Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8689788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for resuscitation of an infant which maintains healthy blood oxygen saturation values in the infant by titration of supplemental oxygen concentrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Yacov Rabi
  • Patent number: 8689789
    Abstract: A medical aerosol delivery device comprises a housing having a first opening and a second opening and defining a fluid passage between the first and second openings. The housing comprising a pressurized medical aerosol canister actuator having a canister receptacle disposed within the fluid passage and having a valve chamber comprising a fine bore nozzle positioned to direct atomized medicament toward the first opening. The fluid passage includes an annular portion bypassing the canister receptacle and the housing comprises a movable closure member for selectively obstructing the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Paul G. Andrus, Gayle R. Campbell-Andrus
  • Patent number: 8689790
    Abstract: An emergency oxygen supply system for use on aircraft in the event of a loss in cabin pressure is configured for delivering allotments of oxygen and timing the delivery such allotments to each passenger so as maximize the efficiency of the transfer of such oxygen into the passenger's bloodstream. The delivery of each allotment is selected so that the entire allotment is available for inhalation into the region of the lung most efficient at oxygen transfer while the volume of the allotment is selected to substantially coincide with the volume of such region of the lung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Cannon
  • Patent number: 8689791
    Abstract: Provided herein is a respiratory apparatus comprising a means for conducting breathable gasses directly to the trachea of a patient, via a tracheotomy or via a tube through the mouth to the trachea, and a means suitable for supplying the breathable gasses, under pressure, thereto and means for exhausting gases therefrom, characterised in that the pressuring means is so located as to impart pressure to said gasses immediately adjacent the site of the tracheotomy or the patient's mouth, thereby substantially reducing the length of the air supply hose to an endotracheal tube, so that problems associated with high pressures and large volumes of dead space can be alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Shahar Hayek
  • Patent number: 8689792
    Abstract: A system and method of occluding a reproductive body lumen (34) to prevent the passage of reproductive cells through body lumen is disclosed. The system can include a catheter delivery system (10) having a handle device (18), a catheter (10) operatively coupled with the handle device (20), and an occluding device adapted for deployment within the body lumen. The handle device can include a damper device adapted to reduce the vibration on the handle device from deployment of the occluding device from the catheter. Further, the handle device can include an indexing member operatively coupled with the catheter to provide indexing of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bayer Essure Inc.
    Inventors: Jose' W. Jimenez, James R. Mujwid, William S. Tremulis, John R. Frigstad, Karl A. Jagger, Kevin R. Arnal, Jeffrey P. Callister
  • Patent number: 8689793
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for restraining a patient's leg during knee surgery or similar procedure features and improved restraining member that is attachable to an operating room table. The restraining member has a lower concave portion that engages the upper portion and sides of the patient's leg. The restraining member has an upper convex portion that is reinforced with a plurality of ridges. The concave portion can be fitted with an inflatable bladder. The concave portion in other embodiments is fitted with a belt arrangement that enables different degrees of constriction to be imparted to the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Bob Kring
  • Patent number: 8689794
    Abstract: A dental shield for use during intubation to protect teeth, including a plurality of tooth segments, each segment having a male connector and a female connector located on opposite sides for the purpose of attaching each segment to an adjacent segment, and each segment formed from a rigid material defining a tooth-shaped channel containing a deformable material bound to the tooth surface such that a number of tooth segments are assemblable into the dental shield device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Zeljko Veselinovic
  • Patent number: 8689795
    Abstract: A TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) balancing appliance and a method for using the same are provided, in which a first base portion accommodates incisor teeth, a second base portion is extended from a left side of the first base portion and accommodates left molar teeth, and a third base portion is extended from a right side of the first base portion and accommodates right molar teeth. The first base portion includes an upper part for accommodating upper incisor teeth and a lower part for accommodating lower incisor teeth and has a center for accommodating the upper and lower incisor teeth higher than the left and right sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Jinbiotech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Jun Lee, Hwa-Jeong Lee, Kyung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8689796
    Abstract: A mouthguard has an initial, substantially linear configuration and may be worn in a variety of applications including to protect a person's teeth when the person is engaged in a sports activity such as football, lacrosse, and other contact sports, as well as for concussion protection, user performance enhancement and so forth. The mouthguard includes a first end trough region generally shaped to cooperatively enclose one or more teeth on a first side of a mouth, a second end trough region generally shaped to cooperatively enclose one or more teeth on a second side of the mouth and a connection region spanning between the first end trough region and the second trough region. The connection may include a shaping element for reversibly forming a second, generally non-linear configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shock Doctor, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis F. Polk, III
  • Patent number: 8689797
    Abstract: A self-customizable dental appliance adapted to lie within the mouth of a person including occlusal pads with a connecting arch or a u-shaped style base with upstanding labial and lingual walls. The appliance is formed of a semi-crystalline polyolefin polymer or crystallizable blend. In one embodiment, the appliance is formed of elastomeric propylene-ethylene polypropylene, optionally including high density polypropylene. An optional occlusal lifting pad can be used in the self-customizable dental appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Monroe Elkin, Manese Rabeony
  • Patent number: 8689798
    Abstract: A protective cushion for preventing a medical device from damaging the skin of a patient and a method for using the cushion. The cushion includes a bottom portion made of soft material and configured for resting against the patient's body and separating the medical device from the patient's body; and a top portion configured for receiving the medical device. The soft material can be resistant to bacterial growth. The bottom portion can have a concave curvature to fit against the patient's body. The top portion can include an opening shaped for receiving the medical device. The opening can separate the top portion into first and second side portions. The top portion can include a fastening system for securing the medical device in the protective cushion. The fastening system can include a tab or the opening shape. The cushion can include a cover for covering the opening in the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: David C Sabin
  • Patent number: 8689799
    Abstract: A reversible orthosis is configured to support and/or immobilize at least one limb of a patient, including a textile article with first and second faces. The faces are equally able to contact a limb or limbs of the patient. The device includes at least one fastening tab having an active face with fastening elements cooperable with first or second securing device arranged respectively on the first and second faces and an inactive face opposite the active face. The fastening tab is fixed non-removably via its inactive face on a zone of the textile article contiguous to one of the edges of the textile article, allowing a pivot, about a pivot axis substantially parallel to this edge, between a first position, in which the active face catches by contact on the first securing device, and a second position, in which the active face catches by contact on the second securing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Richard Freres SA
    Inventor: Dominique Richard
  • Patent number: 8689800
    Abstract: A magnetic navigation control apparatus includes a sensing unit, a control unit and a magnetic field generating unit. The sensing unit generates a sensing signal according to the position of a magnetic element. The control unit is electrically connected with the sensing unit and generates a first control signal and a second control signal according to the sensing signal. The magnetic field generating unit is electrically connected with the control unit and has a housing, a plurality of interpoles, and a plurality of short poles. The interpoles are disposed in the housing. The short poles are disposed between the interpoles evenly. The magnetic field generating unit generates a navigation signal according to the first control signal, thereby controlling the magnetic element to move in at least one direction within a target region. The magnetic navigation control apparatus has greater magnetic navigation effects, and can thus reduce the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: National Cheng Kung University, Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray-Lee Lin, Sheng-Fu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8689801
    Abstract: Targeting sensors for use in targeting landmarks of orthopaedic devices. The sensors include a non-cylindrical mounting platform such as a printed circuit board and at least two mounted or printed sensor coils to provide a low profile sensor assembly which can be placed in a predetermined position and orientation on or in an orthopaedic device. The platform has a non-circular cross-section having an aspect ratio of greater than about 1.5:1. The non-circular cross-section of the platform enables the sensor to be placed in a known fixed position within the implant. The sensor coils may be partially or fully embedded in the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc., Northern Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ritchey, Gene Edward Austin, Charles C. Heotis, Stefan R. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 8689802
    Abstract: The combination smoking and drinking apparatus includes a generally upright consumable liquid retaining container with an elongated conduit formed therebetween. An inlet is coupled to one end of the conduit and has a combustion compartment therein. Additionally, an outlet is coupled to an opposite end of the conduit such that applying a vacuum to the outlet pressurizes the conduit and draws smoke from the combustion compartment directly through the conduit to the outlet without mixing the smoke with the consumable liquid in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander C. Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: 8689803
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a system and method for treating conditions responsive to nicotine therapy. More specifically, the invention relates to pulmonary administration of a nicotine containing formulation to effect smoking cessation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aradigm Corporation
    Inventor: Igor Gonda
  • Patent number: 8689804
    Abstract: A smoking article includes identification information encoded on the smoking article. The smoking article can be used with an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the smoking article and distinguishing the smoking article from other articles based on the identification information. A cleaning article includes identification information encoded on the cleaning article. The cleaning article cleans an electrically heated smoking system having a detector for detecting the cleaning article and distinguishing the cleaning article from other articles based on the identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Felix Fernando, Jean-Pierre Cordey
  • Patent number: 8689805
    Abstract: An atomizing electronic cigarette has an atomizing core component and a liquid storage component, including an electric heater. The electric heater may have a through hole aligned with a channel passing through the liquid storage component. The cigarette can heat and uniformly vaporize liquid from the liquid storage component, with the user inhaling the vaporized liquid. The vapor generated by the atomizing process may be cooled as it flows through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.
    Inventor: Lik Hon
  • Patent number: 8689806
    Abstract: An artificial nail has a nail platform, an electroluminescence material connected to the nail platform, and an electric circuit electrically connected to the electroluminescence material. The electroluminescence material is preferably an electroluminescent film or other material that becomes luminous upon application of alternating current. When an electroluminescent film is used, the electric circuit preferably includes a driver module that provides sufficient alternating current to drive the electroluminescent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Randal Tufts, Donald Richard Swanson
  • Patent number: 8689807
    Abstract: A wig clip constituted by a plastic base frame and plastic comb body, wherein such wig clip is characterized in that: the base frame has pins or holes provided on/in the side elements of a rectangular frame member comprising front/rear elements and side elements; the comb body has multiple comb teeth provided at the front of the base, while a tab is provided at the rear of the base via a spring having a void, with holes or pins formed in/on the left side and right side of the base; and the comb body and base frame are axially joined in a rotatable manner and have such relationship that the tab can be engaged with the lock member, so that the positions of the two can be changed between an open state and clipping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Svenson Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nagatomo, Shinichi Kasori, Yoshitaro Matsushima
  • Patent number: 8689808
    Abstract: An applicator may include an applicator member including an inorganic material. The applicator member may include a core that is different from a twisted core, and projecting applicator elements extending from the core. The applicator member may further include a stem supporting the applicator member. The stem may include a rigid portion and a flexible portion extending between the applicator member and the rigid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret
  • Patent number: 8689809
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator for highlighting or imparting color to a user's hair includes upper and lower halves attached together by a hinge. Each half includes a rigid outer cap and a flexible connector surrounding and connecting the outer cap to a perimeter of the respective half. The cosmetic applicator further includes an applicator pad arranged in an interior of one of the upper and lower halves and a coloring material arranged in an interior of the other of the upper and lower halves. The flexible connector permits the outer caps of the respective upper and lower halves to be pressed inwardly toward one another so as to bring the applicator pad and the coloring material into engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventors: Anna Curry, Juan Carlos Perez, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Jeff Browning, Alexa Adams, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Daniel Cordero, Todd Stancombe, Robert Roger Hall
  • Patent number: 8689810
    Abstract: A device installation and methods for extracting dust during the transfer of pulverulent products from a first container to a second container, the combination of the first container and of the second container forming, with the dust extraction device, a closed containment volume with connection between the two containers. A hollow connector with a side wall between its two ends defines an external wall and an internal wall so that the connector is pierced with several inlet pipes connected to hoses fed with a stream of pressurized fluid and also pierced with at least one fluid discharge pipe. The pipes projecting from said external wall of the connectors and opening onto the internal wall via orifices allows fluid to be introduced, the orifices being oriented relative to one another in such a way as to cause the fluid to flow in a cyclone within the connector, carrying with it any pulverulent product that remains on the internal wall and/or upstream and/or downstream of said connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Changexplorer Production
    Inventor: Francois Rolin
  • Patent number: 8689811
    Abstract: An improved device is disclosed wherein the device includes an elongated body, a movable arm coupled to the elongated body, a power source, and a first sensor, and wherein the first sensor is capable of detecting an orientation of the device and producing an electronic signal based on the orientation, and wherein the electronic signal is capable of at least partially causing a movement of the movable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Gary L. Schroeder, Frank Sivo, Wang Su
  • Patent number: 8689812
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate carrier is provided that includes an enclosure adapted to be sealable and to house at least one substrate. The substrate carrier includes a first port leading into the enclosure and adapted to allow a flow of gas into the enclosure while the substrate carrier is closed. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinay K. Shah, Eric Englhardt, Jeffrey C. Hudgens, Martin R. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8689813
    Abstract: A valve for preventing freeze-fracturing prevents accidental freeze-fracturing due to the freezing of water by draining water from a flow pipe before the danger of freezing occurs when the temperature of ambient air drops. The valve for preventing freeze-fracturing includes a housing coupled to a pipe port and a draining chamber provided in a portion of the housing that faces the pipe port. The draining chamber has therein a water inlet hole, which communicates with an inside of the flow pipe, and a water outlet hole, which communicates with an outside of the housing. A storage chamber is provided in a portion of the housing that is opposite the draining chamber, and contains therein a phase change material, which decreases in volume while changing in phase from liquid to solid. A plunger is movably disposed in the draining chamber to open and close the water inlet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Joung Ha Kim, Jae Ho Yun, Sung Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8689814
    Abstract: A regulated automatic changeover valve is provided. A device engages the first and second high pressure gas source for providing a lower pressure gas source downstream of the changeover valve. An eccentric is provided between two valve assemblies, with each valve assembly having a piston with a valve arm projecting therefrom. The eccentric moves a block selectively closer to one of the two valve assemblies. Each valve assembly is engaged to a high pressure source, such as a tank of compressed gas. When a first tank begins to run low, the valve will automatically begin drawing from the second valve assembly. A tank that has run low of compressed gas may be changed out while the second, non-exhausted gas continues to feed the downstream device at a regulated gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Michael D. Holt Company, LLC
    Inventor: Glen Arnott
  • Patent number: 8689815
    Abstract: An air release vent valve having a valve body with an inlet port and a venting orifice; a direct float configured with an axial passageway; and a displaceable orifice closure rod deployed in at least a portion of the axial passageway, the displaceable orifice closure rod being longitudinally displaceable therein, wherein at least of portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod extends above the direct float and at least a portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod is configured to close the venting orifice when the water level in the valve body reaches a predetermined level. Also disclosed is a suspended surge prevention element that is suspended within the valve body at an adjustable distance from the venting orifice and configured to seal the initial vent orifice in response to a velocity of the flow of air through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bermad CS Ltd.
    Inventor: Zvi Weingarten
  • Patent number: 8689816
    Abstract: A vent valve assembly includes a first housing component, a second housing component, and a third housing component, as well as a first valve and a second valve. The first, second, and third housing components are configured to assemble together along one directional axis with the second housing component, the first valve and the second valve between the first and third housing components and with the second valve laterally-spaced from the first valve. The assembled first, second, and third housing components define a nonlinear vapor flow path that redirects vapor from the first valve to the second valve, thereby reducing an overall height of the vent valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Pifer
  • Patent number: 8689817
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve including a valve body, a diaphragm assembly and an actuator assembly having a housing body that isolates the actuator from the ambient atmosphere. The diaphragm assembly is welded to the valve body to reduce and/or eliminate fluid leakage around the diaphragm assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the housing body for the actuator assembly may be welded to the valve body to reduce fluid leakage. The welding may be performed using ultrasonic welding techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Leys, Mike Schleicher
  • Patent number: 8689818
    Abstract: A faucet assembly (10, 200, 300) including a waterway (28, 228, 328) fluidly coupled to a valve assembly (26). In one illustrative embodiment, a valve body (54, 206, 306) receives the waterway (28, 228, 328), and at least one retainer (64, 66, 216, 316, 318) restrains movement of the waterway (28, 228, 328).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Garry Robin Marty, Kurt Judson Thomas, Brian Wayne Johnson, Brian Alan Enlow, Derek Allen Brown
  • Patent number: 8689819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rainwater catchment apparatus that is easily installed without renovating a building. The rainwater catchment apparatus comprises a rainwater inlet for introducing rainwater, a flange portion engaged with a peripheral portion of a rainwater outlet serving as a leading end of a drainage canal formed in a building framework for introducing rainwater in the rainwater inlet, a drain portion for discharging excessive water exceeding a predetermined level to the drainage canal, a reservoir freely fitted into the drainage canal through the rainwater outlet, and a pumping mechanism for pumping water stored in the reservoir to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Suntory Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Hashimoto, Yoshiro Miyake
  • Patent number: 8689820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a Pneumatic System that can be employed within the residential environment. The system includes both a section mode and a pressure mode. Both of these modes, in turn, have both a low and a high pressure range. A variety of applications are disclosed for use in conjunction with the various modes of the system. These various applications are described in greater detail hereinafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8689821
    Abstract: The air release valve 10 includes an elongate valve body 12 including an elongate pipe section 14 that has a top wall 16 and a bottom wall secured to opposite ends thereof, thus defining a cylindrical internal chamber 20 within the valve body 12. The valve body 12 further includes a baffle plate arrangement 22 dividing the internal chamber 20 into a top part 24 and a bottom part 26. The bottom wall 18 of the valve body 12 defines an inlet 38 which is connectable to a water pipeline 69. The top wall 16 defines an outlet 40 which operatively communicates with the atmosphere. A valve seat 42, including an O-ring seal 44, surrounds the outlet 40 and permits blocking of the outlet 40 by a valve closure 46, which in combination with a float 48, forms a valve closure arrangement 50 of the air release valve 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: James Douglas Miller
  • Patent number: 8689822
    Abstract: A pressure control system remotely controls pressure within one or more remote zones, each respectively connected to an enclosure through a conduit, by controlling flow of a fluid into and out of each enclosure. The pressure of the fluid is measured within each enclosure. An estimated pressure within each zone is computed, as a function of the measured pressure in the enclosure and known characteristics of the conduit and the zone. For each zone, an inlet proportional valve and an outlet proportional valve of each enclosure is operated so as to control the input flow rate of the fluid into the respective enclosure and the output flow rate of the fluid out of the enclosure as a function of a pressure set point and the estimated pressure, thereby regulating pressure within the zone in accordance with the pressure set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Siddharth P. Nagarkatti, Gordon Hill
  • Patent number: 8689823
    Abstract: A hydro-pneumatic system has an air powered motor driving a hydraulic pump with a pressure limiting valve that turns off air flow to the air motor when a hydraulic pressure output by the pump at a sense port of the valve reaches a certain limit. A valve element of the valve has spring, hydraulic and pneumatic sections, with an unbalanced area of the hydraulic section in a sealed pressure chamber of a cartridge that is part of the valve housing. The pneumatic section extends out one end of the cartridge to fill a bore between the air inlet and outlet ports when the pneumatic section is extended, and allow air to pass when it is retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Actuant Corporation
    Inventors: Frantz D. Stanford, Bruce E. Knuth, Kay Lap Gilbert Chan
  • Patent number: 8689824
    Abstract: A check valve construction is provided having: a movable disc with a flat surface on a first side and a convex shaped surface on the opposing side, a first seat on for the flat surface and a second seat for the convex surface, where the narrowest portion of the fluid path is defined by the equation: G 3 = 12 ? ? ? ? W ? ? Q ? ? ? D ? ? ? ? ? P Wherein G: the gap of most narrow passageway between the flat surface of the disc and disc seat; ?: dynamic viscosity of the fluid; D: mean diameter of the flat sealing surface of the disc; Q: desired fluid flow rate; W: breadth of the flat sealing surface of the disc; ?P: pressure differential across the gap (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: IDEX Health & Science, LLC
    Inventor: Zhenxing Dong
  • Patent number: 8689825
    Abstract: A flow control valve for use in oxygen systems. The flow control valve has a body within an inlet and an outlet. A seat is located within the body and a ball retainer is located within the body. The ball retainer is able to capture a ball. The flow control valve also has biasing means connected to the ball retainer. Furthermore, the biasing means is movable between a flow and a non-flow position. The ball retainer is in a closed position when the ball, captured by the ball retainer, engages the seat to prevent gas flowing through the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oxycheck Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Peter James Nelson, John Robert De Wit, Theodore Aaron Steinberg
  • Patent number: 8689826
    Abstract: A hermetically-sealed valve position indicator is provided with a valve control handwheel. Indicator includes a magnetic-coupling with a stationary mount for the valve control handwheel. During operation of valve control handwheel, its handwheel and shaft rotate along with a housing, housing cover, housing window, primary shaft, and drive gear about the actuator's central axis of rotation—clockwise or counterclockwise. Drive gear engages with drive train to rotate a needle across a dial face to indicate the position of a valve. Drive train includes two gears rotatably attached to a secondary shaft and an indicator gear attached to a back end of sleeve slid over a front portion of primary shaft. The needle is disposed on the front end of sleeve with the dial face positioned between the indicator gear and the needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Trident Emergency Products, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Sulmone
  • Patent number: 8689827
    Abstract: A support shaft connects between a flange and a pump unit. An intermediate member, which connects between the support shaft and pump unit, enables a relative positional change between the support shaft and the pump unit in an axial direction of the support shaft. The intermediate member limits a relative positional change between the support shaft and the pump unit in a circumferential direction of the support shaft. A resilient member is received in the support shaft and exerts a restoring force in an axial direction of the support shaft to urge the pump unit, which is movable relative to the support shaft in the axial direction, toward a bottom portion of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Okazono, Shinobu Oikawa, Kiyomori Kobayashi, Norihiro Hayashi, Shinji Noda, Hiroshi Morishita, Kazuki Matsubara, Kouji Maruyama, Masato Inoue, Hironobu Oki
  • Patent number: 8689828
    Abstract: A poppet valve for a hydraulic coupling member has an internal, spring-loaded check valve (which may be a ball check valve) in fluid communication with a bleed passage. The check valve may be configured as a pressure-relief valve which bleeds off excess hydraulic fluid pressure within the coupling member to a preselected value. A poppet valve according to the invention may be used in female coupling members and/or male coupling members. Certain embodiments of the invention may be retrofitted to coupling members of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 8689829
    Abstract: A fluid flow monitor, typically for water, includes the combination of a fluid conduit including a magnet displaceable within the conduit when fluid flows therethrough, an electric circuit having a power supply, a magnetic sensor switch positioned in the electric circuit located adjacent to the conduit and positioned at a predetermined distance from the magnet when the magnet is not displaced and a timer connected to the electric circuit. When the magnet is displaced the predetermined distance, the magnetic sensor switch closes the electric circuit activating the timer and when the magnet is not displaced to the predetermined distance, the magnetic sensor switch opens the electric circuit deactivating the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aquatrip Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Andrew Stuart Meikle
  • Patent number: 8689830
    Abstract: This invention provides the design of a spin-controlled faucet outlet structure. It contains a valve seat inside a rotation set. The valve seat houses a turn button, a scaling plate and a discharging plate. These three pieces are locked together and controlled on the valve seat through a bridging seat. The bridging seat is locked to the faucet outlet. The turn button and the sealing plate along with the turn button and the rotation set move in series. The bottom of the rotation set is connected to a bubbler. The turn button of the rotation set spins with the sealing plate together and changes the blockage of the faucet outlet using the sealing plate, making it function as the controller of discharging and stopping water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chuan Wei Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8689831
    Abstract: Rotary valves are provided having an elongate spool defining coaxially aligned inlet and outlet ports for respectively receiving and discharging a fluid, and spool inlet and outlet orifices. A rotary cage assembly defines an annular cage recess and cage inlet and outlet orifices in communication with the recess and coaxially surrounds the spool for reciprocal rotations thereabout. An actuator assembly is coupled to the rotary cage assembly for moving the rotary cage assembly between open and closed positions. When in the open position the cage inlet and outlet orifices are in fluid communication with the spool inlet and outlet orifices, respectively, to allow fluid to flow from the spool inlet port to the spool outlet port by way of the annular cage recess. When in the closed position however fluid communication is blocked between at least the cage and spool outlet orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Whiting Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick Joseph Whiting, Griffin McNeil Doak
  • Patent number: 8689832
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device having a body having a inlet connection, an outlet connection, a discharge port and a booster module disposed within the body. The booster module including a control element and an actuator element having a noise-reducing trim element with a supply path extending between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and an exhaust path extending between the outlet connection and the discharge port. The noise-reducing trim element being coupled immediately adjacent to the discharge port such that the noise-reducing trim element distributes a fluid flow to the discharge port via the exhaust path into a plurality of fluid jets to substantially inhibit jet recombination at the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 8689833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for the fluid supply of fluid consumers, comprising several valve modules (2) arranged next to each other in the direction of stacking (3). Said valve modules (2) respectively comprise a plate-shaped channel body (11) provided with a feed channel recess (35) and/or a venting channel recess (36) and four 2/2 distributing valves (41, 42, 45, 46) respectively having a first and a second fluidic connection (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 55, 56). The four 2/2 distributing valves (41, 42, 45, 46) of the valve module (2) are interconnected in a full bridge arrangement. According to the invention, an additional module (6, 7), which is arranged on the connection surface of the channel body, is connected so it communicates with one or both working channels (21, 22) and is designed to control a fluid flow and/or for determining a parameter of the fluid flow from or to the working channel (21, 22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Berner, Rolf Berger
  • Patent number: 8689834
    Abstract: An expandable cap system includes a guide line having a pump at one end and an expandable cap device at the other end. The guide line acts to supply a material capable of creating a plug at one end of the damaged pipe thereby preventing oil or other line contents from entering the pipe at the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Vrej Manoogian
  • Patent number: 8689835
    Abstract: A liner tube is provided for repairing either a single pipe line or a main pipe line having a lateral pipe line connected thereto. The liner tube assembly includes a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening. The liner tube includes a gasket or band positioned about the juncture of the pipe lines. The gasket or bands form a tight seal between the liner tube and the pipe line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: LMK Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Larry W. Kiest, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8689836
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for attaching an encapsulated marker to a flexible hose, such as a hose or cable. The method involves providing a flexible hose (100) having a rubber or plastic outer cover (202) positioned over an inner layer (203, 204). An annular segment of the outer cover is separated and removed to form an annular groove in the outer cover. A marker (101) is then positioned over the inner layer (203, 204) within the groove and a transparent encapsulating component (201) applied over the marker. A containment means (200) is then overlaid on the encapsulating component and overlaps onto a region of the outer cover either side of the groove. The cover assembly is then heated at elevated temperature. After cooling, the containment means (200) is removed. The encapsulated marker assembly is therefore provided which is chemically bonded or fused to the outer cover (202) of the flexible hose and is aligned flush with the external surface of the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aflex Hose Limited
    Inventor: Jeremy Hudson
  • Patent number: 8689837
    Abstract: A downspout extension has a low-profile to direct rainwater away from a building. A transition adapter can be used to transition from a generally circular or square cross-section of a downspout to a low-profile cross-section of a corrugated duct of the extension. The extension can include internal supports to withstand being stepped on and can have a generally rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section with a longer width than height. The corrugated duct can also be comprised of integrated accordion corrugation sections and transverse non-collapsible ribs to give the corrugated duct extension greater flexibility. The extension can be connected to a downspout using a flexible elbow duct, a downspout connector, and a downspout adapter. The transition adapter of the extension can also be connected directly to a downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Smith