Patents by Inventor Charles W. Dunmire

Charles W. Dunmire 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).

  • Publication number: 20040045604
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Patent number: 6659126
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Patent number: 6546946
    Abstract: A double check valve reduced pressure backflow preventor assembly is configured to have a relatively small length, volume and/or weight. The assembly defines parallel, preferably coaxial, inlet and outlet directions. In one aspect, first and second check valves are at an angle, preferably of 90°, to the in-line axis and preferably intersect the in-line axis. In one aspect, a relief valve is positioned spaced from the in-line axis. First and second shutoff valves are enclosed in the same integral, unitary housing which encloses the check valves and, preferably, some or all of the relief valve. The shutoff valves are preferably positioned along the in-line axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: United Dominion Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire
  • Publication number: 20020069918
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Publication number: 20020062868
    Abstract: A double check valve reduced pressure backflow preventor assembly is configured to have a relatively small length, volume and/or weight. The assembly defines parallel, preferably coaxial, inlet and outlet directions. In one aspect, first and second check valves are at an angle, preferably of 90°, to the in-line axis and preferably intersect the in-line axis. In one aspect, a relief valve is positioned spaced from the in-line axis. First and second shutoff valves are enclosed in the same integral, unitary housing which encloses the check valves and, preferably, some or all of the relief valve. The shutoff valves are preferably positioned along the in-line axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire
  • Patent number: 6349736
    Abstract: Backflow prevention is provided in connection with a device having one or more shut-off valves integrated with a double-check-valve backflow prevention device and/or housing. Preferably, a single housing encompasses two backflow preventer check valves, and upstream and downstream shut-off valves. Typically, end users cannot readily remove the shut-off valves (and/or their housing) from the backflow preventer check valves (and/or their housing). No flange or other connection between shut-off valves and backflow preventer check valves (and/or their housing) is required, reducing size, weight and labor requirements. The system can substantially reduce or eliminate potential for installation of double-check-valve backflow preventer devices without shut-off valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire
  • Patent number: 5503176
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Patent number: 5385166
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: CMB Industries
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw, Richard D. Fields
  • Patent number: 5226441
    Abstract: A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: CMB Industries
    Inventors: Charles W. Dunmire, Dennis G. Whitelaw
  • Patent number: 5107888
    Abstract: A backflow preventor with increased performance, and increased ease of installation is provided. The check valves are configured to assist in redirecting flow along the desired pathway, when they are in the open position. The pathway is designed so that the number of changes of flow direction of the average streamline flow is reduced, preferably being about 180.degree.. The check valves are configured to reduce or eliminate divergent flow around the edges of the valve disks. A check valve with a reduced hold-open pressure includes a biasing device, such as a spring, directly connected to a pivoting clapper at one end and to the valve body at the other end. No intervening pivoting links are used between the spring and the clapper. Preferably, the clapper is connected only by being pivoted to the valve body and by the spring connecting it to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire
  • Patent number: 4989635
    Abstract: A check valve with a reduced hold-open pressure includes a biasing device, such as a spring, directly connected to a pivoting clapper at one end and to the valve body at the other end. No intervening pivoting links are used between the spring and the clapper. Preferably, the clapper is connected only by being pivoted to the valve body and by the spring connecting it to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire