Patents Examined by Todd D Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8021131
    Abstract: A vacuum pump (50) includes a pumping arrangement, a shaft (10) for driving the pumping arrangement, a motor (60) for rotating the shaft (10) and a bearing arrangement supporting the shaft (10) for rotation, the bearing arrangement having a rolling bearing (12), supporting a first portion of the shaft (10), and a thrust bearing (30). The thrust bearing (30) houses a plurality of rolling elements (36) such that they are maintained in bearing contact with an outer race (18) of the rolling bearing (12) and a race (34) of the thrust bearing (30). In this way axial movement of the rolling bearing (12) can be resisted whilst allowing radial movement of the rolling bearing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Jennifer Mary Schooling, Barrie Dudley Brewster
  • Patent number: 8021128
    Abstract: A pump powered partly by a mechanical drive and partly by a pressurized fluid flow and comprised of one or more piston-in-cylinder assemblies in which one face of each piston provides a pumping action while a pressurized driving fluid flow is applied to the opposite piston face, thus supplementing the drive force applied to each piston via a piston rod. Input and output of the pumped flow is controlled by pump valves of a non-return poppet type operated by the pumped flow. Input and output of the driving fluid is controlled by poppet-type valves controlled by connection to the pump valves. Piston movement relative to both the cylinder and the piston rod is controlled, and a two-part pump valve is provided to simplify connection to the motor valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Colin Alfred Pearson
  • Patent number: 8016571
    Abstract: A pump end assembly has a centrifugal pump and a motor separated by a chamber. The chamber contains a thrust bearing as well as an intake for the pump. Fluid flowing into the intake flows through the thrust chamber and to the inlet of the pump. Some of the fluid also flows through the thrust bearing for lubricating the thrust bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary W. Speer, Terry W. Shafer, Mark C. James
  • Patent number: 8016573
    Abstract: A piezoelectric-driven diaphragm pump is comprised of a driving unit (1) having a driving diaphragm (12) and a first housing (11), a replaceable driven unit (2) having a driven film (241) and a second housing (21), and a fixing unit (3) for fixing the driven unit (2) to the driving unit (1). A vibration transmitting face (14) of the driving diaphragm (12) from which displacement of the driving diaphragm (12) is transmitted to the driven film (241) and a vibration transmitted face (241a) of the driven film (241) to which the displacement of the driving diaphragm is transmitted are not parallel to a reference plane (11b) of the first housing (11) which faces the second housing (21), and the vibration transmitting face (14b) of the driving diaphragm (12) contacts with entire of the vibration transmitted face (241a) of the driven film (241). Thereby, the displacement of the driving diaphragm (12) is efficiently transmitted to the driven film (241), so that a capacity of a pump room (25) can be varied largely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Harunori Kitahara, Tsukasa Hojo
  • Patent number: 7993115
    Abstract: A pump including a bore formed in a modulator block and connected with a suction port and a discharge port is provided. The pump includes a piston installed in the bore in a reciprocating movable manner and defining an inlet path therein, an inlet valve to open or close an exit-side end of the inlet path according to a position of the piston, and an outlet valve provided at one side of the bore, operations of the inlet and outlet valves being contrary to each other. The outlet valve includes a valve seat, a sleeve to surround the valve seat, an outlet ball interposed between the sleeve and the valve seat and used to open or close a path defined in the valve seat, and a valve cap provided at one side of the sleeve to isolate an interior from an exterior of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Kap Kim
  • Patent number: 7988427
    Abstract: A compressor has first (26) and second (28; 30) enmeshed rotors rotating about first (500) and second (502; 504) axes to pump refrigerant to a discharge plenum (42). The compressor includes a muffler system (200) comprising a sound absorbing first element (232) and a sound absorbing second element (236). The second element at least partially surrounds the first element and defines a generally annular flow path portion (230) between the first element and the second element. A wall (250) at least partially surrounds the second element. A space (259) optionally containing a sound absorbing third element (261) surrounds the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: William P. Patrick
  • Patent number: 7988425
    Abstract: A pump and alarm control promotes water safety and prevents entrapment in swimming pools, spas, and water features, such as fountains and waterfalls. The pump and alarm control monitors the vacuum on the influent side of a pump for the pool, spa and/or water feature and a two speed pump for a spa and automatically detects blockages in the pool, spa and/or water feature drains. The pump and alarm control is capable of detecting entrapment and blockages in different and distinct normal pressure operating conditions. Upon detecting a blockage the pump and alarm control shuts down pump operations and activates audible and visual alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: David A. Stingl
  • Patent number: 7980516
    Abstract: An air pump positioned within a hollow space in an aerodynamic structure for controlling the flow over an aerodynamic surface thereof, includes a movable member linearly displaced by a very low friction piston mechanism and a compression chamber open to the exterior of the aerodynamic surface through an orifice. Reciprocal displacement of the very low friction movable member changes the volume of the compression chamber to alternately expel fluid (e.g., air) from and pull fluid into the compression chamber through the orifice. The movable member includes a piston oscillating within a piston housing each having an ultra-low friction coating for improved thermal performance and reduced maintenance. Fluid intake to the compression chamber may be increased through the use of a one-way valve located either in the aerodynamic surface, or in the piston. Multiple flapper valves may surround the orifice in the aerodynamic surface for increased fluid control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Terrence S. Birchette
  • Patent number: 7980834
    Abstract: A pump for boosting pressure of liquid color for injection into plastic resin in molding or extrusion apparatus includes a housing having a first bore extending in a first direction and second and third bores extending through the housing and communicating with the first bore proximate a first end of the first bore with the first end of the first bore being blind. The pump further includes an inlet check valve connectable to the second bore for permitting liquid flow through the second bore into the first bore. Further included is an outlet check valve connective to the third bore for permitting liquid flow out of the first bore through the third bore. A member is reciprocally axially movable within the first bore. A solenoid applies air pulses to the end of the first member facing oppositely from the blind end of the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 7976287
    Abstract: A capacity variable type twin rotary compressor may include a casing, a motor, a first cylinder having a first compression space, a second cylinder fixed to one side of the first cylinder and having a second compression space, first and second intakes respectively formed in the first and second cylinders and each connected to a gas intake pipe, first and second vane slits respectively formed in the first and second intakes first and second rolling pistons eccentrically coupled to the motor and respectively housed in the first and second compression spaces, first and second vanes slidingly received in the first and second vane slits, respectively, an expansion groove formed at the second vane slit separate from the inner space of the casing, and refrigerant switching valves that allow refrigerant of intake and discharge pressures to be supplied into the second compression space and the expansion groove, such that the second vane contacts the second rolling piston to perform a power driving or separates therefr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seon-Woong Hwang, Seong-Jae Hong, Kyoung-Jun Park, Jin-Kook Kim, Ji-Young Bae
  • Patent number: 7976291
    Abstract: A cooling fan includes an outer housing. A motor support is fixed to the outer housing and a motor is mounted to the motor support. A hub is coupled to the motor and, with the motor support, forms a motor enclosure that substantially surrounds the motor. Multiple blades extend radially from the hub and are arranged so as to generate a flow of air around the motor enclosure when the blades are rotated. The cooling fan also includes a motor cooler including a flow path through the motor enclosure, wherein the flow path has a first opening and a second opening, wherein the second opening is disposed within an area of lowered downstream pressure so as to develop a differential pressure between the first and second openings and generate a flow of air through the motor enclosure as the motor operates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wade D. Vinson, John P. Franz, Troy Della Fiora, Jeffrey M. Giardina
  • Patent number: 7972118
    Abstract: The first maximum inclination angle ?1 is a maximum inclination angle of a link member 45 allowed by a clearance between a slit 41s of a rotor 21 and one end 45a of the link member 45; the second maximum inclination angle ?2 is a maximum inclination angle of the link member 45 allowed by a clearance between a slit 43s of a swash plate 24 and the other end 45b of the link member 45; the third maximum inclination angle ?3 is a maximum inclination angle of a first linking pin 46 allowed by a clearance between the first linking pin 46 and a first bearing hole 41a; the fourth maximum inclination angle ?4 is a maximum inclination angle of a second linking pin 47 allowed by a clearance between the second linking pin 47 and a second bearing hole 43a; and the fifth maximum inclination angle ?5 is a maximum inclination angle of the swash plate 24 with respect to the drive shaft 10 allowed by a clearance between the drive shaft 10 and a pair of the tilting guide faces 37, 37.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Hirabayashi, Keigo Usui
  • Patent number: 7959417
    Abstract: The hydraulic engine includes first and second reaction chambers, the first and second reaction chambers each having an enclosure within which is disposed a floating piston. An impulse turbine is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers. A delay valve is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers and the impulse turbine, the delay valve operable to switch between a first position and a second position, the first position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the first reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein and the second position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the second reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein. Successive explosions in the first and second reaction chambers provide flows of high pressure fluid to drive the impulse turbine and to switch the delay valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Charles A. White, III
  • Patent number: 7955058
    Abstract: This invention is a reciprocating piston to piston device that can function 1) to increase or decrease pressure in a hydraulic or pneumatic system with minimal energy loss or 2) as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump or motor. The input and output fluids may be the same or different. The energy transferred or pumped depends on the size of the input piston, the pressure of the input fluid, and rate of reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Wayne Michael Angel
  • Patent number: 7955060
    Abstract: A pumping apparatus has a peristaltic drive device for pumping a medium through a line that has a compressible portion. The pump contains a one-piece shaft with offset cam segments and lamellae. The shaft may or may not include a core shaft or a continuous core region for an increase in stability. The continuous core region has cam segments offset with respect to one another and contiguous to one another. The ratio between the height and stroke of the lamellae is about 4:1 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: PFM Medical TPM GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 7946832
    Abstract: A dual chamber mixing pump is disclosed with two pump chambers. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections disposed at both ends. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of two fluids entering through two inlets and exiting through two outlets with reduced pulsations. Alternating pulses of the two chambers and joining of two outlets provide a common outlet stream which has small segments of alternating fluid from each inlet. Such segmented streams can become more thoroughly mixed through normal flow characteristics of the downstream flow path, providing more effective mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Fluid Management Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Tim Patrick Hogan
  • Patent number: 7942649
    Abstract: An electrical driven pump unit having two hydraulic pumps and two electric motors that are fitted in such a way as to make it possible to obtain the unit's power by adding together the power of the two motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT HPI
    Inventors: Nicaïse Lesther, Francois Fischer
  • Patent number: 7942648
    Abstract: Lifetime required of mobile-use fuel cells is secured and prolonged, stabilized pump performance is maintained by preventing bearing seizure and abnormal wear. The shaft (101) of a pump mechanism section (100) and the shaft (201) of a motor section (200) are integrated, and the shafts (101, 201) are supported by two or more ball bearings disposed in the pump mechanism section (100), thereby making it possible to fill grease in the closed spaces of the ball bearings (300), and secure a sufficient lifetime basically with almost no possibility of the grease leaking out, even if it is used at a relatively high environmental temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakuda, Noboru Iida, Tatsuya Nakamoto, Ryuichi Ohno, Kiyoshi Sawai, Hiroyuki Fukuhara, Hideki Murakami
  • Patent number: 7942645
    Abstract: An oil pump assembly includes a plurality of pump chambers constituting a plurality of oil pumps, respectively, a plurality of rotors are fitted into the pump chambers, respectively, with a single driving shaft carrying the plurality of rotors to form a single body. Oil pumped up from an oil pan is supplied under pressure to different associated destinations with the relief valves being arranged compactly to reduce the size of the oil pump assembly. Oil pumps are provided with respective relief valves provided to pass oil discharged from the corresponding pump chambers therethrough and the axes of the relief valves are arranged parallel to the driving shaft. A driving shaft is provided on which a plurality of the inner rotors are carried concentrically and integrally. The rotors are connected to the driving shaft and changed depending on discharge oil pressures, thereby preventing the driving shaft from increasing its diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakatsuka, Masaki Cho
  • Patent number: 7922459
    Abstract: A pressure-generating device includes an axle hub having a rotary shaft portion supported rotatably in a nonrotatable cylindrical support portion via bearings; a piston attached to the rotary shaft portion in a unitarily rotatable manner and so as to perform a pumping action, and, in cooperation with the rotary shaft portion, forming a pump chamber therebetween; a cam member and cam followers for converting a rotary motion of the axle hub in relation to the cylindrical support member to the pumping action of the piston; a suction path formed in the axle hub and enabling introduction of air into the pump chamber; and a discharge path formed in the axle hub and enabling discharge of air from the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono