Patents Assigned to Cla-Val Co.
  • Publication number: 20100294970
    Abstract: An adjustable hydraulically operated pressure management control pilot assembly has first and second diaphragm assemblies which define two fluid pressure chambers. Varying the pressure between these two fluid chambers modulates the control pilot assembly between adjusted low and high set points, which can be used to control high and low pressures downstream of a pressure reducing valve of a water supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: CLA-VAL CO.
    Inventor: Daniel Ré
  • Publication number: 20100071787
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically managing fluid pressure in a fluid distribution system between pressure set points includes a main valve having a fluid inlet and outlet. The main valve is configured to open to increase fluid flow therethrough and to close to reduce the fluid flow therethrough. A variable orifice assembly is coupled to the main valve and has fluid apertures formed in a housing thereof to create a fluid flow pathway therebetween. A valve stem is variably positioned within the housing to alter the fluid flow between the fluid apertures. A first control pilot is in fluid communication with the main valve and a first fluid aperture of the variable orifice assembly. A second control pilot is in fluid communication with the main valve and a second fluid aperture of the variable orifice assembly. The valve position and fluid flow are variable as the main valve opens and closes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: CLA-VAL CO.
    Inventors: Robert Folk, Daniel Ré
  • Publication number: 20080251130
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling fluid pressure downstream a main valve includes associating a variable orifice with the main valve such that the variable orifice opens as the main valve is opened and closes as the main valve is closed. A fluid stream taken from a fluid inlet of the main valve is passed to an inlet of the variable orifice. A fixed orifice is in fluid communication with an outlet of the variable orifice. A pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of a fixed orifice is detected by a control pilot device, which hydraulically opens or closes the main valve in response to the detected fixed orifice pressure differential between low pressure and high pressure set points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CLA-VAL CO.
    Inventor: Robert Folk
  • Publication number: 20080251146
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically managing fluid pressure between selected set points includes a pilot control system operably coupled to a main valve. The pilot control system includes at least one fluid conduit, a variable orifice assembly, and a control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through a fixed orifice and into a first chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through the variable orifice of the variable orifice assembly and into a second chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. The main valve is hydraulically opened or closed in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers of the control pilot valve apparatus so as to manage fluid pressure downstream of the main valve between the selected upper and lower set points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CLA-VAL CO.
    Inventor: Robert Folk
  • Patent number: 6405768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure fuel servicing nozzle for mating with a standardized aircraft fueling adapter having an adapter valve biased in a closed position to prevent fuel flow. The fuel nozzle includes a nozzle body and a collar assembly coupled to the nozzle body. Fuel flow is prevented when the nozzle valve is in a fully retracted position and fuel flow is allowed when the nozzle valve is extended and when the nozzle valve pushes the adapter valve in a downstream direction. A bias member maintains the nozzle valve in fully open position when intimate contact between the valves is disrupted, such as when fuel flow forces the adapter valve further in the downstream direction. The fuel nozzle further includes a collar assembly rotatably coupled to the nozzle body such that the fuel nozzle is secured to the fueling adapter by engaging the fuel nozzle onto the fueling adapter and rotating the collar assembly about the nozzle body and fueling adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Mark Randall McClaran
  • Patent number: 5183074
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pilot operated pressure-reducing valve system incorporating a main valve and a pilot valve, the latter being either near or remote from the main valve. The pilot and main valves cooperate with each other in such manner that the main valve will close very rapidly, this being important in aircraft fueling systems for example. Two related poppets are provided in the pilot valve, one such poppet being adapted to permit high flow for achievement of the substantially instantaneous main valve closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: James R. Reese
  • Patent number: 4874531
    Abstract: For use in combination with a system for separating water from pressurized fuel in a filter-separator tank, there is provided a float valve and weight device that prevents fuel from leaving the tank if the interface between fuel and water is at an undesirably high elevation. The float of the float valve is associated with a weight, the relationships being such that the float floats at the interface. To test the float for waterlogging, and to test the entire system, the association between float and weight is discontinued. The float then floats up unless waterlogging has occured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4865078
    Abstract: A manual control valve for a remotely operated munitions magazine sprinkler valve employs a compact body, a pressure input port and first and second output ports to which are secured tubular seat housings, each carrying a valve seat. First and second poppets are slidably mounted in the tubular seat housings and are spring urged to closed position. One or the other of the poppets is pulled open by means of a handle operated rotary cam, which allows both poppets to be closed by spring and water pressure. A modified valve configuration provides a three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4496845
    Abstract: A turbine generator system for use in a flow line from a water supply to a water usage, treatment or storage system employs a remotely controlled valve for control of the flow of water through the turbine. The system is arranged to shut down upon occurrence of under or over voltage at the generator or loss of pressure at the turbine, disconnecting the generator from the utility line and closing the control valve to stop flow through the turbine. Should failure of the utility line power decrease the generator load to increase turbine speed, restart is prevented until the control valve has closed to stop the turbine. A time delay in the control panel shuts down the system if the control valve does not open within a selected time interval after start up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: CLA-VAL Co.
    Inventors: Harold W. Ensign, Donald G. Griswold
  • Patent number: 4373550
    Abstract: A radially inner portion of a flat annular elastomeric washer is inserted and retained in a frustoconical annular groove formed in a cylindrical valve seat of an inline disc check valve. The groove is positioned and dimensioned so that it grips the washer and holds it in a radially stretched, axially skewed configuration wherein one of the washer's outer peripheral corner edges forms a leading sealing edge of the valve seat. At low back pressures in the valve, a line seal is formed between the leading washer edge and the valve's closure disc. High back pressures cause the disc to rearwardly deflect the protruding radially outer portion of the washer and engage the valve seat itself. Because the installed washer is both radially stretched and axially skewed, forward flow through the valve does not tend to dislodge the washer, and reverse flow around the washer portion within the groove is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: William Yelich
  • Patent number: 4181151
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve includes an apertured diaphragm plate that separates mutually concentric input and output valve chambers. A flexible diaphragm extends somewhat loosely across the plate and seals an operating chamber on one side of the plate. The chamber contains a spring pressed retainer plate having a sealing lip bearing against, but otherwise unsecured to, the diaphragm so that by controlling pressure within the operating chamber, the primary sealing closure is broken and the retainer plate apertures may be progressively blocked or unblocked as the diaphragm moves to and from the diaphragm plate apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4176687
    Abstract: A high capacity direct acting three-way bistable power operated valve is connected to control operation of an hydraulically operated magazine sprinkler control valve. The three-way bistable valve controls application of high pressure sea water and includes a slidable hollow valve spool having one end that is selectively seated upon and sealed against a valve seat in an inlet chamber, and having an intermediate spool portion connected to a common valve port. The other end of the hollow spool extends into an outlet chamber and is sealed against a valve seat therein when the first end of the spool is displaced from its valve seat and vice versa. Input pressure on the spool can be completely balanced or arranged to enhance sealing of the spool. The valve spool is axially shifted and latched either by a motor operated cam circuit arrangement or by driving and unlatching solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4108418
    Abstract: A fluid operated pinch valve comprises a flexible sleeve fixed at its ends within a valve casing that has a laterally facing opening through which the sleeve may be inserted and replaced without removing the valve casing from the flow line. A casing cover section has a planar sealing face that bridges the opening for sealing engagement with the main casing section, and which also seals against linear sealing flanges on ends of the flexible sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventors: Harold W. Ensign, Clifford V. Zieg
  • Patent number: 4090532
    Abstract: A self-contained battery-operated three-way control valve is repetitively cycled by a clock timer for cyclical control of an automatic hydraulic valve. The control valve is driven to one or the other of two limit positions by a reversible motor under control of forward and reverse motor circuits that are sequentially energized by a timer and de-energized by limit switches. A reverse control, also operated by the timer, selects one or the other of the motor circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: J. Albert Story, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3957395
    Abstract: A safety control system for a pump and anti-surge valve protects the pump, the valve and the hydraulic main line system. The valve is controlled by a pressure responsive circuit and, via a limit switch on the valve, controls both the steady state running of the pump and the pump start. A timed start circuit allows pressure to build up sufficiently to operate the valve upon initiation of pump operation. The system automatically shuts down upon power, mechanical or hydraulic failure, and prevents continued operation of the pump control valve when the pump has lost suction or there is a decrease in pump discharge pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign