Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9822864
    Abstract: Provided is a strain wave gearing apparatus which is able to make the most of the structural advantages of the flat form while achieving ideal mesh-engagement without involving a high degree of dimensional precision or any special adjustment mechanism. A strain wave gearing apparatus is provided with a stationary internal gear, a rotary internal gear disposed side by side with the stationary internal gear, a flexible planetary gear disposed on the inner peripheral side thereof for meshing partially with the internal gears by being deflected in the radial direction, and a wave generator disposed inside the flexible planetary gear for continuously deforming and deflecting the flexible planetary gear by rotation. In the apparatus, backlash during mesh-engagement is eliminated by making the base portions and of the internal gears and elastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SANKYO SEISAKUSHO CO.
    Inventor: Atsushi Oishi
  • Patent number: 9822865
    Abstract: An improved wheel hub may include a hub body, a freewheel unit, a connecting sleeve and an external freewheel. The connecting sleeve connects to the ratchet sleeve of the hub body in order to provide more space for the external freewheel. With the design of the connecting sleeve and the external freewheel unit, the hub body loaded with more smaller freewheels provides more pedaling speeds for a bicycle travelling downhill. When cycling downhill by using the smaller diameters of the sprockets, the smaller sprockets of the external freewheel can help a cyclist to maintain an optimum pedaling speed in a slopy terrain, and the speed of the bicycle can be easily controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Chosen Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Chen
  • Patent number: 9822866
    Abstract: A transmission of an internal combustion engine in which the shaft length of a main shaft can be shortened to eliminate a supporting wall around a reduction gear while a thrust load is received. Around a main shaft of a transmission of an internal combustion engine, a primary bearing is fastened to an inside of a primary driven gear, and is disposed between the primary driven gear and the main shaft. A collar member is disposed between the primary bearing and a main bearing. A step portion, in contact with the main bearing, is formed on the main shaft on an opposite side of the main bearing from the collar member. A cylindrical portion, an inner race of the primary bearing, the collar member, and an inner race of the main bearing are fastened to the side of the step portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Junji Konaka, Yasushi Fujimoto, Hiroyuki Makita
  • Patent number: 9822867
    Abstract: A motorcycle wherein only air can be communicated between the inside and the outside of a gear case without increasing the size of the gear case. A gear case includes a gear case body and a gear case cover. The gear case body includes a breather chamber of a labyrinth structure which continues in a circumferential direction of a rear wheel and extends in an upward and downward direction. An upper end of the breather chamber is in communication with a breather path and is open to atmospheric air while a lower end of the breather chamber is in communication with a gear chamber through a slit extending in a widthwise direction of the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Ito, Masufumi Kugai
  • Patent number: 9822868
    Abstract: A vent for a motor vehicle transmission includes a housing attached to a bell housing of the transmission. A plate is mounted in the housing, and the plate has an open position to enable heat to dissipate from the interior of the bell housing through an opening of the housing and a closed position to prevent debris or water from entering through the opening of the housing into the interior of the bell housing. The vent is a passive vent with a biasing mechanism that moves the plate to the open position when an interior temperature of the bell housing reaches a predetermined temperature threshold and moves the plate to the closed position when the interior temperature of the bell housing falls below the predetermined temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Greg Alan Weeter, Nilesh Patil
  • Patent number: 9822869
    Abstract: A shaft oil flow controller arrangement for pinion shaft bearings in a differential is provided, including a housing along with a pinion shaft supported therein by head and tail bearings. A ring gear is mounted for rotation and is engaged with a pinion gear. A bearing spacer is located on the pinion shaft between the head and tail bearings. A diverter is located on the bearing spacer, and includes a circumferentially extending diverter wall that is moveable from a first position in which the wall extends generally in a longitudinal direction of the pinion shaft at a first, lower rotational speed of the pinion shaft allowing a first volume of lubricant oil flow to the head bearing, to a second position, in which the wall extends radially outwardly at a second, higher rotational speed, to restrict lubricant oil flow to the head bearing to a lower volume, and increase oil flow to the tail bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephen Carr
  • Patent number: 9822870
    Abstract: A variator and methods for making the variator are disclosed. A method of making the variator includes forming a plurality of holes in a surface of a case that includes a flange, arranging a plurality of spheres in the case that are configured to be positioned between an input disc and an output disc circumferentially about a central axis so that the plurality of spheres are positioned radially inward of the flange, and positioning a plurality of fluid conduits in the plurality of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foster, James Raszkowski, Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 9822871
    Abstract: A fault determination system of a button-type shifter is provided. The system maximally guarantees the operation of a shift button while determining a failure of the shift button and improves reliability and fault diagnosis performance for the shift button. The system includes a base that is installed within a vehicle and includes shift buttons and contact points for each of the shift buttons. A controller receives contact signals from the contact points to thus determine a failure of the shift button when any one of the contact points is not sensed or is stuck when the shift button is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kostal (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jee Hyuck Choi, Mi Yeong Kim, Bum Jun Kim, Hyung Suk Kim, Zhou Hu, Ma Liangyin
  • Patent number: 9822872
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system of an automatic transmission may be applied to an automatic transmission in which a reverse speed stage is engaged by engagement of first and second friction elements. The hydraulic control system may include: a first solenoid valve being a normally open type and controlling a line pressure to generate a first hydraulic pressure; a second solenoid valve being a normally closed type and controlling the line pressure to generate a second hydraulic pressure; first and second switch valves, the first switch valve selectively supplying the first hydraulic pressure to the second switch valve; and a fail-safe valve selectively supplying the first hydraulic pressure or the second hydraulic pressure to the second friction element, wherein the second switch valve selectively supplies the first hydraulic pressure supplied from the first switch valve or a reverse speed pressure to the first friction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyunjun Son, Sung Hoon Park, Joo Hang Lee
  • Patent number: 9822873
    Abstract: A position sensor system is useful for monitoring positions of shifters in transmissions and other applications. The position sensing system has an array of magneto resistive sensors and a controller configured to determine a position of a magnet along a path by triangulation. Some embodiments are relatively insensitive to fluctuations in a distance between the sensors and the path. Also described is an actuating assembly comprising a movable cylinder and a fixed rod. The actuating assembly may be applied for moving synchronizers or the like in power transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PACIFIC RIM ENGINEERED PRODUCTS (1987) LTD.
    Inventors: Kenneth Hartmann Andreasen, Jonathan David Deagle, Bradley Edward Williams
  • Patent number: 9822874
    Abstract: A gear shifting device, by which an axial shift movement of a shift element into a shift position is triggered through interaction of a shift pin with an associated groove-like shift gate that changes in an axial direction. The shift element features the associated shift gate, while the respective shift pin is arranged in a radially displaceable manner on a transmission component adjacent to the shift element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bastian Volpert
  • Patent number: 9822875
    Abstract: A shifting control method for a vehicle with a Double Clutch Transmission (DCT), may include determining whether a manual range power-on up shift has been started, determining whether an actual shifting period has been started, when the manual range power-on up shift has been started, and applying additional predetermined compensation torque to basic torque applied to an engagement-side clutch, when the actual shifting period has been started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventors: Sung Hyun Cho, Hwan Hur
  • Patent number: 9822876
    Abstract: A housing of an axial piston device is provided with a drain port for discharging the retained oil to the outside and a supply oil passage for guiding lubricating oil, which has been supplied from an oil source, toward a first hydraulic axial piston member. The drain port is arranged so as to bring about such a retained-oil level that a second hydraulic axial piston member, which is disposed below the first hydraulic axial piston member, is partially or entirely immersed in the retained oil while the first hydraulic axial piston member is not immersed in the retained oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KANZAKI KOKYUKOKI MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tsuji, Tooru Oota
  • Patent number: 9822877
    Abstract: A piston may be provided which includes a first piston body portion having an end wall extending radially about a central axis along which the piston reciprocates. The piston may also include a second piston body portion having an end wall extending radially about a central axis along which the piston reciprocates. The first piston body portion and the second piston body portion are axially opposed. The piston may further include a first piston rod bore disposed in the first piston body portion extending along the central axis and a second piston rod bore disposed in the second piston body portion extending along the central axis. The piston may also include a circumferential opening disposed between the mating of the first piston body portion with the second piston body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ARIEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Evan William Koontz
  • Patent number: 9822878
    Abstract: In order to provide a master cylinder, in particular for a clutch system, an actuating system or a braking system of a vehicle, which enables secure sealing of the cylinder chamber relative to the outside, as well as a reliable flow of hydraulic medium into the cylinder chamber, it is proposed that the piston comprises a first section which has a cylindrical lateral surface and a second section which has at least one region which is set back radially inwardly with respect to the cylindrical lateral surface of the first section, wherein at least one set-back region extends to an end of the piston and wherein the first and second sections are arranged on the piston in such a way that in an actuating position of the piston, the main sealing element in the first section of the piston abuts in sealing manner thereagainst and in the pressure equalization position of the piston, in the second section of the piston between the piston and the main sealing element, at least one gap is formed, through which hydraulic me
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Fritschle, Michael Ruopp
  • Patent number: 9822879
    Abstract: A metallic flat gasket with a solid bead has at least one metallic layer (2), wherein the metallic gasket comprises at least one solid bead (6), which is formed in at least one layer (2) of the metallic gasket, wherein the solid bead (6) comprises two flanks (8, 10) lying opposite one another. The gasket comprises, between the two flanks (8, 10) in the circumferential direction of the solid bead (6), at least one row (12, 14, 16) of adjacent depressions or bead sections (18, 20, 22), which in each case form an integral contour with the solid bead (6) and are orientated in the opposite direction with respect to the solid bead (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems
    Inventors: Klaus Schmitt, Burkhard Schneider
  • Patent number: 9822880
    Abstract: A seal for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a motor vehicle. The seal includes a first sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and a hinge disposed intermediate the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion. The seal is configurable in an unfolded position, wherein the first sealing portion, second sealing portion, and hinge are substantially aligned, and a folded position, wherein the second sealing portion overlaps the first sealing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Michael Herbert Sproule
  • Patent number: 9822881
    Abstract: A method for handling a product, in particular a viscous, pasty product, with at least one rotating shaft (3, 11) in a product space (5), a driving spindle (11) of the shaft (3) is mounted and sealed outside the product space (5) in a housing consisting of a plurality of parts (7, 8, 12). The sealing is brought about by at least two seals (2, 4), wherein a dynamic seal (2) follows an eccentric movement of the shaft (3) and takes on dynamic sealing of the rotating shaft (3), while another seal (4) compensates for an eccentric movement of the shaft (3) in relation to the housing by plastic or elastic deformation and therefore prevents a leakage between the housing part (12), which moves eccentrically, and a rigid housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: List Holding AG
    Inventors: Daniel Witte, Alfred Kunz
  • Patent number: 9822882
    Abstract: A sealing device is provided with a seal lip which extends toward a sealing space side, a lip edge and an opposite sealing space side conical surface are formed in an inner peripheral surface of the seal lip, the lip edge being slidably brought into close contact with an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body, and the opposite sealing space side conical surface being larger in diameter from the lip edge toward an external space side, a plurality of screw protrusions are formed in the opposite sealing space side conical surface, the screw protrusions generating a screw pump action toward the lip edge side on the basis of rotation of the rotating body in a fixed direction, and a desired number of dust capture portions are formed in a hem portion of each of the screw protrusions, thereby preventing dusts from being bitten into the lip edge sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kamemura, Hideharu Hyakutake
  • Patent number: 9822883
    Abstract: A load ring for a seal assembly includes an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first frustoconical surface, a second frustoconical surface, and a rib. The inner and outer axial surfaces are cylindrical and extend along a longitudinal axis. The outer axial surface is in outward radial relationship to the inner axial surface along a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second frustoconical surfaces are annular and extend radially between the inner axial surface and the outer axial surface. The second frustoconical surface is in spaced relationship with respect to the first frustoconical surface along the longitudinal axis. The rib projects radially inwardly from the inner axial surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darren B. Antoine, Sunil I. Mathew, Pradeep Chapagain, Brian S. Skauge
  • Patent number: 9822884
    Abstract: A valve device includes: a poppet that is formed in a hollow shaft shape except for a leading end, has a tapered closure part at the leading end and a side hole passing through a wall of the hollow shaft-shaped part, and rotates around a shaft center thereof during opening and closing actions; and a valve seat having a sloped seat surface with which the closure part of the poppet comes into contact when closing the valve device. The closure part of the poppet or the seat surface of the valve seat, whichever has a higher hardness, has a cut mark of the opposite direction from a direction of rotation of the poppet around the shaft center that occurs during the valve closing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junya Miyake, Koji Nishi, Kazuhisa Sugiyama, Takumi Mio, Sachiko Kubota, Eiji Okawachi, Akira Yamashita, Naohiro Takeshita
  • Patent number: 9822885
    Abstract: A valve can include a rib for improving flow, which can include improving a flow rating of the valve and improving the structural integrity of the valve. A valve can include a valve body, one or more inlets for allowing flow into the body, one or more outlets for allowing flow out of the body, one or more flow paths, and one or more ribs for routing fluid in a flow path. A valve can include an orifice fluidicly between an inlet and an outlet and one or more ribs disposed upstream and/or downstream of the orifice. A valve can include one or more ribs in an inlet flow path, an outlet flow path or another flow path and a rib can be coupled between two or more portions of a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Automatic Switch Company
    Inventors: Brian Gillespie, David Park, Gregory Volz
  • Patent number: 9822886
    Abstract: In a valve having a body with a sealed working fluid chamber, a bore and a valved fluid chamber, the valved fluid chamber having an inlet and outlet and a seat between the inlet and the outlet, a piston for extending through the bore from the working fluid chamber to the valved fluid chamber, a spring for biasing the piston away from the seat and a working fluid for receipt in the working fluid chamber. Applicant provides an improvement comprising a seal stack assembly for entrainment, under compression, upon the piston and in the piston chamber between a working fluid chamber end wall and a first end of the piston, wherein the first end of the piston is located in the working fluid chamber and a second end in the valved fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Products, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Dulin
  • Patent number: 9822887
    Abstract: A device for expansion of coolant having a housing with a flow channel. A ball-shaped valve element arranged to be integrated inside the housing. The valve element is mounted so that it can turn about an axis of rotation and is configured with a through channel. The through channel of the valve element is configured with an entry opening and an exit opening and arranged so that the flow cross section of the through channel decreases from the entry opening to the exit opening in the direction of flow of the coolant. At the exit of the through channel the least flow cross section is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HANON SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Torsten Klein
  • Patent number: 9822888
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve includes a valve body, a diaphragm, a bonnet, an operation mechanism, and a fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism includes a clamping member for integrally sandwiching and fixing, from both right and left sides, circumferential edges of both the bonnet and the valve body. A circular pressing member for pressing a circumferential edge of the diaphragm from above is interposed between the diaphragm and the bonnet and has convex portions and concave portions. The convex portions fit into notches provided at the circumferential edge of the diaphragm or the valve body, and the concave portions are fitted by protrusions provided at the circumferential edge of the diaphragm or the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Fujikin
    Inventors: Hisatoshi Akamoto, Izuru Shikata, Ryutaro Tanno
  • Patent number: 9822889
    Abstract: A flow limiting device with a back flow prevention mechanism includes a body that has an isolation board and a water-through cavity. The isolation board has a water-through hole connecting to the water-through cavity and a flow limiting device having a flow limiting component and stop ribs which limit the position change of the flow limiting component. The stop ribs are arranged on the inner wall of the water-through cavity at equal intervals. The flow limiting component is set in the water-through cavity. The outer side of the flow limiting component is contacted on the stop ribs. A back flow prevention mechanism comprises, a back flow prevention component which is fixed in the water-through hole and a supporting structure which is set for supporting the back flow prevention component when it expands on the inner wall of the water-through cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIAN XIHE SANITARY WARE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaofa Lin, Xiaoshan Lin, Qiqiao Liu, Xiaoqing Deng, Qun Yu
  • Patent number: 9822890
    Abstract: A major challenge for the general use of ā€œlab-on-a-chipā€ (LOAC) systems and point-of-care (POC) devices has been the generally complex and need for sophisticated peripheral equipment, such that it is more difficult than anticipated to implement low cost, robust and portable LOAC/POC solutions. It would be beneficial for chemical, medical, healthcare, and environmental applications to provide designs for inexpensive LOAC/POC solutions compatible with miniaturization and mass production, and are potentially portable, using compact possibly hand-held instruments, using reusable or disposable detectors. Embodiments of the invention address improved circuit elements for self-powered self-regulating microfluidic circuits including programmable retention valves, programmable trigger valves, enhanced capillary pumps, and flow resonators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING/MCGILL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: David Juncker, Hosseinali Safavieh
  • Patent number: 9822891
    Abstract: Provided is a pressure equalizing device for facilitating drug reconstitution in a closed system. The pressure equalizing device includes a container for attachment to a receptacle, to permit pressure equalization between the container and the receptacle. The container includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The device further includes a vent channel extending between the first chamber and a distal opening of the vent channel. In accordance with the invention, when the receptacle is connected to the pressure equalizing device, the vent channel establishes direct fluid communication between the first chamber and the receptacle. Additionally, a longitudinal axis of the pressure equalizing device is configured to be aligned with or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle when the pressure equalizing device is attached to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Cederschiƶld
  • Patent number: 9822892
    Abstract: A two-stage switch valve includes a valve body slidable in a flow passage of a fluid, and a spring urging the valve body upstream. The valve body includes a valve element slidable in the flow passage, an upstream guide having a ring shape and being slidable in the flow passage, and legs connecting the valve element and the upstream guide. The upstream guide is located upstream of the valve element. The legs are inclined from an axial direction of the upstream guide and extend from the upstream guide toward a center of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Miura
  • Patent number: 9822893
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated gas valve includes a piston positioned in a cylinder with one closed end so that the piston may seat against a gas outlet to close the gas valve. A control reservoir may be formed in the cylinder between the piston and the closed end of the cylinder. Means for filling the control reservoir with gas to a control pressure may be provided so that the control pressure acting against the piston may close the gas valve. A release valve may be opened to allow the gas in the control reservoir to escape through an exhaust port to open the gas valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Gaither Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Kunau
  • Patent number: 9822894
    Abstract: A valve seat at least partially formed of a ceramic material for use in a fracturing pump includes a first body and a second body. The first body is configured to be inserted into a fluid passageway of the fracturing pump. The first body has an outer diameter, D1. The second body extends radially from the first body and has an outer diameter, D2, greater than the outer diameter, D1, of the first body. The second body is at least partially formed of the ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: S.P.M. FLOW CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Bayyouk, Keith Peach
  • Patent number: 9822895
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRINĀ® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Patent number: 9822896
    Abstract: A rigid piston assembly for use in a conventional flush valve includes a rigid piston and a solenoid configured to fixedly engage within the valve body. A flush valve for a plumbing fixture as well as a method of retrofitting a piston valve into a diaphragm flush valve body which includes a rigid piston and solenoid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Shawn D. Bush, Ryan W. Nottage
  • Patent number: 9822897
    Abstract: Improvements in a one-way valve cap to allow a homeowner to install the cap without requiring tools. This allows a homeowner to simply remove the existing cap and install the new cap to prevent removal from an unauthorized person. The one-way locking mechanism includes a ramp that prevents a person from unscrewing to cap without a tool. The opening allows a person to insert the tool through the outer housing and into the inner housing to unscrew the inner housing from the valve. A hex key or a custom key design can be used for removing the cap. A seal is inserted in the inner housing and seals the inner housing with the valve. The elastomeric seal prevents intrusion of contamination inside of the valve and also provides an additional seal to the valve to reduce a potential leak of gas from the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Matthew Gross
  • Patent number: 9822898
    Abstract: A circuit may include a source input for receiving an input voltage, a load output for generating an output voltage, a load switch coupled at its source to the source input and coupled at its drain to the load output which is configured to pass the input voltage to the load output when the load switch is activated, an enable input for receiving an enable voltage which is indicative of whether the load switch is to be activated or deactivated, and a leakage reduction circuit coupled between the enable input and a gate of the load switch, wherein the leakage reduction circuit is configured to electrically couple the gate of the load switch to the source of the load switch such that a source-to-gate voltage is maintained below a threshold voltage for activating the load switch when the enable voltage indicates that the load switch is to be deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wen-Hung Huang, Hsien Tsung Lin, Chih-Kai Wang
  • Patent number: 9822899
    Abstract: An arrangement of an electromagnet (6) for controlling a central valve (2) is provided. A thrust pin (4) is coupled to the electromagnet (6) and can be moved along a first axis (A) in such a way that a control piston (1) of the central valve (2) can be displaced along a second axis (B) in a central valve housing (8) by the movable thrust pin (4). The first axis (A) of the thrust pin (4) extends parallel to and at a radial spacing (10) relative to the second axis (B) of the control piston (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Hoppe, Markus Kinscher
  • Patent number: 9822900
    Abstract: A pneumatic mixing valve is provided, which includes a housing that defines a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The first inlet is coupled to a first fluid source and the second inlet is coupled to a second fluid source. The housing defines a first chamber and a second chamber. The pneumatic mixing valve includes a mixing system. The mixing system includes a piston that is movable by at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid. The housing defines a fluid passageway that extends from near the first inlet to the second chamber and the pneumatic mixing valve includes an actuator that is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the fluid passageway is closed such the outlet is open, and in the second position, the fluid passageway is open such that the outlet is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
    Inventor: Robert Franconi
  • Patent number: 9822901
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for operating a valve assembly includes an actuator body that selectively couples to the valve assembly and an actuator stem that has an end that extends into the actuator body. The valve assembly has having a valve body, a valve member in the valve body, a valve stem attached to the valve member, and a profile on an end of the valve stem distal from the valve member. The actuating apparatus also includes an adapter assembly in the actuator body having a threaded end that engages the actuator stem, and a profiled end distal from the threaded end that engages the profile on the valve stem and couples to the valve stem, so that selectively applying axial forces to the adapter assembly moves the valve stem and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Anja King, Blanca Estela Montoya, Keith M. Adams
  • Patent number: 9822902
    Abstract: A faucet configured for touchless actuation that includes a spout; a mechanical valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state and having a member radially movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state; an electronic valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and a system configured to detect and communicate a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: John C. Esche, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 9822903
    Abstract: A valve assembly including an actuated valve and a sensor module is disclosed. The actuated valve includes a body defining a chamber, a first fluid port coupled to the chamber, and a second fluid port coupled to the chamber. The actuated valve further includes a movable stem disposed at least partially within the chamber, the movable stem having a closed position and an open position relative to the chamber, and an actuator coupled to the stem. The sensor module is attached to the actuated valve, and the sensor module includes a microcontroller, and at least one sensor coupled to the microcontroller, the at least one sensor providing a signal associated with a status of the actuated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Raven N.P., Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Bowers
  • Patent number: 9822904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve having a balancing function for a fluid distribution system. A valve closing member is movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. An actuation device is provided for changing the position of the valve closing member. A control unit is provided and comprises an electronic memory adapted to receive and store an opening limitation value, said opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between said closed position and said fully opened position of the valve closing member, wherein the control unit controls the actuation device to limit the movement of the valve closing member to positions from said closed position to said selected intermediate position. The invention also relates to a valve system and to a method of operating a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: IMI HYDRONIC ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventors: Claus Thybo, Anders Engelbrektsson, Daniel Jilderos
  • Patent number: 9822905
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process and a device for laying a subsea pipeline according to the J-lay or S-lay method wherein straight sections are mounted onshore, dried and degassed then closed by plugs. The sections are loaded on a pipe-laying ship, are separated from their plugs before the welding. At the welding of each bulkhead a short pumping is operated to reduce the pressure in the part of the annulus located between the two last bulkheads and then the opening leading to the annulus are sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ITP SA
    Inventors: Christian Bonigen, Christian Geertsen
  • Patent number: 9822906
    Abstract: A method is provided for installing a pipeline on the seabed from a marine pipelaying vessel, including initiation, pipelaying, and abandonment of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer
  • Patent number: 9822907
    Abstract: An offset hygienic anchor sealing bracket for installation of block style tube and pipe hangers to a paneled strata in which there is no access to the reverse side, there being a need to secure the anchor bracket to an anchor bolt or toggle bolt and simultaneously shield the exposed toggle bolt structure from the environment of the clean room, sterile room, or sanitary room in order to protect the irregular surface of the toggle bolt from caustic cleaning solutions and to prevent the build up of dirt and bacteria, the anchor bracket having bored pedestals in communication with the cavity which encapsulates the exposed portion of the toggle bolt and secures the anchor bracket thereto, the anchor bracket having a plurality of female threaded receptacles for receipt of fasteners utilized in assembling block style tube and pipe hangers, thus securing the block style tube and pipe hanger to the panel at a desired slope and center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Syntiro Dynamics LLC
    Inventor: John Hennon
  • Patent number: 9822908
    Abstract: A hydroform tube includes a first end and a second end. The hydroform tube includes a plurality of sides including a first side and a second side, and a fillet extending from the first side to the second side. The first side, the second side, and the fillet extend from the first end to the second end. The plurality of sides form different shapes at two cross-sections between the first end and the second end. The tube has substantially the same perimeter P at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end. The fillet has a radius R. The radius R is defined by a same formula at all cross-sections from the first end to the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Mair, Steven William Gallagher, Joshua Jacob Clement, Vladimir Vladimirovich Bogachuk, Jon A. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9822909
    Abstract: The invention concerns a ring (4) for fastening a pipe (1) to a tubular body (2). According to the invention, the ring comprises two rigid sectors (5) that are coupled to each other by at least one elastically deformable annular portion (12), the two sectors and the portion being a single part, each sector (5) having an inner face (6), protruding from which at least one anchoring stud (7) extends radially, intended to be received in a housing correspondingly provided in a wall of the pipe, each anchoring stud (7) comprising two grooves (9) extending circumferentially to either side of said anchoring stud. The invention also concerns connection means comprising such a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PARKER HANNIFIN MANUFACTURING FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Alain Gaillard, Jean-Noel Musellec, Yoann Averty, David Fouche, Cyril Leroyer
  • Patent number: 9822910
    Abstract: An apparatus for restraining a member includes a gland, a plurality of bolts disposed in the gland, a plurality of wedges disposed in the gland, a ā€œCā€ shaped clip, and a spacer. The gland has pockets and a face having an access opening providing lateral access to each pocket. Each gland pocket includes a wedge having teeth and a cavity. Each cavity includes a slot formed transverse to the bore. The clip is sized to slide through the access opening of the gland and shaped to be closely received in the slot of the wedge. The spacer attaches to the bold and has flexible prongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: STAR PIPE PRODUCTS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mark A. Bowsher, Sami Firoz
  • Patent number: 9822911
    Abstract: A method for replacing an outer annular ring of a fluid swivel includes a swivel comprising an inner annular ring and an outer annular ring, the rings being located with their adjacent cylindrical surfaces in close proximity for defining a chamber, for receiving a fluid, between peripheral opposing faces of the inner annular ring and the outer annular ring, wherein the inner annular ring is adapted to be connected to an end of a fluid line and wherein the outer annular ring is adapted to be connected to a product piping on the vessel, wherein the method comprises the steps of: removing the outer annular ring, replacing the outer annular ring by means of a first semi-circular element and a second semi-circular element, and fixing the first semi-circular element to the second semi-circular element, by means of a fixing means, to form a replacement outer annular ring of the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Cyril Evrard, Christian Randrianarivony
  • Patent number: 9822912
    Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated piping conduit include a device having a center body with an interior surface having a tube stop extending radially inwardly thereof, one or more head connectors, and a packing arrangement comprising at least one sealing ring, a spacer gland and a grip ring maintained within a radial housing compartment of the one or more head connectors. The packing arrangement can further include a retainer ring. In various embodiments, each head connector is secured to the center body through gluing or ultrasonic welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Quick Fitting, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Crompton, Libardo Ochoa Dias, Herbert J. Bouchard
  • Patent number: 9822913
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid line coupling system is disclosed. The coupling may include a female fitting, a male fitting, first and second elastomeric seals between the female fitting and male fitting, and a lock nut securing the female fitting to the male fitting, and the lock nut including a plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick E. Considine, Jr., Carl H. Rempert