Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 7360556
    Abstract: A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage and a first valve seat, a second hose connector housing engaging the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, a generally flexible, perforate membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings and pretensioned against the first valve seat to selectively sealingly separate the first and second hose connector housings, and a one-way relief valve fluidly connected with the exit passage and configured to permit venting of the exit passage upon overpressurization thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Filtertek Inc.
    Inventor: Jan W. M. Mijers
  • Patent number: 7360550
    Abstract: A system for recycling spent sulfuric acid, wherein spent sulfuric acid is effectively utilized at a place other than a discharge source regardless of geographical conditions, and a method for recycling waste sulfuric acid. In the system, when spent sulfuric acid that is discharged or collected at a discharge source is transported by a carrier unit and used at a user office a concentration of the spent sulfuric acid is measured and/or adjusted at least at one of the discharge source, the carrier unit, and the user office. The spent sulfuric acid waste liquid that is discharged or collected at the discharge source is reutilized by being mixed with at least one of a hydrogen peroxide solution and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhito Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7360555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas regulator which is intended to be mounted on a gas delivery pipe connecting a gas source to a user device. The inventive regulator comprises a pressure regulation mechanism which is controlled by the movement of a mobile element. The invention is characterised in that it comprises a casing housing at least one adjustable prestressed actuator which acts on the aforementioned mobile element and which can be used to take account of the altimetric pressure variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: Clesse Industries, Compagnie des Gaz de Petrole Primagaz
    Inventors: Pascal Bruhat, Daniel Bouvier
  • Patent number: 7360552
    Abstract: Injectable structural adhesives, methods of using the same, and products formed therewith, are described. The adhesive is introduced through a first opening into an internal cavity formed between two or more components. The adhesive is then permitted or forced to flow through the internal cavity, substantially filling the cavity, until it reaches a second spaced opening. Any air contained within the internal cavity is removed by the flow of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Ristoski, Marc A. McMaken, Christopher A. Brewster, Gregory J. Korchnak
  • Patent number: 7357150
    Abstract: A safety shut-off device for sections of fluid circuits, which in case of damage or the like, have to shut off from each other on safety considerations. The safety shut-off device includes at least two valves connected to each other via a control chamber. A first pressure differential with the control chamber closes the valves and a second pressure differential, which is greater than the first, opens the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Juergen Berbuer
  • Patent number: 7357143
    Abstract: A regulator comprises a body including an inflow line, an outflow line, and a buffer space, the buffer space being provided between the inflow line and the outflow line, and a switch for opening and closing a flow path of a fluid flowing from the inflow line to the buffer space. The switch comprises a seat member including an inlet for receiving the fluid from the inflow line, and an outlet for supplying the fluid received through the inlet to the buffer space, the seat member being disposed in the flow path and a movable cutoff member for opening and closing the inlet, the cutoff member being inserted into the seat member, wherein the outlet is configured for allowing the fluid to flow in one direction along an outer sidewall of the seat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bu-Hyoung Cho, Sung-Duk Yoon, Sung-Min Hyun, Young-Gi Kim
  • Patent number: 7357151
    Abstract: Improved fluid control devices are provided for metering pressure effectively in environments that may contain solid particles and in which the ambient pressure is subject to change. Such a valve comprises a valve body containing a plunger assembly contacting a first spring, said plunger assembly having a cavity and including a second spring and a poppet assembly engaged to said second spring within said cavity; and valve seat means located in position to contact said poppet assembly and essentially prohibit flow through the valve when fluid pressure at the valve inlet is less than a predetermined differential pressure plus a fluid pressure at the valve outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Steven B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 7353834
    Abstract: A pressure regulator valve including a valve seat separating a fluid flowpath into an upstream region and a downstream region. A valve closure member is mounted on a valve stem, the valve stem operable to vary a separation between the valve seat and the valve closure member. A diaphragm is mounted in a housing, mobile portions of the diaphragm responding to changes of pressure in the downstream region by changing position relative to the housing. A diaphragm stem is attached to the diaphragm such that movement of the mobile portions of the diaphragm causes movement of the diaphragm stem. A linkage mechanically couples the diaphragm stem to the valve stem. The linkage includes four connected links, the links attached to each other at connection points. The linkage having a mechanical advantage which varies as the positions of the diaphragm stem and valve stem change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Childers
  • Patent number: 7347050
    Abstract: A fuel metering unit 10 for an aircraft. The unit 10 having an inlet leg 12 within which fuel flows, which leg 12 splits into controlling legs 18, 20 which rejoin downstream to form an outlet leg 30. Shut off valves 28, 30 are provided respectively in the controlling leg 18 and outlet leg 30. Fuel flow through the legs 18, 20 is compared, and if an unexpected relative comparison is made, fuel flow through one or both of the legs 18, 20 can be stopped using respectively either of the valves 28, 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: David M Gainford
  • Patent number: 7343923
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a utility hot and cold water mixing system consisting of three components, a hot water Y-coupler with a flow control ball valve on one side, a central Y-coupler with a flow control ball valve and a cold water Y-coupler on the other side. A unique configuration derived by twisting the connecting hoses maintains the central Y-coupler in an upright position. The system has been designed to mount to the hot and cold water faucets used by the washing machine no matter what the spacing is. It allows the temperature of the water to be preset so that each time the control valve is opened the proper temperature water is provided and no adjustments are required while providing full pressure hot and cold water to a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Jody R. Foster
  • Patent number: 7343930
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a faucet and a hand-held sprayer is disclosed. The temperature of the water provided by the faucet is controlled independent of the temperature of the water provided by the hand-held sprayer. The temperature of the water provided by the hand-held sprayer may be controlled by a valve supported by the hand-held sprayer. The temperature of the water provided by the hand-held sprayer may be controlled through a control member supported by the hand-held sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: M. Scot Rosko
  • Patent number: 7343929
    Abstract: An adjustable pressure control valve includes a body having an inlet port and an outlet port and a handle assembly having a threaded portion and an adjustment knob. A seat assembly disposed within the body includes a seat holder in communication with the outlet port that is received on the threaded portion of the handle assembly, wherein the seat holder is translatable in first and second directions when the handle assembly is rotated in first and second directions. The seat assembly also includes a valve seat fluidly affixed to the seat holder, wherein fluid can pass through the valve seat and the seat holder. The valve includes a pin biased by a pin spring that is engageable with the valve seat, and a main spring engageable with the pin to urge the pin against the valve seat to accommodate the pressure and volume of the fluid in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: A&H Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Hilton
  • Patent number: 7341074
    Abstract: A pressure regulator that has particular application for an anode input side of a fuel cell system to provide the desired large turn-down ratio. The pressure regulator includes at least two valves positioned in parallel where the first valve is smaller than the second valve. The first valve is opened and closed and the second valve is maintained closed at low flow rates. Once the flow rate is high enough, the first valve is maintained completely open, and the second valve is opened and closed to control the flow at high flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Pechtold
  • Patent number: 7341073
    Abstract: A valve member (1) for a balanced pressure reducer, said valve member (1) having a wide head (1?) designed to co-operate with a valve seat (6), said valve member (1) having a central body (2) made of a material that is hard and that withstands high pressures, said central body (2) being covered at least in part with a first layer (3) of a rigid plastics material, said first layer (3) of a rigid plastics material being covered at least in part with a second layer (5) of a less rigid plastics material, no contact between the less rigid second layer (5) and the central body (2) occurring in that zone of said valve member (1) which is subjected to the high pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: R.G. S.A.S. Di Rosario Galli & Co.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Stradella, Fabio Stradella
  • Patent number: 7340939
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for use in sampling the exhaust emissions from a turbine engine. The device has a valve array in a manifold housing coupling multiple turbine exhaust lines to an emissions analyzer, such as used in CEMS. Each valve can be actuated by pilot air pressure to open or close off flow of one or more of the exhaust lines. Exhaust from various zones of the turbine combustor section can be selectively sampled thereby allowing emissions measurements to be taken and used for compliance monitoring and performance and diagnostic analysis of turbine combustor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7334596
    Abstract: A housing containing a rotatable cage for rotatably supporting a spherical flow control valve having a vertically orientated open or filled conduit and an internal bottom weight mass centered on the vertical conduit. If the rotatable cage is tilted, the gravity-responsive bottom weight mass rotatably maintains the control valve conduit in a vertical orientation. If the cage is walled, the rotating cage wall will travel over the ends of an open conduit to form a seal, which effectively occludes any gas, liquid or electromagnetic beam flowing through the conduit. If the cage is open and rotatably supports the valve via annular supports, the rotating cage will interrupt an electromagnetic beam or electric current flow through the control valve conduit. The flow control valve may also have an extended open or filled conduit which may be provided with an additional weight mass, or a magnetic mass associated with a locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Peter Chesters
  • Patent number: 7334604
    Abstract: A faucet includes a rotation unit, a primary water dividing unit, a water outlet member, a secondary water dividing unit, a first control switch, and a second control switch. Thus, the primary water dividing unit has two different water outlet manners, and the secondary water dividing unit also has two different water outlet manners, so that the faucet has multiple different water outlet manners by the primary water dividing unit and the secondary water dividing unit, thereby enhancing the versatility of the faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Chang Peng Metal Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ren-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 7334597
    Abstract: Bypass valve assembly that selectively establishes a bypass path for a fluid delivery system and having a body member with a fluid inlet and a bypass fluid outlet, a slidable piston assembly and a slidable cage assembly. Spring members bias the piston assembly and the cage assembly to a closed position to prevent fluid flow from the fluid inlet to the bypass fluid outlet when the delivery pressure is between an upper first threshold pressure value and a lower second threshold pressure value. When the delivery system pressure exceeds the first threshold pressure value, the piston assembly is moved to a first open position that permits fluid flow to the bypass fluid outlet; and when the delivery system pressure is less than the second threshold pressure value, the piston assembly is moved to a second open position to permit fluid flow to the bypass fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Corken, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Hughes, Paul J. Lutes, Stephen Seymour
  • Patent number: 7334598
    Abstract: This pressure regulator is specifically designed to operate with a portable compressed gas cartridge thus reducing the high vapor pressure found in compressed gas cartridges down to a substantially consistent outlet pressure. Due to the nature of the crowded regulator art, the soon to be embodied pressure regulator has been specifically embodied for use in the portable compressed gas cartridge harnessing art and this specific use is carried into the claims. Exemplified in the pressure regulator embodiments is a reduced amount of components over existing designs. Additionally, safety and reliability features have been integrated into the design and will shortly be taught in the following paragraphs. A burp-off feature in all embodiments will be exemplified that vents back-pressure spikes as well as a method of adjusting the burp-off back-pressure spikes independent of regulated pressure in some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Anthony Scott Hollars
  • Patent number: 7331359
    Abstract: A fluid control valve has at its lower inlet end a bi-loading seal. The seal is generally ring shaped in top view. However, it has a first flexible load section for sealing the stationary disk with respect to the housing and a second load section having an annular insert that in cross-section is hook-shaped to form a bend of more than 90 degrees. The insert can be molded within the resilient body of the seal so that its outer rim is disposed at a circular shoulder that bears against a seal stop of the housing. A high load can thus be applied between the bearing shoulder and seal stop to achieve a tight seal, while a lower load can be applied between the flexible, unrigidified part of the seal and a stationary valve disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Shay