Patents by Inventor Kent R. Hemme

Kent R. Hemme 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: 6161584
    Abstract: A high energy loss fluid control device includes a plurality of annularly-shaped discs stacked one upon another and a reciprocal plug in slidable contact with the discs. The discs form a plurality of flow passageways extending between an inlet and an outlet located at the inner and outer peripheries of the discs. Each of the flow passageways has a plurality of sections connected with right-angle turns. A first one of the sections is radially extending toward the inlet to cause fluid to act upon itself and expend energy by turbulent interaction. Immediately downstream of the first section, a second one of the sections is radially extending toward the outlet. The second section is generally straight and of a length adequate to regain control of fluid velocity by true frictional losses. The passageways can be formed by stacks of discs that cooperate to fully define intermediate passageways or by alternating flow-path discs and separator discs that cooperate to form the passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Copes-Vulcan, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent R. Hemme, Allan K. Shea
  • Patent number: 6039076
    Abstract: A high energy loss fluid control device includes a plurality of annularly-shaped discs stacked one upon another and a reciprocal plug in slidable contact with the discs. Each of the discs has an inner periphery, an outer periphery, and a plurality of flow passageways extending between an inlet and an outlet located at the inner and outer peripheries. Each of the flow passageways have a plurality of sections connected with right-angle turns. The sections alternate between extending in a circumferential direction and a radial direction. Each passageway has an expanding cross-sectional area but each section has a constant cross-sectional area. A first one of the sections is radially extending toward the inlet to cause fluid to act upon itself and expend energy by turbulent interaction. Immediately downstream of the first section, second one of the sections is radially extending toward the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Copes-Vulcan, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent R. Hemme, Allan K. Shea