Patents Assigned to Mueller Industries, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130207386Abstract: A seal member for sealingly securing a first and a second pipe at a crimp connection, the seal member including a ring-shaped body having an outer diameter and an inner diameter. A plurality of protrusions are formed on the ring-shaped body and extend radially outwardly from the outer diameter. The ring-shaped body permits fluid to pass around adjacent protrusions prior to attaining the crimp connection and inhibits fluid from passing therearound subsequent to attaining the crimp connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mueller Industries, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130154260Abstract: An assembly having a fitting body, a structure, a first seal element, and a grip ring. The fitting body has an insertion end that includes a mount and an abutting wall. The structure has an end that is received into the insertion end of the fitting body. The first seal element is received in the mount and sealingly engaged to the structure and the fitting body. The grip ring is received in the mount and includes a ring body and a plurality of first teeth that are resiliently coupled to a ring body. The first teeth are engaged to the end of the structure and the ring body abuts the abutting wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy L. Jamison, Charles A. Stout, Marcus R. Elmer, Adam L. Thomas
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Publication number: 20130118309Abstract: A method of producing a brass is disclosed. The alloy contains trace amounts of iron, manganese or aluminum. Phosphorous is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorous is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorous. A low lead brass alloy is provided. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Mueller Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 8083268Abstract: A fitting that can include a body and a spacing element. The body can have an insertion end that defines a cavity and which includes an end face. The spacing element can extend into the cavity from the interior surface of the cavity and can be configured to engage the component when the component is inserted through the insertion end into the cavity so that the component is spaced apart from the interior surface of the cavity. An adhesive, such as a two-part epoxy, can collect about the spacing element and can form a band of adhesive that fixedly and sealingly couples the fitting to the component. A method of forming a joint is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy L Jamison, Daniel W Griffith
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Publication number: 20100025982Abstract: A method for forming a joint. The method includes: providing a fitting having a body and a pair of axially spaced apart seals, the body having an insertion end; providing a structure; engaging the fitting and the structure to one another such that the seals sealing engage the body and the structure; and after the fitting and the structure have been engaged to one another, installing an adhesive to a zone disposed between the body, the structure and the seals to retain the body to the structure. A fitting and an assembly are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Tommy L. Jamison
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Patent number: 7516990Abstract: A fluid conduit system that employs fittings having ends with a structural portion and a seal portion. The ends of the fittings are inserted into a tube, which may be a hard, i.e., rigid, or soft, i.e., flexible, tube. The seal portion sealingly engages the inner diameter of the tube upon its insertion into the tube. The tube is deformed to prevent the fitting from being withdrawn from the tube; the portion of the tube in the immediate vicinity of each seal that forms the seal portion is not deformed. A method for forming a fluid conduit system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy L Jamison, H. Glenn Dennis, Kevin Gay
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Patent number: 7197415Abstract: A method for setting or calibrating a machine tool wherein the critical components the machine tool are identified as are the critical devices that are employed to affect their position and each of the possible positions to which each of the critical devices may be set. Possible combinations consisting of one possible position for each of the critical devices are evaluated to identify the possible combinations that adversely effect the output of the machine tool. A method for calibrating an extrusion press and a tooling set for obtaining data to calibrate an extrusion press are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy L. Jamison, H. Glenn Dennis, Norman P. Lebel, Kevin C. Edwards, Kevin N. Young
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Patent number: 7096887Abstract: A dual outlet valve is provided that is capable of obtaining a closed state for both outlet ports, a low flow for either operating port either individually or combined, or a high flow operation mode for either outlet port individually or combined such that at least seven different operating conditions can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignees: Mueller Industries, Inc., Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J Tupa, William M Pryor
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Patent number: 6736631Abstract: A sealed gas burner for a cooking range has a venturi tube assembly which is attached directly to a range top of the cooking range. A burner cup slidingly and releasably engages a venturi tube of the venturi tube assembly which extends through the range top. A burner cap releasably engages the burner cup and it defines a plurality of burner ports. The burner cup and the burner cap define an annular gas chamber in communication with the burner ports. The burner ports can be cleaned by removing only the burner cap. Additional cleaning of the burner and the range top can be accomplished by removing both the burner cap and the burner cup.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: William J. Ferlin, Samuel D. Hawkins
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Patent number: 6579339Abstract: A system is described for forming a recycled copper product from at least one copper scrap feedstock source containing at least one contaminant. A pre-determined maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product is initially established. The weight percentage of the contaminant in the copper scrap feedstock source is then determined. A determination is then made as to whether the weight percentage of the contaminant in the copper scrap feedstock source will exceed the established maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product. If so, another copper scrap feedstock source is then added to the first copper feedstock source so as to cause the combined copper scrap feedstock sources to have an average weight percentage of the contaminant that does not exceed the established maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Jamison, Paul D. Babin, Glenn Dennis, Allen Popetz
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Patent number: 6478847Abstract: A system is described for forming a recycled copper product from at least one copper scrap feedstock source containing at least one contaminant. A pre-determined maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product is initially established. The weight percentage of the contaminant in the copper scrap feedstock source is then determined. A determination is then made as to whether the weight percentage of the contaminant in the copper scrap feedstock source will exceed the established maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product. If so, another copper scrap feedstock source is then added to the first copper feedstock source so as to cause the combined copper scrap feedstock sources to have an average weight percentage of the contaminant that does not exceed the established maximum weight percentage of the contaminant in the recycled copper product.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Tommy Jamison, Paul D. Babin, Glenn Dennis, Allen Popetz
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Patent number: 6220566Abstract: An incrementally positionable ball valve for use in the fluid circuit of a refrigeration or air conditioning system which can be remotely controlled by a low amperage control signal is disclosed. The ball valve harnesses the pressurized refrigerant from the fluid circuit in which it is installed as the primary power medium to actuate the valve. A sensor provides feedback to a controller relating to the incremental position of the valve. The controller then controls the operation of the valve in accordance with predetermined criteria. In another embodiment, the ball valve incorporates locator detents so that its incremental position can be determined by an operator manually controlling the valve. In still another aspect of the invention, a restrictor is provided for varying the flow capacity of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1998Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kent Alan Miller
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Patent number: 6086289Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and in-situ method for immobilizing mine drainage from spent mine works. This apparatus and preferred method are readily adapted for use in any mine, but particularly well-suited for mines which are located on steep hills or mountain sides having limited infrastructure to permit access for utilities and construction equipment. The present invention utilizes known technology for erecting a bulkhead in the portal of a mine drift, providing a distribution system for controlling drainage of mine water collected behind the bulkhead, mixing the mine water with a constituent to form a slurry, and introducing the slurry into the sealed mine. The present invention has the advantage of neutralizing the mine water to make discharges, if any, acceptable; precipitating dissolved metal out of the mine water within the sealed mine; and further sealing fissures that create seepage from the sealed mine.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Baum, Gary L. Barker, William H. Hensley, Donald Simpson, Kenneth Henderson
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Patent number: 5810326Abstract: A refrigerant powered actuated ball valve for use in the fluid circuit of a refrigeration or air conditioning system which can be remotely controlled by a low amperage control signal is disclosed. The actuated ball valve harnesses the pressurized refrigerant from the fluid circuit in which it is installed as the primary power medium to actuate the valve. The valve includes actuation means with a manifold having an inlet port which is in constant fluid communication with a high-pressure side of the fluid circuit. Pressurized refrigerant supplied to the manifold is branched to a series of fluid channels running through the manifold. Exhaust port operators are mounted in conjunction with the manifold to connect the actuation means to the low-pressure side of the fluid circuit and to direct the flow of pressurized refrigerant to either an exhaust port or the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kent Alan Miller
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Patent number: 5396786Abstract: A machine for forming a metallic tubular section in which the tubular section is located, retained, has at least one end formed, filled with fluid that is then pressurized within the tube section, and bend formed into a predetermined shape, all at a single station of the machine. A second station, either coupled with or independent from the first station functions to locate a tube section, retain it, cut off a portion of the tube section, form at least one end of the tube section, and provide for removal of the tube section therefrom. The tube sections are preferably crossover fittings. The present invention further comprises a method of manufacturing a full crossover fitting and a method of manufacturing a half crossover fitting.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1993Date of Patent: March 14, 1995Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Bartholomew, John J. DeRuiter
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Patent number: 5397100Abstract: A valve, such as a compressor or line service valve, for use in refrigeration or air conditioning fluid circuits having an improved flow for improved energy efficiency is disclosed. The valve incorporates a rotary ball member with a 90.degree. fluid passage diameter that is equal to or greater than the diameter of the fluid line that it services. Rotation of a primary actuator stem rotates the ball member to open and close the valve. An annular ball seal provides a seat against which the ball may be positively sealed. A secondary stem is aligned on an alternate axis from the primary stem that is preferably collinear with a fluid line. The secondary stem effectuates a positive engagement between the rotary ball member and the ball seal. A plunger cooperates with locator indentations and a groove in the rotary ball member to center the ball within the valve and align its fluid passage with fluid line connectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1993Date of Patent: March 14, 1995Assignee: Mueller Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kent A. Miller