Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Smith
Thomas L. Smith 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: 12281846Abstract: A centrifugal dryer that has improved throughput capacity resulting from the combination of a high angle agglomerate catcher with optional overflow, increased dewatering capacity, a cylindrical dewatering feed chute, a modified rotor design with positionally and structurally modified lifters in the feed and dewatering section, the drying and propagating section, as well as the pellet discharge section, and an efficient circumferential foraminous membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: MAAG GALA, INC.Inventors: Charles E. Aaron, Duane A. Boothe, John M. Linkenhoker, Kerry P. Morris, Samuel F. Hannah, Wayne L. Smith, Thomas C. Wenrich
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Publication number: 20250118463Abstract: A current sense resistor and a method of manufacturing a current sensing resistor with temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) compensation are disclosed. The resistor has a resistive strip disposed between two conductive strips. A pair of main terminals and a pair of voltage sense terminals are formed in the conductive strips. A pair of rough TCR calibration slots is located between the main terminals and the voltage sense terminals, each of the rough TCR calibration slots have a depth selected to obtain a negative starting TCR value observed at the voltage sense terminals. A fine TCR calibration slot is formed between the pair of voltage sense terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Applicant: VISHAY DALE ELECTRONICS, LLCInventors: Clark L. SMITH, Thomas L. Bertsch, Todd L. Wyatt, Thomas L. Veik
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Patent number: 12240874Abstract: Disclosed herein are nucleotide sequences encoding an insecticidal protein exhibiting Lepidopteran inhibitory activity, as well as novel insecticidal proteins referred to herein as a BCW 001, BCW 002, BCW 003, and BCW toxic protein-containing chimeras and BCW toxin insecticide, transgenic plants expressing the chimeras or the insecticide, and methods for detecting the presence of the nucleotide sequences or the insecticide in a biological sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLCInventors: James A. Baum, David J. Bowen, Catherine A. Chay, David J. Chi, William P. Clinton, Crystal L. Dart, Leigh English, Stanislaw Flasinski, Victor M. Guzov, Kevin A. Jarrell, Uma R. Kesanapalli, Thomas M. Malvar, Robert M. McCarroll, Jason S. Milligan, Jay P. Morgenstern, Deborah G. Rucker, Sara A. Salvador, Temple F. Smith, Carlos E. Soto, Collin M. Stultz, Brian M. Turczyk, Ty T. Vaughn, Moritz W. F. Von Rechenberg
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Patent number: 12085559Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Molecular Devices, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Edward Verdonk
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Publication number: 20210325366Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: Molecular Devices, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Edward Verdonk
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Patent number: 11067563Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Molecular Devices, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Edward Verdonk
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Patent number: 10919655Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A Stenvik, Emil Bogdanov, Thomas L Smith
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Publication number: 20200247567Abstract: A packaging system includes a first sealer and a gas flusher. The first sealer creates a first seal in packaging material along a direction of travel of the packaging material, thereby forming a packaging loop. The gas flusher flushes ambient air from the packaging loop and includes a mechanically retractable lance that can be selectively repositioned relative to the first sealer. When the mechanically retractable lance is in an operative position, the mechanically retractable lance projects into the packaging loop, with a gas flowing through the mechanically retractable lance into the packaging loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: General Mills, Inc.Inventors: Ralph A Stenvik, Emil Bogdanov, Thomas L Smith
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Patent number: 10434213Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Wake Forest University Health SciencesInventors: Mark E. Van Dyke, Justin M. Saul, Thomas L. Smith, Roche de Guzman
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Patent number: 10148266Abstract: A switching circuit for controlling supply of electrical power from a power pole input to a power pole output.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul M. White, Stephen M. Spiteri, Thomas L. Smith
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Patent number: 9671301Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sensing pressure in a region of interest by providing a plurality of metallic particles operatively associated with one another in the region of interest (for example, wherein the metallic particles sustain a plasmon upon excitation), and with the metallic particles configured or positioned in relationship to one another so that a physical property of the particles (for example, the energy of the plasmon) varies in response to pressure; measuring the physical property of the metallic particles that varies in response to pressure; and then determining the pressure in the region of interest from the detected physical property (e.g., resistance, energy of the plasmon). Compositions, articles and formulations for carrying out the method in industrial and biomedical applications are also described.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Wake Forest University Health SciencesInventors: David L. Carroll, Faith M. Coldren, Nicole H. Levi, Lawrence X. Webb, William D. Wagner, Thomas L. Smith, Brian Werner, J. Baxter Mcguirt, Manoj Namboothiry
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Patent number: 9646468Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for sample processing. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, and also comprises a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically. Each device of at least two of the plurality of devices may have one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device. The at least two devices may utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator scheme is user-configurable. In some embodiments, the one or more status lights of at least one device are provided by one or more recessed light-emitting strips.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Molecular Devices, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Grischa Chandy, Timothy Arthur Floto, Evan F. Cromwell
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Publication number: 20170089882Abstract: A plenum assembly configured for electrophysiology assays, such as patch clamp techniques, includes one or more ground electrode assemblies. The ground electrode assemblies are individually removable from a plenum base of the plenum assembly in a non-destructive manner, and may be reinstalled in the plenum base in a manner that reestablishes electrical contact with ground circuitry without requiring soldering or other additional steps. A rejuvenating apparatus is provided for rejuvenating one or more ground electrode assemblies removed from the plenum base.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Thomas L. Smith, Edward Verdonk
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Publication number: 20170046928Abstract: System, including methods and apparatus, for sample processing. In exemplary embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of devices to perform a protocol on sample holders supporting samples, and also comprises a control system that coordinates operation of the plurality of devices, such that the protocol is performed automatically. Each device of at least two of the plurality of devices may have one or more status lights configured to display a plurality of different visual indicators each indicating a different status of the device. The at least two devices may utilize a same indicator scheme as one another for each different status indicated by the visual indicators. In some embodiments, the indicator scheme is user-configurable. In some embodiments, the one or more status lights of at least one device are provided by one or more recessed light-emitting strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: February 16, 2017Inventors: Thomas L. Smith, Grischa Chandy, Timothy Arthur Floto, Evan F. Cromwell
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Publication number: 20160089139Abstract: Provided herein are protective devices that can fully capture and enclose a needle for a medical procedure, e.g., a swedged suture needle, such that the needle may safely remain attached to a wound or surgical site via suture material but also prevent accidental needle-stick injuries to medical personnel and patients. Such devices may be employed for temporary or longer periods of time while other phases related to the medical procedure transpire.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: L. Andrew Koman, Thomas L. Smith
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Publication number: 20140045670Abstract: An automated centrifuge apparatus for conducting a cell preparation procedure is provided. A rotor assembly supports centrifuge tubes, which are installable at respective tube positions. The tube positions are indexable to an index location. A sensing module monitors the index location during a set of status checks, which relate to the centrifuge tubes. Logic signals generated by the sensing module are used to automatically determine whether the status checks are satisfied.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: MOLECULAR DEVICES, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Bryan Wade, Edward Verdonk
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Publication number: 20130344056Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions useful for treating ischemia and/or reperfusion injury, such as that associated with myocardial infarct, ischemic stroke, brain trauma such as traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, chronic wounds, and burns.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Wake Forest University Health SciencesInventors: Mark E. Van Dyke, Thomas L. Smith, Michael Callahan, Luke Burnett
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Patent number: 8545893Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions useful for treating ischemia and/or reperfusion injury, such as that associated with myocardial infarct, ischemic stroke, brain trauma such as traumatic brain injury, hypothermia, chronic wounds, and burns.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Wake Forest University Health SciencesInventors: Mark E. Van Dyke, Thomas L. Smith, Michael Callahan, Luke Burnett
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Publication number: 20110217356Abstract: Provided herein are keratin compositions (e.g., keratin gels, scaffolds, particulates, and the like) including a compound of interest, useful for release and/or delivery of the compound of interest (e.g., in vivo or in vitro). In some embodiments, the composition is a composition formulated for controlled release of the compound of interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Mark E. Van Dyke, Justin M. Saul, Thomas L. Smith, Roche de Guzman
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Patent number: D744880Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Molecular Devices, LLCInventors: Thomas L. Smith, Grischa Chandy, Nicholas F. Talesfore, Joseph McArdle