Patents Examined by Marina A Tietjen
  • Valve device
    Patent number: 11067180
    Abstract: A valve device includes: a ball valve having a ball face shaped in a convex spherical surface; and a valve seat having a seat face shaped in a concave spherical surface. The seat face is pressed onto the ball face. The ball valve is rotated to open a valve by communicating a valve opening defined in the ball valve and a seat opening defined in the valve seat with each other, and to close the valve by stop the communication. A diameter of the seat opening ?2 is smaller than a diameter of the valve opening ?1. A curvature radius of the ball face R1 is smaller than or equal to a curvature radius of the seat face is R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohito Seko, Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Shinichi Yokoyama, Yuuji Nakano, Ryo Sano
  • Expanding gate valve
    Patent number: 11047486
    Abstract: An expanding gate valve and method is provided for bidirectional sealing capability against pressure, whether the direction of pressure is upstream or downstream. The bidirectional annular seat seals against the gate assembly against pressure from the normal wellhead direction, typically upstream. For sealing against pressure in the opposite direction, the seat is formed with an annular recess extending radially outwardly from the central bore of the annular seat so that a flex portion of the seat formed between the recess and the front sealing face of the annular seat at the central bore flexes toward the gate assembly against this pressure. The front face of the bidirectional seat forms a raised annular sealing portion on the flex portion of the seat adjacent the central bore to provide sealing contact with the gate assembly in the expanded condition when the flex portion flexes toward the gate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith David Farquharson, Tianle Guo, Thomas L. Gust, Tony M. Lam, Andrew Francis Masson
  • Double eccentric valve
    Patent number: 11041577
    Abstract: A double eccentric valve: a valve seat; a rotary shaft; a valve gear with a rotary shaft base end portion; a motor rotating the shaft via a valve gear; bearings supporting the shaft in a cantilever manner; a return spring giving, to the valve gear, spring force for rotating the shaft in a valve body closing direction; and a full-close stopper to restrict valve gear rotation with the shaft when the valve body is fully closed. When the motor is not driven, the valve gear partially contacts the full-close stopper by spring force, moment acting on the valve gear is caused to act on the rotary shaft with the contact point serving as a fulcrum, the rotary shaft is tilted toward the valve seat with the contact point between the rotary shaft and the bearing serving as a fulcrum, and thus, the valve body is pressed against the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashige Inagaki, Mamoru Yoshioka, Akihito Kuno, Makoto Fukui
  • Control valves including valve trim having relative movement between the bonnet and the cage
    Patent number: 11041573
    Abstract: Control valves including valve trim having relative movement between the bonnet and the cage. A control valve includes a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a flow passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. The control valve includes a cage disposed in the flow passage. The control valve includes a control element disposed in the flow passage and shiftable between a first position and a second position. The control valve includes a bonnet securable to the valve body and disposed adjacent the cage. The bonnet is adapted to receive a portion of the cage. The control valve includes a coupling formed between the bonnet and the cage that allows movement between the bonnet and the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Steven K. Hostetter, Wesley T. Ohrt
  • Method and apparatus for controlling the flow rate of fluid discharge
    Patent number: 11042169
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a dispensing rate of medication or other substance via a syringe, including, without limitation, into a patient, intravenous line port or heparin lock. A fluid flow rate control apparatus has a housing defining an inner chamber with an inlet port and an outlet port. Sealing seats are formed at or near both the inlet and outlet ports, and a moveable sealing element, such as a ball, can move within the inner chamber between the sealing seats. A spring biases the ball toward the inlet port sealing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SAFEPUSH, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Paul Perry, Jr., Tonia Dandry Aiken, James Beam Aiken, Tina Dandry Mayes
  • Pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 11035482
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a housing, a poppet, and a spring. The housing includes an internal bore defined along a longitudinal axis of the housing and extending from an upper portion to a lower portion. A ledge or seat is defined within the bore. At least one lower portion hole is defined from an outer surface of the lower portion and into the bore. At least one upper portion hole is defined from an outer surface of the upper portion and into the bore. The poppet is slidably engaged within the internal bore. The poppet includes a head, a shaft, and an internal channel that runs longitudinally through the entire poppet. The head includes a shoulder. The spring is disposed within the bore at the upper portion of the housing and biases the poppet downwards so that the shoulder abuts the ledge or seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Dale Follett
  • Lattice structure valve/regulator body
    Patent number: 11035487
    Abstract: A body of a fluid control apparatus includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet. A first flange surrounds the inlet and a second flange surrounds the outlet. A bore is sized to receive a control stem and a control element. An inner wall includes an outside surface, an inside surface, an area surrounding the bore, an area sized to receive a valve seat, an area surrounding the inlet, an area surrounding the outlet, and an area defining the fluid flow path. A three-dimensional lattice structure is attached to the inner wall. The lattice structure includes a plurality of connected lattice members and is integrally formed with the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., William E. Wears, Bryan J. Penkal
  • Spherical valve stem seat
    Patent number: 11035486
    Abstract: An at least one spherical valve stem seat and a method for manufacturing the at least one spherical valve stem seat. The at least one spherical valve stem seat has a finished valve stem seat blank and a shell in retained communication therewith. The method for manufacturing the at least one spherical valve stem seat includes a molding process and an accompanying sintering, and machining process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: T-LON PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Jon Scharrer
  • Coupler with quick release handle and valve assemblies
    Patent number: 11021321
    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: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: OPW-Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Roth, David Morrow, Krzysztof Wejdman, Stephen Hudson, Shiang Taing
  • Sensor installation assembly, faucet and sensor installation method
    Patent number: 11015328
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor installation assembly relating to the faucet field and comprising a fixing base, a sensor and a fixing bolt, wherein the fixing base is in a shape matched with an installation object and is at least provided with installation guide grooves in sliding fit with a sensor and insert grooves allowing the fixing bolt to be inserted therein in a matched manner so as to limit the sensor in the installation guide grooves; the sensor is in sliding fit with the installation guide grooves; and the fixing bolt is inserted into the insert grooves of the fixing bolt in the matched manner. Also provided is a faucet at least comprising a water outlet base provided with the sensor installation assembly, and a sensor installation method. The sensor installation improvement technique is more adaptable and applicable to various faucet structures, and assembly is very convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: XIAMEN IEBS HI-TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Lu, Xinxing Wang
  • Weather override irrigation control systems and methods
    Patent number: 11006589
    Abstract: In some embodiments, provide an irrigation sensor system, comprising: a rain funnel comprising an upper opening and at least one wall tapering from the upper opening to a lower aperture; and a tipping bucket positioned to receive water falling from the lower aperture while the tipping bucket is positioned such that a central longitudinal axis of the tipping bucket is not aligned with an axis extending through the lower aperture of the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Jorge A. Marsano, Joseph G. Porrazzo, John E. Price, Hari Reddy
  • Method and system of dispensing liquefied gas
    Patent number: 11009185
    Abstract: A method for dispensing liquefied fuel, the method including: providing a non-petroleum fuel as a liquefied fuel to a storage tank; increasing pressure of the liquefied fuel to a target pressure using a pump disposed within the storage tank, where a first portion of the liquefied fuel is bypassed around or at least partially around a heat exchanger, and a second portion of the liquefied fuel is discharged to the heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger is configured to warm the second portion of the liquefied fuel. A dispenser is provided that incorporates a control system that allows coordinated fueling of one or more vehicles simultaneously, where the heat exchanger uses only the fuel itself without external refrigeration to manage final dispensing temperature and the fueling station does not include a storage subsystem disposed between the pump and the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low-Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Xianming Jimmy Li, Jeff Pickles, Edward Youn, Jeff Allen, Anthony Ku, Cullen Hall
  • Relief valve
    Patent number: 11009139
    Abstract: A relief valve that includes a tube; a valve configured to slide along an inner wall of the tube in an axial direction, and a spring that urges the valve, wherein the valve has a hydraulic pressure receiving surface on a first axial side that is one side in the axial direction, and a spring abutment against which the spring abuts, on a second axial side opposite to the first axial side, and the tube has a discharge oil passage having an opening in the inner wall and extending through the inner wall in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shimizu, Toru Sugiyama, Masaya Iwata
  • High sealing property ball valve seat
    Patent number: 11002369
    Abstract: A ball valve seat in which a resin or metal impregnated graphite seal ring and an L-shaped metal retainer are integrated by a shrink fit method. The graphite seal ring is provided with a continuous rib having a height of 50 to 250 ?m on the outer periphery of the graphite seal ring. The rib preferably has arc curve of radius R slopes on both sides of the rib from the top to the bottom, and the width L of the bottom of the rib is preferably 550 to 1100 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: NIPPON CARBON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toyohiko Kayama, Tatsuya Tanii
  • Dual face-type seat seal arrangement for valve applications
    Patent number: 10995863
    Abstract: In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a seat seal assembly for a valve. In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a gate valve or a ball valve including the seat seal assembly. In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a valve including the disclosed seat seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Roman Chirko, Gabriel Tiviroli-Melchert
  • Pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 10995870
    Abstract: A new type of pressure relief valve is described herein which has advantages over standard valves in that it may comprise a longer plunger than normal, and two guiding points located far away from each other for guiding the plunger within the housing. The valve may also comprise improved exhaust ports and an anti-rotation washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Enrico Quaglia, Claudio Carpignano, Dario Turturici
  • Check valve and assembly for fluid storage container
    Patent number: 10989360
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a valve, cam and arm with float rotatably connected to the valve for insertion into a fluid storage container for filling of the container without overfilling. The valve includes a channel of narrowing diameter and restricting member movably retained within the channel. One end of the restricting member rides along the cam profile as the arm rotates the cam with the changing fluid levels. When the fluid reaches maximum fill level, the restricting member contacting the cam drops into the cam valley, driving the restricting member head into engagement with the channel neck walls and automatically sealing off the valve. First and second biasing members are disposed in the channel, preferably around the stem, and collectively provide counter force sufficient to overcome the frictional forces of the seal to open valve and move the restricting member upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Chester Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Mia Daniels, Kevin Kolonsky
  • Piloted exhaust line valve and corresponding production method
    Patent number: 10989309
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, the valve body defining an exhaust gas circulation passage between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet. A flap is arranged in the valve body and a shaft drives the flap in rotation with respect to the valve body. At least one guide bearing guides the drive shaft of the flap for rotation relative to the valve body. The guide bearing is engaged through an orifice of the valve body, with an inner end of the guide bearing being located inside the valve body. A first tube is engaged in one of the exhaust gas inlet and exhaust gas outlet and abuts against the inner end of the guide bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventors: Ronan Botella, Julien Cambillard, Alen Halepovic
  • Ball valve with improved assembly configuration
    Patent number: 10989314
    Abstract: A ball valve configured for reduced-time assembly for use with hoses and watering devices typically connected to city water supplies. In particular, the valve is configured to improve the ease of assembly by providing a one-piece snap in handle, ball and retention arrangement which interacts with a seal supported in the valve body to retain the position of the seal during insertion of the one-piece element during valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Dramm Corporation of Manitowoc
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Bucher, Logan Brent Berge
  • Valve for exhaust line
    Patent number: 10982771
    Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body delimiting a passage for exhaust gases, a flap arranged in the valve body, and a drive shaft configured to drive the flap, and which is integrally secured to the flap. At least one guide bearing is configured to guide the drive shaft of the flap in rotation in relation to the valve body, and is connected to the valve body. The valve also includes an actuator and a transmission comprising an adapter rigidly attached directly to the drive shaft of the flap. The transmission is arranged in order to transmit a motor torque between the actuator and the adapter. The adapter has a contact surface that is in sealed contact with a complementary surface provided on the guide bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Ronan Botella, Julien Cambillard, Raphaël De Matos, Alen Halepovic, Gaël Guerlesquin