DAVID LEE JOHNSON
Pilots at 139 Ln, Anoka, MN

5363708, Nov 15, 1994

Nov 10, 1992

7/974199

David M. Johnson - Anoka MN
Larry C. McNeff - Hopkins MN

SarTec Corporation - Anoka MN

G01M 1900

738658

A self-clearing material sensing apparatus is provided for sensing a physical parameter of a particulate material flowing through a conduit. The self-clearing material sensing apparatus includes a sensor device and funnel for directing a consistent flow of the particulate material to an area proximate the sensor device. The funnel has a read configuration and a clearance configuration and includes an upper inlet and a lower outlet including a narrowing below the upper inlet when the funnel is in the read configuration. The narrowing is adjustable for increasing the cross-sectional area of the narrowing when the funnel is changed from the read configuration to the clearance configuration. An actuation mechanism is provided for changing the funnel from the read configuration to the clearance configuration, and from the clearance configuration back to the read configuration, to periodically release any material clogged within the funnel. A scalper grate having clearing blades is disposed above the funnel inlet to prevent larger foreign objects from entering the funnel.

8571697, Oct 29, 2013

Aug 25, 2010

12/868559

Jeffrey D. Chandler - Woodbury MN, US
David Lee Johnson - Ham Lake MN, US

Progressive Systems, Inc. - Anoka MN

G06F 19/00, B23B 39/16

700112, 29563

An apparatus for machining the ends of a component includes a plurality of work stations, and a transport mechanism for moving the component along a path to the plurality of work stations. The transport mechanism is positioned to be inboard of the ends of a component. At least one of a first work station or a second work station of the plurality of workstations includes a first fixturing portion for holding a first end, and a first machine for carrying out machine operations on the first end. The first fixturing portion and the first machine are movable in a direction transverse to the path. A method of manufacturing components having two ends that are machined at both ends of a component includes conveying the component to a first work station along a path, moving a first fixture in a direction substantially transverse to the path to a position for holding one end of the component, and moving a first machine in a direction substantially transverse to the path to a position for machining one end of the component.

8433409, Apr 30, 2013

Jan 29, 2010

12/696890

David M. Johnson - Ham Lake MN, US
Terrence J. Snyder - Andover MN, US

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61N 1/05

607 36, 607 48, 607 37, 607 9

A battery comprises a tubular housing. An external surface of the tubular housing comprises a biocompatible material. The battery further comprises a battery header secured to an open end of the tubular housing, and the tubular housing and the battery header combine to form a substantially sealed enclosure. The battery also comprises one or more voltaic cells within the substantially sealed enclosure, and a feedthrough electrically connected to the voltaic cells and extending through the battery header to form a battery terminal. The battery header includes a radial groove opposite the tubular housing, and the radial groove is configured to receive a mating snap-fit electronic component subassembly of an implantable medical device.

8295930, Oct 23, 2012

Sep 30, 2009

12/570411

David B. Engmark - Bethel MN, US
Doug Morelli - Forest Lake MN, US
Hui Jin - Shoreview MN, US
David M. Johnson - Ham Lake MN, US
Mathieu K. Horié - Vaud, FR
Iryna Levina - Blaine MN, US
Dominique Piguet - Epalinges, CH

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

A61N 1/375

607 37

A medical device is electrically connected to a biological tissue for transmission of an electrical signal between the medical device and the biological tissue. The medical device includes a housing assembly and a control circuit assembly that controls the electrical signal. The control circuit assembly is enclosed within the housing assembly, and the control circuit assembly includes an electrically conductive terminal. The device further includes an electrical component at least partially enclosed within the housing assembly. The electrical component has a connecting member that electrically connects the electrical component to the control circuit assembly. The connecting member is resistance welded and bonded directly to the electrically conductive terminal of the control circuit assembly.