Patents Examined by Angelisa L Hicks
  • Refrigerant distributor, and heat pump device having the refrigerant distributor
    Patent number: 10508871
    Abstract: A refrigerant distributor includes an inflow portion made of aluminum into which refrigerant flows through an inflow pipe, and a distributing portion made of aluminum that distributes incoming refrigerant to a plurality of outflow pipes. The distributing portion includes a main body portion connected to the inflow portion, and a plurality of outflow portions connected to the outflow pipes. The outflow portions are protruded from the main body portion, and are formed integrally with the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Satake, Nobuaki Miyake, Yuudai Morikawa, Akio Murata, Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Valve device and valve control device
    Patent number: 10480669
    Abstract: In order to suppress changes in opening level and flow rate associated with the thermal expansion of a resin member caused by a temperature change, a valve device that displaces a valve body by applying drive voltage to an actuator is adapted to include: a position sensor that detects the position of the valve body; a voltage regulator that regulates the drive voltage on the basis of a detected position by the position sensor; and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the valve body. In addition, the seating surface of the valve body is adapted to be formed of a resin member, and the voltage regulator is adapted to change the setting value of the drive voltage depending on detected temperature by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ieki
  • System for improving the fluid circulation in a fluid-body
    Patent number: 10458447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for improving fluid circulation in a fluid-body with improved hydrodynamics, minimized dead zones and a system with minimized energy losses, the system comprises at least one dividing-element disposed within the fluid-body, wherein, the dividing-elements divides the fluid-body into at least two segments such that the segments are connected to and in fluid communication with each other, characterized in that, at least one of the dividing-element has at least one asymmetrical structure configured on at least one extremity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Ganesh Kumar Veluswamy, Avinash Ramchandra Khopkar
  • Pilot check valve
    Patent number: 10458560
    Abstract: A pilot check valve includes: a fluid channel body; a moveable body that moves in an axial direction under effects of pilot pressure; a packing including a lip portion that is displaceable, integrally with the moveable body, between a valve close position and a valve open position; and a detector to detect position of the moveable body. The packing, in the valve close position, allows flow of an operating liquid from a first port side of the fluid channel body to a second port side and prevents the flow of the operating liquid from the second port side to the first port side, and in the valve open position, connects the first port and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seikai Yo, Hirosuke Yamada, Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • Cord management system for a portable air compressor
    Patent number: 10451050
    Abstract: A portable air compressor including an air tank configured to store compressed air. The portable air compressor further includes a compressor unit coupled to the air tank including compressor components for compressing air, and a housing having a base disposed generally between the compressor components and the air tank. The base has a concave recess extending at least partially around a circumference of the compressor unit. The portable air compressor further includes a power cord for supplying power to the compressor components. The power cord is receivable around the circumference of the compressor unit in the recess for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Clinton C. Thackery, Christopher Scott Tennant, Kenneth Brazell
  • Leak detector structure
    Patent number: 10444772
    Abstract: A leak detector structure includes a base, a valve cylinder assembly, a rotary latch and an expansion member, the base includes a valve body, an inlet joint and an outlet joint, a receiving channel is defined in the valve body. The valve cylinder assembly includes a valve cylinder, a rotatable handle and a torsion spring, the valve cylinder is inserted in the receiving channel and connected with the rotatable handle, a communicating channel is defined in the valve cylinder, the communicating channel is operably passable or blocked with respect to the inlet joint and the outlet joint, and the torsion spring is fixed to the rotatable handle for pre-twisting. The rotary latch is pivotally connected to the base, and the rotary latch includes a snapping portion for engagement with the corresponding rotatable handle and a passive arm extended from the snapping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: SWUN CHYAN ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I-Chung Liao
  • Assembly structure for pump module
    Patent number: 10422309
    Abstract: A pump module is disposed on a bottom portion of a fuel tank in the fuel tank. The pump module includes a suck-up unit for sucking up a fuel and a plurality of engaged portions. A bracket includes a base portion, a plurality of engaging portions, and a flow path. The base portion is a frame member fixed to the bottom portion and surrounding the pump module in a state where a lower end portion is in contact with the bottom portion. The engaging portions protrude from the base portion toward an upper side of the fuel tank and are respectively engaged with the engaged portions of the pump module. The flow path is disposed in the base portion and allows an inside of a frame of the base portion and an outside of the frame of the base portion to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Chiaki Kataoka
  • Valve drive with position sensor
    Patent number: 10408364
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve drive for actuating a valve, including a lifting element which shifts upon an actuation of the valve, and a displacement sensor by means of which the position of the lifting element can be detected, characterized in that the displacement sensor includes an elastically deformable dielectric film which is provided with at least two electrodes, the film being deformed by an adjustment of the lifting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMBH
    Inventors: Manuel Kraft, Peter Krippner
  • System and method for evacuating liquified petroleum (LP) gas from a vehicle tank
    Patent number: 10400957
    Abstract: An LP gas evacuation system for evacuating LP gas from a vehicle fuel tank includes an inlet port for connection to an excess flow valve associated with the vehicle fuel tank to receive LP gas from the vehicle fuel tank, an outlet port for connection to a storage tank, and a pump coupled between the inlet port and the outlet port. The pump is operable to pump the LP gas from the vehicle fuel tank via the inlet port to the storage tank via the outlet port. The pump is a pneumatically driven displacement pump that can effectively pump both liquid phase LP gas and gas phase LP gas. The pump has seals formed from a material substantially resistant to degradation by contact with the LP gas. The LP gas evacuation system further includes a pneumatic pressure regulator configured to receive a supply of compressed air and to provide compressed air at a desired pressure to the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Blossman Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Alexander Kennedy, Jessie W. Johnson
  • Method for setting up a wastewater pumping station in a wastewater shaft, and associated wastewater pumping station
    Patent number: 10392793
    Abstract: A method for setting up a wastewater pumping station in a wastewater shaft and a wastewater pumping station are provided. At least one solids-collecting tank which separates solids from wastewater containing solids, a liquids-collecting tank which received the treated wastewater from the at least one solids collecting tank, and a pump for emptying wastewater from the liquids-collecting tank via the solids-collecting tank, are produced as separate subassemblies. At least the solids-collecting tank and the pump are prefabricated in the form of a construction unit, and the construction unit is combined with the already on-site liquids-collecting tank during installation in the likewise already on-site wastewater shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KSB Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Becker, Sebastian Luedemann
  • Lay in place capillary control system for air suspended seating
    Patent number: 10391912
    Abstract: A bladder unit includes upper and lower sheets defining opposed portions of a first bladder. The bladder unit further includes a first extruded element having upper and lower faces respectively coupled with the upper sheet and the lower sheet at a portion of a first boundary of the first bladder. A first capillary extends through the element and across the portion of the first boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alan George Dry
  • Fixing structure for seal member in fluid control apparatus, joint, and fluid control apparatus
    Patent number: 10385998
    Abstract: Passage members each have a required width, a required height, and a required length, and are provided at middle portions in the width direction with fluid passages, respectively. As coupling means, two bolts are used. The middle portion in the width direction of each of the passage members has opposite end portions that are each provided with a female screw and a bolt insertion hole to be faced by the female screw, respectively. The upper bolt is inserted into one of the passage members and is screwed into the female screw of the other passage member. The lower bolt is inserted into the other passage member and is screwed into the female screw of the one of the passage members. The passage members are coupled with use of the two upper and lower bolts whereby a seal member is securely fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kohei Shigyou, Takashi Hirose, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi, Naofumi Yasumoto
  • Kit for mounting a valve position indicator to a valve
    Patent number: 10384317
    Abstract: A valve position indicator mounting kit and method for mounting a valve position indicator to a manually operated valve. The mounting kit includes a mounting bracket and a stop plate assembly. The mounting bracket is connectable to the valve and has a bottom portion with a stem aperture through which a valve stem is extendable and being configured to be matingly engageable with the valve body. The mounting bracket has an upper portion with a shaft aperture. The locking plate assembly has a base portion matingly engaged with the valve stem and a shaft connection portion mounted to the top portion of the mounting bracket assembly and having a shaft matingly engaged with the shaft connecting portion of the locking plate assembly in a way that rotation of the valve stem via the handle causes the shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Valve Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Scaramucci, David C. Sparks
  • Valve control device
    Patent number: 10385986
    Abstract: A valve control device includes a housing provided with a control shaft, a motor for driving the control shaft to rotate, a control circuit board connected to the motor, and a sensor for detecting a rotational position of the control shaft. The sensor is connected to the control circuit board, which controls the motor to drive the control shaft to rotate in response to a position signal returned by the sensor. The valve control device may further include a position pointer, an indicating light, or a buzzer to facilitate observation of the opening and closing position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: David Anthony Chang
  • Self-contained, fully mechanical, 1 out of 2 flowline protection system
    Patent number: 10386005
    Abstract: A flowline protection system includes a first and second isolation valve connectable to a fully rated pipeline to prevent the flow of fluid through the fully rated pipeline when either of the isolation valves are in a closed position, interrupting the flow of fluids to a downstream underrated piping system to reduce the risk of overpressure or quantity of hydrocarbon released into the environment in the event of a line break. First and second hydraulic control assemblies each include high and low pressure safety pilot valves. Both the isolation valves return to the closed position if either high pressure safety pilot valve senses an operating pressure greater than a high pressure setting or if either low pressure safety pilot valve senses the operating pressure is less than a low pressure setting. The system is self-contained and free of a connection to any component other than the fully rated pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Patrick Flanders, Austin Brell, Michael Picou
  • High pressure enhanced structure technology
    Patent number: 10372091
    Abstract: An energy dissipating article of manufacture is disclosed that is a high pressure enhanced structure technology comprising a structure having at least one wall forming a sealed inner chamber, and either (i) the sealed inner chamber is filled with a gas under pressure, or (ii) an inflated bladder filled with gas is located within the sealed inner chamber, or (iii) a deflated bladder that is located within the sealed inner chamber, and an inflation system that produces a gas to inflate the deflated bladder, or (iv) the sealed inner chamber at one atmosphere standard normal pressure, and an inflation system that produces a gas, to pressurize the inner chamber. A method of making the articles of manufacture and uses thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Robert A. Miller, Jr.
  • Reusable aseptic fluid couplings
    Patent number: 10369348
    Abstract: Some fluid coupling devices described herein are configured for use in fluid systems for purposes of providing a repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling system. Such repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems are configured to facilitate multiple connection and disconnection cycles while repeatably establishing a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system. The repeatable, aseptic fluid coupling systems can repeatably establish a sterile fluid pathway through the coupling system even though the coupling system may be used in a non-sterile environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventors: Loi Trong Truong, Randall Scott Williams
  • Diesel exhaust fluid tank for an off-road vehicle
    Patent number: 10371033
    Abstract: A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank for an off-road vehicle including a retaining bar configured to support the DEF tank and a channel molded into a side of the DEF tank. The channel is configured to interface with the retaining rod. The DEF tank further including a cutout formed within the channel, wherein the cutout establishes a gap between the retaining bar and a body of the DEF tank. The DEF tank also includes a drain channel molded into an exterior surface of the DEF tank. The drain channel is configured to provide structural support to the DEF tank, and the gap is configured to enable DEF flow downwardly into the drain channel without contacting the retaining bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    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
  • Local position indicator for subsea isolation valve having no external position indication
    Patent number: 10371284
    Abstract: A local position indicating device for a subsea isolation valve that has no other visual signals of its position integrates to the hydraulic actuation system for the isolation valve. Three way valves, connected to an operating control line and a force closed balance line leading to opposed ends of an operating piston, are located by the isolation valve and redirected by a diver or ROV, to locally operate the valve. The balance line has a piston that is displaced with fluid pushed by the operating piston when the isolation valve is opened with hydraulic pressure in the operating control line local connection. The piston connected to the balance line moves an indicator out of its housing for the local indication that the isolation valve is open. Displaced fluid from movement of the piston in the position indicator moves a floating piston to keep seawater away from the indicating piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, Michael L. Hair, Leonard Medill
  • Air conditioning drain treatment apparatus
    Patent number: 10370181
    Abstract: A treatment apparatus for air conditioning and refrigeration system drains includes a body portion having an inlet, outlet, upwardly extending neck portion, and downwardly-depending reservoir extending below the inlet and outlet. The apparatus is installed with the inlet and outlet interposed in air conditioning drain line. A chemical insert cartridge is installed into the central cavity of the body. The cartridge includes a shell with a plurality of openings, and contains a quantity of biocide such as one or more biocide tablets, so that the tablets dissolve through the openings in the shell when exposed to the water in the drain line. As the drain water passes through the apparatus the biocide is released into the drain water, preventing algae growth and discouraging insects and pests from occupying the drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Clear Drain LLC
    Inventor: Lucas R. Plummer