Fluid Pressure Trip Actuation Patents (Class 251/73)
  • Patent number: 10520102
    Abstract: Gas safety valve includes: a valve body which defines a flow pipe and in which a shutter is located, movable between an open position and a closed position to, respectively, allow and prevent the flow of an operating gas through the flow pipe; first thrusting apparatus for the shutter in the closed position; a retaining mechanism to maintain the shutter in the open position, the release of which can be forced by a release so as to release the shutter; a control element movable between a locking position and a released position to, respectively, prevent and allow the release of the retaining mechanism; a first actuator device to force the control element into the released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Pietro Fiorentini SPA
    Inventors: Marco Benetti, Massimo Dal Pozzo
  • Publication number: 20140264106
    Abstract: A flow rate control device, including: a body including first and second ports for supplying and discharging pressurized fluid; a set of first and second solenoid valves connected to an upper part of the body and selecting a state of flow of the pressurized fluid; and an opening/closing valve for increasing a flow rate of the pressurized fluid which flows as the result of selection by the first and second solenoid valves. The pressurized fluid is caused to flow from the first port to the second port at a predetermined flow rate while the opening/closing valve is closed, and then the flow rate of the pressurized fluid flowing from the first port to the second port is increased by opening the opening/closing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi MATSUMURA
  • Patent number: 8800585
    Abstract: A high speed valve has a valve body having a flow passage therethrough, and a poppet disposed within the valve body. The poppet is movable between a first position in which the poppet blocks the flow passage and a second position, and the poppet has a piston connected to a stem at a proximal end of the stem. The valve also has a rotating lever release mechanism adjacent a distal end of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Jarrell, Clifton Ray Jones
  • Patent number: 8794589
    Abstract: Actuators having override apparatus are described herein. An example actuator having an override apparatus includes a first actuator stem coupled to a control actuation member. The override apparatus is operatively coupled to the actuator. A spring is coupled to an override member to move the first actuator stem to a predetermined position in response to an override condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm, Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Patent number: 8794260
    Abstract: A safety device for a gas distribution system includes a valve body and an upper casing attached to the valve body, the upper casing housing two springs. The two springs are separated by a casting tube. The two springs are attached to a movable diaphragm that is exposed to gas system pressure. The valve body also includes a cam mounted within the valve body. A limit switch is directly connected to the cam such that the limit switch moves directly in response to movement of the diaphragm. Additionally, a reset pin extends from the valve body and interacts with the cam such that the cam may be reset from a closed position to an open position by moving the reset pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Claude Faillat, Arnaud Bourgeois, Guillaume Fournel
  • Patent number: 8776820
    Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism for a high rate discharge valve has a collet with fingers adjacent a valve member that provides restraint against displacement of the valve member at angularly spaced locations symmetrical about the axis of the valve member. Each collet finger has at least one projection adjacent a first end. The valve actuation mechanism also has a collet sleeve release mechanism with a main body portion having a first end and a second end. The main body portion contains an aperture with at least one land portion that secures each projection of the collet fingers. The main body portion also has an actuation pad at the second end, as well as a hinge mechanism for allowing rotational movement of the main body portion connected to the first end of the main body portion, and an actuation device that contacts the actuation pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Jarrell, Clifton Ray Jones
  • Patent number: 8763983
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method of operating a safety valve and a safety valve system are provided. The valve system includes a valve, an actuator, a mechanical override, and an indicator. The actuator includes a fail-safe mechanism and the indicator is configured to indicate whether the fail-safe mechanism is operable during use of at least one of the actuator and the mechanical override. In one embodiment, a method of operating the safety valve includes actuating the valve into an open position and sending a signal to indicate that the fail-safe mechanism is operable to move the valve to the closed position, while the valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventors: David Lymberopoulos, Benjamin R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8757191
    Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism has a plurality of links. Each link has a proximal end and distal end, and the links are disposed adjacent a valve member. The actuation mechanism also has at least one roller connected to the distal ends of at least two links. The roller contacts a surface of the valve member. In addition, at least one pivot for each link is present in the valve, wherein each pivot is positioned on the proximal end of each of the plurality of links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kiddie Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug John Baxendell, Rusty Rose, Daniel Ray MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 8640729
    Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve shuts off fluid flow in the event of abnormal amounts of fluid flow. A rotor inside the valve turns when fluid flows through the valve. The rotor causes a pneumatic pump to operate and cause increased air pressure. The increased air pressure causes a shut-off piston to move to a closed position when a predetermined air pressure is achieved. The shut-off valve also includes an adjustable bleeder needle to slowly bleed off air pressure when the fluid flow stops and thereby resets the valve. A detent is provided for holding the shut-off piston in the open position. A detent spring and compression bolt are provided for adjusting force on the detent. The shut-off valve is manually closed using a trip arm connected to the detent. The shut-off piston is reset by actuating a reset plunger that moves the piston back to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Brian Dana
  • Patent number: 8622070
    Abstract: A valve release mechanism has an actuator, a ring, a plurality of ball bearings, and a retainer. The retainer is positioned adjacent an inner diameter of the ring and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes therein. Each circumferentially spaced hole receives one of the plurality of ball bearings, which are movable therein. The ring has channels and lands along its inner diameter that allow the ball bearings to move varying distances relative to the retainer. The lands contact the ball bearings when the ring is in a first position and the channels receive the ball bearings when the ring is in a second position. The poppet has a groove that is vertically aligned with circumferentially spaced holes in the retainer when the poppet is in a first closed position. The ball bearings are pressed into the groove in the poppet by the lands of the ring. The resulting interference of the ball bearings with poppet locks the poppet in the first closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kidde Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Simpson, Dennis L. Linhares, Kenneth William Murray, Joday L. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8616521
    Abstract: A fail safe retaining plug assembly for a slam-shut safety device includes a reset pin, a retaining plug attached to the reset pin at a proximal portion, and a safety disk attached to the reset pin at a distal portion. The retaining plug assembly is sufficiently long to prevent the safety disk from falling off of the distal portion before the safety disk contacts a valve seat. The retaining plug assembly is also sufficiently long to prevent the retaining plug from falling off of the reset pin before the safety disk contacts the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Woollums, Tung Nguyen, James C. Hawkins, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Patent number: 8579252
    Abstract: An arrangement in which a valve assembly is provided between the supply air inlet and the magnetic valve that is activated by a position threshold sensor that can be activated by the actuator element and/or a pressure threshold sensor registering the actuating pressure on the magnetic valve and connects the magnetic valve directly to the supply air to increase the availability of the actuator device when the position threshold sensor detects the attaining of a specified operation position of the actuator element or the pressure threshold sensor detects the failure to attain a specified minimum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Heer
  • Patent number: 8573558
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuator air flow control system includes a pneumatic rotary actuator (PRA) and a solenoid air flow control valve (SAFCV). The PRA contains an air reservoir and a vane housing allowing pressurized air to rotate an air-driven vane. The SAFCV includes a flow control valve body (FCVB), a pilot solenoid valve (PSV) and a switch system, wherein the FCVB and the PRA can be connected to direct the pressurized air into the air reservoir, and the PSV is used to control the pressurized air in and out of the PRA to change the vane's rotation movement in the vane housing. Additionally, the switch system allows users to switch between a double-acting and fail-safe operation. When there is no pressurized air and/or electrical power and if an emergent need to open or close the valve, a manual override in the PSV can be used without further installation of a declutchable manual gear operator or external piping when there is no pressurized air and/or electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Easytork Automation Corporation
    Inventor: James Wang
  • Patent number: 8561640
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve including an inlet port for receiving a pressurized hydraulic fluid and an outlet port for expelling the hydraulic fluid. The valve also includes a displaceable spool for blocking and unblocking a flow path between the inlet and outlet ports, and a latching mechanism for displacing the spool in response to a pressure surge for the hydraulic fluid. The valve includes a first elastic element and a second elastic element, where the first elastic element urges the spool into a position blocking the flow path and the second elastic element urges the latching mechanism to displace the spool into a position out of the flow path. In an unlatched position of the latching mechanism, force from the second elastic element is transferred to the spool, and in a latched position of the latching mechanism, the spool is isolated from the second elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Trevor McConnell, Philip George
  • Patent number: 8560139
    Abstract: An automatic flow control apparatus includes a solar cell module that provides a received light signal, an energy storage module, a charging circuit, a regulating module, a control module, a rainfall detection module for generating a detected rainfall signal, and a pair of conductors. The control module converts the received light signal and the detected rainfall signal into measured light data and measured rainfall data, and stores a measured data set that includes the measured light data and the measured rainfall data. The controller determines based on at least the measured data set whether to output a control signal to the regulating module for controlling regulation of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Tung-Teh Lee
  • Patent number: 8485225
    Abstract: A flow control screen having a flow path between the interior of a base pipe and a filter medium. A valve assembly, including a valve plug, a ball retainer, and a piston body with a collet assembly is disposed within the flow path in an opening of a housing disposed about the base pipe. The collet assembly is radially outwardly constrained by a radially reduced section of the opening in a first position preventing entry of the valve plug therein and radially outwardly unconstrained by the radially reduced section in a second position. Reverse flow is initially prevented as internal differential pressure seats the valve plug on a seat of the opening and causes the piston body to shift to the second position upon reaching a predetermined threshold. Thereafter, external differential pressure causes the valve plug to enter the piston body and contact the ball retainer, thereby allowing reverse flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Veit
  • Patent number: 8443823
    Abstract: A flood detection and valve shutoff device which comprises a water sensitive sensor. A mechanism is for retaining the water sensitive sensor on a floor near a water heater. Another mechanism is for biasing a valve in a water inlet pipe of the water heater to a closed position. A lanyard in a taut condition extends between the water sensitive sensor and the biasing mechanism, so as to keep the valve in an open position. When the water sensitive sensor detects water on the floor the lanyard will be released from the water sensitive sensor, causing the biasing means to move the valve from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Irwin D. Prager
  • Publication number: 20130099144
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reversing valve includes a housing, a coil carrier, a coil wound on the coil carrier, a bearing, an armature axially displaceable in the bearing, a core, a flux guiding device, a first connection bore, a control chamber, a first valve seat. A connection sleeve comprises a second connection bore, a first valve seat for a valve element of the armature, and a second valve seat for the valve element of the armature. The connection sleeve communicates with a fluid to be controlled. A third connection bore is connected with the control chamber. A valve element abuts against the first valve seat in a first position so as to form a connection between the first connection bore and the third connection bore, and against the second valve seat in a second position so as to form a connection between the third connection bore and the second connection bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Buse, Rolf Lappan, Rolf Dohrmann, Franz-Josef Schnelker, Christoph Sadowski
  • Publication number: 20120261005
    Abstract: A cam assembly for use in a slam-shut safety valve includes a cam having an elongated first cam arm, and the cam is pivotable about a rotational axis. The cam assembly also includes a torsional spring having a pair of stationary outer arms and a pair of pivotable inner arms, wherein the pair of stationary inner arms is coupled to a portion of the first cam arm. The pair of inner arms is adapted to act on the first cam arm to bias the cam into a position that allows the cam to be relatched in a valve rearming process. The pair of inner arms is symmetrically disposed about the first cam arm to prevent lateral displacement of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Theodor Cojocaru, Adrian Valean, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Patent number: 8267162
    Abstract: A bi-directional pressure relief valve for a plate fin heat exchanger including an elongated heat exchanger tube having ends and a channel for the flow of a fluid from one end of the tube to the opposite end and a bi-directional reed valve positioned within the channel. The reed valve allows fluid to flow within the channel in either direction when a pressure differential across the reed valve is sufficient to urge the reed valve to an open position, thereby enabling the heat exchanger to be used independent of the direction of fluid flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Standard Motor Products
    Inventor: Archibald E Pinto
  • Patent number: 8177189
    Abstract: A differential dry pipe control valve for fire protection sprinkler systems includes an eccentric plug that rotates and separates supply water and system air pressure and uses an integral actuator that maintains the seal of the eccentric plug with a smaller ratio of air pressure to a higher supply water pressure. When the sprinkler system is actuated, the actuator allows the rotary eccentric plug to open the waterway and includes an eccentric plug opening that swings out of the waterway to reduce friction loss of the water supply. The eccentric plug includes a conical rubber coated seat surface and dynamic metal seal seat that seals due to water pressure eliminating close tolerance mating of sealing components. The actuator includes an integral alarm connection to provide a required alarm function and acts as a pilot differential actuator to provide the required operation of an approximately 5.5:1 ratio differential dry pipe control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Eldon D. Jackson, Vinh B. Hoa
  • Patent number: 8104504
    Abstract: An assembly is for extremely fast opened lids systems, where compressed gases or liquids or oils are used. Mainly, the removable lid is comprised of a lid, a lid platform, a dynamic hinging mechanism, and a releasing mechanism. A final action could be via means of mechanical or electrical via an action of a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Vladislav Oleynik, Gennadiy Albul
  • Publication number: 20110204268
    Abstract: A pressure regulator (10) includes a fuel tube (30) having an inlet end (35), an outlet end (180), and a fuel chamber (40). The outlet end defines a valve seat (70). A valve element (80) engages the valve seat in a closed position to prohibit flow of fuel from the inlet end to the outlet end. The valve element moves to an open position when pressurized fuel builds in the fuel chamber. A valve biasing member (90) biases the valve element towards the valve seat in opposition to the pressurized fuel in the fuel chamber. The fuel tube includes pressure differential creating structure (170) at the outlet end thereof to create a pressure differential around the valve element and cause unbalanced fuel flow at the outlet end to promote the valve element to move towards a certain location at the outlet end when the valve element moves to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Saul Abelardo Peña De Santiago
  • Patent number: 7806235
    Abstract: A device that relieves lubricant pressure in a divider block lubrication system into a fluid reservoir, a container, or directly back into the compressor frame to which the tubing is connected. This eliminates housekeeping, environmental, safety, and compressor component failure concerns associated with current atmospheric rupture assemblies that relieve directly to the atmosphere. The environmental compressor protection assembly contains a spring set to a pre-determined pressure. Lubricant pressure in excess of this pre-determined set pressure results in spring compression and opening of a relief path. The assembly preferably remains in a full open position and must be must be manually reset to the closed position to prevent fluid flow in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Curtis Roys, Michael Easton
  • Publication number: 20100200786
    Abstract: A pressure-sensing valve comprises a first housing part, a second housing part, a first regulating knob, a second regulating knob, a valve piston, an upper washer and lower washer, and a pair of springs. The housing parts each has an inner space for moveably receiving the other elements therebetween, and connected with the regulating knobs by a threaded portions. The regulating knobs adjustably abut against the opposite ends of the pair of springs to shift the balanced position thereof to a gating position for closing the pressure-sensing valve under a desired compressed length of the springs and opening for temporarily responding to the acceleration of engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Pao-Lai Chen
  • Patent number: 7751959
    Abstract: A suspension system includes four electronically controlled actuators, one at each of the four wheels. The actuators are each controlled by an electronic control unit. The left front and right front actuators are mechanically connected with each other. The left rear and the right rear actuators are also mechanically connected with each other. The only connection between the front two actuators and the rear two actuators is an electronic communication through the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Boon, Koen Reybrouck
  • Publication number: 20100024774
    Abstract: The invention relates to a check valve with a spherical valve element whose service life and operating reliability is considerably increased in relation to conventional check valves. The improved check valve is used in an injector for a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a hydraulic pressure booster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Markus Leimser, Michael Stengele, Andreas Theurer, Christoph Butscher, Alexander Giehl
  • Patent number: 7650905
    Abstract: An emergency isolation valve has a valve plug in a valve body connected to a pipeline. The valve plug is connected to a valve shaft around which a sector gear is provided and engaged with a rack of a piston rod in a cylinder. The piston rod has a piston at one end and is connected to a compression spring at the other end. The piston is moved by air supplied into a cylinder from a compressed air source via a fluid control and a solenoid selector valve. Air supply stops and a discharge hole of the cylinder is opened, so that air is discharged to the outside. The piston is returned by the compression spring to close the discharge hole. At the same time stop of the piston rod is detected by a sensor thereby checking whether to actuate the valve plug normally even during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Kubota, Wataru Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20090236550
    Abstract: A pressure-thermostat (1) includes a body (2) having a cavity (5), a conduit (6) for a fluid and at least a couple of electric switches (8a, 8b) arranged from the opposite part with respect to said conduit (6). An elastic membrane (9) separates, in a fluid-tight manner, the conduit (6) relative to the cavity (5) and is deformable for bending towards this latter. The pressure-thermostat (1) includes a thermostat (12) having a first electric switch (13) activable owing to a thermal deformation of a disk with a diameter higher or equal to 15 mm, arranged in correspondence with the bottom. The thermostat (12) is movable under the action of the elastic membrane (9) away or approaching with respect to the conduit (6). The pressure-thermostat (1) also includes transmission means (34) interposed between the elastic membrane (9) and the thermostat (12) for displacing this latter under the action of the elastic membrane (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: EUROSWITCH S.R.L.
    Inventor: GIORGIO SILVA
  • Publication number: 20090139486
    Abstract: In a gas exchange valve actuating device for transmitting a drive movement to at least one gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine which includes a braking unit having at least one actuator, the gas exchange valve actuating device is provided with a locking unit for locking the actuator counter to an opposing force when the actuator has reached a specific position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Marc Oliver Wagner
  • Publication number: 20090032749
    Abstract: A regulating valve includes a cylinder, a piston provided inside the cylinder and displaced in a predetermined direction when a pressure of a hydrogen gas existing on a downstream side of a fuel supply path is smaller than a predetermined pressure, and a valve body which is provided inside the cylinder and which abuts on the piston and is pushed and displaced by the piston to open the fuel supply path at a time when the piston is displaced in the predetermined direction, wherein an abutment portion between the piston and the valve body is provided with a rubber member as an impact absorbing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Yoshio Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20080099704
    Abstract: An emergency shutoff valve is provided that includes a housing defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween. The valve includes a valve element disposed within the housing and releasably latched in an open position by a latching mechanism. An expansible member defines at least a portion of a sealed expansible chamber that is sealed at locations downstream and upstream of a weakened portion of the housing. The valve includes an access port in fluid communication with the chamber. The access port may be used to test the integrity of the expansible member. An expandable material may also be disposed in the chamber and used to shut off the valve on the occasion the housing is compromised to an extent wherein fuel can flow into the expansible chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Lauber, James E. Kesterman
  • Patent number: 6899122
    Abstract: Safety shutoff apparatus can close a valve using a pressure operable device coupled to and acting upon the valve. The proximal end of a pressure line is coupled to the pressure operable device for applying fluid pressure thereto in order to operate the pressure operable device. A soluble plug at the distal end of the pressure line can seal it in order to maintain pressure at the pressure operable device. By placing the soluble plug next to an object that is subject to leaking, the soluble plug can dissolve when a leak occurs and release the pressure in the pressure line. The released pressure results in closure of the valve when mechanical movement is produced by the pressure operable device in response to the release of pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Albert Mele
  • Patent number: 6766820
    Abstract: An improved pilot guard for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to both a pilot burner and a main burner, the pilot valve comprising a housing having an inlet port, a pilot port and a main burner port; a bore extending through the housing between the pilot port and main burner port; a stop shuttle normally biased to a seated position in which it blocks communication between the inlet port and the bore; a reset shuttle positioned in the bore for lifting the stop shuttle from its seated position, the reset shuttle supporting a sealing member for sealing the inlet port from the main burner port but permitting communication between the inlet port and the pilot port when the reset shuttle lifts the stop shuttle from its seated position; a thermocouple capable of generating a current from the heat of the pilot burner; an electromagnet connected to the thermocouple and capable, when fully energized, of holding the stop shuttle from moving to its seated position; wherein the reset shuttle is movable by the force of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurice Hoss
  • Patent number: 6543471
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically shutting off a water supply to a leaking water heater includes a water-collecting tray adapted to be positioned beneath a water heater, and a float mechanism removably attachable to the tray. The float mechanism has a float adapted to reside within the tray. An arm extends from the float, and terminates in a trigger extremity located outside the tray. The trigger extremity is positioned to push upwardly upon a holding block that secures an extremity of a coil spring. The holding block also secures a tether that extends to an operating lever of a water shut-off valve. When the float rises in the tank, it causes the trigger extremity to release the coil spring in tensioned state from the holding block. Such action pulls the operating lever downwardly, causing shut-off of the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6460564
    Abstract: A rotary-plug shut-off valve (10) of the type having a valve chamber (20) with multiple inlets includes: an actuator chamber (26); a base member (36) forming (a) an end of the actuator chamber (26) and (b) a guide (44); a vacuum-reactive member (48) movable with respect to the base member (36); a spring (54) in axial compression and rotational tension between the base member (36) and the vacuum-reactive member (48) and compressible by vacuum force on the vacuum-reactive member (48); and a piston (60) affixed to the vacuum-reactive member (48) and slidable 1) with respect to the rotary plug (22) and 2) with respect to the base member guide (44), to achieve automatic shut-off when vacuum pressures in protected line are too intense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Schlitzer
  • Patent number: 6311714
    Abstract: A fluid path opening/closing valve comprises a plate-like valve plug and a rack which is fixed to a piston of an emergency shut-down air cylinder. The rack meshes with a pinion which rotates by a reversible motor with a clutch. If a seismic detecting valve detects earthquake which has over predetermined seismic intensity and opens, compressed air is sent from an air tank via the opened seismic detecting valve to a switching cylinder which disconnects the clutch. At the same time, compressed air is sent from the air tank to the emergency shut-down air cylinder via a delay valve to lower the piston with the fluid-path opening/closing valve which closes the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nichigi Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Susumu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6296008
    Abstract: A switchover valve for switching over from one supply of pressure fluid to another supply thereof in response to failing or failure of the one supply. The valve has a valve body having two inlets for connection thereto of the respective pressure fluid supplies and an outlet. A valve member is movable in the valve body between a position establishing communication for delivery of fluid from one inlet to the outlet and blocking flow from the other inlet to the outlet and a position establishing communication for delivery of fluid from the other inlet to the outlet and blocking flow from the one inlet to the outlet. The valve member is subject to pressure of fluid supplied to the one inlet for moving it from the first-mentioned position to the second-mentioned position and to pressure of fluid supplied to the other inlet for moving it from the second-mentioned position to the first-mentioned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Boyer, David A. Pryor
  • Patent number: 6131876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve comprising a valve housing 1 with a duct 2 that can be optionally opened or closed, a valve body 4 and a valve spindle 3 that is displaceable in relation to the valve body 4 from a first position where the valve spindle 3 closes the duct 2, to a second position where the valve spindle 3 keeps the duct 2 open. The valve comprises a displaceable flange part 15 that surrounds the valve body 4, and which flange part 15 is arranged to support the valve body 4 by means of at least one displacement element 11, 12, 13. Flange part 15 is arranged to be displaced, in relation to the valve body 4, when force is applied to the flange part 15. To make the valve easy to operate, utilize very little force and have small dimensions, the valve spindle 3 is arranged to be displaced from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Marioff Oy
    Inventor: Harry Metzger
  • Patent number: 6047732
    Abstract: A directional control valve has snap-locking device for retaining the slide of the directional control valve in at least one switching position. The snap-locking device has a snap-locking part with a snap-locking piston that allows an engagement part to engage and lock the slide of the directional control valve. A kick-out device disengages the engagement part when a predetermined control pressure is exceeded. The kick-out device triggering force may be adjusted by a setting device that acts on a kick-out spring. A switching device that allows the kick-out function to be switched off independently of the setting of the setting device associated with the directional control valve in order to prevent disengagement independently of the initial stress of the kick-out spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbH
    Inventor: Winfried Rueb
  • Patent number: 5628490
    Abstract: A retrofittable, manually-actuated control valve kit for use in controlling the flow of water from a lavatory tap includes a valve assembly and an actuator assembly. The valve assembly includes a valve movable between flow-blocking and flow-permitting positions, a spring for biasing the valve toward the flow-blocking position, and a valve opening mechanism for opening the valve against the force of the spring in the presence of a predetermined pneumatic pressure in the opening mechanism and for relieving the predetermined pressure to release the valve for movement to the flow-blocking position. The actuator assembly supplies pneumatic pressure to the opening mechanism of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Metcraft, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel H. Roberts, Vincent J. Boreas, Charles A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5575306
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve trigger is formed by a diaphragm chamber communicating with fluid in a container being monitored by a pressure collapisible pin axially maintaining the diaphragm in the chamber in a given position. A flapper valve latch member released by movement of the diaphragm in response to collapse of the pin releases a flapper valve on the container to open in response to fluid pressure above a predetermined value biasing the diaphragm to a pin collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5439028
    Abstract: A modular valve field convertible between a wet and dry configuration including a valve body and a passage within the valve body for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve seat and clapper are positioned within the valve body. The clapper is allowed to pivot between a first position wherein the clapper is sealingly engaged with the valve seat and a second position wherein the clapper is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the valve. The operator controls the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat. An operator securely retains the clapper in the first position in a first mode of operation and allows the clapper to freely move between the first and second positions in a second mode of operation. A controller governs the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat when the operator is in the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Central Sprinkler Corporation
    Inventors: George G. Meyer, Stephen J. Meyer, William J. Reilly
  • Patent number: 5351714
    Abstract: A safety valve comprises a valve seat and a spring-loaded first control piston that is axially moveable with respect to the valve seat. The valve seat and the first control piston each having a central channel for a branched-off portion of a transported pressure medium. The first control piston central channel has an annular surface that is in fluid communication with the pressure medium. A spring is supported at one axial end by a flange of the first control piston and at an opposite axial end by a switching element. When the pressure medium reaches a predetermined operating pressure, the switching element is moved axially, through the release of an arresting mechanism, to that side which faces away from the valve seat to relieve the fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Paul Hammelmann Meschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Ulrich Barnowski
  • Patent number: 5297775
    Abstract: A linkage device for a steam turbine stop valve includes a support member having a pair of transverse sections separated by a substantially vertical portion; a reciprocal stop valve stem fixed to one of the transverse sections, the stop valve stem extending substantially parallel to but laterally offset from the vertical portion; an actuator rod arranged in substantial axial alignment with the stop valve stem along a force line, one end of the actuator rod extending through a hole in the other of the transverse sections; and a multi link assembly extending between the stop valve stem and the actuator rod, including a first link pivotally secured at a first end to the one transverse section, and a second link pivotally secured at a first end to the actuator rod. Second ends of the first and second links are pivotally secured to each other by a pivot pin. A trip cylinder is utilized to move the pivot pin through the force line, causing the multi link assembly to collapse, thus permitting closure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Russell A. Gray
  • Patent number: 5295403
    Abstract: A device for power actuating a valve or other controlled unit, including a member operable by movement in opposite directions to move the controlled unit to different positions, a spring yieldingly urging the member in one of those directions, and a latching mechanism which is urged by the pressure of a body of fluid to a condition releasably retaining the member against movement by the spring. The latching mechanism is constructed to have a mechanical advantage enabling a relatively small force exerted by the body of fluid to resist a much greater force exerted by the spring. The latching mechanism includes two latching elements which are interengageable to releasably retain the member against movement by the spring, with one of the elements being shiftable in opposite directions by a manual operating member to manually actuate the member and also to vary the position in which the latching mechanism retains the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Koso Internationa, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Sibley, William F. Keller
  • Patent number: 5261446
    Abstract: The improved valve of the present invention is a self-contained emergency safety shutdown valve which does not require the attendance of an individual or an outside power source for its emergency shutdown. The valve illustrated is a gate valve with the gate movable between positions opening and closing flow through the valve and having a stem which is controlled by a ball shaft extending through a rotary ball nut with means for preventing rotation of ball nut in one direction and means urging stem, gate and ball shaft in a direction closing flow through the valve. The control means controlling the release of the rotation preventing means is controlled by both high and low pressure responsive devices which are interconnected to a plunger for operating the release and to a plunger for sensing the pressure downstream of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Gerald S. Baker
  • Patent number: 5117867
    Abstract: A manifold for a differential pressure transmitter for a fluid conveying pipeline is provided. Valves are arranged to provide automatic sequencing for service functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Don L. Adams
  • Patent number: 5048791
    Abstract: A resetable shut off valve includes a body (10) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (14). The inlet and outlet are connected in the valve body through a fluid passage which includes an opening (26). A movable plunger assembly (42) includes a seal disc (56) sized for blocking the opening. The plunger assembly is biased towards a position blocking the opening by a compression spring (57). A u-shaped wire spring (66) includes a foot portion (70) which engages a recess (46) in the plunger assembly to hold the assembly disposed from the opening. The foot portion of the wire spring abuts a first surface (36) in the body. The wire spring is attached at the end opposed of the foot portion to a movable pressure plate (58) which abuts a diaphragm (80). When fluid pressure is introduced to a second chamber of the valve (78) above the diaphragm, the wire spring is pushed against the first surface, deforms and disengages the recess in the plunger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Ellison, Mai Ujjin
  • Patent number: 4862919
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a multi-position valve which controls the flow of system fluid pressure to various work stations. The multi-position valve is biased by a centering spring to a neutral position from which it can be shifted to a selected working position. A retaining mechanism is able to retain the valve in the selected working position when the system pressure is in a prescribed pressure range. The retaining mechanism is urged to its retaining position by a control fluid pressure which is derived from the system pressure. When the system pressure is below or above the prescribed pressure range the retaining mechanism is unable to resist the force of the centering spring and the valve assumes a neutral position. When the system pressure is in the prescribed range, a constant control pressure is supplied to the retaining mechanism for effectively resisting the force of the centering spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Stemmer