Patents by Inventor Thomas N. Gabriel

Thomas N. Gabriel 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: 10711937
    Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet section formed in one of the inner and outer walls, a curved intermediate section, and an outlet section formed in the other of the inner and outer walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Thomas N. Gabriel, Michael W. McCarty
  • Publication number: 20200217433
    Abstract: A valve control assembly includes a valve body having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of process fluid having a first temperature, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a bonnet coupled to the valve body. An inlet port, an outlet port, an annular plenum, an inlet passage, and an outlet passage are integrally formed in the valve body or the bonnet. The inlet port is adapted to be coupled to source of media and the annular plenum is disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port, immediately adjacent a portion of the fluid flow path. The inlet passage directs the media from the inlet port to the annular plenum, which changes a temperature of the process fluid flowing through the fluid flow path from the first temperature to a second temperature different from the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 10697561
    Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures. At least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, such that the flow paths are able to utilize previously un-used space in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. McCarty, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20200064874
    Abstract: A valve body and a control valve including such a valve body, the valve body including an inlet, an outlet, a valve port defined therebetween, and a plurality of discrete flow channels extending between the inlet and the valve port to distribute fluid flow to the valve port in a manner that equalizes the velocity of fluid at the perimeter of the valve port. The plurality of discrete flow channels includes (i) one or more first flow channels arranged to direct a first amount of the fluid flow to a front portion of the valve port, (ii) one or more second flow channels arranged to direct a second amount of the fluid flow to a rear portion of the valve port, and (iii) one or more third flow channels arranged to direct a third amount of the fluid flow to one or both side portions of the valve port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Jason G. Olberding, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20200042669
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to produce fluid control device components are related fluid control devices. An example method of producing a valve component, includes: accessing a first request from a user interface device to produce a valve component, the first request specifying first characteristics of the valve component; when the first characteristics are not associated with a first build file, comparing the first characteristics to first reference characteristics to determine if the first characteristics satisfy a threshold; if the first characteristics do not satisfy the threshold, providing feedback accessible at the user interface device to change the first characteristics to second characteristics, where the second characteristics satisfy the threshold; and when the first characteristics are associated with the first build file or when the first or second characteristics satisfy the threshold, causing, using the one or more processors, an additive manufacturing machine to produce the valve component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 10551856
    Abstract: A valve body and a control valve including such a valve body, the valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port defined therebetween. The valve body also includes a plurality of discrete flow channels that extend between the inlet and the valve port to distribute fluid flow to the valve port in a manner that equalizes the velocity of fluid at the perimeter of the valve port. The plurality of discrete flow channels includes (i) one or more first flow channels arranged to direct a first amount of the fluid flow to a front portion of the valve port, (ii) one or more second flow channels arranged to direct a second amount of the fluid flow to a rear portion of the valve port, and (iii) one or more third flow channels arranged to direct a third amount of the fluid flow to one or both side portions of the valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Jason G. Olberding, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20200018406
    Abstract: A non-plugging, multi-stage valve trim and a fluid flow control device employing the same. The valve trim includes a unitary cage body extending along a longitudinal axis, and a valve plug movably disposed within the unitary cage body to control fluid flow through the unitary cage body. The unitary cage body includes an outer wall arranged to engage the valve body, an inner wall spaced radially inwardly of the outer wall, a cage inlet formed in the outer wall, a cage outlet formed in the outer wall, and a pressure reducing fluid flow passageway formed within the unitary cage body and extending between the cage inlet and the cage outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David S. Goode, Cory J. Hagen, Thomas N. Gabriel, Kimball R. Barron
  • Publication number: 20190353265
    Abstract: A valve cage of a control valve includes a cylindrical body having a first ring, a second ring opposite the first ring, an outer wall, an inner wall, and an interior portion that extends radially between the inner wall and the outer wall and extends axially between the first ring and the second ring. A passage extends through the outer and inner walls of the cylindrical body, and is disposed between the first ring and the second ring of the cylindrical body. A three-dimensional lattice structure is disposed in the interior portion of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventor: Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 10359118
    Abstract: A balanced valve includes a valve body, a valve stem, and first and second flow control members. The valve body forms a channel defining a fluid flow path extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet via a valve gallery and defines an opening in fluid communication with the gallery. The valve stem has first and second portions and is at least partially disposed within the opening and the gallery. The first flow control member is coupled to the first portion of the valve stem and controls fluid flow along the fluid flow path. The second flow control member is coupled to the second portion of the valve stem and is disposed in the opening of the valve body. The second flow control member and the valve body define a cavity. An integral balancing passage is formed within the valve body and fluidly connects the cavity and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20190101228
    Abstract: A control valve has a cage disposed within a valve body adjacent a valve seat and proximate a valve plug to provide guidance for the valve plug. The cage includes a solid, unitary circumferential wall with inlet passages adjacent one of an inner surface or an outer surface and outlet passages adjacent the other of the inner and outer surface. An annular cavity is spaced apart from the inner and outer surfaces and is connected to the inlet passages. Intermediate passages are connected to the annular cavity and recovery plenums interconnect the intermediate passages and the outlet passages. The recovery plenums have cross-sectional areas that are larger than a cross-sectional areas of the intermediate and outlet passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas N. Gabriel, Raymond W. Micheel
  • Publication number: 20190099804
    Abstract: A valve body having a ring of dissimilar material and a method of forming the valve body are described. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet and a ring of dissimilar material. The method includes forming a valve core, splitting the valve core, placing a metal ring of dissimilar material between two pieces of the valve core, casting a valve body around the valve core, and fusing the metal ring to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Steven K. Hostetter, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20180340630
    Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures. At least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, such that the flow paths are able to utilize previously un-used space in the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. McCarty, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20180340643
    Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet section formed in one of the inner and outer walls, a curved intermediate section, and an outlet section formed in the other of the inner and outer walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas N. Gabriel, Michael W. McCarty
  • Publication number: 20180266568
    Abstract: A balanced valve includes a valve body, a valve stem, and first and second flow control members. The valve body forms a channel defining a fluid flow path extending from a valve inlet to a valve outlet via a valve gallery and defines an opening in fluid communication with the gallery. The valve stem has first and second portions and is at least partially disposed within the opening and the gallery. The first flow control member is coupled to the first portion of the valve stem and controls fluid flow along the fluid flow path. The second flow control member is coupled to the second portion of the valve stem and is disposed in the opening of the valve body. The second flow control member and the valve body define a cavity. An integral balancing passage is formed within the valve body and fluidly connects the cavity and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20180239376
    Abstract: A valve body and a control valve including such a valve body, the valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port defined therebetween. The valve body also includes a plurality of discrete flow channels that extend between the inlet and the valve port to distribute fluid flow to the valve port in a manner that equalizes the velocity of fluid at the perimeter of the valve port. The plurality of discrete flow channels includes (i) one or more first flow channels arranged to direct a first amount of the fluid flow to a front portion of the valve port, (ii) one or more second flow channels arranged to direct a second amount of the fluid flow to a rear portion of the valve port, and (iii) one or more third flow channels arranged to direct a third amount of the fluid flow to one or both side portions of the valve port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Jason G. Olberding, Thomas N. Gabriel