Patents by Inventor James R. Willson

James R. Willson 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: 5121899
    Abstract: A fuel control valve construction having a flexible diaphragm defining two chambers that are disposed on opposite sides of the diaphragm that carries a main valve member that is urged in a direction to close a main valve seat by a spring, and a control unit interconnected to an inlet and an outlet and to the chambers and being adapted to interconnect the inlet to one of the two chambers and the outlet to the other of the two chambers to move the diaphragm to a first position that causes the main valve member to close the main valve seat whereby inlet pressure in the one chamber will generate an additional seating force on the main valve member to ensure a tight closure of the main valve seat and adapted to interconnect the inlet to the other of the two chambers and the outlet to the one of the two chambers to move the diaphragm to a second position that causes the main valve member to open the main valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James R. Willson
  • Patent number: 5071066
    Abstract: A valve apparatus including a housing having a plastic body defining an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and a fluid communication path and an abutment surface therebetween; a valve seat movably disposed in the communication path and adapted to engage the abutment surface, the seat defining a surface area exposed to fluid pressure at the inlet opening and a valve opening in the communication path; a valve adapted for movement between a closed position engaging the valve seat and closing the valve opening and an open position separated from the valve seat and opening the valve opening; and a bias means exerting between the housing and the valve a given force biasing the valve into the closed position. Pressure below a predetermined level at the inlet opening exerts on the surface area a force that moves the valve seat away from the abutment surface and exerts on the valve a force less than the given force and in opposition thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: James R. Willson
  • Patent number: 4802507
    Abstract: A gas flow control device including a body means defining an inlet, an outlet and a gas flow passage therebetween a main valve disposed in the passage and comprising a primary valve movable between a closed position that prevents flow through the passage and an open position that permits flow therethrough; a primary diaphragm operably connected to the primary valve and supported by the body means, the primary diaphragm defining within the body and separating a primary reference chamber from a primary regulator chamber located in the passage and the pressure in the primary reference chamber exerting a force tending to open the primary valve; and a primary bias means biasing the primary valve toward its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Willson
  • Patent number: 4600909
    Abstract: A miniature electromagnetic relay having a magnetic block and at least two sets of stationary electrical contacts. A moveable contact arm having a mounting end positioned in a base and two contact carrying portions extending from the mounting end. The improvement including a center tab portion on the moveable contact arm extending from the mounting end, between the extending contact carrying portions, and at a distance less than said contact carrying portions. The switching of the moveable arm from one set of electrical contacts to the opposite set being caused by the controlled energization of the magnetic block, which engages the tab of the moveable arm, causing closure of both contact carrying portions with the stationary electrical contacts at a lower electromagnetic force requirement and causing a more consistent relay operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: AMF Incorporated
    Inventor: James R. Willson
  • Patent number: 4323764
    Abstract: A control system for a heating unit that has controls for comparing a variable electrical signal that has a value in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and a selected electrical signal that has a value in relation to a selected temperature setting to control the operation of the heating unit to tend to produce an output temperature substantially equal to the selected temperature, the controls including a control device having a rod and tube temperature sensing unit for providing linear motion of a part thereof in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit and having a potentiometer provided with an electrical output producing part operatively interconnected to the movable part of the rod and tube unit so as to produce the variable electrical signal in relation to the output temperature of the heating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: James R. Willson, William H. Conway, William N. Smith
  • Patent number: 4028736
    Abstract: A motor protection circuit has a current sensing means connected in series with a contactor winding energization circuit for sensing current flow to initiate operation of a delay after break circuit or to maintain an oil pressure protection circuit unoperated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventors: James R. Willson, Hugh J. Tyler
  • Patent number: 3969656
    Abstract: An electric igniter assembly including a casing in which the major length of the igniter element is enclosed so that only a small portion is disposed in proximity to a gas burner; the electrical connectors for the igniter element and the electrodes that are attached to power leads are disposed remote from the flame issuing from the gas burner as well as being fixedly supported in the casing which includes shock absorbent material to reduce possibilities of breakage of the igniter element. A shield mounted upon the casing surrounds the igniter element so as to readily enable direct ignition of the gas burner and thereafter protect the igniter from direct burner flame impingement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Richard K. Mitts, Wilbur F. Jackson, James R. Willson
  • Patent number: 3931560
    Abstract: A control system for a motor having a required oil pressure for the safe operation thereof, the system having a time delay switch for interconnecting an electrical source to the motor to operate the same each time the time delay switch is initially activated by being placed across the power source. The time delay switch has a time delay bimetal means that is adapted to move and open the switch if the oil pressure of the motor does not reach the required value within a predetermined time period from the initial activation of the time delay switch. An oil pressure responsive switch is operatively interconnected to the time delay bimetal means and to the motor to terminate the switch opening movement of the time delay bimetal means if the oil pressure reaches the predetermined value thereof during the predetermined time period so that the motor will be continuously operated as long as the system is not manually or automatically turned off or the oil pressure does not fall below the predetermined value thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1973
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James R. Willson