Patents Examined by Mary McManmon
  • Patent number: 9609969
    Abstract: An elastomeric valve includes a barrel having one or more walls defining an interior fluid pathway. The barrel is deformable between a non-deformed state and a deformed state. The elastomeric valve further includes a gate assembly of two or more gate elements forming a tapering volume projecting into the fluid pathway from the one or more walls of the barrel. In at least some examples, each gate element joins the barrel at a reduced cross-section that forms a hinge of that gate element. The two or more gate elements interface with each other along one or more gate boundaries to collectively block the fluid pathway in the non-deformed state and separate from each other along the one or more gate boundaries in the deformed state to permit fluid flow through the gate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: ACORN BAY
    Inventors: Donald J. Panec, Kathryn Kelsey Anne Stillinger, Scott H. Stillinger
  • Patent number: 9603503
    Abstract: Appliance pedestal that contains liquid leaks due to condensation, overflow, or system failure originating from the supported liquid filled or handling appliance, provides for multiple methods of discharge of collected liquids, and reduces installation and maintenance requirements and their associated hazards and provides an improved ergonomic operating position for the appliance operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Edward A. Chilcoat, Daniel J. Hayes
  • Patent number: 9605766
    Abstract: Described herein is an improved externally mounted pressure relief valve that is especially adapted for rail tank cars or other large closed containers that contain or transport fluids, including liquids and gases. The pressure relief valve comprises a plurality of spring assemblies, and each spring assembly contains a pre-determined number of spring leaves. Each spring assembly is coiled upon a corresponding spring drum, and each spring drum is penetrated by a corresponding spring drum bolt. The spring assemblies are preferably aligned in at least two horizontal planes that are parallel to each other and normal to the vertical length of a spring block. The spring block and sealing disk are mounted vertically over the valve seat and within the confines of vertically extending spring brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventor: Barry LaCroix
  • Patent number: 9599234
    Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between a first gate member that defines a first opening therethrough, which includes a flange oriented parallel to and extending in a direction opposite to a flow direction through the sprung gate, and a second gate member that defines a second opening therethrough, which has an elongate throat extending therefrom toward the first gate member. The endless elastic band spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member and the terminus of the elongate throat is seated within the flange of the first gate member to define a continuous passage through the sprung gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matthew C. Gilmer, Keith Hampton
  • Patent number: 9599127
    Abstract: The invention relates to an system for supplying a hydraulic circuit with hydraulic fluid. The system includes a working reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir connected to the working reservoir by a hydraulic line. An air pump has an inlet connected to a suction line that opens into a liquid-free portion of the auxiliary reservoir so that a negative pressure can be built up in the auxiliary reservoir relative to the atmospheric ambient pressure. The air pump inlet is also connected to a control line, which comprises a control opening which is covered by the hydraulic fluid in the working reservoir, at least before the air pump is started up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott R. Wiens, Marcus Bitter, Christian Brueser, Harm-Hendrik Lange, Helmut Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9592905
    Abstract: A fuel management system may include a first fuel tank and a second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include an intelligent crossfeed valve positioned between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank and configured to allow fuel to flow between the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The fuel management system may also include a sensor configured to detect an amount to which the intelligent crossfeed valve is open. The fuel management system may also include an engine controller connected to the sensor and configured to cause the intelligent crossfeed valve to close in response to the intelligent crossfeed valve being open a third predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lubomir A. Ribarov, Leo J. Veilleux, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9593779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bellow for use in a ball valve, the bellow comprising: a metallic seat at an end of the bellow for providing a contact surface with a ball of a ball valve; and a metallic body integral with the seat; wherein the metallic body has a longitudinally elastic property such that, when the bellow is in use in a ball valve and the bellow is arranged within the housing of the ball valve so that it is always under longitudinal compression, substantially only the compression in the bellow causes the seat to apply a sealing force against the ball of the ball valve that maintains a mechanical seal between the seat and the ball valve. Advantageously, embodiments allow a new design of ball valve that maintains a high standard of performance in subsea environments over long time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FJELL SUBSEA PRODUCTS AS
    Inventors: Asbjørn Strand, Kristian Karlsen
  • Patent number: 9587392
    Abstract: A waste or storm water pumping station and system used to pump water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation during the process of moving or managing the water is disclosed herein. The pumping station has a wet well collection chamber with a sloped floor and an integral valve vault chamber cast within the pump station body, which results in increased storage capacity in the wet well chamber for pump station components. Additionally, the pumping station may be installed as a single unit of equal depth to eliminate differential settlement and multiple or uneven excavations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Pasco
  • Patent number: 9587762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a torque support for a valve lock (5) in order to prevent a rotation of the lock with respect to the valve (1), wherein a connection housing (8) adjoins the valve lock and at least one boom (9, 9a) carried by the connection housing rests against the valve housing in the pivoted-out end position. Similarly, the torque support can also be connected to the valve housing and the boom can rest against the connection housing, or the connection housing is integrated in the valve lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventors: André Werner Haake, Patrick Philipp Haake, Oliver Henri Haake
  • Patent number: 9587609
    Abstract: In addition to liquid in a thermal volume-neutral stroke transmitter, first and/or second displacement body(ies) is/are positioned in the stroke transmitter, for displacing the liquid. These three materials in the closed system are designed so that the stroke transmitter remains pressure-free during temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Georg Bachmaier, Gerit Ebelsberger, Bernhard Fischer, Michael Höge
  • Patent number: 9587749
    Abstract: There is provided a slit valve, comprising: a first slit valve portion having a first window therethrough, the first window is sized to permit passage of an object through the first window; wherein the first window is surrounded by a first area of the first slit valve portion; a second slit valve portion that comprises a first sealing element and a first positioning module; wherein the first positioning module is arranged to move the first sealing element in relation to the first window; wherein at least one slit valve portion of the first and second slit valve portions comprises at least one first gas opening for emitting pressurized gas so as to assist in a creation of a first gas cushion between the first area and the first sealing element when the first sealing element is placed adjacent to the first window thus creating a seal between the first and second slit valve portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Applied Materials Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael R. Rice, Natan Schlimoff, Igor Krivts (Krayvitz), Israel Avneri, Yoram Uziel, Erez Admoni, Paul Reuter, William (Ty) Weaver
  • Patent number: 9581136
    Abstract: Wind turbine rotor comprising a hub, a plurality of blades and at least one pitch system for rotating a blade substantially along its longitudinal axis. The pitch system comprises a bearing, a gear and a pitch drive. The pitch drive is arranged on a flange and has a motor and a pinion which meshes with the gear. The flange is provided with a hole and an intermediate support is concentrically arranged with respect to the hole. The intermediate support comprises an off-center opening with respect to a central axis of the hole and the pitch drive is mounted through said off-center opening. The position of the off-center opening is such that the intermediate support can be arranged in a first and a second position in which the drive pinion meshes with a first and second section of the gear respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Alstom Renovables España, S.L.
    Inventors: Pierre Pasquet, Santiago Canedo Pardo
  • Patent number: 9580891
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 9574677
    Abstract: A solenoid-powered gate valve that provides a reliable, high quality seal with a reduced operating force requirement. The valve includes a solenoid coil and armature connected to a valve mechanism, with the valve mechanism including a conduit having a connection opening, an oppositely-disposed pocket, and a sprung gate assembly linearly movable between the connection opening and the pocket. The sprung gate assembly includes a first gate member with an opening, a second gate member with an opening, and an endless elastic band retained between the first and second gate members, with the openings and endless elastic band collectively defining a passage through the sprung gate assembly, with the first and second gate members being mechanically coupled to the armature for reciprocating linear movement between the connection opening and the pocket. The endless elastic band allows an interference fit within the pocket with reduced frictional opposition to gate movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DAYCO IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matthew C. Gilmer, James H. Miller
  • Patent number: 9574679
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for an automatic fluid shut off device having a float disposed in a fluid catch basin attached to a first end of a rod movable in a direction of rising fluid in the catch basin; a second rod end extending to a fluid supply base and terminating adjacent to a restrained latch arm end, the latch arm end configured to be pivotably displaceable upon a force by the second rod end in response to a rising fluid in the catch basin; the latch arm pivotably connected to a shut-off valve; and the shut off valve retained in an open position while the latch arm is restrained, and under a rotational force to close the shut-off valve upon a release of the latch arm in response to the force by the second rod end. The latch arm can be restrained by a latch arm retention notch extending downward and inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PEOPLE AND PRODUCTS PLUMBING, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Schwarzbek, Robert Penfil, Sylvia Penfil, Howard Brown, Bruce Skolnik, Jeff Kaczperski
  • Patent number: 9568114
    Abstract: The valve unit includes: a body having a charging passage; a supply-side joint that connects a supply pipe; and a check valve that is disposed in the gas passage, and that inhibits gas from being discharged from the gas tank to the outside of the body. The check valve includes a check valve seat, a check valve element that comes into contact with or moves away from the check valve seat, and a positioning member that fixes the position of the check valve seat in the charging passage. The body has a fitting hole which is communicated with the charging passage and in which the supply-side joint and the positioning member are fitted. The positioning member is fitted in a second fitting hole so as to fix the position of the check valve seat even when the supply-side joint has not been fitted in a first fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Shima, Akio Nakamura, Kenji Takahashi, Shusuke Inagi, Kentaro Hioki
  • Patent number: 9562618
    Abstract: A thermal safety device includes a device body with an inlet duct and at least one outlet hole in communication with the atmosphere, a shut-off device mounted in the device body and movable between a closed position and an open position, and a retaining element that keeps the shut-off device in the closed position. The retaining element includes a casing containing a heat sensitive substance configured to expand upon reaching a first predetermined temperature and break the casing and allow the valve to open. A yielding support element provides support for and protects the casing until the temperature reached by the support element is higher than a second predetermined temperature which is higher than the first. The support element is configured to yield upon reaching the second predetermined temperature to place the shut-off device in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Emer S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paulo Peli, Giorgio de Ruggieri, Roberto Defilippi
  • Patent number: 9562613
    Abstract: An expanding gate valve assembly includes a segment and a gate Inner faces of the segment and gate are configured for slidable contact and angled faces of the segment and gate are configured for slidable contact to form a first gate assembly interface. The first gate assembly interface can further include a tab on the gate configured to contact a base surface of the segment to form a second gate assembly interface. A spring can be coupled between the gate and the segment to maintain at least the first gate assembly interface. The tab can be disposed below the segment to provide a lifting engagement with the base surface of the segment. The first gate assembly interface can be ledge-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Integrated Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Sumeet Arora
  • Patent number: 9562642
    Abstract: Provided is a foamable filling device that includes a foamable material and is disposed within a hollow structural member. The foamable filling device includes a carrier member and an opening/closing member. The carrier member includes a through hole and a mounting portion to which the foamable material is mounted. The opening/closing member includes a cover portion formed in a size capable of blocking the through hole; and a biasing portion that biases the cover portion, and the opening/closing member is fittable to the carrier member. The opening/closing member is configured such that, when the opening/closing member is fitted to the carrier member, the biasing portion is elastically deformed and biases the cover portion to thereby bring the cover portion into contact with a seat portion provided at an end of the through hole of the carrier member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: IIDA INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nomura, Hiroyuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 9562527
    Abstract: An unloader for a valve element (30) of a compressor valve (40) includes an unloader finger (2) and one carrier bushing (14), wherein the unloader finger (2) is fabricated from a first material, the carrier bushing (14) is fabricated from a second material using a casting method, and at least part of the unloader finger (2) is mold in with the material of the carrier bushing (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Kompressortechnik Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Spiegl, Markus Testori, Andreas Schloffer