Patents by Inventor David E. Woollums
David E. Woollums 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: 9303779Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, a and a guide collar. The valve disc is shiftable between an open position spaced away from a valve seat, and a closed position seated against the valve seat. The reset pin operatively is coupled to the valve disc and shiftable between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion slidably supported in a guide bore and extending at least partly over the reset pin at a location adjacent to the valve disc. The guide collar is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the guide bore for providing added structural integrity and protecting the reset pin from bending forces.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Tung Kim Nguyen, Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, Michel Bouvry, David E. Woollums
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Patent number: 9212753Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, and a guide collar. The valve disc is disposed within the valve body and shiftable along a slam-shut axis between an open position and a closed second position. The reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and shiftable along the slam-shut axis relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending away from the valve disc at least partly over the reset pin and being slidably disposed in a guide bore of a slam shut body that is connected to the valve body and supporting the reset pin, thereby providing added structural integrity to the rest pin and valve disc.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Michel Bouvry, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, David E. Woollums, Tung K. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20140083526Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, and a guide collar. The valve disc is disposed within the valve body and shiftable along a slam-shut axis between an open position and a closed second position. The reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and shiftable along the slam-shut axis relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending away from the valve disc at least partly over the reset pin and being slidably disposed in a guide bore of a slam shut body that is connected to the valve body and supporting the reset pin, thereby providing added structural integrity to the rest pin and valve disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Michel Bouvry, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, David E. Woollums, Tung K. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20140083525Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, a and a guide collar. The valve disc is shiftable between an open position spaced away from a valve seat, and a closed position seated against the valve seat. The reset pin operatively is coupled to the valve disc and shiftable between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion slidably supported in a guide bore and extending at least partly over the reset pin at a location adjacent to the valve disc. The guide collar is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the guide bore for providing added structural integrity and protecting the reset pin from bending forces.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Tung Kim Nguyen, Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, Michel Bouvry, David E. Woollums
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Patent number: 8616521Abstract: A fail safe retaining plug assembly for a slam-shut safety device includes a reset pin, a retaining plug attached to the reset pin at a proximal portion, and a safety disk attached to the reset pin at a distal portion. The retaining plug assembly is sufficiently long to prevent the safety disk from falling off of the distal portion before the safety disk contacts a valve seat. The retaining plug assembly is also sufficiently long to prevent the retaining plug from falling off of the reset pin before the safety disk contacts the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David E. Woollums, Tung Nguyen, James C. Hawkins, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
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Publication number: 20120261604Abstract: A fail safe retaining plug assembly for a slam-shut safety device includes a reset pin, a retaining plug attached to the reset pin at a proximal portion, and a safety disk attached to the reset pin at a distal portion. The retaining plug assembly is sufficiently long to prevent the safety disk from falling off of the distal portion before the safety disk contacts a valve seat. The retaining plug assembly is also sufficiently long to prevent the retaining plug from falling off of the reset pin before the safety disk contacts the valve seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David E. Woollums, Tung Nguyen, James C. Hawkins, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
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Patent number: 7197407Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a level of liquid fuel in a tank having a known capacity, wherein the tank fluidly communicates with a fuel supply line through which the fuel is delivered in gaseous form. The method comprises measuring a flow rate of gaseous fuel flowing through the supply line, calculating an expended fuel volume based on the measured flow rate, and determining a remaining liquid fuel level in the tank based on the expended fuel volume and tank capacity. A delivery of liquid fuel to the tank is prompted in response to the remaining liquid fuel level.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.Inventors: Kenneth R. Schimnowski, David E. Woollums, Jeffrey L. Cole, Richard J. Vanderah
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Publication number: 20040204870Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a level of liquid fuel in a tank having a known capacity, wherein the tank fluidly communicates with a fuel supply line through which the fuel is delivered in gaseous form. The method comprises measuring a flow rate of gaseous fuel flowing through the supply line, calculating an expended fuel volume based on the measured flow rate, and determining a remaining liquid fuel level in the tank based on the expended fuel volume and tank capacity. A delivery of liquid fuel to the tank is prompted in response to the remaining liquid fuel level.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Kenneth R. Schimnowski, David E. Woollums, Jeffrey L. Cole, Richard J. Vanderah
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Patent number: 6536469Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for use with a magnetic flux sensor to provide a position sensor adapted to detect a position of a moveable member. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet housing defining an inner surface. A magnet is provided that is sized for insertion into the magnet housing and adapted for movement with the moveable member, the magnet having a north pole and a south pole, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic flux. A centering ring is positioned between the magnet and the magnet housing, the centering ring including a biased wall acting to center the magnet in the magnet housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
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Patent number: 6539315Abstract: Apparatus for determining fluid flow through a pressure regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2000Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Adams, David E. Woollums, Jon B. Milliken
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Patent number: 6441744Abstract: Apparatus for performing diagnostics through a regulator is disclosed. The pressure regulator is disposed in a fluid flow passage and has a throttling element moveable in the flow passage. A stem is attached to the throttling element. The apparatus includes a first pressure sensor for measuring pressure upstream of the throttling element, a second pressure sensor for measuring pressure downstream of the throttling element, and a travel sensor for detecting the position of the throttling element. A processor is provided which includes a stored algorithm for determining flow rate based on the measured pressure and travel values, and an alarm routine for generating logic alarms based on the measured operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Adams, David E. Woollums, Jon B. Milliken, Richard J. Vanderah, Stephanie M. Law
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Publication number: 20020007854Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for use with a magnetic flux sensor to provide a position sensor adapted to detect a position of a moveable member. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet housing defining an inner surface. A magnet is provided that is sized for insertion into the magnet housing and adapted for movement with the moveable member, the magnet having a north pole and a south pole, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic flux. A centering ring is positioned between the magnet and the magnet housing, the centering ring including a biased wall acting to center the magnet in the magnet housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2001Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
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Patent number: 5700950Abstract: An adapter for use with a fluid metering device includes a support structure which holds and supports the fluid metering device in an upright position while the fluid metering device is being tested with a testing device or a prover. The adapter also includes a fluid passageway having one end thereof coupled to the fluid inlet of the fluid metering device and having another end thereof positioned at a predetermined distance away from, and at a predetermined orientation with respect to, the fluid outlet of the fluid metering device to thereby enable a standard prover to be used with a fluid metering device having a non-standard inlet and outlet configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: David E. Woollums, Gregory L. Foust
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Patent number: 5062449Abstract: A drop compensated pressure regulator includes a spring casing, housing a regulator spring and a relief spring, a lower casing and a diaphragm sandwiched between the two casings. The lower casing has inlet and outlet ports. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a cam surface that engages a movable disk holder. The disk holder is movable in a straight line within an orifice tube that supports a valve seat. A cylindrical lower spring seat is coupled by an O ring to the inner wall of the spring casing to dampen vibrations. The cam stem has built in stops to retain it within the orifice tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1990Date of Patent: November 5, 1991Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: David E. Woollums, Donald D. Rice
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Patent number: 4972868Abstract: A metallic gas pressure regulator includes a spring casing and a lower casing, sandwiching a diaphragm. The lower casing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. A one piece plastic cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a cam surface engaging a movable plastic disk holder. The disk holder is movable within a plastic orifice tube that supports a plastic valve seat. The orifice tube has a removable plastic boost end cap for providing a boost action to the diaphragm. A pressure relief mechanism is incorporated within the upper portion of the diaphragm. A metal disk is affixed in the inlet and includes a flow restricting hole and a flow diverter for directing flow toward the pressure relief mechanism in the event of destruction of the plastic orifice tube.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1990Date of Patent: November 27, 1990Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: David B. Davis, David E. Woollums, Donald D. Rice