Thomas C Stephens

US Patent:

39726827, Aug 3, 1976

Filed:

Oct 6, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/619768

Inventors:

Thomas M. Stephens - Menlo Park CA
Yoshihiro Takahashi - San Francisco CA

Assignee:

Envirotech Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

F27B 514
G01N 3112

US Classification:

23253PC

Abstract:

A furnace assembly for use in a chemical analysis system utilizing high-temperature pyrolytic techniques includes a refractory tube which defines a heated chamber wherein samples are pyrolyzed, inlet and outlet cap members mounted on opposite ends of the refractory tube, a cylindrical heating assembly which spacedly surrounds the refractory tube, and a frame which fixedly supports both the refractory tube and the heating assembly in a vertical orientation. The frame includes a stationary mounting plate and at least two rod-like members which fixedly extend in parallel downward from the stationary plate on opposite sides of the heating assembly. The heating assembly is fixed to the rods and a springy plate member is fixedly connected between the rods to provide a support upon which the outlet cap member rests and to press upwardly against the refractory tube when the same elongates during heating so that the upper and lower cap members are forceably sealed against the respective ends of the refractory tube.

US Patent:

39481042, Apr 6, 1976

Filed:

Oct 4, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/511975

Inventors:

Thomas M. Stephens - Menlo Park CA

Assignee:

Envirotech Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

G01N 110

US Classification:

73422GC

Abstract:

A sampling valve includes upper and lower flat-faced body sections that are mounted facing one another for rotation about a generally centrally disposed shaft with a thin seal member interposed between the sections. A reciprocative device selectively rotates the upper body section relative to the lower section through a pre-selected angle about the shaft. A passage is formed from the lower body section to the upper section so that liquid continuously flows through the valve. At one portion of the valve, the passage is in communication with a bore of a sample-taking piston assembly which is arranged on the upper body section. The piston is driven upward to draw a liquid sample from the flowing liquid in the passage and then the upper body section is rotated and the sampling piston is driven downward to eject the sample into a pyrolysis furnace or the like.

US Patent:

20220283594, Sep 8, 2022

Filed:

May 20, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/664399

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Ning Han - San Francisco CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - San Francisco CA, US
Dan Michael Babcock - San Francisco CA, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G05D 1/02
G06Q 10/08
B60R 25/01
B60R 25/24

Abstract:

Provided are various systems and processes for improving last-mile delivery of real-time, on-demand orders for perishable goods. In one aspect, an automated vehicle (AV) comprises a body including a storage compartment for storing perishable goods. The storage compartment is accessible by a user upon authentication of the user. The AV further comprises a sensor module for receiving data for navigating the AV. The sensor module is positioned above the body on a support structure at a predetermined height above the ground, such as three to five feet. The data includes one or more of the following: audio data, video data, radio waves, and backscattered light waves. The AV further comprises an onboard computer system configured to process the data to navigate the AV along motor vehicle routes and pedestrian routes. The AV may be configured to interface with an automated locker system to retrieve or deposit the perishable goods.

US Patent:

20210103892, Apr 8, 2021

Filed:

Dec 18, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/126857

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Dan Michael Babcock - Fairfield CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - New York NY, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G08G 1/00
G06N 3/08
G05D 1/00

Abstract:

Provided are various systems and processes for improving last-mile delivery of real-time, on-demand orders for perishable goods. In one aspect, a method is provided for aggregating on-demand deliveries using a depot dispatch protocol which may implement automated order transport and retrieval systems. The method comprises dispatching merchant couriers to transport on-demand orders from merchants to a merchant depot where the orders are aggregated and batched based on optimized delivery routes and destination proximities. Batches of orders are then transported to a customer depot corresponding to an area of delivery destinations. Orders are then assigned to delivery couriers for completion of delivery to customers. Such delivery routing systems and processes may be implemented alongside a delivery tracking system for generating estimated time of arrival predictive updates for real-time delivery of perishable goods. The described mechanisms improve courier efficiency, improve delivery tracking, and reduce overall delivery times.

US Patent:

20210012287, Jan 14, 2021

Filed:

Sep 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/038055

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Dan Michael Babcock - Fairfield CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - New York NY, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G06Q 30/06

Abstract:

Provided are various mechanisms and processes for optimizing real-time, on-demand delivery service for perishable goods. In one aspect, a method is provided for aggregating on-demand deliveries using a depot dispatch protocol. The method comprises dispatching runners to pick up on-demand orders for drop off at a depot where the orders are aggregated and batched based on optimized delivery routes and destination proximities. Batches of orders are then assigned to couriers who may arrive at the depot to receive the batched orders without having to navigate through areas of high congestion. Such delivery routing system may be implemented alongside a delivery tracking system for generating estimated time of arrival predictive updates for real-time delivery of perishable goods.

US Patent:

20200183414, Jun 11, 2020

Filed:

Dec 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/705071

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Jeff Ning Han - Palo Alto CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - New York NY, US
Dan Michael Babcock - Fairfield CA, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G05D 1/02
G06Q 10/08
B60R 25/24
B60R 25/01

Abstract:

Provided are various systems and processes for improving last-mile delivery of real-time, on-demand orders for perishable goods. In one aspect, an automated vehicle (AV) comprises a body including a storage compartment for storing perishable goods. The storage compartment is accessible by a user upon authentication of the user. The AV further comprises a sensor module for receiving data for navigating the AV. The sensor module is positioned above the body on a support structure at a predetermined height above the ground, such as three to five feet. The data includes one or more of the following: audio data, video data, radio waves, and backscattered light waves. The AV further comprises an onboard computer system configured to process the data to navigate the AV along motor vehicle routes and pedestrian routes. The AV may be configured to interface with an automated locker system to retrieve or deposit the perishable goods.

US Patent:

20200160268, May 21, 2020

Filed:

Nov 15, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/191998

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Dan Michael Babcock - Fairfield CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - New York NY, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G08G 1/00
G05D 1/00
G06N 3/08

Abstract:

Provided are various systems and processes for improving last-mile delivery of real-time, on-demand orders for perishable goods. In one aspect, a method is provided for aggregating on-demand deliveries using a depot dispatch protocol which may implement automated order transport and retrieval systems. The method comprises dispatching merchant couriers to transport on-demand orders from merchants to a merchant depot where the orders are aggregated and batched based on optimized delivery routes and destination proximities. Batches of orders are then transported to a customer depot corresponding to an area of delivery destinations. Orders are then assigned to delivery couriers for completion of delivery to customers. Such delivery routing systems and processes may be implemented alongside a delivery tracking system for generating estimated time of arrival predictive updates for real-time delivery of perishable goods. The described mechanisms improve courier efficiency, improve delivery tracking, and reduce overall delivery times.

US Patent:

20190130354, May 2, 2019

Filed:

Oct 30, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/798219

Inventors:

- San Francisco CA, US
Dan Michael Babcock - Fairfield CA, US
Thomas Scott Stephens - New York NY, US
Cody Duane Aughney - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

DoorDash, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G06Q 10/08
G06Q 30/06

Abstract:

Provided are various mechanisms and processes for optimizing real-time, on-demand deliveries of perishable goods. In one aspect, a method is provided for aggregating on-demand deliveries using a depot dispatch protocol. The method comprises dispatching runners to pick up on-demand orders for drop off at a depot where the orders are aggregated and batched based on optimized delivery routes and destination proximities. Batches of orders are then assigned to couriers who may arrive at the depot to receive the batched orders without having to navigate through areas of high congestion. Such delivery routing system may be implemented alongside a delivery tracking system for generating estimated time of arrival predictive updates for real-time delivery of perishable goods.