Patents Examined by Stephen Hepperle
  • Patent number: 7753073
    Abstract: An occlusion valve with safety relief comprising a manifold block having an inlet and an outlet. A diaphragm connected to the manifold block and for being manually pressed to stop flow between the inlet and the outlet. A pressure relief valve internal to the manifold block and in fluid communication with downstream and upstream pressures and wherein when the diaphragm is pressed and downstream pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure the pressure relief valve opens allowing flow through the occlusion valve with safety relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Midmark Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Owczarczak
  • Patent number: 7753066
    Abstract: “SINGLE SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF HIGH OR LOW PRESSURE GASES FLOW RATE AND VALVE FOR CONTROL OF HIGH OR LOW PRESSURE GASES”, consists essentially in a system (S), which has active control of the movement of the valve (1) ram (P) solely by the concept of measurement of the flow rate and by the difference of pressure between the input and output of said valve (1), which, based on certain preconceived parameters, opens or closes the ram (P) so as to compensate the error between the actual and programmed flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Thermojet do Brasil Ltda.
    Inventors: Ricardo Leite Passos, Alfredo José Alvim De Castro, Caio Moldehnhauer Peret, Eduardo Sala Polati, Heldai Lemos Ferreira, Sérgio Lopes Donke, Rodrigo Muzzutti, Renato Giacomini, Renato Gallina
  • Patent number: 7753072
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include a main housing and first and second electro-statically actuated valves. The main housing may define at least three chambers, with a first chamber configured to be coupled to a high pressure supply port, a second chamber configured to be coupled to an output port, and a third chamber configured to be coupled to a low pressure exhaust port. The first electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the first and second chambers, and the first electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber responsive to a first electrical signal. The second electro-statically actuated valve may be provided between the second and third chambers, and the second electro-statically actuated valve may allow or substantially block fluid communication between the second chamber and the third chamber responsive to a second electrical signal. Related methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: AFA Controls LLC
    Inventors: Kevin R. Douglas, William O. Teach, Paul W. Gibson, Donald C. Harris, Scott H. Goodwin, David E. Dausch, Wayne D. Dettloff
  • Patent number: 7748397
    Abstract: An assembly of two components configured to be in contact with hydrocarbons, and a fuel tank including the assembly. The assembly includes a casing or a retaining member fastened to the casing, each of the two components including at least one fastening part configured to interact, and at least one of the components being made from a material configured to swell through action of the hydrocarbons, thus reinforcing retention of the components on one another. A method for manufacturing such a tank includes assembling the two components in the absence of fuel, and then bringing the two components into contact with the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Eric Firtion, Patrice Baudoux, Alexis Rosseel
  • Patent number: 7748402
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the filling of a fluid containing vessel is provided having a valve body having a fluid inlet regulated by a valve member movable between an open and closed position within the valve body. A valve controller is provided regulating the valve position having a float pivotally mounted on a float arm and a retaining member pivotally mounted for rotation with the float arm through a limited portion of the float arm range. The retainer member engages the valve member urging it to the open position when the float reaches a predetermined low fill angle and the float arm engages and releases the retainer member when a predetermined high fill level is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fester Assets Corporation
    Inventor: Yet Chan
  • Patent number: 7743783
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling a process fluid from a drain of a semiconductor process tool. The process fluid may be an acidic cobalt solution or an electroless cobalt solution used in a semiconductor process step to prevent electromigration in copper interconnects. The used process fluid is collected from the tool drain and recycled back to the tool inlet if a condition of the fluid is within a predetermined range. Otherwise, the used process fluid is drained from the system. The system may also operate in a bleed and feed mode where a portion of the used process fluid is periodically drained from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP
    Inventor: David Paul Edwards
  • Patent number: 7743787
    Abstract: A mud saver valve for retaining drilling fluid in the Kelly of a rotary drilling rig for insertion into a Kelly sub with an enlarged opening inside having a valve and hollow piston closing the flow in a first position and having flow through when the hollow piston is moved by flow against a spring to an open position compressing a spring to stack height, the spring being magnetized to provide magnetic latching to assist in holding the hollow piston in the open position at flow rates lower than it would otherwise be held open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: CMV
    Inventor: Benton Frederick Baugh
  • Patent number: 7743786
    Abstract: An irrigation system having at least one water distribution member, a water supply source and a horizontally oriented, shut-off control device located in a fluid flow line between a water supply source and the at least one water distribution member for automatically shutting off the flow of supply water to the at least one water distribution member in response to a predetermined increase in force of fluid flow. The shut-off control device has a housing with an interior flow path having rails and projections dimensioned to support a compressible ball which moves within the housing and limits side-to-side motion or turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Inventors: Carol E. Madama, Edward James Magi
  • Patent number: 7740023
    Abstract: Check valve assemblies and related methods are described. A valve assembly comprises a housing having at least a first inlet passage and an outlet passage. A flow channel is disposed within the housing, with at least a portion thereof extending inward from the first inlet passage. A first check member is disposed within the first inlet passage and is movable along the flow channel between a closed position in which the first check member is disposed against a first valve seat and an open position in which the first check member is spaced from the first valve seat. In varying examples, movement of the first check member from the closed position to the open position is unopposed. Optionally, the housing can include at least a second inlet passage wherein a second check member is disposed. In an example, the second check member is continuously biased toward a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Restaurant Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Zweber
  • Patent number: 7740224
    Abstract: A valve, in particular, a proportional seat valve or gate valve, includes a valve housing (10) and at least three fluid connections (1, 2, 3) extending through the valve housing. A main piston (18) extends in the valve housing (10). A pilot piston (24) for executing a pilot control (26) may be controlled by a current-carrying magnetic device (28). During an open pilot control (26), fluid from one (2) of the connectors (1, 2), controlled by the main piston (18), reaches the connector (3), controlled by the pilot piston (24), by a cross-sectional narrowing (38) in the main piston (19). The pilot control (26) and, as a result of the corresponding pressure drop, the main piston (18) achieves a control position, controlling both fluid connections (1, 2) with regard to fluid amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Bill, Peter Bruck, Alois Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7735518
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated valve assembly includes a valve body having a slidable main valve member and a pilot valve body mechanically connected to the valve body including a slidable pilot valve member. A first solenoid operated valve connected to the pilot valve body when energized directs pressurized fluid to move the pilot valve member between pilot valve open and closed positions. A second solenoid operated valve connected to the valve body when simultaneously energized with the first valve directs the fluid to move the main valve member between valve closed and open positions. A third solenoid operated valve connected to the pilot valve body when energized and when both the first and second solenoid operated valves are de-energized directs the fluid to move the pilot valve to the pilot valve open position and the main valve member to the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Williams, Robert H. Neff
  • Patent number: 7735514
    Abstract: The description relates to a device for the regulation of the amount of a medium in a heating or cooling system, comprising a combined valve, which in one and the same valve housing includes one part for pressure difference regulation (2) and one part for flow limitation (3), the flow being limited in a stepless, adjustable way, i.e. the device obtaining an adjustable Kvs-value. Also, the chosen Kvs-value can be limited by a plunger, which always can operate with its complete stroke length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Tour & Andersson AB
    Inventors: Leif Marstorp, Björn Holmgren
  • Patent number: 7731153
    Abstract: A handle (1) for valves (4) comprising a connecting region (2) for connecting the handle (1) to a spindle (5) of the valve (4), an actuating arm (3) for actuating the valve (4), a locking lever (8) arranged resiliently in the actuating arm (3) for engaging the actuating arm (3) and a locking and guide disc (16) for locking and guiding the handle (1), the locking and guide disc (16) having a greater external diameter than the connecting region (2) and being arranged to be able to be connected to a flange region (12) of the valve (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrleitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Miklo, Peter Tkaczyk
  • Patent number: 7726333
    Abstract: Each of lines A, B is provided on each of opposite sides thereof with a tape heater 11, and a space for positioning a tape heater holding clip 13 therein is provided in each of locations between adjacent fluid control devices. The tape heaters 11 are held from opposite sides thereof to the line by the clip 13. The lines A, B provided with the heaters are each mounted on a line support member 10 removably attached to a base member 1. The line support member 10 has a heater insertion bore 14 formed therein and extending longitudinally thereof. A sheath heater 12 is inserted into the bore 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: CKD Corporation, Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: George Hoshi, Tsuneyuki Okabe, Kenichi Goshima, Hideo Kobayashi, Akinori Nagaya, Michio Yamaji, Kazuhiro Yoshikawa, Yuji Kawano
  • Patent number: 7721761
    Abstract: A diverter assembly configured to be connected to a faucet assembly that may be installed on a sink. The diverter assembly includes a diverter and a mechanism for dispensing fluid, such as a sprayer. The diverter assembly may be connected to a tube connected to an outlet of the faucet. The diverter assembly may redirect flow from the outlet of the faucet to the sprayer upon activation of the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Kurt Judson Thomas
  • Patent number: 7718099
    Abstract: A fine channel device capable of producing fine particles in an industrial scale, hardening the fine particles immediately after the production and recovering the fine particles from a medium without collapsing the shape of the produced fine particles, a fine particle producing method using the fine channel device and a solvent extraction method using the fine channel, are presented. The fine channel device comprises a fine channel provided with an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a dispersion phase, an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a continuous phase, and an outlet channel and an outlet port which discharge fine particles produced by the dispersion phase and the continuous phase, wherein the inlet channel for feeding the dispersion phase and the inlet channel for feeding the continuous phase are joined at an arbitrary angle, and the two inlet channels are connected to the outlet channel at the arbitrary angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kawai, Koji Kitayama, Toru Futami, Katsuyuki Hara, Tomohiro Ohkawa, Keiichiro Nishizawa, Hideaki Kiriya, Hirotatsu Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 7717126
    Abstract: A float valve structure that includes a case; a valve seat that is formed at an end portion of the case, at a position near an upper opening of the case; a float that is arranged in a space formed in the case so as to be vertically movable; a valve support member that is arranged above the float and that can be inserted into the upper opening; a valve that is fitted to the valve support member and that can contact the valve seat; and a valve opening member that can vertically move together with the float and that opens at least one portion of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Tagami, Jun Makita, Hiroshi Oosaki
  • Patent number: 7717129
    Abstract: A flow control device includes a fitting having three portals. One of the portals is an entry portal for a liquid, one of the portals is an entry portal for a gas, and the other portal is an exit portal for either the liquid or the gas. A normally closed back flow prevention valve is located in fitting. The back flow prevention valve prevents back flow of liquid through the fitting. The fitting and the backflow prevention valve also minimize or eliminate the formation of air bubbles in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis L. Steppe, John C. Huculak, Robert J. Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7717128
    Abstract: A switching control valve for use in controlling the motion of a hydraulic component is provided. The valve includes a housing that defines a feed port, an outlet port, a drain port, and a longitudinal opening through the housing. The valve also includes an inlet valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening for selectively fluidly connecting the feed port to the outlet port, as well as a drain valve moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening for selectively fluidly connecting the outlet port to the drain port. The valve further includes a valve shaft that is moveably positionable in the longitudinal opening, such as by a solenoid or similar control device, and is operably connected to the inlet valve and the drain valve. The housing, the inlet valve and/or the drain valve are configured to provide permanent fluid communication between the outlet port and the drain port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Arpad Matyas Pataki
  • Patent number: 7712482
    Abstract: A pressure-reducing valve includes a housing, a pressure-reducing piston, a driving piston, and a spring mechanism. The housing is provided with a primary port and a secondary port. The pressure-reducing piston is displaceably retained in an interior of the housing. The pressure-reducing piston is displaced to control an opening degree of the primary port and configured to separate the interior of the housing into a primary-pressure space connected to the primary port and a secondary-pressure space connected to the secondary port. The driving piston is displaceably retained in the interior of the housing. The driving piston is displaced to cause the pressure-reducing piston to be displaced in association therewith and has a secondary-pressure receiving surface that receives a secondary pressure from a fluid in the secondary-pressure space. The spring mechanism is configured to exert a spring force against the secondary pressure to at least one of the pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawasaki Precision Machinery
    Inventors: Kaoru Nomichi, Seiji Ishii, Makoto Ninomiya