Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 7404413
    Abstract: A faucet structure comprises a valve body having outlet sleeves, accommodating tubes, and inlet connecting pipes to be mounted between a panel equipped with a passage, bores, a clearance recess, and through holes, and a cover having a set of holes. The middle section of the valve body is disposed a connecting tube having a set of coupling ends each joined to one outlet sleeve, and an assembly section to fit to an outlet duct of a water supply seat. The valve body also has a water-flow control valve received into the accommodating tube to match to a handle seat with a grip attached thereto. The water supply seat formed by a set of upper and lower housings assembled to each other to enclose the outlet duct therein is mounted to the middle section of the panel thereon. Therefore, the present invention can achieve easy and flexible assembly thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventor: Kim Chang
  • Patent number: 7401622
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly comprising: a regulator body having a housing, an inlet portion at one end of the housing and a cap at an opposite end of the housing, the inlet portion and the cap in substantially coaxial alignment along a regulator body axis; a pressure regulator module received in the housing, interposed between the inlet portion and the cap, with a pressure regulator module center axis inclined at an angle to the regulator body axis; the pressure regulator module incorporating a plunger movable toward and away from a valve seat in axial alignment with the plunger; a flow path passing through the plunger and in communication with the inlet portion and the cap; and wherein the cap is removable from the regulator body housing to provide access to the pressure regulator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Cliff Ungerecht
  • Patent number: 7401623
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a charge pump which supplies fluid to variable displacement main pump, a fluid reservoir and valve unit. The valve unit includes a hollow housing having a first end communicated with the reservoir and a second end communicated with the charge pump and the main pump. A housing valve land member is located between the first and second ends. A valve member is movably mounted in the housing. The valve member has a valve disk attached to first and second valve stems which project from opposite sides of the valve disk. The valve disk has a central position wherein the valve disk is received by the ring. The valve stems are slidably supported by stem support members at opposite ends of the housing. A hollow sleeve projects from an end of the valve unit. A spring is mounted in the sleeve and is engagable with an end of one of the valve stems and is biased to urge the valve member away from the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Phillip S. Roe, Robert Clayton Emmert
  • Patent number: 7398793
    Abstract: A rapid opening pressure regulating valve reduced in size and having improved flow rate characteristics, a fire extinguishing apparatus using the same, a high-pressure gas cylinder apparatus, and an apparatus rapidly supplying a fluid. When the rapid opening pressure regulating valve is assembled, a valve element member body (22) is inserted into a body (1), and a valve element (21) is inserted into an inlet nozzle part (11) from the inlet (11a) thereof and fixed to the lower end of the valve element member body (22). The valve element (21) is fixed to the valve element member body (22) by, for example, threading the inner circumferential surface of the valve element (21) and the corresponding lower end outer peripheral surface of the valve element member body (22) and screwing the lower end of the valve element body (22) into the valve element (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Air Water Safety Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Itano, Hideaki Goto, Koichiro Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 7392823
    Abstract: Improvement in a combination valve including check valve and pressure relief valve portions for regulating fluid flow pressure and direction in a hydraulic circuit, wherein a valve seat includes, in addition to a central aperture, a plurality of peripherally-spaced axial cross-port orifice holes, of same or differing diameter and a plurality of intersecting, circumferentially-spaced, radial, semicircular holes; a spring cap including four adjoining axial portions of differing outer diameters, with a first portion being a protrusion that locates an end of a relief valve compression spring, a second portion having flat outer tool locating surfaces used for rotating the spring cap for axial adjustment relative to a valve stem, a third portion having a reduced radial wall thickness for easy crimping thereof relative to a valve stem, and a fourth portion having a coaxial recess for centering and physically retaining one end portion of a check valve compression spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Xingen Dong, Albert C. Ellenburg, Frank P. Holzschuh
  • Patent number: 7389786
    Abstract: A system is shown for injecting a chemical, such as an odorant, from a chemical supply into a fluid containing system such as a natural gas pipeline or an LPG pipeline. A tank of odorant is maintained under a positive pressure which exceeds that of the pipeline. An injection conduit communicates the odorant tank with the pipeline. A precise control flow valve, located within the injection conduit, meters odorant to be injected into the pipeline. An ultrasonic measuring unit allows the odorant to be metered on a drop wise basis with drops of chemical being counted as they pass through the flow valve into the injection conduit and into the natural gas pipeline. The ultrasonic measuring unit also allows steady state flow conditions to be measured accurately. A sonic measuring unit can also be utilized in low flow situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Zeck
  • Patent number: 7389793
    Abstract: A faucet device includes a block disposed in a faucet member and having two passages for receiving hot and cold water and having an entrance and an exit coupled to a solenoid valve, a housing disposed in the faucet member and having two ports aligned with the entrance and the exit of the block and an outlet for supplying the water out of the faucet member. A controlling device may control the water to selectively flow through the ports of the housing to allow the faucet device to be selectively operated either manually or automatically. A valve shank may control the hot water and the cold water to flow through the passages and to be mixed in the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Hsiang Hung Wang
  • Patent number: 7383850
    Abstract: An apparatus and process are disclosed for enhance mixing of a first fluid and an injected fluid. A turbulence edge (18) is formed on an element associated with an injection lance. The turbulence edge can be an edge (18a) of a square tubing lance (16), an angle (24) added to a circular tubing lance (10) or a clip (26) added to the circular tubing lance (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Peerless Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark A. Buzanowski, Peter J. Burlage, Dani Z. Fadda
  • Patent number: 7383855
    Abstract: A combination pressure relief and vacuum relief valve for mounting on a storage tank is disclosed as having two vertical mounting connections of different elevations; a pressure relief valve mounted on one connection; and a vacuum relief valve mounted on the other connection such that said vacuum relief valve is higher in elevation than said pressure relief valve. The valve is sanitary for use in food and pharmaceutical production and storage and has highly polished surfaces to prevent processed material from sticking. The valve also includes special sloping surfaces in the body and connections to prevent processed material from standing in the valves. The pressure valve and vacuum valve may be removed separately or rotated separately for mounting. The combination valve may be attached on storage tanks or other vessels or conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Cashco, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint M. Rogers, Jerold L. Hlad, Joe D. Dumoit
  • Patent number: 7383860
    Abstract: A high resolution flow valve may comprise a first stage valve for allowing a first flow through the flow valve and a second stage valve located concentrically within the first stage valve and also connected to the inlet for allowing an additional second flow through the flow valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua M. Haines
  • Patent number: 7380565
    Abstract: The present invention is for a spill prevention system to prevent fuel spills from a connecting line connecting duel fuel tanks on a truck when the connecting line is severed or detached from one of the reducer fittings to which it is attached. The connecting line provides pressure communication between the fuel tanks so that fuel flows from one tank to the other whenever there is an unequal pressure acting on the fuel, which occurs whenever one tank has more fuel in it than the other. The connecting line connects to the reducer fitting located on each fuel tank. A safety valve is immersed in the fuel in each tank and connected to the reducer fittings. Each safety valve is configured to shut off flow to the connecting line when the connecting line is severed or detached from the one of the reducer fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Donlad Gary Eichler
  • Patent number: 7380567
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an excess flow shut-off mechanism for controlling 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 reset mechanism for setting and resetting the excess flow shut-off mechanism independently of the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Watts Sea Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7380293
    Abstract: A filling system for a toilet tank prevents continual flow to the tank in the event of a leak from the tank by providing a hydraulically actuated safety valve for halting water flow to the filling valve in the event that the water flow continues for a time longer than an expected time of filling. The safety valve has a valve member connected to a piston mounted in a cylinder defining a first chamber on one side of the piston and a second chamber on the other side. A venturi in the supply duct provides in a low pressure chamber of the venturi a water pressure lower than the supply pipe pressure such that a pressure difference across the piston caused by the difference in pressure between the supply pressure and the low pressure chamber causes the piston to move from the first end toward the second end. A flow control orifice regulates a rate of flow of water such that a time of movement of the piston is greater than an expected time required to fill the toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: S. B. Design Technology
    Inventors: Terry Steven Brent Gilbertson, Robert P. Amborsky
  • Patent number: 7377288
    Abstract: The device comprises a first valve (35a) and a second valve (35b) each comprising a chamber (13a, 13b) communicating via an admission orifice (19a, 19b) with a circuit or a receptacle containing a first or a second fluid, and via an exhaust orifice (18a, 18b) with exhaust means for the first or the second fluid, at least one valve member (20a, 20b) mounted to move within the valve chamber (13a, 13b) between a position for closing and a position for opening the exhaust orifice (18a, 18b), a piston (22a, 24a, 22b, 24b) connected to the valve member (20a, 20b) and resilient return means (32a, 32b) for returning the valve member (20a, 20b) to a closed position. Each of the first and second pistons (22a, 24a, 22b, 24b) has a first face exposed to one of the first and second fluids, and an opposite second face subjected to a force exerted respectively by the second fluid or by the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Framatome ANP
    Inventors: Michel Lecomte, Bruno Fichet, Eric Breuil
  • Patent number: 7370667
    Abstract: A fluid pressure regulator includes a regulator housing having an inlet end and an outlet end; a flexible flow tube extending between the inlet end and the outlet end; a hollow piston located at a downstream location relative to a mid-portion of the flow tube in a direction of flow of fluid through the regulator housing; a first chamber above the piston and a second chamber below the piston; a passage establishing fluid communication between the outlet end and the first chamber; and at least one pinch arm pivotally mounted at one end within the regulator housing and movable in response to movement of the piston by an increase in fluid pressure in the first chamber so that an opposite end of the at least one pinch arm will pinch a portion of the flow tube and thereby restrict flow through the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Craig Nelson, Cliff P. Ungerecht, Michael Youngberg
  • Patent number: 7370661
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling gas delivery from a higher pressure fluid source to a lower pressure processing tool. The valve assembly includes a valve poppet movingly engageable with a valve seating member and a fluid permeable insert positioned between the valve poppet and the valve seating member that is unexposed to flowing fluid when the valve poppet is in a closed position thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve assembly and providing a diffusional path for transfer of all flowing fluid when the valve poppet is in an open position. The permeable insert can be inserted into the sealable and engageable surface of either the valve seat member or the valve poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn M. Tom
  • Patent number: 7367361
    Abstract: An eductor assembly includes an inlet connectable to a high pressure water source useful in firefighting, an outlet connectable to a fire hose and/or nozzle, and a venturi therebetween. An additive inlet communicates with the venturi so that a chemical additive, such as a foam concentrate, is educed into the output stream. A check valve is positioned at the additive inlet to open under venturi flow conditions and remain closed otherwise. An actuator is provided that holds the check valve in its open position while water flows through the eductor assembly under non-venturi conditions to produce a back flow through the additive inlet and ultimately through the additive fluid circuit, including the additive metering valve components. A return element may be disposed within the eductor body to return the check valve to its closed position when the back flow ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Steingass
  • Patent number: 7367351
    Abstract: A tap pressure balance valve for maintaining normal operation of the tap has a coil spring and a cut-off washer disposed in a though hole of a secondary case at where in relation to a water outlet provided on a deck of a primary case for the coil spring to push against the cut-off to maintain water tight between the through hole of the secondary case and the water outlet of the primary case so to avoid seepage from the interface where both cases are incorporated to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: Cheng-Wsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7363938
    Abstract: A dual valve assembly includes two regulating valves. Each valve includes an outer housing comprised of a cap joined to a base. The housing is internally subdivided by a barrier wall into a head section and a base section, the latter being further subdivided by a modulating assembly into a fluid chamber and a spring chamber. An inlet and a 90° outlet in the cap communicate with the fluid chamber. Fluid at a variable pressure is admitted into the fluid chamber via the inlet, with the modulating assembly serving to maintain the fluid exiting the fluid chamber via the outlet at a substantially constant pressure. A smaller one of the valves has its base nested within the spring chamber of the other larger valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Global Agricultural Technology and Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Newton
  • Patent number: 7363934
    Abstract: A control valve for a mixed water faucet includes a housing, two sealing gaskets, a control shaft, a ceramic unit, a sealing ring, a sleeve, a pressure balance unit, an adjusting cock, and a fastening member. The pressure balance unit includes a bushing and a spindle. The ceramic unit includes a fixed plate, a movable plate, and a protective jacket. Thus, the movable plate is rotatable relative to the fixed plate to change the connection area between the water outlet chamber of the movable plate and the water inlet chambers of the fixed plate so as to regulate the water flow rate and the mixed proportion of the cold water and the hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ING TZON Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Fen Lin