Patents by Inventor Fred R. Underwood

Fred R. Underwood 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: 7319921
    Abstract: A water filter system comprising a control system, communication means, piping, actuators, sensors and valves. The control system utilizes a communication bus for controlling and monitoring water flow through the piping via control of the actuators and valves. The communication bus comprises a two-wire network in a loop configuration coupling the various actuators and valves to the control system. The control system includes a display and programmable control logic for monitoring and controlling the actuators and valves. In one embodiment, the communication bus adheres to a Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard. The control system is further coupled to other control systems in a water treatment plant and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventors: Fred R. Underwood, Charles Hicks
  • Publication number: 20030220717
    Abstract: A water filter system comprising a control system, communication means, piping, actuators, sensors and valves. The control system utilizes a communication bus for controlling and monitoring water flow through the piping via control of the actuators and valves. The communication bus comprises a two-wire network in a loop configuration coupling the various actuators and valves to the control system. The control system includes a display and programmable control logic for monitoring and controlling the actuators and valves. In one embodiment, the communication bus adheres to a Actuator Sensor-Interface (AS-I) standard. The control system is further coupled to other control systems in a water treatment plant and a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Fred R. Underwood, Charles Hicks
  • Patent number: 6289787
    Abstract: The vane actuator according to the present invention is capable of operating effectively at a working pressure greater than 100 psig. The vane actuator comprises a vane shaft rotatably extending through a casing and a vane disposed within the casing defining a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber therein. The casing includes stiffening members for resisting deflection of and maintaining an internal seal within the casing when exposed to a pressure of 150 psig. The stiffening member may be located in the range of about 10° and 20° on either side of a casing centerline to minimize deflection of the casing when exposed to a pressure force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: K-Tork International, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred R. Underwood, Richard Scholtz, Ray J. Claxton