Patents Assigned to Engineered Controls International, LLC
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Patent number: 11460136Abstract: A rapid connect coupler for connecting a fluid holding tank to a receptacle in a non-rotatable manner can include a housing, a probe configured to translate in a longitudinal direction within the housing, and a handle assembly configured to cause the probe to translate within the housing. The handle assembly can be movable between a plurality of positions corresponding to decoupled, coupled and venting positions. The coupler can also include a slidable sleeve coupled to an outer surface of the probe and configured to translate with the probe in the longitudinal direction, the sleeve including a collar configured to engage the receptacle in the coupled and uncoupled positions to prevent rotation of the coupler with respect to the receptacle when the two components are engaged to one another.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Tracy N. Tickle, Jeffrey S. Howard, Chad Thomas
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Patent number: 11353118Abstract: A receptacle for conveying fluid is disclosed. An example receptacle includes a main body defining an inlet and an outlet, a spring retainer disposed in the main body, a valve seat disposed in the main body, and a poppet configured to slide between a closed position and an open position. The poppet is slidably engaged with the spring retainer between the closed position and the open position and is engaged with the valve seat in the closed position. The example receptacle also includes a spring engaged with the spring retainer and the poppet to bias the poppet to engage the valve seat in the closed position. The spring retainer, the valve seat, the poppet, and the spring are removable from the main body via the inlet without disassembling the main body.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Chad Thomas, Michael T. Glavin, Jeffrey S. Howard, Guangbin Cao
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Patent number: 11346454Abstract: A pressure relief valve assembly is disclosed. The pressure relief valve assembly comprises an inlet manifold, a first pressure relief valve, a second pressure relief valve, and an outlet manifold. The first pressure relief valve is connected to and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold. The second pressure relief valve is connected to and in fluid communication with the inlet manifold and parallel to the first pressure relief valve. The outlet manifold is connected to and in fluid communication with the first pressure relief valve and the second pressure relief valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Mark Kendrick Hamm, Christopher Taylor Herman
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Patent number: 11262012Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a coupling nozzle for cryogenic fluid. An example nozzle comprises a flow body defining a conduit, an inlet, and an outlet. A pneumatic cylinder is configured to slide between an extended position and a contracted position. The pneumatic cylinder is coupled to and configured to actuate the flow body. A locking mechanism is configured to secure the coupling nozzle to a receptacle. A flow control assembly comprises a valve seat fixed to the flow body adjacent the inlet and a plug configured to slide. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the extended position, the valve seat is to disengage from the plug to open the flow control assembly. When the locking mechanism is locked and the pneumatic cylinder actuates to the contracted position, the valve seat is to engage the plug to close the flow control assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Kevin Jordan
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Patent number: 11261984Abstract: A combination regulator valve for conveying fluid is disclosed. The valve comprises a bonnet, a body, a flexible diaphragm, a first spring, and a spindle unit. The spindle unit comprises a pin, a first seat disc, and a seat screw. The bonnet is secured to the body. The flexible diaphragm is compressed between the bonnet and the body. The first spring is disposed in the bonnet. The spindle unit is disposed in the body. The first seat disc is disposed between the pin and the diaphragm. The first seat disc and the pin define a first void. The first spring biases the diaphragm toward the first seat disc. The seat screw is engaged with the body and is slidably engaged with the pin. The seat screw and the pin define a fluid passage in fluid communication with the first void.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Guangbin Cao, Patrick N. Morefield
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Patent number: 11181880Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate permanently marking a housing component for a fluid control system product is disclosed. The system comprises a first processor, a second processor, and a printer. The first processor is configured to receive fixed information. The second processor is configured to receive the fixed information from the first processor, generate variable information, control a laser engraver to engrave the fixed and variable information into a workpiece, generate an information packet including the fixed information and the variable information, and transmit the information packet to the first processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Tony York, John Cooke
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Patent number: 10935175Abstract: A fluid coupler includes: an outer body; an end connector being at least partially received inside the outer body and configured to receive pressurized fluid; an inner body received inside the outer body, the inner body being moveable with respect to the outer body; a seat holder and a valve seat both located inside of the inner body, the valve seat being configured to press against an inner surface of the inner body to close the fluid coupler; a connector partially housed within the inner body, the connector comprising a first end secured to the seat holder and a second end. The fluid coupler defines a pressurized fluid flow path enabling pressurized fluid to contact and pressurize the end connector, the inner body, the seat holder, and the connector without contacting and pressurizing the outer body.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Aaron Dominic Wyatt
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Patent number: 10883665Abstract: A method consistent with the present disclosure may include: (a) equalizing pressure between a nozzle inner void and a receptacle main inner void by pressing a nozzle check against a receptacle check to open the nozzle check and the receptacle check; (b) extending the nozzle into the receptacle such that a receptacle main body surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle probe; (c) flowing fluid from the nozzle inner void into the receptacle main inner void.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Chad Thomas, Howard M. Konishi, Jeffrey S. Howard
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Patent number: 10876636Abstract: A receptacle for conveying fluid is disclosed. The receptacle may include a main body, a spring retainer, a valve seat assembly, a poppet, and a spring. The main body defines an inlet and an outlet. The spring retainer is disposed in the main body and removable from the main body via the inlet. The valve seat assembly is disposed in the main body and removable from the main body via the inlet. The poppet is slidably engaged with the spring retainer between a closed position and an open position and is engageable with the valve seat assembly. The spring is engaged with the spring retainer and with the poppet to urge the poppet against the valve seat assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Chad Thomas, Michael T. Glavin, Jeffrey S. Howard, Guangbin Cao
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Patent number: 10768600Abstract: Systems and methods to facilitate permanently marking a housing component for a fluid control system product is disclosed. The system comprises a first processor, a second processor, and a printer. The first processor is configured to receive fixed information. The second processor is configured to receive the fixed information from the first processor, generate variable information, control a laser engraver to engrave the fixed and variable information into a workpiece, generate an information packet including the fixed information and the variable information, and transmit the information packet to the first processor. The printer includes a third processor configured to receive the information packet from the first processor and print the information packet onto a label.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Tony York, John Cooke
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Patent number: 10718456Abstract: A rapid-connect coupler includes a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Howard M. Konishi
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Patent number: 10400913Abstract: A rapid-connect coupler includes: an end fitting for conveying a fluid stream; a probe for conveying the fluid stream; a valve configured to occupy a closed position blocking fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting and an open position enabling fluid communication between the probe and the end fitting; a handle configured to actuate the valve between the closed and open positions; a sleeve moveable between a first sleeve position and a second sleeve position. The sleeve, in the first sleeve position, is configured to prevent the handle from actuating the valve from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Howard M. Konishi, Ronald J. Johnston
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Patent number: 10386017Abstract: A method consistent with the present disclosure may include: (a) equalizing pressure between a nozzle inner void and a receptacle main inner void by pressing a nozzle check against a receptacle check to open the nozzle check and the receptacle check; (b) extending the nozzle into the receptacle such that a receptacle main body surrounds at least a portion of the nozzle probe; (c) flowing fluid from the nozzle inner void into the receptacle main inner void.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Chad Thomas, Howard M. Konishi, Jeffrey S. Howard
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Patent number: 10364906Abstract: A dielectric regulator comprises a regulator and an inlet group. The inlet group comprises: an inlet nozzle assembly and an inlet fitting. The inlet nozzle assembly comprises: a nozzle, a bushing, a first sealing ring, a second sealing ring, a nut, a first dielectric interface, and a second dielectric interface. The nozzle defines a sealing block void, a funnel void, a first cylindrical void, and a polygonal void. The bushing surrounds the nozzle and compresses the first sealing ring between the nozzle and the bushing. The second sealing ring surrounds the nozzle and compressed via the nozzle and the bushing. The first dielectric interface is ring-shaped and is compressed via the nut and the nozzle. The second dielectric interface is ring shaped and is compressed via the nozzle and the inlet fitting. The inlet fitting defines a central void and is threadably engaged with the nozzle assembly via the nut.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Thad Cassidy
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Patent number: 10281073Abstract: A rapid-connect gas coupler is shown and described herein. In an embodiment, the rapid-connect gas coupler includes a spring-loaded probe within a probe cavity, which is defined by a housing and one or more latch segment. The probe can engage with a gas connector, which causes the latch segment to engage and couple with the gas connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Howard M. Konishi
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Patent number: 10221965Abstract: A valve includes: (i) a valve seat; (ii) a guide assembly including a check portion, the guide assembly being configured to move between a first closed position where the check portion contacts the valve seat and a first open position where the check portion is spaced apart from the valve seat; (iii) a plurality of guides that are sized and configured to contact an outer perimeter of the guide assembly to axially align the guide assembly at least when (a) the guide assembly is in the first closed position and (b) the guide assembly is in the first open position; (iv) a plurality of channels, each of the plurality of channels being located between at least two of the plurality of guides.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventor: Aaron Dominic Wyatt
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Patent number: D841780Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: ENGINEERED CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Howard, Tracy N. Tickle
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Patent number: D841781Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Jeffrey S. Howard, Tracy N. Tickle
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Patent number: D858715Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Patrick N. Morefield, Kevin Jordan
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Patent number: D884125Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLCInventors: Patrick N. Morefield, Kevin Jordan