Patents by Inventor Mark H. Stark

Mark H. Stark 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: 8539978
    Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a combustion apparatus includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a signal input to a coil, for varying a high-capacity gas flow rate through the valve unit. The valve unit includes a first opening port, a second opening port that is smaller than the first opening port, and a closure member. The closure member is movable between an open position, in which said high-capacity gas flow rate is communicated via the first and second opening ports to an outlet, and a closed position against the first opening port, in which a low-capacity gas flow rate is communicated via only the second opening port to the outlet. The valve unit includes a solenoid for selectively moving the closure member between the open position and closed position to selectively establish a high-capacity gas flow rate or low capacity gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mike Santinanavat, Mark H. Stark, Don Blessing
  • Publication number: 20120280157
    Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a combustion apparatus includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a signal input to a coil, for varying a high-capacity gas flow rate through the valve unit. The valve unit includes a first opening port, a second opening port that is smaller than the first opening port, and a closure member. The closure member is movable between an open position, in which said high-capacity gas flow rate is communicated via the first and second opening ports to an outlet, and a closed position against the first opening port, in which a low-capacity gas flow rate is communicated via only the second opening port to the outlet. The valve unit includes a solenoid for selectively moving the closure member between the open position and closed position to selectively establish a high-capacity gas flow rate or low capacity gas flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Mike Santinanavat, Mark H. Stark, Don Blessing
  • Publication number: 20120279584
    Abstract: A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: John Broker, Ryan Jensen, Mark H. Stark, Mike Santinanavat, Don Blessing, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20120279571
    Abstract: A valve unit for adjusting gas flow to a two-stage combustion apparatus includes a valve member that is moved by a magnetic field generated by a coil to vary gas flow rate through the valve unit, and first and second connectors configured to receive a high-stage activation signal and a low-stage activation signal, respectively. The valve unit includes a valve controller that is configured to control the coil to establish a high-stage gas flow rate while the high-stage activation signal is present, and configured to control the coil to establish a low-stage gas flow rate while the low stage activation signal is present up to a predetermined low stage time limit. The valve controller is further configured to establish at least one gas flow rate between the low-stage and high-stage gas flow rates when the low stage activation signal is present beyond the predetermined low stage time limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: MIKE SANTINANAVAT, MARK H. STARK, SHWETA ANNAPURANI PANIMADAI RAMASWAMY, JOHN BROKER
  • Publication number: 20110266473
    Abstract: A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mike C. Santinanavat, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy, John F. Broker, Mark H. Stark
  • Patent number: 7296595
    Abstract: A flow valve that provides for control of a fluid flow rate utilizing a first open position and a second open position. Various embodiments of a flow valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway therebetween are provided that comprise a damper element pivotally arranged within the passageway that is movable between a first position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially unaffected by the damper element, and at least a second position in which fluid flow through the passageway is substantially reduced by the damper element. An adjustable stop is further provided for adjustably limiting the movement of the damper element to establish the second position of the damper. A moveable operator is provided for moving the damper element between the first position and second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mike C. Santinanavat, Mark H. Stark, Ryan D. Jensen, Donald L. Blessing
  • Patent number: 7226034
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve is provided that comprises an inlet, an outlet, a valve seat in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve member slidably mounted for movement in a direction aligned with but perpendicular to the plane of the valve seat, and a lever having one end in connection with the valve member and a pivotal end that is operable for moving the valve member between its closed and open positions. The solenoid operated valve further comprises a solenoid actuated member having spaced apart first and second surfaces for engaging the pivotal end of the lever to move the valve member between its closed and open position, and a spring for resiliently biasing the solenoid actuated member so that the first surface engages the pivotal end of the lever to move the valve member to a closed position against the valve seat when the solenoid is not energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mark H. Stark, Donald L. Blessing, Mike C. Santinanavat
  • Patent number: 7011110
    Abstract: A high capacity coaxial gas valve assembly having a coaxial construction with three valves, in which the assembly opens a smaller second valve prior to opening a larger first valve so that the valve can be operated by a relatively smaller and less expensive coil. In addition, or instead, the valve members may be configured so that the first valve is opened with the impact of a moving element that allows the valve to be operated with a relatively smaller and less expensive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Mark H. Stark
  • Patent number: 6786225
    Abstract: A three-stage relay control is provided for regulating the flow of gas through, for example, gas valves. The relay control includes a control arm for providing three levels of gas flow and having three adjustment screws, one for controlling the flow at each stage of operation. The control arm preferably pivotally rotates to provide the three gas flow levels. Energizing the relay control at three different amperage levels provides the three-stages. At a low-flow stage, the relay is de-energized. At a high-flow stage, the relay is fully energized. At a mid-flow stage, between the high-flow and low-flow stage, the relay is energized at an intermediate amperage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mark H. Stark, John J. Love, Mike C. Santinanavat