Patents by Inventor Donald Staffiere

Donald Staffiere 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: 9016662
    Abstract: A powered valve actuator assembly converts a manually operated valve without removal of the valve handle for automated valve operation in response to detection of a preselected condition. The design incorporates a motor, motor control circuit, drive shaft, valve handle engaging member and anti-rotation member. The motor is supported by its drive shaft, which is mounted on the valve handle via an adaptor. The motor, when operated, applies rotational torque to the drive shaft, and is secured from counter rotation about the drive shaft by the anti-rotation member, which extends between the motor and a fixed reference point with respect to the valve body such as the conduit or an extension thereof. The control circuit may incorporate a monitoring sub-circuit and power regulator, which operates at reduced power levels depending on the sensed state of the sensor or sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Custom Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don L Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James, Jay M Prager
  • Patent number: 8931755
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automating the operation of a manual control valve upon the occurrence of a specified condition includes a valve handle engaging member mounted on an operating shaft turned by a motor held by a housing or support which is mountable to the manual valve body or associated conduit. The motor is operated by a motor control circuit when a sensor detects the condition. The structure and method of mounting may include a quick disconnect mechanism. The control circuit may operate at different power levels depending on the state of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Custom Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James, Jay Prager
  • Publication number: 20140001383
    Abstract: A powered valve actuator assembly converts a manually operated valve without removal of the valve handle for automated valve operation in response to detection of a preselected condition. The design incorporates a motor, motor control circuit, drive shaft, valve handle engaging member and anti-rotation member. The motor is supported by its drive shaft, which is mounted on the valve handle via an adaptor. The motor, when operated, applies rotational torque to the drive shaft, and is secured from counter rotation about the drive shaft by the anti-rotation member, which extends between the motor and a fixed reference point with respect to the valve body such as the conduit or an extension thereof. The control circuit may incorporate a monitoring sub-circuit and power regulator, which operates at reduced power levels depending on the sensed state of the sensor or sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Custom Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don L. Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James, Jay M. Prager
  • Patent number: 8256742
    Abstract: A sensor and powered valve actuator assembly adaptable to fit on and operate a manual valve, the sensor for detecting a valve operating trigger event such as a fluid leak, the actuator for automatically operating the manual valve in response to the triggering event. The assembly includes a motor, motor control circuit, operating shaft, and manual valve engaging member, in a housing mountable to a manual valve body. A sensor which may be remote to the housing is connected to the motor control circuit. When mounted, the valve engaging members extend from the shaft into flexible, rotational engagement with the manual valve shaft, such as with tines spanning or piercing the valve handle. The control circuit controls the motor based on a signal from the sensor, or other control means, such that the motor can actuate valve operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Custom Controls LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don L Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James
  • Publication number: 20120132838
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automating the operation of a manual control valve upon the occurrence of a specified condition includes a valve handle engaging member mounted on an operating shaft turned by a motor held by a housing or support which is mountable to the manual valve body or associated conduit. The motor is operated by a motor control circuit when a sensor detects the condition. The structure and method of mounting may include a quick disconnect mechanism. The control circuit may operate at different power levels depending on the state of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CUSTOM CONTROLS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James, Jay Prager
  • Publication number: 20080054209
    Abstract: A sensor and powered valve actuator assembly adaptable to fit on and operate a manual valve, the sensor for detecting a valve operating trigger event such as a fluid leak, the actuator for automatically operating the manual valve in response to the triggering event. The assembly includes a motor, motor control circuit, operating shaft, and manual valve engaging member, in a housing mountable to a manual valve body. A sensor which may be remote to the housing is connected to the motor control circuit. When mounted, the valve engaging members extend from the shaft into flexible, rotational engagement with the manual valve shaft, such as with tines spanning or piercing the valve handle. The control circuit controls the motor based on a signal from the sensor, or other control means, such that the motor can actuate valve operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: CUSTOM CONTROLS, LLC.
    Inventors: Don L. Drinkwater, Donald Staffiere, David Staffiere, Dana St. James