myhrvold, John D. Rinaldo, JR., Keith D. Rosema, Clarence T. Tegreene, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140199225
    Abstract: Methane gas in a ruminant exhalation may be oxidized to reduce the amount of methane gas output by the ruminant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Caldeira, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, John Latham, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Stephen H. Salter, Clarence T. Tegreene, David B. Tuckerman, Thomas Allan Weaver, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR., Victoria Y.H. Wood
  • Patent number: 8773834
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically defending a site from lightning strikes are provided. The systems and methods involve dynamically altering electrostatic fields above the site and/or dynamically intervening in lightning discharges processes in the vicinity of the site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Thomas Allan Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood