Patents by Inventor James A. Neff
James A. Neff 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).
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Patent number: 6543481Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed within the main valve member and extends coaxially relative to the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Publication number: 20030047222Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed within the main valve member and extends coaxially relative to the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: James A. Neff, Martha Welch, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Patent number: 6192937Abstract: A pilot operated valve assembly including a valve body having a pressurized air supply inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air and at least one cylinder passage. A main valve bore extends axially within the valve body and a main valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the main valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from the inlet port through at least one cylinder passage. A pilot valve bore is formed integrally within the valve body and extends parallel to, and spaced a short distance from, the main valve bore. A pair of short pilot cylinder ports spaced apart from one another extend between the main valve bore and the pilot valve bore. A pilot valve member is movable between predetermined positions within the pilot valve bore to selectively direct air from the pilot valve bore through alternating ones of the pilot cylinder ports to act upon the main valve member thereby moving the main valve member between predetermined positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Fagerlie, James A. Neff
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Patent number: 6095184Abstract: An integrated pneumatic pressure regulator assembly including a housing having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a supply of pneumatic pressure, an outlet adapted for fluid communication with at least one pneumatically actuated device and an exhaust port. A pilot regulator valve is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to provide a pilot pressure. A pilot operated regulator valve is also provided in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The pilot operated regulator valve is responsive to the pilot pressure to regulate the supply pressure from the inlet to a predetermined system pressure delivered through the outlet to a pneumatically actuated device during normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Mac Valves Inc.Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Patent number: 5192936Abstract: A solenoid having a bobbin with a rectangular core hole in which is mounted an armature having a rectangular cross section, and a pole piece having a rectangular cross section. The bobbin has a magnet wire coil wound around a bobbin tubular body which is rectangular in cross section. The bobbin has an upper flange and a lower flange that encloses the ends of the coil. A tubular can is seated around the bobbin. A top flux plate is seated on the upper can surface and a bottom flux plate is seated under the lower can surface. The flux plates are secured to the bobbin flanges. A sealing, electrical insulating heat dissipating material is disposed inside of the tubular can which seals the coil and insulates the coil from the flux plates, tubular can and solenoid mounting screws.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1991Date of Patent: March 9, 1993Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie, Eric P. Janssen, Michael E. Robert
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Patent number: 5136774Abstract: A direct solenoid operated poppet valve having an adjustable valve seat that provides a selectively variable flow orifice for supplying a preset air flow requirement. The poppet valve spool stroke is set in accordance with the preset air flow requirement. Then, based on the measured poppet location with respect to the solenoid pole piece, a solenoid push pin is selected that provides the minimum solenoid stroke required for the preset valve stroke and preset air flow requirement.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1991Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Mac Vales, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 5092365Abstract: A direct solenoid operated poppet valve having an adjustable valve seat that provides a selectively variable flow orifice for supplying a preset air flow requirement. The poppet valve spool stroke is set in accordance with the preset air flow requirement. Then, based on the measured poppet location with respect to the solenoid pole piece, a solenoid push pin is selected that provides the minimum solenoid stroke required for the preset valve stroke and preset air flow requirement.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1991Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4880033Abstract: A three-way normally closed, pilot air valve for supplying pressurized pilot air to a directional flow control air valve. The valve includes a valve body structure having a pilot air inlet port, a cylinder port, an exhaust port, an axial bore therethrough. A first passageway connects the pressurized pilot air inlet port to the cylinder port. A second passageway connects the cylinder port with the exhaust port. A balanced captive poppet valve spool is movably mounted in the valve body structure axial bore for controlling the flow of air through the two passageways, and it has an upper and a lower, conical annular, valve member element, which alternately seat on a circular sharp edged valve seat and an angled valve seat, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1988Date of Patent: November 14, 1989Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4856560Abstract: A four port, individual, valve base for a fluid pressure valve system which is provided with a pair of integral exhaust flow control valves mounted in one end of the valve base, which meter the exhaust from a pair of exhaust inlet ports formed in the top surface of the valve base into a common exhaust passage, which communicates with a single exhaust outlet port formed in the front surface of the valve base. An electrical junction box is formed in the other end of the valve base.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1988Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Patent number: 4770210Abstract: A manifold stacking base which may selectively provide an integral flow control function, with or without a pressure regulation function, for a fluid pressure valve system, without the need for a sandwich plate or an interface plate between the base and the valve in said system.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1987Date of Patent: September 13, 1988Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Patent number: 4770209Abstract: A valve base for a fluid pressure valve system which is provided with integral exhaust flow control valve means which may be selectively mounted in an end of the valve base, or in a side of the valve base, or with an exhaust flow control valve means in an end of the valve base and another exhaust flow control valve means in a side of the valve base.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1987Date of Patent: September 13, 1988Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4579042Abstract: An air pressure control system for use where a plurality of various sequential and repetitive air pressures are selectively required. A pilot air operated pressure regulator valve having a pilot air operator and a working air flow control valve are connected in series in a pressurized working air conduit between a source of pressurized air and an air cylinder. A pilot air pressure selector circuit means, for selectively and sequentially providing a plurality of pre-set pilot air pressures to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve, includes a plurality of pressurized pilot air conduit means which are connected in parallel with each other, and with one end of each pressurized pilot air conduit means being operatively connected to the source of pressurized air and the other end thereof being operatively connected to the pilot air operator of the pilot air operated pressure regulator valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1984Date of Patent: April 1, 1986Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4574844Abstract: A four-way, poppet valve having a plurality poppet valve elements mounted on a poppet valve spool. The poppet valve spool is movable in one direction by a return spring to a first operative position, whereby one pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a first pair of poppet valve seats to control the flow of pressurized air through the valve from a pressurized air inlet port and out through a first cylinder port and simultaneously to exhaust air entering a second cylinder port. A solenoid means having a floating pole piece is provided for moving the valve spool to a second operative position, whereby a second pair of the poppet valve elements are seated on a second pair of poppet valve seats to reverse the flow of pressurized air through the valve. The flow of exhausting air may be controlled by a pair of flow control valves.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1984Date of Patent: March 11, 1986Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventors: James A. Neff, Richard A. Fagerlie
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Patent number: 4566490Abstract: A four-way directional flow control air valve having a valve spool movable to a first position. A solenoid has a pole piece seated against the valve body adjacent one end of the valve spool. An end of the valve spool is seated against the solenoid pole piece when the valve spool is in the first position. A pusher rod on the valve spool extends through a bore in the pole piece into engagement with a solenoid armature, whereby when the solenoid is energized, the armature moves the pusher rod and the valve spool from the first position to a second position a distance equal to the difference in length between the pole piece and the pusher rod. The valve spool can be moved back alternatively by a return spring or a second solenoid engageable with the other end of the valve spool in the same manner as the first solenoid moves the valve spool to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1981Date of Patent: January 28, 1986Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4522374Abstract: A sliding valve spool and method of making the same for a directional, reversing flow control air valve, such as a four-way valve, a three-way valve, a two-way valve, and the like. A plurality of annular valve members and a pair of annular centering seals are integrally molded on a valve body, in a single molding operation and which function to maintain the center position of the valve spool during use of the same in a valve spool bore in an air valve, and which also provide a sealing function with said bore. The outer, equal diameter peripheries of the molded valve members and the molded annular centering seals are simultaneously ground together with an annular pressure seal groove adjacent each of the annular centering seals.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 1983Date of Patent: June 11, 1985Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4491152Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body and projected through the valve body cover, and having valve elements extended into separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and in the end plates.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1984Date of Patent: January 1, 1985Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4491151Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body in separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and end plates. The pilot air is exhausted through a common pilot air exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves to exhaust ports in the end plates of the stack of valves.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1984Date of Patent: January 1, 1985Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4485846Abstract: A four way, pilot air operated air valve provided with flow control valves in individual exhaust passages in the valve body of the valve. The exhaust flow control valves are mounted in the valve cover. The pair of exhaust passages are connected to a common exhaust passageway which is connected to a single exhaust port in the valve body. The four-way air valve includes a cartridge type pilot air valve. The pilot air for the pilot air valve can be supplied either internally or externally. The pilot air valve is operated by a suitable solenoid.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1982Date of Patent: December 4, 1984Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4465100Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body in separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and end plates. The pilot air is exhausted through a common pilot air exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves to exhaust ports in the end plates of the stack of valves.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1982Date of Patent: August 14, 1984Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff
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Patent number: 4462427Abstract: A four-way stacking air valve with a common exhaust passageway that extends through all of the valves in a stack of valves and a pair of end plates, and with each of the valves being provided with a pair of adjustable flow control valves mounted in the valve body and projected through the valve body cover, and having valve elements extended into separate exhaust passages connected to the common exhaust passageway. A common electrical wire passage extends through all of the valves and end plates in a stack of valves. Each of the valves has a wire tuck chamber in the valve body, on each side of the electrical wire passage. Each of the valves can be operated by one, or two solenoid operated pilot valves. The pilot air valves may employ either internal or external pilot air which is provided through common pilot air supply passageways in the valves and in the end plates.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1982Date of Patent: July 31, 1984Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: James A. Neff