Patents Examined by William McCalister
  • Patent number: 9574678
    Abstract: A valve (61) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel has a displaceable closure member (67) which is maintained in its closed disposition by exposure to the pressure of the steam within the pressure vessel. The closure member (67) is displaced between its closed disposition and an open disposition by a double-acting actuator (69), suitably an air-driven piston/cylinder device, the closure member (67) being preferably mounted at one axial end of a spindle (68) extending between the closure member (67) and the actuator (69). The closure member (67) is suitably mounted for substantially metal-to-metal contact with a valve seat portion (63), without interposition of any sealing element, preferably for substantially vertical displacement between its closed and dispositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ODENBERG ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Broderick
  • Patent number: 9574674
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body, a diaphragm dividing the inside of the valve body into first and second valve chambers and being displaced under a pressure of fluid, first and second openings in communication with the first valve chamber, and a third opening in communication with the second valve chamber. When a pump is not driven, the force applied to a side of the diaphragm facing the second valve chamber is greater than the force applied to a side of the diaphragm facing the first valve chamber, and the second opening is sealed by the diaphragm. When the pump is driven and the force applied to the side of the diaphragm facing the first valve chamber becomes greater than the force applied to the side of the diaphragm facing the second valve chamber, the diaphragm allows the first and second openings and to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takenobu Maeda, Gaku Kamitani, Hidekazu Sasai
  • Patent number: 9556596
    Abstract: A liquid distribution system having at least one liquid conduit extending from a liquid source to a liquid tap and a method for substantially retaining the temperature of a liquid in the liquid distribution system. When a tapping operation is finished, the liquid is evacuated from the liquid conduit, and a gas is brought into the liquid conduit in order to replace the liquid therein and cause the liquid to flow backwards to the liquid source. When liquid is to be tapped from the liquid tap, the gas is evacuated from the liquid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: 3eflow AB
    Inventor: Erik Abbing
  • Patent number: 9556968
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator with at least one solenoid coil, one armature, which is magnetically movable by means of the solenoid coil in an armature area and has a first and a second tapering, and a magnetic yoke. The yoke has a first dipping stage in which the first tapering of the armature is dipped upon a shifting of the armature in a direction of actuation, and a second dipping stage in which the second tapering of the armature is dipped upon a shifting of the armature in the direction of actuation. A maximum radial external dimension of the armature in the area of the second tapering is smaller than a minimum radial internal dimension of the second dipping stage. In addition, the invention refers to a fluid valve that is actuated by means of the electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Karlheinz Mayr, Markus Moosmann
  • Patent number: 9556765
    Abstract: A hydraulic oil supply apparatus includes an oil pump discharging hydraulic oil, a common oil passage through which the discharged hydraulic oil flows, a first oil passage branched from the common oil passage to supply the hydraulic oil to a valve opening and closing timing control apparatus, a second oil passage supplying the hydraulic oil to a main gallery, and a flow control valve decreasing a volume of hydraulic oil flowing through the first oil passage with an increase of hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic oil discharged from the oil pump so as to increase a volume of hydraulic oil flowing through the second oil passage. In the hydraulic oil supply apparatus, hydraulic pressure generated from the hydraulic oil passing through a valve body of the flow control valve is applied to the valve body as a force against a force of a biasing member that biases the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hisashi Ono
  • Patent number: 9551427
    Abstract: A valve device including a substrate with first and second surfaces positioned on opposing sides, a first groove extending along the first surface with a horseshoe shaped end in a valve area formed on the first surface, a second groove extending along the second surface, a channel fluidically coupled to the second groove and extending from the second surface to the first surface ending at an end in the valve area; a first membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the first surface of the substrate except at the valve area and forming a first channel at the first groove, an area of the end of the first groove is larger than an area of the end of the channel; and a second membrane providing a fluid tight connection with the second surface of the substrate forming a second channel at the second groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Adrianus Wilhelmus Dionisius Maria Van Den Bijgaart, Ronald Cornelis De Gier
  • Patent number: 9550636
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for air flow limiting comprise a vertically oriented tube, a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to limit rate of air flow through the tube and halt air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value, and a moveable stop for adjustably changing the length of travel of the sail assembly thereby changing the maximum amount of air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 9550635
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for air flow regulation comprise a vertically oriented tube, a sail assembly positioned in the tube and moveable therewithin responsively to air flow through the tube to regulate rate of air flow through the tube and to stop air flow through the tube upon air flow rate through the tube exceeding a preselected value with a detector for sensing when the sail assembly has stopped air flow through the tube as a result of air flow rate exceeding said pre-selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen B. Maguire
  • Patent number: 9551137
    Abstract: A system and method of Touch Free Automatic faucet controlled by electronic sensors provides a Primary-Water-Flow-Mode, a Continue-Water-Flow-Mode, a Temperature-Control-Mode, a Faucet-Pause-Mode, an Adjust-Water-Flow-Mode and a Flow-Temperature-Default-Setting-Mode for users to control faucet water flow and water temperature without touching any parts of faucet body. The system comprises at least three electronic sensors, a logical processor circuit board, an electricity power supply package, a water flow control valve assembly, a temperature control valve assembly, at least one faucet body housing and at least one inlet fluid line. From the outputs of the sensors, the logical processor responds to the flow control valve assembly and to the temperature control valve assembly to control water flow and temperature to the faucet spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventor: Chung-Chia Chen
  • Patent number: 9551426
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes: a valve housing in which a flow path having gas inlet and outlet is formed; a drive device attached to the valve housing; a valve shaft connected to an output shaft of the drive device and moving in an axial direction; and a valve body attached so as to radially extend to an axis of the valve shaft, and opening and closing the flow path by being moved with the valve shaft so that one side surface moves away from or comes into contact with a valve seat formed in the flow path, wherein the valve housing is attached to an attachment target member so that the valve shaft is tilted, and the valve body includes a wall portion corresponding to a portion where a liquid inside the flow path collects due to its weight, within a portion having the valve seat, and formed along an edge portion on the other side surface opposite to one side surface of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobutaka Kiku
  • Patent number: 9546553
    Abstract: The film cooling structure includes: a wall surface along which a heating medium flows; and at least one pair of film cooling holes that open at the wall surface and that blow a cooling medium. The pair of film cooling holes are arranged to be adjacent to each other in a main flow direction of the heating medium. In addition, perforation directions of the pair of film cooling holes are set such that directions of swirls of the cooling medium formed by blowing are opposite to each other, a swirl of the cooling medium on a downstream side in the main flow direction is mixed and merged with another swirl of the cooling medium on an upstream side in the main flow direction, and the merged cooling medium flows along the wall surface in a direction intersecting with the main flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoji Okita, Chiyuki Nakamata, Seiji Kubo, Osamu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9547315
    Abstract: An internal pressure sensor detects an internal pressure of the fuel tank, which stores fuel. A solenoid valve is configured to close to seal the fuel tank and is configured to open to open the fuel tank. An internal pressure acquisition unit is configured to acquire an internal pressure of the fuel tank from the internal pressure sensor. A drive control unit is configured to control the solenoid valve to open when the internal pressure of the fuel tank is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value, which is a negative value, and is less than a second predetermined value, which is 0 or a positive value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro Miura, Shinji Sugihara
  • Patent number: 9541925
    Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a regulator valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve port disposed between the inlet and the outlet. An actuator is coupled to the regulator valve and includes a valve disc that displaces between a closed position and an open position. The device also includes an overpressure protection device adapted to stop flow from the inlet to the outlet when pressure in a control cavity reaches a predetermined level. The overpressure protection device includes a sensing tube having a first end in fluid communication with the control cavity and a second end in fluid communication with the outlet. The sensing tube has a first portion extending parallel to the flow axis. One or more apertures are disposed in the sensing tube adjacent to the second end, and each of the apertures has a centerline that is perpendicular to the flow axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Hawkins, David B. Davis, Justin L. Masias
  • Patent number: 9534700
    Abstract: The valve actuator (1) includes a housing (2), a motor (4) coupled to the valve, wherein rotation of the motor (4) changes the position of the valve from a first position in which fluid flow may occur along at least one path and a second position in which fluid flow is either blocked or may occur along at least one second path, said motor (4) being normally supplied with electrical power from a main source of electrical power, at least one sensor (24,132) configured to detect the position of the valve and/or the valve speed, a switch (16) controlling the delivery of electrical power to the motor (4), and a power circuitry (19) connected to the switch (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Frederic Denat, Mourad Rezig
  • Patent number: 9534358
    Abstract: A diverter for a rain barrel includes a scoop portion configured to fit within a gutter downspout, a rain barrel fitting portion configured to fluidly attach the scoop portion to the rain barrel, and a wing extending outwardly from the scoop portion to direct a flow of water in the gutter downspout towards the scoop portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Earth Minded LLC
    Inventors: Scott Griffin, Dave Coventry, David Fischer, Doug Reeves, Kerri Love, Joshua Michael Broehl, Edwin Beck, Martin Beck, Arthur Wells, Bruce J. Geever
  • Patent number: 9534795
    Abstract: An fluid control valve and actuator assembly includes a valve configured to control a flow of liquid, and a valve actuator configured to control opening and closing of the valve, and further configured to provide both a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate of the liquid through the valve. In a particular embodiment, the valve actuator has a communications module configured to facilitate communication with the valve actuator over a network, and further configured to allow both remote monitoring of the flow through the valve, and remote control of the valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Burt
  • Patent number: 9527719
    Abstract: A tapping fitting, particularly a flap or ball cock, with a fitting housing made from plastic for connection to a drain spigot of a plastic container for liquids, particularly an interior container of a transport and storage container. The fitting housing is provided with a conductive device at least part of which is made from electrically conductive plastic for dissipating an electrostatic charge. The conductive device is the conductive device has an integrally conformed earthing conductor for the electrically conductive connection of the conductive device to a ground potential and is also connected integrally with the fitting housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PROTECHNA S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 9526829
    Abstract: The fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing device for delivering a pressurized injection fluid, a low pressure fluid delivery system, and a pressure isolation mechanism adapted for fluid communication with the pressurizing device and low pressure fluid delivery system. The pressure isolation mechanism includes a housing defining an inlet port, an isolation port, and an internal cavity. The housing defines a seal seat in the internal cavity between the inlet port and isolation port. A valve member is disposed in the internal cavity. The valve member is free floating in the internal cavity and is adapted to engage the seal seat. The valve member has an open position permitting fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port, and is fluid flow responsive to fluid flow in the inlet port to engage the seal seat and attain a closed position preventing fluid flow between the inlet port and isolation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Spohn, John A. Haury
  • Patent number: 9528484
    Abstract: A valve for a pump for delivering fuel includes a closing element mounted in a valve body so as to be movable along an axis, wherein the closing element is designed to close off a duct of the pump, wherein an actuator is provided which is operatively connected to the closing element, wherein the closing element has a first contact surface, wherein the actuator has a second contact surface, wherein the closing element and the actuator are in contact with one another via the contact surfaces, and wherein the contact surfaces are at least partially in the form of spherical surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Gugel, Luc Van Himme
  • Patent number: 9528620
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve includes main and pilot valves. The pilot valve is configured to regulate a pilot pressure, and includes pilot, drain, and first control-oil ports, a first opening cross section between the first control-oil and pilot ports, a second opening cross section between the pilot and drain ports; and a pilot part. The pilot part is configured to keep the pilot pressure at least substantially constant and control the first and second opening cross sections to be open during a pressure control operation. The main valve is fluidically connected to the pilot port and includes a second control-oil port, an outlet port, a third opening cross section between the second control-oil port and the outlet port, and a control part configured to control the third opening cross section based on the pilot pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Pastuschka, Liebhart Zaiser