Patents Examined by Paul J Gray
  • Patent number: 11760622
    Abstract: Apparatus for delivering fluid to a fluid consuming asset having a fluid tank includes a tank operable to contain the fluid and a fluid delivery coupling fluidically coupling the tank to a manifold. A pressure relief valve is fluidically coupled to the manifold, disposed between the manifold and the tank, and coupled to the tank through a recirculation inlet. The pressure relief valve is set at a predetermined pressure threshold and opens when the back-pressure in the manifold exceeds that threshold. The fluid is directed to the tank through the recirculation inlet when the pressure relief valve opens. A fluid transporting mechanism is fluidically coupled to the manifold at a first distal end and a fill cap at a second distal end. The fill cap is coupled to an opening of the fluid tank and fluid can flow from the manifold to the fluid tank through the fluid transporting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Fueling Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mason Duncan, Hanan Tuchshnieder
  • Patent number: 11746946
    Abstract: A system of pipe insulating sleeves includes a series of elastomeric foam insulating sleeves that are capable of opening up to, and beyond, 180 degrees, to accommodate and capture an undersink pipe. The disclosed system may include a number of different sleeves that are capable of coupling to one another at respective couplers so as to form the system. The sleeves may include fastening mechanisms to retain the sleeves in the closed configuration while capturing the pipe, so as to create a smooth, streamlined appearance that is aesthetically pleasing. Also disclosed is a method of installing the sleeves. The sleeves are made of an elastomeric foam material that has heat insulating properties, and which may also have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that make it particularly advantageous for use in undersink pipe insulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Oatey Co.
    Inventors: Aaron Lorkowski, Kai Zhang, Willie Perez
  • Patent number: 11713850
    Abstract: Provided is a nozzle assembly including a valve assembly configured to be coupled to a tank, the valve assembly including a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a first passage extending therebetween, and a valve disposed in the first passage, and a regulator assembly configured to be coupled to the valve assembly, the regulator assembly including a regulator body having a first end, a second end, and a second passage extending therebetween, a nozzle coupled to the regulator body and having an outlet in communication with the second passage, a spindle having a first end disposed in the second passage and a second end surrounded by the nozzle, and a piston assembly disposed in the second passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON CYLINDERS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Poland, Cliff Walters, Timothy Horn
  • Patent number: 11691040
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for flame arresting are provided. In an embodiment, a flame arrestor includes a quenching element disposed within a conduit. The flame arrestor also includes a cooling system in thermal contact with the quenching system. The cooling system cools the quenching element during operation of the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignees: The Boeing Company, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Thibault F. Guiberti, Jason Scott Damazo, Eddie Kwon, Deanna A. Lacoste, William L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11692636
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hydrostatically adjustable flow control valve. In one embodiment, the valve includes a fixed sleeve that slidably receives a spool. A spring biases the spool relative to the fixed sleeve. A primary orifice is used to deliver fluid to the interior area of the fixed sleeve and spool. A control device is used to selectively vary the rate at which fluid drains from the interior area. Draining the fluid results in the spool being received within the interior of the fixed sleeve. The movement of the spool opens flow ports within the sleeve. This, in turn, allows fluid to exit the valve. Conversely, the control device can be set to prevent fluid drainage. This results in the spool extending from interior of the fixed sleeve, the closure of the flow ports, and the sealing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FLOW DYNAMICS, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Chalfin
  • Patent number: 11692635
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve configured to vent a pressurized tank in the event of a fire is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a body, a vent passage, a plug and a latch. The vent passage is disposed through the body. The vent passage can be placed in fluid communication with an internal volume of a tank and with the atmosphere. The plug is moveably mounted in the vent passage. The latch has a blocking member disposed in contact with a control end of the plug in a first configuration and out of contact with the control end in a second configuration. The second configuration allows movement of the plug in the vent passage. One or both of a shape memory alloy wire and a trigger piston is configured to actuate the latch from the first to the second configuration. The shape memory alloy wire is configured to shorten when exposed to a temperature above a threshold temperature. The trigger piston moves, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Agility Fuel Systems LLC
    Inventors: David Neil Morgan, Michael Gregory Volkmer, Chad Alvin Cederberg, Glen Edward Lampe
  • Patent number: 11686435
    Abstract: A high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus having a new structure, which is conceived to store the energy of low-temperature air located at high altitude in the sky and utilize it as needed, is provided. The high altitude atmospheric energy storing apparatus includes an air tank adapted to store air, an air supply pipe provided such that it extends in a vertical direction and its lower end is connected to the air tank, and a compression device provided in the sky, connected to the upper end of the air supply pipe, and configured to compress air using the wind and supply the compressed air to the air tank through the air supply pipe, thereby enabling air to be compressed by the wind blowing at high altitude and to be then stored in the air tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Nak Young Lee
  • Patent number: 11674886
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. One or more sensors may be employed to signal proper operation of the remediation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Breuer, Leon Schuster
  • Patent number: 11674605
    Abstract: A meter bar includes a housing comprising an inflow end and an outflow end, a key assembly arranged within housing, the key assembly including a key, the key defining an interior and providing a fluid pathway from the inflow end to the outflow end; the key defining a pair of upper portals, one upper portal proximate the inflow end and one upper portal proximate the outflow end; the key defining a pair of lower portals, one lower portal proximate the inflow end and one lower portal proximate the outflow end; the key defining a pair of bypass portals; the key assembly arrangeable within the housing to selectably direct fluid flow from the inflow end to the outflow end either through a meter or bypassing the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allen Huffman
  • Patent number: 11667356
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for the transfer of cryogenic product from a first floating structure (800) for storage and transport of cryogenic product to a second fixed or floating structure (900) for storing cryogenic product, by means of a transfer pipe able to transport the cryogenic product. The system comprises a transfer pipe, itself comprising at least three rigid sections of pipe (12-17) fluidically connected each to the next by connection means (21 to 27) able to transport the cryogenic product, each of the two end sections of pipe (12, 17) having a free end configured as a tip for connection to a connection device of the first floating structure (800) and respectively of the second floating structure (900). The present invention also concerns a method of fluidically connecting a device for the transport of cryogenic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Raphaël Poichot, Stéphane Paquet
  • Patent number: 11634316
    Abstract: A fuel storage and supply arrangement serves as a source of fuel to be dispensed via at least one fuel dispenser in a fuel dispensing environment. The arrangement comprises a storage tank for containing a quantity of the fuel. A pump assembly draws the fuel from the storage tank providing the fuel under pressure to a fuel supply line. A fuel conditioning assembly includes a housing having a storage volume, a housing inlet receiving the fuel under pressure created by the pump assembly, a housing outlet through which fuel exits the housing, and a housing port through which fuel can be drawn into the housing. A vacuum source in fluid communication with the housing outlet is operative to selectively apply a vacuum to the outlet of the housing so that liquid can be drawn into the housing via the port. A water intake device is in fluid communication with the housing port. The water intake device has at least one inlet situated adjacent to a bottom of the fuel storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: Richard Guzik, Diane Sinosky, James Bevins
  • Patent number: 11629822
    Abstract: A gas dispensing system includes a frame configured to house multiple rows of gas cylinders, a common gas manifold fluidically coupled to a gas outlet for dispensing of gas from the gas cylinders, a gas manifold for each row of gas cylinders configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row by a respective dispensing valve, a vent manifold for each row of gas cylinders, in which the vent manifold for a given row of gas cylinders is configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row via a respective vent valve, in which each vent valve is configured to open when a temperature on the vent valve exceeds a threshold temperature, and a common vent manifold, in which each vent manifold is fluidically coupled to the common vent manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BAYOTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Koonce, Peter Anderson, Daniel Lauer, David Buttress, Donald Bishop
  • Patent number: 11629821
    Abstract: A gas dosing apparatus is provided that includes an inlet configured to receive gas, and a directional control valve connected to the inlet and having a first position and a second position. The gas dosing apparatus also includes a fixed volume reservoir connected to the directional control valve and receiving gas from the inlet, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the first position. The gas dosing apparatus further includes an outlet connected to the directional control valve and outputting a gas dose received from the fixed volume reservoir, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Laurie M. O'Connor, Paul K. Oetinger
  • Patent number: 11624464
    Abstract: A device for supplying pressurized fluid, comprising a first valve) and a second valve accommodating internal circuits, the first valve and the second valve including respective coupling members that form a quick-connection system for removably connecting the second valve to the first valve, the internal circuits including a set of one or more control valves the device including at least one manually actuable mobile control member for controlling the set of one or more control valves, between a first, rest position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is prevented, and a second, active position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is allowed, the quick-connection system including a connection piece for connecting the second valve to the first valve between a first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Antoine Frenal, Guillaume Casaert, Valérie Nille, Sébastien Gorry, René Fogen, Morgan Lamiable
  • Patent number: 11619353
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Burks
  • Patent number: 11619320
    Abstract: A valve system includes a housing that houses a fluid path having an inlet side and an outlet side, and a fluid purge port disposed at and in fluid communication with the outlet side of the fluid path. The housing includes: an inlet valve disposed in fluid communication with the fluid path at the inlet side and in operable communication with an inlet gear; an outlet valve disposed in fluid communication with the fluid path at the outlet side and in operable communication with an outlet gear; and a control gear disposed in operable communication with both the inlet gear and the outlet gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
    Inventors: James Fleming, Joseph Sherman
  • Patent number: 11614280
    Abstract: A raw material gas vaporization system includes: a storage tank for storing raw material gas and a transfer line for transferring the raw material gas; a reforming system including a reformer for producing hydrogen by reacting the raw material gas with water, a burner for applying heat to the reformer, and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) for separating the hydrogen in the mixed gas generated from the reformer; a CO2 separation device for receiving off-gas in which the hydrogen has been removed in the mixed gas from the PSA to remove by liquefying CO2 by exchanging heat with the transfer line of the raw material gas vaporization system; and a gas supply line for supplying the remaining gas in which the CO2 has been removed in the CO2 separation device to a burner as fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong Seok Ko
  • Patent number: 11608919
    Abstract: Couplings are disclosed herein. A plug of a coupling includes a plug body and a socket interface coupled to the plug body. The socket interface includes a shoulder extending axially outward from the plug body, a neck extending axially outward and radially inward from the shoulder, and a socket guide extending axially outward and radially outward from the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Sprenger, Joseph Broderick, Aaron Anderson, Kenan Arik, Brian Jarrett
  • Patent number: 11608911
    Abstract: In some examples, a pressure reducing valve includes a valve body defining a defining a flow path and a restricting element within the flow path. A sensing element is configured to modify a position of the restricting element in the flow path. The sensing element defines a first area in fluid communication with the flow path and a second area fluidly isolated from the flow path. The pressure reducing valve includes control circuitry configured to determine a differential pressure over a section of the flow path, determine a position of the restricting element, and determine a flow rate based on the differential pressure and the position of the restricting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Pittway Sarl
    Inventor: Michael Ackermann
  • Patent number: 11608908
    Abstract: The present invention provides an extension member for coupling with a quick coupler key. The extension member includes: a first member; a second member; a handle; and a third member. Methods of using the extension member for coupling with a pipe and a quick coupler key, which is coupled to a quick coupler assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Edward Underhill