Kevin A Douglas

Author:

Kevin S. Douglas

ISBN #:

0195188284

US Patent:

7448412, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Jul 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/188294

Inventors:

William O. Teach - Frankfort IL, US
James C. Laski - Bourbonnais IL, US
Paul W. Gibson - Manteno IL, US
Donald C. Harris - Crete IL, US
Kevin R. Douglas - Lockport IL, US

Assignee:

AFA Controls LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F15C 1/04

US Classification:

137831, 13759617, 25112906

Abstract:

A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.

US Patent:

7753072, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Jul 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/188139

Inventors:

Kevin R. Douglas - Lockport IL, US
William O. Teach - Frankfort IL, US
Paul W. Gibson - Manteno IL, US
Donald C. Harris - Crete IL, US
Scott H. Goodwin - Hillsborough NC, US
David E. Dausch - Raleigh NC, US
Wayne D. Dettloff - Wake Forest NC, US

Assignee:

AFA Controls LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F15B 13/043

US Classification:

13759618, 137596, 13759617, 25112901

Abstract:

A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.

US Patent:

7946308, May 24, 2011

Filed:

Oct 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/247081

Inventors:

William O. Teach - Frankfort IL, US
James C. Laski - Bourbonnais IL, US
Paul W. Gibson - Manteno IL, US
Donald C. Harris - Crete IL, US
Kevin R. Douglas - Lockport IL, US

Assignee:

AFA Controls LLC - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

F15C 1/04

US Classification:

137 1518, 13759617, 137831, 137833, 25112906

Abstract:

A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.

US Patent:

20100236644, Sep 23, 2010

Filed:

Jun 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/794157

Inventors:

Kevin R. Douglas - Lockport IL, US
William O. Teach - Frankfort IL, US
Paul W. Gibson - Manteno IL, US
Donald C. Harris - Crete IL, US
Scott H. Goodwin - Hillsborough NC, US
David E. Dausch - Raleigh NC, US
Wayne D. Dettloff - Wake Forest NC, US

International Classification:

G05D 7/06

US Classification:

1374875

Abstract:

A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.

US Patent:

20110132484, Jun 9, 2011

Filed:

Feb 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/020408

Inventors:

William O. Teach - Frankfort IL, US
James C. Laski - Bourbonnais IL, US
Paul W. Gibson - Manteno IL, US
Donald C. Harris - Crete IL, US
Kevin R. Douglas - Lockport IL, US

International Classification:

F16K 11/065

US Classification:

13762518

Abstract:

A valve chip may include a substrate having first and second faces and openings between the first and second faces, and a plurality of flexible valve flaps on one of the faces of the substrate with each flexible valve flap being associated with at least one of the openings. The valve chip may be packaged by forming a frame having an opening therein, and securing the valve chip in the opening of the frame. More particularly, the valve chip may be secured in the opening so that central portions of the first and second faces of the substrate are exposed through the opening in the frame and so that a fluid seal is provided between the frame and edges of the substrate. Related valves, valve assemblies, and methods are also discussed.