Patents Examined by Ian G Paquette
  • Patent number: 10399411
    Abstract: Provided is a damper opening/closing mechanism of a vehicle air-conditioning device, the damper opening/closing mechanism being configured such that a pin (28) of a damper lever (26) is fitted in a cam groove (24) of a link plate (22) rotatably driven by a stepping motor and that a damper (19) is opened/closed through the damper lever (26) rotated by rotation of the link plate (22). One end portion of the cam groove (24) for reference positioning of the stepping motor is in such a shape that a connection surface (32) not contacting an outer peripheral surface of the pin (28) connects between the point of contact of the outer periphery of the pin (28) with one end surface of the cam groove (24) and the point with a side wall surface (24A) of the cam groove (24) when the damper (19) is in a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Kohigashi
  • Patent number: 10400910
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a combination air valve that uses buoyancy to lift seals into place, preventing media from escaping from the valve. Once the seals are in place, pipeline pressure is used to open and close the valve. The combination air valve includes a low flow vent configured with a pressure equalizing configuration allowing for reduced extrusion forces along the low flow vent, allowing vertical movement of a float shaft at high valve gas pressures with reduced forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DeZURIK, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam L. Kalthoff, Forrest Halvorson
  • Patent number: 10393317
    Abstract: A gas injection device for injecting an expulsion gas into a tank for a liquid. The gas injection device comprises an inlet pipe for receiving the gas and a distributor portion for releasing the gas through a plurality of capillary passages. The inlet pipe has a first end configured to be connected to a gas supply line and a second end located within a chamber in the distributor portion. The capillary passages respectively extend in a direction adapted to a periphery of the chamber. A tank for a liquid is provided, the tank comprising a gas injection device. A spacecraft is provided comprising such a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ArianeGroup GmbH
    Inventors: Kei Philipp Behruzi, Joerg Klatte
  • Patent number: 10386016
    Abstract: A multiple application orifice steam trap apparatus of the present invention includes: an orifice steam trap that has an orifice hole and is connected to a live steam delivery pipe to prevent leakage of live steam and discharge only condensate water; a back pressure adjustment unit that is connected to the rear end of the orifice steam trap from which condensate water is discharged and adjusts back pressure of the orifice steam trap; and a meter that is disposed at any one of or both between the front of the back pressure adjustment unit and the orifice steam trap or at the rear of the back pressure adjustment unit and measures any one or both of temperature and pressure at any one or both of the front and rear of the back pressure adjustment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: Soon Ung Oh
  • Patent number: 10378673
    Abstract: An active drain liquid trap configured for use with a fuel tank system and constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a trap body, a float and a pilot. The trap body defines a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first inlet is fluidly connected to a fuel pump. The second inlet is fluidly connected to a vapor line. The float is rotatably mounted about a float pivot. The pilot moves between an open and closed position. Rotation of the float causes the pilot to be urged into an open position and fluid to be drained from the trap body through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Lee Ambrose, Vaughn K. Mills
  • Patent number: 10378693
    Abstract: There is disclosed a condensate drain, comprising: a body defining a drain chamber having a liquid-gas inlet and a liquid outlet; and a porous membrane having a pore size of about 0.2 ?m or less disposed within the body between the liquid-gas inlet and the liquid outlet; wherein in use, the porous membrane permits liquid to pass therethrough but restricts the passage of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Spirax-Sarco Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Miller, Brian Chu, Kevin Rushbrooke, Simon Geuley
  • Patent number: 10365668
    Abstract: A system and method removes well fluids, which include gas and liquids, from a storage tank. The storage tank has a gas relief valve that opens to admit atmospheric air into the storage tank when the pressure of a gas cap decreases below a vacuum threshold pressure. Well fluids flow into the storage tank and the level of liquid is monitored. When the level reaches a first level, a pump is operated by a controller to remove liquid from the storage tank. The pressure in the gas cap is monitored while the pump is operating. The speed of the pump is adjusted to maintain the gas cap pressure above the predetermined pressure and avoid the introduction of atmospheric air into the gas cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: Randy Swan
  • Patent number: 10359242
    Abstract: A flow control system in an inlet duct to a heat exchanger includes a door having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end rotates about an axis and the second end moves between an open position and a closed position to respectively allow and prevent flow into the heat exchanger. The second end has a rounded configuration. A plurality of mixing elements are downstream of the door. At least one mixing element has a base portion and a distal portion, and the base portion has a base width and the distal portion has a distal width. The base width is wider that the distal width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Trizila, Yogendra Yogi Sheoran, Frank Lin
  • Patent number: 10359017
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuable rate control valve for controlling a delivery rate of a high-pressure pump includes an electromagnet, a valve element, an armature shaft, and at least one strength element. The valve element is movable in an axial direction and is configured to open and to close the electromagnetically actuable rate control valve. The armature shaft transmits a force. The force is produced by the electromagnet and acts on the valve element in the axial direction. The at least one strength element is configured to raise at least the strength of the armature shaft. The armature shaft includes a needle region adjacent to the valve element and an armature region remote from the valve element. The needle region and the armature region are integral with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bueser, Juergen Haller, Heiko Roth, Ruthard Bonn
  • Patent number: 10344559
    Abstract: An injection system comprises a fluid control member and a reciprocating member; wherein the fluid control member is configured to form a carbon composite-to-metal seal with the reciprocating member in response to application of a compressive force; the carbon composite comprising carbon and a binder containing one or more of the following: SiO2; Si; B; B2O3; a filler metal; or an alloy of the filler metal, and the filler metal comprising one or more of the following: aluminum; copper; titanium; nickel; tungsten; chromium; iron; manganese; zirconium; hafnium; vanadium; niobium; molybdenum; tin; bismuth; antimony; lead; cadmium; or selenium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Lei Zhao, Zhiyue Xu
  • Patent number: 10323772
    Abstract: A three-way (3-way) Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based micro-valve device and method of fabrication for the implementation of a three-way MEMS-based micro-valve are disclosed. The micro-valve device has a wide range of applications, including medical, industrial control, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics and products, as well as any application(s) requiring the use of three-way micro-valves for the control of fluids. The discloses three-way micro-valve device and method of fabrication that can be tailored to the requirements of a wide range of applications and fluid types, and can also use a number of different actuation methods, including actuation methods that have very small actuation pressures and energy densities even at higher fluidic pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES
    Inventor: Michael A. Huff
  • Patent number: 10323764
    Abstract: A valve device includes: a valve body having assembly holes; solenoid components configured such that a first part is inserted into each assembly hole; and a fixing member fixed to the valve body. An engagement groove is provided in an outer circumferential surface of each solenoid component in a direction intersecting an axial center of the solenoid component. Each engagement groove is provided to a portion of the first part that is located outside the assembly hole when the first part is inserted in the assembly hole. The fixing member includes locking portions. Side walls of each engagement groove are engaged with each locking portion so as to set a position in an axial direction of each solenoid component. Each locking portion is engaged with a groove bottom of each engagement groove so as to set a phase around the axial center of each solenoid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Goto, Shinichi Ito, Masashi Kato
  • Patent number: 10316952
    Abstract: A plug for a vehicle includes: a body portion; a plurality of insertion portions configured to be inserted into a through-hole provided in a housing; and a flange portion having a notch formed on an outer periphery so as to restrict a rotation of the body portion around an axial center. The insertion portions are formed at two positions opposed to each other across a straight line passing through the notch and the axial center and are provided with retaining lugs engageable with the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Matsumoto, Tetsuya Kono
  • Patent number: 10316504
    Abstract: A vacuum sewage system includes a collection station, a vacuum pump, a sewage pump, a collection tank, a control system, a valve pit, a first conduit extending from the collection station to the valve pit, a second conduit extending from the valve pit and terminating in a closed end, a valve located in the valve pit for selectively permitting sewage and waste water to flow from the valve pit toward the collection station upon activation of the valve, an electric air admission controller or a solenoid for selectively opening and closing the valve, a first sensor associated with the electronic air admission controller or the solenoid and a second sensor located adjacent the closed end of the second conduit. The system may be utilized to monitor and remedy various undesirable operating conditions in the system and to perform routines to increase operating efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Aqseptence Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Jones, Clint Hawn
  • Patent number: 10302215
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Dürr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: 10301000
    Abstract: A ventilation valve (100) for ventilation of a tank (not shown) containing a liquid where the liquid surface fluctuates over time at the same time as the ventilation valve (100) obstructs external liquid to enter into the tank through the ventilation valve, is described. The ventilation valve (100) comprises a structural main housing (1, 2) containing a valve unit (3, 4, 5) and respective ventilation channels (6, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16) providing open communication between the tank and the atmosphere, and the valve unit includes a movable float body (4) obstructing liquid ingress into the tank through said ventilation valve (100). The valve unit is in the form of a replaceable valve module which includes the float body (4) which is received in a valve housing (3). The structural main housing (1, 2) includes a socket part (2) and one from the socket part (2) releasable cover part (1) in order to provide access to the replaceable valve module (3, 4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ventiq AS
    Inventor: Mathias Hogne Gjerde
  • Patent number: 10288188
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated valve, comprises a valve slide with a magnet armature, which is equipped to close a sealing seat in a fluid channel of the valve with a first axial end in a closed position, as well as a sealing element with folded bellows situated between the sealing seat and the first axial end of the valve slide and separates the valve slide from the fluid channel with a fluid-tight seal. The magnet armature is supported in the valve in an essentially non-contact manner due to the fact that the valve slide has a guide pin protruding in the axial direction from the magnetic armature on a second axial end opposite the first axial end, the guide pin being supported to slide in the axial direction; and the valve slide is aligned in the radial direction on a side of the magnet armature facing the first axial end of the valve slide and is supported so it is movable in the axial direction by means of at least one spring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, RAUSCH & PAUSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Schieweck, Werner Doehla, Olaf Seewald, Michael Teichmann
  • Patent number: 10279679
    Abstract: A valve device forming a ventilation flow channel of a fuel tank includes a float valve; an inside case including a valve opening relative to the float valve at an upper portion, and housing the float valve; an outside case receiving the inside case from an upper open end, and provided with a bottom portion; and an attachment portion relative to a tank side. A flow channel which becomes one portion of the ventilation flow channel is formed between a side portion of the inside case and a side portion of the outside case, and a through hole is provided in the side portion of the inside case. Furthermore, an engagement claw relative to the outside case is provided directly above the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio Wada
  • Patent number: 10281934
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a valve body defining a bore, an inlet port, an outlet port, and a signal cavity; a spool movable in the bore to shift between a first position and an intermediate position, where the spool has a first end and a second end, where the outlet port is fluidly connected to the second end, where the valve body defines a spring cavity adjacent the first end of the spool to house a spring, where the first end is subjected to a load-sense pressure signal, and where when the spool is in the first position, the spool disconnects the inlet port from the outlet port and connects the inlet port to the signal cavity; and a valve actuator that, when activated, connects the signal cavity to the second end of the spool to move the spool in the bore from the first position to the intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Coolidge
  • Patent number: 10281053
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a body of a fluid control apparatus using additive manufacturing, the method including forming an inner wall having an outside surface and an inside surface, an area surrounding an inlet, an area surrounding an outlet, and an area surrounding a fluid flow path, wherein the inner wall provides a fluid boundary and connects the inlet and the outlet. The method further including forming a portion of the inner wall that receives a valve seat, forming a portion of the inner wall that receives a control stem and a control element, and forming a lattice structure by depositing a solidifiable material onto the inner wall in a predetermined pattern, wherein the lattice structure is three-dimensional and includes a plurality of connected lattice members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., William E. Wears, Bryan J. Penkal