Patents by Inventor Michael V. Johnson

Michael V. Johnson 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).

  • Publication number: 20260090553
    Abstract: A system for providing a desired amount of cooling to a quantity of non-liquid conveyable product in a vessel within a given length of residence time including: (A) continuously feeding a mass of the product into, through and out of a vessel, at a rate that provides a predetermined length of residence time, wherein the product is moved through the vessel by engagement thereof with an impeller; and (B) feeding cryogen out of a plurality of nozzle openings directly into or onto the product in the vessel while the impeller is moving the product continuously past the nozzle openings, wherein the cryogen is fed into said non-liquid conveyable product from a sufficient number of nozzle openings to provide the desired amount of cooling to the product within the given period of residence time, and wherein the flow of cryogen out of each nozzle opening is continuous or intermittent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Inventors: Michael V. Johnson, Elizabeth W. Wanic, Soujanya N. Jampala, Theodore H. Gasteyer, III, Balazs Hunek
  • Patent number: 12520854
    Abstract: A system for providing a desired amount of cooling to a quantity of non-liquid conveyable product in a vessel within a given length of residence time including: (A) continuously feeding a mass of the product into, through and out of a vessel, at a rate that provides a predetermined length of residence time, wherein the product is moved through the vessel by engagement thereof with an impeller; and (B) feeding cryogen out of a plurality of nozzle openings directly into or onto the product in the vessel while the impeller is moving the product continuously past the nozzle openings, wherein the cryogen is fed into said non-liquid conveyable product from a sufficient number of nozzle openings to provide the desired amount of cooling to the product within the given period of residence time, and wherein the flow of cryogen out of each nozzle opening is continuous or intermittent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2026
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Balazs Hunek, Michael V. Johnson, Elizabeth W. Wanic, Soujanya N. Jampala, Theodore H. Gasteyer, III
  • Publication number: 20240188601
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of freezing material that is susceptible to breakage at undesirable places or times, wherein the freezing is performed with reduced risk of such breakage occurring, and methods for recovery of valuable component from such material by freezing, size reduction, and sieving at sub-ambient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Sameer H. Israni, Brian T. Zurek, Michael V. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230049923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing a desired amount of cooling to a quantity of non-liquid conveyable product in a vessel within a given length of residence time in the vessel, comprising: (A) continuously feeding a mass of non-liquid conveyable product into a vessel, through the interior of the vessel, and out of the vessel, at a rate that provides a given predetermined length of residence time within the interior of the vessel, wherein the non-liquid conveyable product is moved through the interior of the vessel by engagement thereof with an impeller that is positioned in the interior of the vessel; and (B) feeding cryogen out of a plurality of nozzle openings directly into or onto the non-liquid conveyable product in the interior of the vessel while the impeller is moving the non-liquid conveyable product continuously past the nozzle openings, wherein the cryogen is fed into said non-liquid conveyable product from a sufficient number of said nozzle openings to provide the desired amount of cooling to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Balazs Hunek, Michael V. Johnson, Elizabeth W. Wanic, Soujanya N. Jampala, Theodore H. Gasteyer, III
  • Patent number: 5608979
    Abstract: A multi-message sign includes a frame having a recessed front panel adapted to releasably mount a primary sign by use of double-stick tape or other suitable fasteners. A plurality of additional secondary signs disposed in overlying relation within the frame selectively drop through a slot in a bottom portion of the frame for display. The primary and secondary signs each preferably include indicia for sighted persons and corresponding braille indicia for blind persons. The inventive sign includes a hidden pivotal release mechanism operated by insertion of a coin into a slot to release and drop the secondary signs. The sign includes several decoy slots to deter tampering. In order to facilitate convenient change of the secondary signs while deterring tampering, the frame includes a bottom cover detachably secured by concealed latch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Michael V. Johnson