Patents Examined by Robert J. Miller
  • Patent number: 4005728
    Abstract: A faucet valve to control the volume flow of hot or cold water, such as in a sink fixture, includes a housing having a hollow chamber, a cap removably attached to said housing and defining a passage offset from the axis of the chamber, and a stem rotatably disposed within the housing and having an inlet passage offset from the axis of rotation of the stem. A resilient grommet seal is disposed in the passage in the cap and is in sliding sealing engagement with the stem. The cap can be removed from the housing to replace the grommet, or to reverse the direction of rotation of the stem member between the open and closed positions, whereby the faucet valve can be interchangeably used in the hot or cold water lines of a sink fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Assignee: Globe Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Ralph E. Thorp
  • Patent number: 3994537
    Abstract: In a vehicle hydraulic braking system the supply of fluid from an hydraulic master cylinder to the slave cylinder of a wheel brake is controlled by an actuator assembly which includes a modulator assembly for controlling the supply to the slave cylinder in accordance with the deceleration of a wheel operated by the slave cylinder, and both the master cylinder and the actuator assembly are actuated in response to separate supplies of the same fluid pressure medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: Girling Limited
    Inventors: David Anthony Harries, Frederick James Knight
  • Patent number: 3993414
    Abstract: An axial supersonic compressor comprises a casing and a hub rotating in the asing and carrying blades. The suction surface of each blade is formed with a zone in which the curvative changes and which corresponds to a supersonic-subsonic shock wave. A channel formed in each blade and opening in said zone is connected to boundary layer aspiration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aerospatiales (O.N.E.R.A.)
    Inventors: Georges D. Meauze, Jean-Jacques Thibert, Jacky R. Leynaert
  • Patent number: 3993093
    Abstract: This invention relates to a non-return valve or check valve in the form of a piston-type slide-valve comprising a substantially rotationally-symmetrical outer housing and a likewise substantially rotationally-symmetrical inner housing which is arranged centrally therein and which is of streamline configuration, a free annular space serving as a flow passage between the outer and the inner housings which annular space is subdivided by connecting webs and can be shut off by a piston which can be extended coaxially from the inner housing, under spring pressure, against the direction of flow of a flow medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Machinefabriek Mokfeld B.V.
    Inventor: Nicolaas Jacobus Mokveld
  • Patent number: 3990477
    Abstract: A flow control valve includes a valve body defining a main bore and a cross-drilled bore communicating therewith. A valve spool is reciprocable within the main bore and includes first and second lands connected by a reduced diameter connecting portion. The connecting portion has fixed relative thereto and thereabout an annular rib, positioned between the two lands. The rib acts as a guide to direct fluid substantially perpendicular to the axis of reciprocal motion of the spool when the spool is positioned to allow fluid flow between the main and cross-drilled bores, to minimize fluid flow forces tending to hold the spool in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Howard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 3990468
    Abstract: A universal logic body block includes a number of identical cavities having accompanying passageways of identical number and pattern. Each single cavity forms the basic housing for installation of various components to perform logic functions AND, OR, NOT and TIM. A primary universal insert fitted within the above-described cavities of the universal logic body block in combination with various other valve elements will provide an AND, or NOT logic function. A universal secondary seat may be fitted within a cavity in one manner in combination with other components, to provide the logic functions AND, OR and NOT. Additional specialized inserts are provided for insertion into a cavity of the universal logic body block in combination with various valve elements to provide the TIM logic function or the OR function. Various logic circuits can be formed in one block by means of connections between separate logic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Arvin, Larry L. Seeley
  • Patent number: 3986526
    Abstract: A train of fluid pulses representative of a process variable is processed by digital fluidic circuits and is then converted into an analog fluid pressure signal which is compared to an analog command signal, the difference between the two compared signals being caused to appear in the form of a displacement. This displacement is amplified by means of a fluid servo system, the amplified output of which is utilized for directly driving a control element for a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Robert C. C. Chang, William M. Scott
  • Patent number: 3986525
    Abstract: An internal tank valve having a seating plate defining a valve seat, a valve member, a straight line linkage supporting and guiding movement of the valve member to and from engagement with the valve seat, the valve member having a rounded surface facing the direction of flow through the valve seat, a pressure equalizing valve in the valve member, means for moving the valve member into and from engagement with the valve seat and means for absorbing shock loading on the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Anderson, Greenwood & Co.
    Inventor: Lomis Slaughter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 3983895
    Abstract: Pipeline capsules, pigs, or other solid objects bypass a pipeline pump station via a bypass system that avoids cycling of the primary fluid flow. The fluid is removed from the main pipeline through perforations in the pipeline wall, transported through the pump and reinjected into the main pipeline downstream from the fluid removal point. Two valves are located in the main pipeline between the fluid removal point and the fluid reinjection point. The first valve is opened in response to the detection of the incoming solid object, allowing it to pass through the valve. The first valve is then closed and the second valve opened to allow the solid object to pass through the second valve and re-enter the main fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: George A. Pouska, Charles M. Harris
  • Patent number: 3983899
    Abstract: A check valve having a body with an inlet and an outlet which are coaxially aligned and a valve element including a section of a sphere which is spring loaded urging the valve element towards and sealing against the inlet. The valve element is supported on a stem which is coaxially movable in the valve body. The body has a cavity of a cross-sectional area greater than the valve element by an amount at least as great as the area of the inlet whereby the valve avoids restricting the flow of fluid through the body. Locking means are provided for locking the valve element in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Inventors: Gerald A. Graham, Harold R. Graham
  • Patent number: 3981321
    Abstract: A vehicle fuel system comprising a plurality of tanks, each tank having a feed and a return conduit extending into a lower portion thereof, the several feed conduits joined to form one supply conduit feeding fuel to a supply pump and using means, unused fuel being returned via a return conduit which branches off to the several return conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
    Inventors: John T. Risse, James C. Taggart
  • Patent number: 3980271
    Abstract: The sliding plate of a sliding gate valve has a mounting for a collector nozzle, and a nozzle is releasably coupled to the mounting by means of a releasable fastening which allows ready replacement of the nozzle when worn. The releasable fastening clamps the collector nozzle to its mounting and holds the nozzle in firm abutment with the underside of the sliding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Duncan Hind, Jeffrey Hill
  • Patent number: 3977433
    Abstract: A valve structure comprises an elongated housing having a passage extending therethrough, and a control member mounted in the passage for rectilinear movement with respect to the housing. The housing has a plurality of spaced valve ports extending therethrough in communication with the housing passage. A plurality of sealing means are non-uniformly spaced along the length of the control member for movement therewith, with each of the sealing means sealingly engaging adjacent wall surfaces of the housing passage. The sealing means in one position of the control member define a given flow circuit among the valve ports, and in another position of the control member its sealing means define a different flow circuit among the valve ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Hankison Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Hankison, William Foster Walker
  • Patent number: 3977423
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a fluid pressure actuated valve are provided whereby the valve inlet pressure and valve outlet pressure are applied to control and limit the valve outlet pressure and to substantially reduce the fluid pressure applied to the valve actuating means when the valve inlet pressure is below a preselected safe value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Hadwen A. Clayton
  • Patent number: 3976396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for converting fluid flow kinetic energy into rotational kinetic energy comprising a body mounted for vertical rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of horizontally spaced vertically extending vanes pivotably mounted on said body and rotatable between an open position in which the vane extends outwardly from the body and a closed position in which the vane lies with one surface thereof adjacent the surface of the body, and the plurality of feather members spacedly mounted longitudinally of each frame and extending outwardly and transversely of the surface opposite to said one surface of said vane, said feathers being dimensioned to abut said body when said vane is in said open position to provide stop means for each vane, the center gravity of each vane being located at the position in the feather members such that on the rotational speed of the body reaching a preselected maximum all the vanes assume a position between the open and closed position w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Inventor: Enrico Antogini
  • Patent number: 3976096
    Abstract: A relief/check valve wherein a relief valve element is displaced to open the valve when the inlet pressure exceeds the outlet pressure by a predetermined relief pressure. The relief valve element carries an elastomeric check valve element which permits reverse flow when the outlet pressure exceeds the inlet pressure. The invention is applicable to fuel tank vent valves and fuel line anti-siphon valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1976
    Assignee: Anderson Brass Company
    Inventors: Gerald H. Kass, deceased, by Frederick O. Knauer, administrator
  • Patent number: 3974852
    Abstract: The valve is adapted to close against the force of a bias spring in response to a substantial increase in the pressure drop through restricted by-pass passages in the valve when a hose is ruptured on the outlet side of the valve. The restriction of the by-pass passages is adjustable by rotation of an internal adjustment ring to thereby determine the flow rate at which the valve is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Linden-Alimak AB
    Inventor: Torbjorn Svensson
  • Patent number: 3973753
    Abstract: Gate valve having a closure member mounted on a swinging arm pivotally mounted for movement transversely of the axis of the valve openings. A wedge member carried by the arm drives the closure member in a direction parallel to the axis of the openings when moved longitudinally of the arm. An actuator pivots a cam which bears against the wedge member to swing the arm to a predetermined position in which the closure member is aligned with the openings and thereafter to move the cam to drive the closure member axially and seal one of the openings. Resilient members urge the closure member toward its retracted position and prevent the wedge member from moving forward until the arm reaches the predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Varian Associates
    Inventor: William R. Wheeler
  • Patent number: 3972349
    Abstract: An inverter valve arrangement which comprises a fixed forward duct system having concentric annular passages at its inlet and a fixed after duct system having concentric annular passages at its outlet and each fixed system having selectively shaped adjacent portions which are circumferentially displaced and joined by a plurality of flapper valves. The flapper valves may be actuated so that either series or parallel flow will occur between the concentric annular passages of the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Julius W. Tumavicus
  • Patent number: 3972364
    Abstract: A pressure surge relief system including a valve which is opened to relieve the pipeline when line pressure overcomes a pilot chamber pressure. A pilot load duct with a variable orifice device therein connects the chamber to the pipeline. In the event of a surge, the orifice retards pressure build-up in the chamber so that it will be overcome by higher pressure in the pipeline. Pressure responsive means makes the orifice device more restrictive as pressure increases to produce a pressure lag at the control chamber even at lower velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Assignee: Grove Valve and Regulator Company
    Inventor: Richard S. Brumm