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).
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Publication number: 20200326011Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Michael Douglas Williams, Mark Scott Soldan, Richard Lynn Cordray
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Patent number: 10704971Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
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Patent number: 10649039Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Publication number: 20190265310Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Patent number: 10247787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Tri-Tec Manfacturing, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Publication number: 20180364116Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
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Patent number: 10082432Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Tri-Tee Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
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Publication number: 20180259589Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Patent number: 9995795Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Publication number: 20170315185Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Patent number: 9739840Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert
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Publication number: 20160238469Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: Roy Gilbert, Richard Lynn Cordray
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Publication number: 20160238668Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: TRI-TEC MANUFACTURING, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Mike Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert