Patents by Inventor Kent D. Reid
Kent D. Reid 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: 8291928Abstract: A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Veeder-Root CompanyInventors: Kent D. Reid, Ray J. Hutchinson, Richard Fricke, David J. Bolt
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Publication number: 20120042967Abstract: A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: Kent D. Reid, Ray J. Hutchinson, Richard Fricke, David J. Bolt
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Patent number: 7946309Abstract: A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Veeder-Root CompanyInventors: Kent D. Reid, Ray J. Hutchinson, Richard Fricke, David J. Bolt
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Patent number: 7225664Abstract: A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 7080546Abstract: A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Robert P. Hart, Richard G. Dolson, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 7076994Abstract: A submersible turbine pump includes a power head enclosed in a casing. A vacuum source associated with the submersible turbine pump draws a vacuum in the interior space of the casing. A pressure sensor may be used to monitor the vacuum in the interior space to detect a leak in the power head or the casing. If a leak is detected, an alarm may be generated and the submersible turbine pump may be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 7051576Abstract: A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Robert P. Hart, Richard G. Dolson, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 7010961Abstract: A submersible turbine pump includes a power head enclosed in a casing. A vacuum source associated with the submersible turbine pump draws a vacuum in the interior space of the casing. A pressure sensor may be used to monitor the vacuum in the interior space to detect a leak in the power head or the casing. If a leak is detected, an alarm may be generated and the submersible turbine pump may be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 6997042Abstract: A pump housing contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank to deliver fuel to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled riser pipe that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the pump. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner space. The outer annular space is coupled to a vacuum created by the pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space. An alternate submersible turbine pump has a double-walled housing with a pressure sensor disposed in the interstitial space of the double-walled housing. A vacuum may be created therein to determine if leaks are present in the housing of the submersible turbine pump.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 6978660Abstract: A submersible turbine pump includes a power head enclosed in a casing. A vacuum source associated with the submersible turbine pump draws a vacuum in the interior space of the casing. A pressure sensor may be used to monitor the vacuum in the interior space to detect a leak in the power head or the casing. If a leak is detected, an alarm may be generated and the submersible turbine pump may be deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2005Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Patent number: 6978661Abstract: A vacuum generator that is coupled to a double-walled fuel supply piping internal to a fuel dispenser that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the hose and nozzle of the fuel dispenser. The double-walled fuel supply piping contains an inner piping that carries the fuel. An interstitial space is formed by the space between the inner piping and an outer piping that surrounds the inner piping to capture any leaked fuel from the inner piping. The interstitial space is coupled to a vacuum created by the vacuum generator to determine if a leak exists in the interstitial space. The vacuum generator may be a standalone unit or may be a submersible turbine pump that also pumps fuel from the underground storage tank to the fuel dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Publication number: 20040261504Abstract: A vacuum generator that is coupled to a double-walled fuel supply piping internal to a fuel dispenser that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the hose and nozzle of the fuel dispenser. The double-walled fuel supply piping contains an inner piping that carries the fuel. An interstitial space is formed by the space between the inner piping and an outer piping that surrounds the inner piping to capture any leaked fuel from the inner piping. The interstitial space is coupled to a vacuum created by the vacuum generator to determine if a leak exists in the interstitial space. The vacuum generator may be a standalone unit or may be a submersible turbine pump that also pumps fuel from the underground storage tank to the fuel dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Publication number: 20040261503Abstract: A submersible turbine pump includes a power head enclosed in a casing. A vacuum source associated with the submersible turbine pump draws a vacuum in the interior space of the casing. A pressure sensor may be used to monitor the vacuum in the interior space to detect a leak in the power head or the casing. If a leak is detected, an alarm may be generated and the submersible turbine pump may be deactivated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2004Publication date: December 30, 2004Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid
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Publication number: 20040149017Abstract: A pump housing contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank to deliver fuel to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled riser pipe that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the pump. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner space. The outer annular space is coupled to a vacuum created by the pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space. An alternate submersible turbine pump has a double-walled housing with a pressure sensor disposed in the interstitial space of the double-walled housing. A vacuum may be created therein to determine if leaks are present in the housing of the submersible turbine pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: Ray J. Hutchinson, Donald D. Halla, Richard G. Dolson, Robert P. Hart, Richard K. Lucas, Kent D. Reid