Patents by Inventor Vu K. Nguyen

Vu K. Nguyen 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: 11679395
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods related to providing safe electrical control and/or communication between a remote controller located in a safe location and interface system for a machine located in a hazardous location. The control and/or communication is provided via industrial-voltage power lines that traverse a barrier separating the safe location from the hazardous location. Control and/or communication is provided by reactively coupling to industrial power lines, which traverse the barrier, so as to superimpose a control and/or communication signal upon AC operating power provided to the machine. Each of the interface system located at the hazardous location and the remote control module located at a safe location provides such reactive coupling to the industrial-voltage power lines so as to communicate therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, Tom Herbert
  • Publication number: 20210172435
    Abstract: A regulator pump provides disconnects an inflow from an outflow, such that a downstream pressure is unaffected by an upstream pressure. The regulator pump receives a fluid through an input valve, while an output valve remains in a closed position. The fluid continues to flow to the regulator pump until the regulator pump is full. With the regulator pump filled with the fluid, the inlet valve shifts to a closed position, thereby isolating the regulator pump chamber from the fluid source. The regulator pump drives the fluid downstream to an applicator with the inlet valve closed. The regulator pump fully isolates the upstream fluid from the downstream fluid such that the upstream pressure has no effect on the downstream pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Todd A. Anderson, Vu K. Nguyen, Paul F. Boschert
  • Publication number: 20210121895
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods related to providing safe electrical control and/or communication between a remote controller located in a safe location and interface system for a machine located in a hazardous location. The control and/or communication is provided via industrial-voltage power lines that traverse a barrier separating the safe location from the hazardous location. Control and/or communication is provided by reactively coupling to industrial power lines, which traverse the barrier, so as to superimpose a control and/or communication signal upon AC operating power provided to the machine. Each of the interface system located at the hazardous location and the remote control module located at a safe location provides such reactive coupling to the industrial-voltage power lines so as to communicate therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, Tom Herbert
  • Publication number: 20180119691
    Abstract: A regulator pump provides disconnects an inflow from an outflow, such that a downstream pressure is unaffected by an upstream pressure. The regulator pump receives a fluid through an input valve, while an output valve remains in a closed position. The fluid continues to flow to the regulator pump until the regulator pump is full. With the regulator pump filled with the fluid, the inlet valve shifts to a closed position, thereby isolating the regulator pump chamber from the fluid source. The regulator pump drives the fluid downstream to an applicator with the inlet valve closed. The regulator pump fully isolates the upstream fluid from the downstream fluid such that the upstream pressure has no effect on the downstream pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Todd A. Anderson, Vu K. Nguyen, Paul F. Boschert
  • Patent number: 9677550
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Patent number: 9677549
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Publication number: 20150300335
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Patent number: 8851111
    Abstract: The controller of the plural component proportioner (10) dispenses both components (or all three if a three component material) simultaneously (at least initially) and maintains ratio at the end of each predetermined volume of material by determining which component pump (12) has reached the desired amount of travel (given the resolution available) and using a valve (16) to shut off output of that pump until the other side has caught up. At pump changeover, the output valve for that pump (12) is shut off and the air motor (12a) allowed to run until travel stops to account for cavitation, air entrainment, compressibility, or poor inlet check performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pittman, Vu K. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8066491
    Abstract: An air operated pump (10) uses a magnet (14) mounted in the valve cup (16) of the air motor (18) and two reed sensors (20) mounted in the valve cover (22) to monitor the speed and position of the valve (16). A solenoid (24) is mounted on the valve cover (22) and can be commanded to extend a plunger (26) into the valve cup (16) to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. Three methods may be used to increase battery life and monitor the solenoid plunger position, two of which use the changing inductance of the solenoid (24) to monitor the solenoid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, David M. Behrens, Christopher M. Lange
  • Publication number: 20110002793
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: GRACO MINNESOTA INC.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski, David M. Behrens
  • Publication number: 20080206066
    Abstract: An air operated pump (10) uses a magnet (14) mounted in the valve cup (16) of the air motor (18) and two reed sensors (20) mounted in the valve cover (22) to monitor the speed and position of the valve (16). A solenoid (24) is mounted on the valve cover (22) and can be commanded to extend a plunger (26) into the valve cup (16) to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. Three methods may be used to increase battery life and monitor the solenoid plunger position, two of which use the changing inductance of the solenoid (24) to monitor the solenoid movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, David M. Behrens, Christopher M. Lange
  • Publication number: 20080199323
    Abstract: An air operated pump 10 uses a magnet 14 mounted in the valve cup 16 of the air motor 18 and two reed sensors 20 mounted in the valve cover 22 to monitor the speed and position of the valve 16. A solenoid 24 is mounted on the valve cover 22 and can be commanded to extend a plunger 26 into the valve cup 16 to stop valve movement and therefore the pump from running away. A magnetoresistive sensor 34 is located in the center of the air motor 18 to precisely monitor the piston 36 position and with air valve sensors 20 provides the input necessary for precise control and diagnostics of the pump 10 and makes it suitable for metering and plural component application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Mark T. Weinberger, David M. Behrens, Vu K. Nguyen, Christopher M. Lange, Wade D. Palashewski
  • Patent number: 6554204
    Abstract: A gun flush box is controlled by a plural component proportioning unit. When a color change is desired, the operator places the spray gun in the flush box. When a new color is selected, the control system automatically triggers the gun and flushes the gun with solvent with the flush material safely routed to a waste container. The control system automatically triggers the gun to refill the lines with new color paint without using excess paint as it displaces the flush solvent. This system is also capable of working with two guns in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, Lawrence P. Jeutter, Dennis J. Van Keulen