Rotary Patents (Class 251/208)
  • Patent number: 7087036
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a cam arrangement for operating a series of valves in cooperation with a pump that pumps fluid to and from a patient, the valves including a supply valve, a drain valve, a from-patient valve and a to-patient valve is provided. The cam arrangement includes a camshaft and a series of cams connected to the camshaft. The cams are positioned and arranged to toggle back and forth between a first open position for the supply valve and a second open position for the drain valve, a third open position for the from-patient valve and the second open position, and the first open position and a fourth open position for the to-patient valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare, S.A.
    Inventors: Don Busby, Peter Hopping
  • Patent number: 7083159
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter device for the precision control of a flow, comprising at least one organ for shutting a section for the passage of a flow, the motion of which is proportional to that of an actuator controlling it, wherein said device comprises at least two shutter organs controlled by the actuator by means of a transmission allowing to obtain slightly different proportionality coefficients for the motion of said organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Promper, Thomas Badinand
  • Patent number: 7073774
    Abstract: This invention discloses an air intake adjusting assembly for pneumatic tools, which rearranges the air intake adjusting assembly between the main body and the air intake section of a pneumatic tool, such that the air intake adjusting assembly will not be covered when a user is operating the pneumatic tool, and also provides a comfortable grip for users. The air intake adjusting assembly according to the present invention comprises an air intake adjusting knob being installed at the external periphery of an air intake member for adjusting the diameter of an adjusting hole of the air intake member by steplessly rotating the air intake adjusting knob as to adjust the air flow of the pneumatic tool and achieve the effect of steplessly controlling the rotation speed of the pneumatic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sunmatch Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 7063302
    Abstract: A multiple port valve integrated with the function of the sample shut off valve is disclosed. The integration of the sample shut off function eliminates extra plumbing and labor costs associated with a separate sample shut off valve. Additionally, the multiple port valve integrated with the function of the sample shut off valve provides a shorter equilibration time and less tubing volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy D. Cordill
  • Patent number: 7028927
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising two components connected to each other with possible displacement of one component relative to the other, sealing means arranged between said two components, and flow rate adjusting means actuated by displacement of one component relative to the other. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises positioning means for placing the two components in two different positions, namely a first so-called sterilizing position, wherein said two components do not, or hardly exert, any stresses on the sealing means, and second so-called operating position, wherein said two components stress the sealing means to provide the required sealing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sobem
    Inventor: Bernard Mermet
  • Patent number: 7013914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a throttle valve, particularly for controlling a liquid flow in a central heating or an air conditioning system, with a flow control unit having a first and a second element (18, 30), which are movably mounted relative to each other for setting a desired flow, characterised in that the first element (18) is designed as a first disc, and the second element (30) is designed as a second disc, and that the first and the second disc (18, 30) are mounted tight on each other in such a way that the first disc (18) may be rotated relative to the second disc (30), the first disc (18) exhibiting at least one first flow aperture (36) and the second disc (30) exhibiting at least one second flow aperture (38), the desired flow being adjustable through the degree of overlapping of the at least one first flow aperture (36) and the at least one second flow aperture (38), the at least one first and the at least one second flow aperture (36, 38) being designed such that, by rotating the first di
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Reich KG-Regel-und Sicherheitstechnik
    Inventor: Steffen Bender
  • Patent number: 6981688
    Abstract: A flow control device includes an opening part through which an upstream side of a fluid flow passage is in communication with a downstream side of the fluid flow passage. A valve element closes the opening part and includes a large flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the opening part, a sealing member provided with a valve hole having an open area smaller than the opening part and formed to be capable of being brought into tight contact with a peripheral wall part of the opening part and a small flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the valve hole. A valve drive device rotates to drive the valve element in a closed direction for closing the opening part or in an opened direction for opening the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Noritake, Ryuhei Wada
  • Patent number: 6971632
    Abstract: A throttle plate assembly with a wedge for limiting air flow upon initial acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Elliot, Earl R. Austin, III, Brad Paine, Keith Miller
  • Patent number: 6969045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to valves with small dead volumes. A valve in accordance with the present invention has a ferrule (7) which receives a plurality of fluid lines (33) which lead to outlets on an end surface (25) of said ferrule (7) and a movable selector body (15) which has a fluid groove (37, 37A) on a surface (23) which is in contact with the end surface (25) of said ferrule (7). Means are provided for exerting a clamping force on said ferrule (7) in order to simultaneously clamp all the fluid lines (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Amersham Biosciences AB
    Inventors: Owe Salven, Jan Kranse, Patrik Kallback
  • Patent number: 6935609
    Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Faiz Feisal Sherman, Vladimir Gartstein, Daniel Jonathan Quiram
  • Patent number: 6932051
    Abstract: The invention is intended to simplify a default mechanism of a throttle valve opening and closing device for the purpose of improving mountability of the device to a vehicle. When a motor generate no driving forces, a throttle valve is held in a position (1) by a return spring. In this position, gaps are formed between the throttle valve and a wall surface of an intake passage. Spherical recesses are formed in parts of the wall surface of the intake passage. In a position (2) where the throttle valve is opposed to the spherical recesses, the gaps are minimized in an operating range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Soshino, Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Yuki Ejiri, Kenji Ono, Yasuhiro Kamimura, Norihiro Isozaki, Eisuke Wayama, Hitoshi Andoh, Yutaka Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6926250
    Abstract: A valve driving device includes a plurality of valve bodies that are simultaneously driven. Driven gears are disposed symmetrically with respect to an axis of the a common gear. Rubber valve bodies which are separate from the driven gears are disposed on the lower surfaces of the driven gears. The valve bodies are slidably aligned with a valve seat which is formed by smoothly denting a valve seat plate. The driven gears are brought into contact with the valve seat under pressure by one leaf spring member to open or close communication holes (valve openings) thereby interrupting or opening a flow-path from an inflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Hashimoto, Shigeru Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6921389
    Abstract: A device for regulating the flow rate of a liquid in a medical infusion line, includes a body presenting elements for its connection to a first and to a second conduit connected to a container for the liquid and directed to a patient respectively, the body presenting a plurality of parts connected together but torsionally free about a common axis of rotation (K) to enable flow rate variation elements, associated with the body, to modify the flow rate variation elements are a plurality of recesses provided in a single part of the body, a first recess being annular and of constant depth, and at least one second recess being in the form of a broken ring and of variable depth, the recesses being concentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: GVS S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Scagliarini, Emanuele Bettini
  • Patent number: 6883731
    Abstract: A fluid discharge apparatus adapted for to commingling two pressurized fluids, such as a pressurized liquid and a pressurized gas, and for discharging the commingle fluids in a high pressure spiral stream that is particularly useful in washing dirt, debris, barnacles, and other substances from surfaces. The fluid discharge apparatus is adapted with a barrel having internal spirally disposed baffles that induce rotation in the flowing fluids thereby producing a spiral flow. Cavitation results from the spiral flow thereby creating an axial region of low pressure that draws the gas radially inward resulting in a composite stream including a rotating stream of liquid surrounding a concentrically disposed stream of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Alexander R. Pivovarov
  • Patent number: 6880802
    Abstract: A valve device having a novel vale seat plate is provided. The valve seat plate has an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a front side and a back side. A sealing case covers the front side and inlet and outlet pipes are attached to the back side to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet openings. A valve element moves to cover the outlet opening on the front side to close the outlet opening. The novel valve seat plate includes at least two plates that are joined to each other. One plate forms the area around the outlet opening and the other plate forms other areas of the valve seat plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Hara, Shigeru Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6845917
    Abstract: A water outlet structure of a ceramic control valve for a single-handled faucet is made up of a valve body having a housing chamber for a regulating seat with a control stick joined thereto to be adapted therein, and an upper switching control valve having a regulating cavity of proper width and length disposed: at the lower bottom thereof matching to cold/hot water inlet holes and a water outlet hole of a lower switching control valve, and cold/hot water inlet passages and a water outlet passage of a switching control valve. The regulating cavity thereof has a slant plane facet defining at one front side in a trapezoid-like design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kuching International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
  • Publication number: 20040200986
    Abstract: A flow control device includes an opening part through which an upstream side of a fluid flow passage is in communication with a downstream side of the fluid flow passage. A valve element closes the opening part and includes a large flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the opening part, a sealing member provided with a valve hole having an open area smaller than the opening part and formed to be capable of being brought into tight contact with a peripheral wall part of the opening part and a small flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the valve hole. A valve drive device rotates to drive the valve element in a closed direction for closing the opening part or in an opened direction for opening the opening part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: SANKYO SEIKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Noritake, Ryuhei Wada
  • Publication number: 20040159813
    Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having at least one opening formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion, and a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to pivot with respect to the body portion so that the shutter is brought into and out of alignment with the opening of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in a closed position and an open position, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Faiz Feisal Sherman, Vladimir Gartstein, Daniel Jonathan Quiram
  • Publication number: 20040140445
    Abstract: A rotor valve (10) having a rotor seal (34) containing a centrally disposed opening (52) for directing an external pressure (Pe) to a rear surface (35) of the seal for applying a sealing force against a sealing surface (36). A projection (38) of the seal surrounding the opening is disposed within a bore (40) formed in a rotor (14) of the valve. An O-ring seal (44) defines the portion of the rear surface exposed to the external pressure. The rotor may be supported on one end by a bearing assembly (80) and may be open at the opposed end for receiving incoming water. Circumferentially distributed slip-surface plugs extend radially beyond the diameter of the rotor to support the rotor along an interior surface (39) of the valve body (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Muhammad Pervaiz
  • Publication number: 20040129911
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shutter device for the precision control of a flow, comprising at least one organ for shutting a section for the passage of a flow, the motion of which is proportional to that of an actuator controlling it, wherein said device comprises at least two shutter organs controlled by the actuator by means of a transmission allowing to obtain slightly different proportionality coefficients for the motion of said organs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Promper, Thomas Badinand
  • Patent number: 6758458
    Abstract: Provided is a butterfly valve that prevents occurrence of erosion, thereby rendering it possible to secure fine adjustment of a volumetric flow rate of a fluid in an area of low degree of valve opening or in an area of minute degree of valve opening, to infallibly attain high range ability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kitz Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ando, Yoshiharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20040119040
    Abstract: A valve device having a novel vale seat plate is provided. The valve seat plate has an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a front side and a back side. A sealing case covers the front side and inlet and outlet pipes are attached to the back side to communicate respectively with the inlet and outlet openings. A valve element moves to cover the outlet opening on the front side to close the outlet opening. The novel valve seat plate includes at least two plates that are joined to each other. One plate forms the area around the outlet opening and the other plate forms other areas of the valve seat plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuhiko Hara, Shigeru Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20040108480
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling cutting fluid of a processing machine is disclosed to include a cylindrical rotor, a power source for driving said rotor to rotate, a control mechanism having an encoding device and a sensor, and a processor. The rotor has a main passage and a branch passage both in communication with a cutting fluid supply loop of the processing machine. The encoding device is fixedly mounted on the rotor. Once the sensor detects a code from the encoding device identical to a built-in control serial code of the processor when the processor orders the power source to drive the rotor to rotate based on the built-in control serial code, the power source is ordered by the processor to stop said rotor at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Lu-Chia Liao
  • Publication number: 20040104372
    Abstract: An air passage in an air-conditioner such as an automotive air-conditioner is selectively opened or closed by moving a position of an opening formed on a film screen relative to the air passage. The film screen is coupled to a pair of rollers, forming a curved path between the pair of rollers guided by a guiding surface. The film screen is formed by laminating a first film made of resin and a second film made of woven fabric having a higher elongation rate for a temperature rise than the first film. The second film is positioned inside of the curved path to prevent a shape of the roller or the guiding surface from being easily transferred to the film screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Takahiro Tokunaga, Koji Ito, Atsushi Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20040051071
    Abstract: Provided is a butterfly valve that prevents occurrence of erosion, thereby rendering it possible to secure fine adjustment of a volumetric flow rate of a fluid in an area of low degree of valve opening or in an area of minute degree of valve opening, to infallibly attain high range ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ando, Yoshiharu Sato
  • Publication number: 20030160199
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exhaust gas control valve with a first valve part (14) and a second valve part (44), which rest on one another with one side (17, 46), the valve parts (14, 44) in each case having passages (14, 45) and being rotatable relative to one another between an open position permitting the passage of exhaust gases and a closed position, blocking this passage. Webs (21 to 23), which protrude on one axial side of the first valve part (14), surround the openings (15) and, with their free narrow surfaces, form supporting surfaces for the second valve part (44), which is constructed flat on its side (46) facing the first valve part (14) and essentially rests with this surface on the narrow surfaces of the webs (21 to 23) and slides during the relative rotational adjustment, extend along the boundary edges (18 to 20), surrounding the passages (15, 45) of the first valve part (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Bernd Bareis, Mathias Elsaesser, Franz Bender
  • Patent number: 6557573
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a fluid fertilizer distributor (10, 200, 300, or 400) for distributing fluid fertilizer conducted from a supply vessel (11) to each of a plurality of applicator lines (44). The fluid distributor may regulate a fluid fertilizer flow rate by selectively moving a flow restrictor (50, 250, 350, or 450) relative to the distributor housing. The distributor housing may include a supply inlet port (12, 212, 312, or 412) and a plurality of distributor outlet ports (16, 216, 316, or 416) each for fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of applicator lines (44). The fluid distributor may separate the fluid fertilizer into a plurality of fluid flow paths prior to reducing the pressure in the fluid to avoid gas flashing or vaporization prior to separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • Patent number: 6540205
    Abstract: An addition of a fine adjustment flow-control mechanism that produces changes in fluid flow in increments of 0.1% or less, to any configuration high pressure fluid flow control valve that employs an axial valve stem and a rotatable rough control knob that moves the stem axially in increments of 1.0% or more, opening the valve flow chamber to fluid flow. The valve stem is designed and driven so that it does not rotate or twist, and provision is made to minimize control drive tolerance build-up. These aspects produce a high degree of adjustment accuracy during operation of the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Bryan W Stafford
  • Publication number: 20030015245
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve device for flow control in a distributor of a liquid-operated heat or cold energy supply system with a flow measuring unit to measure a flow rate of the liquid and with a control element to adjust a flow area for the liquid, the maximum flow area being variable by rotation of the control element, the control element being designed as a first disc with at least one flow limiting aperture and being part of a control unit, and the control unit comprising a second disc which exhibits at least one flow aperture, is arranged in parallel to the first disc and adjoins said first disc, forming a tight connection, the at least one flow limiting aperture and the at least one flow aperture being positioned such that a total area made up of the areas of the at least one flow aperture and the at least one flow limiting aperture, which overlap each other, is variable as a function of a rotation of the first disc relative to the second disc around a rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Steffen Bender
  • Publication number: 20030010950
    Abstract: Valve for the control of large-section flows with high operating frequency, and in particular for compressors or the like, comprising a flow aperture (102; 106) and a closure device (3; 8), said flow aperture comprising one or more orifices (102; 106) formed on a fixed body (2; 6) cooperating with said closure device (3; 8) and introduced into the flow channel (1), said closure device (3; 8) rotating with respect to an axis perpendicular to the plane on which said fixed body (2; 6) lies, and being equipped with driving means (5); said closure device (3; 8) is equipped with at least a hollow (123; 138) on the surface facing said fixed body (2; 6) which houses an insert (113; 118), said insert being formed so as to be substantially complementary with said orifice (102; 106) of said fixed body (2; 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Massimo Schiavone, Andrea Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6481986
    Abstract: An improved vacuum adjustment mechanism for controlling airflow into a chamber which is subject to negative pressure, such as the chamber of a diaphragm pump which is generating vacuum for a breast shield assembly, has an air inlet conduit communicating with the chamber. A channel is formed in a base member, with the channel having a longitudinal length and a dimension perpendicular to that length. The perpendicular dimension varies from a minimum to a maximum. The channel has a bottom and is open, such as along a channel top. An airhole is formed in the channel bottom at the point of the maximum dimension. A rotary member is mounted on the base member, and has an internal channel extending across the longitudinal length of the base member channel, and overlies the channel top. The internal channel of the rotary member communicates with an air source, such as ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Larry D. Annis, David A. Bates
  • Publication number: 20020166989
    Abstract: A valve assembly apparatus includes a Tee-fitting and a rotary valve. The Tee-fitting has first and second end openings and a third side opening. The rotary valve has a rotational axis extending laterally relative to the end openings. The rotary valve includes a first portion connected to the third side opening, and a rotatable portion. The rotatable portion is rotatable between open and closed positions. Intermediate positions define a metering function of the rotary valve. A shutoff function can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6454242
    Abstract: An engine air control valve includes a throttle body having an intake air passage and a throttle valve rotatable in the passage between minimum and maximum air flow positions about a valve axis generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the passage. The air passage is defined by an internal wall of the throttle body, the wall including a pair of control surfaces spaced from the valve periphery with gradually increasing clearance on opposite sides of the valve axis in a low flow range. At least one of the control surfaces is interrupted by a recess forming a recessed portion of more rapidly increasing clearance extending essentially from a minimum to an intermediate air flow position of the throttle valve. The recess modifies the base flow curve of the throttle body to provide greater air flow over the low flow range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Garrick, Tracy L. C. Niedzielski
  • Patent number: 6450255
    Abstract: Several downhole flow control devices are disclosed which are meterable and are also capable of shutting of a particular zone in a well. The several embodiments include a multiple valve body, a toroidal inflatable valve, and a series of related choke systems. The downhole flow control choke mechanisms each include a downhole electronics package to provide programming or decision making capacity as well as motor actuation systems. Each choke mechanism also includes a system whereby the device can be converted to manual operation and actuated by a conventional shifting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Carmody, Kevin R. Jones, Robert J. Coon, Douglas J. Murray, Mark E. Hopmann, Steven L. Jennings, Brian A. Roth
  • Publication number: 20020109117
    Abstract: An engine air control valve includes a throttle body having an intake air passage and a throttle valve rotatable in the passage between minimum and maximum air flow positions about a valve axis generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the passage. The air passage is defined by an internal wall of the throttle body, the wall including a pair of control surfaces spaced from the valve periphery with gradually increasing clearance on opposite sides of the valve axis in a low flow range. At least one of the control surfaces is interrupted by a recess forming a recessed portion of more rapidly increasing clearance extending essentially from a minimum to an intermediate air flow position of the throttle valve. The recess modifies the base flow curve of the throttle body to provide greater air flow over the low flow range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Robert David Garrick, Tracy L.C. Niedzielski
  • Patent number: 6416032
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an expansion valve of an air conditioning system for an automobile which does not employ a conventional method that opens and shuts in response to a motion of a pin and ball and can control a flow of a refrigerant and control linearly a flow rate of a refrigerant flow into an evaporator by using holes of a fixed hole plate fixed to a valve body and holes of a rotatable cam which is rotated by a motion of a pin moved upward and downward in response to a pressure difference between an outlet of an evaporator of an expansion valve and an interior of a pressure proof barrel. In the expansion valve of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a huntting phenomenon a reverse flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator and a noise caused by a ball, which have been generated in a conventional expansion valve, from creating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Co.
    Inventor: Man Ju Oh
  • Patent number: 6336330
    Abstract: The flow of steam into a steam-collecting space of a steam turbine is controlled with a steam-inlet valve. The novel steam-inlet valve has an especially high control performance and losses of steam are kept especially low. The steam-inlet valve has a rotary cylinder that forms a shut-off member. The rotary cylinder is placed in a housing, and a steam inlet can be connected to a steam outlet via a passage provided in the peripheral surface of the rotary cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Girbig
  • Publication number: 20010042851
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an expansion valve of an air conditioning system for an automobile which does not employ a conventional method that opens and shuts in response to a motion of a pin and ball and can control a flow of a refrigerant and control linearly a flow rate of a refrigerant flow into an evaporator by using holes of a fixed hole plate fixed to a valve body and holes of a rotatable cam which is rotated by a motion of a pin moved upward and downward in response to a pressure difference between an outlet of an evaporator of an expansion valve and an interior of a pressure proof barrel. In the expansion valve of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a huntting phenomenon a reverse flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator and a noise caused by a ball, which have been generated in a conventional expansion valve, from creating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Man Ju Oh
  • Patent number: 6279605
    Abstract: A ceramic control valve of a faucet including a water stopping seat which is provided in the periphery thereof with a retaining edge. The water stopping seat is disposed in a floating fashion in the cylindrical valve body of the ceramic control valve such that the retaining edge of the water stopping seat is retained in an annular recess of the cylindrical valve body. The service life spans of the washers of the stationary valve block of the ceramic control valve and the circular surface of the faucet are thus prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 6273132
    Abstract: An in-line valve for a fluid line preferably in the environment of a hydrant, comprising a casing to which is mounted an attachment device and in which is disposed a rotatable stem. The attachment device and stem both have dividing walls in which are formed corresponding fluid ports through which fluid flows when the ports are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Amerikam, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Chrysler, Robert S. Creswell
  • Patent number: 6257847
    Abstract: A motorized pump is disclosed that includes a flexible diaphragm fitting within a rigid member, a motor drive mechanism for drawing a puller member attached to the diaphragm away from the rigid member to create a space between the diaphragm and the rigid member and form a negative pressure region within that space, and an outlet communicating with the negative pressure region. In one embodiment, the pump provides a negative pressure in a single chamber which can be used to operate one or two breast shield assembles. In another embodiment, the pump is particularly adapted for double-pumping and provides two chambers which generate vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Medela, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian H. Silver, Larry D. Annis
  • Patent number: 6230607
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a pneumatic drive, particularly a pneumatic drive of a medical or dental instrument, for example, a handpiece or angle piece, which delivers its energy by vibration and in which the vibrations are produced by a pneumatic drive, wherein an air flow is controlled by having an air supply line and an air discharge line end at a distance from each other at a surface and by providing a counter-surface which is movable relative to the surface and, which, in dependence of its position relative to the surface, forms a flow path with a defined flow resistance between the air supply line and the air discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Dentalwerk Bürmoos Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Gregor Rehrl, Richard Kardeis, Wilhelm Brugger
  • Patent number: 6186169
    Abstract: A valve and valve arrangement for a fire suppression system includes a valve having an inlet and an outlet provided on opposite ends of the valve housing with a pressure relief valve in communication with the interior of the housing. A gap in a seat for the valve member provides communication with the inlet of the valve. In another embodiment, a valve has a disk provided in a passageway through the valve member to restrict the flow through the valve to a predetermined rate which is less than the fully opened flow rate through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. McHugh
  • Patent number: 6113357
    Abstract: A hydraulic turbine mounted in-line between a gas production facility and the inlet of the sales lines for boosting pressure sufficiently to insert natural gas from the production facility into the sales line when the sale line pressure is at a high level. The turbine includes a compact turbine pump having several stages of compression with each compression stage including a 15-horse power motor that drives a hydraulic pump. A variable speed control is attached to the motor to allow the user to control the speed of the pump. Each pump stage has its own hydraulic motor that drives a turbine blade inside an enclosure. Pressure at each stage is controlled by means of an adjustable vane that has a stationary plate with a succession of fixed openings. The stationary plate is in face to face contact with a moving plate of similar design. The moving plate rotates at the center and may be adjusted by means of an elongated bolt assembly which adjusts the moving plate clockwise or counterclockwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Rocky Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6109591
    Abstract: A continuous flow type proportional flow control valve having a very wide controllable flow range and having a valve seat port design permitting a continuous, stable closed loop control to be achieved. The flow port design cooperates with a simple cylindrical flow passage of a movable valve element and provides the valve with a very wide flow control range and the ability to smoothly control the opening, modulation, and closing of the valve to eliminate undesirable hydraulic shock which is an undesirable characteristic of pulse operated flow control systems. The flow controlling seat has a flow controlling port therein that cooperates with the flow port of the closure to define an effective valve opening that is proportionally variable over a wide range of closure movement. The seat port is provided with an extremely narrow elongate slot section less than 1/50th of the maximum width of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventors: James D. Tuttle, Robert J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6073910
    Abstract: A coupling for connecting a first pipe part and a second pipe part comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, a shut-off valve arranged in the first coupling part, and locking structure. The locking structure can move with respect to one another between an unlocked position and a locked position, in the manner of a bayonet coupling. An actuator for actuating the shut-off valve is arranged in the second coupling part. The locking structure and the actuator are designed in such a manner that the shut-off valve can only be opened by means of the actuator when the locking structure is in the locked position, and in that the coupling can only be uncoupled when the shut-off valve is in the closed position. The actuator and the locking structure can be actuated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Flamco B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis W. van Spronsen, Diederik Kraan, Cornelis M. Beijersbergen van Henegouwen
  • Patent number: 6039065
    Abstract: A fluid proportioning valve meters a flow of secondary fluid into a flow of primary fluid in a predetermined, controllable proportion of secondary fluid to primary fluid and in a predetermined, controlled volume flow of secondary fluid responsive to volume flow of primary fluid. The fluid proportioning valve includes: a housing defining a conduit in operation for flow of secondary fluid from an inlet in communication with a source of secondary fluid towards an outlet in communication with a source of primary fluid; a first valve element disposed within the housing and defining a first valve opening between inlet and outlet; and a second valve element disposed within the housing and defining a second valve opening between inlet and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Regal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Gagliardo
  • Patent number: 6009788
    Abstract: A variable flow-restricting and apportioning device for an aircraft ejector rack system having a pair of fluid-actuated thrusters includes a pair of rotatable feed conduits for supplying pressurized fluid to the thrusters. Each feed conduit has an exit flow passage at its exit end which is eccentric relative to the longitudinal axis about which the conduit is rotatable, and the exit end of each feed conduit slidably fits into a female receptacle in a receiver in fluid communication with one of the thrusters. Each receptacle includes a mating face therein which has a receiver port for supplying fluid to the respective thruster. The receiver port is eccentric relative to the rotational axis of the feed conduit. Rotating each feed conduit relative to the respective receiver causes varying degree of overlap between the eccentric exit flow passages and the eccentric receiver ports, thereby defining variable-size flow orifices at each receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Thaddeus Jakubowski, Jr., John K. Foster
  • Patent number: 5979492
    Abstract: A Sleeve Valve for regulating the water level in ponds, lagoons and other wetlands which includes an outer tubular section of plastic pipe with a plurality of vertically spaced openings and an inner tubular section of plastic pipe that is disposed telescopically within, and rotatable relative to, the outer tubular pipe. This inner tubular pipe includes a plurality of vertically spaced openings that are positionally staggered about a circumference and arranged for selective alignment with one of the openings in the outer pipe. Each of the openings in the outer pipe are sealed against the outer wall of the inner pipe until rotation of the inner pipe causes alignment of a selected opening in the outer pipe with a corresponding opening in the inner pipe, thereby allowing water to pass only through such corresponding aligned openings. The water level is regulated by selecting and aligning corresponding openings in the outer and inner pipes at the water level desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: David P. Miller
  • Patent number: 5944051
    Abstract: A sprinkler drain and test valve for testing sprinkler systems including a housing, an inlet and outlet disposed on either end of the housing, a ball disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet having three channels extending therethrough that provide communication between the inlet and outlet. A pressure relief valve is carried within one of the channels for opening the flow through the valve when a pressure from fluid flow exceeds a pre-determined pressure when the valve is in the first position and for blocking fluid flow when the valve is in a hydrostatic test angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Inventor: Augustus W. Johnson