Patents Examined by Michael R Reid
  • Patent number: 11911618
    Abstract: A body joint support device capable of abutting against at least one body joint and accommodating in configuration both to the bending and non-bending states of the body joint includes a covering structure, a control device, and at least one electrode pad unit and/or inflatable airbag. The covering structure can be worn to the body joint, the electrode pad unit is provided on the inner surface of the covering structure, and the control device is provided on the outer surface of the covering structure. The control device can transmit current to the electrode pad unit so that the electrode pad unit outputs current to stimulate and/or heat muscles. When a body joint moves, the force produced by the covering structure can press the electrode pad unit tightly against the skin at the body joint, so that the electrode pad unit does not become loose due to frequent body joint movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Hoi Ming Michael Ho
  • Patent number: 11906057
    Abstract: A directional valve for adjusts a fluid flow, such as a coolant flow, is between at least two operating states. The valve includes a valve housing, an adjustable valve member, and a slotted link guide adapted to push the valve member into a sealing contact switching state with the valve housing and to guide the valve member into a releasing operating state shifted back with respect to the sealing contact operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WOCO Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Ludwig
  • Patent number: 11906062
    Abstract: A fluid control device includes; upstream side and downstream side joint blocks defining a fluid flow path, and having engaging portions at a bottom surface side; a support member having a guide portion to which the engaging portions of the upstream side and downstream side joint blocks can be engaged; and a fluid device supported by the support member via the upstream side and the downstream side joint blocks; wherein the upstream side and the downstream side joint blocks are fixed to the guide portion by utilizing a reaction force against a bending force generated by the tightening force of fastening bolts to the upstream side and the downstream side joint blocks and the fluid device connected together, and the length of the engaging portions in the longitudinal direction of the joint blocks is formed shorter than the length of the joint blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Akihiro Harada, Kenji Aikawa
  • Patent number: 11906098
    Abstract: An emergency release system for a fluid transfer system is disclosed. The fluid transfer system includes a first valve and a second valve that is selectively fluidly coupled to the first valve. The emergency release system includes a breakaway coupler mechanism engageable with the first valve and the second valve to releasably couple the first valve and the second valve together, an actuator mechanism defined by a dual rod having a first rod member and a second rod member releasably attached to the first rod member, the first rod member engageable with the first valve and the second rod member engageable with the second valve, and a piston-cylinder assembly configured to engage the actuator mechanism to selectively and simultaneously close the first and second valves, and to disengage the breakaway coupler mechanism from the first valve and the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: EMCO Wheaton GmbH
    Inventor: Filippo Marzola
  • Patent number: 11898643
    Abstract: A dual union drain valve has union couplings to permit a variety of fitting ends. The dual union drain valve has a T-valve member at the intersection of the tee-shaped valve body that can be rotated within the fluid passageway to provide a variety of options for selectively closing sections of the fluid passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: NIBCO Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Mason
  • Patent number: 11892087
    Abstract: A rotary valve includes: a valve chamber in which at least three ports including at least a first port, a second port, and a third port are disposed in a circumferential direction; at least three external flow paths communicating with the three ports, respectively; and a valve rotor accommodated in the valve chamber so as to be rotatable and configured to switch a flow of a fluid between the ports by a rotation operation. The first port extends in the circumferential direction of a wall portion of the valve chamber. A first buffer portion is formed between the first port and the external flow path corresponding to the first port. The first buffer portion covers the entire first port and serves as a space having a circumferential width larger than a circumferential width of a valve flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Esaki
  • Patent number: 11883624
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, for example medical tubing, and methods of making and using such a connector system, whereby the connector system includes a female coupler having a first passageway, a male coupler having a second passageway, a catch movably coupled to the female coupler, and a catch-receiving element coupled to the male coupler. The connector system further includes a release element movably coupled to the female coupler, whereby travel of the release element along or over a female coupler outer surface of the female coupler disengages the catch from the catch-receiving element to achieve a disconnected condition of the connector system. Further disclosed herein are embodiments of a connector system for releasably connecting together tubes, whereby the connector system includes at least one valve biased by a valve-biasing member disposed external to or outside of the fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WilMarc Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Paul C. Ciccone, William A. Coulson, Marcia Coulson
  • Patent number: 11867301
    Abstract: A manifold for use with a fluid delivery system includes a fluid inlet defining a portion of a common channel, a fluid nozzle outlet, a plunger housing of an integrated valve, a collar of a coupling mechanism, and a mounting structure. The fluid inlet, fluid nozzle outlet, plunger housing, collar and mounting structure of the manifold are integrally-constructed. A manifold assembly for use with a fluid delivery system includes at least a first and a second manifold. Each manifold includes a fluid inlet defining a portion of a common channel, a fluid nozzle outlet, a plunger housing of an integrated valve, and a collar of a coupling mechanism. The fluid inlet, fluid nozzle outlet, plunger housing, and collar are integrally-constructed, and the fluid inlet of the first manifold is received by a portion of a common channel of the second manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Sonny's HFI Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jaime L. Harris, Bryan Flood, Karl J. Fritze
  • Patent number: 11859359
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling and measuring flow. The arrangement includes a fluid control barrier and a flow-measuring apparatus upstream of the fluid control barrier. The fluid control barrier includes a pair of plates for opening and closing a pipe, and the plates are movable towards a center line of the pipe to open the pipe and produce a symmetrical flow profile for the flow-measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rubicon Research Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David John Aughton
  • Patent number: 11852263
    Abstract: A fluid management assembly. The fluid management assembly comprises a valve body, a first chamber, a second chamber, a first flow passage, a second flow passage, a third flow passage and a fourth flow passage, wherein the first flow passage, the second flow passage and the third flow passage have openings in an outer wall of the valve body; the valve body is provided with the second chamber, the second flow passage and a first passage; and the first passage can communicate the first chamber and the second chamber. The fluid management assembly is provided with a plurality of channels, the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SANHUA INTELLIGENT CONTROLS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Senrun Geng, Alfred Gunther, Yong Xu, Zhenshan Zhu, Rongrong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11852252
    Abstract: A multi-way valve includes a valve housing and a valve body. The valve housing has an inner space formed therein, and includes a plurality of coolant inlet ports spaced apart from each other along a side surface thereof and a coolant outlet port penetrated along a central axis thereof. The valve body is inserted into the valve housing and rotates around a rotation axis thereof coincident with or parallel to the central axis of the valve housing. The valve body includes a plurality of inlet parts spaced apart from each other along a side surface thereof and an outlet part formed along the rotation axis thereof, the inlet parts and the outlet part communicating with each other, the outlet part facing the coolant outlet port to be connected thereto, the inlet part being selectively connected to the coolant inlet port by rotation thereof around the rotation axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai WIA Corporation
    Inventor: Je Min Yeon
  • Patent number: 11851236
    Abstract: A pipe connectable plastic bucket includes a bucket and at least two quick-connect devices. The bucket has a plurality of through holes for communication between the inside and the outside of the bucket. The at least two quick-connect devices respectively correspond to the plurality of through holes, and are disposed on the bucket. The at least two quick-connect devices are adapted to connect to pipes, and are used for allowing a fluid entering and exiting the bucket through the plurality of the through holes. The at least two quick-connect devices comprise a first quick-connect device for allowing the liquid to enter and to exit the bucket. The present invention also provides a method of using the pipe connectable plastic bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: eChem Solutions Corp.
    Inventors: Chen Ya Kao, Tz Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 11846358
    Abstract: A rotary valve includes a rotary valve body defining a passageway from a first passageway port at an axial end surface of the rotary valve body to a second passageway port at an outer circumferential surface thereof. A valve housing has an inner surface defining each of an opening rotatably receiving the rotary valve body therein, a first housing port through which a fluid flows transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotary valve body, and a second housing port through which the fluid flows transverse to the axis of rotation of the rotary valve body. A flow path is formed between the inner surface of the valve housing and the outer surface of the rotary valve body with the flow path providing fluid communication between the first housing port of the valve housing and the first passageway port of the rotary valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Emma Michelle Grissom, Jason Dale Perkins, Sunil Kumar Harihar Onkarachari
  • Patent number: 11846955
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cold water discharge structure, which pertains to the technical field of shower equipment. It solves the problem of inconvenient use of existing cold water discharge device. The cold water discharge structure comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a lateral part of the housing has a drainage hole capable of communicating with the inlet; a temperature sensing component is capable of moving under an elasticity effect of the elastic element to block communication between the inlet and the outlet and capable of communicating the inlet with the drainage hole; a temperature sensing component is capable of moving by overcoming an elasticity effect of the elastic element after sensing an increase in a medium temperature to block communication between the inlet and the drainage hole and capable of communicating the inlet with the outlet. The cold water discharge structure improves convenience of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zhejiang Huale Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hongxin Lin
  • Patent number: 11841036
    Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling gas flow are important components for delivering process gases for semiconductor fabrication. These apparatuses for controlling gas flow frequently rely on flow restrictors which can provide a known flow impedance of the process gas. In one embodiment, a flow restrictor is disclosed, the flow restrictor constructed of a plurality of layers, one or more of the layers having a flow passage therein that extends from a first aperture at a first end of the flow restrictor to a second aperture at a second end of the flow restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventors: Sean Joseph Penley, Zachariah Ezekiel McIntyre, Tyler James Wright, Matthew Eric Kovacic, Christopher Bryant Davis
  • Patent number: 11835151
    Abstract: Valve handles and dual-valve assemblies having handles are disclosed herein. An example dual-valve assembly includes a first valve having a first shaft. The first valve has a plate with a notch. The dual-valve assembly also includes a second valve having a second shaft. The dual-valve assembly further includes a handle coupled to the first and second shafts, such that when the handle is rotated, the first and second shafts are rotated simultaneously. The handle includes a body and a flexible arm coupled to and extending from the body. The flexible arm has a lock edge sized to fit within the notch to limit rotation of the handle relative to the first and second valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Masias, Steven Landry Peek
  • Patent number: 11828368
    Abstract: The butterfly valve comprises a body in which an inserting space is formed; and a disk inserted into the inserting space of the body, wherein fluid flow is opened or closed in response to rotation of the disk, wherein the disk further includes: a disk body formed of a metal; a first plastic layer formed of a first plastic on the disk body; a second plastic layer formed of a second plastic on the first plastic layer, wherein a melting point of the first plastic layer is different from a melting point of the second plastic layer, and the disk body is formed of a framework structure having an internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventor: Sang Seon Lee
  • Patent number: 11828386
    Abstract: Valve assemblies, systems, and methods may include at least one purging assembly comprising at least one purge port extending through a valve body or housing in order to supply a purge fluid into the valve body or housing. The at least one purge port is positioned on the valve body or housing to redirect a portion of the purge fluid as the purge fluid exits the at least one purge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Aryoso Nirmolo, Péter Tóth, András Tomor, Chris Brydon, Chris Shages, Larry Ray
  • Patent number: 11828212
    Abstract: A valve has a valve housing with a valve seat and a valve body holder with a fluid-permeable flow opening. A valve body is arranged in the valve body holder and axially displaceable between an open state and a closed state of the valve. The valve body has an envelope surface with a sealing region for fluid-tightly contacting the valve seat in the closed state. It has a base region adjoining the sealing region in longitudinal direction. A cross section contour of the envelope surface increases monotonously from the sealing region to the base region. In the open state, an axial end of the base region contacts the valve body holder. The envelope surface has a weakened region connecting sealing region and base region to each other. The weakened region has a reduced stiffness along the longitudinal direction. The valve body is formed of a thermoplastic polyhalogen olefin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Gelase Mbadinga Mouanda, Thomas Jessberger, Volker Kuemmerling, Lukas Bock, Claus Fischer, Thomas Schleiden, Tobias Warth, Matthias Teschner
  • Patent number: 11821564
    Abstract: A method and system for pipeline purging with reduced environmental impact. A vacuum and/or compressor system purges air or other gases from at least a section of the pipeline to create a vacuum in the pipeline. The vacuum can then be replaced with a fuel gas, avoiding a mixing of fuel and oxidant in the pipeline. The vacuum and/or compressor system can include a fuel gas monitoring leak-detection system to monitor for fuel presence in the purging air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, NEP
    Inventors: William Benincosa, Dennis R. Jarnecke