Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Simmonds

Jeffrey Simmonds 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: 20240093790
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that includes a valve assembly including valve body that defines an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, and including a poppet located in the valve body that includes a valve member. An actuator assembly is attached to the valve assembly that includes an armature that is coupled to the poppet and is configured to move the poppet and the valve member to control a flow of fluid through the valve assembly from the inlet to either the first outlet or the second outlet. A diaphragm is located between valve assembly and the actuator assembly that is configured to seal the valve assembly from the actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey SIMMONDS, Brett LANDACRE
  • Patent number: 11859729
    Abstract: A valve including a valve assembly and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly is coupled to the valve assembly to actuate the valve assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a movable armature engaged with a poppet of the valve assembly. A plate spring having a spring force is positioned between the valve assembly and the solenoid assembly that is configured to bias the valve member of the poppet into engagement with a valve seat. Based on the spring force of the plate spring and the voltage or current that is applied to the solenoid coil, the solenoid assembly is configured to control a distance that the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to proportionally control an amount of flow that is permitted through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Janssen, Jeffrey Simmonds, Brett Landacre
  • Patent number: 11779872
    Abstract: A pulse valve assembly including a main valve and a pilot valve that selectively actuates the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Jenkins, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds, Kevin C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20230204110
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that includes a valve assembly including a valve retainer body that houses a movable poppet that defines a valve member that is configured to contact a conically shaped valve seat of the valve retainer body; and a motor assembly including a rotatable shaft that is configured to actuate the valve assembly; wherein the rotatable shaft includes a thread formed at an end thereof, the thread being engaged with a sleeve that through rotation of the thread by the rotatable shaft will translate the sleeve towards and away from the movable poppet to transfer an axial force to the poppet that forces the valve member into engagement and disengagement with the valve seat to open and close the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. SOBKA, JR., Jeffrey SIMMONDS
  • Publication number: 20220196178
    Abstract: A valve including a valve assembly and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly is coupled to the valve assembly to actuate the valve assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a movable armature engaged with a poppet of the valve assembly. A plate spring having a spring force is positioned between the valve assembly and the solenoid assembly that is configured to bias the valve member of the poppet into engagement with a valve seat. Based on the spring force of the plate spring and the voltage or current that is applied to the solenoid coil, the solenoid assembly is configured to control a distance that the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to proportionally control an amount of flow that is permitted through the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Eric P. JANSSEN, Jeffrey SIMMONDS, Brett LANDACRE
  • Patent number: 11248715
    Abstract: A valve including a valve assembly and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly is coupled to the valve assembly to actuate the valve assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a movable armature engaged with a poppet of the valve assembly. A plate spring having a spring force is positioned between the valve assembly and the solenoid assembly that is configured to bias the valve member of the poppet into engagement with a valve seat. Based on the spring force of the plate spring and the voltage or current that is applied to the solenoid coil, the solenoid assembly is configured to control a distance that the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to proportionally control an amount of flow that is permitted through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Janssen, Jeffrey Simmonds, Brett Landacre
  • Patent number: 11028837
    Abstract: A solenoid pump that includes a base and a solenoid having a coil and a pole piece. A retainer body, positioned inside the solenoid and the base, includes an armature cavity that receives an armature in a sliding fit for movement between energized and de-energized positions. A diaphragm, mounted in the armature cavity, is connected to the armature. An inlet check valve permits fluid flow in only a first direction moving from an inlet port toward the diaphragm. An outlet check valve permits fluid flow in only a second direction moving from the diaphragm toward an outlet port. A fluid flow path extends through the retainer body from the inlet check valve to the diaphragm and from the diaphragm to the outlet check valve for transporting fluid from the inlet check valve to the outlet check valve as the diaphragm oscillates between first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Landacre, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20210077937
    Abstract: A pulse valve assembly including a main valve and a pilot valve that selectively actuates the main valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Ray JENKINS, Matthew NEFF, Jeffrey SIMMONDS, Kevin C. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 10774943
    Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve including a valve body, a valve member slidingly received in the valve body, and a solenoid that moves the valve member relative to the valve body along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The valve body has an end face, a side face, and an inner bore. An outlet port in the end face is disposed in fluid communication with the inner bore. An inlet port in the side face is disposed in fluid communication with the inner bore. The valve body includes an O-ring valve seat that is positioned longitudinally between the inner bore and the outlet port. The valve member includes a tapered end that has a frustoconical shape and a valve member abutment surface. The valve member abutment surface contacts the O-ring valve seat when the valve member is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Anthony Landacre, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Patent number: 10753498
    Abstract: A valve including a housing, a valve seat provided in the housing, and an armature assembly positioned in the housing proximate the valve seat. The armature assembly is movable towards and away from the valve seat, and includes a first armature, and a second armature that is movable relative to the first armature. The valve also includes a coil that is configured to actuate the armature assembly away from the valve seat to open the valve, wherein upon application of a first current to the coil, the first armature and the second armature are each actuated away from the valve seat to a first open state, and upon application of a second current that is greater than the first current to the coil, the second armature is actuated away from the first armature to a second open state that is greater than the first open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Anthony Landacre, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Patent number: 10731677
    Abstract: A pneumatic control valve manifold assembly including a modular manifold segment with first and second valve receiving bores, inlet and exhaust cavities, and fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment has a mating face and a back-side face. The fluid passageways are arranged in fluid communication with the first and second valve receiving bores, are open to the modular manifold segment mating face, and have multiple configurations. The modular manifold segment mating face includes an abutment surface surrounding the fluid passageways that has a plurality of shapes depending upon the configuration of the fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment back-side face includes a plurality of sealing ribs arranged in a pattern that universally mates with each of the different shapes of the abutment surface such that multiple modular manifold segments with different fluid passageways can be stacked next to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jamison, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20200240540
    Abstract: A solenoid pump that includes a base and a solenoid having a coil and a pole piece. A retainer body, positioned inside the solenoid and the base, includes an armature cavity that receives an armature in a sliding fit for movement between energized and de-energized positions. A diaphragm, mounted in the armature cavity, is connected to the armature. An inlet check valve permits fluid flow in only a first direction moving from an inlet port toward the diaphragm. An outlet check valve permits fluid flow in only a second direction moving from the diaphragm toward an outlet port. A fluid flow path extends through the retainer body from the inlet check valve to the diaphragm and from the diaphragm to the outlet check valve for transporting fluid from the inlet check valve to the outlet check valve as the diaphragm oscillates between first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Brett Anthony Landacre, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20190316704
    Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve including a valve body, a valve member slidingly received in the valve body, and a solenoid that moves the valve member relative to the valve body along a longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The valve body has an end face, a side face, and an inner bore. An outlet port in the end face is disposed in fluid communication with the inner bore. An inlet port in the side face is disposed in fluid communication with the inner bore. The valve body includes an O-ring valve seat that is positioned longitudinally between the inner bore and the outlet port. The valve member includes a tapered end that has a frustoconical shape and a valve member abutment surface. The valve member abutment surface contacts the O-ring valve seat when the valve member is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Brett Anthony Landacre, Matthew Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20190226598
    Abstract: A valve including a housing, a valve seat provided in the housing, and an armature assembly positioned in the housing proximate the valve seat. The armature assembly is movable towards and away from the valve seat, and includes a first armature, and a second armature that is movable relative to the first armature. The valve also includes a coil that is configured to actuate the armature assembly away from the valve seat to open the valve, wherein upon application of a first current to the coil, the first armature and the second armature are each actuated away from the valve seat to a first open state, and upon application of a second current that is greater than the first current to the coil, the second armature is actuated away from the first armature to a second open state that is greater than the first open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Brett Anthony LANDACRE, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20190195246
    Abstract: A pneumatic control valve manifold assembly including a modular manifold segment with first and second valve receiving bores, inlet and exhaust cavities, and fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment has a mating face and a back-side face. The fluid passageways are arranged in fluid communication with the first and second valve receiving bores, are open to the modular manifold segment mating face, and have multiple configurations. The modular manifold segment mating face includes an abutment surface surrounding the fluid passageways that has a plurality of shapes depending upon the configuration of the fluid passageways. The modular manifold segment back-side face includes a plurality of sealing ribs arranged in a pattern that universally mates with each of the different shapes of the abutment surface such that multiple modular manifold segments with different fluid passageways can be stacked next to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jamison, Matthew NEFF, Jeffrey SIMMONDS
  • Patent number: 9395010
    Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jamison, Jeffrey Simmonds, Kevin C. Williams
  • Patent number: 9074699
    Abstract: A normally open solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body receiving a coil and pole piece. A polymeric material valve body portion is releasably connected to the solenoid body. An armature/valve member slidably disposed in both the solenoid body and the valve body portion has a male threaded end shank. A polymeric material thread-in poppet/valve member includes an internal threaded portion engaging the male threaded end shank to retain the thread-in poppet/valve member on the armature/valve member. A resilient material valve ring is retained on the thread-in poppet/valve member. A cylindrical tube portion receives an armature/valve member rod portion. A biasing member acts against the armature/valve member and thereby acts to normally bias the valve ring away from contact with a valve seat surface created in the valve body portion defining a modular valve normally open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jamison, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Patent number: 9010373
    Abstract: A diaphragm sealed, pressure balanced valve assembly includes a valve body and a cartridge connected to the valve body. The cartridge includes a cartridge loading end having a retaining member engaged to the cartridge loading end. A valve member slides coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the valve body. A resilient material first diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member having a diaphragm body clasped between the retaining member and the cartridge loading end, creating a first diaphragm fluid pressure boundary. A resilient material second diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member at an opposite end of the valve member with respect to the first diaphragm and has a diaphragm body clasped between first and second adjustable retention members, creating a second diaphragm fluid pressure boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20140332093
    Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael JAMISON, Jeffrey Simmonds, Kevin C. Williams
  • Patent number: 8783653
    Abstract: A solenoid operated modular valve includes a solenoid body having a coil and a pole piece positioned in the solenoid body. A valve body cartridge is connected to the solenoid body. A polymeric snap-in seat assembly includes first and second deflectable claw arms each having a barb engaging the valve body cartridge retaining the snap-in seat assembly in direct contact with the valve body cartridge. A seat engagement face when contacted by a valve seal member defines a valve closed position, and is displaced away from the seat engagement face in a valve open position when the coil is energized. A valve body cartridge body end portion includes a barb engagement face having pitched contact edges each having a continuous pitch directly contacted by the barb of the first and second deflectable claw arms to rotatably and frictionally lock the snap-in seat assembly to the valve body cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Jamison, Jeffrey Simmonds, Kevin C. Williams