Patents Examined by Kevin Murphy
  • Method for operating a tank device, and corresponding tank device
    Patent number: 9829894
    Abstract: In a method for operating a tank device of a motor vehicle, with the tank device having a tank and a tank ventilation device with at least one switching valve, an excitation current can be applied to the switching valve, and the switching valve opens only when the excitation current exceeds an excitation current threshold over a certain period of time. Provision is hereby made to apply an excitation current which is greater than the excitation current threshold, at least temporarily, in a first mode of operation to the switching valve for heating purposes, also when ventilation of the tank is not governed by a control unit of the tank device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Harald Hagen
  • Low pressure shut off for a pneumatic tool
    Patent number: 9827641
    Abstract: A low pressure shut off for a pneumatic tool. The tool may include an air path for input air. A shaft may be positioned along the air path and movable relative to the air path between a first position and a second position. First and second pistons may be spaced axially apart along the shaft and each may extend radially outward beyond the shaft. In the first position, the first piston may extend across the air path to block the air path. In the second position, the second piston may be positioned to be acted on by air from a secondary inlet to apply a force to the second piston that overcomes a biasing force and positions the first piston to allow air to flow along the air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Edouard Da Palma, Pascal Bourcier
  • Disengaging handle assembly for a bottom outlet valve
    Patent number: 9828006
    Abstract: A handle assembly for an outlet valve for a tank, where the outlet valve has a stem that is actuated to open and close the outlet valve, is provided. The handle assembly includes a handle. A shaft is attached to the handle, and an adapter attached to the shaft. A bracket is adapted to mount the shaft to the tank so that the shaft is pivotally mounted with respect to the tank and movable with respect to the outlet valve between an engaged position, where the adapter is connected to the stem, and a disengaged position, where the adapter is disconnected from the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Union Tank Car Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Thompson, Gary Walter
  • Actuator adapter for bonnet nub stem design
    Patent number: 9822901
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for operating a valve assembly includes an actuator body that selectively couples to the valve assembly and an actuator stem that has an end that extends into the actuator body. The valve assembly has having a valve body, a valve member in the valve body, a valve stem attached to the valve member, and a profile on an end of the valve stem distal from the valve member. The actuating apparatus also includes an adapter assembly in the actuator body having a threaded end that engages the actuator stem, and a profiled end distal from the threaded end that engages the profile on the valve stem and couples to the valve stem, so that selectively applying axial forces to the adapter assembly moves the valve stem and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Anja King, Blanca Estela Montoya, Keith M. Adams
  • One-way valve cap
    Patent number: 9822897
    Abstract: Improvements in a one-way valve cap to allow a homeowner to install the cap without requiring tools. This allows a homeowner to simply remove the existing cap and install the new cap to prevent removal from an unauthorized person. The one-way locking mechanism includes a ramp that prevents a person from unscrewing to cap without a tool. The opening allows a person to insert the tool through the outer housing and into the inner housing to unscrew the inner housing from the valve. A hex key or a custom key design can be used for removing the cap. A seal is inserted in the inner housing and seals the inner housing with the valve. The elastomeric seal prevents intrusion of contamination inside of the valve and also provides an additional seal to the valve to reduce a potential leak of gas from the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Matthew Gross
  • Two phase ball expansion valve for heat pump
    Patent number: 9822887
    Abstract: A device for expansion of coolant having a housing with a flow channel. A ball-shaped valve element arranged to be integrated inside the housing. The valve element is mounted so that it can turn about an axis of rotation and is configured with a through channel. The through channel of the valve element is configured with an entry opening and an exit opening and arranged so that the flow cross section of the through channel decreases from the entry opening to the exit opening in the direction of flow of the coolant. At the exit of the through channel the least flow cross section is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Torsten Klein
  • Two-stage switch valve
    Patent number: 9822892
    Abstract: A two-stage switch valve includes a valve body slidable in a flow passage of a fluid, and a spring urging the valve body upstream. The valve body includes a valve element slidable in the flow passage, an upstream guide having a ring shape and being slidable in the flow passage, and legs connecting the valve element and the upstream guide. The upstream guide is located upstream of the valve element. The legs are inclined from an axial direction of the upstream guide and extend from the upstream guide toward a center of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Miura
  • Pressure control valve
    Patent number: 9816629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure control valve having a control element that includes a valve component and a drive component. The valve component include an orifice that, in a first position, may be closed by the control element, disconnecting a control chamber from a return chamber, such that a control pressure acts on a first control surface of the control element and in a second position, the orifice may be partially opened, so that the control and return chambers are fluidically connected to each other, such that the control pressure in the control chamber acts on a second control surface of the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: SVM Schultz Verwaltungs—GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Georg Scherer, Helmut Mang
  • Butterfly valve seal retaining arrangement
    Patent number: 9816620
    Abstract: A butterfly valve seal arrangement in a butterfly valve having a cylindrical flow channel with a wall includes a seal flange, an elastomeric seal, a seal channel, and an annular seal retaining ring. The seal flange extends into the cylindrical flow channel from the wall of the cylindrical flow channel. The seal channel is recessed into the wall of the cylindrical flow channel adjacent to the seal flange. And the annular seal retaining ring includes tabs extending into the seal channel which hold the annular seal retaining ring in the cylindrical flow channel. An elastomeric seal is held in compression in the seal channel and against the seal flange by the annular seal retaining ring, and extends into the cylindrical flow channel forming a seal surface held in compression against a vane seat of a vane in a position perpendicular to a direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Kennedy Valve Company
    Inventor: Paul Kennedy
  • Pressure washer with hose reel and motor pump assembly
    Patent number: 9808839
    Abstract: A pressure assisted washer or pressure washer with hose reel and motor pump assembly. The hose reel defines a bore in which a motor pump assembly is disposed. The hose reel comprises a cylinder having an aperture through which pressurized fluid can be accessed through a coupling in fluid communication with a pump. The pump has a rotating collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Active Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Liu, John Schmider, Jonathan Loudon, Heather Lam
  • Valve device for a hydraulic circuit and oil pump control apparatus
    Patent number: 9803772
    Abstract: A valve device for a hydraulic circuit includes an actuator unit comprising an electromagnetic circuit which comprises an armature, a core, a coil carrier, a coil, and a flux guiding device. A valve unit comprises a unit formed by a valve tappet and the armature, inlet and outlet ports, and a control port arranged between the inlet and outlet ports. A longitudinal through bore is arranged in the unit to extend from the inlet port into an actuator chamber. A first control body cooperating with a first valve seat and a second control body cooperating with a second valve seat are arranged at the unit in which the longitudinal through bore is formed. The armature and the valve tappet are loaded in an opening direction of the inlet valve by a spring element and are loadable in an opening direction of the outlet port by energizing the electromagnetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Rolf Lappan, Lukas Romanowski, Christoph Sadowski
  • Aircraft low clearance fluid check valve
    Patent number: 9802708
    Abstract: A fluid check valve for use in an aircraft fluid handling system having a confined surrounding structure where a first distance is defined between a fluid duct and the surrounding structure where the design of the fluid check valve is configured to facilitate removal of a first flange and the flow duct by moving the first flange and flow duct a second distance that is less than the first distance. The check valve is offset into the upstream side of a second flange to provide the reduction in the distance that the first flange has to be displaced to remove the first flange and flow duct from the check valve. A first alternate configuration of the fluid check valve utilizes rotational stops attached to the downstream surface of the flow flaps and in a second alternate embodiment configuration, rotational stops extend upstream from the flow flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan David Murray
  • Fluid fitting with integrated fluid management device
    Patent number: 9798330
    Abstract: What is presented is a fluid fitting used in a facility that has a plurality of surfaces and a source of fluid pressure. The fluid fitting comprises a mounting component, a conduit adapter, a port, and a fluid management device. The mounting component makes the fluid fitting mountable on the external side of the surface. The conduit adapter is connectable to the fluid handling conduit on the internal side of the surface. The port has a flow path to the conduit adapter that enables a fluid connection between the conduit adapter and the port. The fluid management device is permanently incorporated in the flow path such that the fluid management device is permanently connected to the port at the fluid dispensing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Amvex, LLC
    Inventor: David Stinson
  • Pull-out sprayhead and related faucet provided with enhanced reciprocal coupling system
    Patent number: 9797118
    Abstract: Pull-out sprayhead (1) for a faucet, comprising: an inlet fitting (10) provided with a coupling end (11a) which can be connected to an extractable water supply pipe; a supply mouth (10d) in fluid communication with said coupling end (10d); and a magnet (12) fixed at the inlet fitting (10) and designed to allow releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead (1) to a faucet neck (20), said magnet (12) being arranged in a watertight housing chamber (13) defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting (10) and a covering nut (14) fastened to said inlet fitting (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: AMFAG S.R.L.
    Inventor: Orlando Bosio
  • Feed water heater with recovery device for swelling water
    Patent number: 9797625
    Abstract: A heater with a recovery device for swelling water is provided. A water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe are longitudinally provided on the heater. The recovery device is transversely disposed on the heater and connected with the water inlet pipe, such that the recovery device is coupled on to reduce the entire size. The recovery device is adapted to recycle and store the swelling hot water in the heater so as to provide an energy-saving effect and to stop water from dripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Yi-Huang Chen
  • Fuel line joint
    Patent number: 9797354
    Abstract: To provide a fuel line joint capable of improving resistance to an external force in a joint configured to store a liquid fuel. A fuel line joint is equipped with an integrally formed main body portion that has a storage region configured to store a liquid fuel in a lower part thereof and has an opening portion above the storage region of the liquid fuel; a lid that is formed separately from the main body portion, is attached to the main body portion so as to close the opening portion of the main body portion, and is not connected to members other than the main body portion; and a plurality of mounting portions that is formed integrally with the main body portion and mounted to each of a plurality of pipes forming a fuel line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOKAI RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Asai
  • Energy-recycling hydraulic control main valve
    Patent number: 9791056
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy-recycling hydraulic control main valve, which is provided with end covers, a valve core, a left one-way valve and a right one-way valve; the left one-way valve is composed of a left valve seat, a left cone valve core and a left spring; a conical surface of the left cone valve core is closely attached to a left conical surface of the valve core by the spring force; the right one-way valve is composed of a right valve seat, a right cone valve core and a right spring; and a conical surface of the right cone valve core is closely attached to a right conical surface of the valve core by spring force. The hydraulic main control valve can not only limit the falling speed of a piston, but use the potential energy generated by the gravity action on the piston, thereby achieving energy recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: JIANGSU HENGLI HYDRAULIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liping Wang, Qiang Lu, Zhan Chen, Hongguang Liu, Guoliang Zhang
  • Heated fluid regulators
    Patent number: 9790972
    Abstract: Example apparatus for regulator heat transfer are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a regulator including a body, a stem disposed therein, a first inlet and a first outlet. The regulator regulates a pressure of a fluid flowing from the first inlet to the first outlet. The example apparatus comprises a vortex generator disposed within the body to convey heat to a valve of the regulator. The stem controls the regulator and the vortex generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Lyman Griffin, Jr., Harold Joe McKinney
  • Compressed air supply system for a compressed air consumer circuit
    Patent number: 9783019
    Abstract: In a compressed air supply system for a first compressed air consumer circuit such as an air spring system of a vehicle, a first compressed air line leads to the first compressed air consumer circuit and a distribution line leads to further consumer circuits. A priority valve arrangement is disposed between the first compressed air line, wherein the first compressed air line comprises no safety valve. The first compressed air consumer circuit can therefore be filled at a higher priority, and achieve operational readiness quickly in air spring processes such as lifting or raising activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Diekmeyer
  • Balanced electronically controlled pressure regulating valve
    Patent number: 9777865
    Abstract: A sequentially operated hydraulic valve for regulating a hydraulic fluid pressure from a single pressurized hydraulic fluid source to two different regulated pressures controlled by a single linear spring and by varying the position of end of the spring relative to the other end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: FEMA CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN
    Inventor: Charles J. Bowden