Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Thrash, Jr.

Thomas B. Thrash, Jr. 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: 7243671
    Abstract: A chatter resistant shuttle valve is provided to direct fluid flow from at least two sources of pressurized fluid to a downstream apparatus. The shuttle valve includes a valve body with a shuttle valve member movably mounted inside. A dampening chamber is provided which dampen opening movement of the shuttle as it moved from a closed position on one side of the shuttle toward a closed position on the other end of the shuttle. One or more dampening chambers may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Thrash, Jr., Rodney C. Hope
  • Patent number: 7225831
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve that may be used as both a check valve and a relief valve. The valve includes a moveable valve member having a surface capable of forming two or more valve seal areas with two or more valve seat surfaces on a valve seat member. The valve seat surfaces may be formed by coining a portion of valve seat surfaces on fingers of the valve seat member. One of the valve seat fingers in inclined from the outlet toward the inlet. The valve seat member is metal, forming a metal to metal valve seat arrangement with the valve seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Donald J. Winnike, Thomas B. Thrash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7159605
    Abstract: A chatter resistant shuttle valve is provided to direct fluid flow from at least two sources of pressurized fluid to a downstream apparatus. The shuttle valve includes a valve body with a shuttle valve member movably mounted inside. A dampening chamber is provided which dampen opening movement of the shuttle as it moved from a closed position on one side of the shuttle toward a closed position on the other end of the shuttle. One or more dampening chambers may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Thrash, Jr., Rodney C. Hope
  • Patent number: 7073590
    Abstract: A bi-directional seal assembly can be used in various types of cartridge valves including dirty fluid valves and a variety of other valves. The present seal assembly utilizes a seal spool, two O-rings and opposing seal cups. Back-up rings are provided to engage the O-rings to control deformation of the O-rings. The O-rings are compressed during manufacture of the seal assembly and the valve more than typically recommended by O-ring manufacturers. Because of this compression, the O-rings serve a dual function. At lower pressures, the O-rings act as a spring causing the seal cups to contact the opposing seal plates and at higher pressures they act as seals between the seal assembly and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Neugebauer, Thomas B. Thrash, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6843266
    Abstract: The regulator connects to a high pressure fluid supply and regulates the pressure to a downstream apparatus. If an over-pressure occurs, it is vented to atmosphere. An elongate control stem engages a supply seal assembly and a vent seal assembly and moves axially with respect to these seal assemblies to achieve regulation and venting. During high fluid flow, the supply seal assembly and the vent seal assembly are not in the fluid flow path of the regulator which makes the seal assemblies more resistant to erosion from fluid flow. The fluid flow path through the regulator is partially in hollow passageways in the elongate control stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Thomas B. Thrash, Jr., Dennis S. Norton
  • Patent number: 5970574
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for cleaning industrial and commercial operations hard surfaces, e.g., concrete and asphalt slabs, walls, tanks, grates, and ship hulls, contaminated by oil and chemical spills or barnacles. The methods and apparatus of the present invention produce a high velocity airflow about only the periphery of the area being cleaned by the device to provide improved entrainment and removal of cleaning fluid and dislodged debris. High velocity streams of cleaning fluid are directed against the surface from nozzles disposed on rotating arms of a hub suspended within the portable housing of the slab cleaner. The spent cleaning fluid and dislodged debris are removed by the application of a vacuum to a chamber extending about the periphery of the housing to create the high velocity airflow. Thus, high velocity airflow is developed without fear that the slab cleaner will be sucked down and become temporarily stuck on the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Thrash, Jr.
  • Patent number: D422055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: HydroChem Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Stasny, Thomas B. Thrash, Jr.