Patents Examined by G. L. Walton
  • Patent number: 4239055
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure plug for sealing a service valve fitting aperture in a fully pressurized fluid transmission pipeline to enable service valve fittings to be replaced without interrupting the flow of fluid in the transmission pipeline.The plug, which is located below an elongated main shaft, is comprised of spaced apart cap members having a compressible or resilient material there-between and an inner shaft extending longitudinally through the central axis of the plug so that when a nut associated with the inner shaft and plug is tightened it expands the plug making it larger in diameter than the service valve fitting aperture in the pressurized pipeline. The fluid pressure forces it against the inner wall of the pipeline, thus sealing the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Michael Van Coffman
  • Patent number: 4239180
    Abstract: A valve for the escape of compressed air in order to extinguish the electric arc between the moving contacts of a circuit-breaker. The arrangement includes an intermediate moving structure between the control rod and the compensated force valve with two seats, said structure being constituted by a cylinder integral with one of the seats and a piston which cooperates with the control rod in order to transmit a rapid and reliable control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Delle-Alsthom
    Inventors: Edmond Thuries, Bernard Raynaud, Armand Scarato
  • Patent number: 4239177
    Abstract: A regulator valve having a balanced port construction is provided with a balanced piston design, the piston being operated under positive control in all valve positions. The piston regulates fluid flow through the valve. The piston is operatively connected to a heat motor, and the electrical energy input to the heat motor is used to adjust piston position. Because of the balanced piston design, valve operation is dependent solely upon electrical energy input to the heat motor, and precise control of a refrigeration system, for example, may be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steven E. Williams, Bernard L. Kunz
  • Patent number: 4237920
    Abstract: A valve is provided which includes a poppet enclosed in a plug of plastic material, such as Teflon, and which is biased against a seat by a compression spring so that a positive seal is provided even in the presence of cold flow in the plastic plug. A valve stem engages the poppet, and it serves to pull the poppet and plug away from the seat against the force of the spring when the valve is opened, and to force the poppet and plug against the seat when the valve is closed. The valve is closed by a pressurized fluid, such as air, and is opened by means of a spring when the air pressure is removed. The Teflon plug is provided with a sharp corner which contacts a conical seat creating a seal when the valve is closed. The sharp corner of the plug wipes the seat of the debris as the valve is opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Torr Vacuum Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur E. Norman
  • Patent number: 4237923
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprising a housing having opposed inlet and outlet ports which communicate via a passage containing a poppet member movable in response to energization of a coil is disclosed. A flexible wall is further provided in said passage to define inlet and outlet chambers communicating respectively with said inlet and outlet ports. A second passage in said flexible wall connects said chambers, and a resilient spring urges a valve seat defined in said second passage into fluid tight engagement with the poppet member, whatever the position of the latter. The poppet member is movable between a first position in which it urges the wall against an abutment, thereby preventing any communication between the inlet and outlet ports, and a second position in which the wall is movable relative thereto, whereby said wall acts as a non-return valve between the inlet and outlet ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme D.B.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Pressaco
  • Patent number: 4235413
    Abstract: A fast-acting reliable electrically operated normally opened or normally closed valve includes a piston which is spring-biased open and which is actuable by pressurized actuating fluid to drive a plug against a valve seat to terminate working fluid flow. Operating current is passed through stainless steel and copper tubes which are connected in series and contain actuating fluid. The stainless steel tube is heated by the current and vaporizes the actuating fluid-generating pressure which forces the cooler fluid from the copper tube into driving relation with the piston. When current is turned off, the stainless steel tube cools decreasing the vapor pressure. The cooler fluid from the copper tube is forced into the stainless tube by the biasing spring and accelerates condensation in the stainless steel tube to lower the pressure and quickly re-open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: William E. Baker
  • Patent number: 4235256
    Abstract: A damper assembly for closure of a duct for conveying hot corrosive gases is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Cominco Ltd.
    Inventor: Alan Crawshay
  • Patent number: 4235416
    Abstract: A valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow therethrough. A valve support body attached to an elongated stem is housed in an internal opening of a valve body which is externally mateable with a valve seat. Mateable surfaces on the valve body and valve seat are spherical so as to ensure complete engagement therebetween for misalignments between the stem-supported valve body and the valve seat. An antivibration or stabilizing ring situated between the support body and the valve body within the internal opening permits rotation of the valve body about the support body during valve closure to compensate for large stem-valve seat misalignments while restricting relative oscillatory, vibrating motion between the support body and valve body when the valve is in the open, unengaged configuration. Maximum vibration resistance and free rotatability of the valve body is obtained by disposing the stabilizing ring to occupy a position in the plane formed by the contact line between the valve body and seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Bernard L. LaCoste, Lloyd W. Smith, Thomas J. Finnimore
  • Patent number: 4235258
    Abstract: A driving device for opening and closing a valve comprises a cylindrical body, an actuating cylinder, a spindle, a piston member, a transparent plate and a stop means for controlling the rotation of the spindle. Said stop means comprises a ring gear, a spring and a stop bar having a wedge-shaped head, said wedge head having a pair of surfaces forming an included angle which is bisected by the axis of the stop bar such that rotation of the spindle by fluid pressure on the valve is prevented but manual rotation of the spindle in either direction is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignee: Tomoe Technical Research Company
    Inventors: Takayoshi Uno, deceased, by Takaaki Uno, heir, by Yoshishige Uno, heir, by Hiroyoshi Uno, heir, Takashi Ida, Minoru Onaka, Hayato Shigeta
  • Patent number: 4232851
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow in a fluid system such as a pipeline which includes a body defining an internal chamber in fluid connection with an inlet and an outlet. The valve further includes a deformable valve liner mounted within the chamber which sits against a valve seat and a frustoconical grill having a plurality of ports therein. The liner and the body define a control chamber which is coupled to a source of controlled pressure. A relief region is provided between the liner and the grill at the plane of intersection of the liner and the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4231389
    Abstract: A pedestal extends upwardly from the body of a gate valve housing in a straddling relationship to the gate. An operator, detachably attachable to the pedestal, includes a hand wheel operating through a pinion gear to impart translatory movement to a vertically oriented rack. A clevis is disposed at the lower extremity of the rack for attachment through a pin to the upper end of the gate. A removable pin is employed to secure the gate, in either a raised or a lowered position, to the pedestal and to maintain the gate in position after removal of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: New Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Still, Frank J. Huppenthal, Barbara J. Smith, Gerald H. Scotney
  • Patent number: 4231543
    Abstract: A controllable hydraulic valve mechanism for reciprocating engines or pumps including a drive piston, operable by a cam is provided with control edges and projects into a drive cylinder; a working piston which operates the valve directly and is guided in a working cylinder. The valve mechanism provides a continuous communication between the drive cylinder interior and a second reservoir which absorbs a substantial part of the energy produced by the lift of a cam. Control sleeves surround the drive piston and are operable by actuating means operable from outside the drive cylinder. Each of the control sleeves has a control ring groove which cooperates with control edges provided in the drive piston. A further sleeve in the working cylinder surrounds the working piston, is rotatable by actuating means operable from outside the working cylinder, and is provided with a control ring groove for varying the valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hansjurgen Zurner, Wolfgang Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 4231390
    Abstract: A fuel spray bar is disposed in the induction passage of an internal combustion engine for spraying fuel into the induction air stream. The spray bar contains a pair of separate fuel distribution rails designated as the main (or light load) fuel distribution rail and the auxiliary (or power) fuel distribution rail. A plurality of spaced orifices communicate each rail with the induction passage. A pressure regulator assembly is disposed on the fuel spray bar and contains a main pressure relief valve assembly, the outlet of which is in communication with the main fuel distribution rail of the spray bar and an auxiliary pressure relief valve assembly, the outlet of which is in communication with the auxiliary rail. A motor driven control pump delivers fuel to the inlet of the pressure regulator assembly. At idle and light engine loading, only the main valve assembly is open so that fuel is sprayed into the induction air passage solely via the main fuel distribution rail and its orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Teague
  • Patent number: 4230299
    Abstract: A pressure balanced gate valve mechanism wherein a closed loop fluid interchange system interconnects the valve actuator stem area of the valve mechanism with the pressure balancing stem area and functions to accomodate volumetric changes to prevent the development of a hydraulic lock that might otherwise prevent or retard opening and closing movement of the valve mechanism. Internal back-face seating arrangements with combination metal-to-metal and elastomeric sealing elements establish seals between the valve stem and bonnet at one gate position and between the pressure balancing stem and valve body structure at the opposite gate position. An externally threaded portion of the valve bonnet is receivable within internally threaded receiver openings of a plurality of different actuator systems, including manual, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic actuator systems. The actuator systems are field interchangeable with the valve in service and under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Petroleum Designers, Inc.
    Inventor: Elwood K. Pierce, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4230145
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pressure activated fluid control system particularly adapted for use as a flushing mechanism for toilets of the water tank type. This system includes a push button actuated control valve assembly which, in the shutoff position, urges a needle valve against a movable valve seat; a pressure actuated direction flow valve; and a tank ball lifting mechanism. The direction flow valve is in fluid communication with the control valve assembly which upon actuation of the control valve, allows incoming water under line pressure to pass to the lifting mechanism, raise a lift piston and lift the tank ball from the cistern drain. The tank ball depends from a piston disposed within a water filled lower cylinder and following the draining of the cistern, the tank ball slowly and precisely returns to the cistern drain as the water below the piston head within the lower cylinder passes from the cylinder through a check valve disposed about the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Edwin T. Badders
  • Patent number: 4227674
    Abstract: A liquid metering flush valve to be installed in connection with plumbing fixtures such as water closets, urinals, service sinks, and other equipment and to supply said fixtures with a predetermined amount of water; which may be potable water, contaminated water, sea water, corrosive and/or unfiltered water, and water and/or oil combinations; at controlled pressures, flow rates and volumes. The basic valve design is on the hydraulic principal of proportional flow through orifices, regardless of pressure fluctuation but employs the use of four chambers, two of which are sealed and contain not only an orifice therebetween but a filtered, non-corrosive captive liquid to assure the orifice of protection from corrosive action and dirt which may damage the orifice or clog it and prevent it from working properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: Walter H. Grant, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4227546
    Abstract: A dishwashing apparatus having a pump arrangement which is belt driven by a laterally disposed drive motor. The apparatus further includes a tub defining a washing chamber and a fluid inlet system including a fill valve for supplying fluid to the washing chamber. The pump recirculates the fluid within the washing chamber to wash the dishes and drains the fluid from the washing chamber. A timer controls the apparatus through a predetermined cycle of recirculation and drain periods for rinsing and washing the dishes. Operation of the fill valve is controlled to provide different levels of fluid for rinsing and washing with the fill valve being operable prior to recirculation in predetermined fills to provide a first fluid level and being operable after recirculation has begun in at least one other fill to provide a second higher fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: The Maytag Company
    Inventor: Richard P. Bergeson
  • Patent number: 4225110
    Abstract: An actuator is provided for converting linear to rotary motion to manipulate a valve. Preferably, the actuator has a rotor which is rotatable about an axis and is operably associatable with the valve member. A pair of motors, preferably actuated by pressure fluid, each includes a reciprocal push rod assembly. Flexible means are coupled between the push rod assemblies of the motors and spaced apart points on the rotor such that when one of the motors is actuated, the respective one of the push rod assemblies is moved linearly in a direction to transmit torque to the rotor, thus causing the rotor to rotate about its axis in one direction and manipulate the valve member to one of open and closed positions, and when the other of the motors is actuated, the other of the push rod assemblies is moved linearly in an opposing direction to transmit torque to the rotor whereby the rotor is rotated about its axis in an opposite direction to manipulate the valve to the other of open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Baker GAC Inc.
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, Stephen R. Foster, Gonzalo Vazquez
  • Patent number: 4217928
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gas regulator valve of the conventional, diaphragm pressure controlled operation which has an internal bleed cavity and a bleed passageway communicating through a snap-acting valve responsive to a heating demand electromagnet and a regulator valve that responds to the regulator outlet pressure. This valve structure is modified in accordance with this invention to provide a step opening characteristic. The step opening characteristic provides an initial low pressure supply of gas and, within a constant and relatively short time interval thereafter, an increased gas supply which is maintained at a substantially constant pressure by the regulator valve. The valve structure is modified to provide the stepped operational characteristic by a by-pass passageway from the inlet to the bleed cavity, bypassing the bleed orifice. The bypass passageway includes a valve with a diaphragm valve actuator in an internal cavity within the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Samuel T. Kelly
  • Patent number: RE30427
    Abstract: A maximum liquid level control valve for limiting the flow of liquid petroleum gas into a tank having a valve body, a float pivotally attached to the valve body, a closure flap, a spring acting between the valve body and the closure flap, and a cam device movable by the float. The control valve which is mounted to a flange welded to the side wall of the tank has a valve seat and a passage for liquid to flow through the valve body into the tank. The closure flap is movable toward the valve seat to a closed position and away from the valve seat to an open position. The closure flap is movable to the closed position under incoming liquid pressure. When the liquid level in the tank is below the maximum liquid level, the cam device acts on a stem which is attached to the closure flap. With the cam acting on the stem, the closure flap cannot be moved to the closed position in response to incoming liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Harley D. Brown
    Inventors: Harley D. Brown, Harley Brown