Relatively Movable Valve Elements Form Single Port Closure (e.g., Iris Diaphragm) Patents (Class 251/212)
  • Patent number: 11808375
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an actuator design that comprises a compact package, a more efficient use of power, and dual manual overrides for easy access. An electrically operated motor provides rotational power to a series of gears in a gearbox. The gears reduce speed and increase torque, and rotate a worm shaft gear that is engaged with a worm gear. The worm shaft gear is disposed parallel to the motor, and the worm gear rotates at a ninety degree angle from the rotation of the motor. The worm gears is coupled with a trunnion, which is engaged with a ball of a valve. Rotation provided by the motor to the gears is transferred to the worm shaft gear, which provides rotation to the worm gear, to the trunnion, resulting in rotation of the ball in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: AKRON BRASS COMPANY
    Inventor: Adam Uhler
  • Patent number: 11493137
    Abstract: An iris-type diaphragm having a rear housing, a front plate, a plurality of iris blades, and a drive iris blade. The plurality of iris blades can be situated in substantially the same plane, with the iris blades being actuatable to adjust an aperture size. The drive iris blade can be in mechanical communication with an actuator and the plurality of iris blades. As the actuator displaces the drive iris blade, the drive iris blade in turn displaces the plurality of iris blades. Adjustable positioning of the iris-type diaphragm effectively tunes fluid harmonics and adjusts the signal to noise ratio, thus producing a more desirable fluid flow profile or signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: FLATLINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Christian Wollard
  • Patent number: 11434927
    Abstract: A radial compressor has an iris diaphragm mechanism for a pressure-charging device of an internal combustion engine. The radial compressor has a bearing assembly, in which a rotor shaft is rotatably mounted, having a compressor impeller arranged in a compressor housing for conjoint rotation on the rotor shaft and having a fresh air supply channel for carrying a fresh air mass flow to the compressor impeller. The iris diaphragm mechanism is upstream of the compressor impeller, allowing variable adjustment of a flow cross section for the fresh air mass flow for admission to the compressor impeller, at least over a partial region. The iris diaphragm mechanism has a plurality of blades, each having at least one first and one second blade section, wherein an offset is formed between the first blade section and the second blade section of the respective blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Bogner, Christoph Schäfer, Sasa Slavic
  • Patent number: 11428436
    Abstract: A system for controlling airflow in a plenum, that comprises a worm gear and planetary gear that are removably coupled to a worm shaft and planetary shaft, respectively. The planetary shaft controls the movement of a damper between an open position permitting maximum airflow through the plenum, and a closed position restricting airflow through the plenum. A motor or gear-motor is positioned at the plenum for driving the worm shaft. The motor is controlled by a remotely located controller that includes a power supply for operating the motor and that has a display providing a continuous indication of the position of the damper between the open and closed positions. The controller is connected to the motor through a cable with a detachable electrical connection between the cable and the controller, such as a jack and plug. A wall plate for housing the electrical connection is mounted on a wall or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Metropolitan Air Technology
    Inventors: John E. Hollender, Keith Alsberg, Michael Blaha
  • Patent number: 11414950
    Abstract: A well annular pressure control device includes a housing having a through bore and at least two iris valves within the housing. The iris valves comprise a plurality of vanes operable between an open position and a closed position to define an opening. At least one actuator is coupled to the plurality of vanes to move the plurality of vanes between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kinetic Pressure Control Ltd.
    Inventors: Bobby Gallagher, Steven Angstmann, Billy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11281239
    Abstract: An automatic airflow balancing valve, including: a housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path therethrough; a valve disc operatively connected to the housing and disposed within the flow path; and an airflow volume calibrating assembly disposed in the flow path and operatively connected to the valve disc and the housing to pivot the valve disc to a home position associated with a desired constant airflow volume. The airflow volume calibrating assembly may include an adjustment element that extends toward at least one of the inlet or the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Metal Industries, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Ashton, Scott D. Madden
  • Patent number: 11255252
    Abstract: A radial compressor has an iris diaphragm mechanism for a pressure-charging device of an internal combustion engine. The radial compressor has a bearing assembly, in which a rotor shaft is rotatably mounted, having a compressor impeller arranged in a compressor housing for conjoint rotation on the rotor shaft and having a fresh air supply channel for carrying a fresh air mass flow to the compressor impeller. The iris diaphragm mechanism is upstream of the compressor impeller, allowing variable adjustment of a flow cross section for the fresh air mass flow for admission to the compressor impeller, at least over a partial region. For this purpose, the iris diaphragm mechanism has multiple lamellae which each have a plate style lamella main body and a pin style actuating element as integral constituent parts of the respective lamella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Bogner, Christoph Schäfer, Sasa Slavic
  • Patent number: 11028766
    Abstract: A method of operating a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine has at least one combustion engine which is connected by a rotary drive via a transmission and optionally a clutch with powered wheels of the motor vehicle, and further comprises a fresh gas line, and wherein in the fresh gas line, a compressor is integrated, which is associated with a trim controller, by means of which an edge-side portion of the inlet cross section of a compressor impeller of the compressor is coverable to a variable extent. In this case, in a release position of the trim controller, the edge-side portion of the inlet cross section is covered relatively little, preferably the least possible, and in a covering position of the trim controller, is mostly covered, preferably as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Javier Bartolome, Manuel Vahldiek, Dirk Hagelstein, Arne Staats
  • Patent number: 10626479
    Abstract: A process and system for the extraction of metals and gases contained on planets and asteroids (mining and refining) and for space debris remediation may include geographically localizing a material to be extracted/remediated; performing a risk analysis on the material to determine whether the material presents a serious risk of instantaneous fracture or disaggregation; using the risk analysis to qualify or refuse the material; capturing and stabilizing the qualified material in an ablation cylinder on a plasma machine (PERT station); deploying multiple magnetic hydraulic cylinders around the qualified material; equalizing and stabilizing the PERT station and the qualified material; performing ablation and destruction of the qualified material; and transforming pure elements from the ablation cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Christian Daniel Assoun
  • Patent number: 10619648
    Abstract: An air conditioner allowing a blade driving device to rotate the blade in the up-and-down direction around the respective rotation axis via the two rotation axis, thereby the blade driving device effectively guides the discharged air in the vertical direction. Further, the blade driving device may efficiently rotate the blades by including one or two driving motors for rotating the blades, minimizing the volume of the blade driving device, thereby the blade driving device reduce the size of the air conditioner or efficiently reducing the internal space of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Uk Park, Chan Young Park, Tae-In Eom, Young Kyun Jeong
  • Patent number: 10570905
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism in an air inlet for the compressor, operable to move between a closed position, an open position, and a super-open position. The compressor also includes a ported shroud system. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of blades disposed about the air inlet and movable radially inwardly and outwardly for defining the various positions. In the closed position, the effective diameter of air inlet is reduced and the blades block flow through the ported shroud system. In the open position, the blades still block the ported shroud but the effective inlet diameter is increased relative to the closed position. In the super-open position, the blades unblock the ported shroud so that an additional amount of flow can pass through the ported shroud, thereby shifting the compressor's choke flow line to higher flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: Hani Mohtar, Stephane Pees, William Joseph Smith, Junfei Yin
  • Patent number: 10502126
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism in an air inlet for the compressor, operable to move between an open position and a closed position in the air inlet. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of vanes formed as ring segments and disposed about the air inlet and each movable circumferentially and radially inwardly through a slot in the air inlet wall so as to form an orifice of reduced diameter relative to a nominal diameter of the inlet. Movement of the inlet-adjustment mechanism from the open position to the closed position is effective to shift the compressor's surge line to lower flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Garrett Transportation I Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal Villemin, Hani Mohtar, Stephane Pees, Alain Lombard, Stephane Doise
  • Patent number: 10165844
    Abstract: A diffuser includes a plastics baffle which has an air inlet end, an air outlet end and an outwardly tapering wall extending between the air inlet end and the air outlet end, and which defines a diffusing air chamber. A plurality of circumferentially spaced weld ribs is upstanding from the air outlet end. A plastics grille has a plurality of air outlets and an annular shelf to which the weld ribs of the baffle are ultrasonically welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Philip Jonathan Stephens, Stephen Farrar Smith
  • Patent number: 9988937
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a hydraulic and electrical interface ring for a turbine engine, characterized in that said ring comprises fluid transfer pipes which axially pass therethrough and having axial ends that form axial interlocking means, the supporting means of at least one electrical device, and at least one electrical linking connector of the device, said connector being configured to engage by axial interlocking with a complementary electrical connector of another part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Augustin Curlier, Olivier Belmonte
  • Patent number: 9970554
    Abstract: A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow comprising an actuator ring having a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear or other means. A plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, the pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture. The shutter valve further comprises three or more obturator elements, each obturator element defining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, and wherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss. A hook element is located at an apex of said petal shape structure of each obturator element. The shutter value further includes a housing defining a cavity or holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Clarke Industrial Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle P. Daniels
  • Patent number: 9936787
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable hair dryer device including a rechargeable battery component and configured insulated structures to accord suitable protections for the user from excessive heating to the skin is provided. Such a hair dryer is configured to provide either a hand-held application or a flexible add-on conduit with a bonnet component. Additionally, the hair dryer device exhibits a small profile to reduce the overall size thereof for ease in handling and stowage during use and may also be outfitted with a proper attachment clip to allow for placement on a user's clothing. Coupled with an insulation portion to prevent heat transfer of deleterious levels to the user's skin during hands-free utilization thereof, the all-in-one hair dryer allows for user maneuverability and hands-free or hand-held use on demand with free movement unfettered by an electrical cord. Multiple devices for salon usage, or single personal use devices are thus available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Inventor: Djuna S. Jones
  • Patent number: 9903608
    Abstract: An air conditioner including an opening and closing apparatus configured to open/close a discharge port for discharging air into an indoor space, the opening and closing apparatus includes a plurality of covers provided with a guide unit, a guide plate provided with a spiral guide hole alternately formed with a guide hole having a first section and a second section, and a rail plate extended in a radial direction and having a plurality of rails through which the guide unit is inserted. When the guide plate is rotated, the plurality of covers are moved in a radial direction while having a time interval with respect to the adjacent cover as to open/close the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-Hee Lee, Tae Duk Kim, Yun Suk Park, Moon-Sun Shin, Hae Gyun Shin, Weon Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 9877928
    Abstract: An air damper assembly for regulating an air flow includes a frame, a plurality of elongated damper blade rotatably mounted to the frame, and a drive mechanism for actuating the damper blades between open and closed positions. The drive mechanism includes a gear fixedly secured to a distal end of each of the damper blades and an elongated rack slidably coupled to the frame. The rack meshingly engages the gears such that linear movement of the rack in a first linear direction results in rotational movement of the damper blades in a first rotational direction and linear movement of the rack in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction results in rotational movement of the damper blades in a second, rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Air Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Barton Tinsley, Charles Shepard
  • Patent number: 9761893
    Abstract: A fuel cell case containing a fuel cell stack includes a side face that has an opening for ventilation; a frame body that is located outside of the case along the periphery of the opening; and a louver that is fixed to inside of the frame body. The louver has a plurality of blades arranged to be separated from one another. The fuel cell case also has a projection that is protruded outward of the case in a predetermined range including at least a region located on a gas blow direction side of the louver in an inner peripheral portion of the frame body. This configuration reduces the likelihood that an elongated material such as wire comes into contact with a high-voltage component relevant to the fuel cell inside of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michitaro Itoga
  • Patent number: 9434249
    Abstract: A fuel cap integrated aperture type fuel door structure may include a door frame provided with a fuel hole through which a fuel is introduced, a fixed ring concentrically formed with the fuel hole and fixed to the door frame, and moving panels rotatably fixed to the fixed ring to adjust an opened degree of the fuel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hoo Sang Park, Soo Han Cho
  • Patent number: 9206911
    Abstract: A shutter comprising an actuator ring that rotates about a midpoint and three obturator elements movably coupled to the actuator ring. A housing defines a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the obturator elements. The system also includes a plurality of wipers. Each wiper comprises a seal material and acts as a seal disposed between a first or second surface of the obturator elements and a first or second planar surface of the housing. The system also includes curved grooves adapted for receiving a wall seal when valve moves between an open and closed position. When the valve moves between an open and closed position, one end of the obturator element contacts the wall seal and the plurality of wall seals prevent egress of fluid into at least a portion of the cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CLARKE INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
    Inventor: Kyle P Daniels
  • Patent number: 9169938
    Abstract: A forward check valve and a fuel cell system in which fluid control is performed with increased reliability when a highly active fluid is used are structured such that when an edge portion of a cap is joined to an edge portion of a valve housing, a peripheral edge portion of a diaphragm is pushed and sandwiched by a peripheral edge portion of the cap and a placement portion. Further, the diaphragm is formed of rubber. As a result, the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm is compressed by the peripheral edge portion of the cap and the placement portion, so that the degree of contact at a contact portion between the placement portion and the peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm becomes very high. Consequently, in the forward check valve, joints of the members including a joint of the edge portion of the cap and the edge portion of the valve housing do not contact methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuzo Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 9115825
    Abstract: A cage for a control valve trim assembly includes a cage body having an opening at one end and a wall extending from the opening, a plurality of cage openings disposed in the wall, and a pressure relief mechanism disposed in the cage wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Matthew W. Hanusa, Thomas L. Weyer, Daniel G. Roper, Harold J. McKinney
  • Patent number: 9022103
    Abstract: A capture device for a bore hole of a fluid source, has a base plate (6) that can be anchored at the floor, over the bore hole, and has a bore hole opening (8) through which fluid can be streamed out of the bore hole. An ascending pipe (2) is arranged over the bore hole opening (8). Guide baffles (9) are arranged around the bore hole opening (8), and have blades (10) fixed to the top of the base plate (6) so that the guide baffles (6) can be pivoted and displaced. The blades (10) encompass the longitudinal end (3) of the ascending pipe (2) that faces the bore hole opening (8) like a flower and overlap one another, whereby fluid flowing from the bore hole opening (8) can be captured via the blades (10) and discharged to the ascending pipe (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Valentin Roehm
    Inventor: Valentin Roehm
  • Publication number: 20150115187
    Abstract: A control valve for connection units for flexible hoses comprises a plurality of petals rotatable between a position of complete opening and a position of complete closing, wherein rotatable petals of different shape and sizes alternate in pairs along the circumference of the connection unit. The petals of smaller size have a substantially triangular shape with straight lateral sides and a rounded end which fluid-tightly abut against corresponding straight lateral, sides and curved parts of the petals of larger size when the valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: MIB Italiana S.P.A.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Patent number: 8998171
    Abstract: A control valve for connection unit for flexible pipes, comprising a plurality of sectors, (slices or petals), rotatable between a complete opening position and a complete closing position is described. The aforesaid plurality of rotatable sectors comprises at least two series of rotating sectors of different shape and dimensions disposed in an alternate way along the circumference of the connection unit. The smaller sectors can be controlled in such a way to close slower than the bigger ones. The shape and dimensions of the rotational sectors are such to consent a partial overlapping of the borders of the adjacent sectors for a better tightness between the sectors themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: MIB Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Patent number: 8991782
    Abstract: A device for automatic closure of control valves in separable connection units for flexible pipes is described. The device comprises, for every sector of the control valve, a slidable body operating on the valve sector to cause closing and opening rotation thereof, elastic means housed within a first chamber to activate the sliding body to cause the closing rotation of said valve sector, a braking fluid housed in a second chamber to brake the movement of said sliding body in the closing direction and fluid dynamic communication means between said chambers to permit the controlled transfer of the braking fluid from the second chamber to the first chamber during the movement of the sliding body in the closing direction. The fluid dynamic communication means comprise a passage duct with an enlarged part and a cartridge with external grooves of variable length inserted in said enlarged part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: MIB Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Publication number: 20150083951
    Abstract: A control valve for connection units for flexible hoses comprises a plurality of petals rotatable between a position of complete opening and a position of complete closing. The petals consist of pairs of petals with different shape and sizes, alternately arranged along the circumference of the connection unit. The petals of smaller size are controlled to close more slowly than those of larger size. The upstream surface of the petals of smaller size is provided with a pair of fins laterally protruding from the upstream surface so as to rest on the upstream surface of the petals of larger size to oblige the latter to close before the petals of smaller size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Publication number: 20150083952
    Abstract: Control valve (5, 5?) for connection units for flexible hoses, comprising a plurality of petals (segments or sectors) (6, 7; 6?, 7?) rotatable between a position of complete opening and a position of complete closing. The aforesaid petals (6, 7; 6?, 7?) are rotatable around pivoting axes defined by spherical pins (70) interposed between laterally adjacent petals and provided with a threaded positioning neck (71) inserted and screwed in a respective radial hole (72) of the body (1, 2) of the connection unit. A locking cap (73) is screwed in said radial hole (72) and tightly abutting against said neck (71) of the spherical pin (70) for keeping said spherical pin (70) in a suitable position to enable a correct and precise pivoting between the two adjacent petals (6, 7; 6?, 7?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Lorenzo Bormioli
  • Patent number: 8973607
    Abstract: An air valve arrangement for a motor vehicle, comprising a frame and an air valve provided on said frame so as to be rotatable thereto about an axis of relative movement (R) in opposing directions of relative rotation, the frame comprising an air passage opening, and the air valve is provided in such a way on the frame that it is rotatable between a shut-off position and a passage position, the air valve in the passage position reducing a passage opening area of the air passage opening less than in the shut-off position, and further comprising a drive, which is designed to drive the air valve in at least one first direction of relative rotation about the axis of relative movement (R) for relative rotation, characterized in that the air valve is coupled to a preloading device, which preloads the air valve in a direction of relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Schwarz, Juergen Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150060713
    Abstract: A valve apparatus for a fluid transmission line. The valve apparatus comprising a housing; a drive mechanism; a leadscrew selectively rotatable in a first or second rotational leadscrew direction by the drive mechanism; a drive gear mounted to the housing, the drive gear configured to be selectively driven in a first or second drive gear direction during rotation of said leadscrew in the first or second leadscrew direction to operate an iris mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: LUMEC CONTROL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Luebbers, Eric J. McMasters
  • Patent number: 8955819
    Abstract: A cinch valve includes a first plate with a first aperture, an orbital plate with a second aperture that is substantially aligned with the first aperture. The first plate is arranged to rotate relative to the first plate between a first (open) position and a second (closed) position. The cinch valve includes multiple cables, each of which has a first end coupled to the first plate and a second end coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure. One or more elastic devices are arranged such that when the plurality of cables converges to form the woven closure, each elastic device urges a corresponding one of the cables in a direction that tends to open the woven closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Acrison, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc S. Landry
  • Publication number: 20150041695
    Abstract: A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow comprising an actuator ring having a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear or other means. A plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, the pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture. The shutter valve further comprises three or more obturator elements, each obturator element defining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, and wherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss. A hook element is located at an apex of said petal shape structure of each obturator element. The shutter value further includes a housing defining a cavity or holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kyle P. Daniels
  • Patent number: 8925578
    Abstract: An aperture-shaped variable valve which is used for a semi-active control. The variable valve includes a ring-shaped aperture frame, a plurality of aperture plates which is arranged in a ring shape by overlapping each other on the aperture frame and forms an aperture, a restoring ring which fits into the outside of an aperture surface, and a spring which is connected between the restoring ring and the aperture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Keun Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 8910920
    Abstract: A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow comprising: an actuator ring comprising a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear; a plurality of arm pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, each arm pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture; three or more pivot arms, each pivot arm having a first end and a second end, the first end forming a hinge and mounted to a hinge pin aperture of an arm pin boss; three or more obturator elements; and a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring, the pivot arms and the obturator elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Kyle P Daniels
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140076439
    Abstract: A diverter valve device (10) including a body (12), in which a chamber (14) is defined, which is able to be flown through by a pressurized fluid flow; a rotatory plug (16), which is mounted on the body (12) and is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (X-X); at least one inlet (18), which is provided in the body (12) and is fluidly arranged upstream of the chamber (14); and a pair of outlets (20a, 20b), which stem from the body (12) and are fluidly arranged downstream of the chamber (14). The body (12) has a substantially axial seat (22a) and a substantially radial seat (22b), which are fluidly arranged between the chamber (14) and one outlet (20a) and the other outlet (20b), respectively. The plug (16) is suited to assume a first and a second operating condition, in which it (16) respectively frees and obstructs the substantially axial seat (22a) as well as respectively obstructs and frees the substantially radial seat (22b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Enzo BRIGNONE, Paolo RAVEDATI, Giovanni GIORDANO, Pasqualino CASO
  • Publication number: 20130312362
    Abstract: A method of inserting material into a hole formed through a building structure includes inserting a cover assembly into the hole formed through the building structure, moving at least a portion of the cover assembly from an insertion position to a deployed position, and inserting material into the hole with the cover assembly in the deployed position. An apparatus for filling a hole formed between first and second sides of a building structure includes a cover assembly insertable into the hole from the first side of the building structure, a connector configured to be positioned on the first side of the building structure, and a fastening mechanism configured to secure the cover assembly relative to the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas C. James Maanum, Thomas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8555980
    Abstract: A blowout containment system is permanently positioned on the wellhead. The blowout containment system is relatively inexpensive, is always available and in place, it does not interfere with normal drilling operations, will capture all of the oil and gas emitted by the blowout, does not require special or unique sea surface or underwater apparatus or vessels, does not have any operational requirements that are different than those which drilling crews normally use and are already familiar, and is activated the using actions are similar to those used by drilling crews for well drilling and completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: John Powell
  • Patent number: 8550888
    Abstract: An HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) damper includes a series of pivotal damper blades that are opened by an air pressure differential across opposite sides of the damper. In some embodiments, a fan discharging against the damper blades provides the necessary air pressure to open the damper. To control how far the damper opens, an actuator moves a variable position abutment that obstructs the damper blades to limit how far they can pivot in the open direction. The position of the abutment is infinitely adjustable to provide the damper with infinite adjustment over a range of open positions. In some embodiments, the abutment applies a unidirectional torque to the damper blades regardless of whether the damper is opening or closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Douglas Hildreth, Jr., Robert F. Schult, Goutam Duvvada, Doyle R. Goodman, Gary A. Huss, Mark W. Stephans
  • Publication number: 20130187069
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprising two valve portions, an upper and lower valve portion (12, 14), each having a valve housing indicated generally at (16, 18), a valve seat (28, 28?) and a valve closure member (20, 20?) moveable between a first position in which the valve closure member is displaced from the valve seat and the valve is open, and a second position in which the valve closure member cooperates with the valve seat and the valve is closed, wherein the assembly has a first configuration in which the first and second valve portions engage with one another, the valve closure members being closed, and the valve closure members being disposed at a distance apart defining, with the housing, a chamber (29) therebetween, which is capable of being sealed from the surrounding environment, having an inlet (44, 44?) and an outlet (45, 46?) through which sterilising medium may pass, and a second configuration in which the valve closure members engage with one another and are moveable from their first to their sec
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Chandulal Kantilal Ranpuria
  • Publication number: 20130160863
    Abstract: Valve assembly (10) comprises two valve portions, an upper and lower valve portion (12,24), each having a valve housing indicated generally at (16,18) which are generally annular and a valve closure member (20,20?) which is pivotally mounted within the housing. The valve closure member (20,20?) is in the form of an annular disc and is provided with spindles (22,22?) by means of which the valve closure member is pivotally mounted within the housing. The valve closure member (20,20?) and the spindles (22,22?) are machined from a single piece of metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: CHARGEPOINT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Lee Yates
  • Patent number: 8430140
    Abstract: A capless fuel filling system for a vehicle including a closure assembly that forms an iris arrangement that is rotatable to form a seal for a fuel filling tube or provide access to the fuel filling tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Flobal Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Ognjanovski, David Ballheim
  • Patent number: 8387950
    Abstract: A flow device adapted to operate as a restrictor as well as provide a pressure relief capability in the event of an over-pressurization event within a fluid system containing the device. The flow device includes an expandable orifice that has an outer perimeter, a plurality of cantilevered tabs surrounded by the outer perimeter, and an opening surrounded and defined by the tabs. The tabs project from the outer perimeter toward the opening, which restricts flow of the bleed air through the expandable orifice at a pressure below a predetermined pressure level, but then expands to relieve an over-pressure condition of the bleed air at a pressure above the predetermined pressure level as a result of the cantilevered tabs being deflected by the over-pressure condition. The device is adaptable for use in aircraft applications, including the regulation of bleed air used in anti-icing/de-icing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Hummel, Daniel Jean-Louis Laborie, Bradley James Holtsclaw
  • Patent number: 8353497
    Abstract: A packing unit to seal a wellbore, the packing unit including at least one rotatable cam having a cam axis disposed about an axis of the wellbore, wherein the at least one rotatable cam is rotatable about the cam axis, the at least one rotatable cam comprising a seal recess formed in an outer periphery of the at least one rotatable cam, wherein the packing unit sealingly engages a tool in the wellbore by rotation of the at least one rotatable cam, bringing the seal recess into sealing contact with the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: David Alexander Trevas
  • Publication number: 20120305818
    Abstract: A shutter set includes a first vane and a first vane stop. The first vane is moveable between a first position and a second position. The first vane stop is selectively moveable between a locking position and a free position, relative to the first vane. The first vane stop is configured to apply a bias force or is configured to bias the first vane by a predetermined clearance distance when the first vane stop is in the locking position, and is configured to allow movement of the first vane between the first position and the second position when the first vane stop is in the free position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott P. Charnesky, Nilesh D. Mankame, Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120255274
    Abstract: A flow device adapted to operate as a restrictor as well as provide a pressure relief capability in the event of an over-pressurization event within a fluid system containing the device. The flow device includes an expandable orifice that has an outer perimeter, a plurality of cantilevered tabs surrounded by the outer perimeter, and an opening surrounded and defined by the tabs. The tabs project from the outer perimeter toward the opening, which restricts flow of the bleed air through the expandable orifice at a pressure below a predetermined pressure level, but then expands to relieve an over-pressure condition of the bleed air at a pressure above the predetermined pressure level as a result of the cantilevered tabs being deflected by the over-pressure condition. The device is adaptable for use in aircraft applications, including the regulation of bleed air used in anti-icing/de-icing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel Scott Hummel, Daniel Jean-Louis Laborie, Bradley James Holtsclaw
  • Patent number: 8282069
    Abstract: A cinch valve includes an upper plate having a first aperture; an orbital plate rotatable relative to the upper plate and having a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture; an actuator coupled to the orbital plate arranged to rotate the orbital plate between a first position and a second position; and a plurality of cables each having a flexible portion and each having a first end and a second end, wherein each first end is coupled to the upper plate and each second end is coupled to the orbital plate. Rotation of the orbital plate from the first position to the second position causes the plurality of cables to converge and form a woven closure in approximately the center of the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Acrison, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc S. Landry
  • Patent number: 8215613
    Abstract: A cylindrical housing assembly with an adjustable aperture or orifice using an iris shutter system to control the volumetric flow of fuel mixture or exhaust gas by movable blades or leaflets arranged inside a sealed enclosure which is operated by external actuators connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Neil Cheung
  • Patent number: 8196610
    Abstract: In a cooling system, a variable orifice controls the flow of cooling fluid through a cooling fluid flow path. The variable orifice includes an adjustable diaphragm shutter through which the cooling fluid flows. Upon manipulation of the adjustable diaphragm shutter, a diameter of an opening of the adjustable diaphragm shutter is adjusted to control the flow of the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Vance B. Murakami, Tony Willever, John M. Grisham