Patents by Inventor Robert E. Callies

Robert E. Callies 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: 20100096476
    Abstract: A distribution tube assembly for an irrigation system having a main supply line for conveying fluid therein includes a first end, a second end and an internal surface defining at least two fluid passageways, at least one of the fluid passageways being in fluid communication with the main supply line. The other fluid passageway may be in fluid communication with an alternate supply line. Adaptors and regulators may be attached to the distribution tube assembly. The distribution tube assembly permits irrigation to be performed by multiple fluid streams, allows for the incorporation of chemicals within the distribution tube assembly, and provides for selectable flow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Callies, Charles H. Meis
  • Patent number: 7588200
    Abstract: A distribution tube assembly for an irrigation system having a main supply line for conveying fluid therein includes a first end, a second end and an internal surface defining at least two fluid passageways, at least one of the fluid passageways being in fluid communication with the main supply line. The other fluid passageway may be in fluid communication with an alternate supply line. Adaptors and regulators may be attached to the distribution tube assembly. The distribution tube assembly permits irrigation to be performed by multiple fluid streams, allows for the incorporation of chemicals within the distribution tube assembly, and provides for selectable flow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Callies, Charles H. Meis
  • Patent number: 6938842
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid flow control method that enables a self-propelled irrigation machine to apply varying amounts of fluid as might be required to suitably treat the surface area affected by each of the individual fluid application devices thereon. The control method regulates the total volume of fluid emitted by each application device to a predetermined value as it responds to a suitable control signal to permit or prevent fluid flow. This fluid flow control method involves time-based rapid cycling of the flow control apparatus to provide continuously variable fluid flow as is required to meet the desired average output of each emitting device as the flow requirement varies from time to time as needed to produce a selected, pre-determined application rate throughout the treated surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wayne D. Choat, Robert E. Callies
  • Patent number: 6923205
    Abstract: A normally closed regulator valve for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod partition, which may take the form of a rigid piston or a flexible diaphragm, is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing relation with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod partition and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040261859
    Abstract: A normally closed regulator valve for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod partition, which may take the form of a rigid piston or a flexible diaphragm, is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing relation with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod partition and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040232261
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid flow control method that enables a self-propelled irrigation machine to apply varying amounts of fluid as might be required to suitably treat the surface area affected by each of the individual fluid application devices thereon. The control method regulates the total volume of fluid emitted by each application device to a predetermined value as it responds to a suitable control signal to permit or prevent fluid flow. This fluid flow control method involves time-based rapid cycling of the flow control apparatus to provide continuously variable fluid flow as is required to meet the desired average output of each emitting device as the flow requirement varies from time to time as needed to produce a selected, pre-determined application rate throughout the treated surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Wayne D. Choat, Robert E. Callies
  • Patent number: 6758238
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages. In an embodiment of the regulator valve, the water inlet may be oriented at some divergent angle with respect to a water outlet such as 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Patent number: 6752169
    Abstract: A regulator for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod piston is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing engagement with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod piston and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary piston is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod piston away from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040084088
    Abstract: A regulator for controlling the pressure of flowing fluid and also for selectively fully enabling or stopping the flow. The regulator valve includes a valve housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage connected by a flow passage with a seat surrounding the flow passage. A valve member is movable toward and away from contact with the seat. A control housing is attached to the valve housing. An elongated rod connected at one end to the valve member has an opposite end extending into the control housing. A rod piston is connected to the opposite end of the elongated rod and is movable in the control housing in sealing engagement with the walls thereof. A compression spring is provided to bias the rod piston and the valve member in directions either toward or away from sealing engagement with the flow passage seat. An auxiliary piston is positioned in the control housing on the side of the rod piston away from the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20040003848
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages. In an embodiment of the regulator valve, the water inlet may be oriented at some divergent angle with respect to a water outlet such as 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies
  • Publication number: 20020179738
    Abstract: A distribution tube assembly for an irrigation system having a main supply line for conveying fluid therein includes a first end, a second end and an internal surface defining at least two fluid passageways, at least one of the fluid passageways being in fluid communication with the main supply line. The other fluid passageway may be in fluid communication with an alternate supply line. Adaptors and regulators may be attached to the distribution tube assembly. The distribution tube assembly permits irrigation to be performed by multiple fluid streams, allows for the incorporation of chemicals within the distribution tube assembly, and provides for selectable flow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Robert E. Callies, Charles H. Meis
  • Patent number: 6374853
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a housing with a seal member therein. First and second plungers are movable in the housing toward and away from the seal member. The plungers are sealed to the housing and have passages therethrough. The plungers are biased toward the seal member by fluid pressure at the housing outlet end. The plungers are biased away from the seal member by a spring. First and second diaphragms connected to the plungers engage the housing inner wall in sealing engagement so that fluid must flow through the passages. The diaphragms and housing define an expansion chamber. A port in fluid communication with the expansion chamber allows selectable introduction of pilot pressure into the expansion chamber to force the first plunger into engagement with the seal member and prevent flow through the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lindsay Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Callies