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).

  • Publication number: 20140188699
    Abstract: A computer program product includes computer usable program code for: 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; receiving, from an inter-vehicular charge donor vehicle, a battery charge level for a battery of the donor vehicle; obtaining an anticipated route of the donor vehicle and an anticipated route of the recipient vehicle; for comparing the battery charge level of the battery of the recipient vehicle to the battery charge level of the battery of the donor vehicle to determine a suitability for inter-vehicular charging; comparing the anticipated route of the donor vehicle to the anticipated route of the recipient vehicle to determine a location to initiate charging; and generating and sending a proposal for an inter-vehicular charge transaction to the donor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S.D. Vernon
  • Patent number: 8495349
    Abstract: Administering computer processor execution of BIOS code that includes a primary BIOS code and a recovery BIOS code stored in ROM, the ROM operatively coupled to a control module and the processor, where administering processor execution of the BIOS code includes determining, by the control module, a size of the ROM; generating, by the control module in dependence upon the size of the ROM, an address for the primary BIOS code and an address for the recovery BIOS code; starting, by the control module, operation of the processor for execution of the primary BIOS code including providing, to the processor, the address for the primary BIOS code; and if executing the primary BIOS code fails, restarting, by the control module, operation of the processor for execution of the recovery BIOS code including providing, to the processor, the address for the recovery BIOS code to the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Lewis, Pivithuru S. Perera, Robert M. Piper
  • Publication number: 20130177707
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventors: Albert Feuerstein, Andrew Thomas Westfall, Thomas F. Lewis, III, David A. McPherson, Ardy Kleyman, Don Lemen
  • Publication number: 20130157040
    Abstract: A system and method for producing thermal spray coatings on a substrate from a liquid suspension is disclosed. The disclosed system and method include a thermal spray torch for generating a plasma and a liquid suspension delivery subsystem for delivering a flow of liquid suspension with sub-micron particles to the plasma to produce a plasma effluent. The liquid suspension delivery subsystem comprises an injector or nozzle which can produce an inert or reactive gas sheath partially or fully surrounding the plasma effluent. A sheath can also be used to isolate injection of the liquid suspension. A gas assist stream can also be employed at or near the suspension injection point. The shroud, sheath or gas assist technique can retain the sub-micron particles entrained within the plasma effluent and substantially prevent entrainment of ambient gases into the plasma effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher A. Petorak, Don J. Lemen, Albert Feuerstein, Thomas F. Lewis, III, Mark McCoy
  • Publication number: 20130156968
    Abstract: A system and method for producing thermal spray coatings on a substrate from a liquid suspension is disclosed. The disclosed system and method include a thermal spray torch for generating a plasma and a liquid suspension delivery subsystem for delivering a flow of liquid suspension with sub-micron particles to the plasma to produce a plasma effluent. The liquid suspension delivery subsystem comprises an injector or nozzle which can produce a reactive gas shroud surrounding the plasma effluent. A flame envelope can also be used to isolate injection of the liquid suspension. The shroud or flame envelope can retain the sub-micron particles entrained within the plasma effluent and substantially prevent entrainment of ambient gases into the plasma effluent. The liquid suspension delivery subsystem can be arranged as an axial injection system, a radial internal injection system or an external radial injection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher A. Petorak, Don J. Lemen, Albert Feuerstein, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Publication number: 20130149450
    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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Albert Feuerstein, Andrew Thomas Westfall, Thomas F. Lewis, III, David A. McPherson, Ardy Kleyman, Don Lemen
  • Publication number: 20130084185
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Patent number: 8265240
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a selectively-expandable speakerphone system allows one or more portable computers to automatically, wirelessly interface with a speakerphone console via an audio access point. A scheduling module initiates the conference call at a scheduled time, whereupon the wireless network interface of each portable computer is automatically switched to an SSID uniquely associated with the audio access point, for connecting to the speakerphone console. The audio signals generated by the laptop microphones are mixed with any audio signal generated by an optional microphone on the speakerphone console, and the mixed audio signals are transmitted over the telephone line. Incoming audio signals are passed to the speakerphone console and wirelessly transmitted to the portable computers for substantially simultaneous playback on the respective loudspeakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin Michael Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Patent number: 8212388
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon
  • Patent number: 7993438
    Abstract: An aqueous phosphoric bonding solution consists essentially of phosphoric acid, a source of magnesium ions, and a leachable corrosion inhibitor. The bonding solution is stable with respect to inorganic metal particles, such as aluminum, which are admixed to the bonding solution for the preparation of a coating slurry. Metal parts coated with the coating compositions have very satisfactory properties such as heat and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Mosser, Kevin Eddinger, Eileen Fox, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 7992014
    Abstract: Administering power supplies in a data center including, upon connection of a first power supply through a power line to a circuit breaker in the data center, querying, by a power supply communications device of the first power supply through the power line, a circuit breaker communications device of the circuit breaker for a circuit breaker identification; querying, by the power supply communications device of the first power supply, for a maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker; sending the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker to a management module; and determining, by the management module in dependence upon the circuit breaker identification and the maximum current threshold for the circuit breaker, whether to power on a computing device powered by the first power supply including determining whether the circuit breaker is shared by another power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Patent number: 7983770
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling a system generated noise level such that the same is adapted to an actual ambient noise level of the system environment. Internal noise generators will thus not run at a needlessly lowered rate than actually needed. For instance, by permitting a fan to run at a generally higher speed, the system will not needlessly undergo significant internal temperature increases. By the same token, CPU performance, to the extent that it represents a noise generator, will not be needlessly throttled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon
  • Patent number: 7921315
    Abstract: Managing power consumption in a data center including reporting, by a circuit breaker communications device of one of the circuit breakers to the management module, a current power load of the circuit breaker, the report transmitted from the circuit breaker communications device through a power supply communications device of a power supply currently providing power to a particular computing device and through an out-of-band communications link to the management module, upon receiving the report of the current power load, determining, by the management module, whether the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than a predetermined threshold; and if the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than the predetermined threshold, reducing, by the management module, power consumption through the circuit breaker of the particular computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Publication number: 20110007109
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards an apparatus for use in printing systems. The apparatus may include an ink filter having an ink chamber configured to allow ink to flow therethrough and a coolant chamber configured to allow coolant to flow therethrough. The coolant chamber may be further configured to cool ink in the ink chamber. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Craig J. Shields, Gary W. Pritchard, Thomas F. Lewis, Thomas J. Kucklick
  • Publication number: 20100288158
    Abstract: An aqueous phosphoric bonding solution consists essentially of phosphoric acid, a source of magnesium ions, and a leachable corrosion inhibitor. The bonding solution is stable with respect to inorganic metal particles, such as aluminum, which are admixed to the bonding solution for the preparation of a coating slurry. Metal parts coated with the coating compositions have very satisfactory properties such as heat and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: PRAXAIR S.T. TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark F. Mosser, Kevin Eddinger, Eileen Fox, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Patent number: 7789953
    Abstract: An aqueous phosphoric bonding solution consists essentially of phosphoric acid, a source of magnesium ions, and a leachable corrosion inhibitor. The bonding solution is stable with respect to inorganic metal particles, such as aluminum, which are admixed to the bonding solution for the preparation of a coating slurry. Metal parts coated with the coating compositions have very satisfactory properties such as heat and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Praxair S.T. Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Mosser, Kevin Eddinger, Eileen Fox, Thomas F. Lewis, III
  • Publication number: 20100117453
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. Vernon
  • Publication number: 20100095104
    Abstract: Administering computer processor execution of BIOS code that includes a primary BIOS code and a recovery BIOS code stored in ROM, the ROM operatively coupled to a control module and the processor, where administering processor execution of the BIOS code includes determining, by the control module, a size of the ROM; generating, by the control module in dependence upon the size of the ROM, an address for the primary BIOS code and an address for the recovery BIOS code; starting, by the control module, operation of the processor for execution of the primary BIOS code including providing, to the processor, the address for the primary BIOS code; and if executing the primary BIOS code fails, restarting, by the control module, operation of the processor for execution of the recovery BIOS code including providing, to the processor, the address for the recovery BIOS code to the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: INTRNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas F. Lewis, Pivithuru S. Perera, Robert M. Piper
  • Publication number: 20090282274
    Abstract: Managing power consumption in a data center including reporting, by a circuit breaker communications device of one of the circuit breakers to the management module, a current power load of the circuit breaker, the report transmitted from the circuit breaker communications device through a power supply communications device of a power supply currently providing power to a particular computing device and through an out-of-band communications link to the management module, upon receiving the report of the current power load, determining, by the management module, whether the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than a predetermined threshold; and if the current power load of the circuit breaker is greater than the predetermined threshold, reducing, by the management module, power consumption through the circuit breaker of the particular computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. Langgood, Thomas F. Lewis, Kevin M. Reinberg, Kevin S. D. Vernon
  • Publication number: 20090278871
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for controlling display resolution of a computer display, the computer display connected through a display resolution controller to a computer, including: retrieving, by a display resolution controller from a computer display, extended display identification data (‘EDID’) of the computer display, the EDID including an actual maximum display resolution of the computer display, the EDID stored in computer memory of the computer display; replacing, by the display resolution controller, the actual maximum display resolution of the computer display with a limited maximum display resolution of the computer display if the limited maximum display resolution is less than the actual maximum display resolution of the computer display; and providing the EDID including the limited maximum display resolution to the computer for displaying video at the limited maximum display resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas F. Lewis, Robert M. Piper