Patents by Inventor Michael D. Grissom

Michael D. Grissom 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: 9816529
    Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KCF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Grissom, Gary H. Koopman
  • Patent number: 9394045
    Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: KCF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Gary H. Koopmann, Michael D. Grissom
  • Publication number: 20150274355
    Abstract: Lightweight, hinged self-closing container covers using elastomer springs to self-close the cover are provided. Several cover designs having gates that may be circular or non-circular and may occupy up to almost 100% of the surface of the cover are implemented using elastomeric springs placed either on a lower surface of the cover (i.e., inside the container) or on an external surface of the cover. By choosing the material properties of the elastomer, dynamics of the gate behavior may be controlled. The elastomeric springs may be formed and cured in situ or, alternately, may be precast and cured and applied to the covers with adhesive or the like when the cover is attached to the container. The gates may be implemented with a toggle action when required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Michael D. Grissom
  • Publication number: 20150125268
    Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Gary H. KOOPMANN, Michael D. GRISSOM
  • Publication number: 20150056058
    Abstract: A propeller system for an aircraft includes an assembly for modifying a sound field of the propeller system. The propeller system includes a rotor supported for rotation about a rotor axis. The rotor has a central hub and a plurality of blades each extending outwardly from the hub to a tip. The rotor and blades are operable to propel an aircraft to travel in a direction. The rotor blades define a rotor plane perpendicular to the rotor axis. The blade tips define a circumferential rotational path as the blades are rotated by the rotor. The propeller system includes an acoustic resonator or multiple resonators having openings disposed within a distance to the propeller blade tip that is small compared to the wavelength of the propeller's fundamental blade tone and proximate to the rotor plane. The resonators are excited by tip flow of the blade as it passes the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KCF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. GRISSOM, Gary H. KOOPMAN
  • Patent number: 8622230
    Abstract: A light weight hinged top (top) is described to be used as a container top. This particular model provides ease of use and requires significantly less material for manufacturing. A novel way of connecting the top and the container is using a fork spring which has three fingers like structures. The two outer structures are smaller than the middle one. The fork spring due to its resiliency brings the container top back to closing position thus providing self closing and self reseal ability for the top. A guide member also helps to position the top when it opens and closes. The top can be made using metal, biodegradable materials or any flexible material. The top can be used for cans or bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Michael D Grissom
  • Publication number: 20120228294
    Abstract: A light weight hinged top (top) is described to be used as a container top. This particular model provides ease of use and requires significantly less material for manufacturing. A novel way of connecting the top and the container is using a fork spring which has three fingers like structures. The two outer structures are smaller than the middle one. The fork spring due to its resiliency brings the container top back to closing position thus providing self closing and self reseal ability for the top. A guide member also helps to position the top when it opens and closes. The top can be made using metal, biodegradable materials or any flexible material. The top can be used for cans or bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: POPSEAL LLC
    Inventor: MICHAEL D. GRISSOM
  • Patent number: 8215513
    Abstract: A self-closing resealable can end for a beverage container that opens the top of the beverage container through downward pressure that causes a gate to move downward relative to the top panel. The gate is retained by a resilient member and when the downward pressure ceases, the gate is moved into proximity with the top panel. Pressure from the carbonation presses the gate against a lip and the gate bends to form an enhanced seal. Other variations are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Popseal LLC.
    Inventor: Michael D. Grissom
  • Publication number: 20100005616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a an apparatus for the grooming and removal of animal hair, dust, and dander with emphasis on miniaturization, portability, maximizing power, and minimizing noise by using the Bernoulli Principle venturi effect and active noise cancellation instead of vacuum methods known and practiced in the industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Michael D. Grissom
  • Patent number: 5165636
    Abstract: This invention is a stabilizing terminus which includes a bulbous portion formed from a pliable, high viscous material encapsulated in a durable yet pliable vinyl coating having a shape retaining memory. When pressure is placed on the bulbous portion, it will slowly change shape to meet the contour requirements of the surface on which it rests. By using this terminus on a plurality of supports such as chairs legs, refrigerators, table legs and the like, these supports become stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Michael D. Grissom