Patents by Inventor Alex L. Hoffman

Alex L. Hoffman 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: 11692634
    Abstract: A bypass valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passageway to allow flow of a liquid from the inlet to the outlet and a valve seat disposed about the flow passageway between the inlet and the outlet. A movable poppet is disposed in the housing to engage the valve seat in a closed position and to disengage the valve seat in an open position when pressure of the liquid in the flow passageway exceeds a preset value to allow flow of the liquid through the flow passageway. A rotatable flow control valve is disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. An actuator is coupled to the flow control valve to actuate and move the flow control valve to control flow of the liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the poppet is engaged with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Franco J. Domingo, Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20220074507
    Abstract: A bypass valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passageway to allow flow of a liquid from the inlet to the outlet and a valve seat disposed about the flow passageway between the inlet and the outlet. A movable poppet is disposed in the housing to engage the valve seat in a closed position and to disengage the valve seat in an open position when pressure of the liquid in the flow passageway exceeds a preset value to allow flow of the liquid through the flow passageway. A rotatable flow control valve is disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. An actuator is coupled to the flow control valve to actuate and move the flow control valve to control flow of the liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the poppet is engaged with the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Franco J. Domingo, Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11209090
    Abstract: A bypass valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passageway to allow flow of a liquid from the inlet to the outlet and a valve seat disposed about the flow passageway between the inlet and the outlet. A movable poppet is disposed in the housing to engage the valve seat in a closed position and to disengage the valve seat in an open position when pressure of the liquid in the flow passageway exceeds a preset value to allow flow of the liquid through the flow passageway. A rotatable flow control valve is disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. An actuator is coupled to the flow control valve to actuate and move the flow control valve to control flow of the liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the poppet is engaged with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Franco J. Domingo, Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10774933
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from each other, a first chamber defining the inlet, a second chamber defining the outlet, and a valve seat disposed between the first and second chambers, wherein fluid communicates between the first and second chambers. A valve head is disposed in the housing and moveable relative to the housing between an open position spaced from the valve seat and a closed position engaged with the valve seat. A valve stem is coupled to the valve head for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve stem is coupled to the valve head and rotatably and reciprocally movable for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. A retainer plate is coupled to the valve head and a valve seal is disposed between the valve head and the retainer plate. The valve head includes an integrally formed rivet that secures the retainer plate to the valve head, thereby retaining the valve seal to the valve head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: James C. Zuck, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10458835
    Abstract: A float gauge assembly for a storage tank having a port with an opening includes a body for attachment to the port of the storage tank and a gauge mountable to the body, the gauge having a gauge face for indicating a level or amount of material present in the storage tank, a float mechanism mounted to the body and cooperating with the gauge, the float mechanism including a float movable relative to the body in an operating position, the float being sized so that the float is unable to be inserted into the storage tank though the opening in the port, and a tube coupled to the float and having a dimension sized for inserting through the opening in the port, and an alignment element configured to rotationally fix the tube to the body when the float is in the operating position so that the gauge face accurately indicates the level of material in the storage tank when mounted to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20190271400
    Abstract: A bypass valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passageway to allow flow of a liquid from the inlet to the outlet and a valve seat disposed about the flow passageway between the inlet and the outlet. A movable poppet is disposed in the housing to engage the valve seat in a closed position and to disengage the valve seat in an open position when pressure of the liquid in the flow passageway exceeds a preset value to allow flow of the liquid through the flow passageway. A rotatable flow control valve is disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. An actuator is coupled to the flow control valve to actuate and move the flow control valve to control flow of the liquid between the inlet and the outlet when the poppet is engaged with the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Franco J. Domingo, Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9874293
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170267154
    Abstract: A valve assembly for mounting a pump to a storage tank of a vehicle includes an upper flange, a lower flange, and a wall extending axially between the upper flange and the lower flange, the lower flange being offset by the wall relative to the upper flange to facilitate installation of the pump on the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9694732
    Abstract: A valve assembly for mounting a pump to a storage tank of a vehicle includes an upper flange, a lower flange, and a wall extending axially between the upper flange and the lower flange, the lower flange being offset by the wall relative to the upper flange to facilitate installation of the pump on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170122439
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed between the first and second chambers. A valve head is disposed in the housing and is moveable relative to the housing between an open position spaced from the valve seat and a closed position engaged with the valve seat. The valve head defines a bore therethrough along an axis. A valve stem is coupled to the valve head for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve stem is disposed in the bore and is moveable relative to the valve head from a sealed position preventing fluid communication through the bore to an unsealed position allowing fluid communication through the bore for relieving pressure differences between the first chamber and the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. An intermediate member is separate from and coupled to the valve seat and the valve head in the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: James C. Zuck, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20170108366
    Abstract: A float gauge assembly for a storage tank having a port with an opening includes a body for attachment to the port of the storage tank and a gauge mountable to the body, the gauge having a gauge face for indicating a level or amount of material present in the storage tank, a float mechanism mounted to the body and cooperating with the gauge, the float mechanism including a float movable relative to the body in an operating position, the float being sized so that the float is unable to be inserted into the storage tank though the opening in the port, and a tube coupled to the float and having a dimension sized for inserting through the opening in the port, and an alignment element configured to rotationally fix the tube to the body when the float is in the operating position so that the gauge face accurately indicates the level of material in the storage tank when mounted to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9581249
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed therebetween. A valve head disposed in the housing and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve head defines a bore extending along an axis from the first chamber to the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. A valve stem is disposed in the bore and is coupled to the valve head in the bore for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve assembly allows for selective fluid communication between the first and second chambers to alleviate pressure differences between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the valve stem moves in the bore between a sealed position and an unsealed position. In another embodiment, a check valve is disposed in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James C. Zuck, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9562800
    Abstract: A float gauge assembly for a storage tank having a port with an opening includes a body for attachment to the port of the storage tank and a gauge mountable to the body, the gauge having a gauge face for indicating a level or amount of material present in the storage tank, a float mechanism mounted to the body and cooperating with the gauge, the float mechanism including a float movable relative to the body in an operating position, the float being sized so that the float is unable to be inserted into the storage tank though the opening in the port, and a tube coupled to the float and having a dimension sized for inserting through the opening in the port, and an alignment element configured to rotationally fix the tube to the body when the float is in the operating position so that the gauge face accurately indicates the level of material in the storage tank when mounted to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9453588
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, a valve seat disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, a valve head disposed in the housing and moveable relative to the housing, a valve stem operatively coupled to the valve head for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions, and a pressure relief mechanism including a plug coupled to the valve stem and extending along a plug axis in the bore of the valve head moveable relative to the valve head from a sealed position preventing fluid communication through the bore to an unsealed position allowing fluid communication through the bore for relieving pressure differences between the first chamber and the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20160178086
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9334992
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9310003
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve moveable between a closed-main valve position and an open-main valve position in response to movement of an actuator and a pilot valve moveable between a closed-pilot valve position and an open-pilot valve position in response to movement of the actuator. A configuration of the coupler and the transfer device is coupled together, the coupler valve being in the closed-coupler valve position and the main valve being in the closed-main valve position. A space between a face of the main valve and a face of the coupler valve is minimized to reduce fluid emissions upon uncoupling the transfer device from the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20140283939
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: D951973
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Co.
    Inventors: Alex L. Hoffman, Eric J. Olsen
  • Patent number: D972426
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Alex L. Hoffman, Eric J. Olsen