Patents by Inventor Michael T. James

Michael T. James 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: 11000174
    Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one spray zone in which a liquid is recirculated from a tank to a spray tube assembly having a plurality of spray nozzles. The spray tube assembly includes a plurality of spray tubes, each including an input end and a distal end connected to a tube support, which has a fixed part and a cover movable between a closed and open positions. Each distal end has an opening that is covered in the closed position and uncovered, perhaps fully, in the open position. The tube support may include at least one latching assembly for holding the cover in the closed position. The cover and the access door may be cooperatively configured such that, when the cover is in the open position, the cover prevents the access door from moving to the closed operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Mary E. Paulus, Michael T. James, Shawn D. Waterman, Cody Topp, Robert Petrick, Vincenzo Violi, Philip Stone
  • Patent number: 10506908
    Abstract: A batch-type warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares to be cleaned, the chamber having a chamber access opening and a single spray zone, with at least one spray system for spraying liquid onto wares in the single spray zone. A door is movable between a closed position covering the chamber access opening and an open position away from the chamber access opening to allow wares to be moved in and out of the chamber. A curtain structure is mounted on the machine, the curtain structure located behind the door when the door is in the closed position. The curtain structure remains in position and at least partially covers the chamber access opening when the door is in the open position so as to retain hot moist air within the chamber when the door is moved to the open position upon completion of a ware cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Mary E. Paulus, Michael T. James, Zachary Siefker, Prasanna Venkatesh Murlidharan, Bandr Mohsin Alsubaie, Zaid Azmathullah Shaikh, Daryl Michael Osterloh, Adam Puccetti, Tarik Said Mohammed Alkharusi
  • Publication number: 20190298144
    Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one spray zone in which a liquid is recirculated from a tank to a spray tube assembly having a plurality of spray nozzles. The spray tube assembly includes a plurality of spray tubes, each including an input end and a distal end connected to a tube support, which has a fixed part and a cover movable between a closed and open positions. Each distal end has an opening that is covered in the closed position and uncovered, perhaps fully, in the open position. The tube support may include at least one latching assembly for holding the cover in the closed position. The cover and the access door may be cooperatively configured such that, when the cover is in the open position, the cover prevents the access door from moving to the closed operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Mary E. Paulus, Michael T. James, Shawn D. Waterman, Cody Topp, Robert Petrick, Vincenzo Violi, Philip Stone
  • Publication number: 20180020899
    Abstract: A batch-type warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares to be cleaned, the chamber having a chamber access opening and a single spray zone, with at least one spray system for spraying liquid onto wares in the single spray zone. A door is movable between a closed position covering the chamber access opening and an open position away from the chamber access opening to allow wares to be moved in and out of the chamber. A curtain structure is mounted on the machine, the curtain structure located behind the door when the door is in the closed position. The curtain structure remains in position and at least partially covers the chamber access opening when the door is in the open position so as to retain hot moist air within the chamber when the door is moved to the open position upon completion of a ware cleaning cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Mary E. Paulus, Michael T. James, Zachary Siefker, Prasanna Venkatesh Murlidharan, Bandr Mohsin Alsubaie, Zaid Azmathullah Shaikh, Daryl Michael Osterloh, Adam Puccetti, Tarik Said Mohammed Alkharusi
  • Patent number: 9200929
    Abstract: A probe head is disclosed that is detachable from a probe body containing electronics. The probe head includes a housing enclosing a sensor and at least part of an electrical connector electrically coupled to the sensor. The housing has a coupling member positioned to detachably connect the housing to the probe body, and when the probe head and probe body are coupled, the electrical connector electrically couples the sensor to the electronics within the probe body. The probe head may be disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: YSI INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Palassis, Michael T. James
  • Patent number: 9115809
    Abstract: A pin joint assembly including a pin defining a longitudinal axis and having an end portion, a bushing coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis and having an end portion, and a collar engaging the end portion of the pin and having an inner portion in proximal relation to the end portion of the bushing and an outer portion in distal relation to the end portion of the bushing. The end portion of the bushing, the inner portion of the collar, and the pin cooperate to define a channel. The pin joint assembly further includes a thrust ring coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis and residing in the channel in spaced-apart relation to the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hasselbusch, Michael T. James, Jennifer A. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20140130621
    Abstract: A probe head is disclosed that is detachable from a probe body containing electronics. The probe head includes a housing enclosing a sensor and at least part of an electrical connector electrically coupled to the sensor. The housing has a coupling member positioned to detachably connect the housing to the probe body, and when the probe head and probe body are coupled, the electrical connector electrically couples the sensor to the electronics within the probe body. The probe head may be disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: YSI INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Palassis, Michael T. James
  • Patent number: 8664938
    Abstract: A probe head is disclosed that is detachable from a probe body containing electronics. The probe head including a housing enclosing a sensor and at least part of an electrical connector electrically coupled to the sensor. The housing has a coupling member positioned to detachably connect the housing to the probe body, and when the probe head and probe body are coupled, the electrical connector electrically couples the sensor to the electronics in the probe body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: YSI Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher J. Palassis, Michael T. James
  • Patent number: 8490270
    Abstract: A pin joint includes a pin having a longitudinal axis. A bushing for use with a lateral pin retention system may be positioned around the pin. The bushing includes an arc groove disposed radially about an outer surface of the bushing. A retaining plug for use with the lateral pin retention system includes an engagement head shaped to engage the arc groove and may be attachable to a linkage of a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Oertley, Michael T. James
  • Patent number: 8333528
    Abstract: A pin joint includes a pin having a longitudinal axis. A bushing for use with a lateral pin retention system may be positioned around the pin. The bushing includes an arc groove disposed radially about an outer surface of the bushing. A retaining plug for use with the lateral pin retention system includes an engagement head shaped to engage the arc groove and may be attachable to a linkage of a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Oertley, Michael T. James
  • Publication number: 20110273165
    Abstract: A probe head is disclosed that is detachable from a probe body containing electronics. The probe head including a housing enclosing a sensor and at least part of an electrical connector electrically coupled to the sensor. The housing has a coupling member positioned to detachably connect the housing to the probe body, and when the probe head and probe body are coupled, the electrical connector electrically couples the sensor to the electronics in the probe body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: YSI INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Palassis, Michael T. James
  • Publication number: 20110044752
    Abstract: A pin joint includes a pin having a longitudinal axis. A bushing for use with a lateral pin retention system may be positioned around the pin. The bushing includes an arc groove disposed radially about an outer surface of the bushing. A retaining plug for use with the lateral pin retention system includes an engagement head shaped to engage the arc groove and may be attachable to a linkage of a machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Oertley, Michael T. James
  • Publication number: 20100321046
    Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed that comprises a forked electrode support that includes a first opposing arm and a second opposing arm spaced apart by a slot. Both the first arm and the second arm include a plurality of electrodes embedded in each arm. The first and second arms and the slot are capable of retaining a volume of fluid within the volume defined by the arms and the slot such that the conductivity of the fluid in the slot can be determined. The conductivity sensor is wipeable by a reciprocating wiper assembly positioned adjacent the forked electrode support such that the wiper element can travel through the slot and remove contaminants from the slot and the plurality of electrodes in each of the first and second arms. Also disclosed are methods of making the conductivity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: YSI Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert C. Randall, Christopher J. Palassis, Michael T. James, Edward E. King, Ben E. Barnett
  • Publication number: 20100209180
    Abstract: A pin joint assembly including a pin defining a longitudinal axis and having an end portion, a bushing coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis and having an end portion, and a collar engaging the end portion of the pin and having an inner portion in proximal relation to the end portion of the bushing and an outer portion in distal relation to the end portion of the bushing. The end portion of the bushing, the inner portion of the collar, and the pin cooperate to define a channel. The pin joint assembly further includes a thrust ring coaxial with the pin about the longitudinal axis and residing in the channel in spaced-apart relation to the bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hasselbusch, Michael T. James, Jennifer A. Brooks