Patents Examined by George L. Walton
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Patent number: 6848467Abstract: A valve proportioning assembly that incorporates a check valve assembly is improved in manufacture and assembly. The valve proportioning assembly includes a housing having a blind opening that receives a sub-assembly of two separate non-metallic components that mate via an interference fit or snap-fit together enclose the check valve assembly. The non-metallic components enclose the check valve assembly. It includes a spring and spring follower so that a sub-assembly is formed for insertion into a blind bore. This minimizes potential misassembly, provides for a wider array of design configurations, and offers the additional advantage of adding more complete informational indicia directly into the molded components.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventors: James M. Kubik, Carolyn S. Dute
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Patent number: 6848466Abstract: A tool and method of utilizing the tool to release pressurized gas trapped between a main valve and a safety valve of a portable liquified petroleum gas tank is disclosed. The tool includes a tank safety valve release member structured to be coupled with the outlet of the fuel tank. The tank safety valve release member is configured to be inserted into the tank outlet and move the tank safety valve to an open position so that pressurized gas can escape to atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: American Biophysics CorporationInventor: Emma Amelia Durand
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Patent number: 6848464Abstract: A fluid vent (26) for venting fluid from the annulus between the inner surface of a rigid conduit (20) and the outer surface of a conduit liner (10). The fluid vent (26) consists of a length of rigid conduit (34) containing a multiplicity of apertures (32) extending through the wall of the conduit and arranged in an annular pattern around the circumference of conduit (34). The fluid vent (26) further comprises means defining a closed annular volume (36) extending around the exterior circumference of the conduit (34) and interconnecting the outer ends of the apertures (32) with at least one fluid outlet passage (40) located on the exterior of the conduit (34) and communicating with said annular volume (36). The fluid vent can be used to expel water or other liquids from the annular space when retro-fitting a liner to a conduit, venting gas which has permeated through the lining into the annulus, or for assisting in the movement of fluid through the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignees: Coflexip SA, Coflexip Stena Offshore LimitedInventor: Alan Ransom
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Patent number: 6848469Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable valve for a toilet in which the valve remains in a lower setting unless it is activated by the user to a higher setting and automatically returns to the lower setting after flushing the toilet. The amount of water used for each flush is dependent on the water level in the toilet tank. The water level in the tank is set by adjusting the height of the valve assembly. The valve assembly can be activated by the user to raise the height of the valve assembly and maintain the height using a release clip, thereby increasing the amount of water in the tank. When the handle is pressed to flush the toilet, the release clip is pulled back by a chain extending from the handle and the adjustable valve springs back to the lower setting.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Paul Vegliante
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Patent number: 6845962Abstract: A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit. The microvalve device comprises a body having a cavity formed therein. The body further has first and second pilot ports placed in fluid communication with the cavity. The body also has first and second primary ports placed in fluid communication with the cavity. Each port is adapted for connection with a designated fluid source. A pilot valve supported by the body is movably disposed in the cavity for opening and closing the first and second pilot ports. An actuator is operably coupled to the pilot valve for moving the pilot valve. A microvalve is positioned by the fluid controlled by the pilot valve. The microvalve is a slider valve having a first end and a second end. The slider valve is movably disposed in the cavity for movement between a first position and a second position. The first end of the slider valve is in fluid communication with the first and second pilot ports when the first and second pilot ports are open.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventors: Richard J. Barron, Kirt R. Williams, E. Nelson Fuller, Harry A. Hunnicutt
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Patent number: 6845784Abstract: A fire sprinkler water catching apparatus includes a funnel member which has a funnel top portion, a funnel bottom portion, a funnel drain portion connected to the funnel bottom portion, and a pole-reception fitting. A drain hose is connected to the funnel drain portion. The end of a support pole is received in the pole-reception fitting. The fire sprinkler water catching apparatus of the invention is used to catch and carry away unwanted water that is sprayed from a fire sprinkler when the fire sprinkler is spraying water at an unwanted time, such as when a fusible link on the fire sprinkler is accidentally broken. Preferably, a flexible funnel cover is fitted onto the top of the funnel top portion. The flexible funnel cover includes a plurality of flexible and resilient funnel cover flaps.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Inventor: James J. Pascznk
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Patent number: 6845783Abstract: A linear actuated disk valve for a fluid conveyance system constructed with a valve body having an internal chamber and a passage through the valve body, the valve body having opposite ends with external connectors that continue the passage and that are connectable to other components in the fluid conveyance system, the improvements being a displaceable cam action closure member in the chamber of the valve body, the closure member having a disk retainer assembly with a disk retainer and at least a pair of circular closure disks engageable with the disk retainer formed by a cam on the retainer and a cam track on the disk being laterally displaced on initial linear displacement of disk retainer with the disk retainer being connected to an actuator shaft with an improved sealing assembly for sealing the shaft at the top of the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Everlasting Valve Company, Inc.Inventor: C. James Sheppard
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Patent number: 6840279Abstract: A pneumatic switching valve (1) for systems for lifting and lowering the body of a vehicle including air suspension includes a mechanical actuation element (33) for adjusting a lifting position, a lowering position, a driving position and a stop position associated with respective positions of the vehicle. An inlet valve (11), an outlet valve (12) and a locking valve (13) each include a valve body (24), a tappet (26) and a closing spring (27). The inlet valve (11) and the outlet valve (12) are arranged in one common plane to face in opposite directions. The closing springs (27) of the inlet valve (11) and of the outlet valve (12) also serve to move the actuation element (33) from the lifting position or from the lowering position to the stop position when the operator releases the actuation element (33).Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Haldex Brake Products GmbHInventors: Georg Sulzyc, Roland Blanz
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Patent number: 6840266Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable fitting with a fitting housing (12), a removable measurement probe (14) which is movably guided axially in the housing (12) for insertion into a container, a shut-off element (16) which closes the fitting (10) relative to the interior of the container, and a guide means (22) which can be guided to move axially in the housing (12) for holding and guiding the measurement probe (14) in the fitting housing (12) between a measurement position in which the measurement probe (14) has been inserted into the container, and a stand-by position in which the measurement probe (14) is located within the fitting housing (10), the measurement probe (14) comprising a measurement probe body (15) and a sensor (26), the measurement probe (14) being fixed with its measurement probe body (15) on the end face (23) of the guide means (22), and the sensor (26) being mounted on the free side of the measurement probe body (15) which points in the direction to the container and the cross sectType: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Endress & Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH & Co.Inventors: Bernhard Beck, Detlef Exner
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Patent number: 6840265Abstract: The invention relates to a device for making contact between a solenoid and an electronic control unit arranged neighboring a valve block, wherein the solenoid projects away from a side wall of the valve block by a magnetic coil and a magnetic core, contact elements being arranged in an end face region of the solenoid facing towards the valve block in such a way that the contact elements can be directly electrically connected to corresponding contact elements arranged on a wall of the electronic control unit or of the valve block.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbHInventor: Thorsten Wojciechowski
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Patent number: 6837262Abstract: A refueling system for vehicles including a dual valve receiver connected in fluid communication with the fuel tank, and a jet sensor inside of the fuel tank and in fluid communication with the receiver. The refueling system further includes a relief valve vent in fluid communication with the fuel tank to vent the fuel tank and to relieve pressure that may otherwise build up inside the fuel tank during refueling. When refueling with an automatic shutoff nozzle, the sensor detects when a desired fuel level has been reached, and then informs the receiver to prevent fuel flow into the tank. When this occurs, the pressure inside the receiver and automatic shutoff nozzle increases, causing the nozzle to shut off automatically.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Adel Wiggins GroupInventors: Jose Cortez, David Wicke
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Patent number: 6837264Abstract: Various toilet valves and methods are described that provide for locking of the toilet filled in a closed state. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve is provided having an actuating arm. The toilet fill valve is closed when the actuating arm is disposed in a first position and is open when the actuating arm is disposed in a second position. A valve lock is attached to the actuating arm. The valve lock includes an unlock position and a lock position. The valve lock fixes the actuating arm in the first position when the valve lock is in the lock position.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2004Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: MJSI, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
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Patent number: 6837260Abstract: A pressure support system that includes a first housing member and a second housing member. The first housing member has a first plurality of cavities defined therein, and the second housing member has a second plurality of cavities defined therein. The first and second plurality of cavities cooperate to define (a) a first chamber adapted to receive a first component of the pressure support system, (b) a second chamber adapted to receive a second component of the pressure support system, and (c) a first conduit connecting the first component and the second in fluid communication when the first and second housing members are assembled. A fastening system secures the first and second housing members in an assembled relation.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Respironics, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Kuehn
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Patent number: 6837263Abstract: A liquid level control system including a tank; a source of liquid in communication with the tank; a pressure fluid actuated valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the tank from the source; a pressure sensor disposed in the tank to monitor the hydrostatic pressure determined by the quantity of liquid in the tank. A source of pressure fluid is provided which is normally vented to the atmosphere. A pressure fluid amplifier is coupled to the pressure fluid actuated valve and to the source of pressure fluid. When the pressure sensor sensed an increase of pressure caused by an increase in the liquid level in the tank, the pressure fluid amplifier is effective to actuate the valve to close and militate against flowing into the tank to maintain the liquid at a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: DistaView CorporationInventor: Richard H. Kramer
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Patent number: 6834667Abstract: In a fuel injection valve, an adjustment pipe made of stainless steel and for adjusting a compression amount of a spring biasing a valve member is press-fitted into a cylindrical housing made of stainless steel, and a fuel injection amount is adjusted by adjusting a spring force of the spring in accordance with a press-fitted amount of the adjustment pipe. The adjustment pipe is immersed in an oxalic acid solution so that an oxalate film is formed thereon before being press-fitted into the cylindrical housing. Therefore, the oxalate film prevents a direct press-contact between an outer peripheral surface of the adjustment pipe and an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Sadao Sumiya, Hiroatsu Yamada
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Patent number: 6832620Abstract: An apparatus for dosing lubricant into a compressed air flow includes a lubricant container, a pneumatically operated lubricant pump, an injection channel, a non-return valve interposed between the outlet of the pump and the injection channel, and an electronic sensor cooperating with or coupled to the non-return valve so that the sensor emits an electrical signal responsive and corresponding to the stroke travel of the non-return valve. When the pump carries out a lubricant injection cycle, the pressurized lubricant pushes open the non-return valve, flows into the injection channel and from there into a main channel through which compressed air flows. The travel of the valve is sensed by the sensor, and the sensor signal indicates whether the lubricant injection was proper or faulty, e.g. if the proper amount of lubricant was injected.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Lindauer Dornier Gesellschaft mbHInventor: Siegfried Jaeger
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Patent number: 6832621Abstract: A ball valve assembly of the quarter-turn type for use in isolating an electronic level transmitter comprising a valve body having an inner chamber, an inlet or tank-side port, an outlet or transmitter side port, a valve body axis defined by the inlet and outlet ports, and a substantially spherical ball valve member having an inner surface forming a through passage mounted in the chamber for selective rotation between an open position and a closed position. The present invention allows for flushing the diaphragm face of a level transmitter with the ball valve member in an open position via a purge port positioned on the valve body and a purge passage connecting the through passage and a seating face portion of the outer surface of the ball valve member. The present invention is provided with a full port opening through the ball valve assembly for enhancing the accuracy of level transmitter readings and valve backflush capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Trans-Valve, Inc.Inventor: Archie Mack Williams
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Patent number: 6832623Abstract: Disclosed is a gas meter valve for connection to an outlet of a gas meter and a method for its use. The gas meter valve comprises a valve inlet coupleable to the meter outlet, a valve outlet coupleable to piping for supplying gas to a customer and a valve body coupled to the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The valve body includes a chamber for communicating gas from the valve inlet to the valve outlet and a valve assembly disposed in the chamber and adapted to prevent the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a first position and permit the communication of gas through the chamber when the valve assembly is in a second position. The gas meter valve further includes an actuating mechanism coupled to the valve assembly for positioning the valve assembly in the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.Inventors: Danny A. Johnson, James S. Powell
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Patent number: 6832624Abstract: A plumbing tool includes an elongated hollow shaft and a resilient member attached to the shaft adjacent a shaft end. The resilient member extends radially outward and is sized to closely fit within a pipe inner diameter. Once the pipe has been cut, the tool is forced into the pipe end and the resilient member closely fits within the pipe inner diameter to block fluid flow. As the shaft is hollow, fluid flow is diverted through the shaft. A valve is then passed over the tool to engage the pipe end. As the fluid is being diverted through the tool, the value is then soldered to the pipe without concern for the heat sink effect of fluid passage through the pipe. Once the valve has been properly soldered to the pipe end, the tool is simply pulled through the valve and removed. Capping of the pipe end with the valve is therefore rapidly achieved with minimal disruption to the users.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Waterfall, Inc.Inventor: Joseph D. Rippolone
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Patent number: 6830063Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant is provided that has an elongated inlet pipe comprised of a hollow tube. The tube is connected to a valve and fitting assembly on its inner end for connection to a source of water under pressure. On the outer end, the tube is connected to an adjusting element with an outlet port that is associated with the valve and fitting assembly to open or close the tube to fluid flow and allow for fluid flow out of the tube when the valve is in the open position. The tube is comprised of a flexible material that enlarges in diameter in an area along its length when it is subjected to trapped fluid therein under high pressure so that the tube will not rupture. The tube returns to its normal diameter after the high fluid pressure therein is abated.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.Inventor: William T. Ball