Patents Examined by Craig J. Price
  • Patent number: 11713821
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid control device (7, 30) that comprises a fluid transfer chamber (17) and a first fluid conduit (13), a second fluid conduit (11) and a third fluid conduit (14) which are fluidly connected to the fluid transfer chamber (17). A control spool (15) is arranged movably inside the fluid transfer chamber (17) in a way that the first fluid conduit (13) and the third fluid conduit (14) can be selectively fluidly connected to the second fluid conduit (11) through said fluid transfer chamber (17). The control surfaces (19, 20) of the control spool (15) are arranged in the vicinity of the first fluid conduit (13) the third fluid conduit (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions a.s,. Povazska, Slovakia
    Inventor: Stanislav Smolka
  • Patent number: 11708913
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing having a housing cavity and at least two housing openings. A valve body is rotatably provided in the housing cavity and includes a valve body top portion, a valve body bottom portion and a valve body sidewall. The valve body sidewall has an upper valve body sidewall and a lower valve body sidewall which are connected to each other. An outer surface of the upper valve body sidewall is a partial cylindrical surface, and an outer surface of the lower valve body sidewall is shaped to have a gradually decreasing diameter in a direction from top to bottom. A seal is provided on the valve body sidewall and the seal is configured to match with the housing to enable the valve body sidewall to close at least one of the housing openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Yue Ma, Ziteng Zheng, Michael Henker
  • Patent number: 11701465
    Abstract: A sensor system for a volumetric pump operating according to the linear peristalsis principle includes at least one sensor unit; at least one sensor transmitter unit; and a sensor output signal processing unit. The sensor transmitter unit is arranged to apply a detection variable varying as a function of a travel position to the sensor unit along a predetermined travel along which a fixedly arranged sensor unit and a movably arranged sensor transmitter unit or a movably arranged sensor unit and a fixedly arranged sensor transmitter unit are moving relative to each other. The sensor unit is configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a travel position on the basis of the varying detection variable. The sensor output signal processing unit is arranged to receive the detection signal output by the sensor unit and discriminate at least three travel positions on the basis of the received detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventor: Christoph Erlen
  • Patent number: 11698147
    Abstract: A valve packing having independently loaded packing rings is disclosed. A packing assembly for a fluid valve includes a first packing ring, a first follower to be disposed at least partially within a bore of a bonnet of the fluid valve to apply a first load to the first packing ring, a second packing ring sized to fit within a bore of the first follower, and a second follower to be disposed at least partially within the bore of the first follower to apply a second load to the second packing ring within the bore of the first follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Brett Allen Hofman
  • Patent number: 11686406
    Abstract: Example aspects of a method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly and a method of manufacturing a bonnet and stuffing box assembly are disclosed. The method of using a bonnet and stuffing box assembly can comprise providing a stuffing box, a bonnet, a bushing assembly, and a stem, the stuffing box and the bonnet defining an assembly bore, the bushing assembly received in the assembly bore, the bushing assembly defining a bushing bore, and the stem received through the bushing bore; sealing the stem relative to the bushing assembly to prohibit fluid flow through the bushing bore; sealing the bushing assembly relative to the bonnet to prohibit fluid flow through the assembly bore; and turning the stem relative to the bushing assembly, bonnet, and stuffing box to actuate a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Thomas Sutterfield, Ian Matthew Gilliam
  • Patent number: 11679666
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting pinching or twisting of a discharge pipe connecting a fuel tank and an absorbent filter of an evaporation system of a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps, with the valve being initially in its closed position, of moving the valve by the gases circulating in the absorbent filter, of measuring, in the absence of control of the solenoid, the voltage generated at the terminals of the solenoid by the movement of the valve, and of detecting pinching or twisting of the discharge pipe when the voltage measured is between a first predetermined threshold and a second predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Thierry Collet
  • Patent number: 11674614
    Abstract: A fluid transfer device can include a first attachment portion configured to engage a first port of a source container and a second attachment portion configured to engage a second port of an intermediate container. The first attachment portion can include a first projection defining a first fluid passage and the second attachment portion can include a second projection defining a second fluid passage. The fluid transfer device can further include a selector portion for selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from a first configuration in which a flow path between the first and second fluid passages is closed to a second configuration in which the flow path between the first and second fluid passages is open. The fluid transfer device can further include a limiter configured to inhibit the selector portion from selectively transitioning the fluid transfer device from the first configuration to the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Fangrow, Amanda Punim, David Nelson, Erik Scott Shauver, Christopher James Hughes
  • Patent number: 11662032
    Abstract: A rotary valve, comprising a valve housing with a valve chamber, wherein the valve chamber has a chamber wall in which at least two fluid openings are provided, wherein the valve chamber has a receiving opening on the end face side, wherein the valve chamber accommodates a valve core, wherein the valve core is provided with a channel structure which interacts with the fluid openings, wherein the valve core is supported in the valve chamber in a rotationally movable manner, wherein the valve chamber is formed in a conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: TI AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Albert Boecker, Matthias Winter, Thorsten Schaefer, Florian Deibel, Matthias B. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 11643214
    Abstract: A cold regulating valve for a heat exchanger system of an aircraft propulsion system, where the cold regulating valve includes an open frame which delimits an opening, two shutters with an external convex shape slidably mounted on the open frame between a closed position and an open position, a mechanism linked to the shutters and mobile between a first position and a second position, and wherein the mechanism moves the shutters from the closed position to the open position when it moves from the first position to the second position and vice versa, and an actuator acting on the mechanism to move it from the first position to the second position and vice versa. The specific embodiment of the cold regulating valve generates a low drag when the shutters are in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Michael Berjot, Julien Cayssials, Adeline Soulie
  • Patent number: 11619311
    Abstract: An example valve includes a housing, a sleeve disposed within the housing and having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and the sleeve includes a plurality of sleeve protrusions at the first end and a plurality of fluid flow channels are formed between adjacent sleeve protrusions, a seal carrier disposed within the sleeve and having a carrier protrusion that extends from the second end of the sleeve and abuts against an interior surface of the housing, and an end cap mounted to the housing such that the plurality of sleeve protrusions abut against the end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gade Prathibha
  • Patent number: 11614755
    Abstract: A vent valve includes an outer frame, a ventilation box movable in the outer frame, a sealing cover, a buoyant box and elongate sliding members. The ventilation box has an interior space. The sealing cover has a cover opening, and closes/opens a surrounding space defined by the ventilation box and the outer frame. The buoyant box is disposed within the interior space. When the buoyant box abuts the sealing cover and closes the cover opening, the cover opening is disconnected from the interior space. When the buoyant box moves away from the sealing cover, the interior space communicates the cover opening. The sliding members slidingly contact the outer frame and ventilation box to guide sliding movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: JING KAI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Pin Pan, Shu-Wen Yen
  • Patent number: 11598429
    Abstract: An eclipse valve includes at least two reciprocating obturator plates captured in a sealed housing. The obturator plates fill the width of a cavity within the housing and can be moved between aligned and unaligned positions. Each of the obturator plates have an opening through the plate, and when the obturator plates are aligned, the openings through the plates are aligned with each other, and with front and rear openings in the housing, allowing flow through the valve. The plates can be moved to reduce the overlap of the openings through the plates within the housing in an eclipse manner to adjust the rate or amount of flow, and to shut off flow by completely un-aligning the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: Chad Heffernan
  • Patent number: 11590333
    Abstract: A tubular coupling comprising a first connector comprising a body defining a first passageway portion and a valve area, the valve area comprising a first volume adjacent to an end of the first passageway portion; and a second volume in fluid communication with the first volume; and a first valve disposed in the first volume of the valve area; and a second connector adapted to receive at least a portion of the first connector, the second connector comprising: a body defining a second passageway portion and a valve area, the valve area comprising: a first volume adjacent to an end of the second passageway portion; and a second volume in fluid communication with the first volume; and a second valve disposed in the first volume of the valve area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jianfeng Zhang, Xipeng Liu, Jian L. Ding
  • Patent number: 11592115
    Abstract: A fluid valve comprises a valve housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and having a valve axis. At least one of the inlet and outlet is arranged in a wall extending circumferentially about the valve axis. The valve further comprises a rotary valve body arranged within the valve housing for rotation about the valve axis. The rotary valve body comprises a frusto-conical valve body wall and at least one inlet or outlet valve body opening through the valve body wall, the valve body being rotatable about the valve axis so as selectively to place the valve housing inlet and valve housing outlet into fluid communication via the at least one valve body opening. The at least one inlet or outlet valve body opening is a slot which extends in the direction of the valve axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr Kostański, Tomasz Wilk
  • Patent number: 11585076
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for valve cartridge extraction from a valve assembly, wherein the assembly includes a valve member body, a cartridge, and a valve cartridge extraction (VCE) tool comprising at least one pin disposed on the upper surface of the VCE tool. During cartridge removal, the VCE tool is uncoupled from the valve member body and is coupled to the cartridge with the at least one pin. The cartridge is rotated with the coupled VCE tool to assist in cartridge removal. The valve assembly may also include a hood covering the VCE tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventors: Peter P. Bouchard, Jason Doughty
  • Patent number: 11584221
    Abstract: A vent shut-off assembly configured to manage venting on a fuel tank includes a main housing, a poppet valve and an actuator. The main housing is positioned outside of the fuel tank and selectively vents to a canister. The poppet valve is disposed in the main housing and includes a plunger that provides over pressure relief (OPR) and over vacuum relief (OVR) functions. The actuator assembly can be housed in the main housing and includes a cam assembly having a cam shaft that includes a cam having a profile that one of opens and closes the poppet valve. When the poppet valve is in the closed position, vapor is precluded from passing between the fuel tank and the canister. When the poppet vale is in the open position, vapor is permitted from passing between the fuel tank and the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Vaughn K. Mills
  • Patent number: 11585451
    Abstract: A rotary disc valve is used to control fluid flow within a fluid delivery system. The valve may include a valve body having multiple ports that are connected to the system. In addition, the valve may include a diverter and seal assembly that are disposed in the valve body. The seal assembly includes first and second seal subassemblies. The first subassembly has first through openings that are axially aligned with the diverter through openings. The second subassembly is axially stacked with the first subassembly and includes second through openings that are axially aligned with valve body subchambers associated with the ports. A first static seal is disposed between the diverter and the first subassembly, a second static seal is disposed between the valve body and the second subassembly, and a dynamic seal is disposed between the first subassembly and the second subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Chapman
  • Patent number: 11572957
    Abstract: A rotary disc valve is used in a fluid delivery system to control flow of fluid between multiple ports. The valve may include a valve body having multiple ports that are connected to the system. In addition, the valve may include a diverter and seal assembly that are disposed in the valve body. The diverter is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and to control fluid flow through the valve body in such a way that fluid enters the diverter in a first direction that is parallel to the rotational axis, fluid exits the diverter in a second direction that is parallel to the rotational axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction, and between entering and exiting, fluid flows over a portion of the diverter outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Chapman
  • Patent number: 11572960
    Abstract: A pressure valve including a body including at least one admission opening and at least one discharge opening, a slide valve sliding in the body, the slide valve defining a chamber, with the body, and including a head arranged facing a seat of the admission opening, a spring pressing the head of the slide valve against the seat, a lip for applying the head to the seat. The head includes at least one hole bringing the chamber into communication with the discharge opening, each hole being arranged facing the seat and downstream from the lip in relation to the admission opening in order to reduce the pressure in the chamber by a Venturi effect when the slide valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Lancelot Guillou, Stéphane Louis Lucien Auberger
  • Patent number: 11572955
    Abstract: A gas switching device incudes a valve body, a switching assembly, and a manipulating member. The valve body has an inlet portion having an inlet passage and an outlet portion having an outlet port and a receiving chamber. A wall of the receiving chamber has a side opening communicating with the inlet passage. The switching assembly includes a plug member located in the receiving chamber. The manipulating member is detachably connected to the outlet port via the connecting end connected to the plug member, and a gas passage of the connecting end communicates with an axial hole of the plug member. The manipulating member drives the plug member to turn between a first position that an outer peripheral surface of the plug member closes the side opening and a second position that the through hole communicates with the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Yen-Jen Yeh