Patents by Inventor Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
Merlin P. Hoodlebrink 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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Patent number: 5221468Abstract: Filtering apparatus employs both pneumatic controls and a pneumatic drive to eliminate all electrical components. The filtering apparatus includes a perforate plate and a tank with a strip of filtering media supported on the plate. Contaminated liquid is supplied from above and clean liquid is removed from below the filtering media and plate. The filtering media is advanced across the plate by conveying apparatus. The pneumatic drive for the conveying apparatus is operated by pneumatic controls and a float which actuates the drive when the liquid in the tank rises to a predetermined level as the filtering media becomes plugged. The drive is shut off when the liquid drops to a lower predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1991Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Clarmatic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fox, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4985146Abstract: A filtering system includes a filter drum assembly. The system includes a filter tank with a conveyor in the bottom which removes contaminants from liquid in the tank. The filter tank also has supports therein by means of which the filter drum assembly is removably supported in the tank and can be removed as a single assembly. The filter drum assembly includes a filtering drum located in the tank and supported by a suction pipe connected by a separable fitting to a suction pump. A drive shaft is vertically positioned above the drum and is rotatably supported by an end wall of the drum. The shaft drives a wiper arm having a wiper blade in contact with the filtering drum wall and the blade is periodically moved around the drum wall to clean filter cake therefrom. The wiper arm is driven by a one-way clutch, an arm, and a fluid-operated ram which is also supported by the suction pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1990Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: Clarmatic Industries, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Fox, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4966693Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquid, particularly coolant used in metal-working machines, is set forth. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a coalescing unit which separates free oil from the coolant and a filtering unit which separates solid particles from the coolant. The processed coolant is then discharged back into the coolant system, along with fresh coolant. Some contaminants, including dissolved organics such as surfactants and emulsified oils remain in the coolant. Periodically, the coolant must be disposed of, being beyond its useful life in the coolant system. The coolant is then processed by an ultrafiltration unit which removes further contaminants and, if necessary, by a reverse osmosis unit which removes additional contaminants to make the remaining liquid suitable for discharge into a sewer system or the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1989Date of Patent: October 30, 1990Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4895649Abstract: Apparatus for processing liquid, particularly coolant used in metal-working machines, is set forth. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a coalescing unit which separates free oil from the coolant and a filtering unit which separates solid particles from the coolant. The processed coolant is then discharged back into the coolant system, along with fresh coolant. Some contaminants, including dissolved organics such as surfactants and emulsified oils remain in the coolant. Periodically, the coolant must be disposed of, being beyond its useful life in the coolant system. The coolant is then processed by an ultrafiltration unit which removes further contaminants and, if necessary, by a reverse osmosis unit which removes additional contaminants to make the remaining liquid suitable for discharge into a sewer system or the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1988Date of Patent: January 23, 1990Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4865724Abstract: Versatile filtering apparatus is provided, particularly for processing liquid or coolant used with metal-working machines. The apparatus is adaptable for processing coolant in a wide variety of coolant systems to meet a variety of requirements of metal-working machines in a plant. The apparatus includes a dirty liquid tank in side-by-side relationship with a clean liquid tank, a coalescing unit, a filtering unit, an automatic supply or fill valve for supplying liquid to the apparatus from the coolant system, and an automatic discharge valve for supplying processed liquid from the apparatus back to the coolant system. The coalescing unit separates free oils from the liquid and the filtering unit separates solid particles from the liquid. The processed liquid is then discharged back to the coolant system along with fresh coolant.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1988Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4717475Abstract: Apparatus is provided for separating liquids and particularly water and oil. The separating apparatus includes a tank containing two coalescent cells or units, one of which receives the liquids directly from a supply pipe and immediately disperses the liquids through a perforate recess into the cell. The liquids are partly separated in that cell and further in the second cell. Oil is separated from the top of the tank into a separate chamber and water is separated from the bottom into another chamber from which it is discharged and can be recirculated. The cells, which contain bodies with a high surface-to-weight ratio and are made of a material having an affinity for oil, are readily removable from the system for cleaning or replacement of the bodies.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1986Date of Patent: January 5, 1988Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink
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Patent number: 4477350Abstract: Apparatus for filtering liquid under pressure through a continuous filtering media is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate filter housing with open ends and a filtering media support is positioned across the housing and extends between the open ends thereof. A supply roll of filter media is located near one end opening and supplies the filtering media through the opening to the support. A takeup roll is located near the other end opening and receives used filter media through the other end opening from the support. A sealing member is provided for each of the end openings to seal the same during a filtering operation. Each sealing member includes a backup plate and a resilient gasket layer which contacts and engages the end of the housing around the opening. A drive unit in the form of a fluid-operated ram includes a piston rod connected to one of the backup plates and a fluid-operated cylinder connected to a transverse supporting bar.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1983Date of Patent: October 16, 1984Assignee: Brandt & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Robert H. Brandt, Merlin P. Hoodlebrink