Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Hilton

Thomas J. Hilton 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: 10138610
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and over a portion of the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time so that the sprayable concrete adheres to the blockout, and removing the cured sprayable concrete and the adhered blockout together from the surface of the form. The sprayable concrete is applied over the form until the depth of the sprayable concrete is approximately equal to a depth of the blockout. The blockout is a cinder block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ATLANTIS MARINE HABITATS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hilton, Wayne Bauer, Wayne Evan Bauer
  • Publication number: 20180066408
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and over a portion of the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time so that the sprayable concrete adheres to the blockout, and removing the cured sprayable concrete and the adhered blockout together from the surface of the form. The sprayable concrete is applied over the form until the depth of the sprayable concrete is approximately equal to a depth of the blockout. The blockout is a cinder block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas J. HILTON, Wayne BAUER
  • Patent number: 9744687
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and over a portion of the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time such that the sprayable concrete adheres to the blockout, and removing the cured sprayable concrete and the blockout from the surface of the form. The blockout is of a cast concrete material such as a cinder block. The blockout has openings therein so as to open to an interior of the artificial reef.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ATLANTIS MARINE HABITATS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hilton, Wayne Bauer
  • Publication number: 20170028585
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and over a portion of the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time such that the sprayable concrete adheres to the blockout, and removing the cured sprayable concrete and the blockout from the surface of the form. The blockout is of a cast concrete material such as a cinder block. The blockout has openings therein so as to open to an interior of the artificial reef.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. HILTON, Wayne BAUER
  • Patent number: 9498901
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes the steps of forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time, removing the blockout from the surface of the form and from the cured sprayable concrete, and removing the form from the cured sprayable concrete. A base is formed having an upper surface. The lower end of the form is positioned upon the base. The sprayable concrete is sprayed over the upper surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: ATLANTIS MARINE HABITATS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hilton, Wayne Bauer
  • Patent number: 9403287
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes the steps of forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time, removing the blockout from the surface of the form and from the cured sprayable concrete, and removing the form from the cured sprayable concrete. A base is formed having an upper surface. The lower end of the form is positioned upon the base. The sprayable concrete is sprayed over the upper surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ATLANTIS MARINE HABITATS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hilton, Wayne Bauer
  • Publication number: 20160067883
    Abstract: A process for forming an artificial reef includes the steps of forming a form having a geometric shape, applying at least one blockout onto a surface of the form such that the blockout extends outwardly of the surface of the form, applying a sprayable concrete over the form and the blockout, curing the sprayable concrete on the form for a period of time, removing the blockout from the surface of the form and from the cured sprayable concrete, and removing the form from the cured sprayable concrete. A base is formed having an upper surface. The lower end of the form is positioned upon the base. The sprayable concrete is sprayed over the upper surface of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. HILTON, Wayne BAUER
  • Patent number: 6189564
    Abstract: The present invention provides adjustable flow control valves 10 for controlling flow of a fluid from a fluid supply. The valves of the present invention can accurately regulate a wide range of flow rates and require a relatively small amount of torque to adjust the flow rate of the valve during operation. The valves of the present invention include a flow control component 12 and a pressure control component 14. The adjustable flow control valves of the present invention are capable of accurately regulating a wide range of fluid flow rates. The valves of the present invention possess a very high turndown ratio, preferably up to about 200:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Amhi Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: 6007001
    Abstract: A nozzle (10) for emitting water, for the purpose of extinguishing fires for example, generally includes a main housing (12) for housing a barrel (62), a deflector (64), and a carrier (60). The barrel (62) supports the deflector (64) and is disposed inside of the carrier (60). When water is supplied to the nozzle (10), a locking pin (59) engages a helical groove (80) on the carrier (60). When the locking pin (59) is engaged, rotation of a spray ring assembly (18) coaxially installed around the upstream end of the nozzle (10) causes the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) to translate forward or to retract, depending on the direction of the rotation. When the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) are translated forward to the jet position, water exits the nozzle (10) as a concentrated jet stream. When the carrier (60) and the spray ring assembly (18) are retracted to the fog position, water exits the nozzle (10) as a less concentrated water spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Amhi Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: 5494070
    Abstract: An adjustable metering valve (10) includes an upper housing (12) and lower housing (16) that cooperatively define an internal valve chamber (30) having an inlet end (80) and an outlet end (42). An inlet port (20) opens into the inlet end of the valve chamber, and an outlet port (24) provides for fluid flow exiting the outlet end (42) of the valve chamber. A floating piston (106) is slidably mounted within the valve chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. A seal (114) is provided between the piston and an interior side wall (44) of the valve chamber to prevent fluid flow past the piston except through an internal passage (118) through the piston. A valve seat (38) is mounted in the housing within the outlet end of the valve chamber, upstream of the outlet port. A valve pin (36) is carried by a pin assembly (34) that is threaded into the internal passage of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: A & H Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: 5427139
    Abstract: An adjustable metering valve (10) includes an upper housing (12) and lower housing (16) that cooperatively define an internal valve chamber (30) having an inlet end (80) and an outlet end (42). An inlet port (20) opens into the inlet end of the valve chamber, and an outlet port (24) provides for fluid flow exiting the outlet end (42) of the valve chamber. A floating piston (106) is slidably mounted within the valve chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. A seal (114) is provided between the piston and an interior side wall (44) of the valve chamber to prevent fluid flow past the piston except through an internal passage (118) through the piston. A valve seat (38) is mounted in the housing within the outlet end of the valve chamber, upstream of the outlet port. A valve pin (36) is carried by a pin assembly (34) that is threaded into the internal passage of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: A & H Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: 5234025
    Abstract: A substantially constant flow regulating valve includes a piston dividing a bore into two chambers. The piston is spring biased toward the top chamber of the bore. Fluid from the inlet enters the top chamber through a reference pressure passage and exerts a downward force on the piston. Fluid from the inlet also passes through an inlet flow throttle and into the bottom chamber of the bore where it exerts an upward force on the piston in concert with the spring force. The piston includes an end which variably interacts with an orifice in the lower chamber to maintain a constant pressure differential between the top and bottom chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Inventors: Paul K. Skoglund, Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: 4968334
    Abstract: A valve (10) which includes a valve body (12) having a plurality of ports (32) around the periphery thereof, which open onto a central opening (22). A drum assembly (14) is configured to fit within the opening (22) and is mounted for rotation therein. The drum assembly (14) also includes a plurality of openings (38) around the periphery thereof, which are arranged to be capable of being in registry with the openings (22) in the valve body (12). The drum assembly includes a vane member defining interior passageways connecting the openings (22). An actuator assembly (18) is adapted to rotate the drum assembly (14) within the valve body (12) in response to electrical actuation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
  • Patent number: D327989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton