Patents by Inventor David Edwards Woollums
David Edwards 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: 11920706Abstract: A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Patent number: 11808386Abstract: A mechanical joint restraint includes: a gasket defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a bore, the bore defining an axis therethrough, the gasket defining a first gasket end and a second gasket end; a gland defining a bore defining an axis and positioned axially outward from the gasket with respect to the first gasket end with the mechanical joint restraint in an assembled condition, the axis of the gland aligned collinearly with the axis of the gasket; a gripping ring positioned between the gasket and the gland, the gripping ring being a split ring defining a pair of circumferential ends and a gap therebetween; and a bridge engaging each of the pair of circumferential ends of the gripping ring and extending in a circumferential direction of the gripping ring across the gap therebetween with the mechanical joint restraint in the assembled condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Publication number: 20230132678Abstract: A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Patent number: 11566732Abstract: A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Publication number: 20200370686Abstract: A mechanical joint restraint includes: a gasket defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a bore, the bore defining an axis therethrough, the gasket defining a first gasket end and a second gasket end; a gland defining a bore defining an axis and positioned axially outward from the gasket with respect to the first gasket end with the mechanical joint restraint in an assembled condition, the axis of the gland aligned collinearly with the axis of the gasket; a gripping ring positioned between the gasket and the gland, the gripping ring being a split ring defining a pair of circumferential ends and a gap therebetween; and a bridge engaging each of the pair of circumferential ends of the gripping ring and extending in a circumferential direction of the gripping ring across the gap therebetween with the mechanical joint restraint in the assembled condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Publication number: 20200332933Abstract: A method of using a mechanical joint restraint includes inserting an end of a pipe length into a gland bore of a gland, a ring bore of a gripping ring, and a gasket bore of a gasket, the gland, the gripping ring, and the gasket together forming the mechanical joint restraint; inserting at least a portion of the gasket of the mechanical joint restraint into a socket of a piping element; inserting the end of the pipe length into the socket of the piping element; and drawing the gland towards a flange of the piping element to compress the gasket into sealing engagement with the piping element and the pipe length.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu, David Edward Woollums
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Patent number: 8485213Abstract: An example loading regulator having an internal relief valve apparatus includes a body having a loading diaphragm disposed between a first casing and a second casing. The first casing and a first side of the loading diaphragm define a first chamber and the second casing and a second side of the loading diaphragm define a second chamber. A relief valve assembly is coupled to the loading diaphragm. The relief valve assembly includes a relief valve seat having an aperture that forms a passageway to fluidly couple the first chamber and the second chamber and a relief valve plug movably coupled to the relief valve seat. The relief valve seat is to move relative to the relief valve plug to a bleed position to allow the flow of fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber in response to an outlet pressure substantially greater than a pressure at which the loading regulator enters a lock-up condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2008Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Chester Hawkins, David Edward Woollums, Tung Kim Nguyen, Gregory Lawrence Foust
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Patent number: 6968857Abstract: A pressure reducing fluid regulator having a housing with a flange including a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions is disclosed. Each of the protrusions includes at least one aperture configured to receive fastener such that the circumferential spacing between first and second fasteners is less than the circumferential spacing between the second fastener and a third fastener. The regulator includes a valve having a valve seat, a valve disc, a valve stem coupled to the valve disc and a valve guide that holds the valve stem. A lever having a first end coupled to the valve stem and a second end coupled to a diaphragm applies a force to the valve stem in a direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem to cause the valve stem to frictionally engage the valve guide. The valve stem includes a stop that limits travel of the valve stem and disc toward the valve seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Emerson Process ControlInventors: James Chester Hawkins, David Edwards Woollums, Neal Arthur Ackerman, Chun Lin, Harold Joe McKinney, Erik Matthew Quijano
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Publication number: 20040187930Abstract: A pressure reducing fluid regulator having a housing with a flange including a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions is disclosed. Each of the protrusions includes at least one aperture configured to receive fastener such that the circumferential spacing between first and second fasteners is less than the circumferential spacing between the second fastener and a third fastener. The regulator includes a valve having a valve seat, a valve disc, a valve stem coupled to the valve disc and a valve guide that holds the valve stem. A lever having a first end coupled to the valve stem and a second end coupled to a diaphragm applies a force to the valve stem in a direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem to cause the valve stem to frictionally engage the valve guide. The valve stem includes a stop that limits travel of the valve stem and disc toward the valve seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: James Chester Hawkins, David Edwards Woollums, Neal Arthur Ackerman, Chun Lin, Harold Joe McKinney, Erik Matthew Quijano
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Patent number: 5709369Abstract: A self-aligning valve disc assembly for a fluid regulator valve. A disc holder includes a central, raised protrusion enabled in one embodiment by a cone-shaped floor surface for providing a single point of contact with a disc. The single contact point provides a pivoting action with a point of force inside the diameter of the opposing force of the valve seat. This enables the pivoting action of the disc to self-align the disc to the seating surface so as to reduce the forces required for the regulator to function properly.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.Inventors: James Chester Hawkins, Daniel Gunder Roper, David Edward Woollums, David Blair Davis, Shane Nicholson, Justin Wade Hart