Patents by Inventor Frank John Merchel, III

Frank John Merchel, III 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: 11761537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasket (1, 1?, 1?) for sealing a drive shaft of a pulp washer, the gasket comprising a gasket body (10) having a central opening delimited by an inner edge (21) and the gasket body (10) also having an outer edge (22), wherein the gasket (10) further comprises a cut-in portion (30) that extends from the outer edge (22) in a radial direction inwards into the gasket body (10). The invention also relates to a pulp washer comprising at least one such gasket and to a method for mounting such a gasket on a drive shaft of a pulp washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: James Michael Klingler, Frank John Merchel, III
  • Patent number: 11529639
    Abstract: Alignment device (1) for adjusting a position of a curved shower bar nozzle flange (2) relative a permeable outer cylindrical surface (3) of a drum roll (4) of for instance a drum washer. The alignment device comprises a body element (8), an attachment device (9) and a contact element (11). The body element has a length adapted to a desired predetermined distance between the end (7) of the nozzle flange and the outer cylindrical surface (3). The attachment device (9) is arranged at a first end (10) of the body element (8) for releasably connecting the body element to the nozzle flange end (7) to extend tangentially therefrom. The contact element (11) is arranged at a second opposite end (12) of the body element, said contact element being adapted to abut against said permeable outer cylindrical surface (3). A method for aligning a nozzle flange using such an alignment device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: VALMET AB
    Inventors: James Michael Klingler, Frank John Merchel, III
  • Publication number: 20220056995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasket (1, 1?, 1?) for sealing a drive shaft of a pulp washer, the gasket comprising a gasket body (10) having a central opening delimited by an inner edge (21) and the gasket body (10) also having an outer edge (22), wherein the gasket (10) further comprises a cut-in portion (30) that extends from the outer edge (22) in a radial direction inwards into the gasket body (10). The invention also relates to a pulp washer comprising at least one such gasket and to a method for mounting such a gasket on a drive shaft of a pulp washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: James Michael Klingler, Frank John Merchel, III
  • Publication number: 20210370324
    Abstract: Alignment device (1) for adjusting a position of a curved shower bar nozzle flange (2) relative a permeable outer cylindrical surface (3) of a drum roll (4) of for instance a drum washer. The alignment device comprises a body element (8), an attachment device (9) and a contact element (11). The body element has a length adapted to a desired predetermined distance between the end (7) of the nozzle flange and the outer cylindrical surface (3). The attachment device (9) is arranged at a first end (10) of the body element (8) for releasably connecting the body element to the nozzle flange end (7) to extend tangentially therefrom. The contact element (11) is arranged at a second opposite end (12) of the body element, said contact element being adapted to abut against said permeable outer cylindrical surface (3). A method for aligning a nozzle flange using such an alignment device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: VALMET AB
    Inventors: James Michael KLINGLER, Frank John Merchel, III
  • Patent number: 10076716
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fly ring adapted to be used in a rotary drum filtering apparatus, and a method of forming such a fly ring. The fly ring comprises a plurality of ring segments, each ring segment being laser cut. Each ring segment has a first end which overlaps a second end of an adjacent ring segment, forming a lapped joint. Each ring segment first and second end has at least two spaced apart through holes, the through holes of the first end being aligned with the through holes of the second end. A custom fastener extends through the first end and second end aligned through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: GL&V USA Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Kimmett Clement, Michael Alan Tardie, Frank John Merchel, III
  • Patent number: 10035088
    Abstract: A drum structure, for a rotary drum filtering apparatus, comprising: a generally annular supporting drum, and a plurality of rib elements carried by the supporting drum longitudinally extending along the circumference of the drum generally in the longitudinal direction of the drum. A duplex stainless steel cover plate extends between two rib elements. A single supporting element supports the cover plate extending between each pair of two rib elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GL&V USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank John Merchel, III, Michael Alan Tardie, Robert Carl Short
  • Publication number: 20170014740
    Abstract: A drum structure, for a rotary drum filtering apparatus, comprising: a generally annular supporting drum, and a plurality of rib elements carried by the supporting drum longitudinally extending along the circumference of the drum generally in the longitudinal direction of the drum. A duplex stainless steel cover plate extends between two rib elements. A single supporting element supports the cover plate extending between each pair of two rib elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Frank John Merchel, III, Michael Alan Tardie, Robert Carl Short
  • Publication number: 20160051914
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fly ring adapted to be used in a rotary drum filtering apparatus, and a method of forming such a fly ring. The fly ring comprises a plurality of ring segments, each ring segment being laser cut. Each ring segment has a first end which overlaps a second end of an adjacent ring segment, forming a lapped joint. Each ring segment first and second end has at least two spaced apart through holes, the through holes of the first end being aligned with the through holes of the second end. A custom fastener extends through the first end and second end aligned through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Joel Kimmett Clement, Michael Alan Tardie, Frank John Merchel, III