Patents Examined by Frederick D Soski
  • Patent number: 11549244
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to multifunctional smart faucets able to dispense a plurality of cleaning and personal hygiene liquids. In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a multifunctional smart faucet system is provided comprising a faucet that, in addition to having traditionally plumbed hot and cold water lines, includes a plurality of reservoirs, each of the plurality of reservoirs having a reservoir channel extending from the reservoir through the body of the faucet. The faucet systems disclosed includes a manual push button able to dispense fluids in the reservoirs, as well automated systems for dispensing fluids on intervals and according to pre-determined programming. In some embodiments, the disclosed smart faucet systems are controllable by smart devices with the aid of a dedicated application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Renande Alteon
  • Patent number: 11549243
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid dispensing device. The liquid dispensing device includes a cylinder body coupled to a sink and at least one nozzle coupled to the cylinder body. The at least one nozzle may include a first liquid discharge nozzle coupled to an upper region of the cylinder body to extend horizontally, the first liquid discharge nozzle being configured to supply a drinkable liquid, such as a purified liquid, a heated liquid, or a cooled liquid. The at least one nozzle may a second liquid discharge nozzle coupled to the cylinder body to extend horizontally, the second liquid discharge nozzle being positioned to be spaced apart from the first liquid discharge nozzle to supply a non-drinkable liquid, such as a sterilizing liquid containing hypochlorous acid or other additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Soongy Jeong, Jewook Jeon, Dongkoo Han, Jingyu Ji, Sangnam Kim, Jongwon Yun, Junki Yeo, Youngseok Kim
  • Patent number: 11530599
    Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett S. Boyd, Mitchell A. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11512795
    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: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Fitzgerald, David Boisvert, Leolein Moualeu, Lloyd Nghi Trong Le
  • Patent number: 11512789
    Abstract: Disclosed is a check valve and a modulator block including the same. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a check valve comprising a valve housing including first and second internal flow passages each formed to pass through an interior of the valve housing and having an inlet through which a fluid is introduced and an outlet through which the fluid is discharged; a first opening and closing member provided in the first internal flow passage and opened and closed by a hydraulic pressure of the fluid; a second opening and closing member provided in the second internal flow passage and opened and closed by the hydraulic pressure of the fluid; and a stopper member press-fitted to the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Byun
  • Patent number: 11486505
    Abstract: An automatic plate valve having a valve seat, a valve guard, a longitudinal axis (L) and a valve element arranged between the valve seat and the valve guard and movable along the longitudinal axis (L). The valve seat includes an end face having with valve seat openings oriented towards the valve guard, and a plurality of passages, which have a fluid-conducting connection to the valve seat openings. The valve element includes sealing element interacting with the valve seat openings. Wherein some of the passages have a different distance to the longitudinal axis in a radial direction (R). The end face of the valve seat including a plurality of grooved recesses, forming valve seat openings, with passages open into the same recess, the passages forming a fluid-conducting connection to the valve seat opening. Some of these passages connected to the valve seat opening have different distances to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BURCKHARDT COMPRESSION AG
    Inventor: Reiner Schulz
  • Patent number: 11473685
    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: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: PREVCO SUBSEA LLC
    Inventors: Don Christensen, John Head
  • Patent number: 11473696
    Abstract: A fluid control system to control fluid flow within a drainage system is disclosed that includes a cage configured to couple an interior wall of a structure of the drainage system, wherein the cage at least partially surrounds an aperture of the interior wall, and a float device configured to be encapsulated within the cage, wherein while in a resting state, the float device at least partially covers an aperture of the structure of the drainage system. In some instances, when fluid contacts the float device at a flow rate of at least a flow threshold, the float device is configured to at least partially uncover the aperture of the interior wall, or further uncover the aperture of the interior wall. The float device may be formed from a buoyant material and configured to rise from the resting state in accordance with a rising fluid level within the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Jeremy Hohnbaum
  • Patent number: 11466442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air admittance valve (AAV) that operates automatically at low pressures to selectively open and close an air passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The AAV comprises a valve body having a centrally disposed, internal valve chamber in communication with the ambient environment, and having a valve seat. The AAV includes a sealing member having a flexible diaphragm that is fastened to a support ring, the ring defining one or more lugs on an outer periphery thereof. The AAV further includes a cap member within which the sealing member may be disposed, such that the one or more lugs may interact with an interior surface of the cap. The sealing member may selectively seal or unseal from the valve seat in response to pressure differentials between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: OATEY CO.
    Inventors: Aaron Lorkowski, Kenneth Brown, Kai Zhang
  • Patent number: 11441691
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing, a first ball, a second ball, and a deflector plate. The housing defines an inner chamber and has an inlet and an outlet providing fluid communication into the inner chamber. A longitudinal axis extends between the inlet and outlet. The first ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the inlet and outlet and rests on a seat extending into the inner chamber. The second ball is disposed in the inner chamber between the first ball and outlet and rests on the first ball. The deflector plate is disposed in the inner chamber and positioned between the inlet and first ball. The first ball, second ball, and deflector plate are aligned so that their centers lie on the longitudinal axis. The deflector plate is configured to deflect gas entering through the inlet to prevent the gas from driving the first and second balls upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VALCO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Amos Glen Fowler, Daniel B. Truong
  • Patent number: 11434733
    Abstract: A bypass plunger combines a unitary or one-piece hollow body-and-valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion of the hollow body using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during ascent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and valve stems surfaced to achieve specific functions. Combinations of these features provide enhanced performance, durability and reliability at reduced manufacturing cost, due primarily to the simplicity of its design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett S. Boyd, Mitchell A. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11434900
    Abstract: A valve member for a spring-loaded valve assembly includes a top portion having a spring retaining recess, the spring retaining recess extending into the top portion to form a void space, the void space to receive at least one coil of a spring, the spring retaining recess having a recess diameter that is smaller than a top portion diameter, wherein the recess diameter is larger than a rest diameter of a spring base including the coil, the spring retaining recess blocking expansion of the at least one coil when the spring is compressed. The valve member also includes a bottom portion coupled to the top portion. The valve member further includes a sealing element positioned axially below a shoulder of the top portion and legs coupled to the bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Vulcan Industrial Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Akhil Alex, Chance Ray Mullins, Kyle Matthew Ellisor, Seth Sprowls
  • Patent number: 11435019
    Abstract: A valve guide for a coupling including a circular, longitudinally extending portion, including a substantially circular channel extending therethrough; a ring portion; a plurality of ports radially disposed around a centerline of the valve guide; and one of more collar supports disposed radially about the circular, longitudinally extending portion. The valve guide comprises a unitary one-piece component. A male portion for a coupling that includes a valve guide with integral assembly support and a method for assembling a coupling assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jason C. Gauss, Gary M. Jenski, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11434628
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for providing and dispensing various hand care alternatives from a common point of dispension, such as a faucet, for standardizing the hand care, washing, sanitizing, and drying process is disclosed. Included is a liquid flow path having an inlet in fluid communication with a liquid source and an outlet in fluid communication with a user reception point. A secondary flow path has an inlet in communication with one or more hand care alternatives and an outlet in communication with the user reception point. A user-perceivable output provides notification of the hand care operation being provided at the user reception point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Denise Chandler, Anthony Lee Kramer, Brian Philip Carlson, Sarah Gilbertson, Kenneth Thomas Dobizl
  • Patent number: 11434970
    Abstract: A damping valve having a damping valve body with at least one flow channel for damping medium. A valve rod is arranged in the flow channel. The valve rod cooperates with a valve disk and a valve seat surface. The valve rod carries a further valve disk that cooperates with a second valve seat surface. The first valve disk together with the first valve seat surface forms a first partial valve having a first permanently open pilot orifice cross section, and the second valve disk together with the second valve seat surface forms a second partial valve having a second pilot orifice cross section, and a shuttle valve is formed which opens one partial valve and closes the other partial valve depending on the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Holger Beck, Klaus Schmitz, Sven Kapell
  • Patent number: 11415251
    Abstract: A female coupling device includes: a main body, and a clip member coupled to the main body, the clip member having a plurality of arms extending perpendicularly therefrom, with the plurality of arms forming at least one pair of arms, with the pair of arms including a first distance therebetween and a second distance therebetween, with the first distance being sized to engage a clip groove of a mating male coupling device, and with the second distance being sized to disengage the mating male coupling device. In a locked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the first distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device. In an unlocked position, the pair of arms is positioned so that the second distance is adjacent to the mating male coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventors: Robert Keith Johnson, Grant A. Wilhelm, Elizabeth J. Langer
  • Patent number: 11408525
    Abstract: This invention is a new and novel embodiment of inflation valve for an inflatable boat or article, which also incorporates a separate and internal pressure release valve to allow the release of air when needed due to the rise of internal pressure inside said boat caused by temperature changes during the day, or any other over-pressure situation which could cause a rupture of the seams or outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Stephen Heberling, II
  • Patent number: 11401789
    Abstract: A bypass plunger includes a unibody, or one-piece hollow body and valve cage, retains a dart valve within the valve cage portion using a threaded retaining nut secured by crimple detents, and includes sealable flow parts. A series of helical grooves surround the central portion of the outer surface of the hollow body of the plunger to control spin during descent. A canted-coil-spring disposed within the retaining nut functions as a clutch. The valve cage includes ports that may be configured to control flow through the plunger during descent. Other embodiments include clutch assemblies using canted-coil springs with split bobbins, and surfaced valve stems surfaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: FLOWCO PRODUCTION SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Boyd, Garrett S. Boyd
  • Patent number: 11396869
    Abstract: Seat valve, with a valve body having a plurality of inlet channels, with a plurality of closing elements arranged movably in a longitudinal direction L, each inlet channel being assigned a closing element for opening and closing the inlet channel, with a closing spring assigned to each closing element. The closing spring applies a prestressing force to the respective closing element to close the inlet channel. Each closing element assigned a braking device which is arranged separately from the closing element and which gradually brakes an opening movement of the closing element when the inlet channel is opened, independently of the closing spring. The braking device having a stop body with a stop surface against which the closing element can be brought to bear after an opening movement when the inlet channel is opened, the stop body being arranged movably and/or yieldingly in the opening direction of the closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BURCKHARDT COMPRESSION AG
    Inventor: Reiner Schulz
  • Patent number: 11384756
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a fracturing pump includes a valve seat having a bore extending therethrough, the valve seat including a strike face at a top region opposite a bottom region, at least a portion of the strike face formed by an insert positioned within a groove formed in the valve body. The valve assembly also includes a bore liner arranged within the bore, at least a portion of an axial length of the bore liner covering at least a portion of the ceramic to form a barrier between the insert and the bore. The valve assembly further includes a valve member positioned to reciprocate within the bore, the valve member moving between an open position and a closed position, wherein at least a portion of the valve member engages at least a portion of the strike face in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Vulcan Industrial Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jason David Smith