Patents Examined by Eric Keasel
  • Patent number: 10527214
    Abstract: This coupling (R) comprises a male element (A) with a stepped outer groove (20), a female element (B) with locking balls (7), a locking ring (9) provided with a front inner notch and a rear inner notch axially separated by an inner rim, a spring that pushes the locking ring (9) back into the forward position, and a valve movable in the female element (B) and pushed by a spring (14) back to the closed position. The male element (A) comprises a valve movable in an inner channel (200) of the male element (A) and a spring (48) that pushes the valve of the male element (A) back toward a closed position of the inner channel (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: STAUBLI FAVERGES
    Inventors: Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Christophe Durieux, Florian Mille
  • Patent number: 10520103
    Abstract: A retrofit valve shutoff device comprises a coupling key for coupling with an actuator of a shutoff valve, an accelerometer for making acceleration measurements in three directions, a motor, and a processing unit. The processing unit determines the arrival of seismic P-waves when the ratio of vibrations' power in the vertical direction with respect to a sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a first threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic S-waves when the sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a second threshold. The processing unit then determines the arrival of seismic surface waves when the sum of the vibrations' power in the three directions exceeds a third threshold. The processing unit then sends a signal to the motor to rotate the coupling key and the actuator of the shutoff valve to close the shutoff valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Inventors: Mohammad Taghi Fatehi, Parham Reza Fatehi, Keyvan Fatehi
  • Patent number: 10520123
    Abstract: An interconnector system (10) for coupling a first hollow body to a second hollow body allows fluid communication between the hollow bodies. The interconnector system (10) includes a valve interconnector (14) and a receiver interconnector (12). The receiver interconnector (12) has a sliding seal sleeve (20) that slides relative to a hollow post (18). The design of the receiver interconnector (12) ensures that the valve interconnector (14) cannot be decoupled from the receiver interconnector (12) without the seal sleeve (12) sealing closed the liquid passageway (46) through the hollow post (18). Also included is a hollow body having a coupling device thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Lambertus Gerardus Petrus Van Der Heijden, Jasper de Vries, Victor Laurentius Maria Driever
  • Patent number: 10519864
    Abstract: A starter air valve comprising: a housing comprising an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end opposite the first end, and a center portion between first end and second end, the outlet being fluidly connected to the inlet through a fluid passage; a first piston located within the housing between the first end and center portion, the first piston comprising: a first cupped portion configured to form a first chamber with the housing proximate the first end; and a second piston located within the housing between the second end and center portion, the second piston comprising: a third cupped portion configured to form a third chamber with the housing proximate the second end; wherein the pistons are configured to regulate airflow through the fluid passage by adjusting at least one of a first pressure within the first chamber and a third pressure within the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael D. Greenberg, Myles R. Kelly, Robert Goodman
  • Patent number: 10518118
    Abstract: A fire hydrant assembly for use with an irrigation riser stub may include a generally cylindrically-shaped main body having an open end and a closed end. The open end of the main body has an inside diameter that is sized to slidably receive an end portion of the irrigation riser stub. A seal disposed within the open end of the main body is sized to sealingly engage the irrigation riser stub. A nipple having a threaded end and a plain end is mounted within an opening provided in a side portion of the main body so that the threaded end may be threaded onto a fire hose assembly. An actuator shaft extends through a shaft opening defined by the closed end of the main body so that a head end of the actuator shaft is disposed outside the main body and so that a distal end of the actuator shaft is disposed within an interior cavity defined by the main body. A yoke mounted to the distal end of the actuator shaft is sized to operatively engage a valve stem associated with the irrigation riser stub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Trakker Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Todd Traphagan, Cody James Bakker
  • Patent number: 10517425
    Abstract: The invention refers to a pack (10) for preparing food or beverage products comprising: at least one container (10?) having an inner volume where at least one base ingredient for the preparation of the food or beverage product is stored, said inner volume being defined by sheets of material joined to one another at their edges; a fitment assembly (20) through which the food or beverage product is delivered, and identification 10 means (30) comprising the information on the food or beverage product to be prepared; the identification means (30) being arranged in the fitment assembly (20), particularly in a free area of the fitment assembly (20) where they can be reliably read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Youcef Ait Bouziad
  • Patent number: 10513838
    Abstract: A hydrant includes a hydrant body defining a top end and a bottom end distal from the top end, the top end defining a barrel diameter and an opening; and a hydrant cap defining an upper surface facing away from the hydrant body and a lower surface facing toward the top end of the hydrant body, the hydrant cap defining a cap diameter, the cap diameter being greater than the barrel diameter; and a cap fastener, the hydrant cap secured to the top end of the hydrant body with the cap fastener, a portion of the cap fastener extending through the opening defined in the top end of the hydrant body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Blaine Childress, Christopher Joseph Duckett
  • Patent number: 10508257
    Abstract: A beverage making apparatus includes a fermentation tank assembly including a fermentation tank having an opening formed therein, a fermentation tank cover covering the opening, and a heat exchange element arranged in contact with the fermentation tank. The beverage making apparatus also includes a first channel including a first end that is connected to the fermentation tank assembly; and a second end connected to: a second channel connected to a water tank, and a third channel connected to a dispenser of the beverage making apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunyoung Park, Chungook Chong, Heeyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 10502244
    Abstract: An actuator control arrangement is provided comprising a pair of rotary control valves used in combination to control the operation of an actuator. The rotary control valves are driven synchronously through a hydraulic or mechanical coupling. Each rotary control valve has a by-pass mode which activates in the event of a jam. In addition each rotary control valve has a mechanism for activating the by-pass mode absent any jam. The actuator control arrangement further comprises a circuit coupling a pilot control and/or a flight control computer (FCC) to one or both of the mechanisms for remotely switching the rotary control valve(s) from an active mode to a by-pass mode under control of a pilot or FCC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Arnauld Hervieux, Johann Martin-Meyer
  • Patent number: 10495308
    Abstract: Gas safety valve that includes a body having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The body includes a housing in which a magnetic group is at least partially disposed. The magnetic group configured to regulate the opening or closing of a gas passage between the inlet conduit to the outlet conduit. The magnetic group includes an electromagnet, a support of the electromagnet and a bushing coupled to the support. The safety valve includes fixing means for fixing the bushing and the magnetic group to the body. The fixing means includes a fixing element having a cylindrical central part the free end of which is adapted to the geometry of the body retaining the fixing element against the body, and a flange extending radially towards the inside and retaining the bushing against the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: ORKLI, S. COOP.
    Inventors: Marcos Pablo Curto, Andoni Unanue Imaz, Mikel Zuriarrain Berasategi
  • Patent number: 10495233
    Abstract: A valve actuator for moving a valve element includes an actuator body, an opening piston, a closing piston, a first lost-motion link, and a second lost-motion link. The actuator body has an inner surface, a vent opening, a full-open pneumatic passageway, and a full-closed pneumatic passageway. The opening piston is movably disposed within the piston chamber between the vent opening and the full-open pneumatic passageway. The closing piston is movably disposed within the piston chamber between vent opening and the full-closed pneumatic passageway. The first lost-motion link is coupled to the opening piston and is operable to selectively rotate the valve element. The second lost-motion link is coupled to the closing piston and is operable to selectively rotate the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Robert Franconi
  • Patent number: 10495260
    Abstract: A safety valve system includes a main valve that includes an introduction port into which pressure from a tank is introduced, and a release port to release the pressure; a high-pressure side pilot valve and a low-pressure side pilot valve that are set to mutually different operating pressure values and that release pressure by making the introduction port and the release port communicate with each other when the pressure exceeds the operating pressure value; and a switching unit that switches so that only the low-pressure side pilot valves, which excludes the high-pressure side pilot valve with the highest operating pressure value, do not operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshinori Ishida
  • Patent number: 10487856
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a high-reliability, cost-effective electro-hydraulic servo-valve assembly that is not susceptible to failure caused by contaminated fluid. In particular embodiments, the electro-hydraulic servo-valve assembly includes a rotary valve that may be actuated by either a direct-coupled Limited Angle Torque (LAT) motor, a geared, brushless DC motor, or some other rotary electric actuating element with an integrated driver circuit. In particular embodiments, the rotary valve element made up of an outer sleeve element and an inner spool element, with matching ports and slots, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Greeb, Philip A. LaFleur, Jonathan P. Workman, John J. Been
  • Patent number: 10480676
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve mechanism capable of switching a communication state between a first port and a second port of a body. A diaphragm is held between a valve plug and a holder member, at a central portion of the valve mechanism. An outer marginal portion of the diaphragm is held between the body and the bonnet. A pilot channel through which a communication chamber in the body and a pilot chamber in the bonnet communicate with each other is formed in the valve plug. A first hole communicating with the pilot channel is formed at a central portion of the diaphragm. Pressurized fluid in the communication chamber flows into the pilot chamber through the pilot channel and the first hole to thereby bias the valve plug toward a valve seat, by the pressure of the pressurized fluid in combination with an elastic force of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisashi Komatsuzaki, Hisataka Kato, Motohiro Soutome
  • Patent number: 10480704
    Abstract: A pulsation damper includes an upper diaphragm, a lower diaphragm configured to form a sealed space having a predetermined pressure with the upper diaphragm, in which an inert gas is filled; and a deformation suppressing member formed of an elastic material, and comprising an inner cylindrical portion, and an extension portion extending from a center portion on an outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion such that the extension portion extends outward from a center axis of the inner cylindrical portion, wherein the deformation suppressing member is arranged inside the sealed space such that an outer periphery of the extension portion abuts against inner walls of the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: FUJIKOKI CORPORATION, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shin Yoshida, Takao Okada, Makoto Sudo, Osamu Hishinuma, Hiroatsu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10479669
    Abstract: A beverage-making apparatus includes a container including a container body that includes heat-insulating material and has an opening that provides access to an interior of the container body. The container further includes: a container cover configured to open and close the opening of the container body, and at least three channels connected to the container and that are communicative with the interior of the container body. The at least three channels include at least one first channel and a second channel that are communicative with a beverage ingredient pack mounted in the interior of the container body, the beverage ingredient pack configured to hold first beverage-making ingredients. The container further includes a third channel that is communicative with a space formed in the interior of the container body between a wall of the container body and the beverage ingredient pack mounted in the interior the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heeyeon Kim, Sunyoung Park, Chungook Chong
  • Patent number: 10473560
    Abstract: A core sampling and tapping assembly is disclosed that may be mounted to a cylindrical pipe. The assembly includes a nozzle having an interior portion extending between an open distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end sealed to an upper saddle member and the upper saddle member coupled to a lower saddle member to clamp the pipe in between. The assembly further includes a tapping mandrel including a mandrel plate, the tapping mandrel extending through the interior portion and a core cutter fixedly coupled to the mandrel plate. The assembly further includes a pilot bit coupled to the mandrel plate and disposed within an interior cavity of the core cutter. The tapping mandrel adjacently aligns the core cutter and the pilot bit with an outer surface of the pipe and subsequently rotates the pilot bit and core cutter to collect a core sample from the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hydra-Stop LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Nelson, Christopher C. Vazzana, Carl Mastny
  • Patent number: 10473545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling, measuring and reporting a physical quantity, more specifically to an apparatus that can be adapted to any valve of a container containing a fluid under pressure, more particularly a device that can be adapted to any valve of a container containing a gas or liquid under pressure. It has a particularly advantageous application in the general field of measuring the pressure of the output flow of fluid, in particular industrial or medicinal fluids contained in bottles. The machine comprises the support, electromechanical switch constituted by the dosing knob and the support for the dosing knob which incorporates the electronic circuitry for controlling the rate of fluid flow by pressure sensor for reading the output pressure of the fluid from the container and by the data processing system for processing the data obtained by the electromechanical switch and by the pressure sensor. This information can be viewed on the display or remotely transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ACAIL GÁS S.A.
    Inventors: Marco Alexandre De Pais Melo, Nuno Vasco Pinho Andrade
  • Patent number: 10472807
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first processor-controllable valve and a second processor-controllable valve both of which are connectable to an outdoor water line. A controller configured to control the operation of the first processor-controllable valve and the second processor-controllable valve. The controller, in use, urges the second processor-controllable valve to open and permit flow of the water along an interior of the outdoor water line for the case where the second electrical power source is available for use by the second processor-controllable valve when the first electrical power source is unavailable for use by the first processor-controllable valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Merdick Earl McFarlane
  • Patent number: 10465593
    Abstract: A coolant control valve includes a cam rotating by rotational force; a pivot arm disposed under the cam, one end of the pivot arm moving in an up and down direction by rotation of the cam; a valve installed at another end of the pivot arm and disposed outside an outer diameter of the cam, the valve moving as the pivot arm moves; and a pivot arm support hinge for supporting the pivot arm and enabling vertical movement of the pivot arm when the cam rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Won Hyuk Koh, Hyun Wook Ryu, Byung Chul Lee, Seok Jun Yoon