Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Lange

Christopher M. Lange 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: 9939822
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Publication number: 20170277205
    Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes at least one compressed gas pneumatically connected to supply pressurized gas to each of a first pressure vessel that discharges a first fluid component and a second pressure vessel that discharges a second fluid component. Each of the first fluid component and the second fluid component is supplied from the respective pressure vessel through individual flow meters to a device. A first pressure regulator is pneumatically connected between the first pressure vessel and the at least one compressed gas source to regulate pressure of the first pressure vessel. A controller receives sensed first and second volumetric flow rates from the individual flow meters and controls the first pressure regulator based on the sensed volumetric flow rates to produce a target ratio of the first fluid component and the second fluid component at the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph E. Tix, Martin P. McCormick, Christopher M. Lange
  • Patent number: 9677549
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Patent number: 9677550
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Publication number: 20150378371
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote monitoring system for a fluid applicator system is disclosed. The fluid applicator system is disposed to heat and pump spray fluid, and to transmit reports including sensed temperatures, pressures, and other operational parameters of the fluid applicator system via a wireless network. The remote monitoring system comprises a data storage server, and an end user interface. The data storage server is configured to receive and archive the reports. The end user interface is configured to provide a graphical user interface based on the reports. The graphical user interface illustrates a status of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded temperatures of the fluid handling system, sensed and commanded pressures of the fluid handling system, and usage statistics of the fluid handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano
  • Publication number: 20150300335
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Patent number: 8392028
    Abstract: A fluid handling control/monitoring system is divided into a network of modular, intelligent components. These individual components are generally specific to a certain function within the system and contain all the intelligence necessary to perform that function without external guidance. Examples of the different types of components include but are not limited to: human-machine interface (HMI), fluid control, heater control, motor control, field-bus communications and the like. While each type of board is specialized in function, it may control several items of the same nature. For instance, a heater control may be able to control several heaters on one system. Similarly, a fluid board may have the ability to receive input from more than one flow meter and then control fluid flow of more than one point. An example might be a plural component metering and dispensing system where two fluid components have to be combined in a precise mix ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, William C Scherer, Fred A Sutter, Greg T. Mrozek, Gary S. Parnes
  • Patent number: 8299373
    Abstract: The outer case of the display module 10 is constructed of static dissipative polypropylene components that house a circuit board 16 and display 14. When the display module 10 utilizes the hand held pendant option a front cover 18 is used. This front cover 18 provides a viewing window 20 to the display 14 and a flat surface to attach the membrane 22. When the display module 10 is to be mounted inside of an enclosure, the front cover is replaced by a flat plate 28 that then provides the viewing window 30 and flat surface membrane 32 requirements. The rear portion 12 of the display module 10 is used with either option and contains the necessary features to allow for either the front cover 18 or the flat plate 28 to be attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventors: Derek R. Shaw, John C. Holman, Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas D. Long, Greg T. Mrozek, Michael L. Kashmark
  • Publication number: 20120140382
    Abstract: The outer case of the display module 10 is constructed of static dissipative polypropylene components that house a circuit board 16 and display 14. When the display module 10 utilizes the hand held pendant option a front cover 18 is used. This front cover 18 provides a viewing window 20 to the display 14 and a flat surface to attach the membrane 22. When the display module 10 is to be mounted inside of an enclosure, the front cover is replaced by a flat plate 28 that then provides the viewing window 30 and flat surface membrane 32 requirements. The rear portion 12 of the display module 10 is used with either option and contains the necessary features to allow for either the front cover 18 or the flat plate 28 to be attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Derek R. Shaw, John C. Holman, Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas D. Long, Greg T. Mrozek, Michael L. Kashmark
  • Patent number: 8066491
    Abstract: An air operated pump (10) uses a magnet (14) mounted in the valve cup (16) of the air motor (18) and two reed sensors (20) mounted in the valve cover (22) to monitor the speed and position of the valve (16). A solenoid (24) is mounted on the valve cover (22) and can be commanded to extend a plunger (26) into the valve cup (16) to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. Three methods may be used to increase battery life and monitor the solenoid plunger position, two of which use the changing inductance of the solenoid (24) to monitor the solenoid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, David M. Behrens, Christopher M. Lange
  • Publication number: 20110103025
    Abstract: Off-the-shelf electronic packages eliminate the much of the need for hardware redesign for each product. The base unit has a base plastic housing and a power/communication board. The component module is comprised of a mid-section plastic housing, a common board, a component board, panels with connectors and a housing cover. The component board is unique board to each platform and could be, for example, a fluid control module, a low power temperature control module, a gateway module, a USB module, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel P. Ross, Greg T. Mrozek, Christopher M. Lange, William C. Scherer
  • Publication number: 20110002793
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Publication number: 20100161138
    Abstract: A fluid handling control/monitoring system is divided into a network of modular, intelligent components. These individual components are generally specific to a certain function within the system and contain all the intelligence necessary to perform that function without external guidance. Examples of the different types of components include but are not limited to: human-machine interface (HMI), fluid control, heater control, motor control, field-bus communications and the like. While each type of board is specialized in function, it may control several items of the same nature. For instance, a heater control may be able to control several heaters on one system. Similarly, a fluid board may have the ability to receive input from more than one flow meter and then control fluid flow of more than one point. An example might be a plural component metering and dispensing system where two fluid components have to be combined in a precise mix ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, William C. Scherer, Fred Sutter, Greg Mrozek, Gary S. Parnes
  • Publication number: 20080206066
    Abstract: An air operated pump (10) uses a magnet (14) mounted in the valve cup (16) of the air motor (18) and two reed sensors (20) mounted in the valve cover (22) to monitor the speed and position of the valve (16). A solenoid (24) is mounted on the valve cover (22) and can be commanded to extend a plunger (26) into the valve cup (16) to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. Three methods may be used to increase battery life and monitor the solenoid plunger position, two of which use the changing inductance of the solenoid (24) to monitor the solenoid movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, David M. Behrens, Christopher M. Lange
  • Publication number: 20080199323
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, David M. Behrens, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski
  • Patent number: 6979965
    Abstract: An actuator including an electric motor driven by a drive circuit powered by a power source, and a load coupled to the electric motor. The actuator further includes a spring biasing the load to a first position, and a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor. Upon failure of the power source, the spring returns the damper to the first position, and, as the spring returns the load to the first position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that is used to power the microcontroller. The microcontroller can govern a speed at which the spring returns the load to the first position. In addition, a potentiometer can be used to indicate when the load approaches the first position so that the microcontroller can slow the speed of return prior to the load reaching the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. McMillan, Greg T. Mrozek, Christopher M. Lange
  • Patent number: 6940241
    Abstract: A drive circuit including a motor for positioning a damper from a rest position to a stalled position and protect the drive mechanism from damage due to increased current to the drive motor when the damper stalls by including a current limiter to prevent the current in the motor from exceeding a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Greg T. Mrozek
  • Patent number: 6822409
    Abstract: A drive circuit including a motor for positioning a damper from a rest position to a stalled position and protect the drive mechanism from damage due to increased current to the drive motor when the damper stalls by including a current limiter to prevent the current in the motor from exceeding a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Greg T. Mrozek
  • Publication number: 20040212336
    Abstract: An actuator including an electric motor driven by a drive circuit powered by a power source, and a load coupled to the electric motor. The actuator further includes a spring biasing the load to a first position, and a microcontroller coupled to the electric motor to commutate the electric motor. Upon failure of the power source, the spring returns the damper to the first position, and, as the spring returns the load to the first position, the electric motor is spun to generate electricity that is used to power the microcontroller. The microcontroller can govern a speed at which the spring returns the load to the first position. In addition, a potentiometer can be used to indicate when the load approaches the first position so that the microcontroller can slow the speed of return prior to the load reaching the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Scott D. McMillan, Greg T. Mrozek, Christopher M. Lange
  • Publication number: 20040174128
    Abstract: A drive circuit including a motor for positioning a damper from a rest position to a stalled position and protect the drive mechanism from damage due to increased current to the drive motor when the damper stalls by including a current limiter to prevent the current in the motor from exceeding a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Greg T. Mrozek