Patents Examined by Michael Powell
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Patent number: 6581633Abstract: A check valve comprising a casing having a flange extending circumferentially around the inner periphery of the body. The flange is constructed by first drilling from a first direction at a diameter less than the predetermined diameter and then drilling from an opposite direction at the predetermined diameter. The flange defines a valve aperture for receiving a poppet valve. The poppet valve includes a stem including a plurality of legs each having an outer peripheral surface facing the valve aperture. The outer peripheral surface of the valve legs have rounded or recessed edges such that only a center portion of the outer peripheral surface of the legs can come into contact with the inner surface defining the valve aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Flomatic CorporationInventor: Bo Andersson
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Patent number: 6581629Abstract: A fluid-activatable shut-off device, configured as a shut-off valve, has a valve housing formed with a flow passage therethrough and a movably supported valve body, which is movable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. In the open valve position, the valve body is mainly withdrawn from the flow passage, which is thereby essentially cleared. In the closed valve position, the valve body blocks the flow passage. The valve body is arranged to close the valve by abnormal flow conditions by a portion being formed so that the flowing fluid provides a lifting force which affects the valve body and seeks to move it towards the closed position. The valve body may thereby close by an abnormal increase in the fluid flow rate, density or viscosity. The portion may also be supported by an expansion pad arranged to push the lifting surface further into the flow passage as a consequence of changes in the fluid pressure and/or temperature, thereby providing increased lift so that the valve body closes.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Inventor: Jan Inge Eielsen
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Patent number: 6581621Abstract: The invention relates to a valve and a fuel tank provided with a valve for a motor vehicle. Bleeder valves for integrated compensation volumes for fuel tanks are known in the prior art. One disadvantage of known valves is that if the tank is filled slowly during the refueling operation, the fuel compensation volume can fill. The invention aims to provide a valve with a compact construction. To this end a pressure valve (28) is located on the valve (1, 3) which opens if there is a predetermined excess pressure in the fuel tank (30), a refueling venting opening (38) is configured in the valve (1, 3) so that a sealing plate (5) can close the refueling venting opening. The sealing plate (5) has an operational venting opening (42), which can be closed by a displaceable closure element (15) that is displaced according to a position of a float (26) that is located on a float lever (24).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Heinz Klaffki, Marietta Gehring
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Patent number: 6575190Abstract: A non-return valve for a fuel tank, the valve comprising a substantially tubular body and a deformable shutter member fixed to said body, said shutter member being formed integrally by molding a plastics material and being shaped in such a manner as to return under its own elasticity into a shut position, with the valve body serving as a seat, whenever the shutter member is at rest and the pressure of fuel is no longer sufficient to overcome the elastic return action of the shutter member.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Compagnie Plastic OmniumInventors: Alexis Rosseel, Patrice Baudoux
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Patent number: 6571816Abstract: A cell safety valve which has a thin valve plate formed on a sheet-shaped sealing plate for sealing the cell such that if the inner pressure of the cell exceeds a predetermined value, the valve plate breaks to release a gas in the cell to the outside, in which the valve plate has a dome-shaped dome portion formed thereon and, at its middle or near it, a break groove formed for facilitating the breaking of the valve. By this construction, it is possible to prevent the electrolyte from leaking while reducing the cell-to-cell difference in the operating pressure of the safety valve and ensuring a sufficient open area at the time of the operations of the safety valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takuma Morishita, Hironori Marubayashi, Shigeki Fujii, Yosihiro Tobita
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Patent number: 6571829Abstract: A gas control valve in a water heater is provided for improving the ease of assembling, minimizing the size and the cost, and decreasing the limitation of layout design.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Paloma Industries LimitedInventors: Tatsuo Kuriyama, Atsushi Tanahashi
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Patent number: 6574510Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling radio-frequency communications with an implantable medical device utilizing far-field electromagnetic radiation. Such radio-frequency communications can take place over much greater distances than with inductively coupled antennas.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Von Arx, Mark D. Amundson, William R. Mass, Ron Balczewski, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 6571822Abstract: A relief valve having blow down values of 5% or lower is disclosed. The low blow down values are the result of reducing friction within the relief valve. The relief valve includes a movable plunger. Clearance is provided whereby the plunger does not experience significant friction as it moves into sealing contact with the seal assembly. An energized seal assembly forms a tight seal against the plunger while creating little friction, as the seal is elastomeric and the point of contact is minimized. The relief valve further includes an outlet port, which is adjustable 360° about the relief valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.Inventors: Thomas W. Neugebauer, Richard R. Watson
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Patent number: 6568416Abstract: A fluid delivery and control system is provided for a fluid delivery line having elastic components. The system includes a pressure sensor, an electronically controlled valve, processing circuitry, and computer program code logic. The pressure sensor is operative to detect fluid pressure within a fluid delivery line. The electronically controlled valve includes an adjustable flow regulating aperture disposed in the line, interposed along a linear flow axis, and operative to regulate fluid flow through the line. The processing circuitry communicates with the pressure sensor and the electronically controlled valve. The computer program code logic is executed by the processing circuitry and is configured to generate an output signal. The output signal comprises an operating parameter of at least one of the pressure sensor and the electronically controlled valve to adjust flow capacity of the flow regulating aperture of the valve to dissipate pressure oscillations within the fluid delivery line.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Inventors: Jeffrey C. Tucker, Brian L. Andersen, Robert Mittelstadt
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Patent number: 6568603Abstract: A prostrate water sprinkler includes a base on which one or more spray tubes are disposed. The spray tubes are provided with a plurality of jet nozzles which are arranged in one or two rows along the longitudinal direction of the spray tubes. The jet nozzles can adjust the spray angle thereof by an adjustment member which is mounted on the spray tubes.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Inventor: Hui-Chen Chao
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Patent number: 6564824Abstract: A flow meter system that calculates mass flow rate based only on a single pressure signal. A flow controller is arranged in parallel with a restriction such that a constant pressure differential is maintained across the restriction. The pressure, and temperature if not controlled, of the fluid flowing through the restriction is measured on either side of the restriction. The pressure is compared to a plot of pressure versus mass flow rate calculated for the specific restriction and fluid being measured. The constant pressure differential maintained across the restriction yields a linear relationship between pressure and flow rate. If temperature is not controlled, the plot of pressure versus mass flow rate will remain linear, but the slope of the curve will be adjusted based on the temperature of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Flowmatrix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Lowery, Petur Thordarson, Robert Laragione
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Patent number: 6565067Abstract: An opening end of a concave portion of a bearing holder is crimped to prevent an outer race of a ball bearing from sliding rearwardly, so that a bearing stop cover in the prior art is not needed to stop the slide-out of the outer race. Thus, the number of parts and assembling procedures for an intake air controller are reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing const thereof. Further, since the bearing stop cover is not needed, the axial length of the bearing holder of a throttle body is shortened, thereby axially compacting the throttle body.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Kunio Nanba, Tomokazu Kondo, Takuya Fukitsuke, Kunio Tanaka
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Patent number: 6564825Abstract: A flow meter system that calculates mass flow rate based only on a single pressure signal. A flow controller is arranged in parallel with a restriction such that it constant pressure differential is maintained across the restriction. The pressure, and temperature if not controlled, of the fluid flowing through the restriction is measured on either side of the restriction. The pressure is compared to a plot of pressure versus mass flow rate calculated for the specific restriction and fluid being measured. The constant pressure differential maintained across the restriction yields a linear relationship between pressure and flow rate. If temperature is not controlled, the plot or pressure versus mass flow rate will remain linear, but the slope of the curve will be adjusted based on the temperature of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Flowmatrix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Lowery, Petur Thordarson, Robert Laragione
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Patent number: 6564827Abstract: The invention relates to a shut-off apparatus for the charging device of a pressure vessel, especially for the storage of cryogenic liquefied gases, having a shut-off valve with a valve housing and a valve body stressed by a closure spring which, in order to charge the pressure vessel, can be brought into the open position against the force of the closure spring, having an apparatus for locking the valve body in the open position of the valve and having a release apparatus subjected to the action of the vessel pressure, which causes the apparatus to release the lock if a predetermined threshold vessel pressure is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Messer Griesheim GmbHInventors: Roland Henneborn, Klaus Tocha
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Patent number: 6564828Abstract: An rear end surface of a slide guide plate 12 extending rearward beyond a valve disc 6 is configured to abut against a rear step surface when the valve disc 6 is moving in a valve-opening direction, thus regulating a movement amount of the valve disc 6. This prevents the spring 7 from entering such an excessive compressive state that in a valve-opened state it is fully compressed. As a result, even in a case where the spring 7 is made of a synthetic resin, deterioration, due to stress relaxation, in a springing force can be suppressed, to suppress deterioration in a pressing pressure onto the valve disc 6 in the valve-closing direction, thus maintaining stable check valve functions.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Nippon Pillar Packing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takuya Ishida
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Patent number: 6561216Abstract: A flow controller for controlling a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid passage comprises a control valve for which a degree of opening of a valve is adjusted by a control signal, an orifice arranged on an outflow side of the control valve, a combined sensor arranged on an inflow side of the orifice for almost simultaneously detecting a pressure and a temperature of the fluid, and a control circuit. The combined sensor includes a pressure-detecting element for deriving a detection signal corresponding to the pressure of the fluid, and a temperature-detecting element for deriving a detection signal corresponding to the temperature of the fluid. The pressure-detecting element and the temperature-detecting element are arranged closely to one another on an identical surface of a pressure-receiving section.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: SMC Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenichi Kurosawa
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Patent number: 6561217Abstract: A rotary liquid mixing solenoid valve comprises a valve casing, a cold and/or hot water inletpipes, a mixed water outlet pipe, a temperature sensor installed in the mixed water outlet pipe, and a guardless rotary electromagnet mounted on a side of the valve casing. Both side faces of a regulating block mounted on an epitaxial end of a rotary armature shaft of the electromagnet may fit with the end faces of cold, hot liquid inlet openings respectively. After a coil is energized, the regulating block causes the temperature of mixed liquid to be stable via regulating the flow of cold, hot liquids in proportion according to a preset temperature. The valve has the advantages as follows: e.g. a simple structure, a miniature volume, a small power consumption, a high working efficiency, a fast regulating response, a high accuracy, and a stable and reliable operation, etc.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Inventor: Zhaokeng Pan
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Patent number: 6561218Abstract: A fluid mass flow control apparatus, particularly useful for controlling low flow rates of fluids used in semiconductor manufacturing processes, comprises a first elongated flow tube connected to an inlet fitting and to a capsule like valve housing and a second elongated tube connected to the inlet fitting and the valve housing and including a flow sensor. The valve housing is connected to a magnetostrictive actuator including an elongated actuator member disposed in a conduit connected to the valve housing and serving as part of the fluid flow path through the apparatus. An electromagnetic coil is disposed about the conduit and the actuator and is responsive to energization to effect controlled elongation of the actuator to control the position of a valve closure member disposed in the valve housing. Adjustments to full-scale flow ranges of the apparatus may be obtained by inserting a tube or wire in the flow sensor tube to act as a flow restrictor.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Fugasity CorporationInventor: Daniel T. Mudd
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Patent number: 6561207Abstract: A flow meter system that calculates mass flow rate based only on a single pressure signal. A flow controller is arranged in parallel with a restriction such that a constant pressure differential is maintained across the restriction. The pressure, and temperature if not controlled, of the fluid flowing through the restriction is measured on either side of the restriction. The pressure is compared to a plot of pressure versus mass flow rate calculated for the specific restriction and fluid being measured. The constant pressure differential maintained across the restriction yields a linear relationship between pressure and flow rate. If temperature is not controlled, the plot of pressure versus mass flow rate will remain linear, but the slope of the curve will be adjusted based on the temperature of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: FlowMatrix, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. Lowery, Petur Thordarson, Robert Laragione
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Patent number: 6561479Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for making and using an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an actuator body having an actuator channel with a first region and a second region. An actuator is disposed in the actuator channel and is movable when in a flowable state between a first position and a second position. A heater is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to heat the actuator from a solid state to a flowable state. A source of gas or other propellant is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to drive the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a higher surface tension when engaged with the second region of the channel than when engaged with the first region. Accordingly, the actuator can halt upon reaching the second region of the channel due to the increased surface tension between the actuator and the second region of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Jerome M. Eldridge