Patents Examined by Ramyar Farid
  • Patent number: 5927338
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved mixing eductor (10) of the type wherein the primary liquid (17), e.g., water, is in a main stream (201) flowing in a downstream direction. A venturi tube (51) is in the eductor (10) and has an annular sharp edge (131) in the main stream (201), thereby dividing such stream (201) into a primary stream (179) and a secondary stream (181) around the primary stream (179). The eductor (10) has an air gap (103) and a flow guide (47) downstream thereof. In a specific embodiment, the flow guide (47) is annular around the venturi tube (51) and the tube (51) and the guide (47) are in spaced telescoped relationship. Several embodiments of the eductor (10) and a new method for mixing liquids are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Commercial Markets, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Boticki, James L. Bournoville, James H. Lohr, Richard E. Rakoczy, Charles E. Seaman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5921263
    Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a fuel derived from one or more fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks. The fuels are passed from their respective tanks to a mixing zone for mixing to form a blended fuel. The blended fuel is passed from the mixing zone to a dispensing nozzle while the octane rating of the blended fuel is sensed. The flow of each fuel from its tanks to the mixing zone is controlled accordingly to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Robertson Negley, III
  • Patent number: 5921266
    Abstract: A safety system for transfer of pressurized fluid between a cargo tank vehicle and a storage container. A pump or compressor on the cargo vehicle is in fluid communication with the cargo tank, the pump being powered by the vehicle. A pump valve on the vehicle between the tank and the vehicle pump will interrupt fluid passing into the pump. A delivery hose having a first end in fluid communication with the pump and a second end in fluid communication with the storage container transfers the pressurized fluid between the pump and storage container. A first pressure sensor senses pressurized fluid in the delivery hose near the hose second end. A first switch activated by the first pressure sensor closes the pump valve and interrupts the fluid flow. A second pressure sensor senses pressure near the hose first end. A second switch activated by pressure from the second pressure sensor closes the pump valve and interrupts fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Mapco, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5918858
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pair of matched surfaces usable in sealing a downhole subsurface safety valve. The continuous seat and the matching flapper profile feature a surface that is around its periphery transverse to the longitudinal axis of the seat and the flapper. The seating surface, if extended in a two-dimensional plane, defines an undulating shape which can be a sinusoidal shape in the preferred embodiment. The result is an improvement in the performance of the metal-to-metal contact between the seat and the flapper, coupled with a self-centering effect when the seating surface on the flapper, which is formed adjacent a shoulder, is presented in opposition to the seat. Additionally, the transverse undulating seat can have an embedded groove which accommodates a resilient seal, preferably PTFE or Teflon.RTM..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael S. Rawson, Doug Trott, Mark S. Megill, Clifford H. Beall
  • Patent number: 5918623
    Abstract: The invention relates to a starting valve for progressive build-up of pressure in an installation through which pressure medium flows, comprising a housing with a first opening for coupling to a first component of the installation and a second opening for coupling to a second component of the installation, a channel connecting the two openings, a piston which is movable to and fro in the housing between a closed and an open position and has at least one first and one second pressure surface, wherein on the first pressure surface the pressure prevailing in the region of the first opening applies and on the second pressure surface the pressure prevailing in the region of the second opening applies, means for maintaining a low flow of pressure medium--while the piston is in the closed position--from one opening to the other, and a spring element which pushes the piston into the closed position. According to the invention all pressure surfaces have an action which pushes the piston into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Press Controls AG Rumlang
    Inventor: Ralf Hidessen
  • Patent number: 5918626
    Abstract: An self-regulating quarter turn faucet valve is fabricated entirely of non-metal parts for use in purified and distilled water dispensing faucets. The valve has wall dimensions that are designed to withstand the torque and tensile forces generated when the valve is threaded into a faucet receptacle and has key operational components located in non-stressed areas of the valve to prevent destructive shear forces during operation. A stacked polished ceramic disc arrangement is used to shut the valve on and off through rotation of the discs relative to each other to align and misalign wing-shaped openings formed in the discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Delta Engineering Holdings Limited
    Inventors: L. W. Strong, Peter J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5915401
    Abstract: A process for automatically controlling a hydraulic servovalve with a hydraulic slide valve displaced by a rotary actuator. The process includes a first loop for automatically controlling the delivery as a function of the measurement of the angular position of the rotary actuator and a second automatic control loop with variable control as a function of the pressure measurement. The first automatic control loop is a proportional action loop whose increase is constant for the absolute values of the pressure deviation which are less than at least a threshold value and then varies in an increasing manner for absolute values of the pressure deviation which are greater than the same threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Christian Menard, Patrick Lorinet, Philippe Chabbert
  • Patent number: 5913330
    Abstract: A non-sticking, field replaceable valve seat and pallet assembly for use in a pressure vacuum relief valve. The valve seat is adapted for positioning within a valve orifice inside the valve housing. The valve seat has three guide vanes spaced around and radiating inwardly from an inner wall of the valve seat, the guide vanes each having a tip. The pallet includes a pallet disc for sealingly engaging the valve seat and a cylindrical guide stem, a lower portion of which extends below the pallet disc for riding between the tips of the guide vanes. Both the valve seat and the lower portion of the guide stem are located "inside" the process where they are less apt to freeze. The distance between adjacent guide vane tips is less than the diameter of the guide stem; thus, the guide stem is prevented from moving out from between the guide vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Enardo Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George Donald Jones, Glenn Scott Linden
  • Patent number: 5913324
    Abstract: The apparatus for injecting one or more additives (4) into a flow (5) of a highly viscous liquid into which the additives are to be admixed comprises a supply member (3) for each additive. This supply member is releasably connected to a tube section (2) conducting the flow. Each of the supply members has a supply channel (30) for the additive which stands transversely to the direction of flow. The additives temporarily form separate phases which coexist with the phase of the highly viscous liquid after having been fed in. A wall section (1) which is oriented in the direction of flow and can be flowed about on both sides by the highly viscous liquid is associated in each case with at least some of the injection members. Its inner side (10), that lying nearer the center of the tube, spans a surface on which the exit opening (35) of the supply member at least approximately lies. The wall section is provided downstream from the discharge opening as a spreading means (11) for the additive supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventor: Arno Signer
  • Patent number: 5911406
    Abstract: A combined liquid dispensing and item storage system with an orally activated valve. The system comprises a collapsible container for liquid that incorporates integrated auxiliary expandable storage pockets. The system is removably secured at a location on the back between the shoulders. An externally accessible fill port is covered by a flexible embossed foam panel held in place by shoulder straps and which panel protects against the discomfort of the fill port cap against the back, insulates the liquid, and provides air channels to vent and dissipate body heat. A length of flexible tubing for delivering the liquid is attached to the collapsible container, then routed through a slot in the auxiliary expandable storage pocket, over either shoulder, and held near the mouth by adjustable orienting holders attached to the shoulder straps. The orally activated valve is located at the end of the flexible tubing which delivers the liquid from the flexible tubing to the mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventors: Carl Winefordner, Frank Hermansen, Jean-Claude Olivieri
  • Patent number: 5909749
    Abstract: A valve apparatus of a hermetic type compressor enables an easy mounting of an exhaust valve and a valve spring to an accurate position within a reentrant groove formed in a cylinder head, decreases the number of elements of the valve apparatus to facilitate the assembly and reduces a dead volume to enhance efficiency of the compressor. The valve apparatus includes a cylinder head having a reentrant groove with an exhaust hole, the exhaust valve installed to be opened/closed on the upper surface of the exhaust hole, the valve spring in contact with an upper surface of the exhaust valve, a head cover and a packing interposing between the cylinder head and head cover for preventing a leakage of the refrigerant gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Un Seop Lee, Jae Seog Oh, Kyoung Sig Tark, Won Sik Oh, Hyeong Seok Kim, Sang Min Lee
  • Patent number: 5909747
    Abstract: A valve arranged for radial fluid flow from its inlet to its outlet has a spring-loaded diaphragm covering a valve cage member having a central opening communicating with the valve inlet surrounded by a plurality of peripheral openings communicating with the valve outlet. The valve cage member is downwardly concave and a valve top member closing off the valve body has an upwardly concave surface which is substantially the inverse of the concave surface of the valve cage member. Accordingly, the diaphragm moves from a zero flow configuration against the valve cage member to a full flow configuration against the valve top member symmetrically without stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: American Meter Company
    Inventor: Richard H. Schieber
  • Patent number: 5906223
    Abstract: A unitarily formed diverter valve assembly for use in liquid chromatography. The valve assembly comprises a plurality of inlet and outlet ports, diverter valve systems, chambers, and a tortuous network of passageways all of which are arranged to accommodate the flow of fluids in a liquid chromatography system. The valve assembly is configured so as to direct the flow of fluid coming from an inlet port through the valve body where it can then be reversibly directed into or out of a chromatography column. On returning from the column, the fluid reenters the valve assembly where it is directed to an outlet port in order to exit the system. The valve assembly can also be configured so as to bypass the column altogether. Since the entire valve assembly is machined out of a single block of material having smooth liquid passageways, and since all flow compartments are shared and fully flushed when a flow-through valve is opened, dead-legs are virtually eliminated from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis V. Pinkham
  • Patent number: 5904170
    Abstract: A system for controlling pressure flow and concentration Of O.sub.3 /O.sub.2 positions a thermal MFC upstream from an ozone generator to avoid the adverse effects of ozone on the thermal MFC. A flow restrictor diverts a precise amount of flow to an ozone monitor so that the flow to a CVD chamber is precisely controlled. In other embodiments a full-flow ozone monitor and non-thermal MFC are utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Harvey, Quoc Truong, Irwin Silvestre
  • Patent number: 5904338
    Abstract: A valve, includes a housing formed with a valve seat and having an inlet port and an outlet port; and a shut-off member positioned in a passageway between the inlet port and outlet port and so adjustable as to enable a separation of the inlet port and the outlet port from one another when seated on the valve seat, wherein the valve seat exhibits a seat surface which is so inclined in circumferential direction that intersections of diametrically opposed tangents constructed on the seat surface of the valve seat define an area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: ARI Armaturen Albert Richter GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Unruh, Rainer Kesselhut, Heinrich Kramig
  • Patent number: 5901745
    Abstract: A dispensing valve arrangement is provided which includes a series of pinch valves and their respective deformable hoses. A pair of actuating mechanisms is provided so that some of the pinch valves first move to full flow position before other pinch valves move towards opened position to provide sequential operation and an additional feed which confluently merges and mixes with the feed from the first valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventor: Dean H. Buchtel
  • Patent number: 5899218
    Abstract: A plate-type valve and method of using same to control fluid flow are disclosed, wherein the plate-type valve contains:a first valve plate having a first channel formed therein;a second valve plate having a second channel formed therein and a valve seating portion;a flexible member having a movable free end and being disposed between the first channel and the second channel, the movable free end of the flexible member being disposed for movement onto and off of the valve seating portion by means of an actuating force such that movement of the movable free end onto the valve seating portion prevents fluid flow between the first channel and the second channel and movement of the movable free end off of the valve seating portion allows fluid flow between the first channel and the second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Dugan
  • Patent number: 5899433
    Abstract: A washing water supply apparatus for a dish washing machine which is capable of concurrently supplying washing water to both upper and lower spray arms or selectively supplying the washing water to either the upper spray arm or the lower spray arm based on the washing amount of dishes. The apparatus includes a casing for guiding washing water in a washing water flow path in order to convert a part of the washing water flow into a cross-flow, an orifice tube for increasing the flowing speed of the washing water introduced into the casing and discharging the same, a valve ball for opening/closing an orifice of the orifice tube, and movable in the interior of the casing in accordance with a flow direction of the washing water, and an actuator having a moving member for moving the valve ball toward the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: LG Electronics
    Inventors: Joon Woo Kim, Young Hwan Park, Hae Yoong Chung, Jae Won Chang, Si Moon Jeon, Dae Yeong Han
  • Patent number: 5899219
    Abstract: A ratio mixing valve for mixing first and second fluids in a constant volumetric ratio regardless of variations of supply pressures of the two fluids. The valve has an inlet passage for the first fluid that passes through a spool valve chamber, and an inlet passage for the second fluid that also passes through the spool valve chamber. Vent passages connect the two fluid passages to the ends of the spool valve chamber. The spool valve has a pair of annular grooves aligned with the two inlet passages. One groove partially blocks one of the inlet passages to form a variable orifice that responds to pressure changes in the incoming fluids by moving the spool valve to a position which adjusts the volumetric flow through the two passages to maintain a constant ratio between the fluids in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: W. A. Kates Company
    Inventor: John D. Taube
  • Patent number: 5890508
    Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve (14) has a main piston valve member (60) mounted for reciprocal movement between open and closed positions. The lower end of piston valve member (60) has a seat retainer (87) to retain an annular seat (89) therein. An interchangeable plug (93) is removably connected by bolt (97) to seat retainer (87) and piston valve member (60). Plug (93) extends within the inlet (50) to form a restriction within the inlet (50) defining an angular orifice (99) in the open position of the piston value member (60) for controlling discharge fluid flow. Different size plugs (93, 93A, 93B) as shown in FIG. 4 may be utilized in order to provide the desired orifice size for annular orifice 99 as illustrated in FIG. 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Flow-Safe, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter W. Powell