Patents Assigned to Flomax International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10597284
    Abstract: A non-pressure valve is provided, and includes a tubular housing having an inlet and an outlet. The tubular housing forms a fluid flow path. The non-pressure valve also includes a sliding sleeve coupled with the outlet, a spring disposed between the sliding sleeve and the tubular housing, and a flow-through mount disposed within the tubular housing adjacent the sliding sleeve. The flow-through mount is coupled with a bulb. The bulb is configured to engage the sliding sleeve and impede the flow of fuel. The non-pressure valve also includes a hose fluidly coupling the non-pressure valve with a remote fuel vent. The flow-through mount may include a plurality of bypass openings positioned in the fluid flow path and configured to divert a portion of the fuel flow through a hose to the remote fuel vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 10093532
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for fluid transfer. The apparatus includes a fluid receiver that includes a receiver base having an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus also includes a tubular cylinder having an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet of the tubular cylinder is coupled to the inlet of the receiver base. The tubular cylinder has a keyed outer surface, which in one embodiment, includes at least one surface feature extending annularly around the surface of the tubular cylinder. The surface feature engages with at least one tumbler in a fluid nozzle. The system includes the fluid receiver and a fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle, in one embodiment, has an arrangement of tumblers that are positioned adjacent an inlet of the fluid nozzle and configured to engage the keyed outer surface of the fluid receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FLOMAX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9708173
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for fluid transfer. The apparatus includes a fluid nozzle having a nozzle base. A poppet is rigidly coupled with the nozzle base. The poppet includes a poppet end surface. The fluid nozzle also includes a seal ring having a seal ring end surface disposed between a pull-back collar end surface and the poppet end surface. The seal ring is movable between a first position that prevents fluid flow through the fluid nozzle, and a second position that forms an annular fluid outlet that allows fluid flow through the fluid nozzle. The fluid nozzle also includes a tubular ball ring disposed around an outer surface of the seal ring. The ball ring includes at least one opening for housing a tumbler, which is configured to engage a surface feature of a keyed receiver. The system includes a fluid receiver and the fluid nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9610837
    Abstract: A vent and shutoff valve is provided, and includes an upper portion with an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for venting vapors. The upper portion mounts to an outer surface of a fuel tank. The lower portion extends into the fuel tank. The lower portion includes an elongated tubular valve housing, and a sliding sleeve housing disposed within the valve housing that defines a fluid pathway. The sliding sleeve housing includes a bypass port that fluidly couples the fluid pathway with a fluid channel formed between an outer surface of the sliding sleeve housing and an inner surface of the valve housing. The lower portion also includes a sliding sleeve disposed within the sliding sleeve housing that forms a fluid chamber between an outer surface of the sliding sleeve and an inner surface of the valve housing. The fluid chamber is fluidly coupled with the fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9610838
    Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for a fuel receiver. The apparatus includes a base having an inlet and an outlet that defines an interior channel through which fluid is flowable. The apparatus also includes a first valve movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position allowing fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus also includes a second valve independently movable relative to the base and the first valve, the second valve movable between a closed position and an open position allowing fluid flow through the inlet. The system includes the apparatus, and a fluid reservoir or tank in fluid communication with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 8899284
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hemingway
  • Publication number: 20130074977
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Flomax International, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8316900
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hemingway
  • Patent number: 7588060
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and means are disclosed for a modular backpressure sensor configured for use with a fluid delivery nozzle. The modular backpressure sensor may be installed and removed using simple tools and may optionally include an activator handle attachment. The system may optionally include a protective end plug for the fluid delivery nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Arthur Ballard