Patents by Inventor Thomas Hanson

Thomas Hanson 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: 12372963
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle may include a vehicle body and a propulsion system carried by the vehicle body. The unmanned vehicle may also include a maneuvering system carried by the vehicle body and a vehicle control system carried by the vehicle body. The vehicle control system may control speed, orientation, or direction of travel of the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle may also include a mount point carried by the vehicle body. An interchangeable payload deck may be removably connected to a portion of the vehicle body via the at least one mount point. The unmanned vehicle may further include a power supply carried by the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Unmanned Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Hanson, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20250117008
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle system is provided. The system may comprise a host vehicle and a guest vehicle, each of which may each include a vehicle body, a control system, a maneuvering system, and a sensor and communication system. The host vehicle may also include a securing system. The host vehicle and the guest vehicle may be in communication with one another, and the guest vehicle may be moveable between a stowed state, defined as the guest vehicle being at least partially carried by a portion of the host vehicle, and a deployed state, defined as the guest vehicle being spaced apart from the host vehicle. The securing system may be operable to move between a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively engage the guest vehicle to allow for the guest vehicle to be moved from the stowed state to the deployed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Maritime Tactical Systems, Inc. dba MARTAC
    Inventors: Bruce Hanson, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20240255947
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle may include a vehicle body and a propulsion system carried by the vehicle body. The unmanned vehicle may also include a maneuvering system carried by the vehicle body and a vehicle control system carried by the vehicle body. The vehicle control system may control speed, orientation, or direction of travel of the unmanned vehicle. The unmanned vehicle may also include a mount point carried by the vehicle body. An interchangeable payload deck may be removably connected to a portion of the vehicle body via the at least one mount point. The unmanned vehicle may further include a power supply carried by the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Bruce Hanson, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20240228016
    Abstract: Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap along an elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap along the elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap relative to the elongated track member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Dmitry BUDNITSKY, Howard Ian SMITH, Thomas HANSON
  • Patent number: 11964766
    Abstract: Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap along an elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap along the elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap relative to the elongated track member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11733698
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle including a vehicle body, propulsion system, maneuvering system, vehicle control system, rack, sensor, and a power supply. The vehicle control may be used to control the unmanned vehicle in combination with the propulsion and the maneuvering system. The rack may include a retractable mount that may move between a down position and an up position. The sensor system may include a plurality of transient object detection sensors. The plurality of transient object detection sensors may include a sensor adapted to detect an item of interest and may provide an item of interest signal to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may identify an item of interest classification and may provide a classification signal. The classification signal may be determined by the item of interest classification and may be utilized to avoid detection of the unmanned vehicle by the item of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: UNMANNED INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce Hanson, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20230128350
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying adjacent trailing edge flaps that are part of different flap assemblies of different stiffnesses are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first flap of a first flap assembly having a first stiffness by a first deployment amount and deploying a second flap adjacent the first flap by a second deployment amount where the deployment amount of the first flap part of the flap assembly of lower stiffness is greater than the second deployment amount of the second flap part of the flap assembly of higher stiffness. The difference in deployment amounts may be adapted to improve continuity between the first flap and the second flap when the first and second flaps are deployed and subjected to an aerodynamic load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Iyad AKEL, Dmitry BUDNITSKY, Howard Ian SMITH, Thomas HANSON
  • Publication number: 20230081946
    Abstract: An unmanned vehicle including a vehicle body, propulsion system, maneuvering system, vehicle control system, rack, sensor, and a power supply. The vehicle control may be used to control the unmanned vehicle in combination with the propulsion and the maneuvering system. The rack may include a retractable mount that may move between a down position and an up position. The sensor system may include a plurality of transient object detection sensors. The plurality of transient object detection sensors may include a sensor adapted to detect an item of interest and may provide an item of interest signal to the vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may identify an item of interest classification and may provide a classification signal. The classification signal may be determined by the item of interest classification and may be utilized to avoid detection of the unmanned vehicle by the item of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Bruce Hanson, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11565792
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying adjacent trailing edge flaps that are part of different flap assemblies of different stiffnesses are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first flap of a first flap assembly having a first stiffness by a first deployment amount and deploying a second flap adjacent the first flap by a second deployment amount where the deployment amount of the first flap part of the flap assembly of lower stiffness is greater than the second deployment amount of the second flap part of the flap assembly of higher stiffness. The difference in deployment amounts may be adapted to improve continuity between the first flap and the second flap when the first and second flaps are deployed and subjected to an aerodynamic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Iyad Akel, Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11533943
    Abstract: An automated food preparation system includes a sauce-dispensing system with sauce reservoirs, a scanning head, and tubes. Each of the sauce reservoirs is configured to contain a respective sauce. The scanning head includes openings each coupled with a respective sauce reservoir via a respective tube. A conveyance system transports a foodstuff between first and sauce positions. The scanning head is movable to dispense a selected sauce onto one or more regions of the foodstuff. A motor assembly is mounted to a mounting structure. The motor assembly is drivingly coupled to the scanning head and rotates the scanning head relative to the mounting structure. The scanning head includes a plate and a cylindrical shroud fixed relative to the plate. The openings extend through the plate. The plate is disposed within a cavity defined by the cylindrical shroud. The motor assembly rotates the plate and the cylindrical shroud about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Creator, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Vardakostas, Thomas Hanson, Michael Balsamo, Taylor Nicholson, James Brinkman, Oshin Nazarian
  • Publication number: 20220242553
    Abstract: Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap along an elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap along the elongated track member as the trailing edge flap moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap relative to the elongated track member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Dmitry BUDNITSKY, Howard Ian SMITH, Thomas HANSON
  • Patent number: 11292582
    Abstract: Trailing edge assemblies, couplers and methods for deploying a trailing edge flap of an aircraft wing are disclosed. An exemplary method disclosed herein comprises guiding an aft portion of the trailing edge flap (28) along an elongated track member (36C) as the trailing edge flap (28) moves toward the deployed position; guiding a forward portion of the trailing edge flap (28) along the elongated track member (36C) as the trailing edge flap (28) moves toward the deployed position; and accommodating transverse movement of the forward portion of the trailing edge flap (28) relative to the elongated track member (36C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 11219323
    Abstract: An extendable straw includes a relatively smaller diameter tube, a relatively larger diameter tube, and a collar. The smaller diameter tube includes a radially enlarged section adjacent one end. The larger diameter tube receives the smaller diameter tube and is more flexible than the smaller diameter tube. The radially enlarged section contacts and seals against an inner surface of the larger diameter tube. The collar is connected at a non-drinking end of the larger diameter tube, the collar being more rigid than the larger diameter tube and receiving the smaller diameter tube. The smaller diameter tube is movable in an axial direction with respect to both the collar and the larger diameter tube. At least one of the collar and the larger diameter tube cooperates with the radially enlarged section to inhibit further axial movement of the smaller diameter tube with respect to the collar beyond an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Nicholas Reynolds, Lance E. Hazelton, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20210267255
    Abstract: An automated food preparation system includes a sauce-dispensing system with sauce reservoirs, a scanning head, and tubes. Each of the sauce reservoirs is configured to contain a respective sauce. The scanning head includes openings each coupled with a respective sauce reservoir via a respective tube. A conveyance system transports a foodstuff between first and sauce positions. The scanning head is movable to dispense a selected sauce onto one or more regions of the foodstuff. A motor assembly is mounted to a mounting structure. The motor assembly is drivingly coupled to the scanning head and rotates the scanning head relative to the mounting structure. The scanning head includes a plate and a cylindrical shroud fixed relative to the plate. The openings extend through the plate. The plate is disposed within a cavity defined by the cylindrical shroud. The motor assembly rotates the plate and the cylindrical shroud about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Alexandros VARDAKOSTAS, Thomas HANSON, Michael BALSAMO, Taylor NICHOLSON, James BRINKMAN, Oshin NAZARIAN
  • Publication number: 20210259439
    Abstract: An automated food preparation system includes a conveyance system configured to move a foodstuff into a sauce position. The automated food preparation system includes multiple sauce reservoirs each having a pump and each configured to contain a respective one of multiple sauces. The automated food preparation system includes multiple tubes, each in fluid communication with the pump of a respective one of the sauce reservoirs. The automated food preparation system includes a scanning head including multiple openings each coupled with a respective one of the tubes. The automated food preparation system includes a motor drivingly coupled to the scanning head and operable to move the scanning head relative to the foodstuff in the sauce position to position a selected one or more of the openings over a selected one or more regions of the foodstuff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: James BRINKMAN, Alexandros VARDAKOSTAS, Michael BALSAMO, Taylor NICHOLSON, Thomas HANSON, Oshin NAZARIAN
  • Publication number: 20210244217
    Abstract: An extendable straw includes a relatively smaller diameter tube, a relatively larger diameter tube, and a collar. The smaller diameter tube includes a radially enlarged section adjacent one end. The larger diameter tube receives the smaller diameter tube and is more flexible than the smaller diameter tube. The radially enlarged section contacts and seals against an inner surface of the larger diameter tube. The collar is connected at a non-drinking end of the larger diameter tube, the collar being more rigid than the larger diameter tube and receiving the smaller diameter tube. The smaller diameter tube is movable in an axial direction with respect to both the collar and the larger diameter tube. At least one of the collar and the larger diameter tube cooperates with the radially enlarged section to inhibit further axial movement of the smaller diameter tube with respect to the collar beyond an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Reynolds, Lance E. Hazelton, Thomas Hanson
  • Publication number: 20210237855
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying adjacent trailing edge flaps that are part of different flap assemblies of different stiffnesses are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first flap of a first flap assembly having a first stiffness by a first deployment amount and deploying a second flap adjacent the first flap by a second deployment amount where the deployment amount of the first flap part of the flap assembly of lower stiffness is greater than the second deployment amount of the second flap part of the flap assembly of higher stiffness. The difference in deployment amounts may be adapted to improve continuity between the first flap and the second flap when the first and second flaps are deployed and subjected to an aerodynamic load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Iyad AKEL, Dmitry BUDNITSKY, Howard Ian SMITH, Thomas HANSON
  • Patent number: 11014649
    Abstract: Systems and methods for deploying adjacent trailing edge flaps that are part of different flap assemblies of different stiffnesses are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first flap of a first flap assembly having a first stiffness by a first deployment amount and deploying a second flap adjacent the first flap by a second deployment amount where the deployment amount of the first flap part of the flap assembly of lower stiffness is greater than the second deployment amount of the second flap part of the flap assembly of higher stiffness. The difference in deployment amounts may be adapted to improve continuity between the first flap and the second flap when the first and second flaps are deployed and subjected to an aerodynamic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Iyad Akel, Dmitry Budnitsky, Howard Ian Smith, Thomas Hanson
  • Patent number: 10925308
    Abstract: An automated food preparation system includes a seasoning-dispensing system, a sauce-dispensing system, and a conveyance system. The seasoning-dispensing system includes a plurality of vessels, a dispersion nozzle, and a conduit coupled to the dispersion nozzle. Each vessel contains one of a plurality of seasonings. The vessels are in selective communication with the conduit. The sauce-dispensing system includes a plurality of sauce reservoirs, a scanning head, and a plurality of tubes. Each sauce reservoirs contains one of a plurality of sauces. The scanning head includes openings each coupled with one of the sauce reservoirs via one of the tubes. The conveyance system transports a foodstuff between a seasoning position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the dispersion nozzle and a sauce position in which the foodstuff is disposed below the openings. The scanning head is movable to dispense one or more sauces onto the foodstuff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Creator, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandros Vardakostas, Thomas Hanson, Michael Balsamo, Taylor Nicholson, James Brinkman, Oshin Nazarian
  • Patent number: 10896046
    Abstract: A management processor includes a peripheral identifier to identify a peripheral device installed in a computing device. The management processor also includes a code retriever to receive management code from the peripheral device. The management processor also includes a code executor to execute the management code to provide, at the management processor, a management application programming interface (API) accessible by a remote client to manage the peripheral device, the remote client being external to the management processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Thomas Hanson, Justin E. York, Kenneth C. Duisenberg