Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Kennedy, III

Thomas J. Kennedy, III 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).

  • Fluid turbine
    Patent number: 8714923
    Abstract: A shrouded fluid turbine comprises an impeller and a turbine shroud surrounding the impeller. The inlet of the turbine shroud is flared. The shroud includes alternating inward and outward curving lobe segments along a trailing edge of the turbine shroud. The inward and outward curving lobe segments have exposed lateral surfaces, or in other words do not have sidewalls joining the inward and outward curving lobe segments. This allows for both transverse mixing and radial mixing of air flow through the turbine shroud with air flow passing along the exterior of the turbine shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Ogin, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • METHOD OF MAKING A GOLF BALL WITH LATTICE REINFORCED LAYER
    Publication number: 20140070451
    Abstract: Methods of making a golf ball that includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties, includes various injection and compression molding steps. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. In other embodiments, a grid for the lattice layer is formed first, then filled using an injection molding technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Nacelle configurations for a shrouded wind turbine
    Patent number: 8657572
    Abstract: A shrouded wind turbine comprises a shroud disposed about an impeller. The impeller surrounds a nacelle body which is shaped to enhance smooth flow of wind through the impeller. Some embodiments include an inlet and an outlet in the nacelle body, allowing airflow through an interior cavity. Other nacelle bodies may be tapered, flared, include mixing lobes around a trailing edge, or may have other shapes that enhance fluid flow. Some nacelle bodies include an annular groove that promotes flow attachment. Maintaining airflow attachment to the nacelle body within the turbine increases the energy generation capacity of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William Scott Keeley
  • ACOUSTOPHORETIC SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY USING MULTI-DIMENSIONAL STANDING WAVES
    Publication number: 20140011240
    Abstract: A system having improved trapping force for acoustophoresis is described where the trapping force is improved by manipulation of the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer includes a ceramic crystal. The crystal may be directly exposed to fluid flow. The crystal may be air backed, resulting in a higher Q factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: FLODESIGN SONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Fluid turbine
    Patent number: 8622688
    Abstract: A fluid turbine comprises a turbine shroud, an ejector shroud, and a means for extracting energy from a fluid stream. The means for extracting energy is located in the annulus between the turbine shroud and the ejector shroud. High-energy fluid can flow through the turbine shroud to bypass the means for extracting energy. Energy is extracted from the fluid passing through the means to form a low-energy fluid stream. The high-energy fluid and the low-energy fluid can then be mixed. The turbine shroud and/or the ejector shroud has mixing lobes to increase the mixing of the two fluid streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William Scott Keeley, Robert H. Dold
  • Golf Ball Having An Over-Indexed Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer Cover And Having A Soft Feeling When Hit
    Publication number: 20130344995
    Abstract: A golf ball having an over-indexed thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer cover and having a soft feeling when hit. The golf ball cover also may be cross-linked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Chen-Tai Liu, Chien-Hsin Chou, Hui-Kai Liao
  • High Intensity Visible Light Curable Ink For A Game Ball And Other Substrates And Method Of Printing
    Publication number: 20130324309
    Abstract: An ink that is curable with high intensity visible light. Also, substrates, particularly game balls, printed with such ink, and a method for printing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • AERODYNAMIC FORMULA DISPERSING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20130320574
    Abstract: A formula dispersing apparatus that increases the throw, volume and efficiency of formula distribution through aerodynamic surfaces is described. The shape of the ring airfoil in the utilization of the Coandà effect allows for efficient distribution of a formula or formula mixture into a defined space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: THE YANKEE CANDLE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan SICKINGER, Cheriyan B. THOMAS, John E. CAGLE, Thomas J. KENNEDY, III
  • Method Of Making A Golf Ball With Lattice Reinforced Layer
    Publication number: 20130319605
    Abstract: Methods of making a golf ball that includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties, includes various injection and compression molding steps. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. In other embodiments, a grid for the lattice layer is formed first, then filled using an injection molding technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf Ball With Lattice Reinforced Layer
    Publication number: 20130324322
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties. The materials are interlocked with each other, where one material forms a grid with pores while the other material protrudes through the pores. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. The lattice layer is provided to alter the properties of a layer, such as increasing the durability, toughness, or strength of the layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • GAME BALL OR OTHER ARTICLE OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT PRINTED WITH VISIBLE LIGHT-CURABLE INK AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20130324326
    Abstract: Sports equipment, particularly game balls, are printed with an ink cured with light in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ink uses a photoinitiator that absorbs light in both the ultraviolet region and in a range of from about 400 nm to about 690 nm in the visible light region, a Type I photoinitiator compound absorbing in only the visible region, or a Type II photoinitiator compound either containing an abstractable hydrogen or used with a free radical-curable material comprising an abstractable hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Method Of Toughening Thermoplastic Polyurethane And Articles Comprising Toughened Thermoplastic Polyurethane
    Publication number: 20130323512
    Abstract: A method of toughening thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The TPU is dipped into a urethane solution having a penetrating agent, then heated and dried for a period sufficient to toughen the surface. Also, articles such as golf balls having a toughened thermoplastic polyurethane surface. The toughened thermoplastic polyurethane surface is more scuff-resistant and has a greater strain-rate shear resistance than the TPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Method of making a golf ball with lattice reinforced layer
    Patent number: 8585851
    Abstract: Methods of making a golf ball that includes a lattice reinforced layer, which is a layer made of at least two materials with different properties, includes various injection and compression molding steps. In some embodiments, the lattice reinforced layer is manufactured using a shutoff molding technique so that the entire lattice reinforced layer is molded in the same mold. In other embodiments, a grid for the lattice layer is formed first, then filled using an injection molding technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • SEPARATION OF MULTI-COMPONENT FLUID THROUGH ULTRASONIC ACOUSTOPHORESIS
    Publication number: 20130302213
    Abstract: An acoustic standing wave is utilized to separate components from a multi-component fluid, such as oil from an oil-water mixture, in a fluid flow scheme with an acoustophoresis device. For example, the flow scheme and device allows for trapping of the oil as the oil coalesces, agglomerates, and becomes more buoyant than the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Ari Mercado, Brian Dutra, Walter M. Presz, JR., Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Louis Masi
  • Segmented wind turbine
    Patent number: 8573933
    Abstract: Disclosed are wind turbines comprising a turbine shroud and optionally an ejector shroud. The shrouds are segmented, or in other words have longitudinal spaces between segments. Such wind turbines have reduced drag load, particularly those loads due to off-axis wind forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp.
    Inventors: Walter M. Presz, Jr., Michael J. Werle, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, William Scott Keeley
  • Zinc Diacrylate Dispersed In Oil
    Publication number: 20130289186
    Abstract: A dispersion of a processing aid in oil is disclosed. Further, a method of forming the dispersion in accordance with methods for preparing rubber compositions is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Seisuke Tomita, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • ACOUSTOPHORETIC MULTI-COMPONENT SEPARATION TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
    Publication number: 20130284271
    Abstract: A system having improved trapping force for acoustophoresis is described where the trapping force is improved by manipulation of the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer includes a ceramic crystal. The crystal may be directly exposed to fluid flow. The crystal may be air backed, resulting in a higher Q factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Jason Dionne, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Golf Balls Including Highly Neutralized Polymer Having A Hardness Modifier
    Publication number: 20130260919
    Abstract: A golf ball includes a core made from a highly neutralized polymer that has been mixed with a hardness modifier. The modifier may be a process oil or a plasticizer. In particular, the modifier may be a naphthenic process oil, a paraffinic process oil, a phthalate plasticizer, a trimellitate plasticizer, an adipate plasticizer, a sebacate-based plasticizer, a maleate-based plasticizer, and blends thereof. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a golf ball that includes changing the hardness of a highly neutralized polymer core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Seisuke Tomita
  • Golf Balls Including Dense High Acid Ionomers
    Publication number: 20130260915
    Abstract: Golf balls having one or more structural components that include a highly neutralized acid polymer with a high acid content and a uniformly increased density. The core of the golf ball may be made up of the highly neutralized acid polymer. The highly neutralized acid polymer may have desired hardness and flexural modulus values. The highly neutralized acid polymer enables the golf ball to provide consistent play characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Thomas J. Kennedy, III
  • Mold With Midplate And Method Of Molding Golf Ball
    Publication number: 20130256946
    Abstract: A mold for manufacturing hemispherical sections for a golf ball includes a first mold plate including a first cavity, a second mold plate including a second cavity, and a midplate. The midplate includes an indentation on a first side of the midplate and a projection on a second side of the midplate. The indentation of the midplate corresponds to the first cavity of the first mold plate. The projection of the midplate corresponds to the second cavity of the second mold plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Takahisa Ono, Chin-Shun Ko