Patents by Inventor Billy J. Swalls

Billy J. Swalls 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: 4211251
    Abstract: A system for automatically purging heating mantles and other apparatus including an enclosed volume capable of low level pressurization. The system comprises a pressure sensor for sensing the fluid pressure within the enclosure, which may be the space between a heating mantle poncho and the enclosed flask, and a fluidic logic circuit which is responsive to a low pressure condition within the enclosure to deactivate the heating element in the mantle. At the same time, the logic circuit causes a predetermined volume of purging gas to flow through the enclosure and, after this has been accomplished, reactivates the heating element and reestablishes the minimum pressure conditions by flowing a small volume of purging gas into the enclosure. The system is particularly intended for use in hazardous locations where explosion-proof electrical equipment enclosures are normally mandatory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Templeton Coal Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Rickert, Billy J. Swalls
  • Patent number: 4169225
    Abstract: A system for automatically purging heating mantles and other apparatus including an enclosed volume capable of low level pressurization. The system comprises a pressure sensor for sensing the fluid pressure within the enclosure, which may be the space between a heating mantle poncho and the enclosed flask, and a fluidic logic circuit which is responsive to a low pressure condition within the enclosure to deactivate the heating element in the mantle. At the same time, the logic circuit causes a predetermined volume of purging gas to flow through the enclosure and, after this has been accomplished, reactivates the heating element and reestablishes the minimum pressure conditions by flowing a small volume of purging gas into the enclosure. The system is particularly intended for use in hazardous locations where explosion-proof electrical equipment enclosures are normally mandatory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: Templeton Coal Company
    Inventors: Raymond E. Rickert, Billy J. Swalls