Patents by Inventor Michael Ekholm
Michael Ekholm 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).
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Publication number: 20120067340Abstract: Passive solar wire screens mount vertically on an edifice. The screens have rods vertically arranged parallel to one another and have wires horizontally arranged parallel to one another. The wires attach to the rods and have first surfaces facing away from the edifice in an upward direction from vertical. The wires also have second surfaces facing toward the edifice in a downward direction from vertical. When the sun has a summer elevation on the horizon, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the wire screens. When the sun has a winter elevation on the horizon, however, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces, which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice. A concave surface on the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: JOHNSON SCREENS, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Maxson, Michael Ekholm
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Publication number: 20120037730Abstract: A variable flow control nozzle has a head, a tube, and a valve. The head disposes adjacent an opening and has a screen for passage of fluid flow into and out of the head's interior. The tube extends from the head through the opening and secures the head thereto. A tube passage communicates the interior of the head with the other side of the opening. The valve disposed in the passage has a first condition permitting first fluid flow from the passage to the interior of the head and has a second condition permitting second fluid flow from the interior to the passage. The second fluid flow may be greater than the first fluid flow. The tube can have first and second tube members with different internal diameters, and the valve can use a ball movable between positions in the tube members.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: JOHNSON SCREENS, INC.Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Richard C. Maxson
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Patent number: 8075700Abstract: A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Dean Brabec, Tom Steinke, Steve Uban
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Publication number: 20110290743Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Jay R. Osborne, Michael Ekholm, Dan Ganfield
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Patent number: 8028691Abstract: Passive solar wire screens mount vertically on an edifice. The screens have rods vertically arranged parallel to one another and have wires horizontally arranged parallel to one another. The wires attach to the rods and have first surfaces facing away from the edifice in an upward direction from vertical. The wires also have second surfaces facing toward the edifice in a downward direction from vertical. When the sun has a summer elevation on the horizon, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the wire screens. When the sun has a winter elevation on the horizon, however, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces, which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice. A concave surface on the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Johnson Screens, Inc.Inventors: Richard C. Maxson, Michael Ekholm
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Patent number: 7950527Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Jay R. Osborne, Michael Ekholm, Dan Ganfield
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Publication number: 20110056526Abstract: A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Dean Brabec, Tom Steinke, Steve Uban
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Patent number: 7867395Abstract: A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly is disclosed. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Dean Brabec, Tom Steinke, Steve Uban
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Publication number: 20100101565Abstract: Passive solar wire screens mount vertically on an edifice. The screens have rods vertically arranged parallel to one another and have wires horizontally arranged parallel to one another. The wires attach to the rods and have first surfaces facing away from the edifice in an upward direction from vertical. The wires also have second surfaces facing toward the edifice in a downward direction from vertical. When the sun has a summer elevation on the horizon, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto away from the wire screens. When the sun has a winter elevation on the horizon, however, the first surfaces passively reflect solar energy incident thereto toward the second surfaces, which in turn passively reflect the solar energy toward the edifice. A concave surface on the wires can also reflect thermal energy back to the edifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: JOHNSON SCREENS, INC.Inventors: Richard C. Maxson, Michael Ekholm
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Patent number: 7516850Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the reflectivity of a screen when light is supplied to a portion of the screen is disclosed. The orientation and shape of wires disposed on at least one bar of the screen is controlled to alter the reflectivity of the screen. Also provided is a method and apparatus for supporting a screen on a surface such as a wall, including placing slots within the screen for mating with connecting members mounted on a support frame connected to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Sabin Bajracharya, Steve R. Boettner, Charles H. Flansburg, Gerald Allan Berry
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Publication number: 20080011651Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the reflectivity of a screen when light is supplied to a portion of the screen is disclosed. The orientation and shape of wires disposed on at least one bar of the screen is controlled to alter the reflectivity of the screen. Also provided is a method and apparatus for supporting a screen on a surface such as a wall, including placing slots within the screen for mating with connecting members mounted on a support frame connected to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2007Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: MICHAEL EKHOLM, Sabin Bajracharya, Steve Boettner, Charles Flansburg, Gerald Berry
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Patent number: 7303078Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the reflectivity of a screen when light is supplied to a portion of the screen is disclosed. The orientation and shape of wires disposed on at least one bar of the screen is controlled to alter the reflectivity of the screen. Also provided is a method and apparatus for supporting a screen on a surface such as a wall, including placing slots within the screen for mating with connecting members mounted on a support frame connected to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Sabin Bajracharya, Steve R. Boettner, Charles H. Flansburg, Gerald Allan Berry
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Publication number: 20070175834Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a screen. The apparatus comprising a cylindrical screen for submerging in a fluid, the screen having an inlet pipe for connecting to a piping system, filter members, a first end, a second and a support structure. The support structure is one or more helical members which traverse the screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Jay Osborne, Michael Ekholm, Dan Ganfield
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Publication number: 20070017549Abstract: A method and apparatus for a backwash system for cleaning an underwater intake filter assembly is disclosed. The backwash system includes an underwater tank coupled on one end to a source of compressed fluid and on the other end to the intake screen assembly. The backwash system includes a U-shaped release conduit that is adapted to release a predetermined quantity of fluid to the intake screen in order to clean the filter assembly of waterborne debris.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2005Publication date: January 25, 2007Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Dean Brabec, Tom Steinke, Steven Uban
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Patent number: 6919020Abstract: A distributor/collector system includes a distributor provided with an upper header having upper laterals carrying fluid away from the upper header and a collector provided with a lower header having lower laterals carrying fluid toward the lower header. Flow enters the distributor on one side of the vessel and exits the collector on an approximately opposite side of the vessel. The distance traveled by each fluid particle through the system is substantially the same.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventor: Michael Ekholm
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Publication number: 20040238413Abstract: A method and apparatus for altering the reflectivity of a screen when light is supplied to a portion of the screen is disclosed. The orientation and shape of wires disposed on at least one bar of the screen is controlled to alter the reflectivity of the screen. Also provided is a method and apparatus for supporting a screen on a surface such as a wall, including placing slots within the screen for mating with connecting members mounted on a support frame connected to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Michael Ekholm, Sabin Bajracharya, Steve R. Boettner, Charles H. Flansburg, Gerald Allan Berry
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Publication number: 20030024885Abstract: A distributor/collector system includes a distributor comprising an upper header having upper laterals carrying fluid away from the upper header and a collector comprising a lower header having lower laterals carrying fluid toward the lower header. Flow enters the distributor on one side of the vessel and exits the collector on an approximately opposite side of the vessel. The distance traveled by each fluid particle through the system is substantially the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventor: Michael Ekholm