Patents by Inventor Bruce Rigsby
Bruce Rigsby 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: 10851814Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain
-
Publication number: 20190331143Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc., d/b/a TopWorx, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain
-
Patent number: 10344782Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert Lynn LaFountain
-
Patent number: 9886835Abstract: In a method for estimating a remaining lifetime of a solenoid coil of a valve controller operating in a process control system, a record of a duration of activation of the solenoid coil is maintained during operation of the solenoid coil. An operating temperature of the solenoid coil is determined. An estimate of the remaining lifetime of the solenoid coil is generated based on the duration of activation of the solenoid coil and the operating temperature of the solenoid coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANYInventors: Bruce R. Penning, Bruce Rigsby
-
Publication number: 20170256376Abstract: Actuation apparatus for use with magnetically-triggered proximity switches are described herein. An example apparatus includes an actuator shaft having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment. The first segment defines a first end of the actuator shaft, and the second segment defines a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end. The second segment further defines a slot. The apparatus further includes a detector magnet assembly coupled to the first segment of the actuator shaft adjacent the first end. The apparatus further includes a switch arm coupled to the second segment of the actuator shaft. The switch arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm. The portion of the switch arm is positioned in the slot of the actuator shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Brian Hampton, James McDill, Bruce Rigsby, Michael Simmons
-
Patent number: 9754743Abstract: Actuation apparatus for use with magnetically-triggered proximity switches are described herein. An example apparatus includes an actuator shaft having a first segment and a second segment, the first segment intersecting the second segment. The first segment defines a first end of the actuator shaft, and the second segment defines a second end of the actuator shaft opposite the first end. The second segment further defines a slot. The apparatus further includes a detector magnet assembly coupled to the first segment of the actuator shaft adjacent the first end. The apparatus further includes a switch arm coupled to the second segment of the actuator shaft. The switch arm includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a portion located between the first and second ends of the switch arm. The portion of the switch arm is positioned in the slot of the actuator shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: GENERAL EQUIPMENT AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Robert L. LaFountain, Brian Hampton, James McDill, Bruce Rigsby, Michael Simmons
-
Patent number: 9541214Abstract: A valve controller assembly includes a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve, and a docking assembly is communicatively coupled to the first switch. A switching module is removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the switching module when the switching module is secured to the docking member. The switching module includes a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Bruce Rigsby, Scott Carpenter
-
Publication number: 20160180686Abstract: In a method for estimating a remaining lifetime of a solenoid coil of a valve controller operating in a process control system, a record of a duration of activation of the solenoid coil is maintained during operation of the solenoid coil. An operating temperature of the solenoid coil is determined. An estimate of the remaining lifetime of the solenoid coil is generated based on the duration of activation of the solenoid coil and the operating temperature of the solenoid coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Bruce Rigsby
-
Publication number: 20150168246Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain
-
Publication number: 20150034848Abstract: A valve controller assembly includes a first switch that generates a first input signal based on an operational parameter of a control valve, and a docking assembly is communicatively coupled to the first switch. A switching module is removably secured to and communicatively coupled to the docking assembly such that the first switch is communicatively coupled to the switching module when the switching module is secured to the docking member. The switching module includes a first emulation circuit adapted to receive the first input signal, process the first input signal, and output a first output signal that is different than the first input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Robert Lynn LaFountain, Bruce Rigsby, Scott Carpenter
-
Patent number: 8905371Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert Lynn LaFountain
-
Patent number: 8814133Abstract: An automatic speed searching device for a partial stroke test of a control valve includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve and a blocker valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve. In an open position of the spool valve, a first control fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a first control fluid outlet, and in a closed position of the spool valve the first control fluid outlet is fluidly connected to a second control fluid outlet. A method of determining an optimum stroke speed includes iteratively powering a main and secondary solenoid in the electrical module and updating parameters to move a control element of the control valve until movement of the control element is within a desired range.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain, Bruce R. Penning
-
Publication number: 20140062579Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device monitoring are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a body through which a shaft extends. The shaft is to be coupled to an actuator. An angular position of the shaft is based on a position of the actuator. The apparatus includes a target coupled to the shaft and a circuit including a user configurable switch and a proximity switch. The user configurable switch is configurable to a first state or a second state. When the user configurable switch is in the first state and the target is distant from the proximity switch, the circuit is to output a first signal. When the user configurable switch is in the second state and the target is distant from the proximity switch, the circuit is to output a second signal different than the first signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Bruce Rigsby, Michael Simmons, Jennifer A. Floyd, Robert L. LaFountain, Bruce Penning
-
Publication number: 20130000753Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc., d/b/a TopWorx, Inc.Inventors: Bruce R. Penning, Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain
-
Publication number: 20120325322Abstract: An automatic speed searching device for a partial stroke test of a control valve includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve and a blocker valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve. In an open position of the spool valve, a first control fluid inlet is fluidly connected to a first control fluid outlet, and in a closed position of the spool valve the first control fluid outlet is fluidly connected to a second control fluid outlet. A method of determining an optimum stroke speed includes iteratively powering a main and secondary solenoid in the electrical module and updating parameters to move a control element of the control valve until movement of the control element is within a desired range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc. d/b/a TopWorx, Inc.Inventors: Jingli Li, Bruce Rigsby, Robert L. LaFountain, Bruce R. Penning