Patents by Inventor James Middlebrook
James Middlebrook 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).
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Publication number: 20230374769Abstract: A modular structure has a frame including header beams defining an outer perimeter of the structure at a top of the frame, header corner brackets connecting consecutively arranged header beams, footer beams defining an outer perimeter of the structure at a bottom of the structure, footer corner brackets connecting consecutively arranged footer beams, and intermediate beams extended between the top of the frame and the bottom of the structure, each intermediate beam being fixed with one of the header corner brackets, and fixed with one of the footer corners brackets. A roof supported on the frame includes an arm positioned on one of the header corner brackets. A turnbuckle fixed at a position closer to the top of the frame as compared to the bottom of the structure, and fixed at a position closer to the bottom of the structure as compared to the top of the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Peter James Middlebrook, Mark E. Cipolla, Benjamin Philip Parker, David Pehar, Joachim Gfoeller, Trevor L. Jackson, John Wilford Spirk, Sr.
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Publication number: 20230258167Abstract: An air filter apparatus is provided. The air filter apparatus includes a manifold having at least one compressible gas inlet and an outlet. The internal volume of the manifold increases from a distal end of the manifold to the outlet. A shroud is detachably mounted to the manifold so that a compressible gas can enter the shroud and pass through the at least one compressible gas inlet and through the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: 11149867Abstract: A valve apparatus includes a base member having a hollow support element extending from the base member. A housing is attached to the hollow support element, and the housing includes at least one aperture. A moveable element is located within the housing and is slideably attached to the hollow support element. The hollow support element allows the moveable element to selectively travel toward and away from the base member.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: 11079025Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: 10975885Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventors: James Middlebrook, Gregory Graham, Robert Anderson
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Patent number: 10907744Abstract: The disclosure concerns a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes a base member having a support element extending therefrom. A moveable housing is slideably attached to the support element, with the support element designed to allow the moveable housing to travel toward and away from the base member. A housing guide is located within the moveable housing, with the housing guide adjustably attached to the support element, and slideably attached to the moveable housing. During operation, the moveable housing extends from and retracts toward the base member, thereby opening and closing the pressure relief valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Publication number: 20200355201Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventors: James Middlebrook, Gregory Graham, Robert Anderson
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Patent number: 10724544Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Graham, Robert Anderson, James Middlebrook
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Publication number: 20200232566Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that uncovers at least a portion of the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: 10642288Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Vortech Engineering, inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Publication number: 20190278309Abstract: A pressure relief valve is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, with the hollow body including at least one aperture extending through a surface of the hollow body. An actuator assembly is attached to the hollow body and a sleeve is slideably positioned about the hollow body, with the sleeve moveably attached to the actuator assembly. During operation, the actuator assembly moves the sleeve from a first position that covers the aperture to a second position that un-covers at least a portion of the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Publication number: 20160298648Abstract: A centrifugal compressor is provided. The centrifugal compressor includes a housing and a rotatable assembly mounted for rotation about an axis within the housing. The rotatable assembly includes an impeller forming part of a compressor stage. A first air intake is located at a first end of the apparatus, the first air intake providing an air source for the compressor stage and a second air intake is located at a second end of the apparatus. A thrust plate is attached to the rotatable assembly, the thrust plate including at least one interior channel so that air entering the second air inlet passes through the at least one interior channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Gregory Graham, Robert Anderson, James Middlebrook
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Publication number: 20070227516Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Applicant: Vortech Engineering, LLCInventors: James Middlebrook, Robert Anderson
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Publication number: 20070023017Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: February 1, 2007Applicant: VORTECH ENGINEERING, LLCInventors: James Middlebrook, Robert Anderson
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Publication number: 20050092307Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2003Publication date: May 5, 2005Inventors: James Middlebrook, Robert Anderson
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Patent number: 5224459Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger system for an internal combustion is directly driven by the associated engine and includes a belt driven drive pulley and bracket for locating an idler pulley for tensioning the belt. A plurality of bosses on the housing plus arcuate slots on the bracket provide for flexibility in locating the idler pulley. The drive pulley drives a gear which engages a driven gear on a separate shaft carrying the compressor wheel which is driven at a multiple of engine speed within a volute. The compressor wheel is recessed into an internal wall of the housing to provide smooth flow of air from the compressor wheel into the volute. Another group of bosses on said housing cooperate with an engine mounted bracket to provide flexibility in mounting the supercharger on various engines.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: 3990496Abstract: An apparatus for handling compacted blocks of compost, soil or the like material comprising a chamber defined by two relatively movable plates in which a batch of material is compacted at a compacting station. The chamber is moved to a depositing station at which the block is removed by firstly retracting one of the plates while the other plate holds the block, and then by retracting the other plate, leaving the block deposited on a platform. The apparatus desirably is in the form of a wheel assembly having plates defining a number of chambers radiating from the wheel axis and there is means for indexing the wheel so that each chamber moves in turn from the compacting station to the depositing station.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1974Date of Patent: November 9, 1976Assignee: Monomech Developments LimitedInventors: Paul James Middlebrook, Bernard Paul Grace, Peter Woodward
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Patent number: D339142Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1990Date of Patent: September 7, 1993Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: D949922Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook
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Patent number: D950681Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2021Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.Inventor: James Middlebrook