Patents by Inventor Thomas Tran

Thomas Tran 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: 12651537
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) tactile map system and methods of implementing the system are described. In one example, the tactile map system includes a map base having a substantially planar substrate defining an x-y plane. The map base includes a top base surface and a bottom base surface, where the top base surface includes a ground surface texture. The tactile map system also includes a 3D scaled representation of a structure attached to the top surface of the map base. The 3D scaled representation can be configured with dimensions that are in proportion to the structure and extend in a z-direction from the base. The z-direction being orthogonal to the x-y plane. The 3D scaled representation includes a plurality of identified surfaces, each of the plurality of identified surfaces having a surface type of a plurality of surface types, each surface type corresponding to a selected surface texture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2026
    Assignee: Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
    Inventors: Marybeth Lima, Bri Tramontana, Kenzie Dupont, Gracie Kennard, Tiffany Le, Cameron Matherne, J. Fischer Robinson, Thomas Tran, Blanche Faulk, Jennifer Gaudet, Anna Gayle, LaRonda Doakes, Stacy Jena
  • Publication number: 20260150906
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20260051753
    Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2025
    Publication date: February 19, 2026
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 12550942
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Thomas Tran, Terry Bache, Jarrett Keen, Niall Gallagher, Yannick Hourmand, Guillaume Michel, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Patent number: 12529368
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a peristaltic pump is provided. Each of a first pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Each of a second pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first and second pairs of roller assemblies are positionable around a circumference of a hub such that the first roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the first roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies and the second roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the second roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Robert E. Gledhill, III, Phong Thanh Phan, Thomas Tran, Hipolito Camacho
  • Publication number: 20250377275
    Abstract: A test apparatus for a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) component. The test apparatus includes a first support member configured to mechanically support a CMC component from a first side. The CMC component includes a T-joint and a pinhole. The test apparatus includes a second support member configured to mechanically support the CMC component from a second side opposite the first side. The first support member and the second support member are configured to be forced toward each other to cause the CMC component to fail at the pinhole and not at the T-joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2024
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventors: Kristopher Erlitz, Ronald Adolphus Bledsoe, Thomas Tran, Jason David Baker, Daniel Jozef Traudes, Stephen John Pattison
  • Patent number: 12438383
    Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. Blackmon, Thomas Tran, Terry Bache, Jarrett Keen, Niall Gallagher, Yannick Hourmand, Guillaume Michel, Rangaraj S. Sundar, Raymond W. Lau, Eric Hawes
  • Publication number: 20240148060
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn (HNB) aerosol-generating device may include a capsule and a device body. The capsule may include an aerosol-forming substrate and a conductive component. The conductive component may include a first end section, an intermediate section, and a second end section. The intermediate section may be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate. The first end section and the second end section may each have at least one surface discontinuity. The device body may include connector pins configured to engage with the at least one surface discontinuity of each of the first end section and the second end section of the conductive component so as to establish an electrical connection with the capsule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES, Dean TWITE, Ryan MCGINLEY, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Thomas TRAN, Yannick HOURMAND, Gary BROADFIELD
  • Patent number: 11971216
    Abstract: In some examples, a multilevel retort assembly. The assembly includes a base defining a base perimeter; and a plurality of shells. Each shell has a diffuser plate support and a perimeter with a substantially similar shape as the base perimeter. The plurality of shells are stacked on each other, mechanically supported by the base, and surround an inner retort volume. The at least one shell of the plurality of shells defines a removable window. The assembly also includes a plurality of diffuser plates, each diffuser plate supported by a corresponding diffuser plate support of the plurality of diffuser plate supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lukhard, Timothy Western, Thomas Tran
  • Publication number: 20240110559
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a peristaltic pump is provided. Each of a first pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Each of a second pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first and second pairs of roller assemblies are positionable around a circumference of a hub such that the first roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the first roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies and the second roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the second roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Robert E. Gledhill, III, Phong Thanh Phan, Thomas Tran, Hipolito Camacho
  • Publication number: 20240090587
    Abstract: A capsule monitoring system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the capsule monitoring system to detect a mechanism detection switch of the aerosol-generating device being actuated, apply a first power to a first contact point of the aerosol-generating device, determine a first resistance between the first contact point and a second contact point, determine whether the first resistance is within a resistance operation range, and in response to the first resistance being within of the resistance operation range, display a capsule accepted indicator. The first contact point is configured to contact a heater. The second contact point is configured to contact the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240090589
    Abstract: A power control system for an aerosol-generating device includes at least one processor and a memory. The memory is coupled to the at least one processor and is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the power control system to determine whether a first power to be applied to a heater of the aerosol-generating device exceeds a power threshold, in response to the first power exceeding the power threshold, apply a second power to the heater, and in response to the first power not exceeding the power threshold, apply the first power to the heater. The first power is based on a desired heater temperature. The second power does not exceed the power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Eric HAWES, Raymond W. LAU
  • Publication number: 20240090574
    Abstract: A heat-not-burn aerosol-generating device includes a housing that defines a capsule-receiving cavity and a lid fixedly coupled to the housing at a first point and releasably coupleable to the housing at a second point that is different from the first point. The lid is configured to cover the capsule-receiving cavity in a closed position. The lid includes a first retainer and a replaceable mouthpiece coupleable to the lid such that air entering the housing and drawn through the capsule-receiving cavity exits out of the replaceable mouthpiece. The mouthpiece includes a second retainer that is configured to engage with the first retainer so as to releasably secure the replaceable mouthpiece to the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Eric HAWES, Zack W. BLACKMON, Dean TWITE, Ryan MCGINLEY, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Jarrett KEEN, Raymond W. LAU, Thomas TRAN
  • Publication number: 20240097463
    Abstract: A charging system for an aerosol-generating device includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor and configured to store instructions is provided. The instructions define at least one of a disable mode, an intra-session mode, or an inter-session mode. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the charging system to detect when the device is connected to a charging device; activate a power source charger in response to the connection to the charging device; identify a selected mode; enable or disable a heater of the capsule dependent upon the selected mode; if the heater is enabled, display a first display indicating the connection of the charging device; if the heater is enabled, detect if a session of the aerosol-generating device is ongoing; and if the session is ongoing, enable or suspend charging in response to the identification of the selected mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240090586
    Abstract: A session control system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the session control system to detect when a session has started, start a session timer, increment a puff variable when an airflow sensor detects that a puff has been taken, monitor the session timer against a time threshold and the puff variable against a puff threshold, and in response to a session threshold being met, end the session. The session timer is configured to measure a length of the session and the puff variable corresponds to a total number of puffs taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Publication number: 20240091466
    Abstract: A cooldown system for a device includes at least one processor and a memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory is configured to store instructions. The at least one processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the cooldown system to detect when a session has ended, activate a cooldown timer to measure a cooldown time, provide an indication of a remaining time of the cooldown timer, and in response to the cooldown timer elapsing, return the device to normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Zack W. BLACKMON, Thomas TRAN, Terry BACHE, Jarrett KEEN, Niall GALLAGHER, Yannick HOURMAND, Guillaume MICHEL, Rangaraj S. SUNDAR, Raymond W. LAU, Eric HAWES
  • Patent number: 11519279
    Abstract: A turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials includes a vane support core, an airfoil, and an end wall that at least partially defines a gas path. The turbine vane is formed from a plurality of ceramic plies or preforms that are infiltrated with ceramic matrix material to form a one-piece ceramic matrix composite turbine vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc., Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Shinavski, Thomas Tran, Kevin Lukhard, Ted J. Freeman, Steffan Brown
  • Publication number: 20220172645
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) tactile map system and methods of implementing the system are described. In one example, the tactile map system includes a map base having a substantially planar substrate defining an x-y plane. The map base includes a top base surface and a bottom base surface, where the top base surface includes a ground surface texture. The tactile map system also includes a 3D scaled representation of a structure attached to the top surface of the map base. The 3D scaled representation can be configured with dimensions that are in proportion to the structure and extend in a z-direction from the base. The z-direction being orthogonal to the x-y plane. The 3D scaled representation includes a plurality of identified surfaces, each of the plurality of identified surfaces having a surface type of a plurality of surface types, each surface type corresponding to a selected surface texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Marybeth Lima, Brandon Tramontana, Kenzie Dupont, Gracie Kennard, Tiffany Le, Cameron Matherne, J. Fischer Robinson, Thomas Tran, Blanche Faulk, Jennifer Gaudet, Anna Gayle, LaRonda Doakes, Stacy Cox
  • Publication number: 20220034233
    Abstract: A turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials includes a vane support core, an airfoil, and an end wall that at least partially defines a gas path. The turbine vane is formed from a plurality of ceramic plies or preforms that are infiltrated with ceramic matrix material to form a one-piece ceramic matrix composite turbine vane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert J. Shinavski, Thomas Tran, Kevin Lukhard, Ted J. Freeman, Steffan Brown
  • Patent number: 11162377
    Abstract: A turbine vane comprising ceramic matrix composite materials. The turbine vane includes an vane support core, an airfoil, and a pair of end walls that are spaced apart from one another to define a gas path. The turbine vane is formed from a plurality of ceramic plies or preforms that are infiltrated with ceramic matrix material to form a one-piece ceramic matrix composite turbine vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce High Temperature Composites Inc., Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Shinavski, Thomas Tran, Kevin Lukhard, Ted J. Freeman, Steffan Brown