Patents by Inventor Michael D. Langenfeld

Michael D. Langenfeld 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: 11939566
    Abstract: A system and method for growing and maintaining biological material including producing a protein associated with the tissue, selecting cells associated with the tissue, expanding the cells, creating at least one tissue bio-ink including the expanded cells, printing the at least one tissue bio-ink in at least one tissue growth medium mixture, growing the tissue from the printed at least one tissue bio-ink, and maintaining viability of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher C. Langenfeld, David D. B. Cannan, Dirk A. van der Merwe, Dean Kamen, Jason A. Demers, Frederick Morgan, Timothy D. Moreau, Brian D. Tracey, Matthew Ware, Richard J. Lanigan, Michael A. Baker, David Blumberg, Jr., Richard E. Gautney, Derek G. Kane, Dane Fawkes, Thomas J. Bollenbach, Michael C. Tilley, Stuart A. Jacobson, John F. Mannisto
  • Patent number: 11808151
    Abstract: A flow collar for use on a dual rod drill rod assembly includes an uphole end defined in part by a first interior portion having a first interior diameter and a downhole end defined in part by a second interior portion having a second interior diameter that is larger than the first interior diameter. The flow collar further includes a plurality of radially-extending peripheral fluid passages extending through the flow collar to the second interior portion. An outer rod interfacing surface defines a continuous annular surface with a constant outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 11105156
    Abstract: A pullback device for attaching to a rotary drill bit that has a pair of wrench flats on its base without disassembling or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes an anchoring portion including a collar configured to engage with the wrench flats of the rotary drill bit. The pullback device includes a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms having a first end including an attachment location configured to attach product to the pullback device for pullback of the product by the drill string, and each of the arms including a second end opposite the first end, the second end attached to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Tyler J. Dorin, Jacob Richard Smith, Michael D. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20210189802
    Abstract: A flow collar for use on a dual rod drill rod assembly includes an uphole end defined in part by a first interior portion having a first interior diameter and a downhole end defined in part by a second interior portion having a second interior diameter that is larger than the first interior diameter. The flow collar further includes a plurality of radially-extending peripheral fluid passages extending through the flow collar to the second interior portion. An outer rod interfacing surface defines a continuous annular surface with a constant outer diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 10961779
    Abstract: A coupler includes a main body that has an inner bore. The inner bore has a non-circular profile and a longitudinal axis. The coupler includes a cross aperture disposed in the main body. The cross aperture has an axis that is nonintersecting with the longitudinal axis of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 10851588
    Abstract: A coupler includes a main body that has an inner bore. The inner bore has a non-circular profile and a longitudinal axis. The coupler includes a cross aperture disposed in the main body. The cross aperture has an axis that is nonintersecting with the longitudinal axis of the main body. The coupler also includes a sleeve that is positioned around an exterior surface of the main body. The sleeve has at least one drilling fluid flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Publication number: 20200362635
    Abstract: A coupler includes a main body that has an inner bore. The inner bore has a non-circular profile and a longitudinal axis. The coupler includes a cross aperture disposed in the main body. The cross aperture has an axis that is nonintersecting with the longitudinal axis of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Jacob Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 10711520
    Abstract: A drill head includes a drive shaft that has an uphole end and a downhole end. The downhole end includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drill head also includes a coupling that includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drive features of the coupling are sized and shaped to mate with the drive features of the drive shaft. The coupling includes an axial fluid flow passage and a radial fluid flow passage. The radial fluid flow passage is in communication with the axial fluid passage, and fluid flow is permitted between the drive features of the drive shaft and the drive features of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Andrew J. Kreimeyer, Tyler J. Dorin
  • Publication number: 20200165875
    Abstract: A pullback device for attaching to a rotary drill bit that has a pair of wrench flats on its base without disassembling or removing the rotary drill bit from a drill string. The pullback device includes an anchoring portion including a collar configured to engage with the wrench flats of the rotary drill bit. The pullback device includes a plurality of arms, each of the plurality of arms having a first end including an attachment location configured to attach product to the pullback device for pullback of the product by the drill string, and each of the arms including a second end opposite the first end, the second end attached to the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Tyler J. Dorin, Jacob Richard Smith, Michael D. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 10227832
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Publication number: 20180313169
    Abstract: A coupler includes a main body that has an inner bore. The inner bore has a non-circular profile and a longitudinal axis. The coupler includes a cross aperture disposed in the main body. The cross aperture has an axis that is nonintersecting with the longitudinal axis of the main body. The coupler also includes a sleeve that is positioned around an exterior surface of the main body. The sleeve has at least one drilling fluid flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventor: Michael D. Langenfeld
  • Publication number: 20180313157
    Abstract: A drill head includes a drive shaft that has an uphole end and a downhole end. The downhole end includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drill head also includes a coupling that includes drive features that are torque transmitting and radial load bearing. The drive features of the coupling are sized and shaped to mate with the drive features of the drive shaft. The coupling includes an axial fluid flow passage and a radial fluid flow passage. The radial fluid flow passage is in communication with the axial fluid passage, and fluid flow is permitted between the drive features of the drive shaft and the drive features of the coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Andrew J. Kreimeyer, Tyler J. Dorin
  • Publication number: 20170314337
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 9605491
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Publication number: 20150292275
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 9016366
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Patent number: 8991490
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist
  • Publication number: 20120267170
    Abstract: Underground drilling operation often requires connecting a drill tool (e.g., drill bit, backreamer, etc.) to a drill string. It is desirable to connect the drill tools to a drill string in a manner that facilitates quick and easy assembly and disassembly. Low torque coupling, commonly referred to as “torque-less” connection, can provide such functionality. The useful life and strength of such connections can be improved upon. The present disclosure provides a low torque coupling with improved strength and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Langenfeld, Randy R. Runquist