Patents by Inventor Thomas Cowan
Thomas Cowan 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).
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Patent number: 9345119Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, RenoInventors: Jesse D Adams, Steven Malekos, Nathalie Le Galloudec, Grant Korgan, Thomas Cowan, Yasuhiko Sentoku
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Patent number: 8750459Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher EducationInventors: Thomas Cowan, Steven Malekos, Grant Korgan, Jesse Adams, Yasuhiko Sentoku, Nathalie LeGalloudec
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Publication number: 20140030542Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Jesse D. Adams, Steven Malekos, Nathalie Le Galloudec, Grant Korgan, Thomas Cowan, Yasuhiko Sentoku
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Publication number: 20120298624Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Thomas Cowan, Steven Malekos, Grant Korgan, Jesse Adams, Yasuhiko Sentoku, Nathalie Le Galloudec, Julien Fuchs
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Patent number: 8229075Abstract: In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides targets including a metal layer and defining a hollow inner surface. The hollow inner surface has an internal apex. The distance between at least two opposing points of the internal apex is less than about 15 ?m. In particular examples, the distance is less than about 1 ?m. Particular implementations of the targets are free standing. The targets have a number of disclosed shaped, including cones, pyramids, hemispheres, and capped structures. The present disclosure also provides arrays of such targets. Also provided are methods of forming targets, such as the disclosed targets, using lithographic techniques, such as photolithographic techniques. In particular examples, a target mold is formed from a silicon wafer and then one or more sides of the mold are coated with a target material, such as one or more metals.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada, RenoInventors: Thomas Cowan, Steven Malekos, Grant Korgan, Jesse Adams, Yasuhiko Sentoku, Nathalie Le Galloudec, Julien Fuchs
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Patent number: 7503875Abstract: A gear ratio shift control and control method controls gear ratio upshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle. Pressure actuated friction elements establish torque flow paths in transmission gearing as they are selectively engaged and released. A net torque reduction at a transmission torque output shaft during an upshift event is reduced by increasing transmission input torque prior to the start of the inertia phase of the upshift event.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Gregory Michael Pletron, William Emil Tobler, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Davorin David Hrovat
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Publication number: 20080139362Abstract: A gear ratio shift control and control method controls gear ratio upshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle. Pressure actuated friction elements establish torque flow paths in transmission gearing as they are selectively engaged and released. A net torque reduction at a transmission torque output shaft during an upshift event is reduced by increasing transmission input torque prior to the start of the inertia phase of the upshift event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2008Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Gregory Michael Pletron, William Emil Tobler, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Davorin David Hrovat
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Patent number: 7351183Abstract: A gear ratio shift control and control method controls gear ratio upshifts in a multiple-ratio transmission for an automotive vehicle. Pressure actuated friction elements establish torque flow paths in transmission gearing as they are selectively engaged and released. A net torque reduction at a transmission torque output shaft during an upshift event is reduced by increasing transmission input torque prior to the start of the inertia phase of the upshift event.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Yuji Fujii, Marvin Paul Kraska, Gregory Michael Pietron, William Emil Tobler, Walter Joseph Ortmann, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Davorin David Hrovat
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Patent number: 6634984Abstract: A method of controlling engine idle speed in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multi-ratio transmission when launched from a neutral idle rest condition. At neutral idle, the transmission is controlled such that the input and output members are decoupled. During vehicle launch from neutral idle operation, two different strategies may be employed to control engine idle speed. One preferred method is to determine a feedforward or predicted torque converter load as a function of time. Another preferred method is to determine the feedforward or predicted torque converter load by comparing a maximum engine brake torque and the torque capacity of the forward clutch at any given time. Irrespective of the particular method used, other engine torque loads are added to the feedforward or predicted torque converter load to determine the engine output torque required to control engine idle speed and provide a smooth between transmission operating modes throughout the launch period.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Allen Doering, Bradley Dean Riedle, Ronald Thomas Cowan
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Patent number: 6561949Abstract: A coupling assembly 10 which selectively causes a primary mass or flywheel 20 be engaged or be coupled to a crankshaft 18 as a transmission gear assembly 23 moves from a first gear position to a second gear position and which further selectively causes the primary mass or flywheel 20 to be disengaged or disconnected from the crankshaft 18 as the vehicle is accelerated from an idle state, effective to decrease or substantially eliminate acceleration lag.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.Inventors: David Allen Janson, Charles Edward Marshall, Alvin Henry Berger, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Gregory Daniel Goleski
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Patent number: 6440041Abstract: A method of controlling engine torque in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and multi-ratio transmission when launched from a neutral idle rest condition. At neutral idle, the transmission is controlled such that the input and output members are decoupled. During vehicle launch, two different strategies may be employed to control engine torque. One preferred method is to determine an engine brake torque limit as a function of time. Another preferred method to determine the engine brake torque limit is to estimate the torque capacity of the forward clutch at any given time using a mathematical model and a calibrated offset of turbine torque. Irrespective of the particular method used, the determined engine brake torque limit is compared to the corresponding engine torque amount that is requested by the vehicle operator.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bradley Dean Riedle, Jeffrey Allen Doering, Ronald Thomas Cowan
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Publication number: 20020111249Abstract: A coupling assembly 10 which selectively causes a primary mass or flywheel 20 be engaged or be coupled to a crankshaft 18 as a transmission gear assembly 23 moves from a first gear position to a second gear position and which further selectively causes the primary mass or flywheel 20 to be disengaged or disconnected from the crankshaft 18 as the vehicle is accelerated from an idle state, effective to decrease or substantially eliminate acceleration lag.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: David Allen Janson, Charles Edward Marshall, Alvin Henry Berger, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Gregory Daniel Goleski
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Patent number: 6385520Abstract: A control strategy and method for controlling application and release of friction elements in an automatic transmission to effect gear ratio changes as one friction element is release and another friction element is applied during ratio changes. The transmission has an electronic controller and multiple solenoid regulator valves hydraulically coupled directly to pressure-operated friction elements. Powertrain variables are obtained and processed to calculate gear ratio control parameters derived from desired line pressure for a pressure control valve circuit that communicates with the friction elements. The desired gear ratio is determined for each given set of powertrain variables. Upshifts and downshifts are obtained by releasing one friction element in synchronism with an application of the other friction element, whereby a direct friction element to friction element torque transition is achieved with minimal inertia torque disturbances.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Pramod K. Jain, Howard Cecil Kuhn, Ronald Thomas Cowan, Bradley Dean Riedle, Chuanchi Steve Tang, James M. Merner
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Patent number: 6382382Abstract: A rotary clutch assembly for a geared power transmission mechanism comprising a friction disc clutch with driving and driven friction clutch plates, the driving plates being connected to a torque input element of the clutch assembly and the driven plates being connected to a torque output element of the clutch assembly, the clutch assembly providing a torque flow path to multiple-ratio gearing, a pressure actuator comprising first and second annular cylinder members and a movable piston member located in one of the cylinder members and cooperating with each member to define a pressure release chamber and a pressure apply chamber, the second clutch member being held axially fast on a torque input shaft for the transmission, the geometry of the cylinder members and the movable piston being sized to effect a centrifugal balance so that the clutch gain is essentially determined by the clutch commanded pressure to produce a relatively speed-independent net clutch-apply force, regardless of clutch cylinder speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eli Avny, Steven Gerald Thomas, Ronald Thomas Cowan
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Patent number: 5901388Abstract: An apparatus which enables one person to move a patient lying in a bed up towards the head of the bed comprised of a horizontal beam placed behind the head board with a winch affixed thereto with cables running through pulleys positioned on the beam transversely to a drawsheet on the surface of the bed. The drawsheet is made with reinforced corners with locking/unlocking clips affixed thereto for attachment to the cables and has a bottom panel made of satin or other slippery fabric material to reduce friction when the patient lying thereon is drawn up towards the head board of the bed by one person turning the crank of the winch. The drawsheet is then unlocked from the cable and removed after the patient has been repositioned as desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Inventor: William Thomas Cowan
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Patent number: 5569998Abstract: A solar water pumping system for home use utilizing amorphous solar panels and circuitry for maintaining proper power to the system. Three reference voltages in combination with switching circuitry achieve this purpose by constantly monitoring input and output voltages and allowing a non-discontinuous switching between solar power and battery power.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1994Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Inventor: Thomas Cowan
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Patent number: D436350Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Headwaters Research & Development, Inc.Inventors: Neal Thomas Cowan, Kevin Bailey
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Patent number: D437304Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Headwaters Research & Development, Inc.Inventors: Neal Thomas Cowan, Kevin Bailey
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Patent number: D447434Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Headwaters Research & Development, Inc.Inventors: Neal Thomas Cowan, Kevin Bailey, Robert David Watters