Patents by Inventor William J. Lund
William J. Lund 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).
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Publication number: 20220323918Abstract: A static mixer for liquids or gases includes a housing having a continuous inner surface defining a fluid flow path for liquids or gases, an inlet to the fluid flow path, and an outlet from the fluid flow path, and an insert extending longitudinally through the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The insert is elastically expansive to exert outwardly directed pressure against the continuous inner surface of the housing. In one embodiment, the insert is hollow and has deflectors dispersed therethroughout and each projecting inwardly into the fluid flow path. In another embodiment, the insert includes a helical deflector extending inwardly into the fluid flow path from the continuous inner surface, and helically about a longitudinal axis of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: William J. Lund
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Publication number: 20220248602Abstract: An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away the severed asparagus spears to bin. In one embodiment, counter-rotating rollers of the pick-up apparatus have interfering members configured to disable the severed asparagus spears when being engaged and lifted by and between them from passing outwardly from between their trailing ends. In another embodiment, a partition in the bin cooperates with it to define a confined volume open to receive severed asparagus spears from the conveyor. A drive assembly actuates to displace the bin relative to the partition to increase the confined volume to enable it to accept more severed asparagus spears each time a sensor senses severed asparagus spears at a fill level of the confined volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 11285448Abstract: A static mixer for liquids or gases includes a housing having a continuous inner surface defining a fluid flow path for liquids or gases, an inlet to the fluid flow path, and an outlet from the fluid flow path, and an insert extending longitudinally through the fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The insert is elastically expansive to exert outwardly directed pressure against the continuous inner surface of the housing. In one embodiment, the insert is hollow and has deflectors dispersed therethroughout and each projecting inwardly into the fluid flow path. In another embodiment, the insert includes a helical deflector extending inwardly into the fluid flow path from the continuous inner surface, and helically about a longitudinal axis of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Inventor: William J. Lund
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Publication number: 20220015294Abstract: An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away asparagus spears severed by the severing assembly. The severing assembly includes a severing blade carried by a plunger mounted in a pneumatic cylinder. Conduits couple the pneumatic cylinder to a source of air under pressure through a valve unit operable for actuating the pneumatic cylinder to repeatedly fire and withdraw the plunger for repeatedly moving the severing blade back-and-forth along a stroke path between a raised set position and a lowered severing position proximate to the ground. A heater mounted proximate to the valve unit is configured to sufficiently heat the valve unit to enable the valve unit to operate in the presence of an ambient temperature sufficiently low to impair its operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 11058057Abstract: An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away asparagus spears severed by the severing assembly. The severing assembly includes a severing blade carried by a plunger mounted in a pneumatic cylinder. Conduits couple the pneumatic cylinder to a source of air under pressure through a valve unit operable for actuating the pneumatic cylinder to repeatedly fire and withdraw the plunger for repeatedly moving the severing blade back-and-forth along a stroke path between a raised set position and a lowered severing position proximate to the ground. A heater mounted proximate to the valve unit is configured to sufficiently heat the valve unit to enable the valve unit to operate in the presence of an ambient temperature sufficiently low to impair its operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2021Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 10993372Abstract: An asparagus harvester includes a chassis movable over a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are severed at the ground by a severing assembly. A conveyor receives from a pick-up apparatus and conveys away asparagus spears severed by the severing assembly. The severing assembly includes a severing blade carried by a plunger mounted in a pneumatic cylinder. Conduits couple the pneumatic cylinder to a source of air under pressure through a valve unit operable for actuating the pneumatic cylinder to repeatedly fire and withdraw the plunger for repeatedly moving the severing blade back-and-forth along a stroke path between a raised set position and a lowered severing position proximate to the ground. A heater mounted proximate to the valve unit is configured to sufficiently heat the valve unit to enable the valve unit to operate in the presence of an ambient temperature sufficiently low to impair its operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventor: William J. Lund
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Publication number: 20100126604Abstract: A demand type, multiple use, hot water distribution and freeze protection system and method that responds to the user's desire for hot water at a particular sink or fixture by delivering hot water rapidly to that fixture, and only that fixture, without running water down the drain is disclosed. The system requires only one pump at the water heater, and does not require a dedicated hot water return line, but works with a dedicated line in retrofit applications. Circulating water in the plumbing system can also be used to protect plumbing from freeze damage. Each valve and activation device operates by transmitting a start command to the valve controller which sends the pump controller a start signal, the valve to open, hot water to circulate and the valve to close when the hot water arrives at the fixture preventing heated water from filling the cold water line.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Inventors: William J. Lund, Dennis K. Metzger
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Patent number: 5586572Abstract: Plumbing apparatus is provided for reducing energy consumption of a hot water heater, the apparatus includes a tank and a buoyant piston movably disposed within the tank and having a perimeter slidably engaging an inside wall of the tank. Water entering a top of the tank pushes the buoyant piston towards a bottom of the tank and at a selected position, grooves are provide in an inside wall of the tank to enable entering water to pass the buoyant piston. When the apparatus is connected between a conventional hot water heater and a cold water source, the water heater is buffered from the cold water source for small draws of water from the hot water heater thus preventing such small draws of water from tripping the water heater thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: ACT Distribution, Inc.Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5584316Abstract: Plumbing apparatus is provided for reducing energy consumption and controlling increases in water pressure of a hot water heater. The apparatus includes a tank and a buoyant piston movably disposed within the tank and having a perimeter slidably engaging an inside wall of the tank. Water entering a top of the tank pushes the buoyant piston towards a bottom of the tank and at a selected position, grooves are provide in an inside wall of the tank to enable entering water to pass the buoyant piston. When the apparatus is connected between a conventional hot water heater and a cold water source, the water heater is buffered from the cold water source for small draws of water from the hot water heater thus preventing such small draws of water from tripping the water heater thermostat. The buoyant piston is designed to enable expansion of tank capacity such that upon increases in water volume due to thermal expansion, pressure within the tank is controlled and rupture of the tank is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: December 17, 1996Assignee: ACT Distribution, Inc.Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5385168Abstract: A hot water appliance is provided with an accelerated delivery system which includes a pump interconnected between hot and cold water fittings and a control system for causing the pump to circulate water from the hot water fitting into the cold water fitting when the hot water appliance is turned on. Temperature sensor is provided for causing the control system to stop the pump to prevent heated water from being circulated into the cold water fitting. In addition, a hot water demand system may incorporate a sound sensor detecting water flow in a hot water delivery line and a sound-generating element may be provided for providing a characteristic sound in response to water flow in the hot water delivery line.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: January 31, 1995Assignee: ACT Distribution, Inc.Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5304396Abstract: A method for sealing cable conduits utilizes a spray nozzle which includes at least two compartments for holding chemical compositions in a spaced apart while a piston is utilized for simultaneously forcing the chemical compositions out of the compartments and into an elongate nozzle for commingling the chemical compositions and introducing the commingled compositions into the end of a cable conduit in a direction generally perpendicular to an axis of the elongate nozzle to cause complete wetting of the conduit inner surface with the commingled composition before foaming thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Vernon AutenInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5277219Abstract: A hot water recovery system includes a hot water source; a hot water delivery line connected between said hot water source and at least one plumbing fixture along with a cold water delivery line connection between said plumbing fixture, a cold water source and said hot water source; a pump, interconnected between said hot and cold water delivery lines, enables circulation of water from the hot water delivery line through the cold water delivery line and into the hot water source, thus eliminating the need for a separate recirculation system. A control system causes the pump to circulate water from the hot water line into the cold water line and back to the hot water source when a hot water valve on said plumbing fixture is turned on; and a temperature sensor stops the pump, via the control system, to prevent heated water from being circulated through the cold water delivery lines.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1991Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Metlund EnterprisesInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5273190Abstract: A syringe-dispensing system includes a housing containing at least one sealed bag of a fluid reactive compound and a nozzle in fluid communication with the housing for providing an outlet from the housing for the compound. A shaft disposed within the housing and attached to a handle for moving the shaft longitudinally within the housing is provided, along with apparatus for piercing the bag upon movement of the shaft in one direction. A piston enables forcing of the compound out of the housing through the nozzle upon movement of the shaft in an opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5120144Abstract: A paper transfer feed separator automatically separates paper-drive edge tear strips from paper forms along perforations. The paper transfer feed separator may be hand-held and motor driven for removing the paper drive edge tear strips after the paper form is removed from a printer, or the like, or incorporated into a printer so that separation of the edge strips occurs simultaneously with printing on the paper. The frame of the separator causes a divergence in the paths of the body of the form and the edge paper strip to cause separation thereby, eliminating the need for knife blades or other elements requiring maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1990Date of Patent: June 9, 1992Assignee: Lund Company, Ltd.Inventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 5042524Abstract: A demand recovery hot water system in accordance with the present invention provides for return of hot water from a plurality of plumbing fixtures to a hot water source. A transfer tank is provided with a movable piston which enables circulation of hot water without significant loss thereof. Continuous circulation is not required thus reducing operating costs.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1990Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Metlund EnterprisesInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 4945942Abstract: A plumbing system in accordance with the present invention provides for accelerated hot water delivery to a plurality of plumbing fixtures from a hot water source. Flow switch means are provided to enable a pump to circulate hot water to the plumbing fixtures in response to water being withdrawn from a plumbing fixture. In addition, the hot water source may include a hot water recovery apparatus for withdrawing hot water from circulation pipes subsequent to cessation of water flow from a plumbing fixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1989Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Metlund EnterprisesInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 4940347Abstract: A paper transfer feed separator automatically separates paper-drive edge tear strips from paper forms along perforations. The paper transfer feed separator may be hand-held and motor driven for removing the paper drive edge tear strips after the paper form is removed from a printer, or the like, or incorporated into a printer so that separation of the edge strips occurs simultaneously with printing on the paper. The frame of the separator causes a divergence in the paths of the body of the form and the edge paper strip to cause separation thereby, eliminating the need for knife blades or other elements requiring maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1988Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Assignee: Lund CompanyInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: 4512145Abstract: An asparagus harvester has a frame movable along and above a bed of growing asparagus. Spears above a selected height are detected optically and are severed below ground and held and conveyed to a storage area.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1982Date of Patent: April 23, 1985Assignee: Spear HarvestersInventor: William J. Lund
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Patent number: D286555Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1983Date of Patent: November 4, 1986Inventors: Dennis K. Metzger, William J. Lund
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Patent number: D326277Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1990Date of Patent: May 19, 1992Assignee: Lund Company, Ltd.Inventor: William J. Lund