Patents Assigned to Mueller International, LLC
  • Patent number: 12031647
    Abstract: A coupling includes a body defining a first body end, the body defining a body bore extending into the first body end, the body bore defining an axis; and a joint restraint assembly including a restraint base coupled to the body, the restraint base defining a restraint pocket; a gripper disposed within the restraint pocket, the gripper configured to rotate within the restraint pocket to engage a pipe end of a pipe length when the pipe end is inserted into the body bore; and a spring engaging the gripper, the spring biasing the gripper inwards towards the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu
  • Patent number: 12031634
    Abstract: A pipe stopper includes an expandable stopper body defining a stopper cavity and configurable in an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration; a pressure assembly comprising a pressure housing and a piston, the piston slidably engaged with a housing cavity of the pressure housing, the piston operatively connected to the expandable stopper body; and a locking assembly comprising a locking ring movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein the locking ring is configured to engage the expandable stopper body in the locked configuration to prohibit contraction of the expandable stopper body and to secure the pipe stopper in the expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: James Webber, Mohammad Unnus Qasim
  • Patent number: 12012732
    Abstract: A nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap includes a spacer body defining an outer body edge, the spacer body defining a spacer body thickness; and a resilient first spacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge and biased away from the spacer body in an extended orientation, wherein the first spacer spring arm defines a first spring arm thickness; wherein the first spring arm thickness of the first spacer spring arm is equal to the spacer body thickness of the spacer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Lee Gibson, Bruce Robertson, Mohammad Hassan Sobhani
  • Patent number: 11994228
    Abstract: A slide gate includes a gate body defining a first gate face and a second gate face; and an integral gate seal integrally formed with the first gate face, the integral gate seal comprising an additive material additively deposited on the first gate face, the integral gate seal defining a gate seating face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Jason White Bradley
  • Patent number: 11982375
    Abstract: A bonnet and stuffing box assembly includes a bonnet defining a bonnet bore; a stuffing box connected to the bonnet, the stuffing box defining a stuffing box bore, the stuffing box bore and bonnet bore defining an assembly bore; a bushing assembly received in the assembly bore and comprising a stuffing box bushing and a bonnet bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining a narrow portion disposed in the stuffing box bore and a wide portion at least partially disposed in the bonnet bore, the bonnet bushing disposed in the bonnet bore and confronting the wide portion of the stuffing box bushing, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore extending through the stuffing box bushing and the bonnet bushing; and a stem extending through the bushing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11971113
    Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining an inlet body, an outlet body, and a gate slot, the inlet body defining an inlet passage and the outlet body defining an outlet passage; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
  • Patent number: 11971318
    Abstract: The outer housing for a pressure monitoring system includes a sidewall shell comprising an annular inner sidewall projection extending from a top end thereof; a cap mounted to the sidewall shell, the cap defining an inner cap surface, an outer cap surface, a cap bottom end, and an annular cap recess extending into the cap bottom end between the outer cap surface and the inner cap surface, wherein the annular inner sidewall projection is configured to engage the annular cap recess; and an antenna assembly directly mounted to the inner cap surface, the antenna assembly comprising an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Carlos Stephen Moreno, Timothy J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11959564
    Abstract: Example aspects of a seat assembly for a valve, a valve, and a method for opening a valve are disclosed. The seat assembly for a valve can comprise a diaphragm defining a first diaphragm end and a second diaphragm end, the diaphragm comprising a diaphragm end wall at the second diaphragm end, the diaphragm end wall defining an inner diaphragm end wall surface and an outer diaphragm end wall surface; and a diaphragm guide comprising a guide disc, the guide disc defining an inner guide disc surface and an outer guide disc surface, the outer guide disc surface abutting the inner diaphragm end wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Stephen Adrianus de Boer, Fairlyte Paige Eubank
  • Patent number: 11959260
    Abstract: A nozzle cap spacer for a hydrant nozzle cap includes a substantially planar spacer body defining an outer body edge; and a resilient spacer spring arm extending from the outer body edge at a proximal arm end, the spacer spring arm configurable in an extended orientation and a compressed orientation, the spacer spring arm biased to the extended orientation; wherein, in the extended orientation, the nozzle cap spacer defines a substantially oblong shape, and in the compressed orientation, the nozzle cap spacer defines a substantially circular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Lee Gibson, Bruce Robertson, Mohammad Hassan Sobhani
  • Patent number: 11959558
    Abstract: A valve body with an integral bypass includes a primary valve body portion defining a primary bore extending through the primary valve body portion from a primary upstream end to a primary downstream end, the primary bore defining an axis, the primary bore including a primary upstream bore extending through the primary upstream end and a primary downstream bore extending through the primary downstream end, the primary valve body portion configured to house a valve member between the primary upstream bore and the primary downstream bore; and the bypass seamlessly integrated with the primary valve body portion, the bypass defining a bypass bore, the bypass bore including a bypass upstream bore and a bypass downstream bore, the bypass including a bypass valve body disposed between the bypass upstream bore and the bypass downstream bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Michael Louis Broggi, Jason White Bradley
  • Patent number: 11959576
    Abstract: A pipe repair device includes a body defining a first body end, a second body end, and a middle body section therebetween; a foldable arm pivotably attached to the body to radially reposition the foldable arm relative to the body, the foldable arm comprising a first segment and a second segment, the first segment extending between the body and the second segment, wherein the second segment is substantially parallel to the body; and a locomotion subsystem configured to drive the pipe repair device through a pipe, the locomotion subsystem mounted to the second segment of the foldable arm and configured to engage an inner surface of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Cody Badger, Clifton Braun, Adam Tank
  • Patent number: 11951599
    Abstract: A pipe coupon extraction tool includes a rod defining a first end, a second end, and a central axis; and a spring bar defining a first end and a second end, the spring bar rotatably secured to the rod, a surface of the spring bar configured to be angled with respect to the central axis when the pipe coupon extraction tool is engaged with a pipe coupon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mitchell, David Latimore Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11952755
    Abstract: A sensing device for a hydrant can include a sensor located entirely within an interior cavity of a hydrant body of the hydrant and configured to measure a property of a fluid of a fluid distribution system and an antenna in communication with the sensor and positioned within the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timofey Sitnikov, Paul S. Gifford, Carlos Stephen Moreno, Diego Aguilera, Daryl Lee Gibson
  • Patent number: 11946233
    Abstract: A sensing assembly of a hydrant can include a sensor housing defining a housing cavity, the sensor housing distinct from a stem of the hydrant and configured to be removably coupled to the stem; a sensor located within the housing cavity; at least one battery in electrical communication with the sensor and located within the housing cavity; and an antenna in electrical communication with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timofey Sitnikov, Paul S. Gifford, Carlos Stephen Moreno
  • Patent number: 11931813
    Abstract: A tool holder includes a main body defining a mounting end and a receiving end, the mounting end positioned opposite from the receiving end, the main body defining a main body bore extending into the receiving end toward the mounting end; an extension defining a tool head attached to a rod, the tool head defining a tool head end opposite from the rod, a tool holder length defined between the mounting end and the tool head end, the tool head configured to receive at least one cutting tool, the rod received within the main body bore; and a locking mechanism engaging the extension and the main body in a locked position, the locking mechanism being disengaged from either the main body or the extension in an unlocked position, the locking mechanism being selectively positionable about and between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Anjian Chen, Jeffrey Allen Huffman
  • Patent number: 11920706
    Abstract: A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
  • Patent number: 11913584
    Abstract: A cut warning system can include a valve sleeve defining a cavity, the valve sleeve defining a bottom sealing surface within the cavity; a pipeline extending through the cavity; a drilling machine including a shell cutter, the shell cutter defining a bottom edge, the drilling machine configured to axially advance the shell cutter from a pre-engagement position towards the bottom sealing surface, the pipeline positioned between the shell cutter and the bottom sealing surface in the pre-engagement position; and a signaling element positioned within the cavity, the signaling element configured to produce a signal when the shell cutter reaches a post-engagement position, the bottom edge being axially positioned between the pipeline and the bottom sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mitchell, Samantha Ellen Covington, David Latimore Hughes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11906082
    Abstract: A gland includes an annular ring, the annular ring defining a gland bore, the gland bore defining a gland axis extending through the annular ring; and a joint restraint assembly, the joint restraint assembly including a restraint base, the restraint base attached to the annular ring, the restraint base defining a restraint pocket, the restraint base including a structural rail; a gripper, the gripper disposed within the restraint pocket and configured to move in the restraint pocket; a spring biasing the gripper to move inwards towards the gland axis; and a cover contacting at least a portion of the restraint base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu
  • Patent number: 11892086
    Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11885437
    Abstract: A stem sealing device for a valve can include a device body defining an annular shape; a stem seal defining an annular shape and configured to seal a gap between a valve stem of the valve and a valve body of the valve and positioned within the device body, the stem sealing device installable in and removable from the valve as an assembly without prior or subsequent removal of the stem seal; and a fastener configured to secure the device body to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Michael Allen, Paul S. Gifford, Alexander Michael Jenkins