Patents Examined by Nicole Wentlandt
  • Patent number: 9260848
    Abstract: An elongated catch device pivotally mounted intermediately to an inlet pipe 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: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Anthony R. Brandelli
  • Patent number: 9261119
    Abstract: For eliminating turbulence in a wall bounded flow a section of the flow-bounding wall is moved in the direction of the flow over the flow-bounding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA
    Inventor: Björn Hof
  • Patent number: 9218005
    Abstract: A trim assembly is provided with a cage with an internal surface and a cage port. A plug having an external surface is disposed in the cage and is operable between a closed position, a pressure balancing position and an open position. The trim assembly also includes a low friction flow restrictor disposed between the cage and the plug and a pressure energized seal disposed between the cage and the plug. A seal balancing volume defined by the internal surface of the cage, the external surface of the plug, the low friction flow restrictor and the pressure energized seal is provided. The seal balancing volume is in fluid communication with the cage port through the low friction flow restrictor and is maintained at a seal balancing volume pressure. The trim assembly further includes a pressure control assembly configured to vent the seal balancing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 9195240
    Abstract: A valve assembly adapted to be used in an environment having an environment pressure includes a body having an end adapted to connect to a pipe having a first fluid line at a first pressure and a coaxial second fluid line at a second pressure. A primary passageway defined through the body is adapted to be connected to the first fluid line. A secondary passageway defined in the body is adapted to be connected to the second fluid line. A valve is disposed on the primary passageway. The valve is movable between a first position where the passageway is open and a second position where the passageway is closed in response to the second pressure in the secondary passageway. The first pressure in the primary passageway is greater than the second pressure in the secondary passageway, and the environment pressure is greater than the second pressure in the secondary passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lorax Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Bishoff, Guy Bishoff
  • Patent number: 9188003
    Abstract: A universal multi-orientation bracket design for attaching solenoids to a housing of a hydraulically actuated variable valve system. The bracket having at least two sidewalls, an upper cross member, a cupped lower surface and at least one mounting flange. The cupped lower surface is shaped to insert a solenoid main body and gaps included in the side walls for a protruding solenoid connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Xuewei Chen, Anna Strehlau, Jesse Myers
  • Patent number: 9181685
    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: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Perry D. Erickson, Roger W. Murphy, William R. Bares
  • Patent number: 9174529
    Abstract: A device for ventilating and aerating a fuel tank includes a tank shut-off valve and two tank pressure control valves. One of the tank pressure control valves opens in response to a negative pressure in the fuel tank and the other one of the tank pressure control valves opens in response to an overpressure in the fuel tank. The opening pressures of the two tank pressure control valves are adjustable flexibly and independent of the respective other valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Harald Hagen
  • Patent number: 9169936
    Abstract: Able to prevent a leakage flow from a basin in a ground and to enable a filling flow from this ground, a safety anti-reversing device comprises a body comprising communicating openings for passage of the filling flow. Supported by this body, a flexible membrane comprises an annular shutter and a closing portion. The annular shutter is offset with respect to the communicating openings and swivels between a closed down position in which this annular shutter is applied in tight manner on the body, and an open position in which the annular shutter is away from the body. Distinct from the annular shutter, the closing portion covers the communicating openings so as to be able to hermetically close these communicating openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: NORHAM
    Inventors: David Turner, Francois Michel, Mikael Lamberton, Sebastien Pally
  • Patent number: 9169558
    Abstract: To provide a fluid control apparatus capable of reducing the space, while reducing the cost. A fluid control apparatus has a fluid controlling unit and a fluid introducing unit. The fluid introducing unit is divided into three parts: a first and a second inlet-side shutoff/open parts disposed on the inlet side, each made up of 2×N/2, disposed between the first and second inlet-side shutoff/open parts and the fluid controlling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignees: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jun Hirose, Kazuyuki Tezuka, Yohei Uchida, Mutsunori Koyomogi, Takahiro Matsuda, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9151395
    Abstract: An oil pressure control device includes a valve body and a spool valve arranged in the valve body. When the valve body is mounted to a vehicle, the valve body is arranged in air, and has a concave portion which stores oil at a position facing on an upper side. The spool valve has a damper chamber and an orifice causing the damper chamber to communicate with outside. The concave portion is arranged to communicate with a clearance defined between a sleeve of the spool valve and the valve body, and the orifice is opened in a bottom part of the concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Sasao
  • Patent number: 9120492
    Abstract: A control valve assembly for a load carrying vehicle that includes a dumping mechanism. The control valve assembly including a housing, a valve, and a biasing device. The valve is movable between a dumping position, and a closing position. The biasing device including a biasing device housing and a piston moveable between a first piston position and a second piston position relative to the biasing device housing. A biasing element is arranged between the biasing device housing and the piston to bias the piston toward the first piston position. The biasing device directly contacts the valve when in the first piston position to inhibit movement of the valve, and the biasing element is calibrated to allow the piston to move to the second piston position when air provided by an air compressor reaches a predetermined pressure, thereby not inhibiting movement of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Aventics Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Fry, Joshua B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9095992
    Abstract: A portable water tank assembly for a dust emitting construction machine, such as a machine for cutting concrete, stone, ceramic materials and the like, said assembly comprising a water container (1) and an electric pump (2) powered by a battery for pumping water from the container (1) through an outlet to the construction machine. To provide a portable water tank assembly which provides a long service life without changing battery, is easy to handle and carry and that is robust and reliable, the pump is a low pressure pump (2), of 0.1-1.5 bar, preferably of 0.3-1.2 bar, that is preferably submersible and placed inside the water container (1); and said assembly has at least 5 liter capacity. Preferably the hood member (3) has a first compartment (5) for a battery for delivering power to the pump (2) and a battery (6) located in the compartment (5), and it may have a second compartment (11) for a battery charger (12) and a third compartment (13) for a spare battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Anders Reuterberg, Hans Petersson
  • Patent number: 9068335
    Abstract: A protective assembly for an operating nut of an actuator for a valve in an underground pipe system is comprised of a guide assembly and a mounting assembly. A riser pipe is used to access the operating nut from above ground. The protective assembly maintains alignment of the riser pipe at installation and as the ground shifts over time. The guide assembly is formed of a guide structure and a mounting collar that juts outwardly from the guide structure forming a flange. The mounting assembly has a first portion for attaching the mounting assembly to the flange, and a second portion for attaching the mounting assembly to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Hampton Roads Sanitation District
    Inventors: Don Butler, Eric Jackson
  • Patent number: 9062575
    Abstract: Various fluid system and fluid operation embodiments include a first valve structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of positive pressure at an inlet of the first valve with an outlet of the first valve in fluid communication with a portion of a fluid system; a second valve has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve, and the second valve is structured to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to application of negative pressure at the outlet of the second valve; and, an inlet/outlet port in fluid communication with the inlet of the first valve and the outlet of the second valve at a common refill/evacuation location. Systems and methods incorporating electronic valves, configurations of multiple check valve assemblies, and modules of valve assemblies are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: RPM INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: John K. Apostolides
  • Patent number: 9062795
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. A pressure compensating drip emitter allows water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The emitter comprises a labyrinth structure having a plurality of serpentine pathways formed in its outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Guthrie
  • Patent number: 9022059
    Abstract: An apparatus is supplied for a self adjusting regulator suited for an irrigation emitter. A curved flow channel is integrated into a concave dome shaped surface. A deformable member deforms to approach the surface to adjust the resistance to flow. The concave dome shaped surface may match a deformed shape of the membrane. Irregularities in the interface between the surface and the deformable member are configured to achieve a desired discharge under varying flow conditions. The deformable member may activate an inlet filter cleaner by pushing a ram and thereby unclogging the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Amirim Products Development & Patents Ltd.
    Inventor: Amir Cohen
  • Patent number: 9016303
    Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Vaccare, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Hamza, Garrett James Burkitt, III
  • Patent number: 9010367
    Abstract: The controller of the plural component proportioner (10) dispenses both components (or all three if a three component material) as necessary to maintain the correct mix ratio. The fluid displacement measuring technique described allows this proportioning to take place with the “A” or main component pump always able to supply fluid to the spray gun without being stopped. The “B” component, at a higher pressure, is added as necessary to control ratio. The control can determine whether the pumps were properly loaded with fluid, and the fluid was properly compressed for accurate measurement. This technique allows for the proportioned fluids to be provided to the spray gun(s) at high flow rates and consistent spray pressure without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Martin P. McCormick, Richard T. Mallum, Jeffrey G. Zinn