Convertible Patents (Class 137/269)
  • Patent number: 8297304
    Abstract: The storage container for a liquid chlorosilane of the present invention comprises, a tank which stores the liquid chlorosilane, a valve which is connected to the tank and to which an external pipe can be connected detachably, and a closing lid which seals the valve when the external pipe is detached from the valve. The valve comprises a housing and a valve body provided in the housing. The closing lid has a lid body having a sealing surface contacting the connecting surface of the connecting flange, a supply pipe which supplies an inert gas to a space between the closing lid and the valve body in the housing, a supply valve which opens or closes the supply pipe, a discharge pipe which discharges a gas in the space, and a discharge valve which opens or closes the discharge pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Go Sasaki, Takanori Ito
  • Patent number: 8297952
    Abstract: A water inlet unit for an amphibious pump includes a housing having a connecting hole, a first water inlet pipe having a first end connected to the connecting hole and a second end provided with a first water inlet port, a second water inlet pipe having a first end connected to the connecting hole and a second end provided with a second water inlet port, a guide member mounted on the housing and connected to the connecting hole, and a tap detachably locked in the first water inlet port or the second water inlet port. Thus, the water inlet unit has a first water inlet port and a second water inlet port so that the water inlet unit and the amphibious pump are disposed at an upright or transverse state according to the practical space requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Cheng-Kuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8292257
    Abstract: A flush water volume control arrangement includes a replacement member for interchangeably replacing a conventional pusher member and for being slidably coupled with a valve body, wherein the replacement member has a sized configuration different from a sized configuration of the conventional pusher member and is adapted for being actuated by a flush actuator to push at a flushing shaft so as to complete a flushing operation with a relatively low volume of water lower than the volume of flush water through the conventional pusher member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jorge Maercovich
  • Patent number: 8282390
    Abstract: A cooking appliance equipped with at least one regulating valve having a rotary regulator organ. The rotary regulator organ has an actuating shaft a plurality of peripheral openings adapted for regulating a flow of gas through the regulating valve. In a first angular position the rotary regulator organ is adapted to supply a constant flow Qmin of a first type of fuel through a first peripheral opening. In a second angular position, successive to the first angular position, the rotary regulator organ is adapted to supply a constant flow Qmin of a second type of fuel through a second peripheral opening. In one implementation a feature that rotates with the actuating shaft is adapted to engage a feature on the cooking appliance to limit the rotation of the rotary regulator organ to the first angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 8261769
    Abstract: A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Amy C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 8256446
    Abstract: Apparatus to configure fluid regulators are described. In one example, a stem guide for use with a fluid regulator is described. The stem guide includes a body having an opening to slidably receive a valve stem and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferential seals that removably couple the body within a bore of a regulator casing and align the body with the regulator casing or a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Chester Hawkins, Paul Richard Anderson, Gregory Lawrence Foust, Seth Kranz, Jason Scott Mevius
  • Patent number: 8251087
    Abstract: A modular fitting for use with a commercially-available fluid or pneumatic switch, such as solenoid valves. The modular fittings disclosed can be aggregated to form a resulting modular fitting assembly according to the number of fluid circuits desired. The modular fittings include one or more coupling features that provide the ability to couple adjacent modular fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 8166992
    Abstract: For use when injecting remediation liquid via an injection-well into contaminated groundwater, in the ground. The injection equipment includes a pulse-generator, which has an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber, linked by a pulse-conduit and a bypass conduit. The pulse-conduit includes a pulse-port, which opens and closes cyclically. The pulse-port is formed by the interaction of two apertures, one in the motorised rotor, the other in the stator. The rotor and stator may be formed as two facing plates held slightly apart, or as two cylinders one inside the other. The pulse-generator is located at the ground surface and can be adjusted as to pulse frequency, pulse amplitude, pulse rise-time, and as the the differential pressure between the upstream-chamber and the downstream chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Wavefront Reservoir Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Mahendra Samaroo
  • Patent number: 8161996
    Abstract: The resilient seated butterfly valve has a common spherical center for receiving either an on-center or off-center disc, both of which are rotatably mounted in the body. A seal has a seat spherical surface. The seal is affixed to the circumference of the valve chamber. It has an on-center seal region for engagement with the on-center spherical sealing edge of the on-center disc. The seal has an off-center seal region for engagement with the off-center spherical sealing edge of the off-center disc. The seal may include an outlet flange, an outlet ramp, an inlet ramp, and an inlet flange. The front face of the seal for the off-center disc extends beyond the position of the front face of the seal for the on-center disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: DeZURIK, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Barker, Albert W. Libke, Steven K. Neu
  • Patent number: 8156958
    Abstract: A regulator comprises a regulator valve and an actuator. The regulator valve comprises a valve body equipped with a customized valve port. That is, the valve seat is designed to have a customized seat height depending on a diameter of an orifice through the valve port, a longitudinal dimension of an orifice through the valve port, and/or a flow capacity of the valve port. Such a design advantageously maximizes the efficiency at which gas flows through the regulator. The actuator is coupled to the valve body and comprises a valve disc disposed within the valve body and adapted for displacement between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Jun Y. Zhang, James C. Hawkins, Ting Xu
  • Patent number: 8092212
    Abstract: Cooking appliance (1A,1B) having an external and control panel (2,2?) equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ (6) is equipped with various peripheral openings (16-19) for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments (1A, 1B) of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob (9) or a bezel disk (22) in the external panel (2) are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ (6) for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening (18,19) with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix (14) in the control knob (9) guided in a slide groove (20) on the control panel (2) of the appliance, or a tongue (24) on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Publication number: 20110303304
    Abstract: A multi-position valve assembly including a valve housing, a stator element and a rotor element rotatably mounted about a rotational axis. The valve assembly further includes a pressure adjustment assembly movable between a release position and a stop position, hard stopped relative to the valve housing. The pressure adjustment assembly includes a pressure adjuster device configured to movably cooperate between the rotor element and the valve housing to adjustably generate an axial compression pressure at the rotor-stator interface at a calibrated operating pressure, PC. When the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the release position, the axial compression pressure is substantially removed from the rotor-stator interface. In contrast, when the pressure adjustment assembly is oriented in the stop position, the axial compression pressure is substantially reproduced at the calibrated operating pressure, PC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: IDEX HEALTH & SCIENCE LLC
    Inventors: Christopher R. Tower, Mark J. Green
  • Patent number: 8015991
    Abstract: A plurality of solenoid valves are installed on a valve mount surface of a manifold base to receive a pressure fluid supplied from a supply passage of the manifold base via a supply communication hole. A stop valve base connected to a side surface of the manifold base has a stop valve mount surface formed on the upper surface to the side of the valve mount surface. The stop valve is attached to the stop valve mount surface to open and close the supply communication hole by pushing and pulling the stop valve from a side with the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Kaitsuka
  • Patent number: 7984890
    Abstract: A pilot-operated valve has a main poppet controlling fluid flow between inlet and outlet ports in response to pressure in a control chamber. Fluid flow through a pilot passage, linking the control chamber and the outlet port, moves an exhaust spool between first and second positions to control fluid flow through passages in the main poppet. The first position blocks flow between the control chamber and the outlet port and provides a path between the control chamber and the inlet port. In the second position, flow between the control chamber and the outlet port is enabled, and a second path, that is more restricted than the first path, is provided between the control chamber and the inlet port. When the valve closes, flow through the first path allows movement of the main poppet at a faster rate than during opening when flow occurs through the more restricted second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: INCOVA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Pfaff, Gennady Shimelfarb, Christopher E. Lentz
  • Patent number: 7963763
    Abstract: The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units available, one and the other permitting different angular limit positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a LP gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7950384
    Abstract: Cooking appliance having an external and control panel equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ is equipped with various peripheral openings for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob or a bezel disk in the external panel are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix in the control knob guided in a slide groove on the control panel of the appliance, or a tongue on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7905250
    Abstract: An adapter for use in association with upstream and downstream portions of a piping system is disclosed. The adapter includes a first chamber having an inlet adapted to receive fluid therethrough, an outlet adapted to expel fluid therefrom, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a first chamber interior. The adapter also includes a second chamber having an inlet adapted to receive forced fluid therethrough, an outlet adapted to expel the forced fluid therefrom, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a second chamber interior. The first chamber interior is isolated from the second chamber interior. The first chamber is adapted to receive forced fluid therethrough from an upstream portion of a piping system, and the second chamber is adapted to provide forced fluid therethrough to a downstream portion of the piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Brad L. Noll, William M. Orr, Frank Kock
  • Patent number: 7891378
    Abstract: A fluid distribution assembly includes modules for channelling fluid and for mounting components a body having at least one support face for supporting the modules, the support face having a regular network of elements for fixing the modules. A passage for fluid is provided inside the body. The assembly finds application in the analysis of fluids circulating in industrial installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: EIF
    Inventor: Philippe Coric
  • Patent number: 7878194
    Abstract: An inhaler has a cap body for defining a flow path and having first and second air inhalation openings for introducing outside air into the flow path from the outside; an air inhalation valve for opening and closing the first air inhalation opening by using the difference in pressure between the flow path and the outside; and a shielding section capable of selectively shielding either of the first and second air inhalation openings. The inhaler is configured to be switchable between two states that are a first state where the second air inhalation opening is shielded by the shielding section and outside air can be introduced through the first air inhalation opening by using the pressure difference and a second state where the first air inhalation opening is shielded by the shielding section and communication between the flow path and the outside through the second air inhalation opening is constantly maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Omron Healthcare Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Hamaguchi, Makoto Tabata, Satoshi Kurata, Yoshihiro Nakatsuji
  • Patent number: 7841363
    Abstract: An upgradeable A/C maintenance system and methodology is provided including one or more modular manifolds for mounting and fluidly connecting several components. Embodiments include first and second manifolds, each for removably mounting a plurality of components, and each comprising an internal passage for fluidly connecting at least two of the plurality of components to each other, and a port for fluidly connecting the internal passage to an external surface of the first manifold. The first and second manifolds are removably attachable to each other such that their respective ports fluidly communicate with each other. The first manifold provides a first functionality for the system when the second manifold is not attached to the first manifold, and the second manifold provides a second functionality different from the first functionality when the second manifold is attached to the first manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Anwar Suharno
  • Patent number: 7841358
    Abstract: A modular valve system includes at least one valve housing (40) having standard rate quantities on its opposite ends (38, 42), both on the inner peripheral side and on the outer peripheral side and inside the housing (52). Modular valve components, such as a valve piston (46), at least one energy accumulator (26), a pilot-controlled element, and at least one fluidic connection are mounted in the housing. The housing provides for fixing the valve embodied in the form of a screw-in cartridge for connection to other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Hillesheim, Peter Bruck
  • Patent number: 7836913
    Abstract: Valve battery cartridge—used primarily for mixing cold water and warm water—which has two discs arranged one above the other to form a plane sealing together, being the lower disc a stationary inlet disc (6) and the upper disc a control disc (5) suitable to be displaced and rotated on the inlet disc (6); where said control disc (5) is in mechanical connection with a driving arm (1) pivoted in a lever holder (2)—through a ceramic moving element (4) as the case may be—and the lever holder (2) is arranged in the cartridge casing that allows it to be rotated, while on the base (9) of the cartridge a connection place (14) is formed or arranged for the reception of at least one insertion piece (10), further the opening for the admission of the insertion piece (10) of the connection place (14) is formed principally in a direction which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, whereas the connection place (14) is an outwardly directed sleeve, arranged or formed on the base (9), wherein the cold and wa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kerox-Multipolar II. KFT.
    Inventor: Gyozo Baki
  • Patent number: 7806133
    Abstract: A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Amy C. Stephens
  • Patent number: 7806132
    Abstract: A method and device is provided for tapping an existing primary pipeline (e.g., a water supply line) without cutting the existing primary pipeline. A secondary supply line may be installed by coupling the device to a valve of the existing pipeline. In various implementations, the device may have a single port serving as both an input (i.e., an inlet) and an output (i.e., an outlet). Among other advantages, the invention may be used to avoid costly procedures of cutting supply lines, to prevent water spillage, to integrate with existing alarm and home improvement systems, and to communicate wirelessly with utility companies for billing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Tippmann Sports, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore G. Paraskevakos
  • Patent number: 7775234
    Abstract: Valve-to-fitting converter that mounts on the body of an existing valve in a piping system in place of the actuator for the valve and has a dam that mates with a weir in the valve body to block flow between sections of piping connected to the valve body, and ports that provide communication between the sections of piping and fittings connected to the converter. With such converters replacing two or more of the valves in a system, sections of piping can be isolated and/or re-routed without having to shut down the entire system for an extended period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Marc Wyler Campisi
  • Patent number: 7726331
    Abstract: A modular fluid handling device includes at least one block having opposing block faces shaped as tessellating regular polygons, and a series of block sides therebetween. Each block includes a central bore and fluid passages extending between the block faces, and possibly ducts extending between the bore and the fluid passages. The blocks may be rapidly horizontally and/or vertically affixed with their bores and/or fluid passages in communication to form a fluid handling device having the desired configuration (e.g., with the bores and fluid passages forming a desired process flow path, fluid circuit, or the like). Star wheels and/or rotor discs can be provided within the block bores for purposes of pumping fluids flowing within the bores, and/or for purposes of deriving power from fluid flow within the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory C. Giese
  • Publication number: 20100122737
    Abstract: Valve apparatus for converting a direct water drain valve into an indirect water drain valve, the direct water drain valve having at least one drain conduit, the apparatus including: a part having an inner volume and a fluid transfer aperture for fluid to enter the inner volume, the part being arranged to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the direct water drain valve so as to convert at least some of the inner volume into a substantially fluid-tight passageway between the fluid transfer aperture and the at least one drain conduit of the direct water drain valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Harish AGADI
  • Patent number: 7677264
    Abstract: A manifold-type solenoid valve comprises a main valve section and a solenoid operating section. The main valve section has a spool in a valve hole to which respective switching flow paths for supply, output, and discharge are opened. The main valve section comprises connecting flow paths for collective supply and/or collective discharge having connecting ports, output ports, and an external port for connecting an external piping for independent supply or independent discharge. The output ports are in communication with the switching flow path for output. The connecting flow paths for collective supply and/or collective discharge are in communication with the switching flow path for supply and the switching flow path for discharge. Additionally, the external port is in communication with the switching flow path for supply or the switching flow path for discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Katsuyuki Senba
  • Patent number: 7669609
    Abstract: A universal valve for refrigeration systems including an investment-cast, stainless-steel valve body, a piston and one of a plurality of an anodized aluminum adapter plates. Each adapter plate configured to be removed and replaced with another to operate the valve to perform a different function. The investment-cast, stainless steel valve body includes an inlet and an outlet which each include a flangeless distal end configured, as cast, with an unmachined, weldable rim for integration without mechanical connections in a leak-free configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Hansen, III, Eric J. Guldberg
  • Patent number: 7661441
    Abstract: A modular manifold component for hydronic circulation systems includes a control conduit section adapted and constructed to receive any of a plurality of selectively actuatable fluid control mechanisms. The control conduit section has an inlet and an outlet. A return conduit section is secured to the control conduit section in fluid communication with the inlet of the control conduit section. A supply conduit section is secured to the control conduit section in fluid communication with the inlet of the control conduit section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas O. Simensen, Torbjorn O. Simensen
  • Publication number: 20100024895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Jean F. Daher, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Yue Zhang, Haiou WU
  • Patent number: 7654287
    Abstract: A method and device for pressure testing a pipe line is provided wherein a fitting is inserted into the pipeline by inserting male ends of the pipeline into female ends of the fitting to define a flow path through the fitting extending along a longitudinal axis. The fitting has an internal recess cooperating with a test slide to block flow through the fitting. An externally accessible port allows insertion and removal of the test slide. The test slide has an internal recess in which a pressure release slide moves to open a hole to release pressure, and to close the hole to block flow through the fitting for pressure testing. After testing and the release of the fluid test pressure, the test slide is removed and a finish slide is inserted into the recess. The finish slide has an opening located and configured to coincide with the flow path through the male ends of the pipes, and to block the recess to provide a substantially uniform, cylindrical flow path through the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Securus, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg P. Metzger, Fred O. Enstrom, Scott W. Randolph, Duane R. Condon, Thomas L. Kendall, Larry D. Brown, Dennis L. Hart
  • Patent number: 7651330
    Abstract: Cooking appliance (1A,1B) having an external and control panel (2,2?) equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ (6) is equipped with various peripheral openings (16-19) for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments (1A, 1B) of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob (9) or a bezel disk (22) in the external panel (2) are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ (6) for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening (18,19) with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix (14) in the control knob (9) guided in a slide groove (20) on the control panel (2) of the appliance, or a tongue (24) on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7641470
    Abstract: The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units available, one and the other permitting different angular limit positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a LP gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7607452
    Abstract: A valve construction kit is provided for the production of valve clusters respectively having several juxtaposed plate-like valve units. Each valve unit comprises a core module having a valve spool and a frame-like encasing element surrounding the core module. The construction kit furthermore comprises several encasing elements differing at least as regards the consistency of the their material and of different types so that it is possible to produce valve units for different applications owing to the selected combination with core modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Heiko Kühbauch, Michael Berner
  • Patent number: 7591280
    Abstract: To obtain a manifold type solenoid valve assembly in which an solenoid valve which is equipped with an output port and an solenoid valve which is equipped with no output port are mixed and mounted on a common manifold base. On a valve mounting part of the manifold base which has a plurality of the valve mounting parts of the same type, a first solenoid valve which is equipped with an output port for external piping connection is mounted and a second solenoid valve which is equipped with no output port is indirectly mounted through an intermediate block which is indirectly equipped with an output port for the second solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Narita, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7549436
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Arichell Technologies
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Fatih Guler, Jean F. Daher, Kay Herbert, Xiaoxiong Mo, Yue Zhang, Haiou Wu
  • Publication number: 20090114295
    Abstract: A gas-panel manifold for use in a gas-panel assembly is disclosed. A manifold in the assembly provides a plurality of support surfaces, each designed for supporting a gas-component thereon, and internal passageways disposed within the manifold body for connecting gas components, with such carried on the manifold, for gas flow through the manifold in a generally downstream direction. The adjacent support surfaces in the manifold are in different planes, representing different heights above the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ULTRA CLEAN HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Milburn, Bruce C. Wier, Sowmya Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7475703
    Abstract: A thermostatically controlled bypass valve includes a housing having a first inlet port and a first discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the first inlet port is configured to receive hot water, and the first discharge port is configured to discharge the hot water. The housing has a second inlet port and a second discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the second inlet port is configured to receive cold water, and the second discharge port is configured to discharge the cold water. The first and second inlet and discharge ports are formed integral with one another as part of the housing, and the housing includes a passage permitting recirculating flow between the first and second inlet ports. A thermally sensitive actuating member is disposed in a chamber in the housing, wherein the thermally sensitive actuating member extends when heated and contracts when cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
  • Patent number: 7469708
    Abstract: Universal fluid valve body apparatus and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example fluid control valve body includes opposing first and second openings and opposing third and fourth openings. Each of the third and fourth openings is disposed at a respective angle to at least one of the first and second openings and one of the third and fourth openings is configured to enable the fluid control valve body to be mounted directly to a vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: David John Koester
  • Patent number: 7469709
    Abstract: A three-wedge double block isolation chamber including a body with an internal chamber bounded by an inlet and an outlet having a wedge assembly positioned in the chamber. The wedge assembly may be configured as either a blind wedge assembly to block the flow of liquid through a pipeline; a flow-through wedge assembly to permit flow of liquid through a pipeline; or a meter wedge assembly to meter the flow of liquid through the pipeline. The wedge assembly includes an upstream wedge, a downstream wedge, and a force wedge. The wedge assembly seats in the internal chamber of the body. The upstream wedge and the downstream wedge each include a seal and are positioned respectively against the inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Kesta, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stanley James Bridgeford, Kenneth E. Embry
  • Patent number: 7467640
    Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Norgren, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bordonaro, Christopher Bezzina, Mark Pevoteaux, Todd M. Ables, Stephen Fiondella, Jeff Sherrel
  • Patent number: 7458386
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manual gas valve for use with either LP gas or natural gas operation with the purpose of solving the technical dilemma that the existing gas valve cannot be converted conveniently for use with different gases having different heating values. The manual gas valve of the present invention comprises a nozzle 1, a 8×1.9 O-shaped ring 2, a nozzle holder 3, a valve body 4, a faucet 5, a regulating lever 6, a 1.78×1.78 O-shaped ring 7, a spring 8, a stop plate 9, a pair of bolts 10, a mounting cover 11, and a valve stem 12. By utilizing the manual gas valve of the present invention, LP gas and natural gas can be used interchangeably and the gas flow can be conveniently regulated to achieve a similar heating value with either LP gas or natural gas operation. In addition, the conversion is easy and convenient, without requiring the use of any special tools or relying on any additional testing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ningbo Wanan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7451778
    Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Norgren, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bordonaro, Christopher Bezzina, Mark Pevoteaux, Todd M. Ables, Stephen Fiondella, Jeff Sherrel
  • Patent number: 7395836
    Abstract: Disclosed is a check valve (5) that is screwed into a threaded bore (1) of a housing (2) of a hydraulic subassembly between a first pressure side (26) and a second pressure side (27) by means of an external thread (11) which is disposed in a first cylinder section (8) of a cylindrical valve housing (6) of the check valve (5). A passage duct (39) which allows a hydraulic fluid to flow between the sidewall of the threaded bore (1) and a first removed portion (16) of the surface area (10) of the cylindrical valve housing (6) is embodied in at least one angular segment (a1, a2, and a3) of the valve housing (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Brueninghaus Hydromatik GmbH
    Inventors: Clemens Krebs, Herbert Dreher
  • Publication number: 20080156378
    Abstract: The invention relates to a manual gas valve for use with either LP gas or natural gas operation with the purpose of solving the technical dilemma that the existing gas valve cannot be converted conveniently for use with different gases having different heating values. The manual gas valve of the present invention comprises a nozzle 1, a 8×1.9 O-shaped ring 2, a nozzle holder 3, a valve body 4, a faucet 5, a regulating lever 6, a 1.78×1.78 O-shaped ring 7, a spring 8, a stop plate 9, a pair of bolts 10, a mounting cover 11, and a valve stem 12. By utilizing the manual gas valve of the present invention, LP gas and natural gas can be used interchangeably and the gas flow can be conveniently regulated to achieve a similar heating value with either LP gas or natural gas operation. In addition, the conversion is easy and convenient, without requiring the use of any special tools or relying on any additional testing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Feng ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7357141
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes at least one multiport valve for controlling and applying pressure to a pneumatic unit and a base plate having passageways for supplying compressed fluid to a multiport valve and for draining compressed fluid from the multiport valve. Interposed between the base plate and the multiport valve is a grid plate for functional differentiation of the valve assembly and determination of the valve assembly function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Rexroth Mecman GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Janietz, Wolfgang Brandes, Ernst-August Meyer, Thomas Liesenhoff
  • Publication number: 20070284003
    Abstract: A universal valve for refrigeration systems including an investment-cast, stainless-steel valve body, a piston and one of a plurality of an anodized aluminum adapter plates. Each adapter plate configured to be removed and replaced with another to operate the valve to perform a different function. The investment-cast, stainless steel valve body includes an inlet and an outlet which each include a flangeless distal end configured, as cast, with an unmachined, weldable rim for integration without mechanical connections in a leak-free configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Charles C. Hansen, Eric J. Guldberg
  • Patent number: 7296589
    Abstract: A universal gas valve finishing flange assembly is provided which is adapted to receive a plurality of different size gas valves. The finishing flange assembly comprises a flanged coupler comprising a pipe coupler having internal threads and a pair of ends. The internal threads are adapted to be received by a first gas shut-off valve with a valve stem leg having threads with a first diameter. The flanged coupler further includes a flange attached to one end of the coupler and is centered about an axis defined by the coupler. The flange further includes an orifice for receiving a gas valve key. A trim plate is also provided having a frontside and a backside and a hole there through to receive the pipe coupler. Also, the trim plate includes recess disposed in the frontside to receive the flange. Additionally, a reducer nipple is provided having outer threads and inner threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: William A. Durkee
  • Patent number: 7261127
    Abstract: A valve assembly is constructed for use in a filtering system including a pump and a filter with an inlet and an outlet, for example those systems used in conjunction with swimming pools. The assembly includes a valve body with a pump inlet, a filtered output, a waste-water disposal outlet, a filter inlet, and a filter outlet. Pairs of a plurality of plunger heads are positioned within the valve body to provide a plurality of modes of operation, the pairs of plunger heads being positioned within the valve body in one of a filtering mode, a backwash mode, and a direct mode in which flow from the pump is directly into the waste-water disposal outlet. The pairs can be affixed on two different interchangeable plungers or moveably positioned on a single plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Sarkis Oundjian