Patents Examined by Angelisa L Hicks
  • Patent number: 9816626
    Abstract: A new valve assembly is provided that includes an actuator, a housing assembly, and a valve for diverting the flow of liquids through pipelines. Embodiments of the present invention include a yoke with transparent windows, a long valve stem, a bushing nut, an actuator shaft, a jam nut, a stem nut, a union nut to interconnect the valve stem to the actuator output shaft, a position indicator, an indicator plate, and a valve mounting bonnet and lock ring to interconnect the yoke to the valve. The housing assembly includes components to interconnect the actuator output shaft to the valve stem that reduce the side-to-side movement of the actuator output shaft, which in turn reduces the failure rate of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Davis & Davis Company
    Inventor: Dennis DeBlieck
  • Patent number: 9816642
    Abstract: A valve integrated pressure regulator (VIPR) device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor the amount of gas in the cylinder is provided. Features of the disclosed device include an electronic control, electronic alarm and the electronic display that are powered by rechargeable battery that may be disposed within the VIPR shroud or within a removable cylinder base affixed to a bottom of the gas cylinder. Additional functionality and security features may be provided via additional internally disposed sensors and/or wireless or hard-wired communications with one or more auxiliary devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary L. Fowler, Stephan Gamard, Paul K. Oetinger, Murat Gunay, Lloyd A. Brown, Laurie O'Connor, Ashwini K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 9803595
    Abstract: A compartment wall structure defines a fuel filler compartment that includes a tube receiving opening and a vent opening. A fuel receiving end of a fuel filler tube is located at the tube receiving opening of the fuel filler compartment. A fuel tank attachment end thereof is located outside the fuel filler compartment and is spaced apart from the compartment wall structure. An air vent structure is in fluid communication with the vent opening. The air vent structure defines a chamber opening connected via a vent line to a fuel vapor filter canister. Vapor from the fuel filler compartment is vented to the fuel vapor filter canister through the chamber opening. The air vent structure has a screen at the chamber opening to prevent entry of objects, such as, for example, insects and/or debris through the chamber opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Souichi Fujiwara, Brandon Michael Dawe
  • Patent number: 9789761
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a support arm assembly (39) for mounting in a fuel tank (1). The support arm assembly (39) comprises an arm (43) having a connector (51) for mounting the support arm assembly (39). A fuel fill limiter is mounted on the arm (43). The support arm assembly (43) can be installed in a fuel tank (1) through an access aperture (A) and mounted within the fuel tank (1). The present invention also relates to a fuel tank (1) in combination with the support arm assembly (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: George Thirlaway, Steve Checkley, Adam Grant
  • Patent number: 9783308
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a water management system for use on board a passenger transport vehicle. The water management system may be used to address and manage excess humidity, water leaks, or any other instance when water or other liquid may collect at a certain location. The disclosure provides a system for managing excess water and for optionally delivering the water to another location. The removal location may be a disposal outlet or it may be a beneficial use of the collected water on-board the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Holmes, Razmik B. Boodaghians
  • Patent number: 9784396
    Abstract: A microfluidic device is provided. A manifold having a first channel, a second channel, and a third channel configured to transport blood can be coupled to a substrate defining an artificial vasculature. The first channel can be configured to carry blood in a first direction. Each of the second and third channels can couple to the first channel at a first junction and can be configured to receive blood from the first channel. The second channel can be configured to carry blood in a second direction away from the first direction. The third channel can be configured to carry blood in a third direction away from the second direction. The first, second, and third channels can be non-coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Charest, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, Alla Epshteyn, Daniel I. Harjes, Christopher DiBiasio, Vijaya Kolachalama
  • Patent number: 9765786
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure-increasing unit (1) comprising first receiving means (2) for receiving a pipeline (4) conveying pressurized gas, at least one first pipeline (3) for further transferring the pressurized gas to applications utilizing it, and second receiving means (6) for receiving a second pipeline (5) conveying reduced-pressure gas returning from the applications. The present solution is characterized in that the receiving means (6) are connected with at least one pressure intensifier (7). This pressure intensifier, in turn, is connected to the first receiving means (2) receiving pressurized gas for transferring gas re-pressurized by a substitution means (8) back to the applications utilizing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BF+ ENERGIA OY
    Inventor: Samuli Korpela
  • Patent number: 9759339
    Abstract: A safety isolation plug fitting for detecting pressurized fluid in a pipe may include a body defining an inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with the pipe, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. A valve assembly may be seated in the passageway and movable between a closed position in which fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet is inhibited, and an open position in which a pressurized fluid in the pipe can flow between the inlet and the outlet. A flow deflector can be in fluid communication with said outlet that is configured to redirect at least a portion of the pressurized fluid exiting said outlet in direction away from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Safe Effective Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Krywitsky
  • Patent number: 9726119
    Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a canister purge solenoid (CPS) having one or more interchangeable components which may be used to reconfigure the valve assembly to have one or more additional vacuum ports. The design of the valve assembly eliminates the need to mold these ports into the intake manifold, simplifying the design of the manifold, and the tooling needed to make the manifold. The direct mount design of the CPS of the present invention includes at least one additional port to serve as an additional vacuum port to be used for any other purpose, such as a PCV valve, brake booster, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron
  • Patent number: 9717219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water inlet arrangement for the use in fish tanks in aquaculture, including a pipe to feed water into the tank, the pipe having a plurality of openings and, for a better adjustment of the flow, a surrounding second element having a plurality of openings and/or a fixed or adjustable shield are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Glomset, Kenneth Glomset, Ove Gjelstenli
  • Patent number: 9714722
    Abstract: A switching or proportional valve has a valve drive, a valve body actuated by the valve drive, and at least one valve seat that, together with the valve body, delimits a flow cross-section for a flow medium conducted through the valve, wherein the flow cross-section is variable depending on the position of the valve body relative to the valve seat. The valve drive may be a rotary drive having a rotatable actuator, the actuator being coupled to the valve body in such a manner that the position of the valve body relative to the valve seat changes depending on the rotary position of the actuator. An eccentric element is rotationally related with the actuator. A spring-actuated return device with a plunger pressed by a spring against the eccentric element acts to return the eccentric element and the actuator to a starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Jakob Hermann
  • Patent number: 9683676
    Abstract: A valve with proof of closure includes a valve body with a first port and a second port separated by a valve member that is biased toward a closed position. A piston is mounted within a pressure chamber with a pressure fluid port for connecting to a source of pressurized fluid. Piston is biased toward a retracted position and is moved to an extended position in response to pressurized fluid entering through pressurized fluid port. A control member is attached to valve member and is engaged by piston as it is moved a first distance from retracted position toward extended position. A valve position indicator with a closed state and as open state is biased toward the closed state and is actuated by piston as piston moves a second distance from retracted position toward extended position to move valve position indicator from closed state toward open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Derold G Clark
  • Patent number: 9683560
    Abstract: A shallow fluid extractor is configured to remove a low level of a fluid from a designated area. The shallow fluid extractor includes a vacuum pump assembly further including an electrical power source connected to a vacuum and a pump. A pipe pick up assembly is configured within the designated area and connected to the vacuum pump assembly. When the low level of the fluid is reached the vacuum draws the fluid through the pipe pick up assembly into the vacuum pump assembly which is then pumped away by the vacuum pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Rau
  • Patent number: 9677992
    Abstract: A corrosion protection performance degradation detection sensor includes a detection electrode that reacts with the corrosion inhibitor dissolved in the solvent and forms on a surface thereof an electrode surface film which inhibits corrosion, a counter electrode that is disposed so as to face the detection electrode, and an AC power supply that applies an AC voltage between the detection electrode and the counter electrode. A change in concentration of the corrosion inhibitor in the solvent is detected, on the basis of a change in impedance of the electrode surface film formed on the surface of the detection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Kuriki, Hideyuki Morimura, Kazuhiro Miya, Seiji Furukawa
  • Patent number: 9657874
    Abstract: A coupling system for interconnecting a tube to a valve body is provided. The valve body has a body portion and a nipple extending from the body portion, and the nipple has a threaded external surface and an internal wall defining a bore. The coupling system further includes an adapter having opposing first and second ends, a nut defining a hole through which the first end passes, and a compression fitting located between the nipple, the adapter, and the nut such that when the nut is tightened onto the nipple, the compression fitting inhibits removal of the adapter from the valve body. The adapter defines a passageway extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the first end is received in the bore and the second end is configured to couple to the tube. The nut has an internally threaded surface configured to engage the threaded external surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 9657652
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a housing with a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet. A first flow path is between the first inlet and the first outlet, a second flow path is between the second inlet and the first outlet, and a third flow path is between the first inlet and the second outlet. A closure element is movably supported in the housing and in a by-pass position opens the first flow path and closes at least the second flow path, and in a normal position closes the first flow path and opens the second flow path and the third flow path. A flow guiding element is on the closure element, and which in the normal position protrudes into the second flow path and is coupled to the closure element to urge, in a gas flow from the second inlet to the first outlet, the closure element into the normal position. An exhaust gas system includes the valve assembly and an exhaust gas heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Christoph Hossfeld, Arthur Wurzer
  • Patent number: 9638085
    Abstract: A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank for an off-road vehicle including a first conduit channel molded into an exterior surface of the DEF tank, at a first depth, in which the first conduit channel is configured to guide a first conduit along the exterior surface of the DEF tank. The DEF tank further including a second conduit channel molded into the exterior surface of the DEF tank at a second depth, different than the first depth, in which the second conduit channel is configured to guide a second conduit, and the first depth and the second depth are selected to create a vertical gap between the first conduit and the second conduit at an intersection of the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Ralph Hertsgaard, Jason Keith Novacek, David Donald Blomberg, John Thomas Rasset, Erik Andrew Larson, Paul Eugene Wibbels, Daniel LaRoy Hinz, Jay Michael Larson, David Larry Tveito, David Edward Susag, Russell Victor Stoltman, Chad Alry Bautz, Nathaniel James Keller, David Sheldon Booth
  • Patent number: 9610837
    Abstract: A vent and shutoff valve is provided, and includes an upper portion with an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet for venting vapors. The upper portion mounts to an outer surface of a fuel tank. The lower portion extends into the fuel tank. The lower portion includes an elongated tubular valve housing, and a sliding sleeve housing disposed within the valve housing that defines a fluid pathway. The sliding sleeve housing includes a bypass port that fluidly couples the fluid pathway with a fluid channel formed between an outer surface of the sliding sleeve housing and an inner surface of the valve housing. The lower portion also includes a sliding sleeve disposed within the sliding sleeve housing that forms a fluid chamber between an outer surface of the sliding sleeve and an inner surface of the valve housing. The fluid chamber is fluidly coupled with the fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paul Ballard, Carl Paul Ballard, John Trent Kendrick
  • Patent number: 9599285
    Abstract: A device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor and display in digital or analog form the pressure of the gas in the cylinder and the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the cylinder will reach a predetermined lower threshold at a given flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary Fowler, Stephan Gamard, Murat Gunay, Paul Oetinger
  • Patent number: 9596973
    Abstract: An auxiliary grey water supply device captures used wash water from a commercial warewashing machine for supply to a pre-rinse station without substantial modification of the commercial warewashing machine. The captured wash water is delivered to a pre-rinse station for pre-rinsing of dishes that will be washed within the commercial warewashing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Seven Hour Drive, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Yong Lee, Daniel John Dickinson