Patents by Inventor George Popovici

George Popovici 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).

  • Publication number: 20250161846
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a primary fluid passageway and a filter that is configured to receive a portion of fluid that passes through the primary fluid passageway. The filter includes a secondary fluid passageway having a secondary inlet end that intersects the primary fluid passageway and a secondary outlet that intersects the primary fluid passageway at a location downstream of the inlet end. The filter includes a tertiary fluid passageway having a tertiary inlet end and a blind end. The tertiary inlet end intersects the secondary fluid passageway at a third location. The third location is disposed in the secondary fluid passageway between the secondary inlet end and the secondary outlet end, and the blind end disposed at a location spaced apart from the tertiary inlet end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventor: George Popovici
  • Publication number: 20250161847
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a settlement filter that is disposed within a primary fluid passageway and is configured to receive a portion of fluid that passes through the primary fluid passageway. The settlement filter includes a secondary “filter” fluid passageway having an inlet end that intersects the primary fluid passageway and a blind end opposed to the inlet end. At the intersection of filter fluid passageway with the primary fluid passageway, fluid conditions result in formation of a settlement area in the filter fluid passageway entrance. The filter fluid passageway includes a particle trap in the settlement area that collects particles that settle out of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventor: George Popovici
  • Publication number: 20250161845
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a fluid passageway having a discontinuity that results in a particle settlement area downstream of the discontinuity. A settlement filter is provided in the system. The settlement filter includes the discontinuity and a sieve that coincides with the particle settlement area. The fluid delivery system also includes a particle trap that underlies the sieve and is configured to receive and trap particles that settle from fluid flowing through the fluid passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 22, 2025
    Inventor: George Popovici
  • Publication number: 20250020237
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an assembly housing and fluid valves disposed in the assembly housing. The assembly housing includes a first manifold that defines a plurality of first ports and a second manifold that defines a plurality of second valve ports. Each second valve port is associated with a corresponding one of the first ports to form a port pair. The assembly housing includes a valve chamber disposed between the first manifold and the second manifold. The valve chamber is in fluid communication with an interior space of the first manifold via the first ports and is in fluid communication with an interior space of the second manifold via the second valve ports. Each fluid valve is configured to control fluid flow between the first valve port and the second valve port of a respective port pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Hank Brockner, Chris Franklin, Stephen Zukowski, Paul Mason, David Toutant, Thomas R. Chapman, George Popovici
  • Publication number: 20250020236
    Abstract: A cam-driven valve system includes a valve housing configured to define a plurality of fluid passageways and to support an array of sliding gate fluid valves in the fluid passageways in such a way that the flow of fluid therethrough is controlled. The system includes a plurality of cams supported on a cam shaft. The cam shaft is arranged so that each cam is associated with a corresponding sliding gate valve. Rotation of the cam shaft results in actuation of the valves via the cams. The cams of the cam shaft vary in shape and size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2024
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Hank Brockner, Chris Franklin, Stephen Zukowski, Paul Mason, David Toutant, Thomas R. Chapman, George Popovici
  • Patent number: 11668402
    Abstract: A rotary valve has a valve plug that is rotatable in a valve body about a rotational axis. Surface features of the valve plug and surface features of the valve body cooperate to provide a bearing by which the valve plug is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body. In addition, each of the valve plug and the valve body include a plurality of annular projections that encircle the plain bearing and axially overlap one another so as to form a labyrinth that surrounds the bearing. The labyrinth forms a fluid path that collects abrasive particles suspended in the fluid passing through the valve, whereby wear of the valve is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici
  • Publication number: 20230100721
    Abstract: A rotary valve has a valve plug that is rotatable in a valve body about a rotational axis. Surface features of the valve plug and surface features of the valve body cooperate to provide a bearing by which the valve plug is rotatably supported with respect to the valve body. In addition, each of the valve plug and the valve body include a plurality of annular projections that encircle the plain bearing and axially overlap one another so as to form a labyrinth that surrounds the bearing. The labyrinth forms a fluid path that collects abrasive particles suspended in the fluid passing through the valve, whereby wear of the valve is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici
  • Patent number: 11112015
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body and a plug. The body includes a chamber and ports that communicate with the chamber. The plug is rotatably disposed in the chamber, and includes a seal disposed in an annular groove provided on the plug surface. An elastic member is disposed in the groove, and biases the seal against an inner surface of the chamber. The seal includes a seal retaining feature that is configured to retain the seal within the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran
  • Patent number: 11054043
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body and a plug. The body includes a chamber and ports that communicate with the chamber. The plug rotates within the chamber, and includes a seal disposed in an annular groove provided on the plug surface. An elastic member is disposed in the groove, and biases the seal against an inner surface of the chamber. When the plug is oriented relative to the body so that the groove is aligned with a port, the seal segregates the chamber into a first chamber that borders an outer surface of the seal and a second chamber that borders an inner surface of the seal, and provides a fluid-tight seal between the first chamber and the second chamber. In addition, the seal inner and outer diameters vary based on a fluid pressure difference across the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran
  • Patent number: 10914390
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body, and a valve plug disposed in the valve body. The valve body includes a base and a cylindrical sidewall that together define a valve plug chamber. The valve body includes valve ports. The valve plug is rotatable relative to the valve body about a rotational axis. The valve plug supports an annular seal in such a way that, a) for certain orientations of the valve plug with respect to the valve body, the seal abuts and inner surface of the sidewall and provides a fluid-tight seal between the valve plug and the valve body, and b) during rotation of the valve plug relative to the valve body, the seal is moved relative to the valve body along a circular path. At least one of the valve ports includes a guiding feature that guides the seal along the circular path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: Robert Bosch LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran
  • Publication number: 20200386323
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body and a plug. The body includes a chamber and ports that communicate with the chamber. The plug is rotatably disposed in the chamber, and includes a seal disposed in an annular groove provided on the plug surface. An elastic member is disposed in the groove, and biases the seal against an inner surface of the chamber. The seal includes a seal retaining feature that is configured to retain the seal within the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran
  • Publication number: 20200386325
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body and a plug. The body includes a chamber and ports that communicate with the chamber. The plug rotates within the chamber, and includes a seal disposed in an annular groove provided on the plug surface. An elastic member is disposed in the groove, and biases the seal against an inner surface of the chamber. When the plug is oriented relative to the body so that the groove is aligned with a port, the seal segregates the chamber into a first chamber that borders an outer surface of the seal and a second chamber that borders an inner surface of the seal, and provides a fluid-tight seal between the first chamber and the second chamber. In addition, the seal inner and outer diameters vary based on a fluid pressure difference across the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran
  • Publication number: 20200386331
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body, and a valve plug disposed in the valve body. The valve body includes a base and a cylindrical sidewall that together define a valve plug chamber. The valve body includes valve ports. The valve plug is rotatable relative to the valve body about a rotational axis. The valve plug supports an annular seal in such a way that, a) for certain orientations of the valve plug with respect to the valve body, the seal abuts and inner surface of the sidewall and provides a fluid-tight seal between the valve plug and the valve body, and b) during rotation of the valve plug relative to the valve body, the seal is moved relative to the valve body along a circular path. At least one of the valve ports includes a guiding feature that guides the seal along the circular path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Chapman, George Popovici, Lesley Wang, Adarsh Venkiteswaran