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).
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Patent number: 11644123Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Wade J. Helfer, Anthony R. Apland
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Patent number: 11460118Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: Wade J. Helfer
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Publication number: 20220163120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
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Patent number: 10914387Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Wade J. Helfer, Robert M. Meloy
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Publication number: 20190316707Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Wade J. Helfer, Anthony R. Apland
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Publication number: 20170307087Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Wade J. Helfer, Robert M. Meloy
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Patent number: 8727310Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventor: Wade J. Helfer
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Publication number: 20100102262Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Inventor: Wade J. Helfer
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Patent number: 7681594Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Inventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
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Publication number: 20100044613Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
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Publication number: 20080264504Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: James L. Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald R. Bush, Wade J. Helfer
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Patent number: 6851658Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Fisher Controls International Inc.Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Jr., Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush
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Publication number: 20040149950Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush