With Selective Flow Regulation Patents (Class 251/205)
  • Patent number: 11427995
    Abstract: A tank assembly for a pressure-assist toilet includes a flush assembly having an outer chamber and an inner chamber disposed in the outer chamber. The flush assembly further includes a flush valve disposed in the inner chamber, and a pilot valve disposed in the inner chamber and extending through the flush valve. The tank assembly further includes an actuator engaging the pilot valve and configured to hold the pilot valve at each of a first height, a second height offset a first distance from the first height, and a third height offset a second distance from the first height greater than a first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William C. Kuru, William Kalk
  • Patent number: 11236666
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flap arrangement 10 for a turbine 2 of an exhaust-gas turbocharger 2, in particular for a wastegate valve of the turbine, having a spindle 100 for rotatable mounting of the flap arrangement 10 in a turbine housing 3, a lever arm 200, the lever arm 200 being coupled to the spindle 100, and a flap plate 300, the flap plate 300 being coupled to the lever arm 200. The flap plate 300 has a flexible part 330 in a radially outer region of the flap plate 300, such that by applying a closing force to the flap arrangement 10 when the flap plate 300 is in contact with a flap seat 500 in the turbine housing 3, elastic and/or plastic deformation of the flexible part 330 of the flap plate 300 can be caused to compensate for thermal deformation of the turbine housing 3, exhaust deposits and/or wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Golz, Jason Robert Walkingshaw, Jens Watanpour, Anna Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10458293
    Abstract: Provided is a metering plate for a poppet-style valve in which the metering plate includes a peripheral edge structure that reduces the impact of edge variation as a result of typical manufacturing tolerances. The peripheral edge structure is located at the sealing surface and extends from the peripheral surface of the metering plate so as to avoid a sharp edge at the outer diameter of the metering plate. In embodiments, the peripheral edge structure is a chamfered surface or a curved surface. Small dimensional deviations from these surfaces resulting from typical manufacturing tolerances do not have a significant effect on the discharge coefficient of the metering plate. In this way, the discharge coefficients of poppet-style valves across a fluid admission system are contained in a much tighter range, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and control over the fluid admission system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Farrow, Jerrod C. Pedley, Roger M. Kifer, Steven A. DeHerrera
  • Patent number: 9638331
    Abstract: A flow path insert for a fluid control assembly includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion integral with the upstream portion. The upstream portion includes an upstream peripheral surface and the downstream portion includes a downstream peripheral surface. The upstream portion and the downstream portion cooperate to define an inlet passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The inlet passage defines a first axis and the outlet passage defines a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. When the flow path insert is positioned within a body of a fluid control assembly, the upstream peripheral surface is in contacting engagement with the body and the downstream peripheral surface is spaced from the body. At least the downstream portion of the flow path insert and the body cooperate to define an annular passage in fluid communication with the outlet passage. Fluid control assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Western Enterprises/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Bryan D. Eyring, Gregory B. Eytchison, Ryan M. Pereira, William C. Wido
  • Patent number: 9476744
    Abstract: An orifice plate assembly for use with a process variable transmitter for measuring flow of a process fluid includes a single piece body having a circumferential support ring. A first face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a first flange of a first process pipe. A second face of the circumferential support ring is configured to be sealingly coupled to a second flange of a second process pipe. A flow plate region is positioned between the first and second pipes and has first and second sides. The flow plate region is concentric with the circumferential support ring. At least one flow orifice in the flow plate region provides a restricted fluid path between the first and second process pipes. A first pressure tap is configured to fluidically couple to the process variable transmitter to the process fluid proximate the first side of the flow plate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Dieterich Standard, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Hering
  • Patent number: 9464729
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a pressure balance valve that solves one or more problems associated with existing designs. For example, in one embodiment, a pressure balancing valve assembly is disclosed that provides a low cost frictionless assembly that is constructed to not seal the leak path between an inlet port and an outlet port. Instead, this leak path is minimized with small angle tapered plunger and a precision bored annulus to provide a defined area for the pressure drop to occur and to limit the flow from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Brooks Instrument, LLC
    Inventor: Walter Dennis Robertson, III
  • Patent number: 9194291
    Abstract: An example bypass valve includes a sleeve providing a bore that extends along an axis. The sleeve has at least one window. The bypass valve also includes a spool received within the bore. The spool is configured to move within the bore between a first position that restricts flow through at least one window and a second position that permits flow through the at least one window of the sleeve. An outer diameter of the spool is from 99.90 to 99.95 percent of a diameter of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Podgorski, Scott J. Beloncik
  • Patent number: 8961478
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a gas mist pressure bathing system enabling to cause a gas mist to be absorbed into the skin and the mucous membrane of the living organism under an optimum condition of controlling the amounts of gas and liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: ACP Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140346384
    Abstract: A control assembly for converting a “fail-close” regulator to a “fail-open” regulator, or vice versa, without having to modify or reconfigure a casing of the regulator includes a control member, a central rod, and a spring disposed between first and second spring seats. A regulator including the control assembly includes a valve body and an actuator casing, the valve body defining a fluid flow-path. The control member is slidably disposed within the actuator casing and adapted for displacement relative to the valve body for controlling the flow of fluid through the flow-path. The spring and spring seats are disposed about the central rod, such that the spring biases the control member into a predetermined position relative to the regulator casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel G. Roper, Harold J. Mckinney, Thomas L. Weyer
  • Publication number: 20140334244
    Abstract: A new seeder for laser-based velocity measurements in gaseous combusting and non-combusting flows is described herein. The performance of the seeder was tested under a variety of flow rate conditions. The testing revealed that control over the concentration of seeding particles, stability of particles supply, extended range of flow rate, and breakup of the agglomerates makes the newly designed seeder advantageous over its counterparts, especially for weak flow rates applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Madjid Birouk, Meghdad Saediamiri, Janusz A. Kozinski
  • Publication number: 20140304902
    Abstract: The smaller volumes of water currently required to flush toilets and urinals may be insufficient to clear the fixtures and the drainage lines to which they are connected of waste and other undesirable materials, which can build up over a period of flushes or non-use. A flush valve control device programmed or otherwise configured to provide a selectable, periodic heavier flush volume of water after a predetermined number of low volume flushes and/or after a predetermined period of inactivity of the toilet or urinal can provide for sufficient drainage line carry-out of waste and prevent undesirable buildup of minerals, etc. on the inside surfaces of the fixtures and drainage pipes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: AS IP Holdco, LLC
    Inventor: Frank Seggio
  • Patent number: 8852443
    Abstract: Various “no filter, no run” fuel filtration designs are described that include a variable restriction orifice (VRO) designed to vary the amount of fluid, for example fuel, that reaches a fluid outlet. The VRO has a fully open position at which a maximum non-zero fluid flow is permitted, and a fully closed position at which a limited amount of fluid can flow to the outlet. In the case of diesel fuel, the amount of fuel flow permitted at the fully closed position provides lubrication of downstream fuel system components, for example the fuel pump, but is insufficient to permit engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Forrest, J. Bruce Schelkopf, Ted S. Loftis, Barry Verdegan, Wassem Abdalla, Mark Wieczorek, Gérard Malgorn, Charles W. Hawkins, Chad Thomas, Joe Saxon, Mark Johnson, Naren Shaam
  • Patent number: 8833392
    Abstract: A regulating valve for flow control of a medium in a heating or cooling system includes a valve body including an inlet connection, an outlet connection, and a valve neck in which a valve seat and a flow through opening are provided. In the valve neck, a complete valve trim and a valve hand wheel are provided. The valve body includes a first cone to determine the preset (Kvs-value) of the maximal flow through the complete regulating valve. The first cone has at least one opening for flowing through of the medium, where the design of the opening determines the regulating characteristic of the complete regulating valve, and where the Kvs-value of the valve is changed continuously, with maintained regulating characteristic. The first cone is arranged continuously, axially displaceable relative the valve seat, whereby selected parts of the opening of the first cone are shielded by the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: TA Hydronics AB
    Inventors: Per Norlander, Daniel Corso, Anders Helstad
  • Patent number: 8833388
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided pressure controlling apparatus including a detecting unit, an exhaust pipe, a regulating valve, and a pressure controlling unit. The regulating valve includes a valve port, a changing unit, and a slide valve. The valve port is communicated with the exhaust pipe. The changing unit changes a shape of the valve port to a different shape whose center is located near the central axis of the exhaust pipe. The slide valve regulates an opening degree of the valve port changed by the changing unit. The pressure controlling unit controls changing of a shape of the valve port by the changing unit and regulation of an opening degree of the valve port by the slide valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideo Eto, Makoto Saito, Nobuyasu Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8790318
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flow regulator, made of a stack of 3 plates, respectively a top plate including a flexible membrane (1), a middle plate (2) with pillars and through holes and a bottom plate (3) with fluidic ports, micro channels and through holes (8,9,12). The principle is based on the deformation of the membrane due to the pressure of the liquid. The membrane goes in contact with the pillars of the middle plate, obstructing gradually the through holes of the pillars. The device is designed to keep the flow constant in a predefined range of pressure. The device is dedicated to ultra low flow rate up to 1 ml per day or below, typically for drug infusion. Plastic flow regulators comprise preferably several independent valves coupled in parallel. The membrane plate is therefore made of several flexible membranes obstructing gradually the flow by increasing the pressure. Stress limiters are used to avoid plastic deformation of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Chappel
  • Patent number: 8764436
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a valve assembly can comprise a housing, a valve body, a first burner nozzle member and a second burner nozzle member. The housing can define an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) inlet and a burner inlet. The valve body can be positioned within the housing and configured to rotate between a first position for a first fuel type and a second position for a second fuel type different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Procom Heating, Inc.
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Patent number: 8678005
    Abstract: A valve, usable in connection with a tracheostomy tube, permits phonation by selectively blocking passage of air therethrough. The valve includes a main body portion with first and second internal passages. A first aperture extends radially through a peripheral wall, connecting the first internal passage to an environment external to the main body. A second aperture extends radially through the peripheral wall, connecting the second internal passage to the environment. A trach body portion defines a third internal passage and is connected to the main body portion. A flapper valve is sandwiched between the main body portion and the trach body portion. First and second adjustment rings permit adjustment of opening defined by the first and second apertures, thereby permitting control over the air passing through the first and second apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dawson Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Randy J. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140034857
    Abstract: A ceramic water control valve with ceramic chips having pressing leak-proof functions is provided with a pressing ceramic chip and a pressing seal ring. The sliding ceramic chip is in a directional positioning state and can be pressed to be abutted with the fixed ceramic chip more tightly and durably, so as to enhance the leak-proof effect on top of the shell. The ceramic water control valve has a lateral outgoing path pattern, which can improve its durability and applicability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: KUCHING INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: Mei-Li CHEN
  • Patent number: 8613607
    Abstract: A pressure pulsation dampener for use in a gas stream is disclosed herein. The dampener can include a housing with an inlet half and an outlet half having a recess, a shaft hole, and an extension with an outlet port. The inlet half can be secured to the outlet half, and can have an extension with an inlet port, forming a flow path. A choke plate can be disposed in the recess within the flow path. A shaft can be disposed through the outlet half to move the openings. The dampener can include an indicator plate with indicator openings. A fastener can engage the indicator openings and secure to the outlet half. The dampener can have a transducer, a motor connected to the shaft, a motor driver, and a controller in communication with the motor driver for comparing frequency rates to preset limits and activating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Fred Rusty Darsey
  • Publication number: 20130248745
    Abstract: A gas valve unit for setting a gas volume flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve housing, and an actuation pin having an operating segment which projects from the valve housing. Received in the valve housing is a shutoff valve which is configured for actuation by axially displacing the actuation pin, and at least two on-off valves which are configured for actuation by rotating the actuation pin. The shutoff valve has a movable shutoff element. A deflection device converts an axial movement of the actuation pin into an axial movement of the shutoff element of the shutoff valve essentially at a right angle thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventor: Jörn Naumann
  • Publication number: 20130181152
    Abstract: A gas valve unit for setting a gas volumetric flow supplied to a gas burner of a gas appliance, in particular a gas cooking appliance includes a plurality of on/off valves which can be actuated mechanically by moving at least one body relative to the on/off valves. Each one of the on/off valves has an opening and a movable blocking body, which rests on a valve seat when the on/off valve is closed to thereby close off the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERÄTE GMBH
    Inventor: Jörn Naumann
  • Patent number: 8479758
    Abstract: New methods and devices for reducing water consumption by restricting the supply pressures at the water consumption points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Softatalo Aida Oy
    Inventor: Juhani Aalto
  • Patent number: 8449289
    Abstract: Cooking appliance having an external control panel equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ is equipped with various peripheral openings for supplying a flow Q. For the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob or a bezel disk in the external panel are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ or the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix in the control knob guided in a slide groove on the control panel of the appliance, or a tongue on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 8443838
    Abstract: A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Carlos Quesada Saborio
  • Patent number: 8398054
    Abstract: A device for manually regulating the flow quantity of steam pipes, with a throttle housing having an inlet and an outlet. In order to create a particularly compact device with simple construction and low maintenance, which furthermore has a modular structure, the device has a piston arranged eccentrically inside the throttle housing and rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which piston can be activated by at least one carrier element from outside the throttle housing and is provided with an eccentric longitudinal bore, and wherein the pipe cross-section, after rotation through a specified angle, is reduced to a desired cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventor: Karl Weinhold
  • Publication number: 20130056663
    Abstract: A gas valve unit for adjusting a gas volume flow in a dual circuit gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve body having a gas inlet and two gas outlets; and a control mechanism constructed to adjust the gas volumetric flow supplied to one of the gas outlets in a number of stages and to adjust the gas volumetric flow supplied to other one of the gas outlets in a number of stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Christophe Cadeau, Jorn Naumann
  • Publication number: 20130037734
    Abstract: A method of producing by moulding a valve device, the valve device comprising a housing, which surrounds a flow duct portion, and additionally comprising a valve accommodated on the housing and movable relative thereto such that, by relative adjustment of the valve relative to the housing, the effective flow area of the flow duct portion is modifiable, wherein the housing and the valve already accommodated thereon are formed shapingly in a moulding tool in a common moulding step from a flowable moulding compound, with one-piece formation of a moulding material membrane, together with the valve and the housing, the moulding material membrane being provided between an outer valve portion, and a housing portion surrounding the valve portion, in a shut-off position of the valve relative to the housing, in which shut-off position the flow area of the flow duct portion is as a rule minimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: ROECHLING AUTOMOTIVE AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Kerschbaumer, Ferdinand Di Pauli
  • Patent number: 8356617
    Abstract: A poppet valve includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. A poppet is located in the housing and includes a poppet body which blocks the outlet port when the valve is in a closed position and a poppet tip disposed at a distal end of the poppet body. The poppet tip includes at least one tip flow channel extending substantially along a poppet axis to meter flow therethrough as the valve is moved from a closed position. A method of controlling a flow includes translating a poppet located in a valve housing in a first direction along a poppet axis. At least one poppet flow channel extends across a valve inlet port via translation of the poppet. A fluid is flowed from the inlet port through a first flow area defined by the at least one poppet flow channel extending across the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Labrie
  • Publication number: 20120305817
    Abstract: A flow regulator comprising a needle valve assembly secured in a molded valve body having offset mounting flanges to permit a variety of flow control and monitoring components to be secured thereto. The valve body has parallel inlet and outlet passageways connected by a transverse passageway, with a metal ring forming a valve seat molded into the valve body around the transverse passageway. A valve stem mounted within a valve stem receiver by a support member is selectively advanceable against and away from the valve seat to control flow therethrough. A lateral expander positioned in a slot in the valve stem is compressed axially upon rotation of the valve stem causing the expander to expand in the slot to secure the valve stem in place relative to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BURGER & BROWN ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Philip M. Burger, Mark A. Brown, Jimmie L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8322369
    Abstract: A flow-control valve has a housing, a guide fixed in the housing and having a tubular end and formed with a radially throughgoing heart-shaped valve opening, and a slide axially shiftable in the housing and having a shaft and a sleeve extending axially from the shaft and snugly surrounding and slidable on the guide-body end. The slide is axially shiftable between positions with the sleeve completely blocking, partially blocking, and completely unblocking the valve opening. An electromagnetic linear actuator in the housing can axially shift the slide. A support ring fixed to the actuator and to the guide forms with the guide-body end an annular chamber into which the valve opening opens and is formed with a radially throughgoing port opening into the chamber and radially aligned with the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Bilstein Suspension GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schmidt, Wolfgang Hamers
  • Patent number: 8286939
    Abstract: A pulse width modulated fluidic valve 3005 includes a cylinder (352) having an elongate bore, a length, and first (344) and second (346) ports which extend from outside the cylinder (352) into the bore. A rotatable spool (302) is carried in the bore and movable in a direction of the length of cylinder (352). The spool (302) has a variable blocking feature (306) which blocks passage of fluid' between the first (344) and second (346) ports as a function of angular position relative to the first (344) and second (346) ports and as a function of linear position along the length of the cylinder (352).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Perry Y. Li, Thomas R. Chase
  • Publication number: 20120247592
    Abstract: A control valve is provided, in particular for metering in a fluid for a delivery pump which is arranged downstream. The control valve has a flow channel, an axially movable valve needle, and a valve element which can be loaded by the valve needle in an opening direction and is arranged in the flow channel. If the valve element is actuated in the opening direction by the valve needle, the fluid can flow back through the flow channel at least temporarily counter to the opening direction of the valve element. Upstream of the valve element as viewed in the backflow direction, the flow channel has a fluidically active shield which keeps the backflow at least partially free of a face of the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Thorwirth, Winfried Eckart, Dominik Brunner, Christian Heinen
  • Patent number: 8241034
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a control valve for regulating fuel flow. The apparatus can include a burner and a valve assembly. In some embodiments, the valve assembly includes a housing, which can define a first fuel input for receiving a first fuel from a first fuel source and a second fuel input for receiving a second fuel from a second fuel source. The housing can define a first fuel output for directing fuel toward the control valve, and can define a third fuel input for receiving a portion of either the first fuel or the second fuel from the control valve. The housing can define a first egress flow path and a second egress flow path, each for directing fuel to the burner. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a valve body configured to selectively permit fluid communication between the first and second inputs and the output and between the third input and the egress flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Appliances Inc.
    Inventor: David Deng
  • Patent number: 8215519
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is described which includes a valve housing having a wall which defines an internal cavity, and wherein a passageway is formed through the wall of the valve housing; and a valve control element having a continuous and deformable sidewall is coaxially and rotatably received within the internal cavity of the valve housing, and wherein at least a portion of the sidewall of the valve control element deforms when a vacuum is created in the internal cavity of the valve housing so as facilitate the controllable delivery of a source of fluid into the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Zak Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Publication number: 20120132839
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved needle valve, where, in some preferred embodiments, the needle valve includes a stem having a ball linkage and a seat having a ball linkage housing. The ball linkage can be snap-fit to the seat, and the ball linkage and ball linkage housing cooperate to form a ball-and-socket joint. In some embodiments, an axis is formed at least in part by the stem, and the ball-and-socket joint allows rotation of the seat about the axis and inhibits rotation of the seat about another axis. A gap may be provided between the seat and the stem to accommodate deformation of the seat. Also disclosed herein is an improved needle valve, where, in some preferred embodiments, a stem and a handle are provided with mating geometry and a biased snap-fit mechanism to facilitate ease of assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventor: Gary A. MOREN
  • Patent number: 8173081
    Abstract: A stopper body of refractory material and cylindrical shape having a first end (10), a second end (14) and an intermediate zone (12) there between, with a bore (16) of circular cross section, extending from said first end (10) in an axial direction of the stopper body into said intermediate zone (12) towards the second end (14), wherein the said bore being provided with an enlarged cross section (at 16s) along at least part of said intermediate Zone (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephen John Lee, Stuart Alexander William Mungall, Derek James Chalmers
  • Patent number: 8141524
    Abstract: A cooling system for an engine is disclosed. The cooling system may have an engine, a pump configured to receive coolant from the engine and generate a flow of coolant, and a heat exchanger configured to receive the coolant flow. The cooling system may also have a plurality of orifice plates located between the pump and the heat exchanger. At least one of the plurality of orifice plates may be adjustable to control the flow of the coolant from the engine to the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. White, John H. Lovell, Nader W. Ktami
  • Patent number: 8128056
    Abstract: Provided is a flow control valve including: a valve body including a flow passage; a first poppet being fixed within the valve body, and including an inlet port through which a fluid flows in and an outflow hole through which the fluid flows out to the flow passage; a second poppet being fixed within the valve body, and including an outlet port through which the fluid flows out and an inflow hole through which the fluid flows in from the flow passage; a sleeve sliding along the first poppet to close the outflow hole and regulate an area thereof; and a spool being disposed between the first and second poppets to be slidable along the first and second poppets, being elastically supported by the second poppet, and sliding due to a pressure of the fluid flowing in the first poppet to close the inflow hole and regulate an area thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventor: Taekyu Jung
  • Patent number: 8104281
    Abstract: A valve in an engine exhaust system is disclosed. The valve can improve engine operation and reduce engine component degradation during cold engine starting. The valve may also be configured to provide different levels of restriction to exhaust gases flowing to a turbocharger turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Wade, Fadi Maroun Naddaf
  • Patent number: 8092212
    Abstract: Cooking appliance (1A,1B) having an external and control panel (2,2?) equipped with one or more regulating valves, where the rotary regulator organ (6) is equipped with various peripheral openings (16-19) for supplying a flow Q. According to two embodiments (1A, 1B) of the cooking appliance, for the supply of one or another type of gas, NG or LPG, either the control knob (9) or a bezel disk (22) in the external panel (2) are interchangeable on the appliance, being chosen between two different available units, one and the other permitting two different angular position limits A2, A3 of the regulator organ (6) for the supply of a constant flow Qmin through one or another opening (18,19) with calibrated sections, respectively for NG or LP gas. An appendix (14) in the control knob (9) guided in a slide groove (20) on the control panel (2) of the appliance, or a tongue (24) on the bezel disk stopping the rotation of the control knob, determines the travel limit A2 for the supply of Qmin of NG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 8038121
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet. A metering plug is located within the valve housing, and is configured to move linearly within the valve housing along a valve axis between an open position to allow fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, and a closed position to block fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. A reference plane is oriented perpendicular to the valve axis. The metering plug includes a nose portion having a sensing port in fluid communication with fluid flow at the outlet. The sensing port is oriented perpendicular to the valve axis and generally parallel to the reference plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff A. Gessaman
  • Patent number: 8011640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air valve, including a valve body, an air valve adjusting pipe, an adjusting bolt, an airtight ring and a screw cap. With the geometric shapes of the air valve adjusting pipe and the adjusting bolt, the airtight ring installed onto the adjusting bolt is in contact with the internal wall of the air valve adjusting pipe to achieve a totally airtight effect and adjusting the level of airtightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Pacific Hospital Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuan-Yung Lee
  • Patent number: 7967005
    Abstract: A duel fuel gas control valve controls the supply of gas (e.g., natural gas or liquid propane gas) to a gas grill. The duel fuel gas control valve is structured to control either natural or LP gas flow at the desired operating characteristics based on conventional gas supply characteristics and gas grill requirements. A restrictor mechanism, when in first and second configurations, respectively, restricts movement of the valve core to a first predetermined range for a first mode of operation (first type of gas supply) and to a second predetermined range for a second mode of operation (second type of gas supply).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Daniel Parrish
  • Publication number: 20110147631
    Abstract: An air flow damper is formed of a multi-apertured flexible sheet sandwiched between two multi-apertured rigid plates, the sheet being slidable between the rigid plates and movable from an open configuration to a closed configuration in which latter the apertures of the rigid plates are sealably closed by the flexible sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Cherif Menassa
  • Patent number: 7963763
    Abstract: The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units available, one and the other permitting different angular limit positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a LP gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Publication number: 20110135425
    Abstract: The invention concerns a charging installation for a shaft furnace, in particular for a blast furnace, and especially the lower sealing valve assembly thereof, the installation including at least two hoppers acting as lock hoppers for intermediate storage of charge material to be charged into the furnace, the lower sealing valve includes a lower sealing valve housing arranged below the hoppers, the lower sealing valve housing has at least two inlets respectively communicating with one of the hoppers and an outlet for passing charge material into the furnace, each inlet has a respective associated valve seat providing gas-tight sealing of the hoppers downstream, the lower sealing valve assembly further includes a sealing valve mechanism for sealing the inlets, more specifically for closing the seats in technically gas-tight manner, where the sealing valve mechanism includes a one-sided shutter having a single sealing face that cooperates with both of the at least two valve seats, by virtue of the sealing valve
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: PAUL WURTH S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Thillen, Ettore Rizzuti, Jeff Vandivinit, Jeannot Loutsch
  • Publication number: 20110127454
    Abstract: A flow control device includes a connector defining a first receiving formation for receiving a first conduit, a second receiving formation for receiving a second conduit and a cross member separating the first receiving formation and the second receiving formation. An orifice plate is received in the cross member to control flow of fluid, in use, through the conduits received in the first and the second receiving formations of the connector, the orifice plate defining at least one substantially frustoconical orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: ACU RATE PTY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zoran Milijasevic
  • Publication number: 20110079601
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is described which includes a valve housing having a wall which defines an internal cavity, and wherein a passageway is formed through the wall of the valve housing; and a valve control element having a continuous and deformable sidewall is coaxially and rotatably received within the internal cavity of the valve housing, and wherein at least a portion of the sidewall of the valve control element deforms when a vacuum is created in the internal cavity of the valve housing so as facilitate the controllable delivery of a source of fluid into the valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Publication number: 20110073792
    Abstract: A valve having a hemispherical wedge closure member and including structure for maintaining laminar fluid flow through the valve body. The laminar fluid flow structure may include a solid core member with a plurality of discrete bores therethrough or a plurality of baffles extending longitudinal through a hollow core member. The laminar flow reduces noise, structural failure, erosion, cavitation, and premature wearing of valve seals and seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GILMORE VALVE COMPANY
    Inventor: Stanley C. Allen
  • Patent number: 7905873
    Abstract: A port assembly includes a valve housing with an inlet opening, a valve disposed in the valve housing to control access through the inlet opening, and a base having an outlet opening that is initially occluded by a membrane. A pivot is disposed within the base and has a cutting surface disposed within the base, the cutting surface rupturing the membrane at least in part as the pivot is pivoted about an axis between first and second positions. The port assembly may be used in a fluid container that includes a receptacle for retaining a fluid, and at least one conduit in communication with the receptacle. The at least one conduit is defined, at least in part, by the port assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Rondeau, Gianni Di Stefani, Eric J. Henaut