Robert Edward Neff

US Patent:

6463367, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775264

Inventors:

Robert F. Neff - Harper Woods MI

Assignee:

Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B61B 300

US Classification:

701 19, 701 20, 246 3

Abstract:

An improved communications for an electrified monorail includes an off-board programmable logic controller having at least one output electrically coupled to a buss bar of the electrified monorail. At least one other programmable logic controller is mounted on a vehicle that travels on the electrified monorail and includes at least one input in electrical contact with the buss bar. The off-board programmable logic controller is programmed to set its output at a series of high and low voltages corresponding to a message. The on-board programmable logic controller is programmed to detect the series of high and low voltages, store them at least temporarily in memory, and act accordingly upon the transmitted message.

US Patent:

6637451, Oct 28, 2003

Filed:

Dec 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008734

Inventors:

Robert H. Neff - Bloomfield Village MI
Jeffrey S. Simmonds - Brighton MI

Assignee:

MAC Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

G05D 1602

US Classification:

1371165, 137505, 13750526

Abstract:

A pneumatic pressure regulator assembly including a regulator housing having an inlet adapted for fluid communication with a supply of pneumatic pressure, an outlet adapted to provide pneumatic pressure to a downstream pneumatically actuated device at a regulated pressure, and a regulator valve assembly. The regulator valve assembly has a valve member movably supported within the regulator housing between an open and a closed position. A piston assembly acts to bias the valve member to its open position when the outlet pressure is below a predetermined value. The piston assembly includes a pressure responsive surface defining a geometric shape with a major and a minor axis wherein the major axis is greater than the minor axis. The piston assembly is responsive to pneumatic pressure flowing between the inlet and the outlet to reduce the biasing force acting on the valve member such that the valve member moves to its closed position when the outlet pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

US Patent:

6772791, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

May 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/150291

Inventors:

Robert Neff - Bloomfield Village MI

Assignee:

MAC Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

F15B 13044

US Classification:

13762565, 137906

Abstract:

A direct operated valve assembly is provided including a valve body having a pressurized inlet port in communication with a source of pressurized air, a cylinder port, a valve bore extending axially within the valve body, and a valve member supported within the valve bore and movable between predetermined positions within the valve bore to selectively direct pressurized air from said inlet port through the cylinder port. An actuator is also included that is mounted to the valve body for moving the valve member in a first direction and a biasing member disposed between the valve member and the valve body to provide a biasing force to the valve member in an opposite direction. Also, an air-assist passage is included for providing a source of pneumatic pressure that acts in combination with the biasing member to operatively move the valve member in a direction opposite to the movement induced by the actuator.

US Patent:

7210501, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Sep 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/953701

Inventors:

Robert H Neff - Bloomfield Village MI, US
Eric P Janssen - Howell MI, US
Lynn R Long - Walled Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Mac Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

F15B 13/044
F16K 39/02

US Classification:

13762565, 13762527, 251282

Abstract:

A fluid control valve includes a valve body having both fluid inlet and discharge ports. A flow passage axially extending within the valve body communicates with the inlet and discharge ports. A valve member within the flow passage is movable by an actuator force in a first direction to direct a pressurized fluid from the inlet to the discharge port. The valve member includes first and second valve heads having different diameters and a valve seating member. The valve seating member engages first and second sealing diameters of the flow passage, the second sealing diameter being smaller than the first. Fluid pressure acting on the different diameters of the first valve head and valve seating member in contact with the second sealing diameter creates a net return force directing the valve member in a second direction opposite to the first direction upon removal of the actuator force.

US Patent:

8167000, May 1, 2012

Filed:

Jun 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/141419

Inventors:

Robert H. Neff - Bloomfield Village MI, US
Jeffrey Simmonds - Brighton MI, US
Eric P. Janssen - Howell MI, US

Assignee:

MAC Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

F16K 11/07

US Classification:

13762569, 13762567, 25112918

Abstract:

A valve assembly includes a solenoid can having an internal coil. A valve body connected to the solenoid can includes an inlet port and a first valve seat. An axially adjustable retainer threadably connected to the valve body includes an end portion defining a second valve seat. A homogenous valve member/armature slidably disposed in the valve body moves in the presence of a coil generated magnetic flux between valve closed and valve open positions. A valve member/armature first surface area is in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid through the inlet port. A valve member/armature second surface area is in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid in the valve closed position. The first surface area is equal to the second surface area and the pressurized fluid acts equally on the first and second surface areas defining a pressure balanced condition in the valve closed position.

US Patent:

8453678, Jun 4, 2013

Filed:

Apr 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/416495

Inventors:

Robert H. Neff - Bloomfield Village MI, US
Jeffrey Simmonds - Brighton MI, US

Assignee:

MAC Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

F15B 13/043

US Classification:

13762564, 1376256, 13762527, 13762567, 13762569, 13762563, 251 31, 251359, 251360

Abstract:

A valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve bore. A valve member is slidably disposed within the valve bore between first and second stop positions. First and second valve elements of the valve member have first and second sealing surfaces equally angled with respect to a valve member longitudinal axis. Each of the first and second sealing surfaces is oriented parallel with conical shaped first and second seat surfaces. Both first and second seat surfaces are equally angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and have an adjustable spacing such that the first sealing surface contacts the first seat surface and the second sealing surface contacts the second seat surface simultaneously in the first stop position.

US Patent:

20060027269, Feb 9, 2006

Filed:

Jul 27, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/191224

Inventors:

Robert Neff - Bloomfield Village MI, US
Eric Janssen - Howell MI, US

International Classification:

F15B 13/044

US Classification:

137625650

Abstract:

A solenoid for an electromagnetically operated valve includes a bobbin having a substantially rectangular or elliptical cross section, a pole plate stationary with respect to the bobbin, and an armature slidable within the bobbin in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil through the pole plate. A coil wound around the bobbin has a rectangular cross section which on a short axis side includes a width W. A relation between width W and a virtual cylindrical iron core of diameter D having the same cross sectional area as an armature cross sectional area is expressed as D=(0.4 to 0.8) W. A ratio of a length A of a long axis side of the armature to a length B of a short axis side of the armature has a range between 3.1≦(A/B)≦4.5.

US Patent:

20120061600, Mar 15, 2012

Filed:

Sep 6, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/226161

Inventors:

Robert H. Neff - Bloomfield Village MI, US
Jeffrey Simmonds - Commerce Township MI, US

Assignee:

MAC Valves, Inc. - Wixom MI

International Classification:

F16K 7/00
F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112915, 251331

Abstract:

A diaphragm sealed, pressure balanced valve assembly includes a valve body and a cartridge connected to the valve body. The cartridge includes a cartridge loading end having a retaining member engaged to the cartridge loading end. A valve member slides coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the valve body. A resilient material first diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member having a diaphragm body clasped between the retaining member and the cartridge loading end, creating a first diaphragm fluid pressure boundary. A resilient material second diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member at an opposite end of the valve member with respect to the first diaphragm and has a diaphragm body clasped between first and second adjustable retention members, creating a second diaphragm fluid pressure boundary.