Patents by Inventor Thomas Michael

Thomas Michael 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: 20100164733
    Abstract: Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one embodiment, for instance, conductive zones are formed directly into the outer cover for forming the signaling system. Alternatively, a sensor may be mounted to the outer cover of the article for monitoring changes within the article. The sensor may comprise, for instance, a temperature sensor, a conductivity sensor, an optical sensor, a vibration sensor, a humidity sensor, a material expansion sensor, a chemical sensor, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, Andrew Mark Long, Chuck R. Tomsovic, Davis-Dang H. Nhan, Shirlee Ann Weber, Jason C. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20100168694
    Abstract: A signaling device for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article includes a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector adapted to sense a change in infrared light reflectance due to an insult to the absorbent article, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor. In addition, a body exudate collection and detection system includes an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article for detecting the presence of a body exudate therein, the signaling device including a housing and a paired IR generator/detector disposed within the housing, the paired IR generator/detector including an infrared-generating light-emitting diode and an infrared-detecting phototransistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Sudhanshu Gakhar, Sridhar Ranganathan, Thomas Michael Ales, III, Randall George Sarkis
  • Publication number: 20100162697
    Abstract: A stirling engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least two fluid chambers; a displacer, which may be rotary; and a movable seal. At least one displacer may be included in each of the at least two fluid chambers. The movable seal separates the at least two fluid chambers. In a further aspect, a stirling engine may include any one of at least one heat source, at least one heat sink, at least one converter, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Fleck
  • Publication number: 20100168702
    Abstract: Signaling systems are disclosed that indicate a change in an absorbent article, such as the presence of a body fluid. The various different signaling systems disclosed do not include any conductive elements contained on the interior of the article as were required in the past. Instead, the changes are monitored from the outer cover of the article. In one aspect, for instance, a signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a capacitive sensor disposed within the housing, the capacitive sensor adapted to sense a change in capacitance due to an insult to the absorbent article. The signaling device can include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, III, Sudhanshu Gakhar, Andrew Mark Long
  • Patent number: 7747968
    Abstract: Content abstractions are emerged in to an ingress terminus of a multidimensional path and depth transitioned through the multidimensional path to an egress terminus. The content abstractions are eliminated at the egress terminus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Rachel Clare Goldeen, Jeffrey Ma, Mihnea Calin Pacurariu, Thomas Michael Madden, Eric Taylor Seymour, Steven Jobs
  • Publication number: 20100156667
    Abstract: A system and method that, upon connection of a trailer to a tow vehicle, recognizes the trailer and applies a stored trailer configuration in a controller. In one embodiment, tire pressure sensors transmit RF signals that are received by the tire pressure monitoring system. Transmissions from the sensors are decoded in a controller and processed to identify, or create a particular trailer configuration as well as implement tire pressure monitoring automatically calibrated to the particular trailer configuration based on the sensor identifications for the tire pressure sensors. In another embodiment, the trailer configuration includes a pulse width modulated gain control for the trailer brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Bennie, Thomas Lee Miller, Thomas Michael McQuade, Ibrahim Issa
  • Publication number: 20100158668
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine centrifugal compressor axial forward thrust apparatus bleeds impeller tip aft bleed flow from between an annular centrifugal compressor impeller of a high pressure rotor and a diffuser directly downstream of the impeller. The apparatus then uses the aft bleed flow to pressurize an annular cavity extending radially between an inner combustor casing and the rotor and extending axially between forward and aft thrust balance seals. Forward and aft thrust balance lands are in sealing engagement with the forward and aft thrust balance seals on the high pressure rotor respectively. An annular stator plenum in fluid communication with the annular cavity is bounded in part by a forward end wall having conical diffusion holes therethrough which may be axially or circumferentially or axially and circumferentially angled. The forward thrust balance seal may be on an aft conical arm of the impeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Marcus Joseph Ottaviano, Robert John Parks, John Lawrence Noon, Mark Michael D'Andrea, Thomas Michael Regan, Aaron Todd Williams
  • Publication number: 20100155006
    Abstract: Conductive nonwoven webs are disclosed. The nonwoven webs contain pulp fibers combined with conductive fibers. In one embodiment, the webs are made in a wetlaid tissue or paper making process. The pulp fibers contained in the webs may comprise softwood fibers, while the conductive fibers may comprise carbon fibers. Base webs can be produced having a resistance of less than about 100 Ohms/square in one embodiment. Once produced, the conductive material can be cut into slits that are then wound on spools. From the spools, the conductive slits can be fed into a process for making any suitable product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, Davis-Dang H. Nhan, Duane Joseph Shukoski
  • Publication number: 20100155016
    Abstract: A surface cooler for turbomachines is provided. The surface cooler comprises an inner layer and an outer layer disposed adjacent to the inner layer and comprising a metal foam, a carbon foam, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal foam, the carbon foam or a combination thereof is configured to augment heat transfer and enhance acoustic absorption. Further, the outer layer comprises a plurality of fins, wherein the plurality of fins is configured to augment heat transfer and enhance acoustic absorption, and wherein the plurality of fins comprises metal foam, a carbon foam, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Trevor Howard Wood, Todd Garrett Wetzel, Jonathan Glenn Luedke, Thomas Michael Tucker
  • Publication number: 20100154433
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine turbine cooling system includes an impeller and a diffuser directly downstream of the impeller, a bleed for bleeding clean cooling air from downstream of the diffuser, and one or more channels in fluid communication with the bleed. Each of the channels having a generally radially extending section followed by a generally axially aftwardly extending section terminating at an annular cooling air plenum connected to accelerators. The radially and axially aftwardly extending sections may be connected by a bend section of the cooling air channel and the axially aftwardly extending section may be angled radially inwardly going from the bend section to the cooling air plenum. Each of the cooling channels includes an inner wall formed by a forward end wall extending radially outwardly from an inner combustor casing, an annular cover covering a radially inner portion of the forward end wall, and the inner combustor casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Marcus Joseph Ottaviano, Robert John Parks, John Lawrence Noon, Mark Michael D'Andrea, Thomas Michael Regan
  • Patent number: 7743338
    Abstract: Display positions are arranged along a multidimensional path. Images and blurred versions of the images are displayed in one or more of the of the display positions. An opacity value of one or more of the blurred versions of the images is adjusted based the display positions in which the one or more blurred versions of the images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Madden
  • Patent number: 7742315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computer hardware design, and in particular to a printed circuit board (card) comprising wiring dedicated to supply electric board components such as integrated circuits with at least three different reference planes. In particular at locations, where the pins of a card-to-card connector enter the layer structure of the card discontinuities brake the high frequency signal return path of a given signal wiring. In order to close the signal return path around a signal path from card to card including the connector, and thus to limit the signal coupling while concurrently keeping the card design as simple as possible, it is proposed to provide a) an additional capacitance for a given signal wiring in a discontinuity section, b) wherein the additional capacitance is formed by a voltage island placed within a signal layer located next to the given signal wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Wiren D. Becker, Bruce J. Chamberlin, Gerald J. Fahr, Roland Frech, Dierk Kaller, George Katopis, Erich Klink, Thomas-Michael Winkel
  • Patent number: 7743341
    Abstract: Icons are arranged in foreground background positions in an interface environment to define a multidimensional path extending from a terminus. The icons transition between the foreground position and the background positions along the multidimensional path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Brodersen, Rachel Clare Goldeen, Jeffrey Ma, Mihnea Calin Pacurariu, Thomas Michael Madden, Steven Jobs, Jeff Robbin, Eric Taylor Seymour
  • Publication number: 20100148949
    Abstract: A method and system for eliminating cross talk in a tire pressure monitoring system that ranks potential sensor identifications based on the number of times the sensors respond to an initiator. Upon determination of a sufficient separation between second and third ranked sensors, an assignment of the first and second ranked potential sensor identifications is made to the tire locations expected to respond to the initiator signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Michael McQuade, Dilip B. Patel
  • Publication number: 20100152688
    Abstract: An insert for sensing a bodily fluid or condition and for use in conjunction with an undergarment or a disposable absorbent article is provided, the insert including a first substrate having a first substrate article-facing surface and a first substrate body-facing surface, a second substrate having a second substrate body-facing surface, and an absorbent element disposed between the first and second substrates. The insert also includes two conductive elements disposed between the second substrate body-facing surface and the first substrate article-facing surface, wherein the conductive elements are adapted to be removably connectable to a signaling device. Also provided is an insert including a first substrate having a first substrate article-facing surface; and two conductive elements disposed on the first substrate, wherein each conductive element comprises conductive paper or tissue, and wherein the conductive elements are adapted to be removably connectable to a signaling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Julie Larsen Handwerker, Stephen Scott Harkness, Nathan Allen Genke, Thomas Michael Ales, III, Andrew Mark Long
  • Patent number: 7737322
    Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising one or more sensors capable of detecting the presence of a body waste in the absorbent article are described. In particular, the absorbent articles comprise at least one chemiresistor capable of detecting the presence of volatile organic compounds associated with a body waste. When a body waste is detected, an indicator means signals a caregiver and/or a user of the absorbent article that an insult has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, III, Jan G. Dong
  • Publication number: 20100141973
    Abstract: A high intensity ink solution includes a letdown varnish of about 50% to 58% by weight, a dispersion oil of about 8% to 15% by weight, a pigment about 18% to 25% by weight, a wax compound of about 4% to 10% by weight, and a drier compound of about 1%-3% by weight. A method of producing high intensity color prints includes generating a color space and placing the color space in a CMYK file, generating a color proof, then generating at least four printing plates, and configuring a printer to print specific color densities to accurately match the color proof. Densities of pigments, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are included in the inks, creating color which is perceived more strongly with less dots per area than currently available inks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ALPHA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Barth
  • Publication number: 20100137438
    Abstract: The invention provides for the use of isovaline or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of Pain in a mammalian subject in some preferred embodiments, the invention provides for the treatment of acute and chronic Pain syndromes where other drug therapies have limited efficacy or unacceptable toxicity in said subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Ernest Puil, Bernard Ansel MacLeod, Thomas Michael Stokes, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 7722822
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an analyte includes a first receptacle having a first aperture, the first aperture having a first configuration; and a second receptacle having a second aperture, the second aperture having a second configuration. The first configuration and the second configuration are complementary, such that the first and second apertures engage each other at a sealing surface, whereby analyte solution within the first receptacle passes into the second receptacle substantially without leaking at the engaged first and second apertures. A method for processing an analyte comprises engaging the first and second receptacles at the sealing surface; putting a first batch of analyte solution into the first receptacle, processing the analyte solution; transferring the processed analyte solution into the second receptacle, and disengaging the second receptacle from the first receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Logan
  • Publication number: 20100114046
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to absorbent articles and signaling devices for use therewith. An absorbent article may be provided with selected electrical components used as wetness or other type sensors which may be determined by a coupled signaling device. An attached signaling device may automatically determine physiological changes of a wearer of the absorbent article including increases in void volume over time, increases in time between voids and proximity to bathroom fixtures. The signaling device may provide data analysis and/or display, and may provide remote alarm functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Ales, Keith William Magic, Shawn Jeffery Sullivan, Davis-Dang H. Nhan