Patents Examined by William M McCalister
  • Patent number: 11550341
    Abstract: In a mass flow control system which comprises a first apparatus that is a mass flow controller, an external sensor that is at least one detection means constituting a second apparatus that is an apparatus disposed outside said first apparatus and at least one control section prepared in either one or both of housings of said first apparatus and said second apparatus, and is configured so as to control a flow rate of fluid flowing through a channel, the control section is configured such that opening of a flow control valve can be controlled based on at least an external signal that is a detection signal output from the external sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 11549607
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for gas distribution systems includes: a connection body for connection between an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe, the following elements being defined inside the connection body: an inlet duct an outlet duct, a high-pressure chamber connected to the inlet duct, a low-pressure chamber connected to the outlet duct, a passage opening between the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber, a movable shutter designed to obstruct the passage opening, components for moving the movable shutter in a controlled manner. The components for moving the movable shutter in a controlled manner include: a first main control head fixed to the connection body and configured to operate the movable shutter through a first control rod, a second auxiliary control head configured to operate the movable shutter through a second control rod fixed to the same movable shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Pietro Fiorentini S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Arsego, Michele Bernardi, Alessandro Bonamico
  • Patent number: 11548661
    Abstract: A system for servicing a shock strut may comprise a system controller and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the system controller. The tangible, non-transitory memory may have instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the system controller, cause the system controller to perform operations, which may comprise: receiving, by the system controller, a hydraulic fluid volume difference or a pressurized gas volume difference from a ground support controller; determining, by the system controller, a desired fluid flow rate based on the hydraulic fluid volume difference or the pressurized gas volume difference; and outputting, by the system controller, a desired fluid flow rate signal corresponding to the desired fluid flow rate to at least one of a hydraulic fluid flow controller or a pressurized gas flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Rajendra S. Kekan
  • Patent number: 11549649
    Abstract: The present application discloses a device and method for detecting and ablating hydrates in a natural gas pipeline. The device includes a transmission mechanism, a detection mechanism and an ablation mechanism. The detection mechanism and the ablation mechanism are both connected to the transmission mechanism through an elastic connector, such that the device can smoothly pass through bends in the natural gas pipeline. The transmission mechanism includes a universal wheel component, which forms static friction with an outer wall of an inner natural gas pipeline, such that the device can move along the inner natural gas pipeline. The detection mechanism detects the temperature of the natural gas pipeline and determines whether hydrates are generated in the natural gas pipeline to block the pipeline, and then the blockage is heated by the ablation mechanism to ablate the hydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU MARINE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
    Inventors: Tingting Wu, Jiangong Wei
  • Patent number: 11542931
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes: a valve body (10) having first communication passages (11), second communication passages (12), third communication passages (13), and a main valve seat (15a); a valve element (20) having an intermediate communication passage (29), a main valve portion (21c) and an auxiliary valve portion (23d); a pressure-sensitive element (24) disposed in the valve body (10); a solenoid (30) that drives a rod (36); a first biasing member (43) that biases in a valve closing direction of the main valve portion (21c); and a second biasing member (44) that biases in a valve opening direction of the main valve portion (21c), wherein the rod (36) moves relative to the valve element (20) to press the pressure-sensitive element (24). The capacity control valve can efficiently discharge a liquid refrigerant and can decrease a driving force of a compressor during a liquid refrigerant discharge operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayama, Hideki Higashidozono
  • Patent number: 11540942
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for enhancing the reliability of a pneumatically driven surgical tool by providing a redundant, backup pneumatic circuit for supplying the surgical tool with pneumatic pressure at a normal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Jiansheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 11540662
    Abstract: A vent valve flow fuse includes a valve cap with a valve cap cavity defined by one or more valve cap interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a valve body with a valve body cavity defined by one or more valve body interior surfaces. The vent valve flow fuse includes a poppet configured to at least partially fit within the valve cap cavity and the valve body cavity. The vent valve flow fuse includes a spring configured to fit within the valve body cavity and to generate a resistive force against the poppet. The poppet is in a first position when fluid having a first amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity from a vent valve and engages the poppet. The poppet is in a second position when fluid having a second amount of fluid pressure enters the valve cap cavity and engages the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron A. Devlin, John H. Beard, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 11531359
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid control apparatus capable of setting, to a value as close as possible to an opening start voltage, an initial applied voltage applied when controlling a control valve so that a measured amount becomes a set amount from a fully closed state and capable of preventing occurrence of large overshoot while increasing a response speed. A valve controller inputs a voltage command for setting an initial driving voltage to be applied to a control valve to a voltage generation circuit in a case where the control valve is changed from a fully closed state to a predetermined opening degree, and includes a drive history storage unit that stores therein drive history information of the control valve. The controller is configured to change a value of the initial driving voltage in accordance with the drive history information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Shakudo
  • Patent number: 11530709
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid system including the steps: receiving or determining a set value for a stroke of the working valve, determining an actual value for the stroke of the working valve using a sensor signal of a position sensor, determining a deviation value of a working valve in dependence on sensor signals of a supply pressure sensor and a working pressure sensor and a position sensor and a sensor system, and performing a processing of the set value for the stroke of the working valve, the actual value for the stroke of the working valve and the deviation value to a control signal for driving the working valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Klassen, Gerhard Gommel, David Rager
  • Patent number: 11519435
    Abstract: Disclosed is a throttle including: an upstream and downstream flanges; a flexible sheath that extends therebetween; a plurality of sets of shape memory alloy wires, extending between the flanges, that are (i) circumferentially aligned about the flanges; and (ii) exterior to the flexible sheath; and (iii) configured to contact an outer boundary of the flexible sheath, wherein: a first set of the plurality of sets of shape memory alloy wires form a first profile when exposed to a first temperature, causing the flexible sheath to form the first profile having a first internal diameter; and a second set of the plurality of sets of shape memory alloy wires form a second profile when exposed to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature, causing the flexible sheath to form the second profile having a second internal diameter that is smaller than the first internal diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Skandan Berikai Kuppan
  • Patent number: 11512786
    Abstract: A capacity control valve, which can efficiently discharge a liquid refrigerant and reduce the driving force of a compressor, includes: a valve main body (10) including a first communication passage (11), a second communication passage (12), a third communication passage (13) and a main valve seat (15a); a valve body (20) including an intermediate communication passage (29), a main valve part (21c) and an auxiliary valve part (23d); a solenoid (30) which drives a rod (36) having an auxiliary valve seat (26c); a first biasing member (43) which biases the main valve part (21c) in the valve closing direction thereof; and a second biasing member (37) which biases the main valve part (21c) in the valve opening direction thereof, and the rod (36) relatively moves to the valve body (20), and opens and closes the auxiliary valve part (23d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Masahiro Hayama, Yoshihiro Ogawa, Keigo Shirafuji, Kohei Fukudome, Daichi Kurihara, Wataru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11513542
    Abstract: A fluid control system and associated method for pulse delivery of a fluid includes a shutoff valve and a mass flow controller (MFC) upstream of the shutoff valve. The MFC includes a flow channel, a control valve to control flow of fluid in the flow channel, a flow sensor to measure flow rate in the flow channel, and a controller having a valve input from the shutoff valve indicating opening of the shutoff valve. The controller is configured to respond to the valve input to control flow of fluid through the control valve to initiate and terminate a pulse of fluid from the flow channel to the shutoff valve to control a mass of fluid delivered during the pulse of fluid. The valve input can be a pressure signal, and the MFC can include a pressure sensor to sense the pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L'Bassi, Mark J. Quaratiello, Junhua Ding
  • Patent number: 11500398
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent safety valve comprising a valve body having a first valve inlet, a valve outlet and a first sensor compartment, the first sensor compartment including a first sensor assembly, the first sensor compartment being arranged in the valve body, a first closing unit suitable for closing the intelligent safety valve, an actuator mechanically connected to the first closing unit in order to close the first closing unit, and a control unit which is connected to the actuator and is suitable for controlling the actuator, wherein the control unit is connected to the first sensor assembly in order to evaluate sets of measured values from the first sensor assembly, and wherein the first sensor assembly comprises at least one analysis sensor, for example a pH sensor, a conductivity sensor or an oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Jagiella, Detlev Wittmer
  • Patent number: 11493065
    Abstract: A vent limiting device adapted to be operably coupled to an exhaust vent of a fluid regulator. The vent limiting device includes a housing, a poppet disposed in the housing, and a retaining element arranged to retain the poppet in the housing. The housing has a fluid passageway extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The poppet is movably disposed in the housing, responsive to pressure at the fluid outlet, to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The housing includes one or more retaining features that engage the retaining element to retain the retaining element in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Bret M. Kirchner, Hoden Ali Farah, Aaron J. Dowdell, Christopher Sequeira, David F. Graft
  • Patent number: 11480255
    Abstract: A normally closed subplate mounted valve has a lower valve seat defining a function port, an upper seat, and a sleeve between the upper seat and the lower seat. The sleeve defines a first port. The poppet is movable within the sleeve to selectively seal against the lower seat in a piloted position or to seal against the upper seat in an offset position. The poppet blocks the first port when the poppet is positioned in an offset position. A piston shaft is affixed to the poppet for moving the poppet into the piloted or offset position. A spring biases the poppet in the offset position for preventing fluid flow into the first port. A pilot port supplies pressure for sliding the piston to compress the spring and to move the poppet away from the offset position to the piloted position so that fluid may flow into a supply port and out of the function port. A second port may be provided in the sleeve. The ports may be selectively configured for supply or vent. Components may be joined with retainer springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: The Oilgear Company
    Inventors: Mitch Terhune, Jared Schlueter
  • Patent number: 11465087
    Abstract: This document discloses a valve comprising a main valve closure body, arranged on a low pressure side of the valve and moveable to open towards the low pressure side, a control body, fixedly connected to the main valve closure body, such that a position of the main valve closure body is fixed relative to a position of the control body, a control chamber, partially defined by the control body, whereby a volume of the control chamber is variable in relation to the position of the control body, and a control fluid connector for controlling a pressure in the control chamber. The document also discloses use of the valve in a separator for separating dust and debris from an airflow, a separator comprising such a valve and a method of operating a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Andreas Fogelberg
  • Patent number: 11454993
    Abstract: A flow rate control apparatus calculates a resistance flow rate, which is a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid resistor, based on a first pressure measured by a first pressure sensor and a second pressure measured by a second pressure sensor, converts the resistance flow rate to a first valve flow rate, which is the flow rate of the fluid passing through a first valve, based on the first pressure, converts the resistance flow rate to a second valve flow rate, which is the flow rate of the fluid passing through a second valve, based on the second pressure, controls the first valve so that the deviation between a first set flow rate and the first valve flow rate becomes small, and controls the second valve so that the deviation between a second set flow rate and the second valve flow rate becomes small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 11448535
    Abstract: In order to accurately calculate an estimated flow rate by a dynamic constant volume method, a flow rate calculation system including a tank into which fluid flows, an inflow line through which the fluid flows into the tank, and a pressure sensor that detects the pressure inside the tank is adapted to include: a pressure change data storage part that stores pressure change data indicating a temporal change in the pressure detected by the pressure sensor during an inflow period; a flow rate calculation part that calculates the estimated flow rate during the inflow period based on a pressure change rate; and a flow rate correction part that, on the basis of first pressure detected by the pressure sensor after a predetermined time has elapsed after the inflow period and second pressure included in the pressure change data and higher than the first pressure, corrects the estimated flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Terasaka, Koji Imamura, Osamu Horinouchi, Yasuhiro Isobe
  • Patent number: 11435765
    Abstract: A valve device including an outlet port, a first valve unit with a first valve element for setting a first throttle opening for influencing a first airflow of pressurised air which is to be output at the outlet port or is to be released via the outlet port, a first throttle control loop for the closed-loop control of the first throttle opening according to a first setpoint, a pressure control loop for the closed-loop pressure control of an outlet pressure present at the outlet port to a pressure setpoint amid the use of a first throttle control loop as a subordinate control loop, wherein on closed-loop pressure control the pressure control loop specifies a first throttle setpoint to the first throttle control loop as the first setpoint, wherein the valve device is further configured to provide a throttle setting function and, within the throttle setting function, to limit the first throttle opening to a first limitation value and/or within the throttle setting function to specify a first direct setpoint which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Patz, Ulrich Sixt, Sebastian Müller
  • Patent number: 11435209
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus, method, and system of regulating a detector flow of a field flow fractionator. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes (1) a detector flow meter, where the detector flow meter is configured to measure a detector flow from the field flow fractionator, (2) a channel pressure meter, where the channel pressure meter is configured to measure a channel pressure of the field flow fractionator, (3) at least one control valve, where an inlet of the at least one control valve is connected to an outlet of the channel pressure meter, (4) where the detector flow meter is configured to set a channel pressure set point of the channel pressure meter, and (5) where the channel pressure meter is configured to actuate the at least one control valve to maintain a channel pressure of the field flow fractionator at the channel pressure set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: WYATT TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven P. Trainoff