Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Johnson

Thomas C. Johnson 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: 20240069742
    Abstract: One aspect of the application can provide a system and method for replacing a failing node with a spare node in a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) system. During operation, in response to determining that a node-migration condition is met, the system can initialize a node controller of the spare node such that accesses to a memory local to the spare node are to be processed by the node controller, quiesce the failing node and the spare node to allow state information of processors on the failing node to be migrated to processors on the spare node, and subsequent to unquiescing the failing node and the spare node, migrate data from the failing node to the spare node while maintaining cache coherence in the NUMA system and while the NUMA system remains in operation, thereby facilitating continuous execution of processes previously executed on the failing node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas Edward McGee, Brian J. Johnson, Frank R. Dropps, Derek S. Schumacher, Stuart C. Haden, Michael S. Woodacre
  • Patent number: 10557740
    Abstract: A bulk material storage bin has an upright wall supporting a plurality of vertically spaced indicators providing a person with visual information regarding the level of the bulk material in the bin. The indicators have bright color and dark color surfaces that are selectively displayed to provide a person with information of the level of bulk material in the bin. An actuator located in the bin cooperates with a motion transmission apparatus to move visual members to an ON position displaying the bright color when the bulk material engages the actuator and to an OFF position displaying the dark color when the actuator is free of bulk material. The motion transmission apparatus includes a rod movably retained on an O-ring held on a mount device secured to the side wall of the bin. A yoke supporting an endless flexible member mounted on the rod is connected to the visual members whereby movement of the rod moves the visual members between the ON and OFF positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LTJ ENTERPRISES, INC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10408659
    Abstract: A material storage bin has an upright wall supporting a plurality of vertically spaced indicators providing a person with visual information regarding the level of the material in the bin. The indicators have contrasting visual colors as bright yellow and dark black surfaces that are selectively displayed to provide a person with information of the level of material in the bin. An actuator located in the bin cooperates with a motion transmission apparatus to move visual members to an ON position displaying the bright color when the material engages the actuator and to an OFF position when the actuator is free of material in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: LTJ ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190017859
    Abstract: A bulk material storage bin has an upright wall supporting a plurality of vertically spaced indicators providing a person with visual information regarding the level of the bulk material in the bin. The indicators have bright color and dark color surfaces that are selectively displayed to provide a person with information of the level of bulk material in the bin. An actuator located in the bin cooperates with a motion transmission apparatus to move visual members to an ON position displaying the bright color when the bulk material engages the actuator and to an OFF position displaying the dark color when the actuator is free of bulk material. The motion transmission apparatus includes a rod movably retained on an O-ring held on a mount device secured to the side wall of the bin. A yoke supporting an endless flexible member mounted on the rod is connected to the visual members whereby movement of the rod moves the visual members between the ON and OFF positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: THOMAS C. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20160216147
    Abstract: A material storage bin has an upright wall supporting a plurality of vertically spaced indicators providing a person with visual information regarding the level of the material in the bin. The indicators have contrasting visual colors as bright yellow and dark black surfaces that are selectively displayed to provide a person with information of the level of material in the bin. An actuator located in the bin cooperates with a motion transmission apparatus to move visual members to an ON position displaying the bright color when the material engages the actuator and to an OFF position when the actuator is free of material in the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: THOMAS C. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 6143172
    Abstract: A plurality of water- and oil-porous sacks are partially filled with a number of generally toroidal bodies of a polymer material that entraps oil and including mesh fragments scattered throughout the bodies. Each sack is sewn with a perimeter stiffening ring, to retain a flat profile, and has a netting that closes to help inhibit outflow of the oil when the sack is retrieved. When deployed from ship or by air onto a spill, the sacks spread into a pancake shape and the polymer matter forms a single layer that retains the oil. The inventive sacks will float indefinitely without releasing the oil or allowing it to emulsify, so the oil can remain in place until collection efforts are feasible. The sacks can be burned in situ, or standard fishing boats or specialized collection boats can be used to retrieve the sacks, and the collected material can be burned to capture the energy content of the oil or processed to separate the oil from the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Abtech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Rink, Robert L. Rosania, David R. Smith, Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6067927
    Abstract: An indicator providing visual information of the level of bulk material in a bin has rotatable visual members with bright and dark colored surfaces covered with a transparent lens. A actuator located within the bin is operatively coupled to the visual members to turn the visual member to an ON position exposing the bright colored surface to a person when bulk material engages the actuator and to an OFF position exposing the dark colored surface to a person when the actuator is free of bulk material whereby the person can determine the level of the bulk material in the bin. The visual members are also provided with a device that triggers a sensor that activates a remote indicator providing data as to the level of bulk material in the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Lenard W. Johnson, Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5863440
    Abstract: A plurality of water- and oil-porous sacks are partially filled with a number of generally toroidal bodies of a polymer material that entraps oil and including mesh fragments scattered throughout the bodies. Each sack is sewn with a perimeter stiffening ring, to retain a flat profile, and has a netting that closes to help inhibit outflow of the oil when the sack is retrieved. When deployed from ship or by air onto a spill, the sacks spread into a pancake shape and the polymer matter forms a single layer that retains the oil. The inventive sacks will float indefinitely without releasing the oil or allowing it to emulsify, so the oil can remain in place until collection efforts are feasible. The sacks can be burned in situ, or standard fishing boats or specialized collection boats can be used to retrieve the sacks, and the collected material can be burned to capture the energy content of the oil or processed to separate the oil from the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Abtech Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn R. Rink, Robert L. Rosania, David R. Smith, Thomas C. Johnson, Jan R. Hegeman, Peter A. Allen
  • Patent number: 5629377
    Abstract: A water-absorbent resin particles that exhibits a centrifuged absorption capacity of 26 g/g or greater, an absorption under load of 24 g/g or greater at 0.6 psi load. Other aspects of the invention are processes for the preparation of such water-absorbent resin particles which comprise the inclusion of chlorine or bromine containing oxidizing agent followed by the heat-treatment to produce particles with superior centrifuged absorption capacity in combination with high absorption under load at high load, and acceptable levels of residuals. These water-absorbent resin particles provide superior performance when incorporated into absorbent structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Josef H. Burgert, Stephen B. Christensen, Herbert A. Gartner, Fredric L. Buchholz, Thomas C. Johnson, Andrew T. Graham
  • Patent number: 5416160
    Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a water-swellable polymer comprising the polymerization product of an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated monomer in an aqueous phase, initiator, crosslinking agent, and polyvinyl alcohol, the polymerization product having been heated at a temperature greater than about 160.degree. C., wherein the polyvinyl alcohol is less than about 98 percent hydrolyzed, such that the polymerization product has improved whiteness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5088323
    Abstract: An activating mechanism is disclosed for an indicator. The mechanism includes a mounting bracket which may be connected to a container. A force transmitting member is slidably received by the bracket and extends through the container wall. The actuator is collapsible to be slid through an opening formed in the container wall. Through lever action, the actuator engages and moves the force transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: LTJ Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard W. Johnson, Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5075344
    Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for producing a superabsorbent polymer with reduced residual monomer content which comprises partially drying a crosslinked, partially neutralized polymer gel, then raising the temperature of the gel using microwaves or RF radiation in the absence of circulating air and thereafter completing the drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4833222
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of an absorbent polymeric composition is disclosed. The process involves the polymerization of an aqueous solution of carboxylic acid monomers in a neutralized or partially neutralized form in the presence of a dispersing agent which aids in the even dispersion of the crosslinking agent. The polymers prepared exhibit high absorptive capacities and low water-soluble polymer content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Siddall, Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4829820
    Abstract: A gauge or indicator (20) for providing a positive on/off visual indication comprises a lens (22) and a transition mount (24) with a resilient diaphragm (32) secured therebetween to define a sealed chamber therein. The chamber is filled with an opaque liquid (34) and a contrasting plug (36) which is secured to the diaphragm (32) and movable therewith responsive to an actuator stem (38) between an "off" position obscured by the liquid and an "on" position wherein the plug is visible behind the lens (22) upon displacement of the liquid. Additional embodiments (50, and 70) are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: LTJ Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Lenard W. Johnson, Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4799383
    Abstract: A gauge or indicator (20) for providing a positive on/off visual indication comprises a lens (22) and a transition mount (24) with a resilient diaphragm (32) secured therebetween to define a sealed chamber therein. The chamber is filled with an opaque liquid (34) and a contrasting plug (36) which is secured to the diaphragm (32) and movable therewith responsive to an actuator stem (38) between an "off" position obscured by the liquid and an "on" position wherein the plug is visible behind the lens (22) upon displacement of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: LTJ Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Johnson, Lenard W. Johnson
  • Patent number: D740233
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: D806899
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson
  • Patent number: D848874
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: LTJ ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Johnson