Patents Examined by Robert G. Nilson
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Patent number: 5507309Abstract: An improved pressure differential regulator is disclosed for controlling pressure differentials within a supply source such as an electrolytic cell stack. The regulator is positioned downstream of the supply source and basically includes a first sensing chamber that receives a first fluid from the source; a second sensing chamber that receives a second fluid from the source; a multi-layered diaphragm secured between the first and second sensing chambers; a first contracted sensing chamber outflow restriction valve secured within the first sensing chamber between the diaphragm and a first fluid outlet; and, a second contracted sensing chamber outflow restriction valve secured within the second sensing chamber between the diaphragm and a second fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1995Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: W. Clark Dean
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Patent number: 5507318Abstract: An umbrella-type check valve and seat which prevents excessive deflection of the valve. The valve seat has a spherical surface that substantially conforms to the contour of the underside of the check valve. Preferably, a small gap is formed between the valve and the spherical surface seat to prevent preloading of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1994Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Walbro CorporationInventor: Kevin L. Israelson
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Patent number: 5507311Abstract: A pressure cooker pressure regulator having at least two operating thresholds, the regulator being of the type comprising a valve body fixed to the lid of a pressure cooker and having a valve seat formed therein, and a needle carrying a rating mass and bearing against the seat, the regulator is such that the needle is slidably mounted relative to the rating mass, that a spring is interposed between the needle and the rating mass, and that means are provided for adjusting the force exerted by the spring on the needle and comprising means selectively implemented to oppose upward displacement of the rating mass relative to the valve body under the effect of pressure applied to the needle via the seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1995Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Transformation de Metaux--SITRAMInventor: Gilles Combe
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Patent number: 5507312Abstract: A ball check valve including a valve cage having at least three elongated rods longitudinally disposed in the valve cage wall and extending into the cage interior for contacting the ball to prevent wearing of the cage wall when the ball moves back and forth in the cage responsive to fluid flow through the cage and check valve. In a preferred embodiment eight such rods are rotatably disposed in respective rod cavities provided in spaced relationship with respect to one another in the valve cage wall, to present a varying contact surface on the rods as the ball moves in the cage and thus prolong the life of the rods. In a second embodiment, the rods are fixedly mounted in the respective rod cavities.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1994Date of Patent: April 16, 1996Inventor: Charles M. Dillman
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Patent number: 5505225Abstract: A valve assembly 30 includes a pressure balancer 38 and a water mixing control element 150. Hot and cold water flow through pressure balancer 38 and a throttle plate 200 and into a mixing chamber 144 where selected amounts of the hot and cold water are mixed to a temperature level selected by a user. If the pressure of the cold water changes, the pressure balancer 38 responds and adjusts the amount of hot water flowing to the mixing chamber 144 to maintain the temperature of the mixed water as initially selected. If the cold water pressure fails, pressure balancer 38 responds and turns off the hot water to prevent scalding the user. Pressure balancer 38 responds in similar fashion to changes or failure in the pressure of the hot water.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 9, 1996Assignee: Emhart Inc.Inventor: Shahriar Niakan
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Patent number: 5503175Abstract: A water safety valve, system and method for detecting and shutting off water flow due to leaks or breaks in a water line in which the water flow is at a very low rate on the order of three to five fluid ounces per minute but having the capability of passing large flows of three hundred to five hundred times this amount. The system provides an automatic fluid shut off with an over-ride timer with an automatic return to normal operation when a predetermined period has expired. It further allows simple shut off and activation of the system with a single conveniently located control.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Inventors: Paul W. Ravilious, David C. H. Grant
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Patent number: 5503186Abstract: A one-way fluid valve formed of a parallel plurality of one-way valve cells, each cell comprising three flexible leaflets each bonded to 1/3 of the edge of a hexagonal opening in a frame, their free center edges joining to close upon pressure from one side and separating to open the valve upon pressure from the opposite side of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Inventor: Wilmo C. Orejola
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Patent number: 5501245Abstract: A pressurized fluid flow regulator for controlling fluid in a fluid circuit is disclosed having a high pressure feed chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and with an exhaust chamber which, in turn, has a fluid outlet connected to the device to receive the pressurized fluid. A first valve controls the flow of fluid between the high pressure feed chamber and the exhaust chamber, while a second valve opens and closes the fluid outlet of the exhaust chamber. The regulator also includes a bypass chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the high pressure feed chamber and an outlet in communication with the inlet of the source of pressurized fluid. A valve system controls the opening and closing of the bypass chamber inlet such that the inlet is opened when the fluid pressure in the high pressure feed chamber exceeds a threshold value so as to avoid over pressurization of the fluid in the system.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)Inventor: Michel Lechevalier
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Patent number: 5501244Abstract: A valve assembly 30 includes a pressure balancer 38 and a water mixing control element 150. Hot and cold water flow through pressure balancer 38 and a throttle plate 200 and into a mixing chamber 144 where selected amounts of the hot and cold water are mixed to a temperature level selected by a user. If the pressure of the cold water changes, the pressure balancer 38 responds and adjusts the amount of hot water flowing to the mixing chamber 144 to maintain the temperature of the mixed water as initially selected. If the cold water pressure fails, pressure balancer 38 responds and turns off the hot water to prevent scalding the user. Pressure balancer 38 responds in similar fashion to changes or failure in the pressure of the hot water.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: March 26, 1996Assignee: Emhart Inc.Inventor: Niakan Shahriar
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Patent number: 5499654Abstract: A liquid tank cap incorporates a two-way relief valve in which an annular valve disc has one side sealed against a seal adjacent to its inner diameter and the other side sealed against a seal adjacent to its outside diameter. When subjected to a pressure differential in either direction, the disc deflects so as to increase its concavity and allow air passage by one or the other seal, depending upon whether the pressure in the tank is subatmospheric or superatmospheric.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1995Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Applied Power Inc.Inventor: Peter W. Shefte
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Patent number: 5499655Abstract: An improved one-way valve structure for a hydraulic jack includes a stepped inlet end at a L-shaped intake passage for fixing of a filter. The diameter of the filter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the intake passage. The filter is designed so that it can be firmly positioned in the inlet end of the intake passage. Hydraulic fluid is filtered by the filter at the intake passage while it is passing through the one-way valve so that foreign particles in the hydraulic fluid from an oil reservoir are completely prevented from entering a pump seating and a pumping cylinder. Hence, the hydraulic fluid entering the pumping cylinder upon pushing of a handle on the pump seating does not contain impurities. In particular, as there are no foreign particles clogging the pressure release passage, normal pressure relief whenever the jack is overloaded can be assured to discharge the hydraulic fluid to the oil reservoir automatically. Consequently, damage to or explosion of the cylinder can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1995Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Inventor: Michael Hung
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Patent number: 5499647Abstract: A valve assembly controls a pressure sent from a valve to create a pilot signal used to control a mechanical booster regulator. An independent feedback line extends from both the output of the valve and the output of the mechanical booster regulator wherein the outputs are scaled after a transducer in each feedback line converts the information received from the pressures into voltages. The difference in the voltage is integrated and added to the input command signal which dictates the parameters of the mechanical booster regulator operation. The voltage feedback from the pilot pressure is then subtracted from the modified command signal. The feedback signals approach a negligible correction as the mechanical booster regulator approaches the designed output pressure because the integration is eliminated and the pressures cancel each other as the system approaches a static condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1995Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.Inventor: Michael E. Robert
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Patent number: 5499650Abstract: Problems such as slow frequency response and low reliability when operating with contaminated fluids of variable viscosity are alleviated in a low pressure hydraulic system (10) which utilizes a single stage, electro-hydraulic, clevis-type pressure control valve (40). The valve (40)includes a control piston (106) referenced to a control pressure within a control pressure cavity (60) to provide a feedback of control pressure which converts the valve (40) from an integral to a proportional control device, thereby enhancing stability of the hydraulic system (10). Compensation for changes in fluid viscosity, as a result of changes in fluid temperature, is provided by fabricating a bifurcated portion (98) and/or a metering bridge portion (62) of the valve (10) from materials having dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Malcolm J. McArthur, Harvey Jansen
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Patent number: 5495869Abstract: A flow control valve assembly has a high degree of liquid-tightness and good flow controllability, even if a high-pressure, low-viscosity fluid is used. A housing of the valve assembly is formed with an inlet port and an outlet port, and a spool inserted in the housing. First and second fluid chambers for applying fluid pressures on both ends of the spool communicate with each other through a fluid passage having an orifice. The opening of the valve portion is adjusted by the movement of the spool so that the spool driving force produced by the difference in the pressures applied to both ends of the spool balances with a biasing force, whereby a fluid flows through the orifice at a controlled rate. This control valve assembly has an elastic annular seal. When the spool moves toward the annular seal, the land portion on the spool outer periphery is adapted to butt the seal, thereby closing the fluid passage. In this closed state, fluid leakage is reduced substantially to zero.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Inc.Inventor: Koichi Hashida
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Patent number: 5494078Abstract: Positive adjustable flow is provided for a dual flow valve for paint dispensing or the like utilizing a sliding piston and a lost motion device in combination with an adjustable stop and wherein operating lift is provided by a single pressure source alternatively applied to a plurality of operating pistons.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1995Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: The ARO CorporationInventor: Robert J. Schulte
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Patent number: 5494070Abstract: An adjustable metering valve (10) includes an upper housing (12) and lower housing (16) that cooperatively define an internal valve chamber (30) having an inlet end (80) and an outlet end (42). An inlet port (20) opens into the inlet end of the valve chamber, and an outlet port (24) provides for fluid flow exiting the outlet end (42) of the valve chamber. A floating piston (106) is slidably mounted within the valve chamber between the inlet and outlet ports. A seal (114) is provided between the piston and an interior side wall (44) of the valve chamber to prevent fluid flow past the piston except through an internal passage (118) through the piston. A valve seat (38) is mounted in the housing within the outlet end of the valve chamber, upstream of the outlet port. A valve pin (36) is carried by a pin assembly (34) that is threaded into the internal passage of the piston.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1995Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: A & H Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Thomas J. Hilton
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Patent number: 5494069Abstract: The invention relates to a check valve, particularly for sanitary water fittings, whereby preferably the valve closing member (11) is composed of a cone (4) and a cone cap (5), which is provided in the closing direction of the check valve with a dome-like attachment (12) wherein the valve closing member 98) of a pressure-relief valve is located, while the cone (4) has in the opening direction of the check valve a tubular extension (14) with a lateral inlet opening (13), the upper end of this extension forming a valve seat (15) for the valve closing member (8) of the pressure-relief valve (10), whereby this valve closing member (8) on its side facing away from the valve seat (15) rests on the top (16) of the attachment (12).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: February 27, 1996Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbHInventor: Konrad Bergmann
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Patent number: 5492150Abstract: A combination control valve wherein a seal directed towards the valve exterior is achieved by a double gland which straddles a lantern sleeve with an intermediate vent and is pressed axially between the stem and guide for the main valving member by preloaded elastic elements, said guide being held elastically pressed against the differently inclined surface of a shoulder ring retained by circular sectors fitted into the valve body, a series of labyrinths being interposed between said guide and said main valving member, the pilot valving member being of parabolic profile, a bellows elastic seal element being provided between the first seat and the valve body, the trim including a hollow cylindrical structure which is inserted coaxially into an end cavity in the main relying member, is provided with transverse holes arranged offset from corresponding holes in the cavity of the main valving member, and terminates with a parabolic profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Nuovopignone-Industrie Meccaniche e Fonderia S.p.A.Inventor: Gianfranco Aquilino
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Patent number: 5488969Abstract: A method and a metering valve for metering a fluid by incrementally adjusting a position of a flow control element that directly varies a flow area of a flow port opening in a valve housing. The flow control element is adjustably mounted with respect to the valve housing. The metering valve maintains an approximately constant percentage variation of a mass flow rate of a fluid with respect to the current total flow rate flowing through the flow port opening, for each incremental adjustment of the flow control element position, throughout the metering range of the metering valve yielding an exponentially varying mass flow rate as a result of linearly varying the flow control element position.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1994Date of Patent: February 6, 1996Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Steven R. King, James J. Cole, Kennon H. Guglielmo, John P. Latusek
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Patent number: 5487405Abstract: A constant flow rate controller valve includes a piston spring biased towards the top of the valve. Fluid or gas flowing into the valve increases the forces in the chamber above the piston, forcing the piston toward a valve seat. The piston is thus seated in the valve seat, blocking gas or fluid flow to the outlet port. The forces on the piston in the chamber below the piston builds as flow goes through the piston until the forces in this chamber including the piston spring force is greater than the forces in the chamber above the piston. The piston then is lifted from the valve seat, and the pathway to the outlet orifice is opened. At equilibrium, fluid or gas flows through or around the piston via the variable orifice.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1994Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Inventor: Paul K. Skoglund