Liquid Level Responsive Or Maintaining Systems Patents (Class 137/386)
  • Patent number: 11529638
    Abstract: A shower head water collecting device includes a water collecting hanging component, a temperature sensing element, an assembling component, a solar panel, and a temperature displaying element. The water collecting hanging component is provided for a shower head to be hung thereon and collects the water spraying from the shower head. The temperature sensing element is disposed inside the water collecting hanging component to sense the temperature of water spraying from the shower head. The assembling component is mounted on top of the water collecting hanging component. The solar panel and the temperature displaying element are disposed in the assembling component. The solar panel is electrically connected to the temperature sensing element and the temperature displaying element, wherein the solar panel harvests the light energy from the outside and converts it into electrical energy to supply power to the temperature sensing element and the temperature displaying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SAVE WATER DOT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsi-Ying Chiu
  • Patent number: 11447383
    Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit coupled to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a first lifting cover connected to the case and allowing a lifting gear to be fixed thereto, a second lifting cover movably accommodated inside the first lifting cover, a lifting motor coupled to the second lifting cover and configured to interwork with the lifting motor, and a water ejection nozzle installed at a lower end of the second lifting cover and configured to allow water to be ejected therethrough. The lifting gear has gear teeth is provided on one side thereof in an up-down direction and at least one reinforcing hole or reinforcing recess provided on the other side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hoon Jang, Minho Kim, Heesang Yoon, Dongkoo Han, Hyeonggeun Kim, Keunho Roh, Jongho Park, Younggwan Song
  • Patent number: 11339808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a hydraulic system of a vehicle driveline. According to the method a transmission (13) of a driveline (2) is controlled in a limited actuation mode, if the pressure (p) is below the predetermined critical lower threshold value (Tel), wherein in the limited actuation mode the transmission (13) is controlled such that less actuator actuations is performed in comparison to a normal actuation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robin Levin
  • Patent number: 11215494
    Abstract: A system and a method for fault detection for a liquid level sensing device are provided. The liquid level sensing device comprising a plurality of switches arranged to measure variance in a liquid level. A sensing signal comprising a plurality of measurements indicative of the liquid level is received from the liquid level sensing device. Each measurement is obtained in response to one or more of the plurality of switches being in a given position at a given liquid level. It is determined, based on the sensing signal, whether the liquid level changed according to one or more expected change patterns. A fault signal is output in response to determining that the liquid level changed according to an abnormal change pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Sean McCarthy, Olivier Bibor
  • Patent number: 11209852
    Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Steffes Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter, Todd C. Mayer, Paul J. Steffes
  • Patent number: 11164408
    Abstract: Lock systems are disclosed. The lock system may include a lock unit and a separate base station. The lock unit may include one or more components maintained in a powered-off and/or low-power standby state when not in use. The lock unit may include a sound receiver. The lock unit may activate power to one or more components unit after detecting a predetermined activation sound transmitted by a sound transmitter on the base station. The lock unit and base station may include wireless communicators to communicate signals and/or information between the lock unit and base station after the lock unit is powered on. To conserve power, a lock unit may power down after a predetermined action has been completed, communication of a power down signal, and/or after a predetermined time period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mark Bryla, Michael Lorello
  • Patent number: 11126210
    Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly having a manual override includes a valve body, an actuation cam, a shaft, a gear, and a biasing member. The shaft is connected to the actuation cam and includes a projection. The gear defines an opening which selectively receives the projection of the shaft to engage the shaft to the gear. In a first operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in an engaged position relative to the valve and the shaft is biased to be engaged with the gear. In a second operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in a disengaged position offset along the axis of the shaft from the valve handle and at least partially rotated about the axis of the shaft such that the shaft is disengaged from the gear. Further, a master control module can control one or more such valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Donald Gross
  • Patent number: 11046572
    Abstract: A beer dispenser having a nozzle for positioning above a container and dispensing beer into the container. The dispenser includes at least one imaging device for generating at least one image of the dispensed beer, and a processor. The processor determines a measured foam height and a liquid upper surface from the at least one image of the dispensed beer, and adjusts a distance between the nozzle and the liquid upper surface as the beer is dispensed to control the measured foam height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Edwards, Mohan Pandit
  • Patent number: 10933648
    Abstract: An example printing cartridge includes a fluid container, a plurality of sensing locations in thermal contact with the fluid container, a voltage comparator to output time-based information based on a comparison of a sensed voltage generated at a selected sensing location of the plurality of sensing locations to a threshold voltage, the time-based information representative of whether a fluid is present at a fluid level associated with the selected sensing location, and a counter to convert the time-based information to a digital code based on a number of clock cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daryl E. Anderson, James Michael Gardner, Berkeley Fisher, Michael W. Cumbie
  • Patent number: 10894707
    Abstract: Apparatus, method and storage medium associated with a beverage dispensing apparatus are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a beverage dispensing apparatus may include a dispenser to dispense a beverage into a beverage container placed underneath the dispenser; one or more sensors to sense and collect depth data associated with the beverage container; and a controller coupled to the dispenser and the one or more sensors to control the dispenser's dispensation of the beverage, in accordance with a capacity of the beverage container inferred based at least in part on the collected depth data associated with the beverage container. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Pohl, Roman Schick, Fengqian Gao, Wenlong Yang
  • Patent number: 10847331
    Abstract: The application discloses an apparatus and a method for determining and/or monitoring at least one predefined filling level of a medium in a container at least with a sensor unit and an electronic unit, wherein the electronic unit is configured to apply an excitation signal to the sensor unit and to receive a reception signal from the sensor unit, and wherein the electronic unit comprises at least one first computing unit which is configured to determine at least the predefined filling level from the reception signal in a normal operating mode, a second computing unit which is configured to make a statement relating to the state of the sensor unit in a diagnostic operating mode, at least one buffer which is configured to store the at least one statement relating to the state of the sensor unit and is electrically connected to the first computing unit and to the second computing unit, and at least one switching element which can be used to switch back and forth between the normal operating mode and the diagnos
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Dötsch, Franco Ferraro, Ralf Leisinger, Benjamin Monse
  • Patent number: 10823331
    Abstract: Embodiments of the inventive concept include a manufactured pressure vessel including pressure cells having an impermeable layer containing porous material in which air can permeate, and a big mass layer disposed atop the pressure vessel to pressurize the air within the pressure vessel. The impermeable layer can include rubber from recycled vehicle tires. The big mass layer can have a total weight of between one (1) million and one (1) billion tonnes, or more. The big mass layer can include a remediated upper surface. The pressure vessel can include an interface section through which the air can enter and exit the pressure vessel. Pressure lines can be coupled to the interface section. A turbine center can be coupled to the pressure lines to generate electricity in response to pressurized air received through the pressure lines, or to pump air through the pressure lines into the pressure vessel to pressurize the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventors: Raymond Allen Donelick, Margaret Burke Donelick, Greg Bonarr Arehart
  • Patent number: 10801751
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a water supply system with one or more water consuming appliances is provided. The water supply system includes a hot water heater for supplying a flow of heated water through a supply conduit to at least one water consuming appliance. The water consuming appliance receives the flow of heated water and provides an indication of a fault condition if excessive water accumulates in the appliance, which might indicate a malfunction with a drain pump or a water supply valve. A safety shutoff valve is positioned on the supply conduit and is in operative communication with the water consuming appliance. The safety shutoff valve is configured for stopping the flow of heated water when it receives the indication of the fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Joseph Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10654268
    Abstract: In some examples, a controller receives impedance sensor values from an impedance sensor in a printhead, determines whether the impedance sensor values correlate to a production of an effective drive bubble for the printhead, and issues a command to modify a firing parameter for a fluid ejector of the printhead based on the impedance sensor values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gerard Alzona, David Maxfield, Dustin W Blair, Sterling Chaffins, Andrew L Van Brocklin
  • Patent number: 10648847
    Abstract: A level sensor and housing therefor, the level sensor provides a measurement of the depth in a sewer manhole or chamber. The level sensor includes an ultrasonic transducer that emits a signal to measure the liquid below and may use an additional transducer or it is used by itself to detect the signal reflected from the surface. A parabolic reflector is designed and arranged to direct the emitted ultrasonic signal from the transducer to the surface with a linear beam while minimizing the beam spread. The return echo may either be measured directly or with the same transducer that was used to transmit the ultrasonic signal. The narrow ultrasonic beam with limited spread will allow measuring level in a sewer manhole or confined chamber or any sewer where the level is measured close to a vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ADS LLC
    Inventor: James S. Schutzbach
  • Patent number: 10612217
    Abstract: A water leak detection assembly for sensing and stopping a water leak in a building includes a screw that is inserted into a wall having the screw being positioned proximate a pipe for a plumbing fixture in a building. A sensing unit is provided and the sensing unit is positionable in the screw having the sensing unit being aligned with the pipe. The sensing unit senses moisture thereby facilitating the sensing unit to detect water leaking from the pipe. A shut off unit is provided and the shut off unit is fluidly coupled to a water supply pipe for the building and the shut off unit is in electrical communication with the sensing unit. The shut off unit turns off the water supply pipe when the sensing unit senses water thereby stopping the potential water leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Inventor: Rick Evans
  • Patent number: 10557744
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium in a containment, including an oscillatable unit with a membrane, three rods secured to the membrane and extending perpendicularly to a base area of the membrane, a housing, wherein the rods extend into the housing a driving/receiving unit disposed at an end region of the rods and configured to excite the oscillatable unit and transduce mechanical oscillations into a received signal, and an electronics unit configured to produce an exciter signal from the received signal and to ascertain the process variable at least from the received signal. At least one of the rods is secured to the membrane at a site on the base area where the second derivative of the deflection of the membrane from a rest position as a function of the site on the base area is essentially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KG
    Inventors: Raphael Kuhnen, Ira Henkel, Dietmar Frühauf
  • Patent number: 10538901
    Abstract: Modular electrical appliance for recycling greywater, connected to: a drainage pipe (S1) via which greywater enters into the greywater reservoir (1) thereof; a sanitary water supply (S) via which sanitary water enters into the auxiliary reservoir (7) thereof; and a flush pipe (D) which connects to the standard opening of the tank (WC) of a toilet. The electrical appliance has a built-in three-way valve (4) which opens the outlet of said greywater reservoir (1) if it contains a sufficient amount for a full flush. If not, the outlet of said auxiliary reservoir (7) is opened. A hydraulic pump (3) connected to the electrovalve (4) pumps the flush water, grey or sanitary, through the flush pipe (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: BioMicrobics, Inc.
    Inventor: César Manuel Coelho Nunes
  • Patent number: 10473227
    Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly having a manual override includes a valve body, an actuation cam, a shaft, a gear, and a biasing member. The shaft is connected to the actuation cam and includes a projection. The gear defines an opening which selectively receives the projection of the shaft to engage the shaft to the gear. In a first operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in an engaged position relative to the valve and the shaft is biased to be engaged with the gear. In a second operating condition of the valve assembly, the actuation cam is in a disengaged position offset along the axis of the shaft from the valve handle and at least partially rotated about the axis of the shaft such that the shaft is disengaged from the gear. Further, a master control module can control one or more such valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Donald Gross
  • Patent number: 10436585
    Abstract: Apparatus for taking a water depth measurement using a probe, featuring a signal processor configured to receive signaling containing information about a water depth measurement determined from a pressure sensed by a pressure sensor contained in a probe immersed in flowing water, and also containing information about a velocity-dependent offset that is determined and depends on the velocity of the flowing water; and determining corresponding signaling containing information about a corrected water depth measurement of the flowing water by correcting the water depth measurement by the velocity-dependent offset in order to compensate for Venturi effects on the pressure sensor in the moving water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: YSI, Inc.
    Inventors: Grozev Zhivko, Martin Milanov, Fan Xue, Daniel Wagenaar
  • Patent number: 10250156
    Abstract: A cryogenic fuel power system includes an engine. The cryogenic fuel power system includes a cryogenic fuel supply that supplies cryogenic fuel to be used as fuel by the engine. The cryogenic fuel power system includes a cryogenic bus configured to provide the cryogenic fuel from the cryogenic fuel supply to the engine. The cryogenic fuel power system includes power electronics circuitry that converts power from the engine into a form to be applied to one or more loads. The power electronics circuitry is positioned in thermal communication with the cryogenic bus to transfer heat from the power electronics circuitry to the cryogenic fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Antonio Caiafa
  • Patent number: 10238759
    Abstract: A method of supplying power to a storage tank, can include attaching a power supply connector to a submersible pump wherein the power supply connector is dispersed between a pump motor and a pump head or wherein the power supply connector is dispersed above the pump head, wherein the submersible pump is located within a storage tank, wherein the storage tank comprises a decontamination region containing fuel and an ultraviolet light source located in the decontamination region; supplying power to the pump motor, wherein the pump motor power simultaneously supplies power to the ultraviolet light source; and irradiating the fuel with the ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX ENVIRONMENTAL, INC.
    Inventor: Casey Joe Smith
  • Patent number: 10214880
    Abstract: A greywater recovery and reuse system is shown, including a body for collecting, reconditioning and discharging greywater. The body has an inlet connection to a source of greywater; a filter for filtering the greywater; a tank for receiving the filtered greywater; a disinfector for disinfecting the filtered greywater; a pump for discharging the reconditioned greywater from said tank to a toilet that needs flushing water; a discharge connection to a sanitary sewer system; a fresh water connection and a control system for controlling the operation of the greywater recovery and reuse system. The system includes a controller for operating the system and dealing with certain alarm and status conditions. Methods of operating the system are also comprehended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventors: Carl L. Robb, N. Scott Baldwin, James Brian Mantyla, Michael F. Wilson, Stacey Charleen Gay, Timothy James Hendrie Poupore, Leo Peter Van Kampen, Robert Cooke
  • Patent number: 10208965
    Abstract: The instant invention provides for a kit and method of raising inlet temperature of a water supply by utilizing thermodynamic properties associated with difference in temperatures across a gradient and friction. In particular a portion of an inlet supply pipe is disposed in a sewer line such that the opposing flow of waste water and related material interacts with the inlet piping by increasing the temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Sid Harvey Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Harvey
  • Patent number: 10173840
    Abstract: A novel system for operating a hydrogen storage cavern is provided. Particularly, the system involves storing high purity hydrogen into a salt cavern without seepage or leakage of the stored hydrogen through the salt cavern walls, by confining the high purity hydrogen gas within the storage cavern under certain pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Rommel M. Oates
  • Patent number: 10017405
    Abstract: A waste treatment system may include a liquid separator for removing water from solid waste, a mixing tank connected to the liquid separator for mixing the solid waste with an oxidizing agent, a heat exchanger connected to the mixing tank for collecting heat generated by an exothermic reaction caused by mixing the oxidizing agent with the solid waste, and a sanitizer connected to the liquid separator to sanitize the water removed from the solid waste. A waste treatment method may involve separating water from solid waste in a liquid separator, mixing the solid waste from the liquid separator with an oxidizing agent in a mixing tank connected to the liquid separator to cause an exothermic reaction, collecting heat from the exothermic reaction in a heat exchanger coupled with the mixing tank, and sanitizing the water from the liquid separator in a sanitizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EPIC CLEANTEC INC.
    Inventor: Igor Tartakovsky
  • Patent number: 9981202
    Abstract: A rotary evaporator for the vacuum distillation of a liquid is disclosed. The rotary evaporator contains an evaporator flask and a vapor feeder with an interior volume connected downstream of the evaporator flask. The rotary evaporator further contains a rotor that has a mechanical foam breaker within the interior volume of the vapor feeder. Further, a cooler is connected downstream of the vapor feeder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: HANS HEIDOLPH GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Carl, Patrick Nico Jost
  • Patent number: 9885344
    Abstract: The present application relates to the field of energy recovery and in particular to the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) for same. An energy recovery device is provided which comprises a one way drive mechanism for incrementally winding a spring. An SMA engine comprising a length of SMA material is fixed at a first end and connected at a second end to the one way drive mechanism. The SMA engine is housed in an immersion chamber and adapted to be sequentially filled with fluid to allow heating and/or cooling of the SMA engine to enable high frequency contractions and expansion. An output transmission is provided which is coupled to and driven by the spring. In this manner, repeated contractions of the SMA material incrementally wind the spring to store energy. The spring is restrained by a release mechanism which may be activated to allow the spring to drive an output transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Exergyn Limited
    Inventors: Keith Warren, Barry Cullen, Kevin O'Toole, Nicholas Breen, Daniel Healy Grace, Robert Kelly
  • Patent number: 9846071
    Abstract: The pool water level and vacuum monitor is a device that is adapted to be seated on a pool deck adjacent to a swimming pool, and which monitors water level when filling a pool liner whilst a vacuum is removing air from behind a pool liner and a concrete wall of a pool. Moreover, the pool water level and vacuum monitor includes a telescoping armature that extends aside of a housing. The telescoping armature includes a cord and a float member on a distal end of the cord. The float member is adapted to rest on a pool surface of the swimming pool, and moves to close a float switch integrated in the float member. The float switch is able to turn off all circuitry associated within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Hallford
  • Patent number: 9840822
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for drawing water from a water source into a flowing water body comprises a tubular member defined by a sidewall extending between an inlet and an outlet and a central passage therethrough and a drainage pipe having an internal passage therethrough. The drainage pipe passes through the sidewall of the tubular member and has an outlet located within the central passage. The drainage outlet is oriented in a direction towards the outlet of the tubular member and has an unobstructed continuous profile extending there through. The apparatus further comprises a frame adapted to support the tubular member within a body of flowing water at a height above a bottom of the body of flowing water below a top surface of the flowing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Inventor: Kevin Jason Foster
  • Patent number: 9809441
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enabling a vehicle operator to select a desired amount of fuel to add to a fuel tank, and wherein overfilling of the tank is prevented by pressurizing the fuel system with an onboard pump. In one example, the tank may be sealed to induce an automatic shutoff of a refueling dispenser if the fuel level is below the capacity of the tank, and in another example, wherein it is indicated that the tank is full, the fuel system may be pressurized via the pump to induce automatic shutoff of the refueling dispenser and to prevent further overfilling of the tank. In this way, vehicle operators may add desired amounts of fuel to the tank wherein shutoff of the refueling dispenser is automatic, and wherein liquid fuel entering an evaporative emissions control system as a result of overfilling a fuel tank is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aed M. Dudar, Dennis Seung-Man Yang, Sheven Sharp, Russell Randall Pearce, Donald Ignasiak, Bryan Michael Bolger
  • Patent number: 9765877
    Abstract: A shift by wire control for a multi-speed vehicle transmission is provided. The control includes a shift by wire shift valve in fluid communication with other shift valves and clutch trim valves to provide double blocking features in the neutral range and a reverse range. The shift by wire valve is configured with multiple differential areas to provide failure modes for all forward ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Charles T. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9528368
    Abstract: A system for monitoring conditions associated with a pressure-equalizing bellows element within a seal section of an electric submersible pump assembly. Pressure sensors are associated with the seal section to detect differential pressure across the bellows element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ryan P. Semple, David Tanner
  • Patent number: 9506795
    Abstract: A tank level monitoring system with wireless transmission capability. The monitoring system includes a wireless tank monitor for level sensing and connected to one or more float level switches. The system regularly measures the level of fluid in a tank, but may change the measurement rate based upon the float switch. This system actively monitors conditions of a tank and alerts a user when conditions exceed a predetermined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SILVERSMITH, INC.
    Inventor: David Silvers
  • Patent number: 9506905
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided herein a method of determining the air void distribution in a sample of fresh concrete. One embodiment of the invention determines a parameter related to air void distribution by applying a known pressure to a fresh concrete sample, measuring a first value representative of the volume under compression, releases at least a portion of the pressure, reapplies the same pressure to the sample, measures a second value representative of the volume under the second compression, and uses differential between the first and second values to estimate a parameter related to the air void distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University
    Inventors: Matthew Tyler Ley, Robert Mabrey Frazier, Braden Michael Tabb
  • Patent number: 9434593
    Abstract: A filling element includes a housing, a channel formed in the housing's interior and having a dispensing opening to introduce content into a package, a valve having a valve body that moves along an axis to open and close the valve, an actuator to move the valve body, an axial-sliding guide, and a rod-like guide element that at least partly forms the sliding guide. The axial-sliding guide guides a guided structure on or inside the guide element, and is disposed solely outside the liquid channel. The axial-sliding guide is formed at least in part by the rod-like guide element. The guided structure is either the valve body, a valve tappet, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch
  • Patent number: 9188992
    Abstract: A water tank has a container, a micro switch, a limiting assembly and a float. The float is mounted slidably in the container. The limiting assembly has an actuating rod that slides in a direction perpendicular to the sliding path of the float. An inclined guiding track is mounted between the float and the actuating rod to convert the moving direction. Since the actuating rod utilizes the movement to switch the micro switch on and off, the actuating rod and the micro switch need no abutting structures. Therefore, when the actuating rod is moved by an accidental force, the actuating rod self-moves back to its original position once the accidental force is removed. Then the micro switch is switched on again so that the household appliance is restarted without any extra acts by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NEW WIDETECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ming-Tsung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20150090349
    Abstract: A condensate overflow detection device includes a frame, a housing, an affixing device, a surface placement mechanism, a float and an actuator. The housing has a bottom and a plurality of pan engagement side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom, each of which is disposed at a different angle relative to the bottom surface. The housing defines a vent structure passing therethrough that allows water to pass into the housing. The affixing device clamps a pan engagement side surface to a sidewall of a secondary condensate pan. The surface placement mechanism places one of the pan engagement side surfaces opposite from the affixing device. The float, disposed within the housing, has a first position when no water has entered the housing and a second position when a predetermined level of water has entered the housing. The actuator causes an event when the float is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: DIVERSITECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Sada, Keith H. Platt
  • Publication number: 20150083238
    Abstract: An automatic protection device for an inlet valve or drain valve includes an inlet, an outlet, an on-off component, a control circuit, a control component, a water level inductor of the water tank and a water level inductor of the toilet. The water level inductor of the water tank and the water level inductor of the toilet are respectively connected to the control circuit, the control circuit drives the control component, the control component is connected to the on-off component to control the on-off component to open or close, thus connecting or disconnecting the inlet and the outlet. The automatic protection device will sound an alarm and automatically cut off the water supply when the drain valve fails to discharge, or when the toilet is plugged up and is unable to drain water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Feiyu Li
  • Publication number: 20150034175
    Abstract: In at least some implementations, a fuel tank includes a tank body defining a chamber adapted to receive liquid fuel therein, a reinforcement for the tank body to permit the pressure within the chamber to exceed the vapor pressure of a fuel to be received within the chamber, and an inlet to the tank body through which fuel is added to the chamber. The inlet is configured to mate with a refueling nozzle through which fuel is added to the chamber to permit refueling the tank and maintaining the pressure in the chamber above atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Albert J. Boecker, Alex Ehler, Patrick Gmuend, Peter Grauer, Walter B. Hersel, Gerrit A. Michaelis, Matthias B. Olbrich
  • Patent number: 8925763
    Abstract: A beverages dispenser, particularly for carbonated beverages, comprises a cooled tank where beverage is stored, an inlet pipe to the tank, an inlet valve on the inlet pipe, a pump downstream the inlet valve for feeding a beverage to the tank in order to maintain a predetermined level wherein, an outlet pipe from the tank to a beverage dispensing nozzle, and an outlet valve on the outlet conduit. An auxiliary pipe is disposed between the inlet pipe downstream the inlet valve and the outlet pipe downstream the outlet valve and a control unit is adapted to close the inlet valve and to run the pump in order to empty the outlet pipe into the tank after the beverage is dispensed in order to prevent dripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Stefano Tavolazzi
  • Patent number: 8910675
    Abstract: A method for venting of a liquid tank with a valve, a primary compartment and a secondary compartment which are connected together via a bridge. The valve includes a chamber provided with a cover, which extends at least partly into the tank and is connected via an upper venting aperture to a venting circuit. A first device monitors a level of liquid in the primary compartment. A second device monitors a level of liquid in the secondary compartment. The valve configured to be closed when the first device detects that the level of liquid in the primary compartment is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second device detects that the level of liquid in the secondary compartment is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Philippe Coulon, Sebastien Jouie, Remi Thebault, Pierre Lacome, David Hill, Joseph Douglas Chiasson
  • Publication number: 20140360593
    Abstract: A device for containment of fluid escaping from a pipe, comprising a can having a surrounding wall and a bottom: The bottom is formed of bottom segments that combine to form a bottom opening with a bottom inward facing sealing surface for sealing against the pipe. The surrounding wall is formed of wall segments that combine to form an enclosure defining an interior of the can. The drain further comprises a drain opening exposed to the interior of the can. The can may include fluid level sensors that activate a suction pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Quinn A.J. Holtby, Dallas L. Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20140326333
    Abstract: A liquid replenishment system includes a dispensing vessel for holding a supply of a liquid that has an outer can and corresponding lid conjoinable to the outer can in an air-tight manner. The dispensing vessel is improved by the provision of a separate self-supporting secondary inner container removably receivable within the outer can. The container is fabricated of a material that is non-reactive with a liquid composition containing an organic semiconductor material, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene material or stainless steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Reid John CHESTERFIELD, Matthew STAINER, James Daniel TREMEL, Nugent Truong
  • Publication number: 20140318639
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a flow rate sensor and a valve. The flow rate sensor uses images to estimate flow through a drip chamber and then controls the valve based on the estimated flow rate. The valve comprises a rigid housing disposed around the tube in which fluid flow is being controlled. Increasing the pressure in the housing controls the size of the lumen within the tube by deforming the tube, therefore controlling flow through the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Bob D. Peret, Brian H. Yoo, Derek G. Kane, Dean Kamen, Colin H. Murphy, John M. Kerwin, David Blumberg, JR.
  • Patent number: 8865002
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a system and method for processing fluid captured from a vehicle surface to provide a desired fluid product. The system includes sensors and control circuitry to determine system fluid volume levels and/or the ambient temperature of the system to safeguard the system against non-requested activation or deactivation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brimtech, LLC
    Inventors: James K Weigle, Ben A Hammock, II, Robert Tupper
  • Publication number: 20140272671
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and a fuel consumption system verify the location of a filling failure at a time that a fuel gas filling process suffers from such a filling failure. Either one of encoded data indicating an infrared radiation signal related to the fuel gas filling process, which is sent from a vehicle to an external hydrogen station, and a drive signal, which comprises a train of binary pulses converted from the encoded data, is recorded in a recording unit of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi HANDA, Satoshi KAWASAKI
  • Publication number: 20140209176
    Abstract: A system and method for improving oil-and-water separation in a blended fluid stream are presented. The system includes a pressure reduction device that causes cyclonic flow in the stream. The pressure reduction device may be a wafer-based hydrocyclone or a modified hydrocyclone having an underflow outlet but no overflow outlet. The system may also include a valve that is located upstream or downstream of the pressure reduction device. Both the valve and the pressure reduction device reduce the pressure of the fluid stream while reducing the shearing of oil and water droplets within the stream. As a result, the droplets are more likely to coalesce and less likely to form emulsions, thus improving oil-and-water separation in downstream treatment processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Min-Hsiun Lee, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 8757105
    Abstract: A level control system for controlling a liquid level in a vessel containing a two-phase fluid includes a plurality of sensors configured to measure parameters related to the vessel. The parameters include liquid level in the vessel, vapor flow rate leaving the vessel, pressure in the vessel, temperature of the vessel, and feed-liquid flow rate entering the vessel indicative of a state of the vessel. A predictive controller is configured to receive output signals from the plurality of sensors and predict a volume of liquid over a predetermined time period in the vessel based on output signals from the plurality of sensors and a variation in pressure, thermal load, or combinations thereof in the vessel. The controller is configured to generate a liquid level set point of the vessel based on the predicted volume of liquid in the vessel; and further control a liquid level in the vessel based on the generated liquid level set point by manipulating one or more control elements coupled to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajeeva Kumar, Karl Dean Minto, Charudatta Subhash Mehendale, Erhan Karaca
  • Publication number: 20140150900
    Abstract: A system for automatically filling a fryer pot that includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor in the fryer pot; and a pump and a valve being actuated by said second temperature sensor. The pump and said valve are actuated when said first temperature sensor senses a first predetermined temperature and said second temperature sensor senses a second predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: FRYMASTER L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew THEODOS, Charles Milton HUTCHINSON