Patents Examined by Atif H Chaudry
  • Regulating valve with integrated purge function
    Patent number: 11396956
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body provided with a plug, connected to an actuation system, an upstream duct, a downstream duct, and a purge duct provided with a shutter. The plug is movable in rotation about a longitudinal axis in the valve body, so that the rotation of the plug according to a first angular sector defines a flow between the upstream duct and the downstream duct, the rotation of the plug according to a second angular sector separate from the first angular sector shuts off the connection between the upstream duct and the downstream duct, and the rotation of the plug according to a third angular sector included in the second angular sector actuates the shutter so as to allow a flow from the upstream duct to the purge duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ARIANEGROUP SAS
    Inventors: Yoann Lavenu, Benoît Cazin, Anthony Caron, Olivier Faye
  • System and method for infrastructure and asset management
    Patent number: 11389841
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring, controlling, and recording flushing of a water distribution system (WDS) comprising each portion or subject WDS piping, by measuring, controlling and recording the selected flow rate ranges of water into and out of. The selected volume of water utilized into and out of the WDS piping can then be measured, controlled and recorded. The flow rate and volume of water into and out of the WDS piping can then be selected for each maintenance event protocol and used to determine the condition of the WDS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Don Morrison
  • Cartridge assembly for diverting flow
    Patent number: 11384851
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge assembly having a cartridge shell. The cartridge assembly permits flow from a flow source to be regulated by the cartridge assembly to flow along a first flow path or along a second flow path. Flow along the first flow path enters through a first end of the cartridge shell and exits through at least one opening in the cartridge shell. Flow along the second flow path enters through the first end of the cartridge shell and is diverted to exit through the first end of the cartridge shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Hector Hernandez
  • Fluid pressure-feed device
    Patent number: 11377340
    Abstract: A fluid pressure-feed device includes a main tank and a sub tank. The sub tank is connected integrally with an upper portion of a main follower plate that applies pressurizing force to a urethane adhesive inside the main tank. A drum pump is provided in an upper portion of a sub follower plate provided in the sub tank. While the urethane adhesive is flowing into the sub tank from the main tank, the urethane adhesive is fed under pressure from the sub tank to a fluid passage by actuation of the drum pump. While the main tank is being replaced, the urethane adhesive inside the sub tank is fed under pressure to the fluid passage by the drum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, PYLES JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Tasaka, Rikiya Makino, Takashi Suzuki, Takatoshi Urashi, Shouji Suzuki
  • Socket device
    Patent number: 11377828
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a socket device comprising a fixing portion. The fixing portion comprises a socket portion, a water inflow passage, a first water outflow passage, a second water outflow passage, a first switching mechanism, a first water dividing passage, and a first control mechanism. The socket portion comprises a switch. The second water outflow passage, the first water outflow passage and the second water outflow passage are switched to be connected to the water inflow passage by the first switching mechanism. The switch is connected to the first switching mechanism to drive the first switching mechanism. The first control mechanism is configured to control the water inflow passage to be connected to the first water dividing passage or control the first water dividing passage to be opened or to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shilong Wu, Wenxing Chen, Fengde Lin
  • Estimation device and valve control device
    Patent number: 11378073
    Abstract: An estimation device comprises: an oscillation section configured to superimpose an oscillation signal for oscillating a valve body of a vacuum valve provided between a vacuum pump configured to pump gas from a chamber and the chamber on an opening degree signal for driving the valve body; and an estimation section configured to estimate, based on a pressure response of a chamber internal pressure upon oscillation, a pumping characteristic regarding the gas pumped through the vacuum valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro Kozaki
  • Hydraulic pressure supply system of automatic transmission for vehicle
    Patent number: 11371604
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission includes: a first hydraulic pump forming a first hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic fluid stored in an oil pan; a second hydraulic pump pressurizing a received hydraulic pressure to a higher pressure, where the received hydraulic pressure may be received from the first hydraulic pump and from the oil pan; a regulator valve which is disposed at an upstream side of a low pressure portion and regulates hydraulic pressures supplied from the first and second hydraulic pumps so as to supply the regulated pressure to the low pressure portion; and a plurality of hydraulic lines that supplies the hydraulic pressure of the first hydraulic pump to the regulator valve and a high pressure portion and supplies the hydraulic pressure of the second hydraulic pump to the high pressure portion and the regulator valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hyunsuk Kim, Youngjoon Kim
  • Electric water diverter
    Patent number: 11359743
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electric water diverter, which includes a controller, a brushless DC motor, a core and a T-shaped body. The controller is electrically connected to a fixed Hall PCB circuit board and the brushless DC motor in turn. The brushless DC motor has a rotating shaft detachably connected to the core via a connector, which is also embedded with a magnet cooperating with the Hall PCB circuit board. The Hall PCB circuit board obtains a relative position signal of the rotating shaft through Hall induction and feeds the relative position signal back to the controller. A user controls the brushless DC motor to perform phase rotation through the controller and drive the connector and the core to selectively rotate forward or backward relative to the T-shaped body. Thereby, stepless adjustment of water flow from water outlet is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU RISING DRAGON RECREATION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuewen Liu, Ziqin Guo, Yingjun Wu, Huamin Tang
  • Fuel supply device
    Patent number: 11359588
    Abstract: In a fuel supply device including a regulator and float-type level sensor, a fitting tube is formed integrally with an upper housing, a fuel pump being retained between the upper and lower housings. An outer periphery of a base part of the regulator is fitted into the tube. A regulator retaining member is formed as a separate member from the upper housing and retains the regulator in cooperation with the tube. The tube and the retaining member are joined via a snap-fit join part provided on fitting parts therebetween. The snap-fit join part is formed by engaging a projecting portion or a recess part, formed on an elastic piece provided on one of the fitting parts between the retaining member and the tube, with the recess part or the projecting portion formed on the other fitting part. A sensor support arm is molded as a unit with the retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Naito, Yuki Fukuda
  • Method for monitoring a mechanical system
    Patent number: 11359744
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a system with mechanically movable parts, preferably a valve system, wherein the system is preferably part of a technical plant, in particular a production plant, and wherein the system has at least one mechanically movable part, in particular a valve, where the method comprises a) acquiring indicators, which can be used for a technical characterization of a movement procedure of the mechanically movable part, via technical devices configured for the acquisition of the indicators and b) transferring the acquired indicators to an evaluation unit arranged outside the system to determine a technical status of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Barth, Ralf Huck
  • Circulation pump assembly
    Patent number: 11359822
    Abstract: A circulation pump assembly includes a first inlet (84), an outlet (80), an electric drive motor (30) and at least one impeller (68; 100) driven by the drive motor (30). The circulation pump assembly has at least one first flow path (26; 48) positioned in a connection between the first inlet (84) and the outlet (80) for increasing the pressure of a fluid. The circulation pump assembly has a second inlet (86). The at least one impeller (68; 100) has at least one second flow path (28; 50) for increasing the pressure of a fluid, which is positioned in a connection of the second inlet (86) to the outlet (80). A heating system is provided having a circulation pump assembly of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Blad, Christian Blad
  • Fluid injection
    Patent number: 11358105
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for the control of fluids and, in some cases, to systems and methods for flowing a fluid into and/or out of other fluids. As examples, fluid may be injected into a droplet contained within a fluidic channel, or a fluid may be injected into a fluidic channel to create a droplet. In some embodiments, electrodes may be used to apply an electric field to one or more fluidic channels, e.g., proximate an intersection of at least two fluidic channels. For instance, a first fluid may be urged into and/or out of a second fluid, facilitated by the electric field. The electric field, in some cases, may disrupt an interface between a first fluid and at least one other fluid. Properties such as the volume, flow rate, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung, Pascaline Mary
  • Abnormality diagnosis method of fluid supply line
    Patent number: 11340636
    Abstract: To diagnose an abnormality of a fluid control device from an operation of an entire fluid supply line including a plurality of fluid control devices. Provided is an abnormality diagnosis method of a fluid supply line including a plurality of fluid control devices F, V1, and V2 communicating with each other fluid-tightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tanno, Kenji Aikawa, Akihiro Harada, Yuya Suzuki, Takahiro Matsuda, Katsunori Komehana, Masahiko Ochiishi, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Manifold assembly for a water filter system
    Patent number: 11333264
    Abstract: An all-in-one manifold assembly is fabricated separately from and coupled to a pressure vessel of a water filter system. The manifold assembly includes two valve assemblies configured to be rotated between an operational position, a by-pass position and a shut-off position. Rotation of the valve assemblies can occur by manual or automatic rotation. The manifold assembly may further include ports for one or more sensors. A controller can smartly operate the manifold assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Craig Schmitt, Monica Preston
  • Vent with valve
    Patent number: 11333177
    Abstract: A valve has a housing which has at least two fluid openings, through which fluid can flow, and a further opening, at least one valve seat which is assigned to one of the fluid openings, and at least one closure member which is adjustable to release and/or close the at least one valve seat, the at least one valve seat which adjoins a cavity through which fluid can flow being formed on a housing part. The valve includes a sensor device which closes the opening in a fluid-tight manner and can acquire data about the fluid is arranged in the further opening. A valve island is furthermore described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventor: Ralf Scheibe
  • Water heater mixing valve fault detection
    Patent number: 11326809
    Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a cold water conduit and a hot water conduit. The water heater appliance also includes a mixing valve and a controller. The controller may be configured for and/or methods of operating the water heater appliance may include detecting a start of a flow event from the water heater appliance and detecting a water temperature in the mixed water conduit of the water heater that is outside of tolerance limits after detecting the start of the flow event. The controller may be further configured for and/or the method may further include verifying that the flow event has not ended after detecting the water temperature in the mixed water conduit is outside of the tolerance limits. After verifying that the flow event has not ended, a count is added to a fault counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Iung-Pei Tsai, Paul Goodjohn, Andrew L. Reder
  • Fuel delivery unit, fuel delivery system and vehicle
    Patent number: 11305643
    Abstract: A fuel delivery unit for use within a vehicle fuel tank includes: a surge tank arranged on a wall of the fuel tank, a feed line extending from a region of the surge tank to a connector stub on the flange, and a wiring harness extending from the fuel pump to the flange. A flange-side holder forms a first force application point for fixing the wiring harness on a flange side, and a surge tank-side holder forms a second force application point for fixing the wiring harness on the surge tank side. The wiring harness, the flange-side holder and the surge tank-side holder together form a force absorber configured to protect the feed line and the connector stub during a vehicle impact by absorbing kinetic energy from the impact acting on the fuel delivery unit, thereby dissipating the kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Rauber, Marcus Koch, Ingo Kotza
  • Shower system
    Patent number: 11306846
    Abstract: A shower system includes a shower waterway and a fluid control valve. The shower waterway is configured to be coupled to a shower device. The fluid control valve is coupled to the shower waterway and comprises a valve body and a piston. The valve body includes a chamber and a reservoir. The piston is slidably coupled to the valve body and fluidly separates the chamber from the reservoir. The chamber includes a compressible gas. The piston is configured to slidably translate within the valve body to compress the compressible gas in response to a water pressure change in the shower waterway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Chad J. Cochart, Douglas J. Brouwer
  • Fluid expansion tank
    Patent number: 11300198
    Abstract: An expansion tank includes a tank body mounted inside a housing forming a sump, and defining an internal expansion volume. A fluid inlet opening in the tank body is in communication with the sump and the expansion volume. A combination valve may be disposed on a lower end of the tank to control fluid flow between the sump and the expansion volume. The valve may be a combination duckbill valve and umbrella valve. Fluid enters the expansion volume through the umbrella valve when sump pressure exceeds expansion volume pressure by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the expansion volume through the duckbill valve to the sump when expansion volume pressure exceeds sump pressure by a second predetermined amount. The tank body may include a cover on which an inlet tube is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Bryan K. Sparks, Gregory Barton Moebs
  • Gas pressure regulator
    Patent number: 11275392
    Abstract: A gas pressure regulator comprises a high pressure inlet and a regulator mechanism which is arranged to receive high pressure gas via the high pressure inlet, and deliver gas at a regulated pressure to a regulated pressure outlet. The regulator comprises a regulator element and a rotatable member that rotates to move the regulator element, thereby adjusting the regulated pressure. A gauge arranged to receive high pressure gas and display a measured reading of the pressure of the high pressure gas is also provided along with a regulated pressure indicator which is arranged to display a regulated pressure value related to the degree of rotation of the rotary mechanism. The regulator mechanism has a gear chain between the rotatable member and the indicator so that it requires multiple rotations of the rotatable member to move the regulator element through its full range of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christopher Cowles, Duncan Wales