Patents Examined by Kenneth Rinehart
  • Patent number: 11560976
    Abstract: A hose repair system including a first clamping member and a second clamping member, each clamping member including an interior surface with a concave curve along the width and a pair of longitudinal grooves formed at the intersection of the first and second clamping members. Each longitudinal groove extends from end to end of each clamping member. The system also includes at least one fastener for clamping the first and second clamping members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Hosepatch Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Chris Turner
  • Patent number: 11560963
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a bowl-shaped housing having a bottom wall and an annular sealing wall, wherein the sealing wall delimits a valve through-opening, and a jacket wall. A cover is provided for covering a housing opening of the housing opposite to the bottom wall, having a diaphragm holder extending in the direction of the bottom wall. A diaphragm is provided for covering the valve through-opening, wherein the diaphragm is connected to the diaphragm holder and disposes the diaphragm holder sealingly on the annular sealing wall such that the valve through-opening is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Javier Arteta, Thomas Steimer
  • Patent number: 11555571
    Abstract: Automated flowline leak sealing can be implemented as a flowline sealing tool assembly. A sealing sleeve is configured to be positioned within a flowline with a circumferential leak. The sealing sleeve includes a pair of ends configured to be positioned on either side of the circumferential leak. A pair of sealing elements are attached to the pair of ends, respectively, and are configured to seal the pair of ends to an inner wall of the flowline on either side of the circumferential leak. A deployment tool includes a hollow cylinder configured to be inserted into and retracted from an inner volume defined by the sealing sleeve. The deployment tool is configured to activate the pair of sealing elements to seal the pair of ends to the inner wall of the flowline on either side of the circumferential leak in response to being retracted from the inner volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Alwaleed Abdullah Al-Gouhi, Abdulaziz Khalid Alsufayan, Salvador Alejandro Ruvalcaba Velarde
  • Patent number: 11549627
    Abstract: A system may include a manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets, a first pump truck having a first pump disposed thereon with a first fluid outlet, and a first flexible pipe. The first flexible pipe may include a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to a first of the plurality of fluid inlets, a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first fluid outlet, and a first outer shell mounted on the manifold. The first outer shell may extend from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the first outer shell may be curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the first pump truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey
  • Patent number: 11542962
    Abstract: A piston accumulator has an accumulator housing and a separating piston (8) guided for longitudinal motion in the accumulator housing. The separating piston separates a liquid side (4) from a gas side (10) in the accumulator housing. Liquid unintentionally transitions from the liquid side (4) to the gas side (10) despite a piston seal on the separating piston (8). By a return device (28), the transitioned liquid is at least partially returned from the gas side (10) of the accumulator housing to the liquid side (4) of the accumulator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: HYDAC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Albert, Dennis Christopher Lang
  • Patent number: 11541747
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a pressure vessel system includes at least a first pressure vessel arranged in a first region of the motor vehicle and at least one second pressure vessel arranged in a second region of the motor vehicle having a lower intrusion probability than the first region. Fuel is preferentially removed first primarily from the at least one first pressure vessel. When the lower limit of fuel level or fuel temperature is reached in the at least one first pressure vessel, fuel is removed from the at least one second pressure vessel. If the fuel supply rate from the at least one first pressure vessel is lower than an overall fuel supply rate for an energy converter, fuel is removed from the at least one second pressure vessel to meet the overall fuel supply rate needed by the energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lorenz Ehgartner, Andreas Pelger, Klaus Szoucsek
  • Patent number: 11506299
    Abstract: A rotary valve including a housing with a removable housing cover, a rotor within the housing which is at least partially placeable outside the housing by detaching and displacing the housing cover away from the housing so as to enable access for cleaning or inspection of the rotary valve, wherein an end portion of a shaft of the rotor is mounted in a bearing assembly supported by the housing cover, which bearing assembly comprises a first bearing and a second bearing that are adjustable in position so as to maintain the shaft of the rotor in a level orientation with reference to the housing when the housing cover is moved away from the housing, wherein the first bearing and the second bearing are movable with respect to each other in a direction transversely to a longitudinal direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DMN MACHINEFABRIEK NOORDWYKERHOUT B.V.
    Inventors: Maximiliaan Café, Bastiaan Verbeet, Gerhardus Johannes Maria van Liempt, Mathijs Franz Peckelsen
  • Patent number: 11473713
    Abstract: A trenchless integrative repair method includes steps of: S1, pre-casting steel rings according to an internal diameter of a defect pipeline, and forming grouting holes in the steel rings; S2, loading the steel rings to a defect position inside the pipeline, and fitting the steel rings to an internal wall of the pipeline to form reinforcing rings; S3, selecting a number of the grouting holes according to subsidence distribution; drilling a hole in the pipeline to reach a subsidence position and inserting a grouting pipe; steadily grouting the subsidence position with a polymer grouting system, and observing a lift condition of the pipeline; removing the grouting pipe after the pipeline is lifted to a predetermined level; and S4, pulling a lining pipe into the pipeline, and fitting the lining pipe to the steel rings and pipeline walls adjacent to the steel rings; curing the lining pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Infrastructure Renewal Institute of Southern China, WELEAD Infrastructure Engineering Technology (Zhengzhou), Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuming Wang, Hongyuan Fang, Peng Zhao, Yanhui Pan, Bin Li, Hang He
  • Patent number: 11447160
    Abstract: An extraction device for discharging a mixed fluid, in particular containing feces, from a collecting tank of a rail vehicle comprises a housing having a mixed fluid inlet and a mixed fluid outlet, a flow passage which extends in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a retaining latch mounted to the housing and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recess on the collecting tank and is pivotably reciprocal between a locked position and an unlocked position, a shut-off member reciprocable between a release position and a blocking position, and a handling means or actuator mounted to the housing for actuation of the shut-off member. The handling means is operatively connected to the retaining latch in such a way that upon the movement of the retaining latch into the unlocked position the shut-off member is put into the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VOGELSANG GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Hermann Lucks, Michael Heitmann
  • Patent number: 11441739
    Abstract: An system for emptying at least one reservoir containing a pressurized fluid, including, for each reservoir, a vent for discharging the fluid out of the reservoir and a discharge valve for connecting the reservoir to the vent, the emptying system additionally including, for each discharge valve, a return member for returning the discharge valve to its closed configuration, and a fluid control system for controlling the movement of each discharge valve to its open configuration by action of an operating fluid on the discharge valve, the control system including an operating station arranged outside a danger zone around each reservoir, and, for each discharge valve, a fluid pipe fluidically connecting the operating station to the discharge valve, the operating station including at least one reversible free connection for connecting to each fluid pipe of a device for supplying the control system with operating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: AREVA Stockage d'Energie
    Inventors: André Rakotondrainibe, Franck Verbecke, Jean-Claude Reybaud
  • Patent number: 11427453
    Abstract: A device for filling containers with a liquid includes a filling unit; an elevating mechanism; and optionally a conveyor suitable to support and have the containers advance in succession to the filling unit. The filling unit includes connections connected to a source of the liquid, a source of an inert gas and a suction device; a pipe comprising a first tube and a second tube, and a retainer to hold the containers in the filling unit. The elevating mechanism varies the depth with which the pipe and/or at least one of the tubes is inserted in the container. A method for filling containers with a liquid is also provided, wherein the liquid and an inert gas are injected simultaneously through two separate tubes. The tubes are each connectable/connected to one of the connections connectable/connected to a source of liquid, a source of an inert gas and to a suction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: DR TECH S.R.L.
    Inventors: Livio Dal Lago, Alberto Ruggin
  • Patent number: 11428344
    Abstract: A valve in which a backseat structure is formed at a height to easily prevent penetration of fluid with high accuracy from outside a bonnet to inhibit an increase in internal pressure. In a state in which a packing for sealing (5) is attached inside a bonnet (10) in a longneck structure, a stem (3) is axially inserted and a flow path (13) inside a valve box (2) is provided to be opened and closed by a valve body (4). The bonnet is divided into an upper bonnet (11) and a lower bonnet (12) at a position higher than a position at which a fluid flowing inside the valve box ascends in a liquid state. A backseat mechanism (42) has a fixed-side seal surface (21) formed on a lower end side of the upper bonnet and a movable-side seal surface (41) on an outer peripheral surface of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taisuke Muto, Tetsuya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11421795
    Abstract: A relief valve provides pressure relief when a fluid line exceeds a predetermined pressure. The valve includes a body which defines a cavity between inlet and outlet flowpaths. The valve includes a lever arm, which pivots around a pivot point as the valve changes between open and closed positions. A plunger assembly is disposed in the cavity and seals the cavity from the inlet and outlet flowpaths in the closed position. Fluid pressure from the inlet flow path causes the plunger assembly to contact the lever arm to urge the lever arm to rotate. The lever arm engages a spring at a further distance from the pivot point than the plunger assembly, the spring resisting pivoting of the lever arm and urging the valve to remain in the closed position unless a predetermined pressure is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Watts Regulator Co.
    Inventor: Steven Castrigno
  • Patent number: 11401152
    Abstract: An improved apparatus, system, and method of transporting a fluid product such as milk or juice is provided. A flexible tank or bladder is used to temporarily store the raw milk or juice and/or facilitate handling of the milk/juice between the supplier (e.g., farm), processing/bottling facility, and retail facility or storage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: CREATIVE EDGE DESIGN GROUP, LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel P. Soehnlen, Gregory M. Soehnlen
  • Patent number: 11391108
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a ram system for a blowout preventer. The ram system includes a first ram having an interlocking arm, where the interlocking arm includes a first anti-deflection feature. The ram system includes a second ram having a second anti-deflection feature. The first ram and the second ram are configured to move toward one another along a longitudinal axis to reach an engaged configuration. The second ram is configured to receive the interlocking arm of the first ram to enable the first anti-deflection feature to engage with the second anti-deflection feature while the first ram and the second ram are in the engaged configuration to thereby enable the first and second anti-deflection features to block deflection of the interlocking arm relative to a lateral axis, an axial axis, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Miguel Urrutia, Micah Threadgill, John Gregory Landthrip
  • Patent number: 11371658
    Abstract: A pressure relief system comprises a pressurized vessel containing a fuel source and comprising a thermal pressure relief device, a heat shield coating disposed on an outer surface of the pressurized vessel, a sensor in thermal communication with the heat shield and configured to receive thermal energy from the heat shield, and an electronic control module electrically coupled to the sensor and the thermal pressure relief device. The sensor, responsive to receiving a threshold amount of thermal energy from the heat shield coating, may transmit a signal to the electronic control module. The electronic control module may activate the thermal pressure relief device in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Livio Richard Gambone, David Leigh Grottenhaler, Jesse Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 11333084
    Abstract: An exhaust gas flap includes a flap tube (12), a flap diaphragm (16), in an interior of the flap tube on a pivot shaft (14) rotatable about a pivot axis (A), a pivot drive (30) for the pivot shaft (14) and a coupling device (36) coupling the pivot shaft to a drive shaft (34). The coupling device includes a first coupling area (42) rotationally coupled, positive-lockingly meshed with the drive shaft and a second coupling area (44) rotationally coupled, positive-lockingly meshed with the pivot shaft. A biasing element (58) is supported in relation to the coupling device and in relation to one shaft of the drive shaft and the pivot shaft. The coupling device is axially prestressed, by the prestressing element, away from the one shaft along in the direction of the pivot axis and is prestressed about the pivot axis in relation to the one shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PUREM GMBH
    Inventors: Annika Zeumer, Steffen Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11320059
    Abstract: A check valve for a pump delivery port includes a body having inlet and outlet portions joined by a duct and an opening; a curve having an inlet end to be connected to the delivery port and an outlet end to be connected to the body; and a valve member having a disk-shaped locking portion sealingly interacting with an edge of the curve and a locking portion secured in a seat by a lid of the opening. The valve member moves between open and closed positions and has a metal core made while the locking portion is metal-free. The lid cooperates with the locking portion through a protrusion or a cavity and pushes the valve member toward the curve to the closed position and allows the valve member to deflect to the open position under pressure of a working fluid in equilibrium with the weight of the blocking portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrea Locatelli, Michele Zuliani, Alessandro Gamba, Davide Moressa, Giulio Ferrarese, Semen Kuptcov, Skasham Dube
  • Patent number: 11242239
    Abstract: A flow control valve is provided including a valve aperture in a valve body configured to convey fuel from an inlet to an outlet, a valve element configured to close the valve aperture to block flow of the fuel, a valve actuator configured to shift the position of the valve element between a closed position and an open position, and an antifraud circuit. The antifraud circuit is configured to receive a signal to open the flow control valve, determine if the signal is legitimate based on a signal characteristic, cause the flow control valve to shift to the open position in response to determining that the signal is legitimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Daniel Long
  • Patent number: 11224776
    Abstract: A terminal fixture is provided for installation at the end of each sprinkler head drop in a fire protection system. The terminal fixture is an automatic valve device that operates in response to the installation or removal of a sprinkler head from the fixture itself. When the sprinkler head is removed the terminal valve operates to close the end of the sprinkler drop feed line to prevent flow of fire protection fluid by preventing an open system. When a sprinkler head is reinstalled into the valve, the valve plunger is automatically displaced to an open position to restore full and unobstructed flow to the sprinkler head returning the drop to full and operable status. In this manner, no manual valves are added to the system which would prevent failsafe operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SPRINKLER STOP, LLC
    Inventor: Fred D. Moore, Jr.