Patents Examined by Steven M Cernoch
  • Patent number: 11400477
    Abstract: A nozzle for an atomizer includes a plate, a piezoelectric actuator, a body, and a connector. The plate defines an aperture. The actuator is configured to oscillate the plate. The body supports the plate. The connector is configured to reversibly mount the body to the atomizer in a first orientation and in a second orientation. In the first orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along a first axial direction through the aperture. In the second orientation, fluid exits the nozzle along an opposite axial direction through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Wanjiao Liu, Kevin Richard John Ellwood, Mark Edward Nichols, Christopher Michael Seubert
  • Patent number: 11400482
    Abstract: A discharge device and method can eliminate the influence of pump pulsation while temperature reduction of liquid material is minimized. The discharge device includes a nozzle (19) having a discharge port (28) a valve seat (31) having a communication bore (30) communicating with the discharge port, a liquid chamber (33) extending vertically, a needle (4) for opening and closing the communication bore of the valve seat, and a circulation flow passage through which the liquid material is supplied to the liquid chamber. The device further includes a rod-shaped flow passage formation member (34) provided with an outer flow passage (36) having a top opening (40) formed at an upper end and a bottom opening (41) formed at a lower end, and with an inner flow passage (35) having a bottom opening (41) in communication with an outer flow passage and a top opening (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: MUSASHI ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ikushima
  • Patent number: 11375690
    Abstract: A vortex fountain or waterer that incorporates measures to induce swirl in liquid moving toward a drain opening of the fountain to inhibit the accumulation of debris is provided. The fountain may have a bowl including a base surface having a slope that is configured to create a vortex in the liquid flowing toward the drain opening to induce movement of a quantity of water, where the bowl is located above a basin configured to hold the liquid. The fountain may also include a pump outlet jet that can be positioned about the bowl to induce swirl about the bowl. The fountain may also include a drain tube located beneath the drain opening, and an extended guide tube extending downwardly towards the bottom of the basin. When the liquid passes through the drain, drain tube, and guide tube, oxygen is incorporated into the liquid as the liquid reaches the basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: David R. Mai, Qing He, Wei Chao, Tao Huang, John M. Lipscomb
  • Patent number: 11376613
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer having a liquid supply conduit for directing selectively controllable pressurized liquid to a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes a nozzle body having a respective orifice member having an inwardly tapered conical section communicating with a smaller diameter discharge orifice. Each respective orifice member is made of a resilient and pressure responsive deformable material such that upon an increase in the pressure of the liquid supply said liquid flow passage and discharge orifice thereof can be altered to increase the rate through said orifice member and nozzle body by at least 75 percent and upon interruption of the supply of pressurized liquid to the orifice member the orifice member liquid flow passage and discharge orifice return to their original shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventors: Gary A. Paulsen, Kari Kavanagh
  • Patent number: 11376454
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an air handling unit having a housing that defines an air flow path therethrough, a heat exchanger disposed within the air flow path and configured to flow a working fluid therethrough, and a nozzle configured to deliver a fire suppression agent into the air flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Bogart, Derek M. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 11376614
    Abstract: A showerhead assembly is provided which includes an outer housing and inner housing. The inner housing includes a support disk and gear housing disk having two diverter arms and a gear train. The gear train includes a propeller, a coaxial pinion, and a large gear. The outer housing includes the base and a faceplate having nozzle systems connecting to complementary orifices. Water enters the internal housing via a channel where it is further diverted by the diverter arms so as to impinge on the gear train's propeller, causing the gear train's individual components to rotate. Upon the rotation of the large gear, the large gear's slot aligns with a selected orifice whereby water travels through and enters a corresponding nozzle system. This sequence continues, causing water to sequentially spray from individual nozzles in systematic intervals so as to create a strobe-like spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ETL, LLC
    Inventor: David Hofman
  • Patent number: 11331522
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of firefighting equipment, in particular to thermal locks for sprinklers, and is intended for opening sprinklers and automatically initiating the fire extinguishing. The proposed invention is characterized in that in an explosive capsule for a thermal lock comprising a housing made of brittle material, which contains a sealed cavity filled with liquid and a state sensor comprising an electrical conductor partially arranged within the housing cavity; the electrical conductor arranged within the housing cavity is divided into two parts, wherein the ends of each part contact with the liquid, while the liquid used has electrically conductive properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: Leonid Timofeevich Tanklevskij, Alexander Valerevich Arakcheev, Jurgen Teschner, Bodo Muller
  • Patent number: 11311758
    Abstract: The invention is a device for extinguishing a fire, the device comprises a pad adapted to be configured in various shapes and sizes and having a body or core filled with free-flowing expanded glass granulate having fire extinguishing properties, the body or core is compartmentalized to separately contain the free flowing granulate within defined regions, the body or core is formed from a sacrificial material that disintegrates upon exposure to heat whereby the free-flowing expanded glass granulate contained in the body or core is released onto the fire or source of heat to extinguish it. In one embodiment the device includes a fire resistant cover member. In another embodiment one side or face of the device is provided with a fire resistant layer or barrier so that only the opposite side or face of the device will disintegrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CELLBLOCK FCS, LLC
    Inventors: Dylan Francis Vandemark, Matthew Lloyd Vandemark
  • Patent number: 11311896
    Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing a liquid in irrigation plants has a supply conduit includes a diffuser with a nozzle adapted to direct a jet of liquid along a longitudinal axis, at least one deflector facing the nozzle for radially spraying the jet outwards, and a connection device for ensuring fluid connection of the diffuser to the supply conduit of the plant. The diffuser is mounted onto the irrigation plant with the axis extending in a substantially vertical direction and with the nozzle facing up, and the deflector is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis, thereby causing oscillations in the assembly. The connection device includes a tubular body with end joints that connect to the diffuse, and the supply conduit and the body is monolithic with the joints and is made of a thermoplastic elastomeric base material. Furthermore, the body has an outer surface with annular folds, which imparts elasticity and damp the oscillations induced by the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Arno Drechsel
  • Patent number: 11305304
    Abstract: A rotating sprinkler is configured with only three components without need of any other manufactured component. The three components are constituted by a base component connected to a water source, a rotating head component from which a water stream is emitted which is rotatably mounted on an element of the base component, and a gravitating hammer component pivotally mounted on the head component that causes intermittent rotary motion of the head component about a vertical rotation axis by intermittently engaging the emitted stream and providing in response a reaction force. The hammer component is configured to intercept the emitted water stream within an interior space between a deflecting surface and a ramping surface when downwardly pivoted and to urge the intercepted water stream to flow upwardly along the ramped surface and to impinge upon the deflecting surface, causing the hammer component to pivot upwardly prior to being gravitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: METZERPLAS COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION LTD.
    Inventor: Isaak Kantor
  • Patent number: 11285497
    Abstract: A water injector assembly includes an injector body having a substantially hollow interior. The injector body defines an inlet opening defined within an outer radial surface of the injector body at a first axial location along the injector body. The injector body defines a flowpath opening in fluid communication with the inlet opening such that the flowpath opening is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet opening. The injector body defines an outlet opening defined within the injector body at a second axial location along the injector body. The outlet opening is in fluid communication with the flowpath opening, such that the outlet opening receives the fluid from the flowpath opening. The second axial location of the outlet opening is different than the first axial location of the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Dresser, LLC
    Inventors: Robert William Teele, Peter Kip Merrill
  • Patent number: 11285347
    Abstract: A fire suppression system includes a tank configured to contain fire suppressant agent, a cartridge configured to contain pressurized expellant gas, the cartridge including an electrically-conductive section, an actuator coupled to the tank and selectively coupled to the cartridge, and a cartridge monitoring system coupled to the actuator. The actuator is configured to selectively supply the pressurized expellant gas from the cartridge to the tank such that the fire suppressant agent is dispensed from the tank. The cartridge monitoring system includes (a) a first contact and a second contact configured to engage the electrically-conductive section of the cartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the actuator and (b) an electrical interpreter coupled to the first contact and the second contact and configured to determine if the electrically-conductive section of the cartridge is engaging the first contact and the second contact to form a closed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Chad L. Ryczek
  • Patent number: 11285504
    Abstract: An ejector device for ejecting droplets of fluid onto a surface includes an ejector mechanism attached to a fluid reservoir through a fluid loading plate that is configured to pierce the reservoir and channel the fluid to a rear surface of the ejector mechanism by capillary action. The ejector mechanism may have a centro-symmetric configuration with a lead free piezo actuator and may be covered by an auto-closing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Eyenovia, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Ryan Wilkerson, Iyam Lynch, Charles Eric Hunter, Joshua Richard Brown, Louis Thomas Germinario, James Thornhill Leath, Nathan R. Faulks, Kris Grube, Matthew Ditrolio, J. Sid Clements
  • Patent number: 11267003
    Abstract: A spray head for a power sprayer configured to generate a continuous sheet-like water shield around a center stream of water is disclosed. A water delivery device for use with a sink is disclosed, the water delivery device may produce a stream of water surrounded by a continuous shield of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
    Inventors: John David Vogel, Michael Scot Rosko, Patrick B. Jonte, Ryan Anthony Reeder
  • Patent number: 11253885
    Abstract: A handheld misting device includes a sonic generator, a power source coupled to the sonic generator, at least one reservoir containing a first liquid, and a conduit from the at least one reservoir. The sonic generator includes a converter and an elongate horn comprising a first horn section coupled to the converter and a second horn section physically connected to and removable from the first horn section. Sonic energy delivered to the first horn section is conducted to the second horn section. The conduit transports liquid from the at least one reservoir to the second horn section to a delivery opening distal the first horn section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
    Inventor: Alexandru Paunescu
  • Patent number: 11255306
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes an injector body comprising an internal injector cavity, a flow passageway, and a drain conduit. The flow passageway is in fluid communication with at least one injector orifice. The fuel injector further includes a valve assembly comprising a valve seat and a valve member in fluid communication with the fuel circuit. The valve member is configured to move between an open position allowing fuel flow through the at least one injector orifice and a closed position inhibiting fuel flow through the at least one injector orifice. The fuel injector also includes a nozzle valve element fluidly coupled to the valve assembly, an actuator operably coupled to the valve assembly and the nozzle valve element, and a flexible member configured to elastically deform in response to pressure in the fuel injector. The flexible member is configured to inhibit flow to the drain circuit during an injection event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventors: Donald J. Benson, Ahmad M. Sabri
  • Patent number: 11241004
    Abstract: An agricultural sprayer includes at least one nozzle configure to receive a fluid and direct atomized fluid to an agricultural surface in a dispersal area. A radio-frequency (RF) transmitter is disposed to generate an RF signal that passes through the dispersal area. The RF signal is detectably changed when interacting with droplets of the atomized fluid. A first RF receiver is disposed to receive the RF signal after the RF signal passes through the dispersal area and provides an output indicative of the RF signal. A controller is coupled to the first RF receiver and is configured to detect plugging of the at least one nozzle based on the output of the first RF receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Paresh Bharatiya, Raja Sivaji
  • Patent number: 11241599
    Abstract: A fire suppression system for a use in a fire zone is provided. The fire suppression system includes a case, a fire extinguishing container, a battery assembly, a control assembly and a sensor device. The sensor device is configured to detect a potential fire hazard within the fire zone and signal the discharge of a fire extinguishing material outside the case and into the fire zone upon the detection of a potential fire hazard. The fire suppression system can further include a smoke generating container configured to release a smoke generating agent outside of the fire zone upon the detection of a potential fire hazard in order notify operators and systems of a potential fire hazard occurring within the fire zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: William A. Enk
  • Patent number: 11229813
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher discharge nozzle is provided and includes sidewalls and a biasing element. The sidewalls define an aperture through which a medium(s) is dischargeable and are adjustable between multiple first and multiple second positions associated with dilated and constricted conditions of the aperture, respectively. The biasing element is configured to bias the sidewalls toward assuming one of the multiple first or multiple second positions. The sidewalls are drivable toward assuming the other one of the multiple first or multiple second positions in opposition to bias applied by the biasing element in accordance with a characteristic of the medium(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: KIDDE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark P. Fazzio
  • Patent number: 11224883
    Abstract: An applicator having a housing and a nozzle is described, the nozzle being convertible from a first geometric shape to a different second geometric shape by an operator snapping the exterior tip off the nozzle, thereby exposing an interior tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: ICP CONSTRUCTION, INC.
    Inventors: Karl W. Burkart, Christopher D. Dolezal, DuJuan J. McClendon, Jr.