Patents Examined by Theodore Stigell
  • Patent number: 9777716
    Abstract: A pump for exchange of fluid between an apparatus reservoir and a reserve reservoir. The pump may have an elongated tubular body with a central bore with a reservoir end portion, an inlet end portion and an intermediate barrel portion. A piston assembly with a driving piston with a stem member with nonmagnetic properties attached and the stem member has a tubular extension member attached with all in longitudinal axis alignment slidably positioned in the central bore to position the driving piston adjacent to an electromagnetic coil assembly that is positioned around the intermediate barrel portion and to position the tubular extension member for a reservoir end to extend outwardly at the reservoir end portion opening. An output tubular member with a pressure relief valve is attached to an output port in a side wall of the reservoir end portion positioned for release of fluid through an output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Nelson, Robert M Nelson, Robert K Dyas
  • Patent number: 9777726
    Abstract: In order to prevent the leakage of a gas from an internal space communicating with a compression chamber inside a cylinder in a cylinder head of a compressor, the compressor includes a suction valve pressing portion that presses a suction valve so that the suction valve provided in the internal space of the cylinder head does not slip off through a suction-side head opening, the suction valve pressing portion includes a suction valve pressing and inserting portion that is inserted into the cylinder head through the suction-side head opening, the outer peripheral surface of the suction valve pressing and inserting portion is provided with an annular suction valve pressing groove portion, a suction-side O-ring is attached into the suction valve pressing groove portion, and a suction-side backup ring that suppresses the movement of the suction-side O-ring toward the suction-side head opening is disposed at a position near the suction-side head opening of the suction-side O-ring inside the suction valve pressing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagura, Toshio Hirai, Hitoshi Takagi
  • Patent number: 9771932
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for reducing the warpage of a rotor of an aircraft engine. When the aircraft engine is placed in standby mode, a solenoid-operated bypass valve may receive a control signal to open. When open, the solenoid-operated bypass valve places an electric hydraulic pump in fluidic communication with an engine driven hydraulic pump. The engine driven hydraulic pump rotates because of the pressured provided by the electrical hydraulic pump. The mechanical linkage between the engine driven hydraulic pump and the rotor causes the rotor of the aircraft engine to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9771938
    Abstract: Rotary devices having a casing and an inner drive portion of a magnet coupling disposed inside of a rotor assembly are disclosed. The inner drive portion and rotor assembly are disposed within the casing and rotatable about a rotational axis. The rotor assembly includes a bushing between the magnets of the rotor assembly and a stationary canister is sealed to the casing and separates an internal fluid chamber within the casing from the inner driven portion. The stationary canister can be of multi-piece or unitary construction and is held in position by a front portion of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: PeopleFlo Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Blankemeier, Clark J. Shafer, Radosav Trninich, Jorge G. Murphy, James A. Nard, Jason M. Sexton
  • Patent number: 9771929
    Abstract: In a piston pump assembly, cradle bearings support a swash plate on an inner surface of a housing assembly. The cradle bearing and/or the corresponding portion of the housing inner surface may have undercut portions allowing deflection of an inward portion of the cradle bearing when the swash plate is subjected to pressure forces from hydraulic fluid compressed within pump cylinders by the pump pistons. Deflection of the cradle bearings allows increased contact pressure to be further distributed across the engaging surfaces of the swash plates and the cradle bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Golebiowski, Christopher W. Pruess
  • Patent number: 9764100
    Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of intravenous fluids includes a thermal treatment device and a temperature sensing device to measure a temperature of the fluid flowing through the sensor. The temperature sensing device may simultaneously collect two temperature measurements. For example, the sensing device may include sensors that measure the temperature of the fluid at two disparate locations along the medical fluid line. Additionally, the sensors may measure the temperature of the fluid within the medical fluid line, as well as the ambient temperature outside of the line. The thermal treatment device includes a conduit configured to have a nonlinear flow path through the device. The thermal treatment device thermally treats fluid within the conduit to a desired temperature or range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Medical Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Tarry Faries, Bruce R. Heymann, David Davis, Raymond Tsang
  • Patent number: 9759068
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling a wind turbine based on an identified surface condition of a rotor blade may include monitoring an operating parameter of the wind turbine to obtain parameter data related to the operating parameter as an operating input of the wind turbine changes, analyzing the parameter data to identify a roughness state of the rotor blade and performing a corrective action in response to the identified roughness state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Saskia Gerarda Honhoff
  • Patent number: 9750638
    Abstract: Ocular surgery may be performed by a variety of systems, processes, and techniques. In certain implementations, a system and a process for ocular surgery may include the ability to draw ocular fluid into a channel of a hand-held pump system and separate the fluid into multiple compressible channels to create multiple flows. The system and the process may also include the ability to peristaltically pump the fluid through the compressible channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John Morgan Bourne, Glenn Robert Sussman
  • Patent number: 9752438
    Abstract: An energy system for converting potential and/or kinetic fluid energy into mechanical kinetic energy is provided comprising a housing configured to securely and rotatably support a centrifugal turbine and a energy transmission shaft, the housing comprising a housing fluid inlet and a housing fluid outlet, where the centrifugal turbine comprises relatively light-weight material and a plurality of chambers supported radially around a central hub and configured to function essentially as impellers to rotatably drive the energy transmission shaft upon direction of fluid into the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: William Thomas Damron
  • Patent number: 9745982
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a water pumping system. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a solar electric powered, siphon-capable water pumping systems specifically configured for use in rooftop and other applications having similar need and conditions. Advantageously, a water pumping system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is configured to prevent pooling of water in low-lying areas of a roof and thereby limits the potential for damage to the roof and underlying structure that could otherwise result from such pooling of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholas Bryditzki
  • Patent number: 9744341
    Abstract: Retention devices and methods are provided for drug delivery. The device may include a housing configured for intraluminal deployment into a human or animal subject and at least one reservoir contained within the housing. The at least one reservoir may have an actuation end and a release end and contain at least one drug formulation. A plug may be contained within the at least one reservoir and be moveable from the actuation end toward the release end. The device may also include an actuation system operably connected to the actuation end of the at least one reservoir and configured to drive the at least one drug formulation from the reservoir. The device may also include at least one retention member affixed to the housing and movable between a non-stressed position, a deployment position, and a retention position for retaining the device in an intraluminal location in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: David Mathew Johnson, Martin Sheridan, Scott A. Uhland, Ramkumar Abhishek, Eric Peeters, Timothy J. Curley, Felicia Linn, Philipp H. Schmaelzle
  • Patent number: 9745975
    Abstract: An artificial lifting system is disclosed. The artificial lifting system comprises an elongated cylinder fixed to a base or ground. The elongated cylinder receives a piston rod axially movable therein. The piston rod engages a downhole rod pump for driving the rod pump reciprocating uphole and downhole to pump downhole fluid to the surface. A control unit controls the axial movement of the piston rod, and automatically adjust the system operation to adapt to drift of the top and bottom stop positions of the piston rod. In an alternative embodiment, the system further comprises a dump valve controlled by the control unit to prevent over-stroke. In another embodiment, the system further comprises a chemical injection unit for injecting treatment fluid to a wellbore under the control of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Tundra Process Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Dancek
  • Patent number: 9745837
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a surface unit for a pumping system. The surface unit may include a conduit that is reciprocatable to pump produced fluid from downwell to the surface unit and a flow line in fluid communication with the conduit such that the produced fluid may be collected from the conduit. The surface unit may also include a pump barrel that separates the conduit from a well tubing and a diluent line in fluid communication with a space between the pump barrel and the well tubing. The diluent line may be sealed from the conduit and the flow line such that a diluent or lubricant may be delivered to the space between the pump barrel and the well tubing via the diluent line without contaminating the produced fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Muth Pump LLC
    Inventor: Garold M. Muth
  • Patent number: 9739266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a fluid-working machine wherein the volume of working fluid displaced each cycle is selectable and wherein the volume of working fluid displaced by a first working chamber takes into account the suitability of the working chamber to displace fluid. The invention extends in further aspects to power absorbing structures such as renewable energy devices comprising such fluid working machines. The invention allows the operation of fluid working machines and power absorbing structures which are more long lived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ARTEMIS INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Hugh Salter, William Hugh Salvin Rampen, Michael Richard Fielding, Niall James Caldwell, Stephen Michael Laird, Pierre Robert Joly
  • Patent number: 9737690
    Abstract: Enhanced dual purpose systems enable dilating of at least a lesion within a blood vessel and providing an anti-proliferative medicament in a non-attached form directly into the lumen of the vessel. Likewise provided is the ability to stop blood flow to prevent wash-out of the medicament during dwell time within the body lumen, and the ability to remove the medicament after the dwell time of the device to prevent unwanted exposure of the same within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated
    Inventors: Gwendolyn Watanabe, Jeffrey A. Krolik
  • Patent number: 9731065
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising a needle disposed at a distal end of the apparatus, an aspiration channel extending from a distal aperture of the needle to a proximal end of the apparatus, and an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the needle. The aspiration channel comprises a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter and at least one bypass port, and a distal portion having a third diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The irrigation sleeve and the needle form an annular irrigation passageway therebetween. The bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: John Morgan Bourne, John Richard Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9732598
    Abstract: The downhole electromagnetic pump includes a pumping chamber that is provided with a throughbore through which fluid may be pumped. An electrode arrangement is provided in order to produce an electro-hydro-dynamic force on fluids within the pump such that fluid may be pumped through the pump in a desired direction. A method of utilizing the downhole electromagnetic pump in order to pump fluids in a downhole environment is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Hansen Downhole Pump Solutions AS
    Inventor: Jamie Lindsay
  • Patent number: 9724267
    Abstract: A container for storing a medical or pharmaceutical liquid comprising a storage compartment for storing the liquid comprising, an inlet opening for filling the storage compartment and an outlet opening for discharging liquid out of the storage compartment is presented. A hydrophilic membrane layer is arranged within the storage compartment which is gas-tight in a wet condition and which at least covers the outlet opening and contacts the liquid stored within the storage compartment. A dosing assembly and a device for automated release of a medical or pharmaceutical liquid comprising and/or capable of using at least one container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG
    Inventors: Martin Wyss, Rudolf Zihlmann, Gerald Studer, Andreas Geipel, Davide Crotta
  • Patent number: 9726159
    Abstract: An arrangement for throttling a fluid flow includes a throttle element arranged so as to influence a flow cross section in a fluid duct. The throttle element has a resiliently elastic disc-shaped basic body which is arranged with a top side and a bottom side between at least two supports in the fluid duct. The body is arranged in such a way that the flow cross section can be variably adjusted as a function of a pressure difference between the top side and the bottom side of the resiliently elastic disc-shaped basic body. At least one support bears against the top side of the resiliently elastic disc-shaped basic body, and at least one support bears against the bottom side of the resiliently elastic disc-shaped basic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Fellmeth, Juergen Haecker, Oliver Gaertner, Heiko Jahn, Marc Zimmermann, Wolfgang Schuller, Harald Hermann, Rolf Stotz, Daniel Gosse
  • Patent number: 9724127
    Abstract: Insertion System (2) and an Insertion kit is disclosed, the Insertion System comprising a housing (4) with a wall (6) defining a cavity (8), an actuator element (10), a first part (12) and a second part (14), the first part comprising a subcutaneous element (16) and a first base element (18) with at least one base plate engagement element (20), the second part comprising a needle hub (22) and at least one Insertion needle (24) secured to the needle hub with the second part movably arranged from a first position to a second position relative to the housing along an Insertion axis (X), wherein the housing comprises at least one first coupling element (28) for releasably securing the Insertion System to an inserter device, and wherein the actuator element comprises an outer part (32) external to the housing such that manual actuation of the actuator element in relation to the housing is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Unomedical A/S
    Inventor: Steffen Gyrn