Patents by Inventor Charles E. Stephens
Charles E. Stephens 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).
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Patent number: 11635015Abstract: A fluid actuated normally closed coolant control valve. The valve comprises a valve housing, an inlet port, the inlet port configured for fluid communication with either a coolant source or a heat exchanger of a DEF tank; an outlet port configured for fluid communication with the other of the heat exchanger of a DEF tank or the coolant source; a valve chamber, a valve and an actuator configured to actuate the valve. The actuator is a fluid actuated piston. The valve is biased to a closed condition in which the flow of coolant from the inlet port to the outlet port is prevented by the valve. The valve is actuatable to an open condition in which the flow of coolant from the inlet port to the outlet port is permitted, and the valve is withdrawn from the valve chamber, wherein the flow factor for the valve is greater than 1.5.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: Norgren GT Development LLCInventors: Charles E. Stephens, David De Leon, Dan Green
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Publication number: 20210131334Abstract: A fluid actuated normally closed coolant control valve. The valve comprises a valve housing, an inlet port, the inlet port configured for fluid communication with either a coolant source or a heat exchanger of a DEF tank; an outlet port configured for fluid communication with the other of the heat exchanger of a DEF tank or the coolant source; a valve chamber, a valve and an actuator configured to actuate the valve. The actuator is a fluid actuated piston. The valve is biased to a closed condition in which the flow of coolant from the inlet port to the outlet port is prevented by the valve. The valve is actuatable to an open condition in which the flow of coolant from the inlet port to the outlet port is permitted, and the valve is withdrawn from the valve chamber, wherein the flow factor for the valve is greater than 1.5.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Norgren GT Development CorporationInventors: Charles E. Stephens, David De Leon, Dan Green
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Patent number: 9016305Abstract: A configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) includes a valve body (120) including a valve bore (126) and a coil (180), a first port (101) and a third port (103) located at a first end (111) and a second port (102) located at a second end (112), a pole piece (138), an armature (130) configured to move in response to energization of the coil (180), and a biasing device (135) between the pole piece (138) and the armature (130). When the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-closed biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-closed (NC) valve and when the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-open biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-open (NO) valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Norgren GT Development CorporationInventors: John Michael Morris, Charles E Stephens
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Publication number: 20120279589Abstract: A configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) includes a valve body (120) including a valve bore (126) and a coil (180), a first port (101) and a third port (103) located at a first end (111) and a second port (102) located at a second end (112), a pole piece (138), an armature (130) configured to move in response to energization of the coil (180), and a biasing device (135) between the pole piece (138) and the armature (130). When the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-closed biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-closed (NC) valve and when the biasing device (135) is selected to provide a normally-open biasing force to the armature (130) then the configurable actuation-orientation valve (100) comprises a normally-open (NO) valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: GT Development CorporationInventors: John Michael Morris, Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 7106158Abstract: A relatively rugged and simple solenoid-actuated valve (100) is disclosed having a coil assembly (150), including a bobbin (152), a winding (160) for generating a magnetic field, and a flux path bracket (162). A fixed pole piece (110) extends into the axial volume defined by the bobbin. The coil assembly may be encased in a plastic outer body (101). An armature (120) is slidably disposed in the axial volume and a valve seat (130) closes the opposite end of the axial volume. A conical spring (140) biases the armature toward a first position against the valve seat. An inlet fitting (106) and an outlet fitting (104) fluidly connect to the axial volume. The armature is movable by the magnetic field generated by the winding from the first position to a second position away from the valve seat, such that the valve can be selectively opened and closed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: G.T. Development CorporationInventors: Alan K Forsythe, John Michael Morris, Charles E Stephens
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Patent number: 5111837Abstract: A poppet valve structure has a valve plug biased inwardly to close a vent opening (10). A connector member (40, 58) includes a cage (40) extending inwardly from the valve plug and a separately formed bottom plate (58) secured to the cage (40). The plate (58) defines a radially outwardly opening recess (64) and a first pair of axially spaced apart confronting surfaces. A spring abutment member (66) surrounds the plate (58) and defines a radially inwardly opening recess (74) and a second pair of confronting surfaces. The two pairs of surfaces confront and substantially contact each other. The recesses (64, 74) together define a substantially closed annular chamber. The chamber may be formed by a pair of confronting channels (64, 74) or defined axially between two flanges (61, 67) on the plate (58') and the abutment member (66'), respectively. A ring of fusible material (76) is cast in situ within the chamber to interconnect the plate (58) and the abutment member ( 66).Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1991Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: GT Development CorporationInventors: John M. Morris, Charles E. Stephens, Alan K. Forsythe
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Patent number: 4954051Abstract: An air spring seat principally for buses, trucks, boats or other vehicles includes a manual air pump for inflating and deflating the air spring. The manual air pump includes a piston having a rearward air intake stroke, a forward compression stroke to deliver pressurized air through a check valve delivery and venting system to the air spring, a pressure stabilized at rest position at the end of the compression stroke and a forward venting stroke from the at rest position mechanically to release air from the air spring through the check valve delivery and venting system. A floating seal carried by the piston provides a fluid tight seal between the piston and pump body during the piston compression stroke but permits air to move from the intake side of the piston to the compression side of the piston during the piston intake stroke. The piston movements are all controlled by a manual lever handle readily accessible to the seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1989Date of Patent: September 4, 1990Assignee: National Seating CompanyInventors: Rod Smith, Timothy L. Oliphant, Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 4809944Abstract: An air spring seat principally for buses, trucks, boats or other vehicles includes a manual air pump for inflating and deflating the air spring. The manual air pump includes a piston having a rearward air intake stroke, a forward compression stroke to deliver pressurized air through a check valve delivery and venting system to the air spring, a pressure stablized at rest position at the end of the compression stroke and a forward venting stroke from the at rest position mechanically to release air from the air spring through the check valve delivery and venting system. A floating seal carried by the piston provides a fluid tight seal between the piston and pump body during the piston compression stroke but permits air to move from the intake side of the piston to the compression side of the piston during the piston intake stroke. The piston movements are all controlled by a manual lever handle readily accessible to the seat occupant.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1987Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Assignee: National Seating CompanyInventors: Rod Smith, Timothy L. Oliphant, Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 4537637Abstract: A process for hydration drying a solids containing aqueous product is disclosed in which particulate anhydrous alpha-dextrose is violently agitated with the aqueous product for a predetermined short period of time, with the temperature agitated product maintained at or below 50.degree. C. Specifically a process to be carried out at room temperature is disclosed in which the temperature of the agitated products is maintained at or below 50.degree. C. by allowing the agitated products to remain quiescent for some period after violent agitation to dissipate the heat of hydration and the heat generated by friction during agitation.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1983Date of Patent: August 27, 1985Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: George L. K. Hunter, Daniel B. Dennison, Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 4505070Abstract: A window blind for controlling the amount of light admitted through a window, door, skylight, or the like. The blind is secured at the top and bottom of the window, making it suitable for use with all types of windows in buildings or vehicles, regardless of the relative orientation of the window with respect to the base of the structure or vehicle. The blinds have a plurality of horizontal slats, sequentially arranged in vertical alignment, and gear driven elements for supporting and adjusting the position of the slats.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1983Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: James L. ClippInventors: James L. Clipp, Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 4341828Abstract: Described is a masking tape adapted for use in defining a selected portion of a surface for refinish spray painting wherein the masking tape is applied to a peripheral portion of the selected surface portion with a lateral portion of the tape being angled upwardly from the surface to form an included angle within the range of approximately 15.degree. to approximately 45.degree., the masking tape comprising a backing formed from a selected material being creasable to facilitate formation and maintenance of the included angle, adhesive material being applied to one lateral portion on one side of the tape.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1980Date of Patent: July 27, 1982Inventor: Charles E. Stephens
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Patent number: 4201799Abstract: Described is a masking tape adapted for use in defining a selected portion of a surface for refinish spray painting wherein the masking tape is applied to a peripheral portion of the selected surface portion with a lateral portion of the tape being angled upwardly from the surface to form an included angle within the range of approximately 15.degree. to approximately 45.degree.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1978Date of Patent: May 6, 1980Inventor: Charles E. Stephens