Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 7980267
    Abstract: The present invention is a fluid supply device having a bellows shaped pipe 21 midway in fluid supply piping, comprising: first filter means 19a that traps foreign matter in the fluid on the upstream side of the bellows shaped pipe 21; and second filter means 22 that traps foreign matter in the fluid discharged from the pipe 21 on the downstream side of the bellows shaped pipe 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sekine
  • Patent number: 7980264
    Abstract: A system for feeding a slurry catalyst composition including: a primary slurry feed system comprising a primary slurry flow meter and a primary catalyst injection device, wherein the primary slurry flow meter measures a primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the primary catalyst injection device; and a secondary slurry feed system comprising a secondary slurry flow meter, a secondary carrier liquid, a secondary carrier liquid control device, and a secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary slurry flow meter measures a secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary carrier liquid control device controls a process parameter of the secondary slurry feed system based a ratio of the primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Timothy R. Lynn
  • Patent number: 7980270
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a spool valve having a spool axially movable within a sleeve of two or more stacked rings having projections extending therebetween. One or more seals on the spool can slide across surfaces of the stacked rings in movement of the spool to different positions corresponding to different states of the valve. In some embodiments, one or more of the stacked rings can have projections extending toward and contacting an adjacent ring of the sleeve, thereby maintaining desired axial positions of the rings relative to one another while providing apertures through which fluid can flow and supporting surfaces for each seal as it slides from one ring to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: SHURflo, LLC
    Inventors: Paul H. Bertsch, Christopher J. Taylor-McCune, Christopher H. Verdugo
  • Patent number: 7980530
    Abstract: A packing nut assembly for a control valve having a valve body and a valve stem includes a packing box arranged for operative coupling to the valve body and having a primary bore sized to receive the valve stem and first and second counterbores. The first counterbore is sized to receive valve packing and the second counterbore includes internal threads. A packing nut having a central bore is sized to receive the valve stem and includes a threaded outer surface positioned to engage the second counterbore of the packing box. The packing nut includes an adjustment surface positioned to face the first counterbore, and includes an adjustment head having a plurality of tool-receiving apertures sized to receive an adjustment tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Lynn Dean Mahncke, David John Koester, Jason Gene Olberding, Andrew Kinser
  • Patent number: 7975722
    Abstract: A positive pressure one way medical valve contains an inlet (10), outlet (11), an internal flow path between the inlet and the outlet and a plunger (12) movable between a retraced sealing position, where backflow is reduced or prevented and an extended open position, where fluid can flow from the inlet to the outlet. The plunger is moved from the retraced to the extended position by insertion of a tip onto the inlet (10). A variable volume chamber (23) is defined partially by an elastomeric member (14) that is stretched, when plunger is in the extended position and reduced, when the plunger is in the retraced position so to increase or decrease the volume of the chamber respectively. A valve (50), which is movable between open and closed positions by the presence or absence of fluid passing through the inlet, immediately seals the flow pathway before the plunger is retraced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Just Innovative Layouts Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Bruce Leigh Kiehne
  • Patent number: 7975715
    Abstract: A valve for use in a pneumatic system of a truck-trailer having a source of air under pressure, a reservoir, at least one spring brake unit and a brake service line is provided. The valve includes a housing, a pressure protection valve portion, a spring brake actuation valve portion and an anti-compounding valve portion. The housing has a supply passage in communication with the source of air under pressure. The pressure protection valve portion is disposed within a first chamber of the housing. The first chamber has an inlet in communication with the supply passage and an outlet in communication with the reservoir. The pressure protection valve portion is configured to selectively block the flow of pressurized air from the supply passage to the reservoir through the first chamber. The spring brake actuation valve portion is disposed within a second chamber of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Travis G. Ramler, Andrew Marsh, David Fenzel
  • Patent number: 7975984
    Abstract: Hermetic gate valves and globe valves having a bonnet assembly that does not require stem packing and includes a harmonic drive and locking mechanism. The bonnet assembly includes a main body which is sealingly engaged on the valve body and includes an elongate tubular portion that completely encloses the valve stem and has a sidewall with an internally threaded portion formed of a material so as to be relatively flexible radially inward toward the valve stem, and is surrounded by an outer sleeve having a sidewall formed of a material so as to be relatively rigid radially and defining an annulus therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Samir Novruzov, Hamid Kurbanov
  • Patent number: 7975721
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first valve having an inlet capable of being in fluid communication with a first fluid source, an outlet capable of being in fluid communication with the inlet, and two unidirectional valves. The first valve is capable of being in a first mode in which the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet through a first flow path, and a second mode in which the inlet is in fluid communication with the outlet through a second flow path isolated from the first flow path. The two unidirectional valves are along the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: John Hiebert
  • Patent number: 7975718
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and apparatus for monitoring performance of an injection valve. In one embodiment, a control signal relates to an actuator movement is monitored and correlated to performance of the injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Khai Ngo, Son Nguyen, Ernesto Ulloa
  • Patent number: 7971604
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering a specified-quantity of a fluid using a flow controller based on a fluid delivery profile is described. One embodiment includes a fluid delivery profile that includes a delivery time window with a plurality of set points that each correspond with a specified instant in time within the delivery time window. The method also includes delivering the fluid according to the fluid delivery profile through a variable valve using the flow controller and a feedback signal from a flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: R. Michael McDonald, Alexei V. Smirnov, Brian Lee, Michael John Zolock
  • Patent number: 7967026
    Abstract: A coupling/decoupling assembly of a pipe which can selectively open/close a flow channel of the pipe is provided. In the coupling/decoupling assembly of the pipe, a first valve and a second valve are respectively joined with each end of a first pipe and a second pipe. A first driving axis and a second driving axis are respectively joined with each end of the first valve and the second valve. An outer surface and an inner surface of the first and second valves are formed in a spherical body, and the inner surface of the first valve and the outer surface of the second valve are overlapped with each other to close the flow channel of the pipe, and the inner surface of the first valve and the outer surface of the second valve having an identical radius of a curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Kyu Chang, Sang Ki Moon, Seok Cho, Bok Deuk Kim
  • Patent number: 7963296
    Abstract: The fuel cutoff valve comprises a float and a valve mechanism situated within the valve chamber of a casing. The float has a supporting portion disposed in the upper portion of the float for supporting the valve mechanism, and having a supporting face formed with a flat surface or concave surface. The valve mechanism comprises a comprises a first valve main body having a supported part of convex shape supported on the supporting face, and a seat portion disposed on the first valve main body for opening and closing a connecting passage. The center of gravity of the valve mechanism is established below the point of support, when the supported part is supported on the supporting face so as to be balanced with the supported lower end portion as the point of support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichiro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7954508
    Abstract: An electronically controlled actuator in a plumbed water line within a water conditioning management system, having an at least one valve with a valve stem in a plumbed water line within the water conditioning management system, an at least one actuator, an at least one actuator housing, an at least one electronic controller in communication with the actuator, an at least one shaft coupled to the actuator and said valve; an at least one shaft encoding device; and an at least one user interface with multiple indicator elements indicating the position of valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: KBK Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Doyle, Keith Schulte, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 7954510
    Abstract: A retainer for movably securing a valve member within a fluid bore of a pump comprises a retainer head which includes at least one peripheral groove and a retainer hub which is connected to or formed integrally with the retainer head. The valve member is movably coupled to the retainer hub, and the retainer head is movable to position the groove over a radial protrusion in the fluid bore. In this position, the retainer is secured to the pump and the valve member is accordingly movably secured within the fluid bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Schwegman
  • Patent number: 7946310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic unit for activating a plurality of discharge valves of a turbomachine, the pneumatic unit having activation outlets corresponding to the number of discharge valves forming said plurality of discharge valves, and a single control input receiving a single control signal from an electronic control unit, the control signal serving to act on a control winding of a manifold means having outlets that form said activation outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: David Maillard, Christophe Claude Philippe Nouhaud, Philippe Tormo
  • Patent number: 7942162
    Abstract: A flow splitter that divides a two-phase (gas-liquid) inlet stream or a one-phase (liquid-liquid) inlet stream into equal and substantially balanced parts for distribution to an equal number of outlets horizontally oriented and connected to the flow splitter. Because of the design of the flow splitter, no control instrumentation or retention time is required during a split. Openings in each face of the flow splitter help to equalize pressure in the split and allow liquid to fill an end chamber that supports impact forces on a wedge-shaped spreader oriented with its leading edge toward an inlet stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventor: Marlene H. Torres
  • Patent number: 7938139
    Abstract: A reset relief valve with a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior wall partially defining an enclosed chamber, a piston disposed in the body and moveable between a first position at which the piston is disposed in fluid flow-blocking relationship between the inlet port and the outlet port of the body and a second position at which the piston is removed from that position, a piston having a head with opposed end surfaces one of which defines a portion of the enclosed chamber and at least one fluid flow passageway extending through the head and providing fluid communication between the enclosed chamber in the body, and a second chamber above a moveable disc in the piston and a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the fluid in the chambers. A preferred embodiment includes data acquisition software for monitoring data and storing pressure and other data to control the operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: RR Value, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard S. Lazzara
  • Patent number: 7938143
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic hydraulic pressure control valve of an N/L type, an electromagnetic actuator provides a force to a spool, which is slidably received in a valve housing, in a valve opening direction for opening an input port of the valve housing. A return spring provides a force to the spool in the valve closing direction. A constriction is provided to constrict a flow passage cross sectional area in a fluid passage, which extends from the input port to a hydraulic servo. A negative pressure port opens in a direction generally perpendicular to a flow direction of a fluid at a location, at which a fluid velocity of the fluid is accelerated by the constriction. A negative pressure guide passage communicates between the negative pressure port and a feedback chamber defined in the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kanehisa Nagasaki, Ryo Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 7938141
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrical, single-component two-stage regulator for controlling a pressure and a flow rate of a gas. The regulator includes a housing for holding the two stages having an ingress adapted for connection to a source of gas at a high input pressure and an egress adapted for supplying gas at a lower output pressure than the high input pressure; a first stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the high input pressure to a fixed intermediate pressure; and a second stage for reducing the pressure of the gas from the fixed intermediate pressure to the lower output pressure and regulating the flow rate of the gas out of the egress. One application of the present invention is for use in SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) applications, where it replaces the traditional two-component user-adjustable regulator. The regulator may be made out of stainless steel, and is small enough to fit into a user's mouthpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Vision Tech International LLP
    Inventors: Paul J. Califano, Michael J. Califano
  • Patent number: 7934519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit for a microfluid system comprising a first and a second fluid reservoir, a flow chamber, a fluid channel array and a conveying means, said first fluid reservoir being, via the flow chamber, in fluidic communication with the second fluid reservoir through the fluid channel array, wherein the valve unit can be brought from a first state to a second state so that, in said first state, a fluid can be conveyed by the conveying means from said first fluid reservoir through the flow chamber in a predetermined direction of flow into the second fluid reservoir, and so that, in said second state, a fluid can be conveyed by the conveying means from said second fluid reservoir through the flow chamber in a predetermined direction of flow into the first fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: ibidi GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Zantl