James Stouffer Hawkins

US Patent:

6968857, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Mar 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/400704

Inventors:

James Chester Hawkins - Allen TX, US
David Edwards Woollums - Frisco TX, US
Neal Arthur Ackerman - McKinney TX, US
Chun Lin - McKinney TX, US
Harold Joe McKinney - Durant OK, US
Erik Matthew Quijano - San Antonio TX, US

Assignee:

Emerson Process Control - Austin TX

International Classification:

G05D016/02

US Classification:

13750546, 251284

Abstract:

A pressure reducing fluid regulator having a housing with a flange including a plurality of ear-shaped protrusions is disclosed. Each of the protrusions includes at least one aperture configured to receive fastener such that the circumferential spacing between first and second fasteners is less than the circumferential spacing between the second fastener and a third fastener. The regulator includes a valve having a valve seat, a valve disc, a valve stem coupled to the valve disc and a valve guide that holds the valve stem. A lever having a first end coupled to the valve stem and a second end coupled to a diaphragm applies a force to the valve stem in a direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve stem to cause the valve stem to frictionally engage the valve guide. The valve stem includes a stop that limits travel of the valve stem and disc toward the valve seat.

US Patent:

8156958, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Apr 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/105899

Inventors:

Jun Y. Zhang - Xiangfan, CN
James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US
Ting Xu - Shanghai, CN

Assignee:

Fisher Controls International LLC - Marshalltown IA

International Classification:

F16K 17/04
G05D 16/06

US Classification:

137269, 13750511, 13750547

Abstract:

A regulator comprises a regulator valve and an actuator. The regulator valve comprises a valve body equipped with a customized valve port. That is, the valve seat is designed to have a customized seat height depending on a diameter of an orifice through the valve port, a longitudinal dimension of an orifice through the valve port, and/or a flow capacity of the valve port. Such a design advantageously maximizes the efficiency at which gas flows through the regulator. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and comprises a valve disc disposed within the valve body and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat.

US Patent:

8240327, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Apr 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/427435

Inventors:

James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US
Paul R. Anderson - Zimmerman MN, US
Jason S. Mevius - McKinney TX, US
Gregory L. Foust - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. - McKinney TX

International Classification:

F16K 31/385

US Classification:

1374895, 13750512, 13750515, 13750546

Abstract:

A gas regulator includes an actuator, a regulator valve, and pressure loading device. The pressure loading device provides a pressure load to a surface of a diaphragm of the actuator to act against a downstream pressure being applied to the opposite surface of the diaphragm and being controlled by the regulator. As the downstream pressure varies and the diaphragm displaces to move a control element to regulate the downstream pressure, the pressure loading device maintains a specified load pressure. The regulator may further include a balanced trim applying a balancing force to offset a force of an upstream pressure on the control element.

US Patent:

8256446, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Apr 11, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/101754

Inventors:

James Chester Hawkins - Allen TX, US
Paul Richard Anderson - Zimmerman MN, US
Gregory Lawrence Foust - Plano TX, US
Seth Kranz - Royse City TX, US
Jason Scott Mevius - McKinney TX, US

Assignee:

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. - McKinney TX

International Classification:

G05D 16/06
F16K 31/365
F16K 31/165
F16K 17/34

US Classification:

1371165, 13750546, 13750547, 1374848, 137269, 137270

Abstract:

Apparatus to configure fluid regulators are described. In one example, a stem guide for use with a fluid regulator is described. The stem guide includes a body having an opening to slidably receive a valve stem and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferential seals that removably couple the body within a bore of a regulator casing and align the body with the regulator casing or a valve.

US Patent:

8256452, Sep 4, 2012

Filed:

Apr 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/105737

Inventors:

James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher Controls International LLC - Marshalltown IA

International Classification:

F16K 31/36

US Classification:

13750546, 251 58, 2513352

Abstract:

A gas regulator includes an actuator, a valve, and a cartridge disposed within the valve to advantageously direct, or “boost,” fluid downstream and away from the actuator under normal operating conditions, thereby increasing the operating efficiency of the regulator. The cartridge includes a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. During normal operation, the first portion receives a valve disc of the actuator within generally tight tolerances such that the valve disc and the cartridge restrict fluid communication between the valve and the actuator. This directs or “boosts” the gas toward the outlet of the valve. Additionally, during a relief operation, the second portion of the cartridge receives the valve disc to allow the free flow of gas to the actuator.

US Patent:

8286660, Oct 16, 2012

Filed:

Apr 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/427419

Inventors:

Jason S. Mevius - McKinney TX, US
James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US
Seth A. Kranz - Royse City TX, US
Gregory L. Foust - Plano TX, US

Assignee:

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. - McKinney TX

International Classification:

F16K 17/34

US Classification:

1374848, 13750511, 13750512, 13750547

Abstract:

A gas regulator includes an actuator, a regulator valve, and a secondary device. Downstream pressure feedback is provided to the actuator and the secondary device via a Pitot tube disposed within an outlet of the regulator valve. The Pitot tube has a first branch having an end connected to the actuator to place the actuator control cavity and diaphragm in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for maintaining the outlet pressure at an actuator setpoint pressure. The Pitot tube also has a second branch having an end connected to the secondary device to place the interior of the secondary device in fluid communication with downstream pressure within the outlet for responding to changes in the downstream pressure when the outlet pressure diverges from a predetermined normal operating pressure range.

US Patent:

8397743, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Nov 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/941612

Inventors:

James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US
Stanley D. Hall - Frisco TX, US

Assignee:

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. - McKinney TX

International Classification:

G05D 11/00

US Classification:

1371165, 137505, 13750546

Abstract:

An example internal relief valve disclosed herein includes a relief valve seat coupled to a first end of the relief valve stem and to engage a first side of a sensing apparatus to prevent fluid flow between the first side of the sensing apparatus and a second side of the sensing apparatus when the internal relief valve is in a closed position. A bleed hole within a surface of the sensing apparatus and separate from the opening of the sensing apparatus is dimensioned to provide a controlled flow rate between the first side and the second side of the sensing apparatus when the internal relief valve is in an open position. A seal is disposed along a body of the relief valve stem upstream from the bleed hole and the valve seat to prevent fluid flow between the first side of the sensing apparatus and the second side of the sensing apparatus via the opening of the sensing apparatus when the relief valve is in the open position.

US Patent:

8464999, Jun 18, 2013

Filed:

Apr 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/105862

Inventors:

James C. Hawkins - Allen TX, US

Assignee:

Fisher Controls International LLC - St. Louis MO

International Classification:

F16K 31/12

US Classification:

251 58, 2513352, 251367, 1371165, 1374844, 13750546, 13750547

Abstract:

A fluid regulating device comprises an actuator with upper and lower housing components. The upper and lower housing components are secured together at mating flanges via a plurality of fasteners. The upper housing component is formed with a vent to contain a relief valve, which exhausts fluid to the atmosphere under overpressure conditions. The upper housing component is constructed such that it does not require a pedestal or fins extending between the vent and the flange, which advantageously provides a completely unobstructed, continuous, ring-shaped flange for receiving and manipulating the fasteners during assembly and/or maintenance of the regulating device.