Having Plural Independent Paths Patents (Class 285/120.1)
  • Publication number: 20030122374
    Abstract: A channel tube coupling structure for an anti-pollution type endoscope which can easily and smoothly couple a multi-lumen type channel tube extending from a base end of an outer sheath with tubes on a side of the endoscope and separate the multi-lumen type channel tube therefrom. At a side surface in a vicinity of the base end of the channel tube, side holes communicate with a plurality of tubes that are formed so as to be shifted from one another in an axial direction. A coupling hole, where the base end portion of the channel tube is loosely inserted thereinto and freely removed therefrom, provides a space in a radial direction between the channel tube and the coupling hole. Annular sealing members are provided which seal portions between the respective side holes, in a state where the base end portion of the channel tube is inserted into the coupling hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Teruo Ouchi, Kazuyuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6555750
    Abstract: By providing two integrated components, an outer housing and an inner sleeve member, with the inner sleeve member being securely mounted to the outer housing in a manner which prevents its separation from the housing, an efficient, easily manufactured and assembled cable connector is realized. In the preferred embodiment, the inner sleeve member is press fitted into the housing in order to provide the desired secure, integrated affixation of these components. Furthermore, the inner sleeve member is constructed in a generally hollow cylindrical shape with at least two arm members integrally formed therewith, each of which angularly slopes inwardly from the cylindrical wall of the sleeve member, and comprises a distal end portion which is angularly disposed relative to the arm member in at least one direction and preferably in two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 6550815
    Abstract: A quick connect body having first, second and third ports carries an insert extending from the first port to the third port and forming first and second flow paths through the body from the first and second ports, respectively, to concentrically mounted conduits attached to the third port and to one end of the insert. Retainer elements are mounted on the body and/or the insert to sealingly couple first and second conduits to the body and the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Zitkowic, Jr., Christopher R. Terry, Daniel H. Walker, Gary O. Klinger
  • Publication number: 20030034648
    Abstract: A quick connect body having first, second and third ports carries an insert extending from the first port to the third port and forming first and second flow paths through the body from the first and second ports, respectively, to concentrically mounted conduits attached to the third port and to one end of the insert. Retainer elements are mounted on the body and/or the insert to sealingly couple first and second conduits to the body and the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Michael T. Zitkowic, Christopher R. Terry, Daniel H. Walker, Gary O. Klinger
  • Patent number: 6481756
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in connecting fluid lines having a unitary female body and a male coupling portion. The female body includes at least two passageways having frangible diaphragms. The male coupling portion includes at least two male coupling halves having frangible diaphragms. Cutting devices are positioned in the passageways of the female body. As the male coupling portion is moved toward the female body by a bracket and fastening device, the diaphragms are ruptured to allow fluid flow between the lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Field, John C. Stemmler, Michael P. Wells, Christopher E. Schadewald, Gregory A. Haunhorst
  • Publication number: 20020163185
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system supplies two or more fluids to a rotatable shaft integrated within a device such as a mechanical press and develops damped clearance spaces at the bearing surfaces of the fluid coupling device. In one arrangement, a rotary union is adapted for driving rotation by the shaft and provides two fluid pathways disposed in flow communication with a fluid access channel formed in the shaft. Bearing support is provided by an oil film present within a clearance space defined between the rotary union and a stationary housing disposed thereabout. In another arrangement, a stationary fluid transfer device is adapted for non-rotation and disposed within a crankshaft cavity to define a clearance space there between. A fluid pathway formed therein communicates fluid to the crankshaft access channel. Bearing support is provided by an oil film present in the clearance space. There are no sliding face seals in the arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: John B. Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 6454583
    Abstract: A Modular assembly or islet for pneumatic distribution which comprises a number of modules or blocks each consisting of a slice and each incorporating pneumatic connectors and electrical connectors. Two pneumatic distributors are mounted at 90° to one another on two adjacent sides of the block or module so that the pneumatic connectors and the electrical connectors are common to the two distributors. The blocks or modules, with their respective pairs of distributors, are removably mounted on the connectors so as to assemble them side by side, thus constituting the modular assembly or islet for distribution with the desired number of pneumatic distributors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: ASCO Joucomatic
    Inventors: Michel Lepine, Yannick Guenard, Boualem Meziane
  • Patent number: 6443179
    Abstract: A new architecture for packaging surface micromachined electro-microfluidic devices is presented. This architecture relies on two scales of packaging to bring fluid to the device scale (picoliters) from the macro-scale (microliters). The architecture emulates and utilizes electronics packaging technology. The larger package consists of a circuit board with embedded fluidic channels and standard fluidic connectors (e.g. Fluidic Printed Wiring Board). The embedded channels connect to the smaller package, an Electro-Microfluidic Dual-Inline-Package (EMDIP) that takes fluid to the microfluidic integrated circuit (MIC). The fluidic connection is made to the back of the MIC through Bosch-etched holes that take fluid to surface micromachined channels on the front of the MIC. Electrical connection is made to bond pads on the front of the MIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert L. Benavides, Paul C. Galambos, John A. Emerson, Kenneth A. Peterson, Rachel K. Giunta, Robert D. Watson
  • Patent number: 6435565
    Abstract: A band clamp is provided making a joint in each of two pairs of closely spaced pipes wherein the pipes in each pair are aligned with each other. The clamp has a single closed loop clamp band for connecting adjoining ends of the first pair to make a sealed joint and connecting the adjoining ends of the second pair of pipes to make a sealed joint. The clamp band encircles both pairs of pipes and overlaps a portion of the adjoining ends of both pairs of pipes. The closed loop of the clamp band has oppositely disposed concave lobe portions spanning the gap between the pipes and a clamping mechanism is provided for drawing the lobe portions toward each other for tightening the band around the adjoining ends of the pipes to provide a mechanical connection and a sealed joint in each pair of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: BKS Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Potts, Michael E. Amedure
  • Patent number: 6415822
    Abstract: A modular chemical delivery block is presented. In an embodiment, the modular chemical delivery block is a top-accessible modular block. A top-accessible modular block is one that may be coupled to or decoupled from an adjacent modular block using access from directly above the top-accessible modular block. The top-accessible modular chemical delivery block preferably includes an axial connection location configured to allow the modular block to be coupled to a laterally adjacent modular block. The interior surface of the axial connection location is preferably substantially parallel to the exterior surface of the axial connection location and unobstructed by other portions of the modular block from the top surface of the modular block. Another embodiment involves a unified modular block configured to direct multi-directional fluid flow therethrough. The unified modular block preferably includes first and second fluid flow paths having first and second axial bore holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: J. Gregory Hollingshead
  • Patent number: 6406065
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotary joint for alternating passage of a lubricating medium and a non-lubricating medium from a stationary (3) to a rotating machine part (1), having a first seal (7) in the form of two flat, substantially circular ring-shaped sliding sealing surfaces (4, 6) arranged so as to slide one on the other, which sealing surfaces (4, 6) are substantially concentric relative to the axis of rotation (10) of the rotating machine part (1) and may be moved at least far enough from one another, in the axial direction, that they do not come into contact with each other during rotation of the rotating machine part (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: GAT Gesellschaft fur Antriebstechnik mbH
    Inventors: Stephan Ott, Norbert Mittermeier
  • Patent number: 6328344
    Abstract: A pipe fitting includes a slider disposed in an insertion hole of a main body so as to be axially moved and includes a pressed portion which a falling-off preventing flange of a pipe abuts so that the slider is pressed axially when the pipe is inserted into the insertion hole. A fitting checker includes a pair of spreading legs having respective claws, the fitting checker being detachably attached to the main body so that the legs hold the main body. The claws engage the body and the slider so that the fitting checker is not allowed to be detached from the body when the legs are closed. The legs are spread so as to release the claws from engagement with the body and the slider so that the fitting checker is allowed to be detached from the body. Releasing protrusions are formed to protrude from inside portions of the legs of the fitting checker, the releasing protrusions being pressed so that the legs are elastically deformed in respective opening directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Togo Seisakusyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tozaki, Masatoshi Harada
  • Patent number: RE38204
    Abstract: A quick-connect coupling for interconnecting only matching fluid delivery and supply lines while preventing the inadvertent connection of mismatched lines where there are matched and mismatched delivery and supply lines. The coupling includes first and second coupling members that are releasably slidably, axially interfitted with their passageways in fluid communication. In the disclosed embodiment of a coupling for use in a chemical extraction system, one coupling member is a male member connected to the supply lines in the typical fifty gallon drum and the other coupling member is a female coupling member connected to the delivery lines. Key coding elements on the coupling members are movable into matched interengagement when the supply and delivery lines are matched but are precluded from moving into matched interengagement when the lines are mismatched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Container Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randal N. Kazarian