With Co-acting Valve In Liquid Flow Path Patents (Class 137/218)
  • Patent number: 11944712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air gap device for a medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, the device comprising a housing having a first end adapted to allow liquid to enter the device and a second end adapted to discharge liquid from the device, wherein the first end comprises means for connecting the device to a disinfecting unit. The device further comprises handling means for handling the device. The present invention relates to a liquid disinfecting cartridge comprising the air gap device and the liquid disinfecting unit. Further, the present invention relates to a liquid disinfecting unit and air gap device intended for use in the liquid disinfecting cartridge and relates to an assembly of the medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus and the liquid disinfecting cartridge. The invention also relates to a method for interchangeably coupling the liquid disinfecting cartridge with the medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Wassenburg Medical B.V.
    Inventors: Henny Hermanus Hendrik Knorth, Ronald Wassenburg
  • Patent number: 11873912
    Abstract: A vacuum breaker valve may include a valve body, a non-return member, a waterstop, and an abutting member. The valve body has a water inlet end and a water outlet end, and the valve body is connected to a pipe so as the water flows from the water inlet end to the water outlet end. The valve body has a shoulder portion and a stepped portion on the inner wall thereof, and the top surface of the shoulder portion comprises at least a first through hole downwardly penetrating the outer wall of the valve body. The shoulder portion is located below the stepped portion, and the stepped portion is formed in two steps shape, which has a vertical first abutting edge, a horizontal second abutting edge, and a vertical third abutting edge in sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Hsiang-Shih Wang
  • Patent number: 11560697
    Abstract: A backwater flow detection device for detecting backwater flow between a building and a sewer conduit using air pressure detection in air pockets in the sewer conduit. The backwater flood detection device detects backwater flow events including backflow events from a sewer line as well as wastewater blockage events that can result in wastewater backflow into a building. The water detection sensor allows the homeowner or building manager to be warned when there is an issue with backwater flow in or near the building, and also with the backwater valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Backwater Solutions Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Payk Pourzynal, James Henderson, Yih-Shyang Tsai
  • Patent number: 11505928
    Abstract: A faucet includes a faucet body and a spout attached to the faucet body and extending from the faucet body along an axis. The spout has an interior defining a fluid path. A cartridge seat is positioned within the faucet body and contacts a valve cartridge positioned offset from the axis. The valve cartridge is fluidically connected to the cartridge seat. A flexible tube fluidically connects between a fluid outlet of the cartridge seat and the spout, and is positioned entirely within a cavity formed by the faucet body and the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Evan Benstead
  • Patent number: 11428334
    Abstract: A backflow prevention device with reduced pressure zone to be installed in water systems is provided and comprises a body provided with inlet, outlet and exhaust openings, a check assembly with a stem, an elastic element, and a plate, a mobile diaphragm or membrane adapted to interrupt the fluid connection between the outlet opening and inlet opening and between said inlet opening and exhaust opening, wherein said stem of said check assembly is stabilized with respect to said body, and said plate is slidably disposed along the stem and is cooperatively placed with the mobile diaphragm or membrane in order to interrupt the fluid connection between said inlet opening and said outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GIACOMINI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Rosa Brusin, Matteo Fantoni, Michele Savoini, Mauro Bizzo
  • Patent number: 11142896
    Abstract: A turbulence reducer integrated in a vacuum breaker of a hydrant to reduce leakage during use of the hydrant by reducing turbulence acting on the vacuum breaker poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Prier Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott P. Brady, William C. Seitter, Joseph E. Poskin
  • Patent number: 11125353
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly with an inlet housing enclosing an outlet housing that includes an inlet. The outlet housing includes an outlet port and a channel or aperture coupled to an outlet and apertures coupled to atmosphere. A moveable or flexible member is positioned in the inlet housing coupled to the outlet housing, and can deform, flex and/or move based on a flow and/or pressure of fluid from the inlet. Based on the flow and/or pressure of fluid from the inlet, the moveable or flexible member can reversibly move from a first position to a second position and/or from a second position to a first position. The first position is characterized by the moveable or flexible member being coupled to, proximate to, sealed to the aperture, and the second position is characterized by the moveable or flexible member being moved away from the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.
    Inventors: Tuan Le, Joseph Han
  • Patent number: 11035106
    Abstract: A fully serviceable frost proof mixing hydrant for supplying water at various temperatures to the exterior of a building. The mixing hydrant includes hot and cold water inlets and a chamber in which the water is mixed based on the position of a cammed wheel acting on a pair of poppets. These poppets act as temperature regulators and check valves to prevent cross-flow leakage and/or contamination. The mixing hydrant includes an inside tube or flow sleeve for delivery of water to an outside body tube in communication with a spout on the head of the hydrant. The flow from the inside tube to the outside body tube reduces turbulence and provides a better outlet flow from the spout. Flow control and temperature control are independent allowing the user to set the flow as desired then adjust the temperature as desired without affecting the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Prier Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Seitter, Scott P. Brady, Joseph E. Poskin
  • Patent number: 11007314
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing backflow includes a body forming an accommodating portion which forms a transport passage of a fluid inward, wherein the accommodating portion comprises a double backflow prevention chamber to prevent backflow of the fluid, and a double backflow prevention member provided in the accommodating portion and stepwise implementing opening and closing of the double backflow prevention chamber, In particular, the accommodating portion includes an inflow chamber provided at an upper portion of the body and into which the fluid flows; a discharge chamber through which the fluid is discharged to a lower portion of the inflow chamber; and the double backflow prevention chambers respectively provided at the lower portion of the inflow chamber and the upper portion of the discharge chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: ENGAIN
    Inventors: Dong Chul Kim, Young Gook Koh
  • Patent number: 11009133
    Abstract: A vacuum release valve includes: a tube body and an elastic valve. The tube body is provided with at least one venting opening, and the tube body has a stopping portion at one end of the venting opening and a flange at the other end. The elastic valve is provided with a ring, and the ring has a tubular portion. The tubular portion is retracted to form two inclined surfaces and a linear gap. The elastic valve is installed in the tube body, and the ring and the tubular portion respectively press against the stopping portion and the flange of the tube body. When the tubular portion is elastically deformed due to the vacuum suction, the venting opening communicates with the output end, and then the external air is introduced. The inclined surface can withstand reverse water pressure and close the linear gap and the venting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: CHANG PENG METAL INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Feng Huang, Yu-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 10926008
    Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff, James Jackson, Elisabeth Jacques Leeflang, Aaron Olafur Laurence Philippsen
  • Patent number: 10850012
    Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff, James Jackson, Elisabeth Jacques Leeflang, Aaron Olafur Laurence Philippsen
  • Patent number: 10835648
    Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff, James Jackson, Elisabeth Jacques Leeflang, Aaron Olafur Laurence Philippsen
  • Patent number: 10821212
    Abstract: A surgical suction device that uses positive pressure gas is shown and described. The surgical suction device includes an air amplifier. The air amplifier includes a structure defining a generally cylindrical cavity having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end. The cylindrical cavity is defined by an inner wall of the cavity. The air amplifier includes an annular opening in the inner wall near the first end. The annular opening defines a jet opening adapted to allow a pressurized gas to flow out of the annular opening such that a low pressure region is produced at the first end and an amplified flow is produced at the second end. The annular opening is further configured such that the pressurized gas enters the cavity at an angle with respect to the inner wall of the cavity that is towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CONMED CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Mark Minskoff, James Jackson
  • Patent number: 10792460
    Abstract: A valve with an internal member is disclosed which allows exhaled carbon dioxide to escape from a breathing circuit when the circuit gas pressure drops below a threshold pressure. The valve operates by occluding one or more ports under a relatively high pressure and opening the one or more ports under a relatively low pressure. The internal member is attached to the body of the valve at two or more locations on the internal member. The internal member moves in a direction perpendicular to the gas flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
    Inventors: Mark John Arrowsmith, Andrew John Partington, Sophia Adele Johnson
  • Patent number: 10670158
    Abstract: A directional valve (10) includes a valve housing (12), a plurality of valve flaps (16-18), which can be moved by a gas stream or by a flowing medium and are arranged at the edge, and a number of support surfaces (20-22) as a valve seat. A number of support surfaces (20-22) corresponds to a number of valve flaps (16-18). Each valve flap (16-18) is adapted to a surface of a respective support surface (20-22). The support surfaces (20-22) are sloped in relation to a cross-sectional surface through the valve housing (12). The support surfaces (20-22) together form a tip pointing in the flow direction of the directional valve (10). A method for manufacturing such a directional valve (10) is provided including method features relating to the use of such a directional valve (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Christian Wilhelm, Stefan Effmann
  • Patent number: 10631478
    Abstract: An automated fluid maintenance system comprising a sensor system and a pump configured to deliver fluid from a refillable reservoir to a container holding a Christmas tree, such as a Christmas tree stand. Embodiments of the system include tree attachment hardware capable of controlling the flow, delivery and direction of the fluid being pumped from the of the fluid system's reservoir to a fluid-holding container of the Christmas tree stand and further capable of securing the point of fluid delivery to the tree stand and/or the tree itself. The tree attachment device universally attaches to any available tree stand, even the most complex stand mechanisms, sizes and shapes that obstruct the path to the Christmas tree being maintained by the automated fluid delivery system of the present application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CHRISTMAS TREE BUTLER, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Moran, David Mathieu, Jim Sener, Scott Smith, Jesse Kruska
  • Patent number: 10538873
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance comprising a treating chamber for receiving fabric for treatment and a treating chemistry dispenser, the treating chemistry dispenser comprising at least one cup with a bottom wall, a siphon tube with a cover, at least one water inlet, and a liquid distribution header coupled with the at least one water inlet for distributing water to the at least one cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvan J. Amos, Eric G. Griswold, Ryan K. Strain
  • Patent number: 10465328
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus includes a tub configured to receive washing water, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub, a water supply unit configured to supply washing water to the tub, and a water discharge unit configured to discharge washing water from the tub. The water supply unit is in fluidic communication with the water discharge unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Kijung Sung
  • Patent number: 10451378
    Abstract: Provided herein are fluid jet enhancement adapters for use with a propellant driven disrupter. The adapter may comprise: a first end operably connected to a muzzle end of a propellant driven disrupter barrel and a second end, wherein a longitudinal region extends between the first end and the second end. The longitudinal region has: a longitudinal region inner surface that defines a longitudinal region lumen; a longitudinal region outer surface opposably facing the longitudinal region inner surface, with a longitudinal region wall having a wall thickness that separates the longitudinal region inner surface from the longitudinal region outer surface. The longitudinal region lumen has a first end inner diameter that is substantially equivalent to a muzzle inner diameter. The longitudinal region wall forms a continuous surface that radially isolates the longitudinal region lumen from a surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
    Inventors: Ian B. Vabnick, Thomas A. Sharkey, Joseph Santiso
  • Patent number: 10436358
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for a toilet tank is described. The fill valve assembly includes a two part design. The fill valve assembly includes a fill valve that connects or engages with a shank. A connection between the fill valve and the shank is located in an interior of the tank, which is easily accessed. The fill valve may be easily replaced by disconnecting the fill valve from the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Dominic P. Ismert
  • Patent number: 10435999
    Abstract: A fluid release valve includes valve housing (VH) coupled between a pump and an outlet pipe, VH chamber providing fluid from its inlet and outlet when the pump starts, and fluid release orifice (FRO) draining outlet pipe fluid flowing back into the VH when the pump stops; and check valve (CV) combination having a CV shuttle that moves towards/away from the inlet/outlet and an internal shuttle chamber (ISC), and having a CV that moves towards/away from the inlet/outlet within the ISC. The CV combination responds to a pumped fluid pressure when the pump's pumping and stops the fluid from flowing from the inlet around the CV shuttle and out the FRO. The CV combination responds to a fluid differential pressure (FDP) when the pump stops and allows the outlet pipe fluid to drain out the FRO until the FDP reaches an equilibrium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Flow Control LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Kenney, Robert W. King
  • Patent number: 10428499
    Abstract: A backflow preventer for water distribution installations includes a body having an inlet conduit arranged along an inlet axis, an outlet conduit arranged along an outlet axis, and a discharge conduit arranged along a discharge axis of the body. The backflow preventer is provided with check valves that prevent a backflow of fluid from the outlet to the inlet in the event of low pressure upstream of the backflow preventer and/or high pressure downstream of the backflow preventer. The backflow preventer further includes a discharge valve arranged along the discharge axis of the body of the backflow preventer for discharging fluid in the low and/or high pressure conditions. A discharge pipe is connected to the discharge valve to discharge the fluid outside the backflow preventer along an end discharging axis of the fluid outside the backflow preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Caleffi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Caleffi
  • Patent number: 10323394
    Abstract: A backflow preventer that includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet adapted to be mounted in a liquid flow configuration in a liquid supply circuit. An upstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream of the inlet, and includes an upstream check plate supporting a downstream diaphragm. An upstream check disc is positioned downstream of the diaphragm and integrally formed with an upstream stem mounted in an aperture in a central hub formed in the check plate for movement between an normally open, flow position and a closed position preventing backflow of liquid through the inlet. A downstream check disc assembly is positioned in the housing downstream from the upstream check disc assembly. A vent discharges liquid to atmosphere upstream of the downstream check disc assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Cellemme, Bertito Tubo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10010999
    Abstract: Control valves for waterjet systems, control-valve actuators, waterjet systems, methods for operating waterjet systems, and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. A control valve configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first seat having a tapered inner surface, a second seat having a contact surface, and an elongated pin having a shaft portion and an end portion. The pin is movable relative to the first and second seats between a shutoff position and one or more throttling positions. When the pin is at the shutoff position, the end portion of the pin is in contact with the contact surface. When the pin is at the throttling position, the end portion of the pin is spaced apart from the contact surface and the tapered inner surface and the shaft portion of the pin at least partially define a throttling gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: OMAX Corporation
    Inventors: Chidambaram Raghavan, John H. Olsen, Douglas Kelley, Olivier L. Tremoulet, Jr., Rick Marks, Andre Kashierski
  • Patent number: 10006190
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pullout faucet with a mounting system that is easier to manufacture and assemble. The pullout faucet includes a cage and a mounting retainer. The mounting retainer is separately formed from the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Joseph Johnson
  • Patent number: 9995024
    Abstract: A mixer tap comprises a hollow tap body (10) made of a plastic material, a mixing cartridge (30) housed in a cartridge seat (32) made in the tap body, a cartridge support base plate (60), housed in a base plate seat (62) made in the tap body under the seat cartridge, a control cartridge seat (40) operationally connected to the mixing cartridge (30), and a water outlet tube (80) which extends from a side opening (24) of the tap body (10). The tap further comprises a shell casing (90) comprising a body portion (92) which covers the tap body (10) and a tube portion (94) which covers the water outlet tube (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NIKLES TEC ITALIA S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gerhard Nikles, Alberto Morbio
  • Patent number: 9987160
    Abstract: A stomal insert for conducting waste content from an intestinal portion in an abdominal cavity through a stoma in an abdominal wall comprising; a cover for covering the stoma; a fixation element for anchoring the stomal insert to a visceral side of the abdominal wall; and a pliable, axially elastic tube interconnecting said cover and said fixation element and sized to apply a tensile force to said cover and to said fixation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical SAS
    Inventors: David Hanuka, Meir Or
  • Patent number: 9920844
    Abstract: A gas delivery system for a substrate processing system includes first and second valves, a first gas channel, and a cylinder. The first valve includes a first inlet and a first outlet. The first outlet is in fluid communication with a processing chamber of the substrate processing system. The second valve includes a second inlet and a second outlet. The cylinder defines a second gas channel having a first end and a second end. The cylinder is at least partially disposed within the first gas channel such that the cylinder and the first gas channel collectively define a flow channel. The flow channel is in fluid communication with the first end of the second gas channel and with the first inlet. A third gas channel is in fluid communication with the second end of the second gas channel and with the second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karl Leeser, Saangrut Sangplung, Shankar Swaminathan, Frank Pasquale, Chloe Baldasseroni, Ted Minshall, Adrien LaVoie
  • Patent number: 9894853
    Abstract: An anti-siphon system for use with an irrigation system, such as lawn sprinkling system is disclosed. The system includes a backflow prevention valve with a bonnet- and poppet valve system with a conical spring that biases a lower poppet valve head, and engages the valve body. The use of the conical spring simplifies the mechanism, while providing reliable backflow prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventor: Bryan L. Towsley
  • Patent number: 9714714
    Abstract: An outlet valve assembly for a fluid dispenser of a type having a pump fluidically coupled to a fluid reservoir includes an outlet nipple having a proximal end configured to be fluidically coupled to the pump and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The outlet nipple defines a conduit extending in a flow direction and has an annular protrusion extending radially inwardly intermediate the proximal end and the distal end. An outlet nozzle is coaxially received within the distal end of the outlet nipple. A resiliently deformable valve member is received within the conduit. The valve member includes a valve head portion having one or more slits defining an orifice and a peripheral valve portion outward of the valve head portion. The peripheral valve portion is retained between the annular protrusion of the outlet nipple and an end edge surface of the outlet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventor: Warren S. Daansen
  • Patent number: 9702424
    Abstract: Hydraulic bump stops and bi-directional diverter valves may be used to protect hydraulic systems, including, for example in one embodiment, the hydraulic actuators of an active suspension system, from damage due to operation outside the normal operating range of the system. In some embodiments, a hydraulic bump stop may be used to slow down the motion of a piston at the extremes of the compression and/or extension strokes of an actuator. In another embodiment, a diverter valve may be used to protect a hydraulic motor/pump in a hydraulic system from an over-speed condition. When the piston in an active suspension system actuator moves at a speed in excess of a threshold value, one or more diverter valves may be used to divert flow away from the hydraulic motor/pump. In some embodiments, a diverter valve may be a dual or single spool bi-directional diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ClearMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Anthony Zuckerman, Clive Tucker, Colin Patrick O'Shea, Jack A. Ekchian
  • Patent number: 9638340
    Abstract: A multiway control valve is provided having a housing that has an inlet connection and an outlet connection for a liquid and/or gaseous medium, a rotatably mounted ceramic valve disc, which is arranged with a first through-flow opening and rotatably mounted in the housing to fluidically connect and disconnect from each other the connections depending on its rotational position. The valve disc rests flatly on a ceramic sealing disc, arranged in a torque-proof manner and having two second through-flow openings, and a sealing element, which is arranged between the sealing disc and an intermediate floor of the housing and is elastically deformable. The sealing element has a disc shape and has third through-flow openings that are aligned with the second through-flow openings. The intermediate floor has at least one retaining projection that engages in one of the three through-flow openings for positively locking anti-twist protection of the sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: MACK & SCHNEIDER GMBH
    Inventor: Steffen Bachofer
  • Patent number: 9587752
    Abstract: An insertable backflow preventer is presented. The backflow preventer is provided with a cylindrical housing. The housing has a flow transition zone, a proximal orifice/ball seat, a ball with a specific weight that equals or is close to the specific weight of the surrounding fluid, and a distal retaining screen. The housing can have a flange provided on the outside of the housing at one end to facilitate securing the valve in a pipe. The valve is self-cleaning, can be placed in any orientation in a pipe and has low hydraulic head-loss. The valve's unique cost-effective design provides for easy and relative quick installation, eliminates the need to reconfigure existing plumbing, and can be performance tested remotely. Properly installed, it can dramatically improve the security of, for example, potable water sources in a building or other context, and inasmuch as when installed it is not visible, it is tamper proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Albert Montague
  • Patent number: 9580891
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 9556597
    Abstract: Disclosed is a swivel faucet, such as one having a pull-out sprayer. In one aspect the inlet and outlet lines are formed in an integral structure with a transverse plate that faces a mixing valve. In another aspect the control handle for the faucet is provided with a concentric visible bore and hidden set screw bore combined with a bushing having a cutout to facilitate their use. In still another aspect there is provided a bearing that mounts to a pivotable sprayer and provides distinct swivel positions through the use of a detent connection to a land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: William R. Bares, Perry D. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9540797
    Abstract: An anti-freeze faucet structure contains: a first pipe, a second pipe, a first control valve, a spring, a check valve, and a second control valve. The first pipe includes an orifice, an outlet, an inlet, a stop rim, and an inner screwing section. The second pipe is disposed in the first pipe and includes an aperture and a rotatable knob. The first control valve is joined with the second pipe and includes a through hole, an outer screwing section, a water passage, and a water channel. The spring is mounted in the through hole and is stopped by a limiting rib. The check valve is secured in the through hole and includes a stopping plug and a water stop portion. The second control valve is connected with the water channel to position the spring and the check valve and includes an inlet channel and a close ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Cheng-Hsuan Wu
  • Patent number: 9533180
    Abstract: Provided is an enclosure with an integrated hydrant. The enclosure includes a fluid flow conduit that transfers fluid from a fluid supply tube to a fluid outlet, which may be associated with the backflow preventer. The enclosure has a conduit that carries water from the fluid supply tube to the backflow preventer. Thus, a lower profile, lighter, and more aesthetically pleasing enclosure is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: WCM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Ball, Eric Pilarczyk
  • Patent number: 9504214
    Abstract: An anti-siphon system for use with an irrigation system, such as lawn sprinkling system is disclosed. The system includes a backflow prevention valve with a bonnet- and poppet valve system with a conical spring that biases a lower poppet valve head, and engages the valve body. The use of the conical spring simplifies the mechanism, while providing reliable backflow prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: Bryan L. Towsley
  • Patent number: 9422699
    Abstract: A toilet inlet valve and control method thereof, the inlet valve comprises a valve body, an inlet pipe, a water stop device with a water stop rubber gasket, a float bowl device, a raising rod device and an outlet pipe, wherein, the water stop device also comprises a water stop seat, a tray, a needle valve and a back pressure cavity; the water stop seat is located at the front end of the outlet pipe, and of which the opening is coupling with the end face of the water stop rubber gasket; the tray is connected to the water stop rubber gasket, and is located at the side of the water stop seat that is opposite to the water stop rubber gasket; the needle valve is fixed to the tray, and is located at the side of the water stop rubber gasket that is opposite to the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: WDI (XIAMEN) TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Feiyu Li, Dongsheng Yao, Yuzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 9403125
    Abstract: A valve is provided having an air gap to protect against backflow in a fluid system. The valve can also be used to control fluid flow while providing such backflow protection. The valve can be used with e.g., a reverse osmosis water filtration system and/or other systems. By incorporating both backflow protection and flow control into the same device, efficiencies in space, complexity, and/or installation time are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Shaffer
  • Patent number: 9376308
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible membrane separation valve, comprising a housing (120), the lateral surfaces of which are provided with slits (121), within which housing (120) a flexible membrane (122) with cylindrical symmetry is housed, within which an insert (130) having a body (131) with cylindrical symmetry is in turn housed, the insert (130) comprising a proximal end (132) having a proximal apex (133) spaced along the longitudinal axis of the insert (130) from a base (134) with cylindrical symmetry, through which the proximal end (132) joins to the body (131), the proximal apex (133) being joined to the base (134) through a continuous surface, the valve being characterized in that the proximal end (132) has an axial section such that tangent lines to the proximal apex (133) form an angle containing the longitudinal axis of the insert that is lower than or equal to 90°. The invention further relates to an apparatus for mixing a liquid comprising such a flexible membrane separation valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SEKO S.P.A.
    Inventors: Gabriele Petrangeli, Stefano Livoti
  • Patent number: 9267705
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a water heater includes providing a water heater tank having an interior and an exterior and a tank aperture communicating between the interior and exterior. A spud that defines a spud aperture extending from a first end to a second end is provided. The spud aperture is internally threaded and has a counterbore adjacent the second end. A membrane having a membrane body and a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the membrane body is provided. The membrane is seated within the counterbore such that the tabs deform and engage a surface of the counterbore to hold the membrane in the counterbore. Thereafter, the second end of the spud is welded to the tank, such that the membrane is captured between the spud and the tank and communication between the tank aperture and the internally threaded portion of the spud aperture is obstructed by the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: A. O. SMITH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Arthur Eugene Walker
  • Patent number: 9222586
    Abstract: A valve for switching waterways and adjusting flow has a fixed seat, a control piece and an operation mechanism. The fixed seat is provided with a fixed face, an inlet waterway and two outlet waterways, the inlet port of the inlet waterway and the outlet ports of the outlet waterway are arranged on the fixed face. The control piece is provided with a control face that is relied on the fixed face hermetically and a communicating groove that is concavely arranged on the control face. The operation mechanism is connected with the fixed seat and the control piece, and can drive the control piece to move, and then the control face can be driven to rotate and slide relative to the fixed face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Haisong Peng, Meimei Xu, Weiming Lin
  • Patent number: 9091378
    Abstract: A tube coupling device includes a coupling member having a lower casing and an upper housing and a peripheral flange extended between the casing and the housing, a water guide plate is engaged into the housing and has one or more off-center passages, a partition member is engaged in the housing and includes a pathway for the water to flow from the water guide plate and into the casing, and the partition member includes an inclined inner peripheral surface formed around an upper recess for defining an inner peripheral projection and for engaging with the water guide plate and for anchoring and retaining the water guide plate in the housing, a receptacle is engaged in the casing for preventing the materials in the coupling member from being released into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Chin Tang Chuang
  • Patent number: 9004321
    Abstract: A reusable pour-on gun system is disclosed that is comprised of a pour-on gun component that does not need an inlet valve, a cap assembly including a one-way valve system, the cap assembly adapted to be coupled to a liquid reservoir container, and a hose component coupled on one end to the pour-on gun component and on the other end to the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Neogen Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Quinn, Mitchell D. Rivenbark, James B. Holland
  • Patent number: 8997789
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing backflow and contamination, and detecting by-pass leaks in a flow control arrangement is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vent line connecting a sweep gas source and a vent. Constant process-inert gas flows from the source through the vent line into the vent. The vent line is connected with the flow control arrangement. Any leakage in the flow control arrangement is channeled to the vent line and swept into the vent along with the sweep gas. As a result, pressure in the flow control arrangement cannot build up and leakage backflow is prevented. A flow switch may be disposed on the vent line for detecting leakage. The sweep gas flow rate is controlled at a constant level that is inadequate to actuate the flow switch and keeps the flow switch ready to actuate by any superimposed leakage. The flow switch detects a leakage when it actuates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Malema Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Peter M. Pozniak
  • Patent number: 8973599
    Abstract: An embodiment wall hydrant includes a reservoir, conduits containing an operating rod assembly and a service rod assembly, and a fluid outlet with a hose connector. The service rod assembly allows water supply to the hydrant to be shut-off from the front of the hydrant which allows servicing of the hydrant without requiring water shut-off to all or a portion of the water supply to the building. Embodiments include a vacuum relief dual check valve assembly at the fluid outlet which prevents backflow of water into the hydrant. Embodiments include a box which protects the hydrant controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: William Anthony Stanaland
  • Patent number: 8826934
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing backflow of a fill valve in a water toilet. The apparatus includes a fill valve for permitting and stopping supply of washing water from a hydrant into a water tank, a fixing section fixing the fill valve to an overflow pipe, a float having a packing for opening or closing an opening/closing hole of the fill valve depending on a level of water contained in the water tank, and a backflow-preventing section disposed inside the fill valve. The backflow-preventing section permits washing water to be supplied from the hydrant into the water tank, and prevents washing water from flowing back toward the hydrant. The backflow-preventing section includes a backflow-preventing member mounted to a supply pipe of the fill valve, and an operation control valve seated on a fitting protrusion of the fill valve to control an operation of the backflow-preventing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Watos Corea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Gwang Song
  • Publication number: 20140166115
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water hammer recognizing and energy saving water hammer prevention system and a method for controlling the same that is configured wherein in case of the selective on/off operations of a plurality of pumps in a pipe system in accordance with the change of the use environment, the pressure variation and level variation of an air chamber caused by water hammer are compared with reference values and set values, and they are divided into a normal mode and a safe mode, thereby controlling the air intake and exhaust of the air chamber and preventing energy consumption from unnecessarily occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Chulsu Yang