Patents by Inventor Kenneth B. Fontaine

Kenneth B. Fontaine 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 position monitor and control system
    Patent number: 4376450
    Abstract: A valve position monitoring and control system incorporates a proximity sensor positioned near a movable valve element to detect the operational position of the valve and includes circuit means coupled to a valve actuating solenoid for deactivating the solenoid in the event the valve fails to respond to command signals for positioning the valve in a predetermined position. In one embodiment, the system incorporates a pair of series connected valves used in presses which valves in turn are operated by solenoid actuated pilot valves. In the event either one of the valves do not operate either by opening within a predetermined time after actuation or closing within a predetermined time after their deactuation, the system of the present invention will not permit further operation of the valves until the system has been manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Scovill Manufacturing Co. - Scovill, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Fayfield, Kenneth B. Fontaine
  • Valve position monitor and control system
    Patent number: 4369401
    Abstract: A valve position monitoring and control system incorporates a proximity sensor positioned near a movable valve element to detect the operational position of the valve and includes circuit means coupled to a valve actuating solenoid for deactivating the solenoid in the event the valve fails to respond to command signals for positioning the valve in a predetermined position. In one embodiment, the system incorporates a pair of series connected valves used in presses which valves in turn are operated by solenoid actuated pilot valves. In the event either one of the valves do not operate either by opening within a predetermined time after actuation or closing within a predetermined time after their deactuation, the system of the present invention will not permit further operation of the valves until the system has been manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Scovill Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert W. Fayfield, Kenneth B. Fontaine