Patents Examined by Richard Gerard
  • Temperature responsive valve seal
    Patent number: 4105040
    Abstract: A butterfly valve with a conventional resilient seal of rubber or plastic or the like is provided with a secondary seal of a hard, fire resistant material such as metal. The secondary seal is in the form of a split ring which is held in an expanded condition with a fusible link which will melt at some selected temperature such that the secondary seal is normally out of contact with the sealing surface of the butterfly. At the selected temperature, the fusible link melts permitting the secondary seal to contract into a sealing position to replace the resilient seal prior to or coincident with the destruction of the resilient seal by the high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Inventor: Arnold M. Chester
  • Pressure relief valve
    Patent number: 4100930
    Abstract: A one-shot pressure relief device which can be hermetically sealed comprising a housing with a port fitting for connecting to a pressure zone to be monitored, the fitting having a passage which leads into a central cavity within the housing from the top side. The cavity is divided and sealed into two portions by a thin metallic membrane fixedly mounted adjacent a snap-acting pressure disc member with a central aperture. A hollow puncture member is positioned in the bottom of the housing in axial registry with the center aperture of the snap-acting pressure disc so that upon an over pressure condition in the monitored zone, the disc will snap over center at a predetermined condition allowing the membrane to move likewise piercing itself on the puncture member thereby venting and relieving the over pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John W. Orcutt
  • Fire damper
    Patent number: 4100931
    Abstract: A fire damper of the kind in which at least one flap is pivoted in a duct between a first position in which the flap closes the duct and a second position in which the duct is open. A suitably powered winching motor is adapted to control the movement of the flap through a linkage including a fusible link so that when the motor is energized the flap is moved to its second position or open position provided that the fusible link is still intact whereas when the motor is de-energized the flap is moved to its first or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1978
    Assignee: Leonard Joseph Fisher
    Inventors: Frederick William Pantland, Ernest Francis Pantland
  • Thermal-manual control valve
    Patent number: 4099551
    Abstract: A multi-function safety service valve operable both manually and automatically through a toggle fuse-linked joint as located to interconnect the piping of an LP Gas bulk storage tank and a flexible hose connected to fill an LP Gas transport tank on a truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Golconda Corporation
    Inventors: Evans R. Billington, William Nicholas
  • Annular blowout preventer
    Patent number: 4099699
    Abstract: There is disclosed an annular blowout preventer having a packer which is surrounded by an annulus of resilient material, and an operating system which includes means for longitudinally compressing the outer annulus in order to constrict its inner circumference and thereby move the packer from an expanded position, in which it opens the bore through a housing in which the packer and outer annulus are received, to a constricted position in which it closes the bore by sealing about a pipe in the bore or upon itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert Allen
  • Temperature-responsive shut-off for gas fuel regulator valve
    Patent number: 4099538
    Abstract: Fusible low-temperature alloy is used to secure a flanged sleeve to an adjusting stem which adjusts the tension on a spring-biased diaphragm which actuates a normally-closed valve. If a predetermined temperature is reached, the alloy melts, displacing the sleeve and removing the compressive force on the spring, thereby closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: The Coleman Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Douglas Curtis
  • Plant-watering device
    Patent number: 4097020
    Abstract: Mounted adjacent the end of a plastic hose remote from its connection to a kitchen sink faucet or other such water source is an improved hose-pinching clamp assembly of the present invention which enables effective watering of remotely located plants. The significant improvement in performance is that the clamp, during normal watering service, is confined to providing a desirable "soft" stream by a pliable sleeve or tube in covering relation over the clamp, said tube maintaining the clamp partially closed upon the hose so as to restrict flow to said "soft" stream. Prior art clamps, in contrast, can inadvertently be opened too much, and may therefore operate with a watering stream that splashes or otherwise is unsuitable for the purposes intended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: Howard Sussman
  • Freezeproof sanitary water supply appliance
    Patent number: 4096877
    Abstract: A water supply control appliance adapted to be buried in soil beneath local frost level contains a chamber fitted with a piston which is spring-biased in opposition to inlet water pressure. Such pressure forces the piston to fully charged position at one end of the chamber whereupon a piston valve is opened to pass the water to outlet. Closing the supply valve releases pressure on the piston, permitting the piston to move in response to the spring bias. The piston movement pumps water below the piston out to drain and drains water from the outlet lines into the expanded chamber above the piston, safe from frost. Water in the drain line will, at the end of the piston travel, fall back into the chamber above the piston after piston travel is completed, when a piston ring seal spans a port to the drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: E. R. Arledge, II
  • Valve group subassembly
    Patent number: 4096878
    Abstract: A valve group subassembly for use in a vehicle having hydraulically operable mechanisms. The subassembly includes the main valve and actuators, interconnecting duct structures, and a mounting bracket permitting the complete subassembly of the control elements. A pilot valve manifold is mounted to the bracket for hydraulic connection thereto of the pilot valves. The bracket may be resiliently mounted. The valves may be provided with removable valve stems, permitting the valve bodies to be maintained mounted to the bracket in servicing the individual valves. The subassembly is arranged to permit a bench testing thereof prior to the installation in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Stanley B. Adams, Gregory A. Loebbaka, Michael P. Morge
  • Pot burner
    Patent number: 4095936
    Abstract: A burner comprising a substantially diamond-shaped housing with in the interior one or more partitions defining with the two housing walls opposite the burner mouth two or more similarly diamond-shaped burners, the partition most remote from the burner mouth having a flame opening the rim of which being bent away from the burner mouth, the burner mouth being so large that air flows entering through air supply orifices near said mouth reach to the middle or slightly beyond thereof and the bottom being recessed over some degrees in the center between the end walls of the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Research Instituut "Sesto" B.V.
    Inventor: Willem Godijn
  • Subsea energy power supply
    Patent number: 4095421
    Abstract: A negative energy power supply which operates submerged equipment like a hydraulic actuator. A main component of the system is a submerged chamber held at substantially atmospheric pressure. It is connected to submerged equipment having intake and discharge ports controllable by remotely operated valves. When the intake port is opened to water at the submerged depth of the equipment and the discharge port is vented to the chamber, the resulting pressure difference operates the submerged equipment. The system can also have appropriately connected to it, a pressure amplifier to increase the water pressure at a submerged location and a pump to purge the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: William H. Silcox
  • Pump control
    Patent number: 4095920
    Abstract: A pump control for a pipeline milking system in which milk collects in a receiver and is pumped out periodically. The control has a liquid level sensing circuit connected with an electrode in the receiver. The sensing circuit includes a transistor amplifier, a source of alternating signal, a circuit connecting the source through the electrode and liquid with the base of the transistor and a sensitivity resistor connected in shunt with the transistor base. A timer actuated by conduction of the transistor controls the pump operation. The circuit has provision for control of the pump operation during washing with a switch selecting the milk or wash control electrode and selecting the appropriate time period for the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: Babson Bros. Co.
    Inventors: Lyle L. Needham, Bruno J. Marusarz
  • Fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines
    Patent number: 4094201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injection pump for internal combustion engines provided with a reciprocating and simultaneously rotating pump piston which serves as a fuel distributor and an associated cam drive mechanism arranged to actuate the pump piston, the cam drive including a cam disk which runs on rollers and in turn is coupled both with the drive shaft of the pump and the pump piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Eheim
  • Valve rotating device
    Patent number: 4094280
    Abstract: An improved garter spring actuated valve rotator device wherein annular spring damping means are included internally of the coils of the garter spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley H. Updike
  • Method and apparatus for preparing chemical solutions
    Patent number: 4092993
    Abstract: A method and system for carrying out the method, relating to mixing of solutions, wherein the base liquid in a tank is circulated through an endless circuit while the chemical is gradually introduced into the circulating flow base liquid to achieve through mixing. A chemical is withdrawn under valve control into a measuring receptacle prior to mixing same with the base liquid. Provision is included for rinsing the chemical source container, the resulting rinse solution being automatically introduced into the tank, leaving the source container in condition to meet legal requirements for disposal. To simplify disposal of rinsed containers and discourage re-use thereof, a feature of the method and system involves means for collapsing the containers. A novel multiple valve assembly enables all features to be embodied in a simplified and condensed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Terminator Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James Santon Stevenson
  • Variable fluid passage
    Patent number: 4092010
    Abstract: A device is provided having means for defining a fluid passage which include an inlet section, a throat section, and an outlet section. The fluid passage decreases in size in the inlet section and increases in size in the outlet section. A plurality of flexible members extend axially along the entire length of the fluid passage and extend radially outwardly from the means defining the fluid passage. Means are provided for adjusting the radial position of the flexible members to vary the size of the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Carlson, Jr.
  • Internal combustion engine with delayed torch ignition of oil fuel charge
    Patent number: 4091772
    Abstract: A primarily oil-fueled engine is disclosed in which the engine compression ratio is established well below the level at which compression ignition of oil fuel will occur and in which the oil fuel charge is ignited by the discharge from a spark ignited, gas-fueled precombustion chamber. The compression ratio and peak firing pressures are similar to those encountered in a gas-fueled engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Heater, Fred S. Schaub, John R. Kennedy
  • Frangible valved fitting
    Patent number: 4090524
    Abstract: A valved fitting for handling flowing fluids having another valved fitting or conduit attached thereto wherein a frangible interconnection is utilized. Upon the frangible connection fracturing, such action is sensed by valve operating means for closing the valve against fluid flow producing a self-sealing of the fitting. A flapper valve is utilized to seal the valve passage insuring maximum flow characteristics with a minimum of resistance during fluid flow.The fitting utilizes unique frangible connection means wherein the connector is capable of fracturing under the influence of excessive forces imposed either axially or radially with respect to the fitting passage and flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Allread, Kenneth A. Levering
  • Blowout preventer ram assembly
    Patent number: 4089532
    Abstract: A blowout preventer ram assembly adapted to seal the mouth of the hole of oil and gas wells in the process of their drilling. The ram assembly incorporates two rams, each of which comprises a ram rubber constituted by two arcuate members of larger and smaller radii, and a ram block provided with a projection is placed in the gap therebetween. The ram rubber is reinforced on the end faces by control members each of which consists of two parts. The first part is defined by two rigidly interconnected plates arranged in the arcuate member of the ram rubber of a smaller radius. One face of each plate has a radius corresponding to that of the largest pipe of the set of pipes to be sealed, while a second face is arranged parallel to the end face of the ram rubber, and a third face is arranged at an angle to the first face and is in contact with the ram block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Inventors: Arkady Ivanovich Kamyshnikov, Alexandr Isaakovich Rutitsky, Vladimir Mikhailovich Speransky, Boris Konstantinovich Danin
  • Method of forming a flow restrictor
    Patent number: 4087301
    Abstract: A flow restrictor is made by flattening a tube of flexible material about a member of cross-sectional characteristics representative of a desired flow passage, and securing the tube there, e.g. by rf welding. The member is then removed leaving a determinate flow passage in which problems of creep do not arise. The restrictor may have parallel to the flow passage a portion of the tube which is not permanently secured together so as to leave a by-pass which can be open to give a comparatively unrestricted flow passage or can be temporarily completely closed by external compression. A single tube may have in line a plurality of such restrictors with by-passes, the flow passages of the various restrictors being of different flow characteristics. The flow characteristic required is obtained by closing off the by-pass associated with the selected flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Avon Medicals Limited
    Inventor: Brian Lee Steadman