Patents by Inventor Michael R. Crawford

Michael R. Crawford 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: 11662027
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for mitigating fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump with a rotating shaft driving a pumping mechanism. A packing gland component can have an internal seal formed by two dynamic O-rings that allows for use of lubricants at high pressures, as well as an outer seal for greater prevention of fluid loss. Further, the packing gland component can be a retrofit for existing packing gland components to provide for greater life and efficiency as compared to the existing packing gland components. Additionally, in some implementations, a sleeve may be fixedly attached to the rotating shaft between the packing gland and the shaft to provide a wear point for the packing gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mihm, John Hall, Andrew Anderson, Michael R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11493035
    Abstract: A pump technology that provides for more effective and efficient transfer of liquids, such as petroleum products and components, to and through pipelines. Such a technology can comprise a type of external gear pump that creates higher flow, resulting in higher pressures in the pipeline, to move the liquids, while providing for longer pump life, simpler and less maintenance, and fewer undesired conditions, with a smaller footprint, in a cost-effective system. Further, one or more portions of the pump can be configured to be easily replaceable to provide for maintenance in place, and provide for longer pump life. Additionally, one or more portions of the pump can be constructed with or coated with abrasive resistant material that extends the life of the external gear pump. Such material can also reduce the friction between surfaces and improve the life of the external gear pump under poor feeding conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Crawford, Andrew Anderson, Josh Gerbig, Scott Meyer, Cameron Neff, Justin Pierce
  • Publication number: 20220042603
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for mitigating fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump with a rotating shaft driving a pumping mechanism. A packing gland component can have an internal seal formed by two dynamic O-rings that allows for use of lubricants at high pressures, as well as an outer seal for greater prevention of fluid loss. Further, the packing gland component can be a retrofit for existing packing gland components to provide for greater life and efficiency as compared to the existing packing gland components. Additionally, in some implementations, a sleeve may be fixedly attached to the rotating shaft between the packing gland and the shaft to provide a wear point for the packing gland.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mihm, John Hall, Andrew Anderson, Michael R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 11168794
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for mitigating fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump with a rotating shaft driving a pumping mechanism. A packing gland component can have an internal seal formed by two dynamic O-rings that allows for use of lubricants at high pressures, as well as an outer seal for greater prevention of fluid loss. Further, the packing gland component can be a retrofit for existing packing gland components to provide for greater life and efficiency as compared to the existing packing gland components. Additionally, in some implementations, a sleeve may be fixedly attached to the rotating shaft between the packing gland and the shaft to provide a wear point for the packing gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mihm, John Hall, Andrew Anderson, Michael R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20210195937
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein relate to smokeless products containing one or more non-tobacco plant materials and methods of manufacture thereof. Exemplary embodiments are related to the method of manufacture of various chew products containing non-tobacco ingredients including plant material and a starch, a sweetener, natural and artificial flavors, a pH adjuster, solvent, salt, and liquid synthetic nicotine and methods of manufacture thereof. The liquid synthetic nicotine is provided at greater volumes compared to when liquid tobacco-derived nicotine is used due to the presence of both R nicotine isomers and S nicotine isomers present in the liquid synthetic nicotine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Alan J. Duignan, Kenneth A. Dawson, JR., Michael R. Crawford, Sean P. Linton
  • Patent number: 10952460
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein relate to smokeless products containing one or more non-tobacco plant materials and methods of manufacture thereof. Exemplary embodiments are related to the method of manufacture of various chew products containing non-tobacco ingredients including plant material and a starch, a sweetener, natural and artificial flavors, a pH adjuster, solvent, salt, and nicotine and methods of manufacture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Blesst Boyz LLC
    Inventors: Alan J. Duignan, Kenneth A. Dawson, Jr., Michael R. Crawford, Sean P. Linton
  • Publication number: 20210048023
    Abstract: A pump technology that provides for more effective and efficient transfer of liquids, such as petroleum products and components, to and through pipelines. Such a technology can comprise a type of external gear pump that creates higher flow, resulting in higher pressures in the pipeline, to move the liquids, while providing for longer pump life, simpler and less maintenance, and fewer undesired conditions, with a smaller footprint, in a cost-effective system. Further, one or more portions of the pump can be configured to be easily replaceable to provide for maintenance in place, and provide for longer pump life. Additionally, one or more portions of the pump can be constructed with or coated with abrasive resistant material that extends the life of the external gear pump. Such material can also reduce the friction between surfaces and improve the life of the external gear pump under poor feeding conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Crawford, Andrew Anderson, Josh Gerbig, Scott Meyer, Cameron Neff, Justin Pierce
  • Publication number: 20200138089
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments contained herein relate to smokeless products containing one or more non-tobacco plant materials and methods of manufacture thereof. Exemplary embodiments are related to the method of manufacture of various chew products containing non-tobacco ingredients including plant material and a starch, a sweetener, natural and artificial flavors, a pH adjuster, solvent, salt, and nicotine and methods of manufacture thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Alan J. Duignan, Kenneth A. Dawson, JR., Michael R. Crawford, Sean P. Linton
  • Publication number: 20200072206
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a pump technology that provides for more effective and efficient transfer of liquids, such as glycol products, in a glycol dehydration system. Such a technology can comprise a type of external gear pump that can effectively handle harsh conditions associated with glycol dehydration system at high pressures, while providing for longer pump life, effective operations at higher temperatures, and operations that account for thermal shock; with improved sealing capability, in a cost-effective system. An example pump may comprise hardened internal components, improved clearances, a jacket to mitigate thermal shock, and/or a thermal shock plate to mitigate thermal shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Meyer, Justin Pierce, Lacy Meyer, Michael R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20190383399
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for mitigating fluid loss or leakage from a fluid pump with a rotating shaft driving a pumping mechanism. A packing gland component can have an internal seal formed by two dynamic O-rings that allows for use of lubricants at high pressures, as well as an outer seal for greater prevention of fluid loss. Further, the packing gland component can be a retrofit for existing packing gland components to provide for greater life and efficiency as compared to the existing packing gland components. Additionally, in some implementations, a sleeve may be fixedly attached to the rotating shaft between the packing gland and the shaft to provide a wear point for the packing gland.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mihm, John Hall, Andrew Anderson, Michael R. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6712585
    Abstract: A brushless direct current magnetic pump includes a drive shaft that passes through and that is coupled to a magnet carrier. The magnet carrier with an annular sleeve with at least six outer ribs that define at least six slots that extend axially along the sleeve. The at least six slots accommodate at least six bar magnets and at least six sensor magnets. A Hall effect sensor is included in the motor assembly to provide positional information of the sensor magnets to a controller for improved speed control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor C. Iehl, Michael R. Crawford, Howard Koth
  • Patent number: 6659728
    Abstract: An internal gear pump including a stepper motor coupled to a drive shaft that is coupled to a rotor and meshed with an idler is disclosed. A controller is linked to the stepper motor. The stepper motor imparts a stepped rotational movement to the drive shaft wherein a single 360° rotation of the drive shaft comprises a plurality of steps. The controller sends a signal to the stepper motor to rotate the drive shaft a predetermined number of steps, based upon an inputted dispense amount. The signal causes the stepper motor to rotate the drive shaft a predetermined number of steps. The controller calculates the predetermined number of steps based upon the inputted dispense amount using an algorithm that is derived experimentally that defines a relationship between dispense amount and the number of steps required for each dispense amount. The algorithm is unique for each fluid to be pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Viking Pump, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Bush, Howard E. Koth, Michael R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20030091442
    Abstract: An internal gear pump including a stepper motor coupled to a drive shaft that is coupled to a rotor and meshed with an idler is disclosed. A controller is linked to the stepper motor. The stepper motor imparts a stepped rotational movement to the drive shaft wherein a single 360° rotation of the drive shaft comprises a plurality of steps. The controller sends a signal to the stepper motor to rotate the drive shaft a predetermined number of steps, based upon an inputted dispense amount. The signal causes the stepper motor to rotate the drive shaft a predetermined number of steps. The controller calculates the predetermined number of steps based upon the inputted dispense amount using an algorithm that is derived experimentally that defines a relationship between dispense amount and the number of steps required for each dispense amount. The algorithm is unique for each fluid to be pumped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew D. Bush, Howard E. Koth, Michael R. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20030053914
    Abstract: A brushless direct current magnetic pump includes a drive shaft that passes through and that is coupled to a magnet carrier. The magnet carrier with an annular sleeve with at least six outer ribs that define at least six slots that extend axially along the sleeve. The at least six slots accommodate at least six bar magnets and at least six sensor magnets. A Hall effect sensor is included in the motor assembly to provide positional information of the sensor magnets to a controller for improved speed control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: VIKING PUMP, INC.
    Inventors: Victor C. Iehl, Michael R. Crawford, Howard Koth