Patents by Inventor Christina M. Gilliam

Christina M. Gilliam 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: 11619429
    Abstract: A valve includes a shaft having threads along at least a portion of a length of the shaft. A travel limit member (e.g., a coil spring, a washer, etc.) is disposed within one or more of the threads. The travel limit member may comprise a coil spring configured to be movable within the threads along the shaft when the shaft is rotated relative to the coil spring. The coil spring is configured to be operable for providing: a safety stall or hard stop for a fully open position of the valve when the coil spring is within the top thread and/or runs out of the threads after having traveled upwardly along the shaft within the threads; and a safety stall or hard stop for a fully closed position of the valve when the coil spring contacts a stop after having traveled downwardly along the shaft within the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Sisk, Jeffrey N. Arensmeier, Christina M. Gilliam, Joseph B. Sutton, III, Thomas Stoneking, Jacob Ridderhoff
  • Publication number: 20220316775
    Abstract: A valve includes a movable valve member movable relative to a valve port between a closed position in which fluid flow through the valve port is inhibited and an open position in which fluid flow through the valve port is permitted. A valve seat is coupled to the movable valve member. The valve seat is configured to seat against and seal the valve port when the movable valve member is in the closed position and to be spaced apart from the valve port when the valve member is in the open position. A sealing member is disposed within a cavity behind the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory E. SISK, Christina M. GILLIAM, Jeffrey N. ARENSMEIER
  • Publication number: 20220316776
    Abstract: A valve includes a shaft having threads along at least a portion of a length of the shaft. A travel limit member (e.g., a coil spring, a washer, etc.) is disposed within one or more of the threads. The travel limit member may comprise a coil spring configured to be movable within the threads along the shaft when the shaft is rotated relative to the coil spring. The coil spring is configured to be operable for providing: a safety stall or hard stop for a fully open position of the valve when the coil spring is within the top thread and/or runs out of the threads after having traveled upwardly along the shaft within the threads; and a safety stall or hard stop for a fully closed position of the valve when the coil spring contacts a stop after having traveled downwardly along the shaft within the threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory E. SISK, Jeffrey N. ARENSMEIER, Christina M. GILLIAM, Joseph B. SUTTON, III, Thomas STONEKING, Jacob RIDDERHOFF
  • Publication number: 20210254875
    Abstract: A valve system includes a motor, a first valve, a second valve, and a controller. The first valve is connected to the motor shaft and is rotatable to an open position, in which fluid flows through a first channel, and a close position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the first channel. The second valve is connected to the motor shaft and is rotatable to an open position, in which fluid flows through a second channel from a first end to a second end, and to a close position, in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the second channel. The controller is connected to the motor and can sequentially actuate the first valve and the second valve to create at least a first, second, third, and fourth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey N. Arensmeier, Jacob Harris, Thomas P. Buescher, John M. Bronson, Gregory E. Sisk, Christina M. Gilliam