Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Downs
Kevin B. Downs 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: 20140231336Abstract: A draw latch retainer is used to secure a filter cartridge to a filter head. A cam actuated retainer extends from the head to engage a keeper in the top of the cartridge. Rotation of the cam draws the retainer and cartridge axially toward the head into an installed position. The retainer extends through an aperture in the upper portion of the cartridge to apply a retention force against the bottom side of the keeper. The keeper and upper portion of the cartridge supporting the keeper are configured to transmit the retaining force laterally across the top of the cartridge. A pair of axial conduits project from the cartridge and mount O-ring seals for implementing an axial sealing interface with passages in the head.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: Stanadyne CorporationInventors: Justin R. Pribanic, Timothy M. Sasur, Michael C. Brauer, Kevin B. Downs
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Publication number: 20120210782Abstract: A liquid level sensor for use with a container, including a housing with a body defining an interior volume, a switch actuated by an applied magnetic flux field to a closed position, the switch being disposed within the interior volume of the housing, and a float including a body, a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A pivot assembly includes a magnet and couples the housing and the first end of the float such that the float is pivotable about the pivot assembly between a first position and a second position, and a shunt is disposed within the first end of the float body. The shunt is disposed between the magnet and the switch in the first position of the float, thereby shielding the switch from the magnetic flux of the magnet such that the switch is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: GEMS SENSORS, INC.Inventors: Kevin B. Downs, James B. Dockendorff
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Publication number: 20110219871Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the detector including a sensor assembly with a lens and a sensor element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal. A generally cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an outer surface of the container and defines a housing with a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The sensor assembly is coupled to the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall. The sensor assembly is positioned such that it receives a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal. The sensor assembly then generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: GEMS SENSORS, INC.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
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Patent number: 7946169Abstract: A fluid detector includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A housing is integral with an outer surface of the wall of a container and defines a cylindrical central bore for receiving the lens. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that it enters the wall. An ultrasonic detector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall, for receiving a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal and that is affected by the presence or absence of fluid. The ultrasonic detector generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Gems Sensors, Inc.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
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Publication number: 20100294034Abstract: A transducer for use in a fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container, the transducer comprising a piezoelectric element that outputs an ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal, characterized in that said transducer further comprises, a lens with an upper portion, a lower portion, and a focal point, the upper portion including a curved surface with convex side. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent an outer surface of a wall of the container such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the ultrasonic signal toward the focal point of the lens and on the inner surface of the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: GEMS SENSORS, INC.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. Labarge, George K. Lewis
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Patent number: 7770447Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Gem Sensors, Inc.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
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Publication number: 20100005878Abstract: A fluid detector includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A housing is integral with an outer surface of the wall of a container and defines a cylindrical central bore for receiving the lens. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that it enters the wall. An ultrasonic detector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall, for receiving a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal and that is affected by the presence or absence of fluid. The ultrasonic detector generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: GEMS SENSORS, INC.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
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Patent number: 7607347Abstract: A fluid detector includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A housing is integral with an outer surface of the wall of a container and defines a cylindrical central bore for receiving the lens. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that it enters the wall. An ultrasonic detector is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall, for receiving a second ultrasonic signal from the wall that results from the first ultrasonic signal and that is affected by the presence or absence of fluid. The ultrasonic detector generates an output electrical signal corresponding to the second ultrasonic signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Gems Sensors, Inc.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. Labarge, George K. Lewis
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Publication number: 20080190193Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: GEMS SENSORS, INC.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. LaBarge, George K. Lewis
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Patent number: 7360417Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the wall such that the lens is intermediate the piezoelectric element and the wall, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Gems Sensors, Inc.Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. Labarge, George K. Lewis
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Publication number: 20070209440Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container having a wall with an outer surface includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A generally cylindrical wall is integral with and extends outwardly from the outer surface of the wall of the container and defines a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed within the cylindrical central bore adjacent the base surface, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2006Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: James B. Dockendorff, Kevin B. Downs, Bryan M. Labarge, George K. Lewis