Patents by Inventor Robert N. Pinkerton

Robert N. Pinkerton 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: 8839821
    Abstract: An apparatus for straightening fluid flow in a conduit or pipeline, such as an irrigation pipeline, resides in an integral assembly of a conical fluid flow displacement member effective to substantially lineralize the velocity profile of fluid flowing through the pipeline and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending longitudinally and radially of the conical member and effective to mitigate swirl and eccentric velocity profiles in the flowing fluid. The conical member consists simply of a single cone that is centered in the pipeline by the vanes. A bolt extending through the wall of the pipe and threaded into a nut on a vane secures the straightener in the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: McCrometer, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Pinkerton
  • Publication number: 20100224275
    Abstract: An apparatus for straightening fluid flow in a conduit or pipeline, such as an irrigation pipeline, resides in an integral assembly of a conical fluid flow displacement member effective to substantially lineralize the velocity profile of fluid flowing through the pipeline and a plurality of circumferentially spaced vanes extending longitudinally and radially of the conical member and effective to mitigate swirl and eccentric velocity profiles in the flowing fluid. The conical member consists simply of a single cone that is centered in the pipeline by the vanes. A bolt extending through the wall of the pipe and threaded into a nut on a vane secures the straightener in the line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Mc Crometer , Inc.
    Inventor: Robert N. Pinkerton
  • Patent number: 5814738
    Abstract: Fluid flow apparatus, such as a fluid flowmeter, a fluid mixing device or a fluid dispersing device, includes a one-piece fluid displacement member removably mounted in a section of fluid conduit so that no material joining, such as welding, is required for manufacture. The displacement member is removably and replaceably mounted in the conduit section so that one displacement member can be replaced by one or more other displacement members and thereby accommodate a very broad range of fluid flows. The mounting or support is provided at the downstream end of the displacement member which eliminates disturbances in the fluid flow around the displacement member and thereby provides for a highly stable signal. The signal is obtained via measurement taps in the wall of the conduit so that no measurement taps are required in or through the displacement member. The apparatus is adapted for use in sanitary applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: McCrometer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Pinkerton, Stephen A. Ifft