Patents by Inventor Laurence M. Grills

Laurence M. Grills 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: 5133212
    Abstract: A detection system for determining the level of a liquid in a containment tank includes a containment tank and a reference standard of known weight mounted to the vehicle and movable along the yaw axis of the vehicle. Load cells are placed intermediate the tank and reference standard to provide analog voltage outputs in proportion to the load on each cell. The load cell outputs, when amplified, summed and then divided by the output of the reference weight load cell, provide an electronic signal that is proportional to the gross weight of the tank. A pre-set signal, representative of the empty weight of the tank, is subtracted from the gross weight signal, resulting in a signal which is proportional to the net weight, or the contents of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Laurence M. Grills, Robert Kamenoff
  • Patent number: 5056678
    Abstract: An access port cover is fitted with a sealing plug that is adapted to fit inside a conduit to provide an occluding seal. The conduit is also fitted with an inner flap that is automatically closed and latched when the cover is closed and latched. In a preferred embodiment, a ridge in the inner wall of the conduit cooperates with a support plate to compress the plug between the cover and the plate, extruding the plug radially into sealing engagement with the inner wall of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace and Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence M. Grills, Donald L. Morrison, Charles Saxton, Jr., Reuven Stein
  • Patent number: 4584726
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated drain valve is interposed in the cleaning fluid path before the spray/rinse outlet. The fluid under pressure activates a piston which operates the drain valve. A precharge reservoir is also interposed in the supply line before the spray rinse outlet to store a measured precharge which drains into the tank after the drain valve has closed. A manual override is provided to open the drain valve in the event of a failure of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Laurence M. Grills, Eugene F. Colditz
  • Patent number: RE32750
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated drain valve is interposed in the cleaning fluid path before the spray/rinse outlet. The fluid under pressure activates a piston which operates the drain valve. A precharge reservoir is also interposed in the supply line before the spray rinse outlet to store a measured precharge which drains into the tank after the drain valve has closed. A manual override is provided to open the drain valve in the event of a failure of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence M. Grills, Eugene F. Colditz