Patents by Inventor E. Dean Miller

E. Dean Miller 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).

  • Publication number: 20220042606
    Abstract: A valve comprising a slidable internal shuttle that is shiftable between a valve closed and a valve open configuration is provided. The valve can be configured so that minimal force is required to effect shifting of the shuttle, even though the valve can be of a large diameter. In the valve closed configuration, the shuttle blocks communication between the valve inlet and outlet. Sliding of the shuttle to the valve open configuration permits fluid to flow through the valve. The shuttle can be configured with internal surfaces that provide some or no biasing forces acting upon the shuttle in the valve closed direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Devang Patel, Gene Hill, Andrew Tworek, E. Dean Miller, Bradford T. Stilwell
  • Patent number: 9933078
    Abstract: A passive isolation valve equipped with one or more nozzles configured to deliver a flow of gas to an area adjacent the valve seat so as to remove accumulated particulate material from the area of the valve adjacent the valve seat that otherwise may adversely affect closure of the valve in response to an energetic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Garnett, E. Dean Miller
  • Publication number: 20150247583
    Abstract: A passive isolation valve equipped with one or more nozzles configured to deliver a flow of gas to an area adjacent the valve seat so as to remove accumulated particulate material from the area of the valve adjacent the valve seat that otherwise may adversely affect closure of the valve in response to an energetic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Garnett, E. Dean Miller
  • Patent number: 8393347
    Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Walker, Bradford T. Stilwell, Bon F. Shaw, E. Dean Miller
  • Publication number: 20120204969
    Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: FIKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Walker, Bradford T. Stilwell, Bon F. Shaw, E. Dean Miller
  • Patent number: 8181663
    Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Walker, Bradford T. Stilwell, Bon F. Shaw, E. Dean Miller
  • Publication number: 20100258200
    Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: FIKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Walker, Bradford T. Stilwell, Bon F. Shaw, E. Dean Miller
  • Patent number: 6945420
    Abstract: A metal reverse buckling sanitary rupture disc is provided having a central bulged section in which the convex surface of the bulged section is relatively smooth and of substantially uninterrupted configuration. A small segment region of the central bulged section is strain hardened by plastic deformation causing the segment region to have greater residual stress than the remainder of the central bulged section. When the disc is subjected to an overpressure condition against the convex surface of the bulged section sufficient to effect reversal of the bulged section, such reversal commences at the higher residual stress segment region of the bulged section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Krebill, E. Dean Miller
  • Publication number: 20040189020
    Abstract: A metal reverse buckling sanitary rupture disc is provided having a central bulged section in which the convex surface of the bulged section is relatively smooth and of substantially uninterrupted configuration. A small segment region of the central bulged section is strain hardened by plastic deformation causing the segment region to have greater residual stress than the remainder of the central bulged section. When the disc is subjected to an overpressure condition against the convex surface of the bulged section sufficient to effect reversal of the bulged section, such reversal commences at the higher residual stress segment region of the bulged section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Krebill, E. Dean Miller