Cleaning, Repairing, Or Assembling Patents (Class 137/15.01)
  • Patent number: 6431196
    Abstract: A pressure relief device with a permanently attached rupture disk is disclosed. The pressure relief device includes a valve body. The valve body includes an inlet and an outlet defining a flow passage therebetween. A valve mechanism is housed in the valve body and is movable between a closed position where it blocks the flow passage and an open position. A rupture disk configured to burst when exposed to a predetermined pressure is provided. The rupture disk is permanently attached to the valve body to prevent the pressurized fluid from flowing through the flow passage until it bursts. Permanently attaching the rupture disk to the valve body makes them a compact unit to be replaced and discarded together. The rupture disk may be permanently attached to the valve body by welding, soldering, brazing, crimping, or adhesive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, Arnold Mundt
  • Patent number: 6408866
    Abstract: The invention provides a fluidic oscillator that is symmetrical about a longitudinal plane of symmetry (P), comprising an enclosure defining an oscillation chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening through which the fluid flows and which are in alignment in said plane (P) in a “longitudinal” first direction (A), said inlet opening being made in the form of a slot that is narrow in a second direction (B) extending transversely to said plane (P) and elongate in a third direction (C) parallel to said plane (P) and perpendicular to said longitudinal first direction (A), wherein said slot is provided in an insert which is removable from said enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, S.A.
    Inventors: Andrew Carver, Luc Hernoux
  • Patent number: 6394122
    Abstract: The improved shock actuated sensor is used with shock activation valves which have a shock activation control mechanism. The control mechanism includes a pedestal with a vertical tube disposed thereround and a weight in the form of a ball supported on the pedestal upper end. When a shock or vibration force is experienced the ball is displaced horizontally from a rest position to a side of the control mechanism where it engages the vertical tube that causes the valve to close. The improvement includes a pedestal upper end with a circumferential step to aid the ball in engaging the vertical tube to activate the valve closing. The step allows gravity, in addition to the shock force, to urge the ball to move the vertical tube. The pedestal upper end may also have a recess in the form of an open cylindrical recess to support the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Pacific Seismic Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Sibley, William F. Keller
  • Patent number: 6386219
    Abstract: A fluid handling system, and a method of manufacture therefor, is provided having a flexible manifold including two layers of flexible material laminated together. The flexible manifold has provided therein a covered capillary, a capillary inlet hole fluidically connected to the covered capillary, and a capillary outlet hole fluidically connected to the covered capillary. A peripheral rim is attached to the flexible manifold and exerts tensile stress on the flexible manifold to provide dimensional stability to the flexible manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip W. Barth, Reid Alyn Brennen
  • Patent number: 6386225
    Abstract: A modular catch pan for wellheads includes a rigid pan body consisting of two detachably coupled sections, the body having a circular opening. A plurality of split annular adaptor collars are provided. Each of the adaptor collars has the same outer diameter so that any one of them can be fitted into the circular opening. Each of the adaptor collars has an outer circumferential sealing surface adapted to form a seal with the circular opening of the body. Each of the adaptor collars has an inner circumferential sealing surface. The size of the inner circumferential sealing surface and the distance of the inner circumferential sealing surface from the outer circumferential sealing surface varies between adaptor collars. The modular catch pan can be adapted to fit any installation by selecting a suitable adaptor collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Quinn Holtby
  • Patent number: 6374846
    Abstract: A water shut-off valve assembly comprises a valve that is moveable by a motor between open and closed positions. The water shut-off valve assembly is adapted to be connected to a water line. A sensor is also associated with a valve assembly for sensing leakages that occurred downstream from the valve assembly. A controller is operatively connected to the water shut-off valve assembly for actuating the electric motor which in turn actuates the valve therein. From time to time, the water shut-off valve assembly exercises or moves the valve within the valve assembly so as to prevent the valve from becoming clogged due to inactivity over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Flologic, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles R. DeSmet
  • Patent number: 6371148
    Abstract: A hose extending and retrieval system and method used for loose-fill insulation operations that includes a hose member that is taken-up or fed-out from a hose storage container with a gear mechanism. A hose extending and retrieval system includes a hose member having a helical rib traversing therethrough, a hose storage container comprising an aperture forming a conduit, and a gear mechanism including a first gear and a second gear disposed on opposing sides of the hose member, wherein protrusions on the first and second gears interlock with the helical hose member. The gear mechanism interlocks with a helical component on the outside of the hose to provide sufficient operational impetus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventor: Gary R. Tripp
  • Patent number: 6360765
    Abstract: A metal fuel tank (1) with two tank shells (1a, 1b) which are welded together, an electrically driven fuel supply unit (2) inside the tank, and also with lead-in ducts for at least one metal fuel line (3) and for a connection device for supplying electricity to the fuel supply unit (2). The tank (1) is produced in such a way as to mount the fuel supply unit (2) from inside the tank (1) before the tank shells (1a, 1b) are welded together, and to have the lead-in ducts running through at respectively separated points through the tank shells (1a, 1b) which are created using gas-tight means of connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren und Getriebetechnik
    Inventor: Gunther Pozgainer
  • Patent number: 6360764
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for use in mating a filter cartridge to a filter manifold, includes an adapter body having a manifold coupler and a cartridge coupler. The manifold coupler is for mating with the filter manifold and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter manifold fluid outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water from an outlet flow of filtered water. The cartridge coupler is for mating with the filter cartridge and has an inlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge inlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler inlet and a fluid outlet being fluidly communicable with a filter cartridge outlet and being in fluid communication with the manifold coupler outlet and having sealing means, the sealing means isolating an inlet flow of unfiltered water to the filter cartridge from an outlet flow of filtered water form the filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: PentaPure Incorporated
    Inventor: Karl Fritze
  • Patent number: 6325358
    Abstract: A gate valve is provided for granular or other dry materials which reduces the tendency of the valve to clog or jam during closing. The valve includes a slide having an arcuate-shaped forward end and a flared passageway to insure proper closing. The preferred form of the invention is made of durable plastic although other materials may also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: John C. Bower
  • Patent number: 6325886
    Abstract: A method of attaching a micromechanical fluid control device to a substrate includes the steps of forming a first ring of a first adhesive around an aperture defined between a micromechanical fluid control device and a substrate. The first adhesive forms a first interface between the micromechanical fluid control device and the substrate that is clean and corrosion resistant. A second ring of a second adhesive is applied around the first ring. The second adhesive forms a second interface between the micromechanical fluid control device and the substrate that is hermetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Redwood Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Harris, Michael J. Selser, Walter A. Weber