Patents by Inventor Michael T. Mullins

Michael T. Mullins 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: 8021289
    Abstract: A clean-in-place decanter centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry, particularly for dairy products, and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including the opposed mating surfaces which function as non-contacting seal mechanisms. The centrifuge has no metal-to-metal contact areas within the interior of the bowl and scroll assembly. In one embodiment, the outer wall of the bowl and scroll assembly comprises a plurality of drain lines located in the rear wall section of the bowl to allow essentially all liquid to drain from the bowl and scroll assembly. In another embodiment, the bowl hub comprises at least one drain line to allow lubrication oil to drain into said cavity and prevent ingress of lubrication oil into said bowl and scroll assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: TEMA Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Vastola, Pawel K. Krawczyk, Michael T. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20100216623
    Abstract: A clean-in-place decanter centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry, particularly for dairy products, and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including the opposed mating surfaces which function as non-contacting seal mechanisms. The centrifuge has no metal-to-metal contact areas within the interior of the bowl and scroll assembly. In one embodiment, the outer wall of the bowl and scroll assembly comprises a plurality of drain lines located in the rear wall section of the bowl to allow essentially all liquid to drain from the bowl and scroll assembly. In another embodiment, the bowl hub comprises at least one drain line to allow lubrication oil to drain into said cavity and prevent ingress of lubrication oil into said bowl and scroll assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. VASTOLA, Pawel K. Krawczyk, Michael T. Mullins
  • Patent number: 6736968
    Abstract: A horizontal centrifuge has a basket rotatably mounted within a housing. The basket has a plurality of rings disposed between open and closed ends of the basket and a plurality of guide rails circumferentially spaced with respect to the rings. The guide rails have respective lengths extending between the open and the closed ends of the basket and provide a plurality of respective bearing surfaces. A tubular screen is supported in the basket by the plurality of bearing surfaces of the guide rails. A scroll with helical screw flights is also rotatably mounted within the basket. In various aspects of the invention, the tubular screen is made from six arcuate screen segments; the bearing surfaces of the guide rods and the peripheral edges of the helical screw flights are machined surfaces; and the scroll is fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Tema Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Mullins, James R. Rodebush
  • Publication number: 20030234214
    Abstract: A horizontal centrifuge has a basket rotatably mounted within a housing. The basket has a plurality of rings disposed between open and closed ends of the basket and a plurality of guide rails circumferentially spaced with respect to the rings. The guide rails have respective lengths extending between the open and the closed ends of the basket and provide a plurality of respective bearing surfaces. A tubular screen is supported in the basket by the plurality of bearing surfaces of the guide rails. A scroll with helical screw flights is also rotatably mounted within the basket. In various aspects of the invention, the tubular screen is made from six arcuate screen segments; the bearing surfaces of the guide rods and the peripheral edges of the helical screw flights are machined surfaces; and the scroll is fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T. Mullins, James R. Rodebush
  • Patent number: 5397471
    Abstract: A self-cleaning scroll and screen centrifuge for processing a combined liquid and solid material to separate the solid material from the liquid. The centrifuge is designed for use in the food processing industry and therefore has fluid injectors for cleaning all surfaces within the centrifuge including opposed mating surfaces which function as noncontacting seal mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Tema Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Rodebush, Michael T. Mullins, Michael L. Vastola