Patents Examined by Eric Keasel
  • Patent number: 11293555
    Abstract: A solenoid valve including: a valve housing; a solenoid; a first plunger configured to be selectively moved rectilinearly by the solenoid; a first valve member connected to the first plunger and configured to selectively open or close a first outlet flow path in accordance with the movement of the first plunger; a first spring member configured to provide elastic force to move the first valve member to close the first outlet flow path; a second plunger provided to be rectilinearly movable in the first plunger and configured to be selectively moved rectilinearly by the solenoid; a second valve member connected to the second plunger and configured to selectively open or close a second outlet flow path in accordance with the movement of the second plunger; and a second spring member configured to provide elastic force to move the second valve member to close the second outlet flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: In Tae Park
  • Patent number: 11286745
    Abstract: It is described a subsea electric actuator (100) operating a linear valve (200), the actuator (100) comprising a roller-screw (2) for translating a rotational movement of a motor (3) to a linear movement of a gate rod (4) operating the valve (200), the actuator (100) comprising: —an actuator housing (101); —an outer roller screw part (2?) rotationally connected to the motor (3) and comprising internal threads forming a first part of a first connection (10), —an inner roller screw part (2?) comprising external threads forming a second part of the first connection (10) and being arranged inside the outer roller screw part (2?), a surface of the inner roller screw part (2?) having a first interface forming a first part of a second connection (20?; 20?) connecting the inner roller screw part (2?) to a non-rotational part of the actuator (100), the second connection (20?, 20?) is configured to rotationally lock the inner roller screw part (2?) giving linear movement of the inner roller screw part (2?) when the out
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Geir Tandberg, Øivind Rokne
  • Patent number: 11287046
    Abstract: A valve device of the present invention includes: a body (10) defining a passage (11) through which fluid flows; a valve shaft (20) pivotably supported by the body; a butterfly valve (30) fixed to the valve shaft to open and close the passage; and a drive unit (60) configured to impart a rotational drive force to the valve shaft. The body has a protrusion portion (17) formed integrally in a manner of protruding from an outer wall (10a) of the body, and the drive unit (60) is fixed to the body (10) via the protrusion portion (17). Accordingly, influence of heat of high-temperature fluid can be suppressed or prevented, and the opening and closing operation can be performed with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Tanaka, Keigo Suzuki, Daisuke Takayama, Katsunari Tobe
  • Patent number: 11280419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety valve comprising a pilot valve element, a pilot valve actuator, a main valve element cooperating with a main valve seat, a permanent magnet being provided which is associated with the main valve element and which is adapted to hold the latter in an open position, and a main valve actuator being provided which cooperates with the main valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Friedlein, Mathias Ganske, Michael Hannig
  • Patent number: 11274766
    Abstract: An electrical valve, comprising: a valve body component, the valve body component comprising a valve body and a valve cover body, the valve cover body being fixedly connected to the valve body; a valve seat component, the valve seat component comprising a valve seat body and a valve seat core, the valve seat body being fixedly connected to the valve body, the valve seat core being sleeved with a valve port protective sleeve. Due to a structurally optimised design, the electrical valve has a compact overall structure and a small size, and the positional accuracy between various functional parts is easily ensured, thereby increasing the reliability of the valve seat core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SANHUA CLIMATE AND APPLIANCE CONTROLS GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Lv, Jiancheng Zhi, Damai Yang
  • Patent number: 11274768
    Abstract: A temperature protection system includes a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) and a stop valve assembly. The TMV is operably coupled to provide temperature controlled water to a faucet. The stop valve assembly is coupled between the TMV and a source of water. The stop valve assembly has a stop valve body, a stop valve element, and a ball valve. The stop valve body has a stop valve receiving tube, a water inlet tube and an outlet tube. The water inlet tube defines a water inlet to the stop valve body, and the outlet tube forms a water outlet to the stop valve body. The stop valve element is disposed within the stop valve receiving tube and interposed at least in part between the outlet tube and the water inlet. The ball valve disposed in the inlet tube between the stop valve element and the water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventor: Scott E. Dolgos
  • Patent number: 11268626
    Abstract: The invention relates to a proportional valve (100) for controlling a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, comprising a movable closure element (301) and a first spring (302) arranged on the closure element (301), the first spring (302) being configured in order to exert a first spring force on the closure element (301) in a closing direction, and an actuator (200), the actuator (200) being configured in order to provide an adjustable force in the opposite direction to the first spring force, the closure element (301) being configured in order to close and to open a through opening (102) by the movement, the proportional valve (100) comprising a closure element (305) which is arranged at an end of the closure element (301) remote from the first spring (302), and a second spring (304), the second spring (304) being arranged on the closure element (305) and the second spring (304) being configured in order to exert a second spring force on the closure element (305), the second spring force counteracting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Gruenberger, Hans-Christoph Magel
  • Patent number: 11255455
    Abstract: A bistable solenoid valve device for a fluid system is provided. The bistable solenoid valve device comprises a bistable solenoid valve. The bistable solenoid valve comprises a permanent magnet. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises an armature displaceable between a first armature position and a second armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises a first switching coil for energization for a displacement of the armature into the first armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises a second switching coil for energization for a displacement of the armature into the second armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises an evaluation device adapted to measure an induced coil voltage, an induced coil current, or both the induced coil voltage and the induced coil current, at one or more of the non-energized switching coils. The evaluation device is further adapted to assess a switching behavior of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Andreas Goers, Andreas Teichmann
  • Patent number: 11255456
    Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a valve body defining a valve inlet and a valve outlet in fluid communication with one another by a flow path through the valve body. A magnetic coil is housed with the valve body. An armature within the valve body includes an actuation portion extending along a longitudinal axis, and a valve portion extending along the longitudinal axis and connected to the actuation portion by a transition portion. The actuation portion includes a first material, the valve portion includes a second material different from the first material, and the transition portion includes a gradient material blended from the first material to the second material in a direction from the actuation portion to the valve portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jasen DeForge, Giacomo Mezzino
  • Patent number: 11253960
    Abstract: A nozzle with changeable press fit and a method for calibrating a nozzle is described. The nozzle may be used in a nozzle/flapper type servovalve. The method comprises the steps of providing a nozzle within a cylindrical body defining a cylindrical bore, the nozzle having a tubular shape with an outer cylindrical surface and an inner radial surface, the method further comprises the steps of positioning a first, tubular locking member within the nozzle, and axially moving the first, tubular locking member within the nozzle. The first tubular locking member is configured to cause the nozzle to become positionally fixed at a selected position within the bore in response to the first, tubular locking member being axially moved relative to the nozzle. A nozzle positioning system is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Piotr Sawicki
  • Patent number: 11248715
    Abstract: A valve including a valve assembly and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly is coupled to the valve assembly to actuate the valve assembly. The solenoid assembly includes a movable armature engaged with a poppet of the valve assembly. A plate spring having a spring force is positioned between the valve assembly and the solenoid assembly that is configured to bias the valve member of the poppet into engagement with a valve seat. Based on the spring force of the plate spring and the voltage or current that is applied to the solenoid coil, the solenoid assembly is configured to control a distance that the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to proportionally control an amount of flow that is permitted through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric P. Janssen, Jeffrey Simmonds, Brett Landacre
  • Patent number: 11236841
    Abstract: In an example, a system for applying an agricultural product includes a valve and a solenoid. For instance, the valve includes a coil that generates a magnetic flux. The system includes a valve controller. The valve controller is configured to measure one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the coil or a dissipation element. In some examples, the valve controller determines an actual duty cycle of a valve operator of the valve using the measured electrical characteristics. The valve controller determines a magnetic flux correction, for instance based on a difference between the actual duty cycle and a specified duty cycle. The valve controller operates the valve operator according to the specified magnetic flux and the magnetic flux correction to guide the actual duty cycle toward the specified duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Krosschell, Travis Burgers, Jacob Deines
  • Patent number: 11220250
    Abstract: A hydraulic block for a hydraulic power vehicle brake system including a slip control. A bore, which communicates through a circumferential groove with a receptacle of a pedal travel simulator, is run through parallel to a motor side of the hydraulic block between the motor side and a master brake cylinder bore in the hydraulic block and is connected through a transverse bore with a further bore parallel to the motor side, which connects the master brake cylinder bore with a connection for a pressureless brake fluid reservoir, which is attachable to the hydraulic block. The bores form a return of the pedal travel simulator, which has a low resistance to flow and allows for a closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Mayr, Andreas Weh, Juergen Tandler
  • Patent number: 11209101
    Abstract: A cage for a fluid valve. The cage includes a first cage ring, a second cage ring, and a lattice structure disposed between the first cage ring and the second cage ring. The lattice structure defines a plurality of interconnected flow paths between an internal surface of the lattice structure and an external surface of the lattice structure. The lattice structure has a non-uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., James M. West, Nathan A. Quinn
  • Patent number: 11204105
    Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a valve housing having a first space that communicates with an inlet flow path and a second space that communicates with an outlet flow path. A solenoid is provided in the valve housing to surround the first space. A flow path guide is provided in the first space and has an inflow path communicating with the first space. A plunger is rectilinearly moved in the flow path guide by the solenoid. A valve member is connected to the plunger and opens or closes the outlet flow path based on a plunger movement. A spring member provides elastic force allowing the valve member to move in a direction in which the valve member blocks the outlet flow path. A fluid guide part is formed in the plunger and guides a fluid, supplied into the inflow path via the first space, selectively to the second space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: In Tae Park, Hyeon Seok Ban, Hyo Sub Shim
  • Patent number: 11199771
    Abstract: A pressure control valve has: a passageway having a flow opening; an member displaceable relative to the opening for obstructing the opening by differing amounts; a piezo actuator; and a linkage mechanism adapted to amplify a dimensional change in the piezo actuator and to use the amplified dimensional change to displace the member relative to the opening, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a frame attached to a wall and fixed at a first end in relation to the passageway, a portion of the frame moveable in a first direction while being substantially restrained in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the piezo actuator extending between the wall and the movable portion such that an expansion of the piezo actuator results in movement of the movable portion in the first direction by an amount greater than the expansion of the piezo actuator, the moveable portion connected to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Stef Marten Johan Janssens, Koen Cuypers, Rogier Hendrikus Magdalena Cortie, Sudhir Srivastava, Theodorus Johannes Antonius Renckens, Jeroen Gerard Gosen, Erik Henricus Egidius Catharina Eummelen, Hendrikus Johannes Schellens, Adrianus Marinus Wouter Heeren, Bo Lenssen
  • Patent number: 11193513
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a cavitation generation device that includes a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and a propus socket having a channel. The propus socket is rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, and the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position. The cavitation generation device can also include a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inducing a cavitation including biasing a dactyl plunger via a torsion spring, and rotating the dactyl plunger, by action of the torsion spring, into a propus socket. The propus socket includes a nozzle-shaped channel. The method further includes ejecting a socket cavity volume through the nozzle-shaped channel thereby inducing a cavitation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David Staack, Xin Tang
  • Patent number: 11193596
    Abstract: An electric valve includes a valve body component, a transmission component, and a valve needle component. The valve body component includes a valve core sleeve, and the valve core sleeve includes a first inner guide wall. A movable connecting component is in a suspended connection with the transmission component, the movable connecting component includes a connecting body, the connecting body includes a first outer guide wall, the connecting body includes a lower opening portion and an accommodating hole in communication with the lower opening portion, and a hole wall of the accommodating hole includes a second inner guide wall. The valve needle component includes a valve needle, the valve needle includes a second outer guide wall, the second outer guide wall is slidably in clearance fit with the second inner guide wall. A manufacturing method for the electric valve is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Climate and Appliance Controls Group Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sijie Tang
  • Patent number: 11181238
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with a rotatable valve are provided. A described system includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is controllably rotatable to modulate fluid flow between the first port and the third port while maintaining the second port completely closed and to modulate fluid flow between the second port and the third port while maintaining the first port completely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Russell T. Jenks
  • Patent number: 11181202
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a cover portion and a body portion. Inner surfaces of the cover and the body portion define a chamber that includes an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber. The cover portion includes a central section and an inversion inhibitor circumscribing the central section. The inversion inhibitor projects into the chamber toward a central axis of the chamber. The fluid control valve also includes a diaphragm disposed between the cover portion and the body portion. The diaphragm has a flexible member that is disposed within the chamber for controlling communication between the inlet and the outlet. The inversion inhibitor prevents the flexible member from reaching its natural-inverted position and creates a force within the flexible member that urges the flexible member to a seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: James O. Williams