Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Kirk A. Buhler
  • Patent number: 7936097
    Abstract: An electromechanical propulsion system is disclosed. The propulsion system uses magnetic propulsion and magnetic bearings to move a vehicle. The propulsion system is well suited for use on land, air, space, above water and underwater vehicles. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electromagnets that repel each other with strong and weak magnets to move the propulsion motor in linear motion. Multiple side propulsion motors can be incorporated to alter the direction of travel of the electromechanical propulsion system. The propulsion system is manufacturable in a self contained configuration where it is controllable from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: James O Essex
  • Patent number: 7681461
    Abstract: An adapter for a pipe is disclosed where the adapter changes the effective inside diameter of the tube to increase the airspeed flowing through the area where the adapter is placed. The adapter is utilized in automobiles where to adjust engine parameters based upon the requirements from the various sensors. This allows original sensors to be used in pipe while providing the overall appearance of a larger section of pipe. A kit including a number of nesting adapters is provided to allow altering of the cross sectional area of the pipe. The location of the sensor is maintained in the center of the pipe and the adapter(s) engage, nest, or connect to cause a progressive reduction of the pipe diameter until the optimal air flow speed is achieved based upon the requirements of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: Amir Rosenbaum, Pilun Alan Chen
  • Patent number: 6712796
    Abstract: A valve has a flow restrictor positioned outside of a lumen of a tube, which transitions between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The valve further contains a closing mechanism that automatically positions the flow restrictor to the closed configuration when a pressure in a fluid within the lumen is below a low threshold pressure, and an opening mechanism that automatically positions the first flow restrictor to the open configuration when the pressure in the fluid within the lumen is above a high threshold pressure that is higher than the low threshold pressure. The flow restrictor is preferably positioned outside the tube, although it may be positioned inside the wall of the tube, or even within the lumen of the tube. There may also be a second, downstream flow restrictor. The opening and closing mechanisms advantageously comprise a magnet or solenoid. The tube may comprise a catheter, and especially a urinary catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Fentis, Kirk Buhler
  • Patent number: 6615474
    Abstract: A tool for installing a locking ring in an annular groove defined by a lower annular rim portion of a sink flange (e.g., a component of a garbage disposer sink flange assembly) includes a pair of first and second elongated members that are pivotally connected at a pivot point to form a pair of opposed first and second handles and a pair of opposed ring-engaging first and second tips. The first and second tips define a pair of outwardly facing first and second indentations that adapt the first and second tips to engaging the locking ring in order to spread the locking ring by operation of the person squeezing the first and second handles toward each other. The first and second tips define a pair of inwardly facing third and fourth indentations that adapt the first and second tips to engaging the annular rim portion of the sink flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Albert F. Ramirez