Patents by Inventor Douglas Paul Gethmann

Douglas Paul Gethmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20180320721
    Abstract: Apparatus to connect a valve stem to an actuator are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Douglas Paul Gethmann, Kyle Anthony Hausladen, Jason Kyle Reuther
  • Patent number: 8070127
    Abstract: Apparatus for manual override operation of a linear actuator are described. An example manual override apparatus includes a manual operator having a first coupling on a first side and a second coupling on a second side opposite the first side. A first drive member having external threads is coupled to a housing of an actuator. The first drive member includes a first end to removably receive the first coupling of the manual operator, a second end to selectively engage an actuation member of the actuator, and a bore therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the first drive member. A second drive member disposed in the bore to be rotatably coupled to the first drive member. The second drive member has a first end threadably coupled to an actuator stem of the actuation member and a second end to removably receive the second coupling of the manual operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Publication number: 20100193715
    Abstract: Apparatus for manual override operation of a linear actuator are described. An example manual override apparatus includes a manual operator having a first coupling on a first side and a second coupling on a second side opposite the first side. A first drive member having external threads is coupled to a housing of an actuator. The first drive member includes a first end to removably receive the first coupling of the manual operator, a second end to selectively engage an actuation member of the actuator, and a bore therethrough along a longitudinal axis of the first drive member. A second drive member disposed in the bore to be rotatably coupled to the first drive member. The second drive member has a first end threadably coupled to an actuator stem of the actuation member and a second end to removably receive the second coupling of the manual operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Patent number: 7624963
    Abstract: A valve with a flow adjustment device in the form of a valve stem travel limiter includes a collar having a passage therethrough to receive a valve stem having a projection, the collar further includes a plurality of grooves having different depths. The flow adjustment device may be assembled to a valve stem to permit a plurality of different predetermined valve stem travel limits corresponding to respective different maximum flow capacities of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Publication number: 20080197310
    Abstract: A valve with a flow adjustment device in the form of a valve stem travel limiter includes a collar having a passage therethrough to receive a valve stem having a projection, the collar further includes a plurality of grooves having different depths. The flow adjustment device may be assembled to a valve stem to permit a plurality of different predetermined valve stem travel limits corresponding to respective different maximum flow capacities of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Publication number: 20080197307
    Abstract: A valve with a flow adjustment device in the form of a valve stem travel limiter includes a removable and reversible collar having a passage therethrough to receive a valve stem having a shoulder, the passage further includes two bores having different diameters. The flow adjustment device may be assembled to a valve stem to permit two different predetermined valve stem travel limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Patent number: 7410144
    Abstract: A pivot assembly provides an economical means for reducing the load on a manually operated hand jack by providing a pivot point on the body of a connecting rod which allows for an additional degree of movement. The pivot assembly may include a thrust bearing to further reduce friction on the connection rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Paul Gethmann, David George Halm
  • Patent number: 7178785
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body and a fluid passage through the valve body with an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve seat is defined within the fluid passage. A sleeve is axially slidable within the fluid passage and has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axial flow passage in communication with the inlet end and the outlet end of the fluid passage. A valve stem is pivotally mounted at a stem pivot spaced radially from the fluid passage. The valve stem is actuable to slide the sleeve between an open position with the downstream end spaced from the valve seat and a closed position with the downstream end borne against the valve seat to selectively control fluid flow through the flow passage to the outlet end. One end of the valve stem is coupled to the sleeve at a joint. The stem pivot accommodates relative axial movement of the valve stem as the sleeve slides within the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Michel K. Lovell, Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Publication number: 20040222400
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body and a fluid passage through the valve body with an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve seat is defined within the fluid passage. A sleeve is axially slidable within the fluid passage and has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axial flow passage in communication with the inlet end and the outlet end of the fluid passage. A valve stem is pivotally mounted at a stem pivot spaced radially from the fluid passage. The valve stem is actuable to slide the sleeve between an open position with the downstream end spaced from the valve seat and a closed position with the downstream end borne against the valve seat to selectively control fluid flow through the flow passage to the outlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Michel K. Lovell, Douglas Paul Gethmann
  • Patent number: 6382253
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device for use with a fluid valve control member movable through the device. The pressure reduction device is formed of a plurality of stacked disks having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter defined by a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. The disks are formed in a cage assembly for receiving the fluid valve control member within the hollow center along the inner perimeter. The stacked disks include a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in the disk around the inner perimeter. Guide members formed of a metal harder or at least with greater wear resistant characteristics than the disks are provided in each of the longitudinal channels. The guide members are adapted to the inner perimeter for guiding the fluid valve control member in movements through the hollow center for reducing wear on the inner perimeter. It is preferred that the guide members comprise longitudinal rods inserted within each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Mark Edward Byer, Douglas Paul Gethmann, James Leroy Gossett
  • Patent number: 6095196
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with tortuous flow paths in stacked disks. The fluid flow outlets are maintained independent by directed flow paths to avoid flow collisions in the exiting flow streams. A flow straightening section includes an inwardly tapered end section at the fluid flow outlets. Splitting of a tortuous flow path into at least two sub-flow paths with balancing of the mass flow between the sub-flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Ted Alan Long, Douglas Paul Gethmann, Paul Jay Schafbuch