Patents by Inventor Neil F. Hoehle

Neil F. Hoehle 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: 20230213096
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a first stator, a second stator, and a throttle member. In one illustrative embodiment, the second stator may be formed with a main body and an access plate positioned radially interior with respect to a portion of the first stator. The first stator and second stator may engage one another about a semi-spherical interface comprised of a convex surface on the second stator and a concave surface on the first stator. The second stator may include an internal channel in which a throttle member may be positioned, wherein a radially interior surface of the throttle member may be positioned a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chandhini Gowthaman
  • Patent number: 11543031
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a first stator, a second stator, and a throttle member. In one illustrative embodiment, the second stator may be formed with a main body and an access plate positioned radially interior with respect to a portion of the first stator. The first stator and second stator may engage one another about a semi-spherical interface comprised of a convex surface on the second stator and a concave surface on the first stator. The second stator may include an internal channel in which a throttle member may be positioned, wherein a radially interior surface of the throttle member may be positioned a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chandhini Gowthaman
  • Publication number: 20210172530
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly comprises a stator configured to engage a housing and a rotor positioned within the stator. The stator may include a main body, a stator inward radial projection extending radially inward from the stator main body, and a collection groove adjacent the stator inward radial projection. The rotor may include a rotor main body and a rotor axial projection extending from the rotor main body. The rotor axial projection may be positioned adjacent a distal end of the stator inward radial projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chintan Shah
  • Patent number: 11002362
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. The stator and rotor may be configured with radial and/or axial recesses and/or radial and/or axial projections. These various features may be configured such that the stator and rotor cooperate to form a ring cavity. A cooperating ring may be positioned in the ring cavity, and the cooperating ring may be configured such that is circumferentially expandable so that the cooperating ring changes size and/or shape when it rotates as opposed to when it is not rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventor: Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 10927961
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly comprises a stator configured to engage a housing and a rotor positioned within the stator. The stator may include a main body, a stator inward radial projection extending radially inward from the stator main body, and a collection groove adjacent the stator inward radial projection. The rotor may include a rotor main body and a rotor axial projection extending from the rotor main body. The rotor axial projection may be positioned adjacent a distal end of the stator inward radial projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chintan Shah
  • Publication number: 20200284352
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a sealing member. In the illustrative embodiment the fixed stator may be formed with one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with one or fluid conduits formed in the floating stator. The fluid conduits in the floating stator may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits formed in a sealing member. A rotational interface may exist between the sealing member and a shaft, and the various fluid conduits may be configured to create a fluid barrier at that interface. Other embodiments of a shaft seal assembly may create a fluid barrier at a rotational interface between a rotor and a floating stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Tom Horner
  • Publication number: 20200103035
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a first stator, a second stator, and a throttle member. In one illustrative embodiment, the second stator may be formed with a main body and an access plate positioned radially interior with respect to a portion of the first stator. The first stator and second stator may engage one another about a semi-spherical interface comprised of a convex surface on the second stator and a concave surface on the first stator. The second stator may include an internal channel in which a throttle member may be positioned, wherein a radially interior surface of the throttle member may be positioned a shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chandhini Gowthaman
  • Patent number: 10364895
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly comprises a stator configured to engage a housing and a rotor positioned within the stator. The stator may include a main body, a stator inward radial projection extending radially inward from the stator main body, and a collection groove adjacent the stator inward radial projection. The rotor may include a rotor main body and a rotor axial projection extending from the rotor main body. The rotor axial projection may be positioned adjacent a distal end of the stator inward radial projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventors: Chintan Shah, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20190170256
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. The stator and rotor may be configured with radial and/or axial recesses and/or radial and/or axial projections. These various features may be configured such that the stator and rotor cooperate to form a ring cavity. A cooperating ring may be positioned in the ring cavity, and the cooperating ring may be configured such that is circumferentially expandable so that the cooperating ring changes size and/or shape when it rotates as opposed to when it is not rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 10203036
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. The stator and rotor may be configured with radial and/or axial recesses and/or radial and/or axial projections. These various features may be configured such that the stator and rotor cooperate to form a ring cavity. A cooperating ring may be positioned in the ring cavity, and the cooperating ring may be configured such that is circumferentially expandable so that the cooperating ring changes size and/or shape when it rotates as opposed to when it is not rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventor: Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20180175695
    Abstract: A bearing isolator and explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One aspect of an explosion-proof current diverter ring may include a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial bore formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the rotor to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing through the explosion-proof current diverting device. The explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert A. Tejano, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20180135759
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a sealing member. In the illustrative embodiment the fixed stator may be formed with one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with one or fluid conduits formed in the floating stator. The fluid conduits in the floating stator may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits formed in a sealing member. A rotational interface may exist between the sealing member and a shaft, and the various fluid conduits may be configured to create a fluid barrier at that interface. Other embodiments of a shaft seal assembly may create a fluid barrier at a rotational interface between a rotor and a floating stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Tom Horner
  • Publication number: 20180073640
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly comprises a stator configured to engage a housing and a rotor positioned within the stator. The stator may include a main body, a stator inward radial projection extending radially inward from the stator main body, and a collection groove adjacent the stator inward radial projection. The rotor may include a rotor main body and a rotor axial projection extending from the rotor main body. The rotor axial projection may be positioned adjacent a distal end of the stator inward radial projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Chintan Shah
  • Patent number: 9831739
    Abstract: A bearing isolator and explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One aspect of an explosion-proof current diverter ring may include a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial bore formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the rotor to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing through the explosion-proof current diverting device. The explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Tejano, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20170077663
    Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter ring includes an inner body and an outer body configured to clamp at least one conductive segment between them. In the preferred embodiments of the current diverter ring, the conductive segments are positioned in radial channels. The outer body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. The bearing isolator may incorporate a retention chamber for holding conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator, or the bearing isolator may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle, Robert A. Tejano, Shawn Horton
  • Publication number: 20160372987
    Abstract: A bearing isolator and explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One aspect of an explosion-proof current diverter ring may include a stator that may be mounted to the equipment housing and a rotor that may be mounted to a shaft. The rotor may rotate with the shaft. A conductive assembly may be positioned in a radial bore formed in the stator such that the conductive assembly contacts the rotor to conduct electricity from the shaft to the housing through the explosion-proof current diverting device. The explosion-proof current diverting device may be configured to define a flame path to achieve various explosion-proof certifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Tejano, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20160369895
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly may include a stator and a rotor. The rotor may be configured to rotate with a shaft, and the stator may be engaged with a housing. The stator and rotor may be configured with radial and/or axial recesses and/or radial and/or axial projections. These various features may be configured such that the stator and rotor cooperate to form a ring cavity. A cooperating ring may be positioned in the ring cavity, and the cooperating ring may be configured such that is circumferentially expandable so that the cooperating ring changes size and/or shape when it rotates as opposed to when it is not rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventor: Neil F. Hoehle
  • Patent number: 9525327
    Abstract: The current diverter rings and bearing isolators serve to dissipate an electrical charge from a rotating piece of equipment to ground, such as from a motor shaft to a motor housing. One embodiment of the current diverter ring includes an inner body and an outer body configured to clamp at least one conductive segment between them. In the preferred embodiments of the current diverter ring, the conductive segments are positioned in radial channels. The outer body may be affixed to a shaft, a motor housing, a bearing isolator, or other structure. The bearing isolator may incorporate a retention chamber for holding conductive segments within the stator of the bearing isolator, or the bearing isolator may be fashioned with a receptor groove into which a current diverter ring may be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Inpro/Seal, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Orlowski, Neil F. Hoehle, Robert A. Tejano, Shawn Horton
  • Publication number: 20160312898
    Abstract: A shaft seal assembly comprises a stator configured to engage a housing and a rotor positioned within the stator. The stator may include a main body, a stator inward radial projection extending radially inward from the stator main body, and a collection groove adjacent the stator inward radial projection. The rotor may include a rotor main body and a rotor axial projection extending from the rotor main body. The rotor axial projection may be positioned adjacent a distal end of the stator inward radial projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Chintan Shah, Neil F. Hoehle
  • Publication number: 20160245410
    Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a shaft seal assembly generally includes a fixed stator, a floating stator, and a sealing member. In the illustrative embodiment the fixed stator may be formed with one or more fluid conduits that are in fluid communication with one or fluid conduits formed in the floating stator. The fluid conduits in the floating stator may be in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits formed in a sealing member. A rotational interface may exist between the sealing member and a shaft, and the various fluid conduits may be configured to create a fluid barrier at that interface. Other embodiments of a shaft seal assembly may create a fluid barrier at a rotational interface between a rotor and a floating stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Neil F. Hoehle, Tom Horner