Patents Examined by Matthew W Jellett
  • Patent number: 11337384
    Abstract: An irrigation column for a drip irrigation system has a fluid conducting line for receiving fluid from a fluid source upstream. The irrigation column further includes a plurality of drip line segments extending alongside the fluid conducting line, a plurality of zone valves located along the fluid conducting line, and a plurality of control tubes extending alongside the fluid conducting line. And each control tube is in fluid communication with a respective one of the zone valves for actuating the zone valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Netafim, Ltd.
    Inventor: Abraham Schweitzer
  • Patent number: 11339892
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve includes a solenoid having a bobbin, a plunger and a coil; a flow path member having a first flow path, a second flow path, a relay flow path and a valve body housing; a valve body movably disposed in the valve body housing; and a spring disposed in the valve body housing and urging the valve body, wherein the valve body further includes a plurality of guide parts which are provided at different positions along the axial direction and which are guided on an inner wall surface of the valve body housing, and a taper part which is provided between the plurality of guide parts and whose outer diameter decreases toward the one side in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Nakanishi, Dongming Chen, Satoshi Yabushita
  • Patent number: 11333266
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve includes: a solenoid, including a bobbin, a plunger, and a coil that moves the plunger; and a valve mechanism, including a flow path member that includes a first flow path, a second flow path, a relay part and a valve body housing, and a valve body that is inserted into the valve body housing, movably supported along an axial direction together with the plunger, and switches between passage and blockage between the first and the second flow paths. The valve body includes: a protrusion provided protruding radially outward from an outer periphery of the valve body and guided by an inner wall surface of the valve body housing when the valve body moves; a body made of resin; and a pin made of metal, provided at a center of the body along the axial direction and penetrating the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Nakanishi, Takashi Takai
  • Patent number: 11333257
    Abstract: A cooling water control valve device includes a housing and a valve. The housing includes an inside space, an attachment surface, at least one inlet port, and at least one outlet port. The attachment surface is in contact with an outer wall of the engine. The valve is disposed in the inside space to control communication between the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port by rotating. The housing includes a housing body that defines the inside space therein and a bypass passage forming member that defines at least a portion of a bypass passage. The bypass passage bypasses the valve and fluidly connects the at least one inlet port and the inside space. The housing is attached to the engine such that the attachment surface comes into contact with the outer wall of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Ikemoto, Akihiro Kamiya, Masao Ino
  • Patent number: 11326425
    Abstract: A lift gas injection system that is used for introducing lift gas into a stream of production fluid includes a lift gas injection valve. A pressure protection system guards the injection valve against external overpressure by blocking communication to inside the injection valve housing when ambient pressure exceeds a set pressure. Communication is blocked by moving a valve member so that it obstructs flow through an opening in the housing. The system includes pressure actuated valve which has a platen mounted to an end of a bellows, and a valve member coupled to the platen. Surface area is reduced on the bellows side of the platen that creates a force imbalance on the platen from applied ambient pressure. At the set pressure the force imbalance moves the platen, and which pushes the valve member against the opening. A compressible pressure compensator inside the injection valve protects against internal overpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SILVERWELL TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Peter John Watson, Joel David Shaw
  • Patent number: 11326710
    Abstract: A valve with an electrodynamic actuator includes a magnet device that generates a magnetic field and a drive element that is movable relative to the magnet device. The drive element is pivotally mounted and comprises a current-carrying air coil that is arranged in the magnetic field and is fixedly coupled to a coil carrier made of a non-magnetic material. Sealing surfaces for sealing valve seats are arranged on two opposite sides of the drive element, such that the sealing surfaces face in opposite directions. A housing is comprised of a plurality of plastic housing parts and a metallic encasement. The metallic encasement surrounds an upper area of the housing in which the electrodynamic actuator is arranged and at least partially surrounds a lower area of the housing in which fluid channels are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Ralf Scheibe, Sebastian Hettinger, Christina Ripsam, Holger Schwab, Simone Knauss, Johannes Baumann, Christian Hartmann, Rainer Kuenzler
  • Patent number: 11326712
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator and a valve body coupled to the bonnet, the bonnet arranged between at least a portion of the actuator and the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a quick connector adapted to couple the bonnet to the valve body. The quick connector includes a plurality of bonnet lugs separated by a plurality of spaces, the plurality of bonnet lugs extending radially outward from an axis. The quick connector also includes a plurality of valve body lugs configured to interact with the plurality of bonnet lugs, the plurality of bonnet lugs being arranged to axially align with the plurality of valve body lugs to block axial movement of the bonnet with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Keith M Adams, Lloyd Cheatham, Robert K Law
  • Patent number: 11326713
    Abstract: A fluid control device comprising including a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path between the inlet and the outlet, a seat, and a control element that is coupled to a stem. The control element and the stem are movable relative to a longitudinal axis and biased toward a closed position, in which the control element engages the seat. An actuator assembly is operatively coupled to the stem and includes a planetary gear transmission mechanism configured to receive a first rotational velocity and to deliver a second rotational velocity different than the first rotational velocity. A shaft has a first end coupled to the transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to valve stem. The second rotational velocity is transmitted to the valve stem to move the control element between the closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: FISHER JEON GAS EQUIPMENT (CHENGDU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Yan, Yanwei Lei, Yanbo Shi, Jie Yuan
  • Patent number: 11322283
    Abstract: A diagnostic method for diagnosing a malfunction of a solenoid valve includes: a) storing reference features of a solenoid current waveform, b) detecting features of the solenoid current waveform during operation of the solenoid valve, c) comparing the reference features with the detected features, d) comparing the pressure value of fluid entering the solenoid valve inlet orifice with a predetermined range of pressure values in the event of deviation between the value of the detected features and the value of the reference features, e) adjusting the pressure value and repeating steps b) and c) in the case of deviation of the pressure value with respect to the pressure value range, and f) generating an alarm signal due to malfunction of the solenoid valve in the event of a deviation between the value of the detected features and the value of the reference and fluid pressure features within the pressure value range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CAMOZZI AUTOMATION S.P.A.
    Inventors: Dario Ferrarini, Andrea Camisani
  • Patent number: 11313451
    Abstract: An electric linear drive for a gear rack including a stepping motor, a holding plate, a motor output gear, and a gearing. The holding plate, the stepping motor, the motor output gear, and the gearing form a drive unit that, together with a basic housing, form an overall housing. The overall housing has an opening for the insertion of the gear rack. Drive electronics are fixed to the holding plate such that electrical connections are present on the outside of the overall housing. The stepping motor has a rotor axis arranged parallel to the holding plate. During assembly, a rack belonging to a device to be driven can be pushed into a lateral opening of the overall housing, and the device to be driven can be connected to the overall housing. The electric linear drive is compact, allowing devices to be driven to be located close to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: BUCHER HYDRAULICS GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Rusing
  • Patent number: 11313386
    Abstract: A spatially controllable, for example CD controllable, eductor, and more particularly an eductor that is capable of providing a variable motive fluid and processes using such an eductor are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Young, Fei Wang, Steven Lee Barnholtz, Hasan Eroglu, Edwin Arthur Stewart, John Ferney McKibben
  • Patent number: 11306833
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve assembly includes a carrier, a valve, and a baffle. The carrier includes a first end and a second end. The first end defines a first opening. The second end defines a second opening. The carrier defines a flow passage extending from the first opening to the second opening. The valve is supported by the carrier and is operable in an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the valve permits a flow of fluid through the first opening. In the closed position, the valve inhibits the flow of fluid through the first opening. The baffle is disposed in the flow passage. The baffle and the carrier collectively define a flowpath extending through the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: EOS Energy Storage, LLC
    Inventor: Connor Burke
  • Patent number: 11306840
    Abstract: A switched nozzle valve (SNV) for gas flow regulation includes a nozzle and a valve element. The nozzle includes an orifice with a fixed cross-section and a converging section converging towards the orifice for achieving sonic velocity of the gas in the orifice. The valve element is movable between a fully closed position seated on the nozzle at a valve seat and a fully open position spaced from the valve seat. The SNV further includes a control for controlling an operator for switching the valve element between the fully open and fully closed positions at a switching frequency by using a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal to regulate a time-averaged flow of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Martin, Todd D. Batzel
  • Patent number: 11306844
    Abstract: Provided is a pilot solenoid valve capable of bringing the strokes of a plunger to a necessary minimum and capable of achieving solenoid valve miniaturization and power saving. A pilot solenoid valve is provided with a diaphragm section, a primary side section, a secondary side section, a main valve, a back pressure chamber, a primary side auxiliary flow path, a secondary side auxiliary flow path, an auxiliary valve, and an auxiliary valve drive unit, wherein the secondary side auxiliary flow path is not formed in the main valve but rather is formed in the area around the main valve so as to bypass the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LIXIL Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Domoto, Shinya Sakata
  • Patent number: 11309112
    Abstract: Provided is a solenoid valve drive device capable of accurately controlling a hysteresis value of a drive current for driving a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve drive device according to the present invention controls a set value of a hysteresis or a time width of the hysteresis based on a difference between an extreme value of the hysteresis in a peak hold period of a drive current and a set value of the extreme value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Katagiri, Takao Fukuda, Yuuji Ishida
  • Patent number: 11306825
    Abstract: A valve assembly having an inner and outer concentric valve seat. The inner valve seat is arranged radially inward of the outer valve seat to provide an annular opening therebetween. A movable plunger moves between a closed position and an open position to vary a flow restriction at the inner and outer valve seats and simultaneously seal the inner and outer valve seats in the closed position. An inner and outer valve member comprise the inner and outer valve seats and are separate components mounted in fixed relation to one another. The inner and outer valves seats are radially aligned to maintain concentricity of the inner valve seat relative to the outer valve seat and axially aligned to maintain axial alignment of the inner valve seat relative to the outer valve along an axis, wherein the axis is substantially orthogonal to a plane of the inner and outer valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: FAS MEDIC S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Deperraz, Vincent Tanari, Pauline Labory, Sebastien Matthey, Eric Pernette
  • Patent number: 11300215
    Abstract: A valve body and a control valve including such a valve body, the valve body including an inlet, an outlet, a valve port defined therebetween, and a plurality of discrete flow channels extending between the inlet and the valve port to distribute fluid flow to the valve port in a manner that equalizes the velocity of fluid at the perimeter of the valve port. The plurality of discrete flow channels includes (i) one or more first flow channels arranged to direct a first amount of the fluid flow to a front portion of the valve port, (ii) one or more second flow channels arranged to direct a second amount of the fluid flow to a rear portion of the valve port, and (iii) one or more third flow channels arranged to direct a third amount of the fluid flow to one or both side portions of the valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Jason G. Olberding, Thomas N. Gabriel
  • Patent number: 11300087
    Abstract: A valve including a magnet actuator (22) which has a magnet coil (6), a magnet armature (10) that moves in a stroke-like manner, and a pole core (20), wherein the magnet armature (10) and the pole core (20) together limit a working air gap (28), and the magnet armature (10) can at least indirectly contact the pole core (20), wherein the valve also has a valve element (14) which can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and which is at least indirectly in mechanical contact with the magnet armature (10). A separate magnet armature insert (8) arranged in the magnet armature (10) and/or a separate pole core insert (24) arranged in the pole core (20) is provided in the contact area of the magnet armature (10) on the pole core (20), in order to achieve a separation of the mechanical and magnetic forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Langenbach, Francesco Lucarelli
  • Patent number: 11299875
    Abstract: A faucet actuator torque increasing system and method for increasing torque applied to an actuator includes a grip. The grip has a perimeter wall with a continuous convexly arcuate shape. A coupler is removably mounted on the perimeter wall of the grip. The coupler includes a first segment and a second segment which are pivotably coupled to each other via a connector. The first and second segments move between a closed condition engaging the grip and an open condition for disengaging the grip. Each of the first and second segments has an interior surface. The interior surfaces abut the grip in the closed condition. A locking member releasably locks the coupler in the closed condition. A handle is integrally attached to and extends away from the coupler. A stop is attached to the coupler to abut against the grip when in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Chris Boye
  • Patent number: 11300225
    Abstract: A valve-coupler system has a lever that extends under a length axis of the valve body to enable one-handed operation. The valve-coupler body has an opening that is configured over a valve stem and a seal actuator having a lever that can be rotated about a pivot with a single hand to create a seal around the valve stem. Additionally, a valve-coupler may have a gas inlet valve that can be activated by the same single hand to open the valve and allow gas to flow into the valve stem. The inlet valve may be configured in line with the lever whereby the inlet valve is opened when the lever is rotated about the pivot to contact the inlet valve. The inlet valve may be configured on the valve body for manipulation by a user's finger or thumb. The inlet valve may be on the top of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Edgar G. Ashmead, Chris Cullen