Patents Examined by Richard K Durden
  • Patent number: 10458563
    Abstract: A valve arrangement including: a valve inlet, a valve outlet arranged downstream of the valve inlet, a first chamber arranged directly downstream of the inlet, and a second chamber arranged between the first chamber and the valve outlet. The valve arrangement further includes a measuring nipple comprising a measuring channel for receiving a measuring device, and a closing arrangement having open positions and a closed position, wherein the closing arrangement in its closed position is configured to prevent fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber via the closing arrangement, and wherein the closing arrangement in its open positions is configured to allow for fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber via the closing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: IMI HYDRONIC ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventors: Björn Holmgren, Leif Marstorp, Andreas Jonsson
  • Patent number: 10451307
    Abstract: A float drain for an enclosure can include a basket to collect liquid from the enclosure, a sealing structure surrounding an outlet of the basket, and a float configured to seat against the sealing surface to prevent fluid flow out of the outlet and to rise off of the sealing surface due to buoyancy forces as the liquid collects in the basket. The float drain can include other features, including: ribs or other protrusions extending into an interior are of the basket to space the float apart from an inner wall of the basket; an angled orientation of the sealing surface; and a trough, at least partly defined by the sealing structure, to collect debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Hoffman Enclosures, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Stammer, La Her, Jamie Livgard, Michael J. Koehler
  • Patent number: 10428794
    Abstract: A rotor of a wind turbine is disclosed with a pitch system locking arrangement to lock the position of a wind turbine rotor blade. A rotor comprises a rotor hub and a rotor blade, whereby the rotor blade is connected to the hub via a bearing, to be rotatable in respect to the hub in a pitch movement. The rotor blade comprises a root section, and the root section comprises a plate, that at least partially covers the cross section of the rotor blade. A certain predetermined rotational position of the rotor blade with respect to the hub is a locked position. The hub includes a locking pawl. The plate comprises an opening, and the locking pawl is at least partially located in the opening of the plate, when the rotor blade is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A/S
    Inventors: Henning Ebbesen, Christian Laursen
  • Patent number: 10415397
    Abstract: Ceramic matrix composite airfoils for gas turbine engines are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an airfoil includes opposite pressure and suction sides extending radially along a span. The pressure and suction sides define an outer surface of the airfoil. The airfoil further includes opposite leading and trailing edges extending radially along the span, the pressure and suction sides extending axially between the leading and trailing edges. The airfoil also includes a filler pack defining the trailing edge; the filler pack comprises a ceramic matrix composite material. Moreover, the airfoil includes a plenum defined within the airfoil for receiving a flow of cooling fluid, and a cooling passage defined within the filler pack for directing the flow of cooling fluid from the plenum to the outer surface of the airfoil. Methods for forming airfoils for gas turbine engines also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kirk Douglas Gallier
  • Patent number: 10415400
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a blade (1) for a turbomachine, the blade having a hardfacing on its tip (4) and an erosion-protection coating (13) at least on its airfoil (3) is provided. Initially, a blade tip hardfacing is applied to the blade tip and, subsequently, a mask (10) is positioned in the region of the blade tip hardfacing, the mask covering the blade tip hardfacing, and, subsequently, the erosion-protection coating is deposited. The mask is removed after the erosion-protection coating is completed. A blade for a turbomachine, the blade having a hardfacing on its tip (4) and an erosion-protection coating (13) at least on its airfoil (3) is also provided. The erosion-protection coating at least partially covers the blade tip hardfacing, and the thickness of the erosion-protection coating decreases continuously in and/or toward the region of the blade tip hardfacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Thomas Uihlein, Ralf Stolle
  • Patent number: 10415720
    Abstract: An automatic fill system includes a tank, a transfer hose, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly has a first end having an outlet orifice configured to be received within the tank. The valve assembly also includes a second end configured to be connected in fluid communication with the transfer hose with the second end having an inlet orifice. The valve assembly also includes at least one fluid passageway between the inlet orifice and the outlet orifice, and a check valve coupled to a spring and a seal. The seal is configured to be slidably moveable within a piston chamber. The valve assembly further includes a heating element located within a heating element chamber and configured to heat the valve assembly. Finally, the valve assembly includes a jet level sensor with a sensor inlet and a sensor outlet. The jet level sensor is in fluid communication with the piston chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: AdelWiggins Group, a Division of TransDigm Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Quang, Mark Silva
  • Patent number: 10385980
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first spool valve that directs fluid to a working object. The first spool valve has 5 ports. A second spool valve directs fluid to the exhaust. The second spool valve has 5 ports. The valve assembly has only 4 positions. The valve assembly can direct the working air through different ports to allow for different working objects to be actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: ROSS EUROPA GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Hartwig, An Vu Van
  • Patent number: 10352492
    Abstract: Provided is a coupling device including a cylindrical housing portion, a valve portion that turns into an open state by contact with the plug device, a bellows portion having therein an expandable and contractible supply passage for supplying incompressible fluid from the plug device to a supply tube, a moving portion being movable to be brought into contact with or distanced from the plug device fitted inside one end side of the housing portion, a first pressure chamber generating a biasing force in a direction to distance the moving portion from the plug device and contract the bellows portion, and a safety valve for discharging the incompressible fluid within the supply passage to the outside when the incompressible fluid within the supply passage reaches or exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SURPASS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hasunuma
  • Patent number: 10323767
    Abstract: Valves having a sprung gate of various constructions are disclosed. In one embodiment, the sprung gate includes a first endless elastic band having an inner perimeter defining an open space sandwiched between a first gate member and a second gate member that each define an opening therethrough in an open position portion thereof. The first endless elastic band is sandwiched therebetween with its open space oriented for alignment with the opening in both of the first and second gate members, which are aligned with one another to form a passage through the sprung gate. In one aspect, the first endless elastic band in positioned inward a distance from the outer sides of the first and second gate members and spaces the first gate member a distance apart from the second gate member thereby defining a channel having a bottom defined by the first endless elastic band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Dayco IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Graichen, David E. Fletcher, Matt Gilmer
  • Patent number: 10323760
    Abstract: A valve assembly configured for use with an inflatable product, such as a mattress, chair, pool, spa, float, or another suitable inflatable product. The valve assembly includes a first valve component that serves as an opening for inflation and/or deflation of the inflatable product, and a second valve component that serves as an opening for deflation or decompression of the inflatable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Intex Marketing Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Hsiang Lin, Yaw Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 10295074
    Abstract: A check valve includes a valve case, a positive pressure valve, a spring, and a negative pressure valve. The positive pressure valve is slidably disposed in a valve chamber of the valve case. The spring urges the positive pressure valve to abut on a positive pressure valve seat of the valve case. The negative pressure valve is on the positive pressure valve to abut on a negative pressure valve seat of the positive pressure valve. The negative pressure valve closes a communicating passage in the positive pressure valve in a normal state, and opens it when a pressure in the fuel tank falls to a predetermined value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Kosei Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 10289128
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for maintaining fluid flow pressure in a system at a preset, almost constant level. A method for maintaining fluid flow pressure almost constant regardless of mass flow. The arrangement including a pressure accumulator, and a nozzle valve. The nozzle valve having a valve body and axially oriented needle for opening and closing the mouth of its outflow channel. The needle shaft guided by a slide element mounted inside the valve body. The inflow into the flow body passes to the other side of the slide element through one or several channels. The needle moves axially to open and close the channel because of the forces acting upon it. Forces acting upon it may include the accumulator, the inflow and a spring. The needle's movement adjust the cross-sectional area of the outflow channel mouth not disposed by the needle head to maintain an almost constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Solar Water Solutions OY
    Inventor: Heikki Antero Pohjola
  • Patent number: 10281051
    Abstract: A vehicle tank pressurization device has a valve seat establishing an opening for fuel vapors and/or air; such opening has a vertical axis coincident with the direction of application of an opening force, that is directed upwards and is produced, in use, by the pressure in an internal upper region of the tank; the device also has a movable shutter, placed on the valve seat, to open/close the valve seat, and having a weight set by design in such a way as to define the magnitude of a closing force directed downwards and with a center of gravity positioned eccentrically with respect to the vertical axis of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michele Coppola, Luigi Spada, Marco Riaudo
  • Patent number: 10221956
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a vent system. The vent system includes an inner standpipe, a check valve, an outer standpipe and a cover. A sidewall of the check valve extends around the inner standpipe, and an end wall of the check valve is positioned over the inner standpipe. A sidewall of the cover extends around the outer standpipe, and an end wall of the cover is positioned over the outer standpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Jeffrey Charles Mellinger, Wade Antoine Powell
  • Patent number: 10202857
    Abstract: A vane stage includes an arcuate platform defining a axial centerline axis having a pair of flanges that extend radially inward from the platform. The flanges are axially spaced from one another and from respective forward and aft ends of the platform. The vane stage includes a vane extending radially outward from the platform and a seal carrier mounted to the flanges of the platform. A method for constructing a vane stage includes sliding a seal carrier between flanges of an arcuate platform. Each flange includes at least a pair of through holes and interfaces with a respective axial side of the seal carrier. The method includes drilling through holes in each axial side of the seal carrier by using the through holes of each flange as guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark E. Simonds, Steven J. Feigleson
  • Patent number: 10197187
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve-side housing and an actuator-side housing. The valve-side housing includes a first facing plane portion that faces a second facing plane portion of the actuator-side housing and a first connection portion arranged at an outer side region of the first facing plane portion. The actuator-side housing includes the second facing plane portion and a second connection portion arranged at an outer side region of the second facing plane portion. The valve-side housing and the actuator-side housing are connected to each other via the first connection portion and the second connection portion such that a space is provided between the first facing plane portion and the second facing plane portion. The first facing plane portion of the valve-side housing includes a depression portion that is recessed in a direction away from the second facing plane portion of the actuator-side housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Hasegawa, Katsunori Takai, Naoki Ihana
  • Patent number: 10197184
    Abstract: A buoyant float including a body having an interior defined in part by a side wall and a bottom extending inward from the side wall. The side wall has an upper edge defining an open top of the body. The float includes a cover sized and shaped for covering the top of the body. The cover attaches to the body to maintain the cover in position relative to the body to cover the open top. The cover has a tubular skirt extending downward and around the upper edge of the body side wall when the cover is in position covering the top of the body. An air pocket is created at an interface between the cover and the body when the float is positioned in liquid to isolate the interface from the liquid and prevent liquid from entering the hollow interior of the body through the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Control Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kornblum, Jeffrey P. VanHorn
  • Patent number: 10132067
    Abstract: A major water leak prevention apparatus for a water inlet valve, in which a water receptacle tray is mounted on a water inlet valve body and includes an overflow port. The water receptacle tray has a bottom in which an opening is formed. A counterweight float is mounted on the water inlet valve body and includes a water compartment and a buoyance compartment arranged at a lower end of the water inlet valve body. The bottom opening of the water receptacle tray is connected via a passageway pipe to the counterweight float. The water compartment selectively blocks a lower end opening of the passageway pipe or opens the lower end opening of the passageway pipe. This arrangement helps stop water ingress through the water inlet valve when major water leakage occurs in a water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: LAB (XIAMEN) SANITARY FITTINGS INC
    Inventors: Yongmao Liu, Zipeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 10100942
    Abstract: An inlet support structure for use with a rupture disc, the inlet support structure including an annular member having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a plurality of spaced apart cut-outs extending from the inner diameter towards the outer diameter, a central non-circular opening extending through the annular member and including the cut-outs, the cut-outs providing additional space for the petals of a rupture disc to be received therein when the rupture disc ruptures so as to provide a greater flow area through the rupture disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Disc Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Francis Pittel, J. Kyle McCamis
  • Patent number: 10072673
    Abstract: A gas compressor system is disclosed. The gas compressor system includes a dryer assembly, a receiver tank, and at least one support level. The at least one support level has two slide channels supported by two beams. A platform is slidably attached to the slide channels. An isolator is disposed between each of the slide channels and the beams. A compressor is mounted to each platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Powerex-Iwata Air Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Justinn B. Eddie