Patents by Inventor Mikell K. Mills

Mikell K. Mills 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: 6193409
    Abstract: An agitator assembly includes a dynamic or rotary seal which has a pusher for mechanically separating the seal members as the agitator is moved into a clean-in-place orientation. There are three embodiments of the invention, with all embodiments including a pusher mounted on the drive shaft so that as the seal is moved with respect to the drive shaft by either moving the drive shaft or the seal, the pusher engages one of the seal members to mechanically separate it from the other seal member. The pusher preferably comprises a shaft mounted “O” ring in two of the embodiments, and a ring shaped and tapered structure in the other embodiment. The embodiments provide for a seal that has springs located within the tank, a seal with an elastomer to provide the spring sealing force, and a seal with springs located outside the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Paul Mueller Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Brunson, Ira O. Fees, Mikell K. Mills, Gregory M. Posten