Patents Examined by Roland G. McAndrews, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5639218
    Abstract: A superhigh pressure generator system is provided which comprises first, second and reserve boosters 1, 2, 3 which are respectively provided with a plunger chambers 4a, 4b, 4c within single rod-type oil hydraulic cylinders 7a, 7b, 7c on the plunger side and are operative to pressurize water sucked into the respective plunger chambers to superhigh pressure, the boosters being connected in parallel each other to a water discharge line 9 via check valves 6a, 6b, 6c respectively. First, second and reserve 3-position directional control valves 13, 14, 15 are interposed between the oil hydraulic cylinders 7a, 7b, 7c of the respective boosters on one hand and first and second oil hydraulic pumps 11, 12 on the other hand so as to permit a reciprocating motion of the oil hydraulic cylinders. On-off valves 20, 21, 23, 22 are respectively provided on discharge lines 17, 18, 19, 16 which connect the three-position directional control valves 13, 14, 15 to the first and second oil hydraulic pumps 11, 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Tanino, Takuichi Habiro, Takaaki Noda, Kouichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5639226
    Abstract: A portable, battery operated air pump comprising a battery power supply, an electric motor having a drive shaft, a drive wheel affixed to the motor shaft, a driven wheel mounted on a pivot pin and driven by the drive wheel, a cylinder-piston air pump having a forward end pivotally affixed to a pivot pin and a piston rod actuable by the driven wheel, and a nozzle connected to the cylinder and configured for engagement with an air valve of an inflatable object. The above-noted elements are arranged end-to-end in the order given. The pump has a longitudinal axis. The motor shaft has an axis parallel to the pump axis. The driven wheel pivot pin and the cylinder pivot pin having axes perpendicular to the pump longitudinal axis. The overall structure is extremely compact and can be operated by a single hand of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventors: Morten Boutrup, Peter Eglund Sorensen
  • Patent number: 5639221
    Abstract: A liquid ring compressor comprising at least one side shield having a suction connection leading to a suction chamber and a discharge connection leading to a pressure chamber. A cam disk spatially delimits the suction and pressure chambers from the working chamber of the liquid ring compressor. The cam disk comprises a suction slot that establishes fluid-flow communication between the suction chamber and the working chamber and a delivery slot that establishes fluid-flow communication between the pressure chamber and the working chamber. A separating and quieting configuration is provided in the suction chamber to separate and settle a portion of liquid from a drawn-in gas-liquid mixture so that the separated liquid may be removed from the suction chamber. The removal of a portion of the liquid prevents compressor performance from decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Siebenwurst
  • Patent number: 5639229
    Abstract: A fuel pumping apparatus comprises a pumping plunger reciprocable in a bore to supply fuel to the cylinders of an associated engine. A spill valve arrangement is provided to control fuel delivery, the spill valve arrangement including a valve member coupled to a first piston which is slidable within a first cylinder. Passage means are provided in the first piston interconnecting the ends of the first cylinder permitting restricted flow therebetween. A second piston slidable within a second cylinder is arranged to engage an end of the first piston, a spring biasing the second piston towards the first piston and biasing the valve member into engagement with a valve seat. In use, at high engine speed the pressure of fuel between the pistons increases, separating the pistons permitting fuel to escape through a passage provided in the second piston. Such an escape of fuel results in additional fresh, cool, fuel being drawn into the pumping apparatus thus cooling the pumping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Lucas Industries
    Inventor: Michael Peter Cooke
  • Patent number: 5636974
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston compressor adapted to receive a low pressure gas from an external circuit, and to supply a high pressure gas to the external circuit includes a cylinder block with front and rear ends. The cylinder block includes a central bore extending along the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of axially extending cylinder bores. The central bore has an open end at the front end of the cylinder block and an opposite closed end. Pistons are slidably provided within the cylinder bores for reciprocation. A drive shaft is inserted into the central bore for driving the motion of the reciprocating pistons. A pair of radial bearings, which are provided in the central bore, supports the axially extending drive shaft. An oil separator is provided between the compressor and the external circuit to remove lubricating oil contained in the high pressure gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hayato Ikeda, Hirofumi Sato, Tomoji Tarutani, Hiromi Michiyuki
  • Patent number: 5636973
    Abstract: A compressor has a swash plate tiltable between maximum and minimum inclining angles with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of a drive shaft according to a difference between pressures in a crank chamber and a suction chamber. An internal gas passage includes the crank chamber, the suction chamber and a discharge chamber. The internal gas passage is connected to an external circuit separately provided from the compressor. The rotation of the drive shaft is converted to a reciprocating movement of a piston to vary a capacity of a cylinder bore. The piston compresses a gas supplied from the external circuit to the internal gas passage and discharges the gas to the external circuit. A inhibiting apparatus inhibits the circulation of the gas through the internal gas passage and the external circuit when the swash plate is located between the minimum inclining angle and a first inclining angle. The first inclining angle is greater than the minimum inclining angle of the swash plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masanori Sonobe, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ken Suitou, Shinichi Ogura
  • Patent number: 5636975
    Abstract: A high-pressure, plunger-type liquid pump including a liquid manifold that includes a plunger chamber in the form of an axial cylindrical bore portion for slidably receiving a pressurizing plunger, and that also includes a valve chamber coaxial with the plunger chamber and in communication therewith for removably receiving a cartridge-type flow control valve. The liquid manifold includes a closure plug to close the valve chamber. The cartridge-type valve is slidably received in the valve chamber for enabling removal of the cartridge-type valve from the liquid manifold without the need for separating the liquid manifold from the pump drive housing. The cartridge-type valve is of a structure that includes in-line, axially spaced suction and discharge valves that are each spring biased into closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: James C. Tiffany, William K. Morgan
  • Patent number: 5634774
    Abstract: A vehicle or pedestrian operated air compressor which utilizes flaps mounted in pairs in a road or pedestrian walkway surface. When traffic moves over the flaps, they move downward to activate a piston which compresses air. The compressed air can be stored in a container and used as needed to generate electricity or activate other machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventors: Robert C. Angel, Jesus Gomez
  • Patent number: 5634776
    Abstract: A low noise hydraulic pump is disclosed which can be an piston pump or a vane pump, including a flow generation assembly with at least one pumping chamber for creating positive displacement of hydraulic fluid into a hydraulic system. The pump also includes a valve plate in fluid communication with the flow generation assembly, wherein the valve plate defines an inlet for admitting hydraulic fluid and also an outlet for receiving discharged hydraulic fluid. A check valve assembly is received within the valve plate for establishing a fluid passageway between the flow generation assembly and the outlet, wherein the check valve assembly reduces the pressure overshoot between the flow generation assembly and the outlet. The check valve assembly further comprises a check valve having a plurality of apertures, the apertures being sized so as to permit a predetermined flow of fluid through the check valve assembly, whereby the check valve assembly reduces noise generated by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Trinova Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Leemhuis, Don G. Olmstead
  • Patent number: 5632191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic mechanism comprising: a cam; a cylinder block; cylinders formed in the cylinder block; pistons slidably mounted in the cylinders; thrust rollers for the pistons acting on the cam and axially defined by two transverse faces; two wedging parts for each roller, each wedging part being disposed in a recess between the end face of the roller and the inside face of the cylinder, thereby holding the roller in position, one of the wedging parts extending to the bottom portion of the recess and including a groove parallel to the axis of the piston, and a projection that is fixed relative to the cylinder being received in the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics
    Inventors: Gilles Lemaire, Alain Noel
  • Patent number: 5632607
    Abstract: A pump comprising a housing including first and second housing sections and a gasket between the first and second housing sections. The housing has a first pumping chamber, an inlet, an inlet passage in the housing leading from the inlet to the pumping chamber, an outlet and an outlet passage in the housing leading from the pumping chamber to the outlet. A pumping member is movable in the pumping chamber to pump fluid through the pump. Inlet and outlet check valves are provided in the inlet and outlet passages, respectively with each of the check valves including a movable valve element. The outlet check valve includes an outlet valve seat and a movable outlet valve element secured to the gasket at at least two spaced apart regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Shurflo Pump Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Niculae G. Popescu, Christopher J. Taylor-McCune, Michael A. George
  • Patent number: 5630643
    Abstract: A chair includes a base, a chair control and tilt mechanism, a shell assembly and a cushion assembly. The shell assembly includes a seat shell fixed to the base and a separate back shell. The back shell and seat shell are interconnected by a mechanical hinge. The hinge includes a pair of tabs on the back shell received in sockets defined by the seat shell. The tabs are retained in the sockets by the chair base. Back supports or chair arms have ends operatively connected to the tilt mechanism. Opposite ends of the arms are secured to the seat back to support and guide the back during tilting movement. The cushion assembly includes a molded foam member having a fabric or other upholstery material joined thereto. The back shell includes an integral, hinged upholstery flap. The fabric of the cushion assembly is folded over and joined to the flap. The flap is folded and operatively connected to a rear surface of the back shell. The seat shell includes another integral upholstery attachment flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventors: Brian L. Scholten, James E. Abraham, Dale M. Groendal, Robert M. Scheper, Thomas R. Hahn, Douglas A. Smith
  • Patent number: 5628624
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for unseating a seated traveling valve ball, and pumps utilizing such an assembly. The assembly generally includes a tubular member having therein a piston with an actuator for engaging the ball. Mechanical advantage is provided either by providing a sealing area of the piston that is greater than the sealing area of the seat valve and/or by providing a engaging member suitable to strike to seated ball asymmetrically with respect to the vertical axis through the center line of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Joe A. Nelson, II
  • Patent number: 5628623
    Abstract: A fluid jet ejector and ejection method wherein a plurality of high velocity jet streams of a primary fluid are discharged through a vacuum chamber into a convergent-divergent diffuser or nozzle to draw a secondary fluid into the chamber in such manner that the secondary fluid is entrained within flow spaces formed between the jet streams and is carried from the chamber through the diffuser means by the jet streams. A modular fluid jet ejector composed of multiple parts which may be economically manufactured and assembled, and a fluid jet ejector assembly consisting of multiple stacked fluid jet ejectors which may be coupled in parallel to provide a high jet pumping rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Bill D. Skaggs
  • Patent number: 5626468
    Abstract: A skid (10) is disclosed which includes a mainframe (22) and detachable side wings (22,24) which can be removed from the mainframe for transportation and attached to the mainframe at the site of use to enhance stability. The engine (14), compressor (12) and other equipment are mounted between the main beams (26, 28) of the mainframe (20) and suitable plates (136) are interdisposed between the main beams to allow a walkway between the engine and the compressor. Grating (156) is provided on other portions of the skid to facilitate use by operational personnel. All pipe runs beneath the grating and provisions are made for fluids to drain from the engine and compressor to storage tanks within the skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Enterra Compression Company
    Inventors: K. Douglas Muir, Randy V. Franiel, Rowan B. Walter
  • Patent number: 5622479
    Abstract: A device (10), and a method for forming such a device (10), for a fluid system for a vehicle, comprises first and second members (12, 13). The first member (12) is adapted for direct mounting on the chassis or engine of a vehicle (11); the second member (13) defines at least part of a leak tight fluid chamber (15) of the device (10). The first member (12) is of a thermoset material suitable for withstanding operating conditions and loads associated with direct mounting of the device (10) on the chassis or engine (11), and the second member (13) is of a thermoplastic material suitable for welding to ensure leaktightness of a fluid chamber (15). The second member (13) is interlocked with the first member (12) during moulding thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: WABCO Automotive UK Limited
    Inventor: Stephen R. Earle
  • Patent number: 5622484
    Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Carr-Griff, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Taylor-McCune, Brian J. Kurth, Lloyd D. Golobay
  • Patent number: 5622483
    Abstract: A brake fluid pressure controller for use in a motor vehicle having a hydraulic unit. including a housing and a pump mounted in the housing. A motor for driving the pump is coupled to the housing. The hydraulic unit and the motor are mounted through shock-absorbing rubber mount to a vehicle body. The rubber mount is supported on a support portion formed on the end cover of the motor. This eliminates the need for machining and extra parts and reduces the machining cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Nokubo
  • Patent number: 5618164
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compressor assembly, where the inlet port of a liquid-piston rotary compressor is coupled to a suction line and the outlet port of the compressor is coupled to a storage tank. An air-discharge line and a return line leading to the liquid-piston rotary compressor are coupled to the storage tank which recirculate operating liquid. Furthermore, an after-cooler device having a primary and a secondary zone is provided, which is connected with its primary zone to the suction line and, its secondary zone, to the air-discharge line. The condensate being produced in the after-cooler device is recirculated into the circulation zone of the operating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guenter Holzheimer, Bernd Schaeperklaus, Hans Weigl
  • Patent number: 5616007
    Abstract: A liquid spray compressor is provided in which cooling liquid is sprayed into a vessel containing gases or vapors to be compressed, thereby displacing the gas and simultaneously absorbing a significant amount of the heat of compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Eric L. Cohen