Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Thomas
Thomas J. Thomas 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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Patent number: 10053093Abstract: A method for controlling a cruise control system on a vehicle includes identifying a vehicle location and identifying a number of respective cruise control overrides by a driver at the vehicle location. If the number of cruise control overrides by the driver is at least a threshold number of overrides, identifying respective actions by the driver after the cruise control overrides, and creating a profile of the driver behavior associated with the vehicle location based on the respective actions by the driver within a range around the vehicle location after the driver overrode the cruise control.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventor: Thomas J Thomas
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Publication number: 20170144659Abstract: A method for controlling a cruise control system on a vehicle includes identifying a vehicle location and identifying a number of respective cruise control overrides by a driver at the vehicle location. If the number of cruise control overrides by the driver is at least a threshold number of overrides, identifying respective actions by the driver after the cruise control overrides, and creating a profile of the driver behavior associated with the vehicle location based on the respective actions by the driver within a range around the vehicle location after the driver overrode the cruise control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventor: Thomas J Thomas
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Publication number: 20160266032Abstract: A photometer is provided for measuring the concentration of a chromophore in a fluid. The photometer includes a light source, a sample cell and a detector. The light source includes first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the first and second LEDs emit light at a measurement wavelength and each of the third and fourth LEDs emit light at a reference wavelength. The first and second LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other and the third and fourth LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other. The photometer performs a routine for correcting concentration measurement for LED drift.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY Ltd.Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Joanna Radford Kiddle, Gary Brewer, Ronnie Bennett
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Patent number: 9442064Abstract: A photometer is provided for measuring the concentration of a chromophore in a fluid. The photometer includes a light source, a sample cell and a detector. The light source includes first, second, third and fourth light emitting diodes (LEDs). Each of the first and second LEDs emit light at a measurement wavelength and each of the third and fourth LEDs emit light at a reference wavelength. The first and second LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other and the third and fourth LEDs are arranged diagonal to each other. The photometer performs a routine for correcting concentration measurement for LED drift.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Joanna Radford Kiddle, Gary Brewer, Ronnie Bennett
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Patent number: 8688349Abstract: When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Inventors: Kenneth A. Grolle, Thomas J. Thomas, William P. Amato, Robert J. Custer, Srikiran Kosanam
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Publication number: 20140025270Abstract: When providing adaptive cruise control (ACC) in addition to collision mitigation (CM) for a large vehicle, foundation braking is prohibited for maintaining a set following time behind a forward vehicle in order to mitigate unnecessary brake activations. When collision mitigation is activated, the collision mitigation system is given priority over other vehicle control systems with regard to the foundation brakes, in order to avoid a collision. A lateral acceleration module monitors lateral acceleration of the host vehicle during collision mitigation foundation brake application, and if lateral acceleration exceeds a predetermined threshold, foundation brakes are prohibited in order to prevent vehicle rollover.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventors: Srikiran KOSANAM, Thomas J. THOMAS
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Publication number: 20120259516Abstract: When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Kenneth A. GROLLE, Thomas J. THOMAS, William P. AMATO, Robert J. CUSTER, Srikiran KOSANAM
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Patent number: 8224551Abstract: When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Grolle, Thomas J. Thomas, William P. Amato, Robert J. Custer, Srikiran Kosanam
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Publication number: 20120148967Abstract: A candle wick (14) comprises a first wick member (16A) and a second wick member (16B). The first wick member (16A) includes a first slot (218A). The second wick member (16B) includes a second slot (218B). The second slot (218B) is engaged with the first slot (218A) so that the second wick member (16B) is engaged with the first wick member (16A) in an interlocking manner. The first wick member (16A) can be engaged at an angle with the second wick member (16B). The first wick member (16A) and the second wick member (16B) can be positioned at right angles or other than right angles relative to one another. Further, the first wick member (16A) includes a first wood material and the second wick member (16B) includes a second wood material. The first wood material can be substantially similar to the second wood material, or the first wood material can be different than the second wood material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventor: Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 7997122Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analyzer for measuring the vapor pressure of a hydrocarbon liquid. The analyzer includes a pressure measuring system connected to an air saturation system having a circulation chamber with opposing first and second ends. A first opening is disposed toward the first end and a second opening is disposed toward the second end. A plumbing system connects the first and second openings. A pump moves the hydrocarbon liquid through the plumbing system from the first opening to the second opening so as to saturate the hydrocarbon liquid with air. The air saturation system has a cooler for cooling the hydrocarbon liquid and the pressure measuring system has a heater for heating the hydrocarbon liquid. The pump may be a piston actuated pump or a motor-driven pump and the plumbing system may include an aeration chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: ABB Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Terry E. Davis
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Publication number: 20100250088Abstract: When employing an a cruise control system in a commercial or heavy-duty vehicle, an adaptive cruise control (ACC) system (14) is activated upon activation of a vehicle or set-speed cruise control (SSCC) system (16). The ACC (14) remains on, even after SSCC shutoff, to maintain a minimum following distance for a primary vehicle in which the ACC (14) is employed and a forward vehicle. The ACC (14) is deactivated after detection of an ACC shutoff trigger event, which may be driver application of the brakes of the primary vehicle, driver-initiated acceleration for a predefined time period, expiration of a predetermined time period, manual shutoff (e.g., via a switch or button), etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: BENDIX COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Grolle, Thomas J. Thomas, William P. Amato, Robert J. Custer, Srikiran Kosanam
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Publication number: 20090188306Abstract: The present invention is directed to an analyzer for measuring the vapor pressure of a hydrocarbon liquid. The analyzer includes a pressure measuring system connected to an air saturation system having a circulation chamber with opposing first and second ends. A first opening is disposed toward the first end and a second opening is disposed toward the second end. A plumbing system connects the first and second openings. A pump moves the hydrocarbon liquid through the plumbing system from the first opening to the second opening so as to saturate the hydrocarbon liquid with air. The air saturation system has a cooler for cooling the hydrocarbon liquid and the pressure measuring system has a heater for heating the hydrocarbon liquid. The pump may be a piston actuated pump or a motor-driven pump and the plumbing system may include an aeration chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: ABB INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Terry E. Davis
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Patent number: 6427522Abstract: A temperature programmed module for use in a gas chromatograph. The module has micropacked column and inner and outer jacket tubes. The inner jacket tube surrounds the column to provide a space between the that tube and the column. The outer jacket tube surrounds the inner jacket tube to provide a space between the two jacket tubes. Air which has a controlled temperature flows only in the space between the two jacket tubes when it is desired to heat the column. Air flows in both spaces when it is not desired to heat the column. The temperature of the air is controlled. The module along with the sample injection valve and flame ionization detector are in an enclosure that is not temperature controlled. The air that flows in both spaces also flows in the enclosure to keep the heat from the valve and the flame ionization detector from heating the column.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: ABB Automation Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Ronnie D. Bennett
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Patent number: 4813974Abstract: There is disclosed a procedure for reducing the halide content of cationic or basic dyes and consequently the corrosive effect of aqueous formulations of these dyes on stainless steel. The dyes are incorporated into aqueous formulation which may range from neutral to acidic and exposed to an anionic exchange resin. Suitable techniques include stirring beads of the resin into the aqueous formulation and passing the aqueous formulation through an ion exchange column.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: Mobay CorporationInventors: Susan M. Morris, Margaret D. Ellis, Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 4802888Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improving the solubility of anionic water soluble dyestuff powders. The solubility of these powders particularly in cold water, is enhanced by adding (i) a chelating agent which has at least two free acid groups and (ii) a Lewis base in an amount sufficient to bring the pH of the water solution of the powder to a value of about 7-10.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1987Date of Patent: February 7, 1989Assignee: Mobay CorporationInventors: Charles W. Sandefur, Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 4684465Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a process stream (1) via supercritical fluid chromatography including container means (10), extraction means (50) for drawing a sample volume from the process stream and injecting the sample volume into the supercritical fluid to form a dilute mix (5), analyzer means (70) for analyzing the dilute mix via supercritical fluid chromatography, sample inlet valve means (60) for receiving the dilute mix from the extraction means (50) and supplying a portion of the dilute mix to the analyzer means (70), pneumatically driven piston-type pump means (30) for drawing the substance from the container means (10) and delivering same under pressure either to the extraction means (50) or to the analyzer means (70) as desired, and control means (40) for supplying low pressure air to the pump means (30) in a controlled manner so as to draw the substance from the container means (10) and maintain the substance at a desired pressure above the supercritical pressure for delivery to the analyzer means (7Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1986Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: Combustion Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Emory J. Leaseburge, Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 4673410Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with enhancing the solubility of dispersed anionic dyes upon the dilution of their dispersions with room temperature water. Concentrated dispersions of such dyes with acceptable stability and low shear viscosities are disclosed which are more readily diluted to dissolve the dispersed dyestuff because they contain certain chelating agents are described. These agents have at least one free or appropriately neutralized acid group, with carboxylic acid groups being preferred. The appropriae cations include ammonium or lithium ions. The free acid groups are subsequently neutralized with these appropriae cations so that the final dispersions are preferably about neutral, i.e have pH values about 7. A further improvement to the dilutability by the addition of a surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant, is also discssed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1985Date of Patent: June 16, 1987Assignee: Mobay CorporationInventors: Charles W. Sandefur, Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 4549980Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the modification of the sodium salt of a known optical brightener to obtain a white crystalline material. The commercially available 4,4'-bis-(2-anilino-4-phenylamino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino)-stilbene-2,2'-d isulphonic acid is neutralized with a sodium base such as caustic and exposed to temperatures above about 65.degree. C. as an aqueous slurry containing some undissolved disodium salt. The water solubility of this salt may be inhibited by the addition of an electrolyte and the product may be recovered by spray drying.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1983Date of Patent: October 29, 1985Assignee: Mobay Chemical CorporationInventors: Susan M. Morris, Thomas J. Thomas, Dietmar Kalz
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Patent number: 4474577Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with new modifications of the dyestuff Color Index Acid Blue 324 which have significant advantages over the known form of this dyestuff. In particular, the preferred modification is much easier to isolate from an aqueous medium by filtration and the isolated product has a higher purity. The filtration proceeds much more rapidly and gives a filter residue of a much higher solids content. Furthermore, this new form of the dyestuff imparts a dramatically lower viscosity to aqueous dispersions or slurries prepared from it than are obtained using the old form of this dyestuff. These modifications are obtained by heating an aqueous dispersion or slurry of the known form of Color Index Acid Blue 324 to temperatures in excess of about 97.degree. C. and for the preferred form in the presence of a substance which reduces the surface tension between the dispersed organic dyestuff phase and the aqueous dispersing medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1983Date of Patent: October 2, 1984Assignee: Mobay Chemical CorporationInventors: Charles W. Sandefur, Thomas J. Thomas
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Patent number: 4468230Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with aqueous dispersions of anionic acid dyes, especially the monosulphonated level dyeing acid dyes, which have low room temperature, low shear viscosities and good storage stability. This low viscosity enables them to be readily poured, pumped and otherwise handled. These dispersions comprise dyestuff solids with a controlled particle size distribution having a median value between about 1 and 10 microns; an anionic dispersant; and an electrolyte. In a preferred embodiment the pH is adjusted to give an optimum viscosity value. Another preferred feature is the adjustment of the rheology with a thickening agent such as xanthan gum. These dispersions find particular utility in the continuous dyeing of carpet, especially in Kuesters or foam dyeing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1983Date of Patent: August 28, 1984Assignee: Mobay Chemical CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Robert G. Hoguet, Charles W. Sandefur, Dietmar Kalz