Patents Examined by K. Lee
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Patent number: 7510166Abstract: An automatic flush actuation apparatus, which is incorporated with a flushing system having a water inlet, a water outlet, and a water chamber communicating therebetween, that includes a valve member being moved by a flush lever for releasing the water pressure within the water chamber to allow the water passing from the water inlet to the water outlet, and a sensor-operated powering assembly including a relief valve provided at the valve member for controlling the water flowing to the water outlet and an actuator arranged in such a manner that while sensing a presence of a user of the flushing system, the actuator is driven to move the relief valve to an opened position for releasing the water pressure within the water chamber to allow the water passing to said water outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Inventors: Jorge Maercovich, Leo Maercovich, Shao-Kuang Liu
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Patent number: 7509971Abstract: A fluid control valve includes flexible coupling between a handle and a valve stem which allows the components of the assembly on one side of a wall to be angularly misaligned with the components on the opposing side. Because the components adjacent to the room side of the wall can be mounted perpendicular to the wall, a decorative escutcheon can be mounted flush against the mounting wall when the wall or the valve is out of plumb.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Pete Kajuch
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Patent number: 7506658Abstract: A liquid flow control device includes an annular housing having an inlet for liquid in one periphery of the housing and an outlet for liquid in the other periphery. An annular block of water swellable material is located in the housing. A layer of sealing material encircles the annular block on the side thereof adjacent the inlet to close the inlet when the block is swollen through contact with the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: John Guest International LimitedInventors: John Derek Guest, Timothy Stephen Guest
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Patent number: 7505110Abstract: Methods of fabricating micro-valves and micro-pumps. The micro-valves and micro-pumps that are fabricated include electrically conductive diaphragms fabricated from electrically conductive nano-fibers. Fluid flow through the micro-valves and pumping action of the micro-pumps is accomplished by applying electrostatic forces to the electrically conductive diaphragms.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven John Holmes, David Vaclav Horak, Charles William Koburger, III
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Patent number: 7503338Abstract: A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Harrington, Martin Koebler, Norbert Kozar, Ramon A. Caamano, Michael J. Lee
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Patent number: 7503339Abstract: A cover assembly for a lift station is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a cover in which an access opening, a cable passageway and a vent are defined. The cable passageway has one end that connects to the access opening and another end that opens to an exterior of the lift station. The cable passageway and the access opening are covered by hatches that can be opened to fully uncover the cable passageway and a portion of the access opening adjacent the cable passageway. This facilitates installation and maintenance of cables running between external equipment and internal equipment. The hatch covering the cable passageway is substantially solid to prevent venting of flammable gases. An interior of the cable passageway has an additional barrier to these gases. The vent is spaced apart from the cable passageway to further separate the cable passageway and external equipment from flammable gases.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Romtec Utilities, Inc.Inventors: Timothy D. Bogan, Mark Sheldon
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Patent number: 7500489Abstract: A contained pipeline and leak detection system includes a primary pipeline section surrounded by a secondary pipeline section and an interstitial space formed between the primary pipeline section and the secondary pipeline section. A pressurized fluid reservoir having a volume of fluid, and in fluid communication with the interstitial space is provided. The fluid in the interstitial space has a pressure greater than the pressure of a fluid inside the primary pipeline section. A sensor detects changes in the volume of fluid in the fluid reservoir, which are indicative of leakage or system malfunction.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Ameron International CorporationInventor: Joie L. Folkers
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Patent number: 7484526Abstract: A check valve adapted for mounting between any flanges and specifically between sanitary flanges in a piping system, the check valve comprising a stationary portion and a flexible portion; the single-piece rigid stationary portion including and supporting a valve seat; the single-piece molded elastomeric flexible portion including a flange gasket, a valve plug, flexible retaining arms for guiding and securing the valve plug movement with respect to the valve seat, and a visual means to indicate that the check valve is installed, permits flow in the desired direction, and is drainable; the check valve being fully cleanable and sterilizable in situ by flow-through methods and having at least one embodiment that is fully drainable when mounted in any orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Inventor: Larry Saul Zelson
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Patent number: 7481413Abstract: A flush actuator assembly is adapted to fit existing valve bodies. The flush actuator assembly includes a plunger rod which is capable of displacing the relief valve post more or less to adjust the flow of water through the flush valve during a single flush. The relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by adjusting the actuator assembly such that the plunger rod contacts the relief valve post at different locations along the central longitudinal axis of the post. Additionally, the relief valve post may be displaced different amounts by providing a plunger rod that has a different range of travel. A method associated with displacing the relief valve post varying amounts is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLCInventor: Michael A. Funari
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Patent number: 7481417Abstract: A vacuum valve comprises a conical sealing surface arranged at a valve body, a valve disk at which a conical sealing surface is arranged, and a sealing ring having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface. The valve disk, the valve body and the sealing ring are made of metal at least in the areas of the sealing surfaces. The valve disk is constructed so as to be curved or angled considered in axial section through the center and encloses an angle of less than 90° with the closing direction in the unloaded state at least in a radial outer portion adjoining the sealing surface. The valve disk has an elasticity such that a displacement of the radial outer edge of the valve disk relative to a point in the center of the valve disk of at least 0.1% of the diameter of the valve disk in direction of the center axis of the valve disk is bought about in the closed position of the valve disk relative to the open position of the valve disk by an elastic deformation of the valve disk.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: VAT Holding AGInventors: Thomas Mayer, Bernhard Duelli
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Patent number: 7478646Abstract: The present invention is an enclosure device for attachment to a fluid withdrawal valve on a chemical storage tank to prevent unauthorized access. The enclosure device comprises a first and second housing pivotally attached with a hinge to pivot between an open and closed position. In addition, the first and second housing define a cavity for receiving the fluid withdrawal valve. In the closed position, a fastener locks the enclosure device to prevent unauthorized access.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Inventors: Terry Borrenpohl, Wayne L. Borrenpohl
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Patent number: 7475703Abstract: A thermostatically controlled bypass valve includes a housing having a first inlet port and a first discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the first inlet port is configured to receive hot water, and the first discharge port is configured to discharge the hot water. The housing has a second inlet port and a second discharge port located proximate to one another, wherein the second inlet port is configured to receive cold water, and the second discharge port is configured to discharge the cold water. The first and second inlet and discharge ports are formed integral with one another as part of the housing, and the housing includes a passage permitting recirculating flow between the first and second inlet ports. A thermally sensitive actuating member is disposed in a chamber in the housing, wherein the thermally sensitive actuating member extends when heated and contracts when cooled.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Grundfos Pumps CorporationInventors: Dale Kempf, Ken Lum
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Patent number: 7475702Abstract: A shut off cover removably attachable to a water shut off valve for protecting and decoratively covering the shut off valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Inventors: Nicolina A. Stewart, Kenneth G. Stewart, III
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Patent number: 7472887Abstract: The present invention provides a valve which makes it possible to reduce the diameter of the vacuum exhaustion pipings for making the facility for the vacuum exhaustion system small, as a result lowering the costs, and making the vacuum exhaustion time short, and also which can prevent the corrosions, cloggings, and seal leakages inside the piping system caused by the accumulation of substances produced by the decomposition of the gas. Specifically, the aluminum passivation is applied on the piping parts, i.e. the valve and others, used in the vacuum exhaustion system to inhibit the gas decomposition caused by the temperature rise at the time of the baking so that components for the reduction in the diameter size in the vacuum exhaustion system are provided. The corrosions, cloggings and seat leakages caused by the gas decomposition are prevented.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Michio Yamaji, Masafumi Kitano, Akihiro Morimoto
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Patent number: 7469710Abstract: A pressure-recovery device for a supersonic, continuous wave gas laser is capable of recovering the pressure of the supersonic fluid in an efficient manner and in a relatively light and compact assembly. The supersonic diffuser has a substantially rectangular inlet and top and bottom walls that extend from the inlet in the direction of the flow of gas. The top and bottom walls are separated by a height (l1) at the inlet and are connected by two side walls. The side walls are separated by a width (h) at the inlet, wherein the ratio of height to width ranges at the inlet from about 0.001 to about 1. A compression region is formed by the top wall, bottom wall and side walls, wherein said top and bottom walls either are or are not symmetric about a central longitudinal axis of the compression region.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2005Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: KSY CorporationInventor: George Emanuel
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Patent number: 7469711Abstract: A pair of specially designed plates that are mounted to the framing of a screened enclosure, enabling the installation of a hose bib and hose bib to garden hose adapter, providing a water supply through the screen of the enclosure. This provides a garden hose connection and water flow control point within the screened enclosure. An ordinary garden hose is attached to a hose bib outside the screened enclosure and to the hose bib to garden hose adapter providing the water supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Inventor: William Costas
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Patent number: 7469876Abstract: A method and system for securing the exposed valve actuation portion of the valve system in order to restrict the unauthorized use therefrom; including a first device keying the exposed valve actuation portion, a second device, containing the exposed portion of the keyed valve actuation, a third keyed device for locking the valve actuation portion within the second device, a fourth keyed device for actuating the pressure adjustment portion, a fifth device for maintaining ease of rotation, a sixth device for securing the third device to the existing valve system, and a seventh device for engaging and operating the first and/or third devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Inventor: Peter Michael Fox
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Patent number: 7451779Abstract: A universal mounting bracket is provided for coplanar and bi-planar differential pressure (DP) transmitters, and gauge pressure transmitters. The bracket includes a support defining a plurality of planes, with at least two sets of bracket mounts disposed on mutually orthogonal planes. At least two sets of coplanar DP transmitter mounts are also disposed on mutually orthogonal planes, and at least one set of bi-planar DP transmitter mounts is configured for mounting the bi-planar DP transmitter in any one of a plurality of mutually orthogonal orientations. The bracket also includes at least two sets of gauge pressure transmitter mounts on mutually orthogonal planes.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard P. Casimiro, Steven D. Lantagne
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Patent number: 7438085Abstract: A device for prevention of particulate contamination of a valve fitting and for notification of whether actual access or tampering or potential access or tampering of a fluid from a fluid tank connected to the valve and/or the valve has occurred, featuring a fitting block which is insertable within the fitting or capable of receiving the fitting, and first and second straps bendable about the valve and fastenable to each other. One of the straps may include a ring through which a valve burst disk is insertable when the strap is bent about the valve. If the device was compromised and the cylinder was removed for access to the valve fitting, the ring of one of the straps would remain on the burst disk even though the cylinder was removed from the fitting. Thus, the compromised device would remain on the valve indicating that access to the valve or fluid had been attempted or achieved.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventor: George W. Ratermann
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Patent number: 7438091Abstract: The present invention relates to a construction machine having a working oil tank and a switching valve to open/close the pilot line of the hydraulic pressure control system, the return oil from the switching valve being put back to the tank at the bottom through a return pipe, wherein a drain pipe is provided at a portion of the return pipe lower than the tank, while a plug for opening/closing the drain pipe at the outlet thereof, the oil in the working oil tank being discharged through the return pipe in a case where the outlet is opened by the plug. This allows the simplification of the configuration of drain passage as well as the improvement of the efficiency of draining works.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masayuki Murakami