Patents Assigned to Nupro Company
  • Patent number: 4687180
    Abstract: A metering valve having a one-piece bonnet for reducing problems resulting from tolerance stack up. A guide portion is included on the nose of the bonnet for cooperation with a valve body bore to ensure concentric alignment between the metering pin and its associated orifice. A pair of O-rings on the valve stem cooperate with the bonnet bore to absorb forces and substantially reduce the potential for galling and breakage of the metering pin. One of the O-rings is compressed to a substantially greater extent than the other to aid in achieving better alignment between the stem and bonnet, and to obtain a firmer feel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Gary W. Scheffel
  • Patent number: 4684106
    Abstract: A valve including indicating means for indicating overtravel of an operating member beyond its normally closed position for warning that replacement of a seal is necessary. A diaphragm valve has a diaphragm of a material which withstands repeated flexing and is clamped in a unique manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Terrence J. Kolenc, Carl R. Bork, Jr., William C. Steiss, Earl D. Shufflebarger, William P. Tobbe
  • Patent number: 4659061
    Abstract: A stem tip seal for a shutoff valve includes a valve member having an axial recess at the outer end that operatively receives a retaining sleeve. The retaining sleeve includes a flange portion engaging a shoulder formed by a circumferential groove in the valve member to effectively limit relative movement between these two components. A tapered surface at one end of the retaining sleeve cooperates with a tapered surface formed on the valve member for confining a seal ring. The seal ring is under compression and biases the retaining sleeve toward a first or outer limit position. Initial contact between the retaining sleeve and valve seat prevents nibbling or chipping of the seal ring during valve closure, and extended contact between the retaining sleeve and valve seat provides support during valve opening to prevent seal blow out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventor: Gary W. Scheffel
  • Patent number: 4659060
    Abstract: A stem tip seal for a shut-off valve including a valve member adapted for selective movement axially toward and away from an associated valve seat. A generally cylindrical sleeve is carried by the valve member and has an end defining an outer annular seal surface adapted for cooperative sealing engagement with the seat. Mounted centrally within the sleeve for limited axial movement is a rigid cylindrical body that defines a first inner annular seal surface adapted for engagement with the seat at a location radially inwardly of the outer annular seal surface. Formed between the sleeve and the rigid body is an annular chamber which opens axially inwardly from a narrow slot located between the first inner annular seal surface and the outer annular seal surface. A mass of resilient packing material substantially fills the chamber and extends axially outwardly of the slot to define a second inner annular seal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventor: Gary W. Scheffel
  • Patent number: 4637430
    Abstract: A poppet check valve comprising mating body forming sections which define a valve chamber having a cylindrical inner wall. A generally cylindrical inlet passage connects axially with the valve chamber and a shoulder at the juncture between the inlet passage and the chamber defines an annular valve seat. Positioned in the chamber and extending transversely thereof is a relatively thin disk-like valve element. The valve element has a generally circular imperforate central section of a diameter greater than the diameter of the inlet passage but less than the diameter of the valve chamber. A plurality of legs extend radially from the periphery of the central section into sliding engagement with the inner wall of the valve chamber. A circular seal element is joined to one side of the central section at a location inwardly of its outer periphery to extend axially toward the valve seat. The valve element is maintained under a bias toward the seat by a coil spring mounted in the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Gary W. Scheffel, Richard J. Medvick, William C. Steiss
  • Patent number: 4634099
    Abstract: An inverted bellows valve has a two-piece stem interconnecting the valve and actuator for reciprocating axial movement of the stem tip. Tapered surfaces are advantageously utilized between cooperating elements for self-centering the valve assembly. An annular gland disposed along the exterior of the valve stem has concentric inner and outer O-rings which permit the stem to float and compensate for misalignment. A wobble collar is also disposed in abutting engagement with the stem to compensate for uneven spring forces which could otherwise cock the stem. The bellows subassembly is removable in one piece to facilitate maintenance and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Oliver L. Danko, Carl R. Bork, Jr., William C. Steiss, Donald A. Levengood
  • Patent number: 4606374
    Abstract: A valve including indicating means for indicating overtravel of an operating member beyond its normally closed position for warning that replacement of a seal is necessary. A diaphragm valve has a diaphragm of a material which withstands repeated flexing and is clamped in a unique manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Terrence J. Kolenc, Carl R. Bork, Jr., William C. Steiss, Earl D. Shufflebarger, William P. Tobbe
  • Patent number: 4530373
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body having an axial inlet port and a lateral outlet port, with an enlarged bore extending between such ports. A valve bonnet attached to the valve body slidably guides a poppet for movement between closed and open positions for closing and opening the inlet port. A seal ring positioned in the bore adjacent the inlet port sealingly surrounds the poppet in its closed position. The seal ring is axially compressed between a retainer ring and a backup surface, and a ring nut threaded in the bore compressively engages the retainer ring. The ring nut is located entirely on the inlet port side of the outlet port so it does not inhibit flow to the outlet port when the poppet is open. A poppet guide bore in the bonnet extends inwardly from a bonnet end surface, and a pair of concentric recesses of different diameters also extend into the bonnet from the end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Bork, Jr., William C. Steiss, William P. Tobbe, Earl D. Shufflebarger, Stephen Matousek, Thomas J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 4263140
    Abstract: An in-line fluid filter of the multi-piece type having a pair of body sections coaxially secured to each other. A filter element is fixedly disposed transversely across a filter chamber defined by the body sections intermediate a fluid filter inlet and outlet. This filter element includes an annular mounting flange interposed between mating annular body section end faces. A generally cup-shaped filter element support is fixedly located on at least the outlet side of the filter element and is dimensioned so that the filter element is at least partially received in the cup-shaped area thereof. This support includes an annular mounting rim which is also interposed between the body section end faces. The support allows the filter to experience greatly increased fluid pressure differentials across the filter element. The filter element mounting flange and the support mounting rim are dimensioned to at least extend to the outside diameter of the mating body section annular end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Wujnovich, Earl D. Shufflebarger, William C. Steiss
  • Patent number: 4262880
    Abstract: A plug valve having a valve body with a cylindrical plug receiving opening extending therethrough having at least one terminal end thereof outwardly chamfered. Fluid inlet and outlet passageways communicate with the receiving opening and are chamfered at the areas of communication therewith. A plug member includes a cylindrical plug portion closely received in the body receiving opening. This plug portion has a transverse fluid flow passage which is selectively rotatable into and out of alignment with the valve body inlet and outlet passageways. Axially spaced apart circumferential sealing members disposed on both sides of the flow passage prevent fluid flow outwardly of the receiving opening. An inlet passageway sealing means disposed in the plug portion side wall intermediate the opposite flow passage ends sealingly surrounds the passageway in the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Oliver L. Danko, William C. Steiss, William H. Amor, Jr., William P. Tobbe, Thomas J. Gardner, Earl D. Shufflebarger
  • Patent number: 4028254
    Abstract: A fluid filter including a filter body having inlet and outlet passages communicating with an open ended chamber on opposite sides of a tapered seat area. A cupshaped fluid filter or strainer element is located in the chamber through the open end thereof and is adapted to be closely received in the seat area. A bonnet assembly covers the open end of the chamber, is threadedly mounted to the body and is comprised of a bonnet, a bonnet nut and biasing means. The biasing means is employed to exert a biasing force against the filter or strainer element to continuously urge it toward the seat area. At least the bonnet and bonnet nut are themselves interconnected in a manner that permits both rotational and limited axial movement therebetween. The disclosed structure facilitates access to the chamber and filter or strainer element without the necessity for removing the entire fluid filter structure from a service installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Earl D. Shufflebarger, Edward E. Kish, John R. Boylan, George D. Diehl, Bernard J. Gallagher, William P. Tobbe
  • Patent number: 4028248
    Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose a fluid filter device which includes a central body section clamped between a pair of end fittings by a plurality of longitudinally extending tie bolts. The tie bolt arrangement is such that only one bolt must be removed to permit the central body section to be swung out of position between the end fittings for filter cleaning, changing, or the like. The central body section includes a cylindrical through passage which extends longitudinally of the body perpendicularly to end faces which mate with the end fittings. A filter cartridge is received in the through passage and includes a cylindrical sleeve which is sized so as to be closely and slidably received in the passage. Filter elements are mounted within the sleeve. Additionally, seal rings are carried about the opposite ends of the sleeve to provide a fluid seal between the end fittings and the central body, as well as to prevent leakage between the outside of the sleeve and the wall of the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Donald J. Murauskas, Edward E. Kish, Jr., Frank M. Cunningham, Bernard J. Gallagher, Earl D. Shufflebarger
  • Patent number: 4018686
    Abstract: A fluid strainer element capable of withstanding high differential pressures when used and which facilitates straining of fluid flowing through the continuous side wall and one end wall of the element. The strainer is generally cup-shaped and includes an inner cup-shaped support structure having staggered perforations extending through the surfaces thereof. An outer cup-shaped strainer structure constructed of wire mesh is closely received over the support structure with the open ends of the two structures being substantially coextensive with each other. An annular binding ring is closely received over the structure open ends and is rigidly affixed thereto. The mesh size of the straining structure may be varied as is desired and/or necessary for any use and normal fluid flow through the strainer is from outside to inside the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Nupro Company
    Inventors: Earl D. Shufflebarger, Edward E. Kish, Frank M. Cunningham, John R. Boylan, Donald J. Murauskas