Patents by Inventor Jimmie Lee Snowbarger

Jimmie Lee Snowbarger 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).

  • Valve positioner with overpressure protection capabilities
    Patent number: 10007279
    Abstract: A method of limiting control pressure provided to an actuator of a valve coupled to a valve positioner, a drive signal is provided to a pneumatic stage of the valve positioner. The pneumatic stage is arranged to control output pressure of the valve positioner in accordance with the drive signal. A pressure measurement from a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve positioner is obtained, and an abnormal pressure is detected based on the pressure measurement. In response to detecting the abnormal pressure, the drive signal is controlled so as to limit the output pressure of the valve positioner, wherein the output pressure provides control pressure to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Frederick Grumstrup, Lorin Dion Miller, Jimmie Lee Snowbarger, Adam Joseph Wittkop
  • VALVE POSITIONER WITH OVERPRESSURE PROTECTION CAPABILITIES
    Publication number: 20170023954
    Abstract: A method of limiting control pressure provided to an actuator of a valve coupled to a valve positioner, a drive signal is provided to a pneumatic stage of the valve positioner. The pneumatic stage is arranged to control output pressure of the valve positioner in accordance with the drive signal. A pressure measurement from a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve positioner is obtained, and an abnormal pressure is detected based on the pressure measurement. In response to detecting the abnormal pressure, the drive signal is controlled so as to limit the output pressure of the valve positioner, wherein the output pressure provides control pressure to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Bruce Frederick Grumstrup, Lorin Dion Miller, Jimmie Lee Snowbarger, Adam Joseph Wittkop
  • Valve positioner with overpressure protection capabilities
    Patent number: 9465391
    Abstract: A method of limiting control pressure provided to an actuator of a valve coupled to a valve positioner, a drive signal is provided to a pneumatic stage of the valve positioner. The pneumatic stage is arranged to control output pressure of the valve positioner in accordance with the drive signal. A pressure measurement from a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve positioner is obtained, and an abnormal pressure is detected based on the pressure measurement. In response to detecting the abnormal pressure, the drive signal is controlled so as to limit the output pressure of the valve positioner, wherein the output pressure provides control pressure to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Frederick Grumstrup, Lorin Dion Miller, Jimmie Lee Snowbarger, Adam Joseph Wittkop