Patents by Inventor William M. Christensen
William M. Christensen 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: 11692862Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Henry Louis Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Publication number: 20210048330Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: HENRY LOUIS CARBONE, II, RICHARD J. MEHUS, KEVIN C. TAUER, ANATOLY SKIRDA, EUGENE TOKHTUEV, WILLIAM M. CHRISTENSEN
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Patent number: 10859429Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Henry Louis Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 10751680Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Henry L. Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Publication number: 20190291066Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: HENRY L. CARBONE, II, RICHARD J. MEHUS, KEVIN C. TAUER, ANATOLY SKIRDA, EUGENE TOKHTUEV, WILLIAM M. CHRISTENSEN
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Patent number: 10357750Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Henry L. Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9857305Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
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Publication number: 20170368520Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: HENRY L. CARBONE, II, RICHARD J. MEHUS, KEVIN C. TAUER, ANATOLY SKIRDA, EUGENE TOKHTUEV, WILLIAM M. CHRISTENSEN
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Patent number: 9751059Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs to a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Henry L. Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9719604Abstract: Embodiments include a flow regulating device. The flow regulating device may include a check valve. The check valve can have a first flange, a second flange and a ball seated against a seat defined by the first flange. The check valve is in a closed position when the ball is seated against the first flange. One or more stoppers may be positioned at a distance from the first flange. A fluid may flow through a first orifice and a second orifice defined in the first and second flanges respectively, when the first check valve is in an open position. The fluid lifts the ball from the first orifice, and pushes the ball towards the second orifice. The stoppers abut the ball when the first check valve is in a fully open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: William M. Christensen, Eugene Tokhtuev
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Patent number: 9696261Abstract: A multi-channel device includes up to three channels for optical testing of liquid samples. The liquid sample(s) may include surface water, drinking water, processed water or the like. The multi-channel device may include a turbidity channel and a color channel that measure turbidity and color, respectively, of a liquid sample using spectrographic analysis. The multi-channel device may also include a colorimetric channel that measures the concentration of various analytes in a liquid sample, such as free chlorine, total chlorine, copper and phosphate.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Viktor Slobodyan, William M. Christensen, Paul Schilling, Joseph Phillip Erickson
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Publication number: 20170176237Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Henry Louis Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9618376Abstract: An apparatus, method and system providing for calibration and/or control of a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. The hand-held calibration auditing tool includes a flow meter (36-37) with inlets adapted for quick connection to one or more liquid inputs and/or liquid outputs of a liquid dispensing system (10). A sensor (94-95) having a data output of liquid flow information for a liquid input to the dispensing system (10) is operably connected to a controller (12) to receive the liquid flow information for the liquid input. The controller (12) provides a dilution rate and other liquid flow information for a liquid product input to a dispenser. The tool may include any number of flow meters, and may also include a flow meter connected to an outlet of a dispenser (22) for providing flow information.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Henry L. Carbone, II, Richard J. Mehus, Kevin C. Tauer, Anatoly Skirda, Eugene Tokhtuev, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9557270Abstract: An optical sensor can include first and second optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. The second optical emitter and second optical detector can be included in an optical emitter assembly removably disposed in the optical pathway of the optical sensor such that the second optical emitter emits light into the optical pathway toward a fluid sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9464982Abstract: An optical sensor may include a sensor head that has an optical window for directing light into a flow of fluid and/or receiving optical energy from the fluid. The optical sensor may also include a flow chamber that includes a housing defining a cavity into which the sensor head can be inserted. In some examples, the flow chamber includes an inlet port defining a flow nozzle that is configured to direct fluid entering the flow chamber against the optical window of the sensor head. In operation, the force of the incoming fluid impacting the optical window may prevent fouling materials from accumulating on the optical window.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9441998Abstract: Embodiments include a flow measuring system for measuring characteristics of a fluid flow. The flow measuring system can include a pair of rotating members rotating synchronously to the fluid flow. At least one rotating member can include a normally-reflecting portion and a non-normally reflecting portion. The normally-reflecting portion reflects an incident beam in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The non-normally reflecting portion reflects the incident beam in a direction non-parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The flow measuring system measures the optical characteristics of a beam reflected by the normally-reflecting portion and determines rotational characteristics of the rotating member. The flow measuring system determines characteristics of the flow based on the rotational characteristics of the rotating member.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Anna Pilipchenko, William M. Christensen, Eugene Tokhtuev
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Publication number: 20160258870Abstract: An optical sensor can include first and second optical emitters configured to emit light into a fluid sample via an optical pathway. Light from the emitters can cause fluorescence from the sample and/or scatter off of the sample. Scattered and fluoresced light can be received by an optical detector in the sensor via the optical pathway, and used to determine at least one characteristic of the fluid sample. A second optical detector can provide reference measurements of the amount of light emitted to the sample. The second optical emitter and second optical detector can be included in an optical emitter assembly removably disposed in the optical pathway of the optical sensor such that the second optical emitter emits light into the optical pathway toward a fluid sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, William M. Christensen
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Patent number: 9383235Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a flow rate or volume of fluid. The system includes a positive displacement meter including a plurality of non-contact sensors and gears configured to rotate in response to fluid flow through the meter. The gears may include detectable areas that may be sensed by the plurality of non-contact sensors to determine a rotational direction of the gears. The plurality of non-contact sensors may also be configured to generate respective detection signals indicative of a rotation state of the gears. The controller may be configured to receive the detection signals, determine a current rotation state, and increment a rotational count based on the changes in the current rotation state. The controller may use the rotational count to determine a flow rate or volume of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Anatoly Skirda, Christopher J. Owen, William M. Christensen, Paul S. Schilling
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Publication number: 20160033407Abstract: An optical sensor may have multiple detection channels to detect different characteristics of a fluid. For example, an optical sensor used in industrial cleaning and sanitizing applications may have multiple detection channels to detect when a system is both clean and properly sanitized. In one example, an optical sensor includes an optical emitter that directs light into a fluid, a first optical detector that detects light transmitted through the fluid, a second optical detector that detects light scattered by the fluid, and a third optical detector that detects fluorescent emissions emitted by the fluid. The optical emitter and optical detectors can be positioned around an optical analysis area. The optical sensor may include filters that control the characteristics of light detected by each of the optical detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Eugene Tokhtuev, Christopher J. Owen, Anatoly Skirda, Viktor Slobodyan, Paul Simon Schilling, William M. Christensen
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Publication number: 20160018247Abstract: Embodiments include a flow measuring system for measuring characteristics of a fluid flow. The flow measuring system can include a pair of rotating members rotating synchronously to the fluid flow. At least one rotating member can include a normally-reflecting portion and a non-normally reflecting portion. The normally-reflecting portion reflects an incident beam in a direction parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The non-normally reflecting portion reflects the incident beam in a direction non-parallel to the normal direction of the plane of the normally-reflecting portion. The flow measuring system measures the optical characteristics of a beam reflected by the normally-reflecting portion and determines rotational characteristics of the rotating member. The flow measuring system determines characteristics of the flow based on the rotational characteristics of the rotating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Anna Pilipchenko, William M. Christensen, Eugene Tokhtuev