Patents Examined by Seth Faulb
  • Patent number: 8272404
    Abstract: A device for vibrating tubing as it is inserted into a wellbore is disclosed. The device has a fluidic switch that has no moving parts. The fluidic switch is connected to a piston that oscillates back and forth in a cylinder. The piston is the only moving part. As the piston oscillates, it blocks and unblocks openings in the cylinder or other components. The movement of the piston controls the timing of the oscillation, and also generates an impulse or vibration. The vibration may reduce the friction between the tubing and the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas James Brunskill, Robert Standen
  • Patent number: 8261764
    Abstract: The air charger system provided is configured to provide an air supply to a pressurized water storage system without the use of external power. The system includes a venturi vented to the ambient atmosphere, such that the venturi siphons air from the ambient atmosphere when the venturi reaches a choked flow condition, and the system stores the siphoned air in a charging tank to supply a water storage tank. In various embodiments, the air charger system conserves energy because the use of external power is eliminated. Instead of using a traditional air compressor, the air charger systems converts the potential energy of water in a storage tank to kinetic energy in order to pressurize air in a charging tank. In addition, the air charger system also achieves greater energy conservation with the elimination of an air compressor, such that the system requires less repair and maintenance than a traditional system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: John Miller
  • Patent number: 8256458
    Abstract: An aircraft gas-turbine oil tank has a breather outlet tube 2 branching off from an upper area of the oil tank 1 and connecting to a breather and a connecting tube 6 joining to a bottom area of the oil tank 1. An air guide tube which is open at both ends is arranged in the upper area of the oil tank 1, with the air guide tube 3 protruding into the breather outlet tube 2 and extending into a middle area of the oil tank 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd Co KG
    Inventor: Robert Angst
  • Patent number: 8256460
    Abstract: A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit driven by a compressed fluid source p available in the operating room and comprising A) a control valve attachable to the drive unit for controlling a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source p to a drive unit; B) a first control means by means of which the control valve is operable; and C) a second control means by means of which a flow rate of compressed fluid may be controlled. The device further comprises D) a control switch which is attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions (A;B;C): in position A the control valve is locked and closed; in position B the control valve is unlocked and a flow rate of the compressed fluid is controllable by means of the first control means; and in position C the control valve is unlocked and open permitting the control of a flow rate by means of the second control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Tanner, Arthur Meili
  • Patent number: 8246004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve having a capsule, a magnetic armature that is movably guided within the capsule, a valve insert inserted into the capsule at a first end, and a valve body, which is pressed into a second end of the valve insert, and having a main valve seat. The magnetic armature, moved by a generated magnetic force, moves a tappet that is guided within the valve insert. The tappet has a locking element which includes a sealing element which plunges into the main valve seat of the valve body in a sealing manner for carrying out a sealing function, and an associated solenoid valve. According to the invention, the valve insert is configured as a slotted bushing, having a collar integrated onto the second end of the valve insert in order to increase an outer diameter and a shape stability of the valve insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Kratzer
  • Patent number: 8240333
    Abstract: An improvement for a backflow release valve of the type used for a backflow event in a supply line is provided. The improvement includes an air-liquid separator in fluid communication with the release valve and the supply line for reducing the amount of air entrained within a liquid solution entering the release valve, thereby reducing the total volume of liquid solution entering the release valve and minimizing the entrainment of water into air breaking a vacuum condition in the supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip T. Yontz
  • Patent number: 8230874
    Abstract: A configurable fluid transfer system for inflatable footwear includes a manifold. The manifold is part of an inflation system having an underfoot pump connected to one of the plurality of openings in the heel side of the manifold, an inflatable forefoot bladder connected to two of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold and an inflatable heel bladder connected to one of the plurality of openings in the bottom surface of the manifold. fluid flows from the underfoot pump to the inflatable forefoot bladder through a one-way valve and into a first channel in the manifold connected to a forefoot bladder. The fluid inflates the forefoot bladder and exits into a second channel in the manifold. Fluid flows from the inflatable forefoot bladder to the inflatable heel bladder through the second channel and inflates the heel bladder. A pressure regulator including a porous material may be in fluid communication with the fluid transfer system to control the rate of fluid exiting the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Reebok International Limited
    Inventors: Brian Christensen, Paul M. Davis
  • Patent number: 8205635
    Abstract: A flowmeter in which a flow rate can be measured over a wide flow-rate range while an increase in the cost of manufacture thereof is minimized, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a flowmeter are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8205639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve sealant fitting of high quality, which not only ensures rapid and easy injection of a sealant but also maximizes an effect of preventing a leakage. That is, the present invention provides a valve sealant fitting, which comprises, sequentially assembles and couples: a sealant body 10 having an insert coupling groove 12 with a sealing O-ring 12a mounted on an inner wall of the body, a sealant exit port 13 with a small diameter and a sloped injection port at a lower end of the body, and an exit port side ball 14 mounted at a bottom of the exit port 13; an insert 20 having an intermediate sealant movement path 21 for guiding the sealant to be injected toward an inner center of the insert and having a sealed port 22 and a coil spring 23 interposed at a lower end of the insert; and an upper end cap 30 having a sealant injection port 31 with a small diameter mounted on an upper end of the insert 20 and having an injection port side ball 32 mounted below the injection port 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Do A Kim, Seong Cheol Han, Dong Seok Chung
  • Patent number: 8196893
    Abstract: An isolation valve includes a shield that surrounds and protects the valve closure actuator components from exposure to corrosive fluids that flow through the valve when the valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Grout, Jeffrey D. Kiernan, David Neumeister, Matthew C. Grout
  • Patent number: 8186378
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic valve has a valve body with a longitudinal bore and a cylindrical exterior surface. An annular recess extends around the cylindrical exterior surface and the first port extends from the recess to the bore. A filter is formed by a plate that has a plurality of perforations and which is wrapped around valve body in the recess. The plate has a first end section at which a first tab is created and a second end section overlapping the first end section with a slot through which the first tab extends to secure the first and second end sections together. A spool is slideable into different positions within the bore of the valve body to selectively connect and disconnect the first port and a second. An actuator is operably coupled to move the spool into different positions within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Scott Nordstrom, Kirt Nathaniel Stephens, Edward Aloysius Flynn
  • Patent number: 8176939
    Abstract: A packing attached to a spool of a spool valve has a ring-shaped inner-peripheral seal portion provided with an inner-peripheral seal face, a ring-shaped outer-peripheral seal portion provided with an outer-peripheral seal face, and an intermediate flexible portion interposed between the both portions and curved by an action of a fluid pressure, the intermediate flexible portion has both right and left flat side faces parallel with each other, a thickness of the intermediate flexible portion is formed smaller than the inner-peripheral seal portion and the outer-peripheral seal portion, and a ring width of the intermediate flexible portion in a packing radial direction is formed equal to or larger than the thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8171953
    Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for relieving excess pressure or vacuum pressure from a tank interior. An embodiment of a pressure relief device includes a housing having an opening associated with a first end, an opening associated with a second end, and an over-pressure opening. The device further including a pressure relief valve for selectively relieving pressure from a tank, the valve including an over-pressure opening seal biased by a first pressure bias means against a pressure valve seat associated with the over-pressure opening. The device also including a guide block translatable in an axial direction of a second bore of the housing and being biased toward the pressure valve seat by a second pressure bias means. The guide block is translatable independent of the over-pressure opening seal. The device also includes a vacuum relief valve for selectively relieving vacuum pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Betts Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Adams, Patrick J. Lund, Craig E. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 8141580
    Abstract: A pressure reducer for fluid lines, with a sealing piston (70, 110) as stop element, with an equalization piston (20a, 190) as a means for pressure equalization, with a single-part or multi-part connecting means (20b, 90, 200) by which the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190) are rigidly connected with one another, with a valve seat, in conjunction of which the sealing piston (70, 110) defines a flow-through opening, against which the sealing piston (17, 110) seals when the valve is closed and which the connecting means (20b, 90, 200) penetrates, and with guide means (20c, 210) which are directly or indirectly rigidly coupled with the connecting means and guide an arrangement composed of at least the equalization piston (20a, 190), connecting means (20b, 90, 200) and sealing piston (70, 110) in each operating position, wherein the guide means (20c, 210) are arranged in the region of the valve seat between the sealing piston (70, 110) and the equalization piston (20a, 190).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies SARL
    Inventor: Uwe Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8127787
    Abstract: A siphon breaker includes a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The siphon breaker includes a stop valve adapted to transition from a closed position in which gas is substantially prevented from entering the gas inlet, and an open position in which gas is introduced into the gas inlet. The siphon breaker includes a control valve having a control valve gas inlet, a control valve gas outlet, and an electrically operated actuator. The control valve is adapted to transition from a closed position in which gas is substantially prevented from entering the control valve gas inlet, to an open position in which gas is through the control valve gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: GA Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Grant A. Colton, Sr., Joseph E. Lescovich
  • Patent number: 8127796
    Abstract: The exhaust gas recirculation valve comprises a tubular valve housing includes a gas inlet, a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet located proximate thereto. Located inside the tubular valve housing is a rotatably supported valve body that is designed as a hollow body having a semi-cylindrical lateral surface having a lateral penetration opening. The gas inlet as seen from the top includes a blocking wall on the side thereof facing the first gas outlet and the second gas outlet, the blocking wall being located inside the valve housing perpendicular thereto and having a height equal to at least the length of the valve body and sitting flush against the gas passage in the closed position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Rosario Bonanno
  • Patent number: 8127792
    Abstract: A pipeline flow meter orifice fitting includes a first body, a flow bore through the first body, a chamber in the first body adjacent to the flow bore, an orifice plate supported in alignment with the flow bore by an orifice plate carrier, wherein the orifice plate carrier is exposed to the chamber and divides the flow bore into a first region to one side of the orifice plate and a second region to the other side of the orifice plate, a second body coupled to said first body, a first flow path fluidicly coupling the first region and the chamber through the second body, and a second flow path fluidicly coupling the second region and the chamber through the second body. In some embodiments, a three way valve is mounted on the first body, the three way valve selectably actuatable to open a first flow path between the first region and the chamber or a second flow path between the second region and the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Daniel Measurement and Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Loga
  • Patent number: 8113485
    Abstract: A leak-proof structure of an oil pipe connector includes: a connector cylinder, being a hollow housing, and having an oil inlet at a front end, and an oil outlet at a rear end, and a switch base interconnected to a shaft hole in the connector cylinder; a control device, installed in the connector cylinder; a switch device, having a transmission shaft, inserted into the shaft hole and linked with the control device, and a switch handle coupled to the top of the transmission shaft; a leak-proof device, having a bearing slot below the shaft hole, and a first leak-proof slot, a circular latch slot and a second leak-proof slot above the leak-proof device, and a bearing being disposed below the bearing slot, and a first O-ring, and a latch ring, a second O-ring for achieving a leak-proof effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Bison, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Ching Chang, Ying-Ying Chang, Li-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 8113229
    Abstract: A gear operated shut valve for a ventilation system in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The gear operated shut valve includes gear train. The gear train includes a driven gear that is associated with the shut valve and a driving gear that is associated with an outlet knob on an outlet of the ventilation system. The shut valve is substantially angled with respect to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cordell Bosma, Tadayuki Nishimura, Tadashi Yoda
  • Patent number: 8104507
    Abstract: A gas switch capable of adjusting fire intensity finely includes a gas switch capable of adjusting fire intensity finely, comprising a switch body inside which a guide is installed, a valve set that revolves inside the switch body and includes a hollow valve and a pilot valve moving elastically through the valve, a drive component installed inside the switch body, which contains a rotating rod that can move along and rotate round the same shaft of the valve set, a guide rod placed on the rotating rod and leaning on the guide, a regulating block installed movably at one end of the rotating rod and leaning against the pilot valve, and a connecting component for linking the drive component with the valve set flexibly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Seven Universe Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pao-Chi Chang, Sen-Yu Wu, Shu-Mei Liu