Patents Examined by Reinaldo Sanchez-Medina
  • Rapid-connect coupler with vent-stop
    Patent number: 10718456
    Abstract: A rapid-connect coupler includes a coupler body configured to convey a fluid; a coupling head at a first end of and communicating with the coupler body, the coupling head configured to transition between a coupled configuration and a de-coupled configuration. The coupler may further include a stop apparatus configured to allow the coupling head to transition from the de-coupled configuration to the coupled configuration without obstruction, and the stop apparatus may be configured to provide a hard-stop as the coupling head transitions from the coupled configuration to the de-coupled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Engineered Controls International, LLC
    Inventor: Howard M. Konishi
  • Water level controller for a hydroponic system
    Patent number: 10718443
    Abstract: A water level controller for a hydroponic system includes a float shifting upward and downward with the culture solution, a first magnetic attraction element and an inlet valve for feeding in the culture solution. The float includes a seal and a second magnetic attraction element. The seal closes the inlet valve to stop feeding in water when the float ascends to a high water level, and moves way from the inlet valve to start feeding in water at a low water level. The second magnetic attraction element attracts the first magnetic attraction element to keep the seal closing the inlet valve at the high water level and to keep the seal moving away from the inlet valve at the low water level, until the buoyancy of the float is larger than the magnetic attraction between the second and the first magnetic attraction element thereby causing escape from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Xin-Yi Hong
  • Pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 10717353
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve (10, 70) is provided having a first tubing (14a) connectable to a fuel tank (62) and a second tubing (14b) connectable to a fuel vapor treating device (64), the pressure relief valve comprising: an externally actuated (hereinafter EA) valve (20) disposed between the first tubing (14a) and the second tubing (14b) and being configured for pulsed actuation by a controller (28) thereby allowing pulsed fluid flow through a primary port (18a) disposed between the first tubing (14a) and the second tubing (14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: RAVAL A.C.S. LTD.
    Inventors: Omer Vulkan, Vladimir Olshanetsky, Paul Handy, Denis Kleyman
  • Turbine disk fabrication with in situ material property variation
    Patent number: 10710161
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a functionally graded turbine engine component is disclosed and includes the step of depositing layers of powder onto a base and solidifying/fusing each layer with a first directed energy beam to define a component. The method further includes varying a process parameter between deposited layers to define different material properties within the component. The method also proposes surface enhancement approach that can be used after depositing each layer to locally customize the material properties. The method also proposes machining the different internal surfaces to achieve the proper surface finishing required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tahany Ibrahim El-Wardany, Matthew E. Lynch, Daniel V. Viens, Robert A. Grelotti
  • Water bottle filling system for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10710863
    Abstract: A water bottle filling system includes a water collection vessel, a water storage reservoir having an inlet valve and an outlet valve, an air pump connected to the water storage reservoir, a coupling downstream from the outlet valve and a refillable water bottle connected to the coupling. A method for collecting, cleaning and dispensing potable water into a refillable water bottle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Casci, Scott Benjamin Scheraga, Joshua Dietrich, Courtney Lynne L'Arrivée
  • Line replaceable control valve positioner/controller system
    Patent number: 10711907
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes embodiments of control valve positioner/controller devices, control valve positioner/controller mounting devices, and control valve systems that enable rapid exchange and configuration of a replacement positioner/controller to a control valve system. Embodiments allow for rapid replacement of faulty/failed control valve positioners/controllers to minimize production downtimes and associated costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: BLACK DIAMOND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Dan O. Enniss
  • Check valve structure
    Patent number: 10704700
    Abstract: A check valve structure includes: a valve casing communicating with each of inflow and outflow paths for a fluid; and a valve element which is disposed in the valve casing and configured of an elastic material. The valve element has a thin portion, and a thick portion protruding from the substantial center of one surface of the thin portion. The valve casing has: a valve element support portion including an annular bottom portion capable of supporting an outer edge of a bottom portion of the thick portion, and a peripheral wall portion continuing to an outer peripheral edge of the annular bottom portion; and a valve seat portion including a valve element contact portion which is in contact with a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge portion on the other surface side of the thin portion, and a valve seat surface which can be in contact with the thin portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKURA COMPOSITES INC.
    Inventor: Nobuyasu Harashima
  • Valve apparatus, system and method
    Patent number: 10704699
    Abstract: A valve apparatus and system is provided. The valve apparatus includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A support assembly is attached to the housing, the support assembly including a positioning chamber located over the outlet. A diaphragm assembly is moveably attached to the support assembly. The diaphragm assembly includes a piston having one end slideably mounted in the positioning chamber, and a diaphragm attached to the other end of the piston. A sealing element is located about a perimeter of the diaphragm, and a biasing element is arranged to contact the support assembly and the diaphragm assembly, thereby urging at least a portion of the sealing element against the fluid outlet, providing a fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Vortech Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Graham, Michael Reagan
  • Variations of fluid opening geometry for rotary valve body
    Patent number: 10704709
    Abstract: A fluid flow metering rotary valve body is provided that includes a central axis, and at least one lobe having at least one fluid opening. At least one fluid throttle is formed on a perimeter surface of the at least one fluid opening. The fluid throttle can have at least one blind void or at least one protrusion and can facilitate various flow strategies, including a decreasing fluid flow with increasing overlap between the fluid opening and a fluid port. The at least one protrusion can extend to various depths to accommodate different fluid openings and injection molding strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Morein
  • Boltless guided slide valve
    Patent number: 10697556
    Abstract: The sliding parts, the guides and interlocking portions of the interlocking guides and slides of a slide valve are all disposed away from a flow path through the valve. Additionally, the portions of the interlocking guide on the slide or disc of the valve that interlock with the guide on an orifice plate are connected to the slide or disc by welds instead of bolts, greatly increasing durability. As the slide or disc moves in and out to control the flow rate precisely, the guides of the slide or disc move with it. Because the sliding surfaces of the orifice plate and the slide or disc are outside of the flow path, they are consequently not subjected to erosion from the flow through the valve. Accordingly, all critical sliding surfaces are not exposed to the flow path and are greatly increased in durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TapcoEnpro, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Fiske Hill, Jeremy Lynn Meadows, Robert Keith Stoddard, Jr.
  • Butterfly valve
    Patent number: 10690252
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to butterfly valves, generally including a body assembly and a locking cap. The body assembly generally includes a body, a disc rotationally disposed inside an opening of the body, a cog, and a stem passing through the disc and the body. The locking cap generally engages the cog to prevent rotation of the disc and the stem relative to the body. Methods of assembling and positioning a butterfly valve are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Gutmann, Joshua Lee Hoots, Gary A. Moren, Jon Terrence Stone
  • Net weight filling machine with volumetric pump
    Patent number: 10689237
    Abstract: A weight filling machine is a volumetric valve type machine. The tank of the product to be dispensed using a hydrostatic flap is replaced by a dispensing system controlled by a volumetric pump. The machine (1) for filling containers (B) with a product includes a carousel (2) for moving the containers (B) and filling valves (5), each filling valve (5) being positioned above a clamp (4). A distribution duct (6) connects the filling valves (5) with a distribution manifold (8). The distribution duct (6) having the product has a filling pressure (P1). A feed duct (9) is intercepted by a volumetric pump (10). The volumetric pump (10) moves a filling product with a discharge pressure (P) greater than the filling pressure (P1) along the feed duct (9). An adjustment member (11) of the feed pressure of the filling product is placed downstream of the volumetric pump (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: WEIGHTPACK S.r.l.
    Inventors: Vanni Zacche', Enrico Cocchi
  • Multi-stage, multi-path rotary disc
    Patent number: 10690253
    Abstract: A control valve includes a valve body having a main valve passageway. A flow control assembly is positioned in the main valve passageway and includes a first control element, and a second control element rotatable relative to the first control element between a closed position, a first position, and a second position. In the closed position, the first and second control elements form a plug which prevents fluid flow through the main valve passageway. In the first position, the first and second control elements collectively define a first control passageway therethrough, and in the second position, the first and second control elements collectively define the first control passageway and a second control passageway therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Timo Kubota, Matthew Wilson
  • Multi-pressure rated valve assembly
    Patent number: 10690261
    Abstract: A multi-seat bonnet for a valve assembly comprising is disclosed herein. The multi-seat bonnet includes a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the multi-seat bonnet to the valve assembly. Further, the multi-seat bonnet includes a first sealing surface configured to engage a high pressure seat, in addition to a second sealing surface configured to engage a low pressure seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent E. Cline, Paul R. Fadell
  • Fuel tank safety valve
    Patent number: 10688864
    Abstract: A fuel tank system constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes a fuel tank, a purge canister and a valve assembly. The valve assembly can be fluidly coupled between the fuel tank and the purge canister. The valve assembly can include a main valve and a safety check valve. The main valve can have a main valve first port fluidly coupled to an outlet of the fuel tank and a main valve second port fluidly connected to the purge canister. The safety check valve can be configured to move from an open position to a closed position upon a pressure drop at the fuel tank outlet exceeding a predetermined threshold. The safety check valve can have a safety check valve first port fluidly coupled to the outlet of the fuel tank and a safety check valve second port fluidly coupled to the purge canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Ambrose, Jeffrey B. Smith, Raymond Bruce McLauchlan
  • Vacuum valve for closing a flow path with a two-part valve disk
    Patent number: 10683942
    Abstract: A vacuum valve including a valve housing with seat surrounding a first opening with a sealing surface is disclosed. A valve disk having a first disk section and a second disk section tightly mounted inside an outer boundary of the first disk that is movable parallel to an opening axis. A drive is connected to the first disk section. The first disk section includes a first bearing surface configured to contact the sealing surface in the closed position. The outer boundary has a radially inwardly oriented inner surface. The second disk section has a radially outwardly oriented outer surface configured to contact the inner surface sealing a second contact area. At least for determined radial angles about a center of the valve disk, a first radial distance from the center to the first bearing surface is shorter than a second radial distance from the center to the second contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: VAT HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Christoph Böhm, Michele Tronca, Wolfgang Weiss
  • Vacuum valve, vacuum pump, and vacuum pumping system
    Patent number: 10683867
    Abstract: A vacuum valve connected to a vacuum pump, comprises: a valve plate to be openably/closably driven; a drive section configured to openably/closably drive the valve plate; a signal input section to which a pump information signal indicating an operation state of the vacuum pump is input; and a valve control section configured to control operation of the valve plate based on the input pump information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Nakamura, Junichiro Kozaki, Atsuo Nakatani, Nobuyuki Hirata
  • Shut-off device
    Patent number: 10677361
    Abstract: An example shut-off device includes a valve body to surround a section of a pipe and form a chamber about the section of the pipe. The example shut-off device also includes a first flange bearing on a first side of the chamber. The first flange bearing in a closed position forming a first seal between the pipe and the chamber. The example shut-off device also includes a second flange bearing on a second side of the chamber. the second flange bearing in a closed position forming a second seal between the pipe and the chamber. The example shut-off device also includes a cutting blade in the chamber. The cutting blade tightens against the pipe to cut through the pipe and at least partially seals an opening in the cut pipe. The cutting blade is configured to operate as a gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Thad Paul Sundrla
  • Sulfur seal device
    Patent number: 10675561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: CONTROLS SOUTHEAST, INC.
    Inventors: Brandon W. Forbes, David R. Hornbaker, Thomas C. Willingham, George A. Hearn
  • Water discharge structure having reset function and a pull-out head having a water discharge structure
    Patent number: 10675643
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a water discharge structure having a reset function which includes a body internally provided with a water flowing channel, a water outflow end of the body is provided with a first water outflow channel and a second water outflow channel; a button arranged on the body, and a reset spring arranged between the button and the body; a movable element coupled with and fitting the button; and a center shaft coupled with and fitting the movable element, an end of the center shaft is provided with a blocking element, a third spring is provided between an end of the center shaft and the body, and the body is internally provided with a reset device to drive the movable element to reset. A pull-out head includes the above-mentioned water discharge structure having a reset function, and the present invention has the function of memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KAIPING HANSHUN SANITARY WARE INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
    Inventors: Feiwu Huang, Zhengzhen Lei, Qingquan Lai, Si Zhou