Patents by Inventor William M. McDowell

William M. McDowell 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: 11768092
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, Patrick M. Murphy, William M. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20230287881
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a pump system can include providing a pump, calibrating a pump input with an input device connected to the pump, and calibrating a pump output with an output device connected to the pump. Calibrating the pump input can include selecting a first input signal value, generating a transmitted input signal corresponding to the first input signal value, and setting a nominative pump input value to the first input signal value. Calibrating the pump output can include receiving a received output signal outputted from the pump, and setting a nominative pump output value to the first input signal value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Murphy, Robert E. Gledhill, III, William M. McDowell, Quang Phan, Jonathan Trong Dinh
  • Publication number: 20220276082
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, Patrick M. Murphy, William M. McDowell
  • Patent number: 11402248
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20220034693
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Patent number: 11150118
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, Patrick M. Murphy, William M. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10948320
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20190101936
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Patent number: 9996089
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20180087942
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, Patrick M. Murphy, William M. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20170139430
    Abstract: A flow rate assembly can include a fluid flow interface portion having a front facing wall and a back facing wall. The flow interface portion can include an inlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, an outlet passage within the fluid flow interface portion, at least one inlet aperture extending through the front facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the inlet passage, and at least one outlet aperture extending through the back facing wall of the fluid flow interface portion into the outlet passage. In some cases, the fluid flow interface portion includes a plug forming at least a portion of the inlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Gledhill, III, John T. Nguyen, Patrick Michael Murphy, Keith R. Petros, Jennifer A. Tsuyuki, Taylor L. Gledhill, Jason Alan Woolard, William M. McDowell, Darrell B. Freeman, Raul Vazquez
  • Patent number: 9374024
    Abstract: Transducer assemblies and associated methods are provided for facilitating alignment of ultrasonic transducers with respect to pipes onto which the transducers are installed. The transducer assembly can include a transducer housing having a track on along which the transducers can be slidingly engaged. The transducer assembly can include attachment structures having alignment features used to align the transducers parallel to the axial centerline of the pipe while ensuring that the reception/emission sides of the transducers are oriented normal to the outer surface of the pipe. In some embodiments a transducer assembly alignment system can be used to align two transducer assemblies on circumferentially opposite sides of a pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Nguyen, Jason A. Woolard, William M. McDowell, Robert E. Gledhill, III
  • Publication number: 20140091675
    Abstract: Transducer assemblies and associated methods are provided for facilitating alignment of ultrasonic transducers with respect to pipes onto which the transducers are installed. The transducer assembly can include a transducer housing having a track on along which the transducers can be slidingly engaged. The transducer assembly can include attachment structures having alignment features used to align the transducers parallel to the axial centerline of the pipe while ensuring that the reception/emission sides of the transducers are oriented normal to the outer surface of the pipe. In some embodiments a transducer assembly alignment system can be used to align two transducer assemblies on circumferentially opposite sides of a pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: John T. Nguyen, Jason A. Woolard, William M. McDowell, Robert E. Gledhill, III
  • Patent number: 8639363
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing a plurality of components. The system can comprise a first component having a first operational parameter and a second component having a second operational parameter. The operational parameters of the first and second components can be modified in response to signals regarding the other one of the first and second components. Further, a component of the system can operate with a delay period during which an operational parameter of the component does not change in response to an operational parameter of the other component, but after which the operational parameter of the other component can cause a change in the operational parameter of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, William M. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8418364
    Abstract: A method is provided for extending useful life of tubing of a peristaltic pump. The method can comprise switching inlet and discharge hoses between respective inlet and outlet ends of the tubing of the peristaltic pump, and reversing a direction of rotation of a rotor of the peristaltic pump. In implementations of methods disclosed herein, the useful life of the tubing of a peristaltic pump can be approximately doubled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: William M. McDowell, John Nguyen, Robert E. Gledhill
  • Patent number: 8215931
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided that is configured to facilitate safe maintenance of the pump. The pump can comprise a pump body having a pump head and a head cover and a safety switch mechanism. The safety switch mechanism can comprise one or more sensors that allow the pump to detect whether the head cover is in an open or closed position. When the pump is powered-on, the pump can be configured to enter a maintenance mode when the safety switch detects that the head cover is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: William M. McDowell, John Nguyen, Robert E Gledhill
  • Publication number: 20110153031
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing a plurality of components. The system can comprise a first component having a first operational parameter and a second component having a second operational parameter. The operational parameters of the first and second components can be modified in response to signals regarding the other one of the first and second components. Further, a component of the system can operate with a delay period during which an operational parameter of the component does not change in response to an operational parameter of the other component, but after which the operational parameter of the other component can cause a change in the operational parameter of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Blue-White Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Gledhill, III, John Nguyen, William M. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20100008793
    Abstract: A peristaltic pump is provided that is configured to facilitate safe maintenance of the pump. The pump can comprise a pump body having a pump head and a head cover and a safety switch mechanism. The safety switch mechanism can comprise one or more sensors that allow the pump to detect whether the head cover is in an open or closed position. When the pump is powered-on, the pump can be configured to enter a maintenance mode when the safety switch detects that the head cover is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: BLUE-WHITE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: William M. McDowell, John Nguyen, Robert E. Gledhill
  • Publication number: 20100008755
    Abstract: A method is provided for extending useful life of tubing of a peristaltic pump. The method can comprise switching inlet and discharge hoses between respective inlet and outlet ends of the tubing of the peristaltic pump, and reversing a direction of rotation of a rotor of the peristaltic pump. In implementations of methods disclosed herein, the useful life of the tubing of a peristaltic pump can be approximately doubled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: BLUE-WHITE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: William M. McDowell, John Nguyen, Robert E. Gledhill
  • Patent number: 7284964
    Abstract: A pump leak monitor for use with a peristaltic pump comprises a pump housing and a pair of electrical contacts disposed along a bottom end of the pump housing. The electrical contacts are located such that the contacts are immersed in fluid when the pump is leaking. The fluid conducts electricity across the contacts and thereby closes an electrical circuit for providing an indication that a leak has been detected. By measuring an electrical parameter in the circuit, the pump leak monitor is capable of measuring the conductivity of the fluid in the pump housing. As a result, the pump leak monitor is capable of differentiating between different types of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Blue-White Industries
    Inventors: William M. McDowell, John T. Nguyen