Patents by Inventor Donald E. McGeachy

Donald E. McGeachy 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: 6405754
    Abstract: A multiple output modular pneumatic pressure valve has a plurality of modules connected together. Each module has a regulator, shuttle valve and four way solenoid actuated spool valve for provides a plurality of pneumatic pressures to a single outlet which may be quickly selected via the actuation and deactuation of the proper valves. Adjustment of the pneumatic pressures can be easily performed by rotation of a knob of the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6375156
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Publication number: 20010050348
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6273318
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6257277
    Abstract: A multiple output modular pneumatic pressure valve has a plurality of modules connected together. Each module has a regulator, shuttle valve and four way solenoid actuated spool valve for provides a plurality of pneumatic pressures to a single outlet which may be quickly selected via the actuation and deactuation of the proper valves. Adjustment of the pneumatic pressures can be easily performed by rotation of a knob of the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6053198
    Abstract: A fluid control system that includes a fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form at least first and second passages extending continuously through the manifold and each of the bodies. A plurality of solenoid valves are each mounted on a side of an associated body with valve ports opening into the body to the fluid passage(s) that extend through the manifold. An electrical connection arrangement is mounted at one end of the manifold for receiving control signals from an external source. A plurality of circuitboards are disposed one within the second passage of each body, with each of the circuitboards including male and female connectors at opposed ends for connecting the circuitboards in series with each other to the electrical connection arrangement at the end of the manifold. A third connector on each circuitboard extends laterally from the circuitboard for connection to the solenoid valve mounted on the side of the associated manifold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradly J. Atkin, Dennis L. Bonacorsi, Donald E. McGeachy, William S. Smith
  • Patent number: 5595413
    Abstract: A fluid actuated gripper mechanism with opposed gripper slides received on ways of a housing and actuated by opposed pistons received in a common bore. Each piston is transfixed by a coupling pin secured to one slide. Movement of the pistons and slides is synchronized by a lever pivotally mounted in the housing and having equally radially spaced apart and parallel elongate cam slots in which the coupling pins are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Numation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. McGeachy, Jeffrey R. Schneid
  • Patent number: 4995421
    Abstract: A lock-out valve is designed to direct pressure fluid to an operational port and system, and to exhaust such pressure for purposes of repair or reconstruction of a valve controlled system. The valve may be quickly moved to the exhaust phase by a manual stroke overriding threads between two concentric parts. However, reverse motion of the valve to re-establish pressure to the operational port can only be accomplished by a turning action on the manual actuator. This insures a slow return of pressure to the system and a slow start up so that the controlled system can be safely and properly reset. The thread design is such that the motion in one direction will override the threads but prevent reverse action except by turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis L. Bonacorsi, Donald E. McGeachy, Alan L. Smith
  • Patent number: 4765385
    Abstract: A pressure-controlled remotely-operated valve for utilization in respective wheels of a vehicle, on-road, off-road type. The valve is functional to effect tire deflation or tire inflation in a stationary or moving vehicle. Multiple piston-valve elements are axially aligned in a multi-step recess of a housing, wherein the effective areas of two opposed valves differ in value whereby a first valve movable in a two-stage phase can move a second valve only under certain tire pressure conditions. A third valve operable by said first valve can connect tire pressure to exhaust upon action of the first valve in a first phase operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 4742841
    Abstract: A coolant system and control valve used in a circuit for cooling spot welding tips. The control valve normally passes coolant to and from the tips. Should a break in the coolant flow occur because of a breakdown of one or more of the tips, the control valve will shift to close the normal coolant loop and divert coolant from a pressure source to a tank until a repair is made. A switch indicator can be utilized for visual observation of a break and also a flow indicator is provided on the valve body to indicate normal coolant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas B. Vonderhaar, Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 4073311
    Abstract: A bi-directional valve for unrestricted flow in one direction and a regulable restriction for flow control in the other direction which includes an in-line housing and a two-piece valve assembly transversely positioned in said housing having a valve seat in one portion, a valve to control said valve seat opening in another portion, and a ring by-pass valve on one of said portions cooperating with an annular seat on said housing, the by-pass valve being flexible to respond to fluid flow, closing in one direction against the annular seat and moving away from said annular seat when the flow is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: RE41299
    Abstract: A fluid control system that includes a fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form at least first and second passages extending continuously through the manifold and each of the bodies. A plurality of solenoid valves are each mounted on a side of an associated body with valve ports opening into the body to the fluid passage(s) that extend through the manifold. An electrical connection arrangement is mounted at one end of the manifold for receiving control signals from an external source. A plurality of circuitboards are disposed one within the second passage of each body, with each of the circuitboards including male and female connectors at opposed ends for connecting the circuitboards in series with each other to the electrical connection arrangement at the end of the manifold. A third connector on each circuitboard extends laterally from the circuitboard for connection to the solenoid valve mounted on the side of the associated manifold body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Bradly J. Atkin, Dennis L. Bonacorsi, Donald E. McGeachy, William S. Smith