Patents by Inventor William T. Thurmon

William T. Thurmon 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).

  • High clearance sliding vane pump
    Patent number: 5601423
    Abstract: A sliding vane air pump has a resilient flexible plate secured to the housing adjacent to one end of the rotor so that drawing a high vacuum flexes the plate closer to the rotor to further increase the vacuum attainable by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Meredith W. Meece, William T. Thurmon, Richard G. Dupree
  • System and method for preventing the release of vapor into the atmosphere
    Patent number: 5567126
    Abstract: A vane pump is provided which can be used for the pumping of gasoline vapor, particularly in a sealed environment. The vane pump has an inlet, an outlet and a safety valve that recirculates vapor from the outlet to the inlet when a blockage occurs upstream or downstream of the pump. The invention further provides a system and method, incorporating the pump, for recovering gasoline vapor proximal to a nozzle dispensing liquid gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Meredith W. Meece, William T. Thurmon