Robert A Woods

US Patent:

7762526, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Aug 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/895897

Inventors:

Nate Coleman - San Diego CA, US
John Slaney - San Diego CA, US
Sean Mallory - San Diego CA, US
Per Cederstav - San Diego CA, US
David Kruse - San Diego CA, US
William Ballard - San Diego CA, US
Robert Woods - San Diego CA, US

Assignee:

Nor-Cal Products, Inc. - Yreka CA

International Classification:

F16K 3/10

US Classification:

251187, 251204, 251229, 251259, 251301

Abstract:

A Pendulum Valve having Independently and Rapidly Controllable Theta- and Z-axis Motion. The valve actuator used in the present invention provides the benefit of wide open unrestricted flow of a pendulum valve coupled with the high-resolution and wide dynamic range flow throttling of a ball or butterfly valve. The actuator mechanism will include motor drives and associated control system so that the drives are closely coupled to give highly controlled motion. The drive assembly introduces a concentric shaft arrangement that, when coupled with the highly controllable motor drives, exploits a cam-follower arrangement to make the relative rotation between the two concentric shafts result in highly controlled theta and z-axis motion. Finally, the plate to seal spacing afforded is greater than previously possible with prior valve actuator mechanisms, thereby substantially reducing flow turbulence through the valve as the valve plate eclipses the valve ports.

US Patent:

20080177678, Jul 24, 2008

Filed:

Jan 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/626810

Inventors:

Paul Di Martini - North Tustin CA, US
Muir Davis - La Verne CA, US
Stephanie L. Hamilton - Monrovia CA, US
Paul G Kasick - Los Angeles CA, US
Russell Neal - Hantington Beach CA, US
Lester Hirata - Fontana CA, US
Mark Martinez - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
Robert G. Woods - Huntington Beach CA, US
Victor Pimentel - Rancho Cucamonga CA, US
Bob Yinger - Seal Beach CA, US
James McGrath - Fontana CA, US
Mark B. Reardon - San Marcos CA, US
Cathy Melton - Placentia CA, US
Debbie Tillman - Lakewood CA, US
Larry Colwell - Upland CA, US
John Bubb - Newport Beach CA, US
Thomas J. Dossey - Covina CA, US
Jeremy Laundergan - Long Beach CA, US
Jeff Gooding - Upland CA, US
Kevin G Wood - Glendora CA, US

International Classification:

G08C 15/06
G06Q 10/00
G08B 25/00

US Classification:

705412, 34087002, 705 1

Abstract:

A method for communicating between a utility and individual customer locations includes the step of communicating between the utility and customers and between the utility and customer equipment located at each individual customer location via the Internet or via an advanced utility meter. The method of communicating typically includes the additional steps of providing each individual customer location with an advanced utility meter and using each individual utility meter to communicate between the utility and the advanced utility meter, to communicate between the advanced utility meter and the individual customers and to communicate between the advanced utility meter and equipment locator and each individual customer location.