Remote Pilot Valve Actuation Patents (Class 251/41)
  • Patent number: 11230830
    Abstract: A water-control system has a faucet, a base unit having at least one normally-open solenoid-operated valve coupled to a water inlet fitting and a water outlet fitting, control circuitry, and a first antenna, and an elongated foot switch, having a normally-open contact element, a battery, and circuitry including a second antenna. A water-supply conduit is coupled to the water-inlet fitting of the solenoid-operated valve, and a water line is connected between the water-outlet fitting of the solenoid-operated valve and a fitting at the adjustable faucet, and wherein, with the faucet open and water flowing from the faucet, stepping on the foot switch closes the normally-open contact element, causing a signal to be sent wirelessly from the elongated foot switch to the solenoid control circuitry, causing the solenoid-operated valve to close, stopping water flow from the faucet, and releasing the foot switch allows water flow to resume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Ronald David Green
  • Patent number: 10787800
    Abstract: A flushing apparatus (1, 301) for being installed in the cistern of a toilet including a flushing device (2) for fluid connection with an outlet of a cistern and a hydraulically-driven control circuit (3, 303) for operating the flushing device. The control circuit (3, 303) includes a water inlet (P) for fluidly connecting the control circuit (3, 303) to a source of pressurised water and an accumulator (6) fluidly connected to the water inlet (P) and configured to supplement, in use, the flow of pressurised water supplied by the source trough the control circuit (3, 303) to activate the flushing device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: THOMAS DUDLEY LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon Boyes, Martin Dudley, Andrew Holmes
  • Patent number: 8827237
    Abstract: A fluid flow valve is disclosed which includes a fluid flow assembly, a piston diaphragm assembly, and a reset plunger pin assembly. These three assemblies are configured to engage one another such that, when used in conjunction with a pressurized water source, they will split the pressurized water source into two portions, the one portion defining a main fluid flow pathway through the valve and, a much smaller proportion, defining a metered fluid flow pathway through the valve. The piston diaphragm assembly has a diaphragm or other equivalent structure for defining a metered fluid flow chamber, which metered fluid flow chamber is fluidly engaged to a pressurized water source through a metering channel in a piston. A reset plunger meter pin assembly engages the metered fluid flow or piston chamber of the piston diaphragm assembly and can initiate a timed flow of water or other fluid into the metered fluid flow chamber, which timed flow controls the flow of fluid or water flowing through the fill valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Dulin
  • Patent number: 7743791
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an air control module unit for a portable pneumatic tool, more particularly, to an air control module unit that actuates a valve stem inside an air inlet block of the air inlet module by a correspondent air bleed valve in the air actuation module. The air control module unit for a portable pneumatic tool comprising: an air inlet module, which has at least one valve stem inside an air inlet block, the air inlet block having plug screws on both ends towards the valve stem and one plug screw on the intersectional direction of the valve stem with at least one air inlet port opening for hooking up the compressed air; an air actuation module having a bleed valve inside the valve block; a plurality of flexible air hoses with a plurality of dimensions and being prepared for connecting the air inlet module and air actuation module; and a plurality of hose connectors and rubber seats with a plurality of types for connecting the air inlet module and the air operation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: China Pneumatic Corporation
    Inventor: George Chu
  • Patent number: 6845960
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diaphragm valve. When a chamber is expanded by fluid supply into a pipe-shaped button, a valve stem is slightly moved upward by a rod and a shaft to open an outlet of an orifice. Fluid received in a space between a cap and a diaphragm and having a high pressure is discharged into an outlet-side space, whereby the diaphragm opens a guide conduit. When fluid is discharged from the pipe-shaped button, the diaphragm is moved toward the guide conduit, and the valve stem closes the outlet. The fluid in the inlet-side space has a high pressure, and the fluid in the space between the cap and diaphragm has a low pressure. The high pressure fluid flows toward the low pressure fluid through a pilot hole of the diaphragm. When fluid pressure balance is effected between the spaces, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 6748970
    Abstract: A fluid diaphragm valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphragm chamber is provided in the primary valve that is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphragm valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphragm valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphragm in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphragm, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Myron Keller
  • Patent number: 6612536
    Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a main water supply. The remote shut-off valve comprises a diaphragm valve and a pilot valve which are connected together by way of flexible tubes so that that pilot valve can be located in a desired location remote from the diaphragm valve. Part of the flow channels between the diaphragm valve and the pilot valve, and also the flow channel to the control chamber of the diaphragm valve are located within the body of the diaphragm valve. Quick-release connectors can be provided to connect the flexible tubes to the pilot valve and to the diaphragm valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Walter Dalton
  • Publication number: 20020046774
    Abstract: A fluid diaphragm valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphragm chamber is provided in the primary valve that is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphragm valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphragm valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphragm in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphragm, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Myron Keller
  • Patent number: 6360768
    Abstract: A control apparatus for pneumatic evacuation and/or water valves, operated by vacuum pressure and used for a vacuum sewerage system, particularly for pneumatically operated sanitary appliances, such as vacuum closets, urinals or wash basins. The control apparatus comprises an activating element, such as a push button, which is integrated in a housing and moved relative to this housing against a force to operate a control valve which comprises a valve disc and a valve piston and transmits vacuum pressure from a vacuum source to the evacuation and water valves. A compact control apparatus is provided which prevents continuous transmittal of vacuum to the evacuation and water valves if the activating element is maloperated. The piston of the control valve is moved by a diaphragm separating a first and a second chamber within the housing. The first chamber is connectable through the first control valve to the evacuation and/or water valves and is connected to the vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Roediger Anlagenbau-Gmbh
    Inventor: Lothar Galler
  • Patent number: 6298872
    Abstract: A fluid diaphragm valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphragm chamber is provided in the primary valve which is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphragm valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphragm valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphragm in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphragm, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Myron Keller
  • Patent number: 6299127
    Abstract: A flush valve for use on toilet devices such as urinals and water closets includes a body having an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat in the body and a valve member movable within the body toward and away from the valve seat to control water flow between the inlet and the outlet. A housing is mounted on the valve body and there is a chamber within the housing. A piston is movable axially within the chamber and into the valve body for contact with the valve member to cause actuation thereof. There is a spring within the chamber which normally biases the piston outwardly from the valve body. A controlled passage in the housing connects the valve body inlet and the chamber to provide water under pressure to move the piston, against the spring, into the valve body to cause operation of the valve member. The improvement comprises a groove in the exterior of the piston, which groove is adjacent and faces a wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6176439
    Abstract: An enhanced mixing equipment system including a power supply, an actuatable valve, the actuatable valve connected via a line between the power supply and a storage vessel, an actuatable discharge/mixing valve attached to a portion of the storage vessel, the actuatable discharge/mixing valve connected via a line between the actuatable valve and a hose, a terminal end of the hose having a nozzle, a control input line connecting the power supply to a control valve positioned adjacent to the nozzle, and a control return line having a safety bleed positioned adjacent to the actuatable valve and connecting the control valve to the actuatable valve and the actuatable discharge/mixing valve such that any loss of pressure in the control return line results in closing the actuatable valve and the actuatable discharge/mixing valve as pressure is released through the safety bleed. With such an arrangement various configurations are possible which provide various redundancies in operator safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: P. K. Lindsay Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David Masison
  • Patent number: 6123315
    Abstract: A fluid diaphram valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphram chamber is provided in the primary valve which is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphram valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphram valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphram in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphram, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve. A novel, retrograde motion actuator is also described for use in manual operation of the pilot valve from a fixed location such as cabinets below kitchen sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Myron C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5938171
    Abstract: A fluid diaphram valve and interconnected pilot valve apparatus for control flow of fluid discharge from a pressurized fluid distribution system. The apparatus has a primary valve with an inlet adapted to receive fluid under pressure, and an outlet adapted to discharge fluid to an outlet conduit. A diaphram chamber is provided in the primary valve which is responsive to fluid pressure controlled by a pilot diaphram valve. Upon release of fluid pressure in the pilot diaphram valve, the primary valve allows passage of fluid to the outlet conduit. Bleed fluid from the pilot valve is also discharged into the outlet conduit and is thus saved for use. Upon closure of the pilot valve, a bleed port in the primary diaphram in the primary valve allows repressurization and seating of the primary diaphram, thus terminating fluid flow through the primary valve. A novel, retrograde motion actuator is also described for use in manual operation of the pilot valve from a fixed location such as cabinets below kitchen sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Myron C. Keller
  • Patent number: 5361426
    Abstract: A pressurized water closet operating system comprises an accumulator vessel having a flush valve assembly mounted internally thereof both of which are connected at all times to a source of water under pressure. A remote control valve hydraulically conditions the flush valve for the discharge of water under pressure from the accumulator vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: W/C Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond B. Martin
  • Patent number: 5125621
    Abstract: A replacement apparatus (50) for converting a manual flush mechanism to automatic operation includes a partition base (76) secured to a replacement cap (68) that forms two spaced-apart openings (96 and 98). A valve operator (58) is so mounted on the replacement cap (68) as to form with the upper surface of the replacement cap (68) a chamber (100) with which both of the openings (96 and 98) communicate. The partition base (76) separates a pilot chamber (26) from a relief chamber (94) that the partition base (76) and replacement cap (68) form. A replacement pilot valve member (102) controlled by the valve operator (58) in turn controls flow through the passage that comprises the openings (96 and 98) and the common chamber (100) with which they communicate. It thereby controls flow between the pilot chamber (26) and the relief chamber (94). The partition base (76) includes a wall (86 ) that is flexible so as to permit a main valve diaphragm (24) to flex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Recurrent Solutions Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Natan E. Parsons, Joel S. Novak
  • Patent number: 4561466
    Abstract: The valve for supplying a flow medium to a flow medium pipe which alternatingly carries different flow media, in particular to the flow medium pipe of a converter for treating the contents of a converter with various gaseous flow media, exhibits a chamber (20) between the flow medium inlet (7) and the flow medium outlet (10), which chamber may be closed on the side facing the flow medium inlet (7) by a piston (11) and on the side facing the flow medium outlet (10) by a disk (12). The piston (11), on the side turned away from the chamber (20), and the chamber (20) are optionally connectable via separate flow medium pipes (27 and 28, respectively) with the flow medium inlet (7) and the free atmosphere, respectively, to close the chamber (20) by the piston (11) and evacuate the chamber, or with the free atmosphere and the flow medium inlet (7), respectively, to open the chamber (20) by the piston (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Kloeckner Stahlforschung GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Georg Fassbinder
  • Patent number: 4391183
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic blocking valve, a so-called holding valve (10), the shutting-off member of which consists of a movable ball (16) coacting with a seat (17) in an inlet chamber (24). The space (15) on the side of the ball opposite its seat forms an operating chamber (15), and both chambers are joined by a constriction passage (13) counteracting flow of hydraulic liquid between the chambers. The operating chamber (15) is in communication with valve means (32) by the aid of which the pressure in the operating chamber can be heavily reduced, e.g. by being taken to a tank (44), resulting in that the ball (16) is thrust from its seat (17) to open the valve. A throttling means (25, 26) simultaneously comes into action for reducing the flow, i.e. liquid loss through the valve means (32) from the operating chamber (15). When the valve means is subsequently closed, pressure is once again built up against the ball so that the latter is pushed towards its seat (17) for closing the valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Innovation Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Stig Broms, Lennart Freese
  • Patent number: 4109895
    Abstract: A remote actuated metering valve system for supplying water to a washing fixture includes a main metering valve and at least one remote actuating relief valve connected to the main valve by tubing. The main metering valve has an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat between them and a movable piston which when the valve is in the normal closed position has its front face seated on the valve seat and its elongated nose projecting through the valve seat. The piston is maintained in the closed position by supply line pressure which is transferred via a bypass timing circuit to a pressure chamber behind the piston where it is sensed by the rear face of the piston. The pressure chamber of the main valve is connected by tubing to a normally closed remote push button relief valve. A second length of tubing leads from the relief valve to the supply source at a point downstream of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Bradley Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Smart, Jr., Scott H. Gumm
  • Patent number: 4078614
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher includes a pressure vessel containing an extinguishing agent and pressurized gas and a valve remotely operated by a manual control at the outlet end of the delivery hose for controlling the discharge of the extinguishing agent from the pressure vessel to the delivery hose. This discharge control valve is opened and closed by a pneumatic cylinder operated by pressurized gas from a valve pneumatically operated by a manually actuated valve mounted near the outlet end of the delivery hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Inventor: George P. Hay