Patents by Inventor Donald Prince

Donald Prince 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: 9644752
    Abstract: An adjustable trunnion valve includes an obturator, a valve stem, at least one valve seal, and a trunnion. The trunnion and obturator are configured to translate the obturator along a longitudinal axis extending through the trunnion and the obturator upon rotation of the valve stem beyond one or both of its open position and its closed position. A method of operating an adjustable trunnion valve having an obturator coupled to a trunnion and a valve stem includes passing a fluid through the adjustable trunnion valve and rotating the valve stem to rotate the obturator about an axis of rotation and to simultaneously translate the obturator in a direction along the axis of rotation while the obturator is supported by the trunnion and while the fluid flows through the adjustable trunnion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Blake Nabors, Donald Prince, Anthony Majka
  • Publication number: 20160265670
    Abstract: An adjustable trunnion valve includes an obturator, a valve stem, at least one valve seal, and a trunnion. The trunnion and obturator are configured to translate the obturator along a longitudinal axis extending through the trunnion and the obturator upon rotation of the valve stem beyond one or both of its open position and its closed position. A method of operating an adjustable trunnion valve having an obturator coupled to a trunnion and a valve stem includes passing a fluid through the adjustable trunnion valve and rotating the valve stem to rotate the obturator about an axis of rotation and to simultaneously translate the obturator in a direction along the axis of rotation while the obturator is supported by the trunnion and while the fluid flows through the adjustable trunnion valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Blake Nabors, Donald Prince, Anthony Majka
  • Patent number: 9249891
    Abstract: A valve having secondary spring force containment includes a valve body featuring an opening with a valve closure member sized to close the opening. A stem has a first end connected to the valve closure member. A proximal spring seat is positioned adjacent to the valve body, A distal spring seat is mounted on the second end of the stem. A spring is positioned between the proximal and distal spring seats so that the valve closure member is urged into a position where the valve body opening is closed. A hollow rod is attached between the proximal and distal spring seats to provide secondary spring force containment with the stem passing through the hollow rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: McKenzie Valve and Machine LLC
    Inventors: Donald Prince, Thomas Summers
  • Publication number: 20150075645
    Abstract: A handle mechanism for a railway tank car includes a first turn prohibitor at the skid and a second turn prohibitor at the support bracket for an extension arm. The extension shaft is pivotally mounted to a stem adapter so that it can be displaced from the axis of rotation for the valve stem when the valve is in the closed position. The extension shaft must be aligned with the axis of rotation of the valve stem in order to allow the operator to turn the handle and consequently the extension shaft and valve stem to open the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: MCKENZIE VALVE & MACHINING LLC
    Inventor: Donald Prince
  • Patent number: 8550532
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Reeder, John Vogel, Donald Prince
  • Patent number: 8444206
    Abstract: A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Prince
  • Publication number: 20130009421
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: AERO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Reeder, John Vogel, Donald Prince
  • Patent number: 8267461
    Abstract: A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a tensioning bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a mechanism between the bail member and tensioning bow member including first and second members configured to cooperate to lock the tensioning bow member against movement relative to the bail member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Prince, Ronald A. Wehnert, John Vogel, Ronald L. Eggers, Ryan Reeder
  • Patent number: 8220859
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Reeder, John Vogel, Donald Prince
  • Publication number: 20120104788
    Abstract: A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover includes a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a hold-down bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a spring pack between the bail member and tensioning bow member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Prince
  • Publication number: 20110266826
    Abstract: A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a tensioning bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a mechanism between the bail member and tensioning bow member including first and second members configured to cooperate to lock the tensioning bow member against movement relative to the bail member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: AERO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Prince, Ronald A. Wehnert, John Vogel, Ronald L. Eggers, Ryan Reeder
  • Patent number: 7816114
    Abstract: Methods of using monoclinic crystals of human beta-secretase (BACE) having unit cell dimensions of a, b, and c, wherein a is about 81±20 ? to about 101 ?, b is 103±20 ?, c is 100±20 ?, and ?=?=90°, and ? is 105°±10° for crystals of symmetry P21 and a=73.1, b=105.1, c=50.5 ? and ? is 94.8° for crystals of C2 symmetry in drug screening assays comprising selecting a potential modifier by adding the potential modifiers to an aqueous mixture of the crystal and detecting a measure of binding, such that the potential modifier that binds is selected as a potential drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Benson, D. Danielle Woods, Donald Prince
  • Publication number: 20100253111
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a tarping system having a flexible cover carried by a deployment mechanism having a horizontal arm spanning the width of a container, the deployment mechanism movable to an extended position in which the horizontal arm is adjacent one end of the container. The locking mechanism includes at least one locking element associated with one end of the container and at least one latching element having a latching portion configured to engage the at least one locking element. The latching element is pivotably supported on the horizontal arm so that that latching element can pivot to and from a locked position in which the latching portion engages the at least one locking element. A tension element is connected between the latching element and the cover to control the pivoting of the latching element under the force of gravity based on the position of the flexible cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Reeder, John Vogel, Donald Prince
  • Patent number: 4019941
    Abstract: A method of producing steel reinforced conveyor belting wherein the steel reinforcing cords are located in grooves formed between the mating faces of two layers of P.V.C. based material. The faces of the grooves are coated with an adhesive having a P.V.C. base including an epoxy resin and curing agent and the steel cords are adhered to the layers of P.V.C. by curing the assembly of cords and cover layers under heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Dunlop Australia Limited
    Inventors: Eric Victor Donald Prince, Kenneth Llewellyn Lewis, Leonard John Michael Ralph