Patents by Inventor Michael Richard Ekholm
Michael Richard 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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Patent number: 11826678Abstract: A support grid assembly for use in a vessel. The support grid assembly includes panels each including a first wall including a media-supporting screen and a second wall to be supported by the vessel wall inner surface. A manifold is coupled to the panels and is in hydraulic communication with vessel outlet. The manifold and the panels permit fluid to flow through the screen in each panel, through the panels, into the manifold, and through the manifold to the outlet of the vessel, as well as in the reverse direction. At least a portion of the first wall may slope downward toward the manifold, and at least a portion of the second wall may form a bottom surface that is curved to substantially conform to a curvature of the vessel wall inner surface. The panels may be arranged in a circular configuration extending radially from the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Garth Hayes Saul, Robert Glen Norell, Dean Gerald Brabec, Benjamin Schmitt, Dusan Visekruna, Michael Richard Ekholm, Eugene Eberhardt, Edmund M. Wolfe
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Publication number: 20230277960Abstract: A sieve panel and related methods of construction for dewater slurries with shaped-wire elements that have a variable tilt arrangement along the sieve panel. Each of the plurality of shaped-wire elements can be selectively oriented when mounted to a support member to define a desired tilt angle of the shaped-wire element relative to the support members Tilt angle can be selectively varied between an upper end and a lower end of the sieve panel to enhance dewatering characteristics of the sieve panel. The sieve panel can be fabricated such that an upper portion and a lower portion are essentially mirror images of each other such that the sieve panel can be flipped after leading edges of the individual screening elements have suffered wear leading to a degradation in dewatering performance. By flipping the sieve panel, an effective service life of the sieve panel can be essentially doubled.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Charles H. Flansburg, Steven A. Danelius
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Patent number: 11331603Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
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Publication number: 20220105474Abstract: Systems and related methods for purging air burst supply piping of accumulated water prior to delivering pulses of pressurized air to an interior of a screen intake through the air burst supply piping. The systems and methods can include a purge compressor delivering a purging air supply at a head pressure slightly above a head pressure of water in the air burst supply piping, wherein the head pressure of the water is equivalent to a depth at which the intake screen. The system and methods can also include a purge line arranged in a parallel orientation to an air burst supply line, wherein both the purge line and the air burst supply line are operably coupled to a pressurized air tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventor: Michael Richard Ekholm
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Patent number: 11192068Abstract: Systems and related methods for purging air burst supply piping of accumulated water prior to delivering pulses of pressurized air to an interior of a screen intake through the air burst supply piping. The systems and methods can include a purge compressor delivering a purging air supply at a head pressure slightly above a head pressure of water in the air burst supply piping, wherein the head pressure of the water is equivalent to a depth at which the intake screen. The system and methods can also include a purge line arranged in a parallel orientation to an air burst supply line, wherein both the purge line and the air burst supply line are operably coupled to a pressurized air tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventor: Michael Richard Ekholm
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Publication number: 20210354057Abstract: A support grid assembly for use in a vessel. The support grid assembly includes panels each including a first wall including a media-supporting screen and a second wall to be supported by the vessel wall inner surface. A manifold is coupled to the panels and is in hydraulic communication with vessel outlet. The manifold and the panels permit fluid to flow through the screen in each panel, through the panels, into the manifold, and through the manifold to the outlet of the vessel, as well as in the reverse direction. At least a portion of the first wall may slope downward toward the manifold, and at least a portion of the second wall may form a bottom surface that is curved to substantially conform to a curvature of the vessel wall inner surface. The panels may be arranged in a circular configuration extending radially from the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Inventors: Garth Hayes Saul, Robert Glen Norell, Dean Gerald Brabec, Benjamin Schmitt, Dusan Visekruna, Michael Richard Ekholm, Eugene Eberhardt, Edmund M. Wolfe
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Patent number: 11058973Abstract: An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Richard Charles Maxson, Mark Edgar Watson, Fabrice Jean Alphonse Courageot
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Patent number: 10933353Abstract: A support grid assembly for use in a vessel. The support grid assembly includes panels each including a first wall including a media-supporting screen and a second wall to be supported by the vessel wall inner surface. A manifold is coupled to the panels and is in hydraulic communication with vessel outlet. The manifold and the panels permit fluid to flow through the screen in each panel, through the panels, into the manifold, and through the manifold to the outlet of the vessel, as well as in the reverse direction. At least a portion of the first wall may slope downward toward the manifold, and at least a portion of the second wall may form a bottom surface that is curved to substantially conform to a curvature of the vessel wall inner surface. The panels may be arranged in a circular configuration extending radially from the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Garth Hayes Saul, Robert Glen Norell, Dean Gerald Brabec, Benjamin Schmitt, Dusan Visekruna, Michael Richard Ekholm, Eugene Eberhardt, Edmund M. Wolfe
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Publication number: 20210052994Abstract: An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Richard Charles Maxson, Mark Edgar Watson, Fabrice Jean Alphonse Courageot
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Patent number: 10913015Abstract: A screen assembly including at least upper and lower portions each with screen elements having different orientations. The upper portion includes a first plurality of screen elements and the lower portion includes a second plurality of screen elements. The upper and lower portions are coupled together to form a truncated conical arrangement. At least one screen element of the first plurality of screen elements has a different angular orientation relative to a plane that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis than at least one screen element of the second plurality of screen elements has relative to the plane. In some such embodiments, the screen elements of the second plurality of screen elements are each oriented to be in a respective plane that is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. The screen assembly may be configured to separate a liquid component and a solid component from a slurry.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Michael Pierotti, Garth Hayes Saul, Dean Brabec
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Publication number: 20200398226Abstract: Systems and related methods for purging air burst supply piping of accumulated water prior to delivering pulses of pressurized air to an interior of a screen intake through the air burst supply piping. The systems and methods can include a purge compressor delivering a purging air supply at a head pressure slightly above a head pressure of water in the air burst supply piping, wherein the head pressure of the water is equivalent to a depth at which the intake screen. The system and methods can also include a purge line arranged in a parallel orientation to an air burst supply line, wherein both the purge line and the air burst supply line are operably coupled to a pressurized air tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventor: Michael Richard Ekholm
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Publication number: 20200298153Abstract: A screen filter fabrication machine configured to produce a screen filter having a controlled slot width between wires. The screen filter fabrication machine can include a frame, a tooling head configured to rotate relative to the frame and retain a plurality of support rods, a wire feed wheel operably coupled to the frame and configured to dispense wire as it is wound around the plurality of support rods, and a control system configured to monitor one or more parameters concerning the slot width, and implement one or more process control adjustments configured to enable the winding of the wire around the plurality of support rods in such a manner that at least 99.7% of a measured slot width during screen filter fabrication falls within three standard deviations of a mean slot width measured during screen filter fabrication.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventor: Michael Richard Ekholm
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Publication number: 20200122062Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
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Patent number: 10399013Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
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Publication number: 20190218764Abstract: An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Richard Charles Maxson, Mark Edgar Watson, Fabrice Jean Alphonse Courageot
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Patent number: 10151099Abstract: An underdrain assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid having an upper structure connected to a bottom plate. At least one flow control vane is positioned between the upper structure and the bottom plate for directing and managing fluid flow through the assembly. The upper structure can have first and second filtration members, the second filtration member positioned between the first filtration member and the bottom plate. The second filtration member can have a shape that restricts fluid flow within the underdrain. The underdrain can have air and water inlets. The water inlet can have an end with a plate covering an upper portion thereof. The end can also include an opening having an angular cut forming an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the water inlet. Thus arranged, air is prevented from migrating out the water line. A resilient mounting arrangement for the underdrain is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Richard Charles Maxson, Mark Edgar Watson, Fabrice Jean Alphonse Courageot
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Patent number: 9908147Abstract: An adjustable nozzle assembly for a sieve box and a sieve box including same, including a support assembly and nozzles. A pair of elongated support members may be received through openings in support collars. Nozzles may be operatively connected to the collars. The support assembly, which may include collars and rods, are configured to provide at least one of lateral movement and rotational movement of the nozzles. At least one of the first elongated support member and the second elongated support member may be configured to move when coupled to the sieve box to adjust a spray angle of the nozzles. Pivoting of the one rod about the other rod adjusts the angle at which the nozzles are disposed. The rods may be externally threaded, and the collars may be internally threaded, such that when the rods are rotated, the collars translate laterally along the rods to move the nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles H. Flansburg, Michael Richard Ekholm, Steven Douglas Dehn, Dean Brabec, Michael Hans Pierotti
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Patent number: 9827513Abstract: A diffuser basket includes a screen portion and a flow modifier positioned within the screen portion. The flow modifier is configured to change the direction of flow of a fluid introduced into the diffuser basket. The flow modifier can include a plurality of flat plates coupled to the screen portion and positioned at spaced apart intervals along a longitudinal axis of the diffuser basket. The flow modifier can include a plurality of truncated conical plates positioned at spaced apart intervals along a longitudinal axis of the diffuser basket, the plurality of truncated conical plates coupled to the screen portion. The plurality of flat or truncated conical plates each can include an opening. The plurality of flat truncated conical plates each has a cone angle that forms an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. These cone angles can be the same or they can be different.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.Inventors: Michael Richard Ekholm, Benjamin A. Schmitt
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Publication number: 20170106313Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf
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Patent number: 9399858Abstract: An intake screen assembly including an intake member, a screen support member, and a screen member coupled to the screen support member. The screen member may be formed from a material, such as copper-nickel, that is different from a material, such as stainless steel, used to form the intake member and/or the screen support member. The intake screen assembly may include corrosion protection members for preventing contact between the components of the screen assembly that are formed from dissimilar materials. The assembly may be formed by coupling the screen support member to the intake member, and coupling the screen member to the screen support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Bilfinger Water Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard Charles Maxson, Gerald Allan Berry, Garth Hayes Saul, Michael Richard Ekholm, Timothy Charles Wolf