Patents Examined by Gerald A. Michalsky
  • Patent number: 6959720
    Abstract: A fuel valve includes an upper chamber communicating with a ventilation passage of a canister; a lower chamber to be disposed inside a fuel tank; a communicating port between the upper chamber and the lower chamber; and a float member disposed in the lower chamber for blocking the communicating port when fuel flows into the lower chamber. The lower chamber includes a one-way valve formed at a bottom thereof for allowing the fuel to flow out only through the one-way valve, and a fuel inlet formed in a side wall of the lower chamber. When a fuel level inside the fuel tank reaches the main fuel inlet, the fuel flows into the lower chamber to raise the float member. As a result, an internal pressure of the fuel tank increases, so that a sensor at a fueling nozzle side can detect that the fuel tank is filled-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kurihara, Yasutomo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6957666
    Abstract: Improved low flow impedance flow control valves are disclosed in the present invention wherein spring valve means (12) captured between a valve spool (28) and a shoulder (30) are utilized for selectively metering a flow of fluid from an inlet port (18) to an outlet port (14) via a round edged helical orifice (82) formed between the open coils of the spring valve (12) as a function of the instant axial position of the valve spool (28) and the differential pressure therebetween. An improved method of controlling low impedance flow control valves is also disclosed in the present invention. The improved method provides better accuracy in controlling fluid flow through low flow impedance flow control valves through continually cycling a means for substantially interrupting fluid flow therethrough in a low frequency pulse width modulated fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cafe Engineering
    Inventor: Edward H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6957656
    Abstract: In a proportional solenoid valve, a cylindrical valve seat member includes an input/output-side passage provided between an input port and a drain port and between an output port and the drain port, a seat portion provided in an end portion of the input/output-side passage, and a drain-side passage provided between the seat portion and the drain port. The drain-side passage is formed by exhaust passage holes whose number is an even number equal to four or more and which are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the valve seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigenobu Tochiyama, Yoshihiko Onishi, Shigeki Uno, Kenji Nakao
  • Patent number: 6957658
    Abstract: In a fuel tank installation including a fuel tank with an expansion volume, a filler neck connected to the fuel tank below a maximum fuel level of the tank for refueling the tank, a fill vent line for venting the fuel tank during refueling and an operating vent line for venting an expansion volume of the tank, the operating vent line extends within the fuel tank from the expansion volume of the fuel tank to a central penetration location and, at the central penetration location, through the wall of the tank together with the fill vent line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Barbara Aschoff, legal representative, Dorothea Aschoff, legal representative, Henning Aschoff, legal representative, Jürgen Kraus, Wolfgang Liebhart, Wolfgang Aschoff, deceased
  • Patent number: 6957665
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow force compensating spool valve having a flow force compensating protrusion ring at a supply channel of a sleeve on an outer circumference portion of a spool rod, and a hydraulic valve, a pneumatic valve, a three-way valve, and a four-way valve using the spool valve, in which the flow force can be compensated by a simple structure change of the spool without changing a structure of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignees: Agency for Defense Development, Hanwha Corporation
    Inventors: Weon Gyu Shin, Hyun Young Choi, Hyo Pil Shin, Eui Joon Moon, Jong Yeol Kim
  • Patent number: 6955114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high speed control valves which are especially applicable for use in fuel injection systems. Producing a valve with a quick response time within acceptable packaging constraints and with a structure that allows the valve to be mass produced with consistent performance between valves is extremely problematic. By moving flow restrictions within the valve away from the valve seats, flow forces on the valve member can be reduced, while possibly also permitting a reduction in the necessary travel distance of the valve member to improve response time and other performance characteristics. The valve is particularly applicable in controlling hydraulic pressure applied to the closing hydraulic surface of a direct control needle valve in a fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Alan R. Stockner, Norval J. Wiemken, Scott F. Shafer, Gene R. Slinkard, Mark S. Cavanagh, Ye Tian
  • Patent number: 6953057
    Abstract: A control solenoid and valve includes a valve bodying having a magnetic assembly, hydraulic assembly, and a pressure regulation member. The magnetic assembly and pressure regulation member are formed respectively on offset axes preferably substantially parallel to one another. The hydraulic assembly exchanges forces created by the magnetic assembly and pressure regulation member. This design accomplishes a more compact arrangement. The pressure regulation member includes longitudinal cavity within the valve body situated on its corresponding axis. Within this cavity, a spool valve reciprocates relative to fluid pressure interacting with the spool valve and forces generated by the magnetic assembly. To accurately sense pressure of the fluid within this cavity and acting on the spool valve, a pressure sensor is positioned at an end of the longitudinal cavity bounded by an end of the spool valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Wade
  • Patent number: 6948524
    Abstract: A pressure holding apparatus incorporates a hydraulic pressure system having an engine-driven pressure source, a pressure holding valve, and a torque-transmitting mechanism. The torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engaged and disengaged by fluid pressure from the engine-driven pressure source during normal powertrain operation. The torque-transmitting mechanism apply chamber is pressurized with the oil by the pressure holding valve when the engine operation is discontinued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Michael B. Solt, Michael A. Kozan
  • Patent number: 6948514
    Abstract: A solenoid operated spool valve has a dampening reservoir formed at one end of the spool and which is ported for immersion in a fluid sump. The reservoir port is oriented vertically above the spool and a cap with an offset port is received over the reservoir port to baffle fluid flow from the reservoir and prevent the reservoir from draining when the port is fluid starved in the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kramer, Eugene F. Moody
  • Patent number: 6945267
    Abstract: A self-restarting pool cover siphon includes a weighted housing placed on a pool cover having water thereon, the housing having a hollow interior and openings through which water can enter, a tube in fluid communication with the hollow interior and through which water drains, the tube bent into a loop and having an opening between opposite ends thereof at an upper position of the loop, and a differential pressure causing device removably connected to the opposite end of the tube for initially causing a differential pressure in the tube to cause water in the housing to drain through the tube, and thereafter being removed from the opposite end of the tube, wherein additional water on the pool cover will cause water remaining in the loop to pass the opening in the loop to re-prime the siphon and cause drainage of the water from the pool cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Semco and Tedona Products L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Tedona
  • Patent number: 6945275
    Abstract: A vehicle leveling valve for flowing pressured air to an airbag when its height falls below a predetermined height at the bottom of a height range, and for flowing air out of the airbag when its height rises above the top of the height range, which enables easy adjustment. A main valve member has a sealing surface (36) with a slot (34) therein. A disc (30) that pivots as the airbag height changes, has bores (122) that hold inserts (42, 46) with passages (40, 44). The inserts are biased against the sealing surface and have passage near ends (150) that lie adjacent to the slot ends. Each insert can pivot about a pivot axis within a disc bore (122), and each passage near end has a center (130) that is offset from the pivot axis (132a). Each insert can be pivoted about the pivot axis to shift the passage end slightly closer or further from the slot end (102) to adjust the top or bottom of the height zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Barksdale, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Krechmery, Angel Ching
  • Patent number: 6941971
    Abstract: A dual use stand type faucet used in a kitchen comprises a front sleeve tube engaged at an output end of a dual water outlet front tube. A water outlet is located at a lower side of the front sleeve tube. The front sleeve tube has a receiving channel for receiving a cleaning inner tube. One end of the receiving channel is expanded to form with an inner threaded channel. A clean water outlet penetrates through the threaded channel. A water control stud is screwed into the threaded channel. A handle is installed in front of the water control stud. A rear side of the water control stud resists against a front end of the cleaning inner tube. A middle section of the water control stud has a water outlet window. The window is arranged above a front end of the clean water outlet. Thereby, the control handle controls the supply of clean water directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Yu-You Hsien
  • Patent number: 6941966
    Abstract: A device includes a housing fixed to an upper wall of a fuel tank, and having a communication opening in communication with a canister, a float valve received within the housing and floating on a fuel, and the float valve moving upward and downward so as to close and open the communication opening, and a tubular member communicating with the housing, and extending downwardly from the housing into the interior of the fuel tank. The device has through holes of a small diameter which are disposed near an upper wall of the fuel tank, and when the liquid level of the fuel in the fuel tank reaches the lower end opening of the tubular member, a pressure within the fuel tank increases, whereby the filling-up of the fuel tank is detected. When the liquid level of the fuel abnormally rises, the float valve closes the communication opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei, Co., Ltd., FTS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eishin Mori, Tomohide Aoki, Keisuke Yoshida, Norihiro Yamada, Katsuyuki Kido
  • Patent number: 6935374
    Abstract: A pressure proportional control valve for controlling the pressure of an operation fluid, such as the air, in proportion to the output of an electromagnetic operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Yasushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6935358
    Abstract: A dual hydrant includes two spaced apart tubular bodies to receive in-flow of fluids A and B, a fluid mixing zone to receive fluids A and B from the bodies, manually operable flow control valves in the two tubular bodies, primary and secondary check valves in the respective bodies to pass forward fluid flow toward the mixing zone, and to block reverse flow, an outlet from the mixing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Herbert W. Hoeptner, III
  • Patent number: 6935409
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus has a low profile extrusion with a plurality of micro tubes extended there through. In the caps interconnect the ends of the micro tubes in fluid communications and to inlet and outlet tubes. The low profile extrusion is placed into thermal connection with heat producing components. A heat transfer fluid is circulated through the micro tubes of the low profile extrusion, and a heat exchanger removes the heat from the heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Thermotek, Inc.
    Inventors: Overton L. Parish IV, Roger S. DeVilbiss
  • Patent number: 6932113
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a pilot apparatus whereby at least two mechanically operable control valves and two electrically or electro-hydraulically operable control valves may be driven. The pilot apparatus comprises a pivoted lever having two handles, on each of which a switching element for driving the electrically/electro-hydraulically operable control valves is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Mannesmann Rexroth AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Kauss
  • Patent number: 6932581
    Abstract: A gas lift valve that is usable with a subterranean well includes a housing, a valve stem and at least one bellows. The housing has a port that is in communication with a first fluid, and the valve stem is responsive to the first fluid to establish a predefined threshold to open the valve. The bellow(s) form a seal between the valve stem and the housing. The bellow(s) are subject to a force that is exerted by the first fluid; and a second fluid contained in the bellow(s) opposes the force that is exerted by the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tyson R. Messick
  • Patent number: 6932103
    Abstract: A valve device is detachably attached to a functional component disposed at an upper inside portion of a fuel tank. An attaching device is fixed to the functional component for attaching the valve device inside the fuel tank. The valve device includes a connecting pipe portion and is disposed at the upper inside portion of the fuel tank so that the outside and the inside of the fuel tank are communicated through the connecting pipe portion. The valve device is closed when a fuel level increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 6929019
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a valve having at least one valve opening surrounded by at least one valve seat and an elongated valve member able to be brought into different positions by pivoting. In order to adjust the switching stroke of the valve member the valve member is, for instance using a laser, locally and briefly heated until superficial plastification occurs so that in the direction of the pivoting movement performed in operation it experiences a permanent flexural deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Michael Weinmann, Gebhard Munz, Martin Maichl, Andreas Münzenmaier