Electrically Actuated Valve Patents (Class 137/487.5)
  • Publication number: 20110132467
    Abstract: A method for controlling the pressure and/or the flow rate of a fluid includes withdrawing flow energy from a fluid flowing through a pipeline (15). This energy is converted at least partially into electrical energy and used for the electrical control (65) of the flow rate and/or the pressure of a fluid. The device for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) has at least one electric generator (35), which is developed for the withdrawal of flow energy from a flowing fluid and for converting this energy at least partially into electrical energy. The device has a control mechanism (65) for controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a fluid in a pipeline (20) with an electric driving mechanism supplied by the generator (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Ruediger Conrad, Heiko Marz
  • Publication number: 20110132473
    Abstract: A hydraulic control valve with a monolithic body having four sides located between a top and a bottom, and all pilot ports on a body front side, valve work ports on the top side, three bores running within the body from the front side to a rear side, a spool in each bore, and a single three section spool port lock that locks two or three ports at the same time, the pilot ports presented machined female quick-connect connections, with spring wet cavities being provided for mechanically operated control spools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: WALVOIL FLUID POWER CORP.
    Inventor: Massimo RINALDI
  • Publication number: 20110132687
    Abstract: An automatic lubrication system where grease is dispensed to injectors from a pump having a grease piston (42) reciprocated by a connecting rod from an oil piston (43) driven by alternating hydraulic pressure, is provided with air purge valves (41) associated with each injector. The air purge valves detect abnormal operation of the piston movement due to air in the grease by way of indicators (45) and (46) communicating with chambers in the pump, and open the air purge valve to dump air laden grease into a recovery reservoir (48). A sensor in the air purge valve warns the operator of purge valve operation, alerting the operator to a possible system malfunction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: BOB IFIELD HOLDINGS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Benjamin Ifield
  • Publication number: 20110132474
    Abstract: A system that prevents the backflow of fluid is disclosed. The system comprises a housing, two rubber flaps that are attached in such a way to create a one-way valve, and a water sensor. The flaps are anchored to the inside of the housing and open due to the force of fluid flowing in one direction. Fluid flowing in the opposite direction presses the ends of the flaps against each other, thus closing the valve and preventing water from backflowing through the system. A water sensor, mounted within the housing, is activated when a backflow fills the housing, thus providing an alarm to indicate a backflow event has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Utah State University
    Inventors: James T. Reese, Ronald White
  • Publication number: 20110132475
    Abstract: A pressure control valve arrangement is provided for controlling the fluid pressure in an ABS brake system of a vehicle such that, in the event of a tendency of individual wheels of the vehicle to lock, the brake pressure in associated brake cylinders can be adaptively adjusted. At least two diaphragm valves, which have diaphragms which are loaded by spring elements, and at least one electromagnetic control valve, which can be activated by an electronic control device for the pilot control of the diaphragm valves, are provided in a housing of the pressure control valve arrangement. At least one valve seat of the at least one electromagnetic control valve is formed in a unipartite fashion with a housing part which is formed by a plastic injection-molded blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer EIDENSCHINK, Wilfried GERBER, Wolfgang ROHN
  • Publication number: 20110133942
    Abstract: A high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a gathering line downstream of a number of wellhead flow lines includes: an inlet; an outlet; two sets of two series-connected isolation valves (ZVs) in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, the two sets being in parallel fluid flow relation to each other, either one or both of the sets of ZVs operable as a path for fluid entering the inlet and passing through the outlet to the downstream pipe; two vent control valves (VCVs), each connected to piping intermediate one set of series-connected ZVs, the VCVs being in fluid communication with a vent line, whereby, upon opening of a VCV, process pressure between the two ZVs is vented; a signal-generating safety logic solver, in accordance with preprogrammed safety and operational protocols; and pressure sensing transmitters attached to piping upstream of the HIPS outlet. The system allows full-stroke, tight shut-off testing of the ZVs without interruption of wellhead production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick S. FLANDERS
  • Patent number: 7954508
    Abstract: An electronically controlled actuator in a plumbed water line within a water conditioning management system, having an at least one valve with a valve stem in a plumbed water line within the water conditioning management system, an at least one actuator, an at least one actuator housing, an at least one electronic controller in communication with the actuator, an at least one shaft coupled to the actuator and said valve; an at least one shaft encoding device; and an at least one user interface with multiple indicator elements indicating the position of valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: KBK Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Doyle, Keith Schulte, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 7950413
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure regulating valve device for regulating a hydraulic pressure including at least one pressure regulating valve which includes a solenoid part having at least one bobbin holding an electric coil, a coil core and a movably guided armature; a valve part having at least one supply connection, one return connection, one load connection and one actuating element operated by the armature and cooperating with a valve seat; and an electronic part having at least one pressure sensor for measuring the hydraulic pressure present at the load connection. At least the pressure sensor is situated on an end of the solenoid part facing the valve part upstream from the electronic part. Positioning the pressure sensor close to the valve part may substantially reduce the filter effect of the transmission link, and the hydraulic pressure to be measured is therefore transmittable free of errors up to a much higher cutoff frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Fleischer, Klaus Schudt, Christof Ott, Ulrich Foerch
  • Publication number: 20110114202
    Abstract: A system may include a controllable shut-off valve disposed in a water supply line and a water flow sensor disposed in the water supply line. A controller may be coupled to the shut-off valve and the sensor. The controller may be configured to receive information indicative of water flow from the sensor and to instruct the shut-off valve to shut off the water supply line in the event of unusual water usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: John Goseco
  • Publication number: 20110108128
    Abstract: In a vacuum treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a control means performs, when treatment in a vacuum vessel using a flammable gas (step S2) ends, a step of closing a first valve and performing evacuation (step S3), a step of closing a second valve (step S4) after the evacuation, and a step of opening a fifth valve to supply an inert gas in a third vessel to a first supply line (step S5), and, when treatment in the vacuum vessel using a combustion-supporting gas (step S8) ends, a step of closing a third valve and performing evacuation (step S9), a step of closing a fourth valve (step S10) after the evacuation, and a step of opening a sixth valve to supply an inert gas in a fourth vessel to a second supply line (step S11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Katsushi Kishimoto, Yutaka Nishi
  • Publication number: 20110100469
    Abstract: A flow control valve satisfies the operational requirements of a cooling machine for hot metal strips or plates. The valve is operated by a pneumatic actuator which is controlled by use of a high performance pneumatic proportional valve in conjunction with an electronic controller receiving reference and feedback signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: John Edward Beeston, Rupert Owen
  • Publication number: 20110100487
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flow path switch control device used in a control system such as HVAC, refrigeration system and the like. In the prior art, since the pressure at an upper portion of a piston will drop instantaneously at the moment when a pilot valve is opened and closed, a large pressure difference is formed between the upper and lower sides of a piston to drive the piston to move, which results in a strong impact between a piston stopping member and the piston. Therefore, the life span of a product and the operating stability of the system will be affected. The flow path switch control device of the present invention includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a valve device arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a pressure balancing control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Zhejiang Sanhua Climate and Appliance Controls Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Chen
  • Publication number: 20110094596
    Abstract: The present-invention supplies a quantity Q of gas while dividing at flow rate ratio Q1/Q2 from a gas supply facility equipped with a flow controller. A a total quantity Q=Q1+Q2 of gas is supplied into a chamber at flow rate Q1 and Q2 through shower plates fixed to ends of branch supply lines by providing open/close valves with a plurality of branch supply lines GL1 and GL2, respectively, to supply the specified quantity of gas from the gas supply facility, and by utilizing bypass line BL1 on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV1 and branched from GL1, bypass line BL2 on the downstream side of the open/close valve OV2 and branched from GL2, pressure type division quantity controller connected to the bypass line BL1 and the bypass line BL2, sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL1, and another sensor measuring pressure inside branch supply line GL2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicants: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED, TOKYO ELECTRON LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sugiyama, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi, Toyomi Uenoyama
  • Publication number: 20110094605
    Abstract: A vacuum relief valve includes: a housing with a central cavity, the housing having a system branch, a vacuum branch, a pilot branch, and an exhaust branch, each of the branches in fluid communication with the central cavity and having a respective port; a piston assembly comprising a first disk located in the pilot branch, a second disk located adjacent the exhaust branch, and a connecting member to which the first and second disks are mounted; and an actuator attached to a pilot seal, the actuator configured to move the pilot seal between a closed position, in which the pilot seal is positioned in and seals the pilot port, and an open position, in which the pilot seal is spaced from and does not seal the pilot port. When the pilot seal is in the closed position, the second disk is positioned on and seals the exhaust port, and when the pilot seal is in the open position, the second disk is spaced from and does not seal the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Richard D. Michelli, Dennis Vaders
  • Publication number: 20110094606
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure control apparatus for a supercritical fluid in which variation in pressure is small even in measurement in which analysis conditions are changed with time to improve separation and other performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: JASCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Kanomata, Kazuharu Okubo, Seiji Horioka
  • Patent number: 7931042
    Abstract: A vacuum suction system comprises a work conveyor table 2 having work receiving openings 5, and a table base 3 having vacuum suction channels 7 which communicate with the work receiving openings 5 of the conveyor table 2. The work receiving openings 5 and the vacuum suction channels 7 communicate with a vacuum generation source 17 via a vacuum pipe 9. A negative pressure sensor 10 is disposed on the vacuum pipe 9. Based on a signal from the negative pressure sensor 10, a compressed air generation source 20 supplies a compressed air to the vacuum pipe 9 and thereby stabilizes the vacuum level in the vacuum pipe 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Weld Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kojima, Shigeru Matsukawa, Hiroaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7926509
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the flow rate of clustering fluid using a pressure type flow rate control device in which the flow rate Q of gas passing through an orifice is computed as K=KP1 (where K is a constant) with the gas being in a state where the ratio P2/P1 between the gas pressure P1 on the upstream side of the orifice and the gas pressure P2 on the downstream side of the orifice is held at a value not higher than the critical pressure ratio of the gas wherein the association of molecules is dissociated either by heating the pressure type flow rate control device to the temperature higher than 40° C., or by applying the diluting gas to the clustering fluid to make it lower than a partial pressure so the clustering fluid is permitted to pass through the orifice in a monomolecular state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated, Tokyo Electron Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Kazuhiko Sugiyama, Kenetu Mizusawa, Eiji Takahashi, Tomio Uno, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi, Nobukazu Ikeda, Masaaki Nagase
  • Publication number: 20110079297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a two-stage electrohydraulic servo valve with a first stage, which operates as pilot stage and includes a movable nozzle tube, and a second stage which operates as power stage, wherein the nozzle tube of the pilot stage is guided by means of a torsion element and the oil supply of the movable nozzle tube is integrated in the torsion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Weixler, Florian Lau
  • Patent number: 7918238
    Abstract: A mass flow controller arranged to perform mass flow test operation in the controller itself by incorporating a test tank. The mass flow controller is provided, in a channel (6) for feeding fluid, with a means (8) for detecting the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the channel and outputting a flow rate signal, and a mechanism (10) for controlling the mass flow rate by varying the valve opening by a valve drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tanaka, Shigehiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110073189
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and shutting off water flow through a conduit in which a user sets a time period for which water may flow through the apparatus. Once the time limit has been reached, the apparatus of the invention shuts a valve, ceasing water flow to a water-using appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: James C. Elbert, Gregory P. Kendall
  • Publication number: 20110073196
    Abstract: A hydraulic control apparatus including a gain switch section switching a gain of a line pressure adjustment valve between a first range gain that is less than 1 and a second range gain that is greater than or equal to 1, and a source pressure switching valve switching a source pressure for a working pressure adjustment valve that outputs the control pressure for the line pressure adjustment valve between the line pressure and a modulator pressure is disclosed. The source pressure switching valve switches the source pressure for the working pressure adjustment valve to the line pressure when the gain switching section switches the gain of the line pressure adjustment valve to the first range gain, and switches the source pressure for the working pressure adjustment valve to the modulator pressure when the gain switching section switches the gain of the line pressure adjustment valve to the second range gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomomi ISHIKAWA, Tetsuya Shimizu, Kazunori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7909052
    Abstract: A gassing system includes a gassing device, a pressure regulator in communication with the gassing device and a gas source and a PLC electrically connected to the pressure regulator. In addition, the system includes a removable orifice in communication with the pressure regulator, wherein the pressure regulator controls gas flow responsive to a signal sent from the PLC and wherein gas exiting the pressure regulator flows directly into and through the orifice and directly into the gassing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Packaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Sanfilippo, James J. Sanfilippo
  • Publication number: 20110056572
    Abstract: A high integrity protection system (HIPS) for protection of a pipe downstream of a wellhead includes: an inlet connected to the wellhead; outlet connected to the downstream pipe; two sets of two series-connected surface safety valves (SSVs) in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, the two sets being in parallel fluid flow relation to each other, either one or both of the sets of SSVs operable as a flowpath for fluids entering the inlet and passing through the outlet to the downstream pipe; two vent control valves (VCVs), each connected to piping intermediate one set of series-connected SSVs, the VCVs being in fluid communication with a vent line, whereby, upon opening of a VCV, process pressure between the two SSVs is vented; a signal-generating safety logic solver, in accordance with preprogrammed safety and operational protocols; and pressure sensing transmitters attached to piping upstream of the HIPS outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Patrick S. FLANDERS
  • Publication number: 20110048551
    Abstract: A mass flow controller comprises a flow rate measuring part that measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a flow channel and outputs a measured flow rate value, a control valve, a valve control part that controls an opening degree of the control valve based on an entirely-close command to entirely close the control valve compulsorily or a set flow rate value set as a target value, and an external output part that outputs an external output flow rate value based on the measured flow rate value to the outside, and at a time when the valve control part receives the entirely close command or zero as the set flow rate value, the external output part outputs zero as the external output flow rate value, irrespective of the measured flow rate value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HORIBA STEC, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Tanaka, Toshihiro Kashima
  • Publication number: 20110041920
    Abstract: An automatic draining system is provided. The system includes a floating valve having a density less than a first fluid and greater than a second fluid. The floating valve has a floating position that allows the first fluid to pass through a floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is filed with the first fluid, and a sealing position that prevents the first and second fluids from passing through the floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is not filled with the first fluid. Also included is a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the floating valve compartment. The solenoid valve has a solenoid opening that is open when the solenoid valve is energized and is closed when the solenoid valve is de-energized. Further included is a filter media downstream of the solenoid valve that filters the first liquid prior to the first fluid exiting the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventor: Wassem Abdalla
  • Publication number: 20110042177
    Abstract: A dual clutch transmission having a hydraulic circuit for controlling and cooling the clutches of a dual clutch transmission having lube valves in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and wherein the cooling flow is controlled by a solenoid which is adapted to move a valve member to produce a flow area through the valve that is an inverse function of the current delivered to the solenoid and so as to deliver a predetermined control solenoid pressure ultimately to each of the clutches of a dual dutch transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BORGWARNER INC.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Bauer, Xiaoning Xiang, Melissa Koenig
  • Publication number: 20110041921
    Abstract: A flow control valve (100;200;300) for a ventilation or exhaust duct comprises a housing (102;202;302), which defines a longitudinally extending passage (104;204;304) between a flow inlet and a flow outlet. A closing element (110;210;310) in the passage is movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A motor or actuator (116;216;316) is provided for moving the closing element. The motor or actuator may be located inside the closing element (110;210;310). The flow passage (104;204;304) through the housing may have sections of different diameters to obtain a venturi-like diffusor. A pressure difference sensor may be provided, which in combination with a position of the closing element allows for computation of the flow rate through the valve without the need for a separate flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Peter S. Antonsen
  • Publication number: 20110039217
    Abstract: A method and a gas regulator fitting for monitoring the ignition of a gas appliance in which the danger of the accumulation of an increased amount of unburned gas in a combustion chamber before the ignition of a main burner (2) is reduced. In addition, an immediate renewed attempt to ignite the appliance is to be prevented. A sensor (21) ascertaining the operating condition of the main burner (2) is activated in such a way on the activation of a drive unit (20) forming part of the gas regulator fitting for opening a main valve (11) of the gas regulator fitting such that, if the main gas flow in the main burner (2) is not ignited within a given time, the main valve (11) is closed again also for a given time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: MERTIK MAXITROL GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventor: Barbara Happe
  • Patent number: 7890200
    Abstract: A process control system and method for use in controlling operation of a process in response to identification of one or more events, where each event is a condition relating to one or more process variables for the process and has a determined association with one or more other events, the system comprising: an event control module which is operative to log from the process the one or more process variables which are attributed to the one or more events, and provide a control indication in response to each identified event, wherein the control indication identifies the event as one of a cause event or an effect event and the one or more associated other events as effect events for a cause event or cause events for an effect event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: BP Exploration Oerating Company Limited
    Inventors: Akeel Al-Attar, Clive Duebel
  • Patent number: 7890220
    Abstract: A tool includes a chamber, a network, a sensor, a tool controller, and a pressure controller. The network carries messages to and from devices on the network. A header portion of a message indicates a sender of the message and at least one intended recipient of the message. The sensor measures a pressure within the chamber. The sensor, tool controller, and pressure controller are on the network. The pressure controller controls the pressure within the chamber in response to measurements provided by the sensor and in response to a set point provided by the tool controller. The pressure controller processes header portions of all messages carried on the network to determine the intended recipients of each message and processes at least part of data portions of both messages intended for the pressure controller and at least some messages not intended for the pressure controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: David Brian Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 7890216
    Abstract: Valve positioning systems may include one or more components and a controller. Components may include one or more electric-to-pressure output converters, relays, gas supplies, and/or actuators. A controller may adjust a position of a valve by sending a signal. The valve positioning system may individually monitor components and determine the condition of each component being individually monitored. The valve positioning system may determine if a component will fail prior to failure and/or determine if a problem will occur in a component prior to the problem occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry W. Boger, Sandro Esposito
  • Publication number: 20110030815
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid mixing system able to mix the fluids of different lines by any ratio and control the flow rates of even pulsating fluids, able to control the flow rate of even a pulsating fluid, compact in configuration and able to be installed in a narrow space, and enabling easy pipe laying and pipe connection at the time of installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: ASAHI ORGANIC CHEMICALS INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hanada, Kenro Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20110024132
    Abstract: A valve system is disclosed. The system has a main valve that is adjustable for output flow and pressure. The system also includes an output flow transducer, an output pressure transducer, and a fluid depth transducer. A microcontroller is operatively coupled to the valve, the output flow transducer, the output pressure transducer, and the fluid depth transducer. The microcontroller operates the valve to selectively control the output flow, the output pressure, and the fluid depth according to inputs received from a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: PAUL T. PETTIT
  • Publication number: 20110023980
    Abstract: An electronic, programmable device for controlling the motion of compressor valve elements, wherein the device receives an incoming signal from a velocity sensor located on a compressor valve; filters, amplifies, and processes the incoming signal by a control algorithm; and responds to the incoming signal by creating an output signal that produces an actuator force that is applied directly to a moving valve element and associated methodology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Klaus Brun, Merle E. Converse, Jerome A. Helffrich
  • Patent number: 7878481
    Abstract: A plurality of valves are triggered so that a first valve is triggered by a first trigger signal and a second valve is triggered by a second trigger signal, the first trigger signal and the second trigger signal are each generated by generating a pulse width modulated frequency signal of the first frequency f1 and a dither signal of the second frequency f2, where f1>f2, the trigger signal is generated by modulating the clock pulse duty factor of the frequency signal with the dither signal, and the dither signals of the first trigger signal and of the second trigger signal are synchronized with one another at chronological intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Kallfass, Reiner Kurz, Gerhard Keuper, Gerold Mueller
  • Patent number: 7878311
    Abstract: A vibration damper includes a cylinder within which a piston is slidably received thereby defining compression and rebound chambers. The piston has a bore with a valve seat through which fluid flows between those chambers. A poppet selectively engages the valve seat and forms a pilot chamber an opposite side of the poppet from the valve seat. The greater pressure within the compression or rebound chambers is applied by a first logic arrangement to the pilot chamber and a pilot spool control a fluid flow between the pilot chamber and a pressure cavity in the piston body. A second logic arrangement connects the pressure cavity to either the compression and rebound chamber which has the lesser pressure. A solenoid that moves the pilot valve element to control pressure in the pilot chamber and thus the amount that the poppet moves to allow fluid flow through the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Husco Automotive Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis L. Van Weelden, Dean S. Wardle
  • Patent number: 7878214
    Abstract: A system for maintaining pressure in the liquid fuel tank of a high-speed flight vehicle, such as a hypersonic flight, scramjet powered air and space vehicle, manages tank ullage using a pressure regulator coupled to the fuel tank that supplies pressurized gaseous media into the fuel tank ullage based on the internal pressure of the tank. The regulator has an on-board controller that processes tank pressure input to deliver a pulse-width modulated input signal to the coil of the on-board solenoid metering assembly. Energizing the coil drives the metering valve open against spring force. The metering assembly is contained in a removable cartridge that has a floating valve guide that is held stationary by bias of the spring against the metering valve. The metering valve has a separate valve seat that mates with the metering orifice of a flow nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey B. Jansen, John F. Calleja, Rickie P. Western
  • Patent number: 7881886
    Abstract: A method for determining an actual gas flow rate as gas flows through a gas flow delivery system is provided. The method includes sending the gas through the gas flow delivery system into a gas conduit, wherein a section of the gas conduit is widened to form an orifice. The method also includes pressurizing the gas to create a choked flow condition within the orifice of the gas conduit. The method further includes measuring upstream pressure of the gas via a set of pressure sensors. The method yet also includes calculating the actual flow rate based on the upstream pressure of the orifice of the gas conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Iqbal A. Shareef, James V. Tietz, Vernon Wong, Richard J. Meinecke
  • Publication number: 20110017310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a fluid valve arrangement that includes a fluid conduit arrangement having a first conduit and a second conduit, the first and the second conduits being connectable with a fluid consumer; a supply connection arrangement having a pressure connection and a tank connection, and a number of valve arrangement for connecting the consumer to the pressure connection or the tank and a control device, which controls the valve arrangements. The method involves detecting output signals from opening degree sensors connected across at least the first and second valve arrangements to determine the magnitude and direction of a pressure drop across at least the first and second valve arrangements, and using the output signals to determine an operating mode for each valve arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: PARKER HANNIFIN AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Eriksson
  • Publication number: 20110017321
    Abstract: A directional control valve arrangement includes a directional control valve with a valve spool. Using the directional control valve, it is possible to control a pressure-medium connection between a pressure port, a tank connection, and at least one working connection. A blocking valve is situated in a working passage that is connected to the working connection. The pressure in the working passage can be reduced using a pressure-release unit; the pressure-medium connection between the working passage and the tank connection is blocked by the valve spool. The pressure-relief unit has an intermediate space which is formed in the pressure-medium flow path between the blocking valve and a control edge of the valve spool that blocks the working passage to the tank port, the intermediate space being provided to accommodate a compression volume of the working passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: REINER KUNZ, ANDREAS ALBRECHT, MARKUS GRAMMER, STEFFEN KNAPPER
  • Patent number: 7871570
    Abstract: The instant application provides a fluidic array device having an elastomeric body that provides easy fluidic control of the device. The elastomeric body may include plurality of intersecting row and column channels. Reactions may occur at the intersection spots formed by the intersecting channels. Pinching applied at suitable locations along the channels enables the channels to be opened or closed, and thus provides control of fluids pumped through the device. The surfaces of the channels and intersection spots may be engineered to have certain properties. In particular, the intersection spots may be nanoengineered to have surface properties differing from those of the channels, and thus reactions may be selectively controlled to occur only, or highly preferentially, in the intersection spots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph Zhili Huang, Yong Shi, Yufeng Ma
  • Publication number: 20110008166
    Abstract: A hydraulic station in a hydraulic system of a wind turbine includes a tank for storing working fluid, first and second pumps fluidly connected to the tank, first and second flow paths extending from the respective first and second pumps to a hydraulic circuit, and first and second relief valves in fluid communication with the respective first and second flow paths. The first pump and first relief valve are controlled based on maintaining pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic circuit between a first minimum limit and first maximum limit. If the pressure falls below the first minimum limit, the second pump and second relief valve are controlled in addition to the first pump and first relief valve, with the control then based on a second maximum limit and second minimum limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Carsten Roed
  • Publication number: 20110005250
    Abstract: A system for converting gas flowing at variable flow rates and pressure to gas flow at a load dependent flow rate and a regulated pressure. A valve member operable in only two stable states (fully open and closed) by valve actuation means, said valve actuation means being interposed between an input manifold adapted to carry volumes of gas flow at variable flow rates and pressure and an output manifold adapted to carry gas flow at a predetermined constant pressure; a reservoir/accumulator in open connection to said output manifold for temporary storage of portions of said gas flowing through said output manifold; pressure sensing means for monitoring the pressure of the gas flow through said output manifold; and electronic processing means connected to said gas pressure sensing means for activating said valve actuation means in one of its two bi-stable states, depending upon the gas pressure sensed in said output manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Alfred F. Perz
  • Patent number: 7866337
    Abstract: A flow controller including a unitary controller body with a chemically inert fluid conduit having an insertable constriction or orifice disposed within the conduit having a reduced cross-sectional area to thereby restrict the flow of fluid within the conduit allowing for reliable flow measurement. An integrated circuit or controller may be coupled to the control valve and also coupled to the pressure sensors by a lead structure including signal conductors surrounded by a Faraday cage, and a chemically inert housing coupled to the unitary controller body enclosing the control valve and the pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Chinnock, Clifford Miller, Charles Meacham
  • Publication number: 20110000554
    Abstract: A raw material supply device (105) includes an introduction pipe (152a) which introduces a carrier gas into a raw material vessel (151), a transport pipe (152b) which transports a source gas fed out from the raw material vessel, a supply pipe (155a) which is branched from the transport pipe and supplies the source gas to a film forming chamber (101), a circulation pipe (155b) which is branched from the transport pipe (152b) and returns the source gas to the introduction pipe (152a), an introduction valve (156a) which is attached to the introduction pipe, a supply valve (156b) which is attached to the supply pipe, a circulation valve (156c) which is attached to the circulation pipe, and a controller (157) which controls opening/closing of the valves. The controller controls the supply valve and the circulation valve to be in opposite open/closed states. The source gas can be supplied more stably while suppressing the waste of the raw material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUI ENGEINNEERING & SHIPBUILDINGS G., LTD
    Inventor: Nozomu Hattori
  • Patent number: 7861740
    Abstract: A digital flow control assembly for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes a fluid flow conduit, a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and a device for generating a signal. The device for generating a signal is used to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit. A method for controlling the volumetric flow rate of fluids includes providing a fluid flow conduit, providing a plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes positioned along a length of the fluid flow conduit, and providing a feedback signal to adjust one or more of the plurality of serially-arranged flow nodes to maintain a desired volumetric flow rate of fluid in the fluid flow conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Niagara Dispensing Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Iver J. Phallen, Douglas Vogt
  • Publication number: 20100326543
    Abstract: A pressure control valve for at least one of controlling and/or regulating a pressure level in a hydraulic circuit. The control valve comprises a valve housing (1) in which a control element (2), that can be acted upon by a system pressure (P_Sys), is arranged to move. The control element (2) is coupled to a drive mechanism in order to set an operating pressure (P_Kpl). At least one linear motor (3) is provided as the drive mechanism which can be controlled at least by a signal feedback (4) acting as a control circuit as a function of the operating pressure (P_Kpl) actually set at the time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ralph BOEHM, Karlheinz MAYR, Stefan MESCHENMOSER, Thilo SCHMIDT, Georg GIERER
  • Publication number: 20100326542
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a automatic transmission includes a plurality of solenoids and valves in fluid communication with a plurality of shift actuators. The shift actuators are operable to actuate a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Selective activation of combinations of the solenoids allows for a pressurized fluid to activate at least one of the shift actuators. The solenoids are configured to provide a forward gear ratio and a reverse gear ratio when the solenoids are deengerized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhe Xie, Bret M. Olson, Robert L. Moses, Vijay A. Neelakantan
  • Publication number: 20100313960
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic transducer for controlling gas pressure is disclosed. The transducer includes a nozzle body and a valve housing interconnected therebetween by a nozzle and a solenoid assembly including a magnetized valve assembly and a solenoid having a top portion and a bottom portion, which when energized generate a magnetic field having a predetermined polarity in response to which the magnetized valve assembly is actuated to control gas flow through the nozzle. The transducer also includes a control circuit adapted to receive an input signal. The control circuit is configured to energize the solenoid in response to the input signal to generate the magnetic field thereabout to actuate the valve assembly. The transducer further includes a capacitor coupled to the control circuit, wherein upon loss of the input signal, the control circuit signals the capacitor to provide an electrical signal to the solenoid to actuate the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Andy R. Askew, Gregory S. Lyon, Stanley Marion Przybylowicz
  • Patent number: 7849870
    Abstract: A pressure control valve having a common plenum formed by two flow control valves that each utilize electrically controlled piezoelectric actuators to generate a number of possible operating states and thus control an output pressure from the common plenum formed by the two flow control valves. The flow control valves each have at least one pressure fitting and nozzle, and a nozzle orifice sealing mechanism coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator may be a piezo-ceramic actuator fixed along one side to a chamber of the flow control valve and having a free side opposite the fixed side. Upon receiving a voltage of a desired magnitude and polarity, the free side of the piezo-ceramic actuator and the nozzle orifice sealing mechanism moves to control a fluid flow into the common plenum. By controllably dithering the piezoelectric actuators, the output pressure from the common plenum may be accurately regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul DuPuis, Lee Vetsch