Patents by Inventor Thomas W Stephens

Thomas W Stephens 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: 6860144
    Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Douglas M Stander, David J Carlson, Chris J Booms, Thomas W Stephens, William E Leisenring, Richard K Moote, Danny K Schuelke, Mark J Poublon, Craig A Summers, Jason E Wielenga
  • Publication number: 20040159148
    Abstract: A non-intrusive method and arrangement for detecting the aging of an oxygen sensor, without increasing tailpipe emissions, is provided. The method detects an aging oxygen sensor, located between a motor vehicle engine and a catalytic converter, by sampling a series of oxygen level signals taken over a calibratable time block only when at least one engine operating condition. satisfies a predetermined criterion whereunder the method will not intrude upon the engine controller's ability to minimize undesirable exhaust emissions. After a series of signal processing, the samplings are then compared to calibratable thresholds in order to determine the aging degree of the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Douglas M. Stander, David J. Carlson, Chris J. Booms, Thomas W. Stephens, William E. Leisenring, Richard K. Moote, Danny K. Schuelke, Mark J. Poublon, Craig A. Summers, Jason E. Wielenga
  • Patent number: 6303882
    Abstract: A load cell system (10) having a frame (12) to which upper compliance assembly (14) is connected. A load cell (16) is connected to upper compliance assembly (14) and lower compliance assembly (18) is connected to load cell (16). In preferred embodiments, load cell system (10) includes fixed overload limit (26), moving overload limit(28), and anti-rotation device (24). In a still further embodiment, load cell system (10) includes a data transmission and receiver device (65) for transmitting and receiving data to and from load cell (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Cranium Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Stephens, Donald R. Zrudsky
  • Patent number: 5965521
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for optimizing the administration of leptin receptor ligands to a mammal in need of such treatment. More specifically, this invention provides an improved method of delivering leptin receptor ligands to a mammal in need of such treatment comprising pulsatile or peak delivery of leptin receptor ligands to treat obesity and related conditions, including hyperglucocorticoidinemia, fertility or delayed puberty, and/or growth hormone deficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Eli Lilly Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Stephens, Mark L. Heiman, Jose F. Caro
  • Patent number: 5351203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer tomography system which measures the thickness and edge position of hot-rolled steel. X-rays produced by two X-ray sources are directed, through the sample being measured, to a plurality of radiation detectors. The radiation detectors measure the attenuation of the X-rays caused by the sample. The attenuation levels sensed by each detector are correlated with each detector's physical location. This information is collected as each X-ray source illuminates the radiation detectors. The collected information is triangulated or averaged, as necessary, to determine the dimensions and position of the measured sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignees: Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Scientific Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Carvel D. Hoffman, Charles J. Romberger, Hunter Ellinger, Thomas W. Stephens, Richard D. Savage
  • Patent number: 4529708
    Abstract: An improved colorimetric assay method and reagent composition for the quantitative determination of creatinine in biological fluid specimens in the presence of protein, in which the specimen is reacted directly with an alkaline picrate reagent composition which contains an iron chelator, preferably ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, thereby significantly suppressing interference from bilirubin and improving reagent stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: American Monitor Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4393142
    Abstract: A colorimetric assay method and reagent composition for the direct, quantitative determination of chloride in fluids which may be performed directly on non-deproteinized samples and which utilizes a reagent comprised of 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine, mercuric ions, ferrous ions, and a sulfate salt in a sulfate or sulfonate buffer at a selected pH in the range of about 1.5 to 3.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: American Monitor Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Stephens
  • Patent number: 4091297
    Abstract: A unique slope-controlled crest detector and sample-and-hold circuit for determining the peak values of a fluctuating input signal and providing a control signal indicating the time of occurrence of the peak value. This circuit successfully eliminated undesirable filtering and phase delay from the data path while incorporating adequate filtering to the slope sensing circuitry to allow good operation with poor signal-to-noise ratio on the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Inventor: Thomas W. Stephens
  • Patent number: RE40099
    Abstract: A load cell system (10) having a frame (12) to which upper compliance assembly (14) is connected. A load cell (16) is connected to upper compliance assembly (14) and lower compliance assembly (18) is connected to load cell (16). In preferred embodiments, load cell system (10) includes fixed overload limit (26), moving overload limit(28), and anti-rotation device (24). In a still further embodiment, load cell system (10) includes a data transmission and receiver device (65) for transmitting and receiving data to and from load cell (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cranium Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Stephens, Donald R. Zrudsky