Patents Examined by Minh Q Le
  • Patent number: 11550342
    Abstract: A gas separator for separating a multiphase medium containing a gas and a liquid includes a tubular basic unit having a longitudinal axis, an intake for a gaseous medium, a liquid outlet and a gas outlet. The tubular basic unit has an intake region and a discharge region. The gas separator includes, between the intake region and the discharge region, a weir having a guiding surface, over which the medium can flow to form a shallow water region. The gas contained in the medium can escape from the medium in the shallow water region and be led away from the gas separator through the gas outlet. The disclosure is also directed to an apparatus for registering flow of at least one component of a multiphase medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Guido Horoba, Helmut Zeislmeier, Wolfgang Drahm, Rainer Höcker
  • Patent number: 11543275
    Abstract: A mass flow sensor is provided with reduced zero point fluctuation, and a mass flow meter and a mass flow controller using the mass flow sensor, the mass flow sensor comprising a U-shaped flow path passage in which a fluid flows from first end to a second end, having a bottom portion and two straight portions connecting the bottom portion to the ends, a first thermal resistor wound around one of the straight portions, a second thermal resistor wound around the same straight portion as the first thermal resistor and provided away from the first thermal resistor toward the second end, and a heat dissipating portion provided so as to be in contact with the flow path passage on the side opposite to the second thermal resistor across the first thermal resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventor: Tsunehisa Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11536014
    Abstract: A flush valve includes a valve housing defining a fluid passageway between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid passageway includes a diaphragm valve seat disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The flush valve additionally includes a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm and a disc. The diaphragm includes a primary opening and a bypass opening. The primary opening receives the disc therein and the bypass opening allowing water under pressure supplied to the fluid inlet to pass from a fluid inlet side of the diaphragm into a chamber in the fluid passageway. The flush valve additionally includes a relief valve configured to selectively control fluid flow from the chamber to the fluid outlet. The relief valve comprises a stationary valve element and a rotatable valve element each having at least one opening and being rotationally positionable relative to one another to regulate fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Funari, Marc G. Block
  • Patent number: 11531314
    Abstract: A valve driver system for driving a plurality of valves of a valve manifold. The system includes a plurality of valve drivers, wherein each valve driver is configured to drive a zone of one or more valves of the manifold; and, a power board that separately powers the respective valve drivers such that the valve drivers are powered separately with a separate power source that can individually power the valve driver. A multiple safety zone valve driver system for driving a plurality of valves of a valve manifold. The system includes a plurality of valve drivers; a first safe PM output; and a second safe PM output. The first and second safe PM outputs are configured such that in response to a first type of safety event the first PM output shuts off power to the first one or more valve drivers and the second PM output maintains power to the second one or more valve drivers. A zoning adapter for adapting logical addresses of valve drivers to physical addresses of valves of a valve manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Erick W. Rudaitis, Timothy Faillo, Serge Rondreux, Patrick Berdal
  • Patent number: 11520359
    Abstract: A pressure control unit includes a liquid storage chamber, an inflow port that allows the liquid to flow therein, and an outflow port that allows the liquid to flow out thereof, the pressure control unit controlling pressure of the liquid, wherein at least part of an outer wall of the liquid storage chamber is formed of a flexible film, a pressing plate that presses the flexible film, an urging member that urges the pressing plate, and a valve that opens and closes the outflow port. The pressing plate moves in a direction of expanding the liquid storage chamber, whereby the valve in contact with the pressing plate moves and makes a valve opening degree of the outflow port high. A range of motion of the valve when making the valve opening degree of the outflow port high is limited by a member other than the pressing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuya Yoshii, Koichi Kubo, Naozumi Nabeshima, Soji Kondo
  • Patent number: 11519814
    Abstract: In a method of monitoring fluid usage in a fluid system, a proportional control valve is provided, including a valve element operable to control fluid flow from a fluid source to the fluid system. A first pressure upstream of the valve element and a second pressure downstream of the valve element are measured to identify a pressure differential across the valve element. In response to the identified pressure differential, the valve element is adjusted to one of a plurality of flow positions to adjust the pressure differential across the valve element to substantially match a predetermined pressure differential. A flow rate through the proportional control valve is determined based on the first pressure, the second pressure, and the adjusted flow position of the valve element. Based on the determined flow rate over time, an amount of fluid usage in the fluid system is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FB GLOBAL PLUMBING GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Lance, Brian P. Frackelton
  • Patent number: 11519433
    Abstract: A system includes a surface having a fluid flowing over the surface. The fluid includes a flow regime having a streamwise length scale greater than about 100 times ? and less than about 100,000 times ?, where ? is a viscous length scale of the flow regime, and a convective time scale greater than about 10?? and less than about 10,000??, where ?? is a viscous time scale of the flow regime. The system includes a controller that causes at least one of motion the surface to modify fluid flow in the flow regime based on the streamwise length scale and the convective time scale or motion of the flow regime based on the streamwise length scale and the convective time scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Deep Science, LLC
    Inventors: David William Wine, Ivan Marusic, Alexander J. Smits, Brian C. Holloway
  • Patent number: 11513025
    Abstract: A leak detection system for plumbing fixtures may include a dual channel system (700) having two channels of water flow to measure fluid flow that is both intentional and accidental. A disclosed embodiment may include a body (710) that is sometimes fastened to a top plate (715) sometimes fastened with socket head cap screws (717). The dual fluid channels may comprise a lower default or first flow path (790). Water flowing though the lower or default path may pass through a paddle wheel assembly (760) and paddle wheel (762) wherein flow rate may be measured by a myriad of systems including magnets or other sensors deposed on the distal ends of the paddle wheel spokes. A leak detection system may also include a single channel system (800) with a flap system. Disclosed systems may include other types of leak measuring devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Marc Warsowe
  • Patent number: 11502369
    Abstract: A rupture valve is formed on a wall of a container and has a break line along which a wall thickness of the rupture valve is decreased. The break line has an outer edge line which defines an outer edge of an opening region and a plurality of division lines which divide the opening region. The outer edge line has: a first base line and a second base line formed discontinuously such that the first base line and the second base line extend in a first direction, and are formed in a spaced-apart manner in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a first support portion forming line formed on a breaking portion of the first base line and extending from the first base line toward the second base line; and a second support portion forming line formed on a breaking portion of the second base line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD., ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Kohei Kadota, Riku Aikata
  • Patent number: 11493066
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for computational fluid dynamics and apparatuses making enable an efficient implementation and use of an enhanced jet-effect, either the Coanda-jet-effect, the hydrophobic jet-effect, or the waving-jet-effect, triggered by specifically shaped corpuses and tunnels. The method is based on the approaches of the kinetic theory of matter providing generalized equations of fluid motion and is generalized and translated into terms of electromagnetism. The method is applicable for slow-flowing as well as fast-flowing real compressible-extendable generalized fluids and enables optimal design of convergent-divergent nozzles, providing for the most efficient jet-thrust. The method can be applied to airfoil shape optimization for bodies flying separately and in a multi-stage cascaded sequence. The method enables apparatuses for electricity harvesting from the fluid heat-energy, providing a positive net-efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SOLITON HOLDINGS
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov
  • Patent number: 11487303
    Abstract: An actuator of an environmental control system of a building including a motor and a drive device driven by the motor and configured to drive a valve within a range of positions. The actuator includes one or more printed circuit boards including one or more processing circuits configured to obtain a raw measurement data set from transducers and generate a flow signal based on the raw measurement data set. The flow signal indicates a flow rate of a fluid through a conduit. The one or more processing circuits are configured to determine an actuator position setpoint based on a flow rate setpoint and the flow signal and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint. The motor, the drive device, and the one or more printed circuit boards are located within a common device chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Dinesh Trikha, Homero L. Noboa, Hunter R. Hobgood, Camille M. Aucoin
  • Patent number: 11480262
    Abstract: A fluidic valve may include an inlet, a control port, an additional control port, an outlet, a fluid channel configured to convey fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and a piston that includes (1) a restricting gate transmission element configured to block, when the piston is in a first position, the fluid channel and unblock, when the piston is in a second position, the fluid channel, (2) a controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with a control pressure from the control port that forces the piston towards the first position when applied to the controlling gate transmission element, and (3) an additional controlling gate transmission element configured to interface with an additional control pressure from the additional control port that forces the piston towards the second position when applied to the additional controlling gate transmission element. Various other related devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Casey Glick, Erik Samuel Roby, Andrew Arthur Stanley
  • Patent number: 11471898
    Abstract: A fluidic component having a flow chamber allowing a fluid flow to flow through, said fluid flow entering the flow chamber through an inlet opening of the flow chamber and emerging from the flow chamber through an outlet opening of the flow chamber, and which flow chamber has at least one means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The flow chamber has a main flow channel, which interconnects the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and at least one auxiliary flow channel as a means for changing the direction of the fluid flow at the outlet opening in a controlled manner. The inlet opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening or the inlet opening and the outlet opening have cross-sectional areas that are equal in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: FDX Fluid Dynamix GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Bobusch, Oliver Krüger, Jens Wintering
  • Patent number: 11473997
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for supplying fuel, enabling communications, and conveying electric power associated with operation of a hydraulic fracturing unit of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are disclosed and may include a fuel line connection assembly configured to be connected to the first hydraulic fracturing unit and to supply fuel from a fuel source to a gas turbine engine connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit. A system also may include a communications cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to enable data communications between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a data center or another hydraulic fracturing unit. A system further may include a power cable assembly configured to be connected to the hydraulic fracturing unit and to convey electric power between the hydraulic fracturing unit and a remote electrical power source or the plurality of hydraulic fracturing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Patrick Thomson
  • Patent number: 11473709
    Abstract: A method for selectively coupling or uncoupling a coupling with a release, arranged between the supply conduit and a cylinder, on the basis of pressure in a supply conduit. The method includes providing an operating pressure prevailing in the supply conduit in order to provide hydraulic liquid to the cylinder on the basis thereof and providing an uncoupling pressure prevailing in the supply conduit for the purpose of activating shut-off valves in the supply conduit and on the cylinder and activating a release which uncouples the coupling. A coupling for respectively coupling and uncoupling a supply conduit which is connected to the coupling to/from a cylinder, as well as to an assembly including a pump, a cylinder, a supply conduit between the pump and the cylinder, and such a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: HOLMATRO B.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Simon Johannes Van Dam, Marinus Petrus Gerardus Schippers, René Wilhelmus Johannes Van Eindhoven
  • Patent number: 11466709
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to implement transverse momentum injection at low frequencies to directly modify large-scale eddies in a turbulent boundary layer on a surface of an object. A set of transverse momentum injection actuators may be positioned on the surface of the object to affect large-scale eddies in the turbulent boundary layer. The system may include a controller to selectively actuate the transverse momentum injection actuators with an actuation pattern to affect the large-scale eddies to modify the drag of the fluid flow on the surface. In various embodiments, the transverse momentum injection actuators may be operated at frequencies less than 10,000 Hertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Deep Science, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander J. Smits, Ivan Marusic, David Wine, Brian Holloway
  • Patent number: 11458066
    Abstract: A pneumatic system includes a passage to discharge compressed air and a sound attenuator including a first chamber in fluid communication with the passage and defined by a first wall through which the passage opens into the first chamber, a first surface of a second wall spaced from and opposite the first wall, and a sidewall extending between the first and second walls. The first chamber has a volume and includes a first opening in the sidewall. A second chamber is in fluid communication with the first opening and partially surrounds the first chamber. The second chamber is partially defined by a second surface of the second wall opposite the first surface and by the sidewall, and the second chamber has a volume and includes a second opening to exhaust air from the second chamber. The volume of the first chamber is less than that of the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: LEGGETT & PLATT CANADA CO.
    Inventors: Guilherme Hartenberg Watson, Wade O'Moore, Horia Blendea, Renato Colja, Robert J. McMillen
  • Patent number: 11460121
    Abstract: A safety relief valve for a high-pressure hydrogen cylinder is provided therein with a compression spring and an adjusting nut. The adjusting nut can move up and down to adjust the pressure of the compression spring to compress a sealing plug, so as to adjust the pressure in the hydrogen cylinder to reach an upper limit of pressure relief, which is convenient. Meanwhile, the safety relief valve is provided therein with a fusible seal. When the temperature is lower than a melting point, the fusible seal solidifies, and the sealing plug keeps a gas outlet sealed to prevent hydrogen leakage. When the temperature is higher than the melting point, the fusible seal melts. When the pressure in the hydrogen cylinder is higher than the set upper limit, the sealing plug is forced to open, and the hydrogen flows from an exhaust hole to a hydrogen collection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Guangdong OPR Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Chi, Yong Bai, Jun Li, Zhiyong Fu, Qiaoying Shi, Donghui Chen
  • Patent number: 11454351
    Abstract: A multiphase flow mixed delivery device employing reciprocating driving performed by a liquid in two chambers comprises a left container (1), a right container (2), a power pump (3), a data acquisition and control system (4), a solenoid valve group, a check valve group, an inlet manifold (5), and an outlet manifold (6). A vacuum suction chamber and a compression discharging chamber alternately formed by the two containers serve as a suction chamber and a discharging chamber of a multiphase mixed flow delivery pump. After gas in a liquid-gas mixture is separated in the container, the gas is compressed by a liquid, and is discharged out of the container. The power pump constantly operates in a pure liquid working condition, thereby eliminating the issue in which a liquid with a high gas content affects the power pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Guangdong Guanfu Energy Technology Pte Ltd.
    Inventor: Tianri Guan
  • Patent number: 11454329
    Abstract: A gate valve controls fluid communication from an inlet to an outlet relative to a reference pressure. A body defines a passage disposed in communication with the inlet, and an outlet port disposed in the passage communicates the passage with the outlet. A piston disposed in the passage is movable therein between first and second positions relative to the outlet port. The piston is movable in a first direction from the first position to the second position in response to an inlet pressure at the inlet. A gate disposed on the piston is biased transversely toward the outlet port. The gate moved by the piston adjusts flow from the passage to the outlet port. A pressure compensator disposed opposite the piston biases the piston in a second opposite direction from the second position to the first position. The pressure compensator has a chamber in communication with the reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Stetzer, Josh Williams, Robert E. Smith, III, Chris Roy