Gate Patents (Class 137/630.12)
  • Patent number: 11668400
    Abstract: An equalization valve includes a valve body defining a gate slot; a gate defining an equalization chamber, a first equalization channel, and a second equalization channel, the equalization chamber and the first and second equalization channels defining an equalization pathway across the gate; and an actuation stem slidable within the equalization chamber between a first chamber position, wherein the actuation stem blocks the equalization pathway, and a second chamber position, wherein the actuation stem unblocks the equalization pathway; wherein the actuation stem is further slidable within the gate slot of the valve body between a first valve position, wherein the gate is seated with the valve body, and a second valve position, wherein the gate is unseated from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Rock Allen Powell, Jr., Mohammad Unnus Qasim
  • Patent number: 11313476
    Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a housing including a chamber, a fluid inlet comprising a fluid inlet passage configured to fluidly communicate with a first conduit, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to communicate fluid from the first conduit to the chamber, a fluid outlet comprising a fluid outlet passage configured to fluidly communicate with a second conduit, wherein the fluid outlet is configured to communicate fluid from the chamber to the second conduit, a rigid substrate and a stretchable, compressible and/or flexible membrane on a surface of the rigid substrate, wherein the rigid substrate is configured to be positioned so that the membrane is located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the valve is in a closed position, and wherein a fluid pressure within the chamber causes the membrane to seal a first orifice of the fluid outlet passage when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Colt Irrigation, LLC
    Inventors: William E. Hurst, James Walter Hurst
  • Patent number: 11168795
    Abstract: An eclipse valve includes at least two reciprocating obturator plates captured in a sealed housing. The obturator plates fill the width of a cavity within the housing and can be moved between aligned and unaligned positions. Each of the obturator plates have an opening through the plate, and when the obturator plates are aligned, the openings through the plates are aligned with each other, and with front and rear openings in the housing, allowing flow through the valve. The plates can be moved to reduce the overlap of the openings through the plates within the housing in an eclipse manner to adjust the rate or amount of flow, and to shut off flow by completely un-aligning the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Chad Heffernan
  • Patent number: 10927962
    Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a housing including a chamber, a fluid inlet comprising a fluid inlet passage configured to fluidly communicate with a first conduit, wherein the fluid inlet is configured to communicate fluid from the first conduit to the chamber, a fluid outlet comprising a fluid outlet passage configured to fluidly communicate with a second conduit, wherein the fluid outlet is configured to communicate fluid from the chamber to the second conduit, a rigid substrate and a stretchable, compressible and/or flexible membrane on a surface of the rigid substrate, wherein the rigid substrate is configured to be positioned so that the membrane is located between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the valve is in a closed position, and wherein a fluid pressure within the chamber causes the membrane to seal a first orifice of the fluid outlet passage when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: William E. Hurst, James Walter Hurst
  • Patent number: 9970553
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly includes a valve body with an inlet and outlet, a first valve element and second valve element located between the inlet and outlet. The first valve element is engageable with and disengageable from the second valve element, which is in sliding contact with the valve body and slidable between a first position, which prevents flow from the inlet to the outlet, and a second position, which permits flow from the inlet to the outlet. The assembly provides a first flow path from the inlet to the outlet when the first valve element is disengaged from the second valve element, and a second flow path from the inlet to the outlet when the second valve element is moved from the first position to the second position. Upon actuator operation, initially the first valve element disengages from the second valve element to permit fluid flow through the first flow path to equalise upstream and downstream pressure on the second valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Hawa Valves (India) Private Limited
    Inventor: Javed Anwar Hawa
  • Patent number: 9395002
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a body with a flow passage intersected by a gate cavity and a gate with an axis, the gate being axially movable in the gate cavity between a gate closed position and a gate open position. A lifting device is in engagement with a stem of the gate to move the gate to the gate open position. A port extends from a first external surface of the gate to a second external surface of the gate. A seal member is mechanically connected to the lifting device, the seal member being moveable in response to axial movement of the lifting device between a seal open position where fluids can flow through the port and a seal closed position where the seal member blocks fluids from flowing through the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, David Daniel Comeaux, Lloyd Ray Cheatham, Edward York
  • Publication number: 20150136260
    Abstract: An electronic expansion valve includes a drive component including a screw rod which reciprocates axially and a nut which cooperates with the screw rod by screw threads, and a lower end of the screw rod forms the valve needle component. A sleeve is fixed in the main valve cavity, an upper portion of the sleeve cooperates with the nut, and a lower end of the sleeve is supported by the valve seat and surrounds the main valve port. The valve core seat is axially movably arranged in the sleeve, and the lower end of the screw rod extends into the sleeve to open and close the valve core valve port. The structural design of the electronic expansion valve prevents an excessive impact on a valve core seat caused by the refrigerant with high pressure when the refrigerant flows forward, thereby preventing the eccentricity of the valve core seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Caiyi Zhan
  • Publication number: 20150122360
    Abstract: An electronic expansion valve is provided, which includes a main valve cavity. A sleeve is fixed in the main valve cavity. A lower end part of the sleeve is supported by a valve seat, and the lower end part of the sleeve surrounds a main valve port. A valve core seat is axially movably arranged in the sleeve. A lower part of the valve needle component extends into the sleeve to open and close the valve core valve port. A circumferential side wall of the sleeve is provided with a first communicating hole close to the main valve port and a second communicating hole away from the main valve port. The structural design of the electronic expansion valve may prevent an excessive impact on a valve core seat caused by the refrigerant with high pressure when the refrigerant flows forward, thereby preventing the eccentricity of the valve core seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Caiyi Zhan, Ze Yuan, Xianrang Wei
  • Publication number: 20150090355
    Abstract: A solenoid-powered gate valve that provides a reliable, high quality seal with a reduced operating force requirement. The valve includes a solenoid coil and armature connected to a valve mechanism, with the valve mechanism including a conduit having a connection opening, an oppositely-disposed pocket, and a sprung gate assembly linearly movable between the connection opening and the pocket. The sprung gate assembly includes a first gate member with an opening, a second gate member with an opening, and an endless elastic band retained between the first and second gate members, with the openings and endless elastic band collectively defining a passage through the sprung gate assembly, with the first and second gate members being mechanically coupled to the armature for reciprocating linear movement between the connection opening and the pocket. The endless elastic band allows an interference fit within the pocket with reduced frictional opposition to gate movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: David Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matt Gilmer, James H. Miller
  • Patent number: 8695637
    Abstract: Embodiments of a gate valve equalization system comprise: a gate valve; a gate; a preloading valve arrangement; a floating coupler assembly; a relief valve arrangement; and a means for control. The preloading valve arrangement permits fluid to enter the valve body from the upstream side of the gate. The means for control serves as a control interface allowing engagement of the floating coupler assembly and opening/closing of the gate valve. Engagement of the floating coupler, engages the assembly relief valve arrangement and allows redistribution of fluid pressure and circulation of fluid from one side of the gate to opposing side of the gate within the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: James David McBride
  • Publication number: 20130263954
    Abstract: Embodiments of a gate valve equalization system comprise: a gate valve; a gate; a preloading valve arrangement; a floating coupler assembly; a relief valve arrangement; and a means for control. The preloading valve arrangement permits fluid to enter the valve body from the upstream side of the gate. The means for control serves as a control interface allowing engagement of the floating coupler assembly and opening/closing of the gate valve. Engagement of the floating coupler, engages the assembly relief valve arrangement and allows redistribution of fluid pressure and circulation of fluid from one side of the gate to opposing side of the gate within the gate valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: James David McBride
  • Patent number: 8302630
    Abstract: A gate valve has a gate movable between open and closed positions within a valve body, and walls in the gate defining an equalizer port between opposite sides of the gate. The equalizer port is adapted and arranged to be shiftable by actuation of the gate between closed and opened positions and between opened and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Thunder Rose Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Palmer
  • Patent number: 7743790
    Abstract: A shutter and gate valve assembly includes a valve housing that defines a passage therethrough, a valve member having a valve aperture, the valve member movable between a non-operating position that seals the passage and an operating position that aligns the valve aperture with the passage, and a shutter movable between a closed position that blocks the valve aperture and an open position that unblocks the valve aperture. The shutter member may be affixed to and movable with the valve member between the non-operating position and the operating position. The shutter may be provided with a shutter aperture that is aligned with the valve aperture in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventor: Layne Evan Howard
  • Patent number: 7455076
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling exhaust produced by a reactive chamber is provided. The apparatus for controlling exhaust may include, for example, a valve body having an exhaust hole for the exhaust to pass through, and may include a first and second valve which regulate the opening and/or the closing of the exhaust hole. A control device may control the operation of the first and second valves based on the internal pressure of the reactive chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyuk-Jin Kwon, Jong-Chul Park
  • Patent number: 6739311
    Abstract: A theft prevention device for inhibiting expulsion of gases from the exhaust of the vehicle to stall to the motor of the vehicle. The theft prevention device includes a housing being designed for coupling to an exhaust system of the vehicle whereby the housing is for permitting exhaust to selectively pass through the housing. A valve assembly is positioned in the housing. The valve assembly is designed for selectively restricting flow of exhaust from a motor of the vehicle to a muffler of the vehicle for stalling the motor of the vehicle when the valve assembly restricts flow of the exhaust from the motor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Merari Kingsley
  • Patent number: 6305349
    Abstract: A sliding gate exhaust brake assembly comprising a gate located within an housing, the gate being moveable between an open position and a closed position to open and close an exhaust outlet. A first closeable pressure relief passage is provided for relieving exhaust gas pressure on the gate during opening of the gate and a second closeable pressure relief passage is provided for reducing exhaust gas pressure on the gate during closing of the gate. In a preferred embodiment the housing is divided into an input chamber and an exhaust chamber by a partition wall having an aperture closeable by the gate. The first pressure relief passage is provided by an closeable aperture through the gate and the second pressure relief passage is provided by a second closeable aperture in the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hersham Valves LTD
    Inventor: Victor Alan Harris