Flow Combining With Flow Dividing Patents (Class 137/625.14)
  • Patent number: 8720481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a fluid leak detection and shutdown for a fluid distribution system having a total system flow rate. The apparatus includes a solenoid shutoff valve having a normally open state and an activated closed state with a flow capacity matched to the total fluid distribution system flow rate. The apparatus also has a primary fluid flow line and a smaller capacity secondary fluid flow line. The apparatus includes a flow sensor in fluid communication with the secondary fluid flow line, wherein the flow sensor has a perceptible output and a flow rate capacity less than the solenoid shutoff flow capacity. Operationally, the flow sensor receives a portion of the solenoid shutoff valve flow capacity in priority over the primary fluid flow line, allowing the flow sensor to detect minimal flow rates and using the perceptible output to activate the solenoid shutoff valve into the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Duane Guy
  • Patent number: 7694679
    Abstract: A flow diverter valve is used in controlling the pressure and/or flow rate of a breathable gas supplied to the airways of a patient by a breathable gas flow generator supply apparatus during, for example, ventilatory assistance treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The flow diverter valve includes a vane and a housing. The housing has an inlet port, an outlet port, and an exhaust port. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere, and the inlet port is in fluid communication with the flow generator. The outlet port is in fluid communication with a patient mask via a conduit. The vane is configured with respect to the housing such that a blower associated with the CPAP apparatus remains substantially unchoked, regardless of whether the vane is in the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Patrick John McAuliffe, Denis Leslie Bullock
  • Patent number: 7527055
    Abstract: A flow diverter valve is used in controlling the pressure and/or flow rate of a breathable gas supplied to the airways of a patient by a breathable gas flow generator supply apparatus during, for example, ventilatory assistance treatments such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation and nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The flow diverter valve includes a vane and a housing. The housing has an inlet port, an outlet port, and an exhaust port. The exhaust port opens to atmosphere, and the inlet port is in fluid communication with the flow generator. The outlet port is in fluid communication with a patient mask via a conduit. The vane is configured with respect to the housing such that a blower associated with the CPAP apparatus remains substantially unchoked, regardless of whether the vane is in the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Patrick John McAuliffe, Denis Leslie Bullock
  • Patent number: 6341731
    Abstract: A thermostatic regulator (30) for a single handle mixer valve (12) has a sensor (32) mounted in a mixed water chamber (34) for sensing the temperature of the outlet water. The sensor is connected to a valve (20) that is mounted in the cold water supply line (18) to restrict the availability of cold water when the water in the hot water line (16) is down below a set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp