Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 7331362
    Abstract: A valve includes a hollow pipe defining a first opening and a second opening aligning with each other. A first passage, a second passage, a third passage and a fourth passage are respectively defined in an inner surface of the hollow pipe and communicate with each other. A piston is received in the hollow pipe and forms a first flange and a second flange thereon. A first stop is formed above the first flange and has long sides and short sides. A second stop is formed below the second flange and has long sides and short sides. The first flange and the second flange blocking the third passage and the fourth passage depends on the short sides/long sides being aligned with the third passage and the fourth passage, whereby water discharge path is controlled easily and exactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Ouyang Huei
  • Patent number: 7328721
    Abstract: A flow rate controller for controlling the flow of a medium, includes an incoming channel, a measuring chamber, a running flow channel connecting the incoming channel and the measuring chamber, a control valve acting in the running flow channel, and an outflow channel for the controlled flow. A necessary flow channel leads from the incoming channel to the measuring chamber. There is a flow adjusting in the necessary flow channel. A service flow channel leads from the necessary flow channel to the outflow channel. In addition, the flow rate includes comprises control elements for leading the flow from the necessary flow channel selectively into the measuring chamber and service flow channel, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Instrumenttitehdas Kytola Oy
    Inventor: Olli Kytölä
  • Patent number: 7328718
    Abstract: A pressure regulator (10) includes a changeover regulator (12) with plural inlets (16, 18). Inside the regulator, each inlet has a closure member (62) connected to a diaphragm (100) for control of the closure members (62) in response to pressure inside the regulator (12). Biasing members (56) are stabilized in position by either an apertured plate (102), a cup (104) or both. A changeover handle (19) depresses one spring (56) or the other to bias one closure member (62) open to admit gas from the associated inlet (16 or 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: S.H. Leggitt Company
    Inventors: Charles M. Olds, Edward R. Lee
  • Patent number: 7322372
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve for coupling to a pressurized water supply line includes a valve body with an inlet for coupling to the pressurized water supply line, an outlet, a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve seat in the passage at or adjacent the inlet. A valve stem extends into the passage, which has a sealing member. An automatic pressure reducing system is provided for urging the sealing member toward the valve seat for throttling the valve to thereby reduce the pressure at the outlet. The valve also includes a manual system that is decoupled from the automatic pressure reducing system for manually urging the sealing member toward the valve seat for closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James M Trapp
  • Patent number: 7320334
    Abstract: A valve for use in regulating the flow of fluid between a first fluid side and a second fluid side of a hydraulic circuit. A bore is extended through a valve seat, and the bore and valve stem cooperate to form a fluid passage from the first side to the second side. A plurality of ribs are located on one side of the valve seat and extend in a direction generally parallel to the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Robert E. Trimble, Tage Christiansen, Anders Kryhlmand, Thomas Kopel
  • Patent number: 7314061
    Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves comprising a stretched body. In one aspect of the present invention, a plug is positioned inside a slip port. When the plug is pushed by a medical implement and moves to a second position, the plug abuts the valve body and stretches the valve body. When the medical implement is subsequently removed, the stretched body forces the plug back to its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventor: Peter W. Peppel
  • Patent number: 7311115
    Abstract: A collection valve for use in a water reclamation system includes a drain pipe and a collection port assembly. The drain pipe includes an inlet port connectable to a drain line from which gray water is supplied, a collection inlet, and an outlet port. The collection port assembly includes a resilient cap and a collection port disposed to receive gray water flowing into the collection inlet and connectable to a gray water drain line. The resilient cap is operable to (i) close the collection inlet to permit water flow from the inlet port to the outlet port, or (ii) open the collection inlet to permit water flow from the inlet port to the collection port, whereby the resilient cap does not physically obstruct water flow within the drain pipe between he inlet port to the outlet port in either operational condition (i) or (ii).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Southwest Water Solutions L.L.C.
    Inventors: Donald Wendell, Joseph A. Casali
  • Patent number: 7302970
    Abstract: A micro liquid delivery device includes a flow channel for flowing a liquid, at least two pressure-generators for generating pressures provided in the flow channel, and a variable member placed between the pressure-generators and capable of transforming between a first stable state and a second stable state by a generated pressure. A branch of the flow channel is selected by transforming the variable member into the first stable state or the second stable state. A valve for changeover of flow channel branches includes a variable member placed between a pressure-generator and transformable between a first stable state and a second stable state by a generated pressure, with the valve serving to select a branch of flow channel branches by the variable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Sugioka, Takeo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7302960
    Abstract: A valve (10) comprises a housing (12) with a valve element (14) which normally fluidicly couples a low pressure operating device, such as a transducer (30) and tubing (34) to be coupled to a patient (36) along a first flow path (42) including a flexible control wall (58) which normally interrupts a second flow path (72) between a high pressure generating source such as an injector syringe (32) and the tubing (34), but which flexes, in response to high pressure excursions from the syringe (32) to allow the second flow path (72) to open as it flexes into the first flow path (42) to thereby restrict same thus providing protection to the transducer (30) during the high pressure excursion from the syringe (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. Patzer
  • Patent number: 7299814
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relates in part to selectively shutting off the flow of water through a water supply pipe to a building, such as in the event of a broken water pipe. The embodiments disclosed herein also optionally discontinue electrical power to a water heater to minimize the risk of water heater elements burning out in the event a water heater is at the risk of being drained of water, such as due to a broken water pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: John A. Fenton
  • Patent number: 7296591
    Abstract: A valve arrangement for reciprocating machine, where the arrangement (1) comprises an in-valve (18) and an out-valve (19), each valve (18), (19) being a springloaded one-way valve designed to open for flow when the pressure differential in the direction of flow provides a force that exceeds the spring tension, wherein the valves (18, 19) are mounted in a casing (8) that forms or is connected to the cylinder head of the reciprocating engine (2). The in-valve (18) and the out-valve (19) are mounted in a sleeve (16) designed to be fitted in a bore (9) in the casing (8), and where fluid may flow to the sleeve (16) from an inlet (11) in the casing (8) and into the sleeve (16) via the in-valve (18), and where the sleeve (16) is provided with at least one perforated area where fluid may flow radially out of or into the sleeve (16) via holes (50, 51), thereby flowing to or from a passage (14, 15) that forms a perpendicular or near perpendicular connection with the bore (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: National Oilwell Norway A/S
    Inventors: Magne Moe, Åge Kyllingstad
  • Patent number: 7296593
    Abstract: A switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet is disclosed. The switching valve assembly comprises a switching valve assembly 32 for use in a mixing faucet, which comprises a manual operation member 36 adapted to be moved in response to a pressing operation by a user, a push rod 35 having a base end joined to the manual operation member, a pilot valve 40 disposed relative to a distal end of the push rod, a coil spring 42 interposed between the pilot valve and the distal end of the push rod, a diaphragm main valve 46 having a pilot-valve port designed such that the pilot valve is selectively brought into contact therewith and separated therefrom, a pressure chamber 48 formed on the side of a back surface of the main valve to contain a part of the push rod, the pilot valve and the coil spring, and a valve seat 52 designed such that a front surface of the main valve is selectively seated thereon and unseated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Matsui, Osamu Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 7296594
    Abstract: A combination neutral valve and check valve assembly is provided for use in connection with a closed hydraulic circuit and a sump such as in a hydrostatic transmission. A cage and check poppet are mounted in a valve body having an opening between the hydraulic circuit and sump. The check poppet is movable between a first position where it closes the valve opening and a second position where it is disengaged from the opening. A check compression spring is mounted in the cage and biases the poppet to the engaged position. A valve shuttle is located in the check poppet and movable between a first position where it closes a check poppet opening and a second position where it is disengaged from the opening. A neutral valve spring is engaged to the valve shuttle and the check poppet to bias the valve shuttle to the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Eric S. Phanco
  • Patent number: 7293582
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for precluding backflow of fluid in a mixing valve, through use of a manifold of the mixing valve including a septum wall in an intermediate divided segment of an outlet conduit of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Jerome C. Klopp, Philip C. Hawken
  • Patent number: 7293581
    Abstract: A latching microregulator for regulating liquid flow on micro-scale levels comprises a substrate having an inlet port and an outlet port, a valve element defining a valve chamber for opening and closing the inlet port, and an actuator assembly for actuating the valve element. The valve chamber is configured to contain a volume of fluid, and the inlet port and the outlet port are in fluid communication with the valve chamber to provide a liquid flow path through the chamber. The actuator assembly comprises a cantilever beam for moving the valve element between an open position and a closed position, an actuator, such as a piezoelectric element, for moving the cantilever beam, and a latch, such as a permanent magnet, for securing the cantilever beam in the closed position. A flow regulation system comprises a plurality of fluid channels of varied flow conductance and a plurality of latching microregulators for selectively blocking or allowing flow through each of the fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cytonome, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Gilbert, Bernard Bunner, Sebastian Böhm, Manish Deshpande
  • Patent number: 7293574
    Abstract: The pressure regulator is threadable onto the neck of a tank of gas under pressure that has a plug mounted in the neck and a rupturable disk blocking fluid flow through a plug bore. The main body includes a central reduced diameter portion extendable into the plug bore without rupturing the disk when the regulator is threaded to the neck, but when further threaded, ruptures the disk. The combination of the main body and a cap have a bore extending therethrough which opens to the tank interior when the disk is ruptured and to the regulator outlet. A piston is mounted in the body and cap bore that blocks fluid flow through the last mentioned bore when the pressure at the outlet is at or above a preselected level but permits flow therethrough when the outlet pressure is below the preselected level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tescom Corporation
    Inventors: Mary K. Schwartz, Keith Monson
  • Patent number: 7287542
    Abstract: A vapor vent/tipping valve has a diaphragm with a bleed therethrough responsive to the differential pressure of bleed flow to control vapor venting to the canister and vapor recirculation to the filler tube. A dip tube causes rising fuel in the tank to close the dip tube and prevent vapor flow to the diaphragm bleed thereby starving the recirculation line and allowing nozzle discharge to create a vacuum in the filler and effect nozzle shutoff. Alternatively, float operated shutoff valves may be employed in the dip tube and vapor vent chamber inlet, the shutoff valves may include inertial members for closing the float valves to afford tipping/rollover protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Harold Allman, Daniel Lee Pifer, Russell Carl Jahnke
  • Patent number: 7287551
    Abstract: The present invention provides gas control valve including a valve body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a gas passage between the inlet and outlet, and including a valve control element for controlling the flow of gas between the inlet and the outlet. The valve control element includes valve stem have a cam follower in the form of a pin projecting laterally there-from, and a bead 8 at one end of the stem bearing an O-ring that is able to seal against an inside wall surface of the body to seal the gas outlet. The cam follower pin on the stem engages with a cam surface of the valve body. Rotation of the valve control element causes the cam follower pin to co-operate with the cam surface and displace the valve control element to open or close the valve. The present invention also provides a gas appliance having one or more gas burners and a gas control including at least one control value according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Products Pty, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dale Peter James
  • Patent number: 7278444
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having a flow path extending to an outlet and a valve seat in the flow path and around the outlet, a slide plate located in the housing and movable transversely to a longitudinal axis of the flow path between a closed position, in which the slide plate is in contact with the valve seat and blocks flow through the flow path, and an opened position, in which the slide plate allows flow through the flow path, and wherein at least one of the slide plate and the valve seat includes at least one passageway for providing a predetermined amount of conductance between the slide plate and the valve seat when the slide plate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Lucas, Jaroslaw W. Pisera
  • Patent number: 7278445
    Abstract: An article of footwear including a sole and an upper with an exterior and interior surface, and one or more bladders which comprises at least one of the exterior or interior surfaces of the upper. The article of footwear also includes a inflation mechanism located under the foot of the wearer to be activated by the normal action of the wearer to inflate the one or more bladders. The inflation mechanism may be monolithic with the bladder or may be a satellite inflation mechanism coupled to the bladder. The article of footwear may also include a deflation mechanism. The deflation mechanism may include a release valve capable of remaining in a open position and/or an adjustable check valve. The deflation mechanism may also be a combination check valve and release valve accessing a single opening in the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Reebok International Ltd.
    Inventors: William Marvin, Paul M. Davis, Geoff Swales, Paul E. Litchfield, Brian J. Christensen, Mark Busse, Todd Ellis