Patents Assigned to Nibco, Inc.
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Patent number: 11566721Abstract: A dielectric union ball valve utilizes a non-conductive separation sleeve to prevent contact between the union and the nut of a dielectric valve assembly. The valve assembly can optionally include an independently operated drain valve port to permit draining of the valve assembly. The use and positioning of a non-conductive separation sleeve mitigates potential galvanic reaction between dissimilar pipes and/or fittings that are connected to the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20220363574Abstract: A magnetic water filter assembly with a removable lighter weight lower section to permit access to the internal components of the filter assembly. The removable lower section allows the servicing and/or replacement of the internal filter as well as cleaning of the assembly. The lighter weight lower section reduces the stress placed on the surrounding plumbing components, including the piping/tubing that couples to the filter assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
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Publication number: 20220355230Abstract: A hydronic system separator has an air separator with a vent release mechanism to remove air from the fluid within a hydronic system. The separator includes a magnetic assembly for collecting ferrous particles from the fluid. One or more screens are used to remove other particles from the fluid. The separator housing includes a removable debris collection receptacle that has a drain assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2021Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. MASON, Andrew J. Terry
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Patent number: 11466802Abstract: A support ring for a tubular connection is provided that comprises a body comprising a first end and a second end. A circumferential ring lip extends from the first end of the body and positioned perpendicular to the body. A protrusion is positioned on the body between the first end and the second end. The protrusion comprises a top surface and a bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: NIBCO INC.Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, David A. Bobo, Christopher W. Mason, Robert B. Kelsey
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Patent number: 11427891Abstract: A piping article is provided that comprises a piping component comprising a piping body with an open end. The piping component is formed of an alloy comprising from about 12% to about 16% zinc, from about 0.5% to about 2.0% silicon, and a balance of copper (by weight). The alloy comprises an ultimate tensile strength of from about 200 N/mm2 to about 300 N/mm2, a yield strength of from about 75 N/mm2 to about 225 N/mm2, and an elongation of from about 15% to about 60%.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Benjamin L. Lawrence, Rudy L. Smith, Wesley D. Coy, Kenneth Edgar McCoy, Todd Morehead
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Patent number: 11421791Abstract: A tee union ball drain valve member utilizes a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member is positioned at the intersection of the third passageway of the valve body and the drain path. The second valve member is located in the drain path. The valve body is coupled to a tee union. The first valve member and second valve member permit draining of the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11421810Abstract: A double vented transition elbow can be used when venting a variety of applications, such as for baseboard heaters and hot water heating systems. The double vented elbow allows venting in one orientation or in a different orientation when the elbow is rotated. One end of the elbow couples to copper tubing, while the other end of the elbow couples to PEX tubing. Thus, the elbow not only allows for venting in two different orientations, it also allows for the transition from copper to PEX tubing within the same fitting.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Christopher William Mason, Lisa Lyon
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Patent number: 11408153Abstract: A multi-port transition tee drain valve includes multiple ports that are positioned generally perpendicular to the body of the fitting that includes a drain valve. The drain valve includes a drain port positioned next to a valve member which can be opened to permit the draining of the multi-port transition tee drain valve and surrounding components through the drain port. The fittings on the ports and the fittings on the end(s) of the drain body can be different to permit the transition of one type or size of tubing/piping to another.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: NIBCO INC.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11402045Abstract: A press fitting assembly is provided that includes: a piping component including a receiving device which includes an open end and a shoulder, the open end comprising a continuous stop; a grip ring positioned within the receiving device abutting the continuous stop and comprising a plurality of opposing teeth; a sealing element positioned within the receiving device and abutting the shoulder, wherein the sealing element comprises at least one lobe; and a separator ring positioned within the receiving device between the sealing element and the grip ring, the ring comprises a base portion and an angled portion. Further, the angled portion is angled toward the sealing element and the shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Ronald D Paige, Willis Mitchell, David A Bobo
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Publication number: 20220228353Abstract: A multi-port transition tee drain valve includes multiple ports that are positioned generally perpendicular to the body of the fitting that includes a drain valve. The drain valve includes a drain port positioned next to a valve member which can be opened to permit the draining of the multi-port transition tee drain valve and surrounding components through the drain port. The fittings on the ports and the fittings on the end(s) of the drain body can be different to permit the transition of one type or size of tubing/piping to another.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON
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Publication number: 20220196159Abstract: A 3-way T-flow ball drain valve permits the draining/filling/purging of a hydronic or plumbing system at the end of the line. This permits the orientation of a drain port in either horizontal or vertical position while permitting end of line draining. A drain valve member is positioned to permit the opening of the drain port when the T-ball valve member in the tee-shaped valve body has been open to permit flow toward the drain port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: CHRISTOPHER W. MASON, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
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Publication number: 20220196166Abstract: An L-ball union drain valve member utilizes a union member with an L-ball valve that is coupled to a tee-shaped valve body with a drain port. The drain port includes an additional valve member that permits the draining/purging/filling of the drain port. The orientation of the drain port can permit the draining/purging/filling of different sections of the valve assembly, depending upon orientation of the components. The union connection permits easy disassembly and installation of the components and differing position of the handle of the valve member with respect to the tee-shaped valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Lisa Lyon
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Publication number: 20220186854Abstract: A dielectric union ball valve utilizes a non-conductive separation sleeve to prevent contact between the union and the nut of a dielectric valve assembly. The valve assembly can optionally include an independently operated drain valve port to permit draining of the valve assembly. The use and positioning of a non-conductive separation sleeve mitigates potential galvanic reaction between dissimilar pipes and/or fittings that are connected to the valve assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Patent number: 11359729Abstract: A 3-way T-flow ball drain valve permits the draining/filling/purging of a hydronic or plumbing system at the end of the line. This permits the orientation of a drain port in either horizontal or vertical position while permitting end of line draining. A drain valve member is positioned to permit the opening of the drain port when the T-ball valve member in the tee-shaped valve body has been open to permit flow toward the drain port.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Mason, Lisa Lyon, Andrew J. Terry
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Publication number: 20220178483Abstract: An isolation valve unit with a fusion outlet including a valve body comprised of a metal, such as brass, and having at least two ports, at least one of the ports including an overmolded thermoplastic end surrounding and enclosing the port from which the fusion outlet extends. In one embodiment, the thermoplastic end is composed of a PP-RCT material and is securely formed over the port by way of an over molding technique. The valve unit further includes a ball valve accommodated within the valve body and a handle for actuating the ball valve. The isolation valve unit is configured to couple to a larger polymeric pipe and to control the flow of fluids in a plumbing system via actuation of the ball valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20220163125Abstract: A tee union ball drain valve member utilizes a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member is positioned at the intersection of the third passageway of the valve body and the drain path. The second valve member is located in the drain path. The valve body is coupled to a tee union. The first valve member and second valve member permit draining of the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20220057041Abstract: A ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes a wye strainer located adjacent to a T-ball valve within a unitary body. The ball drain wye strainer valve assembly includes an additional valve member. The combination of the valve members permits the flushing of the wye strainer screen from either upstream or downstream. A drain is also incorporated to allow for the system draining, flushing, or air-purging during the initial installation and subsequent maintenance of the screen and wye strainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: NIBCO Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Terry, Andrew J. Coates, Christopher W. Mason
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Publication number: 20220051351Abstract: A water supply monitoring system in connection with a supply line includes a fluid sensor configured to identify flow rate data identifying a flow rate of water through the supply line. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data from the fluid sensor and compare the flow rate data over time to a plurality of flow rate models. The flow rate models define flow rate characteristics of a plurality of preconfigured water implements. The controller is further configured to classify a water consumption identified by the flow rate data as being consumed by a plurality of consumption implements in connection with the supply line in a plurality of consumption classifications.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: NIBCO INC.Inventor: Christopher William Mason
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Publication number: 20220049478Abstract: A fluid supply monitoring system includes a fluid sensor configured to identify a flow rate of a fluid through a supply line. The system comprises a valve configured to control the flow rate through the supply line and a pressure sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data and identify fluid consumption from the supply line based on the flow rate. The controller is further configured to compare the fluid consumption of a usage event to one of a time limit and a volume limit. In response to the fluid consumption exceeding the time limit or the volume limit, the controller controls the valve to a closed position and identifies a potential fluid leak. With the valve in the closed position, the controller processes a verification procedure that identifies whether the potential fluid leak is an actual fluid leak.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: NIBCO INC.Inventor: Christopher William Mason
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Patent number: D947698Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: NIBCO Inc.Inventor: Christopher William Mason