Patents Examined by David Colon Morales
  • Combined dirt collector and cutout cock having controlled venting
    Patent number: 11440522
    Abstract: A combined dirt collector and cutout cock (CDC & COC) device for a rail car control to prevent unintentional re-pressurization of the control valve and rail car braking system. The device has an inlet configured for interconnection to an air supply, an outlet configured for interconnection to a control valve of a rail car, a valve moveable between a first position where an inlet is connected to an outlet and a second position where the inlet is isolated from the outlet, and a control valve vent positioned downstream of the valve and configured to open in response to the valve being moved into the second position. The valve may include a ball having a first passageway for selectively connecting and disconnecting the inlet from the outlet and a second passageway formed therethrough that is positioned to interconnect the outlet with the vent when the valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NEW YORK AIR BRAKE, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan M. McLaughlin, Lawrence E. Vaughn, Derick Call, Christopher J. Ferguson, Joshua D. Woodruff, Danial Rowland
  • Semiconductor manufacturing system and control method
    Patent number: 11443959
    Abstract: A system includes a chamber, an inlet valve, a control device, and a recycle pipe. The chamber is configured to perform a semiconductor process and including an output port. The inlet valve is coupled to the chamber and a supply pipe. The controller is coupled to the inlet valve and the chamber. The recycle pipe arranged outside the chamber and coupled to the chamber. The recycle pipe is independent from the supply pipe. The controller is configured to determine whether the chamber is idle, and is configured to control the inlet valve based on the determination of whether the chamber is idle. When the controller closes the output port of the chamber and opens the inlet valve, water from the supply pipe flows into a wall of the chamber through the inlet valve first and then flows into the recycle pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su-Horng Lin
  • Actuator with spring compression and decoupling
    Patent number: 11435005
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating an end-member is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a spring within the housing, and a spring plate forming a restriction for the spring within the housing. A brake member is associated with the spring plate for retaining the spring plate in one or more positions. A drive rod is associated with a motor to enable a first movement of the drive rod and to enable a second movement of spring plate. The first movement or the second movement enables the actuating of the end-member in one or more different positions for the end-member. The brake member may be engaged or disengaged to control or decouple spring compression forces in the actuator when the spring is compressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vault Pressure Control LLC
    Inventors: Travis McEvoy, Keith Adams, Jeremy Choate
  • Rotary valve assemblies and methods of use for breath sample cartridge systems
    Patent number: 11426097
    Abstract: An example breath collection and sampling device disclosed herein comprises a cartridge housing having a breath capture module, and a rotary valve operatively coupling a mouthpiece with the breath capture module. The rotary valve can have an open position where breath of a user can pass through the rotary valve, across capture sites of the breath capture module, and into a vacuum port, and a closed position for sealing the breath capture module from fluid passing through the rotary valve, while allowing the breath capture module to be exposed to a reagent for subsequent analysis of contents within the captured breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hound Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Lynn, Joseph A. Heanue, Kevin M. Limtao, Jeffrey A. Schuster, Peter A. Holst
  • Sectional control device
    Patent number: 11419258
    Abstract: A sectional control device controls the flow of particulate material from a meter assembly to a primary manifold of an air seeding system. The sectional control device includes a plate assembly having particulate openings extending between the meter assembly and the primary manifold and a shut-off mechanism configured to control the flow of the particulate material through the particulate openings. The shut-off mechanism includes a gate configured to slide between an open position, where particulate material can flow through the particulate opening, and a closed position, where particulate material is prevented from flowing through the particulate opening. The shut-off mechanism also includes an actuator configured to drive the gate between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: IAS
    Inventors: Adam Reich, Nicholas Struve, Barry Batcheller, Paul Nystuen
  • Valve linear drive and valve
    Patent number: 11415239
    Abstract: A valve linear drive provided for connection to a valve body having a valve seat includes a drive housing, a valve closure member, an actuator, and a spring device. The valve closure member is adjustable along an adjustment axis (V) between an open position and a closed position by means of the actuator and an actuating means. The spring device urges the actuating means into the open position or into the closed position. Further, the spring device includes a plurality of springs and a receiving unit for the springs. Here, each spring has its own spring chamber formed in the receiving unit, in which the associated spring is inserted. Furthermore, a valve having such a valve linear drive is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: BÜRKERT WERKE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Florian Fischer, Ralf Strasswiemer, Maik Fuchs, Georg Moll, Vinoth Pathmanathan
  • Fluid coupling
    Patent number: 11408544
    Abstract: A fluid coupling including a first adapter, a second adapter configured to selectively connect with and disconnect from the male adapter, an inner sleeve, a first seal between the first adapter and the inner sleeve, a second seal between the second adapter and the inner sleeve, and at least one thermally-activated seal between two of the first adapter, the second adapter, and the inner sleeve. During normal operation, the at least one thermally-activated seal may be spaced apart from at least one of the two of the first adapter, the second adapter, and the inner sleeve. At or above a predetermined temperature, the thermally-activated seal may be configured to expand to create a seal between the two of the first adapter, the second adapter, and the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: William H. Newsome, Gary M. Jenski, Jr.
  • Valve control and/or lubrication system
    Patent number: 11402064
    Abstract: A system for operating and/or lubricating a plurality of valves mounted on a number of christmas trees, each valve including a hydraulic actuator operated by hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pressure source and a lubricant inlet connected to an interior portion of the valve. The system includes a plurality of control units, each of which is associated with a respective valve and each of which has at least one of a hydraulic pressure line which is connectable to the hydraulic pressure source and a lubricant line which is connectable to the lubricant source. Each control unit is operable to selectively connect the hydraulic pressure source to the hydraulic actuator to thereby operate the valve and/or to selectively connect the lubricant source to the lubricant inlet to thereby communicate lubricant into the interior portion of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: James Michael Zerkus, Steven Dornell Raymond, Thiago Guimarães Machado, Rajeev Rajan Pillai
  • Low volume nitrogen systems
    Patent number: 11390457
    Abstract: A system to maintain an inert ullage in a hydrocarbon tank. The system provides for outgassing/venting of ullage gases when a high-pressure event is found within the tank. Further, when a low-pressure event occurs, during fuel discharge or based on ambient conditions, a source of inert gas, such as nitrogen) supplies gas on-demand to the hydrocarbon tank via a pressure regulator (preferably along the venting system) to maintain both the pressure and inerting of the ullage. A method for maintaining the inert ullage is also provided, whereby a low-pressure event triggers a supply of inert gas into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory E. Young, Zane A. Miller
  • Irrigation system for applying applicant having a microbe concentration to enhance crop production
    Patent number: 11388868
    Abstract: The present invention provides an irrigation system that includes a control system for determining whether to apply an applicant to an agricultural field. In an implementation, the control system includes memory operable to store one or more modules and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to cause the processor to receive one or more signals representing a microbe characteristic from a soil sensor. The processor is also operable to determine whether to apply an applicant (i.e., water having a concentration of a biological or a microbe therein) to a soil based upon the microbe characteristics and to initiate operation of the irrigation assembly to apply the applicant to the soil in response when the soil requires the applicant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob L. LaRue
  • Top entry ball valve and method
    Patent number: 11384846
    Abstract: A top entry ball valve a pipeline mainly used in Oil and Gas Industry, Chemical and pharmaceutical Industries. The system allows for replacing all the ball valve components and seals while the valve body is still in the pipeline. The ball valve assembly has four main components: the body, gearbox, ball, and seats. Disassembly and reassembly may be performed utilizing various tools to allow removal and reinstallation of the ball, seats, seals, or other components therein without the need to remove the ball valve assembly from a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Inventor: Rahul Mandare
  • Valve seal device
    Patent number: 11384844
    Abstract: A valve seal device is for a valve in a pipeline. The valve seal device has four moveable seats configured for sealingly contacting a valve member, two seats being positioned on each side of the valve member. At least one of the moveable seats on each side of the valve member is an actuation seat being controllable from a non-contact position to a contact position where it seals against the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Sil Valves AS
    Inventor: Frode Ivar Karlsen
  • Exhalation valve for a ventilator apparatus with a valve configuration for reducing noise emission
    Patent number: 11383061
    Abstract: An exhalation valve for a ventilator apparatus for at least partial instrumental respiratory assistance of a patient, includes a valve housing with a flow passage which extends along a passage trajectory defining a local axial, radial and circumferential direction and along which respiratory air can flow through the valve housing. The valve housing has a housing-side valve sub-formation with a closed end surface which extends around the passage trajectory and towards which a mating surface of a valve body, movable relative to the valve housing and facing the end surface, can be pretensioned by the pretensioning force of a pretensioning device in such a way that the mating surface, when subjected to respiratory gas in an exhalation flow direction counter to the pretensioning force of the pretensioning device, is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON MEDICAL AG
    Inventor: Jan Hunger
  • Cryogenic transfer line coupling assembly
    Patent number: 11384883
    Abstract: A cryogenic transfer line assembly and cryogenic transfer line coupling for a cryostat is presented. The cryogenic transfer line assembly includes an induction tube communicatively coupled to a cryostat, a cryogenic transfer line having defined as a portion thereof a second portion of a bayonet coupling and a cryogenic transfer line coupling, The cryogenic transfer line coupling communicatively couples the induction tube and the cryogenic transfer line and has defined as a portion thereof a first portion of the bayonet coupling and a gate valve. The gate valve prevents the ingress of environmental air passing through the first portion of the bayonet coupling to a cryogenic fluid disposed within a cryogenic vessel of the cryostat upon disengagement of the cryogenic transfer line from the cryogenic transfer line coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ernst Wolfgang Stautner
  • Ball valve
    Patent number: 11384852
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ball valve, including a drive mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a valve body assembly and a valve core component. The transmission mechanism is configured to drive the valve core component to act through the drive mechanism. The valve body assembly includes a first valve body component and a second valve body component. The first valve body component is fixedly connected to the second valve body component. The valve body assembly is formed with a containing cavity. The transmission mechanism includes a first gear ring, and at least part of the valve core component is fixedly connected to or in position-limiting fit with the first gear ring. The valve core component includes a platform part and a plane part. The platform part is located at or adjacent to a rotating center of the valve core component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SANHUA AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lixin Wang, Hong Hu, Zhengwei Wang, Jufeng Ma
  • System, method and apparatus for irrigation control and data management
    Patent number: 11382286
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for irrigation control and data management. According to a preferred embodiment, an irrigation control system may include a data collection module which receives and stores system data generated by sensors and supporting systems including irrigation, drive, weather, sensor and electrical systems of a mechanized irrigation system. According to preferred embodiments, the system preferably also includes a system control module which transmits system control instructions to system components. Additionally, the present invention also includes a display module which provides a display of graphical user interfaces embedded with system data and selectable control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashley E. Anderson, Christopher M. Anderson
  • Distribution valve and refrigeration system
    Patent number: 11378191
    Abstract: A distribution valve comprises: a housing, and a spool in the housing, the spool mounted in a valve chamber so as to be rotatable along an axial axis, and the spool comprising a sidewall comprising a first spheroidal segment and a second spheroidal segment, a spool first port in the first spheroidal segment, and a spool second port in the second spheroidal segment; and an intermediate member mounted between the housing and the spool and fixed relative to the housing and in sliding contact with the sidewall of the spool in a sealed manner, wherein a first valve port is defined when the spool first port and an intermediate first port overlap, and a second valve port is defined when the spool second port and an intermediate second port overlap, wherein a degree of opening of the valve ports changes as the spool rotates relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Haixiang Wang, Thomas Helming
  • Gas supply socket
    Patent number: 11371636
    Abstract: There is provided a gas supply socket which can ensure sealing between an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder even when the inner cylinder, inclined with respect to the outer cylinder, is placed in the outer cylinder. The gas supply socket 10 includes an outer cylinder 11, an inner cylinder 12, a movable body 20 disposed within the outer cylinder 11, and a valve body 18 and a valve seat portion 19 provided within the inner cylinder 12. An intermediate cylinder 13 is provided between the outer cylinder 11 and the inner cylinder 12. When the inner cylinder 12, inclined with respect to the outer cylinder 11, is placed in the outer cylinder 11, the inner cylinder 12 and the intermediate cylinder 13 tilt with respect to the outer cylinder 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: Anest Iwata Corporation, Komatsu-Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yanai, Tatsuya Sekino, Yoshihiro Kamimura
  • Irrigation system and method
    Patent number: 11369067
    Abstract: A method and system for irrigating a field adjacent a watercourse is disclosed comprising a plurality of pumps along the watercourse and measuring from time to time at a plurality of measuring locations the salinity, the pH, the temperature and the turbidity of the water. The measuring locations are different from the pumping locations. A real time salinity, pH, temperature and turbidity at the pumping locations is predicted from the measured values and the pumps selectively disabled or enabled on the predicted salinity, pH, temperature and/or the turbidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: RYNAN TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: My T. Nguyen, Cuong Q. Hong, Luong V. Truong, Toan Q. Tran, Trieu T. Le, Bien T. Mai, An Trinh, Thong A. Nguyen, Khang M. Duong
  • Misalignment accommodating hydraulic coupler
    Patent number: 11359753
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic coupler. The coupler comprises a male and female coupling, each with a poppet valve moveably supported by an inner surface of a main body of the coupling. Each coupling further comprises a movable connector part in its front end with a spherical rear surface accommodating a spherical connector seat in the main body, where the connector is provided with sealing means between the connector part and the main body of the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA AS
    Inventor: Erik Raad