Patents Examined by Jason Boeckmann
  • Patent number: 9085005
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a housing having an open side; a sprinkler body supported at one end of the housing and adapted to receive a nozzle. A nozzle magazine is attached to the housing along the open side and holds plural nozzles selectively alignable with said sprinkler body. An actuator is arranged to move a selected one of the plural nozzles from the nozzle magazine into the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Townsend
  • Patent number: 9086041
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a piezoelectric actuation mechanism and a sensor configuration to measure the condition of the actuation mechanism as well as an associated fuel rail. The sensor configuration includes a piezoelectric sensor with an output signal with significantly reduced distortion that accurately reflects control signals provided to the piezoelectric actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Syed S. Jalal, Douglas W. Memering, Richard E. Reisinger, Edward B. Manring, Jesus Carmona-Valdes, Anthony A. Shaull, Shankar C. Venkataraman, William D. Daniel, Viktor K. Walter, Lawrence C. Melton
  • Patent number: 9072923
    Abstract: An industrial floor firefighting system including a grating structured to rest over a trench and a firefighting nozzle attached to the grating, the system preferably characterized in the nozzle having an adjustable discharge gap; in the nozzle barrel being structured with the grating such that the barrel bears essentially no weight from industrial objects on or passing over the grating; in having an adjustable bafflehead/barrel combination that produces a nozzle gap upstream of the nozzle discharge orifice; and/or, as well, producing an annular gap discharge and an essentially annular nozzle discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas E. Mason, Dwight P. Williams, Casey R. Spears
  • Patent number: 9072412
    Abstract: A foam dispenser having an actuator and a dispenser housing. The actuator releasably mates with a pomp of a refill unit and is moveable from a first position to a second position. Wherein the second position is further from the refill unit than the first position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the foam dispenser to dispense foam when a refill unit is inserted in the foam dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, David D. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9067220
    Abstract: A fluid bearing nozzle assembly is disclosed that has a hollow cylindrical body, an inlet nut fastened to the cylindrical body, and a hollow tubular shaft member coaxially carried within the housing body and captured between the inlet nut and the body. The inlet nut has a stem portion extending into a central bore through the shaft member forming an inlet bearing area rotatably carrying the shaft member thereon. The shaft member has a spray head fastened thereto for rotation of the head with the shaft member. An inner wall of the housing body and an outer portion of the shaft have complementary shapes forming a regulating passage therebetween. The shaft has helical grooves that spiral around the shaft to one or both ends to impart rotation to the shaft and spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: STONEAGE, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas E. Wright
  • Patent number: 9062440
    Abstract: A sanitary functional unit having a sleeve-shaped insert cartridge insertable into the pipe-shaped fixture outlet of a sanitary outlet fixture is provided. The insert cartridge has a water inlet at the cartridge circumference and a jet former having flow guiding walls oriented transversely to the cartridge longitudinal axis provided in the water outlet. The functional unit deflects the water jet flowing in from the axial direction such that water subsequently flows out of the fixture outlet in a nearly radial direction. The functional unit has a jet former, provided in the region of the water outlet, supporting flow guiding walls that are oriented transversely and perpendicularly to the cartridge longitudinal axis. Since the functional unit is oriented approximately coaxially to the fixture outlet, it also does not project beyond the pipe circumference of the fixture outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Denzler, Christoph Weis, Christoph Taran
  • Patent number: 9061168
    Abstract: A fire-fighting device includes an extinguishing device arranged on an end region of a cantilever arm and is adjustable in at least one spatial direction. A penetration fixture is adjustable relative to the extinguishing device and has a double-acting pressure cylinder subjectable to pressure by a pressure medium from a hydraulic system via at least one control valve. The cylinder has a tubular continuous piston rod having a penetration tool on a protruding end having a through-hole and a nozzle head. At another end, the piston rod is connected in line with a supply mechanism for an extinguishing medium. Pressure accumulator elements are in fluid communication with a pressure chamber of the pressure cylinder for extending the penetration tool and with a return line for the pressure medium from another pressure chamber for retracting the penetration tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: ROSENBAUER INTERNATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Mikota, Johann Wieser
  • Patent number: 9050481
    Abstract: A decontaminating system (100) comprising a decontaminant reservoir (152), a transport fluid source (160) and a mist generating apparatus (10). The mist generating apparatus (10) has a longitudinal axis and comprises a first fluid passage (38) having a first fluid inlet (18) in fluid communication with the decontaminant reservoir (152) and a first fluid outlet (84), and a second fluid passage (90) having a second fluid inlet (20) in fluid communication with the transport fluid source (160) and a second fluid outlet (94). The first passage (38) surrounds the second fluid passage (90) and the first and second outlets (84, 94) are oriented relative to one another such that they have an angle of incidence between (5) and (30) degrees. The second fluid passage (90) includes a throat portion (92) located between the second fluid inlet (20) and the second fluid outlet (94), the throat portion (92) having a smaller cross sectional area than that of either the second fluid inlet (20) or second fluid outlet (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Brian Mayhall Fenton, James Oliver French
  • Patent number: 9051109
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided which comprises a container arranged to contain a material dispensable as a spray, aerosol or particulate through an outlet aperture, and a spacer member, wherein the spacer member is movable between a first position which is convenient for carrying and/or storage and a second position which determines a minimum distance between the outlet aperture and the target surface area or object for the spray, aerosol or particulate. Preferably, the spacer member when in the first position can inhibit the spray, aerosol or particulate from directly impacting the target surface, area or object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NO CLIMB PRODUCTS LIMITED
    Inventors: William Rossiter, Edwin Ozaki Owen
  • Patent number: 9045885
    Abstract: A combination swivel spray aerator includes a stem that defines an inlet port for supplying water. The stem includes a neck and a swivel connector that is provided at one end of the stem. A spray head is coupled to the swivel connector in a swiveling manner. The spray head includes a housing and a swivel seal that seals between the housing and the swivel connector. A shroud is coupled to the stem for hiding at least the neck of the stem from view in order to provide a clean appearance. The swivel spray aerator further includes a diverter that switches between spray and aeration modes regardless which direction the spray head is rotated. A gimbal mechanism in the spray head allows the spray head to twist without requiring excessive swiveling friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: Kurt Judson Thomas, Josh Barber
  • Patent number: 9038922
    Abstract: A spray containment device comprising: a threaded adapter, a conical body having a threaded aperture wherein the threaded aperture is adapted to cooperate with said threaded adapter, and (c) at least one threaded nut adapted to thread onto the threaded adapter above the conical body so as to secure the conical body to the threaded adapter. Also included is a sprayer device comprising a liquid container and a spray wand to which the spray containment device may be attached. The threaded adapter and nut system could be utilized to attach threads to other types of pipes, rods or similarly shaped pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Frederick C. McLeod
  • Patent number: 9038919
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to systems and methods for the formation and/or control of fluidic species, and articles produced by such systems and methods. In some cases, the invention involves unique fluid channels, systems, controls, and/or restrictions, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the invention allows fluidic streams (which can be continuous or discontinuous, i.e., droplets) to be formed and/or combined, at a variety of scales, including microfluidic scales. In one set of embodiments, a fluidic stream may be produced from a channel, where a cross-sectional dimension of the fluidic stream is smaller than that of the channel, for example, through the use of structural elements, other fluids, and/or applied external fields, etc. In some cases, a Taylor cone may be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Darren Roy Link, David A. Weitz, Manuel Marquez-Sanchez, Zhengdong Cheng
  • Patent number: 9033258
    Abstract: In order to improve a high-pressure cleaning apparatus comprising a pump unit adapted to be driven by motor, a first connection element for detachable connection to a liquid supply conduit, said first connection element being connected to the suction side of the pump unit, and a second connection element for detachable connection to a high-pressure conduit, said second connection element being connected to the pressure side of the pump unit, such that it can be handled in a more user-friendly manner, the invention proposes that the first connection element and/or the second connection element be oriented in a direction facing upward away from a supporting surface for the high-pressure cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Schwab, Peter Pfaff
  • Patent number: 9033264
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has a solenoid operable via an electric wire, a valve sleeve in an injection-side area forming an external sheathing of the fuel injector, and a valve housing. The fuel injector has a plastic sleeve, which contains the solenoid and the electric wire and can be pushed onto the valve sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Hubert Stier
  • Patent number: 9027854
    Abstract: A simple, compact construction and easy manufacture of a swirl nozzle having a plurality of inlet channels and an outlet channel extending transversely thereto are made possible by the fact that the inlet channels open directly and/or tangentially into the outlet channel. Alternatively or additionally, upstream of the inlet channels is provided a filter structure having smaller flow cross-sections than the inlet channels. The swirl nozzle is used, in particular, for atomizing a liquid medicament formulation. The swirl nozzle is produced from two plate-shaped components, the outlet channel first being etched as a blind bore in one component and then opened up by grinding the component away. Alternatively or additionally, the outlet channel is formed in a different component from the inlet channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Moser, Klaus Kadel
  • Patent number: 9016596
    Abstract: A rotary atomizer arrangement and methods for operating the same are disclosed. An exemplary atomizer may be used for the coating of work pieces, and may include a bell plate driven by an electric motor. The exemplary atomizer may further be configured for the detection of errors in the spraying process and/or the drive system of the bell plate, such as by analyzing corresponding parameters of typical values of the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Baumann, Torsten Block, Juergen Haas, Frank Herre, Marcus Frey, Alexander Meissner, Hans-Jurgen Nolte, Bernhard Seiz
  • Patent number: 9016601
    Abstract: A swirler including a fuel distributor is provided. Each fuel distributor includes a distribution element defining a cavity, an inlet opening arranged in the distribution element, at least one outlet opening arranged in the distribution element, and at least one third opening arranged in the distribution element, the cross-section of the at least one third opening being larger than the cross-section of the at least one outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Headland, Richard Noden
  • Patent number: 9010663
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a mist comprising a conduit having a mixing chamber and an exit; a transport nozzle in fluid communication with the said conduit, the transport nozzle being adapted to introduce a transport fluid into the mixing chamber; a working nozzle positioned adjacent the transport nozzle intermediate the transport nozzle and the exit, the working nozzle being adapted to introduce a working fluid into the mixing chamber; the transport and working nozzles having an angular orientation and internal geometry such that in use interaction of the transport fluid and working fluid in the mixing chamber causes the working fluid to atomize and form a dispersed vapor/droplet flow regime, which is discharged as a mist from the exit, the mist comprising working fluid droplets having a substantially uniform size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Brian Mayhall Fenton, John Gervase Mark Heathcote, Alexander Guy Wallis
  • Patent number: 9010657
    Abstract: Volatile liquid droplet dispenser device, comprising: a first substrate having a space for containing liquid, and liquid outlet means for ejecting liquid from the device, the space arranged proximate to the liquid outlet means so liquid may exit the space by traversing the liquid outlet means, a second substrate comprising a support for receiving and holding the first substrate, and a vibrating element arranged to actuate liquid in the space so liquid undergoes vibration and contacts the liquid outlet means thereby exiting the device as a liquid droplet spray, wherein the liquid outlet means comprises a perforated nozzle membrane having a plurality of outlet nozzles, and an actuating element arranged between the vibrating element and the first substrate, and a sealing element arranged between the actuating element and the first substrate, wherein the actuating element and the sealing element are arranged to transmit ultrasound energy to liquid in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventors: Amir Feriani, Joseph Hess
  • Patent number: 9004375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus and method for generating a mist comprising a conduit having a mixing chamber and an exit; a working fluid inlet in fluid communication with said conduit; a transport nozzle in fluid communication with the said conduit, the transport nozzle adapted to introduce a transport fluid into the mixing chamber; the transport nozzle having an angular orientation and internal geometry such that in use the transport fluid interacts with the working fluid introduced into the mixing chamber through the working fluid inlet to atomize and form a dispersed vapor/droplet flow regime, which is discharged as a mist comprising working fluid droplets, a substantial portion of the droplets having a size less than 20 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Brian Mayhall Fenton, John Gervase Mark Heathcote, Alexander Guy Wallis