Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
-
Patent number: 7434597Abstract: A valve is provided that comprises a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a check valve chamber having an opening through the side of the valve body. The valve has a cover secured within the side opening in the valve body. A first valve opening is disposed between the inlet chamber and outlet chamber. A control valve is movable relative to the first valve opening to regulate fluid flow through the first opening when fluid flow is in the inlet-to-outlet direction, and is movable to engage the first valve opening to restrict fluid flow in the outlet-to-inlet direction. The valve comprises a passageway between the inlet and check valve chambers, and a second valve opening disposed between the check valve and outlet chambers. A check valve is disposed within the check valve chamber, and is movable relative to the second valve opening to restrict forward flow and permit reverse flow through the second valve opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Li Huiging, Ronald L. Campbell, Mike Noble
-
Patent number: 7434595Abstract: A valve assembly includes an automatic excess flow shut-off mechanism for preventing excess flow between an inlet and an outlet of the assembly. The excess flow shut-off mechanism is adapted to automatically stop fluid flow through the valve assembly when the flow exceeds a specified flow rate. The excess flow shut-off mechanism prevents flow when it's set and allows flow when it's reset. The valve assembly also includes a manual set mechanism for setting the excess flow shut-off mechanism even when there is no excess flow. The valve assembly additionally includes a manual reset mechanism for resetting the shut-off mechanism and for allowing excess flow.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Watts Water Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Craig Schmitt
-
Patent number: 7431047Abstract: The present invention regards an underpressure-activated valve mechanism for controlled dispensing of fluids, including liquid food articles, from a receptacle. When the user applies sufficient suction force (P2) across a pressure comparative diaphragm zone a valve opening force is applied to a valve area that has a force connection with the diaphragm zone. When the suction force ceases the valve area closes and remains closed, even in the event of overpressure (P3) in the receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: SmartSeal ASInventor: Kjetil Naesje
-
Patent number: 7431042Abstract: A pressure releasing device contains a tubular body member with a slidable slider member inside. The pressure releasing device is connected to the output of the high-pressure pump and high-pressure water will flows through the pressure releasing device when the pump is turned on and, when the pump is turned off, the high-pressure backflow will force the slider member to quickly block the inlet of the pressure releasing device. A pressure releasing opening controlled by a low-pressure valve is provided along the tubular body member. When the pump is turned off, the high-pressure backflow will be quickly released through the pressure releasing opening and the low-pressure valve helps to keep the water pressure inside the hose below a low pressure level to prevent dripping.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Wu Li Agriculture Machine Co., Ltd.Inventor: I-Jen Huang
-
Patent number: 7428915Abstract: A valve system having high maximum gas flow rate and fine control of gas flow rate, includes a valve housing for blocking gas flow through a gas flow path, a large area opening through said housing having a first arcuate side wall and a small area opening through said housing having a second arcuate side wall, and respective large area and small area rotatable valve flaps in said large area and small area openings, respectively, and having arcuate edges congruent with said first and second arcuate side walls, respectively and defining therebetween respective first and second valve gaps. The first and second valve gaps are sufficiently small to block flow of a gas on one side of said valve housing up to a predetermined pressure limit, thereby obviating any need for O-rings.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Nguyen, Hiroji Hanawa, Kenneth S. Collins, Kartik Ramaswamy, Amir Al-Bayati, Biagio Gallo
-
Patent number: 7429028Abstract: A valve has a housing, a shaft with a valve disc, and a sliding shaft support portion along which the shaft slides, wherein the sliding shaft support portion is provided with a seal member movable and deformable in a certain range.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tohru Tanaka, Shinichi Kawasaki, Sotsuo Miyoshi, Toshihiko Miyake
-
Patent number: 7426936Abstract: A redundant sealing system with secondary containment for preventing leakage of fluid along a valve shaft is provided. The system comprises a first set of dynamic seals, a second set of dynamic seals, an auxiliary barrier fluid chamber, and a barrier fluid indicator. The first and second set of dynamic seals are in spaced relation to each other a distance equal to or further than a maximum stroke length of an actuatable valve stem. The auxiliary barrier fluid chamber is interposed between the first and second sets of dynamic seals. The barrier fluid indicator has a piston in a primary barrier fluid chamber. A first face of the piston is exposed to the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber. A second face of the piston is exposed to a barrier fluid and inhibited from fluid communication with the auxiliary barrier fluid chamber by a dynamic seal in the first set of dynamic seals.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Woodward Governor CompanyInventors: Jeff A Gessaman, Steven Charles Stumbo, Kevin E. Greeb, Wade A. Burdick
-
Patent number: 7422030Abstract: A one directional flow valve assembly for a fluid system. The valve assembly is comprised of a valve body having an internal valve chamber in communication with the ambient environment and a valve seat arrangement. The assembly further has a cap structure with means to position and align a sealing member with respect to the valve seat. A flexible elastomeric sealing diaphragm may be utilized and which is under tension when the sealing diaphragm is in a sealing configuration. The sealing member has a peripheral deflection shield to direct ambient fluid through the valve body. A carrier plate structure may be provided to position the sealing member and deflection shield with respect to the valve seat arrangement to operate the valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Cherne Industries IncorporatedInventor: Richard T. Stone
-
Patent number: 7418976Abstract: An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, adjusts fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body, a seal seat, a sphere, and an adjustment rod. The body includes an axis and an adjustment passage. The adjustment passage is positioned angularly to the axis. The seal seat includes an adjustment end portion. The seal seat is disposed in the body and moves along the axis. The sphere is disposed in the body and moves angularly to the axis. The sphere contacts the adjustment end portion of the seal seat. The adjustment rod includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The adjustment rod is movably disposed in the adjustment passage. The first end portion of the adjustment rod contacts the sphere. The sphere in cooperation with the first end portion of the adjustment rod and the adjustment end portion of the seal seat translates displacement of the adjustment rod into axial displacement of the seal seat. The adjustment end portion of the seal seat includes a groove having a ramp.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Inventors: Jason Scott Henley, Dale Carpenter
-
Patent number: 7418973Abstract: A pressure regulator comprising a body portion having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow passage positioned therebetween is provided. A valve member and a valve seat are positioned in the flow passage. A spring is coupled to the valve member to urge the valve member along an axis towards the valve seat, wherein the flow passage is substantially closed when the valve member engages with the valve seat. The spring has an extended segment in contact with a fixed surface, whereby the extended segment restricts displacement of the spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Gary Ellis Graham
-
Patent number: 7416165Abstract: A diaphragm valve 1 is provided with a body 2 having a flow-in passage 6, a flow-out passage 7, and a valve seat 8 formed between the passages; a diaphragm 3 installed in the body 2 and permitted to rest on and move away from the valve seat 8; and a driving means 4 installed on the body 2 to allow the diaphragm 3 to rest on and move away from the valve seat 8, wherein synthetic resin films 5 of predetermined thickness are coated on fluid-contacting parts 25 of the afore-mentioned body 2 and diaphragm 3. A diaphragm valve in accordance with the present invention prevents corrosion of the valve members caused by accumulation and adherence of substances produced by thermal decomposition, and prevents clogging caused by substances produced, and prevents seat leakage when applied in the vacuum exhaust system of a semiconductor manufacturing facility.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignees: Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Michio Yamaji, Masafumi Kitano, Akihiro Morimoto
-
Patent number: 7415989Abstract: A check valve system controls the flow of fluid between a spool valve and a hydraulic actuator and includes a pilot operated check valve that is controlled by a lock-out valve. The check valve has a poppet that engages and disengages a first valve seat in response to a pressure in a control chamber. The lock-out valve has an inlet connected to the control chamber, an outlet connected to an opening in the bore of the spool valve, and an second valve seat between the inlet and the outlet. A valve member that selectively engages and disengages the second valve seat and spool of the spool valve applies force to the valve member which responds by moving into engagement with the second valve seat. Thus in one position, the spool valve maintains the lock-out valve closed which traps pressure in the control chamber which tend to keep the check valve closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Barber
-
Patent number: 7415990Abstract: The invention relates to a headpiece (01) for movable or fixed-position fueling systems (02) having a coupling member (03) for connection to a tank, in which multiple rigid pipe segments (06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21, 22) are provided and in which the pipe segments (06, 09, 12, 15, 18, 21, 22) are attached to multiple swivel joints (04, 07, 10, 13, 16, 19) for adjustable spatial arrangement of the refueling coupling, and in which at least a first swivel joint (04) is able to swivel about a horizontal swivel axis (05) to enable adjustment of the height of the refueling coupling, and in which the first swivel joint (04) is attached to a directly adjacent second swivel joint (07) via a first rigid pipe segment (06), in which the second swivel joint (07) can also be swiveled about a horizontal swivel axis (08).Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Inventor: Wolfgang von Meyerinck
-
Patent number: 7412989Abstract: In a solenoid valve 10, an annular oil groove 66 is formed at a portion corresponding to a spring chamber 56 on the external surface of a sleeve 19, a drain passage 68 is formed to make an upper part of the annular oil groove 66 communicate with the outside of an insertion bore 61, and a throttle hole 67 is provided at a lower part of the annular oil groove 66 for making the annular oil groove 66 communicate with the spring chamber 56. Since the annular oil groove 66 communicates with the outside of the insertion bore 61 at its upper part through the drain passage 68, it can be realized to store the operating oil to the height of the upper part of the annular oil groove 66, so that the operating oil can be reserved in the spring chamber 56 which communicates with the annular oil groove through the throttle hole 67. Further, the operating oil is supplied from a feedback port 48 next to the spring chamber 56 through a clearance between the spool valve 19 and a valve hole 18.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: JTEKT CorporationInventors: Masaya Segi, Mikio Suzuki, Masaru Suzuki, Koichi Takanishi, Kaori Fujita
-
Patent number: 7412990Abstract: Provided is a microfluidic control device and method for controlling the microfluid, and a fine amount of fluid is controlled even with natural fluid flow and solution injection, wherein a pressure barrier of a capillary is removed by a surface tension change resulted from the solution injection to thereby obtain transport, interflow, mixing, and time delay of the microfluid, and to detail this, solution is injected to meet the boundary surface of the stopped fluid when the fluid is stopped by the stop valve, so that a function of the stop valve is removed to obtain the transport, interflow, and mixing of the fluid, and the method for controlling the microfluid may be applied to the microfluidic control device for biochemical reaction, and it uses only the capillary force change resulted from solution injection to thereby have its structure simplified.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Kwang Hyo Chung, Hae Sik Yang, Dae Sik Lee, Yong Taek Lim, Sung Jin Kim, Se Ho Park, Kyu Won Kim, Yun Tae Kim
-
Patent number: 7412988Abstract: An improved pneumatic level control for the activation, deactivation or regulation or a downstream device or process by way of pneumatic signal in response to increased liquid volume in an attached vessel or container.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Inventor: Jack Alexander
-
Patent number: 7413163Abstract: This invention discloses improvements to a damper of the type used in industrial applications to open and close ducts carrying noxious or corrosive materials, such as combustion by-products. The improvements include a linear rack and wheeled pinion system to raise and lower a damper blade plate and improvements to the seal cartridge to prolong the life of the seal membrane and to prevent galling between the blade plate and the seal cartridge or damper frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Senior Investments AGInventors: Ronald K. Maxwell, David F. McGrath, Gregory Allyn Perkins
-
Patent number: 7410144Abstract: A pivot assembly provides an economical means for reducing the load on a manually operated hand jack by providing a pivot point on the body of a connecting rod which allows for an additional degree of movement. The pivot assembly may include a thrust bearing to further reduce friction on the connection rod.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventors: Douglas Paul Gethmann, David George Halm
-
Patent number: 7406980Abstract: A coupler for a faucet is disclosed which couples a first waterway component and a second waterway component, the coupler being an overmold component.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventor: Thomas Pinette
-
Patent number: 7404418Abstract: A water mixing apparatus mixing hot and cold water includes a housing that includes top wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends downwardly from the top wall. A bottom wall is removably attached to a bottom edge of the peripheral wall for selectively opening or closing the housing. An inlet is fluidly coupled to and extends through the peripheral wall. A nozzle portion of the inlet extends away from the peripheral wall. The nozzle portion is adapted for removably coupling with a water supply. The inlet is angled such that the inlet is directed away from a central area of the housing. A pour spout is fluidly coupled to the top wall. Water may enter the housing through the inlet such that the stirring assembly blends the water.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Inventor: Solomon B. Olatunbosun