Patents by Inventor Michael W. Hirst

Michael W. Hirst 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: 10782192
    Abstract: A calibration device includes a tank, a propeller disposed within the tank, a motor coupled to the propeller, a processor coupled to the motor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the motor to rotate at a specified speed based on input an indication of an actual speed of the motor. The memory may store instructions that cause the device to dynamically change the speed of the motor based on the viscosity of a fluid in the tank, which changes as the temperature of the fluid changes. In addition, the memory may store instructions that cause the device to determine whether the fluid in the tank is deteriorated, and to provide an operator alert in response to determining that the fluid is deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Eric Nerdrum
  • Patent number: 10724905
    Abstract: A device includes a tank, a motor, and a fluid propulsion device, for example, a propeller that is coupled to the motor. The tank includes a bottom wall and side walls. A first surface of a first side wall forms an obtuse angle with a surface of the bottom wall. The fluid propulsion device is disposed inside the tank opposite the first surface of the first side wall. A first surface of a second side wall forms an obtuse angle with the surface of the bottom wall. Rounded corners may be disposed within the tank where pairs of adjacent side walls meet the bottom wall. Rounded surfaces may be formed where the side walls meet the bottom wall. The structure of the tank enables the propeller to rapidly disperse a fluid throughout the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Farley, Michael W. Hirst
  • Patent number: 10656031
    Abstract: A device includes a chamber having an interior surface formed from a material that reflects infrared energy. A tank is disposed within the chamber. A bottom wall of the tank is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the chamber, and side walls of the tank are spaced apart from side walls of the chamber. A conduit is formed between the bottom wall of the tank and the bottom wall of the chamber and between the side walls of the tank and the side walls of the chamber. A fan or pump moves air into the conduit past the bottom and side walls of the tank to cool a fluid disposed within the tank. A processor controls a speed at which a motor of the fan or pump rotates based on input received from one or more temperature sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Farley, Michael W. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20180274991
    Abstract: A device includes a chamber having an interior surface formed from a material that reflects infrared energy. A tank is disposed within the chamber. A bottom wall of the tank is spaced apart from a bottom wall of the chamber, and side walls of the tank are spaced apart from side walls of the chamber. A conduit is formed between the bottom wall of the tank and the bottom wall of the chamber and between the side walls of the tank and the side walls of the chamber. A fan or pump moves air into the conduit past the bottom and side walls of the tank to cool a fluid disposed within the tank. A processor controls a speed at which a motor of the fan or pump rotates based on input received from one or more temperature sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Farley, Michael W. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20180274992
    Abstract: A device includes a tank, a motor, and a fluid propulsion device, for example, a propeller that is coupled to the motor. The tank includes a bottom wall and side walls. A first surface of a first side wall forms an obtuse angle with a surface of the bottom wall. The fluid propulsion device is disposed inside the tank opposite the first surface of the first side wall. A first surface of a second side wall forms an obtuse angle with the surface of the bottom wall. Rounded corners may be disposed within the tank where pairs of adjacent side walls meet the bottom wall. Rounded surfaces may be formed where the side walls meet the bottom wall. The structure of the tank enables the propeller to rapidly disperse a fluid throughout the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: David W. Farley, Michael W. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20180274993
    Abstract: A calibration device includes a tank, a propeller disposed within the tank, a motor coupled to the propeller, a processor coupled to the motor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the motor to rotate at a specified speed based on input an indication of an actual speed of the motor. The memory may store instructions that cause the device to dynamically change the speed of the motor based on the viscosity of a fluid in the tank, which changes as the temperature of the fluid changes. In addition, the memory may store instructions that cause the device to determine whether the fluid in the tank is deteriorated, and to provide an operator alert in response to determining that the fluid is deteriorated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Eric Nerdrum
  • Patent number: 8117848
    Abstract: A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Liebmann, David W. Farley, Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Allen E. Sjogren
  • Patent number: 7785000
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drywell includes a heated receiver for receiving a temperature probe. The receiver has upper and lower ends and an inner shield positioned around the receiver to define a first air channel extending between the upper and lower ends. A flow plate is positioned above the upper end of the receiver and extends outwardly from the receiver. The flow plate defines a plate opening positioned over the receiver opening and has a lower surface sloping away from the receiver with distance above the receiver. A blower positioned below the lower end of the receiver induces air flow through the air channel. The lower surface of the flow plate directs the air flow away from the temperature probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle D. James, Scott M. Hampton, Michael W. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20100037626
    Abstract: A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: FRANK E. LIEBMANN, David W. Farley, Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Allen E. Sjogren
  • Patent number: 7607309
    Abstract: A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Liebmann, David W. Farley, Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Allen E. Sjogren
  • Publication number: 20090064603
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drywell includes a heated receiver for receiving a temperature probe. The receiver has upper and lower ends and an inner shield positioned around the receiver to define a first air channel extending between the upper and lower ends. A flow plate is positioned above the upper end of the receiver and extends outwardly from the receiver. The flow plate defines a plate opening positioned over the receiver opening and has a lower surface sloping away from the receiver with distance above the receiver. A blower positioned below the lower end of the receiver induces air flow through the air channel. The lower surface of the flow plate directs the air flow away from the temperature probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: FLUKE Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle D. James, Scott M. Hampton, Michael W. Hirst
  • Publication number: 20070289314
    Abstract: A temperature calibration device uses Peltier cells for heating and cooling. The Peltier cells are connected to a relay that connects the cells to each other in one configuration for heating and a different configuration for cooling. The Peltier cells also receive supply voltages having different magnitudes and polarities for heating and cooling. By changing the manner in which the Peltier cells are connected to each other and using different supply voltages for heating and cooling, the cells are able to operate closer to their specified maximum temperature differential without sacrificing the useful life of the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Frank E. Liebmann, David W. Farley, Richard W. Walker, Michael W. Hirst, Allen E. Sjogren
  • Publication number: 20070291814
    Abstract: Inserts and/or calibrator blocks formed of aluminum-bronze alloys resistant to environmental degradation, temperature calibration devices employing such inserts and calibrator blocks, and methods of using such devices and structures are disclosed. An insert and/or calibrator block for use with a temperature calibration device may be formed of an aluminum-bronze alloy having a composition selected to reduce environmental degradation thereof during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Michael W. Hirst