Patents Assigned to Romac Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11746909
    Abstract: A valve gate may include a threaded rod, a nut engaged with the threaded rod, a movable body mounted on the threaded rod, a seal, a pair of levers, and first and second housing components that at least partially enclose the other components. The threaded rod can be turned to drive translation of the nut and the movable body along the threaded rod. Translation of the movable body along the threaded rod can drive rotation of the levers outward away from the threaded rod, and rotation of the levers can force the seal to expand outward from the threaded rod. Such expansion can force the seal into engagement with an inner surface of a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ROMAC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Aaron David Pecora
  • Patent number: 11274777
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a sleeve and a clamping ring. The sleeve includes a flange at least one end. The clamping ring is mounted to the flange. The clamping ring carries a seal and includes two spaced apart bolt engagement portions. The clamping ring further includes two separate clamping ring portions that are removably connected together at a coupling portion of each respective separate clamping ring portion so that each clamping ring portion is separable from the other one. The two separate clamping ring portions function as a unitary ring when the coupling portions are brought into abutting contact such that the coupling portions are fixed relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Branko Cumic, Andy Lemke
  • Patent number: 10253909
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a sleeve and a clamping ring. The sleeve includes a flange at least one end. The clamping ring is mounted to the flange. The clamping ring carries a seal and includes two spaced apart bolt engagement portions. The clamping ring further includes two separate clamping ring portions that are removably connected together at a coupling portion of each respective separate clamping ring portion so that each clamping ring portion is separable from the other one. The two separate clamping ring portions function as a unitary ring when the coupling portions are brought into abutting contact such that the coupling portions are fixed relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ROMAC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Branko Cumic, Andy Lemke
  • Patent number: 9915385
    Abstract: A fitting includes a hollow body, a sealing member, and a draw mechanism. The fitting mechanism includes a primary actuation element coupled with the body at a first end, and a plurality of secondary actuation elements coupled to the sealing member. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are positioned in an interior of the hollow body and circumferentially spaced from each other. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are also engaged with the primary actuation element such that actuation of the primary actuation element draws the plurality of secondary actuation elements axially towards the opening at the first end of the hollow body thereby translating the sealing member from an open position to a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Eaton, Lee Getzewich, David R. Albin
  • Patent number: 9534714
    Abstract: A fitting includes a hollow body, a sealing member, and a draw mechanism. The fitting mechanism includes a primary actuation element coupled with the body at a first end, and a plurality of secondary actuation elements coupled to the sealing member. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are positioned in an interior of the hollow body and circumferentially spaced from each other. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are also engaged with the primary actuation element such that actuation of the primary actuation element draws the plurality of secondary actuation elements axially towards the opening at the first end of the hollow body thereby translating the sealing member from an open position to a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Eaton, Lee Getzewich, David R. Albin
  • Patent number: 9303801
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a sleeve and a clamping ring. The sleeve includes a flange at least one end. The clamping ring is mounted to the flange. The clamping ring carries a seal and includes two spaced apart bolt engagement portions. The clamping ring further includes two separate clamping ring portions that are removably connected together at a coupling portion of each respective separate clamping ring portion so that each clamping ring portion is separable from the other one. The two separate clamping ring portions function as a unitary ring when the coupling portions are brought into abutting contact such that the coupling portions are fixed relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Branko Cumic, Andy Lemke
  • Patent number: 8894100
    Abstract: A fitting includes a hollow body, a sealing member, and a draw mechanism. The fitting mechanism includes a primary actuation element coupled with the body at a first end, and a plurality of secondary actuation elements coupled to the sealing member. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are positioned in an interior of the hollow body and circumferentially spaced from each other. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are also engaged with the primary actuation element such that actuation of the primary actuation element draws the plurality of secondary actuation elements axially towards the opening at the first end of the hollow body thereby translating the sealing member from an open position to a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Eaton, Lee Getzewich, David R. Albin
  • Publication number: 20140117665
    Abstract: A pipe coupling includes a sleeve and a clamping ring. The sleeve includes a flange at least one end. The clamping ring is mounted to the flange. The clamping ring carries a seal and includes two spaced apart bolt engagement portions. The clamping ring further includes two separate clamping ring portions that are removably connected together at a coupling portion of each respective separate clamping ring portion so that each clamping ring portion is separable from the other one. The two separate clamping ring portions function as a unitary ring when the coupling portions are brought into abutting contact such that the coupling portions are fixed relative to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Romac Industries, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130241198
    Abstract: A fitting includes a hollow body, a sealing member, and a draw mechanism. The fitting mechanism includes a primary actuation element coupled with the body at a first end, and a plurality of secondary actuation elements coupled to the sealing member. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are positioned in an interior of the hollow body and circumferentially spaced from each other. The plurality of secondary actuation elements are also engaged with the primary actuation element such that actuation of the primary actuation element draws the plurality of secondary actuation elements axially towards the opening at the first end of the hollow body thereby translating the sealing member from an open position to a sealing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ROMAC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Delbert Eaton, Lee Getzewich, David R. Albin
  • Patent number: 8448993
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting pipes of the same or different diameters. The coupling has a barrel sleeve with clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings each carry nested seals. An inner portion of each nested seal may be removed so as to adapt the clamping ring to different pipe diameters. Each clamping ring is hinged, but becomes iron-bound upon tightening, so that each ring eventually bends as a unitary ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Branko Cumic, Andy Lemke
  • Patent number: 7353843
    Abstract: A sequencing valve and associated hydronic system are provided. The valve has first and second ports, which can be connected to a heat exchange device, and the valve is configured to selectively provide multiple fluids to the heat exchange device. For example, the valve can selectively connect hot and cold water supplies to the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger can be used alternately to heat and cool air for a refrigeration system. The valve can include check valves that are adjusted by rotatable cams for controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the ports. Each cam can be mounted on a rotatable shaft so that the cams rotate to adjust the check valves between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hays Fluid Controls, a division of ROMAC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben G. Arrowood, Jr., James H. M. Meyer, GangFu Zhang
  • Patent number: 6983764
    Abstract: A sequencing valve and associated hydronic system are provided. The valve has first and second ports, which can be connected to a heat exchange device, and the valve is configured to selectively provide multiple fluids to the heat exchange device. For example, the valve can selectively connect hot and cold water supplies to the heat exchanger so that the heat exchanger can be used alternately to heat and cool air for a refrigeration system. The valve can include check valves that are adjusted by rotatable cams for controlling the flow of fluids into and out of the ports. Each cam can be mounted on a rotatable shaft so that the cams rotate to adjust the check valves between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hays Fluid Controls, a division of Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben G. Arrowood, Jr., James H. M. Meyer, GangFu Zhang
  • Patent number: 6789567
    Abstract: A bi-directional flow-control device includes a housing defining a flow passage and first and second orifices installed in the passage, each orifice being tubular and having a seat, each seat having a plurality of circumferentially spaced flow-control channels, the seat of the second orifice being axially spaced from and facing the seat of the first orifice. A resiliently deformable diaphragm is disposed between the seats, whereby flow through the passage in a first direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the first orifice and flow through the passage in an opposite second direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the second orifice. The diaphragm in each case deforms into the channels in the seat to varying degrees as a function of pressure differential such that in either flow direction the flow is regulated to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate over a range of pressure differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hays Fluid Controls, division of ROMAC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Harvey Moore Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040089349
    Abstract: A bi-directional flow-control device includes a housing defining a flow passage and first and second orifices installed in the passage, each orifice being tubular and having a seat, each seat having a plurality of circumferentially spaced flow-control channels, the seat of the second orifice being axially spaced from and facing the seat of the first orifice. A resiliently deformable diaphragm is disposed between the seats, whereby flow through the passage in a first direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the first orifice and flow through the passage in an opposite second direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the second orifice. The diaphragm in each case deforms into the channels in the seat to varying degrees as a function of pressure differential such that in either flow direction the flow is regulated to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate over a range of pressure differentials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicants: Hays Fluid Controls, a Division of ROMAC Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Harvey Moore Meyer
  • Patent number: 6595235
    Abstract: There are provided a fluid flow control valve and an orifice for a fluid flow control valve. The orifice defines two seats against which a diaphragm of the valve can be urged. Each seat defines a particular contour, including one or more channels, slots, and or protrusions that form flow control passages through which fluid flows between the diaphragm and the orifice. The orifice can be configured in either of two orientations so that either seat can be disposed toward the diaphragm. As the pressure differential across the valve increases, the diaphragm is urged more firmly against the seat facing the diaphragm and the diaphragm partially closes the flow control passages, thereby regulating the flow to a substantially uniform volumetric rate. The contours of the two seats can be the same, or each seat can be different to provide a unique controlled flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hays Fluid Controls, a divison of Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: GangFu Zhang
  • Patent number: 6390122
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve comprises a housing defining a fluid flow passage extending longitudinally therethrough, the housing having opposite ends each defining an opening for flow into and out of the fluid flow passage, and an orifice and diaphragm disposed in the housing. The orifice has a seat at one end thereof facing the diaphragm. The diaphragm has one end face that opposes the seat of the orifice, the seat being configured such that one or more flow control passages are defined between the seat and the one end face of the diaphragm through which the fluid flows. The seat is contoured to include at least two different shapes of channels each promoting localized bending of the diaphragm at a different pressure differential, thereby permitting an expansion of the working pressure range to very low pressure differentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hays Fluid Controls, a division of ROMAC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: GangFu Zhang, James H. M. Meyer, Ben Gordon Arrowood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5409042
    Abstract: An apparatus to control fluid flow to an approximate fixed rate is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing (12), an orifice (22), a diaphragm (24), and a cage (26). The housing has two ends, an inlet end (18) having an inlet opening and an outlet end (20) having an outlet opening. The ends are arranged and configured to receive piping (14 and 16). The orifice is disposed within the housing. The orifice has an upstream end and a downstream end with a seat (34) formed in the upstream end. The fluid flows over the seat and through the orifice before exiting the outlet end of the housing in normal flow. The diaphragm is disposed within the housing adjacent and upstream of the seat of the orifice. The diaphragm has an upstream side, a downstream side, and sidewalls. The downstream side of the diaphragm is opposite the seat such that a pressure drop across the diaphragm pulls the downstream side of the diaphragm toward the seat. The cage surrounds at least a portion of the sidewalls of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kirchner
  • Patent number: 5358286
    Abstract: By using fabrication procedures, and not using any casting procedures, a pipe sleeve assembly per se, or with additional components, is made for installation on a pipeline. When this pipe sleeve assembly is fully tightened about a plastic pipe, there is acceptable limited radial deflection of cross-sectional portions of the plastic pipe, being sealed by a surrounding gasket held in place by assembled fabricated parts and bolt and nut fasteners of this pipe sleeve assembly. On opposite sides of each separating gap of the pipe sleeve, side bar and lug units are welded to the pipe sleeve. Between opposite lugs, independently removable bolt and nut fasteners are secured. In one embodiment, opposite lugs both have holes, which are aligned to receive and to hold portions of a bolt. In another embodiment, one of the opposite lugs has a hole, and the other opposite lug has spaced portions thereof, each having an overlapping lip portion, which receive a drop in bolt portion located near the head of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Romac Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert H. Eaton, Mark W. Kirchner
  • Patent number: 5335946
    Abstract: A cooperating combination of a metallic gland and a metallic grip ring is for both plastic pipe and metallic pipe used in fluid piping systems, where these pipes are part of assembled restrained sealed bolted joints. The grip ring, in addition to two well spaced major sized teeth, has several spaced minor sized pipe gripping circumferential teeth located between and beyond the major sized teeth. The major sized teeth extend radially inwardly farther than the minor sized teeth within the grip ring. When the installed grip ring is restraining a metallic pipe, only the major size teeth are, in part, penetrating the metallic pipe. When this installed grip ring is restraining a plastic pipe both the major size teeth and the minor size teeth are penetrating the plastic pipe. The major size teeth take a lot of concentrated force, which is created when the fasteners of the bolted joint are tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Romac Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Dent, George F. Denison
  • Patent number: 4702886
    Abstract: For better corrosion resistance, ductile cast iron is alloyed with nickel up through percentages of nickel that maintains the primary ferritic phase. Through this range of nickel additions, commencing at approximately 0.2 percent, and ending at approximately 2.0 percent by weight, better corrosion resistance is obtained, while the ductility is maintained and the strength increases. This ductile cast iron alloy is applicable for use in any industry searching for improved corrosion resistance in ductile cast iron, which is obtainable at a low cost. The ductile cast iron is especially applicable for use in the waterworks industry for underground applications. The remaining composition of this ductile cast iron alloy is the composition of common ductile cast iron, including approximately by weight; 2.5-4.0% carbon, 1.7-4.0% silicon, up to 1.0% manganese, 0.01-0.10% magnesium, up to 0.5% copper, up to 0.1% phosphorus, up to 0.7% chromium, up to 0.01% sulphur, up to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Romac Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Randy K. Kent