Ralph N Heinzen

US Patent:

6595523, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Jun 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/089580

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND 58540

International Classification:

F16J 1500

US Classification:

277321

Abstract:

Wear on the sealing surface of mechanical seals may be monitored by placing a sensor or conductor on the seal, at a position opposed to the sealing surface, such as on the back or opposite side of the sealing surface. Mechanical seals require the application of continuous external pressure to maintain fluid tight sealing integrity. Wear on the sealing surface may be monitored by measuring the amount of movement of the seal away from a predetermined starting point.

US Patent:

6615639, Sep 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/090056

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND 58540

International Classification:

G01N 356

US Classification:

73 7, 116208, 277321, 277919

Abstract:

A seal for preventing leakage of fluid from between a first member and a second member the second member is capable of moving toward and away from the first member, the seal is adapted for engaged contact with the first member and the second member so as to prevent leakage of fluid between the first member and the seal and between the second member and the seal, the seal being more easily deteriorated than the second member such that friction between the seal and the second member wears the seal faster than the second member, the seal being adapted to retain a fluid tight seal against the second member as long as the seal has not worn beyond a specified depth; and a conductor for placement about the second member, the conductor being attached to the seal at the specified depth so as to contact the second member when the seal has worn to the specified depth, such that the existence of electrical discontinuity between the conductor and the second member indicates that the seal requires replacement, the conductor is positionally associated to the seal such that wear of the seal corresponds with movement of the conductor toward the second member; and the electrical continuity indicates whether the seal requires replacement.

US Patent:

7405818, Jul 29, 2008

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/619806

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND, US

International Classification:

G01N 1/10

US Classification:

356246, 277321, 277919, 73 7, 116208

Abstract:

A seal for preventing leakage of fluid from between a first member and a second member has a seal body and a seal wear indicator. The second member is capable of moving toward and away from the first member. The seal body is adapted for engaged contact with the first and second members so as to prevent leakage of fluid as long as the seal has not worn beyond a specified depth. A seal wear indicator is positioned within the seal body at approximately the specified depth, such that when the seal has worn to the specified depth, a change in the optical conductor is detected, indicating that the seal needs replacement.

US Patent:

55404480, Jul 30, 1996

Filed:

Aug 31, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/114507

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND

International Classification:

F16J 1516

US Classification:

277 2

Abstract:

A seal prevents leakage of fluid between the seal and a moving surface. The seal includes a seal body and a conductor. The seal body can undergo wear to a specified depth before the seal requires replacement. The conductor is placed about the moving surface such that wear of the seal body to a specified depth brings the conductor into contact with the moving surface. The conductor may be embedded in the seal body or otherwise attached to position the conductor about the moving surface. Wear of the seal body to a specified depth can be checked by checking electrical continuity of the conductor. The existence of electrical continuity between the conductor and the moving surface may indicate that the seal requires replacement. Alternatively, the conductor may be positioned such that the conductor has worn entirely through when the seal body has worn to a specified depth, with a loss of electrical continuity through the conductor indicating that the seal requires replacement.

US Patent:

48261971, May 2, 1989

Filed:

Jun 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/059045

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND

International Classification:

B62D 310

US Classification:

2804141

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a device for securing a boat to a trailer. The mechanism for securing the boat is electrically driven and may include a motor driven reciprocating pin. The device is remotely actuated for example by a radio transmitter.

US Patent:

57853231, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Jul 25, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/686315

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND

International Classification:

F16J 1516

US Classification:

277582

Abstract:

A seal for preventing leakage of fluid from between a first member and a second member, the second member is capable of moving toward and away from the first member, the seal is adapted for engaged contact with the first member and the second member so as to prevent leakage of fluid between the first member and the seal and between the second member and the seal, the seal being softer than the second member such that friction between the seal and the second member wears the seal faster than the second member, the seal being adapted to retain a tight seal against the second member as long as the seal has not worn beyond a specified depth; and a conductor for placement about the second member, the conductor being attached to the seal at the specified depth so as to contact the second member when the seal has worn to the specified depth, such that the existence of electrical continuity between the conductor and the second member indicates that the seal requires replacement, the conductor is positionally associated to the seal such that wear of the seal corresponds with movement of the conductor toward the second member; and the electrical continuity indicates whether the seal requires replacement.

US Patent:

52462358, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

Feb 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/841388

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND

International Classification:

F16J 1516

US Classification:

277 2

Abstract:

A seal prevents leakage of fluid between the seal and a moving surface. The seal includes a seal body and a conductor. The seal body can undergo wear to a specified depth before the seal requires replacement. The conductor is placed about the moving surface such that wear of the seal body to a specified depth brings the conductor into contact with the moving surface. The conductor may be embedded in the seal body to position the conductor about the moving surface. Wear of the seal body to a specified depth can be checked by checking electrical continuity of the conductor. The existence of electrical continuity between the conductor and the moving surface may indicate that the seal requires replacement. Alternatively, the conductor may be positioned such that the conductor has worn entirely through when the seal body has worn to a specified depth, with a loss of electrical continuity through the conductor indicating that the seal requires replacement.

US Patent:

46256628, Dec 2, 1986

Filed:

Nov 29, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/675980

Inventors:

Ralph Heinzen - Garrison ND

International Classification:

A01C 1100

US Classification:

111 2

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a towable transplanter for larger plants, bushes and trees. The transplanter has a two-piece pivotally attached frame (20), a pair of wheels (15), an extractor head (40), including a plurality of blades 41 reciprocally mounted in a support ring and a manually-operated hydraulic system (60). The hydraulic system raises and lowers the second frame member (31) and extractor head (40) of the transplanter (10). The extractor head (40) can be set at various heights above the ground surrounding the plant to be extracted, thereby allowing extraction of various size rootballs.