Patents Examined by Michael Powell Buiz
  • Patent number: 6516829
    Abstract: A vent valve for an air braking system of a vehicle comprises an elastomeric valve member (11) held in relation to a vent (17) and having a restricted vent passageway. A continuous depending rib (23) is engageable with a valve seat (28) to close the vent passageway as increasing pressure acts on the head (21) of the valve member (11). The valve member (11) permits a fluid chamber to be connected to exhaust until pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: WABCO Automotive UK Limited
    Inventors: David Townsend, Liam Rowley
  • Patent number: 6513545
    Abstract: A flow shut off valve for use with a pressurized fluid application and which is actuated in response to a flow rate exceeding a maximum allowable rating, the fluid application including a normally regulated and pressurized fluid supply, a length of a conduit extending from the fluid supply. The valve includes an elongated and substantially cylindrical shaped housing interposed between the fluid supply and the extending conduit, the housing having an inlet end communicating with a first coupling extending from an outlet of the fluid supply and an outlet end communicating with a second coupling extending from an inlet of the length of conduit. The housing further including an axially extending interior extending between the inlet and outlet ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventors: Evan M. Rhone, John G. Elkins, Reggie T. Dixon
  • Patent number: 6510868
    Abstract: The subject application is directed to a compressor valve having a valve seat, a valve guard and a sealing plate with contoured sealing surfaces, the valve seat having defining inlet flow ports for admitting a controlled medium into the valve, the lower surface of the valve seat including at least one seating surface, the a valve guard having a recessed area and defining outlet flow ports for discharging a controlled medium from the valve, the sealing plate being positioned within a cavity between the valve guard and valve seat and moves relative to the lower surface of the valve seat between an open and closed position, the upper surface of the sealing plate defining at least one contoured sealing surface for engaging at least one seating surface of the valve seat along a continuous line of contact when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Coltec Industrial Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil C. Penza
  • Patent number: 6508269
    Abstract: A quick connector with a one-way flow valve includes a bearing cage mounted in a bore of a female component housing and supporting a tip end of a conduit lockingly held in the housing by a retainer. A projection extends from one end of the bearing cage and spaces a flow ball movably mounted in the housing bore at a first, flow permitting open position wherein flow paths between the male and female components are established around the exterior of the flow ball and between circumferentially spaced ribs formed in the housing and supporting the flow ball. The flow ball is automatically movable in response to a reverse direction acting fluid pressure differential to a second, flow-blocking position in sealing engagement with a valve seat formed in the housing bore to prevent reverse fluid flow through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: George Szabo, Shad A. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6508268
    Abstract: A vacuum pressure control apparatus includes a vacuum proportional opening and closing valve 18 which is disposed on a pipe connecting a vacuum chamber 11 and a vacuum pump 19 and changes its opening to control the vacuum pressure in the vacuum chamber 11, and a pressure sensor 17 which measures the current vacuum pressure in the chamber 11. The vacuum proportional opening and closing valve 18 has a valve seat 36 and a valve member 33 provided with an O-ring 35 which is made contact with or separate from the valve seat 36. The vacuum pressure control apparatus configured as above controls the pressure in the chamber 11 by changing an elastic deformation amount of the O-ring 35 which is in contact with the valve seat 36 and thereby changing the flow quantity of gas leaking between the valve seat 36 and the O-ring 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kouketsu
  • Patent number: 6508266
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve can properly mount a peripheral portion of a diaphragm over the entire periphery and reliably establish a seal between the peripheral edge portion on a liquid side of the diaphragm and a diaphragm mounting seat for preventing leakage of a liquid. The diaphragm valve includes an annular base (27) provided to project from a seat surface of mounting seat (12) for a predetermined height and connected with a bracket mounting flange (16) on the side of valve operating portion by bolts (17). A diaphragm retaining portion (30) is formed integrally with flange (16) for compressing the peripheral edge portion of diaphragm with a constant pressure so that flange (16) and base (27) are connected by bolts (17) in the condition where diaphragm (14) is compressed onto base (12) with constant pressure by diaphragm retaining portion (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Stainless Steel Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Iritani, Kaoru Ozawa, Toru Tateishi
  • Patent number: 6501986
    Abstract: The invention concerns an implantable defibrillator (1) comprising a chargeable voltage source (2) and a pulse generator (3) which is formed from a voltage multiplier (5) and a capacitor (4) chargeable to the defibrillation voltage. Provided between the capacitor (4) and the voltage source (2) is a line connection (6) by way of which electrical energy which has not been consumed or which is not required for the tissue stimulation procedure can be returned from the capacitor to the voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Biotronik Mess -und Therapiegeraete GmbH & Co. Ingenieurbuero Berlin
    Inventors: Max Schaldach, Sven Poga
  • Patent number: 6499503
    Abstract: A backflow valve has a closure gate that is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position in which the closure gate is positioned on a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of a flow passage and a closed position in which the closure gate is positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis. The closure gate has a midsection positioned pivot axis and is unbalanced with greater weight being toward the first end. A rotational stop limits pivotal movement when the closure gate is in the open position. A float is secured to the first end of the closure gate. The greater weight at the first end biases the closure gate by force of gravity against the rotational stop and into the open position. The float causes the closure gate to pivotally move to the closed position in response to liquid rising in the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Gabe Coscarella
  • Patent number: 6491055
    Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus includes a valve having a body. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the body and has an exterior end extending through the body. A plug, which may contain an internal passageway, is mounted on the shaft and is disposed in the fluid flowpath. The body is engageable with the system to expose the plug to the pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid acts on the plug to exert a torque on the shaft which is offset from the center line of the plug. The apparatus further includes a linkage assembly configured to translate the torque exerted on the shaft into an output force. A release device, such as a buckling pin or a magnet, is connected to the linkage assembly and is configured to release the shaft when the output force exceeds a predetermined limit. Preferably, the linkage assembly is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the output force corresponding to a given torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, Arthur Dubbeldam, Peter Dubbeldam, Michael Hitz
  • Patent number: 6488049
    Abstract: A high volume pressure valve accurately adjustable to within 0.25 PSIG for attachment to a pipe outlet. A flanged valve body and a cap are connected by a compression spring to permit the opening of the valve when the predetermined outlet pressure setting of the valve is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: James O. Sims
  • Patent number: 6488044
    Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus includes a valve having a body. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the body and has an exterior end extending through the body. A plug, which may contain an internal passageway, is mounted on the shaft and is disposed in the fluid flowpath. The body is engageable with the system to expose the plug to the pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid acts on the plug to exert a torque on the shaft which is offset from the center line of the plug. The apparatus further includes a linkage assembly configured to translate the torque exerted on the shaft into an output force. A release device, such as a buckling pin or a magnet, is connected to the linkage assembly and is configured to release the shaft when the output force exceeds a predetermined limit. Preferably, the linkage assembly is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the output force corresponding to a given torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, Arthur Dubbeldam, Peter Dubbeldam, Michael Hitz
  • Patent number: 6478044
    Abstract: A snap-action piloted fill valve for controlling the level in a liquid storage tank, the valve having a float and a weight cup that are adjustably interconnected by an elongated sleeve slidably disposed on a stem extending upwardly from a valve body mounted inside a tank, the weight cup being further connected to a snap-action beam attached to the valve body. The snap-action beam controls operation of a pilot, which in turn causes the fill valve to open when the beam is in its upward position and to close when the beam is in its downward postion. Use as a toilet valve is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: LSP Products Group
    Inventor: Samuel H. Howe
  • Patent number: 6470909
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a motor vehicle has at least one pressure restricting valve with a housing that has two or more connections. At least one conduit cross-section in the housing can be closed by means of a closing body that is movable axially against the action of an energy accumulator. At least a part of the axial travel of the closing body is damped by means of a damping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Osterlänger, Gerhard Prosch, Walter Parzefall, Jean-Francois Heller, Manfred Homm, Alexandre Fidline, Eugen Kremer
  • Patent number: 6463949
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a status of a valve, the valve being connected to a fluid circuit. The method includes the steps of establishing an expected value of a characteristic of the fluid of the fluid circuit, determining an actual value of the fluid characteristic of the fluid circuit, and determining a valve status in response to the actual value, and the expected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Ferguson, Matthew C. Full, Matthew J. Miller, Michael K. Oudyn, Derek A. Sauder
  • Patent number: 6458098
    Abstract: A vascular therapy device is used for treatment, such as injecting or applying medicine, to a lumen or body cavity without surgical treatment. The vascular therapy device includes an elongated shaft, an inflatable balloon attached to a side portion of a distal end portion of the shaft, a first path provided in the shaft and communicating with an inside of the balloon to inflate and deflate the balloon, and a second path provided inside the shaft and extending from a proximal end portion to the distal end portion of the shaft. The second path has an outlet at the distal end portion. When the balloon is inflated, a part of the distal end portion is biased to contact a wall where the shaft is inserted. Thus, when the balloon is inflated, the outlet faces and substantially contacts the wall to thereby provide a treatment through the second path and outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Nozomu Kanesaka
  • Patent number: 6453941
    Abstract: A pipe element possessing a longitudinal axis (2) along which a rigid tubular part (3) and a flexible tubular part (4), together constituting a single piece, extend. The rigid part (3) has one end presenting a substantially radial connection surface (8) for connection to an end portion (11) of the flexible part (4), and an additional connection surface (10) on the radial connection surface (8) connecting to the end portion (11) of the flexible part (4), at least a part of the additional connection surface (10) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Nobel Plastiques
    Inventors: Pierre Milhas, Stéphane Jung
  • Patent number: 6453940
    Abstract: A combination valve including a metal sleeve and a valve body. The valve body is formed of a resilient material and insert bonded or vulcanized to the metal sleeve and includes a cylindrical elongated member defining a passageway therethrough and an annular umbrella portion integrally extending from the elongated member. The elongated member is disposed within the metal sleeve and has converging flexible lips. The metal sleeve includes a plurality of prongs at one end and the valve body includes a top surface. The prongs of the metal sleeve extend to the top surface of the valve body, whereby the valve can be press-fitted into location without damaging the valve body. Between the prongs of the metal sleeve are gaps which permit the molding material to flow from the umbrella portion to the elongated member during the molding of the combination valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Larry J. Tipton, Aaron E. Kiser
  • Patent number: 6450190
    Abstract: A method of detecting abnormalities in flow rate in pressure-type flow controller. The method checks the flow rate for abnormalities while controlling the flow rate of fluid in a pressure-type flow controller FCS using an orifice—the pressure-type flow controller wherein with the upstream pressure P1 maintained about two or more times higher than the downstream pressure P2, the downstream flow rate QC is calculated by the equation QC=KP1 (K: constant) and wherein the control valve CV is controlled on the basis of the difference signal QY between the calculated flow rate QC and the set flow rate QS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Ltd., Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Seiichi Iida, Satoshi Kagatsume, Jun Hirose, Kazuo Fukasawa, Hiroshi Koizumi, Hideki Nagaoka, Tomio Uno, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda, Ryousuke Dohi, Eiji Ideta
  • Patent number: 6446654
    Abstract: A pressure relief device for a sealed system is provided. The device includes a negative pressure support that is engageable with the system. A seal is disposed between the support and the system such that a negative pressure differential created in the system acts on the seal to move the seal away from the negative pressure support. A wire connects the seal to the support. The wire is configured to break, thereby releasing the seal, when the seal is exposed to a negative pressure differential having a predetermined level. The device may also include a positive pressure support disposed between the seal and the negative pressure support. The positive pressure support prevents the seal from releasing until the system experiences a positive pressure differential of a predetermined level. The device may also include a sensor that indicates when the seal has released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, Greg Klein, John Nguyen
  • Patent number: RE37937
    Abstract: An ear piercing assembly includes a disposable cartridge assembly including a first and second ear piercing earring and an ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly for releaseably supporting the ear piercing earring therein. A clutch retaining sub-assembly is integrally formed with the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and releaseably supports a first and second clutch therein. An ear piercing instrument is adapted to receive the cartridge assembly and includes a plunger assembly for ejecting an ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and is displaceable for selectively moving between a first position for ejecting the first ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly and a second position for ejecting the second ear piercing earring from the ear piercing earring retaining sub-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Inverness Corporation
    Inventor: Samuel J. Mann