Valve Position Patents (Class 116/277)
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Patent number: 8733269Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a threaded valve stem that is positioned to engage the threads of a stem nut. In a preferred embodiment, a tool is mounted on the stem nut, wherein the tool rotates when the stem nut rotates. The tool indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation. An indicator indicates stem movement. The stem nut is rotated and the amount of percent wear is observed. Rotation continues until the stem begins to move. The tool provides a reading when the stem begins to move that indicates an amount of stem nut wear.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignees: Loop LLC, Shaw Intellectual Property Holdings, LLCInventors: Chris A. Labat, Carter Reames, Jr.
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Patent number: 8689826Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Trident Emergency Products, LLCInventor: Michael Sulmone
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Patent number: 8596295Abstract: A check valve position indicator assembly is disclosed including an indicator housing, an indicator shaft rotatably disposed in the indicator housing, an indicator arm attached to the shaft, a rod attached to the shaft, a mounting bracket, an indicia member attached to the mounting bracket, and at least one fastener attaching the indicator housing with the mounting bracket. In some embodiments, a seal is included along the bottom of the indicator housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Mueller International, LLCInventors: Umit Jon Colpan, Robert Peter Jackson
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Patent number: 8584701Abstract: A stopcock is provided with multiple ports joining multiple fluid conduits leading between fluid sources and fluid destinations. A central hub manifold resides within a valve body supporting the ports, and can rotate relative to the valve body. Fluid flow paths within the central hub are selectively aligned or not aligned with the ports. The stopcock indicates which ports are open by providing marks corresponding with positions of the ports. When the marks are visible, the corresponding ports are open. With different positioning of ports and different configurations of fluid flow paths within the central hub, stopcocks having different numbers of operable positions are provided including two, three, four, six and eight way stopcocks. By providing an axial flow path through a central axis of the central hub intersecting the embedded fluid flow paths within the central hub, still further numbers of operational states are provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventor: David R. Duncan
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Patent number: 8459202Abstract: A gas flow of a gas pipe is indicated before an electromagnetic valve is actually opened, so that the electromagnetic valve can be prevented from being opened or closed by a wrong manipulation or hazards caused by undesired mixing of gases can be avoided so as to improve safety. The substrate processing apparatus includes a state detection unit configured to detect an opening/closing request state and an opening/closing state of a valve installed at a gas pipeline; and a indication unit configured to indicate a gas flow state of the gas pipeline predicted according to the opening/closing request state and a gas flow state of the gas pipeline when the valve is opened, in a way that each state is distinguished.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tomoyuki Yamada, Mamoru Oishi, Kanako Kitayama
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Patent number: 8424563Abstract: A system for indicating the status of a valve may include an encapsulation with electronic circuitry disposed at least partially therein, a communication sub-system, a sensor, an indicator and a power source. The encapsulation may be zero volume, and the indicator may include a color changing skin. A method of indicating the status of a valve may include providing a valve, providing a status indicating system, changing a status of the valve, sensing a status of the valve, and indicating a status of the valve. A method of encapsulating a status indicating system may include providing an encapsulant and coupling at least a portion of the system with the encapsulant.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: John J. Haller, Gregory J. Volz, Emma C. Tejada, Roy B. Bogert, Emmanuel D. Arceo, Edgar Marino
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Patent number: 8375883Abstract: A rotary switch comprising a body housing inside itself a rotating shaft operatively connected to a valve or actuator. The switch further comprises a cover, associated to the body by threaded coupling means, provided with an indicator swivelling integrally with the shaft, so that it enables visual signalling of the angular position and/or operating status of the shaft. The switch comprises centering means, mechanically distinct from the threaded coupling means, which ensure the centering of the cover in relation to the body and the coaxial relation between the cover and the rotating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Soldo S.r.l. Socio UnicoInventor: Giovanni Soldo
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Patent number: 8322298Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a threaded valve stem that is positioned to engage the threads of a stem nut. In a preferred embodiment, a tool is mounted on the stem nut, wherein the tool rotates when the stem nut rotates. The tool indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation. An indicator indicates stem movement. The stem nut is rotated and the amount of percent wear is observed. Rotation continues until the stem begins to move. The tool provides a reading when the stem begins to move that indicates an amount of stem nut wear.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignees: Shaw Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC, Loop LLCInventors: Chris A. Labat, Carter Reames, Jr.
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Patent number: 8162001Abstract: A mixing valve has a first rotating element connected to a valve stem for use as a valve handle, and a second rotating element for pre-setting the valve handle at a desired water temperature position. After pre-setting, user can turn the valve handle directly to the desired temperature position without trial and error.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Inventor: Ue-Ming Yang
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Patent number: 8141582Abstract: A flow amount adjusting valve includes a handle that enables an opening/closing amount of a valve plug to be adjusted. A piston connected to the valve plug is screw-engaged with a first axial portion of the handle. Additionally, along with displacement of the valve plug in the axial direction via the piston under a rotating action of the handle, an indicator element is accommodated in an interior portion of the handle. A first indicator undergoes screw-engagement with respect to the handle, and the indicator element is displaced together with displacement of the valve plug, such that displacement of the valve plug can be confirmed visually from outside the flow amount adjusting valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: SMC Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
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Patent number: 8141583Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Westlock Controls CorporationInventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert Endres
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Publication number: 20110204273Abstract: The present invention provides a robust, durable and reliable cylindrical valve having closable, radially extending openings for use in cementing, injection, including hydraulic fracturing, and production in wells having high pressures and large pressure differences. The valve may comprise scraping rings in order to remove deposits and the like when it is to be closed after use. Magnets or other suitable means indicates whether the valve is in an open or closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2009Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: I-TEC ASInventor: Kristoffer Braekke
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Publication number: 20100308246Abstract: A valve has a body having a rotatable valve element. A drive mechanism has a drive input member and a drive output member that are coupled to the valve element for rotating the valve element. A shear member is operatively located within the drive mechanism between the drive input member and the drive output member for shearing in the event the force to rotate the valve element is excessive. The valve has indicia indicating open and closed positions for the valve element. An indicator is mounted to output drive member to properly align with the indicia regardless whether the shear member has sheared or not.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: Weir SPM, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Witkowski, Edward C. Kotapish
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Patent number: 7819133Abstract: A controller for controlling a valve is disclosed including a manifold assembly, a valve position indicator and a trigger assembly. An operating media distribution system is disposed in the manifold assembly and an electronic control unit is disposed in the controller. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system to activate an actuator which opens or closes the valve. The trigger assembly includes a cylinder adapted to receive an actuator shaft and provide a self setting mechanism corresponding to the stroke length of the actuator shaft.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Westlock Controls CorporationInventors: Leo Minervini, Eric Jordan, Robert Endres
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Patent number: 7739978Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotary shaft position indicating and display apparatus for use with a device having a rotatable shaft may include one or more of the following features: (a) a housing having a base with a cover secured to said base and defining a hollow sealed chamber, (b) an actuator shaft journaled for rotation in said base and extending through said base into said sealed chamber, (c) at least one electromechanical actuating element mounted on said actuator shaft, (d) a frusto-conical member having graphics information representative of said actuator shaft position viewable through a window area, (e) said cover having a frusto-conical base, (f) female threads on the interior of the frusto-conical base, and (g) male threads on the base housing to accept the female threads on the interior of the frusto-conical base.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Metso Automation USA Inc.Inventors: Bryan A. Beckman, Wallace F. Stommes
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Patent number: 7735515Abstract: A valve system both controls fuel flow by means of a valve and senses the condition of the valve. The valve is actuated by an actuator via a rotatable shaft. Light is transmitted by a laser diode, via a polarising filter (which is mounted to rotate with the shaft), down the shaft, and is reflected by a mirror which directs the light back up the shaft via the filter to a receiver, which is able to detect different directions of polarisation of the light received. The polarisation of the light received by the receiver indicates whether the valve is open or shut. If no light is received a fault is deemed present. Thus, the condition of the valve is checked directly by means of an apparatus remote from the valve and the fuel.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Airbus UK LimitedInventors: Paul James Pilkington, Michael David Ward
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Patent number: 7624749Abstract: A flow regulator for medical liquids comprising a first body and a second body coupled to one another in a rotatable way and a gasket set between them and overmolded on the second body. Provided thereon is at least one graduated scale formed by impressions and/or, respectively, by reliefs integral with the second body, and by inserts and/or, respectively, by complementary openings of a side skirt of the overmolded gasket.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Industrie Borla S.p.A.Inventor: Gianni Guala
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Patent number: 7549440Abstract: A valve position indicator is directly coupled to a valve shaft. The indicator has a gauge that directly indicates rotation of a valve shaft in a subterranean valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Inventor: Todd W. Campbell
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Patent number: 7540302Abstract: The invention pertains to a field unit (10) for mounting on an actuator (12) with a pickup device (14) in the field unit (10) to register the position of the actuator (12) and with an indicator (16) located correspondingly on a movable element (15) of the actuator (12) to indicate the position of the actuator (12), where, when the field unit (10) is mounted on the actuator (14), the pickup device (14) of the field unit (10) can be linked with the indicator (16) of the actuator (12). The invention is characterized in that the pickup device (14) of the field unit (10) is in working connection with a locking element (18), and in that the pickup device (14) can be held by this locking element (18) in a first position—the mounting position—and can be released from the mounting position by the actuation of the locking element (18).Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Samson AGInventor: Frank Valentin-Rumpel
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Patent number: 7537023Abstract: A valve body assembly including a valve member coupled to a handle for adjusting the position of the valve member. The valve assembly includes a sensor for detecting the position of the valve member to determine whether the handle is in an OFF position and/or an ON position.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventors: Garry Robin Marty, Timothy Jay Sailors, Jr., Jeffrey Lee Moore, Patrick B. Jonte
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Patent number: 7533693Abstract: The present invention is a side-mounted position indicator for use with a flapper check valve. The indicator is located outside the valve body and attaches to an internal, cylindrically-shaped roller that allows limited rotation about one axis. This roller has a tripper rod that extends from one side of the roller and has a round, non-marring plastic ball on its opposite end. The ball is held in contact with the valve flapper using a mechanical spring. A separate flush port is provided to allow for periodic internal cleaning without substantial disassembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: GA Industries, LLCInventors: G. A. Pete Colton, Jr., Richard R. Schweitzer
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Publication number: 20080121290Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and an arrangement for diagnosis of a final control element, which is actuated by a pneumatically operated actuating mechanism under the control of a control device, and which emits acoustic signals during conventional use. It is proposed to detect acoustic signals fed back into the pneumatic system of the actuating mechanism, and to derive from them the status data of the final control element. For this purpose, an acoustic sensor is arranged in the pneumatic-fluid supply line of the actuating mechanism, with the acoustic sensor being electrically connected to an analysis device. A pressure sensor is used as the acoustic sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: ABB Patent GmbHInventors: Detlef Pape, Urs E. Meier, Andreas Stelter
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Patent number: 7314021Abstract: An operation indicator is provided to indicate the open/closed status of device, e.g. a circuit interrupter operable between open and closed operating positions. The operation indicator includes two indicator members having cooperating interleaved or interlaced construction such that a relative small operating stroke of the operable device results in relatively larger open and closed symbol and indicating surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: S & C Electric Co.Inventor: Joseph P. Moninski
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Patent number: 7185672Abstract: A valve travel indicator is described. An indicator portion indicates a location on a valve indicator scale. A retaining portion is fixedly coupled to the indicator portion and movably coupled to a valve stem. The retaining portion fixedly couples the indicator portion to the valve stem during movement of the valve stem and movably couples the indicator portion to the valve stem in response to a predetermined force level exerted upon the indicator portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
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Patent number: 7182855Abstract: A fuel filter includes a first filter chamber, a second filter chamber and a valve assembly disposed between the first and second filter chambers. The valve assembly includes a valve casing with a valve head connected to a flag indicator slidably disposed within the valve casing and movable between a first and second position. A port located in the valve casing allows fuel to flow from the first filter chamber to the second filter chamber when the valve head and flag indicator moves from the first position to the second position. A transparent portion of the valve casing allows the flag indicator to be visible in the second position allowing a user to determine that the fuel filter must be serviced or removed and replaced.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Patrick Owen O'Leary
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Patent number: 7069948Abstract: A valve travel indicator is described. An indicator portion indicates a location on a valve indicator scale. A retaining portion is fixedly coupled to the indicator portion and movably coupled to a valve stem. The retaining portion fixedly couples the indicator portion to the valve stem during movement of the valve stem and movably couples the indicator portion to the valve stem in response to a predetermined force level exerted upon the indicator portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLCInventor: Michel Ken Lovell
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Patent number: 7032549Abstract: A valve lift sensor detects the position of an engine valve. The valve lift sensor includes a movable target carried on an engine valve and a stationary coil carried within an engine valve assembly. A signal generator energizes the coil with an oscillating voltage to create an oscillating magnetic field, which is concentric to the coil for inductive transfer with the target. A comparator compares the voltage from the signal generator with the voltage at the resistor to determine the phase lag of resistor voltage relative to signal generator voltage and indicate the engine valve position. Using the phase lag, the comparator provides a pulse-width-modulated signal with a duty cycle proportional to the valve lift to an engine valve control operable to control the operation of the engine valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Douglas R. Verner, Craig D. Marriott
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Patent number: 6957693Abstract: Thermal indictors of this invention are constructed for use with a heat exchanger generally comprising hot and cold side passages for accommodating a desired heat transfer therebetween. The thermal indicator is disposed at least partially within the heat exchanger and is formed from a material designed to undergo a permanent physical change when exposed to a temperature that is above a heat exchanger design operating temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Willi J. Smith
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Patent number: 6920896Abstract: The present invention relates to a visual valve indicator comprised of a handle assembly with peripheral sidewalls attached to a linear moving valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and a grommet stratified into one or more color bands attached to and surrounding the base of the valve stem. A breakaway portion of the grommet allows the handle assembly to close if the grommet is frozen, by breaking away from the grommet. A sawtooth-edged inner radius of the grommet allows the grommet to slide one direction when pushed down by the handle assembly, if the valve is worn.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Torrent Trading Ltd.Inventors: Leon Kerger, Bert Pistor
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Patent number: 6655316Abstract: The present invention relates to a visual valve indicator comprised of a handle assembly with peripheral sidewalls attached to a linear moving valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and a grommet stratified into one or more color bands attached to and surrounding the base of the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Inventors: Leon Kerger, Bert Pistor
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Publication number: 20030079670Abstract: The present invention relates to a visual valve indicator comprised of a handle assembly with peripheral sidewalls attached to a linear moving valve stem for opening and closing of the valve and a grommet stratified into one or more color bands attached to and surrounding the base of the valve stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Leon Kerger, Bert Pistor
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Patent number: 6470609Abstract: A method and apparatus for promoting the sale of a showerhead enables a prospective customer to evaluate the showerhead in a relaxed setting and separate from competing showerheads, while at the same time providing in a fixed, permanent, readily viewed location the information necessary to contact the manufacturer or seller of the showerhead.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Kenneth D. Dannenbaum
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Publication number: 20020088278Abstract: A liquid level gauge assembly including a dial assembly having a shaped magnet and a removable magnetic detector with a magnetic sensor, preferably a Hall sensor. The dial assembly can provide both visual and electrical signal outputs of the liquid level measured by the gauge assembly. The shaped magnet has a variable thickness which, in cooperation with the Hall sensor, provides a linear output signal from the detector over more than 270 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: ROCHESTER GAUGES, INC.Inventor: Herbert G. Ross
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Patent number: 6386230Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a valve housing, a valve member mounted within the valve housing, and a valve stem supporting the valve member within the valve housing for rotation between open and closed positions. At least one magnet is mounted on the valve stem for rotation with the valve member. At least one sensor is positioned for actuation by the magnet to indicate that the valve member is in its fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: T & R Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Raoul W. Robert
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Patent number: 6343619Abstract: A two part faucet gauge (20), having a gauge strip (22) with strip indicia (24) and a gauge cover (26) with cover indicia (28) is utilized to reduce the time and water wasted in adjusting water to a desired pressure and temperature. The gauge strip (22) includes a raised lip (40), so that it is attached with suction to a faucet support surface (30). The gauge cover (26) preferably comprises a hollow body (44) configured to receive a faucet knob (32) therein. An operator rotates the knob (32) and cover (26) until selected indicia (24,28) from the strip (22) and cover (26) are aligned. The selected indicia (24,28) correspond to the desired pressure and temperature of the water. In an alternate embodiment, the cover (26A) and strip (22A) comprise adhesively backed sheets.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Inventor: Robert Pruitt
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Patent number: 6276393Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a valve housing, a valve member mounted within the valve housing, and a valve stem supporting the valve member within the valve housing for rotation between open and closed positions. At least one magnet is mounted on the valve stem for rotation with the valve member. At least one sensor is positioned for actuation by the magnet to indicate that the valve member is in its fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: T&R Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Raoul W. Robert
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Patent number: 6257276Abstract: A freely programmable position indicating apparatus, in particular for valves, includes a movable or rotatable adjusting member, a position detection unit operatively connected to the adjusting member for continuously generating an analog output signal commensurate with an actual position of the adjusting member. The analog output signal is transmitted to an electronic evaluation unit for determining the position indication.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: GebrĂĽder MĂĽller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Fritz MĂĽller, Gregor Gaida
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Patent number: 6182690Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a valve housing, a valve member mounted within the valve housing, and a valve stem supporting the valve member within the valve housing for rotation between open and closed positions. At least one magnet is mounted on the valve stem for rotation with the valve member. At least one sensor is positioned for actuation by the magnet to indicate that the valve member is in its fully closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2000Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: T&R Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Raoul W. Robert
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Patent number: 6145537Abstract: A valve position indicator for visually indicating the open or closed position of a valve from a distance and from various angles includes a support; a hollow, elongated member rotatably mounted on the support; and an indicator member having indicia thereon representative of a valve-open position and a valve-closed position, the indicator member adjustably connected within the elongated member for selectively displaying either the valve-open or the valve-closed indicium.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Inventor: Michael R. McCutcheon
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Patent number: 6112619Abstract: A hand wheel cover for a valve on a gas bottle or cylinder provides a better grip for the hand wheel and also has a larger area for indicating opening and closing rotational directions. In another embodiment an indicator hand wheel cover has an indicator that shows whether a hand wheel is open or closed and has a positive lock when the cover is in the open position with a release to fill a top portion of the cover and return it to provide an indication that the valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Inventor: Terry A. Campbell
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Patent number: 6052929Abstract: A mnemonic temperature marking system for fluid valves, especially of the type used in bathing vessels such as bathtubs and showers. Any user can easily, quickly, and accurately set the valve so that water of the desired temperature will flow when the valve is adjusted so that the marker is aligned with a pointing arrow on the valve. The marking system comprises a plurality of individual, personalized, or unique markers (16). Users of the bathing vessel adhere the markers to the valve (knob (14) or escutcheon (10)) at respective positions where such users' desired water temperature settings are adjacent the valve's fiducial marker (12). The markers can comprise graphic symbols (16', 26), letters (32), or markers (34) which can have a plurality of letters (for initials of a user) adhered.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Inventor: Herbert Canadas
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Patent number: 6044791Abstract: A position indicator for a rotary valve actuator has a stator of one color mountable on a housing for the actuator and a rotor of a contrasting color which is connected to the actuator output shaft for rotation with it. The rotor has inner and outer coaxial cylindrical walls with windows in the outer wall. The stator has a hollow cylindrical wall in the space between the rotor walls. When the windows of the rotor and stator are in registration the inner wall of the rotor is visible and the stator is hidden to indicate one position of the actuator output shaft. When the windows of the rotor and stator are out of registration the inner wall of the rotor is hidden by the stator wall which is visible through the rotor window to indicate another position of the actuator output shaft. A circuit actuator and sensor may be mounted on the rotor and stator for generating electrical signals indicative of the actuator output shaft position in addition to the visual indication.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Automatic Switch CompanyInventors: Drew LaMarca, Gary Kramer
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Patent number: 6015096Abstract: A speed controller with scales according to the invention is used to adjust the amount of an air flow thereby to control the amount of a chemical liquid sprayed. The speed controller includes a housing, a controller body and a transparent tube. The controller body is partly inserted in the housing and has a rotary button located at one end thereof and outside the housing. The rotary button has a slot and an indicator thereon, wherein the indicator is located at one end of the slot. The transparent tube, having a vertical scale on the side thereof and a circular scale on the top circumference thereof, encloses the rotary button. In the invention, the position of the rotary button can be determined by reading the vertical scale and the circular scale so as to precisely control the amount of a chemical liquid sprayed, thereby increasing yield and improving engineering analysis.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Kuo-Feng Huang, Kuo-Chen Wang, Hsien-Jung Hsu, Hung-Lung Ma
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Patent number: 5983826Abstract: A mechanical pressure gauge indicator for showing a position of a multi-turn non-rising water valve stem is disclosed. The mechanical pressure gauge indicator uses 180 degrees of turning motion to indicate various approximations of pressure downstream of the regulating valve. One half turn of the mechanical simulated pressure gauge indicator indicates ten turns of the multi-turn non-rising water valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventor: Dan Lohde
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Patent number: 5975131Abstract: A device for providing remote indication of the opening of a weighted pallet type tank vent in which a permanent magnet is attached to the end of the pallet guide shaft distal to the pallet. A magnetic induction sensor is secured to the outside of the shaft guide to sense movement of the magnetic field produced by the magnet and produce an electrical signal which may be transmitted to a remote location to indicate that the pallet has opened and relieved pressure in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventors: Terry J. Theisen, Joe D. Dumoit
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Patent number: 5890450Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve position indicator for indicating an open or closed position of a valve having a valve stem, the valve position indicator comprising a body adapted to be mounted to a subsea xmas tree structure, a traveling block movably connected to the body by at least one guide bolt, the traveling block including a threaded hole for engaging a threaded extension shaft which is coupled to the valve stem, a rigid tube connected to the body and having first and second open ends, and a coiled spring member having one end connected to the traveling block and the other end extending through the first end of the rigid tube, wherein the extension of the spring member beyond the second end by a predetermined amount provides a visual indication that the valve is in its open or closed position, whereby movement of the traveling block in response to actuation of the valve will push or pull the spring member through the tube to provide the desired visual indication.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: FMC CorporationInventors: Robert S. Hamell, Harold B. Skeels, Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham
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Patent number: 5856743Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the position of a shaft that is rotatably displaceable about a longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a magnet, first and second magnet-detecting devices that are arranged adjacent the shaft, and a third magnet-detecting device mounted on the shaft. A rotatably displaceable disk having the magnet mounted thereon is arranged to allow the magnetic field produced by the magnet to pass over and activate each of the magnet detection devices sequentially. A position-determining circuit connected to the magnet-detecting devices, measures the time interval that the magnet-detecting devices are sequentially activated by the magnetic field and applies the time so measured to a position-determining scheme. The position-determining scheme uses the time measured and the physical geometry of the apparatus to determine the position of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: Honeywell Inc.Inventor: Jonathan Juniman
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Patent number: 5769118Abstract: A position indicating valve wheel (1) having a digit ring (28) in rotating communication with an intermediate wheel (35), both of which are rotatably mounted in a wheel house (1). A driver (51) secured to a flange (48) of a decimal ring (40) which is also rotatably mounted in the wheel house (1). The driver (51) being engageable with the intermediate wheel (35) once every full rotation of the wheel house (1). A resilient collar (49) extending from the flange (48) and engageable with the wheel house (1). An exposed surface (29) of the digit ring (28) and an exposed flange (41) of the decimal ring (40) being located adjacent windows (20, 21) provided in the wheel house (1). A concentric sleeve (43) extended from the decimal ring and releasably mounted to a valve top piece (44).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1995Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Tour & Andersson Hydronics ABInventor: Lars Lenberg
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Patent number: 5738140Abstract: An adjustable-height extension stem and valve box assembly is provided for use with buried valves that is lightweight, readily adjustable to a large range of heights, and is capable of absorbing loads and impacts such that the loads and impacts are substantially not transmitted to the buried valve or surrounding pipeline. The valve box is made up of a valve box base, a valve box lower section, a valve box upper section that telescopes within the lower section, and a valve box top. An upper section of the extension stem extends from the interior of the valve box top through a bottom opening, and an extension stem lower section extends downwardly from the upper section, with the two sections being made from square hollow metal tubing such that the upper section telescopes within the lower section. A grit washer having grooves cut in a bearing surface is attached to the extension stem upper section and supports the upper section in place within the valve box top.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: American Cast Iron Pipe CompanyInventor: Jerry Thomas Mann
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Patent number: 5680878Abstract: A method and apparatus employs a measurement device placed on an automatic control valve to test the speed of response of the control valve and any lost motion created by or within any mechanical linkage or connection used to automatically actuate the valve. A chain link clamp is attached between the valve shaft and a device for measuring the movement of the valve stem of the control valve to provide positive movement indication.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: The Mead CorporationInventor: Lawrence J. Chouinard, Jr.