Patents Examined by Joanne Y. Kim
  • Patent number: 6263909
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a hydraulic discharge device and including a piston displaceable in a bore of a housing of the discharge device against a biasing force and having an outer surface, which sealingly engages an inner wall of the housing bore and blocks a channel opening into the bore so that the piston functions as a slide valve for this channel, the valve assembly further including a valve seat which, together with the piston, forms a seated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Van Doan Nguyen, Yuejin Gong, Randolf Körtge, Hans Jürgen Lauth, Gerhard Overdiek, Willi Parsch, Thomas Nied-Menninger
  • Patent number: 6182696
    Abstract: A dual isolation valve comprises: a valve body with opposed inlet and outlet ports that defines an inner cavity; a first valve member; and a second valve member. The first valve member (preferably a plug) has a narrower first end and a wider second end and is rotatably mounted within the valve body cavity for rotation about a first axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the flow axis defined by the inlet and outlet ports. The first valve member includes a substantially rectangular flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nordstrom Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Rainwater, Ricky E. Spears
  • Patent number: 6164322
    Abstract: A pressure relief latching solenoid valve includes one or more axially magnetized permanent magnets disposed proximate a pole piece with the axial magnetization direction of the magnet aligned in a manner to maintain the armature in either the first or second position after the electrical current pulse to the solenoid is terminated so as to provide bistable first and second armature positions that can be maintained without solenoid energization and that can be changed from one position to the other by an electrical current pulse to the solenoid. The armature can control movement of a ball valve of a fluid circuit such that the first and second armature positions correspond to closed and open positions of the ball valve. The closed position provides a maximum fluid pressure in the circuit and the open position provides a preset lower fluid pressure. A spring resides in a passage in the armature and has a preselected spring rate and spring preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Saturn Electronic & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamid Najmolhoda, David L. Seid, Ralph E. Verburg
  • Patent number: 6152170
    Abstract: Differential valve for a sub-sea flexible pipe having a valve body comprising an upper part communicating with the outside via at least one upper communication passage and a lower part communicating with at least one annulus of the flexible pipe via at least one communication duct, an internal chamber formed in the valve body and at a chamber pressure (Pc), a main clacker element mounted in the internal chamber and movable between a closed position and an open position, and urged toward the closed position by a first spring, a secondary clacker element mounted in the upper communication passage also movable between a closed position and an open position, the secondary clacker element being urged towards the closed position by a smaller preloaded spring, so that the pressure in the internal chamber is not below the exterior pressure (Pe) when the secondary clacker element is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventors: Joel Le Nouveau, Pascal Retailleau
  • Patent number: 6152171
    Abstract: A check valve is positioned in and between opposed tube ends and includes a valve body having a valve seat engageable by a valve element having a stem extending centrally of peripherally spaced apart elements interconnected by an annular end shoulder engaged by a keeper which receives the outer end of the valve stem and holds a coil spring against the valve element. The valve assembly is disassembled by manipulating the keeper against the spring out of engagement with the annular end shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: International Valve Corp.
    Inventors: DeLaun T. Messick, Mark A. Novak
  • Patent number: 6148848
    Abstract: The instant invention consists of an inner cannula of hosing amenable to transport of a liquid coupled with an outer cannula of hosing amenable to transport of a gas. As respects one embodiment, affixed to outer walling of the inner cannula and to inner walling of the outer cannula are rigid struts, typically three or four, at 120.degree. or right angles with respect to one another at various points along the respective lengths of the cannulae that serve to maintain separation of the cannulae from one another at times when the inner cannula is filled with a liquid and the outer cannula is filled with a gas under pressure. A second embodiment is strut free. Each cannula has an ingress end whereat a liquid is introduced into the inner cannula and whereat a gas is introduced into the outer cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: John F. Freed
  • Patent number: 6148860
    Abstract: A vacuum tank assembly has a low volume configuration so that it can be used in boats and recreational vehicles where space is at a premium. A stack of components, with a waste tank at the bottom, then a vacuum tank with directly connected vacuum pump, and one or more fresh water tanks, is located remote from a vacuum toilet, with a discharge from the toilet (below a vacuum-tight ball valve) connected to the vacuum tank, which is in turn connected to the vacuum pump, in turn connected to the waste tank. A submersible centrifugal pump may be provided mounted to a cap of the water tank, with an anti-siphon device associated with it. The vacuum tank is of high density polypropylene having flat walls, with no continuous flat surface more than 80 square inches. Lipless duckbill check valves are provided on opposite sides of the vacuum pump, the valves of elastomeric material having a ratio of the wall thickness to thickness of the sealing edges of about 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sealand Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Sigler
  • Patent number: 6142183
    Abstract: An electromagnetic proportional valve with an outlet chamber that communicates via a fixed valve with a first valve chamber and via a movable valve with a second valve chamber. A valve seat of the fixed valve is embodied on the valve body and the valve seat of the movable valve is embodied on the valve member of the fixed valve. A movable sealing element seals off the two valve chambers from one another. The sealing element, for the sake of achieving the least possible hysteresis, is embodied as a metal bellows that extends through the first valve chamber and on each end is fixed in sealed fashion, on the valve member of the fixed valve and on the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Karthaeuser
  • Patent number: 6142163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the pressure of a reaction chamber in wafer processing equipment. The disclosed apparatus and method uses a ballast port for inserting gas into the evacuation system, thereby controlling the pressure in the reaction chamber. The disclosed apparatus and method further uses estimation curves to estimate the desired position of a controlled gate valve which is located between the reaction chamber and turbo pump. The disclosed apparatus and method achieves a set point pressure by prepositioning a throttle valve followed by repositioning the throttle valve based on the difference between a measure pressure and the set point pressure using proportional and integral control, wherein enablement of integral control is delay for a pre-specified period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: LAM Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. McMillin, Farro F. Kaveh, Michael S. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6135144
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve assembly for relieving fluid pressure in an exhaust outlet includes a deformable fluid passage in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. The passage is blocked by a poppet disposed in the passage for discouraging fluid firm passing therethrough. A spring disposed in the passage urges the poppet against the fluid, and a knob having external buttress threads is disposed in the passage to compress the spring. The knob compresses the spring to prevent fluid below a predetermined pressure from escaping through the passage past said poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Rozek
  • Patent number: 6131594
    Abstract: An isolation gate valve (10, 10a, 10b, 124, 146, 210) is provided which has a valve body (12, 126, 212) presenting a passageway (14, 214) therethrough; a shiftable, apertured gate member (18, 224) is located within the body (12, 126, 212) and is shiftable between a valve open position permitting flow through the passageway (14, 214) and a valve closed position wherein the member (18, 224) is shifted into a flow-blocking relationship relative to the passageway (14, 214). A valve actuator (20, 130, 220) is provided which includes a gas-generating cartridge unit (22, 22a, 22b, 222) which, upon actuation, generates a charge of high pressure subsonic gas for shifting the gate member (18, 224) at a velocity of about 0.2 to about 0.33 in./msec. Preferably, the actuator includes a piston housing (56, 56a, 56b, 256) having a piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) therein with a piston rod (71, 71a, 71b, 271) coupled between the piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) and the gate member (18, 224).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Staggs, John E. Going
  • Patent number: 6129116
    Abstract: A sealing device for a vacuum air opening (10) of a dust bag or other dust collecting container (5) for a vacuum cleaner, has an elastic membrane (1) deflected and centrally fixed in a vacuum air opening tube (4) by means of a fixing element (2). Deflection of the flexible membrane (1) produces forces acting upon a partspherical surface (7) of the vacuum air opening tube (4), sufficient enough to ensure tight sealing of the vacuum air opening (10) and preventing any spillage of dust through the opening (10). The elastic membrane (1) is protected by a dome (3) with an opening (6) for vacuum air flow. Alternatively the membrane (1) may be mounted on a stem element (9) extending from the dome (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Convac, Ltd.
    Inventor: Henry Laskowski
  • Patent number: 6125878
    Abstract: An inspection chamber for use in sanitary sewer systems has an integral back-flow prevention valve. The valve can be installed through an access pipe with the inspection chamber in place underground. The valve does not interfere with the installation or removal of a plug in the inspection chamber during construction and inspection of the sewer system. The inspection chamber comprises a clip oriented to receive a valve member from the direction of an access port. The valve member comprises a pin connected to a flap member by a narrow bridge member. The flap member has a projecting handle member. An installation tool holds the valve member by the handle member and provides a tab which can be hammered downwardly to snap the pin into the clip thereby securing the valve member in the inspection chamber. An inspection chamber according to the invention avoids the necessity of providing a separate buried back-flow prevention valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Le-Ron Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: Leon B. Watts
  • Patent number: 6123101
    Abstract: An safety valve includes a housing for defining a fluid flow passageway having a spring loaded seat body and spring mounted therein. The seat body is held in an open position by the spring and is composed of an elastomer material. According to the novel method of using the safety valve, when fluid flows against the seat body a resulting drag force causes the spring to compress. When the fluid flow reaches a predetermined excess flow rate level, the seat body sealingly engages the flow passage to substantially inhibit the flow of fluid except for a small by-pass flow passing downstream via a small channel disposed within the seat body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Magne-Flo Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace W. Velie, deceased, by Neil Velie, executor
  • Patent number: 6119723
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for varying the flow area of a conduit (12). The apparatus comprises a flap (14) mounted in said conduit (12) which is off-center pivotally mounted to pivot in response to flow of fluid (F) through said conduit (12). The apparatus (10) also includes biasing means associated with the flap to rotationally urge the flap against the action of the flow (F).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: ResMed Limited,
    Inventor: Barton John Kenyon
  • Patent number: 6119716
    Abstract: A valve comprising a valve housing (10), having a valve seat (18) therein, a valve member (16) moveable via a valve spindle (15) between positions spaced from and seated on the valve seat. The valve member is required to lap a plurality of times on the valve seat to compensate for any variation of tolerance between the valve member and the valve seat resulting from build up of medium or erosion. The valve spindle extends outwardly from the valve housing and a pair of pillars (28) extend from the valve housing to a bridge member (30) whilst the collar (36) in threadable engagement with the valve spindle extends to and surrounds the pillars to be axially moveable relative thereto. Belleville washers (41) are provided between the underside of the collar and washers (47) forming abutments carried by the pillars. The Belleville washers compensate for relative movement between the valve spindle and the valve housing during lapping action of the valve member on the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Keystone Pacific Pty., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nigel Wright
  • Patent number: 6116277
    Abstract: A coupling that is useable on farm implements is disclosed. A metal to metal vent valve is employed in the female half of the coupling which constantly vents the supply port to the vent port when the female half is disconnected or partially disconnected from the male half. Steps in the bore of the female body permit easier disconnection because the ball valve is not depressed thus lowering disconnection faces. When the male half is being coupled with the female half the female half is vented thus making coupling easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Wilcox, Douglas F. Hopson
  • Patent number: 6116259
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for adjusting, measuring and controlling the vapor/liquid ratio of wet steam in the output line of a pipe junction in a two phase fluid flow line. The vapor phase and liquid phase of the two phase fluid are separated in the main flow line of the junction and the volume flow rate of each phase measured. The two phases are recombined at the plane of symmetry of the output line of the junction and the liquid flow rate is controlled and varied through an adjustable valve in a liquid phase bypass flow line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: James Raymond Stoy, James Lindsey Gilbert Schrodt, Eric Lee Berger
  • Patent number: 6116280
    Abstract: A valve assembly for selectively controlling application of a spring brake in a truck brake system having primary and secondary circuits is provided. A spring brake valve is modified to incorporate a balance piston having an integral quick release valve. This reduces the number of components, complexity, and service problems while maintaining all of the advantages associated with monitoring the function of the primary circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: David J. Goodell
  • Patent number: 6105607
    Abstract: A microprocessor based control system to monitor flow in a potable water system and compare said flow with pre-set programs of time of day and duration of flow, if the pre-set parameters are exceeded the controller will turn off the flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Robert F. Caise, Howard G. Worthy, III, William J. Senkevich