Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Kukowski

Thomas R. Kukowski 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).

  • Patent number: 10090587
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastomeric and flexible cables. One cable includes a first insulator extruded as a tube. The cable also includes an elastomeric conductor comprising conductive particles embedded in a polymer. The elastomeric conductor is extruded with the elastomeric insulator through a conduit of the tube. Other cables include flexible wires extruded with elastomeric tubes. In some embodiments, the cables are configured with stay cords that limit a length of stretching in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Minnesota Wire
    Inventors: Paul J. Wagner, Eric J Wagner, Chris Duca, Jeffrey C. Lewison, Kevin Voigt, Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Publication number: 20180083351
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastomeric and flexible cables. One cable includes a first insulator extruded as a tube. The cable also includes an elastomeric conductor comprising conductive particles embedded in a polymer. The elastomeric conductor is extruded with the elastomeric insulator through a conduit of the tube. Other cables include flexible wires extruded with elastomeric tubes. In some embodiments, the cables are configured with stay cords that limit a length of stretching in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Paul J. Wagner, Eric J Wagner, Chris Duca, Jeffrey C. Lewison, Kevin Voigt, Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Patent number: 9825356
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastomeric and flexible cables. One cable includes a first insulator extruded as a tube. The cable also includes an elastomeric conductor comprising conductive particles embedded in a polymer. The elastomeric conductor is extruded with the elastomeric insulator through a conduit of the tube. Other cables include flexible wires extruded with elastomeric tubes. In some embodiments, the cables are configured with stay cords that limit a length of stretching in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Minnesota Wire and Cable
    Inventors: Paul J. Wagner, Eric J. Wagner, Chris Duca, Jeffrey C. Lewison, Kevin Voigt, Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Publication number: 20150257315
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastomeric and flexible cables. One cable includes a first insulator extruded as a tube. The cable also includes an elastomeric conductor comprising conductive particles embedded in a polymer. The elastomeric conductor is extruded with the elastomeric insulator through a conduit of the tube. Other cables include flexible wires extruded with elastomeric tubes. In some embodiments, the cables are configured with stay cords that limit a length of stretching in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Paul J. Wagner, Eric J. Wagner, Chris Duca, Jeffrey C. Lewison, Kevin Voigt, Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Patent number: 8796547
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for early detection of wire/cable faults. For example, a system may detect electrical/electronic faults with power lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cables, and the like (generally referred to herein as “lines”, “wires”, and “cables”) by providing sacrificial materials including a conductive material external to the lines. A processor may be coupled to the conductive material to transmit a control signal along the conductive material of the line to determine whether the line is degrading. That is, when the sacrificial material wears away and exposes the conductive sacrificial material in the line, that conductive material may begin to experience faults. The faults in the external conductive material may serve as precursors to the overall degradation of the line. Thus, the line may be repaired or replaced prior to the degradation of the line itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Minnesota Wire and Cable
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Patent number: 8099254
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for the early detection of wire/cable faults. For example, a system may detect electrical/electronic faults with power lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cables, and the like (generally referred to herein as “lines”, “wires”, and “cables”) by providing sacrificial materials including a conductive material external to the lines. A processor may be coupled to the conductive material to transmit a control signal along the conductive material of the line to determine whether the line is degrading. That is, when the sacrificial material wears away and exposes the conductive sacrificial material in the line, that conductive material may begin to experience faults. The faults in the external conductive material may serve as precursors to the overall degradation of the line. Thus, the line may be repaired or replaced prior to the degradation of the line itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Minnesota Wire and Cable
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Publication number: 20110309845
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for the early detection of wire/cable faults. For example, a system may detect electrical/electronic faults with power lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cables, and the like (generally referred to herein as “lines”, “wires”, and “cables”) by providing sacrificial materials including a conductive material external to the lines. A processor may be coupled to the conductive material to transmit a control signal along the conductive material of the line to determine whether the line is degrading. That is, when the sacrificial material wears away and exposes the conductive sacrificial material in the line, that conductive material may begin to experience faults. The faults in the external conductive material may serve as precursors to the overall degradation of the line. Thus, the line may be repaired or replaced prior to the degradation of the line itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Publication number: 20090314510
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for elastic conductors. The elastic conductors may be configured with a primary that includes an elastic material and a conductive material. For example, the primary may have an elastic fiber, such as spandex, with a conductive material, such as a braided metal wire, wrapped thereabout. Alternatively, the primary may be configured from an elastic material with a conductive material, such as certain nanopartiuclates, embedded therein. The elastic conductors may be used in a variety of ways to form various types of cables. For example, the elastic conductors may be configured to form coaxial cables, USB cables, twisted pairs, etc. The elastic and flexible nature of the cables may make their uses advantageous in wiring environments that are subjected to strain or other harsh conditions. Moreover, the relatively light weight of the cables may make their uses more advantageous in transportation (e.g., aircraft, automobiles, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kukowski, Joseph V. Collis, Jeffery Lewison
  • Publication number: 20090287426
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for the early detection of wire/cable faults. For example, a system may detect electrical/electronic faults with power lines, data lines, communication lines, coaxial cables, and the like (generally referred to herein as “lines”, “wires”, and “cables”) by providing sacrificial materials including a conductive material external to the lines. A processor may be coupled to the conductive material to transmit a control signal along the conductive material of the line to determine whether the line is degrading. That is, when the sacrificial material wears away and exposes the conductive sacrificial material in the line, that conductive material may begin to experience faults. The faults in the external conductive material may serve as precursors to the overall degradation of the line. Thus, the line may be repaired or replaced prior to the degradation of the line itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kukowski
  • Patent number: 4848361
    Abstract: A penile rigidity and tumescence monitor and apparatus including a transducer apparatus (20) for providing output signals indicative of penile rigidity and tumescence throughout a penile tumescent event. A control apparatus (22) being operatively interconnected to the transducer apparatus (20) for providing control thereover. A control apparatus (22) also provides for acquisition and storage of penil rigidity and tumescence data represented by the output signals received from the transducer apparatus (20). The transducer apparatus (20) includes readily detachable loop-like portions (38) enabling replacement of the loop-like portions (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Dacomed Corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Penney, Thomas R. Kukowski, Stephen K. Sundquist, Charles J. Mike