Patents Examined by Charles W Nichols
  • Patent number: 9163626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear pump (1) for conveying a fluid, said gear pump comprising a rotatably mounted, external geared toothed wheel (3) and an internal geared annular gear (2) that are meshed in order to generate a conveying action, and are arranged together with an electrically commutable stator (7) in a housing (5). The stator (7) extends concentrically around the annular gear (2) and interacts with the annular gear to generate an electromotive force. The annular gear (2) has a closed, homogeneous cylindrical surface and a plain bearing (13) is provided on the stator (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Frank, Alexander Fuchs, Klaus Ortner
  • Patent number: 9163620
    Abstract: A compressor including a hollow housing having a suction chamber, a discharge chamber, and a crank chamber formed therein. A first fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of the working fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber. A second fluid flow path provided within the compressor facilitates a flow of a mixture of the working fluid and a lubricating fluid from the crank chamber to the suction chamber, wherein the second fluid flow path is selectively opened and closed by an annular sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Halla Visteon Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Pete Edward Ganster, Kanwal Bhatia, Michael Gregory Theodore, Jr., Rodney James Callahan, Brian Robert Kelm
  • Patent number: 9151285
    Abstract: An air pump structure includes a main body. The main body has a central air chamber. The main body has two side air chambers at two sides thereof. The two side air chambers communicate with the central air chamber through an air inlet unit. The two side air chambers each have a passage at a lower end thereof to communicate with an air outlet. A one-way valve plate is coupled to the air outlet. Two air pump members are to seal the two side air chambers. The air pump members cooperate with a link member and an electromagnetic member to pump air. The present invention has a simple configuration and lowers the cost and is convenient for assembly to enhance its quality and prevent air leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: AIR KINETIC TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Shang-Neng Wu
  • Patent number: 9145888
    Abstract: A differential pressure control valve has a valve seat made of magnetic material, a valve body, and a guiding member fixed to the valve seat to guide the valve body. The valve body is located on the downstream side of the valve seat, and is seatable on the valve seat in accordance with the pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side to selectively open and close a valve hole. The valve body has a lid made of magnetic material and a guided member made of nonmagnetic material. The lid is seated on the valve seat to close the valve hole, and the guided member is guided by the guiding member. The valve seat or the lid has a permanent magnet, located outside the area where the valve body is seated on the valve seat, urging the valve body in the direction approaching the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Nobuaki Hoshino, Masaki Ota, Yoshio Kimoto, Toru Onishi, Yusuke Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9133851
    Abstract: A control device of a compressor includes a valve control unit configured to control an anti-surge valve that returns fluid in a discharge side of the compressor to a suction side of the compressor in accordance with a control parameter, a simulation unit configured to simulate operational status of the compressor in a plant in accordance with a plant model and the control parameter of the plant to which the compressor is installed, and a control parameter adjusting unit configured to adjust the control parameter in accordance with a result of the simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoto Ebisawa, Kitami Suzuki, Hideaki Orikasa, Keiichi Hiwatari, Takeshi Miyanaga
  • Patent number: 9121410
    Abstract: An oscillating fan with built-in pull-type control switch includes a housing defining a receiving space having a front open end; a driving motor mounted to the front open end of the receiving space and having a first rotary shaft; a blade assembly mounted to the first rotary shaft; at least one pull switch having a selector mounted in the housing and an actuator extended through and located outside the housing; and a control box provided in the receiving space to electrically connect to the driving motor and every pull switch. The actuator includes a pull string having an end connected to the selector and another end hung from the housing by a predetermined length, allowing a user to control the oscillation of the fan via the pull string. Since most fan components are integrated in the housing, the fan occupies only reduced space and is more practical for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Yu
  • Patent number: 9097251
    Abstract: A variable-displacement lubricant pump for providing a pressurized lubricant includes a rotor with at least one radially slidable vane configured to rotate in a shiftable stator ring. A first plunger is configured to push the shiftable stator ring into a high pumping volume direction. A pressure control system is configured to control a lubricant discharge pressure of the pressurized lubricant. The pressure control system comprises a first control chamber with the first plunger being configured to move in an axial direction and a side wall. A pump outlet port is connected to the first control chamber via a first pressure conduit. A movable outlet opening is disposed in the side wall of the first control chamber, is connected to a low pressure, and is configured to move with an axial projection and to be actuated by a thermostatic element. The first plunger can cover and close the movable outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: PIERBURG PUMP TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Jerome Maffeis
  • Patent number: 9046083
    Abstract: A reciprocating device which may be operated either as a compressor or an engine. Each cylinder has a reciprocating piston connected to a piston rod. Dual cylinder chambers are located in each cylinder on opposite sides of the piston. The pistons are connected to a scotch yoke which translates the reciprocating motion of the pistons to rotary motion at a shaft in the engine mode. In the compressor mode, the shaft is connected to a power source. The engine components such as the pistons, rods, bushings and cylinder lines may be high quality steel or a ceramic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher L. Gamble, Richard A. Bordonaro
  • Patent number: 9033678
    Abstract: An air pump includes a casing, a blower connected with a motor, an air flow direction switching device, an air valve, and an auto-stop control device. The air flow direction switching device includes a pressure sensor and a pressure switch. The air flow direction switching device includes a movable box and a driving device which drives the movable box. The movable box has an arm and an activation portion. An inflation switch and a deflation switch are electrically connected in parallel to a circuit and are controlled to activate by the activation portion. The pressure switch includes a dynamic contact point connected to the motor, and two static contact points respectively electrically connected to the inflation switch and the deflation switch. The dynamic contact point has a terminal which alternatively contacts the two static contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: DONGGUAN TIGER POINT METAL & PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chun-Chung Tsai
  • Patent number: 8979915
    Abstract: The invention relates to a separable device for the application of compression and thermal therapy to a patient. A first section includes a reservoir, liquid pump and a thermal exchange system for the application of thermal therapy as well as a dock. The second section of the device includes an air compressor and at least one controller for the application of compression therapy and can be operated independently from the first section. Additionally, the second section may be engaged with a dock of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Wilford, Aaron Stein, John Lewis, Fernando Ubidia
  • Patent number: 8926291
    Abstract: A liquid pump control system for dry run avoidance and re-prime detection. Pump dry run conditions can be detected with improved sensitivity by measuring pump cycle speed. Pump cycle speed is determined from sensors including pressure sensors, diaphragm end of stroke indicators, check valve movement sensors, and other techniques. A controller closes a valve to reduce pump cycle speed by reducing drive air pressure or by deadheading the pump liquid outlet. When the pump re-primes, the valve is opened, pump cycle speed increases, and pumping volume flow rate increases until a dry run condition is again encountered. Time delays can be introduced to delay shutting down or restarting the pump, for example to give a liquid source tank time to refill. The improved control sensitivity provides improved shut-down and re-start performance, reducing wear on the pump and reducing wasted drive air and energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Orndorff, Scott Driscoll, Jevawn Roberts
  • Patent number: 8905725
    Abstract: A water powered pump actuation system configured to power a reciprocating element of a pump. The pump actuation system may comprise a base, a wheel rotatably attached to the base, an attachment element fixed to the wheel and configured to fix the reciprocating element to the wheel. Rotation of the wheel in a first direction raises the reciprocating element and rotation of the wheel in a second direction lowers the reciprocating element. The actuation system may also comprise a cable attached to the wheel and a container attached to the cable, such that rotation of the wheel in the first direction lowers the container and rotation of the wheel in the second direction raises the container. Wheel rotation is controlled by water being cyclically pumped into and then emptied from the container via a pump in a reservoir below the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Denis Francis Roberts
  • Patent number: 8899942
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the volume ratio of a compressor is provided. The system can use a port (88) or ports in a rotor cylinder to bypass vapor from the compression chamber to the discharge passage of the compressor. A control valve (90) can be used to open or close the port or ports to obtain different volume ratios in the compressor. The control valve (90) can be moved or adjusted by one or more valves that control a flow of fluid to the valve. A control algorithm can be used to control the one or more valves to move the control valve to obtain different volume ratios from the compressor. The control algorithm can control the one or more valves in response to operating parameters associated with the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William L. Kopko, Paul Nemit, Jr., Angela Marie Comstock
  • Patent number: 8894387
    Abstract: An axial flow pump for a blood circulating pump for the circulation of blood, the rotor the rotor being constructed and arranged to impel blood in a downstream direction upon rotation of the rotor about its axis in a forward circumferential direction. The rotor is provided with hydrodynamic thrust bearing surfaces, each such thrust bearing surface being constructed and arranged to apply a hydrodynamic force to the rotor with a component of the force in the downstream direction upon rotation of the rotor in the forward circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: HeartWare, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel G. White
  • Patent number: 8851860
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides intelligent adaptive control for optimization of production output, energy efficiency and safety of a linear reciprocating long stroke hydraulic lift system, for use at the surface of oil and gas wells to extract fluids or gas after free flowing stopped due to natural decline of reservoir pressure. The hydraulic pump and its adaptive control system introduced in this invention are capable of optimizing its production capacity by varying multiple operating parameters, including its stroking length and speed characteristics continuously and instantaneously at any point. Merits and benefits of this invention include significant increase in production efficiency, improved durability and longevity of the pumping equipment, significant power consumption savings and an ability to adapt effectively to changing well conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tundra Process Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Jacob Mail
  • Patent number: 8834133
    Abstract: Device for pumping fluid located under conditions of high ambient temperature and pressure which must deliver at high pressure including a hydraulic delivery pump (11) linked to a hydraulic motor (40), characterized in that the hydraulic motor (40) is connected to the hydraulic delivery pump (10) by a shaft (41), the shaft (41) passing through a leaktight rotating seal (50) which separates the hydraulic fluid (42) returned from the hydraulic motor (40) from the lubricating fluid (5) for the hydraulic pump (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Louis-Claude Porel
  • Patent number: 8801409
    Abstract: A piston of the type comprising a tubular skirt portion which is closed, next to an end edge, by a head portion, the skirt portion being defined by a respective tube extension and presenting an end edge region configured to affix a head portion formed in a separate piece and having a peripheral contour internal to an axial projection of the outer contour of the skirt portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Dietmar Erich Bernhard Lilie, Ingwald Vollrath
  • Patent number: 8747076
    Abstract: A portable air pump includes a pump body, a base member affixed to the pump body and defining therein an accommodation chamber, a casing movable in and out of the accommodation chamber between an exposed position and a hidden position, a pressure gauge mounted in the casing and kept in air communication with the pump body, a footplate pivotally pivoted to the pump body and biasable between a received non-operative position and an extended operative position, a spring member set between the casing and the base member and adapted for forcing the casing from the hidden position to the exposed position, locking device adapted for locking the casing in the hidden position or unlocking the casing to allow the spring member to force the casing to move from the hidden position to the exposed position when the footplate is biased from the received non-operative position to the extended operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Beto Engineering and Marketing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lopin Wang
  • Patent number: 8721305
    Abstract: A fan comprises a hub, fan blades, and inserts. The hub comprises outwardly extending mounting tabs that lie along a common horizontal plane. The fan blades are hollow, such that each mounting tab is inserted in the hollow interior of a corresponding fan blade. Each insert is positioned in the hollow interior of each fan blade, between each mounting tab of the hub and the interior surface of the corresponding fan blade. Each insert is configured to position and maintain the chord line of each corresponding fan blade at an oblique angle relative to the horizontal plane of the hub. A kit may include several insert sets to choose from to provide adjustable angle of attack. A fan control system includes a dimmer switch and a control module, which allows the dimmer switch to be used to infinitely adjust the speed of a fan motor within a range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Delta T Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Oleson, Richard W. Fizer
  • Patent number: 8721304
    Abstract: A hermetic compressor includes a thrust ball bearing (176) on the thrust face (160) of the main bearing (126). The thrust ball bearing (176) includes balls (166) held in a holder (168), an upper race (164) and a lower race (170) arranged respectively on and beneath the balls (166), and an elastic support member (172) below the balls (166). The hermetic compressor is prevented from causing a load to be applied unevenly to the balls (166), thereby achieving high efficiency, low noise level, and high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ko Inagaki, Yu Haraki, Hidenori Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, Yasushi Hayashi