Patents by Inventor Kevin E. Collier

Kevin E. Collier 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: 6585391
    Abstract: A flashlight with unique flashlight electrical connections, including a switch structure featuring a switch requiring a small amount of force, and a short stroke distance to actuate, attached to a member on which a circuit adding additional functions to the flashlight may be located. The member has conductive springs attached to either end that are used to complete the electrical circuit with the battery and the lamp, while their compressive force is absorbed by a housing protecting the switch structure. A conductive strip is used to improve the conductivity of the circuit in a metal flashlight which has been provided with an electrically resistive protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nordic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg W. Koch, Bruce K. Bangerter, Kevin E. Collier, Darrell B. Steinicke
  • Publication number: 20020068676
    Abstract: A multiple-component fluid mixture is separated by feeding the fluid mixture into a chamber of a vessel through an inlet, the chamber being at least partially bounded by a peripheral wall and the chamber also communicating with an outlet. The fluid mixture includes a heavy component and a light component. The vessel is rotated about a rotational axis extending through the vessel such that the heavy component collects toward at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the vessel and the light component collects toward the rotational axis. The light component is removed through the outlet channel. The heavy component is removed through a conduit disposed within the chamber, the conduit extending from the heavy component toward the rotational axis and out of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Econova Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Collier
  • Publication number: 20020068673
    Abstract: A fluid mixture containing a heavy component and a light component is separated by feeding the fluid mixture into a vessel. The vessel includes a light component outlet regulated by a first valve and a heavy component outlet regulated by a second valve. The vessel is rotated about a rotational axis extending through the vessel as the liquid-liquid mixture is feed into the chamber such that the heavy component collects toward at least a portion of the peripheral wall of the vessel radially outward from the rotational axis and the lighter component collects toward the rotational axis. The first valve is set such that the light component exits therethrough at a first pressure. The second valve is set such that the heavy component exits therethrough at a second pressure, the second pressure being different than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Econova Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Collier
  • Patent number: 6346069
    Abstract: A solid-liquid/liquid-liquid separator includes a vessel having a peripheral wall bounding a chamber. The chamber communicates with an inlet port and an outlet port. The vessel is rotatable about a rotational axis extending through the vessel. Disposed within the chamber are a plurality of fins. Each of the fins radially outwardly projecting from the rotational axis in substantially parallel alignment with the rotational axis. The fins interact with the peripheral wall to form a plurality of discrete flow channels that longitudinally extend through the vessel. An exit tube is disposed along a portion of the rotational axis of the vessel. The exit tube has a first end disposed within the chamber and an opposing second end in fluid communication with the exterior of vessel. A plurality of extraction tubes radially outwardly projecting from the rotational axis within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Separation Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Collier
  • Patent number: 5582724
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel rotor design employed in a centrifuge for use in separating fluids. The rotor is configured with a separation chamber which comprises a plurality of channels extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber. Radial plates extending axially and radially throughout the separation chamber at least partially define the channels. A first and a second weir, each having a front face and a crest extending substantially annularly about the axis of rotation, are also included in the rotor. A fluid outlet passageway is also provided through which the second fluid may exit the separation chamber. The fluid outlet passageway comprises a plurality of channels configured to permit radially inward flow and prevent circumferential flow of the second fluid. These channels are at least partially defined by radial partitions which extend axially and radially within the fluid outlet passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: International Separation Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest E. Rogers, Kevin E. Collier
  • Patent number: 5466385
    Abstract: A separator for separating a first fluid from a second fluid through rotation about an axis of rotation, the first fluid having a density less than the density of the second fluid. In one embodiment, the separator includes a separation chamber mounted for rotation about the axis of rotation. A first weir is positioned in fluid communication with the separation chamber. A second weir is positioned over which the second fluid may pass to exit the separation chamber through a collection chamber. A fluid pressure chamber is positioned radially outwardly from the crest of the second weir to receive the second fluid as it passes over the second weir. The fluid pressure chamber is partially defined by an exit weir over which the second fluid may pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Charles W. Taggart
    Inventors: Ernest E. Rogers, Kevin E. Collier
  • Patent number: 5387342
    Abstract: A separator for separating a first fluid from a second fluid through rotation about an axis of rotation, the first fluid having a density less than the density of the second fluid. In one embodiment, the separator includes a separation chamber mounted for rotation about the axis of rotation. A first weir is positioned in fluid communication with the separation chamber. A second weir is positioned over which the second fluid may pass to exit the separation chamber through a collection chamber. A fluid pressure chamber is positioned radially outwardly from the crest of the second weir to receive the second fluid as it passes over the second weir. The fluid pressure chamber is partially defined by an exit weir over which the second fluid may pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Charles W. Taggart
    Inventors: Ernest E. Rogers, Kevin E. Collier
  • Patent number: 5193286
    Abstract: A flexible, modular gage system is presented for statistical process control to compare the delta dimensional difference between a master part with known dimensional values to one or more manufactured production parts. A main feature of the invention is the gage that holds measurement devices, such as a transducer probe. The components of the modular auto gage allow position of analog, digital or mechanical measurement devices in virtually any position, being limited only by the part-holding device or interference with other measurement devices. Measurement devices once positioned can remain stationary or attached to a precision pneumatic slide. The pneumatic slide retracts the measurement device to allow easy loading and unloading of the part to be gaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Kevin E. Collier