Patents by Inventor H. Kirk Fowler

H. Kirk Fowler 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: 5783058
    Abstract: An existing, usually used radial lead anode in an electroplating cell is machined to a specific radius. This provides a curved, machined surface for the lead anode to serve as a support structure. A thin gauge, dimensionally stable sheet anode of a multitude of side-by-side strip anodes is formed, with each strip anode being typically formed to a larger radius then the radius of the support structure. The sheet anode strips may be precurved into a series of chords. The strip anodes are flexed into place onto the surface of the lead support structure. Fastening these strips and the support structure together can be accomplished by a series of fastening means attached to the back of each strip anode, which means can project into or through holes in the lead support structure. Electrical connection can be provided, such as through the fastening means, with the lead support structure serving as a current distributor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: H. Kirk Fowler, Gerald R. Pohto, Zane A. Wade
  • Patent number: 5372687
    Abstract: A cathodic protection anode assembly for metal structures in water is now provided with highly desirable rugged construction. The assembly is particularly useful for providing cathodic protection utilizing an anode, in submersed condition, on one side of a structure while having an assembly protruding through an opening in the structure with a connection at the back side of the structure to a lead-in cable. Such structure may have the back side in ambient air. For the back side structure, the assembly has a highly desirable leak resistant characteristic. Moreover, the assembly can provide efficient low contact voltage at the anode and cable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Eltech Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald R. Pohto, H. Kirk Fowler, Donald J. Groszek