With Means For Blocking Or Disabling Actuator Patents (Class 251/89)
  • Patent number: 11473454
    Abstract: A method for producing a cam phaser for a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine, the cam phaser including a rotor, a stator and at least one cover, the method including arranging the at least one cover at the stator; and welding the at least one cover with the stator, wherein a first weld, a second weld and a third weld are formed at least on a large radius or on a small radius during the welding, and wherein the small radius is smaller than the large radius. The invention furthermore relates to a cam phaser for a cam shaft of an internal combustion engine, the cam phaser including a rotor; a stator and at least one cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Brand, Stephan Wanner
  • Patent number: 10161540
    Abstract: A valve actuated device for a valve having a valve body and a valve translating member; a housing; a rotary and non-translating sleeve mounted in the housing and connected to an input rotary means; an axial shaft means positioned coaxially to the sleeve and adapted to be connected to the valve translating member; screw connecting means provided between the axial shaft means and the sleeve for convert applied rotation of the sleeve into axial translation of the axial shaft means; anti-rotation and axial guidance means installed between the housing and the shaft means; the anti-rotation and axial guidance means providing a linear ball bearing including a sleeve mounted to the housing and at least one rolling element recirculation system, the rolling elements thereof engaging axial groove of the shaft means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Christian Boch, Jerome Dubus
  • Patent number: 10156063
    Abstract: A toilet handle lock device for selectively preventing a handle of a toilet from moving in a flushing motion is formed of a housing having a rear surface for attachment to a tank of the toilet. The device further includes a biased lock member at least partially disposed within the housing and moving in a linear direction between an extended locked position in which the biased lock member is positioned for blocking the handle of toilet and preventing the handle from undergoing a downward flushing motion and a retracted unlocked position in which the biased lock member is spaced from the handle of the toilet. An actuator is provided for releasing the biased lock member from the extended locked position and permitting the biased lock member to move to the retracted unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher Barish
  • Patent number: 9581523
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating useful life of a seal in a process control device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a processor to: determine a plurality of operational cycles of a stem or shaft of a process control device; determine a first value corresponding to a stress experienced by the seal for each of the operational cycles; and estimate a total amount of useful life of the seal consumed based on each of the first values; and a database to store data associated with the total amount of useful life of the seal consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Shawn William Anderson
  • Patent number: 8998168
    Abstract: A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Witkowski, Edward C. Kotapish
  • Patent number: 8973892
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a valve device, which includes a valve body for opening and closing a fluid path, for retaining the valve body at a predetermined opening position, the valve device further including a gear wheel to which rotational driving force of a rotational driving source is transmitted and a rack section having rack teeth provided thereon for meshing engagement with the gear wheel and configured to convert rotational movement of the gear wheel into linear movement and move together with the valve body. The locking mechanism for a valve device includes: a ball abuttable with a wall face of the rack section; and a spring member configured to press the ball toward the wall face; the valve body being retained by frictional force generated when the ball is pressed against the wall face of the rack section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kawauchi, Yukinobu Sakata, Takahiro Sasaki, Takuya Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20150053875
    Abstract: A closure element for a valve device for fluids and an valve device for fluids is described. The closure element includes a membrane and a valve device protruding from the membrane. The valve device has an outer diameter return which is configured so that the closure element can be locked by means of locking slide which can be moved toward the outer diameter return substantially orthogonally to a feed axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Rene Föhn
  • Publication number: 20150001426
    Abstract: A stab connector for providing a fluid flow path between a first fluid reservoir and a second fluid reservoir, comprising a stab body coupleable to a receptacle in fluid communication with the second fluid reservoir and moveable inside the receptacle between a sealing position, in which fluid flow in the fluid flow path between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir is prevented, and a flow position, in which the fluid flow in the fluid flow path between the first fluid reservoir and the second fluid reservoir is permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: John Thompson, Paul Chubbock
  • Patent number: 8905079
    Abstract: A venturi eductor comprising a flow passage for a first liquid, a dispensing passage with an opening into the flow passage to allow a second liquid to be drawn therethrough and into a first liquid flowing through the flow passage, and a flow restrictor in the dispensing passage, in which the flow restrictor comprises a body with a plurality of nozzles passing therethrough with varying sizes of orifice, which body is movable between a first position in which a first of said nozzles is disposed in the path of the second liquid, and further positions in each of which a further of said nozzles is disposed in the path of the second liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brightwell Dispensers Limited
    Inventor: Vincent Etienne Bonoz
  • Publication number: 20140332703
    Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a connection portion, a first arm, a second arm, and a fastener. The first arm extends from the connection portion and defines a first aperture and a second aperture. The second arm extends from the connection portion and defines a third aperture. The first arm is spaced from the second arm by a notch. The fastener is adapted to extend through the first aperture and across the notch to abut the second arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Paradise
  • Patent number: 8783649
    Abstract: A sleeve valve including a permanent end position and comprising an inner sleeve concentrically disposed within an outer sleeve comprising at least one radially facing outer opening and an operating range defined by an open position in which the inner sleeve does not block the outer opening, and a closed position in which the inner sleeve blocks the outer opening. The inner sleeve is axially displaceable or rotatable within the outer sleeve to provide an operating range in the longitudinal direction or an operating range in the form of an angle. At least one plastically deformable locking area of one the inner or outer sleeve is adapted for being radially deformed into a locking groove of the other sleeve when the inner sleeve is moved outside of the operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seawell Oil Tools AS
    Inventors: Arve Byberg, Ketil Ronning
  • Publication number: 20140191144
    Abstract: The separator serves to mechanically separate an actuator and an operating mechanism, such as a choke, a valve, a blow-out preventer or the like, which is displaceable by said actuator, for use especially in the field of oil or natural gas production. The separator is adapted to be arranged between the actuator and the operating mechanism and comprises at least a first component associated with the actuator and a second component associated with the operating mechanism. These first and second components are displaceable relative to one another by means of at least one application part, which is connected to the first or second component, between an engagement position and a release position. The application part is adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with a displacement part which is suitable for handling by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ONESUBSEA, LLC
    Inventors: Norbert Lenz, Klaus Biester
  • Publication number: 20140166913
    Abstract: Pin release mechanism comprising: a release pin axially movable from a first position to a second position; a bias spring biasing the release pin towards the second position; a pull rod interacting with ball bearings, the pull rod having a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with movement of the release pin and prevent movement of the release pin from the first position to a second position, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially relative to the pull rod to allow the release pin to move from the first position towards the second position; a solenoid, which when actuated moves the pull rod toward the unlocked position; and a bias pin coupled to the pull rod, biased by a spring pushing between the release pin and the bias pin, to bias the bias pin and the pull rod toward the second, unlocked direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: G.W. LISK COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Phillips, George F. Howard
  • Publication number: 20140014860
    Abstract: A fuel pump trigger holder for holding the trigger of a fuel pump in an open position, where the fuel pump includes a handle against which the trigger is squeezed to allow fuel flow. The holder comprises a pair of prongs extending from an elongated base and ending at a pair of endpoints, wherein a top prong of the pair of prongs comprises a curved portion extending from the base and curving towards a bottom prong of the pair of prongs which extends at an incline relative to the base. The pair of prongs is configured for being disposed around the trigger and the handle for maintaining the trigger in a position corresponding to a fuel pump open position and releasing the trigger such that it returns to a closed position upon detecting a kicking motion from the fuel pump indicating a full fuel condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Mitzi G. Cloud, Christopher Ginocchetti, Paul A. Kokesh, Robert G. Kokesh
  • Publication number: 20130277582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding valve that is used for a hydraulic circuit for controlling a working device actuator of construction equipment, and to a holding valve for construction equipment in which a double nut and a sleeve are removed such that an assembling efficiency is improved and the cost is reduced, and further, the abnormal assembling of a piston can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Min-Heuk Kang, Man-Seuk Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130270468
    Abstract: A sleeve valve including a permanent end position and comprising an inner sleeve concentrically disposed within an outer sleeve comprising at least one radially facing outer opening and an operating range defined by an open position in which the inner sleeve does not block the outer opening, and a closed position in which the inner sleeve blocks the outer opening. The inner sleeve is axially displaceable or rotatable within the outer sleeve to provide an operating range in the longitudinal direction or an operating range in the form of an angle. At least one plastically deformable locking area of one the inner or outer sleeve is adapted for being radially deformed into a locking groove of the other sleeve when the inner sleeve is moved outside of the operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Arve Byberg, Ketil Ronning
  • Publication number: 20130256570
    Abstract: A valve and a hydraulic controller are provider. The valve may combine a rotary-to-linear converter with the hydraulic controller to provide for at least two mechanisms for actuating the valve. Additionally, the valve may include a mechanical lock mechanism suitable for securing the valve at a desired flow position. The mechanical lock mechanism may also provide overload protection. That is, the mechanical lock mechanism may “slip” or disengage if torque forces reach undesired levels. The hydraulic controller may enable a “stepping” mode of control and “fast actuation” mode of control. The “stepping” mode may deliver a discrete quantity of a fluid, while the “fast actuation” mode may deliver a continuous quantity of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edmund Peter McHugh, Finbarr Evans, Kevin Peter Minnock
  • Patent number: 8539980
    Abstract: A device for operation of a surgical or dental drive unit includes a control valve attached to a drive unit to control a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source to the drive unit. The control valve includes (a) a first control arrangement controlling a rate of flow of the compressed fluid through the control valve; (b) a control switch; and (c) a control sleeve controlled by the control switch to axially move along a longitudinal axis of the drive unit between a first configuration in which the control valve is locked and closed to fluid flow and a second configuration in which the control valve is unlocked and the first control arrangement controls the rate of flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Depuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Tanner, Arthur Meili
  • Publication number: 20130193357
    Abstract: Manual overrides for valves are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes an actuator to move a stem of a valve. The actuator includes a housing defining a bore and a piston disposed in the bore. The example apparatus also includes a rod movably coupled to the housing to extend into the bore, and the piston is to be movable via the rod or a fluid to flow into the bore. The example apparatus also includes a lock to hold the rod in a first position on the housing where the rod is to disable a supply of the fluid to the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Todd William Larsen
  • Publication number: 20130193356
    Abstract: Anti-rotational assemblies for use with fluid valves are disclosed herein. An example anti-rotation assembly includes an anti-rotation retainer to couple to a flow control member of a valve and an anti-rotator to engage the anti-rotation retainer. The anti-rotator prevents rotation of the anti-rotation retainer relative to a longitudinal axis of the anti-rotation retainer when the anti-rotation retainer is disposed in the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Randall Scott Collison, Chad Michael Engle, Christine Rae Hodny
  • Patent number: 8465001
    Abstract: A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Witkowski, Edward C. Kotapish
  • Publication number: 20130026398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stop valve, the stop valve includes a valve body and a switch used for controlling the valve body's opening and closing, wherein, the stop valve also includes a locking structure which is used for locking the switch, the locking structure includes a locking part set on the valve body, and a locking unit set on the switch which fits the locking part, the locking unit connects with the locking part so that to lock the switch. Keep the stop valve in closed state by compressing the free end of the locking structure to force the locking end to clamp with the locking part so that locking the switch, prevent the stop valve opening accidentally caused by external force, and remove the safety hazard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: HOLOGRAM INDUSTRIES RESEARCH GMBH
    Inventor: HOLOGRAM INDUSTRIES RESEARCH GMBH
  • Patent number: 8360391
    Abstract: A device includes a stem hub attached to a fitting body. A rotatable stem is located at least partially within the stem hub. Rotation of the rotatable stem operates a blocking element located in the fitting body. In an embodiment, an upper stem is coupled to a first end portion of the rotatable stem so that rotation of the upper stem rotates the rotatable stem. A metal seal is located on the stem hub. A portion of the upper stem presses the metal seal between the upper stem and the stem hub when the upper stem is moved towards the stem hub. An operating mechanism moves the upper stem towards the stem hub and away from the stem hub. The upper stem is moved by the operating mechanism in a direction normal to the rotational axis of the rotatable stem and the upper stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Quality Connector Systems
    Inventor: Bruce E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20130014839
    Abstract: A security valve having a body, a fluid control device, and an internal locking structure. The internal locking structure allows for partial movement of the valve before locking the fluid control device in place. A piping system based on the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Glen Calla, Steven Calla
  • Publication number: 20120319017
    Abstract: This control device for a valve comprises a head (5) designed to fit onto a corresponding control rod (T) of the valve and a handle (3) that can be operated manually by a user to angularly move the head and control rod between a first angular closed position of the valve and a second angular open position of the valve. The head comprises locking apparatuses (9, 10) designed to cooperate with complementary locking apparatuses (13) provided on a raised extension (11) the valve and capable of preventing the release of the handle (3) and of the head (5) from the first angular closed position of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ludovic Bunod, Guy Schermesser
  • Publication number: 20120280155
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for housed or housingless valves; in particular for valves for pipelines for transporting liquid or gaseous medium, preferably for pipelines above a nominal diameter of DN 100 or channels, having a drive motor, having a gearing (2), and having an emergency running drive (3) by means of which the gearing (2) can be actuated independently of the drive motor, wherein as a drive motor a servo motor (4) is provided which has a measuring device which determines the respectively present position of the servo motor (4) in relation to its initial position and outputs corresponding measured values, a working memory is provided into which the measured values of the measuring device of the servo motor (4) are written, an electronic control unit (8) is provided which reads out the measured values of the measuring device of the servo motor (4); and performs position control of the servo motor (4) and therefore of the actuating device on the basis of the measured values from the
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BU-SCH ARMATUREN GMBH
    Inventor: Rudolf Spotka
  • Patent number: 8256460
    Abstract: A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit driven by a compressed fluid source p available in the operating room and comprising A) a control valve attachable to the drive unit for controlling a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source p to a drive unit; B) a first control means by means of which the control valve is operable; and C) a second control means by means of which a flow rate of compressed fluid may be controlled. The device further comprises D) a control switch which is attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions (A;B;C): in position A the control valve is locked and closed; in position B the control valve is unlocked and a flow rate of the compressed fluid is controllable by means of the first control means; and in position C the control valve is unlocked and open permitting the control of a flow rate by means of the second control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Tanner, Arthur Meili
  • Publication number: 20120193558
    Abstract: A switchbox for monitoring the position of a manual quarter-turn valve has a housing mountable to the valve to be monitored/controlled. A handle-driven shaft extends through the housing, with one end of the shaft couplable to the valve stem such that movement of the shaft moves the valve stem. One or more shaft position sensor switches interact with a cam on the shaft to signal shaft position and/or provide control signals. A plate coupled to the shaft articulates within a recess on the surface of the switchbox to limit motion of the valve to an operable range, such as between full ON and full OFF. The switchbox has a pair of lock tabs with lock apertures. A lock aperture in the plate is alignable with the lock tab apertures to receive a pin or padlock for locking the valve in a selected position. A potentiometer can be utilized in place of a switch as a shaft position sensor. The switchbox may be used with an original or new handle and may feature detents to allow a range of valve settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Joshua Lee HOOTS, Jon Terence Stone
  • Publication number: 20120153196
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque support for a valve lock (5) in order to prevent a rotation of the lock with respect to the valve (1), wherein a connection housing (8) adjoins the valve lock and at least one boom (9, 9a) carried by the connection housing rests against the valve housing in the pivoted-out end position. Similarly, the torque support can also be connected to the valve housing and the boom can rest against the connection housing, or the connection housing is integrated in the valve lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: André Werner Haake, Patrick Philipp Haake, Oliver Henri Haake
  • Publication number: 20120110724
    Abstract: A lockable assembly for a urinal valve is provided. The lockable assembly includes a shaft assembly configured to engage portions of the urinal valve and a housing body configured to connect to the urinal valve and further configured to support the shaft assembly for axial movement. The lockable assembly is configured to allow selective operation of the urinal valve between a flushable state and a locked non-flushable state, wherein in a locked non-flushable state, the shaft assembly is prevented from moving in the axial direction and in a flushable state, axial movement of the shaft assembly urges the shaft assembly into contact with portions of the urinal valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Culver
  • Publication number: 20120114785
    Abstract: A device for producing plastic moldings has an extruder and a molding tool arranged downstream of an extruder discharge opening. A screw is rotatably guided in the extruder and is axially displaceable to transfer liquid polymers, prepolymers or monomers present in the extruder into the molding tool. A nonreturn valve adjacent to a free end of the screw has a locking ring in contact with the inner circumferential wall of the extruder that includes a seal, which is applied to at least part of its outer circumference and which seals the locking ring against the circumferential wall of the extruder. The sealing material of the seal is selected from the group of the polymers, copolymers and polymer blends with a hardness lower than that of the circumferential wall of the extruder. A nonreturn valve and method of processing liquid prepolymers or monomers into plastic moldings is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Lars Frederik Berg, Bernd Thoma
  • Publication number: 20120061597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing and positioning a handling element on a diaphragm valve (1), comprising a lower part (2) having an external screw thread (3) and forming the valve seat and a pot-shaped element (5) having an internal screw thread (18) and accommodating the diaphragm adjusting unit. The aim of the invention is to devise a means for mounting manual actuators and drives on diaphragm valves (1) without torque wrenches, other tools, labeling, drawings and other aids. To achieve this aim, the external screw thread (3), in its end section (16), or the stop ring (19) for the pot-shaped element (5) on the lower part (2) has a mechanical blocking/stop element (7, 7?) and the respective corresponding threaded surface (8) or end face (20) of the pot-shaped element (5) has a detent (9, 9?) having an inlet and outlet ramp (10, 10?) for the blocking/stop element (7, 7?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventor: Guido Erich Speer
  • Publication number: 20120043484
    Abstract: A remotely controlled lockout device for an in-line gas flow control valve has a control shaft adapted to be operatively connected to a gas flow control valve and operable between a gas flow control valve open and closed position and a rotatable lock member operatively connected to the control shaft and rotatable between a lock member unlocked position in which the control valve is operable between gas flow control valve open and closed positions and a locked position in which the control valve is locked in a gas flow control valve closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: GEJ, LLC
    Inventor: George Jefferson MYERS
  • Publication number: 20120037821
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a bonnet. The valve body has a cylindrical access channel with adjoining at least one radial keyway. At least one coupling cavity adjoins and is out of register with the at least one radial keyway. The bonnet has a cylindrical body with at least one radially extending lug. The at least one lug is configured and sized to be accepted by the at least one radial keyway and to be housed within the at least one coupling cavity when the cylindrical body is twisted so that the at least one lug is out of register with the at least one radial keyway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: KINGS ENERGY SERVICES LTD.
    Inventor: Ian Allison
  • Patent number: 8066682
    Abstract: An eye drops container including a container body filled with a drug solution along with a pressurized gas and including a valve mechanism discharging a fixed amount of drug solution; a nozzle member coupled with a stem for open operation of the valve mechanism and including a drug solution drop nozzle; an operating member including an operating piece and attached to the container body; a guide member contained in the operating member and guiding the nozzle member in the axial direction; and a ball contained in the guide member. The nozzle member includes an outer flange for suspending a skirt on the lower surface thereof; the guide member includes a ring-like bottom groove into which the forward end of the skirt enters; and the ball falls into the bottom groove in an upright state to block the open operation of the valve mechanism, and falls onto the outer flange in an inverted state to permit the open operation of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignees: Teika Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Toyo Aerosol Industry Co., Ltd., Shinko Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahito Kimura, Kazuhide Maeda, Nobuyuki Hanai, Tomoyuki Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110140015
    Abstract: A valve actuator with manual lock is provided. The valve actuator with manual lock includes a locking button arrangement that is operably coupled to a shaft extending along an axis of rotation of a drive train. The locking button arrangement is selectively engageable with a housing of the valve actuator to lock the drive train in a selected orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Buildings, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald R. Parsons, William P. Windgassen
  • Patent number: 7913714
    Abstract: A check valve assembly which in an open position allows liquid to flow in one direction through the assembly including a moving sealing member which engages a seal to prevent liquid flow in a second opposite direction. The sealing member may be moved into engagement with the seal by rotation of a stem with an eccentric to block flow in both directions. A check valve and shut-off device assembly which in an open position allows liquid to flow in one direction through the assembly until gas or foam is mixed with the liquid. The shut-off device includes a sealing member which engages a seal to block flow through the assembly when foam or gas is present in the liquid. The check valve includes a sealing member which can reset the shut-off device. The check valve sealing member also engages the same sealing member to prevent any flow through the assembly in a closed position. In an open position, the check valve sealing member may engage the seal to prevent reverse flow of liquid through the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Perlick Corporation
    Inventors: Gennady Arov, Larry M. Molinari
  • Patent number: 7905873
    Abstract: A port assembly includes a valve housing with an inlet opening, a valve disposed in the valve housing to control access through the inlet opening, and a base having an outlet opening that is initially occluded by a membrane. A pivot is disposed within the base and has a cutting surface disposed within the base, the cutting surface rupturing the membrane at least in part as the pivot is pivoted about an axis between first and second positions. The port assembly may be used in a fluid container that includes a receptacle for retaining a fluid, and at least one conduit in communication with the receptacle. The at least one conduit is defined, at least in part, by the port assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Georges Rondeau, Gianni Di Stefani, Eric J. Henaut
  • Publication number: 20100301239
    Abstract: A water flushing device includes a membrane engaged onto an upper portion of a housing for blocking the housing, a casing extended in the housing for forming an outer peripheral space between the housing and the casing, a valve device for selectively blocking and opening an opening of the membrane, and a barrel mounted to the membrane and engaged in the casing and having a passage communicative with the bore of the barrel and the chamber of the casing for allowing the water in the bore of the barrel to flow out through the passage of the barrel and to flow out into the chamber of the casing and for preventing the valve device from being opened by the internal water pressure in the barrel or in the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Meng-Meng Chen
  • Publication number: 20100237264
    Abstract: In a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine, with an actuation device including at least two shifting elements which are driven by actuators for engaging a shifting gate of a cam control element, a safety device is provided to prevent the shifting elements from being deployed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Markus Lengfeld, Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Publication number: 20100200787
    Abstract: An injection device having a safeguard for preventing a filling or adjusting motion of the injection device when a prescribed dispensing motion has been performed, the injection device including an adjusting element and/or a filling element, a blocking mechanism including a first blocking element and a second blocking element, the blocking mechanism allowing a motion of the adjusting and/or filling element in a release position and preventing the motion in a blocking position, and a piston rod including a block trigger element that can bring one of the blocking elements into interaction with the other blocking element thereby creating a blocking position at a prescribed insertion position to cause a blocking of at least one of the adjusting element and/or the filling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Juerg Hirschel, Ulrich Moser, Markus Tschirren, Eric Hattler
  • Publication number: 20100187454
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: David Anthony Arnold, David George Halm, Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Publication number: 20100139495
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a valve for a home cappuccino maker of the type comprising a boiler and a collector having a column. The valve comprises a valve body, coupling means suitable for fixing the valve to coupling means of the column, and a shutter mobile between a closed position and an open position of a duct. The valve also comprises a basket suitable for cooperating with the coupling means of the column and with the shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BIALETTI INDUSTRIE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Ranzoni
  • Patent number: 7708254
    Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus is provided, which further comprises a linkage mechanism, which can convert rotational force into translational force. This linkage mechanism also imparts a much greater degree of mechanical advantage than typical rack-and-pinion linkages allowing either for greater closing force on the valve or for the use of smaller drive motors to actuate the valve. Furthermore, this linkage mechanism can lock the valve closed, with full seating force, even when no torque is provided by a drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Warren Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Hertzog
  • Patent number: 7711453
    Abstract: A positioning control system has a disturbance observer for estimating a disturbance from a displaced distance of a cylinder of a controlled object, and feeding back an estimated disturbance. The positioning control system also includes a saturation element and a low-pass element disposed in a feedback loop including the disturbance observer, and a saturated value changer for changing a saturated value of the saturation element based on a deviation. The saturation element is disposed in a forward path of a positive-feedback minor loop, whereas the low-pass element is disposed in a feedback path of the positive-feedback minor loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seikai Yo, Kazuo Nakano, Nobuhiro Fujiwara, Hiroshi Miyachi, Masatoshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 7708025
    Abstract: A poppet valve member includes a main body, and a cover portion disposed at the first end of the valve member. The cover portion is removable from the main body, the cover portion including a first seal disposed about an outer perimeter of the cover portion. The valve member includes a head portion disposed proximate the first end and behind the cover portion, the head portion including a second seal disposed about an outer perimeter defined by the head portion. A webbing portion is disposed between the cover portion and the head portion, the webbing portion including a fault structure to enable the cover portion to be removed from the main body and broken off from the head portion. The main body is formed of a molded material, and the first and second seals are formed of an overmold material molded onto the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100089469
    Abstract: The invention relates to the metering of fluids at low flow rates. More particularly, the invention provides a flow regulator for flows as low as about ½ ml per hour, provided with locking means for any set value within its range. The flow regulator comprises: an inner non-revolving core element, an outer housing, having a hollow base section and being revolvably supported co-axially with the core element, first and second chambers disposed between the core element and the outer housing, each chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet of the first chamber and the inlet of the second chamber being connected by a flow restriction path, a diaphragm separating the two chambers and sealing an inlet to a discharge tube when pressure in the first chamber is higher than pressure in the second chamber, and a circular spring placed in the secondary chamber below the diaphragm and around the discharge tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Ofer Shay
  • Publication number: 20100047383
    Abstract: An injection molding apparatus includes a plurality of valve-gated nozzles, each nozzle having a respective valve pin that is actuated by an actuator. A nozzle tip component for taking one of the valve-gated nozzles of the injection molding apparatus out-of service, wherein the nozzle tip component has a surface that grips the respective valve pin to lock the valve pin in an out-of-service position thereby preventing flow of molding material into an associated mold cavity and causing disengagement of the valve pin from the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited
    Inventors: Payman Tabassi, Denis Babin, Rhonda Goslinski, Scott Gammon
  • Publication number: 20090308892
    Abstract: Self-locking handheld adhesive dispensers and methods for dispensing an adhesive using a handheld dispenser. The self-locking handheld dispenser includes a valve, a trigger connected to the valve, and a spring-biased trigger lock mechanism used to lock and unlock the trigger. A locking member of the trigger lock mechanism normally has a blocking relationship with the trigger that prevents an incidental force applied to the trigger from opening the valve. The trigger is unlocked by manually moving a locking member of the trigger lock mechanism out of the blocking relationship with the trigger. The trigger is then freed to respond to an applied manual force and open the valve to dispense the adhesive. When the trigger is released, the valve closes and the spring biasing of the trigger lock mechanism automatically returns the locking member to the blocking relationship with the trigger so that the locked state is restored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: NORDSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Justin A. Clark
  • Patent number: 7621336
    Abstract: A method having the following steps: running a circulation valve comprising a reactive material into the well bore on the casing; reverse-circulating an activator material in the well bore until the activator material contacts the reactive material of the circulation valve; reconfiguring the circulation valve by contact of the activator material with the reactive material; and reverse-circulating a cement composition in the well bore until the reconfigured circulation valve decreases flow of the cement composition. A circulation valve for cementing casing in a well bore, the valve having: a valve housing connected to the casing and comprising a reactive material; a plurality of holes in the housing, wherein the plurality of holes allow fluid communication between an inner diameter of the housing and an exterior of the housing, wherein the reactive material is expandable to close the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Badalamenti, Simon Turton, Karl W. Blanchard, Ronald R. Faul, Michael G. Crowder, Henry E. Rogers, James E. Griffith, B. Raghava Reddy