Electrically Actuated Valve Patents (Class 137/487.5)
  • Patent number: 11859553
    Abstract: A fluid injection system can include a main flow line, a primary flow line connected to the main flow line, and a primary flow valve disposed between the primary flow line and the main flow line and configured to allow injectant flow to the primary flow line from the main flow line in an open primary flow valve state, and to prevent injectant flow to the primary flow line from the main flow line in a closed primary flow valve state. The system can include a secondary flow line connected to the main flow line and a secondary flow valve disposed between the secondary flow line and the main flow line and configured to selectively allow injectant flow to the secondary flow line from the main flow line in an open secondary flow valve state, and to prevent injectant flow to the secondary flow line from the main flow line in a closed secondary flow valve state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Susca, Steve Doerner, Charles E. Reuter
  • Patent number: 11819057
    Abstract: An aerosol-generating device for heating an aerosol-generating article is provided, the device including: a housing having an opening; a chamber disposed within the housing, and configured to receive at least a portion of the article through the opening; a heater assembly disposed within the housing and including a heating element configured to heat at least a portion of the chamber; and a holding mechanism including at least one holding member disposed at or proximate to the opening of the housing and configured to move between: a first position, in which the article can be inserted into the chamber via the opening, and a second position, in which the holding member has reduced a size of the opening relative to another size of the opening when the holding member is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Michael Elliott Doyle
  • Patent number: 11793899
    Abstract: An instrument reprocessor for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical instrument is disclosed. To reprocess instruments having one or more channels defined therein, the reprocessor can include one or more flow control systems configured to control a flow of fluid through each channel. In various embodiments, a flow control system can include a differential pressure sensor and a proportional valve for controlling the fluid flow in a channel. The reprocessor can also include, one, a fluid circulation pump which can be configured to supply the flow control systems with fluid and, two, a system for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the flow control systems. The reprocessor can also include a system for supplying a metered amount of fluid to the fluid circulation system. The system can include a reservoir having a fluid height sensor to monitor the amount of fluid therein and a pump configured to supply the reservoir with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Nick N. Nguyen, Ujjal Bhaumik
  • Patent number: 11686401
    Abstract: A valve stem having a hollow tube and a compression sleeve mounted to the hollow tube; wherein the hollow tube and compression sleeve are partially insertable through a container wall opening from an exterior side of the container wall through to an interior side of the container wall, and a mechanism accessible from the exterior side of the container wall to compress the compression sleeve against the interior side of the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Todd Johnson
  • Patent number: 11669111
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling fluid flow rate comprising a valve block, a valve, a sensor chip package, and a controller interface. The valve block having an upstream reservoir, a downstream reservoir, and a valve seat for communicating fluid from an upstream location to a downstream location. The valve having a moveable member. The sensor chip package having at least one sensor coupled with the valve. The controller interface is communicable coupled to a control unit, the valve, and the sensor chip package. The controller interface sends at least one parametric value provided by the sensor chip package to the control unit. The controller interface receives a control signal used to adjust valve stroke of the valve. The control signal of the valve is determined based on the at least one measured parametric value and at least one other parametric value provided by a fluid processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Saleem, Arun Nagarajan, Daniel Mudd, Hossein Ghapanchizadeh
  • Patent number: 11566754
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, if first detection information of a high-pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value, a gas control ECU causes a pressure adjustment range to overlap a second error range of second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor, the second error range being defined with a second threshold value as a reference point. If the first detection information is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the gas control ECU offsets the pressure adjustment range relative to the second error range defined with the second threshold value as the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kadowaki, Koichi Takaku, Satoru Kawase
  • Patent number: 11550341
    Abstract: In a mass flow control system which comprises a first apparatus that is a mass flow controller, an external sensor that is at least one detection means constituting a second apparatus that is an apparatus disposed outside said first apparatus and at least one control section prepared in either one or both of housings of said first apparatus and said second apparatus, and is configured so as to control a flow rate of fluid flowing through a channel, the control section is configured such that opening of a flow control valve can be controlled based on at least an external signal that is a detection signal output from the external sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 11543838
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air pressure control (APC) device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. The air pressure control (APC) device may include a processing chamber, a plate for adjusting a pressure in the processing chamber, and an APC valve including first and second step motors for adjusting a height of the plate, and an APC controller that controls the APC valve, and the APC controller may include a first controller that controls positions of the first step motor and the second step motor; and a second controller that compensates for a difference in position between the first step motor and the second step motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung Woo Lee, In Kyu Park, Yong Seok Jang, Sung Youn Jeon
  • Patent number: 11530531
    Abstract: A water management system effective for managing and metering water usage and detecting and reducing water leaks is described herein. The water management system can detect a leak when a volume of water flow or change in water pressure detected by a water meter of the system is uncharacteristic for a given day and time of day at the node. Upon detecting the leak, the system alerts the user, and in some situations, remotely shuts off a water supply to preemptively address a water leakage issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SAYA LIFE, INC.
    Inventors: Sanjay Poojary, Naveen Kumar Subramani, Noorali Lakhani, Chongliang Li
  • Patent number: 11506290
    Abstract: A valve device is capable of precisely adjusting a flow rate variation due to aging, aging, etc. without using an external sensor. An adjusting actuator includes a piezoelectric element for adjusting the position of the operating member positioned at the open position, and the drive circuit of the adjusting actuator includes a detecting unit for detecting an electric signal related to the amount of strain generated in the piezoelectric element, and a control unit for controlling the adjusting actuator so that the opening degree of the flow path by the valve element becomes the target opening degree based on the electric signal related to the amount of strain of the piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kenta Kondo, Toshihide Yoshida, Kenji Aikawa, Hidenobu Sato, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Masahiko Takimoto
  • Patent number: 11459076
    Abstract: A method for controlling a valve to disengage a gear in a transmission. The method includes reducing, after receiving a request to disengage the gear, a current supplied to the valve from a starting to a first current. The method further includes counting a first elapsed time since the valve was reduced to the first current, comparing the first elapsed time to a first wait time, and increasing the current supplied to the valve to a second current once the first elapsed time exceeds the first wait time. The method further includes counting a second elapsed time since the valve was increased to the second current, comparing the second elapsed time to a second wait time, and reducing the current supplied to the valve to a third current once the second elapsed exceeds the second wait time. The valve is closed when the current is the third current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Brett Bielefeld, Charles A. Lubitz, Matthew W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11454962
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow, and in particular fluid flow through a microfluidic multi-port control valve assembly of a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) unit includes a localized data repository for storing cumulative wear indications of components of the apparatus. The stored information may travel with the apparatus to enable predictive failure of components of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: IDEX Health & Science, LLC
    Inventors: Tim Tiemeyer, John Ruf, Michael Brew
  • Patent number: 11435002
    Abstract: An actuator (22) comprises at least one actuator body (32) of dielectric elastomeric material and two electrodes (34, 36) being attached to opposite surfaces of the actuator body (32), respectively. At least one of the actuator body (32) and at least one of the electrodes (34, 36) is at least partly covered at its outer side with a protective layer (38a, 38b) of polymer material, wherein a mechanical stiffness of the protective layer (38a, 38b) is at least three times lower than a mechanical stiffness of the actuator body (32). Moreover, a valve actuator unit comprises such an actuator (22) and a housing, wherein the actuator (22) is arranged within the housing and the remainder of the housing is filled with a gas. Additionally, a valve comprises such a valve actuator unit and a valve element, wherein the valve element is movable by the valve actuator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: Bürkert Werke GmbH & Co. KG, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Herbert Rudolf Shea, Fabio Beco Albuquerque
  • Patent number: 11435765
    Abstract: A valve device including an outlet port, a first valve unit with a first valve element for setting a first throttle opening for influencing a first airflow of pressurised air which is to be output at the outlet port or is to be released via the outlet port, a first throttle control loop for the closed-loop control of the first throttle opening according to a first setpoint, a pressure control loop for the closed-loop pressure control of an outlet pressure present at the outlet port to a pressure setpoint amid the use of a first throttle control loop as a subordinate control loop, wherein on closed-loop pressure control the pressure control loop specifies a first throttle setpoint to the first throttle control loop as the first setpoint, wherein the valve device is further configured to provide a throttle setting function and, within the throttle setting function, to limit the first throttle opening to a first limitation value and/or within the throttle setting function to specify a first direct setpoint which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Patz, Ulrich Sixt, Sebastian Müller
  • Patent number: 11426511
    Abstract: A medical fluid microflow assembly having an assembly fluid inlet and an assembly fluid outlet, and a mandrel having a curved exterior surface, the mandrel being positioned within an cavity of a housing so that the exterior surface of the mandrel is substantially parallel to an interior surface of the cavity, and at least one protrusion positioned helically around and extending from the interior surface of the cavity, each protrusion abutting the exterior surface of the mandrel to form a sealed fluid channel which has a channel inlet positioned proximate to the assembly fluid inlet and a channel outlet positioned proximate to the assembly fluid outlet, the exterior surface of the mandrel and the interior surface of the cavity having a minimal or neutral triboelectric value with respect to a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: L2R Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Robert G. Schinazi
  • Patent number: 11424148
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. In one embodiment, a gas flow control system for achieving improved transient response in apparatuses for controlling gas flow is disclosed. Specifically, by providing a command to an apparatus to deliver a predetermined mass flow rate at a future turn on time, the apparatus is able to pre-pressurize a P1 volume so that the response time of the apparatus is no longer dependent on the speed of the apparatus's control valves and the limitations of the control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Penley, Michael Maeder, Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 11414206
    Abstract: A fluid system includes a controller, a control valve, and a fluid manifold. At least one solenoid may be connected to the fluid manifold, the control valve, and/or the controller. A first pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with an output of the control valve. A second pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with the fluid manifold. The controller may be configured to control operation of the control valve via the at least one solenoid according to a first fluid pressure obtained via the first pressure sensor and according to a second fluid pressure obtained via the second pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gilbert P. Freeth, Parag More, Robert L. Sbonek, Jaspal Rawat, Harshad P. Pawale, Chandrashekhar S. Nehete, Vikas Pandey, Balakrishnan Arumugam, Rajan Y. Tribhuvan, Bhupesh Jingar, Rohit Gupta
  • Patent number: 11391123
    Abstract: A well production system comprises a barrier providing a pressure barrier between components of the well production system located upstream of the barrier and components of the well production system located downstream of the barrier; a safety instrumented system (SIS) communicatively coupled to the barrier and having one or more logic solvers; one or more pressure transmitters disposed along a flowpath, within the barrier, and communicatively coupled to the one or more logic solvers; one or more valves disposed along the flowpath within the barrier and communicatively coupled to the SIS, wherein the SIS is configured to selectively actuate the one or more valves based on feedback from the one or more pressure transmitters; a spare pressure transmitter disposed along the flowpath within the barrier; and a monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to selectively couple the spare pressure transmitter to the one or more logic solver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: DRIL-QUIP, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Edwin Organ, Duncan Stuart Hogg
  • Patent number: 11353894
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes: a substrate processing unit; a supply line that supplies the fluid to the substrate processing unit; a flow meter that measures a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the supply line; a flow rate adjustment mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the supply line; and a controller that control the flow rate adjustment mechanism based on a measurement result of the flow meter. The controller receives the measurement result at a first cycle. When the measurement result of the flow meter indicates that the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the supply line is included in a preset range, the controller causes the flow rate adjustment mechanism to adjust the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the supply line at a cycle having a time interval longer than a time interval of the first cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Keigo Satake, Hiroshi Komiya, Kouji Ogura
  • Patent number: 11340635
    Abstract: In order to provide a flow rate control apparatus capable of reducing pressure loss due to a downstream valve while enhancing responsiveness in flow rate control, a controller is designed to control the downstream valve on the basis of a flow rate deviation when a valve opening of the downstream valve is smaller than a predetermined valve opening. The controller is designed to control an upstream valve on the basis of the flow rate deviation when the valve opening of the downstream valve is the predetermined valve opening or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 11333177
    Abstract: A valve has a housing which has at least two fluid openings, through which fluid can flow, and a further opening, at least one valve seat which is assigned to one of the fluid openings, and at least one closure member which is adjustable to release and/or close the at least one valve seat, the at least one valve seat which adjoins a cavity through which fluid can flow being formed on a housing part. The valve includes a sensor device which closes the opening in a fluid-tight manner and can acquire data about the fluid is arranged in the further opening. A valve island is furthermore described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Ralf Scheibe
  • Patent number: 11313756
    Abstract: An abnormality detection method performed using a flow rate control device including a restriction portion, a control valve, a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a downstream valve, includes a step of changing the control valve and the downstream valve from an open state to a closed state, a step of measuring an upstream pressure or a downstream pressure in the closed state, and at least one step of (a) extracting an upstream pressure at a point when a difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure reaches a predetermined value as an upstream convergence pressure, and extracting the downstream pressure as a downstream convergence pressure, and (b) extracting the time from a point when the control valve are changed to a closed state to a point when a difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure reaches a predetermined value as a convergence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: FUTIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Kaoru Hirata, Yohei Sawada, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11269362
    Abstract: A flow rate control method performed using a flow rate control device 100 comprising a first control valve 6 provided in a flow path, a second control valve 8 provided downstream of the first control valve, and a pressure sensor 3 for measuring fluid pressure downstream of the first control valve, the method comprising steps of: (a) closing the opening of the first control valve from a state in which, while controlling the opening of the first control valve based on an output of the pressure sensor so as to be the first flow rate, maintaining the opening of the second control valve in an open state, and flowing a fluid at the first flow rate; and (b) based on the output of the pressure sensor, the pressure remaining downstream of the first control valve is controlled by adjusting the opening of the second control valve, and flowing the fluid at the second flow rate downstream of the second control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kaoru Hirata, Shinya Ogawa, Katsuyuki Sugita, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11215374
    Abstract: A fluid sealing device and a pressure detector calibration device are provided to enable further reducing of errors between a sealing pressure and a set pressure in a fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masahiko Takimoto, Masaaki Nagase
  • Patent number: 11209331
    Abstract: A pressure sensor for a gas-filled cylinder, which comprises a body from which a connector protrudes for coupling to an opening for filling a gas-filled cylinder with gas, a first through hole which passes through the connector and the body and a second hole which connects the first through hole to a sensor element which is connected electrically to at least one electronic board for processing a signal that can be detected by the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SPECIAL SPRINGS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Francesco Bordin, Daniel Fantinato, Massimo Fiorese
  • Patent number: 11191252
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser may include a container or tank having an upper opening and in which water is stored, a pump provided in the container, a water supply pipe through which water discharged from the pump is transferred, a water supply plate having an upper surface over which water flows, a container support or base provided below the container, and a thermoelectric element provided in the container support to cool the bottom plate of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Jaehung Chun, Yousook Eun, Joogyeom Kim, Sungkyung Kim, Myongsun Kim
  • Patent number: 11175682
    Abstract: Adjustment and remote control system with a pressure regulator for irrigation systems to regulate the water pressure at the outlet, and consequently its flow, being crucial to assure the uniformity and the quantity of water as applied. In the adjustment and remote control system for pressure in irrigation systems, the electronic control board is informed of the target pressure at the outlet of the pressure regulator as disclosed in this document; it reads the current pressure of the adjustment and control system by means of the electronic pressure sensor and, if the pressure is lower than the target, a solenoid valve for pressure increase is activated, using the pressure generated by a pressure generator in any given fluid, and, if the pressure is higher, that pressure is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Kléryston Lasiê Segat
  • Patent number: 11162176
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid control apparatus that without enhancing temporal control performance, every time, can stabilize a fluid flow rate achieved by, for example, pulse control, and eliminate fluid wasted at the time of supplying the fluid by including one flow path. A control mechanism includes a first feedback controller adapted to control a first valve on the basis of first pressure measured by a first pressure sensor. In addition, when a second valve is closed, the first pressure feedback controller controls the first valve so that the first pressure measured by the first pressure sensor reaches target burst pressure, and when and after the first pressure reaches the target burst pressure and the second valve is opened, the control mechanism is configured to control the first valve so that the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path reaches a target constant flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Thomas Hoke
  • Patent number: 11148929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water dispenser intermediate part, wherein the water dispenser intermediate part has first connecting means for connecting a water tank to the water dispenser intermediate part, and the water dispenser intermediate part has second connecting means for connecting the water dispenser intermediate part to a water dispenser device. The water dispenser intermediate part has a water pipe piece which connects the first connecting means to the second connecting means. The water dispenser intermediate part has a water consumption meter and/or a water level sensor for determining water consumption via the water pipe and/or a water level in the water container, The water dispenser intermediate part has at least one transmitter part for wireless transmission of water consumption values and/or water level reports from the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Inventor: Dietmar Gombotz
  • Patent number: 11119076
    Abstract: Systems for use with liquid chromatography for provision of continuous flow or gradient flow in connection with two pumps providing mobile phase to a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Valco Instruments Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stanley D. Stearns, Ales Plistil
  • Patent number: 11114973
    Abstract: In a technique for reducing the number of input terminals of a motor control device, flexibility of designing is improved. A terminal allocating section (23) is provided for setting, in accordance with selection by a user, which of a plurality of input terminals (11) is to be allocated to each of a plurality of function input terminals (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Fukushima, Ryoichi Watanabe, Kimikazu Kubo
  • Patent number: 11073215
    Abstract: A gas supply system is provided with an automatic valve that is provided in a flow passage and adjusts a flow rate of process gas supplied to a chamber by automatic opening and closing, and a manual valve that is provided downstream of the automatic valve in the flow path and in immediate vicinity of the chamber and adjusts the flow rate of the process gas by manual opening and closing. The manual valve is a direct diaphragm valve having a diaphragm that is placed and separated on and from a seat in conjunction with a stem and a disk along with opening and closing, and includes a stroke adjusting mechanism that adjusts a valve stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Takeru Miura, Tomohiro Nakata, Toshiyuki Inada, Kazunari Watanabe, Kenta Kondo, Hidenobu Sato
  • Patent number: 11073304
    Abstract: A device and system for sensing high pressure in a pressurized water system. The high pressure alarm includes a pressure sensor, controller, and timer. A method of installing a high pressure alarm on a pressurized water system. The high pressure alarm is particularly well-suited for installing under a sink, such as a home kitchen sink, though it can also be installed near other plumbing fixtures or appliances in commercial, residential, or industrial facilities and in outside areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Jimmie Don Taylor
  • Patent number: 11067102
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a plurality of fill valves that permit a fluid to flow from a fluid inlet into an interior flow path to increase a pressure of the fluid output from a fluid outlet, and a plurality of dump valves that permit the fluid to flow from the interior flow path to an exhaust to reduce the pressure of the fluid output from the fluid outlet. The valve assembly includes a controller that is configured for receipt of a command signal including a desired pressure of the fluid to be output from the fluid outlet, and is configured for receipt of a signal from a pressure sensor that is indicative of an actual pressure of the fluid output from the fluid outlet, wherein based on a comparison of the command signal with the signal indicative of the actual pressure, the controller is configured to selectively open and close each of the fill valves and each of the dump valves until the actual pressure is equal to the desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Williams, Thomas Jones, Thierry Delvaux, Gilles Raets
  • Patent number: 11068000
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the flow rate sensor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate measurement from the flow rate sensor, adjust a control deadband based on an actuator command history, and determine a compensated position setpoint using the flow rate measurement, the adjusted control deadband, and a proportional variable deadband control technique. The controller is further configured to operate the motor to drive the drive device to the compensated actuator position setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jack A. Peterson, Brett M. Lenhardt, Homero L. Noboa, Brennan H. Fentzlaff
  • Patent number: 11053668
    Abstract: An intelligent water-monitoring system includes a water-monitoring device installable inline with a building water system (e.g., at an inlet of the system). A plurality of sensors of the water-monitoring device are configured to sense properties of the building water system, such as water pressure and water flow. The water-monitoring device has a valve and a controller configured to automatically shut the valve in response to sensed data indicating a possible problem in the building water system. The intelligent water-monitoring system may include an app executable by a computing device to display information based on the sensed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hydrodynamic Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Manning, Steve Samuel, Landon Ritchie, Alex Barangan, Ethan Underhill, Roger Brasel, William Underhill
  • Patent number: 11054295
    Abstract: Pressure regulating systems are provided. The pressure regulating systems include a pressure sensor configured to sense pressure of water flowing through a pressure regulating device; an actuator coupled to the pressure sensor; an electronics module configured to receive pressure information related sensed pressure from the pressure sensor and process the received pressure information; and a radio module coupled to the device and configured to receive the processed sensor information from the electronics module, communicate the processed sensor information to a remote location and receive pressure adjustment information from the remote location. The received pressure adjustment information is used to adjust water pressure in the water network from the remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC
    Inventor: Christian Heizenroeder
  • Patent number: 11041749
    Abstract: Mass flow controllers and methods for controlling mass flow controllers are disclosed. One method includes providing a process gas through a flow sensor of the mass flow controller, obtaining a gas-adjusted sensitivity coefficient for the flow sensor, and obtaining gas-adjusted nonlinearity data for the flow sensor. The method also includes producing gas-adjusted characterization data for the flow sensor using the gas-adjusted sensitivity coefficient and the gas-adjusted nonlinearity data. A flow value from the gas-adjusted characterization data is obtained using a flow sensor signal from the flow sensor, and the flow value is used along with a setpoint signal to control a valve of the mass flow controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Smirnov
  • Patent number: 11022224
    Abstract: A valve device includes a valve body that defines flow paths, a diaphragm provided so as to be capable of opening and closing the flow paths, an operation member provided so as to be capable of moving in opening and closing directions that open and close the flow paths by operating the diaphragm, a main actuator that applies a driving force corresponding to an operating pressure applied in the opening direction or the closing direction of the opening and closing directions with respect to the operation member, a switching mechanism capable of selectively switching a position of the operation member that regulates a degree of opening of the flow paths between a first open position and a second open position in accordance with a magnitude of the operating pressure, and regulating mechanisms capable of independently regulating the first open position and the second open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Toshihide Yoshida, Tomohiro Nakata, Tsutomu Shinohara, Toshiyuki Inada, Takashi Funakoshi, Hidenobu Sato, Tomoko Yuhara
  • Patent number: 10996689
    Abstract: A flow rate ratio control device is provided with a main flow path, a plurality of branch flow paths that branch off from a terminus of the main flow path, a plurality of fluid control devices that are provided respectively on each branch flow path, and that are each equipped with a valve and a pressure-based flow rate sensor that is disposed downstream of the valve, and an operation setting unit that establishes settings such that, based on the target flow rate ratio, any one fluid control device from among the plurality of fluid control devices is made to operate in a flow velocity control mode in which the flow velocity of a fluid is controlled upstream of each valve, and the remaining fluid control devices are made to operate in a flow rate control mode in which the flow rate is controlled based on the target flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Patrick Allen Lowery, William Wylie White, Brian James Ebert, Maximilian Martin Gundlach, John Thomas Dick
  • Patent number: 10975553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for automatically flushing liquid lines, in particular drinking water lines, with at least one connection (4) for a water conduit, with at least one connection (6) for a wastewater conduit, and with a flushing valve (8) which is arranged between the connections for the water conduit and wastewater conduit. The object of providing a device for automatic flushing that allows a flushing behaviour which is better tailored to the conditions is achieved in that the flushing valve (8) comprises a multiple valve with parallel valves (10). The invention further relates to a system of water lines and to a method for automatically flushing water lines using a device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kuhbier, Verena Stelthove, Tobias Klosta
  • Patent number: 10969799
    Abstract: A system for delivering pulses of a desired mass of gas to a tool, comprising: a mass flow controller including flow sensor, a control valve and a dedicated controller configured and arranged to receive a recipe of a sequence of steps for opening and closing the control valve so as to deliver as sequence of gas pulses as a function of the recipe. The mass flow controller is configured and arranged so as to operate in either one of at least two modes: as a traditional mass flow controller (MFC) mode or in a pulse gas delivery (PGD) mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Junhua Ding, Michael L'Bassi, Tseng-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 10948103
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to monitor health information of a valve are disclosed. An example system includes a field device in a process control network to monitor a valve, and a valve health monitor to be communicatively coupled to the field device to obtain operational health information from the field device when the valve is commanded to move from a first position to a second position, the first position opposite the second position, identify a condition of the valve based on the operational health information, and send an alert via the process control network based on the condition of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Shawn William Anderson
  • Patent number: 10941713
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (20) having: a multi-fuel capable engine (26); a refrigeration unit (22) powered by the engine (26); a first fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) operably connected to the engine (26), the first fuel (120, 130, 140, 150) system including at least one of a propane fuel system (120), compressed natural gas fuel system (130), liquefied natural gas fuel system (140), and gasoline fuel system (150); a second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) operably connected to the engine (26), the second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) including at least one of a propane fuel system (120), compressed natural gas fuel system (130), liquefied natural gas fuel system (140), and gasoline fuel system (150); and a controller (30) configured to command a fuel to the engine (26) from the first fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150) or the second fuel system (120, 130, 140, 150), the controller (30) adjusts operation of the engine (26) in response to the fuel commanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Swab
  • Patent number: 10938741
    Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for resource allocation in accordance with one embodiment of the present description, in which a resource allocation such as a buffer credit allocation for a port in a storage area network is initialized as a function of a measurement of a length of a communication link for the port of the storage area network. In one embodiment, the length measurement is a function of a minimum command response time of a command issued over the communication link. Other aspects of resource allocation in accordance with the present description are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger G. Hathorn, Dale F. Riedy, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 10928813
    Abstract: A pressure-type flow rate control device includes a restriction part, a control valve disposed upstream of the restriction part, an upstream pressure sensor, a downstream pressure sensor, and a controller that diagnoses flow rate control by using pressure drop data on a flow passage between the control valve and the restriction part and reference pressure drop data, wherein a close command is issued to the control valve and a shutoff valve provided downstream of the downstream pressure sensor, and the controller determines whether a predetermined critical expansion condition is satisfied by using outputs of the upstream pressure sensor and the downstream pressure sensor after the control valve is closed, and diagnoses flow rate control by using the pressure drop data acquired during a period in which the predetermined critical expansion condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Masaaki Nagase, Kaoru Hirata, Yohei Sawada, Katsuyuki Sugita, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10895484
    Abstract: A gas supply system capable of flow measurement includes a flow controller that controls the flow rate of a flowing gas, a first shutoff valve provided downstream of the flow controller, a second shutoff valve provided in a first flow passage communicating with the downstream side of the first shutoff valve, a second flow passage that branches from the first flow passage, a third shutoff valve provided in the second flow passage, a pressure sensing device that detects a pressure in a flow passage controlled by the first, second, and third shutoff valves, a temperature sensing device that detects a temperature in the flow passage controlled by the first, second, and third shutoff valves, a volume measuring tank connected downstream of the third shutoff valve and having a known volume, and an arithmetic and control unit that obtains a passage volume controlled by the first, second, and third shutoff valves by applying Boyle's law to open and closed states of the third shutoff valve and calculates the flow rate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yohei Sawada, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Masaaki Nagase
  • Patent number: 10883666
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling flow with a 270 degree rotatable valve are provided. A described system includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is controllably rotatable by approximately 270 degrees to modulate fluid flow between the first port and the third port while maintaining the second port completely closed and to modulate fluid flow between the second port and the third port while maintaining the first port completely closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Russell T. Jenks
  • Patent number: 10851911
    Abstract: A gas valve having a gas valve body having a valve and a valve seat both housed by the gas valve body. The valve may further include an armature housed by the gas valve body, a pole situated outside of the gas valve body so as to not be exposed to gas in the gas valve body. The pole may be positioned to be in magnetic communication with at least part of the armature through the gas valve body. The valve may further include a coil situated outside the gas valve body. The coil may be wound about the pole such that activation of the coil produces a magnetic flux that is carried to an end of the pole, through the gas valve body, and to the armature, resulting in movement of the armature, and movement of the valve between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre, James Buezis, Cailen Giese
  • Patent number: 10835649
    Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Conmed Corporation
    Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff, James Jackson, Elisabeth Jacques Leeflang, Aaron Olafur Laurence Philippsen