Patents Assigned to Sporlan Valve Company
  • Patent number: 6852150
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging refrigerant and a molded core, formed from dessicant and a binder, and disposed in the casing between the inlet and the outlet and receiving refrigerant flow therethrough. The molded core includes an outer surface at least in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. The core is held within the casing against axial movement by bonding with the casing or by an indentation protruding into the core or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6835236
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging and a molded core disposed in the casing between inlet and outlet. In one embodiment, the core includes an outer surface in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. Axial movement of the core is prevent by bonding with the casing or by an indentation protruding into the core or both. Another embodiment includes a filter media pad bonded to the core sufficiently to hold the pad in place eliminating the need for outlet support screens. In another embodiment suitable for reversible operation in a heat pump system, the filter-drier includes a hollow cylindrical core having a filter media bonded to the core and defining a filter media lined passage, the core being held in place by end plates having opposed axial check valves and offset check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6835235
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging and a molded core disposed in the casing between inlet and outlet. In one embodiment, the core includes an outer surface in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. Axial movement of the core is prevented by bonding with the casing or by an indentation protruding into the core or both. Another embodiment-includes a filter media pad bonded to the core sufficiently to hold the pad in place eliminating the need for outlet support screens. In another embodiment suitable for reversible operation in a heat pump system, the filter-drier includes a hollow cylindrical core having a filter media bonded to the core and defining a filter media lined passage, the core being held in place by end plates having opposed axial check valves and offset check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. Pilgram, Michael G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20030140793
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging and a molded core disposed in said casing between said inlet and said outlet. In one embodiment, the molded core includes an outer surface at least in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. The core is held within said casing against axial movement by bonding with said casing or by an indentation protruding into said core or both. In another embodiment, the filter-drier molded core includes a filter media pad bonded to the core, the bond being sufficient to hold the filter media pad in place and eliminate the need for outlet support screens. In another embodiment, the filter-drier includes a hollow cylindrical core having a filter media bonded to the core and defining a filter media lined passage, the core being held in place by end plates having opposed axial check valves and offset check valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20030140792
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging and a molded core disposed in said casing between said inlet and said outlet. In one embodiment, the molded core includes an outer surface at least in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. The core is held within said casing against axial movement by bonding with said casing or by an indentation protruding into said core or both. In another embodiment, the filter-drier molded core includes a filter media pad bonded to the core, the bond being sufficient to hold the filter media pad in place and eliminate the need for outlet support screens. In another embodiment, the filter-drier includes a hollow cylindrical core having a filter media bonded to the core and defining a filter media lined passage, the core being held in place by end plates having opposed axial check valves and offset check valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Stephen P. Pilgram, Michael G. Lacey
  • Publication number: 20030140791
    Abstract: This filter-drier for removing moisture from a refrigerant includes a casing having an inlet for receiving refrigerant, an outlet for discharging and a molded core disposed in said casing between said inlet and said outlet. The molded core includes an outer surface at least in part engaging the inner surface of the casing. The core is held within said casing against axial movement by bonding with said casing or by an indentation protruding into said core or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Lacey
  • Patent number: 6568656
    Abstract: This flow control valve (10) may be used in refrigeration systems (200) as an expansion valve or as a hot gas by-pass valve. The valve (10) includes a body (16) having an inlet (34), an outlet (36), a communicating passage between the inlet (34) and outlet (36), the passage having a valve seat (30). The valve includes a piston chamber (22) and a piston (12) mounted in the piston chamber for movement toward and away from the valve seat. The piston (12) includes an equalization passage (60), extending between an upper port (66) communicating with the piston chamber (22), and a lower port (64). In the open position, piston modulation relative to the valve seat (30) creates a variable zone of low pressure in the area between the valve seat (30) and the piston nose piece (42), which is lower than inlet pressure. The lower piston port (64), which is laterally disposed, communicates with the lower pressure zone to control the resultant force on the piston (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: David P. Wrocklage
  • Patent number: 6125642
    Abstract: This oil level control device is for a refrigeration system, the control device being attached between the compressor and the oil supply. The control device includes a housing having an inlet communicating with the oil supply and an outlet communicating with a compressor sump; and a solenoid valve controlling flow from the oil supply into the compressor sump. A sensing chamber having a fixed probe providing a proximity detection system detects the oil level in the sump and responds to a change in the complex permittivity of the oil as the oil level rises and falls to generate a signal that controls the supply of oil to maintain the oil level in the compressor. Circuitry is provided having an input connected to the output of the sensor and an output connected to the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: G. Thomas Seener, Joseph H. Heffner, Roger D. Chamberlain, David C. Macke, Sr., Richard A. Livingston
  • Patent number: 5832744
    Abstract: This refrigerant distributor (20) is used in a refrigeration system (10) for delivering refrigerant from a thermostatic expansion valve (18) to a multi-circuit evaporator (22). The distributor (20) includes a body (30) having an inlet (32) providing a nozzle (40), an outlet (34) providing a plurality of discharge passages (52) and a head space (48) disposed between the nozzle (40) and the discharge passages (52). A member (56) is movable in the head space (48) to vary the flow from the nozzle passage (40) into the discharge passages (52) to suit normal load and pulldown load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: David C. Dorste, Robert S. Ens, Joseph H. Heffner
  • Patent number: 5524819
    Abstract: This combination expansion valve and check valve (18) includes a valve body (22) having an inlet (24) and a outlet (26). A control-valve (28) is disposed between the inlet and the outlet which controls flow through the valve when refrigerant flow is normal and pressure is higher at the inlet than the outlet. A by-pass conduit (60) is connected between the inlet and the outlet. A check valve (58) is disposed in the by-pass conduit within the valve to block flow through the conduit when the expansion valve is operating and to permit flow through the conduit when flow is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, G. Thomas Seener, Dennis L. Hoehne
  • Patent number: 5440898
    Abstract: This refrigerant filter-drier core is molded from a permeable matrix which includes desiccant particles, a binder and reinforcing fibers, the fibers being fixed in place by the binder and being effective to impart strength and permeability to the filter-drier core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Starr
  • Patent number: 5423480
    Abstract: This expansion valve (10) can be used for a refrigeration system (1) having a compressor (2), an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4). The valve (10) comprises a body (12) including an inlet passage (26), an outlet passage (38), a piston passage (28) defining a piston port (30) and valve chamber (32), the piston passage (28) defining a piston chamber (46) communicating with valve chamber (32). A piston (40) is movably mounted in the piston passage (28) and selectively controls flow through the piston port (30), the piston (40) having an interior passage (60) communicating with the inlet passage (26) and having a pin port (62) communicating with the valve chamber (32), the piston (40) having a biasing spring (52) biasing the piston (40) into a closed position. A valve pin (70) is movably mounted in the valve chamber (32) and controls flow through the valve pin port (62), the valve pin (70) having a spring (74) biasing the pin (70) into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, David C. Dorste
  • Patent number: 5364066
    Abstract: This refrigeration system expansion valve (10) includes a body (12) having an inlet (20) and an outlet (22) and a valve assembly (24) within the body (12). The valve assembly (24) includes a first port (28) communicating with the inlet (20) and a second, larger port (30) communicating with the outlet (22) and further includes a pin (32) having a first pin portion (34) received by the first port (28) and a second pin portion (36) received by the second port (30). A stepper motor (100) attached to the valve body (12) cooperates with an actuator assembly (60) attached to the pin (32) to induce longitudinal movement into the pin and thereby control refrigerant flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: David C. Dorste, Dennis L. Hoehne, John W. Friend, Donald L. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 5277364
    Abstract: This expansion valve (10 ) can be used for a refrigeration system (1) having a compressor (2), an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4). The valve (10) comprises a body (12) including an inlet passage (26), an outlet passage (38), a piston passage (28) defining a piston port (30) and valve chamber (32), the piston passage (28) defining a piston chamber (46) communicating with valve chamber (32). A piston (40) is movably mounted in the piston passage (28) and selectively controls flow through the piston port (30), the piston (40) having an interior passage (60) communicating with the inlet passage (26) and having a pin port (62) communicating with the valve chamber (32), the piston (40) having a biasing spring (52) biasing the piston (40) into a closed position. A valve pin (70) is movably mounted in the valve chamber (32) and controls flow through the valve pin port (62), the valve pin (70) having a spring (74) biasing the pin (70) into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, David C. Dorste
  • Patent number: 5238219
    Abstract: This thermostatic expansion valve (12) includes inlet and outlet fittings (22 and 24) connected to a valve body (30) having a diaphragm assembly (40) at one end. A replaceable cartridge (50) is disposed in the valve body (30) below the diaphragm assembly (40) having a passage (58) communicating with the inlet (22) and an end opening of predetermined size to define a valve port (60). A pin (72) is disposed below the valve port (60) and connected to the diaphragm assembly (40) by a pair of pushrods (76) so that the pin assembly (70) responds to modulation of the diaphragm assembly. A spring assembly (80) engages the pin assembly (70) tending to urge said assembly into a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Noelke, J. George Leimbach
  • Patent number: 5232015
    Abstract: This inlet strainer (160) is for a thermostatic expansion valve (100) having an inlet fitting (114). The inlet fitting 114 includes an elongate passage (152), with an inlet opening at one end and a strainer-receiving opening at the other end, and a transverse passage (156) communicating with the elongate passage (152) between said ends. The strainer assembly (160) includes a closed outer end (162) threadedly connected to the fitting (114), a strainer tube (164) extending into the elongate passage (152) to a point beyond the transverse passage (156) and a closure ring (166) received in sliding relation within the passage (152) so that dirt is removed from the refrigerant before entering the valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, Dennis L. Hoehne
  • Patent number: 5148684
    Abstract: This control valve (10) can be used for reducing the temperature of the discharge gas in the compressor (100) of a refrigeration system. The valve (10) includes a body (12) having inlet and outlet ports (20, 22), respectively receiving refrigerant from one part of the system and injecting it to a point upstream of compressor discharge, a valve seat (32), disposed between said inlet and outlet ports, and a valve member (34) controlling flow through the valve seat. The valve (10) includes a spring assembly (40) mounted in the body (12) and applying a force to the valve member (34) tending to urge the valve member into a closed position and an actuator assembly (50) modulating the valve member (34) in response to a change of temperature in the compressor discharge line. The actuator assembly (50) includes an actuator (52) movable within the body (12), a connector (70) attached to the body, a bellows (60) connected between the actuator (52) and the connector (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: J. George Leimbach, Joseph H. Heffner
  • Patent number: 5065595
    Abstract: This thermostatic expansion valve (12) is intended for use in a refrigeration system (10) which includes a compressor (14), a condenser (16) and an evaporator (18). The valve (12) includes a valve body (20) having an inlet (26) and an outlet (28). A valve port (34) and a valve element (38) are disposed between the inlet and outlet. Upper and lower diaphragm assemblies (24, 25) are provided at each end of the valve (12) connected to associated sensing bulbs (56, 58) at the inlet and outlet respectively of the evaporator (18). A push rod assembly (40) operatively interconnects the upper and lower diaphragm assemblies (24, 25) and modulates the valve element (38) in response to the change in differential temperature across the evaporator. A compression spring (36) acts directly on the valve element and provides an adjustable feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: G. Thomas Seener, Joseph H. Heffner
  • Patent number: 5038827
    Abstract: A shuttle valve (10) for use in a dual refrigerator system (100) and operated by controlled refrigerant pressure lines (120, 122) to provide that either one or both of two evaporators (104, 106) are active. The valve (10) includes piston chambers (30) at each end having an outer portion (26) communicating with pressure lines (120, 122) and an enlarged inner portion (32) and an intermediate chamber (21) having valve seats (22) at each end. The valve (10) includes inlet and outlet ports (14, 16) communicating with the piston chamber enlarged portions (32) and an outlet part (18) communicating with the intermediate chamber (21). The valve (10) also includes a piston assembly (40) having opposed pistons (41, 42) interconnected by a biased push rod (44) and mounted in associated piston chambers for closing associated inlet ports (104, 106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, Dennis L. Hoehne
  • Patent number: 4982578
    Abstract: This valve (12) for sensing and purging non-condensible gases in a refrigerant includes a valve body (30) having a lower refrigerant inlet (32), an upper exhaust outlet (36) and a valve passage (44) therebetween controlled by a valve element (54) extending between a spring (72) and a diaphragm (86). A housing (100) containing a "pure" refrigerant charge and a spring (110) are provided at the other side of the diaphragm (86) and the housing (100) is exposed to temperature of the system refrigerant. One side of the diaphragm (86) is subjected to the combined pressure of the spring (72) and the pressure of the system refrigerant at the inlet (32) and the other side of the diaphragm (86) is subjected to the balancing pressure provided by the combined pressure of the refrigerant charge and the spring (110). The valve (12) opens in response to increased pressure of the system refrigerant at the inlet (32) resulting from the presence of non-condensible gases and exhausts the gases to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventors: Joseph H. Heffner, G. Thomas Seener