Patents by Inventor John G. Graves

John G. Graves 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: 8410947
    Abstract: A leak detection system for a pressurized pipeline used in conjunction with a fluid control valve having an electric actuator or with an alarm signaling device. The leak detection system includes a chamber surrounding the pipeline. A normally flat or planar thin sheet of material has a pair of opposed ends brought together to form a cylinder around the pipeline so that the sheet has a spring force when in a cylindrical position to a normal flat position. A seal between the cylinder and the pipeline forms a closed chamber around the pipeline. At least one fastener holds the opposed ends of the sheet together in the cylindrical position unless the force overcomes the fastener. A switch detects movement of the cylinder toward the flat position and the switch is connected to the actuator in order to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventors: John G. Graves, Edward H. Short, III
  • Patent number: 5551479
    Abstract: A combustion ball and check valve for control of fluids through a conduit includes a unitary valve housing having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough, a ball valve closure member disposed within the housing adjacent a first end thereof and a one-way closure member disposed within the housing adjacent a second end thereof, and in relative close proximity to the ball closure member. The combination ball and check valve provides savings in weight, space and cost over conventional separate valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 5161491
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine which includes a system to deliver a combustible mixture to a cylinder, ignite the combustible mixture and exhaust the mixture after ignition. The internal combustion engine comprises at least one piston capable of reciprocating within the cylinder, each piston having an interior cylindrical surface and a continuous, wave-shaped groove recessed into the interior cylindrical surface. A rotatable crankshaft passes concentrically through the cylinder and through the piston. At least one crank member extends radially from the crankshaft and is received in the wave-shaped groove. The piston is prevented from rotating while being allowed to reciprocate so that the force of combustion causes movement of the piston thereby causing rotation of the crank member and rotation of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 5052587
    Abstract: A water gun, water pump, or the like which includes a housing having a reservoir for fluid. A chamber within the housing has a plunger slidably and sealably received within the chamber. A valve is in operable position with respect to the chamber whereby in a first orientation of the housing, displacement of the plunger evacuates fluid from the reservoir and forces fluid through the chamber in a first direction and in a second orientation of the housing, displacement of the plunger forces fluid through the chamber in a second direction and fills the reservoir with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 5004005
    Abstract: A combination valve formed of a valve body having a flow passageway therethrough and an opening in the top communicating with the passageway. A rotating member is received in the body, within the flow passageway, the rotating member having a flow passageway therethrough which is alignable with the passageway in the body and having a top opening therein communicating with the passageway through the rotating member. A checking mechanism is supported within the rotating member and moveable from a closed position blocking the passageway therethrough to an open position. A bonnet removably closes the body top opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 4969484
    Abstract: A reversible flow check valve includes a valve body and a clapper extending across a flow passageway. A mechanism is provided to retract the clapper to permit essentially unobstructed fluid flow through the flow passageway. Further, mechanisms are provided for rotating the clapper to a first position or an opposite second position or an intermediate position to permit fluid flow in either direction. The retraction of the clapper permits the valve seats and seals to be unaffected by the rotation of the clapper, thereby preventing damage to the internal sealing mechanisms of the valve when the flow direction of the valve is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 4960369
    Abstract: A rotatably driven positive displacement pump including a tubular conduit with a barrel communicating therewith, the barrel having a plurality of pairs of spaced apart fluid inlet and fluid outlet ports, each port being controlled by a unidirectional valve, a piston reciprocally supported within the barrel between each pair of inlet and outlet ports, each piston being tubular and having a continuous substantially sinusoidal wave-shaped groove in the interior surface and a groove in the exterior surface in a plane of the piston cylindrical axis, a pin extending from the side wall for each piston and into the exterior groove to permit axial displacement, but limiting the rotation of the piston, a drive shaft rotatably received within the barrel and within each piston opening and a crank member affixed to the drive shaft for each piston and extending within the wave-shaped groove in the internal surface of the piston so that as the crank shaft is rotated, the pistons are axially displaced within the barrel and a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: John G. Graves
  • Patent number: 4928725
    Abstract: A combination plug and two-way check valve formed of a valve body having a flow passageway therethrough, the body having an opening in the top communicating with the passageway, first and second valve seats in the body, a ball member rotatably received in the body between the seats, the ball having a flow passageway therethrough which is alignable with the passageways in the seats and having a top opening therein communicating with the passageway through the ball, a clapper pivotally supported within the ball and pivotal in a closed position blocking the passageway therethrough in an open position, a bonnet removably closing the body top opening, a stem rotatably received in the bonnet having the inner end connected to the ball, the ball being thereby rotatable to permit the flow of fluid in one direction, the clapper blocking flow of fluid in the opposite direction, and by rotating the ball 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Inventor: John G. Graves