Patents Examined by Nicole Wentlandt
  • Patent number: 9791052
    Abstract: A vacuum slide gate valve with a drive unit that is formed in such a way that a closure plate, by displacement of at least one valve rod along a longitudinal axis, is displaceable from an open position into an intermediate position, and, by displacement of said valve rod along a transverse axis running at right angles to the longitudinal axis, is displaceable from the intermediate position into a closing position. The valve rod is rigidly connected to a sliding part, which is guided between a first position and a second position parallel to the longitudinal axis, and between the second position and a third position parallel to the transverse axis. A displacement member is mechanically coupled to the sliding part via an inclined connection to displace the sliding part from the first position into the second position and from the second position into the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VAT HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Thomas Blecha
  • Patent number: 9695983
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a partition for a fuel tank. The partition may include a sheet of material extending laterally within an interior mid-region of the fuel tank. The sheet may have a length and a width that are at least substantially equal to a length and a width of the mid-region of the fuel tank, and the sheet may be shaped to conform to an interior perimeter of the mid-region of the fuel tank. The partition may also be configured to substantially divide the fuel tank into an upper interior region located above the partition and a lower interior region located below the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Mackey, Douglas Sharp
  • Patent number: 9695947
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to valves, generally including a body assembly and handle assembly. The body assembly generally includes a body and a stem passing through the body. The handle assembly generally includes a handle body and an insert. The insert provides an interface between the stem and the handle body. The insert includes protrusions extending therefrom configured to distribute stress resulting from a moment load applied to the handle assembly through the handle body to reduce failure of the handle body. Methods of positioning a valve are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Gutmann, Joshua Lee Hoots, Gary A. Moren, Jon Terence Stone
  • Patent number: 9677712
    Abstract: A compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station module is provided. The module includes a vault for below grade installation, the vault comprising a compressor for compressing natural gas, a storage tank for holding compressed natural gas, a dispenser for dispensing compressed natural gas, each of the compressor, the storage tank and the dispenser in fluid communication with each other. Secured to the vault is a canopy for above grade orientation, the canopy comprising a CNG fuel nozzle in fluid communication with the dispenser and an interface for allowance purchase of the CNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Ferus Natural Gas Fuels Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Evans, Mark Epp, Sean Marte, Jan Kroman, Michael L. Farrar
  • Patent number: 9657466
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a spout and a sprayhead movable between a docked position, in which the sprayhead is in contact with the spout, and an undocked position, in which the sprayhead is spaced apart from the spout. The faucet also includes a hose assembly that includes a tubular portion having an inlet end and an outlet end and configured to provide fluid through the spout to the sprayhead and a magnetically responsive end portion coupled to the outlet end of the tubular portion and freely and rotatably received within a portion of the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the spout such that when the sprayhead is in the docked position, the magnet magnetically attracts the magnetically responsive end portion so as to retain the sprayhead against the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 9657954
    Abstract: A thermally optimised circulation fluid system is proposed which comprises a circulation line, a circulation pump unit and a control unit. The circulation pump unit and the circulation line together form a circulation circuit. The circulation pump unit is configured for transferring an amount of thermal energy directly or indirectly to a fluid located in the circulation line. The control unit is configured for adjusting the amount of thermal energy which is transferrable to the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Sebastian Flashaar, Axel Schreiner, Michael Rempe, Erika Lourdes Sander
  • Patent number: 9644756
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for pressure equalization between an essentially closed space and the surrounding atmosphere is disclosed. The pressure relief valve includes a valve housing with: a cylindrical wall defining a flow passage, a valve body arranged to cooperate with a valve seat arranged in the outflow of the valve housing, a stem configured for axial guidance of the valve body, a lifting element or plate arranged further down in the flow passage relative to the valve seat, a flow constriction defining an essentially truncated conically shaped interior and arranged to encircle the lifting element such that a radial passage between the lifting element and flow constriction increase when the lifting element and the valve body is moved from a closed state of the pressure relief valve towards an open state of the pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: PRES-VAC ENGINEERING APS
    Inventor: Ronni Palmqvist
  • Patent number: 9631351
    Abstract: A tube device including concentric inner and outer tubes to form an annulus to receive an upright stem in a toilet tank and adjustable relative to the stem. A keeper limits travel of a float to prevent opening of a control valve absent flushing of the toilet. In one aspect, the present invention includes an elongated catch device pivotally mounted intermediately to an inlet tube device and carrying at its upper extremity a keeper selectively disposed in the path of a float device to, unless a toilet has been flushed, block lowering of the float device and consequent opening of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Anthony R. Brandelli
  • Patent number: 9631347
    Abstract: System and method for automatically and remotely maintaining acceptable levels of chlorine residual in the dead end branches of potable water mains so as to protect the users from high levels of coliform organisms by pumping stagnant water from the dead end branch back to a flowing water main. A solar panel serves as the source of power with batteries being used to store energy. A water circulation pump evacuates water through an insertable rigid flexible tubing from a point near the distal end of the dead end branch to the nearest flowing water main. A programmable logic controller is used to operate the pump during periods of time when there is enough available solar energy or when the batteries are sufficiently charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Inventor: Mell H. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 9631777
    Abstract: An apparatus able to regulate a raw material concentration, in a mixed gas of carrier gas and raw material gas, accurately and stably to supply the mixed gas to a process chamber, with a flow rate controlled highly accurately, thereby detecting a vapor concentration of the raw material gas in the mixed gas easily and highly accurately and displaying the concentration in real time without using an expensive concentration meter, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Kaoru Hirata, Atushi Hidaka, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda, Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9618150
    Abstract: A method for generating fluid pulses is provided. The device comprises a first channel with a first fluid inlet and a second channel with a second fluid inlet, in which the first fluid inlet and second fluid inlet are substantially situated opposite each other. The first channel comprises a first control outlet at the height of the first fluid inlet, and the second channel comprises a second control outlet at the height of the second fluid inlet, in which the respective control outlet is located in front of the respective fluid inlet in relation to the inflowing direction of the fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Bauer, Jakob Lohse, Wolfgang Nitsche
  • Patent number: 9580891
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 9579653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid channel device capable of easily opening the liquid channel from the closed mode, including a base plate in which a liquid channel, through which a liquid containing at least one of a sample and a reagent, flows, and a metering chamber for holding the liquid, are formed to at least one side thereof, the metering chamber has a liquid transport section for transporting the liquid inside the chamber downstream, and this liquid transport section is operated by means of external pressing on a cover plate in the area opposite the metering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Takahashi, Masaaki Sakurai, Jiro Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 9557744
    Abstract: A mass flow controller comprises: a first flow meter constructed and arranged to measured flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a second flow meter constructed and arranged to measure flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a control valve constructed and arranged so as to control the flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller in response to a control signal generated as a function of the flow rate as measured by one of the flow meters; and a system controller constructed and arranged to generate the control signal, and to provide an indication when a difference between the flow rate of mass as measured by the first flow meter and the flow rate of mass as measured by the second flow meter exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Junhua Ding
  • Patent number: 9556964
    Abstract: A drain valve device includes a drain valve housing arranged to be located within a drain opening. The housing has a wall structure surrounding an axis so as to define an internal flow passage through the housing and a strut member depending radially inwardly from the wall structure. The device has one or more valve members. A gas vent passage may be provided in the housing and a vent valve or control member may be provided to selectively prevent flow through the gas vent passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: NWS Europa GMBH
    Inventor: Giovanni Fima
  • Patent number: 9546743
    Abstract: A substantially leak-free, sealable microvalve that can be repeatedly opened and sealed is presented. The resealable microvalve includes a block with a through via and a sealing plate. The gap between the block and the sealing plate is sealed by a sealing material. The sealing material can be melted when heat is applied and can be solidified when heat is absent. To close the resealable microvalve, heat is applied by flowing a current through a resistive heater and an actuator brings the block and the sealing plate into a contacting position. By removing the heat, the sealing material is solidified and creates a sealed state. To open the resealable microvalve, heat is applied to the sealing material. When the sealing material melts, the actuator moves the block and the sealing plate into a spaced apart position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Carol Livermore-Clifford, Chenye Yang
  • Patent number: 9533180
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 9528627
    Abstract: A drive having an emergency closing function comprises a movable coupling device, which has an emergency spring clamped between an input-side and an output-side spring system. The emergency spring is a compression spring moved along with the coupling device. A distance of the spring systems is defined by a locking device in normal operation of the drive, wherein the emergency spring can relax for an emergency function or emergency movement of the drive after the locking device is released or unlocked. The locking device is operated or triggered hydraulically or pneumatically and/or magnetically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Froehlich, Richard Tauber, Ibrahim Doertoluk
  • Patent number: 9506576
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to check valve apparatuses and methods. In particular, the present subject matter relates to a flow control device that can be incorporated into a check valve. The flow control device can include a valve seat configured for positioning within an inlet of a check valve, the valve seat defining an opening, a plurality of flow routing vanes at least partially traversing the opening, and a disk movable between a first position and a second position in response to a fluid pressure. When the disk is in the first position, the disk blocks the opening of the valve seat, and when the disk is in the second position, the opening is substantially unobstructed. The flow routing vanes can function to smooth the flow of fluid into the valve, thereby reducing pressure drop, noise, erosion, corrosion, vibration, and cavitations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TITAN FLOW CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Ashvin D. Desai
  • Patent number: 9506229
    Abstract: A faucet is provided. The faucet has a spout and a sprayhead releasably coupled to the spout. A hose having a magnetically responsive collar thereon provides fluid through the spout to the sprayhead. A magnet is located in the faucet such that when the sprayhead is coupled to the spout, the collar magnetically couples to the magnet, thereby applying sufficient magnetic force to the hose to retain the sprayhead against the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares