Kenneth D Thomas

US Patent:

20110106329, May 5, 2011

Filed:

Nov 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/938259

Inventors:

Richard B. Donnelly - Austin TX, US
Bradford J. Claflin - Austin TX, US
Kenneth W. Thomas - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

GRIDbot, LLC - Austin TX

International Classification:

H02J 7/32
G06F 1/26

US Classification:

700291, 320109, 700295

Abstract:

A charging station, together with methods and systems, for charging the batteries of plug-in vehicles may be controlled with a mobile communications terminal via SMS text messages and provides an availability prediction system. One more charging stations with charging modules or ports are connected to a power source and to a control server. The control server communicates to a prospective user by text message an estimate of how long a given available charging port will remain available. A charging station with charging ports in use communicates to a prospective user that the port will be available at a particular time. Advantageous features provide hybrid switches to reduce the risk of arcing when a charging cord is unplugged for a port, demand response to modulate current draw from the power source based on usage conditions, power cord protection, illuminated user interface with ambient light sensitive illumination level, and charging ports for level one and level two charging.

US Patent:

50883968, Feb 18, 1992

Filed:

Jan 4, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/637345

Inventors:

Kenneth D. Thomas - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

B30B 1300

US Classification:

100 35

Abstract:

A trash compactor includes a receptacle with a receptacle opening, a closure member, and a collapsible compacting mechanism mounted in the closure member. The closure member is adapted to be secured over the receptacle opening in a compacting position. With the closure member in the compacting position, the compacting mechanism is adapted to be operated, preferably driven by an electric drive motor, so as to extend a compacting head into the receptacle through the receptacle opening to compact trash received therein. The compacting mechanism is also adapted to retract the compacting head substantially from the trash receptacle. A drive motor control system controls the operation of the drive motor in driving the compacting mechanism. Once the compacting head is retracted from the receptacle the closure member is adapted to be released from the compacting position thereby exposing the receptacle opening so that more trash may be deposited into the receptacle for compacting. The trash compacted also includes an indicator light display adapted to indicate the position of the compacting head in the receptacle.

US Patent:

50257196, Jun 25, 1991

Filed:

Jul 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/380112

Inventors:

Kenneth D. Thomas - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

B30B 1500
B30B 100

US Classification:

100 99

Abstract:

A trash compactor includes a receptacle with a receptacle opening, a closure member, and a collapsible compacting mechanism mounted in the closure member. The closure member is adapted to be secured over the receptacle opening in a compacting position. With the closure member in the compacting position, the compacting mechanism is adapted to be operated, preferably driven by an electric drive motor, so as to extend a compacting head into the receptacle through the receptacle opening to compact trash received therein. The compacting mechanism is also adapted to retract the compacting head substantially from the trash receptacle. A drive motor control system controls the operation of the drive motor in driving the compacting mechanism. Once the compacting head is retracted from the receptacle the closure member is adapted to be released from the compacting position thereby exposing the receptacle opening so that more trash may be deposited into the receptacle for compacting. The trash compacted also includes an indicator light display adapted to indicate the position of the compacting head in the receptacle.