Patents by Inventor Michael D. Schmidt

Michael D. Schmidt 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: 11925177
    Abstract: A continuously variable nozzle system includes a nozzle body (5) with an inlet and an outlet. A conduit is defined between the inlet and the outlet by a series connection of components which includes a flow meter (10). The flow meter (10) has a chamber (83) with internal helical splines (82) that are configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber (83) and create a cyclone-like effect. A sphere (52) is located inside the chamber (83) for free movement along a circular path (106). A sensor is located outside of the chamber (83) and configured to detect motion of the sphere (52) and generate an output (9) signal in response to detected motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Agricultural Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas Butts, Todd A. Meidinger, Benjamin J. Wolbaum, Daniel R. Wood, Jr., Michael D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210176977
    Abstract: A continuously variable nozzle system includes a nozzle body (5) with an inlet and an outlet. A conduit is defined between the inlet and the outlet by a series connection of components which includes a flow meter (10). The flow meter (10) has a chamber (83) with internal helical splines (82) that are configured to interact with a spray liquid passing through the chamber (83) and create a cyclone-like effect. A sphere (52) is located inside the chamber (83) for free movement along a circular path (106). A sensor is located outside of the chamber (83) and configured to detect motion of the sphere (52) and generate an output (9) signal in response to detected motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Marshall T. Bremer, Nicholas Butts, Todd A. Meidinger, Benjamin J. Wolbaum, Daniel R. Wood, Jr., Michael D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4337692
    Abstract: A fluid cylinder assembly comprising a cylindrical shell and movable plunger member having an annular retainer internally threaded into one end of the shell so as to limit the extensibility of the plunger from the shell, such annular retainer being specially designed so as to enable the outside diameter of the shell to be minimized without adversely affecting the performance of the cylinder assembly. The resilient fluid seal between the retainer and the shell, normally located at a position interior of the retainer threads, is instead located exterior of the threads at the end of the shell. The retainer includes a radially-projecting flange portion, exterior of the end of the shell, having a chamfered annular recess therein which encloses the end of the shell and resists any tendency of the end of the shell to expand radially when the force of the plunger is imposed upon the retainer by prestressing the flange against such expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Cascade Corporation
    Inventors: Elie C. Sifri, Michael D. Schmidt