Patents Examined by Gerald A. Michalsky
  • Patent number: 6926022
    Abstract: A condensate removal system for removing condensate or infiltrate from a fluid reservoir containing a lubricating or scaling fluid. The condensate removal system includes a fluid conduit having a discharge leg with an outlet port. The condensate removal system prevents or inhibits evaporation of fluid within the discharge leg through the outlet port of the discharge leg while allowing fluid within the discharge leg to flow through the outlet port. The location of the outlet port of the discharge leg is adjustable to compensate for different specific gravities of the lubricating or sealing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: McNish Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Dornfeld
  • Patent number: 6926035
    Abstract: A water tap having a tap body, separate connections on the tap body for receiving supplies of hot water H, cold water C and further liquid F, a common discharge spout mounted on the tap body, and valves for controlling the supply of hot water H, cold water C and further liquid F from the tap body to the discharge spout, in which: the discharge spout is provided internally with two separate discharge passages which lead to a common discharge outlet; the tap body defines a route for hot water only which communicates with a first separate discharge passage in the discharge spout; the tap body also defines separate incoming routes for the cold water C and the further liquid F, and a common outgoing route for either the cold water C or further liquid F and such common outgoing route communicating with a second separate discharge passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Astracast, plc
    Inventor: Ozcan Ozagir
  • Patent number: 6926033
    Abstract: This invention generally concerns electronically controlled hydraulic valves for use in electro-hydraulically controlled transmissions. The proportional pressure control valve 20 includes a hollow cage 42 pierced by cage tank ports 52, cage clutch ports 54, and cage pump ports 56. The cage pump ports 56 receive fluid from a pump. The cage clutch ports 54 supply fluid to a hydraulic actuator. The cage tank ports 52 return fluid from the valve 20 to a tank from where fluid circulates back to the pump. Main spool 112 controls fluid flow between cage clutch ports 54 and cage pump ports 56 or cage tank ports 52. An electro-magnetically operated pilot valve regulates fluid pressure applied to a control pressure surface 138. A feedback pressure passage 126, having feedback restriction orifice 128, restrains the rate fluid flows between the cage clutch ports 54 and the feedback pressure surface 114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corp.
    Inventors: Louis C. Harms, Zilek Liberfarb
  • Patent number: 6926026
    Abstract: A siphon initiating device is provided having a cylinder member and slideably interactive hollow piston member, both members equipped with check valves to permit unidirectional flow. Both extremities of the device have threaded fittings for engaging garden hoses. By way of hand manipulated back-and-forth motion of the piston member within the cylinder member, a pumping action is initiated which fills the hoses with water, thereby initiating gravity flow of water through the hoses and initiating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: William B. Burgoyne
  • Patent number: 6926023
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that allow for the continued operation of a fire sprinkler or standpipe system after the failure of an air release valve, wherein connected to the air release valve is a system that collects and contains fire extinguishing liquid leaked from an air release valve, as well as being able to detect and stop such leaks that could not be contained by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Potter Electric Signal Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Cabral, Michael D. Kirn
  • Patent number: 6923209
    Abstract: In a liquid pressure control system including a spool-type control valve mounted between a liquid pressure source and an actuator in such a manner that an output liquid pressure from the liquid pressure source is controlled in accordance with a thrust exhibited by a linear solenoid, a manually operated valve is disposed in a valve housing of the control valve to have an operational axis parallel to an axis of the linear solenoid. The manually operated valve is capable of blocking the communication between the actuator and the control valve and bringing the liquid pressure source into communication with the actuator to bypass the control valve. Thus, the supply of a liquid pressure to the actuator can be secured in any abnormality of the control valve, while enabling a reduction in size of the system in an axial direction of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Noda, Shigeto Ryuen, Hideki Furuta, Hidetoshi Watanabe, Masamichi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 6923212
    Abstract: Provided is a servovalve system having a fail safe apparatus adapted for switching the servovalve system between an operating position and a fail safe position. The servovalve system comprises a housing having a housing bore and a housing chamber, a spool moveably disposed within the housing, and a stepper motor connected to the spool and configured to vary the spool position for manipulating the fluid flowing within a fluid circuit when the servovalve system is placed in the operating position. A rotary-linear converter converts rotational motion of the stepper motor into axial motion of the spool. The fail safe apparatus includes a piston slidably sealed within the housing chamber and mechanically coupled to the rotary-linear converter. The piston is operative to move the spool from the operating position to the fail safe position upon a loss of fluid pressure in the housing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Tranovich, Iuliana G. Truia
  • Patent number: 6920890
    Abstract: The invention provides an airflow controller for a propulsion inlet system including a bleed section having two or more bleed plenum chambers, each of the chambers having a porous inlet surface and an exit surface and two or more plates slidably mounted to the bleed section and in fluid communication with the exit surface of the bleed section; and two or more plates being adjustable in multiple positions with respect to the exit surface of the bleed plenum chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Techland Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby W. Sanders, Charlotte A. Sanders, Lois J. Weir
  • Patent number: 6918405
    Abstract: A valve assembly for attachment in an aperture of a fuel tank wall includes a cap member with a nozzle, a carrier stage, a float stage, and a float housing. The carrier stage has a carrier carrying a sealing element with a relatively larger orifice opposing a relatively smaller orifice. The float stage includes a pivot pin and a float defining a stem. The pivot pin is movably located on the stem with the sealing element located apart from the float. The float contacts a portion of the sealing element during a refilling condition, and the sealing element seals the nozzle to prevent overfilling the fuel tank. The orifices permit the valve assembly to reopen in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 6918404
    Abstract: Irrigation and drainage systems are disclosed, including a saturated zone and at least one pipe in communication with the saturated zone. The pipe(s) can be configured to comprise a tubarc porous microstructure for conducting water from the saturated zone to an unsaturated zone in order to drain the water from the saturated zone. The water can be delivered from the saturated zone to the unsaturated zone through the tubarc porous microstructure, thereby permitting the water to be harnessed for irrigation or drainage through the hydrodynamic movement of the water from one zone of saturation or unsaturation to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Tubarc Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Elson Dias da Silva
  • Patent number: 6915812
    Abstract: A low permeation weldable fuel tank assembly is provided to reduce fuel vapor mountable to the fuel tank. The weldable fuel tank assembly has a mounting portion mountable to the fuel tank and a valve housing that is attachable to the mounting portion. In one aspect, the mounting portion includes a fuel vapor permeation barrier. In another aspect, an anti-permeation cap with a fuel vapor permeation barrier is affixed to a portion of tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Axel Frohwein
  • Patent number: 6915817
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a device comprising a unitary toroidal hose retractor for use with a pull-out hose, said hose retractor defining a passage there-through having a passage width greater than an outer width of the pull-out hose, an inner portion of a radial cross-section of said hose retractor defining a conic segment having a focal point and a conic segment radius measured from said focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Evan Alan Benstead, Steven Nadler
  • Patent number: 6915813
    Abstract: A check valve including an outer body having a cylindrical inner bore and a shuttle within the inner bore which is arranged with an upstream, middle and downstream portion that each engage with a sliding fit the inner bore of the outer body being such that, when in a closed position, the middle portion engages with a flexible seal a sealing engagement the inner bore and when in an open position it is arranged that the liquid will flow through a passage around the middle portion which passage includes at the least a path through the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Flo Holdings PTY LTD
    Inventor: Frederick Kobes
  • Patent number: 6915730
    Abstract: A spool-type hydraulic directional control valve having improvements to reduce cavitation when the spool is in the float position. The flow area of a first passageway on the valve spool is appropriately sized to reduce the flow hydraulic fluid flow from the head end of the hydraulic cylinder to the hydraulic fluid reservoir, such that a sufficient proportion of that hydraulic fluid instead flows internally through control valve and back to the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder to reduce cavitation when the valve spool is in the “float” position. Additionally, a second passageway on the valve spool may be blocked-off, eliminating the hydraulic fluid flow path from the hydraulic fluid reservoir to the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder when the valve spool is in the “float” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Mark John Cherney
  • Patent number: 6913033
    Abstract: A modular diverter valve with integral atmospheric type vacuum breaker has a housing and a replaceable rotatable cartridge is provided. The housing having a cartridge receiving chamber being surrounded by an internal housing wall. The housing also has an inlet port and laterally directed outlet ports. Each outlet port directs water for selective uses. The rotatable cartridge includes all working parts including a handle engaging portion, an inlet and an outlet for selective alignment with the housing ports. The cartridge has a hollow interior having an inlet tube in communication with the inlet of the cartridge and including a vented hollow space above the inlet tube, and including a float assembly to the vent the cartridge to the atmosphere. The float assembly has a resilient seal for sealing the open end of the inlet tube and a check valve to prevent siphoning to the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Silvano Breda
  • Patent number: 6913032
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting block constructed for concealed fitting contains water pipes for hot and cold water and also for mixed water. Between a mixer cartridge to be connected to the sanitary fitting block and a switching means for a shower outflow is provided a return flow preventer and between the switching means and the bath outflow is provided a vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventor: Bernd Kronenbitter
  • Patent number: 6910493
    Abstract: Hydraulic fill and drain of a clutch chamber is controlled with a blocking valve and a trim valve. The blocking valve selectively provides pressurized fluid to the trim valve which in turn selectively provides the pressurized fluid to the clutch chamber. Exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through one of two alternate paths utilizing deactivation of one of the trim and blocking valves. Back up exhausting of the clutch chamber is effected through the other of the alternative paths. Such system allows for determination of valve failures and continued operation until such failures can be rectified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Foster, Todd M Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 6910495
    Abstract: A backflow prevention system that helps prevent contamination of potable water distribution systems from backflow at fire hydrant connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventor: Anthony P. Lafalce
  • Patent number: 6907902
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a hydraulic signal output device having a smaller installation space, and thereby enabling to make an installation space of hydraulic machines in an operation room smaller and that of other than the hydraulic machines larger. In addition to this, the present invention intends to allow externally restricting an operation in the operation room. In order to attain the intentions, in a hydraulic signal output device of the present invention, a PPC valve, an EPC valve and a shuttle valve are integrally formed. In one invention, in addition to the above, a pressure oil output port in a pressure-reducing valve in the PPC valve is communicated with a pressure oil input port of a switching valve in an electromagnetic valve, and a pressure oil output port of the switching valve in the electromagnetic valve is communicated with a pilot pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Kaneda, Shuuji Hori, Naoki Ishizaki, Yasuhiro Satou, Masayoshi Mototani
  • Patent number: 6907901
    Abstract: A solenoid control valve for use in actuation of a manual hydraulic clutch in a vehicle. The solenoid control valve has an electronically operated solenoid with armature and actuator rod displaced through a channel in the solenoid. A spool valve has a valve body that is coupled at one end to the solenoid. A spool is slidably disposed in the control channel. A first and second dampener chambers are located at the two ends of the spool. The dampeners function to improve the stability in the control system and balance the transient flow forces of the hydraulic fluid as it moves through the valve member. The spool also has a control portion is located between the first end and the second end of the spool. The control portion allows the control portion to communicate with a supply, control and exhaust passages in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett R. Holmes, Richard T. Tamba