Patents by Inventor Michael L. Viken

Michael L. Viken 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: 10590791
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20180216480
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Patent number: 9957828
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20170343010
    Abstract: A seal for use in a centrifugal pump, the pump having a stationary pump casing, a stationary plate and an axially adjustable side liner, is disclosed. The seal includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A band portion extends from the base and a retainer member extends from the band portion. The retainer member is spaced apart from the base and oriented for positioning against a groove formed in the axially adjustable side plate liner of the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Patent number: 9739285
    Abstract: A seal for use in a centrifugal pump, the pump having a stationary pump casing, a stationary plate and an axially adjustable side liner, is disclosed. The seal includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A band portion extends from the base and a retainer member extends from the band portion. The retainer member is spaced apart from the base and oriented for positioning against a groove formed in the axially adjustable side plate liner of the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20150226265
    Abstract: Apparatuses include an upper body and a lower body coupleable to the upper body for forming a channel to support a bearing assembly therein. A retention member extends into the channel from at least one of the upper body or the lower body. The retention member is configured to engage the bearing assembly to secure the bearing assembly within the channel. The apparatus further includes a lifting member formed in the upper body for receiving a hoisting member for lifting the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Ron J. Bourgeois, Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20150104291
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a fluid passageway from contaminants is disclosed. The fluid passageway is formed by a rotating shaft entering an opening in a housing. The fluid passageway connects an interior of the housing, and any exterior of the housing. The seal assembly includes a first sealing member and a second sealing member, which divides the fluid passage into an interior section, an open section, and a sealed section. The interior section is exposed to the interior of the housing. The sealed section is fluidly sealed between the interior section and the open section. A sensor is disposed within the sealed section. The sensor is configured to sense the contaminants within the sealed section and is electronically coupled to a controller configured to send an alarm signal. The sensor is a moisture sensor and extends into an annular recess formed in the stationary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20140271177
    Abstract: A seal for use in a centrifugal pump, the pump having a stationary pump casing, a stationary plate and an axially adjustable side liner, is disclosed. The seal includes a base having an inner surface and an outer surface. A band portion extends from the base and a retainer member extends from the band portion. The retainer member is spaced apart from the base and oriented for positioning against a groove formed in the axially adjustable side plate liner of the centrifugal pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WEIR SLURRY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Randy J. Kosmicki, Michael L. Viken
  • Patent number: 7871241
    Abstract: A self-monitoring adjustment system is provided for evaluating and effecting adjustment of the leakage restricting mechanism between the rotating and non-rotating elements of a rotodynamic pump to restrict leakage and to establish desired gap dimensions between the rotating and non-rotating elements of the pump. The adjustment system is structured to be self-monitoring for determination of when an adjustment of the leakage restricting mechanism is warranted by the conditions of the pump, and is structured with adjusting mechanisms that are self-adjusting responsive to the monitored conditions of the pump, though manual adjustment is also enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Weir Slurry Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Bourgeois, Randy J. Kosmicki, Jeffrey C. Vian, Tyler M. Erlandson, Michael L. Viken
  • Publication number: 20090180866
    Abstract: A self-monitoring adjustment system is provided for evaluating and effecting adjustment of the leakage restricting mechanism between the rotating and non-rotating elements of a rotodynamic pump to restrict leakage and to establish desired gap dimensions between the rotating and non-rotating elements of the pump. The adjustment system is structured to be self-monitoring for determination of when an adjustment of the leakage restricting mechanism is warranted by the conditions of the pump, and is structured with adjusting mechanisms that are self-adjusting responsive to the monitored conditions of the pump, though manual adjustment is also enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: WEIR SLURRY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Bourgeois, Randy J. Kosmicki, Jeffrey C. Vian, Tyler M. Erlandson, Michael L. Viken