Patents Examined by Reinaldo Sanchez-Medina
  • Patent number: 11619032
    Abstract: Examples provide a configurable, modular manifold system for distributing water. The manifold receives water via a first supply line dropped vertically down from a ceiling structure. The first supply line is connected to a water source, such as a water tank or pre-existing water line without demolition. The water may be heated or filtered and then supplied to a fixture or other device via a perpendicular second supply line. Drainage from the fixture is received via a drainage line. The drainage accumulates in an accumulator tank. The drainage water is pumped out via a second vertical drainage line carrying the drainage water away. The second line eventually connects to a pre-existing sewage line or septic system for treatment. The manifold may be moved or relocated easily to provide water to fixtures or other devices modularly without alteration of fixtures or access demolition to existing structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Thomas, Alan Norton, Gabriel Massa
  • Patent number: 11619036
    Abstract: An electronic faucet that has a controller module cartridge that is detachably connected to a spout assembly by an adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Fadi Shakkour, Roaa Nabeel Nacy
  • Patent number: 11613877
    Abstract: Apparatuses for a hydrant, as well as associated methods for installing the same, may be directed to a threaded stem for actuating a hydrant outlet valve at a first end of the stem. An attachment nut may define a bore for supporting the stem in the hydrant. The attachment nut defines a cavity configured to receive water from a barrel of the hydrant. The attachment nut also defines a water access passage extending through an outer wall of the attachment nut to the cavity. The apparatus also includes a sensor in fluid communication with the cavity to obtain sensor data for the water in the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: AMI Investments, LLC
    Inventor: John Garcia
  • Patent number: 11607654
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11603307
    Abstract: A system is provided for dispensing a hair dye formulation into a customer container. The system includes a conveyer belt configured to transport the customer container along a fill line; a plurality of dispensing mechanisms, each connected to a respective container having a different bulk hair dye color, the plurality of dispensing mechanisms being disposed over a conveyer belt along the fill line. The system is configured to receive a formula for filling the customer container with one or more bulk hair dye colors from among the plurality of containers having the different bulk hair dye color, and control each of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms to perform a dispensing operation to dispense an amount of bulk hair dye color or to not perform a dispensing operation at a time when the customer container is transported to each of the plurality of dispensing mechanisms along the fill line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Richard Besen, Christopher Hipple, Florent Valceschini, Luc Deguire, Jeffrey Townsend
  • Patent number: 11596910
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11598329
    Abstract: A fluid-handling cassette comprising a plurality of diaphragm valves and pumps is configured to have its actuation ports located along a thin or narrow edge of the cassette. Actuation channels within the cassette lead from the actuation ports to actuation chambers of the valves and pumps in a space between plates that comprise the cassette. The individual plates have a nominal thickness that is sufficient to provide a rigid ceiling for the actuation channels, but sufficiently thin to minimize the overall thickness of the cassette. The cassette can be plugged into or unplugged from an actuation receptacle or a manifold by its narrow edge. A plurality of such cassettes can be stacked together or spaced apart from each other to form a cassette assembly, providing for a convenient way to install and remove the cassette assembly from its actuation receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kevin L. Grant, Benjamin E. Colburn, Joseph M. Rauseo, Benjamin J. Doucette, Marc J. Gorayeb
  • Patent number: 11591889
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 11577025
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for overfilling primary packaging components, and drug products prepared according to those methods. The methods may include introducing a volume of a formulated drug substance into a primary packaging component having a nominal volume, where the volume of the formulated drug substance is greater than the nominal volume of the primary packaging component. In some cases, the primary packaging component may be a prefillable syringe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: REGENERON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Dix, Douglas Kamen, Kenneth Graham
  • Patent number: 11578807
    Abstract: An outlet valve includes a valve body, a solenoid valve, and a manual operating member. The valve body includes a water inlet, a water outlet, a water storage cavity, a drain waterway, a first waterway, a second waterway, and a waterproof membrane. The first waterway is coupled to the drain waterway through a first drain opening. The second waterway is coupled to the drain waterway through a second drain opening. The waterproof membrane is configured to separate the water outlet cavity from the water storage cavity. The first waterway comprises a first plug coupled to an output end of the solenoid valve. The first plug is configured to control the opening and closing of the first drain opening. The second waterway comprises a second plug coupled to the manual operating member. The second plug is configured to control the opening and closing of the second drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI KOHLER ELECTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Xiaojun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11566402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water control system for the cold and hot water plumbing installations, for consumption or heating and gray water in a home, premises or building which increases water and/or energy efficiency of the installation by means of a method of operation which reduces the water consumption or energy used in its consumption and treatment: detecting and controlling water leaks, avoiding consumption of cold water which is produced while waiting for hot water to come out, reducing the energy required for consuming hot water, reducing consumption of water when it is used for the toilet together with a soap, foam or similar, measuring and controlling the proliferation of Legionella bacteria and other microorganisms, cleaning pipes and in general monitoring the control variables of a plumbing installation and its visualization and interaction by a user or a smart and autonomous IT system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MÉTRICA6 INGENIERÍA Y DESARROLLOS, S.L.
    Inventor: Eduardo Dueñas Ladrón De Guevara
  • Patent number: 11565221
    Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11560966
    Abstract: A valve for pressurized fluid, including a body having a front face and a rear face and housing an internal fluid circuit having an upstream end configured to be placed in communication with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end configured to be placed in communication with a user of fluid, the circuit including a collection of valve shutter(s) including at least one shutoff valve shutter for closing or opening the circuit, the valve comprising a member for manually controlling the collection of valve shutter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Samuel Vignerol, Antoine Frenal, Denis Muller, Hervé Paoli, Olivier Ondo, Morgan Lamiable, Johan Broechler, Claudio Di Filippo
  • Patent number: 11559774
    Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11560957
    Abstract: A cartridge valve includes a housing, a stem adapter, and a stem assembly. The stem adapter includes a body defining a first hole, which extends in a longitudinal direction. The stem assembly includes a first stem component and a second stem component. The first stem component includes an arm and a spherical portion that is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first hole and defines an opening. The second stem component has a body that is configured to be at least partially received within the opening of the first stem component. The spherical portion is configured to expand in size in response to the first end inserting a portion of the body of the second stem component into the opening in the first stem component, which increases a frictional resistance induced by relative rotation between the stem assembly and the stem adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: David H. Ritter, Brian S. Core
  • Patent number: 11555556
    Abstract: A valve for pressurized fluid having a body housing a fluid circuit having an upstream end configured to be placed in communication with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end configured to be placed in communication with a user of fluid, the circuit including a collection of valve shutter(s) comprising at least one shutoff valve shutter allowing the circuit to be closed or opened, the valve including a mechanism for manually controlling the collection of valve shutter(s), the control mechanism being mounted with the ability to move on the body between a rest position in which the collection of valve shutter(s) is in a position in which the circuit is closed and an active position in which the control mechanism actuates the collection of valve shutter(s) into a position in which the circuit is open to a first bore section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Samuel Vignerol, Antoine Frenal, Denis Muller, Hervé Paoli, Morgan Lamiable, Johan Broechler, Claudio Di Filippo
  • Patent number: 11555581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas discharge apparatus for liquefied hydrogen storage tanks, the gas discharge apparatus including a receptacle mounted to a liquefied hydrogen storage tank, the receptacle having a stationary valve configured to be opened by external force mounted therein, a multistage opening and closing device coupled to the receptacle such that the position of the multistage opening and closing device is adjustable, the multistage opening and closing device being configured to be opened by reaction force transmitted from the receptacle when moved relative to the receptacle, the multistage opening and closing device having a sliding valve configured to push open the stationary valve in the state in which the multistage opening and closing device is open, and a manipulation unit configured to move the multistage opening and closing device relative to the receptacle such that the sliding valve and the stationary valve are sequentially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventors: Seo Young Kim, Jai Hyun Choi, Eun Yeob Cho, Joshua Kim Schimpf
  • Patent number: 11555552
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve head. A valve stem extends from the valve head and into a drain bore in a housing. A first guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a first axial location on the valve stem. A second guidance retainer ring is mounted around the valve stem at a second axial location on the valve stem spaced apart from the first axial location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Modest Adam Reszewicz, Pawel Swirniak, Yen Chuh, Thao Hoang
  • Patent number: 11549647
    Abstract: A flow control panel is configured to control a flow of fuel from a storage bank to a dispenser. The flow control panel includes input and output flow controllers, and input and output ports, each output port coupled to a respective dispenser port. Each output flow controller is coupled to a respective input port and a respective output port, and is configured to enable the flow of fuel from the input port and the output port. A processor is configured to control the input flow controllers and the output flow controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FirstElement Fuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ghassan Sleiman, Andrew Youlio, Max Eman
  • Patent number: 11549628
    Abstract: A cut warning system can include a valve sleeve defining a cavity, the valve sleeve defining a bottom sealing surface within the cavity; a pipeline extending through the cavity; a drilling machine including a shell cutter, the shell cutter defining a bottom edge, the drilling machine configured to axially advance the shell cutter from a pre-engagement position towards the bottom sealing surface, the pipeline positioned between the shell cutter and the bottom sealing surface in the pre-engagement position; and a signaling element positioned within the cavity, the signaling element configured to produce a signal when the shell cutter reaches a post-engagement position, the bottom edge being axially positioned between the pipeline and the bottom sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Mitchell, Samantha Ellen Covington, David Latimore Hughes, Jr.