Patents by Inventor Ben C. Johnson

Ben C. Johnson 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: 4117312
    Abstract: An electrical heating cable which limits power output once an established temperature limit is reached. The cable includes a high-resistance element and a temperature-sensitive variable resistance element electrically connected in series between two electrical conductors otherwise insulated from each other by insulating material. The temperature-sensitive resistance undergoes a substantial positive increase in resistivity when the temperature of the cable nears the established temperature limit. The increase in resistivity substantially reduces the heat-generating current flowing in the cable to limit the power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ben C. Johnson, J. Scott Thornton, Donald E. Glowe, Patrick E. Cassidy, Robert E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4072848
    Abstract: An electrical heating cable which limits power output once an established temperature limit is reached. The cable includes heating elements in the form of temperature-sensitive variable resistance elements electrically connected in parallel between two supply bases at spaced positions along the length of the buses. The heating elements not only serve to generate heat for heating but also undergo a substantial positive increase in resistivity when the temperature of the cable nears the established temperature limit. The increase in resistivity substantially reduces the heat-generating current in the cable to limit the power output to within established heat limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ben C. Johnson, J. Scott Thornton, Donald E. Glowe, Patrick E. Cassidy, Robert E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4068966
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for releasably securing an external member to a tubular member having a resilient, curved clamp member with open ends. The curved clamp member extends for more than 180.degree. but less than 360.degree., having a diameter less than the diameter of the tubular member prior to mounting the curved clamp member to the tubular member. The curved clamp member further includes a mounting portion opposite the open ends for engaging an external member for holding the same securely to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ben C. Johnson, Pieter Band
  • Patent number: 4031611
    Abstract: A preinsulated pipe assembly and pipeline formed from a plurality of such assemblies. Each pipe assembly includes a pipe with a heater housing mounted thereon to form a cavity along the exterior of the pipe and a preformed insulation layer for insulating the pipe and the heater housing. A connecting assembly is used to join the pipe assemblies and form a pipeline. Pull means detachably connected to a heating element facilitates placement of the heating element in the heater housing cavities, and a pulling assembly attached to the heater element permits removal of the heater element after installation of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ben C. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3971416
    Abstract: A preinsulated pipe assembly and pipeline formed from a plurality of such assemblies. Each pipe assembly includes a pipe with a heater housing mounted thereon to form a cavity along the exterior of the pipe and a preformed insulation layer for insulating the pipe and the heater housing. A connecting assembly is used to join the pipe assemblies and form a pipeline. Pull means detachably connected to a heating element facilitates placement of the heating element in the heater housing cavities, and a pulling assembly attached to the heater element permits removal of the heater element after installation of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ben C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 3949189
    Abstract: A pipe heat transfer assembly adapted to be easily and rapidly installed with unskilled in the field on a pipe to be heated or cooled includes an elongated rigid channel cover member and a separate elongated, preshaped, solid, flexible strip of thermoplastic resin heat transfer material having a first surface preshaped to conform closely to the inner cavity surface of the channel member and a second surface preshaped to conform closely to the shape of the pipe surface on which it is to be mounted. The strip of heat transfer material may be pre-shaped by molding or extruding. An elongated heat transfer element, which may be an electric heating wire or an elongated tube for a heat transfer liquid to flow therethrough, is embedded in the strip during such pre-shaping. Alternatively, a space for reception of the heat transfer element can be formed in the strip during the pre-shaping of the strip and the element subsequently installed in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1976
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Bilbro, Ben C. Johnson
  • Patent number: RE29332
    Abstract: Pipe heat transfer assembly and method of making same, wherein a strip of heat transfer material is pre-shaped to a solid flexible form for closely .[.comforming.]. .Iadd.conforming .Iaddend.with a heat transfer element for either heating or cooling and which is also pre-shaped to fit closely within an external channel member, whereby the entire assembly may be more easily and rapidly installed with unskilled labor in the field on a pipe to be heated or cooled, using retaining band means as the holding means for the assembly, with the assurance of complete coverage of the heat transfer element by said heat transfer material so as to eliminate air gaps. The heat transfer material may be pre-shaped by molding or extruding, with the heat transfer element embedded therein during such pre-shaping, or with a preformed space for the heat transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Thermon Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Bilbro, Ben C. Johnson, Jr.