Patents by Inventor Thomas Bruce

Thomas Bruce 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: 20240093986
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning two coaxially coupled rotatable shafts. A servo operated multi axis positioning device is movable along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis of the shafts, and movable vertically to position a laser range (LRF) adjacent to the two shafts, which measures the distance between the LRF and a spot on the shafts. A controller having a processor and memory communicates with the positioning device and the LRF to collect data at two axial positions on each shaft. At each position the LRF measures the distance to the shaft and stores the measurement and location data. The LRF is vertically repositioned and the measurement and storing steps are repeated over a scan distance sufficient to provide enough data to determine the location of the shaft center. The processor then calculates and compares the shafts centerlines and determines the necessary adjustments needed to move the shafts into coaxial alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: REDALIGN LLC
    Inventors: Fred L. STRUNK, Thomas Edward WOYCIK, Marshall Bruce CUMMINGS
  • Publication number: 20240070601
    Abstract: A method includes a computer receiving a fulfillment request associated with one or more items. Responsive to receiving the fulfillment request, the computer determines estimated weight data based on the one or more items in the fulfillment request. The computer obtains actual weight data associated with the fulfillment request for one or more items. The computer verifies that the actual weight data corresponds to the estimated weight data. The computer performs additional processing based on verifying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: DoorDash, Inc.
    Inventors: Harrison Shih, Hamid Sani, Levi Lalla, Agota Sipos, Milind Shah, Derek Bruce Young, Thomas Belluscio
  • Publication number: 20230346232
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, JR., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11647889
    Abstract: Systems for obtaining an image of a target are provided including at least one multi-wavelength illumination module configured to illuminate a target using two or more different wavelengths, each penetrating the target at different depths; a multi-wavelength camera configured to detect the two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target on corresponding different channels and acquire corresponding images of the target based on the detected two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target; a control module configured synchronize illumination of the target by the at least one multi-wavelength illumination module and detection of the two or more different wavelengths by the camera; an analysis module configured to receive the acquired images of the target and analyze the acquired images to provide analysis results; and an image visualization module modify the acquired images based on the analysis results to provide a final improved image in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Jiahong Jin, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Kenneth Michael Jacobs, Taylor Forbes, Bryent Tucker, Xin Hua Hu
  • Patent number: 11553844
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10961868
    Abstract: A method of operating a lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes pumping a lubricant from a supply conduit to a bearing compartment. A pressure differential in the bearing compartment. The supply conduit is evacuated in response to the pressure differential creating step. The supply conduit is refilled with the lubricant from a reservoir conduit fluidly joined to the supply conduit at a junction by gravitationally draining the reservoir conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin
  • Patent number: 10934888
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricant supply system for a plurality of bearing dampers in a plurality of engine bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine, including a lubricant supply conduit, a first lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the first delivery conduit including one or more lubricant delivery flow paths and delivering lubrication to engine components, a second lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the second delivery conduit delivering lubricant to one or more of the plurality of bearing dampers, and an active oil flow management valve, selectively restricting lubricant flow in the first delivery conduit, increasing pressure in the second delivery conduit, based on an engine shaft rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin, Michael Dreher, James S. Elder
  • Publication number: 20210030277
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source. The region of interest includes a sample portion and background portion, each having a different set of optical characteristics. Images of the region of interest are acquired and processed to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images. MetaKG signals are calculated for the region of interest and for the background. The MetaKG signal for the background is used to adjust the MetaKG signal for the region of interest to provide a final adjusted MetaKG signal for the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Ferguson, JR., Sunghan Kim, William Hempstead, Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 10792492
    Abstract: Methods for calculating a MetaKG signal are provided. The method including illuminating a region of interest in a sample with a near-infrared (NIR) light source and/or a visible light source; acquiring images of the region of interest; processing the acquired images to obtain metadata associated with the acquired images; and calculating the MetaKG signal from the metadata associated with the acquired images. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Sunghan Kim, Zhiyong Peng, Kenneth Michael Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20200305721
    Abstract: Systems for obtaining an image of a target are provided including at least one multi-wavelength illumination module configured to illuminate a target using two or more different wavelengths, each penetrating the target at different depths; a multi-wavelength camera configured to detect the two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target on corresponding different channels and acquire corresponding images of the target based on the detected two or more different wavelengths illuminating the target; a control module configured synchronize illumination of the target by the at least one multi-wavelength illumination module and detection of the two or more different wavelengths by the camera; an analysis module configured to receive the acquired images of the target and analyze the acquired images to provide analysis results; and an image visualization module modify the acquired images based on the analysis results to provide a final improved image in real-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, JIAHONG JIN, THOMAS BRUCE FERGUSON, JR., KENNETH MICHAEL JACOBS, TAYLOR FORBES, BRYENT TUCKER, XIN HUA HU
  • Publication number: 20200277878
    Abstract: A method of operating a lubrication system for a gas turbine engine includes pumping a lubricant from a supply conduit to a bearing compartment. A pressure differential in the bearing compartment. The supply conduit is evacuated in response to the pressure differential creating step. The supply conduit is refilled with the lubricant from a reservoir conduit fluidly joined to the supply conduit at a junction by gravitationally draining the reservoir conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin
  • Publication number: 20200243821
    Abstract: A battery having a flat top configuration is described including a handle attached across the centerline, the handle configured to be recessed relative to the periphery of the primary cover and to wrap around the terminals in a collapsed state, wherein the cover includes centerline battery cell vents and at least one side flame arrestor vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Travis Zachary Torrey, Brian Westbrook, Thomas Bruce Montgomery, Fred F. Feres, Steve Peterson
  • Patent number: 10724870
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Patent number: 10722173
    Abstract: Methods for combining anatomical data and physiological data on a single image are provided. The methods include obtaining an image, for example, a raw near-infrared (NIR) image or a visible image, of a sample. The image of the sample includes anatomical structure of the sample. A physiologic map of blood flow and perfusion of the sample is obtained. The anatomical structure of the image and the physiologic map of the sample are combined into a single image of the sample. The single image of the sample displays anatomy and physiology of the sample in the single image in real time. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: East Carolina University
    Inventors: Cheng Chen, Thomas Bruce Ferguson, Jr., Kenneth Michael Jacobs, Zhiyong Peng
  • Patent number: 10711644
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing compartment that has an inlet. A supply line splits into a supply conduit and a reservoir conduit that are fluidly parallel to one another for a length. The reservoir conduit fluidly rejoins the supply conduit at a junction. The supply conduit is fluidly connected to the inlet, and the reservoir conduit includes a flow restrictor upstream from the junction. A main pump is fluidly connected to the supply line and is configured to supply a lubricant to the bearing compartment through the supply line and supply and reservoir conduits in an operating state. The main pump has a non-operating state in which the reservoir conduit is configured to slowly refill the supply conduit through the flow restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin
  • Patent number: 10662810
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricant supply system, for a bearing damper in a bearing housing, the bearing housing in an engine bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine, the bearing compartment rotatably supporting an engine component, including a first interface, a second interface, a bearing supply conduit fluidly coupled to the second interface and extending from the first interface to the second interface, the bearing supply conduit supplying lubricant to the bearing housing, a damper supply conduit located within the bearing supply conduit, extending between the interfaces, the damper supply conduit supplying lubricant to the bearing damper, and fluid in the bearing supply conduit is capable of insulting fluid in the damper supply conduit 108 from heat transferred through the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Michael Dreher, Erik R. Granstrand
  • Patent number: 10557714
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Publication number: 20200011201
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricant supply system for a plurality of bearing dampers in a plurality of engine bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine, including a lubricant supply conduit, a first lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the first delivery conduit including one or more lubricant delivery flow paths and delivering lubrication to engine components, a second lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the second delivery conduit delivering lubricant to one or more of the plurality of bearing dampers, and an active oil flow management valve, selectively restricting lubricant flow in the first delivery conduit, increasing pressure in the second delivery conduit, based on an engine shaft rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin, Michael Dreher, James S. Elder
  • Patent number: 10458278
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lubricant supply system for a plurality of bearing dampers in a plurality of engine bearing compartments of a gas turbine engine, including a lubricant supply conduit, a first lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the first delivery conduit including one or more lubricant delivery flow paths and delivering lubrication to engine components, a second lubricant delivery conduit fluidly coupled to the supply conduit, the second delivery conduit delivering lubricant to one or more of the plurality of bearing dampers, and an active oil flow management valve, selectively restricting lubricant flow in the first delivery conduit, increasing pressure in the second delivery conduit, based on an engine shaft rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin, Michael Dreher, James S. Elder
  • Patent number: 10287916
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a bearing compartment with a bottom disposed opposite a top. An outlet is formed in the bottom of the bearing compartment. A seal is positioned between the bottom of the bearing compartment and the top of the bearing compartment. A scavenge line is connected to the outlet. The scavenge line forms a fluid trap that extends in a first direction from the outlet and the bottom of the bearing compartment and then extends in a second direction to a position disposed vertically between the bottom of the bearing compartment and the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan K. Snyder, Thomas Bruce Avis, Francis Parnin