Patents Examined by Stephen M. Hepperle
  • Patent number: 8171962
    Abstract: Device for filling an aerosol container with a liquid using in particular a filling arrangement equipped with a pusher element (12), includes a cup designed to accommodate the liquid for filling the aerosol container, this cup being provided on its bottom with an injection opening adapted to the valve of the aerosol container, a piston head (7) acting by pushing on the filling liquid contained in the cup for transferring it from the cup to the container. The piston head (7) comes in the form of a scraper in continuous contact with the inside wall of the cup during the transfer operation. The piston head (7) is shaped to work with the cup after transfer to keep the piston head (7) within the cup to form an airtight wall that retains the residual liquid that has not been transferred within the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Fillon Investissement, S.A.
    Inventor: Antoine Chassaing
  • Patent number: 8171953
    Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for relieving excess pressure or vacuum pressure from a tank interior. An embodiment of a pressure relief device includes a housing having an opening associated with a first end, an opening associated with a second end, and an over-pressure opening. The device further including a pressure relief valve for selectively relieving pressure from a tank, the valve including an over-pressure opening seal biased by a first pressure bias means against a pressure valve seat associated with the over-pressure opening. The device also including a guide block translatable in an axial direction of a second bore of the housing and being biased toward the pressure valve seat by a second pressure bias means. The guide block is translatable independent of the over-pressure opening seal. The device also includes a vacuum relief valve for selectively relieving vacuum pressure in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Betts Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Adams, Patrick J. Lund, Craig E. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 8171951
    Abstract: A valve (1) with a AND gate function has a valve member (2) cooperating with moving passage members (23a and 23b) in a valve housing (3) in order to control connections between one outlet (A) and two inlets (E1 and E2). If the pressure difference present at the input side goes above a threshold value, the valve member (2) can thrust back one of the passage members (23a and 23b) against the stressing force of the stressing means (34a and 34b) in order to separate the outlet (A) simultaneously from both inlets (E1 and E2). Accordingly a safety and/or a logic function may be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Quendt, Tobias Danner
  • Patent number: 8162005
    Abstract: A zirconium- and alumina-containing silicate glass suitable for use as a frit with refractory materials such as alumina is disclosed, the silicate glass comprising a glass composition in mole percent (mol %) of: 2<B2O3<7 mol % 75<SiO2<80 mol % 3<Al2O3<5 mol % 2<ZrO2<5 mol% 9<Na2O+K2O<15 mol % 0<alkali earth+lanthanide<15 mol % and wherein the total mole percent of SiO2, AlO3 and ZrO2 together is greater than 82 but less than 86, and wherein the total mole percent of B2O3, Na2O, K2O, alkali earths and lanthanides together is greater than 13 and less than 18. Frits (200,600), composites (600) and microfluidic devices (12) comprising the glass are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Paulo Gaspar Jorge Marques
  • Patent number: 8156953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for regulating a pressure in a hydraulic system for operating at least one actuator in a subsea installation, having a fluid supply line (102) connected to a source of pressurized fluid (101) at a remote location delivering fluid at a constant pressure to the subsea installation, comprising first and second control valves (103, 105) controlled by an electronic control unit (107), and at least one pressure sensor (106) and an accumulator (104) arranged between the first and second control valve (103, 105), where the pressure in the fluid supply line (102?) to the actuator is regulated by regulating the pressure in the accumulator (104) by adding fluid from the source of pressurized fluid (101) through the first control valve (103) if the pressure is too low or releasing pressure through the second control valve (105) to a fluid return line (120) if the pressure is too high and thereby establishing the desired pressure for operating the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventor: Johannes Tore Tveita
  • Patent number: 8141577
    Abstract: A liquid filled pressure/vacuum valve for underground storage tanks has a body having an inlet coupled to the UST and an outlet coupled to atmosphere. The valve has a suction zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the inlet. The valve has a pressure zone disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the outlet, with the suction zone in fluid communication with the pressure zone. The valve has a separator disposed in fluid communication with the outlet and the pressure zone, and a fluid that flows between the suction zone and pressure zone. The flow of fluid is determined by an increased force due to a pressure differential between the suction zone and pressure zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thompson W. Wyper, Milton Daniel McGill
  • Patent number: 8136550
    Abstract: An elastic valve and a microfluidic device including the same are provided. The elastic valve includes a channel dented by external pressure so as to be elastically restituted; and a plurality of channel closing protrusions, which comprise elastomer as a material, which are protruded from at least one inner side surface of the channel toward an opposite inner side surface, and which are separated from each other so as not to interrupt a flow of fluids, wherein, when external pressure is applied in order to dent the channel, the plurality of channel closing protrusions are deformed so as to be elastically restituted, thereby closing the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kak Namkoong, Chin-sung Park, Jin-tae Kim, Joo-won Rhee
  • Patent number: 8136545
    Abstract: Apparatus to regulate fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes an example regulator valve and an example automatically-adjusting or self-adjusting amplifier valve to maintain fluid flow during low downstream demand fluid flow conditions, and to maintain the operational accuracy and stability of the regulator valve during higher downstream demand fluid flow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Jablonski
  • Patent number: 8127787
    Abstract: A siphon breaker includes a housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The siphon breaker includes a stop valve adapted to transition from a closed position in which gas is substantially prevented from entering the gas inlet, and an open position in which gas is introduced into the gas inlet. The siphon breaker includes a control valve having a control valve gas inlet, a control valve gas outlet, and an electrically operated actuator. The control valve is adapted to transition from a closed position in which gas is substantially prevented from entering the control valve gas inlet, to an open position in which gas is through the control valve gas inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: GA Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Grant A. Colton, Sr., Joseph E. Lescovich
  • Patent number: 8122907
    Abstract: A valve arrangement includes an inlet conduit defining an inlet passage adapted for communication with a supply of pressurized motive fluid, a first planar surface spaced radially from the inlet conduit, first and second supply passages communicating through the first planar surface, and a rotary valve. The rotary valve includes a second planar surface abutting against the first planar surface and a valve passage communicating through the second planar surface. The rotary valve is rotatable to place the inlet passage in communication with a selected one of the first and second supply passages through the valve passage, and is adapted to conduct the pressurized motive fluid from the inlet passage to the selected one of the first and second supply passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Randi J. Young, Nathanael S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8118049
    Abstract: A safety system for a fluid conduit includes an elongated flexible conduit having a first end and a second end and a central opening running therethrough and capable of transporting a first fluid under pressure. A first valve is located near the first end of the conduit and a second valve is located near the second end of the conduit. Each of the valves is moveable between a closed position and an open position so as to control the flow of the first fluid through the conduit. The central opening of the conduit is surrounded by a conduit wall which extends substantially the entire length of the conduit. A plurality of enclosed channels are located within the conduit wall and extend at least a substantial length of the conduit. A second fluid under pressure is contained in the channels and a sensor is provided for monitoring the pressure of the second fluid within the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Robert D. Cardona, Paul E. Weil, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8113229
    Abstract: A gear operated shut valve for a ventilation system in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The gear operated shut valve includes gear train. The gear train includes a driven gear that is associated with the shut valve and a driving gear that is associated with an outlet knob on an outlet of the ventilation system. The shut valve is substantially angled with respect to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cordell Bosma, Tadayuki Nishimura, Tadashi Yoda
  • Patent number: 8113236
    Abstract: Systems and method for delivering materials to a tool are disclosed. A material delivery system utilizes two or more sources of the material to be delivered to the tool. One or more of the sources of the tool may be a batch mixer. The material delivery system also includes at least two material delivery recirculation lines providing material to at tool. The material delivery system may be manually or automatically controlled to switch supply of the material from one source to another, and/or to switch from one material delivery recirculation line to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mega Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kandiyeli, Todd Graves, Rhey Yang
  • Patent number: 8109285
    Abstract: A roll-over vent valve comprising a housing formed with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve seating bounding an outlet aperture of the housing, a float member received within the housing and axially displaceable between a sealed position wherein a sealing member thereof sealingly bears against the valve seating of the outlet aperture to seal the fluid outlet, and an open position wherein the sealing member is disengaged from the valve seating whereby the fluid outlet is in flow communication with the fluid inlet. There is further provided a pressure-retention device extending intermediate the valve seating and the fluid outlet, to thereby shut fluid flow therebetween as long as pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet does not exceed a minimal pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Raval A.C.S. Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Omer Vulkan, Ilan Akian
  • Patent number: 8104497
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen Quake, Markus Enzelberger, Mark Adams, Carl Hansen
  • Patent number: 8104495
    Abstract: A multi-functional or versatile emergency shutdown valve controller may be used in various different emergency shutdown configurations to enable the testing of different types and configurations of emergency shutdown devices and the supporting equipment associated therewith. In one example, a digital valve controller for use with an emergency shutdown valve includes two pressure sensors and is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic valve actuator and to a solenoid valve device to assist in the on-line testing of the valve actuator as well as in the on-line testing of the solenoid valve. To perform testing of the solenoid valve, the valve controller may measure the pressure at different ports of the solenoid valve as the solenoid valve is actuated for a very short period of time. The valve controller may determine whether the solenoid device is fully functional or operational based on the derivative of the difference between the measured pressure signals, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Jimmie L. Snowbarger
  • Patent number: 8096316
    Abstract: A valve system for use in a system including a first source of a first pressurized fluid and a second source of a second pressurized fluid includes a valve housing including a first inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the first source, a second inlet port adapted to be placed in fluid connection with the second source and an outlet port. The valve system further includes a backflow prevention system to prevent flow of the first pressurized fluid through the second inlet and to prevent flow of the second pressurized fluid through the first inlet port. The valve system is adapted to provide a fluid path between at least the first inlet port and the outlet port to enable fluid to be drawn from the outlet port to the first inlet port. Several of the valve systems of the present invention provide for flow from the first inlet port to the outlet port and concurrent flow from the second inlet port to the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Trocki, David M. Reilly, James R. Neill, Christopher D. Capone
  • Patent number: 8096319
    Abstract: Check valve includes a housing, a bore, and a movable valve body, which is spring-loaded and rests with a sealing action on a valve seat, where the bore is designed as a stepped bore, where the bore with the smaller diameter has the valve seat, and where the bore with the larger diameter holds the movable valve element. The valve body is designed as a ball, which is guided in the bore by at least two guide ribs, and a retaining element in the terminal area of the bore captures the ball and simultaneously spring-loads it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 8096323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for receiving liquids in an aircraft and/or releasing liquids therefrom, especially during the flight, said device being arranged especially in an airplane. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which can receive large quantities of liquids in a rapid, reliable and flexible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventor: Zoltan Von Mohos
  • Patent number: RE43288
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a flow control device and a Coriolis mass flowmeter in fluid communication with the flow control device. The Coriolis flowmeter has a flow-tube made of a high-purity plastic material, such as PFA, making the delivery system suitable for high purity applications. A controller provides a control output signal to the flow control device, which may comprise a pinch valve, so as to vary the flow control device output in response to a setpoint signal and measurement signals received from the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Wesley E. Sund, Joseph C. Dille, Michael J. Barger, Gary E. Pawlas