William L Rankin

US Patent:

7841357, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Mar 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/685523

Inventors:

William John Rankin - Burnsville MN, US

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

F16K 37/00

US Classification:

137 1, 137554, 2511496, 285 93

Abstract:

A coupling device includes a main body defining a fluid flow passage, and a valve member moveable between an unconnected state and a connected state. The coupling device also includes a magnet coupled to the valve member, and a sensor coupled to the main body, the sensor being configured to sense a change in a magnetic flux of the magnet as the valve member moves between the unconnected state and the connected state to determine a connection state of the coupling device.

US Patent:

7954374, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Sep 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/563741

Inventors:

William John Rankin - Burnsville MN, US

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01F 23/00
G01F 23/20

US Classification:

73290R, 73296

Abstract:

An assembly for estimating consumption of a fluid includes a coupling device enabling fluid flow, a carrier assembly slidingly coupled to the coupling device, a biasing mechanism positioned between the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a displacement sensing mechanism including a sensor coupled to one of the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a magnet coupled to the other of the coupling device and the carrier assembly. The displacement sensing mechanism is configured to sense a displacement of the magnet relative to the sensor due to coupling of a fluid source to the coupling device.

US Patent:

20060207345, Sep 21, 2006

Filed:

Mar 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/276890

Inventors:

William Rankin - Burnsville MN, US

Assignee:

Colder Products Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G01F 1/11

US Classification:

073861930

Abstract:

An assembly for estimating consumption of a fluid includes a coupling device enabling fluid flow, a carrier assembly slidingly coupled to the coupling device, a biasing mechanism positioned between the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a displacement sensing mechanism including a sensor coupled to one of the coupling device and the carrier assembly, and a magnet coupled to the other of the coupling device and the carrier assembly. The displacement sensing mechanism is configured to sense a displacement of the magnet relative to the sensor due to coupling of a fluid source to the coupling device.

US Patent:

43651925, Dec 21, 1982

Filed:

Aug 27, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/181826

Inventors:

William J. Rankin - Edina MN
Jerome P. Whitaker - Hopkins MN

Assignee:

Holaday Industries, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

G01N 3102

US Classification:

324 72

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

50578480, Oct 15, 1991

Filed:

May 30, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/358681

Inventors:

William J. Rankin - Burnsville MN
Reed E. Holaday - Tuscon AZ

Assignee:

Holaday Industries, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

G01R 31020
H01Q 21290
H01Q 21300
H04B 17000

US Classification:

343703

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20160046130, Feb 18, 2016

Filed:

Aug 14, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/826365

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
William J. Rankin - Burnsville MN, US

International Classification:

B41J 2/175

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

20140260554, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/209533

Inventors:

- St. Paul MN, US
William J. Rankin - Burnsville MN, US

International Classification:

G01M 3/40

US Classification:

73 46

Abstract:

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.