Patents by Inventor Bryce J. Gapinski

Bryce J. Gapinski 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).

  • Publication number: 20260146593
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump module configured to be supported by a fluid tank and a drive module configured to be supported by the pump module. The drive module is mountable to and dismountable from the pump module. The drive module provides a motive force to the pump module to power pumping by the pump module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2026
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Matthew R. Theisen, Bryan K. Colby, Bryce J. Gapinski, Jeremy P. Jurmu, David M. Larsen, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: 12553426
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump module configured to be supported by a fluid tank and a drive module configured to be supported by the pump module. The drive module is mountable to and dismountable from the pump module. The drive module provides a motive force to the pump module to power pumping by the pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Theisen, Bryan K. Colby, Bryce J. Gapinski, Jeremy P. Jurmu, David M. Larsen, Mark D. Shultz
  • Publication number: 20230184235
    Abstract: A pump assembly includes a pump module configured to be supported by a fluid tank and a drive module configured to be supported by the pump module. The drive module is mountable to and dismountable from the pump module. The drive module provides a motive force to the pump module to power pumping by the pump module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew R. Theisen, Bryan K. Colby, Bryce J. Gapinski, Jeremy P. Jurmu, David M. Larsen, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: 11311980
    Abstract: A vapor blast system includes a pressure pot with an upper end and a main body, a fill inlet attached to the upper end of the pressure pot, and a seal assembly disposed in the pressure pot. The seal assembly is configured to control a flow of a fluid between the pressure pot and the fill inlet. The seal assembly includes a pop-up seal, a pipe, and a spring. The pop-up seal comprises an upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface, a blind hole disposed in the upper surface, a bore disposed in the lower surface, and a centerline axis disposed through a center of the pop-up seal. The pipe is attached to a lower surface of the pop-up seal, wherein a portion of the pipe is received by the bore. The spring is disposed in the bore and engaged with the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Brandon K. Falkenberg, John W. Turner
  • Publication number: 20210370468
    Abstract: A wet abrasive blasting system includes a vessel having multiple outlets for dispensing slurry. A first sprayer of the system is operatively associated with a first blast control switch, and a second sprayer is operatively associated with an n-th blast control switch. A first blast line fluidly connecting the first sprayer to the first outlet includes a first pinch valve, and an n-th blast line fluidly connecting the n-th sprayer to the n-th outlet includes an n-th pinch valve. A time delay module of the system transmits signals to close all system pinch valves upon receipt of signals indicative of an actuated state of more than one blast control switch and, after a predetermined time delay, transmits signals to open all system pinch valves associated with their respective actuated blast control switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Niles M. Hickman, Alexander J. Daeger, Patrick W. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20210205957
    Abstract: A vapor blast system includes a pressure pot with an upper end and a main body, a fill inlet attached to the upper end of the pressure pot, and a seal assembly disposed in the pressure pot. The seal assembly is configured to control a flow of a fluid between the pressure pot and the fill inlet. The seal assembly includes a pop-up seal, a pipe, and a spring. The pop-up seal comprises an upper surface, a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface, a blind hole disposed in the upper surface, a bore disposed in the lower surface, and a centerline axis disposed through a center of the pop-up seal. The pipe is attached to a lower surface of the pop-up seal, wherein a portion of the pipe is received by the bore. The spring is disposed in the bore and engaged with the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Brandon K. Falkenberg, John W. Turner
  • Patent number: 10875151
    Abstract: A vapor abrasive blast system includes a pump for pumping a water stream to a pressure vessel for pressurizing the pressure vessel to a pot pressure. A water regulator is disposed to regulate the water stream to a fixed water pressure, such that the water stream entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure. The pressure vessel contains a blasting mixture, comprising an abrasive media and water, for introduction to a compressed air stream and application to a substrate. The water entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure to control the pot pressure. The water regulator is configured to output the water stream such that the fixed water pressure is greater than a compressed air pressure in the compressed air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Grau, Nicholas K. Studt, Brandon K. Falkenberg, Bryce J. Gapinski, John W. Turner
  • Patent number: 10434630
    Abstract: A blasting system includes a pressure vessel, water pump, blast circuit, motor, orifice valve, and controller. The pressure vessel is configured to contain a pressurized blast media slurry. The water pump pumps water from a water supply to the pressure vessel. The blast circuit delivers the pressurized blast media slurry received from the pressure vessel. The motor drives the water pump. The orifice valve regulates a rate of flow of the blast media slurry to the blast circuit. The controller provides control commands to the water pump or the orifice valve based on a blast media flow rate set point and at least one sensed operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Turner, Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Brandon K. Falkenberg
  • Publication number: 20190270181
    Abstract: A vapor abrasive blast system includes a pump for pumping a water stream to a pressure vessel for pressurizing the pressure vessel to a pot pressure. A water regulator is disposed to regulate the water stream to a fixed water pressure, such that the water stream entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure. The pressure vessel contains a blasting mixture, comprising an abrasive media and water, for introduction to a compressed air stream and application to a substrate. The water entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure to control the pot pressure. The water regulator is configured to output the water stream such that the fixed water pressure is greater than a compressed air pressure in the compressed air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas C. Grau, Nicholas K. Studt, Brandon K. Falkenberg, Bryce J. Gapinski, John W. Turner
  • Publication number: 20180207769
    Abstract: A vapor abrasive blast system includes a pump for pumping a water stream to a pressure vessel for pressurizing the pressure vessel to a pot pressure. A water regulator is disposed to regulate the water stream to a fixed water pressure, such that the water stream entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure. The pressure vessel contains a blasting mixture, comprising an abrasive media and water, for introduction to a compressed air stream and application to a substrate. The water entering the pressure vessel has the fixed water pressure to control the pot pressure. The water regulator is configured to output the water stream such that the fixed water pressure is greater than a compressed air pressure in the compressed air stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas C. Grau, Nicholas K. Studt, Brandon K. Falkenberg, Bryce J. Gapinski, John W. Turner
  • Publication number: 20170334036
    Abstract: A blasting system includes a pressure vessel, water pump, blast circuit, motor, orifice valve, and controller. The pressure vessel is configured to contain a pressurized blast media slurry. The water pump pumps water from a water supply to the pressure vessel. The blast circuit delivers the pressurized blast media slurry received from the pressure vessel. The motor drives the water pump. The orifice valve regulates a rate of flow of the blast media slurry to the blast circuit. The controller provides control commands to the water pump or the orifice valve based on a blast media flow rate set point and at least one sensed operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: John W. Turner, Nicholas K. Studt, Bryce J. Gapinski, Brandon K. Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 9267647
    Abstract: An adhesive melting system comprises a melter, an ultrasonic sensor, and a feed system. The melter contains and melts adhesive. The ultrasonic sensor is positioned to sense a level of adhesive in the melter. The feed system supplies unmelted adhesive to the melter as a function of the sensed level of adhesive in the melter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Daniel P. Ross, Banjamin R. Godding, Bryce J. Gapinski, Nicholas K. Studt, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Publication number: 20140116535
    Abstract: An adhesive melting system comprises a melter, an ultrasonic sensor, and a feed system. The melter contains and melts adhesive. The ultrasonic sensor is positioned to sense a level of adhesive in the melter. The feed system supplies unmelted adhesive to the melter as a function of the sensed level of adhesive in the melter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Daniel P. Ross, Banjamin R. Godding, Bryce J. Gapinski, Nicholas K. Studt, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Patent number: D696322
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Joseph E. Tix, Nicholas K. Studt, Matthew R. Theisen, Andrew M. Spiess, Bryce J. Gapinski, James A. Lingenfelter