Patents by Inventor Michael D. McNeely

Michael D. McNeely 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: 8215330
    Abstract: An adjustable automatic recirculation valve includes a valve body, a main valve disk, a bypass valve and a dynamic adjustment assembly. The main valve disk is positioned within the valve body and opens in response to fluid flow between a main inlet and a main outlet. The bypass valve controls the flow of fluid between the main inlet and the recirculating outlet. A dynamic adjustment assembly, housed within the valve body controls the operating lift associated with the maximum opening of the bypass valve to regulate fluid flow capacity to the recirculating outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Valves & Controls, LP
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Howell A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100206391
    Abstract: An adjustable automatic recirculation valve includes a valve body, a main valve disk, a bypass valve and a dynamic adjustment assembly. The main valve disk is positioned within the valve body and opens in response to fluid flow between a main inlet and a main outlet. The bypass valve controls the flow of fluid between the main inlet and the recirculating outlet. A dynamic adjustment assembly, housed within the valve body controls the operating lift associated with the maximum opening of the bypass valve to regulate fluid flow capacity to the recirculating outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Valves & Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Howell A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080236674
    Abstract: An adjustable automatic recirculation valve includes a valve body, a main valve disk, a bypass valve and a dynamic adjustment assembly. The main valve disk is positioned within the valve body and opens in response to fluid flow between a main inlet and a main outlet. The bypass valve controls the flow of fluid between the main inlet and the recirculating outlet. A dynamic adjustment assembly, housed within the valve body controls the operating lift associated with the maximum opening of the bypass valve to regulate fluid flow capacity to the recirculating outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: TYCO VALVES & CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Howell A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6192924
    Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve (14) in which a pilot valve (32) controls the opening and closing of the main valve member (26). The pilot valve (32) has a spindle valve member (70) between an intermediate dome fluid chamber (52) and an exhaust chamber (54) communicating with exhaust port (52) and exhaust line (38). Spindle valve member (70) has an annular sealing member or membrane (104) having a relatively thin body (105) with opposed beads (106, 108) along inner and outer peripheries of body (105) for sealing between spindle valve member (70) and the adjacent retainer sleeve (94). Any positive backpressure forces from exhaust line (38) are balanced against spindle valve member (70) by annular seal (80) and membrane (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Thomas F. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6161570
    Abstract: A pilot operator and a relief valve are provided in the same housing. The pilot-operating mechanism is contained partially within the main closure element of the valve and partially within the valve cap. Inlet pressure to the valve is communicated to the pilot via an access passage extending through the main closure element. In response to high-pressure flow from the inlet, a pilot piston moves a spacer rod through the passage and into engagement with a spring-loaded vent closure. The piston-induced movement of the rod opens the vent to relieve the pressure behind the main closure element, which in turn permits the main closure element to open and relieve the inlet pressure through the valve outlet. Opening of the main closure element terminates flow through the access passage. When the inlet pressure is sufficiently reduced, the pilot piston is unseated by the spring force re-opening the access passage to allow the pressure behind the main closure element to increase and close the main closure element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5769113
    Abstract: A manifold assembly 10 for operating a safety relief valve 12 includes a manifold block 60 having a block inlet port 230, a block dome pressure port 232, and a pair of control cavities 220 and 222 each adapted for receiving a pilot valve 70 or auxiliary control member 80. Inlet control valves 74, 84, dome pressure control valves 76, 86, and test control valves 78, 88 are each mounted on the manifold block. One of the pilot valves may be maintained on-line for controlling operation of the safety relief valve, while the other pilot valve may be isolated for service. A cartridge pilot valve assembly 70 includes a bushing 126 for facilitating installation and removal of the cartridge valve assembly from the valve block. An improved metal washer 122 is provided having inner and outer knife edges 330, 334 for sealing engagement between the valve body 110 and the block 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Jack B. Alberts, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5590684
    Abstract: A manifold assembly 10 for operating a safety relief valve 12 includes a manifold block 60 having a block inlet port 230, a block dome pressure port 232, and a pair of control cavities 220 and 222 each adapted for receiving a pilot valve 70 or auxiliary control member 80. Inlet control valves 74, 84, dome pressure control valves 76, 86, and test control valves 78, 88 are each mounted on the manifold block. One of the pilot valves may be maintained on-line for controlling operation of the safety relief valve, while the other pilot valve may be isolated for service. A cartridge pilot valve assembly 70 includes a bushing 126 for facilitating installation and removal of the cartridge valve assembly from the valve block. An improved metal washer 122 is provided having inner and outer knife edges 330, 334 for sealing engagement between the valve body 110 and the block 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Jack B. Alberts, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5333635
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief system and method for a pressure vessel or tank (10) having a normal vent (16) with a first pilot operated safety valve (18) and an emergency vent (62) having a second pilot operated safety valve (25). A vapor recovery line (20) is connected to relief valve (18) and collected at a vapor storage container (21). A manway (22) on the pressure vessel (10) shown in FIG. 2 defines the emergency vent (62) and a main valve member (66) has a counterweight (74) thereon to urge main valve member (66) to a seated closed position on nozzle (60). The first pilot operated safety valve (18) for the normal vent (16) is shown in FIG. 7 and has a T-shaped body (142) with a main relief valve member (172) at one end of the body (142) mounted for movement in a generally horizontal direction and controlled by a diaphragm (176) at an opposite end of the body (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Higgins, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5307831
    Abstract: A fluid pressure safety relief system for a pressure vessel (10) having a main valve member (46) seating on a nozzle ring (38) under a mechanical force of a predetermined amount resulting from a calibrated counterweight (54). An operating rod (55) is connected between the main valve member (46) and a piston (74) having one side in fluid communication with fluid pressure in the pressure vessel (10). A fluid chamber (78) is provided on the other side of piston (74) and a fluid passage (84) from fluid chamber (78) has an outlet at its upper end (86) closely adjacent the nozzle ring (38). Upon unseating of the valve member (46) from the nozzle (38) fluid flows from the fluid chamber (78) to increase the fluid pressure differential across the piston (74) to assist in the movement of the main valve member (46) to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5282491
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief system and method for a pressure vessel or tank (10) having a normal vent (16) with a first pilot operated safety valve (18) and an emergency vent (62) having a second pilot operated safety valve (25). A vapor recovery line (20) is connected to relief valve (18) and collected at a vapor storage container (21). A manway (22) on the pressure vessel (10) shown in FIG. 2 defines the emergency vent (62) and a main valve member (66) has a counterweight (74) thereon to urge main valve member (66) to a seated closed position on nozzle (60). The first pilot operated safety valve (18) for the normal vent (16) is shown in FIG. 7 and has a T-shaped body (142) with a main relief valve member (172) at one end of the body (142) mounted for movement in a generally horizontal direction and controlled by a diaphragm (176) at an opposite end of the body (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Higgins, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5249593
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief system and method for a pressure vessel or tank (10) having a normal vent (16) with a first pilot operated safety valve (18) and an emergency vent (62) having a second pilot operated safety valve (25). A vapor recovery line (20) is connected to relief valve (18) and collected at a vapor storage container (21). A manway (22) on the pressure vessel (10) shown in FIG. 2 defines the emergency vent (62) and a main valve member (66) has a counterweight (74) thereon to urge main valve member (66) to a seated closed position on nozzle (60). The first pilot operated safety valve (18) for the normal vent (16) is shown in FIG. 7 and has a T-shaped body (142) with a main relief valve member (172) at one end of the body (142) mounted for movement in a generally horizontal direction and controlled by a diaphragm (176) at an opposite end of the body (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Higgins, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5246034
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief system and method for a pressure vessel or tank (10) having a normal vent (16) with a first pilot operated safety valve (18) and an emergency vent (62) having a second pilot operated safety valve (25). A vapor recovery line (20) is connected to relief valve (18) and collected at a vapor storage container (21). A manway (22) on the pressure vessel (10) shown in FIG. 2 defines the emergency vent (62) and a main valve member (66) has a counterweight (74) thereon to urge main valve member (66) to a seated closed position on nozzle (60). The first pilot operated safety valve (18) for the normal vent (16) is shown in FIG. 7 and has a T-shaped body (142) with a main relief valve member (172) at one end of the body (142) mounted for movement in a generally horizontal direction and controlled by a diaphragm (176) at an opposite end of the body (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Higgins, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5064169
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve (14, 14A) has a reciprocable valve member (34, 34A) for seating on an annular seat face (66,66A) of a nozzle assembly (38,38A). The nozzle assembly (38,38A) has an inner seat ring (40,40A), a radially outer anchor ring (42,42A), and a flexible connecting member (44,44A) extending in a generally radial direction between the outer peripheral surface (64) of the seat ring (40,40A) and the inner peripheral surface of the anchor ring (42,42A). Upon seating or reseating of the valve member, (34,34A), seal face (36,36A) contacts the seat face (66,66A) of seat ring (40,40A) and flexible connecting member (44,44A) flexes upon relative movement of the seat ring (40,40A) after initial contact of the valve member (34,34A) against the seating ring (40,40A) thereby to act as a shock absorber for absorbing impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Jack B. Alberts, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5027852
    Abstract: A pilot valve (40) for a control valve (14) has a separate auxiliary source of high pressure fluid (106) for the operation of the pilot valve (40). The dome chamber (36) of the control valve (14), the inlet fluid chamber (72), and the intermediate fluid chamber (104) are exposed only to the auxiliary source of fluid (106). Thus, process fluid from the sensing line (62) does not contaminate the spool valve (76) or the dome chamber (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5011116
    Abstract: A flow control device illustrated as a pressure relief valve (10, 10A) has a reciprocable valve member (22, 22A) for seating on a face (20, 20A) of a fixed seat ring (18, 18A). The valve member (22, 22A) includes a hub (36, 36A), an outer seal ring (38, 38A), and a flexible connecting member (40, 40A) extending between and connecting the seal ring (38, 38A) and the hub (36, 36A). Upon seating or reseating of valve member (22, 22A) seal ring (38, 38A) contacts fixed seat ring (18, 18A) and flexible connecting member (40, 40A) flexes upon relative movement of the hub (36, 36A) after initial contact of the seal ring (38, 38A) with the fixed seat ring (20, 20A) to act as a shock absorber for absorbing impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Jack B. Alberts, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 4705065
    Abstract: A safety relief system for a valve in a vent or a main flowline. The safety relief system utilizes a main actuator (24) utilized primarily for a positive pressure condition and a vacuum actuator (96) in axial alignment with the main actuator (24) utilized exclusively for a negative pressure condition. The main valve member (18) has a stem (22) which extends within both actuators (24, 96) and diaphragms (26, 100) are connected to the stem (22) for movement of the valve member (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Company
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Walter W. Powell
  • Patent number: 4682495
    Abstract: A testing device (22) for a non-flowing pilot valve (20) controlling a main relief valve (13) and simulating the action of the relief valve (13). The testing device body (84) has a test fluid source (42) releasably connected thereto and includes a piston valve element (112) mounted in a valve chamber (106) for movement to an unseated vent position upon the test fluid pressure reaching a predetermined high which is usually similar to the set point operating fluid pressure at which the main relief valve (13) will actuate. For return of piston valve element (112) to a seated position after a reduction of the test fluid pressure by venting, a relatively large diameter end face (128) is exposed to fluid pressure from an intermediate fluid chamber (78) of the pilot valve (20) which is in fluid communication with the dome (14) of the pressure relief valve (13). A relatively small fluid pressure responsive area of piston (113) outwardly of small diameter O-ring (120) is exposed to test fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Company
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 4632143
    Abstract: A fluid pressure boost attachment (18) is attached to a pilot valve (16) which senses the fluid pressure in a main flow line F. Upon restriction or blockage of fluid flow through inlet line (32) to pilot valve (16) the correct static fluid pressure is sensed in auxiliary fluid chamber (126) of boost attachment (18). Boost attachment (18) is actuated upon a predetermined pressure differential being reached between chambers (100) and (126) thereby to move actuator (120) and place intermediate fluid chamber (24) of pilot valve (16) in fluid communication with outlet fluid chamber (28) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Co.
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 4609008
    Abstract: A non-flowing pilot valve (16) for a control valve (C) in a main flow line (F) having a body (27) with an inlet fluid chamber (76), an outlet fluid chamber (106) and an intermediate fluid chamber (104) between the inlet fluid chamber (76) and the outlet fluid chamber (106). Diaphragm (34) in the fluid inlet chamber (76) is secured to a piston slidable body (40) extending within intermediate fluid chamber (104) and having a valve seat (88) thereon between inlet fluid chamber (76) and intermediate fluid chamber (104). A second fixed valve seat (64) is provided within the body (40) between the intermediate fluid chamber (104) and the outlet fluid chamber (106). A valve spool (92) has a pair of O-ring seals (94, 96) thereabout adapted to seal against the valve seats (88, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Anderson-Greenwood USA, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Anderson, Jr., Michael D. McNeely, Irvin B. Weise, deceased, by Stanley A. Weise, executor
  • Patent number: 4586534
    Abstract: A check valve mechanism providing a valve body and valve seat assembly having noncircular eccentrically located hinge pin receptacles with independently controlled X-axis and Y-axis hinge pin locating surfaces. A simple cylindrical hinge pin is supported in the receptacles and supports a check valve disc in such manner that both opening and closing movements have components of rotary and linear disc movement relative to the hinge pin and valve seat of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Daniel Industries
    Inventor: Michael D. McNeely