Fluid Actuated Or Retarded Patents (Class 137/15.19)
  • Patent number: 7448102
    Abstract: A method for supplying liquid mixtures on a mix-on-demand basis for consumptive use, and for maintaining the composition of such mixture on a highly accurate and stable basis. For wet-on-wet processing of fabrics, the processing solution is supplied at start-up on a mix-on-demand basis to precise specifications and is maintained at such precise specifications throughout fabric processing, which involves continuous additions of water by the incoming fabric and removal of solution by the exiting fabric. Recirculation of the solution at a high rate, together with rapid and repetitive measurements of the composition of the recirculating solution enables the solution to be precisely monitored and maintained. Periodic small additions of chemical are injected as necessary to maintain highly stable, accurately controlled process conditions. Extraordinary economies, both direct and indirect, can be realized with the new system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Tubular Textile Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Milligan, E. Scott Allison, Eric A. Best
  • Publication number: 20080236671
    Abstract: A system for quickly removing and installing check valve parts without disturbing system piping attached to a pump. The system includes a first adapter attached to the outlet of the pump head. The first adapter includes a valve seat and a housing with a side wall having external threads. A second adapter includes a hollow body with a space for a check valve. The body has an opening in the side wall for inserting the check valve. The second adapter fits over the first adapter and the adapters are attached by means of a collar. Tightening the collar onto the threads on the first adapter causes the check valve to be held firmly between the valve seat and the top wall of the second adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Cordell E. Claude
  • Patent number: 7418973
    Abstract: A pressure regulator comprising a body portion having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a flow passage positioned therebetween is provided. A valve member and a valve seat are positioned in the flow passage. A spring is coupled to the valve member to urge the valve member along an axis towards the valve seat, wherein the flow passage is substantially closed when the valve member engages with the valve seat. The spring has an extended segment in contact with a fixed surface, whereby the extended segment restricts displacement of the spring in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Ellis Graham
  • Patent number: 7410608
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a process for manufacturing a diaphragm for an air admittance valve includes disposing a first center disk into a first cavity of a first mold, the first center disk includes a hollow stem. A material is provided into the first mold, through the hollow stem and laterally outwardly beyond a perimeter of the first center disk. The material is allowed to harden to form a lateral membrane coupled to the first center disk and extending laterally beyond a perimeter of the first center disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Rectorseal Corporation
    Inventor: Henry J. Gohlke
  • Publication number: 20080185047
    Abstract: The present invention is for a cartridge insert valve to limit excess flow through a pipe which is part of a piping system. The cartridge insert valve includes a cylindrical housing and an inlet cap with an inlet opening defined therein. The inlet cap is positioned on a cylindrical housing first end. The cartridge inset valve also includes a seat cap with an orifice defined therein. The seat cap is positioned on a cylindrical housing second end opposite the cylindrical housing first end. The cartridge insert valve is located in the pipe such that a fluid flowing through the pipe normally enters the inlet cap, flows through the cylindrical housing and exits the seat cap. The cartridge insert valve also includes a piston assembly that shuts off flow through the valve in response to an excess flow through the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Donald Gary Eichler
  • Patent number: 7392819
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of setting the ball travel of a valve-closing body, designed as valve ball, of a control valve of a hydraulic valve-lash-adjusting element which has a plunger with a plunger head and a central bore, a valve seat being provided at the outer end of this central bore, this valve seat being controlled by a valve ball, the ball travel of which is limited by a valve cap which has a cap flange and a cap base, the cap flange resting with its bearing surface on a base of a recess of the plunger head, and a stop of the cap base serving as a travel limit for the valve ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: INA Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7337796
    Abstract: A safety relief valve is provided that comprises a body comprising a chamber therein and an inlet and an outlet, the inlet comprising an inlet valve seat; a disk member closeable on the inlet valve seat; and a mechanism in the body biasing the disk member to rest on the inlet valve seat with a set force such that when the pressure in the inlet exceeds a set pressure resulting from the set force, the disk member is lifted from the inlet valve seat, the mechanism comprising a combination of a coil spring and one or more disk springs stacked in series with the coil spring. A method of preparing a coil spring for use in a pressure relief valve comprises measuring the spring rate of the coil spring and; modifying the spring so as to modify its spring rate to be within ±2% of a desired spring rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Mercer Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy R. Choate, Michael J. Easton, Wesley L. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080035206
    Abstract: A fill valve for a toilet tank includes a multi-piece shank assembly. The shank assembly includes a first hollow member coupled with a second hollow member using a snap joint. The first hollow member has a tortuous outer surface, which together with the second hollow member forms a plurality of flow paths. The flow paths are configured to reduce water noise. The first and second hollow members are provided separately, resulting in simplified molding process and improved assembly automation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Bill DeKeyser, Robert Collin
  • Patent number: 7278442
    Abstract: The vented port-cap includes a check-valve, which admits air into the barrel of the hydrant when the pressure inside is lower than the pressure outside. After an inspection of the hydrant, the hydrant can be left to drain by itself, even though the port-cap has been replaced and tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: Darryll Arthur Douglas Holland, Sean Kellie Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7117880
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing fuel vapor pressure in a fuel system that supplies fuel to an internal combustion engine. The fuel vapor pressure management apparatus performs leak detection on a headspace of the fuel system, performs excess negative pressure relief of the headspace, and performs excess positive pressure relief of the headspace. The apparatus includes a housing, a pressure operable device, and a printed circuit board. The housing defines an interior chamber. The pressure operable device separates the interior chamber into first and second portions. And the pressure operable device includes a poppet that moves along an axis and a seal that is adapted to cooperatively engage the poppet. The printed circuit board is supported by the housing in the interior chamber. And the printed circuit board includes a sensor that is adapted to be actuated by movement of the poppet along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Veinotte, Paul Perry
  • Patent number: 7044150
    Abstract: A bidirectional valve comprising a flexible member with an aperture formed therein. The flexible member reacts to differential pressure thereacross by deforming, thereby causing the inside surfaces of the aperture to separate and create a vent path. The bidirectional valve can be tuned to open the aperture in reaction to varied differential pressures thereacross, thereby allowing a fluid to pass through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Huron, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard L. Seidl
  • Patent number: 7040338
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an elastomeric structure, comprising: forming a first elastomeric layer on top of a first micromachined mold, the first micromachined mold having a first raised protrusion which forms a first recess extending along a bottom surface of the first elastomeric layer; forming a second elastomeric layer on top of a second micromachined mold, the second micromachined mold having a second raised protrusion which forms a second recess extending along a bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer; bonding the bottom surface of the second elastomeric layer onto a top surface of the first elastomeric layer such that a control channel forms in the second recess between the first and second elastomeric layers; and positioning the first elastomeric layer on top of a planar substrate such that a flow channel forms in the first recess between the first elastomeric layer and the planar substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Marc A. Unger, Hou-Pu Chou, Todd A. Thorsen, Axel Scherer, Stephen R. Quake
  • Patent number: 6886578
    Abstract: A device that can be applied to cartridges for water equipment, intended to receive a rotary operating member (9) for the purpose of promoting the structural unification of the largest possible number of parts making up the cartridges, where the rotary fitting (17) inside the cartridge is by itself not provided with a control pin and instead has a coupling means (16) and where the control pin of the cartridge is made separately from the internal rotary fitting and has an internal coupling means complementary to the coupling means presented by the internal rotary fitting and external coupling means (10) suitable for meeting the requirements of a handling member for which the cartridge is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Francesco Knapp
  • Patent number: 6837442
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a square-column-shaped valve body 10, and a spherical valve means 30 housed within a valve chamber 20 opposing against a valve seat 22. A working shaft 50 coming into contact with said valves means 30 connects to a stopper member 60, thereby transmitting to the valve means 30 the movement of a diaphragm 230 being displaced by the pressure change in a pressure chamber 240 of a power element 200. A lower housing 220 of the power element 200 is provided with an opening portion and claws, which enable the power element to be coupled to a mounting unit 100 formed to the top portion of the valve body 10. An elastic packing member 150 enables the element to be securely and airtightly coupled to the body. According to the present invention, the assembling of the valve is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano
  • Patent number: 6834663
    Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for making and using an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an actuator body having an actuator channel with a first region and a second region. An actuator is disposed in the actuator channel and is movable when in a flowable state between a first position and a second position. A heater is position proximate to the actuator channel to heat the actuator from a solid state to a flowable state. A source of gas or other propellant is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to drive the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a higher surface tension when engaged with the second region of the channel than when engaged with the first region. Accordingly, the actuator can halt upon reaching the second region of the channel due to the increased surface tension between the actuator and the second region of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome M. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 6810862
    Abstract: A diaphragm operated pressure responsive valve has its inlet connected to a fuel tank vapor line and the valving chamber openly connected to the storage canister and to the engine air intake manifold vapor purge control valve. The diaphragm is operable to vary the spring bias on a valve member disposed in the chamber for biasing closed the vapor line from the tank in the event of high vacuum from the engine purge control valves. A bleed bypass permits continued bleed flow of vapor from the tank to the valving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolph Bergsma
  • Patent number: 6802331
    Abstract: A check valve for a fluidic system includes a fluidic conduit having an inlet with a first particle barrier, an outlet with a second particle barrier and a fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one particle disposed in the fluid chamber, the particle or particles aggregating at the first particle barrier to form a first hydrodynamic resistance when a first fluid pressure at the inlet is less than a second fluid pressure at the outlet, the particle or particles aggregating at the second particle barrier to form a second hydrodynamic resistance when the first fluid pressure is greater than the second fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eksigent Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Don W. Arnold, David J. Rakestraw, Jason Rehm
  • Patent number: 6722385
    Abstract: A hydraulic spool valve repair kit comprising a cylindrical valve cap and a replacement spring retainer plate and a method of use of these components for increasing the service longevity of such a hydraulic spool valve within the valve body of an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present valve cap is a cylindrical steel construction having a longitudinal bore, which is radially disposed about a terminal end of the aluminum valve piston to provide a more durable contact surface and to substantially reduce mechanical wear between the dissimilar materials of the original components. The replacement spring retainer plate, which inadvertently contacts the valve piston under some operating conditions, is reconfigured to include resilient leg members for retention of the spring retainer plate within the valve body and also provides a stable spring seat for the compression spring that actuates the spool valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Bolaski
  • Patent number: 6708712
    Abstract: A pressure regulator having a disc spring. The pressure regulator comprises a valve having a movable device that is positioned to control fluid flow through the pressure regulator. Downstream fluid pressure produces a first force acting on the movable device to close the valve to block fluid flow through the pressure regulator. The disc spring produces a second force that acts on the movable device to open the valve to enable fluid to flow through the pressure regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Wakeman
  • Patent number: 6688322
    Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Wynn, Jr., Barry S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6688321
    Abstract: A device for regulating the flow of gas from an environment. The device includes a shell forming a path through which fluid flows. A fixed grate is disposed in the path so that as fluid flows in the path the fixed grate does not move. A movable grate assembly includes one or more plates and a movable grate attached to the one or more plates. The one or more plates includes an integral hinge such that the plate can rotate about the integral hinge. When the movable grate moves with respect to the fixed grate the impedance on the flow varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: David W. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6684897
    Abstract: A subsea actuator and method is disclosed that includes all moving components mounted in a compact, concentric configuration. The subsea actuator is highly reliable and will operate at depth even with zero valve body cavity pressure. A preferably cup-shaped spring pusher is provided in telescoping relationship to the hydraulic chamber. A piston position indicator is provided which is connected externally to the hydraulic piston cylinder to avoid the possibility of hydraulic leaks due to the piston indicator. A manual override may be provided with a manual override indicator. The manual override indicator has a shorter travel length than the manual override operating stem to thereby reduce the overall length of the manual override assembly. The driving stem provides a removable connection to the hydraulic piston from the top of the actuator housing and a quick disconnect permits disconnection of the driving stem from the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Worldwide Oilfield Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alagarsamy Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 6672325
    Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for making and using an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an actuator body having an actuator channel with a first region and a second region. An actuator is disposed in the actuator channel and is movable when in a flowable state between a first position and a second position. A heater is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to heat the actuator from a solid state to a flowable state. A source of gas or other propellant is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to drive the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a higher surface tension when engaged with the second region of the channel than when engaged with the first region. Accordingly, the actuator can halt upon reaching the second region of the channel due to the increased surface tension between the actuator and the second region of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome M. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 6609533
    Abstract: A subsea actuator and method is disclosed that includes all moving components mounted in a compact, concentric configuration. The subsea actuator is highly reliable and will operate at depth even with zero valve body cavity pressure. A preferably cup-shaped spring pusher is provided in telescoping relationship to the hydraulic chamber. A piston position indicator is provided which is connected externally to the hydraulic piston cylinder to avoid the possibility of hydraulic leaks due to the piston indicator. A manual override may be provided with a manual override indicator. The manual override indicator has a shorter travel length than the manual override operating stem to thereby reduce the overall length of the manual override assembly. The driving stem provides a removable connection to the hydraulic piston from the top of the actuator housing and a quick disconnect permits disconnection of the driving stem from the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: World Wide Oilfield Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Alagarsamy Sundararajan
  • Patent number: 6502598
    Abstract: A backflow prevention assembly has a unitary housing with a passage therethrough, two threaded regions formed in an inner surface of the unitary housing, and two valve assemblies positioned in the passage to prevent fluid flow in a direction. Each valve assembly has an annular mount having a threaded outer surface that engages one of the threaded regions on the inner surface of the housing. The threads can be formed by placing a die having a thread on an outer surface thereof in contact with an inner surface of the unitary housing, and pressing on the outer surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventor: Lester Engelmann
  • Patent number: 6349736
    Abstract: Backflow prevention is provided in connection with a device having one or more shut-off valves integrated with a double-check-valve backflow prevention device and/or housing. Preferably, a single housing encompasses two backflow preventer check valves, and upstream and downstream shut-off valves. Typically, end users cannot readily remove the shut-off valves (and/or their housing) from the backflow preventer check valves (and/or their housing). No flange or other connection between shut-off valves and backflow preventer check valves (and/or their housing) is required, reducing size, weight and labor requirements. The system can substantially reduce or eliminate potential for installation of double-check-valve backflow preventer devices without shut-off valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: CMB Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Dunmire
  • Patent number: 6318397
    Abstract: An improved floor drain for buildings, basements, exterior paved areas, and the like. The invention provides floor drain assemblies and floor drains providing improved drainage performance, particularly where drainage is an irregular occurrence, and having unprecedented simplicity and reliability. Floor drains according to the invention comprise side port drain valves adapted for disposition within floor drains, the drain valves generally comprising non-horizontal drain ports, one or more sealing surfaces disposed between the ports and a drain conduit, a stop adapted for sealing engagement of the sealing surface, and means to urge the stop into sealing engagement of the sealing surface. Floating, spring-loaded, or flexible elastic valves stops, among others, may be used; any of them may be tailored for opening under a selected hydrostatic pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Donald G. Huber, Allen I. Stakset
  • Patent number: 6270055
    Abstract: In a hose coupling with a coupling sleeve and a coupling nipple and a valve insert (9) provided therein, the valve spring, the holding element and the valve seat of the valve insert are designed as a one-piece component, and the valve spring (11) has a cavity (21) which is closeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Merck Patent Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Andreas Szeteli, Werner Büttner, Martin Benzinger
  • Patent number: 6192912
    Abstract: A low profile pneumatically actuated valve assembly including a pneumatic actuator, a bonnet, and an elongated hollow member disposed within the valve actuator, the member having a threaded portion extending from within the actuator, the threaded portion of the member threadedly engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the bonnet, thereby fastening the actuator to the bonnet. The pneumatically actuated valve assembly further includes a tab and slot arrangement defined by the actuator and the bonnet which permits the actuator and the bonnet to be rotatively positioned relative to each other in at least 90 degree increments to selectively position the air inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Butler, Wayne R. Houck, Edwin R. Tipton, John R. Lehman, Bruce Rowits