Patents by Inventor Todd R. MacLay

Todd R. MacLay 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).

  • Variable torque valve actuator
    Patent number: 7837175
    Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for moving a threaded valve stem along a longitudinal axis to selectively open or close a valve. The actuator comprises a carrier rotatably mounted within a housing. A portion of the carrier has a bore threaded to receive the threaded valve stem. The actuator further comprises a gear arrangement configured for transmitting a rotational force to the carrier. A cylindrical operator rotatably mounted to the housing has a plurality of splines on its circumference and is configured for receiving a rotational input force from a drive mechanism. An annular collar slidably disposed around the operator rotates with the operator but can slide longitudinally along the operator between a first position in which it engages the gear arrangement and a second position in which it engages the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stone, Robert Kaminsky, Todd R. MacLay
  • Variable Torque Valve Actuator
    Publication number: 20080315139
    Abstract: The invention provides an actuator for moving a threaded valve stem along a longitudinal axis to selectively open or close a valve. The actuator comprises a carrier rotatably mounted within a housing. A portion of the carrier has a bore threaded to receive the threaded valve stem. The actuator further comprises a gear arrangement configured for transmitting a rotational force to the carrier. A cylindrical operator rotatably mounted to the housing has a plurality of splines on its circumference and is configured for receiving a rotational input force from a drive mechanism. An annular collar slidably disposed around the operator rotates with the operator but can slide longitudinally along the operator between a first position in which it engages the gear arrangement and a second position in which it engages the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Stone, Robert Kaminsky, Todd R. MacLay