Patents by Inventor Michael R. Ekholm

Michael R. Ekholm 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: 11873612
    Abstract: A screen intake has a central body with two screens attached on either end. Each of the screens has an interior that communicates with a hollow of the body via flow modifiers. These flow modifiers include one or more pipes disposed in the interior of the screens and through passages in ends of the body. A flow control support device disposed within the body supports the body's sidewall and divides the hollow into at least two portions—each communicating with flow from one of the flow modifiers. The device can include one or more plates disposed adjacent one another within the internal hollow with a peripheral edge attached to an inside of the body's sidewall. At least one of the one or more plates can be solid, or one or more of the plates can define openings therein allowing passage of at least some fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: JOHNSON SCREENS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael R. Ekholm
  • Publication number: 20230303414
    Abstract: An improved biofilter design and related methods of utilizing shaped drain assemblies for directing fluid flow though a biofilter media to promote biological interaction. A shaped drain assembly can include a plurality of elongated drain structures having a permeable upper surface, a. lower surface and a drain interior defining a drain cross-section. When configured as a shaped underdrain assembly, each elongated drain structures can be in proximity to a biofilter tank floor such that the lower surface is in fluid communication with one or more flow channels below the floor and with the permeable upper surface supporting the biofilter media. The biofilter can include a shaped drain assembly positioned above the shaped underdrain assembly and located within or above the biofilter media. The shaped drain assemblies can control the flow and mixing of two or more flow species into the biofilter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Elsa Vulliez, Clement Vitteau, Fabrice Coura-Geot
  • Publication number: 20230103787
    Abstract: Screen intake assemblies and related methods of fabrication and operation that improve both operational performance and structural strength. The screen intake assembly can include one or more screen portions that run substantially and continually along the length of the screen assembly to provide increase fluid intake and uniform flow. The screen intake assembly can comprise a central manifold having an exterior manifold screen portion to provide additional filtering capacity. The screen intake assembly can be used alone or in combination with internal flow modifier structures to increase fluid intake and uniformity. Internal flow modifiers can include a perforated flow modifier pipe, an internal flow modifier pipe, and/or converging flow modifiers. The screen intake assembly can include cleaning systems that operate continuously or on demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Daryn BERTELSON, Spencer BUSS, Klaus HEIL, Nadine LACROSSE, Darrin LINDBLOM, Ehrich SHAW, Mark WATSON
  • Publication number: 20210187416
    Abstract: Screen intake assemblies and related methods of fabrication and operation that improve both operational performance and structural strength. The screen intake assembly can include one or more screen portions that run substantially and continually along the length of the screen assembly to provide increase fluid intake and uniform flow. The screen intake assembly can comprise a central manifold having an exterior manifold screen portion to provide additional filtering capacity. The screen intake assembly can be used alone or in combination with internal flow modifier structures to increase fluid intake and uniformity. Internal flow modifiers can include a perforated flow modifier pipe, an internal flow modifier pipe, and/or converging flow modifiers. The screen intake assembly can include cleaning systems that operate continuously or on demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. EKHOLM, Daryn BERTELSON, Spencer BUSS, Klaus HEIL, Nadine LACROSSE, Darrin LINDBLOM, Ehrich SHAW, Mark WATSON
  • Publication number: 20190390428
    Abstract: A screen intake has a central body with two screens attached on either end. Each of the screens has an interior that communicates with a hollow of the body via flow modifiers. These flow modifiers include one or more pipes disposed in the interior of the screens and through passages in ends of the body. A flow control support device disposed within the body supports the body's sidewall and divides the hollow into at least two portions—each communicating with flow from one of the flow modifiers. The device can include one or more plates disposed adjacent one another within the internal hollow with a peripheral edge attached to an inside of the body's sidewall. At least one of the one or more plates can be solid, or one or more of the plates can define openings therein allowing passage of at least some fluid therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Michael R. Ekholm
  • Publication number: 20080121580
    Abstract: An embedded geometrically variable filter underdrain header and a method for constructing such a filter. Often the variation is a decrease in cross section along the header from the backwash media source, which avoids a pressure loss as liquid is diverted to the laterals along the header. The header is formed inside a filter underdrain basin and is embedded in the basin. The method for constructing the basin and header includes providing a mold for the basin and the header and filling the molds with concrete by pouring concrete into the area between the interior of the mold for the basin and the exterior of the mold for the header. After the concrete cures, the mold for the basin may or may not be removed, while the mold for the header is kept in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/ LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Mark E. Watson, Thomas J. Steinke
  • Patent number: 6712959
    Abstract: A submerged intake filter assembly comprising a cylindrical screen, a first end plate, a second end plate, a primary flow modifier pipe, and a plurality of secondary flow modifier pipes. The primary flow modifier pipe is eccentric with the cylindrical screen at the first end plate. The secondary flow modifier pipes are positioned to lie in an annular space between the primary flow modifier pipe and the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson
  • Publication number: 20030029780
    Abstract: A submerged intake filter assembly comprising a cylindrical screen, a first end plate, a second end plate, a primary flow modifier pipe, and a plurality of secondary flow modifier pipes. The primary flow modifier pipe is eccentric with the cylindrical screen at the first end plate. The secondary flow modifier pipes are positioned to lie in an annular space between the primary flow modifier pipe and the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Ekholm, Michael D. Appel, Richard C. Maxson