Patents Examined by Craig J. Price
  • Patent number: 11079052
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body. The coupling system includes a male coupling device, the male coupling device including a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway; a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11073224
    Abstract: A valve assembly may be used with a container for holding a fluid including a liquid and a gas. The valve assembly may have a chamber, inlet, and outlet. The chamber may provide an exhaust route for fluid from the container to the outlet. A check valve including a sealing member with a through hole may move between an open and closed position. In the open position, check valve may provide a main flow route for fluid leaving the internal chamber. The through hole may provide a limited return flow route for gas returning to the internal chamber when the check valve is closed. The valve assembly may include a breather check valve movable between a closed and open position in which it provides fluid communication between the exhaust route and externally of the housing. A filter may communicate with the breather check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: John James Fulford
  • Patent number: 11072236
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes an inlet pipe, a first end of the inlet pipe configured to be connected to an oil supply port and a second end of the inlet pipe configured to be connected to a fuel tank and an air flow path, an upstream side end of the air flow path configured to be open to the outside and a downstream side end of the air flow path configured to be connected to the fuel tank. The air flow path includes a negative pressure valve configured to move a valve body to open a valve port when the pressure in the fuel tank becomes a negative pressure and an air filter disposed upstream of the negative pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takanori Sakai, Shinji Shimokawa, Toshikazu Ito, Kazuhiro Tashiro
  • Patent number: 11067188
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure control valve including an electromagnetic actuator configured to position a piston that is received axially movable in a receiving opening of a valve housing of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston facilitates opening and closing flow connections of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston receives a pin at a piston face that is oriented away from the electromagnetic actuator, wherein a relative movement is enabled between the pin and the piston, wherein the pin includes a pin face that is arranged in the valve housing and oriented away from the piston and arranged opposite to a stop, and wherein the pin is fixed at the stop so that a movement of the pin in a direction towards the stop is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: ECO Holding 1 GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Braun, Viktor Unruh, Eike Winzer
  • Patent number: 11067210
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11060650
    Abstract: A coupling system includes a female coupling device, the female coupling device including a first main body with a first front face, the first front face defining a first opening leading into a first fluid passageway; a stem having a stem head positioned within a sleeve; a first spring positioned about the stem that biases the sleeve into a closed position; a first seal that seals between the main body and the sleeve; a second seal that seals between the sleeve and the stem head; and a third seal that is positioned at the opening of the main body. The coupling system includes a male coupling device, the male coupling device including a second main body with a second front face, the second front face defining a second opening leading into a second fluid passageway; a valve member and a second spring positioned within the second fluid passageway; and a major seal that seals between the second main body and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventor: David J. Vranish
  • Patent number: 11060631
    Abstract: A servovalve includes: a fluid transfer valve assembly comprising a supply port and a control port; a moveable valve spool arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port to the control port in response to a control signal; and a jet pipe assembly configured to axially move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow. The spool includes a tubular body defining a path for fluid flow, the tubular body closed at each end by a respective end cap having openings via which, in use, fluid enters the interior of the spool. The end caps extend within the tubular body at least to an extent that they overlap the openings, and wherein the end caps are provided with filter means for filtering the fluid from the openings as it enters the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcin Cis, Sebastian Zuraw
  • Patent number: 11061418
    Abstract: An overfill prevention valve that is testable to ensure proper functionality of the valve. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is an overfill prevention valve system including an overfill prevention valve having a blocking component. The blocking component is movable between a closed position, wherein the blocking component generally blocks fluid from flowing through the valve, and an open position, wherein the blocking component generally allows fluid to flow through the valve. The valve further including a float operatively coupled to the blocking component. The system additionally has an actuator that is operable to directly or indirectly move the blocking component to at least one of its open or closed positions to thereby enable testing of the overfill prevention valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: OPW FUELING COMPONENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeromy E. Higgins, Charles J. Liebal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11054053
    Abstract: A valve has a valve housing with a lid, bottom, and an intermediate housing portion between the lid bottom. The valve housing encloses a valve chamber, a flow chamber, and an actuation chamber, with at least one valve opening leading from the flow chamber to the actuation chamber. Inside the actuation chamber at least one axially movable actuator movable between a closing position to close the valve opening and an opening position to release the valve opening, one wire- or band-shaped SMA element made of a shape memory alloy to activate the actuator in the opening direction, one return element to move the actuator in closing direction, and one printed circuit board. The SMA element is attached to the actuator at a middle section and is electrically connected at its ends to the printed circuit board to be supplied with an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Alfmeier Präzision SE
    Inventors: Matthias Mitzler, Erich Dörfler, Klaus Beetz, Wolfgang Beyerlein
  • Patent number: 11052237
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a connector for medical devices. The connector may have two interfaces facing different planes. The two interfaces may provide access to the connector's core and hub. The hub may be free to rotate relative to the core to increase accessibility and/or angle attachment while maintaining a fluid pathway between the core and the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: DFine, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Purdy, Dan Balbierz, Nate Shirley, Gregory R. McArthur
  • Patent number: 11047502
    Abstract: A programmable, electronically controlled sprinkler system has a hermetically sealed internal chamber which encloses all of the internal water flow, valves, mechanical and rotational components and a plurality of magnetic coupling arrangements which allow external motors to control operation of the internal mechanical components without requiring any hydraulic seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: John S. Heaney
  • Patent number: 11047497
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve including an air chamber with an air connection, and an actuator with a movable shut-off element and with an SMA element composed of a shape memory alloy. The SMA element is mechanically coupled to the movable shut-off element, wherein, for the activation of the actuator, electrical heating power is fed to the SMA element, after which the SMA element deforms and brings about a predefined movement of the shut-off element for opening or closing the air connection. The actuator includes a detection unit to detect the arrival at and departure from an end position of the shut-off element when the actuator is activated. The actuator includes a control device which is configured such that, when the actuator is activated, the control device detects the current cycle time between a departure from and the next arrival at the end position by the shut-off element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer
  • Patent number: 11027224
    Abstract: A device for collecting air into an air collecting pipe through a hole having a certain size includes a diaphragm check valve having elasticity. The diaphragm check valve is opened due to a change in the pressure in the vicinity of an air layer during generation of air when gas accumulation occurs in a safety related system pipe of a power plant or in a general pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Chan Lee, Duk Joo Yoon, Sang Jun Ha
  • Patent number: 11014445
    Abstract: A pressurized liquid fuel tank system arranged to contain a first mass of liquid fuel such as Dimethyl-Ether (DME) is provided. The system includes a first tank having a first volume, a second tank having a second volume, a first conduit between a top of the first tank and a top of the second tank, and a second conduit between the first tank and a bottom of the second tank, wherein a sum of the first volume and the second volume is designed to equal a sum of a first mass volume of the first mass of liquid fuel plus an expansion volume equal to at least 5% of the first mass volume. A vehicle with such a fuel tank system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventor: Dale Hoover
  • Patent number: 11015719
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve manifold includes a manifold base including passages, a pilot electromagnetic valve including a valve body mounted on a mounting surface of the manifold base, a gasket arranged between the mounting surface and the valve body, and a check valve. The valve body includes an electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The manifold base includes a base-side pilot fluid discharge passage that opens in the mounting surface and communicates with the electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The check valve is configured to prevent fluid from flowing from the base-side pilot fluid discharge passage to the electromagnetic valve-side pilot fluid discharge passage. The check valve is integrated with the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikuo Ogino, Kiyotoki Natsume
  • Patent number: 11009149
    Abstract: Example aspects of a bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, a bonnet and stuffing box assembly, and a method for using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The bushing assembly for a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise a stuffing box bushing, the stuffing box bushing defining an outer stuffing box bushing surface and a stuffing box bushing bore wall; and a bonnet bushing, the bonnet bushing defining an outer bonnet bushing surface and a bonnet bushing bore wall, the bonnet bushing bore wall and the stuffing box bushing bore wall together defining a bushing bore configured to receive a stem therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Matthew Gilliam, Matthew Thomas Sutterfield
  • Patent number: 11009137
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type control valve having a diaphragm and a valve body is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. The diaphragm element and a port in the body together form an intermediate chamber that eliminates the need for a check-valve downstream of the valve. In one preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member defining a groove in communication with the port. A diaphragm member having upper and lower surfaces is disposed within the chamber. The lower surface preferably includes a pair of spaced apart elongated members defining a channel therebetween. The diaphragm member engages the seat member placing the channel in communication with the groove to define an air seat in communication with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Yoram Ringer, Roger Wilkins, Boris Frenkel
  • Patent number: 11009165
    Abstract: A fluid coupling element includes a body having a rear chamber and an intermediate chamber, a main valve movable to close a main passage between the rear and intermediate chambers, a forward valve movable to close a front orifice of the inner pipe under the action of a first spring, and a safety valve movable to close a secondary passage through the main valve between the rear and intermediate chambers. During coupling with a complementary coupling element, the forward valve moves a plunger that opens the safety valve before the main valve is opened. The coupling element includes a second spring, pushing the plunger back toward a forward position in which the main valve and the safety valve are closed, and the plunger abuts against the main valve or against the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: STAUBLI FAVERGES
    Inventors: Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Christophe Durieux, Romain Mayer
  • Patent number: 11001138
    Abstract: It is disclosed a FLVV including: an upper cover provided in the fuel tank, and having an outlet duct; a casing coupled to the upper cover; the float, which is elastically provided inside the casing so as to be movable upward and downward, has a first valve seat provided on the upper surface of one side thereof so as to open and close a first outlet port by principle of a lever, and has a recessed surface formed at one side of the upper surface thereof; the plate elastically provided by a second spring at the recessed surface formed at the float, so as to open and close a second outlet port while moving upward and downward; and a lower cover closing the lower part of the casing and having the float elastically provided by a first spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NIFCO KOREA INC.
    Inventor: Jeong Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 11002368
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve chamber and a plurality of ports into the valve chamber. The plurality of ports include a first port, a second port, and a third port. The first port and the second port are aligned with a common axis and located on opposite sides of the valve chamber. The system further includes a valve member located within the valve chamber. The valve member is a rotatable ball having a fluid passage that extends through the ball and includes an opening at the end of the ball. The fluid passage is substantially oval-shaped when viewed at the opening in a direction parallel to the fluid passage. The valve assembly further includes a valve stem that is coupled to a valve member and has a first end that extends from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bernard P. Clement, Brian D. Klarkowski, Duane S. Freimuth, Kevin A. Weiss, Russell T. Jenks, Kyle M. Bero, Nicholas P. Prato, Gary A. Romanowich