Patents by Inventor Richard Lynn Cordray

Richard Lynn Cordray 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: 20200326011
    Abstract: Valve systems include a valve and a valve actuator assembly for operating the valve. The valve actuator assembly includes a first motor and a second motor mechanically coupled to an output of the valve actuator assembly via a differential gear system. The first motor, in operation, applies a first torque to the output via the gear system and the second motor, in operation, applies a second torque to the output via the gear system. The first and second torques are used to manipulate the valve. The first and second motors are operated independently or simultaneously in a first direction or a second direction that is opposite the first direction, in order to provide low speed and high torque when the valve is to be seated or unseated, and to provide high speed, low torque when moving the valve along its operational path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Douglas Williams, Mark Scott Soldan, Richard Lynn Cordray
  • Patent number: 10704971
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve actuator configured to determine, during operation of a valve by an alternating current (AC) motor of the valve actuator, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor. A process for measuring the amount of torque produced by the AC motor includes actuating a valve using the AC motor of the valve actuator, measuring, by a microcontroller of the valve actuator and during the actuating of the valve, a time interval between: (i) a first zero crossing of a waveform of AC voltage applied to the AC motor, and (ii) a second zero crossing of a waveform of AC current drawn by the AC motor, and determining, based on the time interval, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor during the actuating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
  • Patent number: 10649039
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20190265310
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10247787
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Tri-Tec Manfacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20180364116
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve actuator configured to determine, during operation of a valve by an alternating current (AC) motor of the valve actuator, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor. A process for measuring the amount of torque produced by the AC motor includes actuating a valve using the AC motor of the valve actuator, measuring, by a microcontroller of the valve actuator and during the actuating of the valve, a time interval between: (i) a first zero crossing of a waveform of AC voltage applied to the AC motor, and (ii) a second zero crossing of a waveform of AC current drawn by the AC motor, and determining, based on the time interval, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor during the actuating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
  • Patent number: 10082432
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve actuator configured to determine, during operation of a valve by an alternating current (AC) motor of the valve actuator, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor. A process for measuring the amount of torque produced by the AC motor includes actuating a valve using the AC motor of the valve actuator, measuring, by a microcontroller of the valve actuator and during the actuating of the valve, a time interval between: (i) a first zero crossing of a waveform of AC voltage applied to the AC motor, and (ii) a second zero crossing of a waveform of AC current drawn by the AC motor, and determining, based on the time interval, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor during the actuating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Tri-Tee Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
  • Publication number: 20180259589
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9995795
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20170315185
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Patent number: 9739840
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20160238469
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve actuator configured to determine, during operation of a valve by an alternating current (AC) motor of the valve actuator, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor. A process for measuring the amount of torque produced by the AC motor includes actuating a valve using the AC motor of the valve actuator, measuring, by a microcontroller of the valve actuator and during the actuating of the valve, a time interval between: (i) a first zero crossing of a waveform of AC voltage applied to the AC motor, and (ii) a second zero crossing of a waveform of AC current drawn by the AC motor, and determining, based on the time interval, an amount of torque produced by the AC motor during the actuating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
  • Publication number: 20160238668
    Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Mike Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert