Control By Pressures Across Flow Line Valve Patents (Class 137/487)
  • Patent number: 11906071
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes, a first moveable member disposed in a first chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the first moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from passing from an inlet of the first chamber to an outlet of the first chamber. A second moveable member is disposed in a second chamber configured to move between a first position and a second position of the second moveable member to allow or prevent fluid from entering a biasing chamber, the second chamber being fluidly connected to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Connor Berube, Myles R. Kelly
  • Patent number: 11841720
    Abstract: Provided is a flow rate controller. The flow rate controller calculates a resistor flow rate that is a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a fluid resistor, on the basis of a first measured pressure measured by a first pressure sensor and a second measured pressure measured by a second pressure sensor; controls a second valve on the basis of a deviation of the resistor flow rate from the set flow rate; outputs a first set pressure that is a target of a pressure upstream of the fluid resistor, on the basis of the set flow rate and a second set pressure which is a target of a pressure downstream of the fluid resistor and to which a constant value is set; and controls the first valve on the basis of a deviation of the first measured pressure from the first set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 11773989
    Abstract: An illustrative valve block includes a plate, a fluid transfer block, and a diaphragm. The plate includes a channel configured to receive a first fluid and a recess connected to the channel. The fluid transfer block includes an inlet connection configured to receive a second fluid and an outlet connection. The fluid transfer block also includes a plurality of valve inlet bores connected to the inlet connection. The plurality of valve inlet bores are distributed along at least part of a first curved shape. The fluid transfer block further includes a plurality of valve outlet bores each fluidly connected to the outlet connection. The plurality of valve outlet bores are distributed along at least part of a second curved shape. The diaphragm is between the pressure plate and the fluid transfer block. The plurality of valve inlet bores and the plurality of valve outlet bores adjoin the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Tosoh Bioscience LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. Harbrecht, Robert Charles Mierendorf, Scott G. Manke
  • Patent number: 11709508
    Abstract: Provided are a control method, a control system and an electric valve. The control method includes steps described below. An actually measured setting parameter curve is acquired. A required setting parameter curve is acquired. Both the actually measured setting parameter curve and the required setting parameter curve represent a corresponding relationship between a position of the electric valve and a setting parameter. The actually measured setting parameter curve and the required setting parameter curve are fitted to acquire a position mapping curve. A setting required position is obtained according to a required setting parameter and the required setting parameter curve, and a setting actual position is acquired according to the setting required position and the position mapping curve. The electric valve is controlled to run toward the setting actual position of the electric valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SANHUA INTELLIGENT CONTROLS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Xiaoyan Wu
  • Patent number: 11586158
    Abstract: Implementations of systems for monitoring industrial equipment may include: a processor coupled with one or more sensors. The systems may include one or more input/outputs coupled with the sensors. The one or more input/outputs may be configured to couple with one or more peripheral devices. The processor may be configured to electrically couple with a remote server. The remote server may be configured to process data received from the one or more sensors and instruct, through the processor, the one or more peripheral devices to make an adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Etellimetrix, LLC
    Inventors: Brian D. Downing, Pranam Joshi, Ramesh Narasimhan, Afreen Shaikh
  • Patent number: 11460123
    Abstract: A device for controlling a valve with an electromagnet having a coil fed by a current, includes a closed-loop control unit configured to control the current using a closed-loop control circuit, the closed-loop control circuit having a plurality of elements which are set by a plurality of control parameters to generate an actual pressure value at the valve, the actual pressure value depending upon the dead volume. The device includes a dead volume setting unit configured to adapt to a change in dead volume while accounting for a nonlinear relationship between the dead volume and the plurality of control parameters by simultaneously setting the plurality of control parameters based upon a single dead volume parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Gruber, Frank Knoll, Peter Ommert
  • Patent number: 11391220
    Abstract: A regulation system to regulate the flow rate of a hot air duct which comprises a shutter, an upstream air intake, a downstream air intake, a regulator and an actuator of the shutter with a first inlet connected to an outlet of the regulator and a cooling system comprising an outer radiator, a housing and a heat pipe housed in the housing and discharging the heat between the housing and the outer radiator, wherein the air streams coming from the upstream air intake and from the downstream air intake pass through the housing. Such a regulation system allows a better discharging of the heat by the action of the heat pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventor: Maxime Zebian
  • Patent number: 11306837
    Abstract: A pressure actuated water shutoff valve is presented. The shutoff valve comprises an upper housing and a lower housing where the upper housing is coupled to the lower housing. The lower housing has a water inlet and a water outlet with a flow passage therebetween. The lower housing includes a plunger seat configured to receive a shutoff plunger. The upper housing includes an chamber having a piston bore in which reciprocates an piston, coupled to the shutoff plunger. In response to a first pressure condition, the piston lifts the shutoff plunger off its seat allowing water to flow through the lower housing. In response to a second pressure condition, a biasing spring seals the plunger against its seat, shutting off water flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: JDP W.H.A.T., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel Thomas Powell, Daniel Steven Nielson
  • Patent number: 11306838
    Abstract: A pilot-operated pressure relief valve nozzle assembly and associated systems and methods are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes a body having an elongate shaft with an inner lumen extending therein and a flange at one end of the elongate shaft and having an annular notch formed therein. The annular notch is configured to seat an annular ring, and the annular notch includes an annular groove formed therein that enables communication between a first bore extending through the flange from the inner lumen to the annular groove and a second bore extending through the annular ring, thus allow the first and second bores to be radially offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DRESSER, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Klimas, Jr., Rajesh Krithivasan, Orie Woodman Van Doran, Vigneshwar Shaliwan Wali
  • Patent number: 11274850
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve is provided. The system includes a valve and an actuator. An actuator drive device is driven by an actuator motor and is coupled to the valve for driving the valve between multiple positions. The system further includes a differential pressure sensor configured to measure a differential pressure across the valve and a controller that is communicably coupled with the differential pressure sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to receive a flow rate setpoint and the differential pressure measurement, determine an estimated flow rate based on the differential pressure measurement, determine an actuator position setpoint using the flow rate setpoint and the estimated flow rate, and operate the motor to drive the drive device to the actuator position setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Camille M. Aucoin, Brennan H. Fentzlaff, Homero L. Noboa, Duane S. Freimuth, Kirk H. Drees, Kenneth J. Sieth, Justin M. Salerno
  • Patent number: 11243549
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to improve the accuracy of control of a material gas by providing a valve with simplified wiring and a fluid supply line equipped with the valve. A valve V includes a valve body 3 and a driving pressure control device 4 coupled to the valve body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikin Inc.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Tanno, Kenji Aikawa, Akihiro Harada, Yuya Suzuki, Takahiro Matsuda, Katsunori Komehana, Masahiko Ochiishi, Tsutomu Shinohara
  • Patent number: 11002461
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling flow rate of a fluid through a valve, the system including a flow rate sensor configured to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve, and a controller in communication with the flow rate sensor. The controller is configured to receive the measured flow rate from the flow rate sensor and determine if the measured flow rate is equal to a predetermined flow rate value. In response to determining equality, the controller is configured to determine a minimum valve position threshold (xmin), and determine a minimum flow rate threshold (ymin) corresponding to xmin. The controller is further configured to calculate a corrected flow rate (?f) using xmin, ymin, and an indication of valve position (v). Additionally, the controller is configured to control a valve operation using the corrected flow rate (?f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Kirk H. Drees
  • Patent number: 10883491
    Abstract: A method of probabilistically estimating a velocity of a plunger of a beam pump may comprise continuously monitoring well acoustics using a plurality of passive acoustic sensors attached to external structures of the beam pump; digitizing outputs of the plurality of passive acoustic sensors and sending the digitized outputs to a computing device for storage and processing; and using the digitized outputs of the plurality of passive acoustic sensors, estimating a probability of the velocity of the plunger using a hidden Markov model (HMM) to represent a probability of a position and the probability of the velocity of the plunger, the HMM comprising a state space model and an observational model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KELVIN INC.
    Inventors: David Bangor, Logan Duffy, Adam Guetz, Tim Jackson, Robbie Pratt, Peter Harding, Niall Wells
  • Patent number: 10794731
    Abstract: A method for measuring a position of a device which is connected to a position sensor is provided. The method includes the steps of controlling an excitation unit to generate an excitation signal which excites the position sensor to provide a first feedback signal proportioned to the displacement of the device, controlling a sampling unit to sample the first feedback signal and obtain a plurality of first feedback samples, and calculating the position of the device based at least in part on the first feedback samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaojie Wu, Liu Wei, Jiang Yemin
  • Patent number: 10558227
    Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling flow rate of a fluid through a valve is disclosed. The system includes a flow rate sensor to measure the flow rate of the fluid through the valve, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the measured flow rate from the flow rate sensor, and determine if the measured flow rate is equal to a predetermined flow rate value. The controller is further configured to, in response to a determination that the measured flow rate is equal to the predetermined flow rate value, determine a minimum valve position threshold (xmin). Additionally, the controller is configured to determine a minimum flow rate threshold (ymin) corresponding to xmin, and configured to generate a PWM signal and calculate a corrected flow rate (?f) using the PWM signal. The controller controls a valve operation using ?f. The PWM signal switches between zero and ymin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Carlos Felipe Alcala Perez, Kirk H. Drees, Timothy I. Salsbury
  • Patent number: 10508772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14), an aperture (16), an aperture obturator (18) and an actuator (20) for moving said obturator (16) between a first closed position and multiple open positions (B-L), characterised by a valve position monitor (21) for monitoring the position of the valve (12) and comprising a plurality of discrete sensors (28a to 28e) associated with a plurality of open positions (B-L) of said valve for monitoring the presence or absence of one or more members (26) movable with said valve (12). The arrangement may be used to monitor the valve position and such monitoring may be of use in the prediction of the amount of fluid remaining within a cylinder (32) to which it has been attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael John Cox, John Andrew Golby, Alan Edward Green, Piers Lambert
  • Patent number: 10344919
    Abstract: A method of controlling fluid pressure in a closed system including using a pressure regulating unit connected to the system, the unit including a first conduit fluidly connecting the closed system to an external system. A first regulating valve is interposed between the external system and one end of the conduit and a second regulating valve interposed between the closed system and the other end of the conduit. The method further includes: a) opening one of the first or second regulating valves; b) closing said one regulating valve; c) opening the other regulating valve; d) closing the other regulating valve; and e) repeating steps a) to d) in turn until the desired fluid pressure is achieved in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Haakon Jostein Grimstad, Arne Veland
  • Patent number: 10221868
    Abstract: An intermittent air discharge apparatus has a main valve and a pilot valve, the main valve being switched between a discharge state and a discharge stop state. The pilot valve is switched between an air-supply state to supply air to a pilot chamber for air-discharge, and an air-supply stop state. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, an exhaust passage communicates with the pilot chamber for air-discharge. When the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply state, a supply or exhaust passage allows an air supply passage to communicate with the pilot chamber for air-discharge and a pilot chamber for stopping air-supply; when the pilot valve is switched to the air-supply stop state, communication with the air supply passage is blocked. A flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for air-discharge is set by the exhaust passage, and a flow rate of air from the pilot chamber for stopping air-supply is set by the supply or exhaust passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10203706
    Abstract: An intelligent pressure regulator in a process control system is controlled according to a profile constructed by a user on a computer connected to the device. The profile is a multi-step command sequence. The profile includes at least one conditional statement and, optionally, at least one branching statement. That is, the profile includes at least one statement that, depending on whether the statement is true or false, causes the device to execute a first command or a second command, respectively. The profile may also include a statement (e.g., a “goto” statement) that causes the device to skip one or more commands in the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: TESCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven Craig Davies
  • Patent number: 10203704
    Abstract: A servovalve system comprising a pilot stage valve in communication with an hydraulic stage valve, the hydraulic stage valve comprising a valve member movably mounted in a valve chamber to selectively meter fluid flow in a flow path from an upstream inlet port to a downstream outlet port and at least two variable-sized orifices disposed in the flow path between the inlet and outlet ports, an upstream pressure sensor, a downstream pressure sensor, a fluid temperature sensor, a position sensor sensing a linear position of the valve member, a controller that receives input from the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, the fluid temperature sensor and the position sensor; and the controller configured to provide a control signal to the pilot stage valve as a function of the input from the upstream pressure sensor, the downstream pressure sensor, the fluid temperature sensor and the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory B. Weber
  • Patent number: 10151395
    Abstract: A concrete flow leakage-preventing shut-off valve includes an outer flexible casing configured to be disposed around a concrete delivery hose. A flexible inflatable bladder is disposed within the casing and defines a gas chamber therein. A gas intake/exhaust device extends through the casing and into the gas chamber such that pressurized gas introduced and exhausted from the gas chamber enables movement of the bladder to define closed and open concrete flow conditions of concrete relative to an outlet end of the hose. A clamping arrangement secures opposite ends of the casing and the bladder in radially and axially spaced apart relationship, and is configured to maintain a surrounding relationship of the casing and bladder with respect to the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Construction Forms, Inc.
    Inventor: Brett McMichael
  • Patent number: 9921089
    Abstract: A pressure type flow rate control apparatus is provided wherein flow rate of fluid passing through an orifice is computed as Qc=KP1 (where K is a proportionality constant) or as Qc=KP2m (P1-P2)n (where K is a proportionality constant, m and n constants) by using orifice upstream side pressure P1 and/or orifice downstream side pressure P2. A fluid passage between the downstream side of a control valve and a fluid supply pipe of the pressure type flow rate control apparatus comprises at least 2 fluid passages in parallel, and orifices having different flow rate characteristics are provided for each of these fluid passages, wherein fluid in a small flow quantity area flows to one orifice for flow control of fluid in the small flow quantity area, while fluid in a large flow quantity area flows to the other orifice for flow control of fluid in the large flow quantity area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated, National University Corporation Tohuku University, Tokyo Electron Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Masahito Saito, Shoichi Hino, Tsuyoshi Shimazu, Kazuyuki Miura, Kouji Nishino, Masaaki Nagase, Katsuyuki Sugita, Kaoru Hirata, Ryousuke Dohi, Takashi Hirose, Tsutomu Shinohara, Nobukazu Ikeda, Tomokazu Imai, Toshihide Yoshida, Hisashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9730775
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a surgical tool for use with solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The surgical tool includes (a) a shaft unit, which is shaped so as to define a delivery lumen, and a distal opening, which is disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the shaft unit, in fluid communication with the delivery lumen; (b) a composition source, which is coupled in fluid communication with the delivery lumen, and which is configured to provide a solid-liquid composition of the solid particles and the physiological liquid solution; and (c) a pump, which is configured to pump the solid-liquid composition through the distal opening via the delivery lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Maxillent Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Uchitel, Adi Alphandary, Gideon Fostick, Yossi Gross, Zev Sohn
  • Patent number: 9730774
    Abstract: An osteotome is shaped so as to define (a) a lumen through the osteotome, a distal end of the lumen opening through a distal opening disposed within 10 mm of a distal end of the osteotome, and a proximal end of the lumen opening through a proximal opening disposed at least 5 mm proximal to the distal opening, (b) a lateral external surface, at least a portion of which is shaped so as to define a screw thread that (i) has a distal thread end that is disposed within 10 mm of the distal end of the osteotome, and (ii) comprises one or more raised helical ribs going around the osteotome, and (c) one or more longitudinal drainage slots, which extend along at least respective longitudinal portions of the osteotome having respective longitudinal lengths of at least 5 mm, measured parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the osteotome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Maxillent Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Uchitel, Adi Alphandary, Gideon Fostick, Yossi Gross, Zev Sohn
  • Patent number: 9730773
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes injecting, from a first side of a bone, through (a) exactly one bore that passes through the bone from the first side to a second side of the bone, and (b) into a cavity adjacent to the second side of the bone, a solid-liquid composition of solid particles and a physiological liquid solution. The physiological liquid solution is drained from the cavity and through the bore while passage of the solid particles of the solid-liquid composition is inhibited, such that the solid particles accumulate in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Maxillent Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Uchitel, Adi Alphandary, Gideon Fostick, Yossi Gross, Zev Sohn
  • Patent number: 9665105
    Abstract: A table indicating a relationship between a differential pressure across a valve unit and a torque that is to be outputted by a motor (an output torque) is stored in a table storing portion. A valve opening controlling portion and a torque controlling portion are provided in a controlling portion. The valve opening controlling portion uses the actual opening ?pv, from the valve opening detector, as the valve opening measured value, and sends a driving command to the motor so as to cause the valve opening measured value ?pv to match the valve opening setpoint ?sp. The torque controlling portion acquires, from the table, a torque corresponding to the differential pressure ?P across the valve unit, detected by the differential pressure detecting portion, and sends, to the motor, a command (a torque output command) to cause outputting of the torque that has been acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Someya, Hiroaki Narita, Makoto Saruwatari, Tomofumi Ohashi
  • Patent number: 9658628
    Abstract: A valve and actuator assembly that includes a valve configured to control a flow of liquid into a coil or heat exchanger. The valve and actuator assembly further includes a valve actuator configured to control opening and closing of the valve via positioning of a valve closure member. The valve actuator is further configured to provide both a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate of the liquid through the valve. In an embodiment, the valve actuator includes a valve closure member position sensor configured to determine the position of the valve closure member based on a flow rate of the liquid through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Buildings, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Burt
  • Patent number: 9464414
    Abstract: A household electronic mixing-valve faucet for controlling a temperature of a mixed stream discharging from the faucet, including: (a) a faucet body; (b) a controller; (c) a first powered valve fluidly connected to the hot water flowpath; (d) a second powered valve fluidly connected to the cold water flowpath; (e) an arrangement adapted to determine extents of opening of the valves; (f) temperature sensors, operative to sense a temperature of fluids within the hot and cold water flowpaths; and pressure sensors; the controller adapted to maintain a difference between an actual temperature of the mixed stream and a setpoint temperature thereof within a particular range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SMARTAP A.Y LTD.
    Inventor: Yuval Shapira
  • Patent number: 9360871
    Abstract: An integrated fluid flow apparatus for managing the flow of a fluid through a conduit, includes a flow sensor configured to determine a velocity of a fluid flowing through the conduit. The apparatus includes a valve assembly positioned inline with the conduit that is movable between open and closed configurations. An electromagnet is selectively energized by a power source and situated proximate the valve assembly. A closure assembly is operatively coupled to the valve assembly and is magnetically connected to the electromagnet. The closure assembly holds the valve assembly to the open configuration when also magnetically connected to the electromagnet and moves the valve assembly to the closed configuration when the magnetic coupling is released. The apparatus includes a communications module that communicate with a homeowner or resident concerning water velocity, temperature, seismic activity, that the valve has been closed, and to solicit instructions on selected actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventor: Charles Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 9322243
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve system for use in a downhole operation may include a pressure relief valve configured to relieve pressure from high pressure tubing extending between a pump and a wellhead, and may include a sensor operably disposed to detect pressure in the high pressure tubing. The pressure relief valve system also may include a controller having a pressure threshold stored therein. The controller may be configured to receive data from the sensor and compare the detected pressure to the stored pressure threshold. A valve actuation system may be in communication with the pressure relief valve and in communication with the controller. The valve actuation system may be configured to change the state of the pressure relief valve from a closed state to an open state in response to a command signal from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Baca, Brian C. Witkowski
  • Patent number: 9234684
    Abstract: A valve case (11) includes a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3, . . . ). A valve body (50) rotates in the valve case (11) and slide on openings of predetermined ones of the ports (P1, P2, P3, . . . ) to switch a communication state among the ports (P1, P2, P3, . . . ). A motor (31) rotates the valve body (50). A controller (500) controls a rotation speed (?) of the motor (31) in accordance with a differential pressure (?P) between internal and external pressures of the valve body (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Kojima, Noriyuki Okuda, Takayuki Setoguchi
  • Patent number: 9200648
    Abstract: A fluid control valve system suitable for use in fluid systems. The valve system includes at least one check valve assembly that has a controllable bidirectional flow capability. The valve system and its check valve assembly can be installed in a fluid system that contains a pump/motor to enable the displacement output of the pump/motor to be controlled. The valve system further includes a pilot valve assembly and a device for controlling the check and pilot valve assemblies. The controlling device is adapted to control the pressure of at least one pilot fluid delivered to the pilot valve assembly, which enables the check valve assembly to selectively check flow of a working fluid flowing therethrough in either of two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: John H. Lumkes, Mark Allen Batdorff, Kyle Joseph Merrill, Michael Andrew Holland, Gabriel Jordan Wilfong
  • Patent number: 9202650
    Abstract: A quick-disconnect connector assembly includes a housing having a bore that extends up to but not through a first end of the housing. The connector assembly also includes a proximity switch disposed within the bore, and the proximity switch includes a switch body, a first contact member, and a second contact member. A portion of each of the first and second contact members extends from the switch body towards a second end of the housing. In a first switch position, a contact of a displaceable switching assembly is in contact with the first contact member, and in a second switch position, the contact is in contact with the second contact member. The connector assembly also includes an external connection assembly including a first pin that is electrically coupled to the first contact member and a second pin that is electrically coupled to the second contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Equipment and Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Curtis Merrifield, Robert Lynn LaFountain
  • Patent number: 9145904
    Abstract: Fluid regulator systems having reset apparatus and methods are described herein. An example reset apparatus for use with a fluid regulator system includes a first valve having an inlet to receive a loading fluid and an outlet in fluid communication with a loading chamber of a fluid regulator, and a second valve having an inlet in fluid communication with the loading chamber of the fluid regulator and an outlet in fluid communication with a vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James Lyman Griffin, Jr., Daniel Gunder Roper, Douglas James Scheffler, Harold Joe McKinney, Jason Daniel Journey
  • Publication number: 20150114491
    Abstract: A pilot valve assembly for use with a main valve apparatus coupled to a water pipe, includes a differential pilot valve apparatus, and first and second pilot valve apparatuses. An inlet of the differential pilot valve is coupled to a junction and an outlet is coupled to the first pilot valve apparatus. The differential pilot valve is responsive to a pressure differential to open the differential pilot valve apparatus for water to flow to the first pilot valve apparatus and to close the differential pilot valve apparatus to inhibit water flow to the first pilot valve apparatus. The second pilot valve apparatus is coupled to the junction to facilitate flow of water through the second pilot valve apparatus when the second differential valve member is in an open position. Adjustment mechanisms facilitate adjustment of the pressures responsive to which the first pilot valve member and the second pilot valve member close.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SINGER VALVE INC.
    Inventors: Kari Juhani Oksanen, Marc Norman Ferrer Payot
  • Publication number: 20150114492
    Abstract: A pilot valve assembly for use with a main valve apparatus coupled to a water pipe, includes a differential pilot valve apparatus, and first and second pilot valve apparatuses. An inlet of the differential pilot valve is coupled to a junction and an outlet is coupled to the first pilot valve apparatus. The differential pilot valve is responsive to a pressure differential to open the differential pilot valve apparatus for water to flow to the first pilot valve apparatus and to close the differential pilot valve apparatus to inhibit water flow to the first pilot valve apparatus. The first pilot valve apparatus is responsive to a first pressure to close the first pilot valve to reduce flow of water therethrough. The second pilot valve apparatus is coupled to the junction to facilitate flow of water through the second pilot valve apparatus when the second differential valve member is in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SINGER VALVE, INC.
    Inventors: Kari Juhani Oksanen, Marc Norman Ferrer Payot
  • Patent number: 8985140
    Abstract: An automatic balancing valve is disclosed which is equipped with choking means that can be operated manually with a ring nut placed below the actuating member of the shutter and aligned axially therewith. Advantageously, the dimensions of the ring nut are larger in plan view compared to the plan view dimensions of the actuating member so as to allow its rotation without removing the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fratelli Pettinaroli S.p.A
    Inventors: Giulio Pettinaroli, Liborio Spagnolo
  • Patent number: 8905063
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a flow module for sensing one or more parameters of a gas flowing through the fluid path of the gas valve, and may determine a measure that is related to a gas flow through the fluid path. A measure related to a gas flow may include, but is not limited to, a measure of fuel consumption by a device or appliance attached to an output port of the valve assembly. Illustratively, the flow module may include one or more valve controllers in communication with one or more pressure sensors, one or more flow sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more valve position sensors, and/or any other suitable sensors as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Young, Donald J. Kasprzyk, David Kucera, Gregory Todd Filkovski, Patrick Yuen, Tim McCarthy, Patrick Welker, Brian Zabel
  • Patent number: 8905062
    Abstract: Method and device for detecting the flow of liquid, in particular water, in a consuming installation, comprising at least one opening/closing means (3) for supplying liquid, this installation being supplied via an inlet pipe (2) fitted with a solenoid valve (5), a pressure sensor (6) upstream of the solenoid valve and a pressure sensor (7) downstream of the solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Watts Industries France
    Inventor: Georges Menet
  • Patent number: 8851106
    Abstract: A disclosed gas supplying apparatus includes a pressure controller that reduces a primary pressure thereby providing a secondary pressure greater than a process pressure at which a predetermined process is performed and less than the atmospheric pressure in a secondary pipe; a pressure sensor that measures a pressure in the secondary pipe; a first open/close valve provided in the secondary pipe; an open/close valve controller that opens or closes the first open/close valve; a pressure comparator that compares the pressure measured by the pressure sensor in the secondary pipe with a first set pressure that is greater than the process pressure by a predetermined pressure; and a controller that outputs a signal to the open/close valve controller thereby closing the first open/close valve, when the pressure comparator determines that the pressure in the secondary pipe is less than the first set pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Okabe
  • Publication number: 20140261783
    Abstract: A flush valve system is provided having an inlet and an outlet, and a main valve element adapted for transition between a closed position and an open position is disclosed. The flush valve further includes a control chamber in communication with the inlet, and a vent outlet in communication with the outlet. The system includes a solenoid for establishing communication between the control chamber and the vent outlet to establish a pressure differential across a portion of the main valve element. The system also includes a power supply for energizing the solenoid, a deployable actuator in communication with the power supply, and a microprocessor in electrical communication with the main valve element. The microprocessor is adapted to determine a valve opening time, calculate fluid pressure based on the valve opening time, and deliver a predetermined quantity of fluid through the valve based on fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Shawn D. Bush
  • Publication number: 20140246097
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the control of a flow of a variety of fluid types is described. The method includes selecting a process gas type for the process gas that will be controlled and obtaining molecular mass information for the selected processed gas type. General characterization data is obtained that includes, for each of a plurality of flow and pressure value pairs, a corresponding control signal value and operating characterization data is generated by modifying the flow values in the general characterization data according to the equation Fadj=Fcal*(Mcal/Mpr)k, wherein Fadj is an adjusted flow value Fcal is the calibrated flow value, Mpr is the molecular mass for the selected process gas type, and Mcal is a molecular mass for the calibration gas. The operating characterization data is then used to operate a valve of the mass flow controller in open loop control mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Smirnov
  • Publication number: 20140203107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary insert part (1) having an insert housing (2), which (2) includes in a housing interior thereof a functional element (3) that controls throughflow and that has at least one throughflow orifice (4). The insert part according to the invention is characterized in that at least one throughflow opening (4) is delimited by a peripheral wall, the shape of which can be changed against a restoring force as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water in such a manner that the at least one throughflow orifice (4) has a variable orifice cross section which can be changed, in dependence on the pressure of the inflowing water, between an open position and a minimized position having a reduced orifice cross section by comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: NEOPERL GMBH
    Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Lacher, Alexander Stein
  • Patent number: 8783284
    Abstract: A fluid supply system includes a fluid supply source, a first valve unit, a second valve unit, a first pressure detector, a second pressure detector, a third pressure detector, and a controller. If the pressure detected by the third pressure detector is less than a shutoff pressure at a timing of starting supply of fluid from the fluid supply source, the controller calculates a pressure equalization time from a timing at which opening of a pilot valve is completed to a timing at which a main valve starts closing, based on the pressures detected by the first pressure detector, the second pressure detector and the third pressure detector, sets a valve-open waiting time based on the pressure equalization time, and controls opening of the second valve unit upon elapse of the valve-open waiting time after controlling opening of the first valve unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kato, Koichi Takaku, Saneto Asano, Hiroyasu Ozaki, Taneaki Miura
  • Publication number: 20140190579
    Abstract: A mass flow controller comprises: a first flow meter constructed and arranged to measured flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a second flow meter constructed and arranged to measure flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller; a control valve constructed and arranged so as to control the flow rate of mass through the mass flow controller in response to a control signal generated as a function of the flow rate as measured by one of the flow meters; and a system controller constructed and arranged to generate the control signal, and to provide an indication when a difference between the flow rate of mass as measured by the first flow meter and the flow rate of mass as measured by the second flow meter exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: MKS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Junhua Ding
  • Patent number: 8770215
    Abstract: A low flow injector controls remote delivery of low flows of gas. A higher flow carrier gas is provided by an MFC to a conduit. A remote flow restrictor is located to exhaust a critical process gas directly into the conduit. An electronic regulator controls a pressure of the critical gas responsive to a pressure point received from a controller corresponding to a desired mass flow. Also, a large flow restrictor vents the critical process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mudd, Patti J. Mudd
  • Patent number: 8749393
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leakage of flowing liquids from pipes includes an upstream flow-rate sensor positioned between a source of a flowing liquid which is conducted from a source to a destination terminal such as a VAV heat exchanger, and a downstream flow-rate sensor positioned between an outlet port of the destination terminal and a return line for the flowing liquid. The apparatus includes electronic control circuitry which is responsive to a differential flow-rate between upstream and downstream measured flow rates which exceeds a predetermined limit value in removing a valve-opening signal to the upstream shut-off valve, thus closing the valve to interrupt flow of liquid through the valve if the differential flow-rate signifies a leak. Optionally, the apparatus also includes a downstream shut-off valve positioned between the destination terminal and a return line, which is also closed in response to a differential flow-rate exceeding the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Control Air Conditioning Corporation
    Inventor: Robin Tollefson
  • Patent number: 8738187
    Abstract: A mass flow controller includes a thermal mass flow sensor in combination with a pressure sensor to provide a mass flow controller that is relatively insensitive to fluctuations in input pressure. The pressure sensor and thermal sensor respectively provide signals to an electronic controller indicating the measured inlet flow rate and the pressure within the dead volume. The electronic controller employs the measured pressure to compensate the measured inlet flow rate and to thereby produce a compensated measure of the outlet flow rate, which may be used to operate a mass flow controller control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Shajii, Nicholas Kottenstette, Jesse Ambrosina
  • Patent number: 8701703
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for controlling gas flow via a gas shut-off valve assembly. In at least one embodiment, the assembly is configured to drive its shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position, in response to detecting a valve closure condition. The assembly in one or more embodiments operates as an intelligent node in an AMR network, and it interprets a received closure command as a closure condition. Additionally, or alternatively, the assembly detects abnormal operating conditions as the closure condition. Advantageously, the assembly performs initial closure verification, based on detecting movement of the valve into the closed position, and performs subsequent closure verification, based on monitoring downstream gas pressure. In the same or other embodiments, the assembly provides enhanced stand-alone reliability and safety by incorporating one or more valve clearing/cleaning routines into its operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sensus USA Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Scott, Dirk Steckmann, Daniel W. Peace, Doug Vargas
  • Publication number: 20140076408
    Abstract: A method for operating a fluid flow system (300) is provided. The fluid flow system (300) includes a fluid flowing through a pipeline (301), a first pressure sensor (303) located within the pipeline (301), and a vibrating meter (5). The vibrating meter (5) includes a sensor assembly (10) in fluid communication with the first pressure sensor (303). The method includes steps of measuring a pressure of the fluid within the pipeline (301) using the first pressure sensor (303) and measuring one or more flow characteristics of the fluid using the vibrating meter (5). The method further includes a step of determining a static pressure of the fluid based on the pressure of the fluid within the pipeline (301) and the one or more flow characteristics. The method further includes a step of determining if the fluid contains at least some gas based on the static pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick John Zimmer, Joel Weinsten