Patents by Inventor Timothy Wayne Stern
Timothy Wayne Stern 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: 20250084943Abstract: Disclosed is a system comprising a fitting with a bore and a fitting recess. A plug comprising a body can be positioned within the bore, defining a plug recess. A locking mechanism can comprise a locking bar. The locking bar can engage both the fitting recess and/or the plug recess in a locked configuration, and only one of the recesses in an unlocked configuration. The locking bar can translate relative to the body to switch between the locked and unlocked configurations. The system provides a secure and efficient locking mechanism for connecting the fitting and plug components and can permit reconfiguration between the locked and unlocked configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: Mohammad Unnus Qasim, Yixin Li, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Publication number: 20250084944Abstract: Disclosed is a method for sealing a bore of a fitting using a plug. The method can involve inserting the plug into the bore of the fitting, where the fitting comprises a fitting recess and the plug comprises a plug recess. A locking mechanism can be employed by translating a locking bar to engage with both the fitting recess and/or the plug recess, thereby securing the plug within the bore. The method can provide an efficient and reliable way to seal the bore of a fitting, and may ensure a tight and secure fit between the plug and the fitting for various applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2024Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: Mohammad Unnus Qasim, Yixin Li, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Patent number: 12241555Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2023Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr.
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Patent number: 12181094Abstract: A plug can include a body defining a top body end and a bottom body end, the body defining an outer surface extending between the top body end and the bottom body end and a plug recess extending into the body from the outer surface; and a locking mechanism including a locking bar, the locking bar rotationally fixed relative to the body, the locking mechanism reconfigurable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking bar positioned at least partially within the plug recess, at least a portion of the locking bar extending outward from the plug recess in the locked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Mohammad Unnus Qasim, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Publication number: 20240230005Abstract: A tapping sleeve for a pipe element can include first and second sleeve portions, each defining a first axial end, a second axial end, a first side end, a second side end, and an arcuate portion extending between the first side end and the second side end; the second sleeve portion hingedly secured to the first sleeve portion; and a connecting element joining the first side ends of the first and second sleeve portions; wherein the connecting element, the first side end of the first sleeve portion, and the first side end of the second sleeve portion define at least a portion of a hinge of the tapping sleeve, a position of the first sleeve portion with respect to the second sleeve portion in an assembled condition in a circumferential direction of the tapping sleeve being different between the at least two assembled conditions of the hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, David Latimore Hughes, JR., Timothy J. Mitchell
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Patent number: 11971113Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining an inlet body, an outlet body, and a gate slot, the inlet body defining an inlet passage and the outlet body defining an outlet passage; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
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Publication number: 20240125397Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, JR.
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Patent number: 11959564Abstract: Example aspects of a seat assembly for a valve, a valve, and a method for opening a valve are disclosed. The seat assembly for a valve can comprise a diaphragm defining a first diaphragm end and a second diaphragm end, the diaphragm comprising a diaphragm end wall at the second diaphragm end, the diaphragm end wall defining an inner diaphragm end wall surface and an outer diaphragm end wall surface; and a diaphragm guide comprising a guide disc, the guide disc defining an inner guide disc surface and an outer guide disc surface, the outer guide disc surface abutting the inner diaphragm end wall surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Stephen Adrianus de Boer, Fairlyte Paige Eubank
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Patent number: 11892086Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr.
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Patent number: 11802624Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining a upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface positioned in sealing engagement with the base sealing surface, the selector defining a primary passage and a secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the secondary passage, the selector being rotatable relative to the base about and between a meter position and a bypass position, the selector connecting the upstream utility bore in fluid communication with the meter inlet bore in the meter position.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2023Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Publication number: 20230265928Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining an inlet body, an outlet body, and a gate slot, the inlet body defining an inlet passage and the outlet body defining an outlet passage; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, JR., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
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Publication number: 20230194006Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining a upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface positioned in sealing engagement with the base sealing surface, the selector defining a primary passage and a secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the secondary passage, the selector being rotatable relative to the base about and between a meter position and a bypass position, the selector connecting the upstream utility bore in fluid communication with the meter inlet bore in the meter position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Patent number: 11668400Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining a gate slot; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
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Publication number: 20230108033Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2022Publication date: April 6, 2023Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, JR.
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Patent number: 11619312Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining a upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface positioned in sealing engagement with the base sealing surface, the selector defining a primary passage and a secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the secondary passage, the selector being rotatable relative to the base about and between a meter position and a bypass position, the selector connecting the upstream utility bore in fluid communication with the meter inlet bore in the meter position.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Publication number: 20230082831Abstract: A plug can include a body defining a top body end and a bottom body end, the body defining an outer surface extending between the top body end and the bottom body end and a plug recess extending into the body from the outer surface; and a locking mechanism including a locking bar, the locking bar rotationally fixed relative to the body, the locking mechanism reconfigurable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, the locking bar positioned at least partially within the plug recess, at least a portion of the locking bar extending outward from the plug recess in the locked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Mohammad Unnus Qasim, Yixin Li, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Patent number: 11555547Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr.
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Publication number: 20220275869Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining a gate slot; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, JR., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
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Publication number: 20220221070Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining a upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface positioned in sealing engagement with the base sealing surface, the selector defining a primary passage and a secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connecting in fluid communication with the secondary passage, the selector being rotatable relative to the base about and between a meter position and a bypass position, the selector connecting the upstream utility bore in fluid communication with the meter inlet bore in the meter position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern
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Publication number: 20220221068Abstract: A bypass valve includes a base defining a base sealing surface, the base defining an upstream utility bore, a downstream utility bore, a meter inlet bore, and a meter outlet bore each extending into the base sealing surface; and a selector defining a selector sealing surface and a front surface, a primary passage and a secondary passage defined within the selector between the selector sealing surface and the front surface, the primary passage being isolated from the secondary passage, the selector defining at least one primary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the primary passage, the selector defining at least one secondary passage bore extending into the selector sealing surface and connected in fluid communication with the secondary passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Tomas Peleckas, Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, JR.