Patents by Inventor Michael T. Landrum

Michael T. Landrum 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: 9945494
    Abstract: A pneumatic system for operating a hydraulic valve is provided. The system may include: a first piston set; a first connector attached to the first piston operably connecting the first piston; a first spring biasing the first piston to move in an axial direction; a second port in the first housing; a second piston set with in a second cavity defined by a second housing; a second connector attached to the second piston, a second spring biasing the second piston to move in an axial direction; a first port in the second housing; and a second port in the second housing configured to provide fluid communication with in the second cavity at a second end of the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SPX Flow, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Patent number: 9719351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary motor, comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein each of the vanes is split into two subvanes, one or more elastic members, wherein the elastic member is configured to push each of the subvanes forming a vane toward an end plate to form a seal between the subvane and the end plate; an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotor; a lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes; a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member; and one or more end plates to enclose the plurality of vanes, the inner rotary member, the lobe member and the plurality of chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20170184135
    Abstract: A hydraulically balanced assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20170184209
    Abstract: A hydraulic port includes: a body defining a first passageway, the first passageway defining a first port at an outer surface of the body; a first thin member located on the body and surrounding the first port, the first thin member being configured to flex away from the first passageway when pressurized fluid flows through the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Michael T. LANDRUM
  • Publication number: 20160365772
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump is provided. The pump includes: a pump shaft adapter configured to rotate and operate the hydraulic pump thereby; a magneto operatively connected to the pump shaft adapter; conductors extending from the magneto connecting the magneto to a power outlet to provide electricity generated by the magneto to the power outlet; and a hydraulic pump housing enclosing both the hydraulic pump and the magneto. A method of generating electricity may be provided. The method includes: adapting a pump shaft to include an attaching structure; attaching a magneto to the attaching structure; and configuring the magneto to generate electricity when the pump shaft rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. LANDRUM, Dwight E. Booth
  • Patent number: 9470324
    Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve may include: an axially movable spool having a conical valve portion and dissipating disk portion; a valve housing defining a valve cavity in which the spool resides; a first port in the valve housing; a second port in the valve housing; a land defined by the housing; a wide portion in the housing; and a valve seat defined, at least in part, by the valve housing configured to form a seal with the conical valve portion, wherein the land, the wide portion, the conical valve portion, and the valve seat are dimensioned to cause the disk portion and the land to be proximate to each other when the valve section is near the valve seat and the disk portion is proximate to the wide portion when the valve section is away from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: SPX FLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20160099625
    Abstract: An electric device includes: a first set of magnets arranged in an annular array about a central axis of the device; a second set of magnets arranged in an annular array about the central axis of the device; a first carrier supporting the first set of magnets, the first carrier rotatable about the central axis; a second carrier supporting the second set of magnets axially spaced along the central axis from the first set of magnets, the first and second carriers dimensioned to allow the first and second set of magnets to move past each other when the first carrier rotates. A method of moving magnets with respect to each other may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Patent number: 9206688
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary motor, comprising a plurality of vanes, an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotor, a multi lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes, where the multi lobe member comprises at least two lobes wherein each of the lobes comprises an inlet and an outlet for a working medium, and a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the multi lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member. Such devices in accordance with some embodiments of the invention provide that a plurality of inlets and outlets amplify the output torque of the motor, that any side load is absent or minimized, and that a faster and stronger rotational force is achieved compared to a conventional hydraulic motor having a single pair of inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SPX FLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20150345685
    Abstract: A manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a first body having an outer surface; a second body having an inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the first body and the first body is micro-welded to the second body; and a groove formed in one or both of the outer and inner surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer surface contacts the inner surface and the groove forms a fluid passage located between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. Also in some embodiments a method of forming a manifold is provided. The method includes: filling a die with powdered metal having grains; compressing the powdered metal in the die thereby forming a first body; removing the compressed part from the die; contacting the first body to a second body subjecting the bodies to heat; and forming micro-weld between grains of metal between the two bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Michael T. LANDRUM, Dwight Booth
  • Patent number: 9193046
    Abstract: A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a manifold; a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway; a poppet valve in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows; and a proximity switch configured to detect movement of the poppet valve. A method of operating a hydraulic circuit may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SPX FLOW, INC.
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20150252932
    Abstract: A manifold includes: a first body having an outer tapered surface; a second body having an inner tapered surface corresponding to the outer tapered surface of the first body; and a groove formed in one or both of the outer and inner curved surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer tapered surface contacts the inner tapered surface and the groove forms a fluid passage located in between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. A method of assembling a manifold is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventor: MICHAEL T. LANDRUM
  • Publication number: 20150013777
    Abstract: A manifold is provided. The manifold includes a first body having an outer curved surface; a second body having an inner curved surface corresponding to the outer curved surface of the first body; and a groove formed in one or both of the outer and inner curved surfaces, wherein the first body is dimensioned to fit within the second body so that the outer curved surface contacts the inner curved surface and the groove forms a fluid passage located in between the first and second bodies, the fluid passage having an inlet and an outlet. A method for assembling a manifold may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20150017042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary motor, comprising a plurality of vanes, an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotor, a multi lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes, where the multi lobe member comprises at least two lobes wherein each of the lobes comprises an inlet and an outlet for a working medium, and a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the multi lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member. Such devices in accordance with some embodiments of the invention provide that a plurality of inlets and outlets amplify the output torque of the motor, that any side load is absent or minimized, and that a faster and stronger rotational force is achieved compared to a conventional hydraulic motor having a single pair of inlet and outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20150017050
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary motor, comprising a plurality of vanes, wherein each of the vanes is split into two subvanes, one or more elastic members, wherein the elastic member is configured to push each of the subvanes foil ling a vane toward an end plate to form a seal between the subvane and the end plate; an inner rotary member housing the plurality of vanes projecting from a central rotation axis of the inner rotor; a lobe member encompassing the inner rotary member and the plurality of vanes; a plurality of chambers wherein each of the chambers is encompassed by an inner surface of the lobe member and an outer surface of the inner rotary member; and one or more end plates to enclose the plurality of vanes, the inner rotary member, the lobe member and the plurality of chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20140352790
    Abstract: A pneumatic system for operating a hydraulic valve is provided. The system may include: a first piston set; a first connector attached to the first piston operably connecting the first piston; a first spring biasing the first piston to move in an axial direction; a second port in the first housing; a second piston set with in a second cavity defined by a second housing; a second connector attached to the second piston, a second spring biasing the second piston to move in an axial direction; a first port in the second housing; and a second port in the second housing configured to provide fluid communication with in the second cavity at a second end of the second piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20140352828
    Abstract: A valve is provided. The valve may include: an axially movable spool having a conical valve portion and dissipating disk portion; a valve housing defining a valve cavity in which the spool resides; a first port in the valve housing; a second port in the valve housing; a land defined by the housing; a wide portion in the housing; and a valve seat defined, at least in part, by the valve housing configured to form a seal with the conical valve portion, wherein the land, the wide portion, the conical valve portion, and the valve seat are dimensioned to cause the disk portion and the land to be proximate to each other when the valve section is near the valve seat and the disk portion is proximate to the wide portion when the valve section is away from the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20140102293
    Abstract: A piston assembly is provided. The piston assembly may include: a piston rod; a piston pivotally connected to the piston rod; and a rotatable rod bearing configured to allow the piston rod to pass therethough and rotate along with the piston rod as the piston rod pivots with respect to the piston. A method of making a piston assembly may be provided. The method may include: attaching a piston rod to a piston in a pivoting connection; providing a rotatable bearing for the piston rod; and supporting the piston rod with the rotatable bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas P. MILLER, Michael T. LANDRUM, James Ervin COOPER
  • Publication number: 20140033876
    Abstract: A hydraulic flow sensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a manifold; a hole in the manifold in fluid communication with a fluid pathway; a poppet valve in the hole in the manifold configured to move when fluid in the pathway flows; and a proximity switch configured to detect movement of the poppet valve. A method of operating a hydraulic circuit may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Michael T. LANDRUM
  • Publication number: 20130284408
    Abstract: A cooling reservoir may be provided. The cooling reservoir may include: a generally polygon shaped container having sides that define at least two corners; a fan configured to blow air across two sides that define one of the corners; and cooling fins attached to the sides. A method for making a cooling reservoir may be provided. The method may include: providing generally polygon shaped container having sides that define at least two corners; mounting a fan to blow air across two sides that define one of the corners; and attaching cooling fins to the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SPX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas P. Miller, Michael T. Landrum
  • Publication number: 20110225962
    Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a hydraulic pump including a first motor running at a fixed speed, a reservoir for fluid and a first pump operatively coupled to the motor such that the pump runs at the same speed as the motor and generates a flow of fluid from the reservoir. The hydraulic pump further includes a second motor, a speed control valve operatively coupled to the to the first pump and operatively coupled to the second motor such that a portion of the flow is directed to the second motor and the remainder of the flow is diverted to the reservoir, and a second pump operatively coupled to the second motor such that the second pump is driven by the second motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SPX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael T. Landrum