Patents by Inventor Angela E. Summers

Angela E. Summers 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: 7107822
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for on-line detection of leaky valve seals wherein the apparatus includes an isolation valve having at least one upstream seal, at least one downstream seal, a fluid flow diverter; an inner cavity isolated from a fluid flow path by the seals; a vent port disposed in fluid communication with the inner cavity; a vent valve disposed in fluid communication with the vent port; and a differential pressure sensor disposed in fluid communication with both the vent port and the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Sis-Tech Applications, L.P.
    Inventors: Bryan A. Zachary, Angela E. Summers
  • Patent number: 6965840
    Abstract: A high-diagnostic, dual sensor process temperature switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and for determining whether individual temperature sensors within the device are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual temperature sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual temperature sensors' electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large temperature deviations between the respective sensors. Each of the A/D converters' digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: SIS-Tech Applications, L.P.
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Patent number: 6862914
    Abstract: A variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus is provided having both high safety availability and high plant reliability that does not require a plant system to be bypassed during testing. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus wherein initiation of a safety action will occur only if each of a pair of operatively associated solenoid-operated valves in the apparatus are actuated, and wherein either of the solenoid valves can singly default to a pre-designated safety action without inadvertently actuating the process valve and isolating or venting the process fluid. Also provided is a variable function voting solenoid-operated valve apparatus wherein either a “1 out of 1 with hot stand-by” operational mode or a “2 out of 2 with high diagnostics” operational mode may be selected by an operator using a logic control system depending on the technical requirements of a given plant environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventors: Bryan A. Zachary, Angela E. Summers
  • Patent number: 6820465
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sis-Tech Applications, L.P.
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Publication number: 20040128099
    Abstract: A high-diagnostic, dual sensor process temperature switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and for determining whether individual temperature sensors within the device are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual temperature sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual temperature sensors' electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large temperature deviations between the respective sensors. Each of the A/D converters' digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Patent number: 6704682
    Abstract: A high-diagnostic, dual sensor pressure switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and whether pressure sensors are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual pressure sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual pressure sensors' electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large pressure deviations between the sensors. Each of the A/D converters' digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Publication number: 20030110838
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Patent number: 6550314
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: SIS-Tech Applications, L.L.P.
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Publication number: 20030009314
    Abstract: A high-diagnostic, dual sensor pressure switch having a one-out-of-two voting architecture useful in commercial and industrial fluid transport systems is provided for determining whether process connections and isolation valves are plugged or closed, and whether pressure sensors are deformed, corroded or otherwise compromised. The dual pressure sensors functionally employ similar electronic technology, and are each disposed to provide variable electrical outputs to one of a plurality of discrete A/D converters. The dual pressure sensors' electrical outputs are compared prior to the A/D conversion process in order to immediately identify large pressure deviations between the sensors. Each of the A/D converters' digital signals are routed to one of a plurality of independent CPUs or data processors; the CPUs then generate digital output signals representing either a logical 0 (Low) or 1 (High).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Publication number: 20020129640
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Patent number: 6435202
    Abstract: A binary voting solenoid arrangement 10 is provided which operates in a “2 out of 3” manner to provide relatively high safety, low spurious tripping and a relatively low installation cost, while also enabling on-line testing of each solenoid individually without process interruption. Solenoid arrangements 10, 10′ and 10″ are preferably used in a three-way configuration, while solenoid 10′″ may be used in a two-way configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Triconix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Zachary, Angela E. Summers
  • Publication number: 20010035214
    Abstract: A binary voting solenoid arrangement 10 is provided which operates in a “2 out of 3” manner to provide relatively high safety, low spurious tripping and a relatively low installation cost, while also enabling on-line testing of each solenoid individually without process interruption. Solenoid arrangements 10, 10′ and 10″ are preferably used in a three-way configuration, while solenoid 10′″ may be used in a two-way configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Brian A. Zachary, Angela E. Summers
  • Patent number: 6155282
    Abstract: A binary voting solenoid arrangement 10 is provided which operates in a "2 out of 3" manner to provide relatively high safety, low spurious tripping and a relatively low installation cost, while also enabling on-line testing of each solenoid individually without process interruption. Solenoid arrangement 10 is preferably manifolded (not shown), to facilitate maintenance on any detected failure, and to simplify installation and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Triconex, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bryan A. Zachary, Angela E. Summers