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).

  • Patent number: 12007040
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20230184350
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Patent number: 11578813
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Patent number: 11208318
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FRANKLIN FUELING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Christopherson, James Matthew Novak, Bill Nelson
  • Publication number: 20210025516
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Patent number: 10801640
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20200165121
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Christopherson, James Matthew Novak, Bill Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190323624
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Patent number: 10371283
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20150192220
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Justin F. Kuehn, Michael Christopherson
  • Publication number: 20140081648
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: John Mabry, Michael Christopherson, Tom Paget, Melanie Matthews, Bart McFall
  • Publication number: 20070256673
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20060000205
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Applicant: 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