Patents by Inventor Kevin R. Douglas

Kevin R. Douglas 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).

  • Publication number: 20110132484
    Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: William O. Teach, James C. Laski, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Kevin R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 7946308
    Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: AFA Controls LLC
    Inventors: William O. Teach, James C. Laski, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Kevin R. Douglas
  • Publication number: 20100236644
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin R. Douglas, William O. Teach, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Scott H. Goodwin, David E. Dausch, Wayne D. Dettloff
  • Patent number: 7753072
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AFA Controls LLC
    Inventors: Kevin R. Douglas, William O. Teach, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Scott H. Goodwin, David E. Dausch, Wayne D. Dettloff
  • Publication number: 20090032112
    Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: William O. Teach, James C. Laski, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Kevin R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 7448412
    Abstract: A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: AFA Controls LLC
    Inventors: William O. Teach, James C. Laski, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Kevin R. Douglas
  • Patent number: 5957029
    Abstract: A linear thruster is disclosed in which a load beam is linearly moved by fluid power relative to a guide beam and a piston. The beams are multisided in cross-section to substantially increase the linear bearing area between the bodies and, thereby, substantially increase the strength of the linear thruster against side forces as well as moments to which the linear thruster might subjected. Internal positioning of the components and energy transmission are maximized and the stroke may be variably adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Bimba Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Peter W. Boyer, Steven J. Breese, Daniel L. Choisser, Kevin R. Douglas, David S. Harris, John W. Langer, Michael T. Starr, Mark A. Tichgelaar