Patents by Inventor William J. Rankin
William J. Rankin 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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Patent number: 10876663Abstract: Fluid connectors are described where one or more sensors are provided for sensing a connection state of the fluid connectors. The sensor(s) indicates that the fluid connector of the first fluid system is connected to the second fluid system prior to initiating fluid flow between the first and second fluid systems. The sensor(s) senses movements of one or more elements of the quick connect fluid connectors that are involved in the actual connection of the fluid connectors to the second fluid system. The elements that are sensed can be, for example, one or more cylindrical sleeves of the connector or a piston of the connector. Therefore, the connection state of the fluid connectors can be determined accurately.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: FasTest, Inc.Inventors: Robert Danielson, Jake G. Clifton, Jason D. Clifford, William J. Rankin, Jake Chandler
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Patent number: 10081194Abstract: A motorized coupler assembly includes a coupler for coupling an insert to a receiving device; a plurality of movable components that cover an opening of the coupler; an electric motor; and an electronic sensing device. When the electronic sensing device detects an insert of a correct type, the movable components rotate to uncover the opening of the coupler and permit the insert to come into contact with the coupler.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Colder Products CompanyInventors: David Alan Burdge, William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 10046324Abstract: A motorized latch assembly includes an electric motor, an eccentric cam attached via gears to a shaft of the motor and a latch plate configured to lock the reagent cartridge to the coupler. The eccentric cam is rotated when the shaft of the motor rotates. When the eccentric cam is rotated so that the eccentric cam presses down upon the latch plate, the latch plate moves a sufficient distance to permit the reagent cartridge to be disconnected from the coupler.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Colder Products CompanyInventors: William J. Rankin, Robert Keith Johnson
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Publication number: 20170037991Abstract: Fluid connectors are described where one or more sensors are provided for sensing a connection state of the fluid connectors. The sensor(s) indicates that the fluid connector of the first fluid system is connected to the second fluid system prior to initiating fluid flow between the first and second fluid systems. The sensor(s) senses movements of one or more elements of the quick connect fluid connectors that are involved in the actual connection of the fluid connectors to the second fluid system. The elements that are sensed can be, for example, one or more cylindrical sleeves of the connector or a piston of the connector. Therefore, the connection state of the fluid connectors can be determined accurately.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Robert DANIELSON, Jake G. CLIFTON, Jason D. CLIFFORD, William J. RANKIN, Jake CHANDLER
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Patent number: 9505040Abstract: A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Robert F. Strong
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Publication number: 20160184872Abstract: A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2015Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Robert F. Strong
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Publication number: 20160046130Abstract: A motorized coupler assembly includes a coupler for coupling an insert to a receiving device; a plurality of movable components that cover an opening of the coupler; an electric motor; and an electronic sensing device. When the electronic sensing device detects an insert of a correct type, the movable components rotate to uncover the opening of the coupler and permit the insert to come into contact with the coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: David Alan Burdge, William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 9089884Abstract: A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Robert F. Strong
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Publication number: 20150135502Abstract: A motorized latch assembly includes an electric motor, an eccentric cam attached via gears to a shaft of the motor and a latch plate configured to lock the reagent cartridge to the coupler. The eccentric cam is rotated when the shaft of the motor rotates. When the eccentric cam is rotated so that the eccentric cam presses down upon the latch plate, the latch plate moves a sufficient distance to permit the reagent cartridge to be disconnected from the coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: William J. Rankin, Robert Keith Johnson
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Publication number: 20140260554Abstract: An example leak detector assembly includes: a leak detection device, including: a main body; and a plurality of electrical filaments extending across the main body, each of the electrical filaments being configured to detect fluid from a leak and thereupon deliver an electrical current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 8650695Abstract: The present invention is a pipeline pig for cleaning the interior of a pipeline, the pipeline pig having a longitudinal pig body with forward and rearward elastomeric propulsion members affixed to and supporting the pig body substantially concentrically in a pipeline, the propulsion members functioning to move the pig body through a pipeline by the force of fluid flow and a plurality of spaced apart elastomeric diagonally oriented scrapers radially extending from the pig body, each scraper member having a semi-circular outer peripheral edge configured and dimensioned to engage the interior wall of a pipeline to thereby scrape and clean the interior pipeline wall as the pig is moved through the pipeline and provide additional support for the pig substantially concentrically in a pipeline. Orientation of the scraper enhances scraping effectiveness by slicing through any debris buildup, separating the debris from the inner pipe wall so that it can be pushed out of the pipeline by the pig discs or cups.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.Inventors: Rick D. Pruett, William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 8378667Abstract: A pipeline pig signal made according to this invention houses one or more shielded magnetometer sensors and a microcontroller with adaptive thresholding detection means for reducing the likelihood of false alarms. The adaptive thresholding detection means removes outlier data from the magnetic flux data stream and then passes the outlier-free data stream through four low pass filters. A smoothed magnitude of the data stream is compared to detection limits and, if a passage event has occurred, a recent detection is indicated, a counter of a display unit is incremented, a time of passage is recorded, and both statistics are displayed on the display unit. Because a single object may produce multiple magnetic fields, the detector may be locked-out for a predetermined period of time after the passage event to prevent a second detection of the same object as it passes the detection device.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. Miska, William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Mark G. Register, Eric N. Freeman, Philip M. Maltby, Lloyd N. Salsman
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Publication number: 20120017386Abstract: A pipeline debris shearing device includes a forwardly positioned, self sharpening, wear compensating, diameter conforming elastomeric member that forms a peeling edge having a negative rake angle to peel away debris from the internal wall of a pipeline. The peeling edge is formed at the point of meeting between a concave-shaped, curved forward face surface and a substantially straight outer peripheral surface. Radial slots may be provided to lessen the force being exerted on the peeling edge and provide for bypass flow to carry away debris removed by the peeling edge. Spaced-apart narrow stripper teeth may be added to help in removing harder deposits of debris. The peeling edge may be arranged substantially perpendicular the central longitudinal axis of the pipeline pig or arranged oblique to it. Further, the peeling edge may spiral about at least a portion of the pipeline pig.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Robert F. Strong
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Publication number: 20100295543Abstract: A system and method for detecting the passage of an object in a pipeline includes a non-intrusive detection device that houses one or more shielded magnetometer sensors and a microcontroller with adaptive thresholding detection means. The adaptive thresholding detection means removes outlier data from the magnetic flux data stream and then passes the outlier-free data stream through four low pass filters. A smoothed magnitude of the data stream is compared to detection limits and, if a passage event has occurred, a recent detection is indicated, a counter of a display unit is incremented, a time of passage is recorded, and both statistics are displayed on the display unit. Because a single object may produce multiple magnetic fields, the detector may be locked-out for a predetermined period of time after the passage event to prevent a second detection of the same object as it passes the detection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Stephen J. Miska, William J. Rankin, Matthew W. Logan, Mark G. Register, Eric N. Freeman, Philip M. Maltby, Lloyd N. Salsman
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Patent number: 5057848Abstract: A broadband frequency meter probe utilizes a high frequency antenna and a low frequency antenna to sense wideband electromagnetic energy wherein the different frequency band antennas are closely based monopole and disk antennas. A three-dimensional probe is disclosed having three mutually orthogonal antenna pairs. Damping is provided to decouple resonance which would otherwise occur between the monopole and disk antenna. Self-checking for sensing operation of associated electronics and for providing an indication of normal and abnormal operating conditions is included.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1989Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Holaday Industries, Inc.Inventors: William J. Rankin, Reed E. Holaday
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Patent number: 5010848Abstract: The present invention is a folding travel cage for birds that can be stored in a self-contained case and assembled into a small travel cage or a large cage. The present invention comprises a tray, a lid, a base, two cage assemblies and a cage lid. When assembled as a case, the tray, the lid and base are attached together, and the two cage assemblies and the cage lid are stored inside. When the present invention is assembled as a small travel cage, the cage lid covers one cage assembly that is attached atop the base and tray. The other cage assembly can be stored in the lid. When configured as the large cage, the cage size is doubled by attaching the cage assemblies on top of each other between the base and cage lid. The present invention also includes a playpen that can be stored in or assembled upon the lid.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Inventor: William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 4984322Abstract: An elastomeric disc for use on a pipeline pig of the type having a longitudinal body supported centrally within a pipeline for movement by fluid flow therethrough, the disc being in the form of a unitary elastomeric member having an outer peripheral surface concentric with the pipeline pig body longitudinal axis and having an inner portion of selected thickness with means for attachment to the pipeline pig body whereby the disc is supported in a plane perpendicular the pipeline line axis, the disc member having an integrally formed circumferential outer portion, the outer portion being of increased thickness in relation to the spacing thereof from the disc center, the outer peripheral surface being defined by first and second intersecting frustraconical surfaces, one of the surfaces being parallel to the inner wall of the pipeline through which the disc is moved in a first direction and the other of the surfaces being parallel to the inner wall of the pipeline when the disc is moved in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1989Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Hyun J. Cho, William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 4825498Abstract: An improved cleaning pig with selectable debris flushing action for use in a pipeline to be moved through the pipeline by the flow of fluid therethrough, the pig being formed of a cylindrical body of semi-rigid material having shallow depth channels formed in paralleled spirals on the cylindrical surface, the spirals extending less than the full length of the body leaving an uninterrupted portion of the cylindrical surface, and an elongated, brush member positioned in each of the channels, each of the brush members having bristles which extend generally radially outward from the pig body, the width of the brush members being less than the width of the channels providing fluid flow passageways within each of the channels whereby segments of said uninterrupted cylindrical portion of the body may be cut away to establish communication of the flow passageways with both ends of the body to permit fluid to flow past the pig as it is moved through a pipeline to thereby flush debris which has been brushed from the piType: GrantFiled: March 25, 1988Date of Patent: May 2, 1989Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventor: William J. Rankin
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Patent number: 4365192Abstract: A monitor for measuring the field strength of RF radiation is disclosed. A set of three mutually orthogonal antennas sense the total field strength. Digital linearizing and scaling circuits provide an output equal to the sum of the square of the field components. In the preferred embodiment, the digital circuitry includes a control or zero channel which provides a zero level control signal which is processed to provide a correction signal to the analog to digital conversion circuitry to remove the effects of noise, pickup and drift on both the transmission line, which connects the antenna and the monitor, and on the analog electronic circuits of the monitor.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1980Date of Patent: December 21, 1982Assignee: Holaday Industries, Inc.Inventors: William J. Rankin, Jerome P. Whitaker
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Patent number: 4297052Abstract: Erosion control units comprising a retaining wall means, sand-gravel collecting means and breaker means are installed substantially parallel to the bank to withstand the water's forces. The erosion control units protect the bank-hillside from erosion, aid in forming beaches and build up sand-gravel sideways along adjacent neighboring property.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1978Date of Patent: October 27, 1981Inventor: William J. Rankin