Patents by Inventor Claude Giroux

Claude Giroux 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: 4659063
    Abstract: An automatic shut off valve for shutting off the water supply to a building in the case of a detected water leak. A conventional valve is provided with an apparatus for rendering the valve automatic when the valve has a sliding stem projecting from the valve body. The apparatus includes a jacket adapted to fit over the valve body to contain the stem having a roof normal to the axis of the stem and spaced from the end thereof and a plunger slidably mounted through the roof extending coaxial with and connected to the stem. A compression spring extends between the roof and the plunger to urge the valve stem to retract to close the valve. A lever member is pivotally mounted to the plunger and extends exteriorly of the jacket. The lever member includes a cam head abutting the roof between plunger extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventors: Gaston Veillette, Claude Giroux
  • Patent number: 4544167
    Abstract: A turboexpander compressor for use in a gas processing system has a seal system that avoids communication of gas with the oil being pumped through the bearings. The device has a shaft carried in a housing on bearings with a compressor wheel on one side and an expander wheel on the other side. Labyrinth seals seal the wheels from the interior of the housing and the bearings. Mechanical seals are located between the bearings and the labyrinth seals for preventing leakage of oil. The mechanical seals are located in a drainage chamber that allows any oil or gas leaked past the seals to be drained from the system, rather than dilute the oil. Gas is injected from the compressor discharge into a groove on the expander side of the shaft to provide a thermal barrier. The mechanical seals each have a rotating ring carried by the shaft and a nonrotating ring carried by the housing. The nonrotating ring is biased into the rotating ring by means of an O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Turbine, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude Giroux
  • Patent number: 4477223
    Abstract: A turboexpander compressor for use in a gas processing system has a seal system that avoids communication of gas with the oil being pumped through the bearings. The device has a shaft carried in a housing on bearings with a compressor wheel on one side and an expander wheel on the other side. Labyrinth seals seal the wheels from the interior of the housing and the bearings. Mechanical seals are located between the bearings and the labyrinth seals for preventing leakage of oil. The mechanical seals are located in a drainage chamber that allows any oil or gas leaked past the seals to be drained from the system, rather than dilute the oil. Gas is injected from the compressor discharge into a groove on the expander side of the shaft to provide a thermal barrier. The mechanical seals each have a rotating ring carried by the shaft and a nonrotating ring carried by the housing. The nonrotating ring is biased into the rotating ring by means of an O-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Turbine, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude Giroux