Patents Examined by Ramesh Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 7163024
    Abstract: There are provided a flow control valve and a flow control device suitable for allowing flow control of a fluid with high accuracy. Diaphragms 8 and 9 are mounted to upper and lower openings, respectively, of an air chamber 6. The upper diaphragm 8 and the lower diaphragm 9 are connected by a connecting shaft 10 and have pressurized surfaces with different areas that receive pressure of the air chamber 6. This causes a difference between forces applied to the two diaphragms 8 and 9, and the difference causes the connecting shaft 10 and a valve body 2 mounted to an outer surface of the lower diaphragm 9 to slide and be separated from a valve seat 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Toflo Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Igawa, Shoji Takemoto
  • Patent number: 7159602
    Abstract: A flow measuring valve device (1) for fluid, the flow measuring valve (1) comprising a first restriction (48) and a second restriction (76) connected in series with the first restriction (48), the flow rates of said restrictions (48, 76) being unequally dependent on the viscosity of the fluid, and a method for determining the viscosity of the fluid by means of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Rotator AS
    Inventor: Morten Halvorsen
  • Patent number: 7159613
    Abstract: In the housing 1 of a hydraulic machine, the pressure Pi acts in the chamber 2. For this purpose, a passage opening 4 is provided, which is formed as a valve seat 5. A valve body 6 can be displaced longitudinally in the housing 1 and forms a pressure-tight spring chamber for an inner valve spring 21. The spring chamber is connected to the chamber 2 via a pressure equalizing hole 9. The prestress of the inner valve spring 21 can be set by means of a setting screw 18. In addition, there is an outer valve spring 22. Both the valve springs load the valve body 6 with the effect of closing it. The pressure equalizing valve described combines a compact design with an advantageous flow characteristic. When a maximum value of p1 is reached, the valve body 6 lifts off the valve seat 5 and hydraulic fluid from the chamber 2 flows away via the valve chamber 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.
    Inventors: Reinhardt Thoms, Bernd Hames, Markus Reimer
  • Patent number: 7159610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a relief valve, in which a flow rate of hydraulic fluid is not greatly changed even when temperature is changed, and thus providing smooth operation and preventing foreign materials contained in the hydraulic fluid from being introduced into the relief valve. The relief valve is comprised of a sleeve provided with a high-pressure inlet and a tank fluid channel; a main poppet provided with an inflow fluid passage and a back pressure chamber; an annular fluid passage provided on a front end of the main poppet; a seat provided with a seat fluid channel communicating with the back pressure chamber; and a pilot poppet communicating the seat fluid channel with the tank fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hae Kyun Cheong
  • Patent number: 7156115
    Abstract: A flow control system (10) is provided in which a flow control valve (12) is controlled by a control system (14). The control system (14) measures a flow rate or temperature of a fluid flowing through the flow control valve (12) and adjusts the flow control valve (12) to achieve a desired flow rate. The flow control valve (12) includes an electromagnetically adjustable spool (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: William F. Everett, David C. Sudolcan
  • Patent number: 7152616
    Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to devices and methods for controlling fluid flow in meso-scale fluidic components in a programmable manner. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for placing two microfluidic components in fluid communication at an arbitrary position and time, both of which are externally defined. The inventive apparatus uses electromagnetic radiation to perforate a material layer having selected adsorptive properties. The perforation of the material layer allows the fluid communication between microfluidic components. Other aspects of this invention include an apparatus and method to perform volumetric quantitation of fluids, an apparatus to program arbitrary connections between a set of input capillaries and a set of output capillaries, and a method to transport fluid in centripetal device from a larger to a smaller radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: SpinX, Inc.
    Inventors: Piero Zucchelli, Bart Van de Vyver
  • Patent number: 7152623
    Abstract: A fluid jet for providing fluid under pressure to a desired location is disclosed wherein the valve body includes and integral valve element retaining region. Preferably, the valve body and integral valve element retaining region are die cast as a one-piece component. More specifically, the fluid jet includes a die cast one-piece valve body having a valve element retaining region extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body, at least one fluid passage extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body and in fluid communication with at least a portion of the valve element retaining region, and at least one fluid-exiting aperture through the valve body in fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Metaldyne Company, LLC
    Inventor: Jose Correa Neto
  • Patent number: 7150288
    Abstract: A control for parallel hybrid transmission has a valve mechanism, which is operable to supply fluid pressure to a torque-transmitting mechanism with or without the operation of the vehicle engine. The valve mechanism is responsive to an electrically driven pump to supply fluid pressure whenever the engine is discontinued and the electric driven pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber
  • Patent number: 7147006
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a fluid switch and a main valve for controlling fluid pressure in a working volume in three control states wherein the main valve has three ports for fluid, flow of fluid through a first port and a second port being controlled by the fluid switch being provided with an electrical signal in a first state or a second state respectively, and flow of fluid through the third port being controlled by alternating the signal, preferably rapidly, between the first and second states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward Gilbert Shaw, Laurence John Potter
  • Patent number: 7143784
    Abstract: A sanitary fitting (1) formed from a multi-wall housing (2) which can be inserted into a sanitary water pipe is provided that has at least two adjacent walls (6,7) surrounding an inner region (8). The fitting includes a checj valve , and one wall of the housing (2) is a tubular wall (7) formed of a flexible and/or elastic material. In order to relieve pressure when the check valve is closed and the fluid volume is sealed in on the outflow side, the housing wall (7) can be moved towards the adjacent housing wall (6), compressing the at least one inner region (8), or can be spaced apart from the adjacent housing wall (6) or moved away from same, enlarging the at least one inner region (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Neoperl GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Fangmeier, Christoph Weis
  • Patent number: 7143774
    Abstract: A fluid flow control system that includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of process fluid and a plurality of fluid outlets. The plurality of fluid outlets include a first fluid outlet and at least one second fluid outlet. The first fluid outlet provides a first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid, and the at least one second fluid outlet provides the remaining portion of the flow of process fluid. In one embodiment, the control system includes a pressure transducer, first and second multipliers, and first and second flow controllers. The first multiplier multiplies a pressure signal received from the pressure transducer by a first setpoint to control a first flow controller that provides the first predetermined portion of the flow of process fluid. The second multiplier multiplies the pressure signal by a second setpoint to control a second flow controller that provides the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Celerity, Inc.
    Inventors: John M Lull, William S Valentine
  • Patent number: 7140379
    Abstract: A valve mechanism which is resiliently biassed towards a first position but is normally retained in a second position by means of a linkage including a chemically sensitive device which is arranged to release in the presence of a contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Risbridger Limited
    Inventor: Graham M. Stuart
  • Patent number: 7140384
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a base having a first passage, an inlet portion for introducing fluid into the first passage, an outlet portion for releasing the fluid from the first passage, and a second passage branched from a first upstream portion of the first passage and connected to a second downstream portion of the first passage A mass flow sensor is connected to the first passage between the inlet portion of the base and the first portion of the first passage; A first valve is disposed in-line with the first passage between the first and second portions. The first valve controls the mass flow of the fluid passing through the first passage;. A second valve is disposed in-line with the second passage to opens/close the second passage. A valve controller compares the mass flow measured by the mass flow sensor to a standard flow, and then positions the first valve such that the measured mass flow corresponds to the standard flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Kang, Seog-Min Lee, Sung-Wook Jung, Yong-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 7137405
    Abstract: A check valve for preventing backflow of media including a valve movably coupled to a carrier body, the valve including a flexible membrane disposed therein such that the flexible membrane flexibly engages an aperture in the carrier body to prevent backflow of media through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: SEH America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Barrows, Mike Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7137400
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, methods and systems to monitor the performance of one or more mass flow controllers that supply gases to deposition, etching, and other manufacturing processes. A bypass loop is provided in fluid connection from either the process line or the vent line. In the bypass loop is a flow detector, such as a digitized mass flow controller. The flow detector takes one or more measurements of flow of gas from a mass flow controller, and data from such one or more measurements is used to provide information about the accuracy and/or precision of the mass flow controller. Also disclosed are ways to correct for back pressure or back vacuum in the process line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William Daniel Bevers, Robert Francis Jones, Bennett J. Ross, Joseph William Buckfeller, James L. Flack
  • Patent number: 7134447
    Abstract: A gas pressure regulator has an inlet for connection to an upstream gas line for flow of gas into the regulator under pressure and an outlet for connection to a downstream gas line for flow of gas out of the regulator at a reduced pressure. A pilot mechanism delivers a desired pilot gas pressure through a pilot passage. A main valve mechanism regulates the flow of gas through a main flow passage connecting the inlet and outlet of the regulator. The regulator has a piston chamber, and a piston operatively connected to the main valve mechanism and movable in the piston chamber. The main valve mechanism has a passageway between the piston chamber and the pilot passage whereby the pilot gas pressure is adapted to move the piston and thereby position the main valve mechanism to regulate the gas pressure at the outlet of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7134445
    Abstract: The invention concerns the technical field of micro-actuators used for mechanical, chemical, electrical or thermal functions in microsystems, for microelectronic applications such as chips, or biomedical functions such as microfluidics integrating cards. The invention concerns a micro-actuator comprising a so-called main chamber, made in a solid support and containing a so-called main pyrotechnic charge, the main chamber being sealed and delimited by solid support walls and by a deformable membrane, such that the gases emitted by the combustion of the main pyrotechnic charge, enable the volume of the chamber to be increased by deforming the membrane while maintaining intact the solid walls of the main chamber. The invention is characterized in that it comprises means for evacuating the gases from the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignees: bioMerieux, SNPE Materiaux Energetiques
    Inventors: Patrick Broyer, Bruno Colin, Denis Roller
  • Patent number: 7131451
    Abstract: A device for metering and controlling fluid flow includes a variable orifice and is configured to use a pressure sensor. The device includes a fluid flow conduit having at least one planar inner wall that extends along a portion of the fluid flow conduit length, and an element having a linear edge configured to mate with the at least one planar inner wall of the fluid flow conduit. The element is movable in a direction transverse to an axis of the conduit between an open position wherein fluid flows through the conduit and a closed position wherein the element substantially shuts off fluid flow in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Rivatek Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale Alan Nugent, John Allan Kielb, Mark Daniel Litecky
  • Patent number: 7131456
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a base having a passage that allows a fluid to pass through the passage. A first control valve controls a mass flow of a fluid passing through the passage. A second control valve controls a full scale of the mass flow of the fluid. A bypass portion is disposed in the passage through which the fluid passes. A mass flow sensor measures the mass flow of the fluid passing through the bypass portion. The second control valve is connected to the passage adjacent to the bypass portion for controlling the full scale of the mass flow of the fluid passing through the bypass portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Kang, Sung-Wook Jung, In-Pil Cha, Cheol-Kyu Yang
  • Patent number: 7128090
    Abstract: In a water-hammer preventing unit for a check valve according to the present invention, a retainer pipe having openings at two edges thereof is provided inside a short pipe to form a circular space with the short pipe, and openings are formed on this retainer pipe. Further an elastic tube is provided on an external peripheral surface of the retainer pipe and covers the openings, and a communication path is formed between the short pipe and the valve body holder, and the communication path communicates the circular space to the flow path in the upstream side of the valve body and, when a fluid flows in the reverse direction, a portion of the fluid is accommodated from the opening into the circular space by expanding the elastic tube toward the circular space, and also flows a portion of the fluid in the said circular space to the flow path in the upstream side from the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Tozen Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Muroi, Tetsuro Miura