Patents Examined by Craig J. Price
  • Piezoelectric driven valve, pressure-type flow rate control device, and vaporization supply device
    Patent number: 11346457
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element-driven valve 1 including a main body, a valve element, piezoelectric actuators, a plurality of cylindrical actuator boxes arranged in series, a cylindrical outer connecting jig detachably connecting the adjacent actuator boxes and having an opening for drawing out wiring, a plurality of piezoelectric actuators accommodated in the actuator box respectively in the same direction, and a cylindrical inner connecting jig slidably accommodated in the outer connecting jig and having an opening for positioning the adjacent piezoelectric actuators and drawing out wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryousuke Dohi, Kaoru Hirata, Katsuyuki Sugita, Koji Kawada, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Inflation system for tubeless tires
    Patent number: 11338632
    Abstract: An inflation system for tubeless bicycle tires may include a valve, a sealant canister, a pump head, and/or a valve core adapter. The valve, sealant canister, and pump head may collectively facilitate sealant injection into a tire by a user. The valve has an external valve seat, and includes a valve body, a valve stem extending through the length of the valve body, and a retaining mechanism for the valve stem disposed interior to the valve body. The valve stem is configured to move relative to the valve body, such that a resilient seating surface disposed at a proximal end of the valve stem is displaced relative to a valve seat formed by an exterior surface of a proximal end of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Santa Cruz Bicycles, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Robert Courtney, James Mathew Amaral
  • Hydraulic valve system with a valve housing and method for manufacturing a valve housing
    Patent number: 11339888
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve system has a valve housing, which has a first connection side and a second connection side. The valve housing has a through-hole for accommodating at least one piston. The valve housing has a third connection side with at least three hydraulic connections which are each connected to the through-hole via a line. The hydraulic valve system has a connection block with at least three hydraulic through-lines each extending from a first connection opening arranged on a housing side of the connection block to at least one second connection opening arranged on a hole pattern side opposite the housing side. Each of the at least three first connection openings is connected in a fluid-tight manner to one of the at least three hydraulic connections, and the second connection openings are arranged in a pre-defined hole pattern. A method for manufacturing a valve housing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HAWE Hydraulik SE
    Inventor: Georg Aneder
  • Inflation valve for tire rim with limitation of elastic deformation
    Patent number: 11338631
    Abstract: A valve with elastic deformation and having a tubular core adapted to form an internal air passage from an external longitudinal end of the valve to an internal longitudinal end, the tubular core being at least partially surrounded by a sleeve of elastically deformable material and having a bulb shape widening in proximity to the internal longitudinal end of the valve and ending in an internal longitudinal bulb end. A cup made of rigid material includes a first portion facing an internal longitudinal bulb end face and at least one second portion curved away from the internal longitudinal end of the valve, the cup serving as a way of limiting deformation of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Jérémy Mieyan, Gilles Capdepon, Pascal Petitjean
  • Valve assembly
    Patent number: 11333255
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body. The valve body includes a valve seat. The valve seat defines a bore therethrough. The valve body also includes a pair of end members connected to the valve body at opposing sides of the valve body. Each of the pair of end members includes a trunnion. The valve assembly further includes a valve shaft received in the trunnion of each of the pair of end members. The valve assembly includes a valve plate connected to the valve shaft. The valve plate is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The valve plate is adjacent to the valve seat when the valve assembly is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Olaf Enke, Brian A. Kunkel
  • Return gas prevention device for drainage pipe
    Patent number: 11326334
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a return gas prevention device for a drainage pipe, belonging to the technical field of drainage pipes. The device realizes two functions of water seal and a check valve simultaneously, as well as prevents gas channeling in a drainage process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG OCEAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yulian Zhang, Chen Zhang, Hai Zhang, Qin Wang
  • Pinching device
    Patent number: 11320054
    Abstract: The invention describes a pinching device for controlling flows in elastic tube lines. The pinching device comprises two wheels, wherein the first wheel is designed as an eccentric wheel and is fastened eccentrically on a drive shaft and the second wheel is fixed in a predefined position relative to the eccentric wheel, wherein the position of the second wheel can be adjusted. The eccentric wheel can be rotated via the drive shaft about the eccentric axis of the eccentric wheel in the direction of the second wheel in order to pinch a tube positioned between the two wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: DrM, Dr. Müller AG
    Inventors: Patrick Müller, Kevin Wetter
  • Valve mechanical linkage system
    Patent number: 11313480
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve mechanical linkage system. A valve comprises a main valve and a secondary valve; the system comprises a first transmission mechanism and a second transmission mechanism; the first transmission mechanism is connected with the main valve and used for converting the up-and-down reciprocating motion of the main valve into a rotational reciprocating motion; the first transmission mechanism and the second transmission mechanism are connected by means of a coupling (4), and the rotational force of the rotational reciprocating motion is transferred to the second transmission mechanism by means of the coupling (4); the second transmission mechanism is connected with the secondary valve, and achieves on-off control on the secondary valve by converting the rotational reciprocating motion into the up-and-down reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Beijing Aerospace Propulsion Institute, Beijing Aerospace Petrochemical Technology & Equipment Engineering Corporation Limited
    Inventors: Fan Yang, Qingzhao Yang, Yingren Ding, Jingbo Han, Jin Guo, Xiang Su, Jinxian Liu, Huan Yang, Qiang Li, Yusheng Guo
  • Pumping device
    Patent number: 11313108
    Abstract: A pumping device has a container, an inlet pipe, a float barrel, and a discharging pipe. The container has a box containing water and a first gas, and a pressure gauge and a check valve mounted to the box. The inlet pipe connects to a water supply and has a second section erectly disposed within the box and communicating with an inside of the box. The float barrel is disposed within the box, contains a second gas, and has an opening. The second section is mounted through the opening. The discharging pipe has two opposite ends respectively communicating with a water reservoir and the inside of the box. The first gas has a pressure larger than 1 atm. The second gas has a pressure less than 1 atm. Water enters the float barrel. A water level inside the float barrel is higher than a water level inside the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Chung-Min Chen
  • Electromagnetic regulating valve with check function
    Patent number: 11313486
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an electromagnetic regulating valve with a check function. The valve may effectively regulate the flow in a valve body. Due to different lengths and taper angles of a valve flap group, the flow can be regulated more finely, and a medium can be prevented from backflow by a check function when necessary. Meanwhile, a mesh structure of bases of valve flaps can effectively reduce the instability of flow field motion so as to achieve an effect of rectifying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
    Inventors: Zhe Lin, Zeyong Wu, Desheng Chen, Guang Zhang, Zuchao Zhu
  • Fluid control valve
    Patent number: 11306686
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a housing body, a valve member, and a cap. The housing body includes a pipe part and a valve housing part. The valve housing part includes a valve opening, a pair of flat surfaces and an open end. In addition, the valve housing part houses the valve member configured to open and close the valve opening. The valve housing part has a central axis oriented perpendicular to a central axis of the pipe part. The cap closes the open end of the valve housing part. The flat surfaces are formed on opposite sides of a plane including the central axis of the valve housing part and the central axis of the pipe part. Each of the flat surfaces extend perpendicularly to the central axis of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Makino, Yasuhiro Tsuzuki
  • Dual port remote plasma clean isolation valve
    Patent number: 11306824
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an isolation device for use in processing systems. The isolation device has a body with an inlet opening disposed at a first end coupled to a processing system component such as a remote plasma source and outlet openings, for example two, disposed at a second end which are coupled to a processing system component such as a process chamber. Flaps disposed within the body are actuatable to an open position from a closed position or to a closed position from an open position, to selectively allow or prevent passage of a fluid from the processing system component coupled to the isolation device to the other processing system component coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Riordon, Charles T. Carlson, Aaron Webb, Gary Wyka
  • Connection system for push joint valve and fittings
    Patent number: 11306856
    Abstract: A push joint adapter is connectable to one or more push joint pipe fittings in a pipeline. The push joint adapter includes an insertion section insertable into a socket of a push joint pipe fitting in an interference fit, a pipeline section connectable with the pipeline, and a collar disposed between the insertion section and the pipeline section. A restraint ring assembly cooperable with the push joint pipe fitting includes a restraint ring secured to the pipeline section and engaging the collar and a restraint rod connected to the restraint ring. The push joint adapter facilitates connecting push joint gasketed bell gate valves and fittings in a pipeline such as a polyethylene pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: THE HARRINGTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean Brian Routon, John Preston Riordan, John Emmett Riordan, III
  • Self-cleaning water passageways on diaphragm insert
    Patent number: 11300223
    Abstract: A valve is disclosed a valving member positioned in an internal valving cavity and operable to control a flow of water therethrough. The valving member includes a diaphragm and an insert. A passageway through the diaphragm communicates with a bleed slot, preferably a tapered bleed slot, and a scallop of the insert. The scallop cooperates with the diaphragm to form a bleed holes when the valving member is in a closed position. The diaphragm and the insert at least partially separate when the valving member is opened to expose the bleed slot and scallop. The diaphragm rolls up to contact the insert when the valving member is closed to create a wiping action to flush any trapped debris from the bleed slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: James E. Pearson, Paul Charles Berkley, Shane Duncan Bartow, Kenneth A. Bergbauer
  • Sewage backflow preventing valve
    Patent number: 11299873
    Abstract: A sewage backflow prevention device is installed in a gravity flow waste pipe, particularly for a residence or residences. The device includes a cylindrical body with a closed top, outflow holes in the sides, and an open bottom to be secured to the upper end of a Tee in the gravity flow sewage pipe, between the residence and the sewer. Within the cylindrical body is a hollow, floatable disk or float ball that normally closes the bottom of the backflow device preventing escape of gases. When a downstream blockage occurs, liquid rises into the device, floats the closure disk or ball upward and flows outwardly through the openings. At valve closure position the valve closure disc or ball is mostly below the outflow holes such that rats or other rodents cannot push under and lift the ball or disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Benjamin Dillingham
  • Pilot close vent valve
    Patent number: 11293462
    Abstract: A valve for use in a hydraulic circuit to drive a piston is fluidly connected to a first actuating chamber of the hydraulic piston. The valve is piloted to close when the first chamber is pressurized. The valve vents the fluid in the first actuating chamber when the first chamber is not pressurized. The valve permits several fluid supplies connected to the chamber via check valves to be used to drive the piston. The hydraulic piston and hydraulic circuit may be implemented in a blowout preventer operating in a subsea environment to ensure safe drilling of deepwater wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Travis James Miller, Frank Benjamin Springett, James William Weir, James Landrith
  • Control valve
    Patent number: 11293563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control valve for adjusting a process fluid flow of a process plant, comprising a valve housing with a valve seat and a valve member connected to a valve rod, which cooperates with the valve seat for opening and closing the control valve, wherein the valve rod is electrically connected to the valve housing through a contact device. The invention is characterized in that a measuring device for the ohmic transition resistance measurement of the contact device is provided, and that the measuring device is arranged in a measuring line that connects the valve housing to the valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSON AG
    Inventors: Uwe Kirbs, Domagoj Vnucec
  • Normally closed valve having a closure delay system and a method thereof
    Patent number: 11280420
    Abstract: A normally closed valve according to the invention comprises a closure delay system utilizing the effect of vacuum on a flexible suction cup to generate a force that keeps the valve open when in an open orientation for a preset time period. The valve further comprises a closure delay mechanism including an actuator shaft and a suction cup disposed in a cavity, being configured for downward reciprocating movement, wherein the suction cup engages the cavity top wall when the valve is in closed orientation thereby closing the valve, and adhering to a suction surface of the cavity when the actuator shaft moves under pressure for switching the valve from closed to open orientation thereby opening the valve. The suction cup automatically disengages the suction surface a preset time period after pressure ceases to be applied to the actuator shaft and reengages the cavity top wall thereby closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: COMETFLO LTD.
    Inventors: Yoseph Feldman, Emanuel Mendes
  • Float and hinge for a valve
    Patent number: 11274762
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, an assembly includes a float having a void with an inlet leading into the void in a first direction, and at least one retention surface that is not parallel to the first direction and a hinge received at least partially within the void. The hinge has at least one retention feature that cooperates with the at least one retention feature of the float to inhibit removal of the hinge from the float in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the hinge is formed from a polymeric material. In at least some implementations, the hinge has a melting point similar to or lower than the melting point of the material of the float, and the hinge is formed separately from and is pressed into the void in the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Walbro LLC
    Inventors: Elton J. Fisch, Jeffrey D. Hanby
  • Valve body element having geometry configured to be formed via powder metal compaction
    Patent number: 11274764
    Abstract: A valve body element having a central bore. The valve body element includes first and second structures that are each formed of a compacted powdered metal material. The first structure has a plurality of L-shaped first passage portions that extend radially outwardly from a first portion of the central bore and intersect an axial end of the first structure. The second structure defines a remaining portion of the central bore and includes a flange. The flange defines a joining section, into which the axial end of the first structure is received, and a plurality of second passage portion. Each of the second passage portions is coupled in fluid communication to a corresponding one of the first passage portions. The remaining portion of the central bore in the second structure is in fluid communication with the first bore portion of the central bore in the first structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Bankovic, Thomas George Kaveney, II, Joshua J. Shelander