Patents Examined by Robert G. Nilson
  • Pressure regulator for fuel injection devices
    Patent number: 5407329
    Abstract: The pressure regulator is suitable for disposition in a fuel pump. The pressure regulator has a metal bellows, which is connected on one end to a retaining ring and on the other end to a disk. An element is screwed into the retaining ring, which element carries a valve closing member of a seat valve, whose valve seat encompasses an outlet bore of the disk. The interior of the bellows communicates with the compression side of the fuel pump by means of an opening of the element, and with the intake side by means of the outlet bore of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bueser, Lorenz Drutu
  • Smart vent valve for cargo tanks employed in transporting hazardous commodities
    Patent number: 5404903
    Abstract: A "smart vent" valve is mounted on a liquid storage tank employed in the transportation of liquid. The valve prevents overpressurization of the tank due to increases in vapor pressure and prevents discharge of liquid through the valve in response to pressure surges caused by accidental overturning of the tank. A valve member is provided for a vent opening. Sealing engagement is maintained between the valve member and the vent opening during a finite period of valve member travel caused by an increase in pressure within the tank. The rate of valve member travel is limited by hydraulic system in which hydraulic fluid is forced through orifices from one chamber to another. The high levels of pressure surges do not have sufficient duration to displace the valve member a distance sufficient to move it to a position in which the vent opening is unsealed and liquid could escape therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: Todd W. Anderson, Richard L. Fahl
  • Adjustable control valve with limited adjustment range and self locking means
    Patent number: 5404904
    Abstract: The control valve includes a spring refiner which is threadly retained in the valve body and which may be adjusted so as to incrementally vary the hydraulic pressure required to open the valve. The valve additionally includes stops or limits so as to prevent the spring retainer from being grossly misadjusted which, when used in the hydraulic control system of the recloser, may cause undesirable miscoordination with the operation of other circuit breakers and protective devices. The valve additionally includes a self-locking mechanism to prevent the valve from falling out of adjustment due to vibration or improper handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Glaser
  • Weldable vapor vent valve for fuel tanks
    Patent number: 5404907
    Abstract: A weldable vapor vent valve assembly comprising a heat-resistant valve body and a weldable connector portion fastened to an upper end of the valve body for welding onto the outer surface of a polymeric fuel tank. In one embodiment the weldable connector portion is overmolded onto an upper end of the valve body, with the mechanical connection and fluid seal between the weldable connector portion in the valve body strengthened by one or more sets of circumferential anti-leak ribs on the upper end of the valve body. In another embodiment the weldable connector and the valve body are manufactured separately, and the seal and connecting means for assembling the two in a fluid- and vapor-tight manner allow the valve body to be assembled to the weldable connector in a simple axial press-fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: G. T. Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Pete Belanger
  • Pressure regulator for fuel injection systems
    Patent number: 5402817
    Abstract: A pressure regulator including first and second chambers, separated by a diaphragm. By means of a tube centrally penetrating the diaphragm, fuel can be fed under pressure into a first chamber for delivery to an engine. The second chamber communicates with a fuel tank through a spillway and includes therein a compression spring of an overflow valve for diverting fuel from the tube. The overflow valve is embodied as a slide valve and includes a sleeve-like slide that is joined to the diaphragm and has a control opening that cooperates with a control groove of the tube. The pressure regulator for fuel injection systems is intended for disposition in or on a fuel tank so that any returned fuel is led directly into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Bueser
  • Anti-cavitation valve
    Patent number: 5402822
    Abstract: In a shut-off or diverter valve, an anti-cavitation valve located downstream of the shut-off or diverter valve member vents an outlet passageway to the atmosphere to minimize cavitation in an outflowing column of water which has suddenly been isolated from the inlet. The anti-cavitation valve may be located in the interior of the shut-off or diverter valve member. When the pressure gradient between atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the just closed outlet passageway exceeds the force exerted by a spring, the anti-cavitation valve opens an air passageway communicating between the atmosphere and the outlet passageway. Part of the air passageway may be in the interior of the push rod of the diverter valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Clarence E. Klessig
  • Fuel shut-off device
    Patent number: 5402818
    Abstract: In a first valve mechanism 30, a positive pressure spring 31 presses a first valve plug 34 to seat an external ring projection 37 of the first valve plug 34 onto a bottom surface 39 of a support cylinder 35. The first valve mechanism 30 opens at a first valve-opening pressure P1 responsive to a pressure balance across the positive pressure regulating valve plug 34. In a safety valve mechanism 60, the same spring (the positive pressure spring 31) presses a safety valve plug 61 via the external ring projection 37 seated on the bottom surface 39 to seat a sealing ring projection 62 of the safety valve plug 61 onto an upper face 63 of a partition wall 28. The safety valve mechanism 60 opens at a second valve-opening pressure P2 responsive to a pressure balance across the safety valve plug 61.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Yoshihiro Nagino, Toshihiko Asaya
  • Pressure equalizer device
    Patent number: 5402816
    Abstract: A pressure equalizer device for load balancing systems; the device comprises an hollow body (16) defining a pressure equalizing chamber having fluid inlet and outlet apertures at opposite ends thereof, and a pressure release valve on the outlet side of the chamber; the pressure release valve is actuated by a floating pilot piston urged by a biasing spring to close the valve; at least one unidirectional flow passage, 23) is provided between the two side of pressure equalizing chamber to feed the pressurized fluid on both sides of the floating pilot piston of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Univer S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Migliori
  • Directional control valve
    Patent number: 5400821
    Abstract: A directional control valve for compressed air with an inlet port, at least one consumer port and at least one vent port includes a housing accommodating a control piston for controlling the connection between the inlet port, the consumer port and the vent port, and a one-way restrictor arrangement. The one-way restrictor arrangement is fitted directly within the housing between the vent port and the consumer port, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the control piston. In this manner, a flow of compressed air to the consumer is prevented upon occurrence of a dynamic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Herion Werke AG
    Inventor: Helmut Ott
  • High-capacity pressure limiting valve
    Patent number: 5400817
    Abstract: A pressure limiting valve with rates of flow of more than 8,000 l/min exhibits a valve casing comprising a control piston and valve piston. These valve casings are arranged inside the casing so as to be movable against corresponding springs, whereby the control piston and valve piston are separate units. The valve piston is arranged so as to be movable against an adjustment screw that is supported on the control piston side and has a through-bore that has a smaller diameter than the blind bore of the control piston. This special design of the valve ensures a uniform opening and reclosing of the pressure limiting valve for the described rates of flow, whereby suitable sealing rings consisting of Teflon are used in the area of the valve piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Richard Voss Grubenausbau GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Voss, Wolfgang Voss
  • Constant pressure valve and method
    Patent number: 5398715
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Butterworth Jetting Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Amos Pacht
  • Centrifugal valve
    Patent number: 5398713
    Abstract: A valve which controls the movement of pressurized fluid through a passage, the regulation of which is determined by the application of a centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the valve about a fixed axis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Leslie D. Whitman
  • Modulating valve
    Patent number: 5397098
    Abstract: A modulating valve includes an inlet passage and a discharge passage, both of which are in communication with an internal cavity associated with the valve body. An actuator arrangement includes a pivoting actuator shaft, at least a portion of which is located within the internal cavity. A flow-controlling plug member includes a first portion extending into one of the passages, and a second portion located within the internal cavity. The first portion is provided with guide structure engageable with one or more walls defining the passage, to guide axial movement of the plug member. The second portion of the plug member is interconnected with the actuator shaft. The plug member second portion and the actuator shaft are interconnected in such a manner that pivoting movement of the actuator shaft results in axially inward or outward movement of the plug member within the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael R. Schreiner
  • Dual radius valve stop
    Patent number: 5396930
    Abstract: The profile of the valve stop of a discharge valve is configured such that the portion facing the free length of the valve member has a first fixed radius portion and a second, larger fixed radius portion. The first and second fixed radius portions are tangent at their transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Ebbing, Michael N. Mantooth
  • Pressure limiting valve with replacement control valve
    Patent number: 5396924
    Abstract: A pressure limiting valve with high flow rates, but in particular with a good adaptability to the respective conditions, is constructed so that the control piston and the valve piston are coordinated with separate valve cases, whereby these valve cases are connected to each other by way of a plug-in fitting which can be screwed into the valve case of the valve piston and has on the opposite side a standardized plug connection. In the center of this plug-in fitting is provided a center bore, so that the plug-in fitting which has a corresponding opening or blind hole on both sides permits the pressure medium to flow through. The blind hole in the valve piston itself is again connected via a through-bore to the compensation chamber on the opposite side, whereby the diameter of this through-bore is smaller than that of the blind hole of the control piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Richard Voss Grubenausbau GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Voss
  • Anti-free flow valve, enabling fluid flow as a function of pressure and selectively opened to enable free flow
    Patent number: 5396925
    Abstract: A bi-directional cracking valve that can be selectively opened. Bi-directional cracking valve (10, 70) is formed using an elastomeric membrane (34). Centered within the elastomeric membrane is a slit (36) that remains closed, blocking fluid flow through the device until a differential pressure across the elastomeric membrane exceeds a predefined cracking pressure, sufficient to force fluid through the slit. The elastomeric membrane is an integral part of an elastomeric cylinder (28), which is mounted in a valve carrier (12). The valve carrier includes ports disposed at opposite ends and the ports are adapted to couple to tubing. An operator can selectively enable fluid flow through the device by squeezing side tabs (40, 42) disposed on opposite sides of the elastomeric membrane together, forcing the slit open. A latch (46) is provided to keep the bi-directional cracking valve in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Robert G. Poli
  • High pressure fuel system valve
    Patent number: 5392811
    Abstract: A fuel system valve has a metal valve seat and a metal valve body. The metal valve body has a chamber which contains material which is moveable through the chamber in response to deceleration of the valve body. The forces of the material within the chamber on the valve body during rapid deceleration of the valve body counteract the forces subjected on the valve body in response to contact with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dale C. Maley, David M. Olson, Ronald D. Shinogle
  • Hyper-reset pressure controller
    Patent number: 5392809
    Abstract: A hyper-reset pressure controller which includes two separate feedback paths which results in a substantially smoother and more accurate pressure control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Acme Steel Company
    Inventor: Steve Buckner
  • Offset hinge flapper valve
    Patent number: 5392812
    Abstract: An offset hinge flapper valve has a single valve plate rotatably mounted in the flow channel of a cast housing. The valve plate is freely rotatable about a pivot pin welded to the housing. The valve plate has first and second co-planar parts extending on respective sides of its axis of rotation, which is offset from the center axis of the flow channel. These co-planar parts have peripheral edges configured so that the valve plate has the same shape as the shape of the flow channel taken along an oblique section of the cast housing. A brace having an abutment surface is mounted on the valve plate. When the valve plate rotates to a predetermined inclined angle relative to the flow, the brace contacts the housing, thereby blocking further rotation and preventing flutter or instability of the valve plate in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: William L. Herron
  • Plate-type, unidirectional-flow, fluid control valve
    Patent number: 5390698
    Abstract: A valve seat and valve guard are coupled together, and form a chamber therebetween within which a valving plate moves. A stud secures the seat and guard together, and has a bore formed therewithin for receiving a headed piston. The piston has a projecting rod which engages the valving plate, and a pilot hole formed in the stud addresses a pressured fluid thereinto for moving the piston, causing the rod to move the plate laterally in the chamber. Apertures in the seat, guard and plate align, when pressured fluid enters the seat apertures, as the plate rises from the seat, and combines with the lateral movement to displace the plate diagonally in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Edward Frazzini