Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Smith
Thomas E. Smith 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: 6373201Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a lamp. A timer (106) reads a rated safe life value from a memory (102) associated with a lamp in a lamp module (104). The memory (102) in the lamp module (104) contains a series of locations in which the rated safe life of the lamp has been stored, and a series of locations for storing the elapsed on time of the lamp. The timer controller (106) reads the series of locations storing the rated safe life of the lamp and verifies the validity of the values using a series of checksums and comparisons between the various values. The timer controller (106) also reads the series of locations storing the elapsed on time for the lamp and verifies the elapsed on time in a similar manner. If either the rated safe on time or the elapsed on time cannot be verified, the lamp is disabled. If both can be verified, and the lamp is enabled until the elapsed on time equals or exceeds the rated safe life.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Thomas E. Smith
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Publication number: 20020005697Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a lamp. A timer controller (106) reads a rated safe life value from a memory (102) associated with a lamp in a lamp module (104). The memory (102) in the lamp module (104) contains a series of locations in which the rated safe life of the lamp has been stored, and a series of locations for storing the elapsed on time of the lamp. The timer controller (106) reads the series of locations storing the rated safe life of the lamp and verifies the validity of the values using a series of checksums and comparisons between the various values. The timer controller (106) also reads the series of locations storing the elapsed on time for the lamp and verifies the elapsed on time in a similar manner. If either the rated safe on time or the elapsed on time cannot be verified, the lamp is disabled. If both can be verified, and the lamp is enabled until the elapsed on time equals or exceeds the rated safe life.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Thomas E. Smith
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Publication number: 20010043288Abstract: A motor speed resolution enhancement method and system. A display system controller (202) measures the frame rate of an incoming signal to determine the desired color wheel speed. A digital speed control word (212) representing the desired color wheel speed is written to the motor control circuit (204). The motor control circuit uses the digital speed control word (212) to generate analog control voltages (214) that drive the motor (206). The motor controller (204) also detects the position of the motor and generates a series of commutation interrupts (216). The display system controller 202 accurately measures the input signal's frame rate to determine the proper rate at which to spin the color wheel. The resulting desired speed word has a higher resolution than the motor control circuit (204) is able to receive. The disclosed invention provides a method of increasing the resolution of the digital speed control word (212) without upgrading the resolution of the motor control circuit (204).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventor: Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 5755473Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier system for carrying a substrate batch including:(a) a heat treated, integral pallet having a pallet thickness, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the pallet defines a plurality of passageways extending completely through the pallet thickness to form a first plurality of openings on the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the pallet also defines a plurality of chambers extending through at least a portion of the pallet thickness to form a second plurality of openings on the bottom surface; and(b) a plurality of chuck assemblies partially disposed in the plurality of the chambers and adapted to engage the substrate batch, wherein the pallet has sufficient structural rigidity such that while the carrier system is carrying the substrate batch, even when the carrier system is subjected to an elevated temperature, there is absent any appreciable bending and twisting of the pallet.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Eugene A. Swain, Thomas E. Smith, Alan D. Smith, Robert S. Foltz, Peter J. Schmitt, Stanley J. Pietrzykowski, Jr., Kamran U. Zaman
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Patent number: 5510618Abstract: An improved modular FLIR system is provided that fits in the same space elopes that were provided for the Army's GEN I FLIR's. The resolution is more than doubled by using a narrow two dimensional array of Hg-Cd-Te detectors with pn junctions as a time-delay-integration line sensor, improved optics and analog-digital conversion with image enhancement.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Bill A. Blecha, Thomas Coty, John J. Curry, Howard T. Graves, Robert C. Guckian, John M. Hall, Samuel B. McDowell, Steve H. Nguyen, Raemon N. Samuels, Thomas E. Smith, Joseph J. Wiedmann, Richard A. Wright
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Patent number: 5493165Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for producing high-performance layered-element electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuators, and the resulting product. The process calls for steps that minimize decreases of the stack stiffness which usually characterize layered wafer actuators. These include making the wafers flat and parallel, using a referred wafer metalization process that does not affect wafer surface roughness, and using stock-bonding epoxies with viscosities which readily permit the bonding agent to "wick" into the interface areas of the wafer/electrode stacks thereby to minimize the bond agent thickness.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Thomas E. Smith, Robert Zappulla, George G. Zipfel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5438627Abstract: Disclosed is an electrodynamic moving coil actuator comprising one or more separate coils contained in interior spaces of a reactance mass. The coils are oriented in closely spaced parallel zones within the interior spaces. The spaces are formed and positioned to be outside of the static magnetic flux lines of the reactance mass. The static flux thus is substantially de-coupled from the dynamic magnetic field of the coil. Magnetic flux choke points are avoided, but at the same time, high volumetric efficiency is achieved. Each coil is attached to supports along its two long outer edges. The supports are connected to each other at their extremities by top and bottom plates which are connected by slide bars that also serve as tie rods. The reactance mass is mounted on the slide bars. The design is adapted to low frequency, high force applications such as active noise control automotive mufflers.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1992Date of Patent: August 1, 1995Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Thomas E. Smith, Gregory W. Terpay, George G. Zipfel, Jr.
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Patent number: 5222896Abstract: A polyhedral approximation of an Earth globe or other non-planar surface and a projection of such non-planar surface to a two-dimensional form with a practical minimum of distortion of principal and secondary features is disclosed. Vertices are selected on the non-planar surface to be mapped so as to define identifiable panels which are suitable for individual study because of their incorporation of at least one of the principal features wholly within one of the panels. Vertices are selected so that the panels are individually shaped and sized to accommodate at least a majority of at least one of the principal features.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1991Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: British Technology Group USA Inc.Inventor: Thomas E. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 5092893Abstract: A vertebra structural implant for connecting two or more vertebral bodies in axial and lateral directions having implant plates attached to opposed sides of the spinal column by studs with a cross brace between the implant plates to prevent slipping or rotating of the vertebrae being stabilized. The implant has openings with curved lips and the studs have spherical surfaces and fit freely through the openings to prevent angular misalignment between the studs and the plates to lessen stress on the studs. The implant has grooved lock washers and the cross brace has grooves which mate with grooves in the implant plates to lock the plates in position relative to the studs and to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Inventor: Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4886706Abstract: An improved fibrous polyacrylonitrile mixture for use in friction products enables the production of low resiliency preforms by mixing an additive with a polyacrylonitrile wet gel. The additive is incorporated into the fiber in extremely large amounts. The additive is a member selected from the group consisting of:(a) polyethylene glycol esters of pelargonic acid; or(b) polyethylene glycol esters of enanthic, caprylic or capric acids; or(c) blends of polyethylene glycol esters of enanthic, caprylic, pelargonic, or capric acids; or(d) blends of polyethylene glycol esters of carboxylic acids derived from natural products containing at least 50% by weight of carboxylic acids containing less than 14 carbon atoms; or(e) reaction products of ethylene oxide and carboxylic acid amides wherein at least 70% of the acids from which the amide is derived contain between 16 and 20 carbon atoms.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1987Date of Patent: December 12, 1989Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Hughey A. Rush, Billy B. Hibbard, Johnson L. Pursoo, John W. Lindsay, Thomas E. Smith, Kenneth Harper, MIchael V. Tullos, James E. Davis
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Patent number: 4706043Abstract: A compact, self-contained and economical frequency standard uses a passive hydrogen maser to provide an accurate, repeatable, and stable standard frequency. The hydrogen dissociator and microwave cavity of the maser and circuit means coact to reduce the frequency variations possible with prior systems and to promote and emphasize the energy transfer from hyperfine hydrogen atoms to the frequency standard for its stabilization. The dissociator is accurately alignable to transfer its hyperfine hydrogen atoms of a selected state to a microwave cavity; and the microwave cavity is formed by dielectric surfaces which have been coated with a conductive coating in a predetermined configuration to suppress oscillation in undesirable modes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1986Date of Patent: November 10, 1987Assignee: Ball CorporationInventors: Samuel R. Stein, Lindon L. Lewis, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4704311Abstract: This process for making antistatic filaments utilizes a specific mixture of compounds in order to suffuse electrically conductive particles into a filamentary polymeric substrate by forwarding the substrate through a grooved roll-type mix applicator. The mixture comprises a dispersion of the electrically conductive particles in liquid solvent which is a mixture of formic acid and a member selected from the group consisting of an amide, a carboxylic acid other than formic acid, an alcohol, an ester, a ketone, an ether, and a hydrocarbon. The process provides advantages over the prior art in permitting the use of high processing speeds, enabling easy stringup, and allowing the use of knotty and/or slubby filamentary substrates.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1985Date of Patent: November 3, 1987Assignee: BASF CorporationInventors: Trevor P. Pickering, George A. Paton, James A. Gusack, Thomas E. Smith, John H. Sanders, Sterling M. Nichols, Johnson L. Pursoo, John W. Lindsay, William E. Streetman
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Patent number: 4624817Abstract: Disclosed is a coating die which has a dilatable orifice, the orifice being dilatable due to the use of a flexible, resilient portion of the die. The die is individually cast and is "strung-up" in the casting process. The preferred use for the die is in the coating of textile filaments, especially small diameter filaments that are slubby.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1984Date of Patent: November 25, 1986Assignee: Badische CorporationInventors: James A. Gusack, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4545835Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a supported antistatic yarn and products resulting therefrom. The method involves merging a support yarn into contact with a filamentary polymer substrate immediately after the filamentary substrate has had a mix applied thereto. The support yarn is solvent bonded to the polymer substrate due to the characteristics of the mix.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1983Date of Patent: October 8, 1985Assignee: Badische CorporationInventors: James A. Gusack, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4514893Abstract: A method of fabricating field effect transistors which includes control of threshold potential by an ion implantation limited to the active channel area. The active channel area is defined by a photoresist pattern. Ions are implanted into the exposed area in a concentration to achieve a desired threshold. Appropriate metals are deposited over the channel area to form a gate electrode. The photoresist is lifted off leaving the gate electrode in position over the channel area. If desired, a layer of polysilicon can be included prior to resist formation and later removed by an etchant which does not attack the gate electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1983Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: AT&T Bell LaboratoriesInventors: Eliezer Kinsbron, William T. Lynch, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4479851Abstract: An improved process for the batch distillation or purification by stripping of a bis(hydroxyalkyl)disiloxane, which purified product is useful as a video disc lubricant additive or dopant. In accordance with the process, the feedstock of bis(hydroxyalkyl)disiloxane is subjected to a vacuum evaporation of the light volatiles by gradually reducing the pressure to about 2.times.10.sup.-1 Torr. After the low boiling materials have been distilled off, the temperature is gradually increased and the pressure gradually reduced (final temperature of about 135.degree. C. and final pressure of about 4.times.10.sup.-2 Torr) so as to produce a distill and having a viscosity of about 210.+-.30 centipoise at 25.degree. C.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1982Date of Patent: October 30, 1984Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Thomas E. Smith, Chih C. Wang
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Patent number: 4357744Abstract: A corner connector for connecting adjacent hollow intermediate frames used in the construction of insulated glass panels. The corner connector includes a two-part body having a flexible mid-portion. One end of each body portion has a retaining arm. When each retaining arm of each corner connector positioned along a longitudinal center connected to an intermediate frame it holds or secures the hollow intermediate frames together. The two hollow intermediate frames can then be moved toward each other to form a ninety degree angle therebetween. The resilient mid-portion of the body of the corner connector may be locked in place to maintain that perpendicular relationship. Therefore four intermediate frames may be positioned along the same longitudinal line during manufacturing.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1980Date of Patent: November 9, 1982Inventors: Everett R. McKenzie, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4318877Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of molding a high density information disc which includes maintaining the molding composition at an elevated temperature between the extrusion step and the record pressing step, such that the resultant disc is of improved quality. A heated shot cup is provided to maintain the extruded molding composition at the elevated temperature and in which the same is molded into a preform from which the disc is pressed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1979Date of Patent: March 9, 1982Assignee: RCA CorporationInventor: Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4262875Abstract: Video disc nickel stampers are coated with a very thin, e.g., 100-250 angstroms, non-grainy layer of chromium which imparts increased scratch resistance to carbon-filled polyvinylchloride resins during compression molding.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1979Date of Patent: April 21, 1981Assignee: RCA CorporationInventors: Frederick R. Nyman, Thomas E. Smith
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Patent number: 4226086Abstract: An automatic control is provided for fast restarts of a hot power plant. Boiler fuel demand is increased to reach a target load based on measured turbine metal temperature and throttle pressure. Fine tuning of the fuel demand is performed to achieve an actual match between the turbine and steam temperatures. Turbine bypass valves are operated during boiler firing the control steam pressure to a programmed pressure setpoint. Boiler firing rate is high limited by total boiler outlet steam to avoid flow overheating and bypass valve position is low limited in accordance with steam flow and throttle pressure to avoid excessively low steam flow. Reheater controls are operated to match intermediate turbine temperature and reheat steam temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1979Date of Patent: October 7, 1980Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: Morton H. Binstock, Robert C. Lehmer, Steven J. Johnson, John J. Topolosky, Thomas E. Smith