Patents by Inventor Nick Valk

Nick Valk 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: 4574829
    Abstract: An automatic drain valve system for collecting and draining a liquid and/or contaminants within a reservoir (45A) including a level sensing float (68A). The liquid or contaminants are introduced into the reservoir through an inlet (48A) and exit the reservoir (45A) through an outlet (206). A control valve which is responsive to the liquid level contained within the reservoir (45A) includes coupled magnetic members which selectively open and close the control valve in response to the liquid within the reservoir (45A) reaching preselected levels. This control valve activates the drain valve (34A) for opening and closing the drain outlet such that the system is automatically drained upon when the liquid within the reservoir reaches a preselected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Drain-All, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernie W. Cummings, Nick Valk
  • Patent number: 4562855
    Abstract: An automatic drain valve system for collecting and draining a liquid and/or contaminants within a reservoir (148) including a level sensing float (68'). The liquid or contaminants are introduced into the reservoir through an inlet (48) and exit the reservoir (148) through an outlet (176). A control valve which is responsive to the liquid level contained within the reservoir (148) includes coupled magnetic members which selectively open and close the control valve in response to the liquid within the reservoir (148) reaching preselected levels. This control valve activates the drain valve (34') for opening and closing the drain outlet such that the system is automatically drained upon when the liquid within the reservoir reaches a preselected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventors: Ernie W. Cummings, Nick Valk
  • Patent number: 4444217
    Abstract: An automatic drain system is provided for reservoirs used to accumulate water, condensables, and other foreign materials which may be present in pneumatic systems and the like. This drain system is associated with a reservoir wherein these contaminants are accumulated and is operated by a float within this reservoir. The principal operating items of the drain system are a pair of magnetically coupled magnets, one positioned within the float and the other within a valve plug of a pilot valve. These magnets normally have opposite polarities whereby the float, in its lowest position and as it rises within the reservoir, causes the valve plug to be maintained against the pilot valve seat. A separate pneumatic system attached to this pilot valve maintains a drain valve operator in a condition such that the drain valve from the reservoir is closed while the pilot valve components are in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Drain-All, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest W. Cummings, Nick Valk
  • Patent number: 4100651
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for obtaining a blend of fibers from a plurality of fiber bales, such as bales of cotton, in which a fiber removing device repeatedly moves along a row of fiber bales while removing fibers from uppermost portions of the bales and depositing the fibers into a fiber collection hopper moving with the fiber removing device along the row of bales. The fiber bales are preferably positioned with the fiber layers in the bales extending longitudinally of the row of bales and oriented in a vertical plane and the fiber removing device removes fibers from all of the exposed layers of the bale to thereby achieve a highly uniform blend of fibers from all of the bales. The fiber bales are supported in a chute which is oriented at an incline with respect to the path of movement of the fiber removing device and the entire row of bales is advanced along the chute to thereby move the upper surfaces of the bales upwardly closer to the fiber removing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Aldrich Machine Works
    Inventors: William D. Wornall, Nick Valk