Patents by Inventor Michael Herman Gaines

Michael Herman Gaines 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).

  • Publication number: 20230393100
    Abstract: Systems and methods for components, e.g., liquid or gas handling, are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes an acoustic probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The acoustic probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The tester can include onboard force sensors associated with the probe or a temperature sensor. The tester or a handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Jack Secord, William R. Horton, Michael Herman Gaines
  • Patent number: 11726068
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Shane Russell, William R. Horton, Glenn T. Leggett, Robert E. Carter, Kurt Armstrong, Thomas Jack Secord, Michael Herman Gaines
  • Publication number: 20220146458
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Shane Russell, William R. Hourton, Glenn T. Leggett, Robert E. Carter, Kurt Armstrong, Thomas Jack Secord, Michael Herman Gaines
  • Patent number: 11255823
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ARMSTRONG INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Shane Russell, William R. Horton, Glenn T. Leggett, Robert E. Carter, Kurt Armstrong, Thomas Jack Secord, Michael Herman Gaines
  • Patent number: 5942163
    Abstract: A jacketed steam humidification apparatus includes an elongated steam dispersion tube having discharge orifices for the release of steam, and an elongated jacket defining a jacket passageway in contact with the dispersion tube so that steam can flow along the jacket passageway to maintain the dispersion tube in a heated condition, where the jacket has one or more escape passages to allow a portion of the steam and other gases in the jacket passageway to escape from the jacket passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Armstrong International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Charles Robinson, Jon Keith Bingaman, Michael Herman Gaines