Patents Assigned to Nibco, Inc.
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Publication number: 20240123375Abstract: A water sediment filter assembly includes a screen member and a drain port which permits the removal of collected debris. The water sediment filter assembly includes a valve member which can be moved to different positions to permit the draining of collected sediment through the drain port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20240125485Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11913569Abstract: A ball check valve assembly includes a combination ball valve and spring check valve within a valve assembly. The use of union ends on the valve assembly permits the easy removal and replacement of the components of the valve assembly from a plumbing system. An integral bleeder valve allows for the pressure release and drainage of the ball check valve assembly before the union ends are decoupled.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11898643Abstract: A dual union drain valve has union couplings to permit a variety of fitting ends. The dual union drain valve has a T-valve member at the intersection of the tee-shaped valve body that can be rotated within the fluid passageway to provide a variety of options for selectively closing sections of the fluid passageway.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11873999Abstract: A plumbing system pressure protection valve assembly that utilizes a unitary body to connect a hot water tank to a cold water supply, a vacuum breaker, and an expansion tank. The assembly includes two ball valves coupled to the unitary body to isolate the hot water tank from the cold water feed and to isolate and permit draining of the expansion tank. The assembly also includes a rod and foot coupled to a tab on the unitary body to provide support for the expansion tank service valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11866916Abstract: A fluid supply monitoring system includes a fluid sensor configured to identify a flow rate of a fluid through a supply line. The system comprises a valve configured to control the flow rate through the supply line and a pressure sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data and identify fluid consumption from the supply line based on the flow rate. The controller is further configured to compare the fluid consumption of a usage event to one of a time limit and a volume limit. In response to the fluid consumption exceeding the time limit or the volume limit, the controller controls the valve to a closed position and identifies a potential fluid leak. With the valve in the closed position, the controller processes a verification procedure that identifies whether the potential fluid leak is an actual fluid leak.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: NIBCO INC.Inventor: Christopher William Mason
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Patent number: 11802625Abstract: A ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes a wye strainer located adjacent to a T-ball valve within a unitary body. The ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes an additional valve member. The combination of the valve members permits the flushing of the wye strainer screen from either upstream or downstream. A drain is also incorporated to allow for the system draining, flushing, or air-purging during the initial installation and subsequent maintenance of the screen and wye strainer.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11796080Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an outer sleeve having first and second pillars and defining an outer sleeve hollow, a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch, wherein the first pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the first and second notches, and the second pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the second and third notches.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: NIBCO INC.Inventors: James Stogdill, David A. Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
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Publication number: 20230296196Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
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Publication number: 20230287989Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes an outer sleeve having first and second pillars and defining an outer sleeve hollow, a first notch, a second notch, and a third notch, wherein the first pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the first and second notches, and the second pillar of the outer sleeve at least partially defines and is positioned between the second and third notches.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: James Stogdill, David A. Bobo, Matthew J. Krazit
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Patent number: 11725747Abstract: A water arrestor valve assembly permits the servicing and/or replacement of a water hammer arrestor in a segment of a plumbing system. The water hammer arrestor can be isolated from the incoming and outgoing water supply by a valve or a tee-shaped valve body. In addition, the bleeder drain valve(s) can be located on the tee-shaped valve body to reduce the pressure and drain fluid before removal of the water hammer arrestor and can also be used to isolate, reduce the pressure and drain the length of piping of the fixture/appliance that is downstream of the water hammer arrestor.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
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Publication number: 20230241534Abstract: A water sediment filter assembly includes a screen member and a drain port which permits the removal of collected debris. The water sediment filter assembly includes a valve member which can be moved to different positions to permit the draining of collected sediment through the drain port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
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Patent number: 11707705Abstract: A hydronic system separator has an air separator with a vent release mechanism to remove air from the fluid within a hydronic system. The separator includes a magnetic assembly for collecting ferrous particles from the fluid. One or more screens are used to remove other particles from the fluid. The separator housing includes a removable debris collection receptacle that has a drain assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Andrew J. Terry
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Patent number: 11708922Abstract: A connection socket for a tubular connection includes a socket cup having a metal alloy composition and a sealing portion. A primary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The primary seal includes an elastomeric material having a service temperature. One or more spacer rings are positioned within the sealing portion. A secondary seal is positioned within the sealing portion. The secondary seal includes a metal composition, wherein the secondary seal has a melting temperature at or above the service temperature of the primary seal. One or more locking rings are positioned within the sealing portion, wherein each of the one or more locking rings comprises a biting feature defined along an internal circumference of the locking ring.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: NIBCO INC.Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Ronald Dale Paige, Richard D. Latham
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Publication number: 20230141143Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20230145680Abstract: An isolation assembly for a boiler unit that incorporates a pressure relief valve and an automatic air vent to a valve body that includes a valve positioned adjacent to the automatic air vent. The unitary valve body reduces the number of components and leak paths and incorporates a ball valve to permit removing and/or securing the automatic air vent without having to purge the adjacent plumbing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
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Publication number: 20230128634Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20230130688Abstract: An isolation mounting arm for use with an expansion tank has a passageway with a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion located between the first end portion and the second end portion with the drain port located at the terminal end of the second end portion. A first tee is located in the first end portion with oppositely disposed first and second ports. A second tee is located in the second end portion, with oppositely disposed fourth and fifth ports. A first valve member is coupled to the first port, a second valve member is coupled to the second port, and a third valve member is located adjacent to the drain port. An expansion tank is coupled to either the fourth port or the fifth port with a plug coupled to the other port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2021Publication date: April 27, 2023Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11624467Abstract: An isolation valve unit with a fusion outlet including a valve body comprised of a metal, such as brass, and having at least two ports, at least one of the ports including an overmolded thermoplastic end surrounding and enclosing the port from which the fusion outlet extends. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic end is composed of a PP-RCT material and is securely formed over the port by way of an over molding technique. The valve unit further includes a ball valve accommodated within the valve body and a handle for actuating the ball valve. The isolation valve unit is configured to couple to a larger polymeric pipe and to control the flow of fluids in a plumbing system via actuation of the ball valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11566721Abstract: A dielectric union ball valve utilizes a non-conductive separation sleeve to prevent contact between the union and the nut of a dielectric valve assembly. The valve assembly can optionally include an independently operated drain valve port to permit draining of the valve assembly. The use and positioning of a non-conductive separation sleeve mitigates potential galvanic reaction between dissimilar pipes and/or fittings that are connected to the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason