Patents Examined by Robert G. Nilson
  • Patent number: 5338159
    Abstract: In a co-rotational scroll apparatus having two interleaving scroll wraps secured to end plates rotating about parallel, non-concentric axes, a procharging device affixed to one end plate and substantially enclosing the scroll wraps and the second end plate. Preferably, the procharging device includes a cup-shaped drive housing secured to one end plate and enclosing the scroll wraps, and a flexible torque-transmitting member connecting between the enclosure member and the second end plate. Apertures are provided in the enclosure member to permit fluid flow into the space enclosed by the enclosure device, with vanes disposed adjacent the apertures to force fluid into the enclosed space during rotation of the scroll wraps. Fluid thus forced into the enclosed space is precharged prior to entering the scroll wraps, being at higher pressure than fluid exterior the enclosed space, improving the operating efficiency of the scroll apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Delmar R. Riffe, Peter A. Kotlarek, Robert E. Utter
  • Patent number: 5335695
    Abstract: A height control valve is for controlling the height of an air spring is disclosed, wherein the controlled height of the air spring can be easily adjusted. The height control valve comprises an interior bore in communication with an inlet port, an exhaust port and an air spring port. A hollow piston is movable within the valve bore in response to changes in the height of an air spring. A sealing member is biased onto a valve seat to seal the inlet port, and an open end of the piston abuts the sealing member to seal the exhaust port. Movement of the piston toward the sealing member disengages the sealing member from its valve seat, placing the spring port into communication with the inlet port. Axial movement of the piston away from the disk valve places the spring port into communication with the exhaust port through the interior of the piston. The controlled height of the air spring is adjusted by adjusting the axial position of the seat within the valve bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Nai Neway, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5335688
    Abstract: A pressure-regulating valve system includes a valve body assembly having inlet, outlet and control chambers. A flow valve assembly includes a diaphragm gasket which movably mounts a valve member. The valve member is movable between a closed position, a full flow open position and two pressure-regulating positions intermediate its closed and full flow positions. A full flow bypass valve assembly selectively communicates the control chamber and the outlet chamber for relieving the fluid pressure in the control chamber whereby the flow valve moves to its full flow open position communicating the inlet and outlet chambers. A pressure regulating subsystem includes multiple pressure regulating modules each having a solenoid-actuated valve and a pressure adjustable valve. The pressure regulating modules are connected in parallel relationship to inlet and outlet manifolds which fluidically communicate with the control and outlet chambers respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Imperial Underground Sprinkler Co.
    Inventor: Robert A. Caviar
  • Patent number: 5333635
    Abstract: A fluid pressure relief system and method for a pressure vessel or tank (10) having a normal vent (16) with a first pilot operated safety valve (18) and an emergency vent (62) having a second pilot operated safety valve (25). A vapor recovery line (20) is connected to relief valve (18) and collected at a vapor storage container (21). A manway (22) on the pressure vessel (10) shown in FIG. 2 defines the emergency vent (62) and a main valve member (66) has a counterweight (74) thereon to urge main valve member (66) to a seated closed position on nozzle (60). The first pilot operated safety valve (18) for the normal vent (16) is shown in FIG. 7 and has a T-shaped body (142) with a main relief valve member (172) at one end of the body (142) mounted for movement in a generally horizontal direction and controlled by a diaphragm (176) at an opposite end of the body (142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Higgins, Michael D. McNeely
  • Patent number: 5333645
    Abstract: A dump valve for selectively placing the inlet port of a height control valve into communication with a source of pressurized air or atmosphere. The dump valve comprises a body having a control bore, an opposing pilot bore, an exhaust bore intersecting the control bore, and a connection bore intersecting the control bore. The connecting bore has means for fluidly connecting the connection bore to the inlet bore of a height control valve. A valve seal disposed within the control bore for reciprocal movement therein selectively places the connection port in communication with either the supply port or the exhaust port. A piston axially disposed in the pilot bore for reciprocal movement therein controls the movement of the valve seal in response to the selective application of pressure to the pilot bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: NAI Neway, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory T. Galazin
  • Patent number: 5333638
    Abstract: An automatic recirculation valve having an inlet, a main outlet, and a recirculation outlet. A main valve element responsive to the flow between the inlet and main outlet and a bypass element responsive to the main valve element regulates the fluid flow to the recirculation outlet. The bypass element contains orifices through which the fluid flows to the recirculation outlet. The orifices are arranged to counterbalance fluid forces exerted on the bypass element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Horace J. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 5333636
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing pressure in a container pressurized with a fluid provided to the container from a pressurizing fluid source communicate the pressurizing fluid with a receptacle between two valves, close a first one of the valves so that a portion of the pressurizing fluid is contained in the receptacle, and open a second one of the valves so that at least part of the portion of the pressurizing fluid is released from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Bary J. Nusz, Robert K. Payne, Leslie A. Perez
  • Patent number: 5333643
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a diaphragm assembly which is conformed to the poppet and which moves therewith. The poppet is integral with or mounted to the pole piece of the solenoid. The poppet is shaped to conform to the shape of the valve seat. The diaphragm is preferably elastomeric and stretchable to create a wiping motion against the valve seat when the solenoid is deactivated. The valve seat may also have an annular groove to allow flushing of the valve in both open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: South Bend Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon P. Gilchrist, William C. Klebusch
  • Patent number: 5331994
    Abstract: An additive dispensing system for diesel fueled applications includes a diesel fuel system having either single or multiple tanks, a fuel level sensor, an additive tank, a fixed rate additive dispensing pump and a microprocessor operating on a logic basis whereby a minimum of three fuel level readings, taken at fixed periods and compared to one another and/or to predetermined standards, provide the input necessary to control the operation of the additive dispensing pump so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of additive in the diesel fuel system regardless of random refueling sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventors: John F. Bryan, III, Brian W. Petersen, Harley B. Martin
  • Patent number: 5332003
    Abstract: A valve has a housing provided with a fixed inlet disk in the housing formed with throughgoing water-inlet ports and a fixed outlet disk transversely spaced in the housing from the inlet disk and formed with deflecting chambers aligned transversely with the inlet ports. A movable valve disk in the housing between the fixed disks is formed with throughgoing passages alignable transversely between the respective inlet ports and deflecting chambers and has a side forming with the housing an outlet recess. Toothed steps are formed on the side of the movable valve disk to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Ideal Standard GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Nikolayczik
  • Patent number: 5332000
    Abstract: A close tolerance fluid pressure relief or check valve includes a one-piece silicone poppet within a valve body. The poppet makes line contact with a concave seat surface at the inlet end of the body when the poppet is closed. A stem of the poppet extends into an inlet passage of the body to guide poppet movement centrally between open and closed positions. The poppet is biased to its closed position by a spring within the body, the pressure setting of which is controlled by a threaded nut or fitting defining an outlet passage and closing the outlet end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Gassner, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul B. Gassner
  • Patent number: 5329970
    Abstract: A diverter valve (10) provided at a three-way junction through which passes a high temperature gas, the valve having a closure member (12, 13, 14) pivotable between a first position in which it closes a first outlet branch of the junction and a second position in which it closes a second outlet branch of the junction, wherein the closure member carries one or more deflecting vanes (16) positioned (a) in front of the closure member so as to direct the flow of gas into and through the first outlet branch when the closure member closes the second outlet branch and (b) to be hidden behind the closure member and to be isolated from contact with the gas flowing into and through the second outlet branch when the closure member closes the first outlet branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: WES Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Anton F. Squirrell
  • Patent number: 5328150
    Abstract: The present invention digital damper actuator utilizes a sectioned coil m up of a number of independently energizable coils connected together. To energize/de-energize each of the sectioned coils, a digital signal, in the form of 1 or 0, is provided by a controller microprocessor to a corresponding relay. Thus, for example, if a 1 is provided to the relay, its corresponding sectioned coils is energized. And if a 0 signal is provided to the relay, the sectioned coils is de-energized. A portion of the shaft which acts as a plunger connected to a damper pivotally fitted within a air duct is slidably fitted within the sectioned coil. Thus, as each of the sectioned coils is energized/de-energize, the shaft is moved correspondingly to thereby incrementally open/close the damper to allow an increasing/decreasing amount of air to pass through the air duct. As the number of sections which make up the sectioned coils is increased, the resolution of the incremental opening/closing of the damper is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Alfonso C. Guativa
  • Patent number: 5327933
    Abstract: This invention relates to a check valve of a fuel tank which is provided in an end portion of a fuel supply pipe for introducing fuel to the fuel tank, which end portion is located inside of the tank. The check valve comprises a valve plate which is large enough to cover the end face of the pipe, and a valve support which supports the valve plate by a connecting pin serving as a hinge, the valve support being of a semicylindrical shape having an inner diameter which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the pipe to which the valve support is attached, the valve support being attached to the pipe by engaging concave and convex fitting means which are formed at least on end portions of the valve support on both sides and on the associated pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: OM Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatuzi Ishikawa, Kyokuichi Sato
  • Patent number: 5325881
    Abstract: A seismic shut off valve includes a cripple column responsive to seismic movement. A toggle spring overlies the cripple column. Latch pins extend from the toggle spring into a valve body to hold a popper valve in an open position. During an earthquake, the cripple column buckles causing the toggle spring to bow upwardly under spring force exerted on the toggle spring through the latch pins from the popper valve. The latch pins release the poppet valve which shifts to seal against a valve seat in a valve body. A ball joint connecting the valve body and cripple column allow the cripple column to be vertically aligned despite use of the valve on a non-vertical pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventors: Donald B. Hunter, William J. Cox
  • Patent number: 5325892
    Abstract: An exhalation valve 14 for a filtering face mask 10 has a flexible flap 24 that makes contact with a curved seal ridge 30 of a valve seat 26 when the valve 14 is in the closed position. The curvature of the seal ridge 30 corresponds to a deformation curve exhibited by the flexible flap 24 when secured as a cantilever at one end and exposed at its free portion to a uniform force and/or a force of at least the weight of the free portion of the flexible flap. A seal ridge curvature corresponding to a flexible flap exposed to uniform force allows the flexible flap 24 to exert a generally uniform pressure on the seal ridge to provide a good seal. A seal ridge curvature corresponding to a flexible flap exposed to a force of at least the weight of the flap's free portion allows the flexible flap 24 to be held in an abutting relationship to the seal ridge 30 under any static orientation by a minimum amount of force, thereby providing a face mask 10 with an extraordinary low pressure drop during an exhalation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Daniel A. Japuntich, Vaughn B. Grannis, Harold J. Seppala, Anthony B. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5323807
    Abstract: A check valve having a reduced or zero pressure drop and more particularly such a valve in combination with a spray nozzle. The check valve includes a sealed gas chamber which has within it a closed-cell foam element which insures that some gas remains in the chamber even if the primary seal fails. The new valve/nozzle combination allows valve operating pressure to be set very close to nozzle operation pressure which allows the nozzle to achieve full spray more quickly at start-up and a more immediate cessation of flow at shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Gauld, William D. Fralick, Robert M. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5323806
    Abstract: A constant-speed exhaust valve device has a valve body of a cylindrical shape opened at both axial ends, and a push means disposed to apply an axial compressive force to the valve body, whereby the exhaust speed of the device can be made steady and manufacturing yield of the device is made excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshie Watari, Mitsuo Nakatani, Satoshi Nakayama, Makoto Fujiwara, Shigeki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5323686
    Abstract: A valve system for use with a tube jetting apparatus used for cleaning the interior surfaces of tubes such as those in heat exchangers. The apparatus includes a piston housing having a piston assembly slidably disposed therein. The pressure relief assembly also includes a differential pressure relief valve which is connected to the piston housing to relieve pressure therein as the piston moves within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: John T. Allen
  • Patent number: 5320136
    Abstract: A magnetically operated check valve is disclosed having, in one aspect, a valve body and a movable poppet disposed therein, a magnet attracting the poppet to hold the valve shut until the force of fluid flow through the valve overcomes the magnetic attraction and moves the poppet to an unseated, open position; the poppet and magnet configured and disposed to trap magnetically attracted particulate and prevent it from flowing to a valve seating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Brian G. Morris, Richard J. Bozeman, Jr.