Patents by Inventor Wayne R. Houck

Wayne R. Houck 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: 7156121
    Abstract: A valve system includes a valve assembly, and an actuator for operating the valve assembly. The actuator includes a housing and a shaft extending through the housing. The shaft is moveable within a range of motion during operation of the valve assembly. The valve system also includes a valve position monitor for monitoring the position of the valve assembly. The valve position monitor includes at least one trigger and a corresponding stationary stop. The trigger is moveable with respect to the stationary stop within a range of motion. The range of motion of the trigger corresponds to at least a portion of the range of motion of the shaft. At least a portion of the range of motion of the trigger extends into the housing of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher L. Cox, Wayne R. Houck
  • Patent number: 6192912
    Abstract: A low profile pneumatically actuated valve assembly including a pneumatic actuator, a bonnet, and an elongated hollow member disposed within the valve actuator, the member having a threaded portion extending from within the actuator, the threaded portion of the member threadedly engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the bonnet, thereby fastening the actuator to the bonnet. The pneumatically actuated valve assembly further includes a tab and slot arrangement defined by the actuator and the bonnet which permits the actuator and the bonnet to be rotatively positioned relative to each other in at least 90 degree increments to selectively position the air inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butler, Wayne R. Houck, Edwin R. Tipton, John R. Lehman, Bruce Rowits
  • Patent number: 6079441
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing indication of valve position of a manual valve is disclosed for a valve having a rotary, operating assembly journaled in a housing, the operating assembly comprising a handwheel, a bushing fastened to the handwheel, and a spindle threadedly engaged to the bushing to cause translation of the spindle in response to rotation of the handwheel and the bushing, the apparatus for enclosure in the housing comprising a hub coupled to the bushing for transmitting rotary motion in response to rotation of the bushing; translation means for translating the rotary motion into an electrical signal; and circuitry means responsive to the electrical signal for indicating position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy D. Miller, Wayne R. Houck, Ronald G. Butler, John R. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5649567
    Abstract: A circular body, having a throughgoing orifice, an externally threaded periphery, and a pair of stepped recesses, defines a valve seat for a reciprocating piston. A retaining ring is made fast in one of the recesses, and a seal which contracts upon cooling to the ambient, after having been exposed to elevated temperatures, is set in the other recess. The seal is formed of a composite of plastic in which are dispersed carbon fibers to render the seal resistant to creep. A housing having a pair of chambers formed therein has the orificed body and piston interposed between the chambers for valvingly controlling inter-chamber communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Fluid Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butler, Wayne R. Houck, John R. Lehman, Roy D. Miller
  • Patent number: 5277401
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve which mounts directly on a tank bottom provides positive isolation between the vessel and downstream piping. When closed, the diaphragm seals against the valve body weir to seal the valve, and when opened, the valve provides a smooth, crevice free, drainable passageway to the downstream piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butler, Richard D. Randall, Wayne R. Houck
  • Patent number: 4683906
    Abstract: A trunnion type ball valve arranged so that biasing means is not needed to establish a seal between the valve seats and the ball when the valve is in the closed position. There is no load on the valve seats in the open position and a sufficient load in the closed position to effect a fluid seal in the closed position. The valve seats are movably mounted in the valve body so that they are displaced during opening and closing movement, but center themselves in the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butler, John R. Lehman, Douglas S. Gray, Wayne R. Houck