Patents by Inventor James D. Mikkelson

James D. Mikkelson 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: 4986311
    Abstract: Apparatus for clearing frozen water lines or conduits includes a wheel mounted cart or main frame supporting a holding tank or reservoir open to the atmosphere along with means for heating the holding tank. A vertical standpipe has a top end portion open to the atmosphere and a bottom end portion which can be attached to, and longitudinally aligned with, an open end portion of an ice blocked conduit to be cleared. A first hollow return line is open from a part of the standpipe vertically above the holding tank and into the holding tank. A second hollow return line is open from a portion of the standpipe above the first return line and below the open top of the standpipe, and it, too, opens into the holding tank. An inner end of a length of flexible tubing is extended down through the standpipe and into the conduit to be adjacent to the ice to be cleared. A pump is open to the bottom of the holding tank and to an outer end of the flexible tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: James D. Mikkelson