Patents by Inventor Brian T. Hartman

Brian T. Hartman 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: 10794515
    Abstract: A discharge for a fluid system has an inlet and an outlet in which a fluid flows from the discharge inlet to the discharge outlet. The discharge inlet has a inlet cross-sectional area. The discharge outlet has a plate. The plate has a plurality of radially extending ribs. The radially extending ribs are equiangularly spaced about a center axis of the plate. The radially extending ribs define a plurality of radially extending slots between the equiangularly spaced apart ribs. The radially extending ribs are dimensioned such that a sum of an area of all of the radially extending slots is greater than the discharge inlet cross-sectional area. When the fluid flows through the plate slots from the discharge outlet, it has a discharge coefficient of greater than 0.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman, Catherine A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 10337648
    Abstract: A fixed cone sleeve valve has a conically shaped valve body and a sleeve gate movable relative to the valve body to define open and closed positions of the valve. An extension member is provided at the downstream distal end of the sleeve gate. The extension member extends radially outward and axially downstream from the distal end of the sleeve gate. The extension member has outer and inner surfaces with openings extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The extension member is arranged on the sleeve gate in a manner to allow communication through the openings into the flow path when the sleeve gate is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman, Catherine A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20190186652
    Abstract: A discharge for a fluid system has an inlet and an outlet in which a fluid flows from the discharge inlet to the discharge outlet. The discharge inlet has a inlet cross-sectional area. The discharge outlet has a plate. The plate has a plurality of radially extending ribs. The radially extending ribs are equiangularly spaced about a center axis of the plate. The radially extending ribs define a plurality of radially extending slots between the equiangularly spaced apart ribs. The radially extending ribs are dimensioned such that a sum of an area of all of the radially extending slots is greater than the discharge inlet cross-sectional area. When the fluid flows through the plate slots from the discharge outlet, it has a discharge coefficient of greater than 0.4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman, Catherine A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20180355981
    Abstract: A fixed cone sleeve valve has a conically shaped valve body and a sleeve gate movable relative to the valve body to define open and closed positions of the valve. An extension member is provided at the downstream distal end of the sleeve gate. The extension member extends radially outward and axially downstream from the distal end of the sleeve gate. The extension member has outer and inner surfaces with openings extending between the outer and inner surfaces. The extension member is arranged on the sleeve gate in a manner to allow communication through the openings into the flow path when the sleeve gate is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman, Catherine A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150377366
    Abstract: A ball valve comprises a selectively movable valve seat on its ball plug that is pressure actuated. The ball valve also comprises a moveable upstream valve seat that can selectively be seated by pressure actuation. The upstream valve seat thereafter will remain seated until the pressures upstream and downstream of the upstream valve are equalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150008351
    Abstract: A ball valve has trunnions that comprise shaft portions and larger diameter bearing portions. The larger bearing portions ensure that bearing pressures will be low. Smaller shaft portions reduce material costs and minimize the overall size of the valves. Preferably the bearing portions are formed out of a different material than are the shaft portions. This allows the bearing portions to be formed out of a lower strength (and therefore lower cost) material. Conversely, it also allows the shaft portions to be formed out of a higher strength material to thereby minimize the size of the trunnion shafts without impacting the bearing size and cost. Additionally, each bearing portion is preferably a cylindrical sleeve and is preferably heat-shrunk around part of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20150008352
    Abstract: A valve has trunnions that comprise shaft portions and larger diameter bearing portions. The larger bearing portions ensure that bearing pressures will be low. Smaller shaft portions reduce material costs and minimize the overall size of the valves. Preferably the bearing portions are formed out of a different material than are the shaft portions. This allows the bearing portions to be formed out of a lower strength (and therefore lower cost) material. Conversely, it also allows the shaft portions to be formed out of a higher strength material to thereby minimize the size of the trunnion shafts without impacting the bearing size and cost. Additionally, each bearing portion is preferably a cylindrical sleeve and is preferably heat-shrunk around part of the shaft portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7887025
    Abstract: A valve comprises a housing, an annular housing seat, and a gate. The housing comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The housing seat is fixed in position relative to the housing via epoxy. The gate comprises a gate seat and a fluid passageway that extends through the gate. The gate is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The gate is also configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet through the fluid passageway to the fluid outlet when the gate is in the open position, and configured such that the gate seat engages the housing seat in a manner preventing fluid from flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet when the gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7708024
    Abstract: A valve comprises a housing, a conduit, and a shut-off member, and a plurality of ribs. The conduit is fixed in position relative to the housing. The ribs are spaced from the conduit. The shut-off member is fixed in position within a cavity of the housing via the ribs. The gate has a fluid passageway extending therethrough and is movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions. The gate is able to linearly reciprocate between opened and closed positions along the center axis of the conduit. The gate is engaged with the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate. The opened position of the gate allows fluid to flow through the fluid passageway of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20090146093
    Abstract: A valve comprises a housing, an annular housing seat, and a gate. The housing comprises a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The housing seat is fixed in position relative to the housing via epoxy. The gate comprises a gate seat and a fluid passageway that extends through the gate. The gate is movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The gate is also configured to allow fluid to flow from the fluid inlet through the fluid passageway to the fluid outlet when the gate is in the open position, and configured such that the gate seat engages the housing seat in a manner preventing fluid from flowing from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet when the gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7493912
    Abstract: A sleeve valve comprising a conduit, a gate, and a shut-off member. The conduit and the shut-off member are fixed in position relative to each other. The gate is movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions. The gate engages the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate. The opened position of the gate allows fluid to flow through the valve. The valve is devoid of any structure within the fluid passageway of the gate attaching the shut-off member to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Inventors: Brian T. Hartman, Thomas A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20090032763
    Abstract: A valve comprises a housing, a conduit, and a shut-off member, and a plurality of ribs. The conduit is fixed in position relative to the housing. The ribs are spaced from the conduit. The shut-off member is fixed in position within a cavity of the housing via the ribs. The gate has a fluid passageway extending therethrough and is movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions. The gate is able to linearly reciprocate between opened and closed positions along the center axis of the conduit. The gate is engaged with the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate. The opened position of the gate allows fluid to flow through the fluid passageway of the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7401763
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a valve, a valve seal, and a piece of epoxy. The valve comprises a valve gate, a housing, and a plurality of screws. The housing comprises a fluid passageway and a groove that extends into the housing from the fluid passageway. Each of the screws extends into the groove of the housing. The valve gate is movable relative to the housing between an opened and closed position. The valve seal is positioned at least partially within the groove. The piece of epoxy surrounds at least a portion of each of the screws and has a geometry that is interlocked with the valve seal and with each of the screws in a manner securing the valve seal to each of the screws and in a manner such that the valve seal is positioned to compress against the valve gate when the valve gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Brian T. Hartman, Thomas A. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20070284002
    Abstract: A sleeve valve comprising a conduit, a gate, and a shut-off member. The conduit and the shut-off member are fixed in position relative to each other. The gate is movable relative to the shut-off member between opened and closed positions. The gate engages the shut-off member when the gate is in the closed position in a manner preventing fluid from flowing through the fluid passageway of the gate. The opened position of the gate allows fluid to flow through the valve. The valve is devoid of any structure within the fluid passageway of the gate attaching the shut-off member to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Brian T. Hartman, Thomas A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7225825
    Abstract: An assembly comprises a valve, a valve seal, and a piece of epoxy. The valve comprises a valve gate, a housing, and a plurality of screws. The housing comprises a fluid passageway and a groove that extends into the housing from the fluid passageway. Each of the screws extends into the groove of the housing. The valve gate is movable relative to the housing between an opened and closed position. The valve seal is positioned at least partially within the groove. The piece of epoxy surrounds at least a portion of each of the screws and has a geometry that is interlocked with the valve seal and with each of the screws in a manner securing the valve seal to each of the screws and in a manner such that the valve seal is positioned to compress against the valve gate when the valve gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventors: Brian T. Hartman, Thomas A. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6494466
    Abstract: A seal used for a valve housing for a rotatable valve is received in an internal annular groove in the valve housing. The seal has the form of a resilient ring with an annular interior surface, an annular exterior surface, and axially opposite first and second circular end surfaces that extend radially between the annular interior surface and the annular exterior surface. The first and second circular end surfaces of the ring have annular lobes that project axially from the first and second end surfaces. The ends of the lobes are rounded. The annular groove of the valve housing has a center axis, a bottom wall and a pair of opposed side walls extending around the center axis. Slots are formed in the side walls of the groove. The lobes of the ring extend into the slots of the groove. The lobes of the seal and the slots of the groove are non-congruent and form voids between the seal and the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20020056825
    Abstract: An annular valve seal is configured for use in a valve housing containing a rotatable-type valve that moves between open and closed positions and an internal annular groove that receives the seal. The seal comprises a resilient ring having an annular inner portion with an annular interior surface and an annular outer portion with a pair of lobes. The pair of lobes diverge axially away from each other as they project radially outwardly from the inner portion of the ring. The ring has a cross-sectional area that leaves voids between the internal annular groove and axially opposite end surfaces of the ring when the ring is inserted into the internal annular groove and the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6296009
    Abstract: An arm-driven sleeve valve utilizes a single pin connection to transmit torque from a shaft of the sleeve valve to a pair of arm portions suspended therefrom for controlling the flow of fluid from the valve by axially moving a gate. The single pin connection is centrally positioned between the arm portions and ensures the each of the arm portions exerts an equal force on the gate, regardless of torsional deflection of the shaft. Use of the invention allows arm-driven sleeve valves to be driven asymmetrically from only one of opposite axial ends of the shaft without tending to bind the gate against the main body of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6206021
    Abstract: A sleeve valve comprises a sleeve and a gate. The sleeve includes an intake, a discharge nozzle section, and a clean-out section. The discharge nozzle section includes a plurality of nozzles. The sleeve is adapted for fluid flow from the intake through a fluid passage and out the nozzles. The clean-out section includes at least one access port. The gate is adapted for sliding within the sleeve in sliding sealing engagement with the interior surface of the sleeve between closed, throttling, open, and clean positions. The gate and sleeve are configured so that the gate, when in the closed position, prevents fluid within the fluid passage from flowing out the nozzles and the access port. The gate and sleeve, when in the throttling position, permits fluid within the fluid passage to flow out some of the nozzles but prevents fluid within the fluid passage from flowing out the access port of the clean-out section and others of the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6206376
    Abstract: A double lobed seal comprises first and second annular seals, each having a radially inwardly projecting annular lobe that engages against a sealing surface of a valve element in a valve housing to seal the valve element in its closed position. With increasing fluid pressure exerted on the dual lobe seal, the upstream seal is compressed and moves radially away from the valve element sealing surface. This movement allows the fluid under pressure to enter a void between the two annular seals. The increasing fluid pressure in the void exerts a compressive force on the downstream annular seal that causes its annular lobe to move radially inwardly increasing the force of its sealing engagement with the disk valve sealing surface. In this manner, the dual lobe seal increases its sealing effectiveness when subjected to increasing fluid pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hartman, Brian T. Hartman