Patents by Inventor David A. Laing

David A. Laing 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: 8372281
    Abstract: A scraper adjustment mechanism and method for a filter that permits an operator to adjust the distance between the scraper and a filter surface without the need to have access to the filter/scraper interface, or fasteners within the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 8057685
    Abstract: A solid separator that uses a rotating screen, having spiral guides at its outer portion, over which a plurality of spiral-shaped scrapers are suspended. An inlet distributor including a plurality of apertures distributes a contaminated liquid flow over the screen, when rotated, permits the scrapers and guides to drive the deposited debris towards an outer edge of the screen and up a slight conical ramp and into a debris discharge sump. A level sensor may be included above the screen to activate the screen rotation based on the level of the contaminated liquid flow above the screen. An alternative embodiment uses individual scraper supports having respective jack mechanisms that permit the operator to independently lift and even rotate each scraper for additional cleaning or service. The alternative embodiment uses an assembly of two screens having an outer portion that also includes a slight conical ramp having spiral guides thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20090308818
    Abstract: A solid separator that uses a rotating screen, having spiral guides at its outer portion, over which a plurality of spiral-shaped scrapers are suspended. An inlet distributor including a plurality of apertures distributes a contaminated liquid flow over the screen, when rotated, permits the scrapers and guides to drive the deposited debris towards an outer edge of the screen and up a slight conical ramp and into a debris discharge sump. A level sensor may be included above the screen to activate the screen rotation based on the level of the contaminated liquid flow above the screen. An alternative embodiment uses individual scraper supports having respective jack mechanisms that permit the operator to independently lift and even rotate each scraper for additional cleaning or service. The alternative embodiment uses an assembly of two screens having an outer portion that also includes a slight conical ramp having spiral guides thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 7364662
    Abstract: A scraper adjustment mechanism and method for a filter that permits an operator to adjust the distance between the scraper and a filter surface without the need to have access to the filter/scraper interface, or fasteners within the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: David A. Laing, James Benenson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7083735
    Abstract: A high debris content strainer that utilizes a cylindrically-shaped screen having four removal assemblies positioned evenly around the screen periphery. Each removal assembly includes a backwash spray bar on the downstream side of the screen and a scraper/brush and discharge tube on the upstream side of the screen where the debris lodges during filtering. The screen is rotatably-mounted inside a strainer housing. A shroud surrounds ¾ of the screen periphery and includes an opening directly adjacent an input fluid flow line, as well as scoops on opposing sides of the shroud. The shroud evenly distributes the contaminated fluid flow around the screen. When cleaning the screen is desired, the screen is rotated while the backwash spray bars are activated and, in combination with the scraper/brushes, the debris is dislodged from the upstream surface of the screen and directed into the discharge tubes which divert the contaminants to a discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6861004
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6821444
    Abstract: A self-cleaning fuel oil strainer, coupled to a continuous fuel flow, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire fuel oil filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of fuel oil into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of fuel oil then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20040159617
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: James Benenson, David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6712981
    Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of cleaned water required in cleaning a particulate strainer using a reverse flow system is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps of: disposing a stationary cylindrical strainer in a first fluid flow to capture particulates against a first upstream surface of the strainer; positioning a single self-contained ultrasonic energy source within an inner region of the stationary cylindrical strainer defined by a downstream second surface the second surface permitting passage of a cleaned fluid flow; stopping the first flow; activating the ultrasonic energy source to dislodge particulates from the first surface; sending a reverse flow of the cleaned fluid flow through the second surface and through the first surface to evacuate the dislodged particulates from returning to the first surface; and restoring the passage of the first flow through the strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6696143
    Abstract: A coating composition includes a cured base coat of synthetic resin covered by a cured top coat of a silica-containing resin. The top coat resin is applied in an uncured state to the cured base coat. The two resins are thereafter heated to at least 140° F., and thereafter the top coat resin is cured to produce the coating composition. A clean metal surface is coated with the coating composition by applying uncured base coat resin to the metal surface, curing the base coat resin, and thereafter applying the top coat as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: David A. La Point
  • Patent number: 6676834
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain a subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6666976
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20030111430
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20030098273
    Abstract: A self-cleaning water filter, coupled to a water flow having particulates therein, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire water filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of the water flow into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of water then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20030052067
    Abstract: A self-cleaning fuel oil strainer, coupled to a continuous fuel flow, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire fuel oil filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of fuel oil into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of fuel oil then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6517722
    Abstract: A self-cleaning fuel oil strainer, coupled to a continuous fuel flow, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire fuel oil filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of fuel oil into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of fuel oil then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Publication number: 20020158005
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing debris suspended in a main fluid flow using a fluid strainer that uses an integrated nozzle/diffuser for discharging debris that is dislodged from an internal porous surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 6344861
    Abstract: An intuitive graphical user interface is based upon a geographic map structure, and includes a system for controlling remote external electronic devices. In the defined graphical user interface, each Space of the geographic map structure is rendered on a touch screen display as a graphic image of a geographic space. Within each Space are colored cartoon-like icons called “objects” which can be Selected and manipulated by the user. Certain objects, referred to as portals, transport the user from one Space to another Space when Selected. Other objects, referred to as buttons, perform associated actions or functions when Selected. The graphical user interface is displayed on a hand-held display device used to control remote devices. Each remote electronic device transmits a user interface program object that defines a graphical user interface to the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Naughton, Charles H. Clanton, III, James A. Gosling, Chris Warth, Joseph M. Palrang, Edward H. Frank, David A. La Valle, R. Michael Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6177022
    Abstract: A self-cleaning fuel oil strainer, coupled to a continuous fuel flow, that includes a pair of canisters, each having a cylindrical wedge wire fuel oil filter screen. An elongated brush running the length of the screen is disposed between two confining walls also running the length of the screen to form a chamber. A elongated partition, including two sets of apertures, is used, along with the elongated brush, to divide the chamber into two particulate dislodge chambers and a drain subchamber. A drain is in fluid communication with the drain subchamber. During cleaning, the drain is opened and the screen is rotated against the brush for liberating the particulate contaminants and a limited amount of fuel oil into the two dislodge subchambers. The particulate contaminants and the limited amount of fuel oil then pass through the apertures at a high velocity and into the drain subchamber which exits through the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventors: James Benenson, Jr., David A. Laing
  • Patent number: 4469311
    Abstract: A semi-automatic, motorized hand torch, or gas cutting machine, that is capable of being freely operated with one hand and characterized by device head having a cutting torch tip, respective conduit means for supplying to the tip preheat oxygen, cutting oxygen and fuel gas, a drive cylinder journalled for rotation about the tip, a drive wheel engaging the peripherally outer cylindrical wall of the drive cylinder so as to be driven thereby and moveable longitudinally therealong so as allow adjustment in height of the tip, a motor and transmission drivingly connected with a drive cylinder, control for controlling the motor, housing and bracket for supporting the drive wheel adjacent the tip. Also disclosed are specific preferred embodiments including those in which respective small and large circle cutting attachments are employed and wherein an angled cutting wheel and strut are employed for cutting at an angle, as well as specific preferred structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventor: David A. Laing