Patents by Inventor Michael L. Keith

Michael L. Keith 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: 8128340
    Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Gorman-Rupp, Co.
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 8123458
    Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Gormann-Rupp Co.
    Inventors: Donald Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Publication number: 20080193276
    Abstract: A stacked pump arrangement for mixed-media flow includes a first, self-priming, centrifugal pump with a volute having an inlet and an outlet and a second straight centrifugal pump mounted to an upper portion of the first centrifugal pump, the second straight centrifugal pump also having a volute with an inlet and an outlet. A transition chamber is connected, at one end, to the first centrifugal pump volute outlet and is connected, at another end, to the second straight centrifugal pump volute inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: GORMAN-RUPP CO.
    Inventors: Donald Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 7328222
    Abstract: A method of and system for managing cached data across disparate systems is disclosed. A system for providing cached data coherency includes: a client computer, an application server, a main database, one or more remote application servers, and a communication network interconnecting the client computer, the application server, the main database, and the one or more remote application servers. The application server being operable to respond to a data record being updated by the client computer, by: updating a cache local to the application server, updating the main database, generating a command object defining the updating of the data record, and sending the command object to the one or more remote application servers. The one or more remote application servers being operable to respond to the receipt of the command object by executing the command object, thereby storing the updated data record on caches local to the one or more remote application servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Keith, Steven Vo
  • Patent number: 7156614
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly that includes an inlet housing that defines a inlet chamber and at least one inlet port in fluid communication with the inlet chamber. A volute forming part of the assembly defines an outlet port. An impeller is mounted for rotation at least partially within the volute and operative upon rotation to convey fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The inlet housing defines mounting structure by which the inlet housing can be secured to the volute in any one of a plurality of positions with respect to the volute so that the spatial relationship between the inlet port and the outlet port can be changed by changing the relative position of the inlet housing with respect to the volute. The inlet housing also mounts a pump insert which may be either a dedicated clean-out assembly or structure defining an axial inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Patent number: 6887034
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump having an adjustable clean-out assembly (60), the position of which determines the face clearance between a wear plate (72) and an impeller (20). The clean-out assembly includes an end cover (63) that threadedly mounts a plurality of adjustment assemblies. The adjustment assembly includes an adjuster (104) that defines a through bore for slidably receiving a retaining stud (66) that extends from the pump housing. Each adjuster includes an abutment surface (108) which engages a pump surface and which establishes the face clearance between the wear plate and the impeller. Each adjuster includes a hex-shaped head which is engageable by an associated locking member (120) secured to the end cover. Each locking member includes a locking collar (120a) having 18 teeth which allows the collar to engage the hex-shaped head of the adjuster in 18 different postions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: David L. Mesiter, James T. Hooker, Michael L. Keith, Eddie D. Cottrell
  • Patent number: 6799943
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump (10) having a pump housing (40) that defines a substantially axial inlet port (32), a substantially radial inlet port (34) and an outlet port (30). An impeller (42) is rotatable within an impeller chamber (58) defined by the housing and is operative to pump fluid from one or both of the inlet ports to the outlet port when the impeller is rotated. A removable cleanout assembly (82) located within and forming part of the axial port includes a structure for supporting a wear plate (76) that is positioned axially adjacent the impeller. The cleanout assembly includes an inlet opening adapted to be configured as an axial inlet port to the pump. The cleanout assembly is removable in order to provide access to the impeller for service or cleaning. Either the axial port or the radial port can serve as an inlet or, alternately, both ports can serve concurrently as inlets to the pump. Mounting flanges (88) associated with each inlet port are adapted to connect to inlet conduits or a cap member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith
  • Publication number: 20030206797
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump having an adjustable clean-out assembly (60), the position of which determines the face clearance between a wear plate (72) and an impeller (20). The clean-out assembly includes an end cover (63) that threadedly mounts a plurality of adjustment assemblies. The adjustment assembly includes an adjuster (104) that defines a through bore for slidably receiving a retaining stud (66) that extends from the pump housing. Each adjuster includes an abutment surface (108) which engages a pump surface and which establishes the face clearance between the wear plate and the impeller. Each adjuster includes a hex-shaped head which is engageable by an associated locking member (120) secured to the end cover. Each locking member includes a locking collar (120a) having 18 teeth which allows the collar to engage the hex-shaped head of the adjuster in 18 different postions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Mesiter, James T. Hooker, Michael L. Keith, Eddie D. Cottrell
  • Publication number: 20020192088
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump (10) having a pump housing (40) that defines a substantially axial inlet port (32), a substantially radial inlet port (34) and an outlet port (30). An impeller (42) is rotatable within an impeller chamber (58) defined by the housing and is operative to pump fluid from one or both of the inlet ports to the outlet port when the impeller is rotated. A removable cleanout assembly (82) located within and forming part of the axial port includes a structure for supporting a wear plate (76) that is positioned axially adjacent the impeller. The cleanout assembly includes an inlet opening adapted to be configured as an axial inlet port to the pump. The cleanout assembly is removable in order to provide access to the impeller for service or cleaning. Either the axial port or the radial port can serve as an inlet or, alternately, both ports can serve concurrently as inlets to the pump. Mounting flanges (88) associated with each inlet port are adapted to connect to inlet conduits or a cap member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Donald W Racer, Michael L Keith
  • Patent number: D534547
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Gormon-Rupp Co.
    Inventors: Donald W. Racer, Michael L. Keith