Patents by Inventor William C. Hooss
William C. Hooss 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).
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Patent number: 10962141Abstract: An actuator position control system includes an electronic controller and encoder that control and monitor an actuator's position between its position limits, while mechanically actuated limit switches prevent attempts to exceed the actuator's position limits, even if there is a loss of calibration, software error, or electronic controller failure. When actuated, the limit switches provide position calibrating information to the electronic controller. Embodiments can control linear and/or rotary actuators. The encoder can include intermeshed gears and magnetic Hall-effect position sensors. A mechanically driven position indicator can visually indicate the actuator's position. An electromechanical control system can be included that can transition the actuator between its limits even in the event of electronic controller failure. Embodiments can alert a user if the electronic controller fails.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss, Mark D. Ollander, Daniel E. Carlson
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Publication number: 20190017625Abstract: An actuator position control system includes an electronic controller and encoder that control and monitor an actuator's position between its position limits, while mechanically actuated limit switches prevent attempts to exceed the actuator's position limits, even if there is a loss of calibration, software error, or electronic controller failure. When actuated, the limit switches provide position calibrating information to the electronic controller. Embodiments can control linear and/or rotary actuators. The encoder can include intermeshed gears and magnetic Hall-effect position sensors. A mechanically driven position indicator can visually indicate the actuator's position. An electromechanical control system can be included that can transition the actuator between its limits even in the event of electronic controller failure. Embodiments can alert a user if the electronic controller fails.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss, Mark D. Ollander, Daniel E. Carlson
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Patent number: 9086335Abstract: A novel method for diagnosing problems with a valve actuator or other rotary equipment. Frequency analysis is performed upon speed, position, torque, thrust, or vibration data. Speed or position data may be provided by a rotary encoder.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: FLOWSERVE MANAGEMENT COMPANYInventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Patent number: 8714024Abstract: A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device having a rotating shaft may be used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor may be coupled with the at least one beam and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings on the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to a housing of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Patent number: 8523140Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
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Patent number: 8490649Abstract: Torque indicator markings incorporated with handwheel devices connected to actuators or valve assemblies provide visual indication of the amount of torque being applied to an actuator or valve assembly by the handwheel device. Tattletale torque indicators incorporated with a handwheel device further provide a persistent indication of the maximum amount of torque applied to an actuator or valve assembly connected to the handwheel device.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: William T. Dolenti, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss, Byron A. Fleury
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Patent number: 8471194Abstract: A novel method for diagnosing problems with a valve actuator or other rotary equipment. Frequency analysis is performed upon speed, position, torque, thrust, or vibration data. Speed or position data may be provided by a rotary encoder.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Publication number: 20130001033Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
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Patent number: 8262059Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
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Publication number: 20110259125Abstract: A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device having a rotating shaft may be used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor may be coupled with the at least one beam and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings on the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to a housing of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: FLOWSERVE MANAGEMENT COMPANYInventors: Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Patent number: 7971490Abstract: A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device (10) having rotating shaft (30) maybe used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device (10) may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam (65a) operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor (80) maybe coupled with the at least one beam (65a) and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings (74) of the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to the housing (120) of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam (65a) may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam (65a) may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Flowserve Management CompanyInventors: Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Publication number: 20110146818Abstract: Torque indicator markings incorporated with handwheel devices connected to actuators or valve assemblies provide visual indication of the amount of torque being applied to an actuator or valve assembly by the handwheel device. Tattletale torque indicators incorporated with a handwheel device further provide a persistent indication of the maximum amount of torque applied to an actuator or valve assembly connected to the handwheel device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2006Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss, Byron A. Fleury
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Publication number: 20100012874Abstract: A novel method for diagnosing problems with a valve actuator or other rotary equipment. Frequency analysis is performed upon speed, position, torque, thrust, or vibration data. Speed or position data may be provided by a rotary encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventors: William T Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Publication number: 20100005897Abstract: A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device (10) having rotating shaft (30) maybe used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device (10) may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam (65a) operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor (80) maybe coupled with the at least one beam (65a) and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings (74) of the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to the housing (120) of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam (65a) may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam (65a) may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2006Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Publication number: 20100001177Abstract: A rotary encoder using built-in self test ability with redundant and fault tolerant position sensing. Wherein the rotary encoder is used with a variety of rotary equipment including a valve actuator including the generation of speed data (1). The use for diagnosing valve actuator problem and other rotary equipment includes the frequency analysis performed upon speed or position or torque or thrust or vibration data including the speed or position data of the valve provided by the rotary encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2006Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, Daniel J. Morris, William C. Hooss
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Publication number: 20090302246Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2006Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
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Patent number: 5640007Abstract: An absolute encoder monitors rotary position and senses rotary displacement relative to a measuring scale. The absolute encoder evaluates rotary displacement by providing a plurality of rotatably mounted encoder wheels, and each wheel includes at least one code sequence which in combination comprises the measuring scale. A pinion is provided between each pair of encoder wheels in order that each of the encoder wheels will be rotated upon the rotation of the shaft. Each code sequence of the encoder wheel is monitored by a sensing mechanism and this information is utilized to evaluate the shaft position. The sensing mechanism includes both light emitting and light detecting devices which monitor a defined region of each code sequence and this is evaluated in determining the rotary position.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: Limitorque CorporationInventors: Kenneth R. Talbott, Charles L. Hylton, James A. Austin, William C. Hooss, David V. Adams, IV, Kevin G. Schulz, Paul R. Smith, Jr.