Patents Examined by Angelisa L Hicks
  • Patent number: 11965607
    Abstract: A butterfly valve to be placed on a pipe between a vacuum chamber provided with a pressure sensor and a vacuum pump is configured to control the pressure in the vacuum chamber. The butterfly valve includes a servo motor, a butterfly valve element to be rotated about a rod connected to the servo motor in an opening or closing direction, and a control unit to adjust an opening degree of the butterfly valve element based on a pressure value of the vacuum chamber detected by the pressure sensor. The control unit is provided with an abnormal vibration detection program configured to whether or not abnormal vibration is occurring in the servo motor based on a variation amount of the opening degree of the butterfly valve element within a monitoring time while at least the pressure value of the vacuum chamber is stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko Suzuki, Keiichi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11920688
    Abstract: A modular valve system includes a modular valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a through-hole, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet. The modular valve body is used to assemble any one of a pressure regulating valve, a slam-shut valve, or a flow control valve, and the through-hole is configured to receive a component of any one of the pressure regulating valve, the slam-shut valve, and the flow control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FISHER JEON GAS EQUIPMENT (CHENGDU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jie Yuan, Guolei Fan, Yanwei Lei, Le Wang
  • Patent number: 11920698
    Abstract: A flow control valve adjusts an opening degree of a second channel by moving a needle valve in a first axis direction in accordance with a rotating operation amount of a knob provided at the first body, and includes a scale body, and a scale reading part that indicates the scale mark corresponding to the rotating operation amount of the knob, and a clutch mechanism that changes the scale mark of the scale body when the knob is rotated. The clutch mechanism includes an engaging portion, an engaged portion, and a clutch drive mechanism, and the scale reading part and the scale body rotate integrally when the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged. The clutch drive mechanism releases engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion when the knob is rotated and, after the scale mark is changed, re-engages the engaging portion with the engaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Shishido
  • Patent number: 11892098
    Abstract: An airflow valve may comprise a plate assembly located inside an airflow conduit. An actuator may be attached to, and/or otherwise fixed relative to, a plate of the plate assembly. The actuator may be coupled to the airflow conduit. If activated, the actuator may react against the airflow conduit to induce rotation of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Greenheck Fan Corporation
    Inventor: Cory Robert Bacorn
  • Patent number: 11879563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for activating a rotary slide for a fluid system of an at least in part electrically operated motor vehicle. The drive device comprises an electric motor having a motor output shaft, a rotary slide output shaft configured for activating a rotary slide, wherein the rotary slide output shaft is aligned so as to be orthogonal to the motor output shaft, and a magnet is disposed on an end region of the rotary slide output shaft, and a sensor unit which is configured for detecting a rotary position of the magnet and thus of the rotary slide output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Mudra, Sven Dehrmann, Jens Möhring
  • Patent number: 11873949
    Abstract: A valve for pressurized fluid housing a fluid circuit having an upstream end and a downstream end and a valve for controlling the flow rate in the circuit that is controlled by a movable actuating member in order to control the opening or the closing, the valve having a lower end provided with movable coupling member(s) intended to cooperate with one or more complementary coupling members on a gas source or a circuit, the valve further comprising a member for locking the coupling member(s) that is mounted movably on the body of the valve between a first position not blocking the movement of the coupling member(s) and a second position blocking the movement of the coupling member(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Renaud Ligonesche, Olivier Ondo, Antoine Frenal, Johan Broechler, Morgan Lamiable, Arnaud Kaichinger
  • Patent number: 11859767
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an amount of a commodity in a remote storage container via a system comprises: (i) measuring via a sensor the amount of the commodity in the remote storage container and outputting an analog or digital signal, wherein if the signal outputted by the sensor is an analog signal, the method further comprises converting the analog signal to a digital signal; (ii) packaging the digital signal into a data file; (iii) publishing via a wireless connection the data file to a message query telemetry transport (MQTT) broker for access by a user; (iv) receiving confirmation that the MQTT broker received the data file; (v) accessing by the user information from the data file; and (vi) repeating steps (i) to (v) after a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Centri Group Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Oliver-Gabriel Theoret, Thomas Zagotta
  • Patent number: 11846361
    Abstract: To provide a safety joint that can immediately shut off a hydrogen gas flow path at the initial stage when a plug (nozzle side member) comes out of a socket (fueling apparatus side member) to prevent release of hydrogen gas. In a safety joint (100, 100-1, 100-2) when the plug (10) is disconnected from the socket (20), a plug side shutoff valve 5 and a socket side shutoff valve 24 close, a mechanism for closing the socket side shutoff valve (24) includes a socket side spring (23) for urging a socket side valve body (25), a socket side rod (22) connected to the socket side valve body (25), and a support member (26, 27, 28) for supporting (mounting) the socket side rod (22), the support member (26, 27, 28) moves, together with the plug (10), to a state that the support member (26, 27, 28) does not support (mount) the socket side rod (22) when the plug (10) is disconnected from the socket (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Tatsuno Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Takezawa
  • Patent number: 11828371
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining an internal region, an inlet passageway, and an outlet passageway, wherein the inlet and outlet passageways fluidly communicate with the internal region. A valve seat is positioned within the internal region defining a fluid passageway. A hanger is connected to the valve body. A linkage assembly is pivotally and rotatably to the hanger and a valve member is pivotally connected to the hanger via the linkage assembly, wherein the valve member is movable between an open configuration, in which fluid flow is permitted through the fluid passageway, and a closed configuration, in which the valve member engages the valve seat to at least partially restrict fluid flow through the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Figgs, Justin Poehls
  • Patent number: 11820222
    Abstract: A float valve (10) is provided for use with a liquid medium, the float valve having an upright configuration and an inverted configuration. The float valve includes: a housing (12), defining at least one inlet port (20) and at least one outlet port (24); a float assembly (60) movable within the housing; and an auxiliary float member (50) movable within said housing. The float assembly (60) comprises a primary float member (70; 70?), different from the auxiliary float member, and a spring element (80). The primary in float member is configured for closing the at least one outlet port when in abutment therewith, the spring element being configured for providing a biasing spring force to the primary float member in a direction towards said at least one outlet port. The auxiliary float member is configured for providing a net upthrust force with respect to the liquid medium under submerged conditions irrespective of whether the float valve is in said upright configuration or in said inverted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: RAVAL A.C.S. LTD.
    Inventors: Omer Vulkan, Denis Kleyman, Anton Kuminov
  • Patent number: 11815195
    Abstract: A utility control system that includes a switch control unit for selectively controlling a utility. The switch control unit may include a visual indicator configured to illuminate a first color when a switch selection mechanism is in a first position to indicate the on state of the utility and a illuminate a second color when the switch selection mechanism is in a second position to indicate the off state of the utility. Control of the utility may be accomplished through generating low-voltage pulses that cause a latching solenoid to latch to a first state or a second state. The utility system may also be provided as a retrofitting kit for a light switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel Young, William T. Ball
  • Patent number: 11802634
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a valve is described, which has an electrodynamic actuator, which includes a magnet arrangement for generating a magnetic field and a control element which is movable relative to the magnet arrangement and is coupled to a movably arranged coil. At least one electrical variable of the electrodynamic actuator is measured over a measurement period to detect a time course of the electrical variable. The time course of the electrical variable is evaluated over an evaluation period to determine at least one induction-dependent valve variable which is assigned to the motion profile of the electrodynamic actuator. A diagnosis module and a valve are furthermore described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christian Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11802631
    Abstract: A diagnostic device (1) for a valve drive (19) having a drive element (9) for driving a valve member (14) of a process valve (12). The diagnostic device (1) is configured to perform a play detection procedure to detect play between the drive element (9) and the valve member (14) and to provide play information in accordance with the detected play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Festo SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bastian Fassbender, Patrick Laux, Holger Steltner
  • Patent number: 11781668
    Abstract: A valve unit may include a valve and a sensor assembly coupled to the valve. The valve may include a check disk configured to move along a pre-determined path to contact a valve seat in a closed state and configured to decouple from the valve seat in an open state. The valve may also include a mechanism to restrain lateral movement of the check disk to prevent the check disk from sticking. The sensor assembly may include a position sensor configured to generate a first electrical signal related to movement of the check disk and may include circuitry coupled to the position sensor. The position sensor assembly may generate a reference signal to eliminate noise within the first electrical signal. The circuitry may determine fluid flow parameters including flow volume of liquid components and of gas components of the fluid mixture based on frequency components within the first electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Brown Hawk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Joseph Brown, Najmeh Brown
  • Patent number: 11754195
    Abstract: A flow channel switching valve includes a valve stem that is attached to a ball valve member. The flow channel switching valve includes a potentiometer shaft that is press-fitted into an attachment hole provided in an end surface of the valve stem, and a potentiometer that detects a rotation angle of the potentiometer shaft around an axis. The potentiometer shaft has a small-diameter portion, a medium-diameter portion, and a large-diameter portion that are sequentially connected in a direction of the axis, and is supported rotatably around the axis in the attachment hole in an inserted state before being press-fitted into the attachment hole. The large-diameter portion is press-fitted into an upper end portion of the attachment hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignees: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Kondo, Kenichi Mochizuki, Masashi Yamashita, Takamitsu Mano
  • Patent number: 11739860
    Abstract: A rotational valve includes a valve closure element, a shaft, at least one detection element, at least one detection engagement means, at least one first stop and at least one second stop. The shaft is linked to the valve closure element and the shaft can rotate between a closed position and a fully open position. Each detection element comprises an aperture and an indicator element, the shaft extends through the aperture of at least one detection element, and each detection element is in sliding engagement with the shaft. The shaft can rotate relative to the detection element, each indicator element can move between a first and a second indicator position, each indicator element abuts a first stop when in the first indicator position and abuts a second stop when in the second indicator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dariusz Sapija, Agata Kurowska
  • Patent number: 11725677
    Abstract: A valve controller for a valve that comprises an actuator mechanically coupled to at least one flow controlling element. The valve controller comprises at least one pilot valve for controlling the position of the flow controlling element(s) by the actuator. The valve controller comprises a position sensor for obtaining a position signal indicative of the position of one of said at least one flow controlling element. The valve controller is configured to execute a configuration phase comprising establishing a pilot valve integer corresponding to number of pilot valves, and determining a tolerance criterion for the position signal based on the pilot valve integer. A valve arrangement comprising the valve controller and a valve. A method of controlling a valve comprising the configuration phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL CORPORATE AB
    Inventors: Thomas Priisholm, Karsten Schack Madsen
  • Patent number: 11707979
    Abstract: A fuel pump module which may be easily assembled and mounted in a flat bombe having a small height in an LPG vehicle, may have a structure in which a reservoir cup may be rotated and restored with respect to a plate by support bars and springs, so that the fuel pump module may be easily assembled and mounted even in a flat bombe having a small height. Furthermore, members for blocking noise and absorbing vibration are combined with a fuel pump, so noise and vibration may be reduced when the pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seong Cheol Cho, Ju Tae Song, Sung Won Lee, Se Jin Kim, Joon Seup Kim, Hyeong Cheol Yuk
  • Patent number: 11698145
    Abstract: A device for measuring a state of a valve may include a housing configured to connect to a handle of a valve or a body of a valve, a sensor supported on one of the housing or the valve stem, and an indicator detectable by the sensor. The indicator may be configured to move relative to the sensor in response to movement of a valve stem or valve handle during opening and closing of the valve. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the indicator to determine a state of the valve. Related systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Vivek Agarwal, Robert T. England, John W. Buttles, Sasa Kovacevic
  • Patent number: 11698647
    Abstract: A housing assembly for a manifold includes a first housing with an inlet and a plurality of outlets, a second housing, and a valve retainer engaged with the first and second housings. The valve retainer includes a retention plate defined between first and second surfaces, a plurality of slot walls extending from the first surface, and a protruding edge that extends from a flanged lip and surrounds the plurality of slot walls. The retention plate defines a plurality of slots corresponding to the plurality of slot walls. The first housing may define a groove that receives the protruding edge, and the second housing may include a rim that engages the flanged lip of the valve retainer. Valve housings including first and second mating structures separated by wall segments may be positioned in outlets of the first housing and corresponding slots of the valve retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Doyle, William Weiss