Patents by Inventor Mark E. Ulrich

Mark E. Ulrich 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: 11738358
    Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a pump and an electrostatic module configured to provide an electrostatic charge to spray fluid. The electrostatic module is electrically connected to a conductive component of the fluid sprayer, such as a fluid displacement member, fitting, cylinder, or spray tip, to charge the spray fluid via the conductive component. The fluid is electrostatically charged prior to exiting the fluid sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Mark E. Ulrich, Diane L. Olson
  • Publication number: 20210402422
    Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a pump and an electrostatic module configured to provide an electrostatic charge to spray fluid. The electrostatic module is electrically connected to a conductive component of the fluid sprayer, such as a fluid displacement member, fitting, cylinder, or spray tip, to charge the spray fluid via the conductive component. The fluid is electrostatically charged prior to exiting the fluid sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Mark E. Ulrich, Diane L. Olson
  • Patent number: 10926275
    Abstract: A fluid sprayer includes a pump and an electrostatic module configured to provide an electrostatic charge to spray fluid. The electrostatic module is electrically connected to a conductive component of the fluid sprayer, such as a fluid displacement member, fitting, cylinder, or spray tip, to charge the spray fluid via the conductive component. The fluid is electrostatically charged prior to exiting the fluid sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Mark E. Ulrich, Diane L. Olson
  • Patent number: 10239070
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an electromagnetic alternator, a housing and an impeller. The electromagnetic alternator has a shaft. The electromagnetic alternator is disposed within the housing. The housing has an air aperture. The impeller is mounted to the shaft within the housing so as to be aligned with the air aperture. The impeller includes blades having curved leading and trailing edges. In one embodiment, each blade has a curvature so as to be perpendicular to the air aperture across an entire arc over which each impeller blade has a line of sight of the air aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 10046343
    Abstract: In one example, an electrostatic spray gun includes a spray tip assembly, an alternator, an electrode, and at least one controller. The alternator includes a stator having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The alternator further includes a rotor disposed within the inner diameter of the stator and configured to rotate within the stator to cause the alternator to generate alternating electrical current. The electrode, positioned proximate the spray tip assembly, is coupled to receive electrical energy from the alternator. The at least one controller is coupled to the alternator and is configured to output a representation of a rotational speed of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Adriana Fitzgerald Mickols, Joseph A. Daniski, Mark E. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20170182505
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an electromagnetic alternator, a housing and an impeller. The electromagnetic alternator has a shaft. The electromagnetic alternator is disposed within the housing. The housing has an air aperture. The impeller is mounted to the shaft within the housing so as to be aligned with the air aperture. The impeller includes blades having curved leading and trailing edges. In one embodiment, each blade has a curvature so as to be perpendicular to the air aperture across an entire arc over which each impeller blade has a line of sight of the air aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 9616438
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an electromagnetic alternator, a housing and an impeller. The electromagnetic alternator has a shaft. The electromagnetic alternator is disposed within the housing. The housing has an air aperture. The impeller is mounted to the shaft within the housing so as to be aligned with the air aperture. The impeller includes blades having curved leading and trailing edges. In one embodiment, each blade has a curvature so as to be perpendicular to the air aperture across an entire arc over which each impeller blade has a line of sight of the air aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Patent number: 9610596
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an alternator housing, a stator, a rotor, a shaft, a first bearing and a sheath. The stator is inserted into the alternator housing and has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The rotor is disposed within the inner diameter of the stator. The shaft extends from the rotor and is rotatably supported by a first bearing. The sheath surrounds the outer diameter, supports the stator with respect to the alternator housing, and supports the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20150273494
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun comprises a gun barrel, a gun handle affixed to the gun barrel, and a spray tip assembly affixed to the gun barrel. The spray tip assembly comprises a tip assembly face, a tip disposed at the tip assembly face, an electrode extending perpendicularly from the tip assembly face, and a shield tower extending perpendicularly from the tip assembly face, and disposed cylindrically about the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: David W. Koehne, Mark E. Ulrich, Tamara M. Bentley, Joseph A. Daniski
  • Publication number: 20150266039
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an alternator housing, a stator, a rotor, a shaft, a first bearing and a sheath. The stator is inserted into the alternator housing and has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The rotor is disposed within the inner diameter of the stator. The shaft extends from the rotor and is rotatably supported by a first bearing. The sheath surrounds the outer diameter, supports the stator with respect to the alternator housing, and supports the bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20150258557
    Abstract: An alternator, such as for use in an electrostatic spray gun, comprises an electromagnetic alternator, a housing and an impeller. The electromagnetic alternator has a shaft. The electromagnetic alternator is disposed within the housing. The housing has an air aperture. The impeller is mounted to the shaft within the housing so as to be aligned with the air aperture. The impeller includes blades having curved leading and trailing edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Jason J. Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20150251199
    Abstract: In one example, an electrostatic spray gun includes a spray tip assembly, an alternator, an electrode, and at least one controller. The alternator includes a stator having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The alternator further includes a rotor disposed within the inner diameter of the stator and configured to rotate within the stator to cause the alternator to generate alternating electrical current. The electrode, positioned proximate the spray tip assembly, is coupled to receive electrical energy from the alternator. The at least one controller is coupled to the alternator and is configured to output a representation of a rotational speed of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Adriana Fitzgerald Mickols, Joseph A. Daniski, Mark E. Ulrich
  • Publication number: 20150231652
    Abstract: An electrostatic spray gun comprises a gun barrel, a housing attached to the gun barrel, a spray tip assembly attached to the barrel opposite the housing, and a first grounding rod. The spray tip assembly is situated at one end of the gun barrel, and has an electrode extending away from the gun barrel. The first grounding rod is electrically connected to the housing but electrically separated from the spray tip assembly, and extends along the gun barrel from the housing towards the spray tip assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: Mark E. Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6854667
    Abstract: Interlocking tabs are provided on the backside of a spray gun air cap to mate with corresponding slots in the barrel of the gun. The tabs and slots are spaced at 90° (or other spacing if desired) to confine the air cap to vertical or horizontal orientations. The barrel and retaining ring are provided with a custom coarse thread which both allows quicker removal and replacement of the air cap as well as substantially eliminating the ability to cross-thread the air cap on the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Ulrich, Michael J. Reget, John C. Sweazey
  • Patent number: D757214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Richter, Mark E. Ulrich, David W. Koehne
  • Patent number: D920486
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Richter, Mark E. Ulrich
  • Patent number: D929539
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter
  • Patent number: D934383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter
  • Patent number: D956177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter
  • Patent number: D985718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Amelia J. Stech, Elisa J. McCline, Mark E. Ulrich, Mark C. Richter