Patents by Inventor Thomas Henry Cunningham

Thomas Henry Cunningham 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: 11079032
    Abstract: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 10393283
    Abstract: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20190226596
    Abstract: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20190093781
    Abstract: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9395019
    Abstract: Embodiments of a seal element for use in a trim assembly that allow valves and, in particular, balance control valves to meet high-temperature and shut-off requirements. These embodiments can engage and disengage a cage element and a plug element of the trim assembly, thereby creating a seal that prevents leaks of working fluid that can compromise operation of the valve. In one embodiment, the seal element comprises an annular ring that circumscribes the outer periphery of the plug element. The annular ring can deflect in response movement of one part of the plug element relative to another part of the plug element. This deflection can cause the seal element to contact the cage element and the plug element in seal regions that are proximate to one another, and to the outer periphery of the plug element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9218005
    Abstract: A trim assembly is provided with a cage with an internal surface and a cage port. A plug having an external surface is disposed in the cage and is operable between a closed position, a pressure balancing position and an open position. The trim assembly also includes a low friction flow restrictor disposed between the cage and the plug and a pressure energized seal disposed between the cage and the plug. A seal balancing volume defined by the internal surface of the cage, the external surface of the plug, the low friction flow restrictor and the pressure energized seal is provided. The seal balancing volume is in fluid communication with the cage port through the low friction flow restrictor and is maintained at a seal balancing volume pressure. The trim assembly further includes a pressure control assembly configured to vent the seal balancing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9194501
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cage and a main plug disposed in the cage. The main plug is movable between a main plug closed position and a main plug open position. A seal assembly disposed on the main plug, the seal assembly having a seal that is configured to contact the cage when the main plug is in the main plug closed position, and configured to reduce contact with the cage when a pressure differential across the seal is reduced. The apparatus includes a pressure balancing assembly movable between a closed position, an overtravel position and an open position. The pressure balancing assembly is configured to balance the pressure differential across the seal when in the overtravel and open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Cunningham, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Nuo Sheng, Xuele Qi, Azam Mihir Thatte, James Albert Stares, Henry William Boger
  • Publication number: 20150001432
    Abstract: Embodiments of a seal element for use in a trim assembly that allow valves and, in particular, balance control valves to meet high-temperature and shut-off requirements. These embodiments can engage and disengage a cage element and a plug element of the trim assembly, thereby creating a seal that prevents leaks of working fluid that can compromise operation of the valve. In one embodiment, the seal element comprises an annular ring that circumscribes the outer periphery of the plug element. The annular ring can deflect in response movement of one part of the plug element relative to another part of the plug element. This deflection can cause the seal element to contact the cage element and the plug element in seal regions that are proximate to one another, and to the outer periphery of the plug element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20140137947
    Abstract: A trim assembly is provided with a cage with an internal surface and a cage port. A plug having an external surface is disposed in the cage and is operable between a closed position, a pressure balancing position and an open position. The trim assembly also includes a low friction flow restrictor disposed between the cage and the plug and a pressure energized seal disposed between the cage and the plug. A seal balancing volume defined by the internal surface of the cage, the external surface of the plug, the low friction flow restrictor and the pressure energized seal is provided. The seal balancing volume is in fluid communication with the cage port through the low friction flow restrictor and is maintained at a seal balancing volume pressure. The trim assembly further includes a pressure control assembly configured to vent the seal balancing volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: DRESSER, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20140137957
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cage and a main plug disposed in the cage. The main plug is movable between a main plug closed position and a main plug open position. A seal assembly disposed on the main plug, the seal assembly having a seal that is configured to contact the cage when the main plug is in the main plug closed position, and configured to reduce contact with the cage when a pressure differential across the seal is reduced. The apparatus includes a pressure balancing assembly movable between a closed position, an overtravel position and an open position. The pressure balancing assembly is configured to balance the pressure differential across the seal when in the overtravel and open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: DRESSER, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Henry Cunningham, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Nuo Sheng, Xuele Qi, Azam Mihir Thatte, James Albert Stares, Henry William Boger