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).

  • Patent number: 9303779
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tung Kim Nguyen, Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, Michel Bouvry, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 9212753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Michel Bouvry, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, David E. Woollums, Tung K. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140083526
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Michel Bouvry, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, David E. Woollums, Tung K. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140083525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tung Kim Nguyen, Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, Michel Bouvry, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 8616521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Woollums, Tung Nguyen, James C. Hawkins, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Publication number: 20120261604
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: David E. Woollums, Tung Nguyen, James C. Hawkins, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Patent number: 7197407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Schimnowski, David E. Woollums, Jeffrey L. Cole, Richard J. Vanderah
  • Publication number: 20040204870
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Schimnowski, David E. Woollums, Jeffrey L. Cole, Richard J. Vanderah
  • Patent number: 6536469
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 6539315
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, David E. Woollums, Jon B. Milliken
  • Patent number: 6441744
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Adams, David E. Woollums, Jon B. Milliken, Richard J. Vanderah, Stephanie M. Law
  • Publication number: 20020007854
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 5700950
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Woollums, Gregory L. Foust
  • Patent number: 5062449
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Woollums, Donald D. Rice
  • Patent number: 4972868
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Davis, David E. Woollums, Donald D. Rice