Patents Examined by Craig Price
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Patent number: 8434517Abstract: The present invention relates to a control valve capable of performing capacity control independent of the pressure of operation fluid. In the control valve which opens and closes a first poppet valve and a second poppet valve by a solenoid section the following pressure-receiving areas relating to the first poppet valve and the second poppet valve are set to be substantially equal to each other: the first effective pressure-receiving area of a first pressure-sensing spring device, the second effective pressure-receiving area of a second pressure-sensing spring device, the first pressure-receiving area on the inner side of a portion where a first valve seat surface and a first valve section surface are in contact with each other, and the second pressure-receiving area on the inner side of a portion where a second valve seat surface and a second valve section surface are in contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Eagle Industry Co. Ltd.Inventor: Eiji Okamoto
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Patent number: 8267121Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed. The valve assembly may include a housing having an interior chamber, inlet port, outlet port, and control port. The valve assembly may further include a valve member configured to move within the interior chamber to permit flow between the inlet port and the control port and between the outlet port and the control port. The valve assembly may further include and an actuator configured to move the valve member to form a first opening and second opening to create flow forces tending to close the first and second opening. The valve member may also include a passageway in the valve member configured to direct fluid flow from the inlet port to the control port and from the control port to the outlet port, and counteract the flow forces at the first and second opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Christopher Michael Gruel
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Patent number: 8162000Abstract: A pneumatic system for a surgical machine includes a reservoir, first and second proportional valves, and a controller. The reservoir holds pressurized gas. The first proportional valve is located on an input side of the reservoir and allows a variable amount of pressurized gas to enter the reservoir. The second proportional valve is located on an output side of the reservoir and allows a second variable amount of pressurized gas to exit the reservoir. The controller controls the operation of the first and second proportional valves. The controller adjusts the first and second proportional valves so that a constant gas pressure range is maintained at an output of the reservoir over a first range of input gas pressures and a second range of gas usage.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Novartis AGInventors: Denis Turner, Argelio Olivera, John Huculak, Mark Hopkins
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Patent number: 8113234Abstract: The specification discloses a tire inflation pressure regulator facilitating precise tire inflation. The regulator includes a body, a two-position valve within the body, and a rotational lock. The body includes an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air vent. In one position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air outlet when the tire pressure is below a preset level; and, in a second position, the valve directs air from the air inlet to the air vent when the tire pressure exceeds the preset level to prevent overfilling. The valve moves rapidly between the two positions, and is unstable between the two positions. The valve includes a regulator enabling the preset level to be adjusted. The rotational lock enables the regulator to be screwed onto a tire stem, but prevents removal of the regulator from the tire stem without a key. The regulator preferably includes a cap removably sealed over the air inlet and the air vent to prevent the undesired loss of air.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
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Patent number: 8091581Abstract: A water level control device has connected tubular housings, one serving as a support for a hose connection and the other serving to support a valve housing assembly for operation of a toggle valve within the valve housing. An airtight float serves to raise the one extreme of a float rod when buoyed by sufficient water level admitted through apertures in the valve housing. The other extreme of the float rod is attached to a rod holder to hold the float rod. The rod holder passes through an outlet apertured valve seat wherein a valve washer attached to the rod holder within the toggle valve cavity is urged against the outlet valve seat by water pressure from a water hose.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Inventor: Michael E. Buchtel
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Patent number: 8006716Abstract: A floating valve providing a parent-and-subsidiary flow-guided floating valve of low pressure drop, high throughput and highly flexible operation maintaining high efficiency within a wide range of gaseous load changes is disclosed. Furthermore, a parent-and-subsidiary flow-guided floating valve having at least two legs, wherein the body of the parent valve is a symmetrical plane figure with the central axis line as the symmetrical line, the central axis line to the overflow cofferdam along the direction in which the liquid flows is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Nanjing UniverstiyInventors: Zhibing Zhang, Zheng Zhou, Yinchun Liang, Baorong Wang
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Patent number: 8006717Abstract: A high pressure homogenizer segmentalizes material made of minute solid or the like by passing suspension liquid including the material to a small diameter orifice at high speed under high pressure. An injection valve of the high pressure homogenizer includes: a fixed member having a material introducing passage therein; and a movable member disposed rotatably, swingably, or pulsatingly opposite to the fixed member in an axial direction of the fixed member. The orifice of the injection valve is made of a fine gap in a radial direction disposed between an end face of the fixed member facing an end of the material introducing passage and an end face of the movable member disposed at an end of the movable member opposed to the fixed member. The orifice communicates with a material processing passage via a ring-shaped collision wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Inventors: Shigeo Ando, Masao Ando, Toyoroku Ando
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Patent number: 7997298Abstract: Device for the regulation of the concentration of a product in a liquid and, most specifically, of an alcohol used in the composition of a varnish contained in a varnishing vat for optical glasses or other substrates. The vat comprises an overflow tray and a sealed alcohol reservoir. The reservoir is installed higher than the overflow tray so that when level of the varnish in the overflow tray drops sufficiently low, an air bubble is created that rises to the alcohol reservoir, thus creating additional pressure in the alcohol reservoir and forcing a drop of alcohol into the overflow tray until the level of the varnish in the overflow tray recovers its normal level above the junction point between the second pipe and the overflow tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Special Coating Laboratory International ArchampsInventors: Jean Gehrig, Denis Gehrig
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Patent number: 7980270Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a spool valve having a spool axially movable within a sleeve of two or more stacked rings having projections extending therebetween. One or more seals on the spool can slide across surfaces of the stacked rings in movement of the spool to different positions corresponding to different states of the valve. In some embodiments, one or more of the stacked rings can have projections extending toward and contacting an adjacent ring of the sleeve, thereby maintaining desired axial positions of the rings relative to one another while providing apertures through which fluid can flow and supporting surfaces for each seal as it slides from one ring to another.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: SHURflo, LLCInventors: Paul H. Bertsch, Christopher J. Taylor-McCune, Christopher H. Verdugo
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Patent number: 7971602Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting, storing, and redistributing water, which systems and methods make use of building foundations and surface concrete slab structures. A variety of rainwater collectors are anticipated, including rooftop collection systems (e.g., gutters) and ground surface covering structures (driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and patios). These collection systems are joined together in a collection conduit system that carries the rainwater to one or more rainwater containment vessels. The stored water may then be redistributed, again through a variety of distribution means, to address part or all of the landscape watering requirements of the property. The system takes advantage of standard foundation and slab construction techniques to establish a major portion of the structure required for the containment vessel.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventor: David Lewis
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Patent number: 7967026Abstract: A coupling/decoupling assembly of a pipe which can selectively open/close a flow channel of the pipe is provided. In the coupling/decoupling assembly of the pipe, a first valve and a second valve are respectively joined with each end of a first pipe and a second pipe. A first driving axis and a second driving axis are respectively joined with each end of the first valve and the second valve. An outer surface and an inner surface of the first and second valves are formed in a spherical body, and the inner surface of the first valve and the outer surface of the second valve are overlapped with each other to close the flow channel of the pipe, and the inner surface of the first valve and the outer surface of the second valve having an identical radius of a curvature.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seok Kyu Chang, Sang Ki Moon, Seok Cho, Bok Deuk Kim
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Patent number: 7954512Abstract: Assembly for loading and unloading products, comprising a balanced loading and unloading arm installed at a first location and having a compass-style duct system mounted by one of its ends on a base and provided at the other of its ends with a connection system suitable for connecting the compass-style duct system to a coupling means installed at the second location, this assembly comprising, in addition, a cable joined on the one hand to means integral with the base and suitable for subjecting this cable to a constant tension and suitable for being joined, on the other hand, to the second location, the assembly also comprising guiding means capable of co-operating with the cable so as to guide the connection system along a trajectory materialized by the said cable until the connection system is brought into a position of connection to the coupling means.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: FMC Technologies SAInventor: Renaud Le Devehat
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Patent number: 7950415Abstract: A socket part actuated without pressure for a fluid coupling is provided with a mechanism for mechanically sealing, to a large extent, the insertion space of a plug against the penetration of foreign matter. In addition, a throttling device is provided, which practically does not obstruct the fluid connection for an inserted plug, while a high flow resistance is produced for a plug that has been pulled out, without, however, completely blocking the flow path. The associated plug also has a sealing device in order to protect the flow channel against the penetration of particles when the plug is removed. In case the plug is connected to a compressed-air tank, this is provided with a throttling device, which practically does not obstruct flow for an inserted plug, but forms considerable flow resistance for a removed plug without completely blocking the flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: TEMA Marketing AGInventors: Stefan Witt, Horst Simon
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Patent number: 7938143Abstract: In an electromagnetic hydraulic pressure control valve of an N/L type, an electromagnetic actuator provides a force to a spool, which is slidably received in a valve housing, in a valve opening direction for opening an input port of the valve housing. A return spring provides a force to the spool in the valve closing direction. A constriction is provided to constrict a flow passage cross sectional area in a fluid passage, which extends from the input port to a hydraulic servo. A negative pressure port opens in a direction generally perpendicular to a flow direction of a fluid at a location, at which a fluid velocity of the fluid is accelerated by the constriction. A negative pressure guide passage communicates between the negative pressure port and a feedback chamber defined in the valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kanehisa Nagasaki, Ryo Ishibashi
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Patent number: 7934696Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for injecting starting fluid into an internal combustion engine are provided, through use of a control valve having a two-stage filter apparatus disposed upstream of a metering device internal to the control valve, a valve arrangement for positively opening and closing a gas pathway through the valve having a conical-shaped valve poppet and seat arrangement, an electrical solenoid having an electrical coil thereof operatively attached to the control valve in such a manner that the electrical coil may be removed and replaced without disturbing operative connections between a valve outlet and/or a valve inlet, in a valve construction including a one-piece valve body.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Inventor: John Gruben
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Patent number: 7931045Abstract: A water sensor apparatus used in connection with a watering system. The water sensor apparatus includes a main housing comprising an inlet and an outlet. A valve mechanism is provided inside the main housing. The valve mechanism opens and closes the outlet of the main housing in response to a water level collected in the main housing and a water pressure entering the inlet of the main housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Melnor, Inc.Inventors: Juergen Nies, Ha Van Duong, Chunling Zhao
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Patent number: 7931046Abstract: A steam trap includes an inverted bucket in a bucket chamber. The bucket has a vent hole formed in an upper portion thereof. The vent hole is formed along a vent hole axis, which may be angled so that the bucket rotates from the venting propulsion. The chamber has an outlet orifice formed in a sidewall thereof. There is a spaced vertical distance between the outlet orifice and an upper interior surface of the chamber. Preferably, the bucket is not attached to the chamber and configured to move vertically and horizontally in the bucket chamber, but not flip over. The bucket and the interior sidewalls of the chamber are configured so that the bucket can substantially cover the outlet orifice when the bucket is pulled against the interior sidewall at the location of the outlet orifice by a flow of fluid out of the outlet orifice.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Inventor: Stafford J. Vallery
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Patent number: 7926507Abstract: An inflation nozzle for inflating an inflatable structure. The inflation nozzle includes a nozzle body, a probe, and a connection portion. The nozzle body defines a nozzle channel therethrough, and the channel has a channel outlet for expelling a fluid therefrom. The probe extends from the nozzle body adjacent and beyond the channel outlet, and is configured and dimensioned to facilitate positioning an inflation aperture of the flexible structure onto the nozzle body for directing fluid into the inflation aperture. The connection portion associates with the nozzle body for fluidly connecting the channel to a fluid source for delivering fluid through the channel to inflate the flexible structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Pregis Innovative Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Wetsch, Thomas McNellis
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Patent number: 7921868Abstract: The invention relates to an airing and venting valve for pipes and fittings carrying fluid, comprising a substantially cup-shaped valve body becoming smaller in cross-section towards the bottom for closing and opening a valve outlet, with a seal cup co-operating with a float of the valve, and a cup seal which is disposed between the valve body and seal cup and is able to move into different closing and opening positions lying across passage orifices of the valve body. By virtue of one aspect of the invention, the seal cup has an internal contour which becomes wider towards the top conforming to the external contour of the valve body. By virtue of another aspect, the valve body is disposed so that it is able to move against its seat at the valve outlet so that it can release and close a passage in the region of the valve body seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: HAWLE Armaturen GmbHInventors: Stefan Goetzinger, Helmut Grassl
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Patent number: 7921873Abstract: A combination overfill protection device, fluid level gauge, includes a service valve having a body defining a set of wrench flats, an input port, and a tank port wherein the overfill protection device has a float that rotates a shaft in response to a change in fluid level, the shaft transitioning the overfill protection device between opened and closed configurations and rotating a magnet within the service valve body proximate the wrench flat and wherein a gauge dial has a dial magnet housing sized to fit proximate to the wrench flat such that rotation of the magnet within the service valve actuates a dial magnet housed substantially in the dial magnet housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.Inventors: Herbert G. Ross, Jr., Danny E. Swindler