Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Kirk

Kevin J. Kirk 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).

  • Pre-failure sensing diaphragm
    Patent number: 5560279
    Abstract: A combined sensing and barrier element is provided. This sensing element is most useful as a flexible diaphragm which is also described herein. The flexible diaphragm has a resilient elastomeric body and a sensing element having at least one conductive component and at least two nonconductive components such that the conductive component is positioned between the nonconductive components. A change in electrical resistance is recorded by an electrical monitoring device that is electrically connected to the conductive component. By observing changes in the resistance that deviate from a predetermined norm, significant wear of a diaphragm can be determined prior to its failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Connors, William E. Delaney, III, Kevin J. Kirk