With Common Valve Operator Patents (Class 137/595)
  • Patent number: 4747942
    Abstract: A wet jig mechanism for handling coal or other minerals wherein a container receives a slurry of water and coal and the water is pulsed by delivering an alternate charge of compressed air beneath the surface of the water and alternately venting the area beneath the surface with the alternate pulsing and venting controlled by a pulsing valve having valve chambers with one chamber having ports connected beneath the surface of the container and to a source of compressed air in the other chamber connected beneath the surface of the liquid in the container and vented to atmosphere with the ports being controlled by butterfly valve plates in each chamber mounted on a common shaft and the chambers having liners or bushings rotatable to control the ports and time and duration of opening of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Klockner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Strauss
  • Patent number: 4726234
    Abstract: A plurality of parallel rows of short flexible tubes lead from a housing. Each row is provided with an elongate bar in which each tube is provided with a transverse fluid passage leading to a port by means of which the respective tube may be connected to an outside fluid conduit. Each elongate bar, by virtue of the flexibility of the tubes, may be pivoted to one side, thereby giving access to connections at interior bars. The structure has particular utility in a system where a plruality of fluid pressure pickups are fed to individual pressure measuring transducers in the housing. Partitions and actuating bladders are interposed between the flexible tubes, so that inflation of a given bladder will pinch off a row of flexible tubes and allow a selected group or row of tubes to be selectively connected to the pickups. In this way a limited number of transducers in the housing may be used to successively measure a much larger number of fluid pressure pickup points, by time sharing use of the transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Inventor: J. C. Pemberton
  • Patent number: 4707983
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) is provided in which a piston assembly (36) functions to control the introduction and expulsion of a fluid from external and internal manifolds (28,30) defined by the valve assembly housing (12) and the piston assembly. Extensions (42,44,46) provided with flexible disc seals (48) depend from a crown portion (40) of the piston assembly. The seals interface with a T-shaped annular partition (62) having a raised lip (68) in the base (66). The raised lip interfaces with the seals to close off fluid exit ports (80) in the base of the valve assembly housing. When functioned, the housing assembly and piston cause separation of the lip and disc allowing the flow of fluid through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Willard A. Gillon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4697785
    Abstract: A clamp for regulating the flow of parenteral solutions is disclosed which includes a clamp body having a channel for accommodating a length of administration set tubing so that a portion of the tubing is compressed to a closed position while at least one side of the tubing is left uncompressed to provide a passageway for the solution. A cam member or platen is moveably mounted on the clamp body for applying an adjustable compressive force against the uncompressed side of the tubing to vary the area of the passageway and the rate of flow of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: Robert D. Tuseth
  • Patent number: 4694861
    Abstract: A random access rotary pinch valve for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of fluid conduits. The valve is adapted to receive and retain the fluid conduits and includes, for each of the conduits, a toggle mechanism comprising a piston and a toggle. The piston and toggle can be latched to pinch the associated fluid conduit to a non-conducting state or may be latched with the conduit in a fluid conducting state. An actuator arm is selectively positioned over the toggle mechanisms and is displaced so as to actuate the toggles from one state to another, thus changing the state of fluid conduction through the associated flexible conduit. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the fluid conduits are arranged about the periphery of an annular valve body and the actuator arm is pivoted by means of the stepper motor over the toggle mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Goodale, Nick Darden
  • Patent number: 4691738
    Abstract: This invention relates to a new control valve intended to be used to control the supply and exhaust of fluids to a dual tourniquet system. The tubes supplying and exhausting the tourniquets are of a flexible nature, and as such may be squeezed to stop the flow of fluids therethrough. The inventive valve includes cam members with camming projections formed thereon at various predetermined positions on the circumferences thereof. Simultaneous rotation of the cam members by a control knob results in sequential filling and emptying of the tourniquets in a predetermined sequence. The valve is especially useful in the practice of the Bier block procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Aspen Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. McCune
  • Patent number: 4674533
    Abstract: A remotely controllable mixing system (210) in which a plurality of mixing assemblies (10a-10e) are arranged in an annular configuration, and wherein each assembly (10) employs a central chamber (16) and two outer, upper and lower, chambers (12, 14). Valves (18, 20) are positioned between chambers, and these valves (18, 20) for a given mixing assembly (10) are operated by upper and lower control rotors (29), which in turn are driven by upper and lower drive rotors (270, 270b). Additionally, a hoop (278) is compressed around upper control rotors (29) and a hoop (278b) is compressed around lower control rotors (29) to thus insure constant frictional engagement between all control rotors (29) and drive rotors (270, 270b). The drive rollers (270, 270b) are driven by a motor (213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Robert R. Belew
  • Patent number: 4673390
    Abstract: A multiple solution IV administration system includes a plurality of IV fluid sources which are connected by flexible tubing to the inlet of an IV pump. A sequence valve suspended from the tubing selectively pinches off all but one tube so that one source at a time is connected to the inlet. The sequence valve is controlled as a function of the accumulated volume pumped by the pump for each fluid and a stored volume limit for that fluid. When the accumulated volume of one IV fluid reaches its volume limit, the sequence valve is changed to connect a different source to the inlet of the IV pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: G. Kent Archibald
  • Patent number: 4665629
    Abstract: A dryer for plastic granules with a fan for air, with a drying chamber containing a regenerable desiccant, with a collecting duct connectable to the drying chamber for the drying air, with an air heating element in the collecting duct, with a plurality of drying containers connectable to the collecting duct, with a return duct from the drying containers to an inlet duct of the fan, with a first reversing valve, which connects in a first switching position the drying chamber with the collecting duct, and in a second switching position the drying chamber with the atmosphere, and with a second reversing valve, which connects in a first switching position the inlet duct of the fan to the return duct and in a second switching position the inlet duct to the atmosphere. One object is the reliable and synchronous reversing of the two reversing valves. Another object shall enable the coupling of further groups of drying container to one drying chamber. The two reversing valves are arranged in a common valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Susanne Cramer
  • Patent number: 4662400
    Abstract: For precision dispensing of fluids particularly for medical applications, a face valve has a valve member mounted for linear sliding movement across the face of a valve body, which has fluid passages therethrough, between positions in which respectively the valve member seals the ends of the fluid passages at the valve body face and a channel in the valve member connects the ends of the fluid passages. The valve body is of a hard corrosion resistant metal and the valve member is of bearing plastic material, both materials being inert to the fluids being dispensed. The valve is pressed against the face of the valve body by a spring which is oriented in a particular way to optimize valve life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond L. Hecker
  • Patent number: 4655252
    Abstract: Valve bodies that are generally cylindrical and are open at top and bottom are combined with flow diverters which may be combined top to bottom to permit stacking of a combination of valves for actuation together without need for separator walls between valves. These elements, together with special adapters and end plates, permit economical manufacture of a series of manually or hydraulically actuated single and multiple function valves. These and other valve body and valve element forms and flow elbows are rendered more useful by the inclusion of seal retaining elements and flow turners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Mark U. Krumhansl
  • Patent number: 4637817
    Abstract: A piggyback IV administration system uses a solenoid actuated sequence valve to control the flow of fluid from a pair of IV fluid sources to the inlet of an IV pump or controller. The sequence valve pinches off a first tube while allowing fluid to flow through the second tube and then, in response to a control signal, changes state so that the second tube is pinched off and fluid can flow through the first tube unimpeded. The sequence valve automatically senses conditions which indicate a failure of the sequence valve to occlude the second tube when the valve changes state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: G. Kent Archibald, Frank A. Slaker
  • Patent number: 4632082
    Abstract: A device molding a link member interconnecting an actuator to arms fixed onto valve shafts of rotary valves arranged in gas passages. The link member includes a control rod connected to the actuator and a plurality of plate springs which extend from the control rod and are outwardly bent. The outer ends of the plate springs are pivotally connected to the tips of corresponding arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyo Hattori, Kazuhiro Sakurai
  • Patent number: 4627497
    Abstract: A supervisory alarm accessory for a fire sprinkler stop valve of the type including a rotatable valve actuator driving a valve spindle. The accessory contains an adaptor sleeve connectable between the actuator and the spindle to rotate with the actuator. The adaptor sleeve has an externally threaded part, and a fixed housing supported on the sleeve to permit relative rotation of the sleeve and enclosing the threaded part. A follower is threadably engaged with the threaded part and keyed to the housing. An alarm generator, and activating arrangement are supported on the housing and provide an activating connection between the alarm generator and the follower to initiate an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Wormald International Ltd.
    Inventor: Barry F. Byrne
  • Patent number: 4622997
    Abstract: An emergency release coupler for releasably coupling together two pipes comprises first and second valves each adapted to be connected to a respective pipe and a band coupler for coupling together said valves. Each valve comprises a casing housing a valve member movable between closed and open positions. The band coupler comprises segments which are pivotally interconnected and on which are mounted clamping members adapted to be held together by a clamping device. The segments and clamping members serve to clamp the valve casings together. Gear quadrants, mounted on the valve casings, are arranged to be driven via a linkage by the piston rod of a hydraulic ram which, when driven in one direction, is effective to cause the gear quadrants to move the associated valve members to the open position and, when moved in the opposite direction, is effective to cause the gear quadrants to move the associated valve members to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Bridon P.L.C.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Paddington
  • Patent number: 4620564
    Abstract: A device for regulating the flow rate in the tube, e.g. in infusion- and transfusion assemblies. The flow rate can be regulated by twisting a portion of the tube by means of a twisting device. The tube comprises at least along the portion of its length which is intended to be twisted a plurality of separate or communicating flow passages. Between said flow passages there are provided distance members arranged about or forming an inner core in the tube about which the tube is twisted and which reduces compression of the tube. When the tube is twisted the free space between said distance members is gradually reduced in the twisted cross-section of the tube and by that a reduction of the flow area is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Mediplast AB
    Inventor: Erik Ekholmer
  • Patent number: 4611626
    Abstract: A fluid control valve capable of controlling both a hot and cold water supply for an appliance such as a washing machine or the like includes a handle which can be used to simultaneously turn on and turn off both the hot and cold water supply, or allows for independent operation of these same supply lines. The valve has a valve body having a central hollow bore extending through the valve body. Appropriate hot and cold water inlet and outlet nipples are attached to the valve body. A hot water control element fits within the hollow bore on one side of the valve with a cold water control element also fitting within the bore but on the opposite side of the valve. The control handle is located in the middle of the valve and is split, with one side connecting to the hot water control element and the other side connecting to the cold water control element. End caps are utilized to seal the end of the hollow bore so as to contain the control elements therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Duane D. Logsdon
  • Patent number: 4602657
    Abstract: A valve manifold (18) between a main flow line (10) and a differential pressure transmitter (24) having a body (40) with a bore (48) in which three spherical ball valve members (72, 74, 76) are mounted for rotation among run, zero and calibration positions. A low pressure calibrating port (28) and a high pressure calibrating port (46) are controlled by calibration valve member (76). Low pressure calibrating port (28) is connected to a source of a predetermined low pressure calibrating fluid and high pressure calibrating fluid port (46) is connected to a source of a predetermined high pressure calibrating fluid to calibrate transmitter (24) between any desired low pressure and high pressure ranges. Low pressure calibrating port (28) and high pressure calibrating port (46) may be selectively connected to atmospheric pressure if desired and the calibrating fluids may be controlled from a remote control site (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Anderson-Greenwood & Co.
    Inventors: William L. Anderson, Jr., Michael E. Moyers
  • Patent number: 4553423
    Abstract: A gas doser, including a gas input member, a gas output member and a charge-over rotor therebetween. The input member includes a gas input member having a carrier gas input port, a calibrating gas input port, a first chamber communicating with the carrier gas input port and a second chamber communicating with the calibrating gas input port. The output member has a carrier gas output port and a calibrating gas output port, respectively communicating with a third chamber and a fourth chamber. The rotor has a carrier gas ventilating conduit for providing communication between the first chamber and the third chamber, and calibrating gas measuring conduits for providing communication between the second chamber and the fourth chamber. Opposite ends of the ventilating conduit and the measuring conduits are mutually spaced from each other about the rotor axis at equal distances from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 4551072
    Abstract: A fluid pressure operated actuator, for example for controlling operation of a pneumatically driven metering pump for liquids. In a specific embodiment, the actuator is a rotary actuator and includes a piston/cylinder unit coupled at one end to a rack and pinion drive for reciprocating a rotary control valve of the pump, and at its opposite end to a valve which controls the air supply to the main liquid delivery plunger of the pump. The coupling to the air supply valve is designed to allow limited lost motion at each end of the stroke of the piston so as to ensure that the rotary valve is turned before the plunger of the pump begins to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Hibar Systems Limited
    Inventor: Heinz Barall
  • Patent number: 4549563
    Abstract: A mixer for delivering a mixture of two gases G.sub.1 and G.sub.2 in proportions respectively and by volume of X/100 and (100-X)/100; X/100 not being allowed to be smaller than a particular value. Each gas circuit comprises a pipe provided with a cock for adjustment of the rate of flow and with a calibrated orifice selected in such manner that for an identical pressure P, the rates of flow of the gases through these orifices are in the ratio X/(100-X), with devices for limiting the pressure of the gas G.sub.2 to that of the gas G.sub.1, as well as for limiting the pressure in both circuits. The invention is applicable to an oxygen-nitrous oxide mixer for anaesthetic purposes, in which the proportion of oxygen in the mixture supplied cannot drop below 25% and the flow rate of nitrous oxide cannot exceed a predetermined maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Monnier
  • Patent number: 4543991
    Abstract: An electromagnetic double-valve can synchronously regulate or control the ow of two materials without the need of a costly mechanical linkage between the two individual valves which may be arranged in a common housing. An armature serves as the valve body or plug in each valve and is held in one valve position by permanent magnets and is switched to the other valve position by a synchronously controlled electromagnetic coil or coils which are connected in series. When one armature is lifted quicker than the other by the electromagnet or magnets, then the total magnetic flux decreases, whereby the second armature is also lifted. The synchronization of the switching operation is enforced by the common, spacially closed magnetic flux through both armatures and by the common effect on both armatures by the electromagnetic coil or coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Franz Fuchs
  • Patent number: 4533113
    Abstract: A pair of spaced rotatable shafts are mounted within a housing. A linear motor mounted to the housing has a reciprocating piston within a double action piston chamber whose piston rod projects from the piston. Both shafts are fixed directly to axially aligned rotary valve stems, to opposite sides of the reciprocating piston rod. A pin coupled to the end of the piston rod projects through longitudinal slots within radial arms fixed to respective shafts at different levels and rotating with the shafts. Equal sized gears mounted to the shafts are in peripheral mesh such that the shafts rotate in unison. The mechanism eliminates side thrust on the piston and piston rod, doubles the valve breakout forces applied to the rotary valve member and eliminates the need for an outboard bushing for a piston rod extension beyond its connection to the paired shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: Armand Francart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4524802
    Abstract: A novel improved pinch valve for controlling the flow of fluids in an unrestricted manner in, at least, two flexible tubes, including a housing for holding a solenoid coil between its outer wall and inner cylindrical core member. The solenoid armature is a truncated cone shape which coacts with a similarly shaped opening at the end of the inner cylindrical core member to optimize the flux path of the solenoid and thus its efficiency. A tube retention member includes openings for holding the flexible tubes. A further opening in the tube retention member holds a plunger member which is captured by a retaining pin. The plunger member is secured to the solenoid armature prior to assembly of the tube retention member to the solenoid housing. The plunger member moves with the armature as the solenoid is energized and deenergized. When the solenoid is unenergized, one of the flexible tubes is compressed between a knife like edge on the plunger member and a body portion of other tube retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Bio-Chem Valve Corp.
    Inventors: John N. Lawrence, Istvan Sandor
  • Patent number: 4501294
    Abstract: An operation member can be driven to move along a rectilinear path, which is perpendicular and laterally positioned with respect to a rotating control shaft of a first controlled member and directed towards a control element of a second controlled member. There are provided movement transmission means provided with clearance, which firstly transform an initial advancement of the operation member into a rotation of said rotating shaft and then, while maintaining stationary the same shaft, allow said operation member a final advancement up to the operation engagement with said control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Inventor: Giorgio Bormioli
  • Patent number: 4496133
    Abstract: A pinch valve assembly includes a valve body in which a plunger is spring loaded against a portion of a flexible tube which passes through the valve body. The plunger causes the flexible tube to collapse preventing flow through the tube. Energization of a solenoid which is mounted on the valve body causes the plunger to release the tube, permitting flow. In an alternative embodiment, energization of the solenoid causes the plunger to bear on the flexible tube thereby providing a normally open valve arrangement.In another alternative embodiment the plunger bears on a plurality of flexible tubes thereby facilitating simultaneous control of different fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Akos Sule
  • Patent number: 4494571
    Abstract: An electropneumatic door valve for use with pneumatic door operations as are used on mass transit vehicles. The single valve housing arrangement provides either a through passageway or a throttled passageway for pressurizing the opening or closing chamber of a pneumatic door drive unit. Provisions are also made to allow automatic reversal should the door become wedged, and to allow manual override should that operation be desired. Electrical pulses initiated by the vehicle operator trigger one of two solenoid valves which direct one of two operating pistons into a position to dictate which passageway will be established. Three vent passageways are provided to exhaust compressed air from any of the chambers which had been charged during a previous door operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: WABCO Fahrzeugbremsen GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Seegers, Gunter Sebesta, Alfred Klatt
  • Patent number: 4491156
    Abstract: A miniature electromagnetic valve having a valve mechanism with three spaced parallel rods, a pair of generally semi-circular, resilient conductor tubes extending between the rods and a linear solenoid for selectively shifting the intermediate rod for selectively and individually pinching the tubes closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: The Lee Company
    Inventor: Leighton Lee, II
  • Patent number: 4487335
    Abstract: A free-flowing granular material storage bin of the type having an inflatable dual-walled, cup-shaped bag with a fan for inflating and deflating the bag has a single valve assembly of unique construction for controlling high volume low pressure flow for inflation and deflation cycles. The cycles are themselves automatically controlled from sensing units which sense when the bag is fully emptied and fully deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Vincent C. Bonerb
    Inventor: Timothy C. Bonerb
  • Patent number: 4484599
    Abstract: A pinch-type shut-off, pressure- or flow-regulating valve having a flexible tube extending through a valve body wherein the flexible tube is pinched off by the action of an eccentric cam attached to a motor. As the eccentric cam is rotated the flexible tube can be pinched off as it presses against the opposing wall inside the valve body. A number of positions of pinching off can be achieved and a microswitch can be available to locate the position of the eccentric cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Organon Teknika Corporation
    Inventors: Barry K. Hanover, Stephen C. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 4461353
    Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Vinzant, Steven C. Speegle, Michael W. Meaders, Robert L. Hilts
  • Patent number: 4450862
    Abstract: A pinch valve assembly is described for location between the manifold assembly and the flow adjustment valves of a dental handpiece system. The pinch valve assembly of the present invention comprises a housing having a plurality of passageways extending therethrough for receiving a plurality of resilient tubes therein. A plurality of transverse slots extending from each of the passageways to the bottom of the housing are provided and are adapted to receive a plurality of slide elements in each of the slots such that the slide elements can move reciprocally within the slots. The housing is supported on a base and a flexible diaphragm is located between the housing and the base. A rigid disc rests on the diaphragm and supports the slide elements in the slots. A chamber is provided in the base beneath the diaphragm and connected to a source of pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Syntex (U.S.A.) Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Hogan
  • Patent number: 4442861
    Abstract: The invention is a pneumatically operated valve assembly for simultaneously (1) closing gas-transfer lines connected to a gas centrifuge or the like and (2) establishing a recycle path between two of the lines so closed. The valve assembly is especially designed to be compact, fast-acting, reliable, and comparatively inexpensive. It provides large reductions in capital costs for gas-centrifuge cascades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Charles A. Hahs, Charles H. Burbage
  • Patent number: 4428188
    Abstract: A compact bistable, magnetically operated fuel valve embodies an upper portion comprising a pair of similarly poled and spaced apart permanent magnets defining vertical side walls of an enclosure space which is completed by a pair of pole plates sandwiching the permanent magnets therebetween. The pole plates provide pole faces at their opposite ends and the two sets of pole faces define air gaps. Within the space there is located an armature of plate like form centrally mounted on an upstanding flexure tube. A valve actuating rod is connected at one end to the free end of the flexure tube and projects therethrough downwardly into a valve block. The valve block presents at least one fuel chamber provided with means for supplying pressurized propellant thereto and is provided with oppositely directed fuel outlets to which oppositely directed thrusters are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Clement J. Turansky, Gerard J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 4425823
    Abstract: One or more remotely disposed valves may be opened or closed by a control handwheel by means of rotatable flexible shafting and mechanism associated therewith which may reduce the torque required to rotate the hand wheel and permitting much lighter weight and less costly flexible shafting to be employed. The associated mechanism comprises pulley-belt arrangements and/or gearing structures at each valve to be opened or closed as well as an optional pulley-belt arrangement cooperating with the handwheel. A torque limiting clutch device may readily be incorporated into the system for providing necessary slippage to the valve stems in the event one or more of the remotely disposed valves reaches the end of its travel prior to the remaining valves in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Penwalt Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Kulischenko, Martin J. Capdevielle
  • Patent number: 4425116
    Abstract: A flow control system, for example for blood plasma or other medical fluids, comprises a plurality of flexible, collapsible flow conduits for the selective and aseptic transfer of fluids between various locations through said conduits. Switching means are provided for selectively collapsing a plurality of separate sections of the conduit to block fluid flow therethrough, to selectively define specific and variable fluid flow paths in the flow conduit. In accordance with this invention, the switching means defines a cam plate, which in turn defines a generally flat face positioned adjacent portions of the flow conduit. Pivot means are provided causing the cam plate to be rotatable about an axis normal to the flat face. Also, a cam connecting system is disclosed, to adapt it to pass through an openable door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold C. Bilstad, Richard I. Brown
  • Patent number: 4398560
    Abstract: A valve apparatus for simultaneously shutting off or opening two gas supplies comprises two valve bodies for mounting a distance apart from each other. Each body has an internal conduit therethrough for the passage of gas. A lift valve within each conduit closes or opens the conduit with reciprocation of the valve. The lift valve has a valve stem engagable externally from each valve body. A pair of spaced-apart, parallel shafts are rotatably journalled at each end in apertures in the valve bodies and are axially slidable within the apertures, permitting the distance between the valve bodies to be varied. A first lever is connected to a first of the shafts and has a member connected thereto for engaging the valve stems, and a detent. A second lever is connected to a second of the shafts and has a notch for engaging the detent when the first lever is pivotted from a shut-off position to an open position where the member engages the valve stems to open the lift valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1983
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Black
  • Patent number: 4339897
    Abstract: Sandblasting apparatus and valve apparatus therefor, and methods for performing sandblasting operations, wherein an abrasive-filled pressure vessel is pressured by sandblast air when an air control valve is opened, and wherein automatic blowdown of the pressure within the pressure vessel is required when the air control valve is closed, a dual valve structure being provided in which the air control valve and blowdown control valve are combined and in which the two valves operate in tandem, one valve being open when the other is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Schmidt Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Thompson, Richard P. McNinney
  • Patent number: 4325127
    Abstract: A selectively energizable flow meter system comprising a valve having at least one fluid inlet port for receiving fluid under pressure and a plurality of fluid distribution ports and including a valve element selectively movable to direct liquid to predetermined fluid distribution ports, a metering device, and valve element positioning mechanism connected to the valve element. The valve element positioning mechanism is operable upon energization of the system to establish fluid flow communication between the metering device and at least one valve fluid distribution port and responsive to de-energization of the system to direct pressurized fluid entering the valve fluid inlet port to a valve fluid distribution port bypassing the metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Inventor: Emery Major
  • Patent number: 4318869
    Abstract: In a carburetor, a linear motor assembly urges the metering apparatus against a biasing spring with a force related to the linear motor current, and an adjusting screw grounds a portion of the active turns of the biasing spring to vary its spring rate and thereby establish the position of the metering apparatus and thus the carburetor fuel flow for a selected linear motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald D. Stoltman
  • Patent number: 4312381
    Abstract: A control device for a triple-plenum air conditioning apparatus having a by-pass air duct, a hot air duct and a cold air duct. A first shaft mounted through the by-pass and hot air ducts carries a first by-pass air damper blade and a hot air damper blade at right angles to each other. A second shaft mounted through the by-pass air duct and the cold air duct carries a second by-pass damper blade and a cold air damper blade at right angles to each other. The control device includes a first geneva link on the first shaft, a second geneva link on the second shaft and a third shaft carrying a drive plate with pins for independently actuating the geneva links and a geneva cam for holding one of the geneva links against rotation while the other is being independently actuated. Rotation of the third shaft through one hundred degrees results in rotation of each of the first and second shafts through ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: Aladdin Heating Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Ratner
  • Patent number: 4295490
    Abstract: A milking apparatus is disclosed for automatically providing the appropriate amount of vacuum for purposes of milking a cow throughout the entire milking operation. The milking apparatus includes a fluid control valve system having a controller unit and a discharge valve in fluid communication with a collection jar. The controller unit is further adapted for communication with a source of vacuum, and the collection jar is adapted to be in communication with the cow such that the vacuum can draw milk from the cow into the collection jar. The discharge valve is further adapted for communication with a source of vacuum for drawing the milk through the discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventor: Archie E. Boudreau
  • Patent number: 4294282
    Abstract: A carbureting type fuel metering apparatus has an induction passage into which fuel is fed by several fuel metering systems among which are a main fuel metering system and an idle fuel metering system, as generally known in the art; engine exhaust gas analyzing means sensitive to selected constituents of such exhaust gas creates feedback signal means which through associated solenoid transducer means become effective for controllably modulating the metering characteristics of the main fuel metering system, and, if desired, the idle fuel metering system as to thereby achieve the then desired optimum metering functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corp
    Inventors: Ralph P. McCabe, Keith D. Marsh
  • Patent number: 4282902
    Abstract: Valve apparatus controls fluid flows in ten flexible tubes. The tubes are opposite each other in pairs and associated with each of five cams. One half of each cam provides cam surfaces which close and open one tube, and the other half, the opposite tube. With this arrangement five switch positions, which are equal to the number of cams, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson & Company
    Inventor: John L. Haynes
  • Patent number: 4276746
    Abstract: A compound valve device comprises a body member, a first valve member being located in the body member and controlling the fluid communication between a first input port and a first output port, and a second valve member being located in the body member and controlling the fluid communication between a second input port and a second output port. The two valve members operate in sequence, without a significant difference in time in response to one signal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Yamanaka, Tooru Tamura
  • Patent number: 4275761
    Abstract: A mobile sprinkler propelled by water pressure has a bellows coupled with a ratchet drive, water being alternately admitted to the bellows under pressure via one conduit and discharged therefrom via another conduit forming part of a squeeze-duct assembly. The assembly includes a rigid housing against whose sidewalls the two conduits are alternately flattened by a rotating valve body coupled with the ratchet drive, each conduit being of substantially O-shaped cross-section in its uncompressed state and consisting of a relatively thick-walled inner tube of elastomeric material, a relatively thin-walled intermediate tube of flexible synthetic-resin fabric and a relatively thin-walled outer tube also made of elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Ing. Waldhauser Maschinenfabrik Ges.m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kurt Waldhauser
  • Patent number: 4259985
    Abstract: A three-way pinch valve assembly is operated with a single solenoid with one pinch valve mounted on each end of the solenoid, one valve will normally be open and the other valve will normally be closed. The plunger of the solenoid is split so that each movable pinch bar of each pinch valve is separately adjustable. A back-up pinch bar for each movable pinch bar is likewise adjustable. A three-way valve is provided by connecting the tubing from the two pinch valves to a T-fitting having a single outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Warren C. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 4237934
    Abstract: A vacuum flush water closet having a bowl and rim which are made from steel stampings covered with chemical resistant porcelain. The water closet has a self-contained flushing water and sewage valve discharge control system which is operatively mounted around the bowl and enclosed by an outer shroud made of a molded high impact plastic material. The water closet is shock proof and is mounted on a base plate that may be fixedly secured to a mounting surface, such as a floor or ship's deck. The bowl is mounted on a sewage discharge valve which is spring closed and vacuum opened. Flushing water is supplied through a spray ring mounted around the upper end of the bowl. The flushing water is controlled by a vacuum operated valve. The operation of the flushing water valve and the sewage discharge valve is controlled by a vacuum-gravity timer which is activated by a push button switch mounted at the rear of the bowl rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Jered Brown Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Gregory, Michael Brian, Jerald F. Thomas, James F. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4230151
    Abstract: A pinch valve for controlling the flow through at least two flexible hoses includes an actuating member by which one hose is pinched against an abutment. This abutment is yieldable against a spring bias and normally keeps the other hose pinched. When said one hose has been pinched, the abutment is moved against the spring bias by the actuating member in order to relieve said other hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Ulf R. S. Jonsson
  • Patent number: RE32343
    Abstract: A retrievable well safety valve in a cased well system including a tubing string, a dual packer downhole around the tubing sealing with the casing and submersible pump in the tubing string below the packer.The safety valve controls flow of pumped fluids through the tubing to surface and directs gas flow into the casing annulus above the packer. When the safety valve is landed in cooperating tubing nipples above the packer, separated central annular flow passages are formed for pumped fluids and gas respectively.A ball valve in the central flow passage controls pumped fluid flow therethrough and an annular valve coupled to the ball valve controls gas flow from below the packer through the annular flow passage around and by the ball valve.When the ball valve is in the down and open position, the valve ball member engages a lower seat, which maintains the central and annular flow passages separate and prevents comingling flow of fluids and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Vinzant, Steven C. Speegle, Michael W. Meaders, Robert L. Hilts