Patents Assigned to Fluid Dynamics, Inc.
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Patent number: 6776192Abstract: A manifold mounting system for electrically operated pneumatic control valves includes a push-on snap lock latching arrangement that is responsive to simple straight line connecting movement of the valve to the manifold. The system completely eliminates the need for end plates, screws, O-rings, gaskets and the like, and the simultaneous accommodation of a plug-in electrical connection also eliminates wiring connections. Manual push button release provides equally simple disconnection of the valve from the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Richard Wigmore
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Patent number: 6016838Abstract: An improved valve construction having increased flow/pressure characteristics. The valve comprises a molded valve body including a plurality of body sections each having a generally flat inner surface, and the inner surfaces are disposed in contiguous relation along an interface. Each inner surface is formed with a plurality of recesses that mate with and complement recesses in the inner surface of the other body section to form a valve chamber and a connecting piston chamber. A spool valve is mounted for sliding movement in the valve chamber, while a piston having a generally oval cross-section is connected to the spool and is mounted for movement in the oval-shaped piston chamber. The inner surfaces of the body sections are also formed with a plurality of channel portions which mate and complement channel portions in the other body section to form flow channels that communicate with the valve chamber and the piston chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Richard Wigmore
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Patent number: 5358329Abstract: An apparatus for mixing plural flowable materials, for example liquids, is disclosed having a disk-shaped rotor connected to a rotating drive shaft and housed in a cylindrical chamber. The rotor has engraved on one or both faces a spiral-shaped groove to provide sufficient mixing turbulence and prevent unmixed solute from exiting the chamber. The chamber is defined by walls of two stationary end plates separated by an outer cylindrical barrel. When configured in multiple stages having a plurality of rotors connected with a single rotating drive shaft and housed in a plurality of axially arranged such chambers, a centrally-drilled passage intervening between chambers connects adjacent chambers. Additional solvent liquid is introduced at each mixing stage through a radially drilled passage. The materials to be mixed are confined to a narrow interstice between the rotor, adjacent walls and barrel, and pass in sequence from one chamber to the next.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1993Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Plache, Martin W. Selch
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Patent number: 5341846Abstract: A valve stack assembly comprising a manifold having an inlet channel connected to a source of air. A plurality of inlet tubes each having an inner end communicating with said inlet channel and the outer end of each tube projects outwardly of the manifold and is sealed within an inlet passage of a valve. An annular collet is disposed in each inlet passage and receives the inlet tube and the collet is designed such that the tube can be freely inserted in the collet but cannot be freely withdrawn unless the collet is moved axially inward to a release position. Each valve also includes an outlet opening which receives an outlet tube mounted in the manifold and each outlet tube is connected to a transverse manifold passage which in turn is connected through a fluid line to a working element.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Norman S. Framberg
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Patent number: 5222715Abstract: A valve construction comprising a molded body including a plurality of body sections each having a generally flat inner surface. The flat surfaces of the body sections are disposed in contiguous relation along an interface. Each surface has a plurality of recesses that mate with complementary recesses in the surface of the other body section to form compartments in the assembled body, and operating components, such as valves, are located in the compartments. The movable elements of the operating components move in a direction parallel to the plane of the interface. Each surface also has a plurality of channel portions mating with complementary channel portions in the other surface to form channels that interconnect the compartments. Each surface also includes a plurality of port sections which mate with port sections in the other surface to form ports which establish communication between the channels and the exterior of the body.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1992Date of Patent: June 29, 1993Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Norman S. Framberg
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Patent number: 4883602Abstract: A solids excluding subsurface fixed liquid decanter is used primarily to decant the settled liquid above the decanter. The decanter has no moving parts and will discharge this liquid at a constant flow rate regardless of the liquid head pressure above the decanter over the time of decant. The decanter is designed to exclude solids and liquid from entering the confines of the device during the fill and mixing cycles of an SBR waste treatment process. During the aeration cycle, air is directed into a bell or hood of the decanter to replace any absorption or leakage in vent piping of the decanter. The decanter also has a mechanism for skimming the surface of the liquid volume for removing floating solids that are undesirable to the process.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1988Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Assignee: Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Marvin H. Anderson
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Patent number: 4701055Abstract: A mixing apparatus is composed of a vertical cylindrical shell having a mixing space divided into multiple pass annular mixing chambers by a concentrically arranged cylindrical shroud, and tubes. An outermost chamber houses a jet nozzle which provides high velocity motive jet tangentially into the annular outer riser chamber, an injector and specially constructed baffles to cause an ascending generally helical mixing to occur. Provisions are made for recirculating part of the mixed fluids from an intermediate downcomer passage to the outer riser chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: Fluid Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Marvin H. Anderson