Patents Examined by Time Aigbe
  • Patent number: 8585013
    Abstract: There is provided a magnetic microvalve using a metal ball and a method of manufacturing the same. A magnetic microvalve using a metal ball according to an aspect of the invention may include: an upper substrate having a microchannel serving as a passage through which a fluid moves, a fluid inlet through which the fluid flows into the microchannel, and a fluid outlet through which the fluid, having passed through the microchannel, flows out of the microchannel; a lower substrate having a trench locally provided therein; a PDMS/metal ball combination having a metal ball and PDMS surrounding the metal ball so that the metal ball is located in a central portion thereof, the PDMS/metal ball combination being inserted into the trench provided in the lower substrate; and a magnet located above the microchannel, provided in the upper substrate, and generating magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Kwang Hyo Chung, Yo Han Choi, Dae Sik Lee, Young Jun Kim, Moon Youn Jung, Seon Hee Park
  • Patent number: 8573248
    Abstract: A gas flow valve having pneumatic vibration dampening device to reduce the vibrations created by the flow of gas through the gas valve. The gas valve includes a gas flow conduit that terminates at a discharge opening. A valve member is movably positioned relative to the discharge opening and allows gas flow in a flow condition and prevents the flow of gas in a seated position. The valve member includes a gas passage formed within the valve member. At least one flexible membrane is mounted to the valve member and surrounds an outlet opening of the gas passage. The flexible membrane is inflated as the flow of gas within the gas flow conduit increases such that the flexible membrane contacts an inner surface of a stabilizing conduit. The interaction between the flexible membrane and the stabilizing conduit reduces the vibrations created by the flow of gas past the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James N. Mashak
  • Patent number: 8561640
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve including an inlet port for receiving a pressurized hydraulic fluid and an outlet port for expelling the hydraulic fluid. The valve also includes a displaceable spool for blocking and unblocking a flow path between the inlet and outlet ports, and a latching mechanism for displacing the spool in response to a pressure surge for the hydraulic fluid. The valve includes a first elastic element and a second elastic element, where the first elastic element urges the spool into a position blocking the flow path and the second elastic element urges the latching mechanism to displace the spool into a position out of the flow path. In an unlatched position of the latching mechanism, force from the second elastic element is transferred to the spool, and in a latched position of the latching mechanism, the spool is isolated from the second elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Trevor McConnell, Philip George
  • Patent number: 8550115
    Abstract: A valve position assembly is described herein, wherein the assembly includes a sun gear, at least one planet gear, two ring gears, wherein the planet gear engages with the sun gear and the ring gears, wherein the planet gear has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of the sun gear, and the diameter of the planet gear is smaller than a diameter of the ring gears, and a scale plate, wherein the plate comprises a position indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Trumbull Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake J. Emanuel, Francis Craig Newmeyer
  • Patent number: 8534467
    Abstract: A union coupling having a removable screen is disclosed. The union coupling includes a pipe joint, a fitting that receives the screen, and a collar which clamps the fitting to the pipe joint. In one form, the fitting has an inner surface that defines a passage through the fitting and a pocket formed in the inner surface. The screen has a transverse extension that is received at least in part in the pocket with engagement of the transverse extension and pocket restricting passage of the screen past a predetermined position in the passage. A union coupling having a fitting comprising a fitting body with an outward flange and a shoulder element with an outward flange is also provided. The shoulder element is connected to the fitting body to captivate a collar between the outward flanges of the fitting so that the collar does not become separated from the fitting body. A method of assembling a union coupling is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Clint R. Haas, Jason A. Reichard
  • Patent number: 8443830
    Abstract: A heater built-in valve usable even under a high-temperature condition beyond 200° C. is provided. Piston driving means 7 has an upper compressed-air introducing chamber 24 for moving a piston 6 downward, and a lower compressed-air introducing chamber 25 for moving the piston 6 upward. Piston sealing means 8 has an upper bellows 29 that seals the upper compressed-air introducing chamber 24, and a lower bellows 30 that seals the lower compressed air introducing chamber 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tanikawa, Michio Yamaji, Tadayuki Yakushijin, Hiroshi Fukuchi, Keisuke Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8439330
    Abstract: A stem shoulder seal with double rings is composed of a sealing ring, a clamping ring and a spherical or conical stem shoulder, and the sealing ring is of a self-energized seal designed to its ultimate allowable strength and automatically free of any load beyond its ultimate strength. An assembly of independent dual stem seals, consisting of a stem shoulder seal with double rings, a stem cylinder seal with triangular sections and an isolating mating, can ensure that a stem has three seals which get well seated automatically at the same time to bear an identical ultimate medium pressure independently or without any mutual interference in service when assembled to the extent that the stem operating torque is just definitely increased, thereby ensuring that a stem sealing has a triple safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Zhejiang China Value Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changxiang Xu, Mao Yang, Zhanji Chen
  • Patent number: 8424564
    Abstract: A distributor 6 includes a distributor body 40 and outlet pathways 42 each formed above the distributor body 40 and along a flow direction of a fluid in the distributor body 40. The distributor body 40 has a liquid pan 40a formed on the lower side, and an outlet 40b on the upper side, and the outlet 40b is internally divided to spaces by a partition plate 45, each of the spaces 45a being associated with the corresponding outlet pathway 42.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kirin Beverage Company, Limited
    Inventor: Tatsuo Naganuma
  • Patent number: 8413683
    Abstract: A pneumatic control valve device for systems for arbitrarily lifting and lowering the vehicle body of air-suspended vehicles, with a control device having at least one mechanical control element for the positions lift, lower, drive and stop, and with a spring device for returning the control element after it has been released, in which the spring device returns the control element after it has been released into the drive position, a position securing device is provided, the position securing device mechanically locking the control element, the position securing device, in the locked state, preventing the control element from returning under the spring force of the spring device into the drive position, but permitting this in the unlocked state, however always permitting the control element to be manually adjusted, the position securing device can be changed from the locked state into the unlocked state by an electric signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Herges, Friedbert Roether, Martin Mederer, Janos Toth
  • Patent number: 8402999
    Abstract: A tap (1) is disclosed for delivering liquids, particularly for delivering high- and medium-density liquids from rigid vessels, comprising: a body (3); stem means (9); and elastic actuating means (11) of the stem 26 means (9); air inlet/outlet means (13, 25, 28) in the body (3) and inside the vessel; valve means (7) for passing air; and non-return valve means (26) placed between the air inlet and outlet means (13, 25, 28) and the vessel interior and adapted to be guided and driven by the pressure difference between outside the tap (1) and inside the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Vitop Moulding S.R.L.
    Inventor: Diego Nini
  • Patent number: 8387654
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic pressure reducing valve. A body includes a hollow portion, an inlet portion and an outlet portion for flow of a fluid and has an internal space. A cylinder is installed inside the hollow portion and has at least two holes formed in its wall. An piston is movable along the inner side of the cylinder and adjusts opening rate of the holes according to a fluid pressure difference between an inlet portion and an outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Sang Wook Kim, Sun Son
    Inventor: Sang Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 8387648
    Abstract: Device for equalizing a liquid flow in a flow taking place through a device formed of at least two liquid-moving elements located on shafts (10, 11), in which case the flow channel is formed of a hollow shaft (10), a flow opening (16) in its wall and a flow groove (14) for leading the liquid to the liquid-moving elements. The liquid-moving element (e.g., 13) is located on the shaft (10), in a rotating manner that regulates the size of the flow opening (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Pekka Leskinen
  • Patent number: 8371552
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a pressure dead band includes a first valve or sleeve slidably disposed within a valve body. A second valve is partially slidably disposed within the first valve and partially slidably disposed in the valve body. A plurality of fluid passages communicate with the valve assembly and provide a first flow of hydraulic fluid and a second flow of hydraulic fluid. A lower threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the combination of the first area of the first valve and the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve. An upper threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Bret M. Olson
  • Patent number: 8328161
    Abstract: The fitting housing contains a control cartridge, of which the control shank can be pivoted about the pivot axis. The actuating lever can be displaced relative to the control shank, is mounted on the latter and can be pivoted via its own lever axis, this lever axis being guided in the guide track. When the actuating lever is pivoted up and down, it executes a displacement movement relative to the control shank, and this prevents contact between the actuating lever and the fitting housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventor: Heinz Graber
  • Patent number: 8316883
    Abstract: A water faucet providing a digital temperature readout indicating the temperature of the water exiting the faucet is herein disclosed. The faucet provides a switch to change the display between Fahrenheit and Celsius and is powered by a small integral solar cell and an internal battery for periods of low ambient light. The display and corresponding circuitry is mounted inside of a waterproof enclosure which is removably mounted to the faucet spout by locking fasteners. The display is removable and allows for replacement or maintenance should it malfunction or break. During use, an internal thermocouple senses a change in temperature to activate the apparatus, thereby conserving energy. Such features are ideal for measuring the temperature of water used to wash hands or dishes to ensure compliance with health department requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Craig Watson
  • Patent number: 8312891
    Abstract: A gas pressure sensor assembly for a gas regulator includes a plurality of selectable inlets, an outlet and a gauge. Each inlet receives pressurized gas from a different one of a plurality of pressurized gas storage containers. The outlet supplies gas to an appliance. The gauge senses a selected gas pressure in an inlet corresponding to the selected gas storage container and visually indicates a pressure of that gas storage container. The gas pressure sensor assembly includes a cooperating member at least partially housed within the gauge, a disc member rotatably responsive to a gas pressure and an sensing device. The sensing device is releasably connected to the gauge, is selectively actuated by movement of the disc member and is configured to provide an audible signal indicative of a generally empty status of the gas storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cavagna Group
    Inventor: Savio Cavagna
  • Patent number: 8307851
    Abstract: A water flow regulation system includes a pair of water valves having turnable stems for controlling water flow through the valves and a pair of pinions, one fixed to each of the valve stems. A toothed rack is provided which is sized and configured for engagement with the pinions. A housing supports the valves and rack with teeth of both pinions engaging the rack teeth in order that translational movement of the rack causes simultaneous rotation of the pinions with concomitant simultaneous opening and closing of the valves. A remote control and a sheathed cable interconnecting said remote control and the rack are provided for operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: 456Corp
    Inventor: Marc Warsowe
  • Patent number: 8302933
    Abstract: A valve device has a valve space (14) formed in a housing (12a, 12b), a valve drive (16) sealed against the valve space (14) by means of a sealing body (26) made of an elastic material, a two-armed actuating lever (32) which extends through the sealing body and whose first arm (34) is connected to the valve drive (16), and a closing body (28) molded on the sealing body (26), which forms a jacket of the second arm (30) of the actuating lever (32). The closing body (28) can cover or clear a valve seat (24) disposed in a valve space (14) by a swivel movement of the actuating lever (32), wherein the actuating lever (32) includes a spatially fixed bearing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Scheibe
  • Patent number: 8302822
    Abstract: Pressure regulators for beverage dispensers of the type using a high pressure gas cartridge such a CO2 cartridge. The regulators provide a simple, low cost, easily assembled and reliable regulator of particularly small size, facilitated in part by the fact that the invention allows the use of a diaphragm of a particularly small size without necessitating the use of expensive and bulky diaphragm clamps, such as threaded clamps, yet is able to provide a more than adequate seal at both the inner and outer portions of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Sturman BG, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy P. Kranz, Benjamin Grill, James A. Peña
  • Patent number: 8281801
    Abstract: A device for reusing greywater includes: a water feed for supplying greywater; a collecting reservoir for collecting the supplied greywater; a storage tank for storing water; a siphoning device for siphoning water from the collecting reservoir to the storage tank; a water discharge for discharging stored water to a water user; a sewer outlet; and a control system. A method of siphoning water includes: supplying water to a collecting reservoir; detecting a predetermined water level in the collecting reservoir; operating a filling valve subject to the detected water level; and siphoning water via a siphon connection from the collecting reservoir to the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Ecoplay International B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Donaes Jacobus Platteel