Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Lewis

Thomas F. Lewis 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: 11261135
    Abstract: Hexavalent chromium-free slurries are provided that are capable of achieving a full cure at temperatures as low as 330-450 degrees F., thus making the coatings especially suitable for application on temperature sensitive base materials. The slurries are suitable in the production of protective coating systems formed by novel silicate-based basecoats that are sealed with novel phosphate-based topcoats. The coating systems exhibit acceptable corrosion and heat resistance and are capable of replacing traditional chromate-containing coating systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Irina Belov, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Publication number: 20200331815
    Abstract: Hexavalent chromium-free slurries are provided that are capable of achieving a full cure at temperatures as low as 330-450 degrees F., thus making the coatings especially suitable for application on temperature sensitive base materials. The slurries are suitable in the production of protective coating systems formed by novel silicate-based basecoats that are sealed with novel phosphate-based topcoats. The coating systems exhibit acceptable corrosion and heat resistance and are capable of replacing traditional chromate-containing coating systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Irina Belov, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 10533255
    Abstract: Novel slurry formulations and processes for forming improved protective coatings used in the hot section components of gas turbine engines are provided. The process includes a unique two-step deposition methodology whereby the required concentration of reactive element within an improved reactive element doped aluminide coating can be consistently produced in a reproducible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E Garing, James K Knapp, Albert Feuerstein, Thomas F Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 10156007
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromizing processes are disclosed. The processes involve forming localized chromizing coatings onto selected regions of a substrate. The chromium diffusion coatings are locally applied to selected regions of substrates in a controlled manner, in comparison to conventional chromizing processes, and further in a manner that produces less material waste and does not require diffusion-stop-off masking. Prior to or after a localized slurry chromizing process of the present invention, a layer of a platinum-group-metal (PGM) is applied to produce a PGM-modified chromium diffusion coating onto selected regions of a substrate. A second coating can be selectively applied onto other regions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E Garing, Thomas D Findlay, Thomas F Lewis, III, James K Knapp, Jeffrey J McConnell
  • Publication number: 20180274079
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromium coatings derived from modified chromium-containing slurry formulations are disclosed. The slurry formulation includes a combination of a selected halide activator and buffer material that synergistically interact with each other to form chromium diffusion coatings with improved microstructure in comparison to chromium diffusion coatings produced from conventional chromizing processes. The coatings may be locally applied in a controlled manner with accuracy onto various parts, including those having internal sections with complex geometries, without masking any portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: ZHIHONG TANG, KEVIN E. GARING, THOMAS D. FINDLAY, THOMAS F. LEWIS, III, JAMES K. KNAPP
  • Patent number: 9970094
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromium coatings derived from modified chromium-containing slurry formulations are disclosed. The slurry formulation includes a combination of a selected halide activator and buffer material that synergistically interact with each other to form chromium diffusion coatings with improved microstructure in comparison to chromium diffusion coatings produced from conventional chromizing processes. The coatings may be locally applied in a controlled manner with accuracy onto various parts, including those having internal sections with complex geometries, without masking any portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E. Garing, Thomas D. Findlay, Thomas F. Lewis, III, James K. Knapp
  • Patent number: 9957629
    Abstract: A modified electroplated nickel-based metallic alloy coating and method of forming the same is provided. The electroplated coatings exhibit unique microstructure and composition which improves performance over conventional metallic materials. The coatings have significantly higher strength at elevated service temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Foster, Zhihong Tang, Kevin Garing, Bradley J. Burton, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 9789513
    Abstract: A modular, rotisserie type tooling fixture assembly for use in a coating operation and method of its use are disclosed. The tooling fixture assembly includes an arbor or shaft and a retaining base with a plurality of anchor members disposed in a prescribed radial orientation from the center of the retaining base, the anchor members are uniquely configured or adapted to retain a plurality of workpieces to be coated. The tooling fixture assembly further comprises a unique workpiece masking arrangement that employs a unitary masking cap having a plurality of solid walls or surfaces adapted to cover portions of the plurality of workpieces in a masking relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Albert Feuerstein, Andrew Thomas Westfall, Thomas F. Lewis, III, David A. McPherson, Ardy Kleyman, Don Lemen
  • Publication number: 20170198382
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromizing processes are disclosed. The processes involve forming localized chromizing coatings onto selected regions of a substrate. The chromium diffusion coatings are locally applied to selected regions of substrates in a controlled manner, in comparison to conventional chromizing processes, and further in a manner that produces less material waste and does not require diffusion-stop-off masking. Prior to or after a localized slurry chromizing process of the present invention, a layer of a platinum-group-metal (PGM) is applied to produce a PGM-modified chromium diffusion coating onto selected regions of a substrate. A second coating can be selectively applied onto other regions of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E. Garing, Thomas D. Findlay, Thomas F. Lewis, III, James K. Knapp, Jeffrey J. McConnell
  • Patent number: 9587302
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromizing processes are disclosed. The processes involve forming localized chromizing coatings onto selected regions of a substrate. The chromium diffusion coatings are locally applied to selected regions of substrates in a controlled manner, in comparison to conventional chromizing processes, and further in a manner that produces less material waste and does not require masking. A second coating can be selectively applied onto other regions of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E. Garing, Thomas D. Findlay, Thomas F. Lewis, III, James K. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20170058405
    Abstract: Novel slurry formulations and processes for forming improved protective coatings used in the hot section components of gas turbine engines are provided. The process includes a unique two-step deposition methodology whereby the required concentration of reactive element within an improved reactive element doped aluminide coating can be consistently produced in a reproducible manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Zhihong Tang, Kevin E. Garing, James K. Knapp, Albert Feuerstein, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Publication number: 20160237581
    Abstract: A modified electroplated nickel-based metallic alloy coating and method of forming the same is provided. The electroplated coatings exhibit unique microstructure and composition which improves performance over conventional metallic materials. The coatings have significantly higher strength at elevated service temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: JOHN FOSTER, ZHIHONG TANG, KEVIN GARIN G, BRADLEY J. BURTON, THOMAS F. LEWIS, III
  • Patent number: 9396659
    Abstract: Collision avoidance among vehicles that each include a management module coupled to other management modules and a central database manager, includes: establishing, by management modules of a set of traveling vehicles having a location within a predefined area, a collision zone including a network of the management modules of the traveling vehicles; and sharing, within the collision zone, dynamic information describing the traveling vehicles; retrieving, from the central database manager, static information describing the traveling vehicles; detecting, by a management module of a first vehicle in the collision zone, a potential collision with a second vehicle in the collision zone in dependence upon the dynamic and static information; and controlling, by the management module of the first traveling vehicle, the first traveling vehicle to take evasive action in dependence upon the dynamic and static information describing the first and second traveling vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Patent number: 9381537
    Abstract: A modular, rotisserie type multifunctional tooling fixture assembly is disclosed. The disclosed tooling fixture assembly comprises a positioning ring having a plurality of anchor members configured or adapted to retain a plurality of workpieces to be processed, and a retaining base defining a plurality of retaining members configured to be in locking engagement with the anchor members of the positioning ring and retain a plurality of workpieces in a fixed orientation. The tooling fixture assembly has utility in various coating related processes, including coating and grit blasting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: David A. McPherson, Albert Feuerstein, Thomas F. Lewis, III, Don Lemen, Ardy Kleyman, Andrew Thomas Westfall
  • Publication number: 20150197841
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromizing processes are disclosed. The processes involve forming localized chromizing coatings onto selected regions of a substrate. The chromium diffusion coatings are locally applied to selected regions of substrates in a controlled manner, in comparison to conventional chromizing processes, and further in a manner that produces less material waste and does not require masking. A second coating can be selectively applied onto other regions of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: ZHIHONG TANG, KEVIN E. GARING, THOMAS D. FINDLAY, THOMAS F. LEWIS, III, JAMES K. KNAPP
  • Publication number: 20150197842
    Abstract: Unique and improved chromium coatings derived from modified chromium-containing slurry formulations are disclosed. The slurry formulation includes a combination of a selected halide activator and buffer material that synergistically interact with each other to form chromium diffusion coatings with improved microstructure in comparison to chromium diffusion coatings produced from conventional chromizing processes. The coatings may be locally applied in a controlled manner with accuracy onto various parts, including those having internal sections with complex geometries, without masking any portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: ZHIHONG TANG, KEVIN E. GARING, THOMAS D. FINDLAY, THOMAS F. LEWIS, III, JAMES K. KNAPP
  • Publication number: 20150170519
    Abstract: Collision avoidance among vehicles that each include a management module coupled to other management modules and a central database manager, includes: establishing, by management modules of a set of traveling vehicles having a location within a predefined area, a collision zone including a network of the management modules of the traveling vehicles; and sharing, within the collision zone, dynamic information describing the traveling vehicles; retrieving, from the central database manager, static information describing the traveling vehicles; detecting, by a management module of a first vehicle in the collision zone, a potential collision with a second vehicle in the collision zone in dependence upon the dynamic and static information; and controlling, by the management module of the first traveling vehicle, the first traveling vehicle to take evasive action in dependence upon the dynamic and static information describing the first and second traveling vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOHN K. LANGGOOD, THOMAS F. LEWIS, KEVIN M. REINBERG, KEVIN S.D. VERNON
  • Publication number: 20140372634
    Abstract: A method for indicating and detecting correct cable connections within a computer network environment. The method includes determining a topology layout for one or more cables that are connected to one or more system units within a computer network environment. The method includes receiving profile information for the one or more cables and the one or more system units present and determining whether the profile information for the one or more cables and the one or more system units meets requirements for the topology layout. In response to making the determination, the method includes indicating a correct connection between a first cable and a first system unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S.D. Vernon, Christopher C. West
  • Patent number: 8814504
    Abstract: A fan brake for a fan system. The fan system may include a fan assembly configured for seating into a cassette housing. The fan assembly may include a fan having a plurality of blades connected with a fan hub. The fan brake may be connected to the fan assembly, wherein the fan brake engages the fan hub when the fan housing is not fully seated within the cassette housing, and the fan brake disengages the fan hub when the fan assembly is fully seated into the cassette housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Publication number: 20140188318
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, from an inter-vehicular charge recipient having a recipient vehicle, a request to arrange an inter-vehicular charge and a battery charge level for the battery of the recipient vehicle. A battery charge level for a battery of the donor vehicle is received from an inter-vehicular charge donor vehicle, and an anticipated route of the donor vehicle and an anticipated route of the recipient vehicle is obtained. The battery charge level of the battery of the recipient vehicle is compared to the battery charge level of the battery of the donor vehicle to determine a suitability for inter-vehicular charging, and the anticipated route of the donor vehicle is compared to the anticipated route of the recipient vehicle to determine a location to initiate charging. The method then generates and sends a proposal for an inter-vehicular charge transaction to the donor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S.D. Vernon