Patents Examined by Paul J Gray
  • Patent number: 11795048
    Abstract: A leak stop assembly for an automatic shut-off fluid nozzle having a fluid flow path and a check valve with a through bore in the flow path. The assembly includes a bleeder seat that houses a length of the flow path proximate the check valve, a rubber plug, and a rigid cross-brace attached to the bleeder seat and holding the plug. Fluid flows around the check valve when open. The cross-brace positions the plug relative to the check valve through bore such that the plug seals against the check valve through bore when the check valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: M. Carder Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Carder
  • Patent number: 11795049
    Abstract: A flow-through pressure-vacuum valve includes a valve body having a tank-side opening and a vent-side opening. A pressure relief valve (e.g., a ball held in a corresponding seat by gravity) is positioned within a first passageway through the body. The ball is moved from the first valve seat to open the first passageway when pressure at the tank-side opening exceeds pressure at the vent-side opening by a predetermined pressure differential. A vacuum relief valve is positioned within another passageway (e.g., a serpentine passageway). The vacuum relief valve (e.g., also a ball held in a corresponding seat by gravity) is positioned within the serpentine passageway. Analogously, the ball is moved from the valve seat to open the serpentine passageway when pressure at the tank-side opening is less than the pressure at the vent-side opening by a predetermined pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Vapor Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodger Preston Grantham, Douglas Alan Harty, Gregg Marshel
  • Patent number: 11781665
    Abstract: A faucet includes a base and a valve cartridge disposed in the base. The valve cartridge can control a flow of water. The faucet includes a structure that supports the valve cartridge. The structure includes a mount having a first protrusion, a second protrusion, and a smooth portion that extends between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The structure includes a lock plate that detachably couples to the mount. The lock plate can engage the first protrusion in a first rotational position to secure the lock plate relative to the first protrusion. The lock plate can slide along the smooth portion in a second rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: KOHER CO.
    Inventor: Perry Erickson
  • Patent number: 11781410
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to fluid injection systems, apparatus, methods, and associated components thereof that include flexible hoses for wellhead sites. In one implementation, a fluid injection system for wellhead sites includes a platform, a pump manifold mounted to the platform, and a pair of rails mounted to the platform. The fluid injection system includes a trolley disposed between the pair of rails and above the pump manifold. The trolley is movable along the pair of rails. The fluid injection system includes an articulation arm device mounted to the trolley. The articulation arm device includes one or more pivot joints coupled between two or more arms, and a connection device coupled to an end arm of the two or more arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Forum US, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Post, Peter Middleton, Harry Hughes, William Perry Lamar
  • Patent number: 11774337
    Abstract: A device is provided that is intended to simultaneously measure and identify at least two characteristics of multiphase fluid flows through the device and/or equipment attached to the device. The device has a lower measurement medium invasive compartment comprised of at least two ultrasonic and/or acoustic transducers, a piezo-resistive sensing element, and a resistance temperature detector (RTD) to make simultaneous independent measurement. A pathway connects to the device's upper electronic compartment comprised of an accelerometer array, multiple stacked circuit boards providing power, sensing interface, processing, calculation, and network communication functionalities. The device is capable of measuring, processing, and calculating simultaneous independent pressure, temperature, flow rate, and vibration measurement. The device reports data to an external system via either wired and/or wireless communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: James J Chen
  • Patent number: 11772955
    Abstract: A security device for a fuel dispenser includes a stepping relay having contacts arranged in series between a source of power and a fuel pump such that when the contacts are open, no fuel can be dispensed. The stepping relay is triggered by one or more door interlock switches that are powered by the fuel pump side of the contacts such that, when an access door is opened, the relay is triggered and the door interlock switches are no longer powered, hence, disabled. Therefore, a reset switch that is constantly powered is interfaced to trigger the stepping relay to close the contacts and allow fuel to be dispensed. Preferably, the reset switch is either remotely located or has a security feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Leonard Witt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11760622
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a fluid tank includes a tank operable to contain the fluid and a fluid delivery coupling fluidically coupling the tank to a manifold. A pressure relief valve is fluidically coupled to the manifold, disposed between the manifold and the tank, and coupled to the tank through a recirculation inlet. The pressure relief valve is set at a predetermined pressure threshold and opens when the back-pressure in the manifold exceeds that threshold. The fluid is directed to the tank through the recirculation inlet when the pressure relief valve opens. A fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to the manifold at a first distal end and a fill cap at a second distal end. The fill cap is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and fluid can flow from the manifold to the fluid tank through the fluid transporting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Fueling Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mason Duncan, Hanan Tuchshnieder
  • Patent number: 11746946
    Abstract: A system of pipe insulating sleeves includes a series of elastomeric foam insulating sleeves that are capable of opening up to, and beyond, 180 degrees, to accommodate and capture an undersink pipe. The disclosed system may include a number of different sleeves that are capable of coupling to one another at respective couplers so as to form the system. The sleeves may include fastening mechanisms to retain the sleeves in the closed configuration while capturing the pipe, so as to create a smooth, streamlined appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. Also disclosed is a method of installing the sleeves. The sleeves are made of an elastomeric foam material that has heat insulating properties, and which may also have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it particularly advantageous for use in undersink pipe insulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventors: Aaron Lorkowski, Kai Zhang, Willie Perez
  • Patent number: 11713850
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle assembly including a valve assembly configured to be coupled to a tank, the valve assembly including a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a first passage extending therebetween, and a valve disposed in the first passage, and a regulator assembly configured to be coupled to the valve assembly, the regulator assembly including a regulator body having a first end, a second end, and a second passage extending therebetween, a nozzle coupled to the regulator body and having an outlet in communication with the second passage, a spindle having a first end disposed in the second passage and a second end surrounded by the nozzle, and a piston assembly disposed in the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Poland, Cliff Walters, Timothy Horn
  • Patent number: 11692635
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: David Neil Morgan, Michael Gregory Volkmer, Chad Alvin Cederberg, Glen Edward Lampe
  • Patent number: 11691040
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for flame arresting are provided. In an embodiment, a flame arrestor includes a quenching element disposed within a conduit. The flame arrestor also includes a cooling system in thermal contact with the quenching system. The cooling system cools the quenching element during operation of the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Thibault F. Guiberti, Jason Scott Damazo, Eddie Kwon, Deanna A. Lacoste, William L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11692636
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrostatically adjustable flow control valve. In one embodiment, the valve includes a fixed sleeve that slidably receives a spool. A spring biases the spool relative to the fixed sleeve. A primary orifice is used to deliver fluid to the interior area of the fixed sleeve and spool. A control device is used to selectively vary the rate at which fluid drains from the interior area. Draining the fluid results in the spool being received within the interior of the fixed sleeve. The movement of the spool opens flow ports within the sleeve. This, in turn, allows fluid to exit the valve. Conversely, the control device can be set to prevent fluid drainage. This results in the spool extending from interior of the fixed sleeve, the closure of the flow ports, and the sealing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FLOW DYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Chalfin
  • Patent number: 11686435
    Abstract: A high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus having a new structure, which is conceived to store the energy of low-temperature air located at high altitude in the sky and utilize it as needed, is provided. The high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus includes an air tank adapted to store air, an air supply pipe provided such that it extends in a vertical direction and its lower end is connected to the air tank, and a compression device provided in the sky, connected to the upper end of the air supply pipe, and configured to compress air using the wind and supply the compressed air to the air tank through the air supply pipe, thereby enabling air to be compressed by the wind blowing at high altitude and to be then stored in the air tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Nak Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11674886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. One or more sensors may be employed to signal proper operation of the remediation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Breuer, Leon Schuster
  • Patent number: 11674605
    Abstract: A meter bar includes a housing comprising an inflow end and an outflow end, a key assembly arranged within housing, the key assembly including a key, the key defining an interior and providing a fluid pathway from the inflow end to the outflow end; the key defining a pair of upper portals, one upper portal proximate the inflow end and one upper portal proximate the outflow end; the key defining a pair of lower portals, one lower portal proximate the inflow end and one lower portal proximate the outflow end; the key defining a pair of bypass portals; the key assembly arrangeable within the housing to selectably direct fluid flow from the inflow end to the outflow end either through a meter or bypassing the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allen Huffman
  • Patent number: 11667356
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for the transfer of cryogenic product from a first floating structure (800) for storage and transport of cryogenic product to a second fixed or floating structure (900) for storing cryogenic product, by means of a transfer pipe able to transport the cryogenic product. The system comprises a transfer pipe, itself comprising at least three rigid sections of pipe (12-17) fluidically connected each to the next by connection means (21 to 27) able to transport the cryogenic product, each of the two end sections of pipe (12, 17) having a free end configured as a tip for connection to a connection device of the first floating structure (800) and respectively of the second floating structure (900). The present invention also concerns a method of fluidically connecting a device for the transport of cryogenic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Raphaël Poichot, Stéphane Paquet
  • Patent number: 11634316
    Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel. A pump assembly draws the fuel from the storage tank providing the fuel under pressure to a fuel supply line. A fuel conditioning assembly includes a housing having a storage volume, a housing inlet receiving the fuel under pressure created by the pump assembly, a housing outlet through which fuel exits the housing, and a housing port through which fuel can be drawn into the housing. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing outlet is operative to selectively apply a vacuum to the outlet of the housing so that liquid can be drawn into the housing via the port. A water intake device is in fluid communication with the housing port. The water intake device has at least one inlet situated adjacent to a bottom of the fuel storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Richard Guzik, Diane Sinosky, James Bevins
  • Patent number: 11629822
    Abstract: A gas dispensing system includes a frame configured to house multiple rows of gas cylinders, a common gas manifold fluidically coupled to a gas outlet for dispensing of gas from the gas cylinders, a gas manifold for each row of gas cylinders configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row by a respective dispensing valve, a vent manifold for each row of gas cylinders, in which the vent manifold for a given row of gas cylinders is configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row via a respective vent valve, in which each vent valve is configured to open when a temperature on the vent valve exceeds a threshold temperature, and a common vent manifold, in which each vent manifold is fluidically coupled to the common vent manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BAYOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Koonce, Peter Anderson, Daniel Lauer, David Buttress, Donald Bishop
  • Patent number: 11629821
    Abstract: A gas dosing apparatus is provided that includes an inlet configured to receive gas, and a directional control valve connected to the inlet and having a first position and a second position. The gas dosing apparatus also includes a fixed volume reservoir connected to the directional control valve and receiving gas from the inlet, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the first position. The gas dosing apparatus further includes an outlet connected to the directional control valve and outputting a gas dose received from the fixed volume reservoir, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Laurie M. O'Connor, Paul K. Oetinger
  • Patent number: 11624464
    Abstract: A device for supplying pressurized fluid, comprising a first valve) and a second valve accommodating internal circuits, the first valve and the second valve including respective coupling members that form a quick-connection system for removably connecting the second valve to the first valve, the internal circuits including a set of one or more control valves the device including at least one manually actuable mobile control member for controlling the set of one or more control valves, between a first, rest position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is prevented, and a second, active position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is allowed, the quick-connection system including a connection piece for connecting the second valve to the first valve between a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Antoine Frenal, Guillaume Casaert, Valérie Nille, Sébastien Gorry, René Fogen, Morgan Lamiable