Patents by Inventor Michael Christopherson
Michael Christopherson 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: 12007040Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Publication number: 20230184350Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 11578813Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 11208318Abstract: A tank collar has an adjustable mounting surface for a containment sump, such that the containment sump may be adjusted on the tank collar to be substantially plumb, even if the tank collar itself is not plumb. In particular, the containment sump wall is angularly adjustable with respect to the tank collar, which is fixed to an underground storage tank (UST). This angular adjustability facilitates a method of installation in which imperfect angular orientation of the tank collar and UST may be compensated for by angular adjustment of the containment sump wall. During and after such angular adjustment, a consistent seal between the containment sump wall and the tank collar is maintained, such as in the form of a continuous line of contact around the circumference of the interface between the tank collar and the containment sump wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Michael Christopherson, James Matthew Novak, Bill Nelson
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Publication number: 20210025516Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 10801640Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Publication number: 20200165121Abstract: A tank collar has an adjustable mounting surface for a containment sump, such that the containment sump may be adjusted on the tank collar to be substantially plumb, even if the tank collar itself is not plumb. In particular, the containment sump wall is angularly adjustable with respect to the tank collar, which is fixed to an underground storage tank (UST). This angular adjustability facilitates a method of installation in which imperfect angular orientation of the tank collar and UST may be compensated for by angular adjustment of the containment sump wall. During and after such angular adjustment, a consistent seal between the containment sump wall and the tank collar is maintained, such as in the form of a continuous line of contact around the circumference of the interface between the tank collar and the containment sump wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Inventors: Michael Christopherson, James Matthew Novak, Bill Nelson
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Publication number: 20190323624Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Patent number: 10371283Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLCInventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Publication number: 20150192220Abstract: An overfill-prevention valve system includes a testing mechanism, operable by a user from the inlet end of the drop tube, which can be used to verify proper valve function without actually filling the storage tank. The testing mechanism allows the user to actuate the valve manually using a test probe, such as by elevating a float to simulate a full storage tank. The testing mechanism may be located upstream of the valve to facilitate the testing operation without interfering with the valve body. The mechanism may further provide non-contact functionality, such as with magnetic actuators on either side of the drop tube wall, to eliminate a potential test mechanism leak points. The test probe used to actuate the test mechanism may be shaped to define a desired rotational position at the test location within the drop tube, ensuring proper rotational alignment of the magnetic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
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Publication number: 20140081648Abstract: A system and method for assisting in the management of a long-term care (LTC) facility is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving rules information about rules dealing with operating a LTC facility. The method also includes receiving resident data about the therapy and care needs of each resident of the LTC facility. Lastly, the method involves analyzing the resident data in light of the rules data and displaying on a user interface one or more notifications or alerts that identify one or more of the rules that may be triggered based on the resident data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: John Mabry, Michael Christopherson, Tom Paget, Melanie Matthews, Bart McFall
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Publication number: 20070256673Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a dynamic exhaust system of a motorcycle engine. The method includes providing a valve in the exhaust system that is movable to direct exhaust gases between a first flow path through the exhaust system and a second flow path through the exhaust system. The method includes actuating the valve at a first speed to redirect exhaust gases from the first flow path to the second flow path and actuating the valve at a second speed greater than the first speed to redirect exhaust gases from the second flow path to the first flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Bozmoski, Timothy Osterberg, Michael Christopherson, Anthony Coffey, William Pari, Michael Richter, Stacy Smith, Richard Pierson, Michael Selwa
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Publication number: 20060000205Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a dynamic exhaust system of a motorcycle engine. The method includes providing a valve in the exhaust system that is movable to direct exhaust gases between a first flow path through the exhaust system and a second flow path through the exhaust system. The method includes actuating the valve at a first speed to redirect exhaust gases from the first flow path to the second flow path and actuating the valve at a second speed greater than the first speed to redirect exhaust gases from the second flow path to the first flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2004Publication date: January 5, 2006Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.Inventors: Alexander Bozmoski, Timothy Osterberg, Michael Christopherson, Anthony Coffey, William Pari, Michael Richter, Stacy Smith, Richard Pierson, Michael Selwa