Patents by Inventor James C. Hawkins

James C. Hawkins 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: 20090260697
    Abstract: A gas regulator includes an actuator, a regulator valve, and a secondary device. Downstream pressure feedback is provided to the actuator and the secondary device via a Pitot tube disposed within an outlet of the regulator valve. The Pitot tube has a first branch having an end connected to the actuator to place the actuator control cavity and diaphragm in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for maintaining the outlet pressure at an actuator setpoint pressure. The Pitot tube also has a second branch having an end connected to the secondary device to place the interior of the secondary device in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for responding to changes in the downstream pressure when the outlet pressure diverges from a predetermined normal operating pressure range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason S. Mevius, James C. Hawkins, Seth A. Kranz, Gregory L. Foust
  • Publication number: 20080258095
    Abstract: A gas regulator comprises an actuator and a valve body, wherein the actuator includes a valve disc with a cylindrical shroud that extends beyond the valve disc to direct the flow of fluid through the regulator toward the outlet of the valve and away from the actuator. This configuration advantageously reduces the amount of pressure drop experienced by the actuator during normal operation, thereby minimizing a phenomenon known as “droop.” At least in one embodiment, the shroud can be adjustable and/or removable to allow the regulator to be tuned for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James C. Hawkins, Jason S. Mevius, Neal A. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20080258099
    Abstract: A fluid regulating device comprises an actuator with upper and lower housing components. The upper and lower housing components are secured together at mating flanges via a plurality of fasteners. The upper housing component is formed with a vent to contain a relief valve, which exhausts fluid to the atmosphere under overpressure conditions. The upper housing component is constructed such that it does not require a pedestal or fins extending between the vent and the flange, which advantageously provides a completely unobstructed, continuous, ring-shaped flange for receiving and manipulating the fasteners during assembly and/or maintenance of the regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: James C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20080258096
    Abstract: A gas regulator includes an actuator, a valve, and a cartridge disposed within the valve to advantageously direct, or “boost,” fluid downstream and away from the actuator under normal operating conditions, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the regulator. The cartridge includes a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. During normal operation, the first portion receives a valve disc of the actuator within generally tight tolerances such that the valve disc and the cartridge restrict fluid communication between the valve and the actuator. This directs or “boosts” the gas toward the outlet of the valve. Additionally, during a relief operation, the second portion of the cartridge receives the valve disc to allow the free flow of gas to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: James C. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20080257427
    Abstract: A regulator comprises a regulator valve and an actuator. The regulator valve comprises a valve body equipped with a customized valve port. That is, the valve seat is designed to have a customized seat height depending on a diameter of an orifice through the valve port, a longitudinal dimension of an orifice through the valve port, and/or a flow capacity of the valve port. Such a design advantageously maximizes the efficiency at which gas flows through the regulator. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and comprises a valve disc disposed within the valve body and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Jun Y. Zhang, James C. Hawkins, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 6536469
    Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for use with a magnetic flux sensor to provide a position sensor adapted to detect a position of a moveable member. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet housing defining an inner surface. A magnet is provided that is sized for insertion into the magnet housing and adapted for movement with the moveable member, the magnet having a north pole and a south pole, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic flux. A centering ring is positioned between the magnet and the magnet housing, the centering ring including a biased wall acting to center the magnet in the magnet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
  • Publication number: 20020007854
    Abstract: A magnet assembly is disclosed for use with a magnetic flux sensor to provide a position sensor adapted to detect a position of a moveable member. The magnet assembly comprises a magnet housing defining an inner surface. A magnet is provided that is sized for insertion into the magnet housing and adapted for movement with the moveable member, the magnet having a north pole and a south pole, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic flux. A centering ring is positioned between the magnet and the magnet housing, the centering ring including a biased wall acting to center the magnet in the magnet housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: John P. Dilger, Donald P. Pepperling, Nile K. Dielschneider, James C. Hawkins, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 5388865
    Abstract: A vent piping coupler for coupling vent piping to a threaded vent outlet of a pressure regulator or other venting device to vent the device vent outlet to a remote location. A coupler body with a first threaded section for threadably mounting into the vent outlet, a locking ring with projecting tabs to grip into the vent outlet, and a lock nut threadably mounts to a second threaded section on the coupler body which includes a slot. The lock ring has an anti-rotation tab engaged in the slot to lock the coupler body in position on the vent outlet when the lock nut is tightened. A grip ring with inwardly angled teeth is crimp mounted at the other coupler body end to insertably receive a vent piping which is locked in position by the angled teeth. Respective O-rings may be used to seal the coupler body to the vent outlet and to the vent piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4889158
    Abstract: A regulator valve includes a spring casing and a lower casing sandwiching a diaphragm. A cylindrical orifice tube defines an inlet and terminates short of an in-line outlet port. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes cam surfaces for directly engaging a movable disk holder. The disk holder moves in a straight line in the orifice tube and the cam surfaces move the holder at a non linear rate with respect to the diaphragm. The distal portion of the orifice tube houses a boost mechanism. A movable piston in the inlet side of the orifice tube has two pairs of spirally converging grooves on its inner surface for supporting a pair of flat gates that are rotated relative to each other to vary flow area when the piston moves responsive to differences between the inlet pressure and the pressure on the underside of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Rice, James C. Hawkins, Stanley D. Hall
  • Patent number: D464582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. Pepperling, Jon B. Milliken, Richard J. Vanderah, James C. Hawkins