Requiring Separate Insertable Tool For Adjustment Patents (Class 239/580)
  • Patent number: 10400730
    Abstract: A coil assembly includes an electric coiling included in an overmold, the coiling being suitable to drive the control valve of a fuel injector. The coil assembly is provided with a longitudinal bore suitable for receiving a spring and with an adjusting member for the setting of the spring which can be moved from outside the injector, the adjusting member forming a transfer of movement such that the movement of the adjusting member from outside the injector is transformed into a compression of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Ludovic Leroux, Thierry Thibault
  • Patent number: 8857729
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler canister seal comprising a flanged screw having a threaded rod and a circular flange extending perpendicular to the rod. The seal further includes a plug piece having a threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded rod, and further including a continuous frusto-conical surface extending around an elongate axis of the plug piece, the frusto-conical surface being configured to form a circumferentially continuous fluid seal against a cylindrical rim of a cylindrical bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: National Diversified Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Nourian
  • Patent number: 8857742
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sprinkler valve includes an actuator member that is rotatably disposed within a sprinkler head and restricted from vertical movement. The inside of the actuator member includes a helical groove within an inner cavity. A plunger at least partially fits within the actuator member's inner cavity and further includes a thread that mates with the helical groove of the actuator member. As the actuator member is rotated by a user, its helical groove causes the plunger to move downwards toward the top of a tube or water passage. If fully extended downward, the flat portion of the plunger fully covers and seals the top of the tube, preventing water from escaping from the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Travis L. Onofrio
  • Patent number: 8746596
    Abstract: A manual spray head can be connected with a flexible hose line by means of a coupling that has a ball-and-socket joint inserted between the manual spray head and the hose line. This arrangement not only increases the mobility and flexibility between the manual spray head and the flexible hose line, but also permits twisting of the manual spray head relative to the hose line without fear of unscrewing the screw-type connection or similar coupling provided between the manual spray head and the hose line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 8740112
    Abstract: A sanitary functional unit with a housing releasably fastened to the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting, the housing having an outflow-side housing end face with outflow openings. The outflow-side housing end face has at least one slot, opposing longitudinal sides of which form turning engagement surfaces or tool engagement surfaces for a turning tool that is releasably inserted into the slot, and the housing of the functional unit is rotatably held on the water outlet of the outlet fitting and/or the housing end face is mounted rotatably in the housing. Using the turning tool in the slot, a pivotably mounted housing end face in the housing can be easily aligned and/or the turning force required for fitting and removing a screw connection provided between the outer housing periphery and the inner fitting periphery can be conveniently transferred to the housing without requiring special turning tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Blum, Hermann Grether, Georg Städtler, Alexander Stein, Christoph Weis, Oliver Denzler
  • Patent number: 8708252
    Abstract: A sanitary fixture with a mounting housing which has a thread for fastening to a mating thread provided on the water outlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. The mounting housing has a downstream housing end side with flow-through holes, and wherein at least one insertion part can be inserted into the mounting housing as far as an insertion stop. The fixture has an aerated jet regulator or is configured as such, so a circumferential wall of the mounting housing borders at least one aeration duct at least in a subregion of at least a double-walled configuration, and the at least one aeration duct, which is open towards the downstream housing end side, opens out in at least one aeration opening leading into the housing interior of the mounting housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Blum, Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 8636233
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes an outer case and a riser extensible from the outer case by water pressure and normally in a retracted position. A nozzle is rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A turbine is mounted in the riser for rotation by water entering a lower end of the riser. A gear train reduction is mounted in the riser. A gear driven coupling mechanism mounted in the riser couples the gear train reduction and the nozzle. A pressure regulator valve is located inside a nozzle turret of the sprinkler and includes a valve member that is pivotably mounted between the gear train reduction and the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Daniel E. Hunter
  • Patent number: 8500037
    Abstract: An adjustable water jet device that allows for the arc of the jet of water to be adjusted while the water is still flowing through the device. A multipurpose tool is disclosed which has a central hollow cavity surrounded by a grip. The multipurpose tool can be used to adjust the arc of the water jet, allowing the water to flow through the central hollow cavity of the tool. The multipurpose tool can also be used to adjust the flow rate of water through the device and to disassemble the device for maintenance purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Custom Molded Products, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Charles Li, Bill Drury, Zachary Vogtner
  • Publication number: 20130119166
    Abstract: A fuel injector including an injection control device valve spring preload adjustment device is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a transverse access passage extending at an acute angle to a longitudinal axis of the fuel injector. The preload adjustment device includes at least one transverse slot that creates a cantilevered thread portion. The cantilevered thread portion is deformed at a deformation angle to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to form a locking feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventor: Cummins Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130015273
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a sprinkler valve includes an actuator member that is rotatably disposed within a sprinkler head and restricted from vertical movement. The inside of the actuator member includes a helical groove within an inner cavity. A plunger at least partially fits within the actuator member's inner cavity and further includes a thread that mates with the helical groove of the actuator member. As the actuator member is rotated by a user, its helical groove causes the plunger to move downwards toward the top of a tube or water passage. If fully extended downward, the flat portion of the plunger fully covers and seals the top of the tube, preventing water from escaping from the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Travis L. Onofrio
  • Patent number: 7854399
    Abstract: As a method to conserve water, a flow controllable shower arm or an adaptive fitting attachment to an existing shower arm having an unobtrusive and relatively unobservable tool-operative feature, which allows authorized personnel in possession of a particular tool to control the amount of water flow into and through a downstream showerhead. In particular, a small valve is located in the shower arm or the adaptive attachment and has a threaded plug which can extend into or out of the axial water duct of the arm or rotate a maximum of 90 degrees within the arm to thereby block water flow or permit water flow. A tool-receiving end is provided at the outer portion of the plug to eliminate or at least minimize access to said flow control by the person taking the shower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventor: Theodore M. Sirkin
  • Patent number: 7770815
    Abstract: Adjustable nozzles are disclosed. Nozzles of the present invention include an adjustable component for controlling the water flow through the nozzle. Instead of disassembling the nozzle, a tool may be used to adjust the adjustable component. For example, the adjustable component may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the axis of the nozzle or rotationally using the tool, thereby increasing or decreasing the volume, velocity and distance of the water stream exiting the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Green, Jeffrey A. Wichmann
  • Publication number: 20100116911
    Abstract: In a method and a device for the calibration of internal combustion engines, in each fuel injector, at least one actuator element (1) may be activated by an electric signal interacts with at least one injection valve (3) having an injection rate for the supply of fuel to a combustion chamber (5) via injection holes, and in the case of a flow characteristic curve (12, 23, 35) of the fuel flowing through the injection holes deviating from a target characteristic curve (11, 22, 34) in a flow-time diagram, a signal characteristic curve (14a, 27, 42) of the electric signal applied to the actuator element (1) is altered in a voltage-time diagram relative to a target characteristic curve (13, 26, 41) by a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Jürgen Fritsch, Johann Görzen
  • Patent number: 7677473
    Abstract: A spout for foaming and saving water has a shell, a foaming assembly mounted in the shell, a sieving assembly mounted on a faucet end of the foaming assembly and a regulator mounted through the foaming assembly. The foaming assembly has a sleeve, a distributor mounted in the sleeve, a foaming ring mounted between the sleeve and the distributor and an inlet valve mounted on a faucet end of the sleeve. The spout is mounted on an outlet of a faucet to allow water to flow through the sieving assembly and the foaming assembly and mix with air to foam to provide foaming water flowing out of the spout. Impurities in the water do not clog the foam assembly and water flow is regulated with the regulator selectively mounted in a water flow hole of the inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Highplus International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Yueh Kao
  • Patent number: 7644876
    Abstract: A turning tool (5?) for turning a jet regulator, a nozzle, an intermediate holder, a flow regulator, a non-return valve or a similar plumbing fitting (5) is provided. The fitting (5), on the outlet side, is detachably held on a plumbing water outlet armature (2) by a threaded connection or a bayonet connection, whereby the turning tool (5?) can be placed on the plumbing fitting (5) in a rotationally fixed manner. The turning tool is characterized in that the turning tool is also provided in the form of a plumbing fitting or as a component of a plumbing fitting, that he turning tool (5?) can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on an outer or an inner periphery of the fitting (5) that is held on the water outlet armature, and or that he turning tool (5?) has a face profiling or contouring (24, 25) that can be placed in a rotationally fixed manner on a mating profiling or a mating contouring (25, 24) provided on the outlet face of the fitting (5) that is held in the water outlet armature (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Weis, Hermann Grether
  • Patent number: 7478526
    Abstract: A turbine for a sprinkler is disclosed for self-governing its rotational velocity. As a rate of fluid through the sprinkler increases, particularly when air is used to flush the sprinkler system, a portion of the turbine shifts outwardly so as to decrease alignment of vanes located thereon with directed water streams for controlling the rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. McAfee, Cesar A. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7306170
    Abstract: A device for restricting water flow through a conduit in a landscape sprinkler system, wherein the conduit comprises a hollow pipe having an interior wall, the device comprising a generally rigid disc having an external periphery shaped to conform to the interior wall of the conduit; attachment means for frictionally securing the disc traverse to the interior wall of the conduit, and, at least one aperture in the disc to permit water flow therethrough, wherein the total area of any apertures in the disc are from about 1% to about 40% of the cross-sectional area of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Casino Advisory Services, LLC
    Inventor: Peter A. Maksymec
  • Patent number: 7232081
    Abstract: An adjustable spray nozzle with adjustable arc of coverage as well as spray elevation angle and flow rate. A very simple adjustable arc of coverage spray nozzle configuration is also disclosed which may be easily assembled for a particular precipitation rate and/or range of coverage at a selected nominal pressure. Also disclosed is a simple fixed arc of coverage spray nozzle with selectable ranges for a particular precipitation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: Carl L Kah, Jr., Carl L Kah, III
  • Patent number: 6971591
    Abstract: A tamper resistant aerating/laminarizing assembly includes a slotted, annular retainer piece that threads into the faucet spout or a separate spout extension so that it is recessed back from the opening and thereby hidden and difficult to operate without a special key that fits through the opening to engage the slots. The retainer supports a cartridge, containing flow modifying elements, from its downstream side, rather than from above, so that it is located almost entirely to one side of the cartridge and does not add to the overall diameter of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Gary A. Fleischmann
  • Patent number: 6942164
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable deflector with spiral vanes engaged by one or more water jets for imparting a rotary drive torque to the deflector, which converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small outwardly projected water streams swept over the surrounding terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a speed governor having a turbine driven orbiter with first and second gears meshed respectively with a stator gear and a driven gear having different numbers of gear teeth, wherein the driven gear is carried by the deflector for rotation therewith. The turbine rotatably drives the orbiter on an eccentric axis, to react against the stator gear and thereby rotatably drive the driven gear and deflector with a substantial speed reduction. The speed governor thus regulates deflector speed for slowly sweeping the projected water streams over the adjacent landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6883727
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable vaned deflector for stepwise sweeping of relatively small water streams over surrounding terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a turbine driven ball drive rotor having at least one drive ball carried by centrifugal force into repetitious impact engagement with one or more raised anvils on the deflector for incrementally displacing the deflector in a succession of small rotational steps. A speed control brake includes a brake pad interposed between a friction surface on the deflector and a nonrotating brake disk to provide a variable friction force to maintain deflector rotation substantially constant within a range of normal water supply pressures and flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Lino De Los Santos
  • Patent number: 6869026
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jeff McKenzie, Chad Philip McCormick, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 6802458
    Abstract: A nozzle gate valve is provided in an irrigation sprinkler for quick and easy shut-off of water flow to a sprinkler spray nozzle. The gate valve is mounted within a sprinkler spray head at an upstream side of the nozzle for displacement between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing waterflow to the nozzle. In the preferred form, the gate valve has a generally conical shape and defines an elbow-shaped flow path movable between the open position aligned with the nozzle for normal water supply thereto, and the closed position misaligned with the spray nozzle to prevent water flow thereto. In the closed position, the spray nozzle can be removed and/or replaced, or other sprinkler adjustments can be performed, without requiring a main system water supply to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Christian T. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6732950
    Abstract: An improved gear drive sprinkler has a pop-up spray head adapted for adjustable part-circle or full circle operation to deliver irrigation water over a selected terrain area. The sprinkler includes a pop-up riser; a gear drive transmission mounted within the riser includes a water-driven turbine for rotatably driving a speed reduction gear train, which in turn rotatably drives the spray head. A reverse assembly includes an upper trip unit defining an individually adjustable pair of end trip stops, and a lower shift mechanism including a shiftable director plate having first and second sets of angularly oriented jet nozzles for respective alignment with turbine jet ports for respectively driving the water-driven turbine and the gear train in a forward-drive or a reverse-drive direction. The upper trip is coupled to the director plate by an elongated trip rod which shifts the director plate between forward-drive and reverse drive positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Ingham, Jr., Jerry D. Lawyer, Charles D. Lemme, Michael A. McAfee, Derek M. Nations, Matthew S. Prucinsky, David E. Steimle
  • Patent number: 6651905
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base having a lower and adapted for attachment to a sprinkler system component; an elongated steam supported within the base; a nozzle and a fixed deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and deflector cooperating to define an adjustable arcuate orifice. A water distribution plate is supported on a shaft extending upwardly from the stem and has a plurality of water distribution grooves located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle. An arc adjustment ring is rotatably mounted on the base and is operatively connectable with the nozzle for rotating the nozzle relative to the stem for adjustment of the arcuate discharge orifice. A throttle member is secured to the upstream end of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle to move relative to a portion of the stem, to thereby adjust flow rate through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins
  • Patent number: 6491235
    Abstract: A top serviceable pop-up sprinkler includes a main cylindrical outer housing having a female threaded inlet at a lower end thereof A spring biased tubular riser is mounted inside the outer housing for vertical reciprocation through an opening in an upper end of the outer housing. A nozzle is fixed in a nozzle head rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser for ejecting a stream of water. The nozzle is rotated over an adjustable arc by a conventional turbine, gear drive and arc adjustable reversing mechanism. A valve actuator component assembly, including a pilot valve, solenoid and pressure regulator is mounted in a generally rectangular component housing that is connected to the side of the cylindrical outer housing. A lid of the component housing aligns with, and effectively forms a part of, a circular ground support flange that extends horizontally from the upper end of the outer housing. The riser opening is eccentrically located in the circular ground support flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren W. Scott, Phillip A. Hope
  • Patent number: 6422489
    Abstract: A nozzle exchanging or mounting apparatus is provided for use in exchanging nozzles utilized for vacuum sucking a semiconductor device and various electric components in a surface mounting apparatus. The nozzle exchanging or mounting apparatus includes a nozzle installation body having a nozzle installation portion in which a plurality of nozzles can be disposed at a predetermined interval therebetween, a locking unit, the locking unit being longitudinally inserted into and installed at one side of the nozzle installation body, a bracket for inserting one side of the locking unit thereinto to fix the locking unit in place, and a driving unit for selectively moving the locking unit backward and forward. The apparatus provides the advantage that the time taken to exchange nozzle(s) can be reduced due to the stable and prompt exchange of the nozzle(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventor: Tae Seok Oh
  • Patent number: 6409094
    Abstract: A fuel injector is provided which has an improved structure capable of adjusting fuel jet characteristics such as the quantity of fuel to be injected to an engine and a fuel injection time lag after the fuel injector is assembled. The fuel injector includes an air gap adjusting screw and a spring pressure adjusting screw. The air gap adjusting screw serves to change an air gap between a stator and an armature of a solenoid valve to adjust the quantity of fuel to a target one. The spring pressure adjusting screw serves to change a spring pressure urging a valve in a spray hole-closing direction to regulate a spray hole open duration, thereby adjusting the fuel injection time lag or the quantity of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Senta Tojo, Tetsuya Toyao, Teruaki Yamaguchi, Motoichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 6367708
    Abstract: A sprinkler head apparatus includes two separately molded members secured together independently of a water volume control member. A number of selectively removable devices that withstand the forces of water in irrigation systems and can be easily removed by the user without additional hardware are situated at the entry point of water outflow channels to provide the user directional control of the water sprayed from the apparatus. Registration elements are provided to ensure the proper alignment between the members of the apparatus. Correspondingly, indicia located at upper and lower external surfaces of the assembled apparatus reduce or eliminate the need to disassemble the apparatus or intermittently test the water spray pattern to ensure proper installation of the apparatus. Preferred methods for assembling the apparatus, for directing the outflow of water, and for aligning the members of the apparatus are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Donald O. Olson
  • Patent number: 6227455
    Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler has a diaphragm-type valve in the lower end thereof which is actuated by a remote pilot valve. The pilot valve may be either solenoid actuated, or hydraulically actuated by a suitable valve actuator component. In a first embodiment an upwardly opening valve actuator component assembly housing communicates with a hollow wire and hose housing. The wire and hose housing connects to the side of the cylindrical outer body of the sprinkler to position a lid of the valve actuator component assembly housing at surface level, but outside a circular ground support flange connected to the sprinkler body. In a second embodiment, the housing is situated so that the lid effectively forms part of the circular ground support flange. The valve actuator component assembly housing may contain, for example, a pilot valve coupled to a solenoid, and a regulator. The pilot valve and regulator are connected through hoses to the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren W. Scott, Phillip A. Hope
  • Patent number: 6082633
    Abstract: A toy sprinkler (10) is disclosed comprising a hub assembly (12) having a water pressure activated spinning cap member (68) and a manifold member (64) connected to a pressurized water source. Multiple right angle arm assemblies (14, 16, and 18) are connected to the manifold (64) and direct water by a conduit (34) to wand members (22) mounted to remote ends of arm assemblies (14-16). The conduit (34) affords sufficient slack to allow removal of the wand members (22) from the arm assemblies (14-16) and the aiming of water ejected from the wand members (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Kephart, Peter C. McEachen, Thomas P. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6053437
    Abstract: An electrostatic, liquid spray, rotary atomizer has an atomizer housing, a power supply within the housing and an atomizer cup at a front end of the housing. The atomizer cup, which is formed of a non-conductive material, has several elongate conductive pathways embedded in the body of the cup. Each conductive pathway has one end exiting an outer surface at a rear end of the cup for receiving the charge from the power supply and another end exiting an inner surface at a front end of the cup for conveying an electrical charge from the power supply to the liquid (paint) particles passing through the atomizer cup. A number of conductive extensions are embedded in a frustroconical front portion of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Hansinger, Jeffrey T. Conrad, Woodie Francis, Harold Beam, Joseph Jerome Karbowniczek, Ronald Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5947377
    Abstract: An electrostatic, liquid spray, rotary atomizer has an atomizer housing, a power supply within the housing and an atomizer cup at a front end of the housing. The atomizer cup, which is formed of a non-conductive material, has several elongate conductive pathways embedded in the body of the cup. Each conductive pathway has one end exiting an outer surface at a rear end of the cup for receiving the charge from the power supply and another end exiting an inner surface at a front end of the cup for conveying an electrical charge from the power supply to the liquid (paint) particles passing through the atomizer cup. An electrode is provided for maintaining a small voltage at the access hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Hansinger, Jeffrey A. Conrad, Woodie Francis, Harold Beam, Joseph Jerome Karbowniczek, Ronald Schroeder
  • Patent number: 5762270
    Abstract: A sprinkler unit comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting the inlet to the outlet, a nozzle detachably mounted in the outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, and a valve in the passage selectively operable for selectively stopping flow of water through the passage means to the nozzle and an actuator operable from the exterior of the housing for selectively operating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Don M. Kearby, Richard M. Dunn, Mike L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5725073
    Abstract: An adjustable oil metering valve for a compressed air lubricator includes a lower, fixed member (20) having a central, downwardly extending oil delivery nozzle (30) and a peripherally ramped upper surface (29) in communication with the nozzle (30). Seated on the surface (29), and rotatable relative thereto, is a valve member (21) that includes a lower disc portion (31) having a radial channel (35) formed in its lower surface. The lower surface of the rotatable disc portion (31) and the upper surface (29) of the fixed member (20) thereby define between them a peripheral gap (H) of progressively varying height into which the oil is fed whence it flows to the nozzle (30) via the channel (35). The rate of flow of oil to the nozzle (30) is substantially proportional to the height of the gap (H) at the angular location of the outer end of the channel (35) which may be selectively varied by rotating the valve member (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: IMI Norgren, Inc.
    Inventor: Shichao K. Zhou
  • Patent number: 5413134
    Abstract: A winterizing system (10) for underground sprinkler systems which can be newly installed during the sprinkler system installation, or can be utilized as a retrofit design, having a single valve means (13) and a drive shaft (19) to allow winterization completely from the exterior of building structure (50). Drive shaft (19), which may be flexible for most retrofit installations, is mounted such that it is accessible from the exterior. Upon manipulation of drive shaft (19) inlet port (14) and drain port (16), with connected drain line (24), can be opened and closed by a technician without entrance into building structure (50). Additional features include backflow prevention devices, tamper-proof drive shaft keys, and special connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventors: Robert K. Burgess, Thomas A. Redle
  • Patent number: 5383606
    Abstract: A fuel injection valve and method for adjusting the static fuel quantity output ejected during the steady opening state of the fuel injection valve. In the method according to the invention, the static fuel quantity is adjusted directly in the otherwise completely installed fuel injection valve, so that a variation on the static fuel quantity of the various fuel injection valves is minimized. To this end, a throttle device, serving to meter the fuel and whose free flow cross section is variable, is provided upstream of the valve seat. The method according to the invention is suitable for fuel injection valves of various kinds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alwin Stegmaier, Kenneth J. Zwick
  • Patent number: 5355905
    Abstract: A winterizing system (10) for underground sprinkler systems which can be newly installed during the sprinkler system installation, or can be utilized as a retrofit design, having a single valve means (13) and a drive shaft (19) to allow winterization completely from the exterior of building structure (50). Drive shaft (19), which may be flexible for most retrofit installations, is mounted such that it is accessible from the exterior. Upon manipulation of drive shaft (19) inlet port (14) and drain port (16), with connected drain line (24), can be opened and closed by a technician without entrance into building structure (50). Additional features include backflow prevention devices, tamper-proof drive shaft keys, and special connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Inventors: Robert K. Burgess, Thomas A. Redle
  • Patent number: 4783009
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a housing (2) having fuel upstream inlet and downstream discharge end portions. The discharge end portion is adapted to adjustably receive a valve assembly (9). The valve assembly, in turn, includes a valve poppet (18), seat (17) and biasing primary compression spring (21) arrangement which is adjustable prior to the assembly's insertion into the injector housing. The inlet end portion of the housing includes a magnetic coil (25) and an armature (29) which forms a working gap (33) with the housing. The armature is attached to an actuator (34) which engages the valve assembly. A secondary compression spring (37) is confined between the armature and an upstream fuel inlet member (39) adjustably mounted to the housing. A first or preload adjustment is to the compression of the primary spring in the valve assembly, which is then inserted into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel W. Coates
  • Patent number: 4729511
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a housing with an inlet port through which to supply a flow of liquid to the housing interior and a stem disposed at least partially within the interior of the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A piston disposed within the interior of the housing responds to the flow of liquid to move the stem from the retracted position to the extended position. The stem defines a passageway extending from a lower portion of the stem to an upper portion of the stem, and the lower portion of the stem defines an opening through which the flow of liquid can pass from the interior of the housing into the passageway. A valve element moveably mounted on the stem at least partially blocks the opening, and a shaft rotatably mounted on the housing extends to a position outside of the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: James Hardie Irrigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Manning Citron
  • Patent number: 4476020
    Abstract: The strainer assembly comprises a body (1) which is to be mounted in the floor (14) of the filter and which has open upper and lower ends. A hollow open ended stem (3) has an external screw-thread (4) which engages with an internal screw-thread (2) in the body. The stem projects outwardly from the body below the lower end of the body and is axially adjustable relative to the body so that the effect of filter construction errors can be eliminated. A flexible tab (11) on the stem engages with ribs (10) on the body to prevent unintentional relative rotation of the stem and body. A strainer (8) is fitted to the upper end of the body and a flow control orifice (5) is provided in the stem. The area of the orifice is smaller than the total open area of the strainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Paterson Candy International Limited
    Inventor: John H. Cheetham
  • Patent number: 4189099
    Abstract: A sprinkler spray head consisting of three components preferably molded of plastic material, namely, a body member, a cap member and a flow control member. The mounting and sealing of the components is such that several different spray patterns can be obtained by utilizing several different cap member configurations with the same body and flow control members. The operation of the flow control member is such that flow control adjustment can be obtained by a turning movement from a center position in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4092001
    Abstract: A fuel injection nozzle for internal combustion engines which includes a blind bore disposed transversely to the axis of the nozzle, in which bore is provided an adjustment mechanism for exteriorly varying the pre-loaded tension of a closing spring acting on the needle valve of the fuel injection nozzle. Plural embodiments disclose that variance in the spring loading is achieved by rotating the adjustment mechanism through different positions to urge the spring downwardly against a cap retaining the spring. The adjustment mechanism is sealed against fuel leakage from the bore and retained therein by the force of the spring plate on a surface cooperative therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Hofmann
  • Patent number: RE38526
    Abstract: An electrostatic, liquid spray, rotary atomizer has an atomizer housing, a power supply within the housing and an atomizer cup at a front end of the housing. The atomizer cup, which is formed of a non-conductive material, has several elongate conductive pathways embedded in the body of the cup. Each conductive pathway has one end exiting an outer surface at a rear end of the cup for receiving the charge from the power supply and another end exiting an inner surface at a front end of the cup for conveying an electrical charge from the power supply to the liquid (paint) particles passing through the atomizer cup. An electrode is provided for maintaining a small voltage at the access hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Hansinger, Jeffrey T. Conrad, Woodie R. Francis, Harold D. Beam, Joseph J. Karbowniczek, Ronald R. Schroeder