Valve Position Patents (Class 116/277)
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Patent number: 5664601Abstract: A relief valve with abnormal pressure indicator means, including a valve rod with a valve flap moved in a casing to close/open the passage, a cap mounted on the valve rod outside the casing, and an indicator coupled to the valve rod and having a display face shaded by the cap, the indicator being forced to fall by the weight of a weight when the valve flap is forced to open the passage by ah abnormal high pressure, causing the display of the indicator to be shown.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1997Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Lin-Shen Chen
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Patent number: 5642793Abstract: An indicator device for signalling that the wear limit has been reached for servo-operated clutches, particularly for motor vehicles. A servo housing comprises a servo piston, which can be moved forward and backward therein for disengaging and engaging the clutch respectively, and the servo piston's rest position, i.e. the position in which it is located when the clutch is engaged, in the event of an increase in clutch wear is gradually moved towards the rear end wall of the housing. The servo housing further comprises a control valve which controls the supply of pressurized fluid to a cylinder space which is located between the servo piston and the rear end wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ASInventor: Knut Tore Lj.o slashed.sne
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Patent number: 5643030Abstract: A gas cartridge introduced into the housing of the invention is punctured by a pin moved by an arm designed to show through a window whether the cartridge is full or empty. A pulling on a tab rotates the arm to action, in puncturing the cartridge and a spring then locks the visual display in position. The pin is provided with a cone-shaped head which prevents any re-arming of the arm from changing the display to show that the cartridge is full, when in fact the cartridge has been spent.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Inventor: Dennis Brown
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Patent number: 5605176Abstract: A valve position indicator for on/off valves includes a card having red and green sectors journalled in a housing, and gravity biased to remain stationary during rotation of the housing about a non-vertical axis. A cover of the housing overlies the card and includes a window through which either the red or green sector is visible. The device may be mounted within a recess of the handle of an on/off valve to indicate correct and incorrect positioning of the valve. The valve is in the correct position when the green sector appears on the window and is incorrectly positioned when the red sector appears in the window. A locking tab projects from the housing and is received within one of two detents of the valve handle to align the window with either the red or green sector, respectively, when the handle is moved to the open position and vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1995Date of Patent: February 25, 1997Assignee: Servapure CompanyInventor: Richard C. Herzberger
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Patent number: 5564470Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve body, an obturator rotatably mounted in the body and a transducer connected to or located adjacent the obturator in order to determine the position thereof.The transducer may comprise e.g. a potentiometer or a Hall effect device.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1994Date of Patent: October 15, 1996Assignee: BTR plcInventors: Martin W. Denmark, Stephen M. Buchan
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Patent number: 5535698Abstract: The present invention relates to an angular position indicator for remotely displaying the positions of elements suitable to assume different angular positions, and, more specifically, valve elements, actuators and the like; the indicator comprises a body which can be coupled to the element the angular position thereof must be indicated or displayed, to the body being associated a display unit which is connected to the element being controlled by a device adapted to transform an angular movement into a rectilinear movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: Giovanni Trevisan
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Patent number: 5524824Abstract: A shut-off valve, for use with a sprinkler head affixed to a riser pipe, including a valve seat affixed within the riser pipe upstream from the sprinkler head, the valve seat having an opening and impeding flow through said riser except through the opening. A movable valve element is located within the riser pipe upstream from the valve seat, the valve element being movable between an open position, in which it is spaced apart from the valve seat, and a closed position, in which it engages the valve seat to close the opening and impede fluid from flowing through the riser pipe. A spring biases the valve element toward the valve seat, and a perforated tube extends from the valve element through the opening in the valve seat and contacts the sprinkler head to maintain the valve element in its open position.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1994Date of Patent: June 11, 1996Inventor: Elliot M. Frimmer
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Patent number: 5523682Abstract: A system to determine the position of an electrically conductive element movably positioned in a housing, like a metal disc in a check valve, with greater accuracy and resolution than single magnet systems includes first and second A.C. electromagnets positioned in close proximity to the element on opposing sides of the housing. The magnets are excited with A.C. currents to generate magnetic fields which penetrate the housing and the element. The magnetic fields are sensed by a magnetic field sensor. A control portion of the system includes a microprocessor configured to allow an operator to adjustably select and set a common frequency, individual amplitudes and a phase difference between the two currents supplied to the two magnets so that the currents might be adjusted to cause the magnets to generate magnetic fields at least partially and preferably essentially cancelling one another at the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1992Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Leon
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Patent number: 5497725Abstract: A device for providing visual indication and record of the actuation of a tank vent opening the comprising a rod contacting a tank vent pallet at one end and a magnet affixed to another end of said rod, which moves in a chamber adjacent to a set of vertically positioned rotationally mounted magnetic wafers with visually distinguishable sides. The magnets all have the same polarity then the rising magnet occasioned by the opening tank vent will flip the wafers as far as the magnet travels, but will not affect the wafers when it goes down after the vent closes.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1994Date of Patent: March 12, 1996Inventors: Terry J. Theisen, Joe D. Dumoit, David M. Denning
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Patent number: 5469805Abstract: A high visibility indicator 12 for fitting to the rotatable drive shaft 11 of a rotary actuator 10 is capable of being rotated from a first position to a second position to indicate corresponding first and second positions of the actuator 10. The indicator 12 has an inner cylindrical member 13 fitted to the shaft 11, an outer cylindrical member 15 secured to the housing 10 of the actuator 10, and a sleeve member 17 interposed between members 13, 15 and drivingly connected to each via pin and slot connections 15A, 19, 14A, 18, which are arranged so that rotary movement of inner member 13 produces axial movement of sleeve member 17. The members 13, 15, 17 have color-coded surfaces arranged such that when the sleeve member 17 is at one end of its axial travel, a first color-coded arrangement is visible and when the sleeve member 17 is at the other end of its axial travel, a second color-coded arrangement is visible.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1994Date of Patent: November 28, 1995Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.Inventor: Stephen Gibbs
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Patent number: 5427140Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed which comprises a screw spindle threadingly mounted to a valve housing and having a tap handle secured to a first end and a valve disc located at a second end, and wherein rotation of the spindle causes the valve assembly to move between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly further incorporates an indicator arranged to indicate a predetermined degree of rotation of the spindle from the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1993Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Inventor: John Bosanquet
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Patent number: 5223822Abstract: An actuator shaft is journaled for rotation within a housing of the apparatus and is coupled to a rotary shaft projecting through the top of a valve or valve actuator. The actuator shaft is coupled to a drum having graphics information on an outer surface thereof, such as the words "open" and "closed". As the actuator shaft rotates the graphics information is also rotated past a window in a window member such that the words observed indicate the position of the valve. The window member couples to an alignment ring which is keyed to receive the window member. By rotating the alignment ring, the window member can be selectively oriented such that the graphics are viewable from a preferred perspective. Each of the components is keyed to be oriented with one another and constrained as a cartridge assembly which can be quickly removed as a single unit to access internal switches and circuitry, whereby the cartridge can be quickly reattached such that the components cannot be inadvertently incorrectly reassembled.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Stonel CorporationInventors: Wallace F. Stommes, Gerald J. Nelson, Gerald A. Cuhel, Ross S. Kunz
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Patent number: 5220942Abstract: An indicator post for indicating an open or closed condition of a valve in a piping system has a post which has a rotatable operating nut at the top of a post head. The post head is attached on its lower end to an upper barrel having a telescoping lower barrel within it. The operating nut is also attached to a solid upper stem. A hollow lower stem surrounds the lower end of the solid stem and has a lower end attached to a valve assembly socket for mating with a valve stem. The hollow stem is freely slidable along a large portion of the solid stem so that the assembly may accommodate a large range of valve stem-to-operating nut distances. The operating nut carries a threaded sleeve which is preferably constructed of molded, engineering-grade plastic.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Inventors: Joseph D. Garvin, Jr., Timothy M. Logman, William L. Royal, Jeffrey A. Tapparo
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Patent number: 5213057Abstract: A position indicator apparatus for a valve of the type having a valve housing and a valve element, includes an actuator spindle fixedly secured to the valve element of the valve and an indicator spindle operatively connected to the actuator spindle. The indicator spindle is guided in a bush which is provided with an external thread for engagement to the valve housing of the valve. The upper end of the indicator spindle is provided with a complementary ribbed crown which protrudes a ribbed stationary guide member. A stroke of the valve element is transmitted to the actuator valve which in turn forces the indicator spindle upwards so that the ribbed crown moves past the perimeter of the guide member for displaying the respective position of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1991Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Gebruder Muller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Fritz Muller
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Patent number: 5193469Abstract: A variable rate "on the go" fertilizer application controller for use with an agricultural earth working implement comprising a controlled metering device mounted on the implement. The control includes a reversible motor that operates a valve in the meter and at the same time a power take-off from the valve actuator drive operates a calibrated dial indicator to be interpreted by an operator so that action may be taken by a remote control device to make adjustments to compensate for variable soil conditions to get optimum crop production.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1992Date of Patent: March 16, 1993Inventor: Brian E. Tochor
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Patent number: 5179974Abstract: A valve open-close indicating apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing having two opposite ends in the axial direction thereof, a sleeve arranged in the housing for axial reciprocation between the opposite ends of the housing, and a cylindrical elastic member for urging the sleeve from both outer sides with respect to the axial direction so that the sleeve is normally situated in an intermediate position between the opposite ends. When a piston moves toward one end of the housing to open a valve, the sleeve is pressed toward the one end against the urging force of the cylindrical elastic member, and the indicating apparatus indicates "open." When the piston moves toward the other end to close the valve, the sleeve is pressed toward the other end against the urging force, and the indicating apparatus indicates "closed.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1992Date of Patent: January 19, 1993Assignee: Fuji Seiki Inc.Inventor: Tsutomu Taniguchi
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Patent number: 5178187Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for indicating the opened and closed positions of a rotary closure member of a rotary valve in which a drum rotatable within a housing to be mounted on the valve has "open" and "closed" indicia thereon movable into positions opposite windows in the wall of the housing in response to rotation of the drum in response to rotation of the closure member.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1992Date of Patent: January 12, 1993Assignee: Bray International, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Raymond, Jr., Frank W. Johnston
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Patent number: 5170816Abstract: A stationary "standard" mark and multiple variable marks on a rotor can be matched to one stationary "standard" mark on an adjacent stator throughout valve movement. All marks can be color and touch coded, and each variable mark can be anchored by a slot. The connection between the rotor and stator sections allow rotation about a common axis of the rotor relative to the stator. The connected stator is anchored to a protruding pipe or outer sleeve of a valve stem. The rotor can be attached to a valve stem and can double as a faucet handle. When a temperature and pressure is obtained, it can be set in memory by sliding a variable mark to match the stationary "standard" mark on the stator. The two "standard" marks can be matched when a common bathing temperature and pressure is desired. The color and touch coded marks enable people with good sight, poor sight, and blind people to use the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1991Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Inventor: Daniel J. Schnieders
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Patent number: 5140263Abstract: A system to determine the position of an electrically conductive element movably positioned in a housing, like a metal disc in a check valve, with greater accuracy and resolution than single magnet systems includes first and second A.C. electromagnets positioned in close proximity to the element on opposing sides of the housing. The magnets are excited with A.C. currents to generate magnetic fields which penetrate the housing and the element. The magnetic fields are sensed by a magnetic field sensor. A control portion of the system includes a microprocessor configured to allow an operator to adjustably select and set a common frequency, individual amplitudes and a phase difference between the two currents supplied to the two magnets so that the currents might be adjusted to cause the magnets to generate magnetic fields at least partially and preferably essentially cancelling one another at the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1991Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: Liberty Technology Center, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Leon
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Patent number: 5137052Abstract: The invention defines a position-indicating valve handle that is adapted to be mounted to the free end of a valve stem, wherein the handle includes a spiral groove in which a steel ball is free to move when the handle is turned by gravitational or magnetic force so that the ball will remain at a fixed point within the spiral groove (such as the lowest point where the handle is angularly disposed to the horizontal and gravitational force is used) as the handle is rotated. A transparent plate with indicia thereon is positioned to cover the spiral groove and allow the operator to visually determine by means of the location of the ball the approximate position of the valve stem within the body of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1992Date of Patent: August 11, 1992Assignee: Cryogenic Group Inc.Inventor: Jurgen Baumgart
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Patent number: 5086273Abstract: A system to determine the position of an electrically conductive element movably positioned in a housing, like a metal disc in a check valve, includes an A.C. electromagnet positioned in close proximity to the valve casing and the disc. The magnet is excited with an A.C. voltage to generate a magnetic field which penetrates the casing and the disc. The magnetic field is detected by a sensor. A.C. current and voltage signals from the electromagnet and a magnetic field signal from the sensor are presented to a processor portion of the system. The processor portion digitizes, amplitude and phase modulates each of the three signals and generates four traces: A.C. current amplitude, magnetic field amplitude, A.C. current phase and magnetic field phase. The latter two traces are derived with respect to an A.C. voltage phase signal. Comparable baseline signals previously gathered for the valve are stored.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1990Date of Patent: February 4, 1992Assignee: Liberty Technology Center, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Leon
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Patent number: 5076308Abstract: An indicator for measuring the amount of closure of a valve with a valve handle mounted adjacent a valve bearing housing. A pointer for the indicator being mounted between the valve handle and valve bearing housing. To show the amount the valve is open the indicator pointer is firmly attached to the valve drive shaft. A slot is provided in the valve handle so that the relationship of the indicator pointer to the valve bearing housing can be seen, and rotation stubs are included on the valve handle which can abut against the indicator pointer so the valve drive shaft can be turned using the valve handle.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Mordechai Cohen
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Patent number: 5072748Abstract: A fluid pressure operated indicating relay including a casing defining an interior and a valve assembly movable within the interior. The valve assembly incorporates a mechanism to prevent "bounce back" of the valve assembly after the relay has been tripped as a result of a drop of fluid pressure at the relay inlet port.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1991Date of Patent: December 17, 1991Assignee: Amot Controls, Inc.Inventors: William B. Gripe, Andrew Y. Cheng
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Patent number: 5035195Abstract: A hinged two piece structure to remind an operator that a valve is on is disclosed. The valve shut-off flag is retained to a valve by a simple clamp and is therefore readily adaptable for use on many different types of valves, although the preferred embodiment has application on oxygen-acetylene torch sets. One piece of the structure acts as a support column for a hinge and a second piece of structure. The second structure piece partially covers the valve when the valve is in the closed or shut position. In order to turn on the valve, a user must lift the second structure piece to an upright position where it extends substantially beyond the valve. The second structure piece is of sufficient surface area and colored appropriately so as to catch the eye of a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1990Date of Patent: July 30, 1991Inventor: Franklin Wille
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Patent number: 4940011Abstract: A two-rotor, three-position indicator for a valve actuator is connected to receive rotary input from at least two independently operating rotors connected inside the geared limit switch of a valve actuator. Individual drive lugs moved interconnected gearing to cause a pointer to indicate whether the valve stem is open, closed or in-between those two oppositely disposed limits.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1989Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Assignee: Limitorque CorporationInventors: Ivan E. Wilkerson, Robert W. Auxier
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Patent number: 4919132Abstract: Apparatus for supplying oxygen or anesthetic gas through a mask (10) on the face of a patient and including a flexible gas reservoir bag (14) having a manually operated valve assembly (16) attached to an end of the bag (14) for controlling the internal fluid pressure in the bag (14). A predetermined gas supply (21) has a vent valve means (22) in its supply lines (17, 20) for diluting the predetermined gas with ambient air as desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1989Date of Patent: April 24, 1990Inventor: Martin G. Miser
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Patent number: 4893582Abstract: A deck box valve operator and position indicator assembly characterized by a sprocket (66) supported by the housing (18) on a plateau (70) adjacent the spindle means (46) and having a plurality of radial forked (74) arms (72) with arcuate peripheries (76) extending between adjacent arms to extend about the circular circumference (78) of the spindle means (46). The spindle means (46) has a concaved recess (80) interrupting its circular circumference in an annular groove extending above the spindle means (46) for receiving the arms (72) of the sprocket (66). A gear train interconnects the sprocket (46) and an indicator ring (62) rotatably disposed in the housing for establishing a ratio between the number of revolutions of the spindle means (46) and the ring indicator (62) means whereby the ring (62) indicates the position of a valve means (12) between open and shut.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1986Date of Patent: January 16, 1990Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Bruce P. Kalamon, David P. Yanusko
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Patent number: 4880028Abstract: For use in a hot tapping system having a plug receiving flange providing communication into the interior of a pipeline, a completion machine for attachment to the flange providing means to install or retrieve a plug from within the flange, the machine being formed of an elongated cylindrical housing having a flange portion to removably sealably engage the plug receiving flange and the housing forming a hydraulic cylinder, an elongated tubular control bar reciprocally and non-rotatably received within the housing, a piston within the cylinder secured to the control bar by which the control bar is hydraulically displaced, and a rotatable retention rod telescopically received within the control bar and having a threaded end to attach to a plug, the retention rod being secured to a plug for placement of the plug into a flange or the removal therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1989Date of Patent: November 14, 1989Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Coy D. Osburn, James B. Sullivan
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Patent number: 4879547Abstract: The system includes a plurality of zone valves located in a gas flow pipeline. These valves contain a fiber optic bundle that is installed in the center of the valve handle. The fiber optic light comes from a source and is read by a light detector. As long as light is detected by the light detector, the circuitry within the detector will function as a closed circuit. As soon as the detector is not sensed, the detector will function as an open circuit and will provide an alarm to a floor control panel and on to a system annunciator. The system processor is capable of performing remote shunting. The operator can determine by visual reference the location of the problem. False alarms caused by intermittent faulty loops can be identified by a built in memory circuit. The circuit is also capable of detecting loss of current flow that could be caused by a number of reasons. The loss will cause an alarm condition to occur and the operator shall be notified of the system's condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1988Date of Patent: November 7, 1989Assignee: Valve Alert Systems, Inc.Inventor: August J. Pryslak
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Patent number: 4864963Abstract: Indicating means are preferably provided to indicate to the operator whether a valve means on each side of an outlet is in open or closed position. This indicating means comprises an indicating lever attached to a peripheral portion of a valve shaft and engaging indicating shafts which extend to one or either side of the outlet. A pivot point is provided on the indicating lever to cause the indicating shafts to move in opposite directions as the valve is opened and the indicating lever is moved. If an indicating shaft projects outwardly from the side of the outlet, the attendant knows the valve means is in open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1984Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Inventor: Dennis J. Schipper
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Patent number: 4836974Abstract: A device for measuring cycles of random reciprocal motion of an object, such as a control valve which moves in discrete movements of varying length between an opened and closed position, includes a cylindrical travel translator member biased within a housing by a coil spring to maintain tension on a cable connecting the travel translator member to the object, so that the travel translator member moves in a direction corresponding to and a distance proportional to that of the object. An elastomeric wheel frictionally engages the travel translator member to rotate a shaft which operates a mechanical counter, and through a cam, a limit switch which generates pulses representative of the random cycles of the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1988Date of Patent: June 6, 1989Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventors: L. Ike Ezekoye, David R. Cavada
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Patent number: 4805665Abstract: A fluid flow check device is adapted for interconnection with a fluid flow line check valve, and includes a housing having a switch mounted therein. A pivot shaft is connectable at a first end to a flapper pivot axle of the check valve and at a second to the switch. A timed alarm circuit is connected to the switch and activates an alarm when fluid flow starts to cease for a preset duration.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1988Date of Patent: February 21, 1989Inventor: Billy E. League
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Patent number: 4718445Abstract: A position indicator for and method for applying the same to valve arrangements having a first strip attached to a first movable part and a second strip attached to a second stationary part of the valve arrangement. The strips have a line arranged down the middle with contrasting lines on either side for easy alignment of the indicator strips. The indicator strips are initially applied as a single strip to the first and second parts of the valve arrangement and then severed at a point between the first and second parts when the valve arrangement is in a known preferred position.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1986Date of Patent: January 12, 1988Assignee: General Signal CorporationInventors: Charles Lundberg, Anthony C. Summers
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Patent number: 4702275Abstract: A post assembly for a remotely placed valve and valve actuator includes a post with a hinged cover cap and multiple windows evenly spaced below the cap and a target axially movable past said windows on an operating stem fully contained within the post and with the operating nut on said stem below the cover cap and substantially within the target.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1986Date of Patent: October 27, 1987Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventors: John V. Ballun, Lorand H. Gain, Jr.
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Patent number: 4682495Abstract: A testing device (22) for a non-flowing pilot valve (20) controlling a main relief valve (13) and simulating the action of the relief valve (13). The testing device body (84) has a test fluid source (42) releasably connected thereto and includes a piston valve element (112) mounted in a valve chamber (106) for movement to an unseated vent position upon the test fluid pressure reaching a predetermined high which is usually similar to the set point operating fluid pressure at which the main relief valve (13) will actuate. For return of piston valve element (112) to a seated position after a reduction of the test fluid pressure by venting, a relatively large diameter end face (128) is exposed to fluid pressure from an intermediate fluid chamber (78) of the pilot valve (20) which is in fluid communication with the dome (14) of the pressure relief valve (13). A relatively small fluid pressure responsive area of piston (113) outwardly of small diameter O-ring (120) is exposed to test fluid pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1986Date of Patent: July 28, 1987Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & CompanyInventor: Michael D. McNeely
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Patent number: 4665386Abstract: An electro-mechanical auxiliary knob structure, releasably attachable to a rotatable knob of a valve, to annunciate an open condition of that valve operated thereby. The auxiliary knob pivots relative to its attachment structure to switch electric circuitry carried within the auxiliary knob to annunciate last knob motion in the direction causing valve opening. The auxiliary knob is particularly adapted for use on valves of compressed gas tanks used in gas welding.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1986Date of Patent: May 12, 1987Inventor: Spencer K. Haws
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Patent number: 4655160Abstract: Deck access box connected to a deck of a ship and to reach rods to operate valves below decks. The deck access box is fixed to the ship's deck. The deck access box includes a spindle connected to the reach rod by a suitable coupling. The top end of the spindle includes a recess used to turn the spindle which in turn operates the valve. The spindle has indicator apparatus coupled to it to show the travel position of the valve. The indicator apparatus includes indicators and a new and improved transmission for regulating the movement of the indicators to provide a uniform, non-intermittent, and continuous position indicator of the valve open-close status. The indicators are adjustable, rotate and travel a circular distance proportionally equal to the travel of the gate or other closing device of the valve, such as a door, gate, plug valve or other device.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1986Date of Patent: April 7, 1987Assignee: David R. LighInventor: David R. Ligh
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Patent number: 4653531Abstract: An improved post support for a valve position indicator of an underground valve. The post support includes two telescoping sleeves of which one sleeve is provided with two sets of a plurality of aligned equispaced openings located in 180.degree. angularly spaced relationship. The sets of opens are lengthwise of set so that the centers of the openings of one set lie midway between the centers of the other set. The other sleeve is provided with 180.degree. angularly spaced openings linearly spaced a distance equal to one half the spacing between the openings of the two sets. Relative rotation of the telescoping sleeves and length displacement permits an adjustment of the length equal to the linear spacing of fastening means.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1986Date of Patent: March 31, 1987Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventor: Lorand H. Gain, Jr.
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Patent number: 4632623Abstract: A manipulator for a workpiece, useful in conjuction with a robot, is especially designed for handling forging preforms in a hot furnace. A fluidic type sensor is used to position the structure above a furnace surface on which the preform rests. Air continuously flows through the sensor to cool the sensor and parts of the manipulator, discharging toward the furnace floor near the workpiece. Thus, even though the absolute position and texture of the furnace surface may vary, the manipulator will always grip the workpiece at the same location relative to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1984Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: John R. Naumec, Peter H. Kaverud
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Patent number: 4596980Abstract: A light-emitting indicator comprising: a housing having a longitudinal bore therethrough, a moveable member at least partially positioned within said bore, a light-emitting diode operable as a function of the position of the moveable member within the bore, a lens for displaying the light emitted from said light-emitting diode, and a bore provided in the upper portion of the moveable member for containing the light-emitting diode within the moveable member when the indicator is in its first operative position.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1983Date of Patent: June 24, 1986Assignee: B.W.B. Controls, Inc.Inventors: Ned Bergeron, Theodore A. Stollberg
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Patent number: 4569366Abstract: A rising stem valve includes a scale plate attached to the stem and rising with the stem. A stationary reference mark on the valve bonnet indicates the degree of opening of the valve on the scale plate. The scale plate is rotatable around the valve stem to permit viewing from any position.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1982Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph CorporationInventors: Michael D. West, Andrew W. Channell
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Patent number: 4569365Abstract: Device for detecting the operation of a valve, comprising a movable member (15) connected kinematically to a movable part (6) fastened to the closure member of the valve. A detector (24, 25, 26) makes it possible to monitor the displacements or the position of the detection member (15). The detection member (15) has at least one part provided with a predetermined breaking point (20). The kinematic connection between the valve and the detection member (15) can thus be interrupted by the breaking of the member (15) in the event of the jamming of the latter. The invention is in particular applicable to safety valves in nuclear power stations.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1983Date of Patent: February 11, 1986Assignees: Framatome & Cie, S.A. SebimInventors: Henri Namand, Francois Gemigniani
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Patent number: 4552331Abstract: A reset mechanism for a vacuum-actuated lockout device that disables a flush valve to prevent flooding of a receptacle includes a solenoid coupled to a reset stem and to a vacuum relief valve built into the reset stem. The solenoid is energized to open the relief valve in a first portion of a reset stroke and is coupled to the reset stem with a lost motion connection for withdrawal of the reset stem in a second portion of the reset stroke, after relief of the vacuum. A circuit is also disclosed for remote control of the reset mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1984Date of Patent: November 12, 1985Assignee: Bradley CorporationInventor: William A. Smart, Jr.
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Patent number: 4497340Abstract: This invention relates to a post indicating valve assembly and more specifically to an orienting means formed at the end of an operating shaft to provide a reference in determining the closure member positions. An indicator means having a complementary socket means is provided to slidably accommodate the orienting means for support thereon. A seal means having annular lip means is constructed and arranged to provide a sealing engagement about the periphery of the operating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1983Date of Patent: February 5, 1985Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventor: Lorand H. Gain, Jr.
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Patent number: 4494565Abstract: There is disclosed a novel indicator assembly comprised of a housing member mounted to a fluid handling apparatus and an indicator member mounted for rotation within the housing member operationally associated to a moving member of the fluid handling apparatus wherein the housing member is provided with transparent sectors permitting visual observation of the indicator member and wherein the indicator member is provided with colored sectors to visually cooperate with the transparent sectors of the housing member to indicate operational modes of the fluid handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1983Date of Patent: January 22, 1985Assignee: Westlock Controls CorporationInventors: Franklin H. Sinclair, Gary Glockner
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Patent number: 4494566Abstract: There is disclosed a novel indicator assembly comprised of a housing member mounted to a fluid handling apparatus and an indicator member mounted for rotation within the housing member operationally associated to a moving member of the fluid handling apparatus wherein the housing member is provided with transparent sectors permitting visual observation of the indicator member and wherein the indicator member is provided with colored sectors to visually cooperate with the transparent sectors of the housing member to indicate operational modes of the fluid handling apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1982Date of Patent: January 22, 1985Assignee: Westlock Controls CorporationInventors: Franklin H. Sinclair, Gary Glockner
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Patent number: 4448148Abstract: This invention relates to a valve having an improved valve position indicator so as to provide an accurate indication of the valve position from a distance. The improvement comprises the provision of indicators affixed to a member connected directly to the valve closure member so that the indicators may be positioned relative to viewing windows of an extension post of the valve to provide a corresponding open or closed valve position.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1982Date of Patent: May 15, 1984Assignee: Amsted Industries IncorporatedInventor: Lorand H. Gain, Jr.
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Patent number: 4411288Abstract: This invention relates to a valve position indicator for buried valves having a rotatably operated shaft extended to ground level. A sealed gear box unit non-rotatably mounted inside the valve position indicator has a transmission mechanism mounted about the operator shaft to effectively move an indicating device at a predetermined arc distance for every shaft revolution. Adjustable indicator plates are angularly disposed on the cover of the gear box unit to provide open and closed reference points for the indicating device. The plates are securable in a manner to permit application to valves requiring different number of turns to move the valves between their open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1981Date of Patent: October 25, 1983Assignee: AMSTED Industries IncorporatedInventor: Lorand H. Gain, Jr.
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Patent number: 4353523Abstract: A device for the regulation of the flow area of a valve having an inner magnet (32) moveably mounted on a valve plug (22) to move the valve plug (22) in an axial direction, and an outer magnet (28) moveably mounted to the valve housing to move the inner magnet (32) and consequently the valve plug (22) as the outer magnet (36) is moved.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1979Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Inventor: Yoram Palti
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Patent number: 4328820Abstract: A constant-flow regulator for use in gravity-assisted liquid-delivery systems, wherein the regulator comprises: upper and lower cylindrical elements secured together for movement to form a chamber, whereby the height of the chamber formed by the upper and lower sections may be varied; and a double conical float element positioned within the chamber, the float element moving between a closed and an open position, whereby one or the other end of the float element moves upwardly or downwardly to seal an inlet or an outlet, in order to maintain constant the liquid level within the closed container formed by the first and second cylindrical elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1980Date of Patent: May 11, 1982Inventor: Juan R. Serur