Thomas C Clements

US Patent:

44846959, Nov 27, 1984

Filed:

Sep 10, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/416476

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

G01L 1912
B67D 112

US Classification:

222 23

Abstract:

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber.

US Patent:

44819692, Nov 13, 1984

Filed:

Jun 6, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/501432

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

G05D 1606

US Classification:

1371165

Abstract:

The safety device is disposable in the gas line connecting between a gas source under pressure and a tapping device installed in a keg. The safety device includes a valve housing carrying a spring biased, axially movable piston assembly including a valve body and an axially movable stem element. Upon an increase in gas line pressure above a predetermined pressure, the gas acts on the piston assembly to displace it as a unit in an upstream direction against the bias of the spring to seal the stem against a primary valve seat element and preclude further ingress of gas into the keg. However, should the primary valve seat element leak, due to wear or contamination, causing pressure within the system to increase, the valve body will move relative to the valve stem to vent the housing to atmosphere and to close a secondary valve seat adapted to positively prevent further fluid flow downstream of the device toward the keg.

US Patent:

49288504, May 29, 1990

Filed:

May 2, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/346538

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Woodland Hills CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

McDantim, Inc. - Woodland Hills CA

International Classification:

B67B 724

US Classification:

222 3

Abstract:

An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one to one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly.

US Patent:

41356411, Jan 23, 1979

Filed:

Mar 19, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/668648

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

B67D 104

US Classification:

222 1

Abstract:

Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a container under pressure. An automatically variable restrictor is disposed in the fluid line between the container and the faucet whereby a constant predetermined flow rate is provided at the faucet. In one form hereof, the containers are serially connected one to the other with the restrictor placed between the last container and the faucet. In another form hereof, series/parallel arrangements are provided wherein sets of serially connected containers are coupled in parallel one to the other with the last container of each set being fluid connected to the common faucet. A restrictor is placed in each set of serially connected containers between the last container and the parallel connection with the faucet whereby a constant flow rate through each parallel connected set of containers is obtained and equal to the number of sets of parallel connected containers divided by the desired flow rate through the common faucet.

US Patent:

42101727, Jul 1, 1980

Filed:

Sep 22, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/944963

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

G05D 701

US Classification:

137504

Abstract:

Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a container under pressure. An automatically variable restrictor is disposed in the fluid line between the container and the faucet whereby a constant predetermined flow rate is provided at the faucet. In one form hereof, the containers are serially connected one to the other with the restrictor placed between the last container and the faucet. In another form hereof, series/parallel arrangements are provided wherein sets of serially connected containers are coupled in parallel one to the other with the last container of each set being fluid connected to the common faucet. A restrictor is placed in each set of serially connected containers between the last container and the parallel connection with the faucet whereby a constant flow rate through each parallel connected set of containers is obtained and equal to the number of sets of parallel connected containers divided by the desired flow rate through the common faucet.

US Patent:

43491367, Sep 14, 1982

Filed:

Feb 7, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/119561

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

B67D 112

US Classification:

222396

Abstract:

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber.

US Patent:

48741167, Oct 17, 1989

Filed:

Jun 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/201002

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Woodland Hills CA
Thomas W. Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

McDantim, Inc. - Woodland Hills CA

International Classification:

B65D 8314
B67D 104
B67D 112

US Classification:

222399

Abstract:

An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one to one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly.

US Patent:

45664765, Jan 28, 1986

Filed:

Mar 29, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/717446

Inventors:

Merton R. Fallon - Thousand Oaks CA
Thomas Clements - Ambler PA

Assignee:

Draft Systems, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

F16K 1714

US Classification:

137 71

Abstract:

A safety flow control device for use in a beverage distribution system of the character using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device of the invention is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the containers for the beverage. The device embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed to atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc. In the open configuration the valving mechanism permits the gas to flow from the inlet into a first sub-chamber defined by the first side of the rupture disc and then outwardly through the outlet of the device. When the rupture disc fails, the valve mechanism will automatically close preventing further flow of gas into the first sub-chamber and toward the outlet.