Patents by Inventor Gerald F. Varnum

Gerald F. Varnum 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: 4691573
    Abstract: A fluid filled force or pressure sensor for measuring an external force such as a fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a housing having a substantially planar backup surface, a flexible diaphragm having its radially outer portion sealed to the backup surface of the housing. A variable volume fluid chamber is formed between the backup surface and the diaphragm and is filled with a pressurized working fluid causing the diaphragm to flex outwardly away from the backup surface. The apparatus also includes a sensor chamber formed in the housing and in fluid communication with the variable volume fluid chamber. Mounted within the sensor chamber is a means for sensing variations in the density of the working fluid within the sensor chamber, such variations in density being caused by flexing of the diaphragm as a result of variations in the external pressure to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. Varnum, Christopher C. Duke
  • Patent number: 4509403
    Abstract: A positioner-actuator control system includes a pair of relays and a pivotally mounted beam for operation thereof in response to a pneumatic control signal. A summing beam has forces applied to it from an input signal, a controlled device position lever, a zero adjustment and a damping mechanism comprising a pair of flat springs attached to the relay beam and to the summing beam. A clamp is movable along the flat springs to permit user adjustment of the damping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Gassman, Gerald F. Varnum
  • Patent number: 4453559
    Abstract: A pneumatic process controller includes a nozzle mounted on a set point lever and a flapper with a connected process lever. The set point lever pivots the nozzle about a set point and input axis in response to set point adjustment. The process lever pivots the flapper about the same axis in response to the process variable. The nozzle and set point lever are mechanically separated from the flapper and process lever. Artificial effect upon the process variable from set point adjustment is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Fisher Controls Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. Varnum, David E. Wiklund