Patents by Inventor John A. Tomasko
John A. Tomasko 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: 6446653Abstract: An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donall Cullinane, John Daly, Stephen Farwell, Greg Klein, Barry Lowe, Mitch Rooker, John Tomasko, Geof Brazier
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Publication number: 20010052358Abstract: An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: December 20, 2001Applicant: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donall Cullinane, John Daly, Stephen Farwell, Greg Klein, Barry Lowe, Mitch Rooker, John Tomasko, Geof Brazier
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Patent number: 6321582Abstract: An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donall Cullinane, John Daly, Stephen Farwell, Greg Klein, Barry Lowe, Mitch Rooker, John Tomasko, Geof Brazier
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Publication number: 20010011471Abstract: An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of to the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2001Publication date: August 9, 2001Applicant: BS&S Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donall Cullinane, John Daly, Stephen Farwell, Greg Klein, Barry Lowe, Mitch Rooker, John Tomasko, Geof Brazier
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Patent number: 6178983Abstract: An improved rupture disk assembly for a pressure relief system is disclosed. The rupture disk assembly is sealed between an inlet support member and an outlet support member, each of which define a central fluid pathway. A rupture disk that includes a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area is sealed between the support members. The rupturable portion may include an indentation positioned at the apex of the dome and a score line having a first and a second end. A safety member that has a hinge including a knuckle and a tongue is positioned between the rupture disk and the outlet support member. The knuckle extends downwardly into the dome and extends laterally across the dome to a point that is inside the area circumscribed by the score line or inside the area circumscribed by an arc connecting the two ends of the score line.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donall Culliinane, John Daly, Stephen Farwell, Barry Lowe, Mitch Rooker, John Tomasko
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Patent number: 6098495Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting a valve in a housing. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. A linearizing mechanism converts the forces exerted on the release mechanism by the shaft into a linear force. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft and the linear force exerted on the release mechanism exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the valve and the housing in the closed position of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhenggang Wang, John A. Tomasko, Stephen P. Farwell
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Patent number: 5984269Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting the valve in a housing, the mounting mechanism including a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the housing and the valve in the closed position. The seal has a first portion secured to the housing on a first side of the rotational axis of the valve, a second portion secured to the valve on a second side of the rotational axis, a first transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis, and a second transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1996Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward H. Short, III, John A. Tomasko, Stephen P. Farwell
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Patent number: 5947445Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting a valve in a housing. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. A linearizing mechanism converts the forces exerted on the release mechanism by the shaft into a linear force. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft and the linear force exerted on the release mechanism exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the valve and the housing in the closed position of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1996Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Zhenggang Wang, John A. Tomasko, Stephen P. Farwell
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Patent number: 5607140Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting the valve in a housing, the mounting mechanism including a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the housing and the valve in the closed position. The seal has a first portion secured to the housing on a first side of the rotational axis of the valve, a second portion secured to the valve on a second side of the rotational axis, a first transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis, and a second transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward H. Short, III, John A. Tomasko, Stephen P. Farwell
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Patent number: 5499649Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure surge resistant rupture disk assembly adapted to be sealingly clamped across a pressurized fluid containing passageway. The assembly basically comprises first and second rupture members having predetermined rupture pressures and means disposed between the first and second rupture members for providing a space for containing pressurized fluid within the assembly and for supporting the second rupture member against the first rupture member during a momentary pressure surge. The second rupture member faces the pressurized fluid and has at least one opening therein for allowing a restricted pressurized fluid flow therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: John A. Tomasko, Stephen P. Farwell
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Patent number: 5368180Abstract: An improved pressure relieving rupture disk assembly is provided which includes a rupture disk having at least one perforation therein. The perforation at least partially defines a blow-out part in the rupture disk which opens and relieves pressure therethrough when the perforation is sealed and a pressure differential of predetermined magnitude is exerted on the rupture disk. A sealing member is positioned over the perforation in the rupture disk for sealing the perforation when a pressure differential is exerted on the rupture disk.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Stephen P. Farwell, Edward H. Short, III, John A. Tomasko
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Patent number: 5155471Abstract: An ultra low pressure flow sensor consisting of a support gasket defining a flow way and having a thin, pliable membrane extending thereacross with right angle slits formed totally across the flow way portion. An electrical conductor strip is then bonded across each pair of opposing quadrants of the membrane in continuous connection to an electrical indicator circuit. The conductor strip across each pair of membranes is centrally notched to a preselected depth of cut thereby to adjust the flow pressure break strength.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Jim E. Ellis, John A. Tomasko, Mitchel L. Rooker