Patents Examined by John C. Fox
  • Patent number: 5575453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shutter device for shutting off a distribution duct, said device being wherein it is composed of at least one longitudinally-extending means that is/are inflatable. The present invention also relates to use of longitudinally-extending inflatable means to constitute a shutter device. The present invention also relates to a ventilation and air-conditioning installation including such a shutter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom Transport SA
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Dion
  • Patent number: 5573223
    Abstract: A method and apparatus controls the flow rate of a fluid that flows through a fluid path including a resiliently deformable portion.A first roller has a cutout formed thereon on one side thereof, and a retainer is arranged in parallel with the first roller. The resiliently deformable portion of the fluid path is held between the first roller and the retainer. The first roller is rotatably supported by its rotary shaft. The first distance from the rotary shaft to the outer wall of the first roller on the side facing opposite the resiliently deformable portion may be varied in response to the variation in the angle that occurs when the first roller rotates about its rotary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Ryu Kawabe
  • Patent number: 5570719
    Abstract: A breakaway hose coupling for releasably joining two fuel dispensing devices in fluid communication, and for selectively disengaging such dispensing devices in response to a disengaging force in excess of a preselected value being exerted on the coupling. The coupling (10) includes a first valve assembly (12) for being secured on a first dispensing device and for selectively terminating the flow of fluid from such dispensing device when the coupling (10) is uncoupled. The coupling (10) further includes a second valve assembly (14), including an elbow (72) and swivel connecting mechanism (70), for being secured on a second dispensing device and for selectively terminating the flow of fuel from such dispensing device when the coupling is uncoupled. Further, vapor conduits (28, 28A, 28B) are provided to accommodate the flow of recaptured fuel vapor through the coupling (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Richards Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alton E. Richards, Walter M. Carow
  • Patent number: 5570737
    Abstract: A heat exchanger has tubes inserted in headers easily to a given depth, and also has brackets which are readily attached to the headers. Each of the headers (3, 4) is divided into an inner half (5) and an outer half (6) facing the inner half in which apertures (5a) for receiving ends of the tubes are formed. The bracket (12) having a fastenable rib (12c) is fitted on the header over its halves (5, 6) so that these halves are made immovable relative to each other. Alternatively, the outer half (6) of the header may have a pair of embracing portions (12a) which fit on lateral sides of the inner half (5) so as to hold it in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Showa Aluminum Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinori Tokutake
  • Patent number: 5570722
    Abstract: Mechanism for unseating a valve in a water blasting gun, the mechanism having a rod that is axially movable within a dump tube, one end of the rod being engageable with the valve, and the other rod end being linked by a pin to an operator controlled actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Control Rain Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 5566718
    Abstract: A fluid pressure device having a fluid unit suitable for use as a vacuum generating unit formed by connecting together a plurality of blocks having different functions, the fluid unit being connected to an external device. The fluid pressure device includes a plug-in/one-touch type electric signal connecting unit for collectively mounting a plurality of terminals in a wall surface of the fluid unit, to electrically connect the plurality of blocks to the external device. The terminals are connected to the external device by a single multi-connector means, and a plug-in/one-touch type fluid passage connecting unit, for collectively providing connecting portions within the wall surface of the fluid unit, to interconnect the external device and fluid passages defined in the fluid unit. The fluid passages are connected to the external device by a plurality of cylindrical insertion members which are inserted into the connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Hiroshi Matsushima, Yoshiharu Ito, Akio Saitoh
  • Patent number: 5566717
    Abstract: A fluid flow assembly controls fluids passing through a secondary or communication line of a manifold. The manifold includes at least one output port connected in fluid communication with the secondary line. A fluid supply is connected to a fill valve controlled by an electronic feedback control. An exhaust valve is also controlled by the electronic feedback control. Together, the fill and exhaust valves regulate the pressure of the fluid flow through the secondary line and the valves associated with each of the output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Mac Valves
    Inventor: Michael E. Robert
  • Patent number: 5566923
    Abstract: A coupling for use in a rotary ball valve having a spherical ball with a passageway therethrough for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve. The coupling is particularly suited for use with non-metallic, for example, ceramic, spherical balls which are rotated by torque applied to a metallic actuator shaft. The coupling includes a plurality of depressions and protrusions formed at the interface of the non-metallic and metallic components. The depressions and protrusions are positioned away from the central axis of the spherical ball. A cushion can be interposed between the metallic and non-metallic components to further disperse the force applied to the non-metallic component. The depression and protrusions can be tapered and oriented at an angle with respect to the central axis so that as torque is applied to the shaft the non-metallic component is rotated without breakage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Valtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan O. Ennis, Robert E. Gooch, Stephen R. Chipman, Jonathan D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5564679
    Abstract: A chemically-resistant fluid control valve is disclosed generally comprising fluid inlet and outlet passages separated by fluid control means, which control means comprise a flapper plate disposed in the fluid passageway and mounted on a rotatable shaft that passes laterally through the fluid passageway by means of releasable fasteners adapted to engage correspondingly-shaped fastener elements of the flapper plate, which elements are also adapted to receive the shaft in a channel between the fastener elements, wherein at least all wetted surfaces of each of the several components consist essentially of a chemically-resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Ericson, Steven M. King
  • Patent number: 5564494
    Abstract: A processing roll adapted to engage paper or the like to heat and/or shape the same. The roll has a cylindrical side wall and defines a interior condensing chamber for steam. The interior surface of the roll is formed with longitudinal grooves which slope away from the longitudinal axis toward a central location. The steam condensates in the chamber, collects in the grooves, and flows toward a center location where the condensate is siphoned out and removed from the chamber. Improved heat transfer is achieved, and greater uniformity of heat is accomplished at the outside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Reijo K. Salminen
  • Patent number: 5560587
    Abstract: A gate valve sealing unit includes first and second annular seal members that are attached to a main body structure within a passageway that receives and is selectively occluded by a gate. The first and second seal members include first and second rigid mounting hubs to which are mounted first and second annular elastomer sleeves, respectively. Each elastomer sleeve has a continuous lip section and plural axially spaced cavities, the lip sections of the first and second sleeves engaging peripheral margins on opposite sides of the gate when it occludes the passageway and engaging each other otherwise. The first and second mounting hubs include axially outward radial flanges that extend from the respective first and second sides of the main body structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Technaflow, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. McCutcheon, Jeffrey M. Bowman, David L. Gambetta
  • Patent number: 5558114
    Abstract: A rupture disk with an annular flange that permits the disk to be clamped in place in a pressure system between an outlet holder and an inlet holder. The rupture disk is characterized by an eccentric score line formed on its annular flange radially outwardly beyond the dome of the rupture disk. A spacer and support ring are utilized to assist in the removal of that portion of the annular flange of the disk which ruptures from between the outlet holder and inlet holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Co.
    Inventor: John L. Strelow
  • Patent number: 5558311
    Abstract: An improved solenoid valve harness assembly for a vehicle transmission is disclosed that is more reliable, less costly to manufacture, and easier to test. In one embodiment, the solenoid valve assembly includes a plurality of solenoid valves and a harness. The harness includes a plurality of conductors for electrically connecting the plurality of solenoid valves to a controller. The harness is connected to the solenoid valves by a plug and receptacle arrangement that reduces the cost of manufacture and that allows each component to be separately tested prior to being plugged together. In one embodiment, the plug and receptacle arrangement permits the solenoid valves to be disconnected from the harness so that a defective component can be replaced without discarding the entire solenoid valve harness. In a further aspect, a solenoid valve harness is provided in which the solenoid valves are internally grounded thereby eliminating the need for ground wires from the solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Connolly, Terry L. Forbes
  • Patent number: 5556074
    Abstract: A valve utilizes secondary attachment methods for internal valve parts. A guide channel is attached to a valve body with a primary pin and weld arrangement and additionally with a dovetail arrangement between the guide channel and the body. A facing ring is connected to a stop utilizing a circumferential weld and additionally a bolt inserted through the facing ring and threaded into the stop. The connection between a valve seat and a valve body has a primary weld connection, and additionally, a pin is inserted through the valve seat into a recess in the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Pacific Valves
    Inventors: Fred R. O'Brien, Jerry E. Martin
  • Patent number: 5553830
    Abstract: A pipeline valve is provided which includes a valve body having a spherical bore with a cylindrical valve seat. The cylindrical valve seat is positioned along the centerline of the spherical valve body and can be machined in the valve body. Alternatively, the valve seat can be an elastomeric material which is inserted into the valve body. The butterfly valve disk is conical in shape. In one embodiment, the disk is constructed from two halves, fastened together, having a movable T-seal perimetrial surface.The T-seal is received by a groove recessed within the disk. Behind the T-seal, an elastomer or linear expander biasing member can be disposed to force the T-seal in a direction towards the valve seat. The valve disk is connected to a control shaft by a attachment assembly which allows for self-alignment of the disk. The control shaft terminates in a forked end having two legs which define an aperture corresponding to coupling pads on either side of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Gary M. Stary
  • Patent number: 5553831
    Abstract: A ball valve which is opened and shut by the rotation of a spindle (5) to rotate a valve ball (2) engaged with the spindle (5), characterized in that a neck portion (4) of a valve body bearing the spindle (5) is provided integrally therewith with a top flange (7) for mounting either of a handle or an actuator for the operation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Asahi Yukizai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshito Ozaki, Katsuhiro Onishi
  • Patent number: 5551666
    Abstract: Butterfly flap valve (10) comprising a valve housing (12) with an axial flow aperture (14), a flap shaft (16) that projects out of the valve housing (12), crosses the flow aperture (14) substantially diametrically and can be operated by means of a drive mechanism disposed outside the valve housing (12), and a closure flap (22) attached to the flap shaft (16) to close the flow aperture.In this system, to move the closure flap (22) out of the closed position into the position in which the flow aperture (14) is open, the closure flap (22) is first lifted away from the valve seat (24) and then swiveled within the flow aperture (14) by way of the connection of the flap shaft (16) both to a lever system (28), consisting of a first lever element (44) and a second lever element (46), and to an actuator shaft (30) coupled to the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Zimmerman & Jansen GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Irnich
  • Patent number: 5551471
    Abstract: A valve with a rotatable valving member has a vent hole extending between an internal cavity of the valve and another location to which excess pressure can be vented. The vent hole is sealed with a consumable vent hole seal device that ruptures or otherwise vents under the high temperature and/or pressure of a fire and prevents dangerous pressure buildup within the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Xomox Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Sandling, David E. Klotter, Edward Scheid, M. R. Ramakrishnan
  • Patent number: 5549138
    Abstract: A changeover valve system is provided that is adapted to be secured at one end to a riser from a pressurized piping system and at its opposite end to at least two pressure relieving devices. The changeover valve system includes a body and at least two elbows secured to the body to which are attached at least one of the pressure relieving devices. A partially spherical changeover member is provided within the body having at least one inlet port adapted to communicate with the riser and at least one and preferably two outlet ports adapted to alternately communicate with either of the pressure relieving devices. Transport means are provided for effecting rotation of the changeover member within the body to cause the changeover member to travel from one position wherein an outlet port is in communication with one of the pressure relieving devices to a second position wherein an outlet port is in communication with the other pressure relieving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Crosby Valve & Gage Company
    Inventor: Harry E. Eminger
  • Patent number: 5549275
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for installation in a pipe line for controlling the movement of a flowable material therein which comprises a central body section with end sections connected thereto and forming therewith a valve stopper chamber, the end sections each having an associated annular projection extending into the valve stopper chamber with fluid-flow passages extending outwardly therefrom; a valve stopper in the chamber having a flow passage extending therethrough and sealing surfaces bounding the flow passage; a structure for moving the stopper to a valve open position substantially aligning the stopper flow passage with the end section flow passages, and to a valve closed position blocking the end section flow passages; and a gasket encircling each end section projection and thrust structure operable to press the gaskets against the stopper sealing surfaces when the stopper is in valve open and valve closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Granville S. Knox