Patents Examined by R. K. Arundale
  • Assembly
    Patent number: 9709181
    Abstract: An assembly includes: a first component; a second component enclosed by the first component; a diaphragm that covers a radial gap between the first and second components and is fixed in each case in a sealed manner; and a volume of a medium that is enclosed by the first and second components and the diaphragm. For the purpose of achieving a simple filling process of the assembly with the medium at a reliable sealing of the enclosed volume, even in the case of high, swelling pressures acting upon the assembly, in one of the components a filling valve is situated that opens towards the volume, which filling valve is situated as a check valve having spring resetting in a filling channel running in the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Juergen Kraus, Dietmar Schmieder, Tilo Landenfeld, Juergen Ebert
  • Airflow generation device and wind power generation system
    Patent number: 9709032
    Abstract: An airflow generation device of an embodiment has a main body and a voltage application unit. The main body has a base formed of an insulating material and provided with a first electrode and a second electrode. The voltage application unit generates an airflow by applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode. Here, the main body is formed to include a portion which gradually decreases in thickness from a center portion to an end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hisashi Matsuda, Kenichi Yamazaki, Motofumi Tanaka, Naohiko Shimura, Masahiro Asayama, Toshiki Osako
  • Pressure regulator
    Patent number: 9709998
    Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion, the lower housing portion defining an annular recess and the upper housing portion having a bottom surface, an annular protrusion extending from the bottom surface, a diaphragm disposed between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, the diaphragm including an outer lip having a first thickness, a flexible connecting section connected to the outer lip and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness, and an annular inner section connected to the flexible connecting section, the outer lip having a bottom surface disposed in the annular recess and a top surface, and the protrusion being pressed into the top surface so that the outer lip seals between the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR CO.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, James C. Zuck
  • Snap-in valve for rubber wheels
    Patent number: 9701167
    Abstract: Disclosed are valves for inflating the tires of rubber wheels, in particular of vehicles, where the term vehicles is intended as motor vehicles, trucks, motorcycles or in general road transport vehicles. More in detail, the a valve (1) of snap-in type for rubber wheels includes: a hollow valve body (2) of cylindrical shape arranged for connecting the inside of the rubber wheels with the outside environment and allowing passage of air; an actuating mechanism (3) of the valve (1) arranged inside the valve body (2); a rubber ring (4), suitably shaped, arranged for partially covering the valve body (2), wherein the valve body (2) includes at least one portion (20) made of plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: WONDER SPA
    Inventors: Matteo Gosi, Stefano Cazzanti, Andrea Capelli
  • Wind turbine blades with cap-assisted bond configuration and associated bonding method
    Patent number: 9702339
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade (16) includes an upper shell member (20) and a lower shell member (22) with an internal cavity (25) therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste (34) at respective bond lines (36, 37) along leading and trailing edges (24, 26) of the blade. A cap (50) is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edge bond lines. The cap includes a head (52) oriented towards the blade edge and trailing leg portions (56) that span rearward from the head in biased engagement the upper and lower shell members. The cap defines a dam at the bond line against migration of excess bond paste further into the internal cavity. A method is also provided for forming bond lines at the leading or trailing edge with the bond paste caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lihua Liu
  • Sequentially-gated multi-port water distribution valve
    Patent number: 9695952
    Abstract: A water distribution valve for directing a flow of fluid through a swimming pool cleaning system includes a housing having an inlet and outlets. A plurality of gates are mounted in the housing, each corresponding to a respective one of the outlets. Each gate is mounted to open and close the respective one of the outlets to which the gate corresponds in response to the flow of fluid into the housing from the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Pressure limited flow spool
    Patent number: 9689500
    Abstract: A valve includes a pressure limiting flow spool disposed in a valve body. The spool is movable in a first direction from a first position to a second position and in the first direction from the second position to the third position. The valve includes an inlet and a first outlet. The first position is a closed position preventing flow from the inlet to the first outlet, the second position is a maximum flow position having a maximum flow capacity from the inlet to the first outlet, and the third position is a pilot flow position having a reduced flow capacity from the inlet to the first outlet smaller than the maximum flow capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory T. Coolidge
  • Wind turbine rotor blade having an electrical heating device and a plurality of lightning conductors
    Patent number: 9689377
    Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade includes: a rotor blade root; a rotor blade tip; an electrical heating device; a first lightning receptor disposed in the region of the rotor blade tip; precisely two lightning conductors leading from the lightning receptor to the rotor blade root; a second lightning receptor arranged at a distance to the rotor blade tip and connected to one of the lightning conductors; and, each one of the two lightning conductors being electrically conductively connected to the electrical heating device at a multiplicity of points between the rotor blade root and the rotor blade tip so as to cause equipotential bonding between the two lightning conductors via the electrical heating device in response to a lightning strike to the rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Klein, Nick Ohlerich
  • Method for monitoring gas installation
    Patent number: 9677684
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic cylinder changeover device (1), comprising two gas inlets for mounting gas cylinder banks, namely the left gas inlet and the right gas inlet, a gas outlet through which gas may be discharged and a valve suitable for connecting said left gas inlet or said right gas inlet with the gas outlet and configured for automatically reversible switching between these two connections, characterized in that the device (1) comprises an indicator, suitable for being manually set in one of two distinct positions, one of said positions indicating the left gas inlet and the other of said positions indicating the right gas inlet and comprises means for detecting the position of the indicator, including at least one sensor (5), preferably a pair of sensors (5). The invention also covers a method for monitoring a gas installation equipped with such automatic cylinder changeover device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AIUT Sp. z o. o.
    Inventor: Marek Gabrys
  • Balanced regulator having a balanced trim including a variable pressure sense area
    Patent number: 9678516
    Abstract: A balanced pressure regulator includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a fluid passageway. A valve seat is disposed within the fluid passageway. A balanced plug assembly is disposed within the fluid passageway, the balanced plug assembly including a valve plug that cooperates with the valve seat to selectively open or close the fluid passageway, a retainer operatively connecting the valve plug to a valve stem, a diaphragm separating a chamber from the fluid passageway, a central balancing passage that fluidly connects the fluid passageway with the chamber, and a peripheral balancing passage that fluidly connects the fluid passageway with the chamber, the peripheral balancing passage being located between the retainer and the valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Guolei Fan, Biao Zhou, Nian Chun Liu, Jing Zhang, Yang He, Tung K. Nguyen
  • Release valve for inflatable seat cushion
    Patent number: 9676435
    Abstract: A release valve for connection to an inflatable cushion comprising an air conduit, a fitting at a first end of the air conduit for insertion into an air tube in fluid communication with the interior of the cushion, and an air inlet port at the opposite end of the air conduit and a filter assembly at the air inlet port. There is first, vertically orientated, spring biased ball valve centrally positioned in the air conduit including at least one air egress vent and being operatively associated with a spring biased actuator in the ball valve housing for opening the first ball valve. The button and first ball valve define a gap to minimize accidental air release. A second longitudinally orientated, spring biased ball valve is positioned in the air conduit adjacent the air inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: ROHO, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Hopp, Anthony Eric Sprouse, II
  • Balanced double seated globe valve with flexible plub
    Patent number: 9677673
    Abstract: A valve plug includes a cylinder, a first plug seat, a second plug seat, and a convoluted portion. The cylinder has a first and second end. The first plug seat is disposed at the first end. The second plug seat is disposed proximal to the second end. The convoluted portion is disposed between the first seat and the second seat. The convoluted portion provides flexibility for the cylinder to flex between the first plug seat and the second plug seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: SPX Flow, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Ristau, Nathan T. Hansen
  • Trailing edge modifications for wind turbine airfoil
    Patent number: 9670901
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade airfoil trailing edge (TE) with a first waveform profile (44B, 44C, 44E) as seen from behind, formed by ruffles or alternating ridges (21) and valleys (22) formed on the airfoil (20) and ending at the trailing edge. The trailing edge may further include a second waveform profile (48B, 48C, 48E) as seen from above, resulting from serrations formed by an oblique termination plane (32B) of the trailing edge or by other geometry. The ridges and/or serrations may be asymmetric (44E, 48E) to increase a stall fence effect of the ridges on the suction side (SS) of the trailing edge. The first and second waveforms may have the same period (44B, 48B) or different periods (44C, 48C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: John M. Obrecht, Arni T. Steingrimsson
  • Wheel module comprising an elastically deformable inflation valve for a tyre pressure monitoring system
    Patent number: 9669668
    Abstract: A wheel module for a tire pressure monitoring system includes an inflation valve of the “snap-in” type and an electronic casing fixed thereto in a reversible manner. This valve is produced from a resiliently deformable material and includes a valve body and a metal conduit extending therethrough for introducing inflation air. The valve body has a first end provided with a thread for receiving a closure cap and a second end with a hollow metal fixing rod provided with notches fixed thereto. The electronic casing is slidingly mounted on the fixing rod and includes an element for blocking the position of the casing relative to the valve in a reversible manner. The blocking element includes a substantially U-shaped metal wire, a first end and a second end of which are inserted below retention lugs produced on the same face of the casing. This metal wire is insertable into the notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Kempf
  • Bidirectional fluid flow valve and method
    Patent number: 9662253
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bidirectional valve design that provides for more rapid deflations/evacuation of fluid flow and in one example includes a valve body, a spindle piston movably coupled in a bore of the valve body and an electronically controllable motor that moves the spindle valve between a fluid evacuation position and a fluid fill position. In one example, the spindle piston includes piston structures on ends of a threaded rod. In another example, a mattress system is disclosed that employs the valve and a fluid source to provide quick evacuation of air from a patient support. In another example, the valve is coupled to an alternating pressure block valve which is then coupled to a patient support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: KAP Medical
    Inventors: Raj Krish Gowda, David Darwin Lewis, Daniel Francis Rosenmayer
  • Valve arrangement
    Patent number: 9664384
    Abstract: Valve arrangement for a system which is loaded with fluid, for connecting a first pressure region to a second pressure region by means of a first valve and a second valve connected in series. A third valve connects a region between the first valve and the second valves to a third pressure region. The first valve closes when a pressure which prevails on the side of the second pressure region is at least as high as a pressure which prevails on the side of the first pressure region. The first valve is coupled to the second valve so that the second valve closes when the first valve closes. The second valve is coupled to the third valve so that the third valve opens when the second valve closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: André Biegner, Anton Wellenhofer
  • Main valve with grooved rigid internal structure
    Patent number: 9664297
    Abstract: Disclosed is a main valve for a hydrant including an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; and an outer shell at least partially enclosing the internal rigid structure and interacting with the locating feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Sliger, Paul Gifford, Steve Fearnow
  • Adjustable blade-to-hub lead-lag damper attachment
    Patent number: 9656744
    Abstract: An aircraft includes a rotor blade and a rotor hub system. The rotor hub system includes a lead-lag damper having a rod end and being operably associated with the rotor blade; a blade adapter having a first arm and an opposing second arm; a pin carried by the blade adapter and configured to secure in position via the first arm and the second arm; and an actuator secured to the pin and configured to adjust the position of the lead-lag rod end relative to the first arm and the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Rauber, Mithat Yuce, Thomas C. Parham, Jr., Thomas J. Newman, Mark A. Wiinikka
  • Vertical axis wind turbine rotor and airfoil
    Patent number: 9657714
    Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine with a symmetric airfoil having a concavely curved tail portion defining a trailing edge angle of between 0° and 5° on either side of the chord, a maximum thickness center point between 26% and 34% of the length of the chord from the leading edge, a leading edge curvature ratio (D1/D2) from 0.42 to 0.50, and a ratio of maximum thickness to chord length T/C from 0.12 to 0.19, preferably 0.16. Advantageously, the rotor may have helical blades defining a cylindrical swept envelope with a positive angle of attack and a solidity ratio NC/D from 0.125 to 0.270, and is governed at a tip speed ratio from 2.25 to 4.00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: X-WIND POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Blaize
  • Relief valve
    Patent number: 9651162
    Abstract: In the relief valve, an annular convex portion 16a that is convexed in a direction in which a valve element 5a moves away from a valve hole 17 along a center axis of the valve hole 17 and that is arranged around the valve hole 17 is formed in a valve chamber 16, an annular concave portion 5d that is concaved in the direction in which the valve element 5a moves away from the valve hole 17 is formed in the valve element 5a, and in a shut-off state, the annular convex portion 16a is accommodated in the annular concave portion 5d, and an annular channel 19 that extends in a direction of the center axis is formed between an outer peripheral surface 16b of the annular convex portion 16a and an inner peripheral surface 5e of the annular concave portion 5d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SURPASS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuki Hirai