Patents Examined by Craig Schneider
  • Patent number: 9743653
    Abstract: A drain system having a body adjustably coupled to a drain. The body can be rotated along its threads and engage a seal in the drain to substantially prevent water from flowing out of the drain. When rotated the opposite direction, the body can be spaced from the seal and allow water to flow out of the drain. The drain can also include holes that allow water to flow into the drain when the body is rotated so as to be spaced from the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GEM Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Sarnowski, Matthew Stewart Onorato, Benjamin Adam Wilder
  • Patent number: 9745210
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for directing waste water discharged from the air gap port of an air gap device such as an air gap reverse osmosis (RO) faucet or a dishwasher air gap, whereby the discharged water is caught and collected in a cup or container surrounding the air gap and channeled by a conduit of sufficient distance so that the water may then discharge into the sink basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Jon-Andrew Vincent Sigona
  • Patent number: 9739386
    Abstract: Provided is a check valve element enabling efficient supply of fluid while suppressing the occurrence of chattering. The check valve element is provided to be displaceable upstream and downstream in a downstream flow path extending downstream from a valve seat having an opening for introducing a fluid and is pressed against the valve seat by a pre-closing urging force applied thereto toward an upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: NITTO KOHKI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Nishio, Hirofumi Onishi
  • Patent number: 9739236
    Abstract: A check valve that can prevent sticking of a valve body and reliably perform an opening and closing action in a check vale having a simple structure and that does not use biasing means on the valve body. A check valve has support pieces of a valve body protruding in the valve body direction on a circular base seat forming an outflow window in the center inserted in a circular groove where a support member (retainer) is formed between an outflow opening and a valve seat and on an open edge of the outflow window formed in the center of the base seat, and the support pieces of the support member (retainer) that support the valve body have linear or planar support parts on the top portion for leveling at least in a radial direction of the base seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ZAMA JAPAN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9739383
    Abstract: A multi-path selector valve used in liquid chromatography and other analytical methods for directing fluid along alternate paths of a flowstream. The selector valve has a stator and a rotor. The dynamic face of the stator has a plurality of openings arranged along an inner ring, a plurality of openings arranged along an outer ring, and an annular collection groove formed in the dynamic face. The inner ring, outer ring, and annular collection groove are concentric circles. The rotor's dynamic face is configured to mate with the rear face of the stator, and has two fluid flow paths. One fluid flow path has one end at a rotational center of the rotor and another end of the fluid flow path is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the inner ring. The second fluid flow path has one end that is configured to be aligned with the annular collection groove and another end that is configured to be aligned with a stator opening along the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: IDEX Health & Science LLC
    Inventors: Jon A. Nichols, James Smyth
  • Patent number: 9739390
    Abstract: A valve pressure assembly for pressurizing an actuating mechanism of a thief hatch is provided. The valve pressure assembly includes a pressure bar comprising a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end; a connector coupled to the body and configured to removably couple to the actuating mechanism; and a clamp coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end, the clamp comprising a fastener removably coupled to the relief valve, wherein the fastener is configured to adjustably move the pressure bar and the connector in contact with the actuating mechanism to facilitate pressuring the actuating mechanism to remain in an operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Bonanza Creek Energy Operating Company, LLC
    Inventor: Fred Kayser
  • Patent number: 9739189
    Abstract: A metering valve having a valve housing, a channel, a valve body that can be moved in order to open and close the metering valve, and a spring, which applies a spring force to the valve body and thus keeps the valve body in a rest position. The spring is supported on at least one calibration body. The valve body, the spring, and the at least one calibration body are arranged in the channel, and the at least one calibration body is supported by a supporting component fastened in the valve housing by a material-bonding connection. A segment of the supporting component protrudes from the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Gottfried Wilhelm Haesemann
  • Patent number: 9739382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid distribution valve (1, 25, 29, 37, 43), comprising at least a first fluid port (2), a second fluid port (3) and a third fluid port (4). These ports are connecting to a fluid distribution chamber (5). The second fluid port (3) can be selectively connected to the first fluid port (2) and/or the third fluid port (4) through said distribution chamber (5). The second fluid port (3) is arranged between the first fluid port (2) and the third fluid port (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: Danfoss Power Solutions Aps, Artemis Intelligent Power Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Laird, Onno Kuttler, Luke Wadsley
  • Patent number: 9739393
    Abstract: A valve controller configured to operate on a Foundation Fieldbus Network and including a spool valve movable between at least an opening position and a closing position, and a flapper nozzle pilot valve arranged to move the spool between the opening position and the closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Pentair Flow Control AG
    Inventors: Raymond P. Grandich, William F. Tatum
  • Patent number: 9732871
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed, and includes an evacuator and a relief valve. The evacuator includes a suction port that selectively applies a vacuum. The relief valve has an open position and a closed position, and includes an inlet, an outlet, a piston that translates within a chamber, and a pressurized chamber. The piston includes a first end and a second end. The pressurized chamber is fluidly connected to the suction port of the evacuator, and is defined in part by the first end of the piston. The piston translates within the pressurized chamber towards the open position if vacuum is applied to the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, James H. Miller, Keith Hampton, Matthew C. Gilmer
  • Patent number: 9732865
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch (1) for an operating material, comprising an inlet opening (3) for introducing an operating material into an inlet side (2), and several outlet openings (5) for discharging the operating material to an outlet side (4). An actuator (6) comprising a connecting channel (7) is arranged between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (4), said actuator can be adjusted such that the connecting channel (7) can connect the inlet opening (3) to one of the outlet openings (5). Said actuator (6) consists of at least two parts (9, 10), and the connecting channel (7) is defined, at least in sections, by both parts (9, 10) of the actuator (31, 32, 33, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Andreas Henke
  • Patent number: 9732856
    Abstract: A manual valve includes a knob, a stem, a stopper, and a male thread. The stem is extended from the knob. The stopper is extended from the stem. The male thread is extended from the stopper. The stem is smaller than the stopper in outer diameter. The stem is configured to be installed with a clip, which is a separate component from the manual valve. The stopper is configured to make contact with the clip in the axial direction and to be regulated movement in the axial direction when an outer periphery of the stem is installed with the clip and circumferentially surrounded with the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Parker Farlow, Hugo Martinez, Daniel Tylutki, Peter Mickley, Sara Seres
  • Patent number: 9732861
    Abstract: A valve for controlling a fluid flow comprising: an inner sleeve having a control surface and a middle sleeve, wherein a first movement of the inner sleeve with respect to the middle sleeve can be carried out, wherein the valve comprises a control piston, wherein the first movement prompts a second movement of the control piston, whereby the valve is moved into a switched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE STEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Markus Rief, Werner Bernhard
  • Patent number: 9732864
    Abstract: In one aspect, a pressure regulating valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a sleeve positioned within the housing, and a spool at least partially positioned within the sleeve. The spool includes an outer surface having a shoulder, and the spool is configured to translate within the sleeve between a closed position and an open position. The valve assembly further includes a cap coupled to the sleeve and surrounding at least a portion of the spool, and the cap includes an inner surface with a flange extending therefrom. In the closed position the spool shoulder abuts against the cap flange to define a sealed metering edge. In the open position the spool shoulder is spaced from the cap flange to unseal the metering edge and define a metering window to facilitate fluid flow therethrough to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis P. Marocchini, Aaron F. Rickis
  • Patent number: 9732873
    Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described. An example disclosed valve seat apparatus includes a seat ring having an outer surface that includes a first annular recess at a first end of the seat ring, where the first annular recess is to receive a portion of a cage, a second annular recess proximate a second end of the seat ring opposite the first end, and where the second annular recess defines a groove in the outer surface of the seat ring, and a third annular recess adjacent the second annular recess. The example disclosed valve seat apparatus also includes a first seal assembly disposed in the third annular recess and a retainer disposed in the second annular recess to retain the seal assembly in the third annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dobbs, Theodore Paul Geelhart, Timothy Arthur McMahon, Paul Taylor Alman, Yan Qiu
  • Patent number: 9732867
    Abstract: A relief valve having a crenelated exhaust ring surrounding the poppet. The crenelated exhaust ring comprises a series of alternating crenels and merlons which together define an increasing cross-sectional exhaust area circumferentially about the poppet during cracking (i.e., once the pressure in the inflatable device exceeds the cracking pressure) as the poppet rises in the relief valve in response to increased pressures and, conversely, a decreasing cross-sectional exhaust area about the poppet during closing as the poppet lowers to its re-seated, sealed position. The design of the crenels in the form of a larger upper cross-sectional area to a smaller lower cross-sectional opening, advantageously achieves a reseating pressure that is substantially equal to or slightly less than the cracking pressure while minimizing possible oscillations during re-seating of the poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    Inventor: Lyman Fawcett
  • Patent number: 9732877
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a control valve comprising: —A passage path for a fluid inside the valve and that puts in communication an inlet with an outlet; —An obstruction element arranged as to result mobile between a closing position, in which it obstructs the path impeding the passage of the fluid from the inlet towards the outlet, and an opening position in which it allows said passage, and; —Movement means for operating the movement of the obstruction element between said opening position and said closing position and vice-versa. In accordance with the invention, the movement means comprise a joint linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventor: Nicola Lucchesi
  • Patent number: 9726298
    Abstract: A valve for use in conjunction with an application device having a valve housing and a valve spindle which bears a sealing element at a first free end outside the valve housing and, within the valve housing, is mounted displaceably between a closed position and a release position. The valve spindle includes at least one first piston element and at least one second piston element, wherein the first piston element is guided in a first piston space and the second piston element is guided in a second piston space, said piston spaces being bounded by the valve housing. A pressure fluid can be supplied in each case to the first piston space and to the second piston space in such a manner that a force acting in the same direction is exerted on the first piston element and on the second piston element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: EISENMANN AG
    Inventors: Jan Reichler, Simon Maurmaier, Mathias Moll
  • Patent number: 9726119
    Abstract: A valve assembly, such as a canister purge solenoid (CPS) having one or more interchangeable components which may be used to reconfigure the valve assembly to have one or more additional vacuum ports. The design of the valve assembly eliminates the need to mold these ports into the intake manifold, simplifying the design of the manifold, and the tooling needed to make the manifold. The direct mount design of the CPS of the present invention includes at least one additional port to serve as an additional vacuum port to be used for any other purpose, such as a PCV valve, brake booster, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Douglas Jefford, Benjamin Dominick Manton Williams, David William Balsdon, David Rene Forgeron
  • Patent number: 9726299
    Abstract: A transducer for a connection to a fluid pressure source having a mechanism for setting a pneumatic output by way of an electrical input signal. The transducer provides a lower housing assembly and an upper housing assembly. The lower housing assembly comprises lower housing configured to receive a supply nozzle. The supply nozzle fluidly communicates with a supply port and intermittently fluidly communicates with an output port of the lower housing through an internal fluid passageway. The lower housing further comprises an exhaust nozzle fluidly communicating with an exhaust port and intermittently fluidly communicates with the output port of the lower housing through the internal fluid passageway. The upper housing assembly comprises an upper housing configured to receive a coil and an armature such that the upper housing, coil and armature define a latching electromagnetic circuit that provides alternating contact of the armature with the supply nozzle and the exhaust nozzle of the lower housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: George W. Gassman