Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Volz
Gregory J. Volz 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: 11287050Abstract: A valve can include a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, an orifice disposed fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a fitting having a first end configured to be removably coupled with at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the valve body and a second end configured to be coupled to a fluid conduit, and a retainer configured to at least partially resist uncoupling of the fitting from the valve body. A fitting can be configured to slidingly and sealingly engage at least a portion of an inlet and/or outlet bore. A retainer can be configured to couple with a valve body and a fitting. A fitting can be or include a crimp or press fitting, in whole or in part.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANYInventors: Erik VanLaningham, Gregory J. Volz, Kenneth Taylor, Jeffrey Loprete, Fred Pond
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Patent number: 10900585Abstract: A valve can include a body having an inlet and an outlet coaxial about an axis, a stationary valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, one or more valve members slideably coupled to the valve body and adapted to optionally couple with the valve seat, one or more biasing devices adapted to bias the valve member(s) in one or more longitudinal directions, and one or more actuators adapted to optionally move the valve member(s) into and/or out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator assembly can include one or more of an electrohydraulic actuator and an electromechanical actuator, among others.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: Gregory J. Volz, Roy B. Bogert, John J. Haller, Frank A. Ferrarese, Ryan Huttman, Emmanuel D. Arceo
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Publication number: 20200347954Abstract: A valve can include a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, an orifice disposed fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a fitting having a first end configured to be removably coupled with at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the valve body and a second end configured to be coupled to a fluid conduit, and a retainer configured to at least partially resist uncoupling of the fitting from the valve body. A fitting can be configured to slidingly and sealingly engage at least a portion of an inlet and/or outlet bore. A retainer can be configured to couple with a valve body and a fitting. A fitting can be or include a crimp or press fitting, in whole or in part.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Erik VanLaningham, Gregory J. Volz, Kenneth Taylor, Jeffrey Loprete, Fred Pond
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Publication number: 20200263798Abstract: A valve can include a body having an inlet and an outlet coaxial about an axis, a stationary valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, one or more valve members slideably coupled to the valve body and adapted to optionally couple with the valve seat, one or more biasing devices adapted to bias the valve member(s) in one or more longitudinal directions, and one or more actuators adapted to optionally move the valve member(s) into and/or out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator assembly can include one or more of an electrohydraulic actuator and an electromechanical actuator, among others.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Gregory J. Volz, Roy B. Bogert, John J. Haller, Frank A. Ferrarese, Ryan Huttman, Emmanuel D. Arceo
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Publication number: 20130248002Abstract: The inventions disclosed and taught herein are further directed to a solenoid valve configured for operation at minimum power levers comprising: a casing; a magnetic coil within the casing adapted for inducing a magnetic flux when energized; a plunger selectively actuated by the magnetic coil to operate the solenoid valve; and at least one energy storage device within the casing adapted to store energy and selectively energize the magnetic coil by applying the energy to the magnetic coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: John J. Haller, Stephen P. Glaudel, Gregory J. Volz
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Patent number: 8424563Abstract: A system for indicating the status of a valve may include an encapsulation with electronic circuitry disposed at least partially therein, a communication sub-system, a sensor, an indicator and a power source. The encapsulation may be zero volume, and the indicator may include a color changing skin. A method of indicating the status of a valve may include providing a valve, providing a status indicating system, changing a status of the valve, sensing a status of the valve, and indicating a status of the valve. A method of encapsulating a status indicating system may include providing an encapsulant and coupling at least a portion of the system with the encapsulant.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: John J. Haller, Gregory J. Volz, Emma C. Tejada, Roy B. Bogert, Emmanuel D. Arceo, Edgar Marino
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Publication number: 20110057140Abstract: A control valve comprising a plurality of interchangeable valve body modules, each module having a main valve cavity and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating; and at least one interchangeable gasket disposed between adjacent modules and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the communication ports between adjacent valve body modules, wherein the gasket is further configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports. In one embodiment, each valve body module further includes a passage communicating with the main valve cavity. In this case, the gasket may be configured to selectively communicate between the passage and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports, thereby selectively communicating between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports through the passage by selective orientation of the gasket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANYInventors: Emma C. Tejada, Laurence V. Borst, Gregory J. Volz
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Publication number: 20100294373Abstract: A system for indicating the status of a valve may include an encapsulation with electronic circuitry disposed at least partially therein, a communication sub-system, a sensor, an indicator and a power source. The encapsulation may be zero volume, and the indicator may include a color changing skin. A method of indicating the status of a valve may include providing a valve, providing a status indicating system, changing a status of the valve, sensing a status of the valve, and indicating a status of the valve. A method of encapsulating a status indicating system may include providing an encapsulant and coupling at least a portion of the system with the encapsulant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: John J. Haller, Gregory J. Volz, Emma C. Tejada, Roy B. Bogert, Emmanuel D. Arceo, Edgar Marino
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Publication number: 20090309054Abstract: The inventions disclosed and taught herein are further directed to a solenoid valve comprising: a casing; a magnetic coil encapsulated in the casing adapted for inducing a magnetic flux when supplied with electrical current; a plunger supported for linear displacement positioned within the coil, adapted to latch or unlatch the solenoid valve; at least one capacitor adapted to energize the magnetic coil; and a piston pneumatically connected to the solenoid valve adapted to latch or unlatch the solenoid valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANYInventors: John J. HALLER, Stephen P. GLAUDEL, Gregory J. VOLZ, Roy B. BOGERT
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Patent number: 6644351Abstract: A booster pilot valve operable at ultra low power levels is provided. The booster valve includes a moveable spool capable of directing a fluid flow to at least two different paths. The booster valve may be coupled to a piezotronic three-way valve, which controls the movement of the spool by redirecting a main fluid flow along different paths to create a force on the spool. The piezotronic valve is capable of actuation at very low power levels such as might be provided by a Profibus PA or other Bus system.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: ASCO Controls, LPInventors: Drew LaMarca, Gregory J. Volz
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Publication number: 20010045537Abstract: A booster pilot valve operable at ultra low power levels is provided. The booster valve includes a moveable spool capable of directing a fluid flow to at least two different paths. The booster valve may be coupled to a piezotronic three-way valve, which controls the movement of the spool by redirecting a main fluid flow along different paths to create a force on the spool. The piezotronic valve is capable of actuation at very low power levels such as might be provided by a Profibus PA or other Bus system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Drew LaMarca, Gregory J. Volz