Patents Examined by Frederick D Soski
  • Patent number: 12146385
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body defining a bore axially therethrough and a port in communication with the bore and extending radially through the body, an inner cap positioned in the port, the inner cap sealing the port, and an outer cap positioned in the port. The outer cap is spaced apart from the inner cap, and the outer cap seals the port, such that a chamber is defined between the inner and outer caps in the port. The inner cap is configured to move toward outer cap in response to a first pressure differential between bore and the chamber across the outer cap. The inner cap is configured to dislodge the outer cap from the port in response to the inner cap engaging the outer cap and a second pressure differential between the bore and an exterior of the downhole tool being reached across the inner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Anthony Rushing
  • Patent number: 12140249
    Abstract: A method for early detection of control valve diaphragm failure is disclosed. The method includes disposing an elastic sensing element on a diaphragm of a pneumatic control valve, generating, using the elastic sensing element, a baseline sensor record comprising initial elasticity measurements of the diaphragm, generating, using the elastic sensing element and during a useful life of the control valve, a sequence of periodic sensor records comprising periodic elasticity measurements of the diaphragm, generating, in response to any periodic sensor record differs from the baseline sensor record by a pre-determined threshold, an alarm, and performing, in response to the alarm, a maintenance operation of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Ibrahim Samir Alramadhan
  • Patent number: 12140236
    Abstract: A dual union drain valve assembly has one or more reversible check valve inserts in the fitting(s) that are coupled to the drain valve body. The coupling of the fittings to the drain valve body is done using union couplings permitting the easy installation and/or reversal of the check valve insert(s). In addition, the union couplings permit removal of the dual union drain valve assembly from the surrounding plumbing system for service or replacement of the dual union drain valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 12123507
    Abstract: A valve, a multi-functional combination valve and a CFLVV valve simultaneously achieve the functions of a refueling limit valve and a rolling-over valve in a fuel tank. The valve body includes a valve core accommodating cavity, and first and second inflow passages, a first discharge port, and a second discharge port communicating therewith are provided. The valve core accommodating cavity includes two independent vertical-sliding first valve core assemblies and second valve core assemblies for opening or closing the first discharge port and the second discharge port. The pressure maintaining part is connected to the second discharge port and contains a certain opening pressure. After the first valve core assembly closes the first discharge port, and a certain pressure value has to be reached in the valve core accommodating cavity, the pressure maintaining part will open the second discharge port, and the fluid will flow out of the second discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignees: YINGZHI AIYI INTELLIGENT AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (JIAXING) CO., LTD., SHANGHAI JTR AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaotong Zhu
  • Patent number: 12116258
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a faucet device with a self-cleaning function, comprising: a faucet mechanism, a control mechanism, a self-cleaning mechanism, and a beverage inlet passage. The beverage inlet passage is configured to be in communication with a beverage source, the faucet mechanism comprises a first passage configured to be in communication with a water source and a second passage configured to be in communication with a beverage source, and the control mechanism is connected to an inlet of the second passage, the beverage inlet passage, and the self-cleaning mechanism to control the beverage inlet passage to supply a beverage supplied by the beverage source to the second passage or to enable the second passage to be cleaned by the self-cleaning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jie Wu, Lihong Hu, Wenxing Chen, Yicong Xie
  • Patent number: 12110771
    Abstract: Used gas lift valves having a used bellows assembly are remanufactured. Separable components are disassembled, and the used bellows assembly is removed from a dome housing by de-brazing the used bellows at a brazed joint from a mating surface of the dome housing. A replacement bellows is then affixed (e.g., arc welded) to the dome housing's mating surface, and a bellows adapter is affixed (e.g., arc welded) to the replacement bellows. The separable components of the used valve are then reassembled to produce a remanufactured gas lift valve. The remanufactured valve has a replacement bellows composed of a nickel-chromium alloy as opposed to a nickel-copper alloy, has the replacement bellows arc-welded to the dome housing as opposed to being brazed thereto, and has the adapter arc-welded to the bellows as opposed to being brazed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: TRC SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Russell L. Ritchie, Stanley Wayne Sweet, Dustin Wayne Lott, Gustavo Pertuz
  • Patent number: 12085181
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve is disclosed with a first stage valve that is in series with a second stage valve, with an enclosed cavity between the first stage valve and the second stage valve. The first stage valve relieves pressure from an enclosure into the enclosed cavity between the stages, when the pressure is above a cracking pressure of the first stage valve. The second stage relieves pressure from the enclosed cavity when the pressure is above the cracking pressure of the second stage valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: PREVCO Subsea, LLC
    Inventors: Don Christensen, John Head
  • Patent number: 12077932
    Abstract: A quick coupler includes a housing in which a first and a second coupler cartridge are received. The spaced-apart center axes of the first and second coupler cartridges each run parallel to a vertical axis such that the center axes are contained in a common reference plane. The quick coupler further includes a first actuating lever and a second actuating lever for actuating the coupler cartridges. First and a second axes of rotation of the respective first and second actuating levers are oriented perpendicularly to the reference plane, and a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm are arranged to perpendicularly to the reference plane on opposite sides of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Knapper, Frank Rieckhof, Tanja Ernstmeier
  • Patent number: 12072032
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a valve body including a monitored pressure inlet leading to a monitored pressure region, a piston having a shear seal bore and a surface facing the monitored pressure region, a vent passage and a the shear seal assembly comprising a seal plate having a sealing surface thereon, and the shear seal assembly includes a sealing surface facing the seal plate and having a first annular area, and a first surface having an annular surface area at least twice as large as the first area of the sealing surface, the first surface facing away from the first area, and a biasing seal in contact with the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Proserv Gilmore Valve LLC
    Inventors: Andy Patterson, Gerardo Martinez, Preston Weintraub
  • Patent number: 12066125
    Abstract: A venturi valve having a valve housing that includes a narrowing section extending between a broader upstream end and a narrower valve throat followed by a broadening section downstream of the valve throat, and a valve member configured to be situated in the valve housing and movable along a valve axis in an axial direction of the valve housing. The venturi valve includes a plurality of flow influencing features positioned in a reattachment region of the valve member and/or extending inward from an inner wall of the valve housing. The plurality of flow influencing features are configured to reduce perturbations in an air flow passing through the venturi valve thereby reducing rattle from the venturi valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Fitzgerald, David Boisvert, Leolein Moualeu, Lloyd Nghi Trong Le
  • Patent number: 12066037
    Abstract: The main purpose in producing this innovative farming machinery is to reduce water, labor, and equipment costs associated with tradition siphon irrigation. Siphon pipes are commonly used in the agricultural industry for row crop irrigation. Traditional harvests involving this irrigation method include corn, beans, tomatoes, and alfalfa, among others. The irrigation method is commonly used throughout the United States, India, and Australia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Inventor: Delmar Gerald Woodward, IV
  • Patent number: 12066018
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a valve and a pump. The valve has a valve chamber surrounded by the first main plate, the second main plate, and the side plate. The first main plate has a first aperture, and the second main plate has a second aperture. The valve further includes a valve diaphragm disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve diaphragm is configured to switch between a state in which the first aperture and the second aperture communicate with each other and a state in which the first aperture and the second aperture do not communicate with each other. The pump includes a vibration unit that has a piezoelectric device and a vibrating plate. The pump has a pump chamber that is defined by the vibration unit and the second main plate. The pump chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Daisuke Kondo, Hiroyuki Yokoi
  • Patent number: 12055227
    Abstract: A check valve includes a housing defining a pair of valve openings, a pair of flappers pivotably mounted to a pin and such that they are configured to rotate relative to the housing between an open position in which they permit fluid flow through the valve openings and a closed position in which they prevent fluid flow through the valve openings, and an element configured to stop and hold the flappers in the open position. A cavity is formed between the pair of flappers and stop element when the flappers are in the open position. Each of the flappers comprise one or more contact surfaces configured to contact the stop element when in the open position. The stop element has stop surfaces with stationary contact areas configured to oppose and abut the flapper contact surfaces when the flappers are in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: András Méri, Bartosz Solarz
  • Patent number: 12030466
    Abstract: A method for communicating regarding supply of hydrogen of a moving vehicle to one or more distribution stations begins by collecting at least two parameters relating to the vehicle during its movement by two or more sensors onboard the vehicle. The parameters include at least the current location of the vehicle. Next, the parameters are transmitted to a control module. At least one parameter relating to hydrogen available in the one or more distribution stations is then collected by another sensor, which then transmits the hydron availability parameters to the control module. A hydrogen distribution station is then identified while the vehicle is moving, and a user of the vehicle is informed of available hydrogen distribution stations and of hydrogen supply conditions in the identified distribution stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventor: Sylvain Jourdy
  • Patent number: 12030003
    Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for bypass flow filtering. A bypass valve filter includes at least one wall configured to engage a surface of a bypass valve and a filter surface having a plurality of openings between an inside of the at least one wall and an outside of the at least one wall. One or more openings of the plurality of openings have a first size and one or more other openings of the plurality of openings have a second size, wherein the first size is different than the second size to define different levels of filtering. The bypass valve further includes an open end configured to allow fluid flow therethrough and to the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Deere &Company
    Inventors: Yogesh Patil, Dattatray B. Pingle, Yogesh Bhoi
  • Patent number: 12023692
    Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 12024907
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for structural 3D printing. A machine frame with multiple articulated arm segments pivoting within planes substantially parallel to the plane of material deposition are controlled by a controller to move a printhead attached to a material line to convey a construction material to a deposit position for dispensation. The controller is configured to receive 3D printing information and convert it to positional coordinates of the printhead, and to cause movement of the articulated arm segments and support members to position the printhead, while using sensor feedback. Vertical movement of the printhead is facilitated through one or more mechanisms such as elevating the machine platform, elevating the articulating arm segments, and/or the incorporation of a mast on one or more of the arm segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: ARC Ventures LLC
    Inventor: James E. Charmley
  • Patent number: 12012209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a water scooping apparatus (2) for an aircraft (1), comprising a water scooping unit (7) that is associated with a water tank (10) via an extendible tubular member (5). The water scooping unit being provided with an intake opening (20) that is in fluidic communication with the extendible tubular member and arranged at a side of the water scooping unit facing away from the sky when the water scooping apparatus is in an active state, the water scooping unit (7) being provided with a plurality of surface-piercing hydrofoils (25, 26, 27, 28) arranged surrounding the intake opening (20) and configured to generate an upward force when being moved through a body of water to position the water scooping unit with respect to a surface (9) of the body of water in such a way to ensure water intake via the intake opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: SCODEV INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Gerardus Hendrikus Maria Benedik, Stefano Brizzolara
  • Patent number: 12000517
    Abstract: A pipe fitting having a base configured to engage with a pipe, the base having a mounting seat configured to engage directly with the pipe, a base ring configured to engage with the mounting seat, and a base flange configured to engage with the base ring, a top hat configured to engage with the base, the top hat having a top cap, a top hat ring configured to engage with the top cap, and a top hat flange configured to engage with the top hat ring, wherein the top hat flange is further configured to engage with the base flange to form a fitting cavity. A pipe flow controller may be in fluid communication with the internal pipe volume through a threaded nipple, while also being securely housed within the fitting cavity, thus protecting the pipe flow controller from corrosion, impacts and other forms of damage to prevent leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Inventor: Roderick Lee Greer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12000519
    Abstract: A reducing tee that includes a main portion extending from a first end to a second end with an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end. A main passageway extends from the first end to the second end, and a branch extends outwards from the intermediate portion containing a passageway in fluid communication with the main passageway. A water trap having a hollow body with a first open end, a second open end, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a linear passageway extends between the first open end and the second open end disposed within the reducing tee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Applied System Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roman Todd Zarins