Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Kerns

Thomas M. Kerns 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).

  • Vacuum battery indicator
    Patent number: 5545493
    Abstract: Enclosure (28) of vacuum battery (10) includes a vacuum spring indicator (21). In a first position (23) of vacuum spring indicator (21) an indication is made that a sufficient vacuum has been drawn within enclosure (28). By a second position (24) of vacuum spring indicator (21), and indication is made that no vacuum exists within enclosure (28) and battery (10) is not operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Monty W. Bai, Thomas M. Kerns, Edward L. Brannon
  • Timing apparatus for a fuse
    Patent number: 4633779
    Abstract: An oscillator supplies clock pulses to a counter which also has a preselected time applied thereto and arming means are initiated when the count reaches the preselected time. Checking means are utilized throughout the circuitry to provide failsafe checking of each critical circuit with the arming circuit being deactivated if an error is detected. The entire circuit is incorporated in a single IC for energy and space conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley M. Biggs, Jimmy L. Brown, Thomas M. Kerns