Patents Examined by Craig Price
  • Patent number: 7905254
    Abstract: A cutoff valve having an upstream valve part and a downstream valve part which are assembled in series in a flow passage. Each of the valve elements at the valve parts are formed separably stacking a large diameter first valve element and a small diameter second valve element on each other. The first valve element is formed of elastic material and the second valve element is formed of rigid material. A valve shaft is passed through the center of the first valve element, and the tip of the valve shaft is connected to the second valve element. A first valve element moving component which moves the center part of the first valve element in a direction apart from the second valve element in the state of being engaged with the first valve element when the valve is opened is installed between the first valve element and the valve shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Miura Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Takeda, Masato Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7900648
    Abstract: A valve for the venting circuit of a liquid tank including a main chamber which opens into the tank and is connected via an aperture to the venting circuit, a float comprising a body, and a head capable of closing off the orifice. The float being able to slide vertically inside the main chamber. The valve further including a baffle surrounding the aperture and defining a secondary chamber via the bottom inside the main chamber. The dimensions and the shape of the secondary chamber, of the body of the float, and of the head of the float are designed so that the head can slide at least partly inside the secondary chamber, while the body of the float cannot do so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Thierry Rouxel, Vincent Cuvelier
  • Patent number: 7896022
    Abstract: An on-board refueling vapor recovery system includes a shutoff mechanism that closes a first vapor path between the fuel tank and the filler cup when liquid fuel in the tank reaches a predetermined level and a vent line closure that closes a second vapor path between the canister and the filler cup, wherein closure of the first vapor path and the second vapor path reduces pressure in the filler cup to induce shutoff of a fuel nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert P. Benjey
  • Patent number: 7886759
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve comprises a casing and a float mechanism having a float and a seat portion. An upper vent hole is formed in the upper wall portion of the float, and a side portion communication hole is formed in the side wall portion. The passage area of the side portion communication hole is set so as to allow a large volume of vapors entering the float chamber to escape into the valve chamber. The passage area of the upper vent hole is set so that vapor entering the float chamber when the vehicle inclines escapes into the valve chamber, and the float chamber fills with fuel lifting the float, whereas when the vehicle turns sharply, the float is lifted without the float chamber filling with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Tomohide Aoki, Shinobu Kagamiuchi
  • Patent number: 7874312
    Abstract: The specification and drawing figures describe and show an adjustable water level controller that includes a stanchion. The stanchion is mounted to a base. A sleeve is included that is movably adjustable on the stanchion. A water delivery device is attached to the sleeve. The base and stanchion are rotationally positioned in relationship to the sleeve to achieve the proper water level in a container in which the adjustable water level controller is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Bradley O. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 7866334
    Abstract: A sewer pipe gas exhaust filter apparatus includes a sewer vent valve unit connected to a sewer pipe and including a valve member moved into and out of engagement with a valve seat by a float member, a gas filter unit connected to the sewer vent valve unit and including a gas filter medium, and a gas flow valve arrangement to cause gases from the sewer to flow through the filter medium while bypassing air drawn into the sewer pipe past the gas filter unit. The filter medium of the gas filter unit removes chemical components from air and gas exhausted from the sewer pipe, thereby improving the odor of such exhausted gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Mark McIntire
  • Patent number: 7861739
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure damping device mainly comprises a valve body of which a joint port is provided with a control valve of which one end is provided with a first joint to valve a switch of the valve body between a water inlet and a water outlet. A second joint at the other end of control valve is conjoint with a hydraulic pressure damper to damp the hydraulic pressure. Thus, it is easy to assemble and replace the hydraulic pressure damping device, and materials and installation space may be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Long Tai Copper Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Faucet Wu
  • Patent number: 7857001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system to transfer fluid via at least one pipeline from one structure to another structure (such as a platform P and a vessel v respectively), in which one of the structures has an offloading arm 5 which is movable in to planes perpendicular to each other and in which a part of the offloading arm remote from the one structure is engagable with the other structure, so to allow linear and rotational movements between the structures. The pipeline along the offloading arm is configured to compensate for movements between the two structures in the longitudinal direction of the offloading arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Moss Maratime AC
    Inventors: Per Herbert Kristensen, Bjørn R. Lien, Per Erik Christiansen, Leif Harald Pettersen, Alexander Areshev
  • Patent number: 7854237
    Abstract: To better position an ultrasonic transducer typically used in non-invasive fetal monitoring during labor, the present invention consists of a transducer-aligning device having a plurality of selectively fillable chambers, each chamber having a resiliently deformable side-wall. A fluid, such as air, can be selectively pumped or released into any combination of the chambers. When coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, the selective use of air pressure in the bladder more precisely aligns and positions the fetal monitor transducer to improve imaging. In a second embodiment, the present invention includes a solid wedge-shaped protrusion extending below the bottom surface of the housing and adapted to rotate about 360-degrees to enable a care-giver to selectively position the wedge and thus align the associated transducer for optimal readings of fetal heart rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Nancy Beck Irland
  • Patent number: 7841580
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for reducing recoil during uncoupling of pressurized couplers. The apparatus includes a male: a female component; and a check valve fluidly disposed between a proximal end and a distal end within one of the male component or female component. When the component including the check valve is pressurized, the check valve assumes a normally closed state. Upon coupling of the male component with the female component, the check valve is caused to open through the interaction of a probe linked to the check valve which contacts a portion of the opposing coupler, thereby opening the check valve and permitting pressurized fluid flow between the two components. At least one radially directed port fluidly couples the interface between the male and female couplers with the environment, which may be formed in one or both couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Macro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Howard Konishi, Edwin Huncovsky
  • Patent number: 7841361
    Abstract: An electromagnetic hydraulic valve (1), in particular proportional valve, for controlling a device for the rotational angle adjustment of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, composed of an electromagnet (2) with a hollow-cylindrical magnet housing (4), at least one coil winding (5), an axially moveable magnet armature (6), a first and a second pole shoe (7, 8), a valve part (3) with a hollow-cylindrical valve housing (9) having a control piston (12) which can be moved axially by the magnet armature (6) of the electromagnet (2) via a plunger rod (11). The invention consists of a sleeve (17), composed of a base (18) and a hollow-cylindrical side wall (19), which is arranged on that end of the control piston (12) and situated in the direction of the plunger rod (11), where the sleeve (17) has a greater hardness than the control piston (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Klaus Daut
  • Patent number: 7823603
    Abstract: A mixer valve includes a rotational assembly for selecting a temperature of the water up to a maximum temperature. The rotational assembly includes a selectable “comfort” temperature indicator, that can be set independently of the maximum temperature, and does not affect the maximum temperature. The valve also includes check valves for preventing cross flow between the hot and cold pipes. A check valve insert is provided which includes a shutoff for the water flow when removing the check valve for service. The shutoff and removal of the check valve can be effected with a single tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Chad M. Slater, Michael J. Wandschneider
  • Patent number: 7823602
    Abstract: A hydraulic system having at least one hydraulic valve for actuating a component, wherein a control pressure acting on the hydraulic valve can be activated through a supply pressure of a pilot circuit having at least one actuator. At least one pressure reduction apparatus is connected in series with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Eric Müller, Reinhard Stehr
  • Patent number: 7819138
    Abstract: The microfluidic device includes a rotatable platform, a plurality of connection ports disposed at a portion of the platform proximate to a shaft connection hole, the plurality of connection ports capable of being connected to an external connector for selectively injecting and discharging fluid and being closed by the connector, a trap chamber disposed at a portion of the platform further away from the shaft connection hole than the plurality of connection ports, the trap chamber including an inlet connected with at least one connection port of the plurality of connection ports, an outlet connected with another connection port of the plurality of connection ports and structures which enlarge a contact area with the fluid and a temporary storage including an inlet connected with the outlet of the trap chamber and an outlet connected with another connection port of the plurality of connection ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hun-joo Lee, Nam Huh, Soo-suk Lee, Sung-ouk Jung, Soo-hyung Choi
  • Patent number: 7819135
    Abstract: The rigid coupling device includes a closure valve extended by a retractable sliding stop member of general tubular shape made from elastically deformable material, having at least one outward radial projection forming a stop against a corresponding inward radial projection of a movable interior body that contains the valve. The stop member has an open end opposite the opening of the cylindrical cavity of one end connecting to the conduit. Simultaneous withdrawal of the interior body and of the valve into the interior body has the effect of causing this open end to contract, forcibly inserting it into the cylindrical cavity of the connecting end in such a manner as to overcome the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin France SAS
    Inventors: David Aragones, Sylvain Giagnoli, Jean-Pierre Anodeau
  • Patent number: 7819129
    Abstract: One embodiment of a thermal relief vent includes a float including a side surface and a top surface, and a seal secured to the surface of the float and extending over the top surface of the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Neal L. Keefer
  • Patent number: 7814937
    Abstract: A deployable crafting machine may include a vehicle and a gantry system. The gantry system may be configured to be collapsed on the vehicle during which the gantry system is inoperable and to be expanded during which the gantry system is operable and supported at least in part by the vehicle. A deployable crafting process may include moving a vehicle to a first location while a gantry system is stored on the vehicle in a collapsed and inoperable state and expanding the gantry system into an operable state after the vehicle arrives at the first location during which the gantry system is supported at least in part by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Behrokh Khoshnevis
  • Patent number: 7814932
    Abstract: A vacuum pressure regulator system for use in association with a vacuum system in which a vacuum is employed for healthcare purposes, for assisting in monitoring and regulating the vacuum pressure, and having a manual pressure control valve to adjust the treatment vacuum pressure supplied to the patient, a vacuum pressure sensor to sense the treatment vacuum pressure for the patient in the system, and producing a treatment vacuum pressure signal, a sampling circuit which intermittently samples the pressure signal generated by the pressure sensor and generate sampling signals, an electrically powered pressure display circuit, and digital pressure display, for receiving the sampling signals and providing a visible display, and, a non-mains power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: David Stinson
  • Patent number: 7810520
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon transfer system includes a first structure carrying an articulated arm, having at a free end a first connector part, and a vessel having a second connector part, each connector part including a coupling member. The coupling member of the first connector part supporting at least one fluid duct on its exterior, which duct can be placed into sealing engagement with a fluid duct on the vessel along respective sealing faces, and a locking member for locking the coupling members together. The fluid duct on the vessel has a substantially horizontally directed first and second duct section. The first duct section is connected to piping on the vessel. The second duct section is connected to the fluid duct on the coupling member of the first connector part, the first and second duct sections being mutually connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Renè Perratone, Jean-Pierre Queau
  • Patent number: 7810516
    Abstract: An improved bulk fluid distribution for supplying process fluids to semiconductor process tools. The improved system having an alternating pressure vessel engine substantially eliminates pressure fluctuations in the bulk fluid supply line due to head losses from the changing weight of the fluid in the dispensing vessels. The system also enables flexible control of the flow conditions of the fluid in the fluid supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP
    Inventor: David Gerken