Charles Lawrence Stephens

US Patent:

7106158, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Nov 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/981850

Inventors:

Alan K Forsythe - Kent WA, US
John Michael Morris - Auburn WA, US
Charles E Stephens - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

G.T. Development Corporation - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H01F 7/08

US Classification:

335220, 25112915

Abstract:

A relatively rugged and simple solenoid-actuated valve () is disclosed having a coil assembly (), including a bobbin (), a winding () for generating a magnetic field, and a flux path bracket (). A fixed pole piece () extends into the axial volume defined by the bobbin. The coil assembly may be encased in a plastic outer body (). An armature () is slidably disposed in the axial volume and a valve seat () closes the opposite end of the axial volume. A conical spring () biases the armature toward a first position against the valve seat. An inlet fitting () and an outlet fitting () fluidly connect to the axial volume. The armature is movable by the magnetic field generated by the winding from the first position to a second position away from the valve seat, such that the valve can be selectively opened and closed.

US Patent:

20070246100, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/407871

Inventors:

Charles Stephens - Seattle WA, US
David Edwards - Port Orchard WA, US

Assignee:

GT Development Corporation - Seattle WA

International Classification:

F16K 27/08

US Classification:

137382000

Abstract:

In a valve assembly () of the type having a housing, a pole piece () disposed within the housing, and an exhaust port (), one embodiment of an exhaust port protective device () comprises a flow restrictor assembly coupled at least in part to the pole piece (). The flow restrictor assembly provides fluid flow in a first direction and restricts fluid flow in a second direction.

US Patent:

20120279589, Nov 8, 2012

Filed:

May 5, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/101332

Inventors:

John Michael Morris - Aubrun WA, US
Charles E. Stephens - Seattle WA, US

Assignee:

GT Development Corporation - Auburn WA

International Classification:

F15D 1/00
B23P 17/00

US Classification:

137561 R, 2989009

Abstract:

A configurable actuation-orientation valve () includes a valve body () including a valve bore () and a coil (), a first port () and a third port () located at a first end () and a second port () located at a second end (), a pole piece (), an armature () configured to move in response to energization of the coil (), and a biasing device () between the pole piece () and the armature (). When the biasing device () is selected to provide a normally-closed biasing force to the armature () then the configurable actuation-orientation valve () comprises a normally-closed (NC) valve and when the biasing device () is selected to provide a normally-open biasing force to the armature () then the configurable actuation-orientation valve () comprises a normally-open (NO) valve.

US Patent:

51118378, May 12, 1992

Filed:

Jul 17, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/731530

Inventors:

John M. Morris - Auburn WA
Charles E. Stephens - Kent WA
Alan K. Forsythe - Vashon WA

Assignee:

GT Development Corporation - Tukwila WA

International Classification:

F16K 1736

US Classification:

137 72

Abstract:

A poppet valve structure has a valve plug biased inwardly to close a vent opening (10). A connector member (40, 58) includes a cage (40) extending inwardly from the valve plug and a separately formed bottom plate (58) secured to the cage (40). The plate (58) defines a radially outwardly opening recess (64) and a first pair of axially spaced apart confronting surfaces. A spring abutment member (66) surrounds the plate (58) and defines a radially inwardly opening recess (74) and a second pair of confronting surfaces. The two pairs of surfaces confront and substantially contact each other. The recesses (64, 74) together define a substantially closed annular chamber. The chamber may be formed by a pair of confronting channels (64, 74) or defined axially between two flanges (61, 67) on the plate (58') and the abutment member (66'), respectively. A ring of fusible material (76) is cast in situ within the chamber to interconnect the plate (58) and the abutment member ( 66). At elevated temperatures, the fusible material (76) melts to allow the plate (58) and abutment member (66) to slide relative to each other and the plug to move outwardly away from the vent opening.

US Patent:

20190070912, Mar 7, 2019

Filed:

Sep 4, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/120830

Inventors:

- Akron OH, US
Robin LAMGADAY - Wadsworth OH, US
Charles Edgar STEPHENS - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

B60C 23/12

Abstract:

A control valve suitable for use with a tire and pump assembly is described that controls the flow of air from the pump into the tire. The control valve includes an optional bi-directional feature. The pathways alternatively operate to deliver ambient non-pressurized air to the air pumping tube in response to directional tire rotation against a ground surface.

US Patent:

20140166118, Jun 19, 2014

Filed:

Dec 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/714783

Inventors:

Charles STEPHENS - Seattle WA, US
John Michael Morris - Auburn WA, US

Assignee:

Norgren GT Development Corporation - Auburn WA

International Classification:

B60S 5/04

US Classification:

137 1501, 137224

Abstract:

A tire pressure control system () for a self-inflating tire includes a left coupling conduit () in fluid communication with a left tube end () of a peristaltic pump tube (), a right coupling conduit () in fluid communication with a right tube end (), a bypass conduit () extending between and coupling the left coupling conduit () and the right coupling conduit (), and a bypass valve () configured to block the bypass conduit () when the tire pressure is less than a predetermined target pressure. When the bypass valve () substantially blocks the bypass conduit (), then pressurized air generated in the peristaltic pump tube () is forced into the self-inflating tire. When the bypass valve () does not block the bypass conduit (), then air is allowed to circulate within the peristaltic pump tube ().