Patents by Inventor Michael J. Duer

Michael J. Duer 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).

  • Publication number: 20230149864
    Abstract: A trihalomethane (THM) and volatile organic compound (VOC) removal system includes: a storage vessel; a fluid inlet on the storage vessel where fluid enters said storage vessel; a fluid outlet on the storage vessel where fluid exits said storage vessel; and a fluid fitting on said storage vessel. Fluid leaves the storage vessel via an inlet conduit attached to the fluid fitting and flows through a pump and passes through a venturi aspirator, and returns to the storage vessel through an outlet conduit attached to the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Duer
  • Patent number: 10550954
    Abstract: A check valve includes a tubular sleeve bounding a longitudinally-extending flow-through passage for fluids, a disc having a first material affixed along a first portion of its periphery to a flexible hinge member, and a bill affixed at a first end to one or more of the sleeve, the flexible hinge member, and the disc. The check valve also includes one or more of the following of (i), (ii), and (iii): (i) at least one groove, rib, insert, or combination thereof that extends longitudinally along a length of the disc, the bill, or both the disc and the bill; (ii) at least one groove, notch, rib, insert, or combination thereof that extends laterally along a width of the bill; and (iii) at least one ripple that extends longitudinally along a length of the bill and, optionally, longitudinally along a length of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Red Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Duer, Chris Raftis, Andre Thomas Abromaitis
  • Patent number: 10538438
    Abstract: A dechlorinating device includes a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet, and the dechlorinating device is configured to receive a fluid. The dechlorinating device also includes a dechlorinating conduit disposed within the mixing chamber and a recirculation zone disposed within the mixing chamber and positioned between the dechlorinating conduit and the outlet. A dechlorinating system includes a storage tank, an overflow pipe in fluid communication with the storage tank, and the dechlorinating device in fluid communication with the overflow pipe. A method of dechlorinating includes providing the dechlorinating device and feeding the fluid to the inlet of the dechlorinating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Red Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Duer, Paul E. Handke
  • Patent number: 10316977
    Abstract: A check valve nozzle having at least two discharge ports and providing improved mixing between the discharged fluid and the receiving fluid. The check valve nozzle may be of a “duckbill” type or a “pancake” type. The “duckbill” type may have discharge ports that vary in size, orientation with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the check valve nozzle, and/or construction materials. The “pancake” type may discharge the fluid from the check valve nozzle in a perpendicular, forward, or rearward direction. The check valve nozzle assembly contains a number of check valve nozzles that can vary in size, orientation with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the end cap of the assembly, and/or construction materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Red Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Chris Raftis, Michael J. Duer
  • Publication number: 20180023724
    Abstract: A check valve includes a tubular sleeve bounding a longitudinally-extending flow-through passage for fluids, a disc having a first material affixed along a first portion of its periphery to a flexible hinge member, and a bill affixed at a first end to one or more of the sleeve, the flexible hinge member, and the disc. The check valve also includes one or more of the following of (i), (ii), and (iii): (i) at least one groove, rib, insert, or combination thereof that extends longitudinally along a length of the disc, the bill, or both the disc and the bill; (ii) at least one groove, notch, rib, insert, or combination thereof that extends laterally along a width of the bill; and (iii) at least one ripple that extends longitudinally along a length of the bill and, optionally, longitudinally along a length of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. Duer, Chris Raftis, Andre Thomas Abromaitis
  • Publication number: 20170001892
    Abstract: A dechlorinating device includes a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet, and the dechlorinating device is configured to receive a fluid. The dechlorinating device also includes a dechlorinating conduit disposed within the mixing chamber and a recirculation zone disposed within the mixing chamber and positioned between the dechlorinating conduit and the outlet. A dechlorinating system includes a storage tank, an overflow pipe in fluid communication with the storage tank, and the dechlorinating device in fluid communication with the overflow pipe. A method of dechlorinating includes providing the dechlorinating device and feeding the fluid to the inlet of the dechlorinating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. Duer, Paul E. Handke
  • Publication number: 20120247595
    Abstract: A check valve nozzle having at least two discharge ports and providing improved mixing between the discharged fluid and the receiving fluid. The check valve nozzle may be of a “duckbill” type or a “pancake” type. The “duckbill” type may have discharge ports that vary in size, orientation with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the check valve nozzle, and/or construction materials. The “pancake” type may discharge the fluid from the check valve nozzle in a perpendicular, forward, or rearward direction. The check valve nozzle assembly contains a number of check valve nozzles that can vary in size, orientation with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the end cap of the assembly, and/or construction materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: RED VALVE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Chris Raftis, Michael J. Duer
  • Patent number: 7104279
    Abstract: An apparatus (16) for preventing stagnation in a fluid reservoir (2) comprised of: an inlet/outlet conduit (6); a manifold (8), which communicates the inlet/outlet conduit (6) to inlet check valves (10) and outlet check valves (12); the inlet check valves (10) being positioned on the manifold (8) and being oriented such that a fluid (14) will flow from the manifold (8) through the inlet check valves (10) to the reservoir (2) during reservoir filling and fluid flow is prevented through the inlet check valves (10) during reservoir draining; and the outlet check valves (12) being positioned on the manifold (8) and spaced from the inlet check valves (10) to provide fluid flow within the reservoir (2) in the general direction from the inlet check valves (10) to the outlet check valves (12), the outlet check valves (12) being oriented such that fluid flows from the reservoir (2) through the outlet check valves (12) into the manifold (8) during reservoir draining and fluid flow through the outlet check valves (12) i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Red Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Michael J. Duer
  • Publication number: 20030205277
    Abstract: An apparatus (16) for preventing stagnation in a fluid reservoir (2) comprised of: an inlet/outlet conduit (6); a manifold (8), which communicates the inlet/outlet conduit (6) to inlet check valves (10) and outlet check valves (12); the inlet check valves (10) being positioned on the manifold (8) and being oriented such that a fluid (14) will flow from the manifold (8) through the inlet check valves (10) to the reservoir (2) during reservoir filling and fluid flow is prevented through the inlet check valves (10) during reservoir draining; and the outlet check valves (12) being positioned on the manifold (8) and spaced from the inlet check valves (10) to provide fluid flow within the reservoir (2) in the general direction from the inlet check valves (10) to the outlet check valves (12), the outlet check valves (12) being oriented such that fluid flows from the reservoir (2) through the outlet check valves (12) into the manifold (8) during reservoir draining and fluid flow through the outlet check valves (12) i
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Spiros G Raftis, Michael J Duer
  • Patent number: 6585005
    Abstract: A support mechanism for a tide gate valve having an internal cavity, wherein the support mechanism includes a support body receivable in the tide gate valve cavity to help prevent the tide gate valve from collapsing in on itself when subjected to backflow pressure. The support mechanism is positioned adjacent to a pipe end and can take the shape of a ring having legs or flanges, a cage, a partial or more than partial cone, or other suitable shape. Moreover, arms can extend from the ring to provide further support and orifices can be added to the support mechanism to increase or decrease flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Red Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Michael J. Duer
  • Patent number: 6367505
    Abstract: A check valve having an upstream inlet part mountable on a discharge end of a conduit, a downstream outlet part adapted to prevent backflow of fluid through the check valve, and a transition part located between the upstream inlet part and the downstream outlet part. A longitudinal dimension of the downstream outlet part extending in a direction transverse to a direction of flow is at least approximately 1.57 times the diameter of the upstream inlet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Red Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Andre T. Abromaitis, Michael J. Duer
  • Patent number: 6016839
    Abstract: An air diffuser system contains a manifold and a plurality of elastomeric "duckbilled" check valves. The manifold is constructed from a conduit material and can be arranged in many different configurations. The valves are made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, preventing the valves from being clogged with sludge, sediment, or other debris commonly found in waste treatment water. Additionally, the valves can be bored with predetermined orifice sizes, allowing the volume and pressure of escaping air to be determined prior to installation. To make installation of the valves easier, various types of coupling devices may be used to attach the valves to the manifold. Examples of coupling devices include restrictive orifices, "Y"-shaped conduits, and nipple conduits. Multiple valves can also be fabricated on a common cuff prior to installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Red Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Michael J. Duer, Chris Mitchell, A. Thomas Abromaitis
  • Patent number: 5931197
    Abstract: An asymmetrical check valve has an inlet end, a transition part and an outlet end, with a pair of vertical lips facing one another. The lips may be flat or they may be curvilinear. The check valve is asymmetric about a horizontal longitudinal plane through the check valve. The bottoms of the transition part and outlet end may be aligned, with a major portion of the lips extending above the horizontal plane. It is thus possible to install conventional or wide bill check valves in installations with little or no clearance between the outlet end and ground level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Red Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Spiros G. Raftis, Michael J. Duer, A. Thomas Abromaitis