Patents Examined by Cloud Lee
  • Patent number: 7383861
    Abstract: A fuel conversion device comprises a restriction in a carburetion system configured to draw a gaseous fuel and air into the carburetion system. The fuel conversion device comprises an air inlet and a fuel air outlet coupled within the restriction. The fuel conversion device includes a throat and a fuel supply passage near the throat. The fuel supply passage is located between an air inlet first end and a fuel air outlet second end from about 40 to about 55 percent of a venturi length measured from the fuel air outlet second end. A ratio between a restriction diameter and the venturi length comprises at most about 1.38 to 1. The air inlet has a radius with the fuel supply passage formed as slots, or a radius with the fuel supply passage formed as bores, or a taper with the fuel supply passage formed as slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Brown
  • Patent number: 7383856
    Abstract: A fuel tank contains a system for the removal of air, which includes an air removal line to connect the interior of the tank with the outside ambient atmosphere, whereby this line forms a siphon, and at the deepest location of the air removal line a connection section is provided with a suction opening connected to a suction source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Josip Marti{hacek over (s)}, Jan Kürbis
  • Patent number: 7373947
    Abstract: A tank jacket fits over the outside of a storage tank. The jacket includes a hole for receiving the regulator assembly. The tank jacket supports a hose support assembly for storing the supply hose and a plurality of pockets for retaining various accessories and tools. A gauge protector fits over the regulator assembly and includes a first housing section defining a first cavity for receiving the regulator and a second housing section defining a second cavity for receiving the pressure gauge. A handle is formed on the gauge protector to facilitate carrying of the tank. The gauge protector and tank jacket protect the tank and regulator assembly and provide a system for transporting the tank and related equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Irwin Industrial Tool Company
    Inventors: David J. Trettin, Jon Aaron Schlosser, Mark Allen Catron
  • Patent number: 7370668
    Abstract: A valve assembly for use in winterizing a swimming pool closes to prevent pool water from entering into a pool pipe situated below the water line and opens to allow fluid or air to be pumped out of the pool pipes, including an adaptor having threads for attachment to a hose so the pipe contents may be pumped directly into the hose and out of the pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Inventor: Dimce Vasilev
  • Patent number: 7367541
    Abstract: A flexible drive mechanism for a flushing apparatus actuated by movement of a flush handle via an actuation element is disclosed. The drive mechanism includes a housing and flexible drive system in the housing, the flexible drive system including an actuating element operable to move the flush handle between a non-actuating position and a full stop actuating position. The housing further includes first and second bracket halves and first and second removable insert halves for adapting the first and second bracket halves to substantially enclose and engage a bushing and nut and thereby secure said electromechanical flexible actuator to the flush lever of the sanitary fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Technical Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Muderlak, George J. Jost
  • Patent number: 7363937
    Abstract: A replaceable sleeve insert for a choke assembly is disclosed, wherein the replaceable sleeve insert has a tubular member coaxially and sealingly retained within an upper body section of the choke assembly. The tubular member is also sealed against the bonnet. The tubular member has an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate coaxial linear displacement of a shuttle assembly and an outer diameter sufficient to fit within an upper body orifice in the upper body section. At least one attachment member outwardly extends from the tubular member and is retained between the upper body section and the bonnet. The tubular member has an opening in the sleeve wall to provide fluid communication from the choke inlet to the interior of the tubular member. A method of assembling a choke with a replaceable sleeve insert is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Suter, Burkhard Alan
  • Patent number: 7360553
    Abstract: A modular utility box system includes separate supply and drain boxes. The supply box has at least one supply opening and the drain box has a drain opening but no supply openings. The supply and drain boxes are interconnectable by a generally U-shaped clip having legs spaced apart a distance selected to accept the narrow dimension of a wall stud therebetween so that the supply and drain boxes may be mounted on opposite sides of a stud. The clip also spaces the supply and drain boxes in the proper vertical and horizontal alignment to facilitate securement of a cover plate to the boxes once installed. The clips engage the boxes to permit interconnected of the boxes in multiple orientations. Elongate brackets may be used to support the erboxes between adjacent studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Dominic P. Ismert
  • Patent number: 7357148
    Abstract: A prefabricated in-wall water service box with a five sided deep drawn stainless steel enclosure that has an open side with a reservoir lip and three closed sides integral with a top and bottom so that a reservoir is formed that is drained through a drain hole into a stainless steel nipple that is welded to the bottom and extends downwardly from the drain hole while hot and cold water control valves are mounted inside the enclosure through holes to a fittings located outside the enclosure at its two side walls. A trim bezel with a planar facing flush with a mounting wall is secured to the enclosure when it is mounted to two studs by two mounting brackets affixed to the two side walls by stainless steel screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Gibson
  • Patent number: 7357146
    Abstract: An inflatable flow control apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a fluid through a drain passage are provided. The apparatus includes an inflatable bladder with first and second opposite sides and an outer surface extending between the sides. A plurality of tubular passages extend through the bladder between the first and second sides. The bladder is configured to be inflated in the drain passage so that the outer surface is disposed against the drain passage and the fluid in the drain passage is directed through the tubular passages. The flow of the fluid through the tubular passages can be selectively controlled, e.g., by opening and closing valves connected to the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Perry Beaty
  • Patent number: 7353842
    Abstract: An air fitting with an integral check valve includes a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet, a passage extending between the inlet and the at least one outlet with a valve seat being formed in the passage adjacent the at least one outlet with a portion between the outlet and the valve having a plurality of channels separated by lands which form a guide surface for the valve as it is being forced onto the valve seat by a spring. The channels allow passage of air around the valve member with less restriction when the valve member is lifted off the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Q3JMC, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Speer, Richard C. Pickering, Fredrick C. Gochenouer
  • Patent number: 7350765
    Abstract: Valve assemblies and methods of designing valve assemblies having a valve ball, an upper seat, and a lower seat. When fluid pressure is applied to the valve ball, the valve ball will float in the axial direction between an upper position, a neutral position, and a lower position in response to fluid pressure. The valve assembly may be made suitable for internal blowout preventers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hydril Company LP
    Inventors: John R. Leblanc, Jimmy Fultz, Ryan Gustafson
  • Patent number: 7350766
    Abstract: A knife gate valve comprising a two-piece valve body, a knife gate, an elastomeric transverse seal, an elastomeric perimeter seal, and a pair of elastomer liners. Each elastomer liner is positioned between the knife gate and one of the mating valve body halves and defines a chamber for receiving the perimeter seal. Each liner has a port that corresponds to the flow channel, a sealing portion that extends into a sealing chamber to cooperate with the transverse seal, and an orifice liner extension that lines the orifice of the corresponding valve body half. O-rings, preferably of a softer material than the elastomer liner, may be positioned on the outer rim of the orifice liner extensions for creating a seal among the elastomer liner, the corresponding valve body half, and a corresponding mating flange of a fluid handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: John Paul Comstock, Jody W. Powell
  • Patent number: 7337799
    Abstract: A vehicle (1) equipped with a tank (2) for storage of a fluid under pressure on the vehicle, the tank being connected to at least one vent channel (3 and 33), the vent channel leading to a discharge orifice (34), the vent channel being connected to the tank by means of at least one safety valve, wherein in that the safety valve is a thermal release valve (5), normally closed and capable of opening spontaneously under the effect of a rise in temperature, the safety valve being installed in a predefined zone of the vehicle and the discharge orifice being remote from the predefined zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignees: Conception Et Developpement Michelin S.A., Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventors: Antonio Delfino, Daniel Laurent, Philippe Macherel
  • Patent number: 7334606
    Abstract: A valve tester assembly is disclosed that includes an articulated arm assembly having a first end and a second end, with the second end of the articulated arm assembly being movable away from and toward the first end such that when the first end of the articulated arm assembly is connected to a vehicle, the second end of the articulated arm assembly is movable away from and toward the vehicle. The assembly includes a rotation mechanism that is mounted on the articulated arm assembly toward the second end of the articulated arm for rotating a shaft for exercising a valve. The assembly further includes a moving mechanism that is mountable on a vehicle for moving the first end of the articulated arm assembly away from and towards the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Lyndon J. Hurley
  • Patent number: 7316243
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a fluid storage vessel that feeds a first pipe work loop having a first pump that urges fluid through the first loop at a first pressure and which returns to the vessel. At least one pipe work branch is fed from the storage vessel or the first pipe work loop. The pipe work branch includes a second pump that urges fluid through the pipe work branch at a second pressure. The fluid having flowed through a return manifold is returned to the vessel when the offtakes are closed. Opening of one or more offtakes opens the system to atmospheric pressure and causes the direction of fluid flow to reverse in one or more hoses that connect the one or more opened offtakes with the return manifold. The one or more opened offtakes is supplied with fluid from both the branch manifold and return manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honeyman Group Limited
    Inventors: Trevor Honeymann, Kenneth Robinson
  • Patent number: 7308907
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an induction flush device connecting water supply and a toilet bowl. The induction flush device includes a tank, a fixing board, a flush valve set and a panel. The panel is mounted on a side of the tank. The flush valve set is mounted on the fixing board. The tank forms a first guiding element thereon, and the fixing board forms a second guiding element thereon for cooperating with the first guiding element, thereby the fixing board is movable relative to the tank. The flush valve set includes an anti-reverse valve, an electromagnetic valve, a flexible inlet pipe for connecting with the water supply, and a flexible outlet pipe for draining water to toilet bowl. The flush valve set is movable relative the tank with the fixing board for repairing or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Crystal Ouyoung
  • Patent number: 7308906
    Abstract: A method and system for the distribution of water in a high rise building is provided using a minimum number of piping risers. The system has a domestic cold water riser, and a domestic hot water supply riser and a return riser. At each serviced floor, a cold water supply main extends from the domestic cold water riser and a hot water supply main extends from the domestic hot water supply riser. On each floor at which riser pressure is higher than domestic use pressures, a valve reduces the pressure of the entire cold water supply main to domestic use pressures. One or more valves at each of one or more suites on the floor reduce the pressure of the hot water to each suite, leaving the hot water supply main for the floor at full riser pressure. Coupling fan-coils with chilled water supply and the full pressure domestic hot water provides an efficient piping system for both environmental controls and domestic hot water use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Ross Sinclaire
  • Patent number: 7309056
    Abstract: Integrated micro-valve is formed to control fluid flow and pressure. The valve converts supplied energy to mechanical energy through a means for energy conversion resident above a flexible wall or membrane. In one embodiment a sealed cavity contains a fluid that expands and contracts as it is heated or cooled, thus causing the flexible wall to move. Movement of this wall or membrane is used to move a valve element and dynamically control the opening or closing of a valve port over a predetermined range. Additional means for stiffening are added to the membrane to improve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James M. Harris, Michael Selser, Bradford A. Cozad, Albert K. Henning
  • Patent number: 7290560
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to assemble and disassemble a valve cover locking screw assembly for a reciprocating pump module block. The module block has a bore, a removable valve cover closing the bore, and a valve cover locking ring securable to the block and surrounding the bore with internal threads. A valve cover locking screw has cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom. A plurality of threaded bolts engage a plurality of threaded openings through the cylindrical walls of the locking screw so that the bolts force the valve cover against the module block thereby creating a fluid tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Orr, Eric Thomas Greager, Ernest J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7287545
    Abstract: A check valve adapted for mounting between any flanges and specifically between sanitary flanges in a piping system, the check valve comprising a stationary portion and a flexible portion; the single-piece rigid stationary portion including and supporting a valve seat; the single-piece molded elastomeric flexible portion including a flange gasket, a valve plug, flexible retaining arms for guiding and securing the valve plug movement with respect to the valve seat, and a visual means to indicate that the check valve is installed, permits flow in the desired direction, and is drainable; the check valve being fully cleanable and sterilizable in situ by flow-through methods and having at least one embodiment that is fully drainable when mounted in any orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Larry Saul Zelson