Common Lock And Valve Actuator Patents (Class 137/384.2)
  • Patent number: 9816637
    Abstract: A testing cap for a valve body includes a base configured to releasably attach to the valve body and to cover an opening in the valve body. The opening is configured to receive a valve cartridge and the base covers the opening in place of the valve cartridge. The testing cap includes a structure extending from the base. The structure is configured to be oriented relative to the valve body in a first orientation and a second orientation. The structure allows fluid to enter the valve body through an inlet port in the valve body and exit the valve body through an outlet port in the valve body when the structure is oriented in the first orientation. The structure covers at least one of the inlet port and the outlet port when the structure is oriented in the second orientation, thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 8985552
    Abstract: A lock open device for use with a valve in a hydraulic fracturing system, which maintains the valve in an open position. The lock open device includes a plate with beveled edges and spring loaded ball bearings strategically disposed to contact the edges and interfere with axial movement of the plate. The plate couples to a gate member in the valve, so that the interference between the plate and the ball bearings maintains the valve in a designated open or closed position. The angle of the bevel regulates how much force is required to urge the plate past the ball bearings to thereby open/close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesha Udipi, Raymond Krolczyk, Mark Viator
  • Patent number: 8585010
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve used to control fluid flow. The valve includes a handle, which is placed above a body and is connected directly or indirectly to a top portion of a stem; a cap, into which the stem is inserted, and which surrounds a top portion of the body, the cap having a plurality of locking holes formed in the circumference of a top portion thereof in a circular arrangement. The handle has a vertical hole corresponding to the locking holes and a key hole extending coaxially with or perpendicularly to the vertical hole, and is connected to the top portion of the stem to contact the top portion of the cap. Locking means is provided in the vertical hole and the locking holes to lock the handle and the cap to each other. The locked position is released using a master key, which is inserted through the key hole, thereby allowing the handle to be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BMT Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Chan Yoon
  • Publication number: 20130233391
    Abstract: A method of providing access to an oil battery having a valve with a valve handle for permitting oil to flow through a pipe for conveyance to a secondary storage vessel. The method includes the following steps: providing a lock inhibiting the movement of said valve handle; providing a identifier identifying which valve is desired access; providing an operator identification identifying an entity seeking access to said valve; determining if said entity seeking access to said valve is authorized to have access; and unlocking said lock enabling said valve to be opened if it is determined that said entity seeking access to said valve is authorized to have access.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mike McMillan, Roger Simmons, John Evans
  • Patent number: 8470137
    Abstract: An assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8470136
    Abstract: An assembly for removing contaminants from objects and recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a parts washer assembly including a container for a contaminated solvent solution and a recycling assembly that includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8020579
    Abstract: This invention provides a fire hydrant security system having an inner cap with an outlet port on a fire hydrant in a fixed position which includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap wherein the member's position can be retracted and retained in the inner cap, wherein said outer cap can be attached to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and a key wrench that's fits over the outer cap for aligning the outer cap and the key wrench in a fixed position so that a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench can be aligned with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Jack Ruhs
  • Publication number: 20090301571
    Abstract: This invention provides a fire hydrant security system with an inner cap having means for attaching an outlet port of a fire hydrant in a fixed position which includes a member capable of extending from the periphery of the inner cap into a slot in the inner part of an outer cap and having means for retracting and retaining the position of the member in the inner cap, wherein said outer cap includes means for attaching the outer cap to the inner cap so that the outer cap can spin freely with respect to the inner cap, and a key wrench having means for fitting the key wrench over the outer cap and for aligning the outer cap and key wrench in a fixed position wherein the key wrench has a magnet located on the wall of the key wrench that becomes aligned with a slot on inner wall of the outer cap and wherein the rotation of the key wrench causes the magnet to align with the member and to extend the member into the slot on the inside of the outer cap thereby joining the outer cap to the inner cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jack Ruhs
  • Publication number: 20090184179
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprinkler fixing-switch, wherein the main body is installed with a pressure switch and said main body is connected with a control handle. The control handle connected to the main body presses on the pressure switch, and the main body is pivoted with a clicked-in fixing part. When said control handle connecting to the main body presses on the pressure switch, the clicked-in fixing part installed on the main body is clicked onto the control handle, rendering the control handle pressed on the pressure switch installed on the main body in order to achieve the effect of ease in control and operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: YenKun HSUEH
  • Publication number: 20090001309
    Abstract: The invention application relates to a valve for pipelines of fire fighting systems, with a supply line (32) for extinguishing fluid loaded by excess pressure, with a drain line (34) for the extinguishing fluid, with locking means (36, 46) arranged between the supply line (32) and the drain line (34), and with an actuating means (38) operating the locking means (36, 46) for setting the locking means (36, 46) in an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the rest state, the locking means (36, 46) are in the closed position and wherein, in the case of a fire, the actuating means (38) adjust the locking means (36, 46) from the closed position into the open position in such a way that extinguishing fluid flows from the supply line (32) into the drain line (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: FOGTEC BRANDSCHUTZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Sprakel, Rudiger Kopp
  • Publication number: 20080217570
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing disposed in conjunction with a pressurized vessel and sprung valve assembly and a stem to be inserted into the housing in two stages. The stem is retained in the housing in the first stage and the stem activates the valve to release the pressurized fluid in the second stage. The connector employs a two-stage retaining mechanism that includes a clip retained in a groove defined in an interior wall of the housing, a lower groove and an upper groove formed into an exterior of the stem. The clip is disposed in the lower groove and the housing groove in the first stage; and in the upper groove and the housing groove in the second stage. The stem defines a stem stop that contacts an assembly setting mechanism upon completion of the first stage. The assembly setting mechanism is removed to allow the second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. King, Jonathan Clark Swift, Geoffrey Richard Keast
  • Publication number: 20070289637
    Abstract: A system for restricting access to wellhead handwheel-actuated valves is provided. Two or more handwheels at a wellhead may be secured by engaging each handwheel with an engagement member and locking the engagement members together such that the handwheels may not be rotated. Each handwheel may be engaged in a manner that will also prevent unauthorized removal of each handwheel. The system provides versatility in that handwheels may be secured over a distance by use of a distance adjustment member, which is independently locked to each engagement member. A method for locking handwheel-actuated valves and related kit is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Earl Gordon
  • Publication number: 20020166985
    Abstract: A hand-operated valve with a locking mechanism is disclosed. This valve includes: a valve main body including a valve body, a valve seat, and a screw mechanism which is actuated to bring the valve body into contact/noncontact with the valve seat; a locking mechanism for preventing actuation of the screw mechanism during a time when the valve body is in contact with the valve seat to close the valve; an operating member connected to the valve main body, for actuating the screw mechanism for contact/noncontact operation of the valve body with respect to the valve seat to thereby close/open the valve; and a play providing mechanism interposed in a connection between the operating member and the valve main body, for preventing the actuation of the screw mechanism during a predetermined stage of operation of the operating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsunori Hirose, Takashi Yajima
  • Patent number: 6352086
    Abstract: A pressure relief device is placed in line with a water supply hose for a recreational vehicle to facilitate bleeding off back pressure when disconnecting the hose from a water hook-up. The device has a tubular nipple with a needle-valve assembly affixed onto it about midway between threaded fittings on the ends of the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph A. Harper