Patents by Inventor Thomas Ford
Thomas Ford 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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Publication number: 20240110149Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-naturally occurring C. autoethanogenum adapted to electrolyzer off-gas feedstock conditions that possess increased growth rates when compared to naturally occurring naturally occurring C. autoethanogenum.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Leah Renae FORD, Michael Thomas GUARNIERI, Michael G. RESCH, Lauren Rae MAGNUSSON
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Publication number: 20220395427Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a massage gun to a massage cane includes a support platform for supporting the massage gun, the support platform comprising a fastening mechanism for fastening the massage gun to the support platform. The apparatus also includes a base for attaching the apparatus to the massage cane. The apparatus further includes a separating structure for connecting the base to the support platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Hunter Thomas FORD, Robert FERER, Grant Amaral DRAPER
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Publication number: 20200329930Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) and a removable cover for covering a top of the agitators and allowing access to the agitators from a top of the surface cleaning head. The dual agitators may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The brush roll may be located in a brush roll chamber and at least partially in an opening to the suction conduit. The leading roller may be positioned adjacent to and in advance of the suction conduit opening such that the leading roller engages debris and moves the debris toward the brush roll and the opening. The leading roller may be removable from the housing and held in place by the removable cover. The cover may be coupled using isolated latching mechanisms.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Adam UDY, Andre David BROWN, John FREESE, Patrick CLEARY, Daniel MEYER, Daniel John INNES, Jason THORNE, Peter HUTCHINSON, Gordon HOWES, Wenxiu GAO, Daniel R. DER MARDEROSIAN, Thomas FORD, Owen R. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 10702108Abstract: A surface cleaning head includes dual rotating agitators (e.g., a leading roller and a brush roll) and a removable cover for covering a top of the agitators and allowing access to the agitators from a top of the surface cleaning head. The dual agitators may be used to facilitate capturing of debris in the air flow into a suction conduit on the underside of the surface cleaning head. The brush roll may be located in a brush roll chamber and at least partially in an opening to the suction conduit. The leading roller may be positioned adjacent to and in advance of the suction conduit opening such that the leading roller engages debris and moves the debris toward the brush roll and the opening. The leading roller may be removable from the housing and held in place by the removable cover. The cover may be coupled using isolated latching mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: SharkNinja Operating LLCInventors: Adam Udy, Andre David Brown, John Freese, Patrick Cleary, Daniel Meyer, Daniel John Innes, Jason Thorne, Peter Hutchinson, Gordon Howes, Wenxiu Gao, Daniel R. Der Marderosian, Thomas Ford, Owen R. Johnson
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Patent number: 10101988Abstract: A dynamic firmware update process includes finding an updated version of a dynamic data-object in firmware memory. A callback handle for an in-use version of the dynamic data object in use by a consumer is identified. The consumer of updated version of dynamic data object is notified using the callback handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LPInventors: Thomas Ford, Derek Schumacher
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Publication number: 20150355897Abstract: A dynamic firmware update process includes finding an updated version of a dynamic data-object in firmware memory. A callback handle for an in-use version of the dynamic data object in use by a consumer is identified. The consumer of updated version of dynamic data object is notified using the callback handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Thomas Ford, Derek Schumacher
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Patent number: 8626424Abstract: An engine control system of the present disclosure comprises a target speed module and a coupling module. The target speed module determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input. The coupling module controls coupling of an engine system and a drive system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed. The engine system transfers torque to the drive system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the drive system when decoupled. In other features, the engine control system further comprises a torque control module that controls torque output by the engine system based on the coupling of the engine system and the drive system, the speed, and the target speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Steven Thomas Ford, John J. Koenig
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Patent number: 8601128Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating computer hardware resources of a hard partition of a computer server system to one or more soft partitions. In response to a partitioning request, a nucleus firmware instance of a hard partition may be configured to launch a separate firmware instance corresponding to each requested soft partition, and to allocate partitionable hardware resources of the hard partition to the soft partitions by allocating the hardware resources to each separate firmware instance.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Thomas Ford, Khoa D. Nguyen, Richard D. Powers
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Patent number: 8595362Abstract: Methods and apparatus for subdividing a hard partition of a computer server system into one or more soft partitions using partition management programming installed within firmware of the server system. The partition management firmware may be disposed at least partially on a central service processor and may be programmed to present generic interfaces, so that operating systems do not require modification to interface with the partition management programming.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Thomas Ford, John A. Morrison, Michael S. Allison, Richard D. Powers
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Patent number: 8375606Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered, mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having an opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventor: Thomas Ford
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Publication number: 20120210610Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered, mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having an opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventor: THOMAS FORD
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Patent number: 8166676Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered, mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having an opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Inventor: Thomas Ford
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Patent number: 8082543Abstract: A computer system is provided that comprises a processor and firmware in communication with the processor, the firmware having updatable components and an arbitrator. The arbitrator manages conflicts between error handling and firmware updates performed within the firmware.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Thomas Ford
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Publication number: 20110227013Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered, mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having an opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventor: THOMAS FORD
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Patent number: 7963051Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having a opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Inventor: Thomas Ford
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Publication number: 20110145412Abstract: Methods and apparatus for subdividing a hard partition of a computer server system into one or more soft partitions using partition management programming installed within firmware of the server system. The partition management firmware may be disposed at least partially on a central service processor and may be programmed to present generic interfaces, so that operating systems do not require modification to interface with the partition management programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Thomas FORD, John A. Morrison, Michael S. Allison, Richard D. Powers
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Publication number: 20110145411Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allocating computer hardware resources of a hard partition of a computer server system to one or more soft partitions. In response to a partitioning request, a nucleus firmware instance of a hard partition may be configured to launch a separate firmware instance corresponding to each requested soft partition, and to allocate partitionable hardware resources of the hard partition to the soft partitions by allocating the hardware resources to each separate firmware instance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Thomas FORD, Khoa D. NGUYEN, Richard D. POWERS
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Publication number: 20110035135Abstract: An engine control system of the present disclosure comprises a target speed module and a coupling module. The target speed module determines a target speed of a vehicle based on a speed of the vehicle and at least one of an accelerator input and a speed control input. The coupling module controls coupling of an engine system and a drive system of the vehicle based on the speed and the target speed. The engine system transfers torque to the drive system when coupled and does not transfer torque to the drive system when decoupled. In other features, the engine control system further comprises a torque control module that controls torque output by the engine system based on the coupling of the engine system and the drive system, the speed, and the target speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Jayson S. Schwalm, Steven Thomas Ford, John J. Koenig
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Publication number: 20100260590Abstract: A method of removing a T-type fence post from the earth with a powered, mobile piece of equipment controlled by a human operator includes attaching a substantially flat plate to a lift arm of the powered mobile piece of equipment such that the plate hangs substantially vertically from the lift arm and can move in an arc, the plate having a opening with a top wall and a bottom wall, moving the powered, mobile piece of equipment in a first direction to pull the plate over the fence post such that an upper portion of the post enters the opening with the bottom and upper walls of the opening engaging the post with sufficient force to retain the post in the opening when the post is pulled from the earth and raising the lift arm to pull the post from the earth in a substantially vertical direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventor: Thomas Ford
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Patent number: 7414088Abstract: A method comprising forming and grafting polymers on carbon nanotubes, a functionalized product and product dispersion produced by the method, a method of forming composites from the functionalized carbon nanotubes, and the composites produced therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State UniversityInventors: Warren Thomas Ford, Shuhui Qin