Patents Examined by Craig Price
  • Patent number: 7677263
    Abstract: When the pressure in a main fluid supply channel is lower than a no-load operation start pressure, the spool moves against the biasing force of a biasing member, and the area of opening of a auxiliary fluid supply channel is reduced with regards to opening of the internal flow channel. When the pressure in the main fluid supply channel rises and reaches a no-load operation start pressure, the area of opening in the auxiliary fluid supply channel with regards to opening of the internal flow channel becomes smaller and while connected to the main fluid supply channel, the auxiliary fluid supply channel is connected to the return flow channel. When the pressure in the main fluid supply channel rises above the no-load operating start pressure and reaches a no-load operation pressure, the auxiliary fluid supply channel is cut off from the main fluid supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: TBK Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hoji, Satoshi Nagao, Keisuke Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7669612
    Abstract: A male coupling member is provided that is selectively couplable to a first female coupling member (for 25 MPa, for example) and a second female coupling member (for 90 MPa), which handle different fluid pressures. When the male coupling member is coupled to the first female coupling member, a second O-ring that is provided for the second female coupling member is prevented from being displaced by the fluid supplied from the first female coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Nitto Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7665482
    Abstract: A mechanism for opening or closing a shut off valve, the mechanism having a lever mounted on a spindle to which the valve is attached for mounting the valve from a normally open position to a closed position. A trigger mechanism including the lever and a biasing spring which when activated, rotates the lever, spindle and valve. A retainer mechanism ordinarily holds the trigger mechanism in a cocked position corresponding to the open position of the valve. The float, when subjected to water, releases the retainer mechanism permitting the trigger mechanism to close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Kerry McLean
  • Patent number: 7661438
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 7661435
    Abstract: Pump connector for Presta valve is disclosed in which one end of a pump connector valve seal is formed with a hollow chamber, and is disposed inside a space of a cap having a channel. The hollow chamber is assembled with a valve seal insert which includes a through hole. The second end of the through hole is formed with an inner edge corresponding to the shape of the shoulder section of the Presta valve. An end cap is assembled with the cap for preventing the pump connector valve seal from separating from the cap. Accordingly, the Presta valve can be screwed together with a first internal thread of the cap, and at the same time the shoulder section of the Presta valve is tightly fitted to the inner edge of the valve seal insert for direct inflation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Ying-Che Huang
  • Patent number: 7654278
    Abstract: A reservoir is disclosed for a throughfeed for liquid, such as a liquid pump, to be set into operation selectively, from and/or to a body of liquid such as a pond, aquarium or bath. The reservoir includes a container for containing liquid and with an outlet for connecting onto the throughfeed to the body of water. It further includes a refill container which, depending on the level of the liquid in the container, is movable reciprocally between a high position and at least one lower position, and which is connected to an inlet of the reservoir connected to the body of liquid. The refill container includes an overflow along which liquid flows from the refill container into the container in the at least one lower position of the refill container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Arnold J. Schultink
  • Patent number: 7654281
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Swindler, Herbert G. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7637280
    Abstract: A fluid distribution and control valve for respiratory gas delivery systems. The valve has a body which is defined by four internal zones. Each zone is connectable to an external fluid circuit and a mobile structure. The mobile structure can move into four positions. The different positions of the mobile structure determine which of the zones are in fluid communication with each other. The valve may also be used to in a pilot's mask to supply oxygen to the pilot from a main source or from a secondary source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventors: Didier Gaget, Jean Arnault
  • Patent number: 7631661
    Abstract: Provided is a reversing valve that can reverse flow in a refrigeration system. The reversing valve includes a valve body extending between a first end and an opposing second end. Multiple ports are disposed through the first and second ends. In one aspect, to reduce the pressure drop across the valve body, flow is channeled generally straightly between the ends. This is accomplished by a valve member defining a channel that is coupled to a port at the first end while pivotally movable to intersect different ports at the second end. Flow direction in the system is determined by which port at the second end is intersected. In another aspect, to move the valve member, the reversing valve includes a permanent magnet joined to the valve member and an electromagnet extending partly around the valve body. Applying different polarities to the electromagnet moves the permanent magnet and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Co Ltd.
    Inventor: Jack A. Moreno
  • Patent number: 7628174
    Abstract: A hydraulic control arrangement is disclosed for the load-independent control of a consumer with a continuously adjustable distribution valve having a pressure compensator down the line. According to the invention, the pressure compensator has a single-sided damping such that the movement in the opening direction is damped and the movement in the closing direction is substantially undamped. Furthermore, a control arrangement is disclosed in which a load-holding function is integrated in the pressure compensator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kauss, Didier Desseux
  • Patent number: 7624752
    Abstract: An inflation valve includes a hollow sleeve having a first chamber and a second chamber; a first valve body located in the first chamber; a second valve body located in the second chamber; an air inlet connector screwed to an upper end of the second chamber; and a central pin assembly mounted in the air inlet connector. When an object being inflated by the inflation valve is excessively inflated, the inflation valve automatically releases surplus high-pressure air via at least one release pod of the second chamber by pushing the first valve body and the second valve body upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
  • Patent number: 7624751
    Abstract: An air nozzle for an automatically inflatable air cushion includes a mounting seat, a connecting pipe having a first end mounted on the mounting seat and a second end formed with a passage connected to the mounting seat, a control valve including a valve body movably mounted on the connecting pipe and a valve cap mounted on the valve body and provided with a protruding seal portion that is movable to seal the passage, and an elastic member to push the seal portion outwardly relative to the passage. Thus, the air nozzle can be locked quickly and exactly to interrupt the air flow to prevent the air flow from being returned into the automatically inflatable air cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Feng Yi Outdoor Leisure Equipment Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 7621291
    Abstract: A fuel tank of a spacecraft stores a liquid fuel and a pressurized propellant gas that drives the fuel out of the tank though a fuel extraction arrangement including a reservoir or fuel collection container and a tank outlet. A spiraling or J-shaped or hook-shaped fuel collection channel and plural obliquely sloping fuel flow channels connect the fuel collection container to an outlet pipe of the tank outlet. The channels are configured, dimensioned, oriented and arranged to ensure that fuel will be retained in the outlet pipe without leaking back into the fuel tank, even when the tank is oriented horizontally and has a low tank filling level. These structures produce a capillary pumping effect and use the surface tension to separate the fuel from the propellant gas, and allow the inner space of the collection container to be completely filled with liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: EADS Space Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Kei Philipp Behruzi, Mark Michaelis
  • Patent number: 7614417
    Abstract: The device includes an air release valve for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, the air release valve comprising a housing defining at least one inlet opening therein, a central axis and a wall disposed proximate the inlet opening, the wall defining at least two outlet openings therein, the two outlet openings being sized differently; a sealing seat disposed about the two outlet openings; a float disposed in the housing moveable along the central axis, the float defining a center aligned with the central axis; and a flexible membrane attached proximate the center and extending freely therefrom to seal the two outlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Dieter Simon, Dirk Batrz, Josip Marti{hacek over (s)}
  • Patent number: 7610934
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon transfer system includes a first structure having a substantially vertical first arm hingingly connected to the first structure via a first articulation around a substantially horizontal axis and a second arm attached to the first arm in an articulation joint, the second arm having a connecting arm part carrying a releasable connector for connecting to a floating second structure and a restoring arm part carrying a counterweight for exerting a restoring force on the second structure that is connected to the second arm upon relative movement of the first and second structures, characterized in that damping elements are provided above water level, acting on the second arm for damping movement of the second arm around the articulation joint upon transition of the second arm from an operative position to an inoperative position after disconnecting the releasable connector from the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoun Naciri, Jean-Pierre Queau
  • Patent number: 7607454
    Abstract: A composite valve includes a main valve unit that individually opens and closes a vacuum channel for applying vacuum pressure to a load and a pressure channel for supplying vacuum-breaking pressure fluid with two valves for vacuuming and pressurizing; a channel combining section that connects the vacuum channel and the pressure channel to the load via a combining port; and a pilot valve unit that opens and closes the valve members individually with two pilot valves. The main valve unit, the channel combining section, and the pilot valve unit have the same width, and connect to one another in line along the axis of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Takumi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7604020
    Abstract: A breather for a driveline component such as an axle, for example, includes a rigid body portion attached to an axle housing, an extension portion attached to the rigid body portion and extending into a housing cavity, and a conical spring supported by the extension portion. The rigid body portion has an internal bore that extends from a first body end to a second body end with the first body end extending outwardly from the axle housing and the second body end being fixed to the axle housing. The extension portion has a non-uniform cross-sectional area, and includes an extension bore with a large internal diameter. The conical spring is received within the extension bore and cooperates with the extension to prevent lubricating fluid from exiting the breather while still allowing air to vent through the breather as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Michael Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7597114
    Abstract: A venting device including one or more seals, one or more floats, and a cap is provided. The one or more seals and the one or more floats are encapsulated by the cap. The venting device further includes a passage, which allows intake and exhaust of air from a driveline component. The one or more floats are capable of moving from a first position to a second position in the passage. The one or more seals close the passage when the one or more floats are at the second position, thereby restricting intake of water in the driveline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: David G. Buckingham, Thomas H. Lappin, Fawaz M. Elzib
  • Patent number: 7591280
    Abstract: To obtain a manifold type solenoid valve assembly in which an solenoid valve which is equipped with an output port and an solenoid valve which is equipped with no output port are mixed and mounted on a common manifold base. On a valve mounting part of the manifold base which has a plurality of the valve mounting parts of the same type, a first solenoid valve which is equipped with an output port for external piping connection is mounted and a second solenoid valve which is equipped with no output port is indirectly mounted through an intermediate block which is indirectly equipped with an output port for the second solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Narita, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7588048
    Abstract: An air pump nozzle includes a housing with an inflation hole. An inner space of the housing lodges a block assembly seat having a compartment at an end. The compartment lodges a block member having an insertion hole. A needle tube with an air outlet is inserted through the insertion hole and is retained to avoid being disaffiliated from the block member. The design of separate needle tube and block assembly seat can simplify the manufacturing procedure and product assembly, as well as reduce the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Ying-Che Huang