Plural Tanks Or Compartments With Parallel Flow Patents (Class 137/255)
  • Patent number: 11898701
    Abstract: A composite pressure vessel assembly includes a plurality of lobes, each of the lobes having at least one interior wall and at least one curved wall, the plurality of lobes being positioned in a side by side arrangement and extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. Also included is a plurality of end caps disposed at the ends of the lobes, wherein the plurality of lobes and end caps are formed of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. A method of manufacturing a composite pressure vessel assembly is provided. The method includes forming a plurality of lobes consisting of at least one fiber-reinforced polymer. The method also includes forming a main body with the plurality of lobes, the lobes disposed in a side by side arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: RTX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wenping Zhao, Ellen Y. Sun, John P. Wesson, Paul F. Croteau, Andrzej Ernest Kuczek
  • Patent number: 11878524
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a first pressure chamber group formed by pressure chambers arranged in a first direction; a second pressure chamber group formed by pressure chambers arranged in the first direction, and disposed side by side with the first pressure chamber group in a second direction; a first common channel extending in the first direction and communicating with the pressure chambers composing the first pressure chamber group; a second common channel extending in the first direction and communicating with the pressure chambers composing the second pressure chamber group; a first dummy pressure chamber disposed on one side in the first direction relative to the first pressure chamber group; and a second dummy pressure chamber disposed on the one side in the first direction relative to the second pressure chamber group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taisuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 11767922
    Abstract: A multi-way valve for controlling a refrigerant circuit of a refrigeration system with a heat pump function, having a housing which has two mutually opposite end faces which each comprise an insertion opening to which a regulating chamber is connected, having multi-way valve arrangements which can each be inserted in the regulating chamber, the multi-way valve arrangement comprising at least one base body and a rotary slide valve arrangement, with in each case one connection in the housing, which open into the respective regulating chamber, and with at least further connections in the housing, which open into at least one channel which extends between the regulating chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: OTTO EGELHOF GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Bohnenstengel, Christian Dorn, Andreas Ehmen, Hans Köstler, Rainer Maurer, Volker Von Rad, Kai Schauwecker
  • Patent number: 11549647
    Abstract: A flow control panel is configured to control a flow of fuel from a storage bank to a dispenser. The flow control panel includes input and output flow controllers, and input and output ports, each output port coupled to a respective dispenser port. Each output flow controller is coupled to a respective input port and a respective output port, and is configured to enable the flow of fuel from the input port and the output port. A processor is configured to control the input flow controllers and the output flow controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FirstElement Fuel, Inc.
    Inventors: Ghassan Sleiman, Andrew Youlio, Max Eman
  • Patent number: 11427076
    Abstract: A portable fuel tank that is configured to be operably secured to an apparatus having a combustible engine so as to provide fuel for the operation thereof. The portable fuel tank includes a body having walls, top and a bottom integrally formed to create an interior volume for receiving and storing fuel. The body has a one-way valve secured to the top thereof. A fuel cap is hermetically sealed to the body and includes a fuel pickup line operably coupled thereto. The fuel transfer line is fluidly coupled to the machine having the combustible engine and includes a one-way valve and a quick connect assembly. Locking tabs are provided to secure a first portable tank to a second portable tank. A mateable fastener is formed in the body of the tank and is configured to be releasably secured to a mateable fastener on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Matt Rocco, Micah Fuoco
  • Patent number: 11285802
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an all in one fuel tank assembly, and a process of manufacturing the same, for use in commercial vehicles, and more particularly, to an all in one fuel tank assembly that allows multiple components to be manufactured as a single integral structure, such as a single extruded device including a draw tube, a return tube, a fuel sender device, and a vent, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel Ray Enyeart
  • Patent number: 11207974
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an assembly for gas (e.g., compressed natural gas) storage. The assembly includes multiple gas storage tanks, with each tank coupled to a separate sub-assembly that includes a pressure gauge, shutoff valve, and pressure relief device (PRD), providing for independent pressure monitoring, shutoff, and pressure relief for each of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Nitesh Shroff, Stanley L. Maroney
  • Patent number: 11135698
    Abstract: Disclosed is a processing apparatus that includes a chamber accommodating a workpiece, a nozzle provided within the chamber, a measuring unit measuring the supply flow rate of the processing fluid supplied to the nozzle, an opening/closing unit performing opening/closing of the flow path of the processing fluid, and a controller. The controller sends an opening/closing operation signal that causes the opening/closing unit to perform an opening/closing operation according to recipe information that indicates processing contents. After sending the opening/closing operation signal to the opening/closing unit according to the recipe information, the controller starts the integration of the supply flow rate based on the measurement result of the measuring unit, monitors the rise of the supply flow rate based on the calculated integrated amount, and when supplying a specific flow rate, monitors the supply flow rate based on a value actually measured by the measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Keigo Satake, Kenji Nakamizo, Yuichi Douki
  • Patent number: 11123760
    Abstract: A ground sprayer includes a front portion and a rear portion. A marking fluid is stored in a fluid reservoir removably mounted in the front portion. A pump disposed in the front portion draws the marking fluid from the fluid reservoir through a manifold, and the pump drives the marking fluid out of a nozzle. An actuator is disposed in the rear portion and can activate the pump based on a command from the user. The rear portion includes a handle such that the user can fully support and operate the ground sprayer with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11111128
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of ports is capable of automated, remote detection of conditions indicating that refill is required in one of a plurality of remote tanks and causing refill of the tank via at least one of the plurality of ports. Further, the system includes automated monitoring and supply of a fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LDJ MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Loren Van Wyk, Daniel John Nibe, Jordan M. King, Aaron J. DeBruin
  • Patent number: 10473267
    Abstract: A method is provided for filling a fuel storage system of a motor vehicle with fuel at a relatively high pressure. The fuel storage system has a main tank, which can be filled by way of a main filling line until a limit pressure has been reached, and an auxiliary storage device. If the filling line is connected to a supply station, which provides fuel at a pressure exceeding the tank limit pressure, a tank shut-off valve provided in the filling line will be closed in time before the limit pressure is reached in the main tank and an auxiliary tanking valve is opened in an auxiliary storage device filling line branching off from the main filling line upstream of the tank shut-off valve and leading to the auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device is configured to receive fuel at a higher pressure than the above-mentioned tank limit pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Pelger, Klaus Szoucsek, Klaas Kunze
  • Patent number: 10415760
    Abstract: Controlling flow of gas in a gas pipeline network, wherein flow of gas within each of the pipeline segments is associated with a direction (positive or negative). Processors calculate minimum and maximum production rates (bounds) at the gas production plant to satisfy an energy consumption constraint over a period of time. The production rate bounds are used to calculate minimum and maximum signed flow rates (bounds) for each pipeline segment. A nonlinear pressure drop relationship is linearized to create a linear pressure drop model for each pipeline segment. A network flow solution is calculated, using the linear pressure drop model, comprising flow rates for each pipeline segment to satisfy demand constraints and pressures for each of a plurality of network nodes over the period of time to satisfy pressure constraints. The network flow solution is associated with control element setpoints used to control one or more control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua David Isom, Andrew Timothy Stamps, Catherine Catino Latshaw, Ali Esmaili, Camilo Mancilla
  • Patent number: 10402840
    Abstract: A dynamic pricing algorithm is used to price a large set of items so that their aggregate margin is above a pre-specified level even under uncertain demand. The algorithm automatically hedges the profit loss associated to low-margin items with profit gains associated to higher-margin items, and does so even when the realized demand is different than the expected one. The algorithm leverages the separability of a re-formulation of the robust counterpart of the nominal revenue maximization problem. This separability results into a nested bisection algorithm where each iteration in the procedure requires only computation of a number of independent, one-dimensional optimization problems, one for each product to price. The algorithm is easily implemented in a parallel architecture such a multi-core computer or a cluster of computers, where each core handles an independent one-dimensional problem corresponding to an item and its data is stored locally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: Arnau Tibau-Puig, Laurent El Ghaoui, Nipun Bhatia
  • Patent number: 10358980
    Abstract: Two systems of a first pump unit and a third pump unit that supply fuel of a fuselage fuel tank, and a second pump unit and a fourth pump unit that supply fuel of fuel tanks in both right and left wings are provided corresponding to a left-wing engine and a right-wing engine, respectively. A supply source of the fuel to be supplied to the left-wing engine or the right-wing engine is switched by switching of the pump unit to be turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Noriko Morioka, Hitoshi Oyori
  • Patent number: 10358119
    Abstract: A brake system comprises a first electrohydraulic open-loop and closed-loop control unit. The first electrohydraulic control unit comprises a master brake cylinder actuatable by a brake pedal; a first electrically controllable pressure-providing device; and an electrically controllable pressure-modulating device sets wheel-specific brake pressures for the wheel brakes. The electrically controllable pressure-modulating device has at least one electrically actuatable inlet valve for each wheel brake. A first pressure-medium reservoir for supplying the first electrohydraulic control unit with pressure medium is arranged on the first electrohydraulic control unit. The brake system also comprises a second electrohydraulic open-loop and closed-loop control unit, which comprises a second electrically controllable pressure-providing device for actuating at least some of the wheel brakes and electrically actuatable valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Marco Besier, Stefan Drumm, Paul Linhoff
  • Patent number: 10308376
    Abstract: A system for feeding a space vehicle with propellant, the system comprising: an on-board device (100) comprising: a frame (110) having a feed orifice (112) leading to an on-board tank (120); and a valve (130) adapted to act selectively to shut or open said feed orifice (112); a ground device (200) comprising: a feed duct (210); and a control body (240) surrounding a free end (212) of the feed duct (210) and provided with an actuator (250); the on-board device (100) and the ground device (200) being configured so as to be capable of being associated so that, in an open configuration, propellant can be transferred from the feed duct (210) to the on-board tank (120), the actuator (250) being configured so as to control the opening and shutting of the feed orifice (112) by the valve (130); the system being characterized in that said actuator (250) surrounds the outer periphery of the feed duct (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
    Inventors: Olivier Yhuellou, Georges Verdier, Olivier Adam
  • Patent number: 10244676
    Abstract: A self-propelled agricultural product application implement such as high clearance sprayer and/or spreader is provided that includes a product container that is sectioned. Emptying of the container sections is controlled to approximate a target front-to-back weight distribution of the implement for a substantially long period of time during a product application session. An outlet system having multiple variable outlet arrangements is arranged between the product container and an application arrangement such as a spray boom or a rotary broadcaster. The variable outlet arrangements are configured to allow the container sections to sequentially empty to maintain ballast provided by the store product at relatively later portions of the implement for a relatively longer period of time during the product application session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Martin L. Krohn, Kevin T. Bernier
  • Patent number: 10215338
    Abstract: A system for discharging hydrogen from two or more hydrogen storage vessels (1A, 1B, 1C) containing solid hydrogen storage material. The system includes at least one hydrogen supply line for connecting the hydrogen storage vessels to a hydrogen demand (3), and energy delivery system (6A, 6B, 6C) to provide heat to the hydrogen storage material in each hydrogen storage vessel to desorb hydrogen from the solid hydrogen storage material, and one or more supply connection conduits (4A, 4B, 4C) for connecting the supply line of lines to the hydrogen storage vessels (1A, 1B, 1C). Each supply connection conduit has a backflow prevention device (5A, 5B, 5C) to prevent hydrogen in the supply line from flowing back into the hydrogen storage vessels (1A, 1B, 1C). Also disclosed is a system for delivering a supply of hydrogen to a hydrogen supply line including a control system (7) to determine the timing of activation of an energy delivery system based (6A, 6B, 6C) on the hydrogen demand in the hydrogen supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: HYDREXIA PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Jordan Christopher Pierce, Matthew Campbell Greaves, Stephanie Maya Moroz, Andrew Charles Duguid, Alexander Warner Knight
  • Patent number: 10081993
    Abstract: An example mobile drilling fluid plant includes a plurality of intermodal containers each exhibiting a length, a width, and a height compliant with universal shipping container dimensions and configurations dictated by the International Organization for Standardization, wherein the plurality of intermodal containers include a plurality of fluid storage containers and one or more fluid mixing containers, one or more pumps in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid storage containers and the one or more fluid mixing containers, and one or more flexible hoses fluidly coupled to the one or more pumps and placing the plurality of fluid storage containers in fluid communication with the one or more fluid mixing containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Piper Shawn Walker, Lawrence LePere, Terry Wayne Brown, James Andrew Finkle, Ron Crawford, Ryllee Tettleton, Larry Wolfson
  • Patent number: 10077423
    Abstract: Described are medical products, methods, and cryogenic bags or other containers suitable for storing and/or transporting and/or processing cellular compositions and other related materials. In certain aspects, the contents of such cryogenic bags may be warmed, mixed, and applied to a patient. Medical products described herein find particular use in treating diseased and/or damaged tissue such as in wound repair and/or bone repair. Related methods of manufacture are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Muffin Incorporated
    Inventor: Neal E. Fearnot
  • Patent number: 10059195
    Abstract: A motor vehicle operating fluid container is made of thermoplastic. The container is composed of two shells forming a substantially closed hollow body. A first shell forms an upper base of the container, and a second shell forms a lower base of the container. The container includes at least one line which is designed as an integral part of a container wall over at least one sub-length, where the line is designed as a channel which runs in the container wall over said sub-length. The channel has an open trough-shaped profiled cross-section which forms a part of the line cross-section, and the channel is closed by at least one cover which complements the trough-shaped profiled cross-section so as to form a closed cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Schuller
  • Patent number: 9854756
    Abstract: A horizontal container gardening system for the regulated and automatic watering of plants grown within the system provides a large capacity water regulator having an internal water control device, supplying a controlled amount of water through connecting tubing to at least one growth container providing a constant water source to an elevated and covered plant growth medium suspended upon a platform above an elevated support structure, with at least one column of the plant growth medium extending into a bottom reservoir portion of the container, lifting water into the plant growth medium through passive wicking providing water to the roots of the plants growing within the elevated plant growth medium. The growth container may be attached to one another in series by additional tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Larry Pierce
  • Patent number: 9845916
    Abstract: Method for filling a tank with pressurized hydrogen via a filling station comprising at least one buffer container and a fluid circuit connected to said at least one buffer container, the circuit of the filling station comprising a first end connected to at least one source of hydrogen gas, the circuit comprising a second end fitted with a transfer pipe intended to be connected removably to the tank that is to be filled, the method involving a step of purifying the hydrogen supplied by the source in a purification member before transferring same to the at least one buffer container, the circuit of the filling station further comprising at least one compression member for compressing the pressurized gas in order to fill the at least one buffer container, the method being characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring heat energy between, on the one hand, the compressed gas of the outlet from the compression member and, on the other hand, the purification member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Laurent Allidieres
  • Patent number: 9828985
    Abstract: Method for controlling a compressed air unit which consists of several compressed air networks (2 and 3) having at least one commonly controllable component, characterized in that, on the basis of measurement data of at least one of the above-mentioned compressed air networks (2 and 3), at least the above-mentioned common component (11) is controlled by at least one controller (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Tine Maria Antoinette Lefebvre, Johan Georg Urban Pettersson
  • Patent number: 9821784
    Abstract: In a system including a reservoir tank RSV integral with a master cylinder M/C, an inlet fluid passage 16 for connecting an inlet portion 22 of a pump P to the reservoir tank RSV, a pressure reducing fluid passage 32 that connects the inlet fluid passage 16 to wheel cylinders W/C and a normally closed pressure reducing vale 30 that is connected to the pressure reducing fluid passage 32 and opened when it is intended to depressurize a brake fluid to in the wheel cylinders thereby to return the brake fluid to the reservoir tank through the inlet fluid passage 16, there is employed a normally closed reservoir shutting valve 31 that is connected to the pressure reducing valve 30 in series with respect to the wheel cylinders W/C and the reservoir tank RSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiya Oosawa
  • Patent number: 9725295
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for delivering fuel to a plurality of vehicles. The system comprises a fuel source, a pump operable to draw fuel from the fuel source and a distribution manifold having a plurality of outlets. The system further comprises a plurality of fuel lines extending from the distribution manifold and a plurality of valve assemblies, each located in a tank of one of the plurality of vehicles each of the valve assembly being operable to independently shut off flow of fuel therethrough when the tank is filled to a predetermined level. The method comprises pumping the fuel supply from the fuel source to the distribution manifold, connecting a plurality of fuel lines to the distribution manifold and a valve assembly in each of a plurality of trucks in connection with one of the fuel lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: 1119456 B.C. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen William McKay, Robert Michael Estok, Neil Joseph Ladd
  • Patent number: 9689248
    Abstract: A dual tank structure includes first and second tanks with a common secondary containment structure which are all integrally supported on a common base frame. The common base frame includes longitudinal skids so as to be suitable for transport using a conventional winch truck. A passageway with an integral valve therein permits selective communication between the tanks. The common containment structure has a containment volume which is greater than a storage volume of a largest one of the first tank and the second tank and which is less than a combined storage volume of both the first tank and the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: BDC CAPITAL INC.
    Inventor: Lester James Thiessen
  • Patent number: 9615570
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of freezing cells comprising the steps of incubating said cells in a solution comprising a cryoprotective agent, concentrating the cells resulting from the previous step withdrawing the eluent essentially free of cells, and freezing the resulting concentrated cells. The cells frozen by the invention's method render a high post-thawing viability, reduce cryoprotectant related toxic events and promote cells life in a suspension state after thawing. The invention also comprises the container comprising the frozen cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cellulis, S.L.
    Inventors: Roberto Hernan Izquierdo, Natalia Gallot Escobal, Antonio Cruz Pacheco
  • Patent number: 9587768
    Abstract: A transportable, recyclable natural gas pipeline is provided. The pipeline has a conduit storage rack. The storage rack has a base plate with a lower surface connected to a I-beam formed skid frame. The skid frame has rows of pipe support rack trestles. The trestles include tiers of upwardly angular lateral pipe support arms. The trestle defines a central pipe line corridor which extends the entirety of the rack. A bulkhead stacking frame is connected to the skid frame at each of the opposite ends and has a central void so that at least one line pipe section is secured to the corridor. A crossing ramp has a pair of generally I-shaped longitudinal rail members. The rail members are capable of being in stacked support, at opposite ends thereof, on the top of the bulk head stacking frame allowing for easy storage, transportation and assembly of a continuous pipeline with a crossing ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Deforest Lofgren, III
  • Patent number: 9499390
    Abstract: A system for the on demand delivery of a liquid mixture to an on/off dispenser comprises a mixing chamber having first and second inlets and an outlet connected to the dispenser. A first constant flow valve has a first outlet connected to the first inlet via a first supply line. The first constant flow valve is adapted to deliver a first liquid to the mixing chamber at a first substantially constant pressure. A second constant flow valve has a second outlet connected to the second inlet via a second supply line. The size of the second inlet is at least as large as the size of the second outlet. The second constant flow valve is adapted to deliver a second liquid to the mixing chamber at a second pressure greater than the first pressure, with the second pressure being determined primarily by the flow resistance of the second supply line. At least one of the first and second liquids, or a third liquid delivered to the mixing chamber via a third supply line, may be atomized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Newton, Michael E. Cheney, Peter J. Brooke, Scott Ross
  • Patent number: 9427757
    Abstract: A spray system including an airbrush; one or more removable containers that are closed initially, and that each contain a composition for spraying onto human keratinous materials; and a junction device that connects the container to the airbrush, the device including at least a composition-outlet first orifice enabling the composition to leave the container in order to be sprayed via the airbrush, and at least an air-inlet second orifice enabling air intake by the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Stefania Nuzzo, Gabin Vic, Eric Parris
  • Patent number: 9346610
    Abstract: A variable volume container comprises a sidewall, a base having a ribbed region, and a diaphragm. The ribbed region has a plurality of concentric ribs extending from the diaphragm, and flexure zones between each rib. The flexure zones allow for accordion-like movement of the diaphragm in response to the internal pressure of the container. The ribs are characterized has having a uniformly arced interior curved surface and a distorted arced exterior curved surface. The ribs are four to eight times the width of the flexure zones, and the flexure zones have an exterior surface shorter than its bottom surface. During vacuum sealing, these features allow the diaphragm to retract upward to reduce the volume of the container while maintaining shape and structural stability of the container. This is especially useful for food packaging operations where containers need to be able to withstand conditions such as high pressure, heat, and/or vacuums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: James Nelson
  • Patent number: 9180472
    Abstract: A sprayer can include a sprayer body, a reservoir coupled to the sprayer body, a cleaning fluid reservoir coupled to the sprayer body and a pump assembly arranged within the sprayer body and coupled to the reservoir and the cleaning fluid reservoir. The pump assembly can include a pump barrel that defines a central aperture, a piston arranged within the central aperture, a solenoid coupled to the piston and configured to reciprocate the piston within the central aperture during operation of the sprayer, and a manifold assembly coupled to the pump barrel and including a valve member movable between a first position and a second position. The valve member can fluidly couple the central aperture with the reservoir in the first position and fluidly couple the central aperture with the cleaning fluid reservoir in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Jamie S. Munn, Graeme Crawley, James D. Marshall, Stacey Black, Oleksiy P. Sergyeyenko, Robert J. B. Hobden, Corey D. MacTavish
  • Patent number: 9139182
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reservoir, in particular for hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems, having one or more pressure medium chambers, a filler neck for filling the reservoir with pressure medium and a pressure medium passage, which is connected to the filler neck and has an opening facing the pressure medium chamber. In order to provide a reservoir which reliably prevents the pressure medium from leaking when the vehicle is in extreme positions and which, at the same time, can be produced in a simple and inexpensive manner, the proposal according to the invention is that the pressure medium passage be provided as a lateral channel which extends in the longitudinal direction along the reservoir, starting from the filler neck, and be formed by walls of an upper part and of a lower part of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Peter Tandler, Werner Krebs, Stephan Schlicht, Hans-Jürgen Neumann, Christoph Schiel, Yoji Hiraga
  • Patent number: 9016982
    Abstract: A system for recirculating lock water includes a sealable storage area located near a lock for receiving water from the lock. The storage area is large enough to house the lock water with excess space between a maximum water level and the ceiling. The system also includes at least one compressor connected to the storage area to create a vacuum to withdraw the water from the lock into the storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Dan Peled
  • Patent number: 9016233
    Abstract: A reactor assembly having vertically adjustable flow cells is provided. The vertically adjustable flow cells include passageways for distributing a fluid to a reaction region isolated below a bottom surface of corresponding flow cells. The adjustable flow cells enable another dimension of variability for combinatorial processing. Thus, additional data may be gathered for effects on process parameter variations, material variations, process sequence variations, etc., for semiconductor processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Weiner, Aaron Francis, John Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8912298
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) includes: a first tank (4); a line mixer (6); a second tank (8); a cooling jacket (10); a first tube (12); a second tube (14); and a third tube (16). In the first tank (4), (i) sodium persulfate serving as a polymerization initiator and (ii) water are fed so as to obtained an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is continuously taken out and transferred via the first tube (12) to the line mixer (6). Between the first tank (4) and the line mixer (6), water is injected into the first tube (12). The water and the sodium persulfate aqueous solution are stirred together in the line mixer (6). This stirring decreases a concentration of the aqueous solution. The resulting aqueous solution is continuously fed to the second tank (8) via the second tube (14). The aqueous solution is then continuously taken out via the third tube (16) and is continuously added to an acrylic acid (salt) aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Matsumoto, Shuji Kanzaki
  • Publication number: 20140318636
    Abstract: A method for drain liquid collection and evacuation in a subsea compression system using a compressor, wherein an external drainage tank is arranged in direct flow communication with the compressor sump via a sump evacuation valve, the tank is set under compressor discharge pressure via a tank pressurizing line arranged to connect the tank to a compressor discharge flow upstream of a throttle valve, a tank evacuation line is arranged to connect the tank to the compressor discharge downstream of the throttle valve, drain liquid evacuation is accomplished through generation, by adjusting the throttle valve, of a flow restriction in the compressor discharge. The tank is set under compressor discharge pressure by opening of the pressure valve and the drain liquid flow is permitted into a reduced compressor discharge pressure downstream the throttle valve by opening an evacuation valve in the evacuation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Sandinavia AS
    Inventors: Rune STRAND, Francesco BONGINI
  • Publication number: 20140305515
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid replenishing device comprising a liquid storage tank, a chemical liquid supply pipeline, an ultrapure water supply pipeline, an ultrapure water quantitative supplement pipeline and a circulating pipeline. The chemical liquid supply pipeline supplies chemical liquids to the liquid storage tank. The ultrapure water supply pipeline supplies ultrapure water to the liquid storage tank. The ultrapure water quantitative supplement pipeline quantitatively replenishes ultrapure water to the liquid storage tank. One end of the circulating pipeline is connected with the outlet of the liquid storage tank, the other end of the circulating pipeline is connected with the inlet of the liquid storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Guochao Chu, Jinqun He, Yingying Wang, Likun Pei
  • Publication number: 20140294606
    Abstract: An Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser has been disclosed. In one implementation a pump is used to purge a hydrostatic sensing tube of liquid prior to measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Perry Anderson
  • Patent number: 8795604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel installation for providing a product in pasteurized form, said product comprising at least one liquid component and fibrous and/or solid components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 8763843
    Abstract: A water storage assembly is disclosed including a flexible bladder having a water storage cavity, a water inlet in fluid communication with said cavity, a water outlet in fluid communication with said cavity, and a rigid frame adapted to support said bladder wherein said bladder wherein said bladder is secured to said rigid frame and said bladder is adapted to expand and contract upon flow of said water into and out of said cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Graeme Alexander Marett, Andrew Waudby
  • Patent number: 8707937
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8557113
    Abstract: The cart comprises a lateral face by which it is adapted to be juxtaposed against another cart. It further comprises a first pump, a second pump disposed below said first pump and laterally offset relative thereto, and a tank adapted to receive a feed container provided to contain said biological liquid, said tank being disposed above said first pump and offset laterally relative thereto. The installation comprises one said cart, a filter and a second cart, juxtaposed against said first cart and of which the upper face supports said filter such that an outlet point of said first pump is situated substantially facing an inlet/outlet aperture of said filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: EMD Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Luc Beulay, Virginie Buisson, Sebastien Cirou, Cecile Delbos, Marc Hlavacek, Frans Mels, Rene Reinbigler, Jean Louis Weissenbach
  • Patent number: 8544494
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a fuel tank selection module, a fuel depletion determination module, and a fuel pressure balancing module. The fuel tank selection module closes (N?M) of N shutoff valves of N compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tanks, respectively, when an enable condition is met and the N shutoff valves have been open for a first predetermined period, wherein N is an integer greater than one and M is an integer less than N. The fuel depletion determination module determines whether the M CNG fuel tanks have provided a predetermined amount of fuel based a fuel parameter. The fuel pressure balancing module opens the N shutoff valves for the first predetermined period when the M CNG fuel tanks have provided the predetermined amount of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Grant Meade
  • Patent number: 8539972
    Abstract: A low consumption and intelligent safe gas-supply system using gas tanks comprises: at least two gas tanks and gas tank valves installed on them, charge valves with check valve, at least two gas-filled parallel unit pipes, high-pressure sensor, at least two gas-supply parallel unit pipes, gas-supply main conduit, reset pressure sensor, at least two solenoid valves with check valve, and electronic control module ECM. The invention has the characteristics such as the gas tanks supply gas in sequence, intelligent control, security and reliability for use, low consumption, high display precision for gas volume, decompression transfinite alarm and convenience for installing, use and maintenance etc., and it can be used in the vehicle hydrogen supply system in the fuel cell vehicles or the vehicle compressed natural gas-supply system in the natural gas vehicles, and also the high-pressure hydrogen or natural gas-supply system for gas tanks on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Beijing Bolken Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Huanen Xu
  • Patent number: 8539938
    Abstract: Fuel systems and methods for controlling fuel systems in a vehicle with multiple fuel tanks are provided. An exemplary vehicle fuel system includes a first fuel tank including a first pressure sensor, and a second fuel tank. The system may further include a fuel tank isolation valve positioned to selectively decouple the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank. The system may further include an electronic controller configured to identify which of the first fuel tank and second fuel tank includes a fuel system leak by selectively decoupling the first fuel tank and the second fuel tank via the fuel tank isolation valve, responsive to an identification of the fuel system leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane Elwart, James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 8506783
    Abstract: A three-dimensional nanochannel device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. In the device, a first substrate, a second substrate, and a channel layer sandwiched by the first and the second substrates are included. At least one channel is constituted by the first and the second substrates and the channel layer and includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and at least one condensed channel between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The condensed channel at least has a first size and a second size on an X-Y plane and has a third size and a fourth size on an X-Z plane. A difference between the first size and the second size is about at least two orders in scale, and a difference between the third size and the fourth size is about at least two orders in scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Liang-Ju Chien, Chi-Han Chiou
  • Publication number: 20130081708
    Abstract: An anti-vibration system for a fluid reservoir. The system includes a baffle disposed within the fluid reservoir. The baffle includes a mounting mechanism and one or more apertures. The mounting mechanism is adapted to mount the baffle within the reservoir. In addition, and a reservoir cover, enclosing the fluid reservoir, includes receiving fixtures to receive the mounting mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Wirth
  • Publication number: 20130025701
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flow path member includes inserting the first flow path member into each concave portion of the second flow path member and welding the first flow path member and the second flow path member in a circumferential direction of a region where the first flow path and the second flow path communicates each other; and providing two or more injecting portions which are provided with a gap wider than a gap between a wall surface of the concave portion which faces the first flow path member and a circumference surface of the first flow path member inserted into each concave portion which faces the wall surface, communicate with each concave portion, and are opened to the same side as the concave portion to have a concave shape to each concave portion in the second flow path member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeki SUZUKI, Hiroshige OWAKI, Hiroyuki KOBAYASHI, Hiroyuki ISHII