Kenneth M Harper

US Patent:

20050109539, May 26, 2005

Filed:

Nov 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/717940

Inventors:

David Nappier - Caseyville IL, US
David Fritsche - Foristell MO, US
Scott Martin - Swansea IL, US
Kenneth Harper - O'Fallon MO, US

International Classification:

E21B047/02
E21B007/00

US Classification:

175057000, 175045000, 175026000

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for thrust sensing valves are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing including an input port and an output port and further having a mounting portion adapted to be coupled to a manufacturing tool. A supply member is operatively coupled to the housing to provide a flow of the pressurized medium into the input port of the housing. Finally, an elongated body is operatively coupled to the housing and moveable along an axis between a first position corresponding to a first pressure output from the housing and a second position corresponding to a second pressure output from the housing. The elongated body is biased into the first position and moveable into the second position in the presence of a thrust force on the mounting portion.