Patents by Inventor Wade J. Helfer

Wade J. Helfer 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: 11644123
    Abstract: A flow conditioner of a valve assembly includes a body including a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a flow path connecting the first end and the second end. A non-planar surface is formed in the first end of the body. A plurality of channels define the flow path and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one channel of the plurality of channels has a length different from a length of an adjacent channel of the plurality of channels. A cylindrical housing surrounds the plurality of channels and includes a first end and a second end. The first end is proximally located to the first end of the body. The non-planar surface of the first end is defined in part by an end of the at least one channel of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Wade J. Helfer, Anthony R. Apland
  • Patent number: 11460118
    Abstract: Flow control seals are disclosed. A disclosed example seal for use with a valve includes an annular body defining an interior channel, and a closed body disposed within and covering a portion of the interior channel of the annular body, the closed body including an aperture extending therethrough to change a flow direction of fluid as the valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
  • Publication number: 20220163120
    Abstract: Flow control seals are disclosed. A disclosed example seal for use with a valve includes an annular body defining an interior channel, and a closed body disposed within and covering a portion of the interior channel of the annular body, the closed body including an aperture extending therethrough to change a flow direction of fluid as the valve is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
  • Patent number: 10914387
    Abstract: A rotary valve is provided for use in highly corrosive and abrasive applications. The valve includes a valve body and an adapter coupled to one end of the valve body, thereby defining an inlet, an outlet, and a valve interior in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve also includes a floating ball element pivotably mounted in the valve interior via a valve stem to control fluid flow through the valve, a first valve seat movably disposed in the valve interior, and a second valve seat removably disposed in the valve interior. The first valve seat is biased toward the ball element to sealingly engage a first portion of the ball element. The second valve seat is configured to sealingly engage a second portion of the ball element and is clamped between a surface of the valve body and a surface of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Wade J. Helfer, Robert M. Meloy
  • Publication number: 20190316707
    Abstract: A flow conditioner of a valve assembly includes a body including a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a flow path connecting the first end and the second end. A non-planar surface is formed in the first end of the body. A plurality of channels define the flow path and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one channel of the plurality of channels has a length different from a length of an adjacent channel of the plurality of channels. A cylindrical housing surrounds the plurality of channels and includes a first end and a second end. The first end is proximally located to the first end of the body. The non-planar surface of the first end is defined in part by an end of the at least one channel of the plurality of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Wade J. Helfer, Anthony R. Apland
  • Publication number: 20170307087
    Abstract: A rotary valve is provided for use in highly corrosive and abrasive applications. The valve includes a valve body and an adapter coupled to one end of the valve body, thereby defining an inlet, an outlet, and a valve interior in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve also includes a floating ball element pivotably mounted in the valve interior via a valve stem to control fluid flow through the valve, a first valve seat movably disposed in the valve interior, and a second valve seat removably disposed in the valve interior. The first valve seat is biased toward the ball element to sealingly engage a first portion of the ball element. The second valve seat is configured to sealingly engage a second portion of the ball element and is clamped between a surface of the valve body and a surface of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Wade J. Helfer, Robert M. Meloy
  • Patent number: 8727310
    Abstract: Packing followers for use with valves are described. An example packing follower for use with a valve includes a body having an elongated portion and a bore therethrough to receive a shaft. A portion of the bore is tapered to exert a force on a retainer that at least partially surrounds and is positioned within a groove of the shaft when the shaft moves toward an opening defined by the body. Additionally, the force has a first component in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bore and a second component smaller than the first component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
  • Publication number: 20100102262
    Abstract: Packing followers for use with valves are described. An example packing follower for use with a valve includes a body having an elongated portion and a bore therethrough to receive a shaft. A portion of the bore is tapered to exert a force on a retainer that at least partially surrounds and is positioned within a groove of the shaft when the shaft moves toward an opening defined by the body. Additionally, the force has a first component in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bore and a second component smaller than the first component in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
  • Patent number: 7681594
    Abstract: A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
  • Publication number: 20100044613
    Abstract: A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
  • Publication number: 20080264504
    Abstract: A control valve having a shiftable valve plug includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and defining a longitudinal axis, a generally cylindrical valve cage disposed within the valve body and sized to receive the valve plug, with the valve cage including at least one aperture comprising at least a portion of the flow passage, a portion of the valve cage disposed adjacent a portion of the valve body at an interface. A seal having a C-shaped cross section is provided and is disposed at the interface between the valve cage and the valve body, and a retainer is disposed adjacent the interface and positioned to secure the seal against movement along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
  • Patent number: 6851658
    Abstract: An ANSI Leakage Class V control valve having consistent shut off characteristics with a reduced actuator force required to open and close the valve is provided. The trim arrangement of the control valve includes a valve cage having a multi-contoured inner surface. The multi-contoured inner surface can include a plurality of surfaces. The multi-contoured surface can include first, second, and third perimeter surfaces, and a first transition surface disposed between and coupling the first and second perimeter surfaces, and a second transition surface disposed between and coupling the second and third perimeter surfaces. The valve also includes a valve plug disposed at one end of a valve stem. The valve plug controls the fluid flow through the valve. The valve plug includes an opening through the plug for equalizing pressure across the valve plug. An annular channel is formed within a wall of the valve plug and is sized to accommodate a sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International Inc.
    Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Jr., Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush
  • Publication number: 20040149950
    Abstract: An ANSI Leakage Class V control valve having consistent shut off characteristics with a reduced actuator force required to open and close the valve is provided. The trim arrangement of the control valve includes a valve cage having a multi-contoured inner surface. The multi-contoured inner surface can include a plurality of surfaces. The multi-contoured surface can include first, second, and third perimeter surfaces, and a first transition surface disposed between and coupling the first and second perimeter surfaces, and a second transition surface disposed between and coupling the second and third perimeter surfaces. The valve also includes a valve plug disposed at one end of a valve stem. The valve plug controls the fluid flow through the valve. The valve plug includes an opening through the plug for equalizing pressure across the valve plug. An annular channel is formed within a wall of the valve plug and is sized to accommodate a sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush