Rotary Valve Element Patents (Class 137/447)
  • Publication number: 20150000751
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a fluid, such as a drilling fluid or drilling mud, is disclosed. The apparatus may include: a valve member; and a float member mechanically coupled to the valve member and configured to operate on the valve member when fully submerged in a fluid. The coupled float member is configured to increase flow through the valve member as a density of the fluid decreases and to restrict flow through the valve member as the density of the fluid increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher D. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8789794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a tube, an opening in the tube, and a valve associated with the opening. The tube is configured to carry an inert gas in a fuel tank. The valve is configured to control an amount of the inert gas that exits the opening based on a level of fuel relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: David Scott Krug
  • Patent number: 8047223
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Swindler, Herbert G. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7921873
    Abstract: A combination overfill protection device, fluid level gauge, includes a service valve having a body defining a set of wrench flats, an input port, and a tank port wherein the overfill protection device has a float that rotates a shaft in response to a change in fluid level, the shaft transitioning the overfill protection device between opened and closed configurations and rotating a magnet within the service valve body proximate the wrench flat and wherein a gauge dial has a dial magnet housing sized to fit proximate to the wrench flat such that rotation of the magnet within the service valve actuates a dial magnet housed substantially in the dial magnet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert G. Ross, Jr., Danny E. Swindler
  • Publication number: 20100229964
    Abstract: A system for determining a fluid level in a pressurizable container comprising is disclosed. The system includes a service valve having a set of wrench flats defining parallel flat surfaces, one of the wrench flats having a recess defined entirely within its flat surface, a stop-fill device interconnected with the service valve and operable to rotate a first magnet inside the service valve in proximity to the recess in proportion to the amount of fluid in the pressurizable container, and a dial assembly having a dial face and a pointer attached to a second magnet, the second magnet housed in a magnet protrusion on a side of the dial face opposite the pointer and operable to fit into the recess in the service valve such that the dial moves on the dial face proportionately to the degree of rotation of the first magnet inside the service valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ROCHESTER GAUGES, INC.
    Inventors: Herbert G. Ross, JR., Danny E. Swindler
  • Publication number: 20100206387
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: ROCHESTER GAUGES, INC.
    Inventors: DANNY E. SWINDLER, HERBERT G. ROSS, JR.
  • Patent number: 7726334
    Abstract: A system for determining a fluid level in a pressurizable container comprising is disclosed. The system includes a service valve having a set of wrench flats defining parallel flat surfaces, one of the wrench flats having a recess defined entirely within its flat surface, a stop-fill device interconnected with the service valve and operable to rotate a first magnet inside the service valve in proximity to the recess in proportion to the amount of fluid in the pressurizable container, and a dial assembly having a dial face and a pointer attached to a second magnet, the second magnet housed in a magnet protrusion on a side of the dial face opposite the pointer and operable to fit into the recess in the service valve such that the dial moves on the dial face proportionately to the degree of rotation of the first magnet inside the service valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert G. Ross, Jr., Danny E. Swindler
  • Publication number: 20100116910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ball valve for adjusting a flow of a fluid medium. The ball valve includes a valve seat and a rounded closing element, in particular a valve ball. Furthermore, the ball valve has an inlet with a choke valve and one diffuser arranged between the choke valve and the valve seat. The diffuser includes a constriction on the side facing the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Gerhard Girlinger, Frank Traxel, Roland Mitter
  • Patent number: 7654281
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Swindler, Herbert G. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7518075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel energy accumulator for a load step switch for rapid, continuous switching between various winding tappings. Said energy accumulator comprises a lifting carriage and a jumping carriage, which follow the movement of the jumping carriage in a jumping manner. Both of the carriages are guided along three parallel guiding rods. The lifting carriage and the jumping carriage comprise, respectively, three linear roller bearings which respectively surround one of the three guiding rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Silke Wrede, Klaus Hoepfl
  • Patent number: 7293578
    Abstract: A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Rochester Gauges, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny E. Swindler, Herbert G. Ross, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7163282
    Abstract: The pressure of a pressure chamber decreases as liquid is ejected from an ejecting head. A valve element of a valve unit is provided inside the pressure chamber. The valve element has a power point part, fulcrum part and application point part. The power point part is subject to a pushing force in accordance with a decline in the pressure of the pressure chamber. The fulcrum part supports the valve element with respect to a wall surface defining the pressure chamber such that the valve element rotates. The application point part separates from the valve seat as the valve element rotates. The fulcrum part is not fixed to the wall surface. Hence, the valve unit operates favorably in accordance with the pressure of ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kumagai, Atsushi Kobayashi, Yoshiharu Aruga
  • Patent number: 6543471
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically shutting off a water supply to a leaking water heater includes a water-collecting tray adapted to be positioned beneath a water heater, and a float mechanism removably attachable to the tray. The float mechanism has a float adapted to reside within the tray. An arm extends from the float, and terminates in a trigger extremity located outside the tray. The trigger extremity is positioned to push upwardly upon a holding block that secures an extremity of a coil spring. The holding block also secures a tether that extends to an operating lever of a water shut-off valve. When the float rises in the tank, it causes the trigger extremity to release the coil spring in tensioned state from the holding block. Such action pulls the operating lever downwardly, causing shut-off of the water supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: James H. Carroll
  • Patent number: 6336469
    Abstract: A mechanism for opening or closing a shut-off valve, the mechanism having a valve actuator for moving the valve from a first position to a second position, an urging means, a trigger which, when activated, triggers operation of the valve actuator, the trigger including a retainer which ordinarily holds the shut-off valve in the first position against the force applied by urging means, and a sensor reactive to an external stimulus which releases the trigger upon receiving appropriate external stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventors: Adrian John Nixon, David Thomas Hair
  • Patent number: 6305405
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve having a cam disposed near an opening of a fuel passage. The cam is operable to be rotated about a shaft by the action of a float. As a fluid level in a tank changes, the cam rotates from an open position remote from the opening to a closed position (as illustrated) proximate the opening. A gap remains between the cam and the opening, thereby allowing the fluid level to be drawn down to the bottom of opening. Float has a generally wedge shaped cross-section to minimize the effect of wave action in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Muhammad Pervaiz
  • Patent number: 6305411
    Abstract: A backwater valve (for preventing the flow of liquid in a reverse direction when water backs up in the valve) has a gate which sealingly engages the input opening to the valve chamber so as to prevent the flow of water out of or into the input opening. The gate is angularly moveable about a pivot point between a lower, closed position in which the input opening is closed by the gate and an upper, open position in which the input opening is open. Linked to the gate, but positioned angularly away from the gate, is a float. The float and the gate are linked such that gravity normally maintains the float in a lower position and the gate in the upper, open position but, when liquid backs up into the value, the float will float to an upper position thereby moving the gate into the lower, closed position thereby closing the input opening and preventing liquid from flowing out of the valve through the input opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Ipex Inc.
    Inventor: Younes Youssef
  • Patent number: 5832953
    Abstract: An improved overfill shut-off system for a liquid storage tank includes a passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a valve seat in the passage, a plunger that is movable within the passage for the purpose of engaging the valve seat to impede flow of liquid in the passage, and a guide member for guiding movement of the plunger. The plunger and the guide member are sealed with respect to each other and together define a control space. A first port is defined in the plunger for communicating the control space with an upstream end of the passage, and a second port is defined in the guide member for communicating the control space with a downstream end of the passage. A valve is provided for selectively impeding fluid flow through the second port in response to the level of a float member within the storage tank. When liquid level in the storage tank reaches a predetermined maximum, liquid flowing through the passage will be permitted through the first port, but not through the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Michael D. Lattner, Daniel T. McDonell
  • Patent number: 5564464
    Abstract: An improved control valve for a holding tank is provided for cutting off the flow of fluid into a holding tank device in response to achieving a predetermined fluid level in the holding tank. The assembly includes a housing configured for placement adjacent a spill container. The housing has an upper inlet and a lower outlet and a flow passage therebetween having a diameter of which is substantially constant along its longitudinal length. A valve poppet is situated within the flow passage and is axially rotatable between a substantially vertical, open position, that allows for the flow of fluid through the flow passage, and a closed position substantially blocking fluid flow through the flow passage when the holding tank has reached a predetermined level of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Pendleton, James E. Kesterman
  • Patent number: 5564465
    Abstract: A drop tube for underground fuel storage tanks and the like has a flow restriction section that includes a plate or disc mounted for rotation and controlled by a float located outside the section. Unlike overfill shut-off valves that slam against a sealing valve seat and require springs and cams for their operation, the subject restrictor simply and slowly rotates the plate between a non-restricting position and one in which the plate closes off the delivery liquid flow. Since the plate and interior wall of the tube are not sealed, liquid above the restrictor can bleed past the plate into the storage tank after the delivery valve on the truck is closed. Overfill is unlikely because it would take several hours to overfill with the plate in the restricting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Universal Valve Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Martin C. Pettesch
  • Patent number: 5531247
    Abstract: The float-controlled shutoff valve has an upright flow passage controlled by a transverse valve spool rotated between open and closed positions by the float in response to changing levels of liquid within the holding tank. The spool has a deep, generally U-shaped, diametrically extending cavity on one side and a single, solid sidewall on the opposite side, the cavity being so formed that it presents a cross-flow inlet approximately one quarter turn away from the passage blocking surface of the sidewall. Hence, when the spool is in its open position during filling, the cavity is vertically flow-aligned with the passage while the blocking sidewall is disposed alongside the passage, and when the spool is in its closed position the blocking sidewall spans the passage above the horizontally disposed cavity to prevent fluid movement past the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Clay and Bailey Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Borst, Donald R. David
  • Patent number: 5427137
    Abstract: A valve to monitor the level of fluid in an above ground storage tank while the tank is being filled, cutoff the flow of fluid when the tank is in a full condition, and as long as the filling pressure is on the valve the valve will remain cutoff even if the fluid level in the tank has lowered. A relief valve to drain the fluid remaining in the filling hose after the filling pressure is off. A sight level indicator to visually show that the tank is in a filled condition. A monitoring node to be used with or without the mechanical cutoff valve in a totally controlled application where the filling person is not responsible for shutting off the filling tank truck, with two switches, one to alert that the tank is near a filled condition and the second to alert that the tank is in a filled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: James H. Bowen
  • Patent number: 5207241
    Abstract: A liquid fuel shut-off valve for insertion through the feed pipe opening and mounting inside a fuel tank including, in combination, a valve body having an inlet and an outlet joined by a first bore aligned axially with the feed pipe through which the fuel is fed to fill the tank, a valve spool rotatably mounted in a cross-bore formed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet and attached to a float extending outward from the valve body that is responsive to the level of liquid in the tank, and a valve shut-off formed in the spool including a second bore formed transverse thereto for passing fuel between the inlet and the outlet, and a relief opening formed in the trailing edge of the wall of the second bore allowing progressive rotation of the second bore from a first position in full hydraulic alignment with the first bore to a second position in full hydraulic closure with the first bore free of a countervailing hydraulic turning moment developed by the flow of fuel there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: Matthew T. Babb
  • Patent number: 5007450
    Abstract: An add-on liquid overflow shut-off valve including a valve body, a float and an arm connecting the float to the body that is insertable in fully assembled form through a standard tank lid opening, and further including a flanged end on the valve body for engagement outside and above the rim of the opening and threads associated therewith to engage the periphery of the opening to anchor the body inside the interior of the tank and at the top thereof, pneumatic openings formed in the top flanged end in spaced-apart relation for connection respectively to a pressurized pneumatic source and a pneumatic-driven liquid pump arranged to pump liquid into the tank through another opening in the tank, first and second pneumatic passageways formed interior the body extending from the openings, a third pneumatic passageway formed in the body for interconnecting the first and second passageways, and a shaft pivotally received in the body, having a fourth pneumatic passageway formed therethrough for pneumatic alignment with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventors: Franklyn P. Babb, Matthew T. Babb
  • Patent number: 4741358
    Abstract: A liquid level control float valve which comprises a valve body, an open/close valve disposed in the valve body, the open/close valve being mounted on a gear shaft which extends from the inside of the valve body to the outside of the valve body and on opposite sides thereof, engaging members fixed to the gear shaft on opposite sides of the valve body, passive gears rotatably engaged with the gear shaft on opposite sides of the valve body and adapted to engage the engaging members after a selected portion of its rotation has taken place, driving gears mounted for rotational engagement with the passive gears, a float ball provide to determine the liquid level, and lever arms connected at one end to the float ball and at the other end to the driving gears whereby upon the change in the level of the liquid, the float ball is raised or lowered which in turn rotates the driving gears and the passive gears engaged therewith which further rotates the gear shaft and correspondingly the open/close valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Inventor: Jin S. Cho
  • Patent number: 4490311
    Abstract: Improvements to humidifiers are provided. A housing has sides permitting a motor and air duct to be fitted with the motor on one of the sides and the duct on the other to facilitate assembly. The housing is also formed to facilitate removal of a tray containing water. Further features of the invention are a water valve which permits simple adjustment to control various water heights in the tray, and a novel float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: B. D. Wait Co. Limited
    Inventor: Charles G. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 4469116
    Abstract: A valve device serving to prevent overfilling of portable containers, particularly liquid gas cylinders, includes a ball which is freely rotatable relative to a spherical seating face in a casing having a filling channel extending to said seating face. The ball has a passage which in the prescribed filling position communicates with the channel, and the ball is through a rod and a flexible link connected to a load member. As long as this load member is above the liquid level, it tends to keep the ball, and thus its passage in a given orientation so that the communication is broken if the container is tilted away from the prescribed filling position.When the liquid level has reached a predetermined height, the load member acts as a float so as to interrupt the filling operation by causing the ball to change its orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Kosan Teknova A/S
    Inventor: Frits P. U. Hansen
  • Patent number: 4136711
    Abstract: A pilot operated ball cock valve for controling the height of fluid in a tank. The rotary pilot valve has an inlet port and an outlet port which are interconnected and communicate with a fluid channel which bypasses an evacuation chamber and a diaphragm valve permitting fluid to flow directly to the inlet port of the rotary pilot valve. The outlet port of the rotary valve is positioned by a predetermined fluid height in the tank into alignment with a fluid channel which transmits fluid pressure into a pressure chamber above the diaphragm. Such positioning allows fluid pressure to act upon the diaphragm which closes a discharge orifice thereby preventing flow of fluid into the tank. A decrease in fluid height in the tank induces the rotary pilot valve to rotate such that the outlet port will move out of alignment with the fluid channel leading into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1979
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventors: Sol R. Rubin, Raymond D. Gates