Patents by Inventor Paul Gifford
Paul Gifford 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: 20190128335Abstract: A stem coupling for a hydrant includes: an upper portion defining an upper portion length from a center of a plurality of break-away features defined in the stem coupling to a first end of the stem coupling; and a lower portion defining an lower portion length from the center of the plurality of break-away features defined in the stem coupling to a second end of the stem coupling distal from the first end of the stem coupling, the lower portion length equaling at least two times the upper portion length.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Yanlong Li, Paul Gifford, Walter Pierce Wojick
-
Publication number: 20190072932Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component of a water infrastructure system can include carrying a mobile manufacturing platform with a vehicle from a storage site to a worksite located remotely from the storage site, the mobile manufacturing platform including a control unit; and a manufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit; sending the solid model of a first component or an equivalent thereof to the manufacturing unit; fabricating a second component using an automated manufacturing process based on the solid model of the first component saved on a computer-readable storage medium operatively coupled to the control unit; and returning the system from the worksite to the storage site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Timofey Sitnikov, Jason White Bradley, Paul Gifford, Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu
-
Patent number: 10203315Abstract: A water sensing assembly includes: a valve box securely mountable on an underground water pipe; a sensor mounted inside the valve box, the sensor configured to sense a property of water within the underground water pipe; a top section connected to the valve box; and an electrical communication device mounted at a top portion of the adjustable top section such that the electrical communication device is positioned at or near the surface of the ground.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Mueller International LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 10190697Abstract: A valve assembly can include a valve body and a stuffing box attached to the valve body, the stuffing box comprising a stuffing box body and a lifting lug extending from the stuffing box body. A method for lifting a valve assembly can include attaching a lifting mechanism to a lifting lug of the valve assembly and lifting the valve assembly with the lifting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 10180414Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 10174856Abstract: A method of manufacturing a main valve of a hydrant includes: forming an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; positioning the internal rigid structure in a mold by contacting the locating feature with the mold; and forming an outer shell around the internal rigid structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Matthew Sliger, Paul Gifford, Steve Fearnow
-
Publication number: 20180372706Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20180372708Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20180372707Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 10101311Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring properties of water in a water distribution system are provided. An analysis system, according to one embodiment, comprises a plurality of water sensors connected at various points to the water distribution system, each of the plurality of water sensors configured to measure a property of water. The analysis system also includes a computer server configured to communicate with the plurality of water sensors via a network and receive water measurement data from the plurality of water sensors. The computer server comprises a processor, a database configured to store the water measurement data, and a system health monitoring module configured to evaluate the health of the water distribution system to obtain health data. The analysis system further includes at least one client device configured to communicate with the computer server via the network and receive the health data from the computer server.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 9664297Abstract: Disclosed is a main valve for a hydrant including an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; and an outer shell at least partially enclosing the internal rigid structure and interacting with the locating feature.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Inventors: Matthew Sliger, Paul Gifford, Steve Fearnow
-
Patent number: 9605784Abstract: A pipe joint is disclosed that includes a housing wherein the housing defines a longitudinal axis and an inside surface, and includes a gripping assembly comprising a first gripping member comprising a first protruberance extending radially inward from an inner surface of the first gripping member, a second gripping member comprising a second protruberance extending radially inward from an inner surface of the second gripping member, and an interconnecting body comprising a resilient material. The interconnecting body connects the first gripping member to the second gripping member, and a clearance is defined between the interconnecting body and the inside surface of the housing. The joint can also include an annular seal positioned axially adjacent to the interconnecting body inside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20170059543Abstract: A water sensing assembly includes: a valve box securely mountable on an underground water pipe; a sensor mounted inside the valve box, the sensor configured to sense a property of water within the underground water pipe; a top section connected to the valve box; and an electrical communication device mounted at a top portion of the adjustable top section such that the electrical communication device is positioned at or near the surface of the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Kenneth A. Clark, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20170016550Abstract: A method of manufacturing a main valve of a hydrant includes: forming an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; positioning the internal rigid structure in a mold by contacting the locating feature with the mold; and forming an outer shell around the internal rigid structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Matthew Sliger, Paul Gifford, Steve Fearnow
-
Publication number: 20160356390Abstract: A valve assembly can include a valve body and a stuffing box attached to the valve body, the stuffing box comprising a stuffing box body and a lifting lug extending from the stuffing box body. A method for lifting a valve assembly can include attaching a lifting mechanism to a lifting lug of the valve assembly and lifting the valve assembly with the lifting mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventor: Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20160356755Abstract: A method of sensing parameters in a fluid distribution system includes the steps of receiving, at a monitoring device, fluid parameter information from a sensor in a fluid distribution system; collecting, by the monitoring device, sampling data of the fluid parameter information from the sensor based on predetermined criteria; receiving, by the monitoring device, a request to collect transient data from the sensor; collecting, by the monitoring device, transient data of the fluid parameter information from the sensor based on predetermined criteria; and communicating the sampling data and the transient data to another device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Paul Gifford, Timofey Sitnikov, Harold Mosley
-
Patent number: 9476186Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve plate and a reversible main valve contacting the valve plate. The main valve has an internal rigid structure and an outer shell, the internal rigid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface. The internal rigid structure is at least partially enclosed by the outer shell, the outer shell defining a side surface and a radially outermost edge on the side surface, the side surface of the outer shell including a beveled portion extending from the radially outermost edge of the side surface of the outer shell towards a top surface of the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Paul Gifford
-
Publication number: 20160230373Abstract: Disclosed is a main valve for a hydrant including an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; and an outer shell at least partially enclosing the internal rigid structure and interacting with the locating feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Matthew Sliger, Paul Gifford, Steve Fearnow
-
Publication number: 20160178102Abstract: A pipe joint is disclosed that includes a housing wherein the housing defines a longitudinal axis and an inside surface, and includes a gripping assembly comprising a first gripping member comprising a first protruberance extending radially inward from an inner surface of the first gripping member, a second gripping member comprising a second protruberance extending radially inward from an inner surface of the second gripping member, and an interconnecting body comprising a resilient material. The interconnecting body connects the first gripping member to the second gripping member, and a clearance is defined between the interconnecting body and the inside surface of the housing. The joint can also include an annular seal positioned axially adjacent to the interconnecting body inside the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventor: Paul Gifford
-
Patent number: 9303803Abstract: A pipe joint is disclosed that includes an outer sleeve or housing wherein the housing defines a longitudinal axis and includes a first end located along the longitudinal axis that defines a first aperture that is at least partially decreasing in size along the longitudinal axis, the first aperture being further defined by a surface found inside of the housing, and a second end along the longitudinal axis that defines a second aperture. The joint further comprises a seal, a gripping member, and a draw member that is operatively associated with the housing and seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventor: Paul Gifford