Patents Examined by Marina A Tietjen
  • Patent number: 11808378
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling a flow of a substance through the valve assembly includes a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a volume therebetween and a sleeve disposed in at least a portion of the volume, an interior of the sleeve having a first opening in fluid communication with the inlet and a second opening in communication with the outlet. The valve assembly also includes a seat ring releasably held in place in the valve body by the sleeve at at least one of the first opening or the second opening. The valve assembly further includes a stem disposed in the sleeve and a plug releasably engaged to the stem and configured to contact the seat ring to control the flow of the substance through the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Pellegrini
  • Patent number: 11802629
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for inflating an inflatable device includes a valve body comprising an inlet, an outlet, a main fluid channel, a first ball detent, and a second ball detent. A lifter and a sleeve are located in the main fluid channel. A locking ball is disposed at least partially within a locking ball aperture disposed in the sleeve. A piston is coupled to the lifter and fluidly coupled to a command pressure cavity of the valve body. A spring biases the lifter toward a ball locking position whereby the lifter urges the locking ball at least partially into the first ball detent. A valve operation initiator controls a flow of pressurized gas into the command pressure cavity to urge the lifter to a ball releasing position to free the sleeve, as to the locking ball, to translate to an open position to fluidly couple the inlet with the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vasantha Kumara Jnanegowda, Poly John, Guangqing Shen, Kamil Krzysztof Czechowski, Piotr Józef Zajac
  • Patent number: 11796066
    Abstract: Technologies are described for dual motion shutoff valve assemblies. In various examples, valve assemblies include a sequencing drive mechanism and an eccentric shaft mechanism operable to linearly retract the valve disk from a gasket surface to effectively reduce scratching and friction of the gasket surface during valve opening and closing operations. In some examples, the sequencing drive may include two interlocking concentric driver rings, a retaining housing, and roller lock pins. Three guided pins of the sequencing drive may be configured to prevent the valve from rotating, while also causing the valve to retract linearly from the gasket surface via the eccentric shaft. Following retraction, an inner driver of the sequencing drive may allow the roller lock pins to move and lock the outer driver, which in turn may lock the valve disk to the shaft and rotate along with the shaft, which may be a single or dual shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventors: Szu-Nien Wu, Arthur Inocelda
  • Patent number: 11788644
    Abstract: A proportional valve is provided that comprises an input port (3) and an output port (5), with a diaphragm (19) therebetween. A diaphragm plate (21) with a pilot orifice (31) formed therethrough is mounted to the diaphragm (19). The valve has a solenoid (7) comprising an armature (15) and a field winding (17), with the armature being movable in an opening direction in response to a magnetic field generated by the field winding. A spring assembly (13) is arranged to provide a biassing force to the armature (15) in its closing direction. In its closed position, the diaphragm plate (21) sits in a main orifice (20) between the input and output ports to block flow of fluid therebetween, with the armature (15) blocking the pilot orifice (31). Opening movement of the armature (15) opens the pilot orifice (31) to allow fluid to flow therethrough, in turn allowing the diaphragm plate (21) to move out of the main orifice (20) to create a gap allowing flow of fluid from the input port (3) to the output port (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: Hydralectric Group Ltd, EKI D.O.O.
    Inventors: Michael Quinn, Anton Stefanic
  • Patent number: 11788645
    Abstract: An apparatus and kit are provided for remotely controlling the flow of a valve in a faucet or shower. The user may remotely control flow by actuating a foot pedal, which pulls a cable causing the valve to open. When the cable is released, springs force the valve closed. Temperature may be remotely controlled as well by the actuation of a separate foot pedal, in which rotation of the foot pedal is transferred by cables to cause rotation of the valve and the corresponding temperature change of the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: Ponnudurai Varadharajan
  • Patent number: 11773988
    Abstract: A flow resistor includes a housing, a pipe, and an adjuster. The housing includes a through hole including a first hole portion and a second hole portion. The pipe includes a first extending portion and a second extending portion that extends in a direction different from an extending direction of the first extending portion. The adjuster includes a through hole. The pipe is inserted into the through hole of the housing, the first extending portion is positioned in the first hole portion, and the second extending portion is positioned in the second hole portion. The adjuster is positioned in the second hole portion and is a member movable toward the second extending portion. The through hole of the adjuster couples a space between the adjuster and the pipe with an outside of the flow resistor, in the second hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: COSMO INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Furuse, Nobuyuki Suga
  • Patent number: 11767925
    Abstract: A power-assisted pipeline valve, including a valve body and a pressure relief assembly. A top of the valve body is provided with a first chute. A sliding sleeve is disposed in the valve body and has two sides respectively connected to an inner wall of the valve body through a first spring. A ball valve assembly is disposed in the sliding sleeve and connected to a valve stem. The valve stem passes through the sliding sleeve and is sleeved with a sliding shell, and the sliding shell is disposed in the first chute and provided with a rack and an electric power-assisted mechanism which is connected to the valve stem. The top of the valve body is penetrated by a first rotating shaft which is orderly sleeved with a fifth gear, a rotary table and a third spring from top to bottom. The fifth gear is meshed with the rack. The rotary table is connected to the fifth gear through a centrifugal locking mechanism. The third spring is connected to the rotary table and the valve body respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: HAINAN NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tongchen Wang, Jun Zhang, Mingxing Wu, Xiaolong Liu, Jianbin Zhu, Ruokun Li, Yu Bao, Lizhuan Tang, Jingzhi Yu, Hengjing Li
  • Patent number: 11731219
    Abstract: A poppet including a single-piece, unitary body defining a plurality of discrete sealing surfaces and a mechanical attachment configured to engage the body with a piston of a valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hy B. Nguyen, Kevin Nakasone
  • Patent number: 11732937
    Abstract: A multi-profile adapter assembly is disclosed for connecting a pressurized fluid source to two or more different fittings. The adapter assembly includes an injector connector removably attachable to a hose connected to a pressurized fluid source and including an internal conduit for channeling a flow of pressurized fluid. An inner housing is connected to the injector connector and includes a channel leading to a second opening and a cavity configured to receive an access fitting on an AC system. A one way valve controls flow from the conduit in the injector connector into the inner housing. An adapter is connected to the inner housing and includes a first contour configured to engage with a first fitting and a second contour configured to engage with a second fitting. The inner housing and adapter are movable relative to one another for changing the location of the first contour and second contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Spectronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Duerr, Gabriel Dash
  • Patent number: 11732805
    Abstract: The valve component comprises a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve component comprises a valve control mechanism including a drive member that moves the valve member. The drive member rotates the valve member between the open position and an intermediate position and linearly moves the valve member between the intermediate position and the closed position. The valve control mechanism includes a cam to drive the drive member. The cam includes a cam slot to engage the drive member. The cam slot includes a recess to receive the drive member in the closed position of the valve member so that the recess locates the drive member to resist or prevent linear movement of the valve member away from the valve closed position towards the valve intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Trelleborg Westbury Limited
    Inventor: Mark Williamson
  • Patent number: 11713813
    Abstract: An inline variable sonic valve is provided that includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet positioned inline along a gas flow axis. A contoured metering plug is fixed within the housing and a diverging sleeve is movably positioned within the housing downstream of the contoured metering plug. An actuator is positioned offline from the gas flow axis and is configured to move the diverging sleeve within the housing relative to the contoured metering plug fixed therein to vary a gas metering area defined between the contoured metering plug and the diverging sleeve. The actuator may be hydraulic, fueldraulic, pneumatic, or electric, and may drive the diverging sleeve discretely to an open or a closed position, or to a variable position between the open and closed position when a position senor is included to meter the flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: WOODWARD, INC.
    Inventor: Steven Charles Stumbo
  • Patent number: 11698136
    Abstract: A fluid-distribution system for use with one or more vehicle sub-systems in a vehicle includes a first transfer conduit, a second transfer conduit, and a valve unit. The first transfer conduit defines a first interior space and is coupled to a fluid source to receive and direct a fluid through the first interior space. The second transfer conduit defines a second interior space and is spaced apart downstream from the first transfer conduit. The valve unit extends between and interconnects the first transfer conduit and the second transfer conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Robert C. Fitzpatrick, Jeffery T. Bonk
  • Patent number: 11686392
    Abstract: A scupper valve includes a frame and a rigid flapper coupled to the frame. The rigid flapper is configured to swing relative to the rigid frame between an open and closed position. A flexible annular seal defines a centrally-disposed circular opening and a first annular projection that surrounds the centrally-disposed opening. The rigid flapper, in the closed position, contacts a distal edge of the first annular projection to create a circular line contact that restricts or prevents fluid flow through the centrally-disposed circular opening in the flexible annular seal. A rigid annular backplate is adjacent to and in direct physical contact with an annular surface of the flexible seal on a side of the flexible seal opposite the rigid flapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Seaworthy Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Brown, Tiffany Alongi, Gregory William Brown
  • Patent number: 11680621
    Abstract: Example aspects of a sliding disc assembly for a dual spring valve, and a method of operating a dual spring valve are disclosed. The sliding disc assembly can comprise a shaft defining a first end and a second end; a disc mounted on the shaft between the first end and the second end, the disc defining an upper disc surface, a lower disc surface, and an annular base surface; a first spring mounted on the shaft between the lower disc surface and the first end of the shaft; and a second spring mounted on the shaft between the upper disc surface and the second end of the shaft, wherein the first spring defines a spring force that is different from a spring force of the second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Julian Ramirez, Aurelian Ioan Furcoiu
  • Patent number: 11674623
    Abstract: A swivel joint includes a tail section and a body portion that define a passageway therethrough and which can rotate relative to one another. One or more seals and bearings can be disposed between the tail section and the body portion. An electrical conductivity grease fitting can be mounted within a bore hole in the body portion. The electrical conductivity grease fitting can have a lubricant passed therethrough to lubricate the bearings. The electrical conductivity grease fitting has a first portion in electrical communication with the body portion and a second portion that is biased into electrical communication with the tail section to maintain electrical conductivity between the tail section and the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: KNAPPCO, LLC
    Inventor: Luc Michot
  • Patent number: 11666745
    Abstract: In one aspect, a valve includes a valve body rotatable about a central axis of the valve body, an interior channel adjacent the valve body for permitting a fluid to flow through an axial opening of the interior channel, and a plug within the interior channel that is movable between a first axial position at the axial opening and a second axial position spaced apart from the axial opening. In the first axial position, the plug closes the axial opening to prevent the fluid from flowing through the axial opening in a first direction and to prevent the fluid from flowing through the axial opening in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In the second axial position, the plug permits the fluid to flow through the axial opening into the interior channel in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon F. Moss, Bert D. Egley
  • Patent number: 11655898
    Abstract: A cryogenic globe valve that prevents a high sealing property and safety from being lost even through a large number of times of opening and closing for a cryogenic fluid and is easily maintained, although it has a simple structure. The cryogenic globe valve has an axial cylindrical portion as a long-neck structure extended to its body, in which a resin-made valve disk having a conical surface having a reduced-diameter tapered shape is attached to a lower end of an elongated stem such that the resin-made valve disk is three-dimensionally operable with respect to the stem even under an extremely low-temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KITZ CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru Hosokawa, Tetsuya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11649898
    Abstract: A valve stem retainer device may include a housing that holds a valve stem. The housing may prevent the valve stem from closing without control. The device may include at least one bracket that holds on to the housing. The device may include a steel rod that holds on to the housing. The steel rod may support the at least one bracket. The device may include a double set of a washer and a nut that ensures a tight and secure connection between the at least one bracket and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Mohanned Tarabzouni
  • Patent number: 11644108
    Abstract: A flow control valve includes a valve body having a first section and a second section attached to the first section. A flow control member is positioned within the valve body and a shaft extends through the valve body and is connected to the flow control member to move the flow control member between an open position and a closed position. A sealing gasket is positioned within the valve body and engages the valve body to prevent the flow of fluid between the first section and the second section. The sealing gasket has an annular metallic body having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the outer surface defining a primary sealing surface, a groove formed in the outer surface, and an insert positioned within the groove, the insert defining a secondary sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Meloy, Jeffrey Michael Von Arb
  • Patent number: 11634275
    Abstract: A fluid coupling includes a body, a poppet valve assembly, a handle shaft assembly, and a retention member. The body has a fluid conduit, a through-hole extending through a sidewall, and one or more openings that extend between an external surface of the body and an interior of the through hole. The poppet valve assembly is disposed within the fluid conduit and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle shaft assembly extends through the through-hole and into the fluid conduit and is interconnected with the poppet valve assembly such that the handle shaft assembly can be actuated to move the poppet valve assembly between the open position and the closed position. The retention member is insertable through the one or more openings and into the through-hole to interact with the handle shaft assembly to selectively hold the handle shaft assembly in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Knappco, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Roth, David Morrow, Krzysztof Wejdman, Stephen Hudson, Shiang Taing