Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Scheffler
Douglas J. Scheffler 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).
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Patent number: 10920896Abstract: A valve seat assembly for use in a fluid control valve. The valve seat assembly includes a pad holder and a support ring. The pad holder includes a support body configured to support a seat pad and a plurality of alignment struts projecting radially outwardly from the support body. The support ring extends around the radially outer perimeter of the alignment struts. The pad holder slides into and out of an operative position in the support ring.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. Mckinney, Matthew W. Hanusa
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Publication number: 20180347718Abstract: A valve seat assembly for use in a fluid control valve. The valve seat assembly includes a pad holder and a support ring. The pad holder includes a support body configured to support a seat pad and a plurality of alignment struts projecting radially outwardly from the support body. The support ring extends around the radially outer perimeter of the alignment struts. The pad holder slides into and out of an operative position in the support ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James L. Griffin, JR., Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. Mckinney, Matthew W. Hanusa
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Trapezoidal thread form having a wear indicator and high pressure connection fitting comprising same
Patent number: 10119636Abstract: A trapezoidal thread form includes a thread having a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, the thread including an apex surface, two side surfaces, and a valley; and a thread wear indicator formed in one of the apex surface and one of the side surfaces. The thread wear indicator may include a v-shaped channel formed in one of the apex surface and one of the side surfaces or the thread wear indicator may include a series of material layers, each layer having a physical characteristic that is different from an adjacent material layer. The thread wear indicator indicates excessive or unsafe thread wear when the v-shaped channel is indistinguishable from the apex surface or the side surface, or when a first layer wears sufficiently to show a second layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Khashayar A. Nashery, Douglas J. Scheffler -
Patent number: 10041602Abstract: An axial flow regulator includes a lateral access port through a portion of the valve body that provides access to a valve seat assembly and/or other portions of the valve trim without having to remove or uncouple the outlet flange or the inlet flange from the adjacent pipe sections. The lateral access port may extend through an outlet flange portion of the valve body and is configured to allow a valve seat assembly to be laterally inserted into and removed from the outlet flange. A valve seat assembly which may be configured for installation in the axial flow regulator includes a pad holder and a support ring for the pad holder that is separable from the pad holder. The pad holder may have alignment struts projecting radially outwardly from a pad support body. The support ring may include strut receivers that slidably receive the alignment struts of the pad holder.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. McKinney, Matthew W. Hanusa
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Publication number: 20180100599Abstract: An axial flow regulator includes a lateral access port through a portion of the valve body that provides access to a valve seat assembly and/or other portions of the valve trim without having to remove or uncouple the outlet flange or the inlet flange from the adjacent pipe sections. The lateral access port may extend through an outlet flange portion of the valve body and is configured to allow a valve seat assembly to be laterally inserted into and removed from the outlet flange. A valve seat assembly which may be configured for installation in the axial flow regulator includes a pad holder and a support ring for the pad holder that is separable from the pad holder. The pad holder may have alignment struts projecting radially outwardly from a pad support body. The support ring may include strut receivers that slidably receive the alignment struts of the pad holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: James L. Griffin, JR., Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. McKinney, Matthew W. Hanusa
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Patent number: 9360131Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a piping system includes a valve having an inlet and outlet arranged for connection to the piping system, and further includes a valve body, a control element disposed in a flow passage, and a shiftable valve stem operatively coupled to the control element. Valve packing is disposed about the valve stem and is secured by a retainer assembly. An adapter plate is provided and is attached to the valve body by a plurality of gland bolts, with the adapter plate and the gland bolts cooperating to secure the retainer assembly. An actuator bracket is provided and includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion secured to the adapter plate by a plurality of fasteners, and an actuator is secured to the second portion of the actuator bracket by a plurality of fasteners, with the actuator having a control rod operatively coupled to the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Khashayar A. Nashery, Douglas J. Scheffler, Roy Ronald Pelfrey, Jeffrey Sexton
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Patent number: 9213339Abstract: A fluid regulator includes a regulator body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a fluid flow path, with a portion of the regulator body forming a first chamber and a second chamber, an orifice disposed in the fluid flow path, a seat, and a control element disposed within the fluid flow path and shiftable between an open position spaced away from the seat and a closed position seated against the seat, with the control element arranged to respond to fluid pressure changes to control flow of a process fluid through the orifice. A first diaphragm having a radially inner portion is operatively coupled to the control element, and a second diaphragm having a radially inner portion also is operatively coupled to the control element.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Khashayar A. Nashery, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Patent number: 9176505Abstract: A system and method for automatically performing start-up and overpressure relief functions in association with a primary fluid carrier such as, for example, a liquid handling pipeline or tank. The system includes a main valve for primarily exhausting air from the system as it fills with a liquid. A start-up pilot device is also provided for exhausting air from the system upon start-up, but prior to the main valve opening. Finally, an overpressure pilot device is provided to relieve overpressure situations during normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bruno Jean Michel Cheron, Garrett Winston, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Patent number: 9091366Abstract: A control device includes a valve body, a seat ring, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow-path for a fluid. The seat ring is disposed within the flow-path. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and includes a control member. The control member is adapted for displacement relative to the seat ring for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path. The control member includes a sealing disk adapted to sealingly engage the seat ring and close the flow-path. The seat ring includes a plurality of orifices disposed within the flow-path such that the seat ring prevents at least a portion of the flow of the fluid from substantially perpendicularly impacting the sealing disk.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Thomas L. Weyer, Jr., Daniel G. Roper, James L. Griffin, Jr., Harold J. McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Publication number: 20140182694Abstract: A system and method for automatically performing start-up and overpressure relief functions in association with a primary fluid carrier such as, for example, a liquid handling pipeline or tank. The system includes a main valve for primarily exhausting air from the system as it fills with a liquid. A start-up pilot device is also provided for exhausting air from the system upon start-up, but prior to the main valve opening. Finally, an overpressure pilot device is provided to relieve overpressure situations during normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bruno Jean Michel Cheron, Garrett Winston, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Patent number: 8708309Abstract: A spring seat for self aligning a bias-open or bias-close spring is disposed within a tubular control element of a gas regulator and designed to reduce side loading of the spring, which can cause the spring to prematurely fail. The spring seat can comprise a spring seat adaptor and a seat ring. The spring seat adaptor is fixed inside of the tubular control element and the seat ring is movably mounted on the spring seat adaptor via a ball and socket type joint. The movable seat ring is engaged by the spring and adapted to be self-aligned through three-dimensional displacement relative to the spring seat adaptor via the ball and socket joint.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. McKinney
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Patent number: 8590858Abstract: A regulator having a valve body defining a flow-path for a fluid and having a valve seat, an actuator casing coupled to the valve body, a control member disposed within the actuator casing and adapted for displacement relative to the valve body and the valve seat for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path by moving between an open position and a closed position wherein the control member engages the valve seat, and a spring operatively coupled to the control member and biasing the control member toward the open position. The control member includes a surface facing the valve seat that is recessed. The recessed surface may be a counter-bore, or may have a convex shape, conical shape, or other appropriate recessed surface. So configured, the regulator displaced improved stability in high inlet pressure, low output pressure, high flow rate implementations.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Gunder Roper, Harold Joe McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Publication number: 20110247701Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a piping system includes a valve having an inlet and outlet arranged for connection to the piping system, and further includes a valve body, a control element disposed in a flow passage, and a shiftable valve stem operatively coupled to the control element. Valve packing is disposed about the valve stem and is secured by a retainer assembly. An adapter plate is provided and is attached to the valve body by a plurality of gland bolts, with the adapter plate and the gland bolts cooperating to secure the retainer assembly. An actuator bracket is provided and includes a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion secured to the adapter plate by a plurality of fasteners, and an actuator is secured to the second portion of the actuator bracket by a plurality of fasteners, with the actuator having a control rod operatively coupled to the valve stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: October 13, 2011Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Khashayar A. Nashery, Douglas J. Scheffler, Roy R. Pelfrey, Jeffrey Sexton
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Publication number: 20110108146Abstract: A control device includes a valve body, a seat ring, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow-path for a fluid. The seat ring is disposed within the flow-path. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and includes a control member. The control member is adapted for displacement relative to the seat ring for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path. The control member includes a sealing disk adapted to sealingly engage the seat ring and close the flow-path. The seat ring includes a plurality of orifices disposed within the flow-path such that the seat ring prevents at least a portion of the flow of the fluid from substantially perpendicularly impacting the sealing disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Thomas L. Weyer, JR., Daniel G. Roper, James L. Griffin, JR., Harold J. McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Patent number: 7896028Abstract: A control device includes a valve body, a seat ring, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow-path for a fluid. The seat ring is disposed within the flow-path. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and includes a control member. The control member is adapted for displacement relative to the seat ring for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path. The control member includes a scaling disk adapted to sealingly engage the seat ring and close the flow-path. The seat ring includes an orifice disposed within the flow-path such that the seat ring prevents at least a portion of the flow of the fluid from substantially perpendicularly impacting the sealing disk.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: Thomas L. Weyer, Jr., Daniel G. Roper, James L. Griffin, Jr., Harold J. McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Publication number: 20100269925Abstract: A spring seat for self aligning a bias-open or bias-close spring is disposed within a tubular control element of a gas regulator and designed to reduce side loading of the spring, which can cause the spring to prematurely fail. The spring seat can comprise a spring seat adaptor and a seat ring. The spring seat adaptor is fixed inside of the tubular control element and the seat ring is movably mounted on the spring seat adaptor via a ball and socket type joint. The movable seat ring is engaged by the spring and adapted to be self-aligned through three-dimensional displacement relative to the spring seat adaptor via the ball and socket joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Daniel G. Roper, Douglas J. Scheffler, Harold J. McKinney
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Publication number: 20100270490Abstract: A regulator having a valve body defining a flow-path for a fluid and having a valve seat, an actuator casing coupled to the valve body, a control member disposed within the actuator casing and adapted for displacement relative to the valve body and the valve seat for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path by moving between an open position and a closed position wherein the control member engages the valve seat, and a spring operatively coupled to the control member and biasing the control member toward the open position. The control member includes a surface facing the valve seat that is recessed. The recessed surface may be a counter-bore, or may have a convex shape, conical shape, or other appropriate recessed surface. So configured, the regulator displaced improved stability in high inlet pressure, low output pressure, high flow rate implementations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Daniel G. Roper, Harold J. McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler
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Publication number: 20080029171Abstract: A control device includes a valve body, a seat ring, and an actuator. The valve body defines a flow-path for a fluid. The seat ring is disposed within the flow-path. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and includes a control member. The control member is adapted for displacement relative to the seat ring for regulating a flow of the fluid through the flow-path. The control member includes a scaling disk adapted to sealingly engage the seat ring and close the flow-path. The seat ring includes an orifice disposed within the flow-path such that the seat ring prevents at least a portion of the flow of the fluid from substantially perpendicularly impacting the sealing disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Thomas L. Weyer, Daniel G. Roper, James L. Griffin, Harold J. McKinney, Douglas J. Scheffler