Patents by Inventor Michael Patrick DeFrank

Michael Patrick DeFrank 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: 11950545
    Abstract: System for precision irrigation is disclosed, the system comprises a main line. A plurality of sub main lines, wherein the plurality of sub main lines are configured to receive fluid from the main line. Further the system comprises a plurality of emitters lines emerging from at least one of the plurality of the sub main lines; wherein each emitter lines from the plurality lines has a length of at least 150 ft. A plurality of valves, wherein each valve is configured to connect at least one emitter line, from the plurality of emitter lines, with the at least one sub main line, from the plurality of sub main lines. The system further comprises a drone configured to communicably connect with the plurality of valves, wherein the drone is configured to receive a set of pre-defined instructions from a remote server and control the plurality of valves based on the instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: JAIN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain
  • Patent number: 11778963
    Abstract: Disclosed is an emitter comprising a plurality of holes 106, running along a first edge 102 and a second edge 104 of the emitter. The emitter 100 may further comprise of an echelon shaped teeth portion 114. The echelon shaped teeth portion may run parallel to the first edge 102 and the second edge 104. Further the echelon shaped teeth portion 114 at least partially extends between the first side 110 and the second side 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain
  • Patent number: 11653603
    Abstract: The emitter attachable to a fluid conduit comprises a fluid inlet portion capable of taking in fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid from the inlet portion moves to the pressure compensating or reducing portion which comprises a set of teeth which are arranged in a way so as to impede the flow of liquid thereby reducing the pressure. Downstream the pressure compensating portion is the output portion which communicates with an aperture in the fluid conduit to enable distributing the fluid to the environment. The base of the emitter is flexible allowing movement of the base by virtue of the pressure gradient. When the pressure of the fluid is reduced in the pressure compensating portion, a pressure gradient is created across the base and this result in the fluid in the fluid conduit moving the base towards the fluid conduit thereby reducing the volume of the cavity of the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Ajit Bhavarlal Jain, Michael Patrick DeFrank
  • Patent number: 11632917
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drip irrigation hose with an emitter, devoid of fluid storage, the emitter comprising, a plurality of holes, running along a first edge and a second edge of the emitter, wherein the plurality of holes enable filtration. An inlet support positioned at a first side of the emitter, wherein the inlet support has an inverted funnel shape, with a separating structure extending from at least one corner of the inverted funnel. A first inlet positioned parallel to the plurality of holes and located along the first edge. A second inlet positioned parallel to the plurality of holes and located along the second edge. Further an outlet support positioned at a second side of the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: JAIN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain, Aric Olson, Mark Wynn
  • Patent number: 10753337
    Abstract: A motion control apparatus and method are disclosed. The motion control apparatus comprises a movable mechanism coupled to an external energy source, the energy source providing kinetic energy to the mechanism. An energy conversion module is mechanically coupled to the mechanism for converting kinetic into electrical energy. An electronic circuit is coupled to the energy conversion module and a storage module and a mechanism controller is coupled to the electronic circuit. A sensor module is coupled to both the electronic circuit and the movable mechanism to sense the movement of the movable mechanism to determine speed of the movable mechanism and transmit speed information to the electronic circuit. The method comprises applying energy to a movable mechanism, converting kinetic to electrical energy, storing the electrical energy converted, controlling the motion of the mechanism and sensing the movement of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Jack Goldberg, Randy L. Houk, Jonathan R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20200029517
    Abstract: System for precision irrigation is disclosed, the system comprises a main line. A plurality of sub main lines, wherein the plurality of sub main lines are configured to receive fluid from the main line. Further the system comprises a plurality of emitters lines emerging from at least one of the plurality of the sub main lines; wherein each emitter lines from the plurality lines has a length of at least 150 ft. A plurality of valves, wherein each valve is configured to connect at least one emitter line, from the plurality of emitter lines, with the at least one sub main line, from the plurality of sub main lines. The system further comprises a drone configured to communicably connect with the plurality of valves, wherein the drone is configured to receive a set of pre-defined instructions from a remote server and control the plurality of valves based on the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael Patrick DEFRANK, Ajit Bhavarlal JAIN
  • Patent number: 10107707
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a blowout in an irrigation pipe being formed by an extrusion manufacturing process. The irrigation pipe is extruded. Further a positive air pressure inside the irrigation pipe may be created by circulating air through the irrigation pipe during the extrusion manufacturing process. The irrigation pipe with positive air pressure is then fed into a tank, wherein the tank comprises a coolant liquid. Further at least one air bubble is trapped at a surface of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Jain Irrigation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain
  • Publication number: 20160295815
    Abstract: Disclosed is an emitter comprising a plurality of holes 106, running along a first edge 102 and a second edge 104 of the emitter. The emitter 100 may further comprise of an echelon shaped teeth portion 114. The echelon shaped teeth portion may run parallel to the first edge 102 and the second edge 104. Further the echelon shaped teeth portion 114 at least partially extends between the first side 110 and the second side 112.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain
  • Publication number: 20160273993
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a blowout in an irrigation pipe. The irrigation pipe is extruded. Further a positive air pressure may be created by circulating air through the irrigation pipe. The irrigation pipe with positive air pressure is then fed into a tank, wherein the tank comprises a coolant liquid. Further at least one air bubble is trapped at a surface of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain
  • Publication number: 20160262319
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drip irrigation hose with an emitter, devoid of fluid storage, the emitter comprising, a plurality of holes, running along a first edge and a second edge of the emitter, wherein the plurality of holes enable filtration. An inlet support positioned at a first side of the emitter, wherein the inlet support has an inverted funnel shape, with a separating structure extending from at least one corner of the inverted funnel. A first inlet positioned parallel to the plurality of holes and located along the first edge. A second inlet positioned parallel to the plurality of holes and located along the second edge. Further an outlet support positioned at a second side of the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Defrank, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain, Aric Olson, Mark Wynn
  • Publication number: 20150296723
    Abstract: The emitter attachable to a fluid conduit comprises a fluid inlet portion capable of taking in fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid from the inlet portion moves to the pressure compensating or reducing portion which comprises a set of teeth which are arranged in a way so as to impede the flow of liquid thereby reducing the pressure. Downstream the pressure compensating portion is the output portion which communicates with an aperture in the fluid conduit to enable distributing the fluid to the environment. The base of the emitter is flexible allowing movement of the base by virtue of the pressure gradient. When the pressure of the fluid is reduced in the pressure compensating portion, a pressure gradient is created across the base and this result in the fluid in the fluid conduit moving the base towards the fluid conduit thereby reducing the volume of the cavity of the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: JAIN IRRIGATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ajit Bhavarlal Jain, Michael Patrick DeFrank
  • Publication number: 20150226177
    Abstract: A motion control apparatus and method is disclosed. The motion control apparatus comprises a movable mechanism coupled to an external energy source, the energy source providing kinetic energy to the mechanism. An energy conversion module is mechanically coupled to the mechanism for converting kinetic into electrical energy. An electronic circuit is coupled to the energy conversion module and a storage module and a mechanism controller is coupled to the electronic circuit. A sensor module is coupled to both the electronic circuit and the movable mechanism to sense the movement of the movable mechanism to determine speed of the movable mechanism and transmit speed information to the electronic circuit. The method comprises applying energy to a movable mechanism, converting kinetic to electrical energy, storing the electrical energy converted, controlling the motion of the mechanism and sensing the movement of the mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Patrick DeFrank, Jack Goldberg, Randy L. Houk, Jonathan R. Hall
  • Publication number: 20140312134
    Abstract: The present system comprises, a MFC controller, emitter-lines that utilize non-drain technology on the emission devices and control valves for individual drip lines or groups of drip lines within an irrigation zone, along with a means to actuate the control valves by the controller. The MCF system utilizes a number of valves in an irrigation system to control either individual emitter-lines or groups of emitter-lines but does not control individual emitters. The present system has a programmable controller that has a number of stations, each of which controls a group of valves. Each station can be programmed for start time and duration that the station is actuated. Each station can be programmed independently from all the others allowing overlap or complimentary irrigation. The total input flow rate to the system remains nearly constant during a daily irrigation while the valve groups are cycling within the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Patrick DeFrank, Stanley Edward Hawkins, Ajit Bhavarlal Jain