Patents Examined by Christopher Ballman
  • Patent number: 10487951
    Abstract: A directional control valve having low or no interflow, minimal parts, and configured for easy repair, is provided. In one embodiment, a seat is slidingly sealably movable with respect to opposed plates, such that an inlet in one of the plates communicates with an internal volume of the seat, and by selectively positioning the seat with respect to one or more outlets in a second of the opposed plates, the inlet can be placed in communication with an outlet, or isolated from the one or more outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Proserv Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Andy Patterson
  • Patent number: 10260654
    Abstract: A valve assembly that includes a main valve having a valve member moveable between a closed position and an open position. The main valve has an upstream side and a downstream side. The valve assembly includes a pressure equalizing assembly for equalizing the fluid pressure across the main valve. The pressure equalizing assembly includes a line extending from the upstream side of the main valve to the downstream side of the main valve and a pressure equalizing valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Coporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 10260639
    Abstract: Actuator bushings having integral seals are described herein. An example apparatus includes a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem and an annular groove at an end of the bushing. The annular groove surrounds the bore to define a flexible ring to form a seal against the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Trenton Frank Jackson, Meredith Jan Bell
  • Patent number: 10260312
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device serving as an inflow port from a fluid reservoir (R) to the interior of a production pipe (S) is in the form of a housing (3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h, 3i, 3j, 3k, 3l). The housing has a primary flow path (18) and a secondary flow path (19). The secondary flow path is in fluid communication with a chamber (B) in which is arranged an actuator (5) for a valve device (4), the valve device arranged to open and close the primary flow path. At least one flow restrictor (1,2) is arranged in the secondary flow path, the flow restrictor arranged to provide a pressure to chamber (B) sufficient to actuate the valve to an open position when the fluid flowing through the secondary flow path is oil, and a pressure sufficient to actuate the valve to a closed position when the fluid has a viscosity and/or density less than oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: InflowControl AS
    Inventors: Vidar Mathiesen, Bjornar Werswick, Haavard Aakre
  • Patent number: 10253765
    Abstract: A valve assembly in a reciprocating compressor used in oil and gas industry is provided. The valve assembly comprises an actuator configured to a valve actuating motion and a valve. The valve has a valve seat comprises an inlet port configured to allow a fluid to flow through the valve seat, a counter-seat comprising an outlet port configured to allow the fluid to flow through the counter-seat, and a valve closing member attached to the counter-seat and configured to cover the inlet port when the counter-seat is in a closed position. The counter-seat is configured to receive the valve actuating motion and to move between the closed position and an open position in which the valve closing member does not cover the inlet port thereby selectively allowing the fluid to flow on a flow path which comprises the inlet port and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Riccardo Bagagli, Leonardo Tognarelli
  • Patent number: 10253593
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; a closure assembly having a first closure member disposed within the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the first closure member closes the innermost end of all of the apertures in the cage, and a second open position, in which the innermost end of all the apertures in the cage are open; and a second closure member disposed outside the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the second closure member closes the outermost end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Fergal Finn
  • Patent number: 10247315
    Abstract: A spool for a hydraulic valve includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end disposed opposite the first end, and an annular wall defined by an internal surface of the cylindrical body and an external surface of the cylindrical body. The annular wall defines a plurality of holes therethrough. The internal surface defines a first chamber, a second chamber, and a slot chamber within the cylindrical body, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the plurality of holes via the first chamber, the slot chamber being located between the second chamber and the second end of the cylindrical body. The annular wall defines a slot therethrough, the slot extending from the second end of the cylindrical body toward the first end of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal direction, the slot being open at the second end of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beschorner, Matthew P. Giacomi, Joseph Yousef
  • Patent number: 10234045
    Abstract: A poppet valve includes an inlet port, a first outlet port, a second outlet port, a first exhaust port, a second exhaust port, and a spindle. A first poppet element and a second poppet element each float relative to the spindle. A first piston and a second piston are fixed relative to the spindle. The spindle moves from an initial centered closed position to a first actuated position or a second actuated position to direct air flowing from the inlet port to the first outlet port or the second outlet port, respectively. The initial centered closed position is located between the first actuated position and the second actuated position. A housing contains the spindle, the first poppet element, the second poppet element, the first piston and the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Ross Operating Valve Company
    Inventor: Justin R. Ballenger
  • Patent number: 10221957
    Abstract: A solenoid valve has a valve member (43) which is operated between: a closed position in which the valve member abuts on a valve seat to block communication between ports (32 and 33); and an open position in which the valve member separates from the valve seat to enable communication between the ports (32 and 33). A fixed iron core (18) and a movable iron core (21), in which the movable iron core reciprocatively moves in axial directions, are disposed in a bobbin (13) of a solenoid (11). In a valve housing (12) provided with ports (31 to 33), a swing member (41) having a valve element is swingably attached, and a pivotal lever (51) is pivotally attached. The pivotal lever (51) is provided with: an actuating portion (53) abutting on one end of the swing member (41); and an effort portion (54) abutting on the tip end of the movable iron core (21), an opening/closing stroke of the valve member (43) is made larger than the moving stroke of the movable iron core (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Masuo Ohta
  • Patent number: 10215300
    Abstract: A bending frame extends the travel of an actuator for a mechanically actuated component. The bending frame includes a plurality of bendable longitudinal struts, which are arranged about a longitudinal axis on which the travel of the actuator runs. The longitudinal struts each extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and an application of force enacted by the actuator long the actuation path on the longitudinal struts causes same to bend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Respective cross struts extend out toward the longitudinal axis from each of the longitudinal struts, wherein a first end of a respective cross strut is articulated to a respective longitudinal strut and a second end of the respective cross strut opposite to the first end is provided in order to transmit force to the component in the direction of the longitudinal axis for the purpose of actuation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus DS GmbH
    Inventors: David Reith, Stephan Kraus, Thomas Maier
  • Patent number: 10215306
    Abstract: A sleeve shaped valve cage for receiving a valve member is described. The valve cage can guide the valve member relative to the valve cage. The valve cage can include a throttle section configured to provide pressure-reduced flow rates of the processing fluid, the throttle section having multiple throttle conduits extending from an inside of the valve cage to an outside of the valve cage; a high capacity flow section adjacent to the throttle section in the displacement direction, the high capacity flow section configured to provide increased flow rates of the processing fluid; and at least one equalization channel formed in the valve cage and extending from the inside to the outside of the valve cage, the at least one equalization channel leading from the high capacity flow section to the throttle section such that, before the valve member releases all throttle conduits, the equalization channel is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSON AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Anke Braeuer
  • Patent number: 10207444
    Abstract: A diverter valve for extruded materials, including a split cylinder in the cylindrical opening of a base, each cylinder half being independently pivotable. The base includes first and second inlets for first and second extruded material, and first and second outlets for the material. Base first and second flow paths carry the first and second extruded materials from the inlets to the output openings, and third and fourth flow paths carry extruded material from the first and second first inlet openings to the first and second outlets. The first and second inlet openings and the first and second output openings are axially open to the central opening, and the cylinder halves are adjacent along a plane substantially radial to the central opening axis with each of the cylinder halves including a recess open along the radial plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Processing Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dana R. Hanson, Mitchell L. Gritzner
  • Patent number: 10197170
    Abstract: A rotary valve 1 comprising a stator 3 and a rotor 5, wherein the stator comprises a plurality of connection ports (17a-17l) and orifices (19a-19l) and the rotor comprises a plurality of pairs of rotor valve orifices (23a-23h) joined by transfer channels (25a-25d). The rotor is able to be placed in different working positions whereby fluids can be fed to, for example, chromatography columns and/or can be bypassed through or around the valve. The invention also relates to a system comprising two components such as chromatography columns and a rotary valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Markus Olovsson, Christer Olof Eriksson
  • Patent number: 10190702
    Abstract: The electronically switchable MEMS valve includes a housing formed from soft magnetic material and defining a fluid flow path therethrough. A magnetic field generating member is mounted within the housing and connected to a source of electrical power. A MEMS valve portion is mounted within the magnetic field generating member, has a valve closing member movably mounted therein, and defines a portion of the fluid flow path therethrough. The valve closing element is movable between a closed position wherein the fluid flow path is blocked, and an open position wherein the fluid flow path is not blocked. When an electric current is removed from the magnetic field generating member, the valve closing element is configured to move to and remain in the one of the closed position and the open position to which the valve closing element is the closest when the electric current is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DunAn Microstaq, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Nelson Fuller, Parthiban Arunasalam, Joe A. Ojeda, Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 10184575
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a base configured to detachably mount to a mounting surface; a sleeve coupled to and extending upwardly from the base; a handle body disposed around the sleeve and configured to rotate about a vertical axis, the handle body including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion extending outward from a side of the vertical portion; a first valve disposed within the base; a second valve disposed within the horizontal portion of the handle body; and a spout configured to receive water from the sleeve and direct the water to an outlet of the spout; where the vertical portion of the handle body is configured to be rotated about the vertical axis to control the first valve, and the horizontal portion of the handle body is configured to be rotated about a horizontal axis to control the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Anaël Tasserit, Gaëtan Wangon, Jean Hugues Soulier, Olivier Chalancon
  • Patent number: 10184574
    Abstract: A heating or cooling installation control valve includes a movable valve element which is arranged in a valve space (8), as well as at least two connection channels (24, 26) which each have a first end in fluidic connection with the valve space (8) and have an opposite second end (A, B) for connection to a fluid-leading component. A sealing element (18) is arranged in at least one of the connection channels (24, 26) at a first end thereof. The sealing element is in contact with the valve element (6). The at least one connection channel (24, 26), in which the sealing element (18) is arranged, in addition to the second end (A, B), includes an assembly opening, through which the sealing element (18) can be inserted into the connection channel (24) and removed from of the connection channel (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventors: Kåre Iversen, Torben Heilskov Overgaard
  • Patent number: 10180211
    Abstract: A solution having a predetermined concentration is stably supplied to a use point, at which the amount of use of the solution changes, by only modifying currently-used equipment at a low cost and in a space-saving manner. In order to supply a solution containing a solute at a predetermined concentration from a preparation portion of the solution to a use point through a supply pipe, a retention portion that has no gas-liquid interface and at which the solution is retained is provided at an intermediate portion of the supply pipe. Even when the amount of use of the solution at the use point changes, the change is absorbed by the retention portion, whereby a solution having a predetermined concentration can be stably supplied to the use point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Tokoshima, Kazuya Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 10161538
    Abstract: A valve device includes a float body and a valve body provided in an upper portion of the float body to obliquely move. The valve body includes a seal portion that closes a valve opening formed in a case when the float rises, an engaging portion serving as a linkage portion with respect to the float body, and an abutting portion that abuts on a vicinity of the valve opening when inclining obliquely. An area of the abutting portion in the horizontal direction is made smaller than that of the seal portion such that the abutting portion laterally protrudes from the seal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Toshio Wada
  • Patent number: 10161534
    Abstract: A hydrant for selectively valving and delivering fluid under pressure to a plurality of different fluid outlets. The hydrant housing has at least one fluid inlet and multiple fluid outlets. A valve operating shaft is mounted for axial rotation in the hydrant housing and positioned transversely to a valve seat having a first set of valve ports therethrough annularly arranged on a first circumference about the shaft, and a second set of valve ports are provided through the valve seat and annularly arranged on a concentric second circumference of different diameter than the first circumference about the shaft. A valve actuator disk secured for rotation with the operating shaft slidably engages the valve seat in a rotary fashion to selectively valve the valve ports open and closed in selected combinations with rotation of the shaft to preselected positions of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Charles N. Santry
  • Patent number: 10139026
    Abstract: A swivel joint including a pivot provided with a longitudinal axis; and a seating concentric to the pivot and in which the pivot is sealedly rotatable. The pivot includes an inlet conduit, a signal conduit, and a discharge conduit. The swivel joint further includes a connecting device, structured so as to assume a first configuration, in which it closes the inlet conduit and places the signal conduit in communication with the discharge conduit, and a second configuration, in which it places the inlet conduit in communication with the signal conduit and closes the discharge conduit. The connecting device is further structured so as to move between the first configuration and the second configuration following the rotation of the pivot with respect to the seating over a predetermined angle starting from an initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Francesco Chioccola