Lost Motion Between Actuator And Valve Patents (Class 251/77)
  • Patent number: 11353123
    Abstract: A valve cartridge may include an outer cylindrical body and an inner cylindrical body disposed in a channel formed by the outer cylindrical body. The outer cylindrical body may include a wall that defines the channel. The outer cylindrical body may include a ramped slot. The ramped slot may extend angularly from a first angular position on the wall to a second angular position. The ramped slot may extend longitudinally from a first longitudinal position on the wall to a second longitudinal position. The inner cylindrical body may include a handle interface approximate to a first end of the inner cylindrical body. The inner cylindrical body may include a pin extending radially from the inner cylindrical body and into the ramped slot. The inner cylindrical body may include a valve seat at a second end of the inner cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Cool Valve, LLC
    Inventor: Andy Schuster
  • Patent number: 11236833
    Abstract: Diaphragm valves include plastic diaphragm and reduced or no elastomer backing cushion, where peripheral or all sealing forces may be applied directly to the diaphragm of the valve assembly. The valve assemblies may include a pressure ring to apply sealing force to a surface of the diaphragm with a reduced size or no backing cushion allowing a two-fold or more increase in pressure capacity of the valve assembly. An elastomer or metallic spring placed above a center diaphragm boss may provide center-to-edge compliance for passage seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Louis E. Matalon, Richard Kovacs
  • Patent number: 10530226
    Abstract: A stator for a linear stepper motor includes four stator sheets and two stator windings. The four stator sheets are oriented towards each other, provided with bent polar arms, and have two inner stator sheets each defining a sheet recess and two outer stator sheets that are arranged in an offset manner. THE four stator sheets are joined into an integral coil body by a stator overmold. One of the stator windings is wound onto the coil body between one inner stator sheet and one outer stator sheet and connected with connector pins. The four stator sheets and the stator overmold including a stator flange and a pin socket are integrally formed such that radial envelope surfaces of the at least four stator sheets are free from the stator overmold. A stator recess inside the stator is arranged centrically in the stator overmold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: JOHNSON ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Gerd Howack, Daniel Gerhard Barthel, Andreas Kurtz
  • Patent number: 9863733
    Abstract: A firearm barrel has a gas channel in fluid communication with a gas port. The gas port diverts a portion of the gas produced when firing a round of ammunition into the gas channel. The gas channel extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrel to a gas block. The gas channel provides fluid communication between a gas block and a gas port located in different longitudinal positions on the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MACHINE GUN ARMORY, L.L.C.
    Inventors: John Kokinis, Daniel Fisher
  • Patent number: 9856975
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating an interlocking shifting element of a transmission which comprises two piston chambers and a piston element that delimits the piston chambers. The piston element can be acted upon in one piston chamber by a pressure to open the shifting element and, in the other piston chamber, by another pressure to close the shifting element. Pressure can be delivered by a valve to two piston chamber and the valve can be actuated by an actuator by a pilot pressure. The valve and the electro-hydraulic actuator are designed and functionally connected to one another such that, in the event of a pressure drop, a total hydraulic force, acting to close the shifting element, is applied to the piston element and, if the current supply to the actuator fails, a total hydraulic force acting, in the opening direction of the shifting element, acts upon the piston element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Thilo Schmidt, Manuel Straub
  • Patent number: 9803777
    Abstract: An attenuating device that is configured to replace motion converters in conventional control valve assemblies. The attenuating device can generate an output displacement in response to a position of a plug relative to a seat in the valve assembly. In one embodiment, the attenuating device comprises a spring assembly with a pair of spring members, disposed in series, and configured to assume a deflection that reduces the displacement of the plug to a smaller displacement that is useful to position a target member of a sensor. This embodiment, however, forgoes the mechanisms of conventional devices in lieu of components that are amenable to compact design. In this way, the attenuating device can substantially fit within the existing structure of the valve assembly, and, in one construction, the attenuating device is disposed in the actuator of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin James Mackie, Harold Randall Smart
  • Patent number: 9534700
    Abstract: The valve actuator (1) includes a housing (2), a motor (4) coupled to the valve, wherein rotation of the motor (4) changes the position of the valve from a first position in which fluid flow may occur along at least one path and a second position in which fluid flow is either blocked or may occur along at least one second path, said motor (4) being normally supplied with electrical power from a main source of electrical power, at least one sensor (24,132) configured to detect the position of the valve and/or the valve speed, a switch (16) controlling the delivery of electrical power to the motor (4), and a power circuitry (19) connected to the switch (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Frederic Denat, Mourad Rezig
  • Patent number: 9525373
    Abstract: To provide a stepping motor which can precisely and reliably detect stopping of a rotor with respect to a stopper with a simple structure, i.e., positioning of a base point of the rotor, and provide a motorized valve using it. The stepping motor includes a stator 55 and a rotor 57 rotationally driven by the stator 55, and a detection rotor 47 detecting a rotation position of the rotor 57. The detection rotor 47 is rotatably disposed on a co-axial center L with the rotor 57 and rotationally driven via a rotation drive mechanism between the rotor 57 and the detection rotor 47. The rotation drive mechanism has a drive play having a predetermined length or angle in the rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomonori Shimura, Tomoari Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 9109713
    Abstract: A control device may include a control drive and a coupling unit coupled to a drive side of the control drive for performing bidirectional control motions and also be coupled to an output side of the control member to be bidirectionally actuated. The coupling unit may have a drive element on the drive side coupled to the control drive. The coupling unit may have an output element on the output side coupled to the control member and to the drive element via a joint for transferring tensile and compression forces in a longitudinal axis of the output element. The joint may be configured to allow pivot motions between the drive element and the output element about a transverse axis running in the joint transverse to the longitudinal axis. The joint may also be configured to allow linear motions parallel to the transverse axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 9086055
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a fluid turbine is provided. The system includes a supply subsystem for providing oil via an oil tank or a hydraulic accumulator to a gearbox of the fluid turbine for lubrication during at least one of idling or loss of electric grid. The system also includes a control subsystem for controlling the flow in the lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pradip Radhakrishnan Subramaniam, Edwin Hidding, Michael Jay Burkett, Stephen Bertram Johnson, Mayank Tiwari
  • Patent number: 9052026
    Abstract: A sealing system for a solenoid valve is provided for accommodation in a recess in an actuating element movable by a coil. The recess proceeds from an end face of the actuating element close to a valve seat. The actuating element is movably mounted in a solenoid valve and designed to clear or close the valve seat (30). A sealing disk and a spring element biasing the sealing disk are provided, wherein the spring element is arranged on the end face facing away from the valve seat centered with respect to the sealing disk and exerts a force on the sealing disk in direction of the valve seat. The sealing disk is axially shiftably guided in the actuating element. A solenoid valve itself includes such sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GMBH
    Inventor: Albert Leidig
  • Patent number: 9046180
    Abstract: A weir-type diaphragm valve includes a valve body with a fluid channel and a weir with a weir sealing portion; and a diaphragm with diaphragm portions, including a diaphragm weir sealing portion at the weir that responds to one force and travel against the weir sealing portion to close the valve and stop fluid flow through the fluid channel, and responds to a second force and travel away from the weir sealing portion to open the valve and allow fluid through the fluid channel, a center flexing portion off the weir that experiences convex and concave flexing extremes when the valve is closed/opened, and an outer sealing portion fully constrained between components, one of which includes the valve body, when the valve is closed/opened. The diaphragm portions have different characteristics based on different material stresses associated with different functionality that each portion performs when the valve is closed/opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Louis E. Matalon
  • Patent number: 9032739
    Abstract: An actuator includes a first piston and a second piston. The first piston has a piston ring that separates a first chamber from a second chamber of the actuator. The first piston has an interior chamber that communicates with the first chamber. The second piston is disposed within the interior chamber of the first piston so as to be movable with respect thereto. The second piston has a surface that interfaces with the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Leo J. Veilleux, Nicholas Moura
  • Patent number: 9010372
    Abstract: A changeover valve (1) including a valve housing (2), which has at least one inlet opening (3) and at least three outlet openings (4, 5, 6), of which outlet openings (4, 5, 6), by a changeover shaft (7) displaceably guided in the valve housing (2), one outlet opening can optionally respectively be assigned to the at least one inlet opening (3), two sealing elements (8, 9), which (8, 9) are displaceably guided on the changeover shaft (7) between two drivers (10, 11) and are kept at a distance from each other with the aid of at least one pressure element (12), a switching tube (13), which is displaceably guided in the valve housing (2) via two circumferential annular guide surfaces (14, 15) provided on the tube circumference thereof, and at least one switching tube opening (16) provided between the annular guide surfaces (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Fangmeier
  • Patent number: 8944101
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow between two reservoirs. The valve assembly includes a relief valve arranged inside the housing and configured to open a first fluid flow path when the first reservoir is above a first predetermined pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Pifer, Vaughn Mills, Ronald Sexton
  • Patent number: 8939743
    Abstract: With the invention, a device for fluid feed for explosive forming, which has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, is to be improved, so that the device permits both good filling of a die with fluid and good sealing during the explosive forming process in a technically simple design. This task is solved by a device for fluid feed for explosive forming that has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, in which the activating mechanism is arranged separate from the valve in an inactivated valve state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cosma Engineering Europe AG
    Inventors: Andreas Stranz, Alexander Zak
  • Patent number: 8931755
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for automating the operation of a manual control valve upon the occurrence of a specified condition includes a valve handle engaging member mounted on an operating shaft turned by a motor held by a housing or support which is mountable to the manual valve body or associated conduit. The motor is operated by a motor control circuit when a sensor detects the condition. The structure and method of mounting may include a quick disconnect mechanism. The control circuit may operate at different power levels depending on the state of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Custom Controls, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Staffiere, Don Drinkwater, David Staffiere, Dana St. James, Jay Prager
  • Patent number: 8869527
    Abstract: A method for mounting and setting an actuator of an exhaust gas turbocharger and a suitable electric actuating device are provided. The actuating device has an axially movable actuating rod which is connected to a coupling element which for its part is connected via a pivot pin to an actuation section of a bypass valve, the actuation section being configured as a lever arm. In order to set the desired closed position of the bypass valve during a predefined actuation of the actuating device, the coupling element is first connected to the actuating rod while still being displaceable. Before the fixing, the position of the actuating device which corresponds to the closed position is set by application of the corresponding voltage to the electric actuating device. Subsequently, a prestressing force is applied to the coupling element coaxially with respect to the actuating rod via a pneumatic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, IHI Charging Systems International GmbH, Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Eike Werstat, Martijn de Graaff, Torsten Jäckel, Tim Lowak, Alexander Schäffner, Daniel Dobernig, Reinhold Gracner, Jaroslav Kierat
  • Patent number: 8851452
    Abstract: Plungers and plunger assemblies for a diaphragm-sealed valve are provided. Each plunger is adapted to be received in a passage of the valve body and includes a base member and an upper member having a transversal play in this passage with respect to the base member. A resilient middle element is provided between the upper and base member. The base member is connected to a plunger actuating mechanism within the valve body. The upper member may therefore be self-aligning within the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mecanique Analytique Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Gamache, André Fortier
  • Patent number: 8833729
    Abstract: A proportional throttle valve includes a valve piston (2) functioning as a variable orifice and displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction in a valve housing (3) having a fluid inlet (4) and a fluid outlet (5). Since a leading edge (6) of the valve piston (2) is formed by a control piston (7) of a flow regulator (8) for the fluid connection of the fluid inlet (4) and the fluid outlet (5), the flow control valve and the proportional throttle valve are functionally combined in one valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Bill, Peter Bruck, Markus Veit
  • Patent number: 8794594
    Abstract: Plungers and plunger assemblies for a diaphragm-sealed valve are provided. Each plunger is adapted to be received in a passage of the valve body and includes a base member and an upper member having a longitudinal play in this passage with respect to the base member. A resilient middle element is provided between the upper and base member. The base member is connected to a plunger actuating mechanism within the valve body. Optionally, the upper member may be self-aligning within the passage. The plunger can be used to compensate for temperature variations experienced by the valve in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mecanique Analytique Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Gamache, Andre Fortier
  • Patent number: 8783646
    Abstract: Actuator for operating a valve, including: a drive component; a drive shaft, which is connectable with the valve; and a torque lock, which is connectable with the drive shaft The torque lock includes at least one essentially rotationally symmetric spring element arranged in a ring-shaped housing, and is so constructed that a torque introduced via the drive component causes the drive shaft to rotate, and a torque introduced via the valve blocks rotation of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Auma Riester GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Wasser, Johannes Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 8708306
    Abstract: A tunable valve assembly reduces valve-generated vibration. One embodiment comprises a valve body and valve seat having substantially collinear longitudinal axes. A rebound characteristic frequency is associated with rebound of the elastic valve body base plate from forceful contact with the valve seat. A central cavity in the valve body encloses a spring-mass damper optionally immersed in a dilatant liquid and having a damper resonant frequency approximating a pump housing resonance. A lateral support assembly adjustably secured to the valve seat has a support resonant frequency designed in conjunction with the rebound characteristic frequency and the damper resonant frequency. Combined hysteresis heat loss associated with the above three vibration frequencies is reflected in lower closing energy impulse amplitude and damping of associated vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventors: Barbara C. Gilstad, Dennis W. Gilstad
  • Patent number: 8690121
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a valve that is in a differential screw assembly when the valve is in a portion of its stroke that experiences high resistance. The actuating assembly is selectively changeable into a direct drive configuration when the valve is in a lower resistance portion of its stroke. A sliding sleeve moves axially within the actuating assembly and has a profile that is strategically dimensioned to change the actuating assembly configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred Olvera, Mahesha Udipi, Raymond Krolczyk
  • 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: 8602383
    Abstract: A suck-back valve includes a piston and a valve body linked via a shaft portion. An open/close valve, operated by fluid pressure, is provided with a suck-back function. A suck-back chamber formed in an internal channel of the open/close valve and an actuator that operates the piston are separated by a diaphragm linked to and operating with the shaft portion. The shaft portion includes a valve-body-side shaft portion and a piston-side shaft portion. The piston-side shaft portion is loosely fitted to the valve-body-side shaft portion, allowing for independent movement in an axial direction. The closing operation of the valve body involves a two-step operation where, first, the shaft portion, along with the piston and the diaphragm, moves to the fully closed position of the valve body and where, second, the piston-side shaft portion moves with the piston and the diaphragm to increase the volume of the suck-back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Atsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8523140
    Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
  • Patent number: 8499794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid channel device capable of easily opening the liquid channel from the closed mode, including a base plate in which a liquid channel, through which a liquid containing at least one of a sample and a reagent, flows, and a metering chamber for holding the liquid, are formed to at least one side thereof, the metering chamber has a liquid transport section for transporting the liquid inside the chamber downstream, and this liquid transport section is operated by means of external pressing on a cover plate in the area opposite the metering chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Takahashi, Masaaki Sakurai, Jiro Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 8480054
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement coupling and thermally isolating a continuously variable electrical actuator rotationally coupled to and from a butterfly valve is provided. The valve may be used to modulate high temperature exhaust gas flow through an engine turbocharger. The actuator provides a continuously variable control of the valve. The coupling arrangement provides a thermal block to reduce heat transfer and vibration insulation between the actuator and the valve. The coupling arrangement generally includes a coupling shaft rotationally coupled at opposite ends to the input and output shafts by torsion spring mechanisms. The torsion spring mechanisms include yokes rotationally locking the coupling shaft to the input and output shafts. The torsion spring mechanisms allow a limited range of axial and pivotal translation between the coupling shaft and the input and output shafts and are preloaded to prevent rotational hysteresis in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur C. Pintauro
  • Patent number: 8474786
    Abstract: Valve stem and valve plug apparatus for use with fluid regulators are described herein. An example fluid regulator includes a flow control member having a body that includes a longitudinal bore between a first end and a second end and a valve stem is disposed in the bore of the flow control member. A connector slidably couples the valve stem and the flow control member such that the connector moves away from the flow control member to relieve the flow control member of a loading force imparted by a loading element of the fluid regulator when the flow control member sealingly engages a valve seat of the fluid regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg Alan Schneider
  • Patent number: 8403293
    Abstract: A ball valve (10) for sealing a conduit (12) is described. The ball valve includes a housing having a throughbore and a valve seat. An apertured ball element (18) is mounted within the housing and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (38) between a throughbore open and a throughbore closed position. The apertured ball element (18) has a first portion (20) and a second portion (22) coupled together which are rotatable and moveable relative to each other. The first portion has a sealing surface for engaging with the valve seat. In use, in the throughbore closed position, the second portion is moveable relative to the first portion to axially displace the first portion from the axis of rotation towards the valve seat such that the sealing surface on the first portion of the apertured ball forms a seal with valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Enovate Systems Limited
    Inventors: Gavin David Cowie, Jeffrey Charles Edwards
  • Patent number: 8308129
    Abstract: A fail-safe electromagnetic linkage has a support device for a valve head, and an actuator component actuable by an actuator. The support device is coupled to the actuator component while power is supplied to the electromagnet and decoupled from the actuator component while power is not supplied to the electromagnet. The assembly further comprises a return mechanism configured to drive the support device relative to the actuator component if power is not supplied to the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Matthew L Strange, Frank R Watson, Robert A Barker, Neil R Horn, Adrian J Miller
  • Patent number: 8262059
    Abstract: A torque limiting device with an override mechanism coupled to a valve assembly capable of limiting the torque applied to the valve assembly and selectively being overridden to permit the application of excessive torque to the valve assembly. Tattletale devices capable of indicating when an override mechanism has been activated can also be integrated with the torque limiting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: William T. Dolenti, Byron A. Fleury, William C. Hooss, Daniel J. Morris
  • Patent number: 8215611
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a solenoid valve is disclosed. The solenoid valve is operated by moving a first valve element (4) with respect to a second valve element (6, 7) a first distance. And then pulling the second valve element (6, 7) with the first valve element (4) a second distance where the second valve element (6, 7) moves against resistance from a seal (8) and where the movement of the second valve element (6, 7) opens a gap with respect to an orifice (10). The second element (6, 7) then moves a third distance under spring load to open an increased gap with respect to the orifice (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: IMI Webber Limited
    Inventors: Gerald Scudamore, Cain Barnish, Paul Ellison
  • Patent number: 8210494
    Abstract: An automatically adjusting control valve comprises a valve body; a valve seat within the valve body; a sealing disc adjacent the valve seat when the valve is closed and offset from the valve seat when the valve is open; an armature adjacent the sealing disc and operable to move the sealing disc linearly within the valve body; a biasing mechanism which biases the armature toward a first position; and an actuation stem configured to overcome the biasing mechanism and move the armature between the first position and a second position upon manual operation. The actuation stem may comprise a portion which engages the armature during movement between the first position and the second position The portion may be configured to deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Switch Company
    Inventors: Paul W. Freisinger, Ahmad Abbas Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 8146883
    Abstract: Apparatus to connect a valve stem to a valve member are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a valve stem having a laterally extending opening, a valve member having a laterally extending opening, and a coupling having adjacent one end an extension received in the laterally extending opening of the valve stem and adjacent an opposite end an extension received in the laterally extending opening of the valve member. A resilient member is located between the valve stem and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Eugene O'Hara
  • Patent number: 8066026
    Abstract: A diaphragm controlled bypass valve includes a diaphragm valve portion and a needle valve portion. The diaphragm valve portion regulates pressurized gas supplied from a pump to determine whether or not to open or close a needle valve. The needle valve portion includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow pathway defined between the inlet and outlet ports. A needle pin is disposed within the flow pathway and is coupled to a diaphragm positioned within the diaphragm valve portion. When the diaphragm is displaced in response to changes in pressure, the needle valve pin is likewise displaced which opens and closes the flow pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Values & Controls LP
    Inventors: John R. Grenaway, Mark K. Hamm, William Clinton Osteen
  • Patent number: 8028712
    Abstract: A diaphragm controlled bypass valve includes a diaphragm valve portion and a needle valve portion. The diaphragm valve portion regulates pressurized gas supplied from a pump to determine whether or not to open or close a needle valve. The needle valve portion includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a flow pathway defined between the inlet and outlet ports. A needle pin is disposed within the flow pathway and is coupled to a diaphragm positioned within the diaphragm valve portion. When the diaphragm is displaced in response to changes in pressure, the needle valve pin is likewise displaced which opens and closes the flow pathway. A second flowpath disposed in the needle valve portion communicates with the inlet port to redirect the supply of pressurized gas to a relief port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Valves & Controls LP
    Inventors: John R. Grenaway, Mark K. Hamm, William Clinton Osteen
  • Patent number: 7921870
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism for a slurry valve, wherein the slurry valve has a valve seat for seating a valve closure member carried on a valve stem, a drive member threadably engaged with the valve stem, the drive member being rotatable relative to the valve stem to axially move the valve stem and closure member relative to the valve seat to open and close the slurry valve, and a driving means for rotating the drive member, the clutch mechanism comprising: a clutch body having an internally threaded bore for threadably receiving the valve stem; and clamping means actuable with the clutch body for clamping the clutch body to the driving means so as to lock the valve stem and drive member together and allow them to rotate in unison to grind scale from the valve seat and valve closure member when they are positioned against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control Pacific Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Nigel Hardie, Michael Taylor, Paul Delaney
  • Patent number: 7918435
    Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution and are under the control of an analog signal from a controller. The base material dispensing valve is opened or closed via a rod that is slidably raised or lowered upon rotation of the drive shaft of the stepper motor actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Fluid Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Page
  • Patent number: 7905249
    Abstract: An electromagnetic proportional pressure-control valve of a vehicle transmission which includes a magnet part, a hydraulic part and a spring operatively connecting the magnet part to the hydraulic part. The magnet part includes a coil, an armature and an armature bar. The hydraulic part includes first and second closing elements. The first closing element forms a flat seat and the second closing element a ball seat and the closing elements are opened and/or closed via a tappet rod. When no current is applied to the valve, the second closing element is closed and an gap (ü) in the first closing element is larger than one seventh a nominal width (NW) of the valve. The second closure area (A_2) is larger than a circular area having a diameter corresponding to double the gap and the diameter (s) of the tappet rod is smaller than 0.7 times the diameter (b) of the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichsafen AG
    Inventors: Karlheinz Mayr, Thilo Schmidt, Markus Moosmann
  • Patent number: 7882836
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve is provided, in which there is improved sealing of a closing cover (15) against the valve housing (3). The seal includes a cylindrical sealing washer (25), which is connected to the valve housing (3) in one piece and into which a cylindrical wall section (18) of the closing cover (15) can be inserted with press fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Dräger Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Brian Hewitt, Piers Antony James
  • Patent number: 7878480
    Abstract: A solenoid valve, particularly of the type to be used for controlling a hydraulic system for variable actuation of the valves of an internal-combustion engine, has a valve element co-operating with a valve seat and a pusher element, separate from the valve element, which is pushed against the valve element by the movable core of the solenoid valve when the solenoid of the solenoid valve is energized in order to bring the valve element into contact with the valve seat. After de-energization of the solenoid, the time necessary for bringing back the pusher element into the resting condition in contact with the valve element is reduced thanks to the application of a braking current to the solenoid of the solenoid valve during the stage in which the movable core and the pusher element associated thereto displace in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement generated by the magnetic field of the solenoid, following upon de-energization of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Francesco Vattaneo, Luca Gentile, Claudio Lanfranco
  • Publication number: 20100276011
    Abstract: An improved sequencing fluid control valve comprising a housing having inlet and outlet ports, a valve seat disposed within the housing, a collapsible valve member disposed within the housing and forming a chamber and a bulb. A sequencing means disposed within the chamber that controls the axial motion of the valve member in response to application of fluid pressure at the inlet such that the motion of valve member alternates between an open free flowing state and a closed restricted flow state. Housing and valve member cooperate in the open position to provide an annular flow path that does not require the fluid flow direction to substantially change while flowing from inlet to outlet. Housing and valve member bulb cooperate in the closed position to form a circumferential seal to restrict the fluid flow. Alternative embodiments including viscous damping means and variations on the housing mount are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 7819378
    Abstract: A gate valve has a gate that moves in a gate cavity between a lower closed position and an upper open position. A seal member in the gate seals against a downstream seat ring when the gate is in the closed position. The seal member is moveable in upward and downward directions as well as upstream and downstream directions relative to the gate. The seal member is in an upper and downstream position relative to the gate while the gate is in the closed position. A cam member is carried by the gate for movement in unison and is in engagement with the seal member. The cam member moves the seal member to an upstream and downward position in response to initial movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 7762523
    Abstract: A valve includes a generally elongate pintle; a spacer having a rounded surface that bears against the pintle; a bulbous tip fixed to the spacer; and a hollow, generally cylindrical collar fixed to the pintle, the collar enclosing the spacer and the tip and including an opening through which a portion of the tip extends, the opening in the collar and interior of the collar being of a size such that the tip floats therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: James T. Smith
  • Patent number: 7740228
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a flow control valve including a valve shaft, an electrical actuator comprising an actuator output shaft, and a torsion spring coupling the valve shaft and the actuator output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Simpson, Peter Dowd
  • Patent number: 7735802
    Abstract: A damper device may include a frame provided with an opening part, a baffle turnably supported on the frame, and a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle to open and close the opening part. The drive unit may include an output member whose tip end side is provided with an engagement part with the baffle and which is linearly advanced and retreated to and from the baffle to turnably drive the baffle. Further, the damper device includes a wall part provided between the driving part and the baffle and formed with an output hole part through which the output member is penetrated. The engagement part is located apart from a first moving extended axis which is formed by movement of the output member penetrating through the output hole part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuyuki Akabane
  • Patent number: 7730906
    Abstract: A solenoid including an armature movable in an armature room and a coil which can be flowed through by current. When it is flowed through by current the armature moves. The armature interacts with an armature bar. A path converter is provided between the armature and the armature bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Dieter Kleinert, Georg Scherer, Helmut Mang
  • Patent number: 7726626
    Abstract: A damper device may include a frame, a baffle turnably supported on the frame, a drive unit for turnably driving the baffle, a first and a second turnable support parts for supporting the baffle on the frame, and a mechanical connecting part between the drive unit and the baffle which is structured at a position apart from a turning center axial line of the baffle. The first and second turnable support parts are structured by using a shaft part made of resin which is formed in one of the baffle and the frame, and a shaft hole which is formed in the other of the baffle and the frame. A passage through which cold air is passed is opened and closed by the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuyuki Akabane