Patents by Inventor Bryan Walthall

Bryan Walthall 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: 9377121
    Abstract: A rotary valve assembly composing a leak-free enclosure containing a worm gear and a pinion gear, an adapter plate that is situated between a rotary valve body and the enclosure and that secures the rotary valve body to the enclosure, and a magnetic actuator assembly. The worm gear engages with the pinion gear such that when the worm gear rotates, the pinion gear rotates as well. The enclosure is situated between the magnetic actuator assembly and the rotary valve body. A shaft extends through the center of the pinion gear and causes a valve within the rotary valve body to open and close based on rotation of the shaft. In an alternate embodiment, the invention is a rotary valve as described above with an integral adapter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 8690119
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprising an adapter plate assembly comprising an adapter plate, a bonnet with a center and a threaded shaft extending through the center of the bonnet; an actuation assembly comprising an outer enclosure and an outer magnetic cartridge that is magnetically coupled to an inner magnetic cartridge; and an inner valve assembly comprising an inner enclosure and a planetary gear subassembly comprising one or more planetary gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, Daniel E. Clawson, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 8496228
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear. The invention further comprises a pressure equalization system comprising inner and outer equalization tubes, a piston situated between the inner and outer equalization tubes, and either a piston spring or spring washer stack that biases the piston in the direction of the clean oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 8490946
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20130140475
    Abstract: A rotary valve adapter assembly comprising an adapter plate configured to attach to a rotary valve body, a torque multiplier assembly comprising one or more planetary gear subassemblies, each of which comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, and a plurality of planetary gears, a magnetic actuator assembly comprising two sets of magnetically coupled magnets, and a shaft. The magnetic actuator assembly interfaces with the torque multiplier assembly such that when the magnets of the magnetic actuator assembly rotate, they cause the sun gear of a first planetary gear subassembly to rotate and the planetary gears to walk on the ring gear. When the carrier of the first planetary gear subassembly rotates, it causes the sun gear of a second planetary gear subassembly to rotate. When the carrier of the second planetary gear subassembly rotates, the shaft also rotates, thereby causing the valve to open and close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20130140476
    Abstract: A rotary valve adapter assembly comprising an adapter plate configured to attach to a rotary valve body, a torque multiplier assembly comprising one or more planetary gear subassemblies, each of which comprises a sun gear, ring gear, and a plurality of planetary gears, a magnetic actuator assembly comprising two sets of magnetically coupled magnets, and a shaft. The magnetic actuator assembly interfaces with the torque multiplier assembly such that when the magnets of the magnetic actuator assembly rotate, they cause the sun gear of a first planetary gear subassembly to rotate and the planetary gears to walk on the ring gear. The shaft interfaces with the carrier of one of the planetary gear subassemblies such that when the carrier rotates, the shaft also rotates, thereby causing the valve to open and close. The assembly further comprises a pressure equalization system comprising a piston and piston spring or spring washer stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20130087104
    Abstract: A pet toy comprising a head having a recess and two interlocking arms that extend from the head and are situated such that one arm is wrapped around the other to create a barrier to accessing the recess in the head. The head and interlocking arms are comprised of a single durable, flexible and resilient material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: Schoggi, Inc. d/b/a West Paw Design
    Inventors: Spencer Williams, Kathleen Johnson, Seth Partain, Ron Pierzina, Stephen Sanford, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall, Niki Singlaub
  • Publication number: 20130026397
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear. The invention further comprises a pressure equalization system comprising inner and outer equalization tubes, a piston situated between the inner and outer equalization tubes, and either a piston spring or spring washer stack that biases the piston in the direction of the clean oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20120319019
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprising an adapter plate assembly comprising an adapter plate, a bonnet with a center and a threaded shaft extending through the center of the bonnet; an actuation assembly comprising an outer enclosure and an outer magnetic cartridge that is magnetically coupled to an inner magnetic cartridge; and an inner valve assembly comprising an inner enclosure and a planetary gear subassembly comprising one or more planetary gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, Daniel E. Clawson, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20120187319
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 8132786
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising: a right flange; left flange; ball with an axis pin and two travel pins; ball seal on either side of the ball; guide sleeve with inner walls comprising two channels; cartridge guide holder; inner magnetic cartridge; and outer magnetic cartridge. The ball is situated inside of the guide sleeve, and a travel pin is located in each of the two channels. The guide sleeve is situated inside of the cartridge guide holder, which is located adjacent to and outside of the inner magnetic cartridge and secured to the inner magnetic cartridge such that when the inner magnetic cartridge rotates, the cartridge guide holder also rotates. The cartridge guide holder is secured to the guide sleeve such that when the cartridge guide holder rotates, the travel pins move within the channels in the inner walls of the guide sleeve, thereby causing the ball to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20110180739
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising: a right flange; left flange; ball with an axis pin and two travel pins; ball seal on either side of the ball; guide sleeve with inner walls comprising two channels; cartridge guide holder; inner magnetic cartridge; and outer magnetic cartridge. The ball is situated inside of the guide sleeve, and a travel pin is located in each of the two channels. The guide sleeve is situated inside of the cartridge guide holder, which is located adjacent to and outside of the inner magnetic cartridge and secured to the inner magnetic cartridge such that when the inner magnetic cartridge rotates, the cartridge guide holder also rotates. The cartridge guide holder is secured to the guide sleeve such that when the cartridge guide holder rotates, the travel pins move within the channels in the inner walls of the guide sleeve, thereby causing the ball to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 7971855
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising two flanges and a ball with a channel, two axis pins and two travel pins. One end of each axis and travel pin is fixedly attached to the ball, and the other end of each axis pin is lodged into a notch in the first or second flange such that the axis pin is allowed to rotate in the notch. The guide sleeve comprises two channels, and one end of each travel pin is situated within one of the two channels in the guide sleeve. An outer magnetic cartridge causes the inner magnetic cartridge and guide sleeve to rotate, and when the guide sleeve rotates, the travel pins move up and down within the channels in the guide sleeve. The movement of the travel pins within the channels in the guide sleeve causes the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall
  • Patent number: 7913327
    Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Meike, David Yakos, Stephen Sanford, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20100325785
    Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Lewis Meike, David Yakos, Stephen Sanford, Bryan Walthall
  • Publication number: 20100140521
    Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising two flanges and a ball with a channel, two axis pins and two travel pins. One end of each axis and travel pin is fixedly attached to the ball, and the other end of each axis pin is lodged into a notch in the first or second flange such that the axis pin is allowed to rotate in the notch. The guide sleeve comprises two channels, and one end of each travel pin is situated within one of the two channels in the guide sleeve. An outer magnetic cartridge causes the inner magnetic cartridge and guide sleeve to rotate, and when the guide sleeve rotates, the travel pins move up and down within the channels in the guide sleeve. The movement of the travel pins within the channels in the guide sleeve causes the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Big Horn Valve, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burgess, David Yakos, Bryan Walthall