Patents by Inventor John L. Bernard

John L. Bernard 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).

  • Flapper valve
    Patent number: 9745822
    Abstract: A flapper valve includes a valve body having a hinge member. A flapper is pivotally mounted to the valve body through the hinge member. At least one of the valve body and the flapper includes a multi-stage valve seat. The multi-stage valve seat includes a first sealing zone and a second sealing zone that is distinct from the first sealing zone. The first sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a first pressure and the second sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair
  • FLAPPER VALVE
    Publication number: 20160273306
    Abstract: A flapper valve includes a valve body having a hinge member. A flapper is pivotally mounted to the valve body through the hinge member. At least one of the valve body and the flapper includes a multi-stage valve seat. The multi-stage valve seat includes a first sealing zone and a second sealing zone that is distinct from the first sealing zone. The first sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a first pressure and the second sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair