Patents by Inventor Leonard T. Armstrong

Leonard T. Armstrong 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: 11454308
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and an eddy current brake coupled to the output through the transmission that reduces a speed at which the second driving source moves the output to the fail-safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NELES USA Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20220163102
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and an eddy current brake coupled to the output through the transmission that reduces a speed at which the second driving source moves the output to the fail-safe position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: NELES USA Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. ARMSTRONG
  • Patent number: 10480633
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a fail-safe mode of operation. The electric actuator includes a mechanical stop coupled to the output through the transmission, and a brake coupled to the second driving source through the transmission, the brake being engaged to establish the first pathway through the transmission between the first driving source and the output, the brake being disengaged to establish the second pathway through the transmission between the second driving source and the output, and the mechanical stop being engaged to restrict the output from rotating beyond the fail-safe position and the brake being disengaged to establish the third pathway through the transmission between the first driving source and the second driving source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: METSO FLOW CONTROL USA INC.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20190120359
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a fail-safe mode of operation. The electric actuator includes a mechanical stop coupled to the output through the transmission, and a brake coupled to the second driving source through the transmission, the brake being engaged to establish the first pathway through the transmission between the first driving source and the output, the brake being disengaged to establish the second pathway through the transmission between the second driving source and the output, and the mechanical stop being engaged to restrict the output from rotating beyond the fail-safe position and the brake being disengaged to establish the third pathway through the transmission between the first driving source and the second driving source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Metso Flow Control USA INC.
    Inventor: Leonard T. ARMSTRONG
  • Patent number: 10197141
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and a switching controller that is configured to control switching the transmission between the first pathway, the second pathway, and the third pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: METSO FLOW CONTROL USA INC.
    Inventor: Leonard T. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20170122420
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and a switching controller that is configured to control switching the transmission between the first pathway, the second pathway, and the third pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Metso Automation USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard T. ARMSTRONG
  • Patent number: 5503406
    Abstract: A valve having an assembly for live loading of the packings of the valve. The assembly includes a plurality of large belleville disk springs arranged such that the shaft or stem of the valve extends through the center of the belleville springs, with threaded studs arranged symmetrically with respect to the valve shaft also extending through the belleville springs. Utilizing the larger spring arrangement, a smaller number of springs are required, and favorable deflection characteristics are provided. Preferably, a compression ring is provided having a portion extending up through the belleville disk springs, with this portion including a visual indicator thereon which provides a visual indication that a desired load is achieved as the springs are loaded via hex nuts provided on the threaded studs of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Neles-Jamesbury
    Inventors: Leonard T. Armstrong, Raymond P. Champagne, John M. Cory, Anthony P. Lennon