Patents Examined by Mary McManmon
  • Patent number: 9859047
    Abstract: An electromagnetic solenoid actuator includes a ferromagnetic core body defining an axis, a winding supported by the core body, and a ferromagnetic plunger body translatable within the core body along the axis. The core body has a fixed height gap that extends about the axis and the plunger body and core body define between one another a variable height gap that extends about the axis. A first flux bypass extends through the fixed height gap and a second flux bypass extends through the variable height gap that cooperate with one another to correct the attraction force between the plunger and core body as height of the variable height gap changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jacek F. Gieras, Gregory I. Rozman
  • Patent number: 9857010
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a rapid-connect coupler including a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Howard M. Konishi
  • Patent number: 9853425
    Abstract: A breather drain includes a main body member having first, second and third portions. The first portion includes a threaded outer surface and a hollow inner cavity with first and second open opposite ends and at least one of the first and second open opposite ends extending from the hollow inner cavity to the threaded outer surface. The second portion includes a flange and having a central passageway therein. The second portion connects with the hollow inner cavity. The third portion includes a protrusion having first and second sides and extending from the second portion. The third portion also includes a transverse hole extending from the first side to the second side and connects with the central passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Brent S. Strom
  • Patent number: 9851015
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing, in which a first valve body is accommodated so that it is moveable in a direction of a longitudinal axis, a first valve seat configured to be closed by the first valve body and arranged on the housing, a first fluid flow path extending from a first connection via the first valve seat to a second connection, a second valve seat closeable by a moveable second valve body, the second valve body formed separately from the first valve body, a second fluid flow path extending from the first connection via a bypass duct in the first valve body, onwards via the second valve seat to the second connection, so that pressure at the first connection is limited upwardly by the first and the second valve body in that hydraulic fluid is led to the second connection via the first fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Neubauer, Liebhart Zaiser, Thomas Hirsch, Ludmilla Graf, Harald Hahn, Konrad Schneider, Dominik Wolf
  • Patent number: 9851017
    Abstract: A unisex ball valve coupling includes an interface end that engages an interface end of a mating coupling half assembly. A valve of the coupling has a valve body, which has an open position in which fluid flow is permitted through the internal passage and a closed position in which the valve body closes off fluid flow through the internal passage. A valve shaft rotates with the valve body between the open position and the closed position. The valve shaft has a first surface. A blocking member is movable from a blocking position to a non-blocking position within the body portion. In the blocking position, the blocking member engages the first surface of the valve shaft to secure the valve body in the closed position and, in the non-blocking position, the blocking member does not engage the first surface of the valve shaft to permit opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: RAYCON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Tak-Yiu Wong
  • Patent number: 9851103
    Abstract: A gas valve assembly may include a valve body with one or more valves movable between an opened position and a closed position, one or more valve actuators configured to operate the valves, and one or more pressure sensors to sense a pressure within a fluid path of the valve assembly. A valve controller may receive a measure related to a sensed pressure from the one or more pressure sensor(s). The valve controller may compare the received measure related to the sensed pressure to an overpressure threshold. In the event the measure related to the sensed pressure surpasses the overpressure threshold value, the valve controller may be configured to provide a signal that indicates an overpressure event has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David Kucera, Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, Gregory Todd Filkovski
  • Patent number: 9846074
    Abstract: A mass flow controller comprises: a first flow meter constructed and arranged to measured flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a second flow meter constructed and arranged to measure flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a control valve constructed and arranged so as to control the flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller in response to a control signal generated as a function of the flow rate as measured by one of the flow meters; and a system controller constructed and arranged to generate the control signal, and to provide an indication when a difference between the flow rate of mass as measured by the first flow meter and the flow rate of mass as measured by the second flow meter exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Junhua Ding
  • Patent number: 9845899
    Abstract: Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Graichen, David E. Fletcher, Matt Gilmer
  • Patent number: 9841110
    Abstract: A sprung gate for a valve having an endless elastic band sandwiched between first and second gate members that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof, which collectively form a passage through the sprung gate. The first gate member includes a fastener connected to a fastener receiving member of the second gate member thereby securing the first and second gate members together as a unit. This sprung gate unit is operatively connected to an actuator for linear translation within a pocket of a conduit to control fluid flow through the conduit. This assembled device may be manufactured using spin welding to sealingly mate the conduit to a housing enclosing the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: David E. Fletcher, Brian M. Graichen, Matt Gilmer, James H. Miller
  • Patent number: 9829061
    Abstract: A valve arrangement comprising a main valve member being axially movably arranged in a valve housing and arranged to interact with a main valve seat of the valve housing in order to restrict or regulate a pressure in a main fluid flow in response to a pilot pressure acting on the main valve member. A control valve member is axially movable within the main valve member in response to an actuating force acting on the control valve member. A pilot valve member is axially movable within the control valve member, and is arranged to interact with a pilot valve seat of the control valve member to restrict a pilot fluid flow out from a pilot chamber. The pilot valve member is resiliently loaded towards the pilot valve seat relative the main valve member or the valve housing, such that the resilient loading on the pilot valve member is adjustable in response to the actuating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ÖHLINS RACING AB
    Inventors: Benny Ewers, Simon Ivarsson, Fredrik Larsson
  • Patent number: 9829112
    Abstract: A high purity valve (10) includes a valve body (12) having an inlet (40) and an outlet (42) separated by a valve seat (32), and a diaphragm (22) having a central stem (23) that has a first end coupled to a piston (20) for actuating the valve, and a poppet (28) for engaging the valve seat to close the valve. The poppet forms a dual point seal (50/52, 50?/52?) with the valve seat having at least two points of contact between an annular surface (30) of the poppet and the valve seat. The annular surface of the poppet may be either a concave surface or a convex surface that provides the dual point seal. The valve has a retainer (14) adjacent the diaphragm, and the diaphragm has a flexible web (26) that extends radially outward from the central stem. The retainer has a surface (60) adjacent the web, and the surface is spaced apart from the web such that the web does not contact the surface when the valve is pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Zachary Spencer Smith, Darren Edward Conner
  • Patent number: 9829111
    Abstract: A valve device has a housing, and a flow channel running in the housing, in which a valve flap is fastened on a shaft arranged perpendicularly to the flow direction. The shaft is rotatably mounted in housing. The bearing formed as a loose bearing is surrounded by a spring retainer, the base of which lies on a bearing bush of the loose bearing and has a jacket surface with a radial wavy shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Weis
  • Patent number: 9816614
    Abstract: A sealing device for a hydraulic assembly wherein hydraulic fluid is contained in working chamber (53) formed between body (52) and thrust member (51) of the assembly. The device comprises annular seal (63) with opposed sealing faces which are urged into sealing engagement between body (52) and thrust member (51) which have convergent sealing faces. The device may also have a pressure relief valve (100) tapped into the over-stroke end of chamber (53) to protect seal (63) from over-stroke damage comprising porous body (101) which allows fluid to bleed from chamber (53) and allows seal (63) to pass the tapping point without obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: John Wentworth Bucknell
  • Patent number: 9816622
    Abstract: A check valve (100) has a valve seat (20), and a valve disc (30) which closes the valve seat (20) in an openable/closable manner by linear reciprocating oscillation in the direction approaching or departing away from the valve seat (20), the check valve (100) being configured, as a lift-type check valve, to allow therein the inflow direction (D1) of a fluid (F) flowing into the valve seat (20) and the passing direction (D2) of the fluid (F) passing through the valve disc (30) to cross each other, the valve disc (30) being provided with, on the inflow side (primary side) thereof, a deflection surface (40) on which the fluid (F) is deflected from the inflow direction (D1) to the passing direction (D2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ISHIZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazunori Chiba
  • Patent number: 9816627
    Abstract: Gas flow control valves comprising a valve housing including a cylindrical interior passage, and a housing opening extending from the interior passage through the housing. The gas flow control valve further comprises a cylindrical rotary valve element including a sidewall, and a rotary valve element opening extending through the sidewall. The valve element is rotatably received within the interior passage of the valve housing, such that the housing opening may be selectively aligned with the rotary valve element opening, and an area of overlap of the housing opening and the valve element opening may be varied by rotating the valve element within the interior passage of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Origin Medical Devices Inc.
    Inventor: Ory Gur
  • Patent number: 9816619
    Abstract: A thrust plate for a butterfly valve includes a thrust plate body that defines a recess. The recess extends between a bottom thrust surface, side walls and an open top. A wear-resistant coating is located on the bottom thrust surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter J. Dowd, John M. Dehais, Blair A. Smith, Timothy R. Boysen, Keith J. Brooky, Aaron T. Nardi, Kevin M. Rankin
  • Patent number: 9809963
    Abstract: A leak-proof water valve includes a water inner tube, an outer tube group and a buoyant housing. When the sealing plug of the toilet tank is leaking, leak-proof structure of a buoyant housing for automatically detection is provided to stop the water inlet valve supplying water, so that a user could be aware of the leaking situation to thereby avoid the waste of water resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: So-Mei Huang
  • Patent number: 9809202
    Abstract: A motor vehicle windscreen wiper windscreen washer liquid distribution system including a windscreen washer liquid distribution network is disclosed. The windscreen washer liquid distribution network includes at least one hydraulic pipe including at least one windscreen washer liquid circulation passage, at least one hydraulic connector connected to the circulation passage, and at least one thermally conductive member in thermal contact with the at least one hydraulic connector and with a heating element of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Gérald Caillot, Jean-Michel Jarasson, Vincent Izabel
  • Patent number: 9810327
    Abstract: A valve element of a pressure reducing valve includes a taper portion seated on an inner periphery of a valve hole that includes a first area, a second area and a third area in order from an upstream side. The first area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the first area and the taper portion gradually reduces toward a downstream side. The second area is provided such that the height of a passage defined between the second area and the taper portion is constant when the valve element is open and the entire second area contacts the taper portion when the valve element is closed. The third area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the third area and the taper portion gradually increases toward the downstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiko Shima, Takashi Iwaguchi, Hidetoshi Fujiwara, Munetoshi Kuroyanagi, Toshikatsu Kubo, Eiji Okawachi, Masaaki Kondo, Akira Yamashita, Hidetsugu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9809382
    Abstract: A slide valve for a powdered material or a material with a small grain size. The valve comprises a stiff frame, which defines a discharge mouth to discharge the material, and a shutter of the discharge mouth, which is activated by respective moving organs. The valve is characterized in that it comprises a height adjusting device for a sealing element. The height adjusting device is suited to compensate the loss of sealing effect between the lower face of the sealing element and an upper surface of the shutter. The loss of sealing power is due to the wear generated by the relative friction between the lower face and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: WAMGROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Vainer Marchesini