Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Willis

Thomas J. Willis 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).

  • Publication number: 20240073567
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, systems, devices, components, and methods for providing first data to a first waveguide device via a first medium of a first assembly, wherein the first waveguide device incorporates the first data as part of a first electromagnetic wave that is guided by, and propagates along, a first transmission medium coupled to the first waveguide device without requiring an electrical return path, and providing the first data, second data, or a combination thereof, to a second waveguide device via a first medium of a second assembly, wherein the second waveguide device incorporates the first data, the second data, or the combination thereof as part of a second electromagnetic wave that is guided by, and propagates along, a second transmission medium coupled to the second waveguide device without requiring the electrical return path. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Donald J. Barnickel, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Thomas M. Willis, III, Peter Wolniansky
  • Patent number: 5806412
    Abstract: A gas cooking apparatus is disclosed having a gas combustion chamber with a single burner and a baffle enclosed therein. The baffle comprises a series of graduated restrictions designed to control the propagation of combustion gases through the combustion chamber. The baffle permits the use of a unique high power burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Cleveland Range, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Bedford, Gary R. Fortuna, Wayne S. Hollingshead, David S. Schwerzler, Thomas J. Willis
  • Patent number: 5644975
    Abstract: A gas cooking apparatus is disclosed having a gas combustion chamber with a single burner and a baffle enclosed therein. The baffle comprises a series of graduated restrictions designed to control the propagation of combustion gases through the combustion chamber. The baffle permits the use of a unique high power burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Cleveland Range, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Bedford, Gary R. Fortuna, Wayne S. Hollingshead, David S. Schwerzler, Thomas J. Willis
  • Patent number: 5639497
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus for automatically cooking and rotating a food product which comprises: a cooking chamber; a planetary assembly disposed within the cooking chamber which is capable of rotating the food product about the cooking chamber; a heater or burner disposed within the cooking chamber for cooking the food product; a venting damper disposed within the cooking chamber which is capable of releasing excess energy contained within the cooking chamber; a temperature sensor used for detecting the temperature in the cooking chamber; and a microprocessor which is capable of cooking the food product for a predetermined cooking time and maintaining the temperature in the cooking chamber in accordance with a predetermined cooking temperature by means of controlling the heater or burner and the venting damper such that the heater or burner remains in the "on" position during the entire cooking time while the venting damper is opened and closed as necessary to maintain the predetermined cooking temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Cleveland Range, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Bedford, Thomas J. Willis, Mark H. Finck
  • Patent number: 5301652
    Abstract: A condensing apparatus for a steam cooking device comprising a heat exchanger for collecting steam from the cooking chamber of a steam cooking device and means for condensing the steam in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Cleveland Range, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Willis, James P. Bedford
  • Patent number: 5158064
    Abstract: A steam cooking device comprising a steam generating chamber having a steam generator, a cooking chamber adjacent to the steam generating chamber for receiving steam from the steam generator, a conduit for transporting the steam from the steam generating chamber to the cooking chamber and a heating element for heating the steam to a superheated condition prior to the steam entering the cooking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas J. Willis, James P. Bedford