Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Dunn

Thomas E. Dunn 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: 9721596
    Abstract: A data reader may have an resonant tunnel structure disposed between first and second magnetic structures. The resonant tunnel structure can be configured with a spacer layer disposed between first and second barrier layers. The first barrier layer can have a first thickness that is smaller than a second thickness of the second barrier layers with the thicknesses each measured along a common plane to provide resonant tunneling for the data reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: David A. Deen, Thomas E. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20160254012
    Abstract: A data reader may have an resonant tunnel structure disposed between first and second magnetic structures. The resonant tunnel structure can be configured with a spacer layer disposed between first and second barrier layers. The first barrier layer can have a first thickness that is smaller than a second thickness of the second barrier layers with the thicknesses each measured along a common plane to provide resonant tunneling for the data reader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Deen, Thomas E. Dunn
  • Patent number: 5006304
    Abstract: A method for loosening and removing sludge and debris from the vessel of a heat exchanger, such as the secondary side of a nuclear steam generator, is disclosed herein. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a sufficient volume of a liquid, such as water, into the steam generator so that the lower portion which includes the tubesheet is submerged, and then generating a succession of pressure pulses within the water from one or more pressure pulse generators wherein each pressure pulse creates shock waves that exert momentary forces throughout the submerged portion of the generator of a magnitude sufficient to loosen the sludge and debris, but safely below the yield and fatigue limits of the heat exchanger tubes and other components within the generator. The pressure pulses commence as soon as a sufficient amount of water is introduced into the steam generator to submerge the tubesheet, and continue all the way through the draining of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Richard D. Franklin, Gregg D. Auld, David E. Murray, John J. Lescisin, Albert R. Vaia, Thomas E. Dunn
  • Patent number: 4921662
    Abstract: A method for loosening and removing sludge and debris from the vessel of a heat exchanger, such as the secondary side of a nuclear steam generator, is disclosed herein. The method generally comprises the steps of providing a sufficient volume of a liquid, such as water, into the steam generator so that the lower portion which includes the tubesheet is submerged, and then generating a succession of pressure pulses within the water from one or more pressure pulse generators wherein each pressure pulse creates shock waves that exert momentary forces throughout the submerged portion of the generator of a magnitude sufficient to loosen the sludge and debris, but safely below the yield and fatigue limits of the heat exchanger tubes and other components within the generator. The pressure pulses commence as soon as a sufficient amount of water is introduced into the steam generator to submerge the tubesheet, and continue all the way through the draining of the steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Richard D. Franklin, Gregg D. Auld, David E. Murray, John J. Lescisin, Albert R. Vaia, Thomas E. Dunn