Patents Examined by Eric Keasel
  • Patent number: 12159729
    Abstract: An improved system for receiving and storing a radioactive salt solution includes a tank configured to receive the radioactive salt solution while preventing criticality accidents, a solution inlet for carrying the radioactive salt solution to the tank, an overflow bottle, and a cap sealing the top end of the tank. The cap includes a lateral wye fitting having a lateral pipe configured to direct the radioactive salt solution from the solution inlet into the tank, a vertical pipe configured to direct gases from the tank to a ventilation system, and an overflow line configured to carry excess radioactive salt solution from the tank to the overflow tank. An air gap between the lateral pipe and the solution inlet prevents backflow of the radioactive salt solution into the solution inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: X-Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Alex Tilton
  • Patent number: 12129641
    Abstract: A quick-cleaning drain for quick replacement of cleaning parts, including a drain body, the drain body is embedded with a drain core, the drain core is provided with a quick-cleaning mechanism which is quickly removable, the quick-cleaning mechanism matches a draining channel of the drain core, the quick-cleaning mechanism includes a lifting rod and a quick-cleaning member, the quick-cleaning member matches the draining channel for draining water and blocking debris in the water, the upper surface of the quick-cleaning member is provided with a connecting end, the bottom of the lifting rod is provided with an engaging end, and the engaging end matches and is removably fixed to the connecting end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Inventor: Jianping Xu
  • Patent number: 12123514
    Abstract: A solenoid valve is provided. The solenoid valve can include a valve body, a solenoid actuator, a valve insert, and first and second movable valve elements. The valve body can include a valve bore, a control port, a first port, and a second port, in which the control port is arranged in a nose of the valve body. The solenoid actuator is coupled to the valve body and configured to selectively move a pin between a first position and a second position to move first and second valve elements. Movement of the pin, by the solenoid actuator, between the first position and the second position selectively connects the control port to the first port or the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: HUSCO Automotive Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Abhijit Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 12117852
    Abstract: In a gas governor, an auxiliary chamber divided by a separating wall from a main chamber that is a portion of the secondary pressure chamber is provided in the secondary pressure chamber, the auxiliary chamber communicates with the main chamber through a communicating passage, the separating wall is positioned at a portion away in a circumferential direction from an outflow-port opened portion that is a peripheral wall portion of the secondary pressure chamber, in which the outflow port is opened, and the separating wall is provided so that a distance from a valve hole and a curvature in the circumferential direction of at least an end portion of the separating wall, which is close to the valve seat, are equal to those of an end portion of the outflow-port opened portion, which is close to the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: RINNAI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shichi, Kunio Kataoka
  • Patent number: 12117124
    Abstract: A multiple storage tank system includes: storage tanks in which cryogenic fluid is stored; discharge lines connected to the storage tanks to discharge the stored cryogenic fluid or introduce cryogenic fluid; a supply line connected to the discharge lines and a supply target to supply the discharged cryogenic fluid to the supply target; a build-up line branching off the supply line to control internal pressure of a first storage tank of the storage tanks; and a gas transfer line connected to the storage tanks to transfer gas inside the storage tanks, wherein when the internal pressure of the first storage tank is controlled while the cryogenic fluid passes through the build-up line, gas inside the first storage tank is transferred to at least one other storage tank through the gas transfer line so that internal pressure of the at least one other storage tank is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: HYLIUM INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Soo Yong Song, Joshua Schimpf Kim, Seo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 12104714
    Abstract: A valve actuator includes: a housing, a motor that is disposed in the housing and that includes a motor shaft, a drive gear coupled to the motor shaft, a transfer gear that engages with the drive gear and that is configured to, based on the drive gear rotating, be rotated according to a predetermined gear ratio, an output shaft disposed in the housing, an output gear that is coupled to the output shaft and that engages with the transfer gear, and a stopper that is disposed in the housing and that is configured to control a rotation radius of the output gear. The transfer gear comprises an inner part, an outer part disposed at an outside of the inner part, a first magnet disposed at the outer part, and a second magnet that is disposed at the inner part and that faces the first magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joohang Kang, Youngchan Ahn, Hyeonho Ha
  • Patent number: 12104625
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a cavitation generation device that includes a dactyl plunger rotatable about an axis between an open position and a closed position and a propus socket having a channel. The propus socket is rigidly mounted below the dactyl plunger, and the dactyl plunger is received into the propus socket when the dactyl plunger is in the closed position. The cavitation generation device can also include a torsion spring that biases the dactyl plunger into contact with the propus socket. In another embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of inducing a cavitation including biasing a dactyl plunger via a torsion spring, and rotating the dactyl plunger, by action of the torsion spring, into a propus socket. The propus socket includes a nozzle-shaped channel. The method further includes ejecting a socket cavity volume through the nozzle-shaped channel thereby inducing a cavitation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: David Staack, Xin Tang
  • Patent number: 12104715
    Abstract: A vacuum valve for high/ultra-high vacuum systems includes a valve housing defining a passage connecting a first and a second opening of the housing. A valve body and a complementary seat is disposed in the passage, the valve body and/or the seat including a seal and the valve body being movable in a linear axial direction along between an open position and a closed position. The valve body cooperates with the seat in the closed position so as to close the first opening gas-tightly. An electromechanical actuation unit for actuating the valve body includes an electric motor and a mechanical conversion unit with an input portion drivingly connected to the motor and an output portion drivingly connected to the valve body. The conversion unit converts a rotational output of the electrical motor into a linear movement of an output portion to move the valve body in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: PFEIFFER VACUUM TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hodapp, Sean A. Casarotti, David W. Crone
  • Patent number: 12090838
    Abstract: There is provided a valve device for a fuel tank including: a housing; a first float valve accommodated in a first valve chamber; and a second float valve accommodated in a second valve chamber. The housing includes a housing body and a lower cap. The housing body has a housing body peripheral wall. The housing body peripheral wall has a first valve chamber forming wall that forms an outer periphery of the first valve chamber, and a second valve chamber forming wall that has a contour shape different from that of the first valve chamber forming wall and that forms an outer periphery of the second valve chamber. The lower cap has a cap peripheral wall having a shape fitting to the housing body peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Kenta Mihara
  • Patent number: 12092236
    Abstract: A valving system has an actuator member connected to move with an actuator piston and change the position of a valve member. There is a smaller face fluid chamber acting on a small area piston face, and a larger face fluid chamber acting on a larger face of the actuator piston. The torque motor has an armature and a flapper caused to move by current received at the armature. The flapper moves between two fluid ports to control the pressure in the larger face chamber. The flapper further has a positioning extension engaging a first feedback spring operable between it and a forward face of the actuator piston and providing a spring force in combination with a spring force from the positioning extension. A control is operable to provide current to the armature to control the fluid received in the larger face chamber. The controller is programmed to associate the current supplied to the armature to an actual position of the valve member. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Zawilinski, Scott W. Simpson, Robert B. Goodman
  • Patent number: 12078297
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tank device (1) for storing a gaseous medium, in particular hydrogen, comprising a valve device (100) and a tank container (200), wherein the valve device (100) comprises a valve housing (102), in which valve housing (102) a pilot valve element (24) that can be moved along a longitudinal axis (101) of the tank container (100) is disposed. The pilot valve element (24) cooperates with a first sealing seat (18) to open and close a passage opening (20) and thus forms a pilot valve (240), wherein the valve device (2) comprises a solenoid coil (32) by means of which solenoid coil (32) the pilot valve element (24) can be moved along the longitudinal axis (101) of the tank device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Schaich
  • Patent number: 12072719
    Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Staudt, Bradley G. Carman, Mana Mokhtabad Amrei, Anthony B. Kehoe
  • Patent number: 12055234
    Abstract: In an example, a system for applying an agricultural product includes a valve and a solenoid. For instance, the valve includes a coil that generates a magnetic flux. The system includes a valve controller. The valve controller is configured to measure one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the coil or a dissipation element. In some examples, the valve controller determines an actual duty cycle of a valve operator of the valve using the measured electrical characteristics. The valve controller determines a magnetic flux correction, for instance based on a difference between the actual duty cycle and a specified duty cycle. The valve controller operates the valve operator according to the specified magnetic flux and the magnetic flux correction to guide the actual duty cycle toward the specified duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Raven Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Krosschell, Travis Burgers, Jacob Deines
  • Patent number: 12044329
    Abstract: The two-stage valve assembly for a vehicle lift system comprises an outer sleeve extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. A stator is located in the first end and a valve opening is located in the second end. The two-stage valve assembly includes an armature assembly for selectively closing the valve opening and opening the valve opening in a first-stage open position and a second-stage open position. The armature assembly comprises a plunger moveable along the axis that includes a poppet portion having a poppet seal oriented towards the second end. A plunger seat is moveable along the axis and located between the poppet portion and the valve opening. The plunger seat includes a seat seal for sealing against the valve opening. A seat channel extends through the seat seal and the plunger seat and is in fluid communication with the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: BWI (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yinko I. Grajeda
  • Patent number: 12038101
    Abstract: A water valve that does not include a stem or handwheel that can calcify and become hard to operate. The valve includes a stopper within a body running perpendicular to the flow of water that can be pushed inward to stop the flow of water or pulled outward to allow the flow of water. The stopper is connected to a handle that a user can push or pull depending on the action to be taken. The use of the stopper and handle in a push/pull arrangement provides an easy manner of operation as it does not require any turning of a handwheel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Inventor: Ernest R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12032394
    Abstract: A valve assembly used to control fluid flow rate. The valve assembly comprises a valve plunger and a shield. The valve plunger forces fluid having a flow rate to flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to an applied actuator force. The actuator force is applied to a first side and the fluid is applied to a second side of the valve plunger. The shield minimizes or eliminates a destabilizing force caused by static pressure, created by fluid interaction on the second side. The shield is either coupled to, formed in, or suspended from underneath the valve plunger and extends a length into the outlet. The valve assembly further comprises an orifice between the inlet and the outlet wherein the orifice comprises at least one planar surface and at least one non-planar surface. The shield shields a section of the second side from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Staudt, Bradley G. Carman, Mana Mokhtabad Amrei, Anthony B. Kehoe
  • Patent number: 12031638
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) actuator is shown. The actuator includes a motor and an epicyclic gear train assembly, including a sun gear, an annulus, and a plurality of planet gears. The epicyclic gear train assembly is configured to receive, at at least one of the sun gear or the annulus, an input motion at a first rotational velocity from the motor. The epicyclic gear train assembly is further configured to provide an output motion at a second rotational velocity to an HVAC component, the second rotational velocity different than the first rotational velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventor: Mattia Lovati
  • Patent number: 12025236
    Abstract: A rotor device, in particular a stepper motor rotor device, with at least one hollow body, in particular a pressure pipe of a valve, and with at least one rotor assembly group that is fixated, in particular at least partially in a rotationally fixed and translationally fixed manner, in the hollow body, including at least one rotor element, which is at least configured to convert a magnetic field change into a rotational movement of the rotor element, further including a support element, which is at least configured for a rotational support of the rotor element, and including at least one fixation element, which is at least configured for a fixation of the rotor assembly group within the hollow body, in particular within the pressure pipe, wherein the support element is arranged in the hollow body in such a way that axial forces pulling at least towards the rotor element and/or axial forces pulling and pressing the support element along at least two opposing directions are transmittable via the support elem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: ETO MAGNETIC GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Fangauer, Peter Vincon
  • Patent number: 11933417
    Abstract: There is provided a service valve for use at an irrigation sprinkler. The service valve enables water flow into the sprinkler to be controlled from above a buried irrigation sprinkler. The service valve enables maintenance of internal components of the sprinkler without having to turn off a service valve that is remotely located from the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Glade Lamar Hansen, Scott Allen Rottler, Andrew Joseph Pace
  • Patent number: 11913566
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel tank isolation valve of a vehicle, wherein the first armature and the second armature are connected in such a manner that there is no clearance therebetween, and a spring compression amount securing groove is formed on the upper surface of the guide. In a preferred finished valve assembly state, the position of the first armature in a valve-off state can be constant, and the movement of the first armature does not significantly occur, thereby noise, vibration, and wear are inhibited or prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hyundai Kefico Corporation
    Inventor: Du Seok Lee