Patents by Inventor Geoffrey R. Zhang

Geoffrey R. Zhang 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: 11137100
    Abstract: A zero-flow thread-lock quick connect/disconnect coupling having male and female couplers that enhance the fire-resistance capability of the coupling in a zero-flow pressurized state. The couplers include a fire-resistant seal assembly including a seal ring and non-metallic backup rings disposed. A first backup ring is made with a high-temperature non-metallic material and is formed as a delta ring for enhancing sealing performance during a fire event. A second non-metallic backup ring is formed as a half-delta ring between first and third backup rings. The third backup ring is made with a non-metallic material that is softer than the first and second backup rings and which abuts the seal ring. The female coupler includes a bearing ring that operatively connects a rotatable threaded support to the coupler body, a protrusion-slot interface between an actuating sleeve and the rotatable support, and a seal in the actuating sleeve for damping and/or debris-resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210247011
    Abstract: A zero-flow thread-lock quick connect/disconnect coupling having male and female couplers that enhance the fire-resistance capability of the coupling in a zero-flow pressurized state. The couplers include a fire-resistant seal assembly including a seal ring and non-metallic backup rings disposed. A first backup ring is made with a high-temperature non-metallic material and is formed as a delta ring for enhancing sealing performance during a fire event. A second non-metallic backup ring is formed as a half-delta ring between first and third backup rings. The third backup ring is made with a non-metallic material that is softer than the first and second backup rings and which abuts the seal ring. The female coupler includes a bearing ring that operatively connects a rotatable threaded support to the coupler body, a protrusion-slot interface between an actuating sleeve and the rotatable support, and a seal in the actuating sleeve for damping and/or debris-resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Zhang
  • Patent number: 10221953
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Rodney K. Craven
  • Publication number: 20170276254
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Rodney K. Craven
  • Patent number: 9709182
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Rodney K. Craven
  • Publication number: 20160153572
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Rodney K. Craven
  • Patent number: 9303776
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R Zhang, Rodney K Craven
  • Patent number: 9279529
    Abstract: A female coupler for a breakaway thread-lock quick disconnect coupling having a retainer wire positioned interiorly of an outer housing and a coupler support portion that prevents contamination of the retainer wire and a capture space formed by grooves in the outer housing and an inner housing, which may prevent degradation of performance and/or decrease the chances that the retainer wire is dislodged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Tim Carmody, Jose M. Alandy, Siavosh S. Kakavand
  • Publication number: 20140026986
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and defining a first fluid path fluidly connecting the inlet and the outlet of the valve; a valve member axially moveable between a first position and a second position, the valve member configured to close the fluid path in the first position and thereby restrict flow between the inlet and the outlet, the valve member configured to open the fluid path in the second position and thereby allow flow between the inlet and the outlet; a biasing element configured to bias the valve member in the first position; and a friction element resiliently biased laterally against an axially extending surface of the valve member to provide frictional resistance to movement of the valve member and thereby cause hysteresis in axial movement of the valve member between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Geoffrey R Zhang, Rodney K Craven
  • Patent number: 8480133
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for connecting two sub-flow systems (e.g. airplane fuel tanks) and conveying a fluid between the two sub-systems using a pressured balanced transfer tube, particularly when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the sub-systems. Unlike conventional fluid transfer systems, the present apparatus allows for the pressure in the transfer tube to be balanced to internalize the pressure forces and prevent the exertion of pressure forces on the sub-systems connected to the transfer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Jose M. Alandy
  • Publication number: 20120090696
    Abstract: A female coupler for a breakaway thread-lock quick disconnect coupling having a retainer wire positioned interiorly of an outer housing and a coupler support portion that prevents contamination of the retainer wire and a capture space formed by grooves in the outer housing and an inner housing, which may prevent degradation of performance and/or decrease the chances that the retainer wire is dislodged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Tim Carmody, Jose M. Alandy, Siavosh S. Kakavand
  • Patent number: 7717473
    Abstract: A dual walled transfer tube connecting two sub-flow systems and conveying the system fluid from one subsystem to another when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the connecting ends of the subsystem. The dual walled transfer tube has a fitting at either end and a single ball joint proximate each fitting to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in radial position of the fittings. The dual walled transfer tube utilizes a main inner fluid passage and an outer secondary fluid passage, each fluid passage having a slip joint to allow the transfer tube to accommodate changes in axial length between the fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Jose Alandy
  • Publication number: 20100012786
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for connecting two sub-flow systems (e.g. airplane fuel tanks) and conveying a fluid between the two sub-systems using a pressured balanced transfer tube, particularly when there are large radial and axial movements or offsets between the sub-systems. Unlike conventional fluid transfer systems, the present apparatus and method allow for the pressure in the transfer tube to be balanced to internalize the pressure forces and prevent the exertion of pressure forces on the sub-systems connected to the transfer tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Zhang, Jose M. Alandy