Patents Examined by Andrew J. Rost
  • Patent number: 11143310
    Abstract: Novel air valve includes a valve stem assembly and a storage space provided on one side of the valve stem assembly and used for storing an inflating component; the valve stem assembly includes a valve base and a valve core capable of elastically retactable relative to the valve base; the valve base is provided with an opening, and the bottom of the opening having a core cavity enabling the valve core to expand and contract elastically therein; and vents are disposed in a circumferential direction of the core cavity; the valve core is provided with a sealing block for sealing the opening; and a pressure spring is disposed between the sealing block and the bottom of the core cavity for pressing the sealing block to block the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZHONG SHAN SMART PLASTIC MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventor: Shouguo Long
  • Patent number: 11125351
    Abstract: A pilot-operated hydraulic directional cartridge valve includes an installation sleeve and a control slide. The installation sleeve includes a bore, a first portion towards its front end face, a third portion towards its rear end face, and a second portion between the first and third portions. The first portion has a first external sealing diameter and the third portion has a second external sealing diameter greater than the first external sealing diameter. The second portion includes radial openings and possesses an external diameter greater than first external sealing diameter and smaller than the second external sealing diameter in the region of the radial openings. The control slide is guided in the axial direction on a guide diameter of the installation sleeve, behind the radial openings. The ratio between the first external sealing diameter and the guide diameter is in the range between 1.10 and 1.22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Reith, Bernd Urlaub, Binh Nguyen-Xuan, Johannes Wolf
  • Patent number: 11118688
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fluid supply system for a machine. The fluid supply system includes a throttle assembly having a first shaft attached to a valve member and a fluid shutoff assembly. The fluid shutoff assembly includes a second shaft, a locking member having an axis parallel to an axis of the second shaft and comprising a locking arm extending toward the second shaft, a biasing member fixedly attached to the second shaft, a releasing mechanism adjacent to the locking member that rotates the locking member about the longitudinal axis of the locking member, and a coupler comprising a first coupling hub attached to the first shaft and a second coupling hub attached to the second shaft and interfaced with the first coupling hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Lawrence, Brandyn Stack, Evan Ramey, Anthony Kramer
  • Patent number: 11111127
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for refilling a reservoir of a smoking-substitute device with liquid from a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott, Stephen J. McDonald, Thomas S. Sudlow, David Jones, Christopher Lord
  • Patent number: 11105438
    Abstract: A valve for a flush-mounted body of a sanitary fitting, at least having a valve housing with a longitudinal axis, a rotatable flow control element for adjusting a flow volume of a liquid flowing through the valve, and a valve knob for opening and closing the valve. The valve knob can be adjusted via the flow control element, rotationally and parallel to the longitudinal axis, by a control knob for the valve, and the control knob is fastened to the valve knob by a rotary coupling so that the control knob can be non-rotatably fastened relative to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Grohe AG
    Inventor: Yukiko Toyoda
  • Patent number: 11079030
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-function check valve that in one embodiment is attached to a vacuum bladder full of media (foam beads). This three-function check valve is comprised of a selection piece, silicone membrane, and a mounting base all in one sub-assembly. Furthermore, this valve has three positions with three distinct functions. These functions are to create an airtight seal, allow for free flow in and out of the bladder, and restrict flow of air based on a differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventors: Mary Pilotte, Regina Pilotte, Geza Lanczy
  • Patent number: 11079052
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body. The coupling system includes a male coupling device, the male coupling device including a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway; a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11079032
    Abstract: A gap control device that works with a plug on a valve assembly for use in high-temperature applications. The plug may include two parts and a compressible seal that, when compressed, engages with an adjacent wall of a cylinder or “cage” typical of a trim assembly. In one embodiment, the gap control device forms a hard stop that expands in response to high temperatures. This feature prevents excess over-travel between the two parts of the plug in the high-temperature applications so as to limit stress and wear on the compressible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Henry Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11067210
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11067188
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure control valve including an electromagnetic actuator configured to position a piston that is received axially movable in a receiving opening of a valve housing of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston facilitates opening and closing flow connections of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston receives a pin at a piston face that is oriented away from the electromagnetic actuator, wherein a relative movement is enabled between the pin and the piston, wherein the pin includes a pin face that is arranged in the valve housing and oriented away from the piston and arranged opposite to a stop, and wherein the pin is fixed at the stop so that a movement of the pin in a direction towards the stop is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Braun, Viktor Unruh, Eike Winzer
  • Patent number: 11060650
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body. The coupling system includes a male coupling device, the male coupling device including a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway; a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11054053
    Abstract: A valve has a valve housing with a lid, bottom, and an intermediate housing portion between the lid bottom. The valve housing encloses a valve chamber, a flow chamber, and an actuation chamber, with at least one valve opening leading from the flow chamber to the actuation chamber. Inside the actuation chamber at least one axially movable actuator movable between a closing position to close the valve opening and an opening position to release the valve opening, one wire- or band-shaped SMA element made of a shape memory alloy to activate the actuator in the opening direction, one return element to move the actuator in closing direction, and one printed circuit board. The SMA element is attached to the actuator at a middle section and is electrically connected at its ends to the printed circuit board to be supplied with an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Alfmeier Präzision SE
    Inventors: Matthias Mitzler, Erich Dörfler, Klaus Beetz, Wolfgang Beyerlein
  • Patent number: 11052237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector for medical devices. The connector may have two interfaces facing different planes. The two interfaces may provide access to the connector's core and hub. The hub may be free to rotate relative to the core to increase accessibility and/or angle attachment while maintaining a fluid pathway between the core and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Gregory R. McArthur
  • Patent number: 11047497
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve including an air chamber with an air connection, and an actuator with a movable shut-off element and with an SMA element composed of a shape memory alloy. The SMA element is mechanically coupled to the movable shut-off element, wherein, for the activation of the actuator, electrical heating power is fed to the SMA element, after which the SMA element deforms and brings about a predefined movement of the shut-off element for opening or closing the air connection. The actuator includes a detection unit to detect the arrival at and departure from an end position of the shut-off element when the actuator is activated. The actuator includes a control device which is configured such that, when the actuator is activated, the control device detects the current cycle time between a departure from and the next arrival at the end position by the shut-off element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11047502
    Abstract: A programmable, electronically controlled sprinkler system has a hermetically sealed internal chamber which encloses all of the internal water flow, valves, mechanical and rotational components and a plurality of magnetic coupling arrangements which allow external motors to control operation of the internal mechanical components without requiring any hydraulic seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: John S. Heaney
  • Patent number: 11047498
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve body, an outer housing having rotating shaft containing magnets and being driven by a motor, an inner housing statically sealed to the valve body, and an actuation system enclosed within the inner housing, the actuation system having magnets that are induced by magnetic field created by the rotating shaft magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: FLOWSERVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Gifford Decker, Varadharajen Lakshamanan, Fred Cain
  • Patent number: 11028806
    Abstract: A fluid supply system for a machine such as an internal combustion engine includes a shutoff valve having an electrical actuator that includes a solenoid subassembly, and a stabilizer for the electrical valve actuator. The stabilizer includes a fitting structured to couple the shutoff valve to adjacent hardware in the fluid supply system, and a strongarm extending between the fitting and the solenoid assembly and clamped to the solenoid subassembly. A vibration-damping reinforced grommet may be clamped between the solenoid subassembly and the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Allen Lawrence, Brandyn Anthony Stack, Joseph John Stabnik, Keith Thomas Igoe, Eric Ferguson
  • Patent number: 11015719
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve manifold includes a manifold base including passages, a pilot electromagnetic valve including a valve body mounted on a mounting surface of the manifold base, a gasket arranged between the mounting surface and the valve body, and a check valve. The valve body includes an electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The manifold base includes a base-side pilot fluid discharge passage that opens in the mounting surface and communicates with the electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing from the base-side pilot fluid discharge passage to the electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The check valve is integrated with the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Ogino, Kiyotoki Natsume
  • Patent number: 11009149
    Abstract: Example aspects of a bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, and a method for using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise a stuffing box bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining an outer stuffing box bushing surface and a stuffing box bushing bore wall; and a bonnet bushing, the bonnet bushing defining an outer bonnet bushing surface and a bonnet bushing bore wall, the bonnet bushing bore wall and the stuffing box bushing bore wall together defining a bushing bore configured to receive a stem therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Matthew Gilliam, Matthew Thomas Sutterfield
  • Patent number: 11009137
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type control valve having a diaphragm and a valve body is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. The diaphragm element and a port in the body together form an intermediate chamber that eliminates the need for a check-valve downstream of the valve. In one preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member defining a groove in communication with the port. A diaphragm member having upper and lower surfaces is disposed within the chamber. The lower surface preferably includes a pair of spaced apart elongated members defining a channel therebetween. The diaphragm member engages the seat member placing the channel in communication with the groove to define an air seat in communication with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Roger Wilkins, Boris Frenkel