Patents Examined by Ramesh Krishnamurthy
  • Proportional valve
    Patent number: 6988513
    Abstract: A multistage proportional valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid inside a container includes a fluid outflow passageway having an exhaust opening, an actuatable fluid inflow passageway having an intake opening and an actuatable exhaust cover for selectively closing said exhaust opening. The fluid outflow passageway, actuatable fluid inflow passageway and actuatable exhaust cover are interconnected and configured such that in response to an actuating force reaching a first pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the exhaust cover to allow the fluid inside the container to exhaust there from through the fluid outflow passageway. In response to the actuating force reaching a second pre-determined threshold the valve displaces the fluid inflow passageway to allow pressurized fluid to flow there through inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Delaney Machinerie Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Delaney, Roman Teliszczuk
  • Pilot operated relief valve
    Patent number: 6986362
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pilot operated relief valve, in which a balance system is provided to offset a tank pressure exerted on a piston, so that a setting pressure of a pilot poppet is not changed even when the tank pressure is changed, and thus a function of the relief valve can be stably performed. The pilot operated relief valve is comprised of a sleeve, a main poppet provided to be movable in the sleeve, a seat provided in the sleeve, a housing connected to a rear end of the sleeve, a pilot poppet provided to be movable in the housing, a piston moved by a pilot signal pressure, and the balance system offsetting the tank pressure exerted on the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hae Kyun Cheong
  • System and method for controlling pressure in remote zones
    Patent number: 6986359
    Abstract: A system for controlling fluid flow through i lines, wherein the i lines are connectable through tubing to i zones, respectively, and wherein i=1, 2, . . . , N. The system includes at least one valve and a pressure transducer in each of the i lines, a control device for controlling the valves, and a zone pressure estimator. The zone pressure estimator is connected to the pressure transducers and is programmed to calculate an estimated pressure in each the i zones and provide the estimated pressures to the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti
  • Pressure regulator for a fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6983762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure regulator for a fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine for regulating a fuel pressure, including a valve, which has a valve ball that is pressed against a valve seat in the closed position by the action of a valve leaf spring. A segment of a hemisphere of the valve ball oriented toward the valve leaf spring protrudes into a recess associated with the valve leaf spring. This improves the noise behavior and regulating behavior of the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tony Wheeler, Kasimir Stromski, Andreas Peetz, Wolfgang Gabauer
  • Prevention of unwanted material accumulations
    Patent number: 6983758
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a rupture disk assembly having a rupture disk and a rupture disk holder. The rupture disk holder has a first annular member downstream of the rupture disk, a second annular member upstream of the rupture disk, and an optional third annular member upstream of the second annular member. An outer peripheral portion of the rupture disk is sandwiched between the first and second annular members; and, if a third annular member is present, (a) the second annular member is sandwiched between the outer peripheral portion of the rupture disk and the third annular member, and (b) the third annular member includes a fluid port aimed at the rupture disk. However, if the third annular member is not present, the second annular member includes a fluid port aimed at the rupture disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Connie Sue Williams, David Alec Williams
  • Tubular flow conduit with in-line integrated check valve and method of making same
    Patent number: 6981512
    Abstract: An integrated in-line tube and check valve assembly fabricated by end-form mandrel expanding an outlet end portion of deformable tube stock, such as metal, of nominal starting diameter, and concurrently end-forming a valve seat on the inside of the expanded tube section where it necks down and integrally joins the upstream nominal diameter portion of the tube. A valve ball and a valve spring are then fitted into the expanded tube section, together with a spring holder if needed. The expanded end portion of the tube is then again deformed by an end-form swaging operation that reduces the diameter of the expanded tube outlet end so as to form a cavity within the tube in which the spring is captured in compression for resiliently biasing the valve ball against the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Meyer
  • Fail save shut off valve for filtering systems employing candle filters
    Patent number: 6981516
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that acts as a fail save shut off valve. More specifically, the invention relates to a fail save shut off valve that allows fluid flow during normal operational conditions, but prevents the flow of fluids in the event of system failure upstream that causes over-pressurization. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in conjunction with hot gas filtering systems, which utilize ceramic candle filters. Used in such a hot gas system the present invention stops the flow of hot gas and prevents any particulate laden gas from entering the clean side of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: John VanOsdol
  • Emergency pressure relief valve with enhanced reset
    Patent number: 6978799
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve has a housing fluidly connected to a pressurized system line carrying a system fluid. The housing carries a moveable piston and a valve member that both move between closed and open positions. The piston defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A pressurized fluid is supplied to the upper chamber to bias the piston toward the closed position. After the relief valve opens from excessive system pressure, the pressurized fluid is injected into the lower chamber to delay the return of the piston to the closed position. Initially, the fluid in the lower chamber flows through a check valve while the piston returns to the closed position. Then the fluid vent in the lower chamber vents from the lower chamber as the piston and valve member approach the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Kugelev, Mark D. Matzner
  • Closure device with self-aligning poppet
    Patent number: 6978800
    Abstract: A closure device used in a fluid dispensing assembly. The closure device contains a housing, a poppet member, and a biasing member. The closure device provides a retaining structure for stabilizing and aligning the poppet member and biasing member within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Colder Products Company
    Inventors: Charles Peter deCler, Robert K. Johnson
  • Tear-out coupling with cantilevered pull tab
    Patent number: 6976499
    Abstract: A unitary removable barrier for installation in a cylindrical water line to selectively block the water line to passage of water therethrough. The unitary removable barrier is composed of a single piece body having at least one cylindrical section sized to receive upstream and downstream pipes of the water line. A planar disk is molded with the cylindrical section and is of a circular circumference which completely blocks the water line but which is selectively removable from the cylindrical section thus removing the barrier to the passage of water through the line. Removal of the barrier is facilitated through the use of a piercing device and pull tab which can be actuated from a position outside of the waste line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: MCP Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Duncan
  • Fluid injection system
    Patent number: 6973936
    Abstract: A fluid injection system controls the distribution of fluid from a supply line to a selected well at an adjustable rate. A fluid barrier divides a cylinder into first and second chambers. A multi-position valve comprises a first position for passing fluid from the supply line into the first chamber to displace fluid from the second chamber back through the valve to an injection point, and a second position for passing fluid from the supply line to the second chamber to displace fluid from the first chamber back through the valve to the injection point. A control system in communication with a position sensor times displacement of the fluid barrier to selected positions, and selectively adjusts a variable valve opening to adjust flow rate, switch between the first and second positions, and periodically increase the valve opening for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Valve device for faucet or spray gun
    Patent number: 6973937
    Abstract: A valve device includes a receptacle having an upper and a lower ports for coupling to sprayer devices, a front wall having a lower opening, an upper housing attached the front wall for allowing water to flow from the housing into the receptacle, the receptacle includes a vertical partition to separate an interior into a front and a rear chambers which are communicating with the housing and the rear chamber of the receptacle. The vertical partition includes a lower aperture formed by a valve seat. A lateral stem includes a plug slidable to engage with the valve seat of the vertical partition, or to block the lower opening of the front wall, to effectively control the water to flow out through the upper or the lower ports of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
  • Pressure protection valve
    Patent number: 6971404
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve (10) for selectively controlling fluid flow through a pneumatic system of a vehicle is disclosed. The valve (10) includes a housing (12) having a cavity (28). The cavity includes an inlet (16) and an outlet (18). A flow controller (40) is disposed within the housing (12) for selectively controlling fluid flow through the housing (12). The flow controller (40) is actuatable to an open position, where the inlet (16) is in fluid communication with the cavity (28) and the outlet (18) is in fluid communication with a pneumatically operated device. The flow controller (40) is also actuatable to a closed position, where the flow controller (40) substantially impedes fluid from flowing through the housing (12). The flow controller (40) is actuatable between the open and closed positions in response to a predetermined fluid pressure within the pneumatic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: G.T. Development Corporation
    Inventor: Charles H. Simmons, Jr.
  • Check valve for fuel pump
    Patent number: 6971405
    Abstract: A check valve for a fuel pump of a vehicle includes a valve housing adapted to be disposed in an outlet member of the fuel pump. The check valve also includes a valve guide disposed within the valve housing and a valve seat disposed within the valve housing and spaced from the valve guide. The check valve further includes a valve member having an aerodynamic shape disposed within the valve housing and having a closed position to engage the valve seat to prevent fuel from flowing through the outlet member and an open position to cooperate with the valve guide to allow fuel to flow through the outlet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale M. Pickelman
  • Electromagnetic operating device
    Patent number: 6968859
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solenoid type electromagnetic operating device which needs a relatively large current only for a limited short period at an excitation start initial stage and is adapted to achieve the speeding up at an excitation start stage and an improvement in responsiveness as well as power saving without increasing a power load on each of a drive circuit and power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Yuken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Nagano, Koichi Ohba, Yasuyuki Shingu, Kenichi Hirano
  • Non-return valve
    Patent number: 6968863
    Abstract: A non-return valve having a circumferential face and a channel with a mouth at one end of the channel and located in a groove having circumferential edges which are adjustable and fixable relative to each other and a valve comprising a O-ring manufactured of an elastic material for releasing the mouth at a predetermined pressure in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Franciscus Roffelsen
  • Check valve
    Patent number: 6968858
    Abstract: The check valve according to the invention significantly reduces the generation of noise by producing an asymmetrical circulation around the closing body causing a force resulting from the flow and acting on the closing body to have a transverse component in relation to the opening direction, as a result of which increased friction and damping are generated in the closing body guide. The closing body may be asymmetrically embodied, or the housing wall encompassing the closing body may be provided with a conduit extending in the opening direction over at least a part of the travel path of the closing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kuehn, Ulrich Mueller
  • Mechanically automated fluid consumption limiting apparatus
    Patent number: 6968856
    Abstract: A mechanical automatic fluid consumption limiting apparatus for limiting flow through a primary flow line includes an actuating line, a control line, a rotary meter, a control assembly, an actuating valve, a diaphragm valve on the primary line, an eductor and an engagement controller. The actuating valve, initially spring-biased to a non-actuating position, is rotated to an actuating position effecting closure of the diaphragm valve responsive to a predetermined quantity of flow through the rotary meter and mechanical response of the control assembly. An eductor diaphragm is positioned within the eductor responsive to flow through the primary line and pressure from the actuating line. The engagement controller is connected to the eductor diaphragm. The control line by-passes the diaphragm valve to provide pressure within the eductor to re-position the eductor diaphragm after closure of the diaphragm valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Michael Goza
  • Method and system for controlling withdrawal of liquid product from pipelines
    Patent number: 6966326
    Abstract: This invention is to a method and system for controlling withdrawal of liquid from pipelines. The system includes intercommunicating analyzers, control applications and controllers for analyzing and controlling flow of a liquid from a pipeline system. Pipeline systems with which this invention can be used include any type of pipeline system capable of transporting and distributing liquid fluids, particularly hydrocarbon liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jack B. Murray, Rodney V. Kastrup, James M. Brown
  • Fluid balance control system for use in a fuel processor
    Patent number: 6966327
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin H. Nguyen, W. Spencer Wheat, Vesna R. Mirkovic