By Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 137/12)
  • Patent number: 11952873
    Abstract: A washpipe free feature may include a housing defining a chamber having a bypass portion and a securing portion. The housing has first and second bores to put the bypass portion in fluid communication with an annulus of a wellbore and a central bore of a downhole tubular, respectively. Further, the washpipe free feature includes a magnet secured in the bypass portion, a ferromagnetic ball disposed within the bypass portion, and a piston disposed within the chamber. A distal end of the piston blocks the ball from contacting the magnet in a run-in position such that the ball may plug the first bore in response to fluid flow from the tubular toward the annulus. Additionally, the piston is slideable to an open position such that the magnet may hold the ball out of a flow path between the first bore and the second bore in the bypass portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ibrahim El Mallawany, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11837483
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing moisture within a wafer handling chamber is disclosed. The moisture reduction results in reduced oxidation of a wafer. The moisture reduction is made possible through use of valves and purging gas. Operation of the valves may result in improved localized purging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ASM IP Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Petri Raisanen, Ward Johnson
  • Patent number: 11789435
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate control device capable of diagnosing whether an abnormality has occurred while continuing to supply a predetermined flow rate. The flow rate control device calculates an inflow/outflow rate of a fluid into a volume on the basis of a downstream pressure that is the pressure in the volume; estimates a valve flow rate that is a flow rate of the fluid that flows out of the volume through the downstream valve on the basis of the resistance flow rate and the inflow/outflow flow rate; controls the downstream valve so that the difference between the set flow rate and the valve flow rate decreases; calculates a diagnostic parameter on the basis of the resistance flow rate or the inflow/outflow flow rate in a pressure change state in which the upstream side pressure increases or decreases; and diagnoses an abnormality based on the diagnostic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Takijiri, Kentaro Nagai, Tsai Wei Tseng
  • Patent number: 11768142
    Abstract: A system for detecting bubbles within a liquid flowing in an interior of a pipe. The system includes a system for detecting bubbles within a liquid flowing in an interior of a pipe. The system includes a pressure sensor affixed to the interior of the pipe and a microcontroller communicating with the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor gathers pressure readings of the liquid flowing in the pipe at the location of the pressure sensor and sends the gathered pressure readings to the microprocessor. A pressure differential range over a specific period of time is selected which when exceeded, indicates the presence of bubbles in the liquid flowing in the pipe. The pressure differential range is utilized by the microcontroller to determine the presence of bubbles in the fluid flowing through the pipe. The microcontroller determines a presence of bubbles in the liquid based on an exceedance of the pressure differential range from pressure readings gathered by the pressure sensor over the selected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Mehmet Arbatli
  • Patent number: 11738303
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conditioning a fuel gas for a gas engine of a multi-stage gas compressor. The system includes a scrubber of the gas compressor, a heat exchanger, a pressure reducing valve, and a pressure vessel. A disclosed method includes causing a stream of gas to flow from the scrubber of the gas compressor to the heat exchanger, adding heat to the gas via the heat exchanger, lowering the pressure of the gas via the pressure reducing valve, providing the gas to the pressure vessel, removing liquids from the gas via a coalescing type filter element of the pressure vessel, and providing the conditioned fuel gas from the pressure vessel to the engine of the gas compressor. The gas is taken downstream from a mist extraction device of the scrubber and the scrubber is part of a last stage of compression in the multi-stage gas compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ESTIS COMPRESSION, LLC
    Inventor: Will Nelle
  • Patent number: 11680653
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a pressure reducing valve and a pull-out faucet. The pressure reducing valve comprises a valve body, a piston and an elastic member, the valve body comprises a connector, the connector comprises a water passing hole penetrating from an inner side to an outer peripheral surface of the connector, a sealing member encompasses the connector, the piston comprises a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upward from a periphery of the bottom wall, an inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall comprises a discharging section and a sealed section disposed between the discharging section and the bottom wall, the discharging section defines one or more discharging passages, the peripheral wall of the piston is configured to slidably encompass an outer side of the connector, and the elastic member configured to drive the piston to be separated from the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dingwei Huang, Yicong Xie, Wenjing Xiong, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 11643910
    Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that employs TSMS-two simultaneous mechanical stops, first one when SEWB-single edge welded bellow 8 is fully compressed to solid by valve dome pressure 5 and second mechanical stop where adjustable sealing arrangement with compressible seal 25, threaded regulating nut 17 and threaded jam nut 18 are compressed against orifice 15, compressible seal 25 is fully compressed into groove 30, gap 26 is fully exhausted, dimension L reaches zero, and gap 31 is completely exhausted, providing second mechanical stop between TC ball 14 and orifice 15. Sealing arrangement can be TC-Tungsten carbide ball 14 butted against orifice 15, flat, conical or curved sealing surface containing said compressible seal, that is solidly compressed against SEWB or DEWB, thus providing second mechanical stop and sealing fluid flow through GLV. Compressing SEWB/DEWB to full solid protects bellow from high dome pressure 5 while “Fortress Seal™” per U.S. Pat. No.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 11572965
    Abstract: A system includes a gas distribution network having sub-networks including a first sub-network, each sub-network including a pipe section having a gas safety device coupled to a gas safety valve. The gas safety device includes a pressure sensor, a shut off controller configured to shut off the gas safety valve, a computing device, and a communications module. A server is communicably coupled to the communications modules of the gas safety devices for that implements artificial intelligence (AI) which based on a current threat condition to the gas distribution network determines affected sub-networks. The server is for sending of a valve closing instruction signal to the gas safety device in the first sub-network during the current threat condition when the current threat condition is determined to affect the first sub-network. Responsive to the valve closing instruction signal, the gas safety device shuts off the gas safety valve in the first sub-network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Soundari Arunachalam, Suresh Kumar Palle, Murali Krishna Bezawada, Kishore Naidu Lachubugatha, Kevin Graebel, Max Gutberlet
  • Patent number: 11504686
    Abstract: A synthesis device comprises a plurality of pipes, a feeding unit, a reaction vessel, and a measurement mechanism. The pipes extend from a plurality of storage containers, respectively, in which a plurality of types of solutions are stored. The feeding unit is configured to feed the solutions in the storage containers through the pipes. The solutions selectively fed from the storage containers are put in the reaction vessel to generate a synthesized product by chemical synthesis. The measuring mechanism is provided between the storage containers and the reaction vessel in a middle of an overall flow path including the pipes, the measuring mechanism being configured to measure the solutions fed to the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TORAY ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chisa Inaka, Tsukasa Niwa, Takashi Iwade, Kazunori Nakakita
  • Patent number: 11474543
    Abstract: An assembly for an ATIS that includes a tire inflation valve and a tire deflation valve, and further includes a safety valve that is configured to receive the tire pressure, deflate a tire when tire pressure is too high such as due to braking heat, road friction, ambient temperature, or other reasons. The safety valve prevents deflation of the tire through the deflation valve in the case of low source pressure, such as the pressure source fails or a leak in the source pressure system lines. The assembly is designed to be quickly serviced in the field, where the serviceable parts are very inexpensive. Multiple devices can be installed in parallel with the others, with one device per tire or tire set. The assembly can be a block configured to be attached to a hub cap of a vehicle. It also enables a sensor placement on the hub cap for hub temperature sensing as well as tire pressures sensing and reporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Gao
  • Patent number: 11454993
    Abstract: A flow rate control apparatus calculates a resistance flow rate, which is a flow rate of a fluid flowing through the fluid resistor, based on a first pressure measured by a first pressure sensor and a second pressure measured by a second pressure sensor, converts the resistance flow rate to a first valve flow rate, which is the flow rate of the fluid passing through a first valve, based on the first pressure, converts the resistance flow rate to a second valve flow rate, which is the flow rate of the fluid passing through a second valve, based on the second pressure, controls the first valve so that the deviation between a first set flow rate and the first valve flow rate becomes small, and controls the second valve so that the deviation between a second set flow rate and the second valve flow rate becomes small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 11377339
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing system, beverage container and pressurizing system for use in a beverage dispensing system or container. Beverage dispensing system 1 comprising a beverage container 2 with a beverage compartment 3 and a pressurizing system 10, wherein the pressurizing system 10 comprises a gas container 11 comprising pressurized gas, a closure 13 closing the gas container 11 and a pressure regulator 12 operative for opening the closure 13 for allowing gas to enter into the beverage compartment 3 from the gas container 11, wherein the pressure regulator 12 comprises a regulating chamber 15 having at least a wall part 17 movable and/or deformable based on pressure in the beverage compartment 3, wherein at least one opening 24 is provided through a wall 18 of the regulating chamber 15 providing for at least part of a gas passage between the regulating chamber 15 and the beverage compartment 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventors: Wolter Wolthers, Bernardus Cornelis Johannes Landman, Thomas Theodorus Nicolaas Johannes Wagemakers
  • Patent number: 11332917
    Abstract: The flush water tank apparatus of the present invention includes: a clutch mechanism 30 coupling the discharge valve 12 and the discharge valve hydraulic drive unit 14 to pull up the discharge valve, and being disconnected at a predetermined timing to cause the discharge valve to descend; flush water amount selection device capable of selecting from a first and a second amounts of flush water; a float device 26 including a float and a holding mechanism switchable between a holding and a non-holding states in conjunction with movement of the float; and a timing control mechanism controlling a timing of a drain port 10a being blocked; and, when the second amount is selected, causes the second amount of flush water to be discharged by switching the holding mechanism to the non-holding state before a water level in a storage tank drops to a predetermined water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Kitaura, Nobuhiro Hayashi, Akihiro Shimuta, Masahiro Kuroishi
  • Patent number: 11248717
    Abstract: A module for a solenoid valve can include a body having a module inlet, a module outlet, a flow path fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a module orifice and a module valve seat fluidically disposed in the flow path, a reservoir disposed within the body, a sensor in sensing communication with the reservoir, a first coupler configured to couple with a solenoid actuator and a second coupler configured to couple with a valve body. The flow path can include an inlet flow path from the module inlet to the module orifice and an outlet flow path from the module orifice to the module outlet. The reservoir can be in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path. The module outlet can be disposed in fluid communication with the second coupler and configured to sealingly engage a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOMATIC SWITCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Emmanuel D. Arceo, John J. Haller
  • Patent number: 11230835
    Abstract: A storm water management system includes a flow control device that includes a float in a storage chamber responsive to changes in water level and a valve disposed between the storage chamber and a discharge. The valve includes a relatively movable valving member connected to the float and a fixed valving member. Each valving member has a through opening that receives storm water flowing between the storage chamber and the discharge. The through-openings overlap one another whereby relative displacement of the valving members caused by float movement defines a variable-sized orifice between the storage chamber and the discharge that regulates the discharge rate of storm water from the system. The shapes of the overlapping openings enable the valve to closely follow the ideal output hydrograph and maximize the discharge rate as a function of storm intensity, thereby minimizing the required volume of the storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Lane Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Joel Lang, Kevin Marshall Miller
  • Patent number: 11209842
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a surge suppression device, a surge suppression system, and methods for operating the same. The surge suppression device includes a valve body and a plug. The plug is rotatably positioned in a hollow space of the valve body. The plug includes two surge suppression openings defining a fluid flow directed to surge suppression. Each of the two surge suppression openings includes a circular plate having a plurality of orifices. The plurality of orifices allows reduction of surge pressure when the water passes the first fluid flow path. The circular plate has a concave or convex geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventors: Mohamed Ahmed Soliman, Samusideen Adewale Salu, Ali Homoud Hassan Alshehri
  • Patent number: 11001391
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an aircraft includes a fuel tank configured to supply fuel to an engine of an aircraft, a boost pump in operational communication with the fuel tank, wherein the boost pump is configured to control at least one of a fuel level and a fuel pressure in the fuel tank, and an electronic controller in communication with the boost pump and configured to control the boost pump. The electronic controller is configured to receive received information including (i) fuel information, (ii) flight information, and (iii) aircraft information, and configured to control the boost pump based on the received information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adriano Cirioli, Daniel John Shields, Alex Meyer
  • Patent number: 10946378
    Abstract: Provided herein are passive microfluidic pumps. The pumps can comprise a fluid inlet, an absorbent region, a resistive region fluidly connecting the fluid inlet and the absorbent region, and an evaporation barrier enclosing the resistive region, the absorbent region, or a combination thereof. The resistive region can comprise a first porous medium, and a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a path for fluid flow through the first porous medium from the fluid inlet to the absorbent region. The absorbent region can comprise a fluidly non-conducting boundary defining a volume of a second porous medium sized to absorb a predetermined volume of fluid imbibed from the resistive region. The resistive region and the absorbent region can be configured to establish a capillary-driven fluid front advancing from the fluid inlet through the resistive region to the absorbent region when the fluid inlet is contacted with fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Brian M. Cummins, Frances Smith Ligler, Glenn Walker
  • Patent number: 10935477
    Abstract: A method of detecting a defect in an applied volume of material includes detecting a pressure discontinuity during dispensing the volume of material along a predetermined path on a substrate. The pressure discontinuity is indicative of the defect in the applied volume of material. The location of the defect along the predetermined path is function of a start time of the pressure discontinuity and the size of the defect is a function of a time duration of the pressure discontinuity. The method can further include determining whether or not to repair the defect as a function of the location and the size of the defect in the applied volume of material. The method includes repairing the defect by re-directing the material applicator to the location of the defect and dispensing additional material at the location of the defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Ahmad Rezaei Mojdehi, David John Hill, Jim Derry
  • Patent number: 10912876
    Abstract: A system for controlling the position of a diaphragm in a diaphragm-containing pressure pod, is provided. The system can include a peristaltic pump, a pressure pod having a flow-through fluid side and a gas side that are separated by a diaphragm, and a pressure sensor operatively connected to the gas side. The pressure sensor is configured to sense pulses of pressure resulting from movement of the diaphragm and caused by the action of the peristaltic pump. A gas source and a valve can be in fluid communication with the gas side of the pressure pod and can be configured to provide gas to, or vent gas from, the gas side. A controller receives pressure signals from the pressure sensor and controls the valve in response, and in so doing, controls the position of the diaphragm. Methods for positioning the diaphragm are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Crnkovich, Lee Tanenbaum, Michael Emmanuel Kotsos, Fei Wang, Alex Brown
  • Patent number: 10850530
    Abstract: In one example, a liquid delivery and gas removal system for a printhead. The system includes a pump to provide a liquid at a positive pressure. The system also includes a filter fluidically coupled to the pump to receive the pressurized liquid at an upstream side, at a first pressure push the liquid through the filter to a downstream side, and at a higher second pressure push gas bubbles in the liquid through the filter to the downstream side. The system further includes a vent having a gas-permeable membrane. A wet side of the membrane is fluidically coupled to the downstream side and to a printhead. A vacuum is applied to a dry side of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Ridgway Otis, Jr., Si-lam Julius Choy, Kevin Edward Swier, David N. Olsen
  • Patent number: 10835071
    Abstract: A cookware apparatus is utilized to efficiently drain liquids from itself. The apparatus includes a body having an upper bottom section including at least one orifice, a lower bottom section, and a sidewall section affixed to the upper bottom section. Shafts affixed to the lower bottom section may be disposed within each of at least one housing mounted to a surface of the sidewall section. Handle portions affixed to at least one of the body and the at least one housing each include a trigger mechanism for actuating linear movement of the shafts. Actuation of the trigger mechanism separates the lower bottom section from the upper bottom section and the sidewall section to allow liquid to drain through the at least one orifice and out the interior volume of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Inventor: James B. Lynch
  • Patent number: 10823448
    Abstract: A heat exchange system, an air conditioning control system, and an air conditioning system control method. A control portion of the heat exchange system respectively adjusts the opening of electronic expansion valves, and controls the electronic expansion valves to store an initialisation state and position information before powering down so that the electronic expansion valves first perform initialisation state switching when next powering up, thereby reducing the risk of the electronic expansion valves being out of step, and saving system start-up time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaojun Jiang, Likun Yang, Yingchong Lu, Rongrong Zhang
  • Patent number: 10753494
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve, includes an air chamber with a supply port to supply compressed air into the air chamber and one or more discharge ports for discharging compressed air from the air chamber. An actuator with a movable closing element and a shape memory alloy SMA element are provided in the valve. The SMA element deforms in response to a supply of electrical heating current and effects an activation of the actuator by movement of the closing element. When the actuator is in an activated state, the closing element blocks the supply of compressed air via the supply port is blocked. When the actuator is in a deactivated state, the closing element enables the supply of compressed air via the supply port. Upon deactivation of the actuator, the closing element is moved by a restoring force into the free setting. The valve includes a check valve with an elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Beuschel, Stefan Bauer, Norbert Seltner, Alexander Kerler
  • Patent number: 10654355
    Abstract: A filling nozzle of a fuel tank including a receiving pipe and a liquid-vapor separator, includes a hollow body communicating with an intake pipe for a stream of vapors from the fuel tank, an emptying pipe flowing into the receiving pipe, and a vapor outlet pipe. The hollow body includes a separation mechanism extracting droplets and including at least one wall movable between first and second configurations. In the first configuration the movable wall forms, together with walls of the hollow body, a maze in which stream of vapors passing from the intake pipe towards the outlet pipe is forced to circulate. In the second configuration the movable wall allows the stream of vapors to pass from the intake pipe to the outlet pipe following a path that avoids all or part of the path travelled by the vapors when the movable walls are in the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: Yvan Le Mat, Pierre Oszwald
  • Patent number: 10639385
    Abstract: A sterilization apparatus for sterilization of objects. The apparatus includes a chamber for receiving the objects including a sterilization medium inlet and outlet; an inlet flow control device for controlling a supply of a sterilization medium to the chamber; a drain system for controllable discharge of fluid from the chamber; and a control unit configured to control the inlet flow control device and drain system. The drain system includes: a drain inlet connected to the sterilization medium outlet; a drain outlet connected to a vacuum system for evacuating the chamber; a first conduit connecting the drain inlet and outlet; and a proportional valve, arranged along the first conduit, controllable by the control unit to partly restrict fluid flow through the first conduit according. Drain valves may be controlled in response to the temperature of a flow of coolant, the coolant being used for cooling fluid via a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GETINGE STERILIZATION AB
    Inventors: Bengt Storberg, Stefan Troedsson
  • Patent number: 10635155
    Abstract: Independent power control of two or more processing cores. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a technique to place at least one processing core in a power state without coordinating with the power state of one or more other processing cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen H. Gunther, Edward A. Burton, Anant Deval, Stephan Jourdan, Robert Greiner, Michael Cornaby
  • Patent number: 10634003
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control the actuation of regulators including a loading chamber are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first pneumatic regulator including a loading chamber, the first pneumatic regulator to flow fluid toward a downstream process; a second pneumatic regulator coupled between the loading chamber and the downstream process, the second pneumatic regulator to control an actuation of the first pneumatic regulator during normal operation based on a pressure difference between a first pressure downstream of the first pneumatic regulator and a second pressure within the loading chamber; and a valve coupled between the loading chamber and the downstream process, the valve to control the actuation of the first pneumatic regulator during a shut-down event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Lane Masias, William Kevin Burke, Paul Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 10613610
    Abstract: Independent power control of two or more processing cores. More particularly, at least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a technique to place at least one processing core in a power state without coordinating with the power state of one or more other processing cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen H. Gunther, Edward A. Burton, Anant Deval, Stephan Jourdan, Robert Greiner, Michael Cornaby
  • Patent number: 10578091
    Abstract: Fluid flow adapter for a cylinder of a reciprocating compressor, the cylinder having a side wall provided with a valve seat, the fluid flow adapter comprising a filler element having an internal surface facing an internal volume of the cylinder and an external surface facing the valve, the filler element having at least a channel connecting the internal surface to the external surface, wherein the internal surface is flush with the side wall of the cylinder, the channel being configured to allow the passage of fluid between the internal volume of the cylinder and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: NUOVO PIGNONE SRL
    Inventors: Riccardo Bagagli, Leonardo Tognarelli, Alberto Babbini, Massimo Bargiacchi, Guido Pratelli, Federico Puccinelli, Riccardo Maleci
  • Patent number: 10514107
    Abstract: An oil tank for a gas turbine engine includes a top and a bottom disposed vertically beneath the top. An overfill return passage extends from the bottom of the oil tank toward the top of the oil tank. An outlet is formed on the bottom of the oil tank and inside the overfill return passage. A check valve is inside the overfill return passage and is connected to the outlet. The check valve includes a seat circumscribing the outlet and a plug inside the overfill return passage. The plug has a lower density than an oil disposed inside the oil tank. The check valve does not include a spring such that the plug is configured to translate freely inside the overfill return passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David Allen Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 10509422
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a flow meter, a mechanical pressure-regulating valve disposed adjacent to and on an upstream side of the flow meter, and a flow control valve disposed on a downstream side of the flow meter. The mechanical pressure-regulating valve is embedded in a base of the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller also includes a compulsive valve-opening mechanism configured to compulsorily open the mechanical pressure-regulating valve. Thereby, the mass flow controller can instantly recover pressure on the upstream side of the flow meter to its original pressure even in a case where the pressure changes, and can raise measurement accuracy of a flow rate measured by the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Hirota, Hiroyuki Ito
  • Patent number: 10392123
    Abstract: A method of recovering performance of an air separation module (ASM) is described. A recovery system includes an air source providing inlet air, a filter to output clean air and a heater heating the air. The ASM is coupled to the system and comprises a hollow fiber membrane to output nitrogen enriched air (NEA) exhaust. The method comprises operating the system with the air source and heater in a default condition; measuring an initial purity of NEA exhaust; adjusting the air source and/or heater based on the initial purity; operating the system after adjusting the air source and/or heater; returning the air source and heater to the default condition; measuring a recovered purity of NEA exhaust; and determining whether the recovered purity is within tolerance. If the recovered purity is within tolerance, system operation is terminated. If the recovered purity is not within tolerance, the steps are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Abdullah Al-Yafawi, William Vestal
  • Patent number: 10337463
    Abstract: A method is presented wherein during a first condition that includes a fuel tank pressure above a threshold, a fuel tank is fluidically coupled to a fuel vapor canister while a fuel vapor canister vent path is restricted, and a degree of restriction of the fuel vapor canister vent path is modulated. Modulating the degree of restriction of the fuel vapor canister vent path allows a fuel tank to be depressurized at a controlled rate. In this way, excess fuel tank pressure can be relieved, even if a vehicle engine is not operating in a combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad R. Aghili, Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang
  • Patent number: 10253594
    Abstract: A zone to be treated comprises a plurality of sliding sleeve valves. The sleeve defined opposed chambers charged with pressurized fluid on opposed sides of the sleeve. Valves responsive to a remote signal with no borehole intervention change the pressure balance on the sleeve to get it to open from a closed position and then close and then to reopen for production. One way this is done is by sequential pressure bleeding off from the opposed chambers. A zone having multiple such valves can be treated without need for dropping balls and subsequent milling out, which allows production to commence sooner with reduced restrictions to flow from the ball seats and without the debris associated from a milling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John K. Wakefield, Robert S. O'Brien, Alexander Kendall, Stephen A. Graham, Peter J. Clark
  • Patent number: 10245941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vent valve (1) for controlling the internal tank pressure of a fuel tank, having at least one valve housing (2) having at least one first connection (3) to the fuel tank and at least one second connection (4), which can be connected to a vent line leading to a fuel vapor filter. The vent valve (1) comprises at least one valve element, which is held in a valve seat (8) in a position in which it closes the first connection (3) by the force of gravity and/or by spring loading and, after a given pressure threshold is exceeded, is raised from the valve seat (8) and, when a given pressure threshold is undershot, returns to the initial position. The valve element and/or the valve element guide has/have at least one relief opening (10), which forms a bypass for a gap flow which arises, for example, during a return movement of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: KAUTEX TEXTRON GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ibrahim Koukan
  • Patent number: 10221645
    Abstract: A high-integrity pressure protection system Christmas tree is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a Christmas tree, a choke coupled to receive fluid from the Christmas tree, and a high-integrity pressure protection system. The high-integrity pressure protection system includes pressure sensors downstream of the choke, valves upstream of the choke, and a logic solver connected to control operation of the valves of the high-integrity pressure protection system that are upstream of the choke. Further, the valves of the high-integrity pressure protection system that are upstream of the choke include at least two valves of the Christmas tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Declan Elliott
  • Patent number: 10216200
    Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for water balancing are described herein. An example device includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executed to send a command from a building controller to balance a subset of a plurality of valves. The instructions are executed to simultaneously balance the subset of the plurality of valves associated with a plurality of building systems, based on the command, and without accessing any of the plurality of valves individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Cary Leen, Andrew David Halford, Roy Alan Kolasa, Vinay Prasad, Jayaprakash Meruva, Evan John Kingston
  • Patent number: 10144278
    Abstract: Air guide system (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a support structure (12) having an air passage opening (14), an air damper assembly (16) having at least one air damper (18) which is provided on the support structure (12) so that it can pivot about a damper axis (20) between a closed position (FIG. 1(a)) and an open position (FIG. 1(c)) in order to adjust a flow cross-section of the air passage opening (14), the flow cross-section being minimal in the closed position (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Röchling Automotive SE & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10138716
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid downhole comprises a removable fluid nozzle in fluid communication with a production tubular disposed in a borehole penetrating the earth. The removable fluid nozzle is configured for bi-directional flow, wherein a pressure drop of fluid flow in one direction is greater than the pressure drop of fluid flow in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Britain A. Fisher, Joshua Raymond Snitkoff
  • Patent number: 10139005
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing the integrity of a pressure relief device, along with associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The sensor may sense a designed area of weakness of a pressure relief device, such as an explosion vent or rupture disk. A monitor may monitor a signal from the sensor, which may be transmitted between the sensor and monitor by way of a sensor loop. In response to a change in the designed area of weakness, the signal from the sensor may be altered or interrupted, indicating that the designed area of weakness has changed. The signal from the sensor may be, for example, an electrical signal, optical signal, or an air flow in a pneumatic loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems Limited
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, John Tomasko, Liam Fitzgerald, Stephen Farwell, Hughie Leahy
  • Patent number: 10082216
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system to dynamically operate a valve including a direct current (DC) stepper motor. The system includes a valve detector to identify the valve and to determine whether the valve is operable in multiple operating modes. The system further includes a mode selector electrically coupled to the valve detector. The mode selector selects an operating mode from the multiple operating modes. The system further includes a current selector electrically coupled to the mode selector. The current selector selects a target current level based on the selected operating mode. The system further includes a motor controller electrically coupled to the current selector and the DC stepper motor. The motor controller drives the DC stepper motor with a drive current at the selected target current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Van Derven, Kraig D. Ritmanich, Peter J. Wawer
  • Patent number: 10046072
    Abstract: A sterilization apparatus is disclosed for sterilization of objects. The sterilization apparatus includes a chamber for receiving the objects, the chamber including a sterilization medium inlet and outlet; an inlet flow control device for controlling a supply of a sterilization medium to the chamber; a drain system for controllable discharge of fluid from the chamber; and a control unit configured to control the inlet flow control device and drain system in accordance with a sterilization scheme. The drain system includes: a drain inlet connected to the sterilization medium outlet; a drain outlet connected to a vacuum system for evacuating the chamber; a first conduit connecting the drain inlet and outlet; and a proportional valve, arranged along the first conduit, controllable by the control unit to partly restrict fluid flow through the first conduit according to a continuous relation between a control parameter and a valve opening of the proportional valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GETINGE STERILIZATION AB
    Inventors: Bengt Storberg, Stefan Troedsson
  • Patent number: 10018277
    Abstract: A flow rate control valve capable of eliminating an extra operation of a diaphragm spacer after a valve has become a closed state and shortening a response time is provided. It has an annular valve seat 115, a diaphragm 116 including a thin plate-shaped elastic body an outer peripheral part of which has been fixed, and a diaphragm spacer 117 located on the opposite side of the valve seat 115 with the diaphragm 116 interposed therebetween, and the annular valve seat 115, the diaphragm 116 and the diaphragm spacer 117 are coaxially disposed. And, it is structured that the annular valve seat 115 has, on its top, an inclined surface 123 inclined to the inner peripheral side, and the diaphragm 116 is displaced in a direction of the valve seat 115 and the inclined surface 123 on the top of the valve seat 115 and the diaphragm 116 abut against with no gap by pressing force of the diaphragm spacer 117.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Umeyama, Keiko Watanabe, Toshihiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9927121
    Abstract: Servo gas system (11) for a gas burner (10), namely for controlling a pressure regulation valve (20) positioned in a gas duct (18) of the gas burner, thereby controlling a gas pressure within the gas duct (18) being present downstream of the pressure regulation valve (20) and thereby controlling a pressure difference between a pressure in a burner chamber (12) of the gas burner and said gas pressure within the gas duct (18), the servo gas system (11) comprising a static servo gas flow branch (28) and a dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) being connected in parallel, and a flow sensing element (30) being connected between the static servo gas flow branch (28) and the dynamic servo gas flow branch (29) and providing a signal used to control the pressure regulation valve (20) by an electric actuator (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell Technologies, Sarl
    Inventor: Willem Super
  • Patent number: 9863837
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to detecting leaks in a patient monitoring system. The system can include a fluid handling network configured to receive a fluid sample drawn from a patient and to deliver at least a portion of the fluid sample to an analyte measurement system. The system can isolate at least a portion of the fluid handling network, can apply pressure to the at least a portion of the fluid handling network, can measure the pressure in the at least a portion of the fluid handling network, and can determine whether a leak is present in the at least a portion of the fluid handling network based at least in part on the measured pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Coporation
    Inventors: Peter Rule, James D. Causey, III
  • Patent number: 9759123
    Abstract: A liquid container including: at least two compartments (2; 3) which are each provided with a fluid inlet and outlet and which are connectable to a fluid flow circuit, respectively, at least one communication area (4) between the compartments (2; 3), at least one opening (5) for filling the container, at least one plug (6) for closing the opening (5) for filling the container, the opening (5) for filling the container is an opening common to the compartments (2, 3) and the container further includes at least one member (7) for closing the communication area (4) between the compartments (2, 3), the closing member being movably mounted between an open position of the area and a closed position of the area, the closing member being in a closed position of the area in a closed position of the filling opening plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TRISTONE FLOWTECH SOLUTIONS (TFS)
    Inventors: Louis-Philippe Le Poul, Ghislain Gaudiau, Caroline Archambeault, Luc N'Kaoua, Dominique Saint-Lary, Sylvain Merour
  • Patent number: 9675135
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the modulation of appearance or material properties within items of apparel or equipment. Also provided herein are design articles having alterable designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventors: Nicole Justis Truitt, Benjamin David Sullivan, Zeyad Moussa, Daniel Kincade
  • Patent number: 9644349
    Abstract: A controller (8) for a pilot valve (102) which adjusts the output pressure of a pressure reducing valve (44) supplying water to a consumer region (3). With the aim of reducing output pressure whilst still providing a minimum required pressure at a critical point (CP) in the region, the controller adjusts the output pressure in accordance with the flow rate. The controller includes a clock (22) and the relationship between the required output pressure and the measured flow rate is time dependent. Parameters which define the relationship are supplied to the controller (8) from a remote data processing system (13) which analyses flow rate and output pressure data transmitted from the controller, and also pressure data from a remote sensor (10) at the critical point. At intervals, the controller (8) establishes a wireless connection with the remote system (13), to transmit logged data, and to receive parameters covering a period of time which is greater than the interval between communication sessions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: i2O Water Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Roland Burrows
  • Patent number: 9639363
    Abstract: A processor core includes a front end, and first and second back ends, the front end including a fetch engine configured to retrieve the sequence of data processing instructions for both the first back end and the second back end from a memory, and the first and second back ends are each configured to execute the sequence of program instructions. The core operates in a first mode in which the first back end is active and receives the sequence of data processing instructions from the fetch engine and the second back end is inactive, and a second mode in which the first back end is inactive and the second back end is active and receives the sequence of data processing instructions from the fetch engine, where the cycles-per-instruction rate is lower and energy consumption is higher for the first mode than the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Andrew Lukefahr, Reetuparna Das, Shruti Padmanabha, Scott Mahlke