Patents Examined by Angelisa L Hicks
  • Patent number: 11707979
    Abstract: A fuel pump module which may be easily assembled and mounted in a flat bombe having a small height in an LPG vehicle, may have a structure in which a reservoir cup may be rotated and restored with respect to a plate by support bars and springs, so that the fuel pump module may be easily assembled and mounted even in a flat bombe having a small height. Furthermore, members for blocking noise and absorbing vibration are combined with a fuel pump, so noise and vibration may be reduced when the pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seong Cheol Cho, Ju Tae Song, Sung Won Lee, Se Jin Kim, Joon Seup Kim, Hyeong Cheol Yuk
  • Patent number: 11698145
    Abstract: A device for measuring a state of a valve may include a housing configured to connect to a handle of a valve or a body of a valve, a sensor supported on one of the housing or the valve stem, and an indicator detectable by the sensor. The indicator may be configured to move relative to the sensor in response to movement of a valve stem or valve handle during opening and closing of the valve. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the indicator to determine a state of the valve. Related systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Agarwal, Robert T. England, John W. Buttles, Sasa Kovacevic
  • Patent number: 11698647
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a manifold includes a first housing with an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a second housing, and a valve retainer engaged with the first and second housings. The valve retainer includes a retention plate defined between first and second surfaces, a plurality of slot walls extending from the first surface, and a protruding edge that extends from a flanged lip and surrounds the plurality of slot walls. The retention plate defines a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of slot walls. The first housing may define a groove that receives the protruding edge, and the second housing may include a rim that engages the flanged lip of the valve retainer. Valve housings including first and second mating structures separated by wall segments may be positioned in outlets of the first housing and corresponding slots of the valve retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Doyle, William Weiss
  • Patent number: 11693436
    Abstract: Valve systems and related methods include valve actuators and control systems configured to monitor at least one characteristic of the valve system during movement of a valve element to a position in the valve system and to determine a drift of the position based on the monitored at least one characteristic of the valve system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FLOWSERVE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Mark D. Ollander, Daniel E. Carlson, Michael Adam Rumore
  • Patent number: 11692903
    Abstract: A seat leak measurement system for a ball valve is described. The system includes: a ball valve with a cavity drain line, the ball valve including a cavity pressure sensor; a valve seat leak measurement apparatus including: a cable with a connector, the connector having an external grounding cable; an apparatus electronic control system in communication with the valve sensor retrieval fitting and with valves of the valve seat; an fluid inlet line with a quick pipe coupler, the fluid inlet line having an apparatus drain valve and an isolation valve; a pressure indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the pressure indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; a temperature indicator transmitter connected to the fluid inlet line, the temperature indicator transmitter in electronic communication with the apparatus electronic control system; and a flow elements manifold receiving fluid from the fluid inlet line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Daniel Genta, Essam Ahmed Al-Arfaj
  • Patent number: 11644104
    Abstract: Staying of a drain on a cylinder attached to a lower side of a valve casing is suppressed, and occurrence of corrosion of the cylinder is suppressed. A steam valve includes a valve casing, a valve disc disposed within the valve casing, a cylinder disposed on a lower side of the valve casing and having a piston rod extending upward, a valve stem vertically penetrating a lower portion of the valve casing and having one end coupled to the piston rod via a coupling and having another end coupled to the valve disc, a cover having a larger diameter than the piston rod and the coupling and configured to separate the piston rod and the coupling from each other by being interposed between the piston rod and the coupling, and a tubular skirt hanging down from a peripheral portion of the cover and surrounding a periphery of a head portion of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kenya Nishimura, Atsushi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11635070
    Abstract: A cordless compressor has an air storage tank, a pump for pressuring air within the air storage tank, a motor driving pump, a power tool battery pack connected to the motor, a discharge port connected to the air storage tank, and a regulator disposed between the discharge port and the air storage tank. The pump can raise the air pressure within the air storage tank from 0 psi to about 135 psi in less than 135 seconds. With such arrangement, a compressor having an air pressure within the air storage tank of 135 psi set at a 70 psi setting can power an 18 gauge nailer connected to the compressor to drive more than 1200 nails on a single battery charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Lance S. Hathcock, Christina M. Wilson, Gary D. White, William R. Stumpf
  • Patent number: 11624453
    Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to an apparatus for monitoring a valve having a control element, wherein the control element is actuated by an actuator, having: an adaptor between the control element and the actuator, wherein the adaptor couples a valve stem of the control element to the actuator; and an electronics module contained within the adaptor, wherein the electronics module further comprises one or more sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brown, Jim Schmidt, Brindesh Dhruva, Michael Kitchens, Stan Allen
  • Patent number: 11618667
    Abstract: A removal system (1) with an extraction head (2) that may be placed onto an opening of a bottle (3)), wherein the extraction head (2) has a closing means for closing the opening of the bottle (3). In the extraction head (2), a tube (5) is mounted such that when the extraction head (2) is placed onto the opening, the tube (5) projects into the bottle (3) and fluid (4) may be removed from the bottle (3) via the tube (5). An actuation mechanism is provided, by means of which the mounting of the tube (5) in the extraction head (2) may be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AS Strömungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Szeteli, Nico Fischer
  • Patent number: 11585457
    Abstract: A valve drive with a snap function includes a rotary drive input, a lead screw connected to or formed by the rotary drive input, a slide in threaded engagement with the lead screw to form a screw thread, the slide being mechanically connected or connectable to a valve body and being movable in the direction of a longitudinal axis. A bearing housing is provided in which the lead screw is mounted so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis and stationary in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The bearing housing is held against a displacement along the longitudinal axis by a releasable locking device, countering the preload force of a snap spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Lindoerfer, Armin Goll, Walter Notar, Harald Schuster, Martin Werner
  • Patent number: 11566792
    Abstract: A knob assembly includes a front panel, a knob located at a front side of the front panel and configured to rotate based on operation by a user, a knob shaft that is coupled to the knob and that extends through the front panel, a supporting pipe that receives the knob shaft and that supports the knob shaft, the supporting pipe being configured to maintain a position relative to the front panel, a valve configured to control supply of gas to the appliance, a valve shaft connected to the valve and configured to control the valve to adjust a flow rate of gas based on rotation of the valve shaft, and a joint that couples the knob shaft to the valve shaft and that is configured to transfer at least one of a rotational motion or a linear motion of the knob shaft to the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11560968
    Abstract: A bleed valve for a gas turbine engine includes a housing that defines an inlet upstream from an outlet. The bleed valve includes a poppet movable relative to the housing between a first position, in which the poppet closes the inlet, and a second position, in which the inlet is open and configured to receive a fluid flow. The housing defines a tortuous path for the fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet configured to reduce a pressure of the fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet within the housing. The tortuous path is defined by a plurality of rings positioned about the poppet, with each ring of the plurality of rings spaced apart from an adjacent ring of the plurality of rings between the inlet and the outlet to define the tortuous path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John Taylor Pearson, William B. Schuster, Morris G. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11537150
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a block elongated in a longitudinal direction and having a predetermined width, an internal flow channel formed inside the block so as to extend in the longitudinal direction, a first control valve mounted on the block, a second control valve mounted on the block at a position downstream of the first control valve. In the fluid control apparatus, the internal flow channel has a first outflow channel connected to a first outlet of the first control valve through which a fluid flows out thereof and also has a second inflow channel connected to a second inlet of the second control valve through which the fluid flows thereinto. In addition, the first outflow channel and the second inflow channel are disposed so as to overlap each other at one point as viewed in the width direction through the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Shakudo
  • Patent number: 11530760
    Abstract: A hydraulic cartridge valve including a housing with an interior, first and second ports that pass through the housing, a poppet in the housing interior, and an activation sensor. The poppet moves between a closed position that blocks flow through the housing interior between the first and second ports, and an open position that allows flow through the housing interior between the first and second ports. The activation sensor senses poppet position, and generate a valve open signal when the poppet is in the open position. The activation sensor can be a contact or contactless sensor, and can be located in an opening through the housing blocked by a diaphragm. A pushrod pushed by the poppet can activate the sensor, such that when the poppet blocks flow the pushrod is separated from the diaphragm, and when the poppet allows flow the pushrod is pushed towards the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Adam H. Kwiatkowski, Daniel J. Wallace
  • Patent number: 11525725
    Abstract: A hub, sight glass column and bottom sediment and water bowl are described. The hub is adapted to interconnect multiple machine fluid equipment to a single port on a machine. The hub is provided with an adjustable fitting connectable to a housing, and recessed within the hub. The sight glass column is configured to be indirectly attachable to a machine via a machine connector such that machine fluid is transferable from the machine to the sight glass column. The sight glass column further has a remote sensing port, and a lockable oil level ring. The bottom sediment and water bowl has a conically shaped bottom to direct fluid to a drain valve, and an indicator located on an upper tip of the drain valve. The indicator is configured to provide information with respect to one or more contaminant or property of machine fluid within the bottom sediment and water bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Luneta, LLC
    Inventors: James Chester Fitch, Thomas Chester Fitch, James Bennett Fitch, Jeremy J. Wright
  • Patent number: 11504518
    Abstract: Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling system. Such repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems are configured to facilitate multiple connection and disconnection cycles while repeatably establishing a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system. The repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems can repeatably establish a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system even though the coupling system may be used in a non-sterile environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventors: Loi T. Truong, Randall S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11486512
    Abstract: An open/closed display handle for rotating a spindle of an open/closed valve mechanism of a valve device includes a handle main body having a handle-side gear that rotates about an axis of the spindle, a rotary display body having an open/closed display portion that displays an open/closed valve state and a display body-side gear, and a rotary fixed body that pivotally supports planetary gears. The planetary gears, the handle-side gear, and the display body-side gear form a differential rotation mechanism, and a visual recognition restricting body that covers the rotary display body and has openings that open to allow a portion to be displayed of the open/closed display portion to be visually recognized from an outside and a transparent cover body that covers an entire outer side of the visual recognition restricting body and is translucent to allow visual recognition from an outer side form the handle main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NERIKI VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Takeda, Kazuyuki Miyata
  • Patent number: 11391031
    Abstract: Method of controlling a vacuum waste system, which comprises a number of sources of waste (9), vacuum sewer piping (7) including at least a branch pipe (71) and at least a main pipe line (72), a discharge valve (8) having an inlet end connected to a source of waste and an outlet end provided with a given type of connection to the vacuum sewer piping, and a vacuum unit (11) connected to the vacuum sewer piping. Vacuum is generated in the vacuum sewer piping by the vacuum unit and a discharge sequence for discharging waste from the source of waste into the vacuum sewer piping is activated by a discharge sequence activating means (20), whereby the discharge sequence is set for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: EVAC OY
    Inventor: Vesa Lappalainen
  • Patent number: 11358851
    Abstract: Examples herein relate generally to reservoirs for use in water distribution systems within an appliance. The reservoir herein allows for the combination of various components prepared by separate manufacturing processes and for reducing waste of those manufacturing components. Specifically, the reservoir herein provides a daisy-chain structure for forming a ganged reservoir system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Earl Christian, Jr., Donald Currey
  • Patent number: 11339895
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve having: an actuator; a valve position indicator coupled to the actuator, wherein the valve position indicator includes: an indicator cover mounted over an indicator mounting surface, wherein the indicator mounting surface has a rim; a plurality of LED lights arranged on the indicator mounting surface, wherein the LED lights are bordering the rim of the indicator cover; and a sensor in communicative connection with the actuator and the plurality of LED lights, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate the position of the valve to the plurality of LED lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Bray International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Brown, Dan Walker, James F. Schmidt