Patents by Inventor Tom Watson

Tom Watson 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: 8522569
    Abstract: A method and system of utilizing waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment comprising the steps of collecting waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment and utilizing said waste heat as the driving heat input for a heat driven engine. Heat recovery means collects waste heat from heat-producing equipment and transfers it in the form of hot water to drive a heat driven engine such as a chiller or heat pump. The output of the heat driven engine may be put to many productive uses, thereby reducing the over all energy load on the data center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Idea Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal N. Avery, Charlie Booth, Wes Livingston, Tom Watson Lopp
  • Patent number: 8443787
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20130119213
    Abstract: A versatile system and apparatus for securing a ladder in an operational position by restraining the base of the ladder is presented. The system features a substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, wherein the legs of the ladder are placed within the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and a locking mechanism for affixing the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism to a work surface. The locking mechanism may comprise at least one channel in the base of the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and at least one anchoring bracket, wherein the anchoring bracket is removably attached to the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism via the channel. The locking mechanism may also comprise at least one aperture in the base of the substantially rectangular retaining mechanism, and at least one stake mechanism, wherein the stake mechanism is driven through the aperture and into a work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20120111308
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Patent number: 8104454
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine is disclosed. In one example, the method includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20110096503
    Abstract: A method and system of utilizing waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment comprising the steps of collecting waste heat from a plurality of data center equipment and utilizing said waste heat as the driving heat input for a heat driven engine. Heat recovery means collects waste heat from heat-producing equipment and transfers it in the form of hot water to drive a heat driven engine such as a chiller or heat pump. The output of the heat driven engine may be put to many productive uses, thereby reducing the over all energy load on the data center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Randal N. Avery, Charles Booth, Wes Livingston, Tom Watson Lopp
  • Publication number: 20110066526
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for electronic publication of original, creative works on a website as well as systems and methods for compensating the author(s) of the original creative works. The electronic publishing systems of the present invention can also be utilized in novel methods of fund raising for charitable and/or non-profit organizations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20100307464
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Patent number: 7775195
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an engine includes initiating purging in response to an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20080271718
    Abstract: A method of controlling fuel vapor purging in a hybrid electric vehicle capable of selectively operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes, determining a fuel tank condition parameter based on an amount of liquid fuel residing in a fuel tank of the hybrid electric vehicle and a duration since the previous fuel tank filling event, in response to the fuel tank condition parameter exceeding a threshold limit, initiating operation of the internal combustion engine and purging fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister for a predetermined duration, and in response to the fuel tank condition parameter being less than the threshold limit, selectively purging fuel vapor from the fuel vapor canister based on an engine operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Schondorf, Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20080054728
    Abstract: In general, the present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for providing electrical power from an alternating current (AC) power source to direct current (DC) components. A power supply system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a power supply element and a load controller, and the power supply element receives an AC signal from an AC power source. In this regard, the power supply element is directly connected to the hot wire carrying an AC signal from the AC power source. For each half cycle of the AC signal, the power supply element uses the AC signal to charge a capacitor during a small portion of the half cycle. During another portion of the same half cycle, the load controller may use the AC signal to power an AC load. During the cycle, the capacitor is discharged thereby providing DC power to various components in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Tom Watson
  • Publication number: 20050185690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorine gas discharge laser system and control of replenishment of fluorine gas as the gas discharge laser operates and consumes fluorine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: John Rule, Paolo Zambon, Tom Watson, Omez Mesina, Weijie Zheng
  • Patent number: 6318039
    Abstract: A cornice or crown molding finishing accessory (10) allows creation of a smooth, continuous and aesthetic finish to the joint between first and second molding segments. These molding segments may be oriented to form inside or outside corners. Preferred examples of the finishing accessory are adapted for use with outside and inside 90-degree corners. The molding finishing accessory provides first and second facade-creating flanges (20), (40) which have a cross-sectional shape including a molding-conforming curve designed to match the cross-sectional decorative surface of the molding segments. The flanges meet at a vertex (60), from which an anchor element extends. In use, the anchor element (80) is inserted into a gap defined between the first and second molding segments, thereby holding the finishing accessory in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Tom Watson, Scott Thompson
  • Patent number: 5976037
    Abstract: A training device to assist a player in maintaining proper head position and visual contact with a ball, during a swing of a club, racket, or bat, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a mouth piece which is secured by a person's teeth and a spring loaded attachable mechanism clamped to the person's jersey. A cord connects the mouth piece to the attachable mechanism and provides resistance to any head movements which place the cord in tension. Accordingly, the person maintains better head positioning during the swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Mid South Baseball Association
    Inventor: Tom Watson