Patents by Inventor Wade Jonathon Helfer
Wade Jonathon 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: 11525516Abstract: Valve body insert apparatus and related methods are described. An example method includes inserting a first sleeve in a drive shaft bore of a valve body. The first sleeve is to line a first inner surface of the drive shaft bore to protect the first inner surface of the drive shaft bore from corrosion or erosion, and the first sleeve defining a first opening to receive a drive shaft. The method includes applying cladding to wetted surfaces of the valve body defining a fluid flow passageway and to at least a portion adjacent a first end of the first sleeve positioned in the fluid flow passageway, where cladding material is not applied to portions of the first inner surface of the drive shaft bore covered by the first sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 11143314Abstract: Methods and apparatus to load a valve packing are described. An example load apparatus to load a valve packing includes a guide including a flange and a wall protruding from the flange. The wall defines a cavity to receive a biasing element and a stop movable between a non-active state and an active state. The stop in the non-active state to enable movement of the guide in a first rectilinear direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a packing bore of a fluid valve and the stop in the active state to prevent movement of the guide in the first rectilinear direction. The stop to control an amount of deflection of the biasing element in the first rectilinear direction when the stop is in the active state.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Trenton Frank Jackson, Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20210301931Abstract: Methods and apparatus to load a valve packing are described. An example load apparatus to load a valve packing includes a guide including a flange and a wall protruding from the flange. The wall defines a cavity to receive a biasing element and a stop movable between a non-active state and an active state. The stop in the non-active state to enable movement of the guide in a first rectilinear direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a packing bore of a fluid valve and the stop in the active state to prevent movement of the guide in the first rectilinear direction. The stop to control an amount of deflection of the biasing element in the first rectilinear direction when the stop is in the active state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Trenton Frank Jackson, Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 10969030Abstract: A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: Trenton Frank Jackson, Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20210025498Abstract: Valve body insert apparatus and related methods are described. An example method includes inserting a first sleeve in a drive shaft bore of a valve body. The first sleeve is to line a first inner surface of the drive shaft bore to protect the first inner surface of the drive shaft bore from corrosion or erosion, and the first sleeve defining a first opening to receive a drive shaft. The method includes applying cladding to wetted surfaces of the valve body defining a fluid flow passageway and to at least a portion adjacent a first end of the first sleeve positioned in the fluid flow passageway, where cladding material is not applied to portions of the first inner surface of the drive shaft bore covered by the first sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 10844962Abstract: Valve body insert apparatus and related methods are described. An example valve includes a valve body made of a first material and having a fluid flow passageway and a first shaft bore. The fluid flow passageway defines a first axis and the first shaft bore defines a second axis that is substantially non-parallel relative to the first axis of the fluid flow passageway. A first insert is positioned in the first shaft bore. The first insert is made of a second material different than the first material such that the second material has a higher corrosion resistance characteristic than the first material.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20190162325Abstract: A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Trenton Frank Jackson, Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20170102075Abstract: Valve body insert apparatus and related methods are described. An example valve includes a valve body made of a first material and having a fluid flow passageway and a first shaft bore. The fluid flow passageway defines a first axis and the first shaft bore defines a second axis that is substantially non-parallel relative to the first axis of the fluid flow passageway. A first insert is positioned in the first shaft bore. The first insert is made of a second material different than the first material such that the second material has a higher corrosion resistance characteristic than the first material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 9587747Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be moveably fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. The example seal includes a seal stiffener adjacent the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier to increase the stiffness of the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier in a first flow direction. The example seal includes a substantially rigid seal ring to engage an opposing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLCInventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, David John Koester, Benjamin Uriah Good, Paul Russell Dalluge, Andrew John Olson
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Patent number: 9568110Abstract: Valve seals are described. An example seal for use in a valve includes a ring-shaped cartridge having a first portion, a second portion opposite the first portion, and a compressible sealing portion between the first and second portions. The first and second portions have respective first and second curved surfaces adjacent a sealing surface of the compressible sealing portion. The first and second curved surfaces enable a flow control member to compress the sealing portion prior to contacting the curved surfaces as the flow control member transitions to a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20150369371Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be moveably fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. The example seal includes a seal stiffener adjacent the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier to increase the stiffness of the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier in a first flow direction. The example seal includes a substantially rigid seal ring to engage an opposing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, David John Koester, Benjamin Uriah Good, Paul Russell Dalluge, Andrew John Olsen
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Patent number: 9127775Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be moveably fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. The example seal includes a seal stiffener adjacent the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier to increase the stiffness of the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier in a first flow direction. The example seal includes a substantially rigid seal ring to engage an opposing surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, David John Koester, Benjamin Uriah Good, Paul Russel Dalluge, Andrew John Olsen
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Publication number: 20140319399Abstract: Valve seals are described. An example seal for use in a valve includes a ring-shaped cartridge having a first portion, a second portion opposite the first portion, and a compressible sealing portion between the first and second portions. The first and second portions have respective first and second curved surfaces adjacent a sealing surface of the compressible sealing portion. The first and second curved surfaces enable a flow control member to compress the sealing portion prior to contacting the curved surfaces as the flow control member transitions to a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 8814138Abstract: A seal used in a valve includes a ring-shaped cartridge. The cartridge has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions hold a sealing portion, and the first and second portions have respective first and second curved surfaces adjacent to a sealing surface of the sealing portion. Radii of curvature of the curved surfaces enable an initial point of contact between a flow control member and the cartridge to be on the sealing surface when the flow control member moves to a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Publication number: 20130092859Abstract: Seals for use in valves are described. An example seal includes a ring-shaped cartridge. The cartridge has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second portions hold a sealing portion, and the first and second portions have respective first and second curved surfaces adjacent to a sealing surface of the sealing portion. Radii of curvature of the curved surfaces enable an initial point of contact between a flow control member and the cartridge to be on the sealing surface when the flow control member moves to a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 8408837Abstract: Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example collet includes a first plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to an elongated member and each having a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface and the first outer surface define a first cross-sectional shape. The example collet further includes a second plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to the elongated member and each having a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface and the second outer surface define a second cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape of the first plurality of flexible members.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLCInventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, Jason Gene Olberding
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Publication number: 20120319022Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be moveably fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. The example seal includes a seal stiffener adjacent the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier to increase the stiffness of the substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier in a first flow direction. The example seal includes a substantially rigid seal ring to engage an opposing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Inventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, David John Koester, Benjamin Uriah Good, Paul Russel Dalluge, Andrew John Olsen
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Patent number: 8286938Abstract: Flexible seals for process control valves are disclosed. An example disclosed seal includes a seal for use with a butterfly valve. The example seal includes a substantially flexible ring-shaped carrier configured to be fixed within the butterfly valve and to surround a flow control aperture therein. Additionally, the seal includes a ring-shaped cartridge coupled to an inner diameter of the ring-shaped carrier. The cartridge includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion to define a circumferential opening to hold a seal ring.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: Wade Jonathon Helfer, David John Koester, Benjamin Uriah Good, Paul Russell Dalluge, Andrew John Olson
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Patent number: 8096526Abstract: Rotary actuator lever apparatus having an annular recess are described. An example rotary actuator lever includes a cylindrical body that has a first opening and a second opening axially aligned with the first opening, and sized larger than the first opening. The lever arm extends a predetermined distance from the body and has a first arm member spaced from a second arm member. Each of the first and second arm members includes an aperture to receive a fastener to operatively couple the lever to a stem of an actuator. The body includes an annular recess adjacent the first arm member of the lever arm to enable the first arm member to flex relative to the second arm member when the lever couples to the actuator stem.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLCInventor: Wade Jonathon Helfer
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Patent number: 8011386Abstract: 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: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: James Leroy Gossett, William V. Fitzgerald, Raymond W. Micheel, Donald Sanders, Donald Ray Bush, Wade Jonathon Helfer