Patents by Inventor Mark Bornand

Mark Bornand 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: 12638089
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein about an axis. An inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body. First and second outlet ports are defined in the valve body extending radially outward from the cylindrical passage. A cylindrical valve spool having a central passage is positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage. The valve spool is moveable along the axis among: a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the first outlet port but not the second outlet port, a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and an intermediate position between the first and second positions wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: MUELLER REFRIGERATION, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Bryant, Gregory S. Wade, Bradley W. Randolph, Mark Bornand, Tyler A. Meador
  • Publication number: 20230407976
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein about an axis. An inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body. First and second outlet ports are defined in the valve body extending radially outward from the cylindrical passage. A cylindrical valve spool having a central passage is positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage. The valve spool is moveable along the axis among: a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the first outlet port but not the second outlet port, a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and an intermediate position between the first and second positions wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Mueller Refrigeration, LLC
    Inventors: RALPH S. BRYANT, GREGORY S. WADE, BRADLEY W. RANDOLPH, MARK BORNAND, TYLER A. MEADOR
  • Patent number: 11719349
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein about an axis. An inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body. First and second outlet ports are defined in the valve body extending radially outward from the cylindrical passage. A cylindrical valve spool having a central passage is positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage. The valve spool is moveable along the axis among: a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the first outlet port but not the second outlet port, a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and an intermediate position between the first and second positions wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MUELLER REFRIGERATION, LLC
    Inventors: Ralph S. Bryant, Gregory S. Wade, Bradley W. Randolph, Mark Bornand, Tyler A. Meador
  • Publication number: 20230151894
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a cylindrical passage therein about an axis. An inlet port is defined in or near a first end of the valve body. First and second outlet ports are defined in the valve body extending radially outward from the cylindrical passage. A cylindrical valve spool having a central passage is positioned within, and sealingly engaged with, the cylindrical passage. The valve spool is moveable along the axis among: a first position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the first outlet port but not the second outlet port, a second position wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with the second outlet port but not the first outlet port, and an intermediate position between the first and second positions wherein the inlet port is in fluid communication with both of the first and second outlet ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Mueller Refrigeration, LLC
    Inventors: RALPH S. BRYANT, GREGORY S. WADE, BRADLEY W. RANDOLPH, MARK BORNAND, TYLER A. MEADOR
  • Patent number: 11614177
    Abstract: A check valve includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, a passage between the inlet and outlet, and a sealing surface along the passage. A piston member is disposed about a longitudinal axis and has a sealing face disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a circular groove defined therein extending inward from the sealing face. An O-ring is disposed in the groove. A biasing member exerts a biasing force on the piston and thus forces the O-ring into sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the housing. The piston member is moveable from a first position in which the O-ring is sealingly engaged with the sealing surface of the housing and thus the outlet is sealed from the inlet, and a second position in which the O-ring is spaced from the sealing surface of the housing and thus the outlet is not sealed from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MUELLER REFRIGERATION, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bornand, Shi Xi Wei
  • Publication number: 20230047890
    Abstract: A check valve includes a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, a passage between the inlet and outlet, and a sealing surface along the passage. A piston member is disposed about a longitudinal axis and has a sealing face disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a circular groove defined therein extending inward from the sealing face. An O-ring is disposed in the groove. A biasing member exerts a biasing force on the piston and thus forces the O-ring into sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the housing. The piston member is moveable from a first position in which the O-ring is sealingly engaged with the sealing surface of the housing and thus the outlet is sealed from the inlet, and a second position in which the O-ring is spaced from the sealing surface of the housing and thus the outlet is not sealed from the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Mueller Refrigeration, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bornand, Shi Xi Wei
  • Patent number: 10865904
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve body and a valve assembly. The valve body includes an elongated, generally tubular portion and a hydroformed stem seat. The stem seat extends generally radially from the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the stem seat are unitary. The valve assembly is coupled to the body at the stem seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MUELLER REFRIGERATION LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bornand, Xin Ming Li, Ralph Davis
  • Publication number: 20200370667
    Abstract: A refrigerant relief valve manifold includes a valve body assembly and a valve member. The valve body assembly defines a lower inlet and a plurality of upper outlets. The valve body assembly further defines a plurality of low pressure drop passages. Each valve body assembly low pressure drop passage extends between the lower inlet and an associated upper outlet. The valve member is movably disposed in the valve body assembly. The valve member defines a plurality of low pressure drop passages. The valve body assembly further includes a plurality of true mountings. Each valve body assembly true mounting defining one the upper outlet. Each valve body assembly true mounting is structured to be coupled to a coupled element such as, but not limited to, a relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Mueller Refrigeration, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bornand, Shi Xi Wei
  • Publication number: 20200080659
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a valve body and a valve assembly. The valve body includes an elongated, generally tubular portion and a hydroformed stem seat. The stem seat extends generally radially from the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the stem seat are unitary. The valve assembly is coupled to the body at the stem seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Mueller Refrigeration, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Bornand, Xin Ming Li, Ralph Davis