Patents Assigned to Westlock Controls Corporation
  • Patent number: 10140843
    Abstract: An indicator device with wireless communication functionality for monitoring a position of a valve actuating device. The indicator device including a visual indication device having an outer beacon and an inner beacon received within the outer beacon and arranged to rotate relative to the outer beacon, a wireless module including at least one sensor, positioned within the inner beacon of the visual indication device, and configured to transmit a message using the wireless module, and a shaft extending through the visual indication device and coupled to the valve actuating device. Rotation of the shaft is detectable by the at least one sensor of the wireless module to indicate the position of the valve actuating device, and the indicator device is sealed to inhibit infiltration of liquid and penetration of debris to the wireless module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Jordan, Bill Tatum
  • Patent number: 8967590
    Abstract: A micro-power generator is integrated in a pneumatic valve controller, such that the micro-power generator is powered by the same compressed air supply used to operate the valve. The micro-power generator includes a micro-turbine connected to a DC power generator, and a source of compressed air is used to drive the micro-turbine to generate power via the generator. The system may include a valve controller pneumatically connected to the compressed air supply. The valve controller may include electronics for displaying a condition of the controller. The system can include an electronic field device in communication with the valve controller for displaying a condition of the valve controller. The micro-turbine generator can be electrically connected to the field device to provide power to the electronic field device. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, William D. Ferraz
  • Publication number: 20120313625
    Abstract: A device for visually indicating a change in the operational state of a proximity sensor. The device includes a transparent housing having a cavity and a magnet device for generating a magnetic field. In addition, a sleeve is attached to the housing. The magnet device is concealed within the sleeve in a first position to indicate a first operational state. When a target is positioned adjacent the sensor end, magnetic attraction occurs between the target and the magnet device due to the magnetic field to cause movement of the magnet device to a second position within the cavity wherein the magnetic field does not act on the proximity sensor to change the operational state from the first operational state to a second operational state. Further, the magnet device is visible in the second position to indicate the second operational state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: WESTLOCK CONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Kevin Connell
  • Patent number: 8265794
    Abstract: A method associated with a valve controller configured to capture dynamic process conditions for monitoring, diagnosing and maintaining a valve assembly through knowledge-based valve performance criteria. The method includes determining the open and closed positions of a process valve. Measuring the peak torque value required by an actuator to open and close the process valve. Measuring the supply and exhaust pressure required by an actuator to open and close the valve. Determining a deviation zone associated with the peak torque value to open the valve where an alarm is triggered when the torque value falls outside the deviation zone. Creating the dynamic baseline over Nth process cycles when the valve is installed in-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Daniel W. Mrozinski
  • Patent number: 8141583
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert Endres
  • Publication number: 20110215268
    Abstract: A micro-power generator is integrated in a pneumatic valve controller, such that the micro-power generator is powered by the same compressed air supply used to operate the valve. The micro-power generator includes a micro-turbine connected to a DC power generator, and a source of compressed air is used to drive the micro-turbine to generate power via the generator. The system may include a valve controller pneumatically connected to the compressed air supply. The valve controller may include electronics for displaying a condition of the controller. The system can include an electronic field device in communication with the valve controller for displaying a condition of the valve controller. The micro-turbine generator can be electrically connected to the field device to provide power to the electronic field device. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: WESTLOCK CONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, William D. Ferraz
  • Patent number: 7819133
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert Endres
  • Publication number: 20100155632
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: WESTLOCK CONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert J. Endres
  • Patent number: 7647940
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a valve including an enclosure that defines first and second chambers, an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, an operating media distribution system that is disposed in the first chamber, and an electronic control unit disposed in the second chamber. The operating media distribution system includes a manifold block that has an exterior surface, and a plurality of operating media distribution cartridges exchangeably disposed with respect to the manifold block. The manifold block defines a plurality of holes, an operating media supply passage and an operating media exhaust passage. Each of the plurality of operating media distribution cartridges is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and includes a cylinder and a spool assembly that is disposed in and displaced relative to the cylinder. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Westlock Control Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan
  • Publication number: 20090088906
    Abstract: A method associated with a valve controller configured to capture dynamic process conditions for monitoring, diagnosing and maintaining a valve assembly through knowledge-based valve performance criteria. The method includes determining the open and closed positions of a process valve. Measuring the peak torque value required by an actuator to open and close the process valve. Measuring the supply and exhaust pressure required by an actuator to open and close the valve. Determining a deviation zone associated with the peak torque value to open the valve where an alarm is triggered when the torque value falls outside the deviation zone. Creating the dynamic baseline over Nth process cycles when the valve is installed in-line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: WESTLOCK CONTROLS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Daniel W. Mrozinski
  • Publication number: 20080078462
    Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert J. Endres
  • Publication number: 20060272710
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a valve including an enclosure that defines first and second chambers, an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, an operating media distribution system that is disposed in the first chamber, and an electronic control unit disposed in the second chamber. The operating media distribution system includes a manifold block that has an exterior surface, and a plurality of operating media distribution cartridges exchangeably disposed with respect to the manifold block. The manifold block defines a plurality of holes, an operating media supply passage and an operating media exhaust passage. Each of the plurality of operating media distribution cartridges is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and includes a cylinder and a spool assembly that is disposed in and displaced relative to the cylinder. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Applicant: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan
  • Patent number: 6820647
    Abstract: A valve position monitor that provides simultaneous visual and electrical signals of valve position is disclosed. A method of monitoring the position of a valve by utilizing the valve position monitor described herein is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: John Jude Grecco, Antimo J. Martin, Leo Minervini, Franklin H. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 4494565
    Abstract: There is disclosed a novel indicator assembly comprised of a housing member mounted to a fluid handling apparatus and an indicator member mounted for rotation within the housing member operationally associated to a moving member of the fluid handling apparatus wherein the housing member is provided with transparent sectors permitting visual observation of the indicator member and wherein the indicator member is provided with colored sectors to visually cooperate with the transparent sectors of the housing member to indicate operational modes of the fluid handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin H. Sinclair, Gary Glockner
  • Patent number: 4494566
    Abstract: There is disclosed a novel indicator assembly comprised of a housing member mounted to a fluid handling apparatus and an indicator member mounted for rotation within the housing member operationally associated to a moving member of the fluid handling apparatus wherein the housing member is provided with transparent sectors permitting visual observation of the indicator member and wherein the indicator member is provided with colored sectors to visually cooperate with the transparent sectors of the housing member to indicate operational modes of the fluid handling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Westlock Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Franklin H. Sinclair, Gary Glockner