Patents Examined by Eric Keasel
  • Patent number: 10845105
    Abstract: An electronic expansion valve with high flow control precision, comprises a valve seat (1) and a valve rod (3). A through groove (11) penetrating the top and bottom of the valve seat is formed on the valve seat (1). A bearing seat (2) matching the through groove is inserted in the through groove (11). The bearing seat (2) includes a seat body (23), a through hole, (21) passing through the seat body, is formed in the seat body (3), and the through hole (21) matches the valve rod (3). An internal thread segment (24) is formed in the middle of the inner wall of the through hole (21). A matched straight tube is welded to the bottom of the through groove (11). The outer wall of the valve seat (1) is provided with a side hole communicated with the through groove (11), and a matching elbow pipe (4) is welded to the side hole. An isolating sleeve (10) is welded to the outer wall of the valve seat (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ZHUJI YIBA ELECTRONIC VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoshui He, Huajun Chen, Yulong Chen
  • Patent number: 10842092
    Abstract: An integrated irrigation valve control device has a coil adapted to develop an electromagnetic flux sufficient to cause actuation of irrigation equipment. Control circuitry is electrically coupled to the coil to control the flux at the coil. A housing covers at least a portion of the coil and at least a portion of the control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Crist, Matthew S. Prucinsky, Michael A. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 10844974
    Abstract: A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Novasentis, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ducharme, Mark Levatich
  • Patent number: 10845074
    Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a fluid flow control apparatus may comprise a fluid network including a plurality of parallel branches, each parallel branch of the plurality of parallel branches being fluidly coupled between an inlet and an outlet of the fluid network. Each parallel branch of the plurality of parallel branches may comprise a pressure-independent flow control device configured to limit fluid flow through the respective parallel branch to a reference flow amount irrespective of a pressure at the inlet of the fluid network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David Pierce Witten Solberg, Earl Orel Sanders
  • Patent number: 10837573
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetically operable valve device, comprising a valve housing (10) which has a first fluid connection (P) and a second fluid connection (E), each designed for controlled opening and closing by moving a closure unit (30), and at least one further fluid connection (A) provided on the valve housing, which forms a fluid channel (46) to the first or second fluid connection that can be intermittently interrupted by the closure unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ETO MAGNETIC GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Thode, Viktor Raff
  • Patent number: 10830370
    Abstract: Provided is a variable-capacity compressor control valve that can secure the attraction force of an electromagnetic actuator and can improve the actuation property without increasing the body size. A sub valve element or a cylindrical upper end portion thereof, which is a magnetic body made of the same magnetic material as or a different magnetic material from that of a plunger, is fixed to the inner periphery of the upper end portion of the plunger that is opposite an attractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kume, Hisashi Asano, Takashi Sakamoto, Masaharu Itoh
  • Patent number: 10830366
    Abstract: Hydraulic valves for dampening pressure spikes and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a hydraulic valve for dampening pressure spikes includes a valve body, a poppet at least partially inside the valve body, and a pilot piston at least partially inside the valve body and away from the poppet. The pilot piston contacts the poppet in response to a pressure spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Landing Systems Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Marin Besliu, Graeme Klim, Anthony Carr
  • Patent number: 10823162
    Abstract: Provided is a variable-capacity compressor control valve with a simple configuration that can increase the attraction force of an electromagnetic actuator and thus can reduce the size of the control valve. A sub valve element that is a magnetic body made of the same magnetic material as or a different magnetic material from that of a plunger, which is adapted to move a main valve element in the direction to open or close the valve orifice, is fitted in and fixed to the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kume, Hisashi Asano, Takashi Sakamoto, Masaharu Itoh
  • Patent number: 10808861
    Abstract: The present specification is directed to a valve that has an orifice closing member adjacent to an orifice through which fluid can flow, a displacement member having a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion is adjacent to the orifice closing member when the valve is in an open position, a first magnet and a second magnet where the first and second magnets are sufficiently proximate to the displacement member to exert a magnetic force on the displacement member, and an actuator for generating a magnetic field to move the displacement member toward the first magnet, cause the first portion to press against the orifice closing member, and cause the orifice closing member to close the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Forrest Smith
  • Patent number: 10799046
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a leak resistant drinking cup includes a tubular plug having an outer wall, an inner wall, and a web extending between and connecting the outer and inner walls. The web has at least one slit disposed intermediate the inner and outer walls. The valve assembly is configurable between a sealed position wherein liquid is inhibited from passing through the slit and an unsealed position wherein liquid can pass through the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HANDI-CRAFT COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiangwen Zhang, Douglas Hanneken, Bernard J. Kemper
  • Patent number: 10801480
    Abstract: A control valve includes: a body having a main passage through which a discharge chamber and a control chamber communicate, and a sub-passage through which the control chamber and a suction chamber communicate; a main valve seat provided in the main passage; a main valve element configured to touch and leave the main valve seat to close and open a main valve; a sub-valve seat provided in the sub-passage; a sub-valve element configured to touch and leave the sub-valve seat to close and open a sub-valve; a solenoid configured to generate a drive force in a valve closing direction of the main valve; an actuating rod for transmitting the drive force of the solenoid to the main valve element and the sub-valve element; a spring for applying a biasing force to the main valve in a valve opening direction; a spring for applying a biasing force to the sub-valve in a valve closing direction; and a differential pressure valve opening mechanism configured to open the sub-valve when a pressure difference between a control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: TGK Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Sugamura, Shinji Saeki, Masaaki Tonegawa
  • Patent number: 10794339
    Abstract: A valve for opening or closing a flow section has: a valve disk, a valve plunger and a transmission for converting rotary motion into translational motion. The transmission has a rocker arm mounted to rotate about an axis of relation, the rocker arm is linked to the valve plunger by connecting rods, and the connecting rods are mounted to rotate relative to the rocker arm and the valve plunger. A restoring device generates a force component to counteract a movement of the valve plunger transmitted to the valve plunger by the rocker arm and the connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Weis, Carsten Mikolajek
  • Patent number: 10787160
    Abstract: An adjustable magnetic valve includes a magnet assembly and a guide sleeve in which a static component is arranged fixedly and a valve armature is arranged so as to be axially displaceable therein. The magnet assembly is pushed onto the static component and the guide sleeve. The static component forms an axial stop for the valve armature, which either forces a closing element into a valve seat or lifts the closing element from the valve seat depending on the direction in which the valve armature is driven. The valve armature and the static component are each formed as plastic components. The valve armature has a magnet receptacle that receives a permanent magnet, which is polarized in terms of its movement direction such that the permanent magnet is arranged within the magnet assembly regardless of the armature stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Edgar Kurz, Massimiliano Ambrosi, Michael Eisenlauer, Wolf Stahr, Wolfgang Schuller
  • Patent number: 10786879
    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: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Piotr Sawicki
  • Patent number: 10782709
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic flow controller (30) for applications in the HVAC field, said electronic flow controller comprising a one-piece valve body (31) which is penetrated by a flowing medium. The valve body is divided into a valve portion (31a) and a flow measurement portion (31b) along the flow direction, wherein a valve element (32) is arranged in the valve section (31a) for the control of flow, wherein said valve element can be controlled from the outside via a valve spindle (33), and wherein a measurement path (36) is formed in the flow measurement portion (31b) for determining the flow rate by means of ultrasound. In order to achieve a compact arrangement and a greatly simplified assembly, accesses (34a, b) for coupling and/or outcoupling ultrasound into or from the measuring path (36) are formed on the valve body (31) in the region of the flow measurement portion (31b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Philip Holoch, Reto Hobi
  • Patent number: 10781932
    Abstract: There is provided a valve drive device comprising: a motor including a stator with a core member and a drive coil, and a rotor provided with a drive magnet; a drive gear configured to rotate together with the rotor, a driven gear configured to rotate a valve element; and a power transmission switching unit configured to switch between a power transmission state where the drive gear and the driven gear mesh with each other and a power non-transmission state where a meshing state between the drive gear and the driven gear is released. The power transmission switching unit includes a plurality of convex units formed on the drive gear, and a rotation restriction unit provided in the driven gear and configured to engage with each of the convex units to perform switching of the power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoru Yokoe
  • Patent number: 10767782
    Abstract: A valve seat, which a valve body of a movable core sits on, protrudes from an outside region of the valve seat located at an end of a columnar body toward the movable core. A gas flow passage in the movable core has: an inflow passage extending on a stationary core side in the direction in which the movable core moves; and two or more outflow passages branched on a valve body side from the inflow passage. A protrusion height of the valve seat is 0.3 times or more an inner diameter of the outflow passages. A gas accumulation space includes: a region located away from the movable core by a distance 0.5 times or more the inner diameter of the outflow passage; and a region located away from the movable core by a distance greater than or equal to the inner diameter of the outflow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Shinwa Controls Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Yamauchi, Ryoji Ichiyama
  • Patent number: 10760836
    Abstract: A spool assembly configured for use in a two-stage proportional control valve in a fluid system includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an axially extending sleeve bore extending from an open first end to an open second end. A spool includes a spool bore that extends from an open first axial end to a closed second axial end and is slidably mounted within the sleeve bore. The spool further includes a first circumferentially extending groove defining a fluid flow path, a second circumferentially extending groove formed near a first end thereof, a third circumferentially extending groove formed near the second axial end thereof, a circumferentially extending pressure groove formed therein between the second axial end and the third circumferentially extending groove, and first, second, and third transverse fluid passageways formed through a side wall of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dunan Microstaq, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Nelson Fuller, Parthiban Arunasalam, Joe A. Ojeda, Gengxun K. Gurley, Chen Yang, Jennifer O'Keefe
  • Patent number: 10746315
    Abstract: A valve guide unit is movably accommodated in a valve housing in an axial direction. A valve member is movably supported in the valve guide unit. A valve-unit supporting member movably supports a female screw member of the valve guide unit. A shaft member connected to an electric motor is screw engaged with the female screw member. A shaft inside space is formed in an inside of the female screw member, while a shaft outside space is formed in the guide-unit supporting member. An air communication passage is formed at an inner wall surface of the female screw member so that the shaft inside space and the shaft outside space are communicated to each other via the air communication passage. A response of a valve device is thereby improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kimio Uchida
  • Patent number: 10746316
    Abstract: A movable core includes an iron core formed into a plate having a substantially rectangular section, and a valve support portion continuous with the iron core. The valve support portion includes a pair of support arms. The pair of support arms are arranged side by side in a width direction of the movable core to be parallel to each other and seamlessly integrated with the iron core. A surface of the movable core on one side in a thickness direction and a surface of the movable core on the other side are single flat surfaces parallel to each other and extending continuously from the iron core to the pair of support arms. A valve disk is supported between the pair of support arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshimura, Kazuhiro Umeda