Patents by Inventor Ian Matthew Gilliam

Ian Matthew Gilliam 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: 11982375
    Abstract: A bonnet and stuffing box assembly includes a bonnet defining a bonnet bore; a stuffing box connected to the bonnet, the stuffing box defining a stuffing box bore, the stuffing box bore and bonnet bore defining an assembly bore; a bushing assembly received in the assembly bore and comprising a stuffing box bushing and a bonnet bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining a narrow portion disposed in the stuffing box bore and a wide portion at least partially disposed in the bonnet bore, the bonnet bushing disposed in the bonnet bore and confronting the wide portion of the stuffing box bushing, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore extending through the stuffing box bushing and the bonnet bushing; and a stem extending through the bushing bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Publication number: 20230279967
    Abstract: A bonnet and stuffing box assembly includes a bonnet defining a bonnet bore; a stuffing box connected to the bonnet, the stuffing box defining a stuffing box bore, the stuffing box bore and bonnet bore defining an assembly bore; a bushing assembly received in the assembly bore and comprising a stuffing box bushing and a bonnet bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining a narrow portion disposed in the stuffing box bore and a wide portion at least partially disposed in the bonnet bore, the bonnet bushing disposed in the bonnet bore and confronting the wide portion of the stuffing box bushing, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore extending through the stuffing box bushing and the bonnet bushing; and a stem extending through the bushing bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11686406
    Abstract: Example aspects of a method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly and a method of manufacturing a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise providing a stuffing box, a bonnet, a bushing assembly, and a stem, the stuffing box and the bonnet defining an assembly bore, the bushing assembly received in the assembly bore, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore, and the stem received through the bushing bore; sealing the stem relative to the bushing assembly to prohibit fluid flow through the bushing bore; sealing the bushing assembly relative to the bonnet to prohibit fluid flow through the assembly bore; and turning the stem relative to the bushing assembly, bonnet, and stuffing box to actuate a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Publication number: 20210231232
    Abstract: Example aspects of a method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly and a method of manufacturing a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise providing a stuffing box, a bonnet, a bushing assembly, and a stem, the stuffing box and the bonnet defining an assembly bore, the bushing assembly received in the assembly bore, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore, and the stem received through the bushing bore; sealing the stem relative to the bushing assembly to prohibit fluid flow through the bushing bore; sealing the bushing assembly relative to the bonnet to prohibit fluid flow through the assembly bore; and turning the stem relative to the bushing assembly, bonnet, and stuffing box to actuate a valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11009149
    Abstract: Example aspects of a bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, and a method for using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise a stuffing box bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining an outer stuffing box bushing surface and a stuffing box bushing bore wall; and a bonnet bushing, the bonnet bushing defining an outer bonnet bushing surface and a bonnet bushing bore wall, the bonnet bushing bore wall and the stuffing box bushing bore wall together defining a bushing bore configured to receive a stem therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Matthew Gilliam, Matthew Thomas Sutterfield
  • Publication number: 20200332918
    Abstract: Example aspects of a bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, and a method for using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise a stuffing box bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining an outer stuffing box bushing surface and a stuffing box bushing bore wall; and a bonnet bushing, the bonnet bushing defining an outer bonnet bushing surface and a bonnet bushing bore wall, the bonnet bushing bore wall and the stuffing box bushing bore wall together defining a bushing bore configured to receive a stem therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Ian Matthew Gilliam, Matthew Thomas Sutterfield