Patents by Inventor Kirk VanAcker

Kirk VanAcker 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).

  • Seal installation tool and method
    Patent number: 7047619
    Abstract: A tool and method is provided for the installation of radial seals such as for example O-rings into radial grooves. The tool and method can be used to install an O-ring into a dovetailed groove of an items such as a valve stem. The tool includes a first part having a first face at an angle relative to a plane in which the plane lies and a second part having a second face opposed to the first face and that a second opposite angle relative to the plane in which the seal lies. Compressing the first and the second part towards the two faces together squeezes the seal and urges it into the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Wambold, Kirk VanAcker, Connie Mroch, Larry Norton
  • Seal installation tool and method
    Publication number: 20050125982
    Abstract: A tool and method is provided for the installation of radial seals such as for example O-rings into radial grooves. The tool and method can be used to install an O-ring into a dovetailed groove of an items such as a valve stem. The tool includes a first part having a first face at an angle relative to a plane in which the plane lies and a second part having a second face opposed to the first face and that a second opposite angle relative to the plane in which the seal lies. Compressing the first and the second part towards the two faces together squeezes the seal and urges it into the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Barry Wambold, Kirk VanAcker, Connie Mroch, Larry Norton