Patents by Inventor Benjamin R. Matthews

Benjamin R. Matthews has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9890609
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9671794
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20170147012
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: David LYMBEROPOULOS, Benjamin R. MATTHEWS
  • Publication number: 20170060144
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: David LYMBEROPOULOS, Benjamin R. MATTHEWS
  • Patent number: 9441453
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9163750
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SAFOCO, INC.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20150000750
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8851108
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: SAFOCO, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8763983
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120227983
    Abstract: A safety valve control system may include a remotely operable control assembly, a first transducer, a valve assembly, and a compressor assembly in communication with the control assembly. The control assembly is operable to actuate the pump and valve assemblies to supply fluid to actuate the safety valve into open and closed positions, in response to one or more signals received from the first transducer. A method of operation may include maintaining the safety valve in an open or closed position while sensing a physical property with the control system; communicating a signal corresponding to the sensed physical property to the control system; and automatically closing or opening the safety valve in response to a comparison of the sensed physical property to a pre-set condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120025114
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20110240126
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews