Patents Examined by Umashankar Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 9303779
    Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, a and a guide collar. The valve disc is shiftable between an open position spaced away from a valve seat, and a closed position seated against the valve seat. The reset pin operatively is coupled to the valve disc and shiftable between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion slidably supported in a guide bore and extending at least partly over the reset pin at a location adjacent to the valve disc. The guide collar is shiftable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the guide bore for providing added structural integrity and protecting the reset pin from bending forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tung Kim Nguyen, Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, Michel Bouvry, David E. Woollums
  • Patent number: 9297790
    Abstract: A switching valve includes a stator and a rotor. The stator includes multiple connection ports. The rotor having predetermined switching positions and interacts with the stator to form a fluidic connection or a fluidic disconnection of predetermined connection ports. The rotor being mounted rotatably via a bearing and pressing device, where the bearing and pressing device is arranged in the housing and loaded with a predefined pressing force in a direction of the stator. The bearing and pressing device includes a spring unit, being supported against a receiving part mounted to rotate about a rotor axis. The receiving part is coupled rotationally conjointly to the rotor and has a drive region which faces away from the stator and is coupled to an output of a drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: DIONEX SOFTRON GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Wiechers, Hermann Hochgraeber, Robert Springer
  • Patent number: 9297472
    Abstract: An electro-valve for discharging a common rail while maintaining a minimum pressure, comprising an electro-magnetic coil inside which is arranged a movable plunger, controlling the displacements of a movable axis engaging a ball valve, said movable plunger being urged in the closing position of the ball valve by a spring housed inside a bearing cap, wherein a bottom wall of the bearing cap surrounds an external surface of the movable plunger, wherein a clearance between the external surface of the plunger and an internal wall of the bearing cap is filled with a film of fuel, the opening movement of the plunger causing the fuel to flow from a room situated on top of the plunger to a bore in which the axis is arranged, wherein a sleeve of a controlled thickness is arranged around the plunger within the clearance to set the thickness of said film of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michel Marechal, Frederic Sauvage, Christophe Cardon
  • Patent number: 9291285
    Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes a basic arrangement having at least one cavity formed therein, an activatable substance within the cavity, and a deformable seal arrangement. The activatable substance, exemplarily an electrolyte, may be converted, at least partly, by suitable activation and thus cause a change in pressure in the cavity. The deformable seal arrangement serves for sealing the cavity. The seal arrangement includes an element containing paraffin and may be deformed when activating the activatable substance due to the change in pressure of the activatable substance. A corresponding method of manufacturing includes the following steps: providing the basic arrangement; forming a cavity, which is open on at least one side, in the basic arrangement; introducing the activatable substance into the cavity; and sealing the cavity using the deformable seal arrangement which includes an element containing paraffin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Technische Universitaet Chemnitz
    Inventors: Thomas Otto, Joerg Nestler, Thomas Gessner
  • Patent number: 9285046
    Abstract: An expansion valve according to one embodiment includes a body having an internal passage through which the working fluid flows, a valve hole provided in the internal passage, a driven member that opens and closes a valve section by touching and leaving the valve hole, a guide member that slidably supports the driven member inserted along the guide member, and a shield wall, provided in the driven member, which closes one end opening of the spacing between the driven member and the guide member when the valve section is fully opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: TGK CO., LTD
    Inventor: Masaaki Tonegawa
  • Patent number: 9285055
    Abstract: A self lock mechanism for rotating actuators, which allow rotation from one side while deny rotation from the other side, comprising sets of rollers arranged between a housing and a valve connection part, configured with a special shape to cause locking if the mechanism is attempted twisted from the valve side, a motor connection part to press rollers out of locking position and release the locking before the motor connection part makes contact with the valve connection part and start transferring torque. The rollers may be separated and kept in place by a wing on the valve connection part or by springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ELTORQUE AS
    Inventors: Terje Søraas, Jon Eirik Brennvall, Tor Erik Naebb
  • Patent number: 9274531
    Abstract: An assembly for a thermostatic mixing valve includes a valve body including a first fluid channel having a first inlet port for receiving a first fluid from a first fluid supply line, a second fluid channel having a second inlet port for receiving a second fluid from a second fluid supply line, and a cartridge chamber having a first layer, a second layer offset from the first layer, and an opening for receiving a thermostatic mixing cartridge. A first removable insert guides the first fluid to the first layer when inserted into the first fluid channel and guides the second fluid to the first layer when inserted into the second fluid channel. A second removable insert guides the first fluid to the second layer when inserted into the first fluid channel and guides the second fluid to the second layer when inserted into the second fluid channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Daniel Guilbert, Bernard Barrault, Diego Russo
  • Patent number: 9273788
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh Krithivasan
  • Patent number: 9255588
    Abstract: A flow regulating valve subassembly includes a main valve configured as a seat valve and a valve piston. The valve piston is acted upon via a first end face by the pressure of a first working connection and via an annular surface of the valve piston by the pressure of a second working connection in the opening direction. The valve piston is also acted upon in the closing direction via a second end face by the pressure of the higher-pressure working connection. An adjustable throttle is formed between a housing of the main valve and the valve piston. The throttle has a cross section that changes continuously during displacement of the valve piston and connects the higher-pressure working connection to the second end face. A pilot control valve arrangement is configured to control a control line which connects the second end face to the lower-pressure working connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Amrhein
  • Patent number: 9249894
    Abstract: A solenoid valve, particularly for a hydraulic braking system of a motor vehicle, includes a valve sleeve in which a pole core is fixed and an armature is disposed in an axially displaceable manner. The armature includes at least one longitudinal groove in the outer shell surface thereof. A spring washer is configured to be braced between the armature and the pole core. The end face of the armature facing the pole core is configured to be at least substantially convex, and the end face of the pole core facing the armature is configured to be at least substantially concave. A braking system includes the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolf Stahr
  • Patent number: 9242627
    Abstract: A valve assembly (110) having a housing (124) into which are provided a first port (112), a second port (114) and a third port (116), and in which are located a first movable member (126), a second movable member (132) and a third movable member (152), the first movable member (126) being movable between a first position which causes the second movable member (132) to close the first port (112) to prevent any substantial flow of fluid through the first port (112), whilst the second (114) and third (116) ports remain open, a second position which causes the third movable member (152) to close the third port (116) to prevent any substantial flow of fluid through the third port (116), whilst the first (112) and second (114) ports remain open and flow of fluid between the first (112) and the second (114) part is permitted, and a third position which causes the second movable member (132) to close the first port (112) and the third movable member (152) to close the third port (116) to prevent any substantial flow
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HALDEX BRAKE LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert David Prescott, Laurence John Potter, Edward Gilbert Shaw
  • Patent number: 9228674
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to assemble actuators are described. An example method includes positioning a biasing element in a cavity defined by a housing of an actuator such that the biasing element is in an uncompressed state and at least a portion of the biasing element is to extend outside of the cavity beyond an end defined by the housing; compressing the biasing element to a compressed state until the portion of the biasing element extending outside of the cavity is positioned inside the cavity; coupling a cover to the end of the housing to capture the biasing element in the cavity; and maintaining the biasing element in the compressed state during the coupling such that the biasing element does not engage the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Martin Adams
  • Patent number: 9228662
    Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage
  • Patent number: 9222584
    Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. The present invention is also directed to a flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a rigid piston into a diaphragm flush valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage
  • Patent number: 9222589
    Abstract: An automatic shutoff device, comprising a housing member with a hollow opening, an inlet port coupled to a first end of the housing member, an outlet port coupled to a second end of the housing member, a valve coupled to the outlet port, a variable volume chamber within the housing member with an open end facing the inlet port of the housing member and a closed end with flow restriction holes in closed end facing the outlet port of the housing member, a one-way valve disposed in the closed end of the variable volume chamber, and a spring-biased piston within the variable volume chamber with a compressible spring coupled to the piston at the closed end of the chamber wherein the piston is mechanically coupled to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Logan Roberts, Bryn Prinsloo
  • Patent number: 9212753
    Abstract: A slam-shut safety device includes a valve body, a valve disc, a reset pin, and a guide collar. The valve disc is disposed within the valve body and shiftable along a slam-shut axis between an open position and a closed second position. The reset pin is operatively coupled to the valve disc and shiftable along the slam-shut axis relative to the valve body between an untripped position placing the valve disc in the open position and a tripped position placing the valve disc in the closed position. The guide collar includes a hollow cylindrical portion extending away from the valve disc at least partly over the reset pin and being slidably disposed in a guide bore of a slam shut body that is connected to the valve body and supporting the reset pin, thereby providing added structural integrity to the rest pin and valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Cristian-Tiberiu Moldovan, Michel Bouvry, Roman Alexandru-Vlad, Stanley D. Hall, David E. Woollums, Tung K. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9206946
    Abstract: A pressurized storage tank arrangement having at least two pressurized storage tanks, the at least two pressurized storage tanks being configured for connection to one another in a fluid-conducting manner via a connecting device. The at least two pressurized storage tanks are configured for connection to the connecting device in a fluid-conducting manner at a first and a second connecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Franz Mayr
  • Patent number: 9206908
    Abstract: A pin release mechanism which includes a release pin, a bias spring, a spring guide, a moveable ball retainer and a solenoid assembly. The release pin is axially movable from a first to a second position. The bias spring is connected to the release pin and exerts a force biasing the release pin towards the second position. The spring guide receives the bias spring interacts with ball bearings. The moveable ball retainer is connected to the bias spring and has a locked position in which ball bearings radially interfere with the movement of the release pin and prevents movement of the release pin from the first to the second position by engaging the release pin, and an unlocked position in which the ball bearings may move radially, disengaging the release pin, and engaging the ball retainer, to allow the release pin to move from the first towards the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: G.W. Lisk Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Howard, Michael T. Levis
  • Patent number: 9200718
    Abstract: An air valve includes a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet and an outlet; a seat mounted within the valve body and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface facing the outlet of the valve body, the upper surface and the lower surface defining a bore extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the upper surface further defining a first sealing ridge and a second sealing ridge; and a float moveable within the valve body and engageable with the bore of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Sean A. Cardia, Timothy Q. Fallon
  • Patent number: 9200501
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a conduit having a throughbore and defining a longitudinal axis, a sealing member that is moveable between an open configuration in which the throughbore of the conduit is open, and a sealing configuration in which the sealing member is arranged to substantially obturate the throughbore of the conduit, wherein in the sealing configuration, the sealing member seals the throughbore along a sealing line at least a part of which is angled relative to a direction perpendicular to the axis of the throughbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Petrowell Limited
    Inventors: Damien Gerard Patton, Davidson Harman