Ronald Charles Thomas

US Patent:

8352101, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Dec 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/645296

Inventors:

Ronald Shawn Thomas - Brea CA, US
Richard I. Milford - Redondo Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B64G 1/24
G05D 1/00

US Classification:

701 13, 244164

Abstract:

A system and method are disclosed for simultaneous attitude maneuver and momentum dumping. The attitude maneuver is performed using nominal wheel control to minimize propellant usage, while applying a momentum management command to the thruster control loop in order for the wheels to accomplish the desired spacecraft maneuver while simultaneously being reset to a de-saturated target state. The system and method involve a wheel system comprised of reaction wheels and/or a control moment gyroscope (CMG), at least one thruster, and control logic that is in communication with the wheel system and thruster(s). If a spacecraft maneuver is in progress, the control logic biases an error input signal to a thruster control loop to track the wheel maneuver to prevent unnecessary propellant consumption. The control logic is further operable to output thruster torque commands and wheel torque commands that accomplish the maneuver while achieving the desired final momentum target.

US Patent:

20060213805, Sep 28, 2006

Filed:

Mar 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/091697

Inventors:

Ronald Thomas - Mt Baldy CA, US
Steven Kolbow - Chaska MN, US

International Classification:

B65D 85/00

US Classification:

206714000, 206710000, 206390000, 206445000

Abstract:

A carrier tape for holding a plurality of disks includes a thin, elongate strip of polymer material presenting a longitudinal axis and having a plurality of pockets defined therein. Each pocket is adapted to receive a separate one of the disks. The pockets are spaced apart and arranged along the longitudinal axis of the strip, and each pocket has at least one operable disk restraining structure for retaining the disk when the disk is received in the pocket.

US Patent:

50599402, Oct 22, 1991

Filed:

Jan 24, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/469639

Inventors:

Ronald E. Thomas - Alta Loma CA

Assignee:

Bourns, Inc. - Riverside CA

International Classification:

H01C 1032

US Classification:

338164

Abstract:

In a miniature, single-turn potentiometer, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the rotor and the housing by the interference fit between an annular ridge on the peripheral edge of the rotor and a conforming groove in the interior wall surface of the housing cavity in which the rotor is installed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there are two parallel ridges and grooves, and they are configured to form a "chevron" seal, in which the ridges have a substantially saw-tooth shape in axial cross-section, with the grooves having a complementary shape. The chevron seal provides a direct, rotor-to-housing seal that is fluid-tight, without the use of an O-ring, while also restraining the rotor from axial movement with respect to the housing.

US Patent:

20170247138, Aug 31, 2017

Filed:

Dec 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/368152

Inventors:

John Stephen Caliri - Mt Baldy CA, US
Ronald Elwyn Thomas - Mt Baldy CA, US

International Classification:

B65D 5/74
B65D 5/42
B65D 5/40
B65D 65/46

Abstract:

The object of the invention is to produce an attractive environmentally friendly biodegradable pouring container. The body of the improved container is optimally formed in the shape of a conical frustum or cylinder. The assembly being a healthier and environmentally superior alternative to traditional plastic non-biodegradable containers. The seams and folds of the container are joined with adhesives or other means, which strengthen the vessel and prevent leakage. The adhesives may be beverage or food friendly and approved by the Food and Drug Administration as required by the container's contents. When used as a drinking-vessel the invention lends itself to a variety of choices for the lid/top designs and the methods of production are straightforward and affordable.The tapering shape, large at the bottom and narrow on top, provides improved stability due to its lower center of gravity relative to the amount of contents in the container at any given time. Unlike traditional cylindrical beverage vessels and cups, which are narrow at the bottom and wide on top, this shape decreases the likelihood of the container being easily knocked over thereby allowing the invented container to be set on a surface with a greater angularity than containers currently in the art. As an option either container shape can be constructed with three or more protrusions or points of support around the perimeter of the base allowing for additional support or balance. This is potentially an important improvement in stability by now allowing the user to place the container on an uneven surface such as a rock, log, dashboard, console, and etcetera. Additionally, a thin coat of wax, rubber, etc. may be applied to either the base perimeter or base protrusions to add additional gripping strength to prevent the container from slipping.The entire container may be designed to be environmentally superior by the use of biodegradable materials for all components of the assembly thereby reducing the estimated time required to biodegrade from 700 years or more for typical plastic bottles, down to a few months for the current invention