Patents by Inventor Thomas Dixon

Thomas Dixon 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: 20080300818
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Richard Edwin Harper, Thomas Dixon Pahel, JR., William Joseph Piazza
  • Publication number: 20080300725
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and analyzing elevated temperatures at a component rack to identify and characterize air recirculation anomalies. In one embodiment, temperatures are sensed in proximity to an air intake of the component rack. Temperature sensors communicate with a workstation having system management software including a thermal management component for analyzing air intake temperatures. Predefined temperature differentials (PTD) are established, corresponding to expected temperature differentials between the selected locations in the absence of any appreciable recirculation. The PTD provides a threshold for comparing with “actual” temperature differentials (ATD) to identify the presence and/or mode of recirculation. If an ATD exceeds a corresponding PTD for a predefined time interval, a signal is output. The mode of recirculation, such as left-side, right-side, or dual-surface recirculation, may be determined using as few as four temperature sensors positioned at a zone of interest (ZOI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Richard Edwin Harper, Thomas Dixon Pahel, JR., William Joseph Piazza
  • Publication number: 20080272887
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the position of a component rack within a data center and/or the positions of components within the component rack. In one embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic reference transponders are disposed in fixed locations throughout a data center. The reference transponders communicate with one another to establish a reference coordinate system for the data center. Each component rack in the data center is provided with an ultrasonic rack transponder that can be triangulated with the reference transponders to determine the position of a component rack. This “rack position” information can be used by a system controller to control the components and to help regulate the data center within pre-specified operating parameters. If a problem occurs in the data center, information about the position of the affected components and component racks may be used by the system controller or a system administrator to help remedy the problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Richard Edwin Harper, Thomas Dixon Pahel, William Joseph Piazza
  • Publication number: 20080264610
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing environmental protection to electronic systems, particularly data storage systems, in order to permit such systems to survive severe environmental changes such as those that occur during a fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Dixon Hanan, Anthony E. B. Goodfellow, David Lee Hanan, Kathleen Elizabeth MacNeil
  • Publication number: 20080200744
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Sasol Technology (PTY) LTD.
    Inventors: John Thomas Dixon, Peter Wasserscheid, David Shane McGuinness, Fiona Millicent Hess, Hulisani Maumela, David Hedley Morgan, Annette Bollman
  • Patent number: 7399719
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing environmental protection to electronic systems, particularly data storage systems, in order to permit such systems to survive severe envionmental changes such as those that occur during a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Vaultstor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Dixon Hanan, Anthony E. B. Goodfellow, David Lee Hanan, Kathleen Elizabeth MacNeil
  • Publication number: 20080097189
    Abstract: A novel method and system for employing device tracking with a magnetic resonance imaging system. In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method for tracking the location of a device and generating an image using magnetic resonance imaging includes applying a combined imaging and tracking pulse sequence, in the presence of a magnetic field gradient, wherein the combined imaging and tracking sequence comprising a radiofrequency excitation pulse. The method further includes collecting tracking data based on a magnetic resonance tracking signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance tracking signal is returned from a tracking coil mounted in the device. The method also includes collecting imaging data based on a magnetic resonance imaging signal resulting from the radiofrequency excitation pulse, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging signal is returned from an imaging coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Charles Dumoulin, Patrick Gross, W. Thomas Dixon
  • Patent number: 7361623
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is nitrogen and at least two heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heroatomic ligand for an oligomerization of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms. At least one heteroatom may be nitrogen and at least 2 heteroatoms may not be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Dixon, Jacobus Johannes Cronje Grove, Peter Wasserscheid, David Shane McGuinness, Fiona Millicent Hess, Hulisani Maumela, David Hedley Morgan, Annette Bollman
  • Publication number: 20080083646
    Abstract: A modular display system includes a container having a top wall, a bottom wall, a rear wall, a front wall, a left side wall and a right side wall, at least a substantial portion of one of the front wall, the left side wall and the right side wall being transparent. The walls are joined to define a weather-tight interior and the container has a footprint sized for transportation on an over the road truck. The system also includes a door in one of the rear wall, the front wall, the left side wall and the right side wall, the door being at least 4 feet high and 2 feet wide. The system also includes a latch mechanism interconnecting the door and the adjacent wall to secure the door relative to the wall, and a lighting system optically exposed to the interior, the lighting system configured to illuminate a portion of the interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Dixon
  • Patent number: 7323524
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for polymerising olefins to branched polyolefins in the presence of a polymerisation catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the cocatalyst produces 1-octene in a selectivity greater than 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (PTY) Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Blann, Deon De Wet-Roos, John Thomas Dixon
  • Patent number: 7300904
    Abstract: The invention provides a mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms, of which at least one heteroatom is sulfur and at least 2 heteroatoms are not the same. The invention also provides a multidentate mixed heteroatomic ligand for an oligomerisation of olefins catalyst, which ligand includes at least three heteroatoms of which at least one is a sulfur atom. The ligand may also contain, in addition to sulfur, at least one nitrogen or phosphorous heteroatom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventors: John Thomas Dixon, Peter Wasserscheid, David Shane McGuinness, Fiona Millicent Hess, Hulisani Maumela, David Hedley Morgan, Annette Bollman
  • Patent number: 7297832
    Abstract: The invention describes a process for tetramerisation of olefins wherein the product stream of the process contains more than 30% of the tetramer olefin. The process includes the step of contacting an olefinic feedstream with a catalyst system containing a transition metal compound and a heteroatomic ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (PTY) Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Blann, Annette Bollmann, John Thomas Dixon, Arno Neveling, David Hedley Morgan, Hulisani Maumela, Esna Killian, Fiona Millicent Hess, Stefanus Otto, Matthew James Overett, Michael James Green
  • Patent number: 7285607
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a polymeric product by the polymerisation of at least one olefinic compound in the form of an olefin or a compound including an olefinic moiety by contacting the at least one olefinic compound with a polymerisation catalyst. The catalyst comprises the combination of a source of a Group IV to VI transition metal; and a ligating compound of the formula (R1)mX1(Y)X2(R2)n. The process is characterised therein that when R1 and R2 are independently a hydrocarbyl group or a heterohydrocarbyl group which contains at least one non-polar substituent, the olefinic compound is contacted with the polymerisation catalyst at a reaction temperature from and above 70° C.; and where R1 and R2 are independently a hydrocarbyl group or a heterohydrocarbyl group which contains no substituent, the olefinic compound is contacted with the polymerisation catalyst at a reaction temperature from and above 90° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sasol, Chemical Industries, Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Blann, Deon De Wet-Roos, Dawid Johannes Joubert, Esna Killian, John Thomas Dixon, Nonhlanhla Jillian Phelembe, Aletta Du Toit
  • Patent number: 7009395
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for acquiring images using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method comprises the step of applying a plurality of steady-state free precession (SSFP) radio-frequency (RF) excitation pulses in a selected pattern of varying amplitudes and phases such that signals corresponding to the pattern of pulses are substantially immune to magnetic field inhomogeneity of the MRI system. The pulses have substantially equal spacing between all neighboring pulses and between successive groups of pulses. The method further comprises the step of reading a plurality of signals corresponding to the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Thomas Dixon, Christopher Judson Hardy
  • Publication number: 20060026056
    Abstract: An information retrieval and evaluation system for receiving information about an organization and evaluating the organization based on that information. The information typically includes data retrieved from one or more data bases and organization-related data obtained in a manual fashion by an evaluation system operator. The information can be evaluated against a set of standards in order to determine any problems or concerns that may be associated with the organization. The information received and the information generated from the evaluation can be inserted into a report. The reports of organizations can be published in an online format or obtained using a search method via the Internet, allowing individuals and corporations to review the reports and determine which organizations they want to invest in or support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett Weiner, Lara Henry, Paul Cate, Serigne Ndiaye, Thomas Dixon, Howard Lerman, Sean Maclsaac
  • Publication number: 20050160021
    Abstract: An improved method and system for computerized trading of securities in which order preferences for securities are entered by a user and are stored on a computer system for future use as default values in response to the user placing an order. The time that it takes to complete an order may be reduced through the use of previously selected order preferences being displayed to the user in the order placement window. In another method for order entry, a user may specify a price-point and a security transaction flag option for a security transaction (e.g., buy, sell, sell short, stop loss, stop limit, sell to open, sell to close, buy to open, buy to close) on a price chart window for a particular security. The computer system monitors the price fluctuation of the particular security, and takes the specified security transaction in response to the specified price-point being reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Nesmith, Jason Abshire, John Bunda, Thomas Dixon, Erik Fierce, Todd Gruben, Sandi Lester, Jason Mongaras, Omar Salinas
  • Publication number: 20040265235
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance (“MR”) contrast-enhancing agents comprise poly(amino acid) backbone chain conjugated to chelating moieties that comprise a plurality of carboxylic acid groups that form coordination complexes with paramagnetic ions. A method for detecting atherosclerotic plaque areas comprises administering at least one of these contrast agents into a subject; and obtaining and comparing MR images of and MR signals from the plaque areas before and after administering the contrast agent. The method can be used to assess an effectiveness of a prescribed course of treatment for atherosclerosis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Egidijus Edward Uzgiris, Mohan Mark Amaratunga, William Thomas Dixon, Paritosh Jayant Dhawale, Ahmad Nadeem Ishague
  • Patent number: 6734539
    Abstract: The specification describes an MCM package which contains both a digital MCM and an RF MCM in a stacked configuration. The package contains means for isolating RF signals from digital signals. In one case the digital MCM substrate is attached to the system substrate and the RF MCM substrate is attached to the digital MCM substrate. Solder bumps are used for attachment in an arrangement resembling a BGA. For high density packages, at least the digital MCM comprises stacked IC chips. In the embodiment with the RF MCM substrate on the top of the stack, Passive Through Interconnections (PTIs) are made through the digital MCM substrate, and electrically isolated therefrom. The passive through interconnections are made through the solder bumps between boards and interconnected using a passive (with respect to the digital MCM board) through hole. Both the RF ground and the RF input can be isolated using PTIs. For additional isolation, the solder bumps comprising the PTIs are shielded with a Faraday cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Yinon Degani, Thomas Dixon Dudderar, Liguo Sun, Meng Zhao
  • Patent number: 6680212
    Abstract: The specification describes electrical testing strategies for multi-chip modules (MCMs). The MCMs are fabricated on double sided substrates, which are then solder bump bonded to a motherboard to form a BGA package. Untested chips are attached permanently to one side of the substrate to form a partially completed MCM package (PCMP), and the PCMPs are tested. PCMPs that pass are then completed by assembling known good die on the other side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies INC
    Inventors: Yinon Degani, Thomas Dixon Dudderar, King Lien Tai
  • Patent number: 6678167
    Abstract: The specification describes a multi-chip IC package in which IC chips are flip-chip bonded to both sides of a flexible substrate. The upper (or lower) surface of the flexible substrate is bonded to a rigid support substrate with openings in the support substrate to accommodate the IC chips bonded to the upper (or lower) surface of the flexible substrate. In a preferred embodiment a plurality of IC memory chips are mounted on one side of the flexible substrate and one or more logic chips to the other. A very thin flexible substrate is used to optimize the length of through hole interconnections between the memory and logic devices. If logic chips are flip-chip mounted in the cavity formed by the openings, a heat sink plate can be used to both cap the cavity and make effective thermal contact the backside of the logic chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Agere Systems INC
    Inventors: Yinon Degani, Thomas Dixon Dudderar, King Lien Tai