Patents by Inventor Andy Borja

Andy Borja has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11105433
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: (i) a first port, (ii) a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and (iii) a third port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a spool slidably accommodated in a sleeve; an annular chamber formed between the spool and the sleeve, wherein the annular chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port, and wherein a first flow area is formed between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the annular chamber to the second port via the first flow area; and a solenoid coil, wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, a solenoid force the spool, thereby causing the spool to move, forming a second flow area between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the third port to the annular chamber via the second flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 11009896
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port fluidly coupled to a chamber of an actuator; a second port fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a main poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port acting on the main poppet in a proximal direction to cause the main poppet to be seated at a main poppet seat to block fluid flow to and from the first port; a piston configured to move axially to contact the main poppet; and a spool that is axially movable between a first position and a second position to operate the valve in either a pilot-operated check valve mode of operation or a proportional flow control mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Publication number: 20210116044
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: (i) a first port, (ii) a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and (iii) a third port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a spool slidably accommodated in a sleeve; an annular chamber formed between the spool and the sleeve, wherein the annular chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port, and wherein a first flow area is formed between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the annular chamber to the second port via the first flow area; and a solenoid coil, wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, a solenoid force the spool, thereby causing the spool to move, forming a second flow area between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the third port to the annular chamber via the second flow area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Publication number: 20210004026
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a first port fluidly coupled to a chamber of an actuator; a second port fluidly coupled to a reservoir; a third port configured to provide an output pilot fluid signal and receive an input pilot fluid signal; a fourth port fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a main poppet configured to be subjected to a first fluid force of fluid received at the first port acting on the main poppet in a proximal direction to cause the main poppet to be seated at a main poppet seat to block fluid flow to and from the first port; a piston configured to move axially to contact the main poppet; and a spool that is axially movable between a first position and a second position to operate the valve in either a pilot-operated check valve mode of operation or a proportional flow control mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Bernd Zähe, Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 10781937
    Abstract: An example actuator assembly includes a valve body having a body locating shoulder as a protrusion from an interior peripheral surface of the valve body, and an actuator having an end that is inserted into the valve body. The end has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, and the second portion includes a threaded region. A locating shoulder is between the first portion and the second portion of the end of the actuator arranged at a position where the first diameter changes to the second diameter. The locating shoulder mates with the body locating shoulder of the valve body when the actuator is inserted and screwed into the valve body to enable alignment of the valve body and the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Publication number: 20200025218
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a sleeve; a first poppet configured to be seated on a first seat defined on an interior surface of the sleeve when the valve is in a closed state, and where the first poppet is configured to move axially within the sleeve; a second poppet disposed, at least partially, in the first poppet, where the second poppet is configured to be seated on a second seat defined on an interior surface of the first poppet, and where the second poppet is configured to move axially within the first poppet; a first spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a first force on the second poppet in a distal direction toward the second seat; and a second spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a second force on the second poppet in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Patent number: 10527069
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a sleeve; a first poppet configured to be seated on a first seat defined on an interior surface of the sleeve when the valve is in a closed state, and where the first poppet is configured to move axially within the sleeve; a second poppet disposed, at least partially, in the first poppet, where the second poppet is configured to be seated on a second seat defined on an interior surface of the first poppet, and where the second poppet is configured to move axially within the first poppet; a first spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a first force on the second poppet in a distal direction toward the second seat; and a second spring that interfaces with the second poppet and applies a second force on the second poppet in a proximal direction opposite the distal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Publication number: 20190331249
    Abstract: An example valve includes: a sleeve; a first movable element disposed in the sleeve, where the first movable element is configured to move axially within the sleeve; a second movable element disposed, at least partially, in the first movable element, where the second movable element is configured to move axially within the first movable element; a first spring that interfaces with the second movable element and applies a force on the second movable element in a proximal direction; and an actuator including: a tube, a plunger disposed within the tube, a push pin disposed between the plunger and the second movable element, and a second spring disposed between the plunger and the tube, thereby biasing the plunger in a distal direction toward the push pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Publication number: 20190113148
    Abstract: An example actuator assembly includes a valve body having a body locating shoulder as a protrusion from an interior peripheral surface of the valve body, and an actuator having an end that is inserted into the valve body. The end has a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter, and the second portion includes a threaded region. A locating shoulder is between the first portion and the second portion of the end of the actuator arranged at a position where the first diameter changes to the second diameter. The locating shoulder mates with the body locating shoulder of the valve body when the actuator is inserted and screwed into the valve body to enable alignment of the valve body and the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventor: Andy Borja
  • Patent number: D872231
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sun Hydraulics, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Lampton, Andy Borja, Bernd Zähe, Ryan Schroder