By Shifting Of Liquid Level Patents (Class 137/44)
  • Patent number: 10280873
    Abstract: A fuel tank system stores liquefied gas fuel to be supplied to an engine. The liquefied gas fuel is refueled to the fuel tank system by a fueling equipment. The fuel tank system includes: a first tank part having a connector portion connected with the fueling equipment and defining a first storage chamber into which the liquefied gas fuel sent from the fueling equipment flows; a second tank part defining a second storage chamber that stores the liquefied gas fuel separately from the first storage chamber; and a sending part that raises a pressure of the liquefied gas fuel stored in the first tank part and that sends the liquefied gas fuel with the raised pressure to the second tank part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryou Katsura
  • Patent number: 10155206
    Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a first liquid inlet conduit for a first liquid, a second liquid inlet conduit for a second liquid, a third liquid inlet conduit for a third liquid, and an outlet assembly for feeding a mixture of the first, second, and third liquid from the mixing apparatus. The outlet assembly includes a pair of first outlet openings arranged symmetrically with respect to a center plane of the outlet assembly, a second outlet opening arranged at a center plane, a pair of third outlet openings arranged symmetrically with respect to and along the center plane between the pair of identical first outlet openings and the second outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: OUTOTEC (FINLAND) OY
    Inventor: Janne Kauppi
  • Patent number: 10022689
    Abstract: A mixing hub for use in semiconductor processing tools is provided. The hub may include a plurality of ports arranged about an axis, a mixing chamber, and a plurality of flow paths. Each of the flow paths may fluidically connect a corresponding one of the ports to the mixing chamber and each flow path may include a first passage, a second passage, and a valve interface. Each valve interface may be configured to interface with a valve such that the valve, when installed in the valve interface, is able to regulate fluid flow between the first passage and the second passage. Each valve interface may be located between a first reference plane that is perpendicular to the axis and passes through the corresponding port and a second reference plane that is perpendicular to the axis and passes through the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, Mark Taskar
  • Patent number: 8725301
    Abstract: A method of controlling an ebb and flow watering system utilizing existing hardware commonly used in ebb and flow systems including float switches, water pumps, electromechanical timers, reservoir, control bucket, flood lines, indicator LEDs and plant containers such that the filling and draining of the control bucket is improved by accommodating for hydraulic delays, flood line restrictions, and pump limitations, while further providing constant monitoring for leaks or float switch failure, and shutting off the pumps if the same are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Carskadon, Patrick Barrett
  • Publication number: 20130320146
    Abstract: A storage tank (25) of a storage system. The storage tank (25) includes a container (30) and a dynamic ventilation line (35) incorporated therein, said dynamic ventilation line (35) being provided with an air-no-fuel valve (45) that shuts off in the presence of fuel, the air-no-fuel valve (45) communicating with an internal space (INT) of the container (30) via an upstream pipe (40) placed inside the container (30), a downstream pipe (50) secured to a wall (31) of the container (30) extending from the air-no-fuel valve (45) and opening out into a dynamic air intake (53) communicating with the outside air (200), said storage tank having at least one communication orifice (300) for communicating with other tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: Gregory Basset
  • Patent number: 8387817
    Abstract: A container for holding fluids in isolation includes an outer container and two deformable inner containers carried within the internal space of the outer container. The outer container is provided with a view port enabling the user to visually examine the inner containers. The inner containers have respective ports communicating with their interiors. As fluid is withdrawn from the first inner container its volume is reduced so that the second container may receive a like amount of fluid. The second inner container may hold colorants or absorbents. The container may be used with various chemical applications, such as high performance liquid chromatography or fluid injection analysis, wherein supply fluid is withdrawn from the first inner container, used, and returned as waste fluid to the second inner container so that the overall volume of fluids remains relatively constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SIELC Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Yury Zelechonok
  • Publication number: 20110284084
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automatic balancing device and method using fluid. The automatic balancing device includes a fluid container receiving a fluid therein, a balance detector detecting a balance of a main body in association with the fluid, and a fluid regulator adjusting movement of the fluid received in the fluid container in association with the balance detector. The automatic balancing device and method may prevent a medical device such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus from falling over by shifting the center of gravity of the main body of the medical device through movement of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Jae Yong Ko, Kyeong Gu Woo
  • Patent number: 7997293
    Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of valve apparatus and combination filter valve assemblies. One exemplary embodiment provides a combination filter valve apparatus suitable for filtering objectionable particulate matter from a fluid and for selectively occluding a fluid flow opening. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus generally includes an outer member, a sealing member, and filtration media disposed generally between the outer member and the sealing member. The filtration media may be configured to generally support the sealing member for resilient movement relative to a fluid flow opening between open and closed positions. In the open position, the sealing member may be spaced apart from the fluid flow opening. In the closed position, the sealing member may be in sealing engagement with and substantially blocking the fluid flow opening, thereby inhibiting the ingress of fluid into or egress of fluid out of the fluid flow opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Filtertek, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky R. Ruschke
  • Patent number: 7905196
    Abstract: There is provided an aerosol generating apparatus which is capable of generating aerosol stably. The aerosol generating apparatus includes a container which mixes a particulate material and a carrier gas to generate a fluidized bed of the particulate material; an aerosol delivery tube which sucks a part of the fluidized bed to deliver the part as an aerosol containing the particulate material and the carrier gas; an optical sensor which measures a position of the fluidized bed; and an adjusting unit which adjusts the position of the aerosol delivery tube based on an information about the position of the fluidized bed measured by the optical sensor. By moving an end of the aerosol delivery tube horizontally along and relative to the top surface of the fluidized bed, it is possible to avoid harmful effect that particle size distribution in the fluidized bed becomes locally non-uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Motohiro Yasui
  • Patent number: 7530430
    Abstract: A gravity controlled lubrication system for aircraft engines to supply a lubricant from a tank to a circulating system permitting lubricant to flow when the aircraft changes to an inverted flight condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Tuyen Trong Hoang, Constantin Catanu, Daniel Grigore
  • Patent number: 6997203
    Abstract: A system configured to distribute liquid flow into predetermined proportions is provided. The system includes a distributor defining a plurality of distributor outlets configured to deliver liquid from the distributor. A receptacle is positioned to receive liquid, the receptacle defining a plurality of receptacle outlets oriented to deliver liquid portions toward the distributor outlets. The receptacle is pivotally mounted for movement with respect to the distributor, and is self-leveling such that liquid is divided by the receptacle outlets into predetermined proportions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Robert C. Tsigonis
  • Patent number: 6867049
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for analyzing a blood or other biological fluid sample in a quiescent state, whereby particulate constituents of biological samples that contain sparse populations of interesting cellular species can be enumerated and inspected using an optical scanning instrument. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for obtaining increased cellular or particulate concentrations within the use of said optical scanning method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Scrivens, Dwight Livingston, Robert S. Frank, Klaus W. Berndt
  • Patent number: 6763844
    Abstract: A fuel tank structure of a remotely controllable car. A fuel pipe is disposed in the fuel tank. A middle section of the fuel pipe has a fuel outlet by which the interior of the fuel pipe is divided into a first section and a second section. Two steel balls are respectively disposed in the first and second sections. The ends of the first and second sections proximal to the fuel outlet are respectively formed with a first and a second passages. The ends of the first and second sections distal from the fuel outlet are respectively formed with a first and a second receiving sections. The fuel pipe is formed with a first inlet between the first passage and the first receiving section and a second inlet between the second passage and the second receiving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Aling Lai
  • Patent number: 6283731
    Abstract: A fuel supplying apparatus for a vehicle for supplying fuel including an in-tank type fuel pump 7 provided in a sub-tank 5 inside a main tank 1 and a tubular fuel holding case 21 surrounding a suction filter portion 20 of this fuel pump 7 and having an opening portion 21B which is open in an opposite direction to a forwardly moving direction of the vehicle, so as to supply fuel 2 to outside the main tank 1 through a delivery pipe 16 by means of the fuel pump 7. The fuel 2 can be supplied to an engine even during the quick braking of the vehicle when the amount of fuel 2 is small without increasing the number of component parts of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5660207
    Abstract: A mass fluid flow controller has a valve which is controlled by a controller rod which is substantially pivotally mounted on a metallic diaphragm which stretches and unstretches with the movement of the rod. The actuation of the rod movement is by the expansion and contraction of an actuator wire which is heated for the expansion and allowed to cool for the contraction. The primary fluid flow path through the controller is straight. A sensor conduit, providing a parallel sensor fluid flow path, is connected in position using metallic sealer members which extend into openings to the primary fluid flow path and which are rounded along the direction through such openings. The pressure drop, along the primary fluid flow path, to create flow through the sensor conduit, is provided by a fluid flow restrictor having a core and having lengths of wire along the core which are squeezed between the core and a tapered fluid flow path wall in the vicinity of the sensor conduit input and output connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Tylan General, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel T. Mudd
  • Patent number: 5429150
    Abstract: The application discloses a continuous flow steam condensate removal device for use in a steam condensate removal system of a type which includes a steam condensate line, a Y-strainer for removing debris from the steam condensate line, and a condensate return line. The condensate removal device is an elongated unitary one-piece body having an entrance end, an entrance passageway, an intermediate passageway, an exit passageway, and an exit end. The intermediate passageway includes a cylindrical venturi tube, which is adjacent an exit of the entrance passageway, and a downstream cylindrical discharge-transition passageway which is adjacent an exit of the venturi tube. The downstream cylindrical discharge-transition passageway has a diameter larger than a diameter of the venturi tube and a length larger than a length of the venturi tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventor: H. Kenneth Siefers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5402818
    Abstract: In a first valve mechanism 30, a positive pressure spring 31 presses a first valve plug 34 to seat an external ring projection 37 of the first valve plug 34 onto a bottom surface 39 of a support cylinder 35. The first valve mechanism 30 opens at a first valve-opening pressure P1 responsive to a pressure balance across the positive pressure regulating valve plug 34. In a safety valve mechanism 60, the same spring (the positive pressure spring 31) presses a safety valve plug 61 via the external ring projection 37 seated on the bottom surface 39 to seat a sealing ring projection 62 of the safety valve plug 61 onto an upper face 63 of a partition wall 28. The safety valve mechanism 60 opens at a second valve-opening pressure P2 responsive to a pressure balance across the safety valve plug 61.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joji Kasugai, Yoshihiro Nagino, Toshihiko Asaya
  • Patent number: 5295397
    Abstract: A flow impedance device is provided for an obstruction flowmeter for determining the flow rate of a compressible or incompressible fluid in a conduit. The flowmeter has means for measuring the temperature and pressure of the fluid as well as the pressure differential across the flow impedance device, and further means for computing a flow rate from the measured pressures. The flow impedance device includes a plate having a plurality of elongated openings arranged in a predetermined pattern. The plate is installed generally transversely in the conduit to force the fluid to flow through the plurality of elongated openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Texas A & M University System
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Hall, Gerald L. Morrison, James C. Holste
  • Patent number: 4976398
    Abstract: A fuel tank for storing aggressive liquid fuels, especially fuel for operating satellite engines has an oblong shape with hemispherical ends. A fuel collecting device (12) is arranged inside the fuel tank. The collecting device is so constructed and equipped with guide vanes for feeding the fuel, and with a pipe system including collecting vessels with screens that a fuel supply to the engines is assured under any conceivable operating conditions, since surface tension and capillary forces assure a refilling of the collecting device inside the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Erno Raumfahrttechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Hansdieter Bruhn
  • Patent number: 4799509
    Abstract: A vent arrangement for fuel tanks of motor vehicles which includes an expansion tank, with which is connected an expansion line extending horizontally in the vehicle transverse direction which includes two line sections extending in mutually opposite directions, of which one terminates in the atmosphere and prevents an outflow of fuel in the turned-over head position of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Wawra, Dieter Scheurenbrand, Wolfgang Kleineberg
  • Patent number: 4664144
    Abstract: A multiple fuel tank arrangement for maximizing fuel delivery to a vehicle during off level operation. The system has a tank from which fuel is withdrawn and at least one additional tank located at approximately the same level. The tanks are connected by a transfer line and crossover line. The transfer line connects the bottom of the tanks and only allows fuel flow into the fuel withdrawal tank. Openings for the crossover line are positioned such that a large volume of fuel is trapped in the fuel withdrawal tank when the tanks are as different relative elevations during off level operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Norman F. Lemmon
  • Patent number: 4605032
    Abstract: An air vent device for a fuel tank on a vehicle, having paired first and second air vent pipes joined to the portions of an upper section of a fuel tank which are spaced from each other in the lateral direction of said vehicle, and a main air vent pipe connected to said paired air vent pipes to communicate the same with the atmospheric air. A connecting point of said three air vent pipes is positioned below at least one of left and right maximum-angled surfaces, which are inclined with respect to the lateral axis of said fuel tank, of a fuel contained therein. A normally-opened float valve adapted to be closed when the fuel reaches the same is provided in said first or second air vent pipe, which is on the side of said connecting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Hayashi, Kazunobu Nagaoka, Michihiro Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 4497348
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable post-mix carbonated beverage dispenser unit for use in small offices or small-volume locations is described. Flavored syrup is supplied to the unit from disposable sealed syrup packages which are plugged into a dispenser valving system. CO.sub.2 is supplied to the unit carbonator system in returnable containers which also may be quickly plugged into a CO.sub.2 valving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Jason K. Sedam
  • Patent number: 4441520
    Abstract: An upper sealed reservoir and a lower vented reservoir are connected by a conduit and tube extending into the lower reservoir. A shroud forms a chamber around the end of the tube within the lower reservoir and is vented at its upper end. Openings are provided in the tube and the shroud and are indexed in diametrically opposite relation, with the opening in the tube pointing in the direction of the center of the lower reservoir. The arrangement maintains proper hydraulic fluid level balance between the two reservoirs under a wide range of vehicle attitudes and accelerations. When either the vehicle attitudes or acceleration, or both, momentarily reorients the actual fluid level in the lower reservoir and the shroud, trapped fluid within the shroud chamber prevents air from entering the upper reservoir through the tube and conduit so that excess fluid cannot flow into the lower reservoir from the upper reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick G. Bruso, Frank H. Walker, Harry H. Lyon
  • Patent number: 4357284
    Abstract: A CO.sub.2 supply system for a carbonator includes a CO.sub.2 cylinder containing a combination of liquid carbon dioxide and gaseous carbon dioxide under pressure at approximately 900 p.s.i.g., an openable end including a valve element disposed in an elongated extension of that end, an adaptor socket for receiving the elongated extension and supporting the cylinder, a pressure regulator connected to the adaptor and a hose coupling the same to a carbonator tank and an elongated tube extending from the open end of the cylinder toward a closed end thereof and terminating at a position spaced from the closed end. The elongated tube is open at both ends to permit the flow of liquid or gas therethrough, depending on the orientation of the CO.sub.2 cylinder. In order to dispense CO.sub.2 gas to a carbonator, the CO.sub.2 cylinder is disposed with its open end down and plugged into the adaptor socket. In this position, CO.sub.2 gas is present in the head space of the CO.sub.2 cylinder adjacent the closed end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Coca Cola Company
    Inventor: Jason K. Sedam
  • Patent number: 3967633
    Abstract: A gas vent tube for removing gas from a container while minimizing loss of iquids. The vent is mounted in a cylindrical container on a 360.degree. rotating joint and has a buoyant material attached to always maintain the vent in an upright position. The pickup tube also has a buoyancy closure valve to prevent the loss of liquid when the end of the pickup tube is not in a gas, and may be provided with a check valve when the container is submerged in a second liquid to prevent the intrusion of the second liquid into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1976
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Hallanger, Leroy W. Tucker