With Selectively Preset Flow Cutoff Or Initiating Means Patents (Class 239/67)
  • Patent number: 10982983
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a measuring transducer of process automation technology, comprising at least the following steps: starting the measuring transducer by starting its operating system, wherein the operating system provides at least one interface; starting at least one interpreter, wherein the interpreter accesses the interface; and executing an extension in the interpreter. The present disclosure further relates to a measuring transducer for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Robl
  • Patent number: 10954934
    Abstract: The pumping installation (16) comprises a pneumatic pump (22) for pumping a fluid (12) and a system (24) for supplying the pneumatic pump (22) with compressed gas. The supply system (24) comprises a source (34) of compressed gas and a fluidic connection (36) that fluidly connects the source (34) to the pneumatic pump (22). The pumping installation (16) also comprises a system (38) for controlling the supply of the compressed gas to the pneumatic pump (22), wherein the control system (38) comprises a valve (40) mounted on the fluidic connection (36) and switchable between a blocking state, in which the valve (40) prevents the flow of compressed gas between the source (34) and the pneumatic pump (22), and a passing state, in which the valve (40) allows the circulation of compressed gas between the source (34) and the pneumatic pump (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXEL INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: Boussif Khaldi
  • Patent number: 10894529
    Abstract: A mobile sanitization system is described that allows the operator of a vehicle such as a forklift to spray a sanitizing solution onto the tires of the vehicle as it is rolling to quickly and efficiently sanitize the tires. The sanitizing solution is configured for killing any microorganisms that may be present in the tires of the vehicle, so that they are not transported into critical areas such as food processing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Inventors: Clifford Loren Jacobson, Timothy Brian Jacobson
  • Patent number: 10780190
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for disinfection of spaces using a disinfecting liquid droplet spray atomization are described, in which an electric fan 107 is used to dispense the atomization from an atomization chamber 104 via venture outlets 106 into the space to be disinfected. The operation of the electric fan 107 is modulated in a cycle having a first phase in which the fan is operated at full speed and a second phase at which the fan is operated at a randomly selected speed to vary the rate of dispensing into the space in order to improve the dispersal of the atomized droplets in the space and hence the efficacy of disinfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SPECIALIST HYGIENE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tautvydas Karitonas
  • Patent number: 10631475
    Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, an adjusting device for adjusting a passive drip irrigation valve to enable precision irrigation includes a device body configured to be at least one of hand-held or attachable to a robot, the device body having a manipulator end, and a manipulator assembly contained within and extending from the manipulator end of the device body. The manipulator assembly includes a coarse alignment adjustment assembly constructed and arranged to align the adjusting device with the passive drip irrigation valve. The manipulator assembly also includes a fine actuator configured to rotate the passive drip irrigation valve by a specified angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ken Goldberg, Stefano Carpin, Stephen McKinley, Stavros Vougioukas, David Gealy
  • Patent number: 9683352
    Abstract: A method of performing a cleaning cycle for a water supply system having a valve. The method includes determining whether the cleaning cycle is necessary in a central controller located remotely from the water supply system; and when cleaning is necessary, sending a signal from the central controller to a local controller located within the water supply system to activate a heating element within the water supply system to heat an internal waterway of the water supply system to a temperature configured to clean the internal waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER MIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Kevin T. Peel
  • Patent number: 9669125
    Abstract: A method of emitting two or more volatile materials from a diffuser includes the step of emitting a first volatile material using a first diffusion element for a first randomly determined period of time. The method further includes the step of emitting a second volatile material using a second diffusion element for a section randomly determined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Gasper
  • Patent number: 9211049
    Abstract: Provided is a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a tub having a receiving space in which objects to be washed are received, a sump for storing wash water supplied into the tub, a heater that heats the wash water in the sump to generate steam, a steam nozzle for spraying the steam into the tub, a filter assembly that purifies the wash water supplied to the sump and communicates with the tub so that the steam generated in the sump is supplied into the tub and a barrier for dividing inner space of the sump into a first section communicating with the filter assembly and a second section communicating with the steam nozzle. The barrier allows the wash water flows between the first and second sections and suppresses flow of the steam from the second section to the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jongmin Lee, Taehee Lee, Haewoong Lee, Youmin Lee, Seongho Kim, Jungyoup Han
  • Patent number: 9149013
    Abstract: A system for managing irrigation equipment comprises a first irrigation system for applying water in a first irrigated area, a second irrigation system for applying water in a second irrigated area, a control system for controlling the irrigation systems, and a user interface for enabling a user to configure the control system. The user interface presents a map view of a geographic area including the irrigated areas and includes a first graphical element corresponding to the first irrigation system and a second graphical element corresponding to the second irrigation system. The user interface further presents a first interactive control panel for controlling the first irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the first graphical element, and presents a second interactive control panel for controlling the second irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the second graphical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventor: Reece R. Andrews
  • Publication number: 20150129678
    Abstract: An atomizer used in the inner combustion engine and having energy saving and debris reducing function, which includes: a housing having an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, the interior of the housing is installed with a flow regulating mask, and a bottom plate is installed inside the housing; a working fluid filled in the housing and disposed above the bottom plate; a floating carrier installed in the housing and floating on the liquid surface of the working fluid; at least an atomizing mechanism installed on the floating carrier; and a sensing controlling mechanism installed below the bottom plate and connected to the atomizing mechanism. Accordingly, with the driving and regulating provided by the sensing controlling mechanism, the flow regulating mask allows the atomizing mechanism to atomize proper amount of water with respect to the actual conditions of the rotation speed and loading status of an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: WEN-PIN CHEN, CHIU-YUEH TUNG
  • Patent number: 9016596
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer arrangement and methods for operating the same are disclosed. An exemplary atomizer may be used for the coating of work pieces, and may include a bell plate driven by an electric motor. The exemplary atomizer may further be configured for the detection of errors in the spraying process and/or the drive system of the bell plate, such as by analyzing corresponding parameters of typical values of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Torsten Block, Juergen Haas, Frank Herre, Marcus Frey, Alexander Meissner, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Bernhard Seiz
  • Patent number: 9010585
    Abstract: A dry ingredient dispensing unit includes a plurality of containers affixed to a sliding rail mountable to a structure such as a cupboard. Each container is configured into a hopper. A volume of a dry ingredient is loaded through a top portion of each hopper. Each hopper is provided with a plurality of sliding dispensing plates stacked on top of each other. Each dispensing plate is provided with a calibrated aperture to dispense a specific volume of dry ingredient when the plate is slid outward from the hopper. Further, the hoppers are interconnected to provide an assembly of multiple compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20150060563
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fuel injectors that provide efficient injection, ignition, and combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injector can include a sensor that detects one or more conditions in the combustion chamber. The injector can also include an acoustical force generator or modifier that is responsive to the sensor and can be configured to (a) induce vibrations in the fuel in the injector body and/or in the combustion chamber, (b) induce vibrations in air in the combustion chamber, (c) induce vibrations in a valve driver or other injector component to actuate a flow valve, and/or (d) control patterning of fuel injected into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8955765
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating an airspace with a volatile substance includes means for detecting the presence of a specific component in a volatile substance and means for controlling a volatile substance dispenser to dispense the volatile substance only if the volatile substance contains the specific component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Porchia, Hermann Neumann
  • Patent number: 8939381
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fog removal system which can blow dry air onto roads, airport runways, harbors, or into coastal areas in which fog regularly occurs to reduce the relative humidity of atmospheric air down from about 100%, to thereby remove the fog. Particularly, in the fog removal system, a heating unit and a blowing unit may be connected to areas such as roads, airport runways, harbors, or coastal areas in which fog regularly occurs, to blow dry air generated in the heating unit over a long range using a strong blowing pressure from the blowing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Maintenance Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Seong Choi, Jong Seob Song, Jun Cheol Choi, Sung Min Kang
  • Patent number: 8931716
    Abstract: The invention refers to a spray pump device for spraying a liquid operated by a memory shape element. The spraying device is provided with a memory shape alloy wire with electrical resistivity, that is able to generate heat that increases its temperature so that due to memory shape property, the wire shrinks when current is applied. This shrinking permits the wire to activate a pump that atomizes a volatile substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Zobele Holding SpA
    Inventors: Stefano DeFlorian, Julio César Ruiz Ballesteros, Walter Sordo, Daniel Mosconi
  • Patent number: 8925832
    Abstract: The device for diffusing sprayed liquid in a reception zone includes a vessel suitable for containing a liquid for spraying and at least one diffuser of sprayed liquid that is arranged in the vessel. The diffuser includes in particular an ultrasound emitter. The cleaning method is such that during a stage of operation of the device in which the device is not diffusing liquid in the reception zone, the following steps are performed: heating a liquid in the vessel up to a predetermined temperature, preferably higher than 60° C., in particular lying in the range 65° C. to 80° C.; and draining the liquid from the vessel via a pipe of the device that is situated outside a circuit for diffusing sprayed liquid in the reception zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Areco Finances et Technologie—Arfitec
    Inventors: Michel Gschwind, Fabien Guerrin, Frederic Richard
  • Patent number: 8887521
    Abstract: Provided is an air conditioner for an automobile capable of having uniform perfume performance in a width direction of the automobile by discharging air mixed with a perfume component supplied from a perfume generating unit through a discharging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corp.
    Inventors: Jae Jo Kim, Jin Hyuck Kim, Sung Je Lee, Yong Jun Jee, Sang Chul Byon, Nam Jun Lee, Yong Sung Kwon
  • Publication number: 20140097266
    Abstract: Scent dispenser arrangement for dispersing fragrance into a HVAC system includes a flow sensor and a scent disperser assembly having a control module connected to the flow sensor and a canister for emitting a spray which is actuated by the control module. The flow sensor operates in response to air flow and creates an air flow dependent electrical signal transmitted to activate the control module of the spray disperser assembly. The scent disperser and flow sensor are arranged to allow the spray to be disbursed in selective locations in the HVAC system. An embodiment involves two scent disperser assemblies electrically connected in series which operate successively when the liquid in one disperser assembly is depleted or when one disperser assembly dispersers a predetermined number of sprays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Sam Habbel
  • Publication number: 20140091157
    Abstract: A method and system of providing a mist in a grocery display that injects biocidal solution into a misting line of water during a phase of the misting cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: PuriCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald N. DiBello, Noel J. Pixley, Roger D. Hall, Geoffrey Richard Koontz
  • Patent number: 8532831
    Abstract: An irrigation control device having a modulator that modulates data onto an alternating power signal by distorting amplitude of a first leading portion of selected cycles of the alternating power signal, and permit effectively a full amplitude of the alternating power signal on a following portion of the selected cycles, wherein the first leading portion and the following portion are either both on a high side of a cycle or both on a low side of a cycle of the alternating power signal. The irrigation control device further includes an interface configured to couple the modulator to a multi-wire interface coupled to a plurality of irrigation devices to permit the alternating power signal to be applied to the multi-wire interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Crist
  • Patent number: 8523085
    Abstract: A method and system has been developed to individually control the flow of liquid products from any nozzle within a plurality of nozzles using pulse width modulated solenoid actuated valves. The method and system simultaneously controls multiple flow and shutoff related inputs including but not limited to turn radius, nozzle overlap, swath reduction, nozzle spacing, fence row rates, wheel track rates, etc. The method and system will also simultaneously accept one or more external inputs from commercially available application rate control devices where other rate and shutoff inputs may be used, for example, variable rates per boom section based on GIS maps or multiple in-field sensors along the boom. The method and system further incorporates the artificial manipulation of commercial rate controller inputs and outputs to facilitate these individual nozzle control features and benefits without compromising the overall system flow control performed by the commercial rate controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Capstan AG Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Grimm, Kent Dieball, Duane Needham, Tyron Johnson, Marvin Stone
  • Patent number: 8500039
    Abstract: A remote spray nozzle actuating device for spray cans has a spray can holder assembly for holding a spray can, the further including a wireless activator assembly; and a wireless transmitter for remotely activating the wireless activator assembly causing the spray nozzle to be actuated. The spray can holder assembly further has a trigger. The trigger is connected to the wireless activator assembly wherein movement of the trigger actuates a spray nozzle. The wireless activator assembly has a wireless receiver; a power supply; a control circuit; and an actuator. The actuator is connected to the control circuit and wherein upon activating the wireless transmitter a signal is received in the receiver and transmitted to the control circuit to activate the actuator causing the trigger to move activating the nozzle of the held spray can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Arthur L Allen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8504210
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, David G. Fern, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Patent number: 8453658
    Abstract: A readily expandable self-cleaning progressive spray system is provided. The system includes a fluid inlet and a series of spray fittings each having a self-sweeping spray nozzle, a timing mechanism, and a pass-through valve. The series of spray fittings are connected in fluid communication to the water inlet such that the fluid passes into and through the spray nozzle of each spray fitting until its timing mechanism expires which subsequently activates its pass-through valve which directs the fluid on to the next spray fitting. The spray fittings include a reset mechanism which resets the pass-through valves in order to allow the valves to iterate through the desired pattern again after completing one cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Glen E. Morrow
  • Patent number: 8448377
    Abstract: A method and semi-permanent system for applying various pesticides within an interior space of a building structure includes a pipeline having a plurality of solenoid valves, each valve controlled by a microcontroller so that a predetermined amount of pesticide is distributed according to a predetermined, sequential timed firing sequence. The pipeline is installed external to an interior wall surface and may extend to areas far removed from the wall. A second pipeline supplies air to the solenoid valves and the microcontroller controls the flow of air to the valves so that an effective wet spray-cold aerosol fogging may be achieved. One or more sensors may be used to monitor the interior space of the building for purposes of safety. The entire system may be controlled through a computer interface, a network interface controller, a web-based interface, or a wireless device interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Hampton Harold Price, III, Mark Wayne Clark, II, Dmitriy N. Terekhov
  • Patent number: 8403239
    Abstract: A liquid storage system includes a liquid container having a plurality of through holes of a nano-size from which volatile liquid contained in the liquid container is led outside by capillary action, and photocatalytic films provided on surfaces of the through holes, the photocatalytic films being hydrophilic during light irradiation, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the photocatalytic films with light, and a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit in accordance with an amount of the volatile liquid to be led outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takahisa Kusuura
  • Publication number: 20130048746
    Abstract: A method for controlling an irrigation system is described. The method includes receiving, via a communication interface, a control signal from a utility. The method also includes determining whether or not to base operation of the irrigation system at least in part on the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Nathan Bowman Littrell
  • Patent number: 8381824
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fire extinguishing gas emission control apparatus for a protected area. The fire extinguishing gas emission control apparatus includes a mode conversion unit, and a control unit. The mode conversion unit includes a stop switch capable of selecting an on-mode used to prevent fire extinguishing gas from being emitted into the protected area or an off-mode used to allow the fire extinguishing gas to be emitted into the protected area. The control unit performs control such that the interlock circuit unit of the gas fire extinguishing equipment apparatus is put in on or off-mode based on the on or off-mode of the stop switch. The mode conversion unit further includes a Radio Frequency (RF) card recognition unit capable of recognizing an RF card in which the ID of a passer-by who enters the protected area is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chang Sung Ace Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeu Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20120160929
    Abstract: A material spreader may include an electric interlock mechanism that is adjustable between: (1) a first condition where an electric supply line can supply electricity to operate a material transfer member and a door cannot be moved into an open position; and, (2) a second condition where the electric supply line cannot supply electricity to operate the material transfer member and the door can be moved into an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Bob Schaefer, Eric Larsen, Roland Hagemeyer
  • Patent number: 8191795
    Abstract: A method and system has been developed to individually control the flow of liquid products from any nozzle within a plurality of nozzles using pulse width modulated solenoid actuated valves residing on a CAN communication network. The CAN communication network has been further developed to manage the high current requirements of the solenoid actuated valves, the large physical length and high number of nozzles used on modern agricultural application equipment and integration and retrofit requirements when used in conjunction with commercially available application rate control devices. The method and system simultaneously controls multiple flow and shutoff related inputs including but not limited to turn radius, nozzle overlap, swath reduction, nozzle spacing, fence row rates, wheel track rates, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Capstan Ag Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Grimm, Kent Dieball, Duane Needham, Tyron Johnson, Marvin Stone
  • Patent number: 8185248
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, David G. Fern, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Patent number: 8118240
    Abstract: A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck, Anthony G. Spangler, Michael J. Veros, Paul D. Koottungal
  • Patent number: 8109452
    Abstract: An electrostatic atomizer, for use in a motor vehicle, includes a discharge electrode, a water supply unit for cooling the discharge electrode to generate water condensed on the discharge electrode, and a high voltage applying unit for applying a high voltage to the water on the discharge electrode to electrostatically atomize the water. The electrostatic atomizer is arranged in a ceiling of the motor vehicle. The electrostatic atomizer further includes an ejection portion provided in the ceiling of the motor vehicle for ejecting electrically-charged water particles generated by electrostatic atomization and an ejection direction changing unit provided in the ejection portion for changing an ejection direction of the electrically-charged water particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shousuke Akisada, Takeshi Yano, Akihide Sugawa
  • Patent number: 8011603
    Abstract: A liquid storage system includes a liquid container having a plurality of through holes of a nano-size from which volatile liquid contained in the liquid container is led outside by capillary action, and photocatalytic films provided on surfaces of the through holes, the photocatalytic films being hydrophilic during light irradiation, an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the photocatalytic films with light, and a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit in accordance with an amount of the volatile liquid to be led outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takahisa Kusuura
  • Patent number: 8010238
    Abstract: Several embodiments provide wireless extensions to an irrigation controller system and related methods of use, as well as other improvements to irrigation control equipment. In one implementation, an irrigation control system includes a transmitter unit including a controller and having a connector to be coupled to an irrigation controller having station actuation output connectors. The controller is configured to receive an indication that the irrigation controller has activated an irrigation station, and is also configured to cause the transmitter unit to transmit a wireless activation signal responsive to the indication. A receiver unit is coupled to an actuator coupled to an actuatable device, such as an irrigation valve, the actuator configured to actuate the irrigation valve to control the flow of water therethrough. The receiver unit receives the wireless activation signal and in response, causes the actuator to actuate the actuatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Ensworth, Barbara E. Booth, Dean C. Thornton, Randall A. Hern, Malcolm N. Napier
  • Patent number: 7950597
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator (1) for a dispenser device for spraying contents of a receptacle that is pressurized or of a receptacle that has a pump, the actuator (1) comprising a channel connectable to a receptacle outlet (19) on one side of the actuator (1) for receiving the pressurized contents of the receptacle, said channel having an orifice (11) for spraying the contents on another side of the actuator (1), wherein the channel comprises a volume chamber, said orifice forming an outlet of the volume chamber (71), wherein the orifice (11) has a valve for opening and closing the orifice (11), the valve biased by at least biasing means in the closed position, and further comprising actuation means arranged to allow a flow of content from the receptacle into the channel and volume chamber (71). The invention is characterized in that the actuation means is coupled with the biasing means for attenuating the bias on the valve biasing the valve in the closed position, if the actuation means is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Packaging Technology Participation SA
    Inventors: Roland Frans Cyrille Cornelius Vanblaere, Willy Leonard Alice Kegels
  • Patent number: 7934466
    Abstract: The invention concerns a coating plant for the coating of construction units with a coating medium, in particular a paint system for the lacquer finish of motor vehicle body parts, with a dosing pump, the coating medium supplied with a certain delivery (Fm) proportioned, and a pressure control valve arranged upstream before the dosing pump to adjust a coating medium pressure (p v) at the entrance of the dosing pump, as well as a control unit to adjust the pressure control valve a controlled variable of the pressure difference (?p) through the dosing pump independently of the delivery of the dosing pump and the changing viscosity of the lacquers to an essentially constant desired value (?pTARGET).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Durr Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Collmer, Wilhelm Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20110077784
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid additive control system to inject a fluid additive into a fluid dispensation system is provided. The method includes receiving a first control signal indicating that a fluid dispensation device within the fluid dispensation system is active, and determining a fluid additive quantity based upon the identity of the fluid dispensation device. The method also includes activating a fluid additive injection system, where the fluid additive dispensation system injects the fluid additive into the fluid dispensation system in response to the activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Jon Lips
  • Patent number: 7883029
    Abstract: An irrigation system includes a radio transmitter station that transmits weather prediction information to a geographic region that includes multiple geographic sub-regions. The weather prediction information includes a respective geographic sub-region code for each of the geographic sub-regions for which a weather forecast predicts rain within a predetermined time period. An irrigation apparatus in a particular sub-region activates to water a watering zone at a schedule time. However, if the irrigation apparatus receives the sub-region code for the particular sub-region where the irrigation apparatus is located, the irrigation apparatus does not immediately activate to water the watering zone in one embodiment. The transmitter station may transmit both program content and data content on a common radio frequency signal wherein the data content includes the weather prediction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Edmond Chalemin, Indran Naick, Clifford Jay Spinac, Calvin Lui Sze
  • Publication number: 20110017840
    Abstract: A graffiti prevention apparatus for preventing application of graffiti to a surface(s). The apparatus includes a control component (11) coupled to one or more modular components (21, 31). The control component (11) has a solenoid valve (12) which is coupled to a liquid supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: Sabian Family Trust
    Inventor: Anthony George Bicknell
  • Patent number: 7874500
    Abstract: A snow making apparatus of the low profile snow gun type or of the tower type having independent and co-extending air and first water conduits supported above ground. Air and first water discharge nozzles are connected to the upper ends respectively of these conduits for producing a plume of atomized water from external interacting air and water discharge under pressure from the air and water discharge nozzles to produce snow in sub-freezing ambient conditions. A second water conduit co-extends with the air and first water conduits and a second water discharge nozzle is connected to the upper end of this second water conduit in the head of the snow gun or tower for discharge of additional water under pressure to ambient atmosphere through this second water discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Charles N. Santry
  • Patent number: 7871016
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and methods for optimizing the performance and protecting one or more aerosol generating transducers from deterioration while operating in a chemically reactive aqueous solution by utilizing one or more protective barrier techniques to eliminate chemical interaction between the aqueous solution and the transducers, among other features of the generator including these transducers. The method of the present invention produces an aerosol producing transducer with the transducer housing and assembly to be constructed in such a way as to assure its efficient and effective long-term and problem free operation in an aqueous solution that is chemically reactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Altapure, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Ricciardi, Carl L. Ricciardi, Daniel A. Matre
  • Patent number: 7861946
    Abstract: A nozzle apparatus for an agricultural crop sprayer, the apparatus having a control element adjustable using ah external power source for controlling the flow of a spray liquid from a spray line through at least one channel of the nozzle apparatus. Once the control element has been moved to a control position, the position is maintained without further need for external power. The control element may be a ball valve movable to simultaneously select two or more nozzle connections and also to vary flow through the selected nozzle connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Joseph M. Beeren
  • Patent number: 7815129
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for continuously delivering and non-intermittently introducing a liquid into a main flow. An exemplary apparatus includes a supply line, a delivery line, a delivery device for delivering a mass flow of the liquid from the supply line to the delivery line, and at least one atomizing element communicating with the delivery line. A branch line which branches off from the delivery line can be arranged in the delivery direction downstream of the delivery device and upstream of the atomizing element, at least one changeover and/or regulating member for shutting off and/or throttling the branch line being arranged in combination with the branch line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Stefan Lecheler, Rolf Dittmann
  • Patent number: 7802737
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a high volume, low cost, sealant spray control system for the asphalt industry, accomplished particularly through a self contained vehicle mounted spray system utilizing a digital positioning receiver consisting of a global positioning system (GPS) or horn radar for vehicle speed sensing and a motor RPM sensor and a program logic CAN micro controller for adjusting output flow of a material pump to achieve a target application spray rate of a spray bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventor: Richard D Rayner
  • Patent number: 7770813
    Abstract: A spray penetration control method that controls penetration of fluid injected as a spray from an injector. The control method uses multiple successive injection events instead of single injection events to reduce overall spray penetration. Dwell times may be fixed or varied between successive injection events to reduce overall spray penetration. Also, the mass of fluid spray injected by the injector may be fixed or varied during each multiple successive injection event to reduce overall spray penetration and the number of successive injection events may be adjusted so that a desired total amount of mass is delivered in accordance with a desired penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott E. Parrish
  • Patent number: 7766253
    Abstract: A device (30) for nebulizing a liquid includes a nebulization head (40) having a capillary tube (40-1) and a nozzle (40-2) for ejecting a liquid (43), a liquid supply tank (42) for supplying the nebulization head with liquid (43), a vibrator (44) for vibration driving the nebulization head so that it ejects droplets of liquid in a nebulization jet. The device (30) further includes a pressure regulator for applying to the liquid at the inlet to the nebulization head (40), during nebulization cycles, a pressure greater than a first pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is not vibration driven, and lower than a second pressure threshold above which the liquid flows through the nebulization head when the head is vibration driven. Advantages of the device include increase in the nebulization flow rate and low sensitivity to changes in trim and to vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Osmooze
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Le Pesant, Hugues Brouard
  • Patent number: 7757963
    Abstract: The handle of a hand shower accommodates a remote control which is triggered by once-only pressure on a key or another deformable element. The remote control contains a piezoelectric radio switch which is accommodated as a closed-off component in the handle. This switch acts on a receiver which is mounted on a wall connection bend and which is connected to a valve in the wall connection bend. The valve can be switched on and switched off with the aid of the remote control in the handle of the hand shower. In the switched-off state, the shower hose is not under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventors: Michael Kiolbassa, Jan Heisterhagen, Guenter Glunk
  • Patent number: RE43334
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing two fluids has separate supply lines for delivering the fluids to a mixing head. Flow rate of fluid in one supply line is monitored by arranging a pressure transducer to measure a pressure drop across an orifice in an orifice plate arranged in the supply line and a controller is responsive to the detected flow rate to control flow rate of fluid in the other supply line to achieve a desired flow ratio of both fluids at the mixing head for producing a mixed fluid having the correct proportions of both fluids. The fluids may be a concentrate syrup and a plain or carbonated water to produce a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Andrew Simmons