Patents Examined by John C. Fox
  • Patent number: 5601115
    Abstract: A multiport, diaphragm-sealed valve suitable for use in sampling systems. Using a rotational movement, which can be electrically controlled, the valve operates without leakage or intermingling of transfer fluids to provide a simultaneous seal of all fluid pathways during the switching of flowpaths. multiport, diaphragm-sealed valve suitable for use in sampling systems. Using a rotational movement, which can be electrically controlled, the valve operates without leakage or intermingling of transfer fluids to provide a simultaneous seal of all fluid pathways during the switching of flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Vantege Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Broerman
  • Patent number: 5595206
    Abstract: A ball valve having a one-piece seat member is disclosed. The one-piece seat member is cylindrically shaped to engage a valve chamber within the valve body, and includes an internal cavity for receiving a ball member, a first axial opening for receiving an operating stem engaged to the ball member, and first and second radial openings that align with inlet and outlet passages in the valve body. The one-piece seat member can be machined from such materials as polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, or perfluoroalkoxy. To make the ball valve, the one-piece seat member is formed with the internal cavity, the first axial opening, a second axial opening opposite the first axial opening, and the first and second radial openings, and is caused to be in a deformable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Greene, Tweed of Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergio Soria Vega
  • Patent number: 5595211
    Abstract: A steam trap test station includes a body connected to a source of steam, a steam trap and an object to be heated by steam. A rotor fixed for rotation in the body. The body having porting walls defining body ports, and the rotor has porting walls defining rotor ports. The body and rotor ports are adapted and arranged such that an "ON" mode is provided wherein steam passes through the station from the source of steam through the steam trap to the object to be heated. A "TEST OUTLET" mode being first reached when the rotor is turned in a first direction from the "ON" mode wherein an outlet max be tested for leakage. A "TEST INLET" mode is second reached when the rotor is turned in the first direction from the "ON" mode wherein inlet media may be tested. A "BYPASS & VENT" mode is first reached when the rotor is turned in a second direction from the "ON" mode wherein the steam trap is bypassed and vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: D/A Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Don L. Adams
  • Patent number: 5592971
    Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a control stem (22) for adjusting the movable ball valve (20) for controlling the flow rate and temperature mix of the mixed water. A spring clip (100) is mounted onto a rotatable disc member (70) retained on an upper fixed member (27). The plate member (70) has a slot (74) that receives the control stem (22) of valve element (20). The spring clip (100) has arms (102) with inwardly extending projections (114) that laterally engage the stem (22) to increase the operating force of the mixing valve when the mixing valve is at a preset flow position. The spring clip (100) rotates with the disc to cause no effect upon the temperature adjustment of the ball valve (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Alfons Knapp
  • Patent number: 5592962
    Abstract: A compressed gas release system including a compressed gas source, the gas within the source is released as a response to a combination of a predetermined threshold external pressure and a defined chemical environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: G.O.T. Guide-On Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Gideon Hooberman
  • Patent number: 5590867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blowout preventer in which a first set of hydraulic ports communicate with either side of a first piston coupled to a first piston rod, a second set of hydraulic ports communicate with either side of a second piston coupled to a second piston rod, and the first and second pistons and associated piston rods may be actuated independent of each other. Each piston rod is coupled to a ram, and preferably, the first piston rod is coupled to a pipe ram and the second piston rod is coupled to a slip ram. A feature of the present invention provides that all of these elements are contained within a single chamber extending laterally of and communicating with the bore of a BOP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Drexel Oil Field Services, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Wayne Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 5588634
    Abstract: An improved pinch mechanism for a fluid flow control assembly. It comprises a trumpet-type actuator moveable along its principal axis to control flow through an associated resilient tubular member. Interconnected with the actuator is a caming assembly having a roller guide with a principal surface sloping at an acute angle with respect to the actuator principal axis. Engaging with that principal surface is a dog-leg shaped cam follower that is pivoted at one end for partial rotational movement about the pivot. It is spring loaded to normally retain it in a position in which a proximal end of the follower is pressed on a resilient surface of the tubular member to squeeze it closed. Partial rotation of the cam follower occurs when the actuator moves along its principal axis and the cam forces the cam follower to move through an arc that permits the squeezed tubular member to assume its normally unsqueezed and open shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: MegaDyne Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Nettekoven
  • Patent number: 5588484
    Abstract: In a refrigeration system in which coils are mounted in a coil passage, a fan system is provided by which air is caused to pass over the coils. The fan system includes a housing communicating with a coil passage. The housing has an inlet and an outlet each with a mouth, the mouths of the inlet and outlet being oriented substantially 180.degree. from one another. A cylindrical, elongated transverse flow fan is mounted in the housing transversely thereof and an electric motor is connected to rotate the fan. An inlet baffle extends around a part of the fan. An outlet baffle has a scoop part with a free edge extending along the length of the fan, spaced radially from the fan a short distance, and off set toward the outlet mouth. The outlet baffle, including the scoop part, defines one service of a passage to the outlet mouth. The air that passes through the housing flows through the inlet and the outlet mouths in planes substantially parallel with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Gerald N. Baker, Gregory R. Maes
  • Patent number: 5588638
    Abstract: The present invention is a ball valve that prevents scale formation on the exterior surface of the ball element, and therefore extends the life and efficiency of the ball valve. The ball valve comprises a ball element, a housing, and a jacket. The ball element has three ports formed therein and is seated within the jacket in the housing. The first and second ports of the ball element form a fluid conduit and the third port intersects the fluid conduit perpendicularly. In the open position, fluid flows through the housing into the first port of the ball element, through the fluid conduit, and out the third port. In the closed position, the fluid flows into the third port and into the fluid conduit but does not continue to flow through the housing. The design of the ball element does allow the exterior surface of the ball element to be exposed to the fluid, and thus prevents scale formation from occurring on this surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: Bryce T. Bunting, Lalan W. Cook
  • Patent number: 5586749
    Abstract: A valve body pressure formed from pipe components includes an annular portion for receiving a ball closure member. A pair of conduit portions are connected to the annular portion and the ball. A stem housing for rotatably supporting a valve stem extends up from the annular portion. The stem housing, annular portion, and conduit portions are welded to form the unitary valve body. The conduit portions are integrally connected to end fittings adaptable to connect identical or different grades of polyethylene pipe or metal pipe to polyethylene pipe. The internal surface of the conduit portion includes gripping teeth and O-ring seals that frictionally and sealingly engage the surface of the polyethylene end fitting. The valve can include a metal end fitting and a polyethylene end fitting. The polyethylene end fitting is connected by butt fusion or electrofusion coupling to polyethylene conduit, generally 6 inches in diameter or larger for use in a natural gas distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Kerotest Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Richard W. Conley, Robert G. Visalli, James R. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5582201
    Abstract: An assembly which includes a valve adapted for connection to a source of pressurized gas having a first connector, a regulator for regulating flow of gas from the source and having a second connector, and an automatic shutoff module positioned in the first connector, the module being adapted to shut off the gas flow in response to certain unsafe conditions, e.g., excess ambient temperatures and/or excess gas flow rates. The second connector includes a probe which is receivable by the first connector, and further includes a connector element that is rotatably mounted on the second connector and adapted to engage the first connector to form a secure interconnection between the first and second connectors. The automatic shutoff module includes an activator housing and an activator movably mounted in the activator housing, the activator being normally closed but being abuttingly held open by the probe upon connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: S. H. Leggitt Company
    Inventors: Edward R. Lee, Christopher G. Turney
  • Patent number: 5582391
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sliding gate valve for controlling the flow of molten metal from a vessel. The valve comprises an orificed fixed plate and an orificed sliding plate slidingly mounted on a hinged support sub-assembly. The sliding plate is biased into face to face contact with the fixed plate. The biasing means applies the biasing force directly on to the contact plane defined by the meeting faces of the two plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Flogates Limited
    Inventors: Ian McNair, Paul L. Hill
  • Patent number: 5582208
    Abstract: A flow control valve of the present invention includes a valve member mounted in a valve chamber having an inlet port, through which a fluid flows into the valve chamber, and an outlet port through which the fluid flows out of the valve chamber, the valve member being slidable in the valve chamber in response to a driving force applied from an actuator, and a valve seat member mounted in the valve chamber in opposed relation to the valve member, the valve seat member cooperating with the valve member to control a rate of flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: MKS Japan, Inc.
    Inventor: Isao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5582209
    Abstract: A valve block assembly for supplying air under pressure to an air operated mechanism of a glass container manufacturing machine comprising a valve block body, conduit means defined in the valve block body, a valve for controlling the flow of air under pressure to the conduit means and means for preventing the pressurization of the conduit means including a hole in the valve body block communicating with the conduit means, a sealing plug located within the hole, an axial bore in the sealing plug, an elongated pin slidingly received within the axial bore, one end of the pin being located within the conduit means and the other end of the pin being located outside of the block, a cylindrical member coaxially secured to the one end of the pin a cylindrical control plug having an axial bore through which the pin extends and a cylindrical recess for receiving the cylindrical member, sealing means for preventing the leakage of air between the pin and the control plug, sealing means for preventing the leakage of air b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Emhart Glass Machinery Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph A. Borbone
  • Patent number: 5577707
    Abstract: A slide valve including a housing having a flow channel, a slide plate for controlling flow through the channel, and a seal ring surrounding the flow channel and engaging the slide plate in its closed position and disengageable from the slide plate in its open position, with the seal ring having on its side remote for the slide plate, a plurality of circumferentially arranged recesses spaced from each other, extending in a circumferential direction, outwardly limited by key hole-shaped openings respectively, and aligned, respectively, with the bores formed in the adjacent to the seal ring, annular surface of the housing and in which a plurality of bolts are respectively displaceable, which bolts have shaped heads extending into the recesses and engageable from behind by key hold-shaped openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Hubert Brida
  • Patent number: 5577708
    Abstract: A ball valve includes a housing which has at least two connector holes defined therein which communicate to a hollow space in which a plug is rotatably disposed, the plug has at least two recesses defined therein and each of the recesses has a sealing element disposed therein for covering the corresponding connector hole when rotating the plug to a closed position, the plug has a hole defined therein which is in alignment with the connector holes of the housing when the valve is in an open state, the plug is actuated by a lever which is connected to a selector shaft extending from the plug by disposing a nut to the selector shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: James Wang
    Inventor: Erhard Pfannenschmidt
  • Patent number: 5577524
    Abstract: A large diameter in-the-field resettable rupture pin relief valve is formed by superposed valves normally closing a valve inlet port and released to open the port under excess pressure by collapsing the pin. Pressure operated cylinders connected with the superposed valves and pin supports reposition these components for replacing the collapsed pin without exhausting all fluid pressure in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5577523
    Abstract: A method of making relief valve interchangeable buckling pins for selecting the pressure release setting of a relief valve. Comprises selecting a slender column having a uniform diameter of predetermined dimension cutting the column to a predetermined length and axially bonding a pair of right circular cylindrical adapters to respective end portions of the slender column to achieve a longitudinal dimension compatible with a given pressure relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5577525
    Abstract: A thermal release coupler employed in a fire and smoke damper assembly, in which the fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame, movable between open and closed positions, with a linkage joining the damper blades. A damper actuator operatively connected to the linkage drives the damper blade array between the open and closed positions. A drive coupler and a connecting coupler are formed from identical coupler units, carried respectively on a drive shaft from the actuator, and a connecting shaft that connects to the damper blade linkage. The connecting shaft is hollow and rotates on the drive shaft. Each coupler unit has a generally circular coupler body, with two connecting, circumferentially opposed ears. A drive post extends from one connecting ear, and a connecting post extends from the other ear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventors: Kevin L. Wirfel, Samuel W. Holmes, Jr., Ganeson Kandasamy
  • Patent number: 5575452
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled ram actuating mechanism 10 for a blowout preventer controls the opening and closing of a ram block 12 interconnected with a ram 14 movable within a ram housing 26 along ram axis 16. The ram piston 24 and a locking piston 62 are each movable within the ram housing in response to fluid pressure. The locking piston includes a plurality of substantially planar tapered locking piston surfaces 72 circumferentially arranged on the exterior of the locking piston and inclined at an acute positive cam angle. A plurality of locking rods 40 are each secured to the ram housing 26 and are circumferentially spaced about the locking piston, with each locking rod including a substantially planar tapered locking rod surface 82 thereon inclined at an acute negative cam angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Varco Shaffer, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvyn F. Whitby, Frank L. Sklenka, David L. O'Donnell