Retained By Bonnet Or Closure Patents (Class 137/454.6)
  • Publication number: 20090025800
    Abstract: A one-handle valve cartridge has one or more lobular keys formed on a housing of the valve cartridge. The lobular keys interface with keyways formed in a valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren S. Lopp, W. Randall Tucker
  • Patent number: 7401622
    Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly comprising: a regulator body having a housing, an inlet portion at one end of the housing and a cap at an opposite end of the housing, the inlet portion and the cap in substantially coaxial alignment along a regulator body axis; a pressure regulator module received in the housing, interposed between the inlet portion and the cap, with a pressure regulator module center axis inclined at an angle to the regulator body axis; the pressure regulator module incorporating a plunger movable toward and away from a valve seat in axial alignment with the plunger; a flow path passing through the plunger and in communication with the inlet portion and the cap; and wherein the cap is removable from the regulator body housing to provide access to the pressure regulator module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Cliff Ungerecht
  • Patent number: 7383858
    Abstract: A control valve assembly includes a first control valve and a second control valve longitudinally mounted to the first control valve. A first check valve and a second check valve respectively disposed in the first control valve and the second control valve such that the leakproof effect of the control valve assembly is doubled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Yen-Yao Hsueh
  • Patent number: 7383852
    Abstract: A water trap suitable for use in a mechanical ventilation circuit comprising a cap with an inlet and an outlet, a fluid collection vessel engageable with the cap, and a rotatable closure with at least one aperture interposed between the cap and the vessel. The vessel is operably linked to the closure such that engagement or disengagement of the vessel from the cap causes the closure to be rotated. The cap is formed with an internal partition extending into abutment with the closure to define a chamber via which the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication and the closure forming a base of the chamber. When the vessel is engaged with the cap, the closure has a first orientation in which the at least one aperture is located within the periphery of the skirt in the base of the chamber and the vessel is in communication with the chamber via the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Intersurgical AG
    Inventors: Alan Pittaway, Surinderjit Kumar Jassell, Simon Robert Payne
  • Patent number: 7363934
    Abstract: A control valve for a mixed water faucet includes a housing, two sealing gaskets, a control shaft, a ceramic unit, a sealing ring, a sleeve, a pressure balance unit, an adjusting cock, and a fastening member. The pressure balance unit includes a bushing and a spindle. The ceramic unit includes a fixed plate, a movable plate, and a protective jacket. Thus, the movable plate is rotatable relative to the fixed plate to change the connection area between the water outlet chamber of the movable plate and the water inlet chambers of the fixed plate so as to regulate the water flow rate and the mixed proportion of the cold water and the hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: ING TZON Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7363937
    Abstract: A replaceable sleeve insert for a choke assembly is disclosed, wherein the replaceable sleeve insert has a tubular member coaxially and sealingly retained within an upper body section of the choke assembly. The tubular member is also sealed against the bonnet. The tubular member has an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate coaxial linear displacement of a shuttle assembly and an outer diameter sufficient to fit within an upper body orifice in the upper body section. At least one attachment member outwardly extends from the tubular member and is retained between the upper body section and the bonnet. The tubular member has an opening in the sleeve wall to provide fluid communication from the choke inlet to the interior of the tubular member. A method of assembling a choke with a replaceable sleeve insert is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Suter, Burkhard Alan
  • Patent number: 7357145
    Abstract: A valve having a cartridge that fits within the valve housing and that may be replaced without removing the valve housing from adjoining equipment. The cartridge contains a wedge having curved surfaces and a driver to rotate the wedge from an open to a closed position. When the wedge rotates to the closed position a seal is formed on the convex surface of the wedge and a sealing assembly is moved to form a seal around the outlet of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hemiwedge Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Jeannette Soderberg, legal representative, Paul B. Soderberg
  • Patent number: 7320338
    Abstract: A microvalve assembly that can help protect a microvalve or an assembly of microvalves from the environment. Such a microvalve assembly may be mechanically assembled, without the use of adhesives and/or other materials that might out-gas and/or otherwise reduce the performance of the electrostatically actuated devices contained therein. In particular, a microvalve assembly can include a base fixture, a clamp fixture that is configured to be attached to the base fixture, and an electrostatically actuated microvalve that is disposed between the base fixture and the clamp fixture. The clamp fixture may be mechanically secured to the base fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Eugen I. Cabuz, Jay G. Schwichtenberg
  • Patent number: 7306005
    Abstract: A faucet valve cartridge includes a valve seat with a co-molded proximal end. The cartridge regulates flow in a faucet valve and provides a floating sealing arrangement with the valve seat of the faucet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason R. Moldthan
  • Patent number: 7300075
    Abstract: Sealing assembly, for example forming part of a flowmeter. The sealing assembly comprises a first metal body with a mating surface in which a centering chamber with a flat bottom and an upright wall are provided, and a second metal body with a mating surface provided with an annular collar having a narrowed end and a centering surface that bears on the upright wall of the chamber. Bolts couple the two bodies in a detachable manner under deformation of the collar such that the mutually facing mating surfaces do not touch each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Berkin B.V.
    Inventors: Lambertus Ebskamp, Nicolaas Joannes Notten
  • Patent number: 7290560
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to assemble and disassemble a valve cover locking screw assembly for a reciprocating pump module block. The module block has a bore, a removable valve cover closing the bore, and a valve cover locking ring securable to the block and surrounding the bore with internal threads. A valve cover locking screw has cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom. A plurality of threaded bolts engage a plurality of threaded openings through the cylindrical walls of the locking screw so that the bolts force the valve cover against the module block thereby creating a fluid tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Orr, Eric Thomas Greager, Ernest J. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7264016
    Abstract: A water dispenser assembly includes valve cartridges for controlling the flow of cold water from the cold-water inlet and the spout. Each valve cartridge includes a rotatable stem extending from a body. The water dispenser assembly includes a self-closing feature that provides for the automatic shut-off of flow of hot water responsive to release of the handle. The self-closing feature includes a spring held onto the stem by an adaptor. The self-closing feature is contained entirely within the valve cartridge and therefore does not require any modification to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Brasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Molina, John Wojtaszek, Vinh Vu
  • Patent number: 7225829
    Abstract: A first expression of a flow-control valve assembly includes a valve body and a resilient flow control positioned in the valve body. The valve body has a valve seat including a radially-inner valve seat portion, a radially-outer valve seat portion and a bypass-flow-channel exit located between the two seat portions. The flow control has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a through passage. The bottom surface is spaced apart from the radially-inner valve seat portion under a lower fluid pressure against the top surface exposing the bypass-flow-channel exit. The bottom surface seats against the radially-inner valve seat portion under a higher fluid pressure blocking the bypass-flow-channel exit. A second expression of a flow-control valve assembly includes a valve body having a bypass-flow-channel exit and includes a resilient flow control which has a substantially-constant-diameter outer cylindrical surface and which has a bottom surface devoid of any protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Vernay Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: James Christopher Bailey
  • Patent number: 7185671
    Abstract: Poppet valve installation or removal is simplified through the use of a unitary poppet assembly that may be accurately placed into a valve body through an access opening and wherein the poppet is slidably mounted in a stem in an insert while being permanently affixed thereto by the interference fit between a shoulder on the poppet stem and a post within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.
    Inventor: Karl D. Duex
  • Patent number: 7165570
    Abstract: A pressure balancing cartridge for mixing hot and cold water includes a casing having a sleeve therein which further includes a reciprocating balancing spool therein. There are seal members positioned to form a seal between the sleeve and the casing. Further, a spring is incorporated to protect a balancing spool of the valve from “water hammer” shock and to mechanically shear and digest any deposited matter in the area of the spring. Still further, by using material other than stainless steel, failure of the balancing spool is eliminated in “bad” water environments. Finally, the seal members comprise stainless steel clips or inserts. To address issues of mechanical wear, all improvements defined above increase useful longevity of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Var Lordahl, Scott H. Koepsel
  • Patent number: 7150825
    Abstract: A fuel filter sealing apparatus to improve a connector for connecting a fuel input pipe and a fuel return pipe to a fuel filter in order to prevent fuel leakage during a preliminary testing stage of an engine and backflow of fuel during engine operation. An oil chamber is provided between a first piston and a second piston accommodated at an inner circumferential side of a fuel filter side connecting part. Fuel flow holes are radially formed at an external side of the oil chamber and inlets thereof are opened and closed by the first piston to allow the fuel passing through outlets thereof to flow to the fuel filter. A barrier valve is provided at one side with a valve surface for opening and closing a fuel through hole disposed between the fuel filter and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sung-Hak Kim
  • Patent number: 7143777
    Abstract: A control valve includes a housing, two sealing gaskets, a shaft, a protective jacket, a fixed plate, a movable plate, a sleeve, a pressure balance unit, and an urging screwing member. Thus, the movable plate is rotated by operation of the shaft without producing deviation or loose displacement so as to balance the water pressure and control the water output and temperature exactly. In addition, the movable plate is driven by the shaft to rotate relative to the fixed plate without producing friction and wear between the movable plate and the fixed plate, thereby enhancing the lifetime of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Ing Tzon Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Fen Lin
  • Patent number: 7140383
    Abstract: An intake system has an intake pipe, a passage member which is inserted into a peripheral wall of the intake pipe in a radial direction to form an intake passage passing across a front end and a rear end thereof in a direction of insertion along with the intake pipe, a seal member which is arranged at a seam between the peripheral wall of the intake pipe and the passage member and seals the seam, and an elastic member which is made of the same material as that of the seal member and is interposed between the peripheral wall of the intake pipe and the front end of the passage member so as to be capable of giving the front end of the passage member an elastic reaction force in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the direction of insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Masao Ino
  • Patent number: 7140390
    Abstract: A frost free faucet having a spigot assembly including a drain conduit, a sleeve assembly including an elongated pipe, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly including a ¼ turn valve and a check valve. The ¼ turn valve includes a rotatable disc with an inlet and a stationary disc with a through hole. Each disc is formed of a ceramic material, wherein upon turning the rotatable disc 90 degrees in a first direction the inlet and the through-hole align to an open position and upon turning the rotatable disc 90 degrees in a second direction, the inlet and the through-hole misalign to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: B&K Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Berkman, Shi James Li
  • Patent number: 7063098
    Abstract: Specifically, the present invention is a flush cartridge apparatus used in the controlled removal of accumulated debris from a water distribution system used within a residential and/or commercial structure. The flush cartridge apparatus is generally cylindrically shaped and is designed for sealed engagement within a plumbing valve housing, including pressure balance valves and mixing valves, to provide a long, sustained and complete flushing of water and debris from the water distribution system, while generally preventing water damage, and the occurrence of mold and/or mildew, within the structure. The flush cartridge apparatus can be used alone or in combination with other plumbing tools depending upon the specific need. The flush cartridge apparatus includes alignment and mating features for improved control and safety while using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Gerald L. Sprague
  • Patent number: 6945264
    Abstract: A flow control module has a valve body with a bore extending therethrough and a first disc occupying substantially the entire area of the bore and having at least one aperture extending therethrough. The valve body also includes a second disc adjacent to the first disc wherein the second disc also occupies substantially the entire area of the bore and has at least one aperture extending therethrough. The discs are rotated so that the apertures may align to increase or to reduce flow therethrough. The valve body also includes a check valve proximate to the first disc and the second disc to close and prevent backflow. Arranging multiple flow control modules in line in a system provides incremental pressure drops to achieve a total pressure drop in stages while minimizing or eliminating cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Denzel, Clark Behnke, Hany Armia Said
  • Patent number: 6932108
    Abstract: A pressure reducer has a housing with inlet and outlet sockets, a partition between said inlet and outlet sockets, and an accommodation socket. The partition defines an aperture aligned with the accommodation socket. A pressure reducer insert is inserted into the accommodation socket and the aperture. The pressure reducer insert has a tapering, funnel-like insert housing, a valve seat, and webs for connecting the insert housing with a valve seat sealingly mounted in the aperture. A regulating diaphragm closes the open end to define a controlled pressure chamber which communicates with an outlet chamber. A cap encloses a biased helical spring and a bias setting threaded spindle rotatably mounted in the cap. A setting knob is axially movable between a first position non-rotatably coupled with the cap, and a second position rotatable relative to the cap where rotation of the knob rotates the bias setting spindle and adjusts the pressure setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Hans Sasserath & Co KG
    Inventor: Willi Hecking
  • Patent number: 6929029
    Abstract: A water control valve of a faucet comprises a water control body; a water-stop ring having a water outlet slot; a water guiding disk having a round shape; a lateral surface of the water guiding disk being formed with a protrusion for resisting against a lower annular surface of the water control body; a water inlet seat being at a lowest end of the water-control valve; the water inlet seat having a recess; a through hole being formed in a center of the recess and a plurality of water inlets being positioned around the through hole; and a water-stop unit having a base and a tapered rod extends from a center of the base; the base resisting against a bottom of the recess and located upon the plurality of water inlets; and an annular flange being formed on the tapered rod near the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Chiu Chih Chung
  • Patent number: 6895993
    Abstract: An expansion valve 1 comprises a piping member 10 equipped with passages to which refrigerant pipes are connected, and a cassette unit 100, the two members being formed as separate units. The cassette unit 100 comprises a tube member 110 having a flange portion 111, and at the interior of the tube member 110 are fixed a guide member 170, an orifice member 180, and a plate member 166. The pressure of the gas filled in a gas charge chamber 122 defined by a lid 120 and a diaphragm 130 displaces the diaphragm 130, the displacement being transmitted through a stopper member 140 to a shaft member 150. The shaft member 150 is guided by a guide member 170 and controls the valve means 160 inside a valve chamber 161. The cassette unit 100 is inserted to the piping member 10 and fixed to position by a ring 50. Seal members 62, 64, and 66 are equipped to appropriate areas between the cassette unit and the piping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuto Kobayashi, Masamichi Yano
  • Patent number: 6889704
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tap insert which is used for closing or separating conduits and can be introduced into a valve housing (1, 17) for valve inserts. An external thread (12, 23) is provided at the outside of the tap insert (2, 16, 21). The insert can be screwed in a receptacle (5) of a valve housing (1, 17) by means of said thread, whereby the receptacle is provided for valve inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: Frank Brombach
  • Patent number: 6886578
    Abstract: A device that can be applied to cartridges for water equipment, intended to receive a rotary operating member (9) for the purpose of promoting the structural unification of the largest possible number of parts making up the cartridges, where the rotary fitting (17) inside the cartridge is by itself not provided with a control pin and instead has a coupling means (16) and where the control pin of the cartridge is made separately from the internal rotary fitting and has an internal coupling means complementary to the coupling means presented by the internal rotary fitting and external coupling means (10) suitable for meeting the requirements of a handling member for which the cartridge is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Francesco Knapp
  • Patent number: 6880565
    Abstract: A shower bath tap valve assembly allowing easy production and assembly and adaptable also to a ceramic cartridge is essentially comprised of a valve body, a cylindrical balance valve seat to accommodate a balance valve to be forthwith placed in a central trough, connected to a cartridge and secured in position with a sleeve and a fixation nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Crop.
    Inventor: Scott Ouyoung
  • Patent number: 6854482
    Abstract: A safe casing includes a casing having an open space in one side, a solenoid valve device installed in a place of the open space, a low-voltage, low-current circuit control device installed in the other place of the open space and a sealing means. The open space of the casing is sealed by use of the sealing means after it is installed with such devices of solenoid valve and circuit control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Shih Pei Hsi
  • Patent number: 6845969
    Abstract: A valve is generally elongated in shape and is inserted through an O-ring and amounting hole formed through a plate-shaped member. The valve includes a thread formed on an outer circumferential face of the valve so that a generally annular fitting is engaged therewith, an outer protruding wall protruding from the outer circumferential face of the valve to hold a circumferential edge of the mounting hole in cooperation with the fitting, a tapered portion formed in the outer protruding wall so as to be tapered toward the fitting and so as to abut against a part of the circumferential edge of the mounting hole, and a sealing portion disposed at a side farther away from the plate-shaped member than a portion of the protruding wall abutting against said circumferential edge part of the mounting hole so that each of the plate-shaped member and the sealing portion presses the O-ring against the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kayukawa
  • Patent number: 6827100
    Abstract: Simple APCV, ADPCV and PICV's are provided. The APCV's are referenced to the atmosphere and control the gauge pressure, either upstream or downstream. The ADPCV's are the same as the APCV's, differing in that they are not referenced to the atmosphere. They are instead referenced to a second point in the fluid flow system and control the differential pressure. The PICV's are control valves connected in series with ADPCV's and control the fluid flow rate through the valve independently of variations in the line pressure. A preferred APCV has a valve body (1) with connections for a single-phase fluid line and a flow passage between the inlet (2) and the outlet (3) of said fluid line, with an opening having a defined seat orifice (7) intersecting the flow passage. A moveable assembly, comprising a disk (5) or cup is connected to a pressure sensing member (4), having essentially the same effective surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Belimo Holding AG
    Inventor: Bengt A. Carlson
  • Patent number: 6732754
    Abstract: This invention relates to a group of valve components to regulate the flow of water in hot and cold water mixer taps, which comprises a mixer valve with a cartridge type body provided with reference pins and is intended to be housed, superimposed and in association with at least a pressure regulator, in a tap body. The superimposed mixer valve (10) and al least pressure regulator (11) are assembled together by fastening screws (14, 16, 19, 111′) in order to form a block to be inserted into/removed from the tap body as a single group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sitec S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carlo Ottelli
  • Patent number: 6619314
    Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Wynn, Jr., Barry S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6616122
    Abstract: An electromagnet switching device for hydraulic or electrohydraulic directional control valves, especially applied in advancing supports of underground mining equipment with controllable electromagnets (10A, 10B) accommodated in a case (1) and comprising armature (5), coil bodies (3), magnetisable core (4) and switching plunger (6), whose switching plunger (6) has a switching end which can be coupled to the closing element of a hydraulic valve (33A, 33B) and an actuating end (8) for manual operation, whereby the effective switching lift of the switching plunger (6) is adjustable. The switching plunger (6) is joined to the armature (5) by means of a screwed connection and adjustment of the switching lift is facilitated by a relative rotation between the armature (5) and the switching plunger (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: DBT GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kobow, Michael Dettmers
  • Publication number: 20030155013
    Abstract: A fuel component assembly having a fuel component disposed between a base and a cover, which prevent fluid communication to an exterior thereof. The fuel component defines at least one aperture, the base supports the fuel component and defines a passage in communication with the at least one aperture. The cover is located proximate the base. A securement having a projection and the receiver that engage to form a fluid tight seal. The projection is radially disposed about a longitudinal axis of the fuel component, and the receiver continuously engages the projection. The projection being disposed on one of the cover and the base, and the receiver being disposed on the other of the cover and the base. The fuel component assembly allows for a method of encapsulating a fuel component within a fuel supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Wynn, Barry S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20030145889
    Abstract: A delivery control device, intended to allow the control of the supply to several hydraulic apparatuses to achieve activation of these individually or in various combinations, including a pair of shutter plates, one fixed and one moveable, of which the fixed shutter plate offers a central inlet passage aperture and several peripheral delivery passage apertures, each of these having essentially the form of a sector of a circle and all of them together occupying no more than one third of the circle of the peripheral region of the fixed shutter plate, while the moveable shutter plate offers a central inlet passage aperture, a single peripheral delivery passage aperture, of a form which essentially corresponds to that of one of the delivery passage apertures of the fixed shutter plate and, in a position at least approximately diametrically opposite to this single delivery passage aperture, a collective delivery passage aperture of a form which essentially corresponds to the whole form of two or more delivery pass
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Francesco Knapp
  • Patent number: 6581628
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve assembly (10) for receiving fluid from a high pressure line and delivering the fluid to a low pressure line includes an elongated tubular body (12), a pressure reducing valve (14) having a single, valved opening (54) interposed between high and low pressure ports (68),(70), and a pressure reducing reservoir (16) defined substantially between the body (12) and the pressure reducing valve (14). The pressure reducing reservoir (16) comprises the only substantial fluid communication between the body (12) and the pressure reducing valve (14) and fluidly communicates with the high pressure port (68) by the single, valved opening (54). In preferred forms, the pressure reducing valve (14) includes a valve insert (64) housing a spring (62) that, among other functions, serves as a reset valve to further reduce the space requirements and decreasing the cost and complexity of the valve assembly (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Vektek, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Smith
  • Patent number: 6575196
    Abstract: A valve cartridge for controlling the flow of fluid between a fluid source and a fluid outlet has a valve body with a rotatable ceramic disk and fixed ceramic disk. A biasing element is disposed between the rotatable ceramic disk and the valve body for biasing the rotatable ceramic disk against the fixed ceramic disk. The fixed ceramic disk is additionally secured against the valve body to retain it independently of the biasing element, thus effectively removing the fixed ceramic disk from the stack up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Amerikam, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Creswell
  • Patent number: 6571826
    Abstract: A ceramic valve in combination with a connection mount is provided. The ceramic valve has a bottom seat with a seal ring disposed on the external periphery thereof. There are two supporting lugs, a cold water inlet tube, a hot water inlet tube and a water outlet extended from the bottom of the bottom seat. Both the cold and hot water inlet tubes have a short extended insertion section and also have a seal ring at their ends respectively. The connection mount and the water outlet conduct are integrally produced. The connection mount has a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet and a water outlet and is provided with an externally threaded journal section at the top thereof. Whereby the assembly of the components can be completed with speed and ease without finely machining insertion grooves, resulting in the saving of production time, labor and cost. No specific orientation must be check in assembly to make the assembly easy and quick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi Chia Ko
  • Patent number: 6546948
    Abstract: A mixer valve assembly is provided comprising a pressure balancer cartridge including radially extending lugs, a mixer valve in fluid communication with, and supported by the pressure balancer cartridge, and a housing fitted over the pressure balancer cartridge and the mixer valve, the housing including notches for coupling to the lugs. The mixer valve can be used as part of a water faucet assembly. In this respect, a water faucet assembly is also provided comprising a faucet body including a sleeve, a base provided at one end of the sleeve, and fluid passages formed in the base, and a mixer valve assembly, disposed within the faucet body, including a pressure balancer cartridge including radially extending lugs, a mixer valve in fluid communication with, and supported by the pressure balancer cartridge, and a housing fitted over the pressure balancer cartridge and the mixer valve, the housing including notches for coupling to the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: American Faucet Inc.
    Inventor: Umberto Tarzia
  • Patent number: 6497245
    Abstract: A throttle assembly including a bore wall to which a seal member is previously attached is inserted into a key-like slot of an intake air passage body, and flanges are fixed to each other by screws. A bore inner wall of the bore wall is placed to correspond to an inner wall of an intake air passage, and the seal member completely seals between the intake air passage body and the throttle assembly. That is, the throttle assembly including the seal member is inserted into the key-like slot, so that the throttle assembly is easily attached to the intake air passage body, a sealing mechanism therebetween is simplified, and a stress strain of the bore wall is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuya Torii
  • Patent number: 6481976
    Abstract: A variable capacity type compressor has a tiltable swash plate and pistons. A control valve is arranged to change the pressure in the crank chamber, to vary the capacity of the compressor by changing the inclination angle of the swash plate by changing the pressure in the crank chamber. The control valve has independently movable first and second plungers and a coil arranged around the first and second plungers so that the coil generates an electromagnetic attraction force acting on and between the first and second plungers. First and second valve elements provided on the first and second plungers can adjust the degree of opening of the first and second fluid passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kazuya Kimura, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Kayukawa, Tetsuhiko Fukanuma
  • Patent number: 6478047
    Abstract: A backflow prevention apparatus of light weight, modular construction which provides quick and easy access to internal check valves. The backflow prevention apparatus generally comprises a tubular valve body having a lateral opening, at least one check valve positioned within the flow stream of the tubular valve body, a movable sleeve which fits over the valve body and is configured to cover the lateral opening in the valve body, and seals, associated with the sleeve valve body, for providing a fluid tight seal between the sleeve and valve body. The tubular valve body has openings at first and second ends, and the lateral opening is flangeless. Preferably, the backflow preventer includes a first, upstream check valve and a second, downstream check valve each having thereon a stop or ridge thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hunter Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglass H. Powell
  • Patent number: 6467501
    Abstract: A fluid flow regulator in which fluid is passed through an impeller chamber having a pressure differential-operated impeller piston for monitoring changing inlet and outlet fluid pressures to maintain a constant fluid flow rate. A needle valve mounted on the body at one end of the impeller chamber engages an orifice opening to precisely change the fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: W. A. Kates Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Geile, Bryan E. Mudge
  • Patent number: 6431214
    Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a high pressure fluid gun includes a valve seat connected to a valve sleeve by a spring. The valve seat and the valve sleeve are crimped around opposing ends of the spring. A valve pin is secured to the valve sleeve, the spring allowing for the movement of the valve pin when a trigger mechanism is actuated. When installed, the valve pin is received and guided by a bore in the body of the fluid gun. When the valve pin is actuated by a trigger mechanism, a seat end of the valve pin sealingly engages an angled seat of the valve seat to direct the flow of fluid through a high pressure outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: NLB Corp.
    Inventors: Matthew O. Herhold, Daniel D. Trunick
  • Patent number: 6427713
    Abstract: A valve assembly for mixing hot and cold water includes a generally cylindrical sleeve having hot and cold inlets and outlets and a rotable non-reciprocal valve member positioned therein to control the mixture of hot and cold water in the outlet stream. The valve member has a hollow stem tube having hot and cold inlet and outlet ports which are rotably engageable with the hot and cold inlets and outlets of the sleeve. The stem tube hot water inlet port has at least one tapered portion with is engageable with a tapered portion of the sleeve to provide a larger range of mixed range temperatures in the resulting outlet stream. Sleeve ribs, rims and raised edges provide a smoother fluid passageway for increased flow and for the eliminating of stacking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: James F. Dempsey, John C. Holzheimer, Matt R. Kesti
  • Patent number: 6412516
    Abstract: A valve control system for regulating fluid flow in a high pressure system, the control mechanism including a valve slidable within a cartridge, said cartridge carrying a seat, said valve being movable between a first position permitting high pressure fluid flow from a source to the exit of a gun, to a second position blocking passage of said fluid through said exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 6386226
    Abstract: A faucet includes a housing with a valve body assembly having a valve body positioned within the housing. There is a water inlet connection for the valve body and a water outlet connection for the valve body. A handle collar is seated on the housing and has an interior surface which is formed and adapted to attach to and support the valve body within the housing. A valve is positioned within a cavity in the valve body. The valve has an outwardly extending stem and there is a handle attached to the valve stem. A valve retainer is threadedly attached to the valve body to hold the valve within the valve body cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Darren S. Lopp, David Stech, Sharon M. Vilagi
  • Patent number: 6382229
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a valve stem, an annular bonnet configured to receive the valve stem, a valve disk coupled to one end of the valve stem, a seal, and an insert. The seal is disposed adjacent the valve disk and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface includes a first pair of sealing ridges extending upwardly therefrom and the bottom surface includes a second pair of sealing ridges extending downwardly therefrom. The insert includes a recess configured to receive the seal that performs a sealing function and a biasing function. The valve assembly can easily be configured to open in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction without resort to adapters or other additional pieces by rotating the bonnet/valve stem sub-assembly 90° relative to the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Emhart LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Baker, Oscar Romero, Mark Bloom
  • Patent number: 6357666
    Abstract: A fitting construction of the thermostat 1, having a valve body 12 which actuates by the function of a piston portion 11, 15, 15a, 16 and a spring portion 6 depending upon a temperature change in the cooling fluid to cross said fluid channel FA, and which blocks or communicates the fluid channel by the movement is disclosed. The construction has a valve body 17 possessing an insert hole 5a into which the valve body 17 is inserted, an alignment groove 2b formed along the direction of the insertion of the valve body 17, projection 17g is placed on the circumference surface of the valve body 17, which is engaged with the alignment groove 2b, and which can slide along the alignment groove 2b, and a cover 19 which is screwed from the hole opening 2a onto the insert hole 5a, and which pushes and supports the valve body 17 at the end thereof. By having such a construction, there is no need for enlarging the diameter of the pipe, making it possible to moderate the restrictions of the thermostat placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Fukamachi, Takahiro Iwaki, Masahiro Aburakawa
  • Patent number: RE38750
    Abstract: A fluid valve assembly includes a housing, a valve, a rotatable driver received in the housing in operative communication with the valve, and an over-center linkage disposed between the driver and the housing. The housing includes an entrance to permit fluid flow into the housing and an exit to allow fluid flow out of the housing. The valve is disposed between the housing entrance and exit. The valve is configured in an open state to permit fluid flow through the housing and in a closed state to block fluid flow through the housing. Rotation of the driver from a first rotational position toward a second rotational position moves the valve from the closed to the open state, and rotation of the driver from the second rotational position to a third rotational position permits the valve to return to a closed state. The over-center linkage biases the driver to either the first or third rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: T & S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark V. Weaver