Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Gerlofs

Kurt R. Gerlofs 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: 6427714
    Abstract: An improved fluid flow valve (10) for a fluid flow control system. The flow valve (10) includes a flow-regulating assembly (40) having a housing (44) having a piston bore (15) within which is slideably disposed a piston-like member (42). The piston-like member (42) has a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein. A first portion (42a) of the pistonlike member (42) is configured for mating with a seat (46) of the housing (44), and a resilient member (48) biases the piston-like member (42) away from the seat (46). When at least a predetermined fluid pressure differential exists, the first portion (42a) mates with the seat (46) and causes the at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that fluid can substantially flow only through the primary flow passage (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Freigang, James A. Beverly, Kurt R. Gerlofs
  • Publication number: 20010015224
    Abstract: An improved fluid flow valve (10) for a fluid flow control system. The flow valve (10) includes a flow-regulating assembly (40) having a housing (44) having a piston bore (15) within which is slideably disposed a piston-like member (42). The piston-like member (42) has a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein. A first portion (42a) of the piston-like member (42) is configured for mating with a seat (46) of the housing (44), and a resilient member (48) biases the piston-like member (42) away from the seat (46). When at least a predetermined fluid pressure differential exists, the first portion (42a) mates with the seat (46) and causes the at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that fluid can substantially flow only through the primary flow passage (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Alan R. Freigang, James A. Beverly, Kurt R. Gerlofs
  • Patent number: 6250327
    Abstract: An improved fluid flow valve (10) for a fluid flow control system. The flow valve (10) includes a flow-regulating assembly (40) having a housing (44) having a piston bore (15) within which is slideably disposed a piston-like member (42). The piston-like member (42) has a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein. A first portion (42a) of the pistonlike member (42) is configured for mating with a seat (46) of the housing (44), and a resilient member (48) biases the piston-like member (42) away from the seat (46). When at least a predetermined fluid pressure differential exists, the first portion (42a) mates with the seat (46) and causes the at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that fluid can substantially flow only through the primary flow passage (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Freigang, James A. Beverly, Kurt R. Gerlofs
  • Patent number: 5544688
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve (61) including a body (110, 114) interconnecting an inflatable volume (20a,22a) with a source of pressurized fluid (30) and the atmosphere. A pair of valve members (120, 122) cooperate to allow controlled inflation and deflation of the volumes (20a,22a) as well as to close off the fluid path between the source and the volumes and vent fluid from the volumes to the atmosphere in order to achieve at least two predetermined fluid pressures in the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Alan R. Freigang, Gary R. Schultz, Thomas L. Runels, Kurt R. Gerlofs