Patents Examined by Robert G. Nilson
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Patent number: 5452737Abstract: A device for the blending of gases or liquids having an inlet adapter, a main body, an outlet adaptor, a valve plate, and a spring arm. Air enters the inlet adaptor and passes through an air port in the main body. Fuel is supplied to a fuel port in the main body through a nipple and a passage. The fuel port and the air port share a common valve seating plane and are aligned side by side along the innermost edge of the valve seating plane. The spring arm applies a force to the valve plate which forces the valve plate towards the valve seating plane. The valve plate pivots about the innermost edge of the valve seating plane in response to the downstream demand for the blend and forms a common angle above the air and fuel ports, which results in proportionally exposed port areas. The downstream demand for the blend provides a pressure difference across the valve plate which acts against the valve plate spring to position the valve plate to a balanced position.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Inventor: James M. Jones
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Patent number: 5450877Abstract: The valve includes a tubular body made of a non-magnetic material, a seat carried by the tubular body, a closure member disposed inside the tubular body and facing the seat, the closure member including a valve member connected to a drive ring made of a magnetic material extending substantially coaxially with the tubular body and facing a magnetic field generator disposed outside the tubular body and associated with a control member.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: SeracInventor: Andre Graffin
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Patent number: 5450872Abstract: A flow control valve is provided of the type useful for positioning in a fluid system between a high pressure pump and a fluid gun. The valve preferably includes a body having first and second flow paths therein, and first and second valve members for controlling the fluid flow through the respective flow paths. The first valve member is biased towards engagement with the first seat, and the second valve member serves to substantially restrict fluid flow through the second flow path to maintain a high pressure level upstream from the valve when the gun is deactivated. The second valve seat member may be easily replaced through an access port provided in the body, and adjustment of the second valve member to control the restricted orifice in the second fluid path is obtained with a rachet mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems, Inc.Inventor: Amos Pacht
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Patent number: 5449018Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling venting of fuel vapors from a vehicle fuel tank. The apparatus includes a housing having an inlet receiving fuel vapor from the fuel tank and an outlet discharging vapor to a vapor treatment device and a valve having a central portion and an outer annular portion. The valve is movable in the housing and cooperates therewith to define a first vent chamber communicating with the fuel tank and a second vent chamber communicating with the vapor treatment device. A first vent opening is formed in the central portion of the valve. The apparatus also includes a member partitioning the first vent chamber into a central region exposed to pressure from the second vent chamber and an outer annular region exposed to pressure from the inlet. A spring normally biases the valve into engagement with the partitioning member to block flow of fuel vapor from the outer annular region of first vent chamber through the first vent opening to the second vent chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Harris
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Patent number: 5449015Abstract: A shock-activated shut-off valve including a housing having an upper chamber and a lower chamber separated by a flap-gate pivotally connected to the housing, the lower chamber comprising an inlet orifice, and outlet orifice and a flap-gate stop means; a weight; a shock-actuated retainer defining a weight-passable opening and a latching means comprising a receptacle arm pivotally connected to a counter-weight and a flap-gate actuator, wherein, in one position, the counter-weight maintains the receptacle arm and the flap-gate in a horizontal position and the weight rests on the retainer and wherein, in another position, upon shock-actuation, the weight disassociates from the retainer and, subject to vertical acceleration, engages the receptacle arm, exerting a force which exacts pivotal movement of the counterweight to allow release of the flap-gate from a horizontal position to a position engaging the flap-dash gate stop means, thereby closing the inlet orifice from the outlet orifice.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1994Date of Patent: September 12, 1995Inventor: Tony Petkovic
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Patent number: 5447288Abstract: An electromagnetic valve, in particular switching or pressure regulating valve for an automatic transmission of motor vehicles has a magnet housing, a magnet coil with a coil body received in the magnet housing, a valve member, a magnet armature through which the magnet coil cooperates with the valve member, a valve closing part connected with the magnet housing, electrical contacts for controlling the magnet coils and arranged outside of the magnet housing, and conductors extending through the magnet housing and connecting the electrical contacts with the magnet coil. The magnet housing is composed of at least two magnet casing elements, including a first magnet casing element and also a second magnet casing element which at least partially overlaps the first magnet casing element, at least one of the magnet casing elements having a recess through which the conductors extend to the electrical contacts.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Horst Keuerleber, Werner Brehm, Klaus Schudt, Markus Deeg
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Patent number: 5447174Abstract: A pilot stage for pressure control valves includes an axially displaceable valve piston which bounds a valve chamber axially on one side and includes a valve seat for a closure cone therein. Valve piston has an actuating surface in a pressure chamber that is substantially larger than the free cross section of the valve seat. By pressurization of this pressure chamber, a large hydrostatic force is exerted on the valve piston which opposes the closing force of the pressure-setting spring. A housing stop fixes a first axial end position of the valve piston in the direction of this hydrostatic force. The pilot control stage has improved properties for both manually adjustable pressure control valves and proportional pressure control valves.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Hydrolux S.a.r.l.Inventors: Arsene Bourkel, Bernd Lanfermann, Karl Tratberger, Karl-Heinz Post
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Patent number: 5447173Abstract: A mass flow controller comprising (a) a valve casing having a flow path for a fluid; (b) an electromagnetic actuator comprising a stationary yoke made of a soft magnetic material, an electromagnetic coil for magnetizing the stationary yoke, and a movable yoke made of a soft magnetic material and movable toward the stationary yoke, both of the stationary yoke and the movable yoke having a magnetic flux density of 1.5 T or more at 300 AT/m, whereby the temperature elevation of the valve casing is within 4.degree. C. from ambient temperature when the electromagnetic coil is energized; (c) a diaphragm valve means disposed in the flow path for adjusting the degree of opening the flow path; (d) a sensor pipe disposed on the upstream side of the diaphragm valve means and bypassing the flow path; and (e) a pair of sensor coils wound around the sensor pipe on the upstream and downstream sides.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.Inventors: Yoichiro Kazama, Tomihisa Oyama, Makoto Tanaka, Makoto Ishikawa
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Patent number: 5445181Abstract: There is disclosed a pressure-compensated mixing valve of the diaphragm and reciprocating piston type, wherein a flexible connection between the diaphragm and the pistons is provided. This flexible connection affords a self-alignment of the pistons in water inlet passages. In a preferred manner, this is used with a mixing valve providing alignment of a ported ring member that also provides in part an internal stop feature.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Weldon R. Kuhn, Dana F. Buccicone
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Patent number: 5443094Abstract: A product dilution system constructed according to the present invention includes an aspirator wherein a product delivery means allows a product concentrate to flow into the aspirator, and is sized in combination with the size of an outlet orifice of the aspirator to achieve a predetermined dilution ratio. A product package includes an inner flexible receptacle which collapses during product dilution to allow complete evacuation of the product concentrate from the product package.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1995Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Ecolab Inc.Inventors: Scott R. Olson, Steven E. Pasek
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Patent number: 5443090Abstract: A pilot actuator and a pilot actuated tank vent valve that comprises: (a) a vent valve body having a pallet which seats on a nozzle to seal the valve; (b) a pallet actuator mounted on the vent valve body and mechanically linked to the pallet, the upper surface of the pallet actuator being in fluid communication with the pressure in the tank through; (c) a pilot valve mounted on the diaphragm actuator and having (1) a spring loaded sensing actuator, (2) a spindle connected to and operated by the sensing actuator, (3) an inlet port in fluid communication with the pressure in the tank, (4) a first passageway for communicating the pressure from the inlet port to the pallet actuator (5) a second passageway for communicating the pressure from the inlet port to the under side of the sensing actuator and (6) a seating mechanism connected to the spindle for sealing an opening between the first passageway and an outlet port, the first passageway being offset from the inlet port and preferably laterally to the second paType: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Inventor: Jone Y. Ligh
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Patent number: 5443091Abstract: A non-return valve, particularly adapted for a medium distributor, for example a lubricant distributor, includes a valve body having therethrough a passage for the flow therethrough of a medium. The passage has an inlet end and an outlet end. The passage further has therein a valve seat and a constricted portion. The valve body is connectable to a medium outlet for supply of medium to the inlet end of the passage. A valve closing element is positioned within the passage and is urged toward the valve seat by a spring. A connecting mechanism enables a medium line to be connected to the valve body. The connecting mechanism includes a gripping element having an inner end that is spreadable outwardly upon insertion of the medium line into the element. The gripping element extends into the outlet end of the passage with the inner end of the gripping element being located at a position inwardly beyond the constricted portion of the passage.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Lincoln GmbHInventors: Karl Rodemer, Zdravko Paluncic
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Patent number: 5443089Abstract: An improved fluid amplifier (39) is operatively arranged in a flow path extending between a source (28, 31) of pressurized fluid (P.sub.s) and a fluid return (38) at a return pressure (R). The amplifier has at least one fluid connection (34 or 35) to a load. The amplifier has a movable mechanical member (24) operatively arranged to control the pressure at, and flow with respect to, the load. The mechanical member has a displacement range encompassing a null position and an off-null position. The improvement broadly includes a variable-impedance orifice (42 and/or 43) arranged in series with the amplifier in the low path. The impedance of the orifice is varied such that the impedance is a maximum when the mechanical member is in the null position and is a minimum when the mechanical member is in off-null position, such that flow from the supply to the return when the mechanical member is in the null position will be less than the maximum flow between the amplifier and the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1994Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventor: Anton Haumann
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Patent number: 5441077Abstract: A feedback air pressure sensing system is described, for use with spray guns, comprising an air pressure feedback line (1), an air regulator (2) with an air cap (3). Air is supplied from air line (4) via regulator (2) to a dual air-feedback valve (5) operated by trigger (6). Air continues along line (7) to spreader control valve (8) supplying fan air to spray gun cap (3). Air is also fed via line (9) to supply atomising air to air cap (3). The regulator (2) comprises a body (13), an inlet (16) for a main air supply to first (14) and second (15) air chambers, an inlet for feedback air to a third air chamber (26), a diaphragm (19) between outlet chamber (25) and a pilot chamber (27), the diaphragm (19) being supported in the regulator body (13) by a spring-loaded valve (18), and spring loaded adjustment means (24).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: ITW LimitedInventors: Rowland C. Smith, Paul L. Garlick
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Patent number: 5441076Abstract: A vertical heat treatment apparatus includes a heat treatment unit for performing a heat treatment process to a semiconductor wafer using a gas and a gas supply unit for supplying the gas to the heat treatment unit. The gas supply unit includes a plurality of gas controlling instruments having a plurality of gas flow control devices, a gas controlling instruments-storage vessel for storing the instruments, and a plurality of electrical parts arranged outside the storage vessel and belonging to the instruments, and an electrical parts-storage vessel for storing the electrical parts, and the plurality of gas flow control devices are integrated with each other by block-like joints.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tokyo Electron Tohoku LimitedInventors: Shuji Moriya, Takenobu Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Wakabayashi, Kazutoshi Miura, Takahiro Mori
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Patent number: 5441072Abstract: A fuel additive system is disclosed which comprises a sensing device for determining the flow rate of fuel into the system and for generating a signal in dependence upon the fuel flow rate, a control system for conditioning the signal to produce a proportional speed of a variable speed motor, a metering pump driven by the motor for dispensing an additive into the fuel flow at a rate proportionate to the speed of the motor, and a valving device for controlling the rate of increase in the fuel flow rate to permit the control system and the metering pump to respond to the variations within an effective response time to substantially maintain a predetermined ratio between the fuel flow rate and the additive dispensing rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Inc.Inventors: Sophie Indey, William Hagan
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Patent number: 5439020Abstract: A fluid handling apparatus and method for combining dissolved solid and liquid phase detergent constituents with water from an external source in predetermined proportions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dissolution tank for dissolving powdered detergent constituents deposited therein and a number of other supply containers each filled with a discrete liquid chemical. A manifold, connecting the dissolution tank and at least one liquid chemical supply container, is in fluid communication with a venturi chamber. When pressurized water from the external source is directed or jetted through the venturi chamber, detergent constituents in the dissolution tank and the chemical supply container are drawn into the venturi chamber in proper proportion for mixing with pressurized water and discharged into a holding tank for subsequent use.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Inventor: Barton Lockhart
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Patent number: 5439026Abstract: There is disclosed a flow control apparatus including a base body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a flow path for causing the inlet to communicate with the outlet, a flow adjustment means for adjusting a flow rate of the fluid in the flow path of said base body, a flow-rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the fluid in the flow path, and a flow control means for outputting a flow-rate control signal to the flow adjustment means on the basis of a detection result of the flow-rate detection means to control the flow rate of the fluid to a predetermined value. At least one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is positioned such that the flow direction of the fluid at a corresponding one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet is perpendicular to the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1993Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Tokyo Electron LimitedInventors: Shuji Moriya, Takenobu Matsuo, Tsuyoshi Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 5439027Abstract: A high pressure poppet-type regulating valve for controlling fluids that have been pressurized up to approximately 20,000 psi (1,400 kg/cm.sup.2). In the preferred embodiment the disclosed gas-dampened valve includes a stainless steel tapered poppet which is slidably positioned within a bore of a stainless steel valve body having an integral tapered valve seat. A portion of the poppet has at least one tapered section having a preselected taper angle. The valve seat has a preselected taper as well. Preferably the tapered section of has a taper angle that is up to approximately 10% larger the taper angle of the valve seat to reduce erosion of the poppet and seat thereby allowing the poppet to be made of stainless steel in lieu of a more wear resistant material. The valve body of the preferred embodiment further includes opposed discharge ports for minimizing pressure imbalances thereby reducing cavitation-induced damage to the valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Halliburton CompanyInventors: Ken S. Layton, Mark L. Suttle, Brett L. Tisch
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Patent number: 5439023Abstract: A shut-off valve for a liquid fuel includes a valve housing in which a float, adapted to bs raised by buoyant force as the liquid fuel flows into the valve housing, and a valve disc, for sealably closing a fuel vapor outflow hole, are arranged in such a manner as to allow the valve disc to be vertically displaceable relative to the float. A plate-like valve member, which carries a rod-shaped protuberance for sealably closing a through hole formed through the valve disc, is disposed between the valve disc and the float. When the float is lowered as the liquid fuel returns from the valve housing to the fuel tank, a first engagement pawl engages the plate-like valve member at a single point and, at the same time, a second engagement pawl engages a flange portion of the valve disc at a single point, whereby the plate-like valve member and the valve disc are opened so as to enable the fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank to flow into a receiving canister.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha MikuniInventor: Kazuo Horikawa