Patents by Inventor Don Christensen
Don Christensen 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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Publication number: 20240384806Abstract: A pressure relief valve (PRV) assembly may include a housing having an opening therein, an interior cavity, a passageway extending between the opening and the interior cavity, and a flange extending within the passageway adjacent the opening. The PRV assembly may also include a first stage valve carried within the interior cavity, and a second stage valve fluidly coupled in series with the first stage valve. The second stage valve may include an enlarged head carried within the opening and a shaft extending from the enlarged head through the passageway to the interior cavity. The shaft may have a proximal end coupled to the enlarged head and an opposing enlarged distal end adjacent the interior cavity. A biasing member may be between the enlarged distal end and the flange. The biasing member may be configured to bias the first and second stage valves to a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: John HEAD, James FRENCH, Don CHRISTENSEN
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Patent number: 12085181Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: PREVCO Subsea, LLCInventors: Don Christensen, John Head
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Publication number: 20230296185Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Don CHRISTENSEN, John HEAD
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Patent number: 11703139Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: PREVCO Subsea LLCInventors: Don Christensen, John Head
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Publication number: 20220412476Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Don CHRISTENSEN, John Head
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Patent number: 11473685Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: PREVCO SUBSEA LLCInventors: Don Christensen, John Head
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Publication number: 20200224781Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Don CHRISTENSEN, John HEAD
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Publication number: 20190322448Abstract: A subsea vessel includes an outer layer of non-corrosive material and an inner layer of high-strength material that both corroborate in a subsea environment to withstand external pressure and prevent corrosion. The subsea vessel further includes a cavity surrounded by the inner layer and outer layer for providing storage in and protection from the subsea environment. The cavity is accessible via an opening that extends through the inner layer and the outer layer. The opening can be opened and closed with a cooperating cap that impermeably seals the cavity. The cap may include a number or connection mechanisms for being selectively secured to the opening. In addition, the cap may include a portion formed of a high-strength material and a portion formed of a non-corrosive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Don Christensen, John Head
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Publication number: 20130074631Abstract: An active user interface system includes a gimbal assembly that is configured as a dual-input/single-output differential mechanism. The differential mechanism implements a speed reduction from the inputs of the differential mechanism to the output of the differential mechanism. Speed reduction enables the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about one rotational axis to be greater than the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about another, perpendicular axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Don Christensen
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Patent number: 8328160Abstract: Seals, ball valve assemblies, and methods of operating ball valves assemblies are provided. The seal includes an annular jacket, a restrictor, and a spring energizer. The annular jacket includes a first annular pocket and a second annular pocket. The restrictor is disposed in the first annular pocket and is capable of restricting shrinkage of the first annular pocket to a predetermined diameter range, if the seal is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The spring energizer is disposed in the second annular pocket and is configured to supply a force against the annular jacket to maintain the seal against a contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Micah S. Abel, Jeff Scott, Don Christensen
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Patent number: 8312705Abstract: A gas control valve is configured to controllably supply propellant gas to a thruster so that the thruster may produce thrust over a relatively wide range, and so that the thruster exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas control valve includes a pilot stage having a pilot valve, and a main stage having a main valve. The gas control valve responds to control signals supplied to the pilot stage and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds. Conversely, for commands of relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve both respond.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Don Christensen, Steve Abel, Raymond R. Tseng
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Patent number: 8146886Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided for converting rotary action into linear action, and includes an electric motor, a cable yoke, an output shaft, and a pair of cables. The electric motor is adapted to be selectively energized and is configured, upon being energized to generate a drive torque. The cable yoke is coupled to receive the drive torque and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate about a rotational axis. The output shaft is coupled to receive a drive force and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to translate along a linear axis that is disposed at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. Each cable is wound, in pretension, on a portion of the cable yoke and around a portion of the output shaft. The pair of cables is configured, upon rotation of the cable yoke, to supply the drive force to the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Steve Abel, David M. Eschborn, Doug Kortum, Don Christensen
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Patent number: 8134328Abstract: An active pilot inceptor system includes a pilot inceptor, a multi-phase motor, and a motor control. The pilot inceptor is configured to receive user input and is operable, in response to the user input, to move to a control position. The multi-phase motor is coupled to the pilot inceptor to selectively supply haptic feedback thereto. The motor control is operable to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that causes the multi-phase motor to generate torque and supply the haptic feedback to the inceptor, and to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that the multi-phase motor does not generate torque.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Shmuel Ezran, Don Christensen
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Patent number: 8104264Abstract: A gas thruster is configured to supply thrust over a relatively wide range, from a relatively low value to a relatively high thrust value, and exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas thruster includes a thrust nozzle, a main stage, a main valve element, and a pilot valve. The gas thruster responds to thruster control signals supplied to the pilot valve and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds and relatively low thrust is produced. Conversely, for command or relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve element both respond and relatively higher thrust is produced.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Steve Abel, Raymond R. Tseng, Don Christensen, Bruce Larsen
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Publication number: 20110284784Abstract: Seals, ball valve assemblies, and methods of operating ball valves assemblies are provided. The seal includes an annular jacket, a restrictor, and a spring energizer. The annular jacket includes a first annular pocket and a second annular pocket. The restrictor is disposed in the first annular pocket and is capable of restricting shrinkage of the first annular pocket to a predetermined diameter range, if the seal is exposed to a temperature within a predetermined temperature range. The spring energizer is disposed in the second annular pocket and is configured to supply a force against the annular jacket to maintain the seal against a contact surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Micah S. Abel, Jeff Scott, Don Christensen
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Publication number: 20110031424Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is provided for converting rotary action into linear action, and includes an electric motor, a cable yoke, an output shaft, and a pair of cables. The electric motor is adapted to be selectively energized and is configured, upon being energized to generate a drive torque. The cable yoke is coupled to receive the drive torque and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate about a rotational axis. The output shaft is coupled to receive a drive force and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to translate along a linear axis that is disposed at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. Each cable is wound, in pretension, on a portion of the cable yoke and around a portion of the output shaft. The pair of cables is configured, upon rotation of the cable yoke, to supply the drive force to the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Steve Abel, David M. Eschborn, Doug Kortum, Don Christensen
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Publication number: 20100038565Abstract: A gas control valve is configured to controllably supply propellant gas to a thruster so that the thruster may produce thrust over a relatively wide range, and so that the thruster exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas control valve includes a pilot stage having a pilot valve, and a main stage having a main valve. The gas control valve responds to control signals supplied to the pilot stage and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds. Conversely, for commands of relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve both respond.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Don Christensen, Steve Abel, Raymond R. Tseng
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Publication number: 20100036579Abstract: A gas thruster is configured to supply thrust over a relatively wide range, from a relatively low value to a relatively high thrust value, and exhibits relatively fine minimum impulse bit (MIB) performance. The gas thruster includes a thrust nozzle, a main stage, a main valve element, and a pilot valve. The gas thruster responds to thruster control signals supplied to the pilot valve and is configured such that for commands of relatively short duration, only the pilot valve responds and relatively low thrust is produced. Conversely, for command or relatively longer duration, the pilot valve and main valve element both respond and relatively higher thrust is produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.,Inventors: Steve Abel, Raymond R. Tseng, Don Christensen, Bruce Larsen
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Publication number: 20090321669Abstract: A gas valve apparatus is provided. A primary valve includes a flapper nozzle valve and first and second outputs. A secondary valve includes a housing having first and second inputs coupled to the first and second outputs of the primary valve, first and second seats coupled to the first and second inputs, first and second nozzles coupled to the first and second seats, and a moveable element configured for alternatively sealing the first and second nozzles as the moving element comes into contact with the first and second seats.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Raymond R. Tseng, Steve Abel, Don Christensen
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Publication number: 20090266939Abstract: An active pilot inceptor system includes a pilot inceptor, a multi-phase motor, and a motor control. The pilot inceptor is configured to receive user input and is operable, in response to the user input, to move to a control position. The multi-phase motor is coupled to the pilot inceptor to selectively supply haptic feedback thereto. The motor control is operable to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that causes the multi-phase motor to generate torque and supply the haptic feedback to the inceptor, and to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that the multi-phase motor does not generate torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Shmuel Ezran, Don Christensen