Patents by Inventor Alan F. Chou

Alan F. Chou 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: 5823228
    Abstract: A valve manifold having a manifold body with a first face, an opposed, substantially planar second face, and a peripheral wall, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first drain port, and a second drain port being formed in the first face, a first outlet and a second outlet being formed in the second face, there being a first, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first outlet and the second outlet, a second, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first inlet and the first outlet, a third, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between said first drain port and said first outlet, a fourth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second inlet and the second outlet, a fifth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second drain port and the second outlet, flow paths opening into the outlets sloping away from said second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: 5494071
    Abstract: A mounting plate is disclosed that is adapted to be positioned between a main flow line and at least two differential pressure transmitters, to place the two differential pressure transmitters in fluid communication with a pair of pipeline taps on opposite sides of a flow reducing orifice plate in the main flow line is disclose. The mounting plate includes a plate-like body generally rectangular in cross section along its longitudinal axis and longer than it is wide along its transverse axis. The plate-like body includes a pair of ports that extend through the body and are in fluid communication with the pair of pressure taps with the longitudinal axis of the body parallel to the main flow line. A plurality of passageways or bores extend into the body to connect the ports to various combinations of pressure transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Joel D. Bell, Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: 5292155
    Abstract: A stabilized connector assembly (24) for connecting an instrument manifold (26) to an orifice fitting assembly (16) for a main flow passage (10) comprising a pair of generally identical stabilized connector subassemblies (30, 32). Each subassembly (30, 32) includes an elongate connector body (34) having an externally threaded inner end (38) for threaded engagement with an internally threaded outlet port (24) of the orifice assembly (16) and a flanged outer end (40). Bolts (58), jack nuts (68), and collar (78) form stabilizing components connected between the outer flange (40) and the orifice assembly (16) for resisting radial loads from a manifold (26) thereby minimizing any deflection of connector body (34) and resulting stress at inner threaded end (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: J. David Bell, Alan F. Chou, Randall J. Miller
  • Patent number: 5036884
    Abstract: A mounting plate (20) is positioned between a manifold (18) and a pair of fluid pressure transmitters including a differential pressure transmitter (22) and a gauge pressure transmitter (24). The fluid pressure from high and low pressure taps or lines (14, 16) placed on opposite sides of a flow restriction (12) of a main flow line (10) is measured and transmitted to a remote location by the transmitters (22, 24). The mounting plate (20) has low and high pressure ports (62, 64) for differential pressure transmitter (22) and a low pressure port (66) for a gauge pressure transmitter (24). A connecting fluid passage (68) connects the low pressure ports (62, 66) and a block valve (80) is movable between open and closed positions to permit or block fluid communication between the ports (62, 66) and fluid communication between the transmitters (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Randall J. Miller, Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: 4964432
    Abstract: A method and means for removably connecting a valve member (62, 62A) on a valve stem (46, 46A) for movement between open and closed positions relative to a valve seat (24, 24A). The removable connection includes a split frustoconical connector (76, 76A) forming two halves (78, 78A) which fit about a frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the valve stem (46, 46A). A retainer sleeve (84, 84A) holds the split connector (76, 76A) about the frustoconical section (56, 56A) of the stem (46, 46A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Keystone International, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: 4745938
    Abstract: A valve of the outside seal and yoke variety is provided, with a seal between a bonnet base and a valve body being axially spaced between a valve seating member and mating threads on the valve body and bonnet base. An end of at least one packing bolt is positioned within a cavity formed within the valve body, and prevents the bonnet base from unthreading from the valve body. A yoke threaded to the valve stem is rigidly secured to the bonnet base by a pair of yoke bolts and intermediate supports, and prevents inadvertent rotation of the packing bolts. The assembly technique of the present invention provides an inexpensive yet reliably OS&Y valve with all desired structural components being rigidly connected. The bonnet assembly of the present invention may be utilized with a conventional valve body and pocket design, thereby substantially increasing versatility and reducing manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Precision General, Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer M. Nimberger, Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: RE38034
    Abstract: A valve manifold having a manifold body with a first face, an opposed, substantially planar second face, and a peripheral wall, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first drain port, and a second drain port being formed in the first face, a first outlet and a second outlet being formed in the second face, there being a first, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first outlet and the second outlet, a second, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the first inlet and the first outlet, a third, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between said first drain port and said first outlet, a fourth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second inlet and the second outlet, a fifth, fluid communication pathway/valve for controlling fluid flow between the second drain port and the second outlet, flow paths opening into the outlets sloping away from said second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Keystone International Holding Corp. Tyco Flow Control, Inc. Successor in Interest
    Inventor: Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: RE34610
    Abstract: A mounting plate (20) is positioned between a manifold (18) and a pair of fluid pressure transmitters including a differential pressure transmitter (22) and a gauge pressure transmitter (24). The fluid pressure from high and low pressure taps or lines (14, 16) placed on opposite sides of a flow restriction (12) of a main flow line (10) is measured and transmitted to a remote location by the transmitters (22, 24). The mounting plate (20) has low and high pressure ports (62, 64) for differential pressure transmitter (22) and a low pressure port (66) for a gauge pressure transmitter (24). A connecting fluid passage (68) connects the low pressure ports (62, 66) and a block valve (80) is movable between open and closed positions to permit or block fluid communication between the ports (62, 66) and fluid communication between the transmitters (22, 24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Randall J. Miller, Alan F. Chou
  • Patent number: D407984
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventors: Peter B. Hutton, Alan F. Chou, Jeffrey T. Lynch, James W. Spahr
  • Patent number: D410398
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: Peter B. Hutton, Alan F. Chou, Jeffrey T. Lynch, James W. Spahr
  • Patent number: D415703
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventors: Peter B. Hutton, Alan F. Chou, Jeffrey T. Lynch, James W. Spahr