Patents Examined by Atif H Chaudry
  • Patent number: 11035382
    Abstract: A variable orifice flow device controls the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing in a compressor. The variable orifice flow device may include, for example, an electronic expansion valve, a thermal expansion valve, or a shuttling valve controlling the flow of refrigerant into a compressor motor housing. One or more flows of refrigerant may be through a fixed orifice, a valve seat of the variable orifice flow device, or leakage through a seal of the compressor motor housing, providing a baseline refrigerant flow to the inside of the compressor motor housing in addition to the flow through the variable orifice flow device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Espelien, Joseph M. Heger, Daniel A. Strange, Russell T. Abbott, Robert S. Bakkestuen
  • Patent number: 11033678
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an injector includes a sleeve, a drive assembly, and a drive assembly housing. The sleeve is configured to receive a reservoir having a plunger therein. The drive assembly is configured to pressurize the reservoir and includes a tip, an actuator, and mechanical segments. The tip is configured to be secured to the plunger. The actuator is configured to supply a motive force to the tip for moving it between retracted and extended positions. The mechanical segments are configured to transmit motive force from the actuator to the tip. The drive assembly housing has a housing length in a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the tip. The reservoir has a reservoir length L. A package length is defined by the housing length and the reservoir length L. The package length is less than 2L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: AGIST MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Judson A. Herrig
  • Patent number: 11035105
    Abstract: Water quality maintenance system are disclosed herein. The systems are configured to automatically switch between an open state allowing for purging of water from a water line and a closed state preventing water flow. The systems comprise a controller is configured to automatically generate a control signal and a purge valve comprising an electromagnetic actuator in electromechanical communication with the controller. Also disclosed herein are fixtures comprising the systems and methods of using the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Lead Out Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Ramos, Robert M. Christlieb
  • Patent number: 11035498
    Abstract: A capsule is disclosed which includes a flexible outer shell capable of transforming into an asymmetric shape; an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic particles can move in response to an applied magnetic field. A valve system includes an in-line valve sized to fit within a flow channel including a capsule having a flexible outer shell containing an internal medium encapsulated by the outer shell, the medium including a plurality of magnetic particles; and a magnetic field source disposed about the exterior wall of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Rochester Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ahmed Alfadhel, Meng-Chun Hsu, David A. Borkholder
  • Patent number: 11008115
    Abstract: A fuel system for an aircraft is provided including a fuel tank configured to receive fuel and a fuel pump. The fuel pump includes a motor disposed proximate the fuel tank. The fuel pump further includes a power supply in electrical communication with the motor and disposed outside the fuel tank. The fuel pump further includes an impeller disposed within the fuel tank and rotatably coupled to the motor. The impeller includes a shaft having a first end and a second end spaced from the first end with the motor coupled to the first end. The shaft has a resistivity greater than the resistivity of the fuel tank between the first end and the second end to minimize electrical transfer between the motor and the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventor: Gregg Wozniak
  • Patent number: 11002371
    Abstract: A flow regulating switch valve includes a valve core that includes a switch assembly configured to drive a diaphragm assembly to open or close a water outlet, and also includes a flow regulating assembly that comprises a rotating ring, a sliding block, and a magnet. A control key is configured to control the switch assembly. The rotating ring is connected to the control key and includes an inclined plane that transitions from high to low and is configured to drive the sliding block to slide up and down such that the sliding block drives the magnet to move up and down. The magnet is configured to control the diaphragm assembly to regulate a size of the water outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BEIJING KOHLER LTD.
    Inventor: Pengcheng Xia
  • Patent number: 10989064
    Abstract: A dual trip manifold assembly (TMA) includes an isolation valve assembly having a first valve configured to receive a flow of fluid from a hydraulic system fluid supply. The first valve is configured to channel the flow of fluid to at least one hydraulic circuit. The isolation valve assembly also includes a second valve configured to receive the flow of fluid from the at least one hydraulic circuit of the at least two hydraulic circuits. The second valve is further configured to channel the fluid flow to a trip header and to receive the fluid flow from the trip header. The first valve and the second valve are synchronized to each other such that rotation of one of said first and second valves causes a substantially similar rotation in the other of said first and second valves header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adam Eric Virkler, Daniel John Nosek, Troy Gilchrist Wojick, Brent Allan Dietrich, Terry Joseph Bailey
  • Patent number: 10982794
    Abstract: An example control unit may include: a processor; an output device; a valve element; an actuator; and a sensor for the position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a first signal to measure a position of the valve element. The valve cycles and the processor records a second signal to measure a position of the valve element. The processor calculates a degree of wear based on the first value and the second value and the second number of valve cycles. The processor compares the degree of wear to a predefined threshold value and generates an output signal if the degree of wear exceeds the predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Armin Wiegand, Martin Wetzel, Rainer Lochschmied, Thomas Gnoss
  • Patent number: 10982792
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of a valve body. In order to achieve the above object, the electrically operated valve of the present invention comprises a valve body, a driver configured to move the valve body along a first axis, a rotation shaft configured to rotate the driver around the first axis, a permanent magnet member, and an angle sensor. The permanent magnet member is disposed on the rotation shaft and configured to rotate with the rotation shaft. The angle sensor is configured to detect a rotation angle of a permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member. The angle sensor is disposed above the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Uehara, Yusuke Arai, Takeshi Hosoya
  • Patent number: 10975984
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of a valve body. In order to achieve the above object, the electrically operated valve of the present invention comprises a valve body, a driver configured to move the valve body along a first axis, a rotation shaft configured to rotate the driver around the first axis, a permanent magnet member, an angle sensor, and a yoke configured to cover a portion of the permanent magnet or a portion of the angle sensor. The permanent magnet member is disposed on the rotation shaft and configured to rotate with the rotation shaft. The angle sensor is configured to detect a rotation angle of a permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member. The angle sensor is disposed above the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Uehara, Yusuke Arai, Takeshi Hosoya
  • Patent number: 10975553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for automatically flushing liquid lines, in particular drinking water lines, with at least one connection (4) for a water conduit, with at least one connection (6) for a wastewater conduit, and with a flushing valve (8) which is arranged between the connections for the water conduit and wastewater conduit. The object of providing a device for automatic flushing that allows a flushing behaviour which is better tailored to the conditions is achieved in that the flushing valve (8) comprises a multiple valve with parallel valves (10). The invention further relates to a system of water lines and to a method for automatically flushing water lines using a device according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Viega Technology GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kuhbier, Verena Stelthove, Tobias Klosta
  • Patent number: 10968608
    Abstract: A water distribution pipe comprises an elbow formation along its length, an aperture-defining formation defining an aperture in a radially distal wall of the elbow formation along a radius of the curvature of the elbow, and an openable closure that is mounted or mountable to the aperture-defining formation and that closes the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: DESERT BLOOMS LLC
    Inventors: Gary Alan Larsen, Rebecca Lily Oppenheimer
  • Patent number: 10968611
    Abstract: The water diversion assembly of the present invention herein diverts and preserves the water supply when water supply is currently below the threshold temperature. The present invention relates to a water diversion assembly having a hot water inlet connected to a hot water supply and a cold water inlet connected to a cold water supply. An appliance outlet, for use by the user of an appliance, is configured to connect and deliver a water mix at an outlet temperature. The appliance outlet is in fluid communication with the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet, and a water collection outlet. Within the water diversion assembly, a thermostatic diversion valve having a hot water threshold temperature setting and arranged such that water from the hot water supply via the hot water inlet is delivered to the water collection outlet until the hot water threshold temperature is reached and then thermostatically diverted to a thermostatic mixing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony James Cortez
  • Patent number: 10927840
    Abstract: A pump device for a motor vehicle, includes a pump device housing; a delivery chamber which is formed in the pump device housing and/or at least partially by the pump device housing and which includes an inlet and an outlet; a delivery structure which is arranged in the delivery chamber and delivers a fluid from the inlet on a low-pressure side of the pump device to the outlet on a high-pressure side of the pump device; a first conduit which channels the fluid from the outlet out of the delivery chamber to a first assembly; wherein a second conduit diverges from the first conduit in the region before the first assembly and feeds a portion of the pressurised fluid to a second assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Schwäbische Hüttenwerke Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Peters, Roman Ickert, Emin Ahmeti
  • Patent number: 10927801
    Abstract: A valve device for a fuel filter module has a first fluid channel through which fuel flows only in recirculation mode of the fuel filter module and a second fluid channel through which fuel flows only outside of the recirculation mode. The first fluid channel extends inside the second fluid channel. The first and second fluid channels are coaxial to each other. A fuel filter module switchable into recirculation mode and out of recirculation mode is provided with a control valve that has a valve bore and a valve device arranged in the valve bore, wherein the valve device has a first fluid channel through which fuel flows only in recirculation mode and a second fluid channel through which fuel flows only outside of the recirculation mode. The first fluid channel extends inside the second fluid channel, and the first and second fluid channels are coaxial to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Weindorf, Rafael Salom, Felix Lippert, Ronald Ritzen, Achim Missner
  • Patent number: 10919008
    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: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: David A. Weitz, Adam R. Abate, Tony Hung, Pascaline Mary
  • Patent number: 10919504
    Abstract: A trip cock valve for a brake system on a rail car includes a valve body that defines an inlet, a chamber downstream from the inlet, and an outlet downstream from the chamber. A piston is inside the chamber. A valve member operably connected to the piston has a first position that prevents fluid flow through the outlet and a second position that permits fluid flow through the outlet. A lever is operably engaged with the valve member to move the valve member from the first position to the second position. A valve position indicator downstream from the inlet is in fluid communication with the inlet when the valve member is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Kenneth Hodges
  • Patent number: 10918569
    Abstract: An integrated valve and manifold assembly includes a water valve configured to control water flow from one or two valve outlets. At least one of the outlets is coupled to a manifold. In some examples, the manifold is a dual-extrusion manifold having at least one air channel and at least one water conduit, and the water valve has a pair of air channels attached to a periphery of the water valve and configured to couple to the manifold air channels. In examples wherein at least one of the manifolds is a dual-extrusion manifold, a top portion of the assembly includes an air valve configured to control flow of air to air channel(s) of the dual-extrusion manifold. In other examples, the assembly includes a one-outlet or two-outlet water valve configured to couple to water manifolds, with no attached air channels or air valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Wexco Incorporated
    Inventors: Samuel Jeffery Collins, Scott Stephen Backer
  • Patent number: 10914055
    Abstract: A system for observing flow may comprise a device for observing flow in a pipe comprising a sound detector, a housing affixing the sound detector external to a pipe, a microprocessor, a power supply, and a device interface. The system may further comprise a data transmitter, a remote server for receiving data from one or more devices for observing flow in a pipe, a plurality of server-side applications applying analytical operations to the data, and a plurality of end-user devices for accessing the data through a plurality of user interfaces. The flow observation system can be used to detect leaks, identify water conservation opportunities, alert end-users of overconsumption, and remotely shut-off the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: CONSERVATION LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Kovscek
  • Patent number: 10907639
    Abstract: A suction pipe inlet device for a centrifugal pump, the device having a hollow tubular axisymmetric body along a longitudinal axis having an open first end adapted for fitting into or against a retention tank; an open second end adapted for fitting into or against an inflow end of a suction pipe having an outer pipe diameter and an inner pipe diameter; a converging section located closer to the retention tank; a diverging section located closer to the suction pipe; a throat located at the intersection point between the converging and diverging sections, the converging and diverging sections defining an interior converging-diverging geometry within the tubular axisymmetric body and the throat defining a minimum inner cross sectional area of the tubular axisymmetric body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth Lloyd Don, Luis Fernando Echeverri, John Semple Frater