Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
-
Patent number: 8091858Abstract: The shut-off system according to the invention for large conduit cross-sections has a swing flap which can be swung to and fro between two end positions about a pivot axis by means of a drive device, wherein the drive device has a drive shaft which is connected to the swing flap via an elbow lever, and at least one lever arm rigidly connected to the drive shaft is provided which is in operative connection with at least one operating cylinder for rotation of the drive shaft. The drive device has a motion link which is fastened so as to be rotatable about a pivot bearing, wherein the operating cylinder is connected to the motion link to pivot the same, and a transmission element is provided between the lever arm and the motion link in order to transmit the pivoting motion of the motion link to the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Janich GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Jürgen Janich, Matthias Krüger
-
Patent number: 8091582Abstract: A system for hydraulically managing fluid pressure between selected set points includes a pilot control system operably coupled to a main valve. The pilot control system includes at least one fluid conduit, a variable orifice assembly, and a control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through a fixed orifice and into a first chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. Fluid is passed through the variable orifice of the variable orifice assembly and into a second chamber of the control pilot valve apparatus. The main valve is hydraulically opened or closed in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers of the control pilot valve apparatus so as to manage fluid pressure downstream of the main valve between the selected upper and lower set points.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: CLA-VAL Co.Inventor: Robert Folk
-
Patent number: 8087426Abstract: Various embodiments of a toilet fill valve lock and method for adjusting the fill water level in a toilet are provided. In one embodiment a toilet fill valve includes a riser that extends along an axis and an inner shaft that is disposed along the axis between the axis and the riser. The toilet fill valve further includes a lock that is moveable toward and away from the axis and which can limit the movement of the riser relative to the inner shaft about the axis when in a locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: MJSI, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Larry Schneider
-
Patent number: 8079383Abstract: A mass flow controller having a feedback controller gain, comprises: a sensor configured so as to sense the flow of fluid through controller; a valve arranged so as to adjust the flow of fluid through the controller; and a processor configured so as to control the valve as a function of the flow of fluid sensed by the sensor. The sensor and valve are arranged within a feedback system, and the processor updates the feedback controller gain in real time based on the ratio of at least one calibration gas parameter to at least one operating gas parameter, such that the closed loop transfer function of the feedback system remains substantially constant regardless of operating conditions so as to have a consistent control performance at different operation conditions from the calibration condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Junhua Ding
-
Patent number: 8074676Abstract: A shut off cover removably attachable to a water shut off valve for protecting and decoratively covering the shut off valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Inventors: Nicolina A. Stewart, Kenneth G. Stewart, III
-
Patent number: 8074959Abstract: An apparatus is provided which prevents the removal of a companion fitting when the valve is open. Thus, for example there is disclosed a load line apparatus comprising a housing, a valve, a cam lever, or more likely a pair of cam levers, and a locking device. The housing has an interior bore, the interior bore defining a flow-through passage. The valve has a surface shaped to close the flow-through passage when the valve is closed. The cam lever is pivotally attached to the housing, and the locking device is movable by the cam lever. The cam lever is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking device forms a stop to prevent the valve being opened. In the unlocked position, the locking device is retracted from the locked position. The cam lever is operable from the unlocked position into the locked position only when the valve is closed. The load line apparatus disclosed prevents the valve from being opened unless the cam lever is the unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Sledz Industries Inc.Inventor: Joseph P. Sledz
-
Patent number: 8074677Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for delivering gases to a semiconductor processing system includes a plurality of gas input and output lines having inlet and outlet ports. Connecting lines couple respective pairs of the gas input and gas output lines. Connecting valves are arranged to control flow through the respective connecting lines. Mass gas flow controllers are arranged to control flow into respective inlet ports. In another embodiment, a method includes providing a manifold having at least a plurality of inlet that may be selectively coupled to at least one of a plurality of outlets, flowing one or more gases through the manifold to a vacuum environment by-passing the processing chamber prior to processing or to a calibration circuit, and flowing the one or more gases into the processing chamber during substrate processing.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Ezra Robert Gold, Richard Charles Fovell, James Patrick Cruse, Jared Ahmad Lee, Bruno Geoffrion, Douglas Arthur Buchberger, Martin J. Salinas
-
Patent number: 8074675Abstract: A faucet handle assembly configured to couple to a valve stem extending outwardly from an escutcheon. The faucet handle assembly includes a handle base axially adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A glide surface is supported by the handle base and is configured to contact an outer surface of the escutcheon.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventors: Kurt Judson Thomas, Brian Jolliffe, Dan Zendzian
-
Patent number: 8074681Abstract: A swivel for use in a rotator is disclosed. The swivel includes an inner member having a cylindrical portion and an annular outer member arranged around the inner member and rotatably connected thereto via a bearing. At least one of the inner member and the outer member is provided with an annular fluid channel, one of the members having a fastening flange with an upper and a lower flange surface. The flange includes attachment structure configured to fix the flange to a support structure. A first fluid path extends through the flange from a first opening in a circumferential face of the fastening flange, to the fluid channel. A second fluid path at least partially extends through the inner member in a substantially axial direction from the fluid channel to a second opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Edward van Amelsfoort
-
Patent number: 8069878Abstract: A hand-held dispenser for precisely controlling the flow rate of water therethrough and for injecting a liquid chemical into the water passing through the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Inventor: Rodney Laible
-
Patent number: 8056579Abstract: A mass flow controller has: a flow rate sensor section that measures the flow rate of a fluid and outputs a flow rate measurement signal indicating the measurement value; a flow rate control valve disposed upstream or downstream of the flow rate sensor section; a calculation section that calculates a feedback control value to be supplied to the flow rate control valve by performing at least a proportional calculation on the deviation of the flow rate measurement value indicated by the flow rate measurement signal from a flow rate setting value; and an opening control signal output section that generates an opening control signal based on the feedback control value and outputs the opening control signal to the flow rate control valve. The function used for calculating the gain value in the proportional calculation differs between a changing period and a stable period.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Horiba Stec, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akito Takahashi, Yutaka Yoneda
-
Patent number: 8056575Abstract: A check valve for use in a pump of a hydraulic cylinder includes a tubular member having a sheath member received therein. The pump includes a chamber provided in an output pipe thereof for receiving the check valve. The tubular member is constructed in the form of a hollow cylinder and includes a sealing sleeve fitted therearound. The tubular member includes an oil seal mounted on the front end thereof for the engagement with a hollow screw element in the chamber. The sheath member includes a hollow cap member, a first spring element, a ball, a hollow disc element, and a second spring element which are placed into the tubular member in turn. By using the hollow disc element and the second spring element, the tubular member may be fixed in the chamber, and by way of the screw element, the tubular member is enclosed in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventor: Kun-Shan Hsu
-
Patent number: 8051875Abstract: A protection apparatus detects and reduces overpressure in a fluid pipeline. First and second pipeline valves are connected in series along the pipeline and are independently switchable between open and closed positions. A pressure transducer determines the fluid pressure in the pipeline at a point intermediate the first and second pipeline valves. A bypass line has a first end connected to the pipeline between the input end and the first pipeline valve and a second end connected to the pipeline between the first and second pipeline valves. A bypass valve is connected along the bypass line. A vent line is connected to the bypass line between the bypass valve and the second end of the bypass line. A vent valve is connected along the vent line.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls LimitedInventor: Jeremy Paul Lawrence Edwards
-
Patent number: 8051872Abstract: A subsea equipment (1) used for natural gas or crude oil production, such as a subsea actuator (2) for a valve, a restrictor or the like, a control module or other means, comprises at least an oil-filled first component (3) and a compensator unit (4) which is associated with said first component and which is in fluid communication therewith for pressure compensation. To improve such a subsea equipment in a structurally simple manner in such a way that it is capable of functioning and that pressure compensation is still possible, even if the associated compensator unit is damaged or fails to operate, a second compensator unit (5) is in fluid communication with said first component (3) or said first compensator unit (4) for pressure compensation.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Norbert Lenz
-
Patent number: 8051876Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure limiting valve with a hydraulic seal ring (12), characterized in that the sealing element (6), for securing the flow gap (10) between the consumer connection (3) and the pressurized fluid outlet (4), is embodied as a seal ring (12) with a limited flexibility. Said seal ring (12) is inserted without preload into a groove (13) provided therefore, whereby said groove (13) is embodied so as to allow the flow of pressurized fluid (11) behind the seal ring (12).Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Inventor: Wolfgang Voss
-
Patent number: 8047227Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure limiting valve. The pressure limiting valve comprises a valve holder a valve insert connected to the valve holder a valve piston slidably supported in the valve insert and a compression spring acting on the valve piston in the closing direction. Between the valve piston and the compression spring an adjusting shim is disposed such that the compression spring is braced on one end on a bottom piece of the valve holder and on the other on a face of the adjusting shim facing away from the valve piston.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Buchberger, Franz Weixelberger, Wolfgang Hoeller
-
Patent number: 8047225Abstract: The water hammerless opening device comprises an actuator operating type valve installed on the fluid passage, an electro-pneumatic conversion device to supply the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa to the afore-mentioned actuator operating type valve, a vibration sensor removably fixed to the pipe passage on the upstream side of the actuator operating type valve, and a tuning box to which the vibration detecting signal Pr detected by the vibration sensor is inputted, through which the control signal Sc to control the step operating pressure Ps? of the afore-mentioned 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa is outputted to the electro-pneumatic conversion device, and with which the 2-step actuator operating pressure Pa, of the step operating pressure Ps? which makes the vibration detecting signal Pr nearly zero, is outputted from the electro-pneumatic conversion by adjusting the control signal Sc.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated, Tadahiro OhmiInventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Kouji Nishino, Masaaki Nagase, Ryousuke Dohi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Ryutaro Nishimura
-
Patent number: 8047226Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a lever plate, a first spring, a fitting, and a guide assembly. The fitting has a first side, a second side, and a flange having a rounded end and includes a surface with which a first end of the first spring contacts. The guide assembly has two sides, two concavities, and at least a portion of the guide assembly extends through the opening of the lever plate, the first concavity is formed on the first side of the guide assembly and contacts the fitting flange rounded end, and the second concavity is aligned coaxially with the first concavity. A rounded end of a rod of the diaphragm assembly contacts the second concavity. The second spring is adapted to supply a second force against the diaphragm assembly to move the lever plate in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ed Kesner, Larry Robert Casillas, Javier Gutierrez
-
Patent number: 8042568Abstract: The invention provides a fluid controller for controlling a machine, e.g. for steering a vehicle. The controller comprises a housing defining an inlet port connected to the source and an outlet port connected to the pressure operated device. The flow rate is controlled by movement of a valve member within the housing, and a processor provides a reference which is indicative of a desired position of the valve member relative to the housing. The fluid controller comprises a fault detection system based on an observer. The observer calculates a theoretically correct position of the valve member relative to the housing for a given reference, and compares this position to an obtained position of the valve member relative to the housing. The difference between the positions is compared with a threshold value. In order to dynamically change the sensitivity of the system, the threshold value is scaled based on a gradient of the reference.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss ApSInventor: Martin Clausen
-
Patent number: 8042567Abstract: A gas meter is mounted between vertical and horizontal branch tubes of a gas canister valve and has an indication pointer driven by a magnetic block that is movable inside the valve to indicate a residual quantity of gas inside the canister. The gas meter includes a casing that is magnetically non-conductive and forms at a top edge of a back thereof an inverted slope surface, an upper clamp extending from opposite sides of the inverted slope surface in an upward direction to clamp the vertical branch tube, and a side clamp engageable with the horizontal branch tube. The back of the meter casing is recessed at a location opposite to and interfering with an outer top edge of an enclosure for the magnetic block to form a fitting groove that corresponds to the top edge of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Grand Hall Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: William Home