Patents Examined by Kevin F Murphy
  • Patent number: 11598440
    Abstract: A heat exchanger is configured to adjust a flow restriction of flow passages through the heat exchanger in response to changes in temperature of elements that define at least a portion of the flow passages. The elements include a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naison E. Mastrocola, William E. Villano
  • Patent number: 11598434
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a first port fitting and a second port fitting with a base secured therebetween. The base has an annular sleeve encircling a seat, the seat having a central mounting hole and one or more flow channels passing therethrough. An umbrella valve includes a flexible sealing disk having an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, a mounting stem extending from the inner surface and projecting into the mounting hole of the base, the sealing disk being movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the sealing disk sits on the seat so as to cover the one or more flow channels and a second position wherein the sealing disk is resiliently flexed so as to at least partially uncover the one or more flow channels. A retention plate is disposed between first port fitting and the seat of the base so that the retention plate sits against the outer surface of the sealing disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles R. Rhodes, Jonathan O. Schultz
  • Patent number: 11598466
    Abstract: An O-ring membrane valve, including an O-ring, and a resealable membrane connected to the O-ring, the resealable membrane including a first surface, a second surface, and a slit extending from the first surface to the second surface. The O-ring membrane valve may be assembled with a fluid connector, the fluid connector including a body, having a first through-bore and a first groove arranged circumferentially within the first through-bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Oetiker NY, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley C. Fremont
  • Patent number: 11598447
    Abstract: A plug for a valve for a container that may contain hazardous materials is provided. The plug may include an outer wall, and one or more keys disposed on an external surface of the outer wall. The keys may be sized and shaped to respectively fit within one or more corresponding notches and one or more circumferential grooves in the valve to secure the plug to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MICRO MATIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Crowell, Michael Tomlinson, Jeff Smigiel
  • Patent number: 11598533
    Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater having a first water outlet and a second water outlet. The water heater system further includes a flow detection device coupled to the first water outlet to detect a water flow through the first water outlet. The water heater system also includes a flow control valve fluidly coupled to the second water outlet. The flow control valve is configured to control a flow of water through the second water outlet based on whether the water flow through the first water outlet is detected by the flow detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Raheel A. Chaudhry, Michael C. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11596967
    Abstract: An adjustable escutcheon assembly is provided which can be installed flush against a ceiling, wall, or other surface where a supply pipe exits the ceiling, wall, or surface at various angles. The assembly includes a fitting having a curved bearing surface and an aperture for receiving the supply pipe, a retainer which bears against and is adjustable with respect to the curved bearing surface of the fitting, and an escutcheon plate mountable to the retainer. During installation, the retainer and escutcheon plate can be rotated with respect to the pipe and fitting in order to allow flush installation of the retainer and escutcheon against the ceiling, wall, or surface at a variety of angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Durst Corporation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence B. Brodey, Christopher Pike, Anthony Folk
  • Patent number: 11590376
    Abstract: An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a nozzle cap defining an internal cavity; an antenna positioned at least partially external to the internal cavity; and the antenna covered with a non-metallic material. An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a nozzle cap defining a first end and a second end, the first end defining a threaded bore configured to mount on a nozzle of a fire hydrant; a cover coupled to the nozzle cap opposite from the first end; an enclosure positioned at least partially between the cover and the first end, the enclosure at least partially defining a cavity; a monitoring device positioned within the cavity; and an antenna positioned between the cover and the first end of the nozzle cap, the antenna connected in electrical communication with the monitoring device, the antenna covered by a non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hyland, Robert Paul Keefe, Marietta Edmunds Zakas, Clayton Robert Barker
  • Patent number: 11591095
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve may comprise a housing, a disk, and a seal. The disk may be configured to deflect relative to the housing. The seal may form a sealing interface with at least one of the housing or disk. The pressure relief valve may be coupled to an inflatable slide or an aspirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Poly Puthur John, Shyamkumar Dattatri
  • Patent number: 11584571
    Abstract: A fluid transfer hub has a first vessel closure, a second vessel closure, a gasket arranged between the first vessel closure and the second vessel closure, and a clamp at least partially surrounding the first vessel closure, the second vessel closure, and the gasket. The first vessel closure has a first body, one or more apertures extending axially through the first body, one or more first inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the first body and surrounding each first insert. The second vessel closure has a second body, one or more apertures extending axially through the second body, one or more second inserts extending axially through the one or more apertures, and a cast seal disposed within the second body and surrounding each second insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Michael A. Zumbrum
  • Patent number: 11578809
    Abstract: A system for managing flexible conduit or tubing used in pharmaceutical, bioprocess, or food/dairy applications includes a segment of flexible conduit or tubing and a plurality of conduit tracks, each conduit track including a conduit channel disposed on a first side thereof and extending along the length of each respective conduit track and dimensioned to receive the segment of flexible conduit or tubing therein, each conduit track further including a connector channel disposed on a second, opposing side and extending along the length of each respective conduit track and containing the one or more connectors that connect adjacent conduit tracks. The conduit tracks can be connected to each other or other process components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Repligen Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Gagne, Dean C. Richards, Steven V. Cates, Scott Bendon
  • Patent number: 11566275
    Abstract: This application provides fluidic devices, such as microfluidic devices, which can be used for the creation and/or manipulation of droplets in droplet-based microfluidic systems, as well as systems and methods for using the same. The microfluidic devices can be used to generate droplets, extract or inject volume to droplets, and/or split droplets. Also provided are methods for generating nucleosomes, and isolated DNA from nucleosomes (or from non-nucleosomes), for example using the disclosed devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
    Inventors: Ryan Bailey, Joshua Tice, Tamas Ordog, Jeong Heon Lee, Richard Martin Graybill, Yi Xu, Steven Doonan
  • Patent number: 11560699
    Abstract: A curb stop structure having a supporting base, an upstanding body having an open top, the body including at least one horizontal slit and one vertical slit intersecting the horizontal slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ADAPTOR, INC.
    Inventor: Paul Michael Gagas
  • Patent number: 11560961
    Abstract: An elastomeric check valve that may be installed within pre-existing process lines or plumbing that includes an internal bore. In various aspects the disclosed check valve has a stem or stem assembly configured to engage the bore to retain the check valve in place and an elastomeric sealing disk or member. At least a radially outer portion of the elastomeric sealing disk or member is biased or biasable in a selected direction away from a plane that is coincident with a central portion of the elastomeric sealing disk. Fluid may flow through a channel in the stem through a stem assembly and around the elastomeric sealing disk in the selected direction, but is substantially prevented from flowing around the elastomeric sealing disk in a direction opposite to the selected direction, when the check valve is installed within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Vernay Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: James Stope
  • Patent number: 11555557
    Abstract: A fluid handling assembly comprising a cavity in which water may become trapped due to use of the assembly, and a membrane disposed in the cavity. The membrane divides the cavity into a first sub-cavity on a first side of the membrane that is configured to collect any water trapped in the cavity and a second sub-cavity on a second, opposite side of the membrane. The membrane is configured to change shape such that the first sub-cavity increases in volume and the second sub-cavity decreases in volume in response to being subjected to water freezing conditions. The increase in volume accommodates an increase in volume of any water that may be trapped in the first sub-cavity when it freezes to ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dariusz Sapija, Agata Kurowska, Piotr Zajac
  • Patent number: 11554278
    Abstract: An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a nozzle cap defining an internal cavity; an antenna positioned at least partially external to the internal cavity; and the antenna covered with a non-metallic material. An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a nozzle cap defining a first end and a second end, the first end defining a threaded bore configured to mount on a nozzle of a fire hydrant; a cover coupled to the nozzle cap opposite from the first end; an enclosure positioned at least partially between the cover and the first end, the enclosure at least partially defining a cavity; a monitoring device positioned within the cavity; and an antenna positioned between the cover and the first end of the nozzle cap, the antenna connected in electrical communication with the monitoring device, the antenna covered by a non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory E. Hyland, Robert Paul Keefe, Marietta Edmunds Zakas, Clayton Robert Barker
  • Patent number: 11549609
    Abstract: Brackets including a plate having a first, a second, and a third opening, and a channel extending from the plate. The channel has a first and a second end, the first end defining a fourth opening for receiving a handle into the channel. The first opening is positioned over the channel such that when a handle is fully inserted into the channel the opening in the handle would be accessible through the first opening of the plate. The second opening is positioned over the channel such that when the handle is inserted into the channel and a connecting pin is inserted into the second opening and the handle, the handle becomes connected to the bracket. The third opening is positioned to align with the at least one hole in a mounting plate of an oil container valve when the handle is coupled to the stud of the oil container valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventor: Alan McDowell
  • Patent number: 11543038
    Abstract: A dense phase pump has two housings that are attached together using a single releasable fastener. The fastener can be released to allow the two housings to be separated thereby providing access to replaceable components. The replaceable components may include one or more pinch valves or one or more barrier elements. A pinch valve for a dense phase pump has a shape or profile for aligning the pinch valve when the pinch valve is installed in a pinch valve body. The pinch valve optionally has two end flanges, with each end flange having a shaped periphery. The two end flanges may have the same size and shape so that the pinch valve can be installed in either of two orientations that are inverse. A dense phase pump has a pump chamber that can be purged by purge gas that enters the pump off-axis from a purge path axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence M. Fulkerson, Benjamin J. Becker, Donna Campbell, Nicholas Klasovsky, Joseph G. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11542964
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing defining an inlet port, a piston and a return spring disposed within the housing, and an elastically deformable element. The return spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the piston to move the piston to a spring return position. A first fluid pressure applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the biasing force of the return spring to a first actuated position in which the piston indirectly engages a stop portion of the actuator housing. A second fluid pressure, greater than the first fluid pressure, applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the elastically deformable element to compress the elastically deformable element to move the piston to a second actuated position beyond the first actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: William H. Glime, III, Branden W. Keeper
  • Patent number: 11542690
    Abstract: Example aspects of a nozzle cap adapter, a nozzle cap assembly, and a method for method for mounting a nozzle cap to a fire hydrant nozzle are disclosed. The nozzle cap adapter can comprise an adapter ring defining a first adapter ring end, a second adapter ring end opposite the first adapter ring end, and an interior void extending from the first adapter ring end to the second adapter ring end; a nozzle connector extending from the second end of the adapter ring, the nozzle connector configured to rotatably engage a fire hydrant nozzle; and a latch coupled to the adapter ring and configured to removably lock the nozzle cap adapter onto the fire hydrant nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl Lee Gibson, Timofey Sitnikov, Paul S. Gifford
  • Patent number: 11543042
    Abstract: In an aspect, an inflatable object includes an object body enclosing a chamber to receive air, and a valve mounted to the inflatable object body, including a valve body defining a passageway between the chamber and an ambient environment. The valve body has a shoulder. The valve body defines an outside end, which opens to the ambient environment, and an inside end, which opens into the chamber. The valve includes a one-way flap that is movable between an open position to permit fluid communication between the chamber and the ambient environment through the passageway, and a closed position. The one-way flap is biased to the closed position with a closing force selected to be overcomable to move the one-way flap to the open position by an airflow having a speed that is less than about 48 m/s, and which is at a pressure lower than 1 atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: SPIN MASTER, INC.
    Inventors: C. Latham Gaines, Stephen Graner