Patents by Inventor Michael L. Ford

Michael L. Ford 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: 6389843
    Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Neil J. McAllister, Cary Haramoto, William M. Mosher, Michael L. Ford, Tom C. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20010032478
    Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Neil J. McAllister, Cary Haramoto, William M. Mosher, Michael L. Ford, Tom C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6106596
    Abstract: A receiver/dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, an integral lower end, and an open upper end. A pick-up tube is disposed centrally within the canister. The lower end of the pick-up tube has a wedged-shape and is supported by the lower end of the canister. The upper end of the pick-up tube has an annular groove that carries an O-ring seal. A lower baffle and lower filter pad are received over the pick-up tube with the lower baffle having a tight slip-fit therewith. Loose desiccant is supported by the lower baffle and filter pad. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the pick-up tube, with the upper baffle having a slip-fit therewith. An upper end cap is secured to the open end of the canister, with the pick-up tube being received within an outlet passage in the upper end cap, and the O-ring seal providing a fluid-tight seal between the pick-up tube and the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Haramoto, Michael L. Ford, Tom C. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5910165
    Abstract: A receiver/dryer (10) includes a canister (12) with a cylindrical sidewall (13), an integral lower end (14), and an open upper end (16). A pick-up tube (18) is disposed centrally within the canister. According to one aspect, the lower end (19) of the pick-up tube has a wedged-shape and which is supported by the lower end of the canister. The upper end (20) of the pick-up tube has an annular groove (21) which carries an O-ring seal (22). A lower baffle (23) and lower filter pad (40) are received over the pick-up tube with the lower baffle having a tight slip-fit therewith; loose desiccant (24) is introduced into the canister and supported by the lower baffle and filter pad; and then an upper filter pad (50) and upper baffle (44) are received over the pick-up tube, with the upper baffle having a slip-fit therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Haramoto, Michael L. Ford, Tom C. Wilson