Patents by Inventor Beat Hotz

Beat Hotz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9964329
    Abstract: A 6-way valve (20) comprises two similar 3-way sub-valves (20a, 20b) being mechanically coupled with each other, such that both sub-valves (20a, 20b) are always in the same position, whereby each sub-valve (20a, 20b) has three different valve ports (33, 34, 35) and a valve member (22?) with an internal connecting channel (29), which valve member (22?) can moved between first and second end positions via an intermediate position such that in said first end position the first (33) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), in said second end position the second (34) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), and in said intermediate position said connecting channel (29) is disconnected from said first and second valve ports (33, 34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Ryan Whitmore, Daryl Kaufman, Urs Keller, Beat Hotz
  • Publication number: 20170102086
    Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a seat ring (1), a centered valve disc (3) and a valve axis (16). The seat ring (1) and the valve disc (3) are constructed to co-operate as first and second elements of a seal for sealing a volume in which the valve axis (16) is located from internal volume of the valve. The seal is substantially a radial-force-type seal with respect to the valve axis (16). The torque for opening or closing the valve is not more than 160 Nm. The invention relates further to an actuator for a butterfly valve comprising either a voltage detection and/or a temperature and/or humidity controller and/or a safety subsystem to prevent fire in the case of fault conditions. The invention relates further to a hand crank detection system for a butterfly valve, a position indicator for a butterfly valve and an adapter between a butterfly valve and its actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Werner ARNOLD, Andreas FURRER, Beat WEBER, Reto ANLIKER, Beat HOTZ, Roy BEARTH, Paul GUYER, Piero BETTI
  • Publication number: 20170067665
    Abstract: A 6-way valve (20) comprises two similar 3-way sub-valves (20a, 20b) being mechanically coupled with each other, such that both sub-valves (20a, 20b) are always in the same position, whereby each sub-valve (20a, 20b) has three different valve ports (33, 34, 35) and a valve member (22?) with an internal connecting channel (29), which valve member (22?) can moved between first and second end positions via an intermediate position such that in said first end position the first (33) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), in said second end position the second (34) and third (35) valve ports are connected with each other by means of said connecting channel (29), and in said intermediate position said connecting channel (29) is disconnected from said first and second valve ports (33, 34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Ryan WHITMORE, Daryl KAUFMAN, Urs KELLER, Beat HOTZ
  • Patent number: 7798170
    Abstract: A flow setting assembly is provided to permit field adjustment of an electronically actuated flow control valve, particularly a pressure independent characterized control valve (PICCV). In a preferred form, flow can be field adjusted by using a hex tool. Therefore, the maximum flow can be increased or decreased within the valve's adjustable flow range. As with all high close-off valves that employ a ball in their design, the ball passes well into the seat when rotated to the actuator's zero-degree position. Therefore, there is an amount of travel within the first degrees of ball rotation that passes back over this seat. The flow setting assembly eliminates this excess rotation (12°) resulting in a closed position that is offset to improve control resolution and system accuracy. This offset continues to allow the high close-off rating of 200 PSI. MFT actuators electronically adjust to and maintain the 2-10 Volt control signal at the reduced angle, as well as the 100 second running time and feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Belimo Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Hotz, Adrian I. Papanide
  • Publication number: 20070012367
    Abstract: A flow setting assembly is provided to permit field adjustment of an electronically actuated flow control valve, particularly a pressure independent characterized control valve (PICCV). In a preferred form, flow can be field adjusted by using a hex tool. Therefore, the maximum flow can be increased or decreased within the valve's adjustable flow range. As with all high close-off valves that employ a ball in their design, the ball passes well into the seat when rotated to the actuator's zero-degree position. Therefore, there is an amount of travel within the first degrees of ball rotation that passes back over this seat. The flow setting assembly eliminates this excess rotation (12°) resulting in a closed position that is offset to improve control resolution and system accuracy. This offset continues to allow the high close-off rating of 200 PSI. MFT actuators electronically adjust to and maintain the 2-10 Volt control signal at the reduced angle, as well as the 100 second running time and feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Beat Hotz, Adrian Papanide