Electrically Actuated Valve Patents (Class 137/487.5)
  • Patent number: 9163969
    Abstract: A flow rate measurement device includes a branched pipe passage having an inlet side end portion detachably joined in a branched manner to an upstream portion of on-off valve V0 provided on an outlet end portion of a gas supply line, and an outlet side end portion of the branched pipe passage joined to a gas flow-out side, an on-off valve V provided on the outlet side of the branched pipe passage, a pressure detector and a temperature detector that detect gas pressure and temperature on the upstream side of the on-off valve V, and an arithmetic operation control device receiving detection signals as input from the pressure detector and the temperature detector, and which arithmetically calculates gas flow rate of gas flowing in the branched pipe passage, and the flow rate measurement device is detachably joined in a branched manner to the upstream portion of the on-off valve V0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yohei Sawada, Masaaki Nagase, Nobukazu Ikeda, Kouji Nishino, Ryousuke Dohi
  • Patent number: 9151731
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control device, including a pressurized fluid inlet, a first valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid inlet and controlling the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid inlet, a first pressure measurement device detecting a fluid pressure downstream of the first valve, and a controller electrically coupled to the first valve. The first pressure measurement device causes the controller to operate the first valve such that a fluid downstream of the first valve is maintained at a substantially constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard Heitz, Kevin Kirspel
  • Patent number: 9146563
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Smirnov
  • Patent number: 9109717
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve comprises a valve body which includes an inlet bore that is connectable to a flow line, an outlet bore that is connectable to a vent line and a valve bore that extends to between the inlet and outlet bores. A valve member is axially movable in the valve bore between a closed position in which fluid in the flow line is prevented from flowing between the inlet and outlet bores and an open position in which the fluid in the flow line is permitted to flow between the inlet and outlet bores. A fluid chamber is located in the valve bore adjacent the valve member, a source of hydraulic fluid is connected to the fluid chamber, and a solenoid operated pilot valve is connected between the fluid chamber and the source of hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Crawford
  • Patent number: 9080683
    Abstract: A method for conducting a partial stroke test of an emergency shutdown valve includes receiving a request to initiate the partial stroke test from a user interface or another source, establishing a direct or an indirect wireless communication link with the emergency shutdown valve, and generating one or more commands of a digital industrial automation protocol to be transmitted to the emergency shutdown valve via the wireless communication link, so that a partial stroke test of the emergency shutdown valve is initiated in response to these commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Perry K. Carter, Riyaz M. Ali
  • Publication number: 20150144207
    Abstract: A hydraulic control unit is provided. A valve is comprised of a piston having a valve element, a cylinder holding the piston while allowing to reciprocate axially, a positive pressure chamber formed on one side of the piston to which pressure to open the valve is applied, a back pressure chamber formed on the other side of the piston to which the pressure to close the valve is applied, and a connection passage for differentiating pressures in the positive pressure chamber and the back pressure chamber. A pilot valve selectively connects the back pressure chamber with a site where the pressure is lower than that of the back pressure chamber. Hydraulic pressure lower than that applied to positive pressure chamber is applied to a low pressure section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takafumi Inagaki, Yuji Hattori, Tomokazu Inagawa, Kenta Kimura, Yu Nagasato
  • Patent number: 9038658
    Abstract: A stepper-motor gas valve control is disclosed that includes a main diaphragm in a chamber that controllably displaces a valve relative to an opening in response to changes in pressure, to adjust fuel flow through the valve. A servo-regulator diaphragm is provided to regulate flow to the main diaphragm, to thereby control the rate of fuel flow. A stepper motor is configured to move in a stepwise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm, to control fluid flow to the main diaphragm. A controller mounted on the stepper-motor regulated gas valve control receives and converts an input control signal from a heating system to a reference value between 0 and 5 volts, and selects a corresponding motor step value. The control responsively moves the stepper-motor in a step wise manner to displace the servo-regulator diaphragm and thereby regulates the rate of fuel flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Mike C. Santinanavat, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy, John F. Broker, Mark H. Stark
  • Patent number: 9038659
    Abstract: The invention allows securing greater discharge pressure and flow rate at high revolutions of an engine in order to secure lubrication and cooling, while reducing discharge pressure and flow rate at low and medium revolutions of the engine in order to improve efficiency. The invention includes a housing; a relief valve; a valve passage; a main discharge flow channel; a main relief flow channel; an auxiliary relief flow channel; a solenoid valve mounted on the auxiliary relief flow channel; and a spring. The solenoid valve is controlled so as to switch between communication and shut-off between the auxiliary relief flow channel and the large-diameter passage section in accordance with an increase or decrease in engine revolutions, and oil in the large-diameter passage section is discharged when the shut-off is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Watanabe, Junichi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 9032998
    Abstract: Methods and systems control an irrigation system that includes an irrigation controller, a valve actuator, and at least one irrigation sensor connected by a communication circuit. A sensor charging pulse having a temporal duration less than a solenoid actuation time threshold for a solenoid is provided over the communication circuit. The sensor charging pulse charges a charge storage device in at least one irrigation sensor. A series of addressing pulses is also generated over the communication circuit, which indicate a device identifier of at least one irrigation sensor. The series of addressing pulses activate at least one irrigation sensor having the device identifier indicated by the series of addressing pulses such that the activated irrigation sensor provides a sensor signal indicative of an irrigation condition to the irrigation controller via the communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: DIG Corporation
    Inventor: Mike O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9032991
    Abstract: A valve unit includes a valve member that moves relative to a valve seat in response to a magnetic field generated by a coil. An input signal to the coil controls the extent of movement of the valve member relative to the valve seat, to control a gas flow rate therethrough. The gas valve unit also includes a setting adjustment device that provides a setting adjustment input utilized for calibrating or adjusting at least one gas flow rate. A valve controller is configured to receive an activation signal and to responsively send an input signal to the coil to move the valve member and establish at least one desired gas flow rate corresponding to the activation signal, wherein the valve controller is configured to adjust the input signal to the coil based on the setting adjustment input, to thereby enable field adjustment of at least one gas flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: John Broker, Ryan Jensen, Mark H. Stark, Mike Santinanavat, Don Blessing, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20150129044
    Abstract: Embodiments of mechanisms for processing a wafer are provided. A method for processing a wafer includes creating an exhaust flow in a fluid conduit assembly that is connected to a process module used for processing the wafer. The method also includes detecting the exhaust pressure in the fluid conduit assembly. The method further includes determining whether the exhaust pressure meets a set point. In addition, the method includes regulating the exhaust flow if the exhaust pressure fails to meet the set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: You-Hua CHOU, Shih-Hung CHEN, Jian-Huah CHIOU
  • Publication number: 20150129055
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and controlling the open and close states of a manifold diaphragm type valve includes using an actuator mechanism with feedback control. A pressure transducer and/or force gauge located on the contact end of the actuator mechanism monitors the pressure and/or force applied to the end of the actuator mechanism. A controller instructs the actuator mechanism to move forward or backward an appropriate distance based on the monitored pressure and/or force. Temperature and pressure changes in the system and material changes to the diaphragm are sensed immediately and positioning correction is applied to the actuator in real-time, thereby maintaining the same valve state while monitoring pressure separately. The linear actuator functions as a ‘smart’ actuator, capable of fine tune adjustments without additional outside monitoring and providing a more accurate and reliable method of closing the valve in a dynamic environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Lynn Byler
  • Patent number: 9027586
    Abstract: In a pipeline for transportation of gas, the supplying pressure for the gas out through an outlet shall not exceed a threshold value. The pipeline has a safely unit with a pressure transmitter and a temperature transmitter arranged in connection to the pipeline close to an inlet of the pipeline. The safety unit comprises a device for measuring the flow rate and the safely unit is either used for maintaining an increased inlet pressure to the pipeline and/or in order to use a pipeline with a reduced inner diameter within a given safety level against leakage and excessive pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Jørn Yngve Stokke, Gjertrud Elisabeth Hausken
  • Patent number: 9027588
    Abstract: A pressure control device according to an embodiment includes a solenoid portion for regulating a gate opening of a valve through a first shaft portion connected to the valve, a micrometer for regulating the gate opening through the first shaft portion and a second shaft portion having an axial direction which is parallel with that of the first shaft portion when the second shaft portion is connected to the first shaft portion, and a switching portion. The switching portion switches to cause the solenoid portion to regulate the gate opening or to cause the micrometer to regulate the gate opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mari Kusunoki, Takuo Ohashi, Shinji Miyazaki, Norihiko Kamiura
  • Patent number: 9027587
    Abstract: In a method for operating a fluid valve for controlling or regulating a fluid, having at least one movable valve component is displaceable with the aid of at least one electrical actuating signal which contains at least one first actuating signal portion which causes an oscillating valve motion of the valve component. Pressure oscillations generated in the fluid due to the oscillating valve motion are detected, and are used for regulation of the oscillating valve motion caused by the first actuating signal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Hessenauer, Ulrich Foerch, Manfred Schmitt, Steffen Schumacher, Nicole Weber, Oliver Schell, Christof Ott
  • Patent number: 9027585
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a flow of a fluid using a multi-mode control algorithm is described. The method includes disengaging and engaging a feedback control loop that controls a valve of the mass flow controller based upon a rate of pressure change of the fluid. The method also includes calculating a valve position of the valve based on pressure measurements when the feedback control loop has been disengaged and characterization data that characterizes the mass flow controller, and determining, when the feedback control loop is first re-engaged, a difference between a measured flow rate and a flow set point. An adjustment to the characterization data is applied based upon the difference to improve an accuracy of the calculation of the valve position when the feedback control loop is disengaged again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexei V. Smirnov
  • Publication number: 20150114479
    Abstract: A regulating device may include a housing that defines an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, with a flow restriction seat between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. A flow restriction valve is movable relative to the flow restriction seat to adjust the flow between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber of the regulating device. A servo valve having a servo chamber may be used to adjust the position of the flow restriction valve. The servo chamber may be fluidly coupled to the inlet chamber though a fixed flow restriction and to the outlet chamber though an adjustable flow restriction. A stepper motor may be used to adjust the servo valve to adjust the adjustable flow restriction between the servo chamber and the outlet chamber. This causes a change of the servo pressure, which moves the flow restriction valve and adjusts the flow of the regulating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Willem Super
  • Patent number: 9019122
    Abstract: Information in a data store may be efficiently accessed to perform boundary reading processing. In one example, register readings of one or more register channels that are linked to one or more interval channels may be retrieved from the data store to determine whether or not a boundary reading of a time span is missing. If a boundary reading is missing, but a proximate register reading exists, the boundary reading may be estimated from the proximate register reading and at least one interval reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D Heller
  • Patent number: 9010361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a control valve assembly and method of fault detection that includes adjusting a valve between an operating position and a fault position in response to various fault conditions. The control valve assembly is adjustable to accommodate fault conditions encountered in a variety of electrochemical deionization systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Pentair Residential Filtration, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Averbeck, George Shoemaker Ellis
  • Patent number: 9010360
    Abstract: A flow valve assembly includes a valve operable between an open position and a closed position and a controller operatively coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position. A mechanically or electrically operated assembly is provided to determine an amount of fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the open position. A mechanically or electrically operated mechanism moves the valve from the open position to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value. A method of operating the valve is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Drexel University
    Inventors: John Older, Bakhtier Farouk, La'Shell Jones, Jared Kern, Matthew Scholl
  • Publication number: 20150101677
    Abstract: A vapor purge system having a tank isolation valve and a canister vent valve, where each valve includes a latching mechanism for maintaining the valves in an open position, and a diagnostic test is performed on the purge system to prove that each of the valves are functioning correctly. Using latching valves in these applications reduces electricity draw from the battery and reduces electrical interference with integrated pressure sensors. The fuel tank is sealed by the tank isolation valve between the fuel tank and a vapor storage canister, and the canister vent valve provides sealing between the canister and the atmosphere, and controls venting of the canister. The diagnostic test is performed using the tank isolation valve and the canister vent valve under different operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: David William Balsdon, Brian Gordon Woods
  • Publication number: 20150104722
    Abstract: A valve for reducing the likelihood of ice-related blockage in a fuel cell and methods for starting a fuel cell system. The valve includes a valve plate and coupling plate that are cooperative with one another within a valve body such that flexural forces imparted to the valve plate from a pressurized fluid are transferred to localized contact surfaces between the valve plate and coupling plate. By concentrating these forces to such a localized area, improvements in the ability of the fluid to initiate and propagate a crack in built-up ice around the valve's seating region is improved. In this way, fuel cell starting in cold conditions—such as those associated with temperatures at or below the freezing point of water—is also improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Rock
  • Publication number: 20150096630
    Abstract: An electromagnetic valve according to one embodiment includes a driven member configured such that a piston and a valve element are vertically coupled with each other and configured such that a pilot passage runs through the driven member. Here, the piston separates a high-pressure chamber from a back pressure chamber. The valve element opens and closes a main valve by moving toward and away from a valve hole. The pilot passage communicates between a low-pressure chamber and the back pressure chamber. A communicating path, through which the high-pressure chamber and the back pressure chamber communicate with each other, is formed in the piston. The communicating path is formed such that an orifice, which is open to the back pressure chamber, and a communication hole, having a larger cross section than that of the orifice, are vertically connected with each other. The orifice is located above the communication hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Hirofumi OGAWA, Shinji SAEKI, Toshihiro ANDOH, Shigeru ABE, Tomohiro YUASA
  • Patent number: 8997775
    Abstract: A method comprises transporting a first stream of a carrier gas to a delivery device that contains a solid precursor compound. The first stream of carrier gas is at a temperature greater than or equal to 20° C. The method further comprises transporting a second stream of the carrier gas to a point downstream of the delivery device. The first stream and the second stream are combined to form a third stream, such that the dewpoint of the vapor of the solid precursor compound in the third stream is lower than the ambient temperature. The flow direction of the first stream, the flow direction of the second stream and the flow direction of the third stream are unidirectional and are not opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials LLC
    Inventors: Egbert Woelk, Ronald L. DiCarlo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150083240
    Abstract: A piston is configured by a piston body and a support such that the piston is divided, along a direction of axis line, into the piston body, which is formed integrally with a valve element, and the support, which is provided separately from the valve element. A piston ring, which slides along a body, is held between the piston body and the support. The piston body is constantly in contact with one side face of the piston ring, and the support is constantly in contact with the other side face of the piston ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Shigeru Abe, Toshiyuki Shiota, Toshihiro Andoh, Eiji Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20150083241
    Abstract: A pilot valve element includes a metallic pilot valve body formed integrally with a plunger, a flexible sealing member, fitted on a tip of the pilot valve body, which touches and leaves a pilot valve seat, and a stopper for restricting the displacement of the pilot valve element relative to a driven member in a manner such that the sealing member is stopped in a direction of axis line after the sealing member has seated on a pilot valve seat. The stopper is configured such that the pressure-receiving diameter of the sealing member, which receives a pressure difference between an upstream side and a downstream side of the pilot valve, remains unchanged from when the sealing member comes in contact with the pilot valve seat until when the sealing member is stopped by the stopper with the result that the sealing member has completely seated on the pilot valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shiota, Toshihiro Andoh, Shigeru Abe
  • Patent number: 8985548
    Abstract: A composite valve has a communication path communicating a first valve chamber with a second valve chamber, a second valve port communicating the second valve chamber with an outflow port, and a pilot passage communicating a back pressure chamber with the outflow port. In the case that a lift amount of a second valve body for a small flow rate control is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the pilot passage is closed by a pilot valve body, and a first valve port is closed by a first valve body, thereby taking a small flow rate control state. In the case that the lift amount of the second valve body goes beyond the predetermined amount, the pilot valve body is moved up in conjunction with the upward movement of a valve shaft so as to open the pilot passage, thereby taking a large flow rate control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Arai
  • Publication number: 20150080794
    Abstract: A fluid purging system has a spring-energized relief valve having an inlet port that is coupled to a fluid chamber to receive incoming fluid, and an outlet port through which incoming fluid is relieved. The outlet port is fluidly coupled to a pressurized chamber. The fluid purging system also includes an electro-mechanical pressure switch, and an electrically operated solenoid valve which functions as a pressure exhaust valve. The pressure switch and the solenoid valve are in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: HORIZON SCIENTIFIC CORP.
    Inventors: Thach Buu Duong, Min Frank Zeng
  • Publication number: 20150068440
    Abstract: A system including a fluid injection system configured to removably couple to a mineral extraction system, wherein the fluid injection system includes a fluid injection system controller, a flow meter system coupled to the fluid injection system controller, wherein the flow meter system is configured to measure a fluid flow of a fluid through the fluid injection system, an adjustable valve configured to control the fluid flow through the fluid injection system, and a non-return valve configured to block reverse flow of the fluid through the fluid injection system, wherein the fluid injection system controller, the flow meter system, the adjustable valve, and the non-return valve are coupled to a common housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Minnock, Eddie McHugh
  • Patent number: 8973606
    Abstract: The present invention is one that prevents standard gas from remaining in a standard gas line to prevent a concentration of standard gas from being reduced due to adsorption, modification, or the like, and has: a diluent gas line provided with a diluent gas flow rate controlling mechanism; a standard gas line provided with a standard gas flow rate controlling mechanism; an output gas line joined by the diluent gas line and standard gas line and outputs the standard gas having a predetermined concentration; an exhaust gas line connected to an upstream side of the standard gas flow rate controlling mechanism in the standard gas line and provided with an on/off valve and a flow rate control part; and a control part that, depending on a flow rate of the standard gas flowing through the standard gas line or the type of the standard gas, switches on/off the on/off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hashimoto, Junichi Miyaji
  • Patent number: 8973602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas shutoff device that prevents tampering procurement of gas or tamper due to stealing of the gas shutoff device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Yokohata
  • Publication number: 20150059806
    Abstract: An instrument reprocessor for cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing a medical instrument is disclosed. To reprocess instruments having one or more channels defined therein, the reprocessor can include one or more flow control systems configured to control a flow of fluid through each channel. In various embodiments, a flow control system can include a differential pressure sensor and a proportional valve for controlling the fluid flow in a channel. The reprocessor can also include, one, a fluid circulation pump which can be configured to supply the flow control systems with fluid and, two, a system for controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied to the flow control systems. The reprocessor can also include a system for supplying a metered amount of fluid to the fluid circulation system. The system can include a reservoir having a fluid height sensor to monitor the amount of fluid therein and a pump configured to supply the reservoir with fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Nick N. Nguyen, Ujjal Bhaumik
  • Publication number: 20150059875
    Abstract: A control valve actuator assembly having internally configured pressure transducers and associated pressure channels internally integrated within the yoke of the actuator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: MARK R. LOVELESS, MELVIN HAL PARKS
  • Publication number: 20150059877
    Abstract: A mechanism for coupling motion of a piezoelectric actuator in axisymmetric devices like modulating proportional valves uses actuator extension motion to cause translation away from a mechanism mounting plane and thereby enables lifting open of a valve element instead of the usual pushing closed of the valve element. The mechanism does not contain any gears nor leadscrew threads, and in usual practice is constantly loaded, so apparent change of direction is achieved without mechanical backlash introducing hysteresis. The mechanism surrounds a piezoelectric stack actuator by contacting opposite ends of the piezoelectric stack, whereby extension motion lengthening the actuator causes a lifting portion of the mechanism to translate toward the bulk of the actuator while the proximally adjacent mounting portion of the mechanism remains at a fixed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Kim Ngoc Vu
  • Publication number: 20150059876
    Abstract: A motor-less pump includes: (a) a housing having an inlet provided to allow fluid flow into the housing and an outlet provided to allow fluid flow out of the housing; (b) an elastic diaphragm positioned in the housing such that motion in the elastic diaphragm drives the fluid flows at the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and (c) one or more electromechanical polymer (EMP) actuators each being provided on a surface of the elastic diaphragm, wherein the mechanical responses to electrical stimuli applied on the EMP actuators cause the motion in the diaphragm. The EMP actuators may include one or more bimorphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Ducharme, Mark Levatich
  • Patent number: 8967192
    Abstract: A water rationing device that controls and manages municipal household water usage including a signal conveying wired pipe having electrically conductive wires, a flow sensor coupled to the signal conveying wired pipe, a flow gauge, a first and a second control valve coupled to the signal conveying wired pipe, a first and a second pipe connector having push connectors, a converter connected to the electrically conductive wires via the push connectors, a power supply connected to the converter, and a first and a second transceiver connected to a controller that receives the water flow signal from the water flow gauge, sends and receives control signals to the first control valve and the second control valve, and sends and receives signals from the first and second transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Yousef Dhani Alonazy
  • Patent number: 8960221
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure regulating valve includes a valve body and causes a valve body to move by an electromagnetic proportional solenoid to adjust an opening degree of a valve passage, thereby regulating secondary pressure to target pressure. A pressure return chamber is formed in the housing, and a diaphragm seal is provided at the valve body. The diaphragm seal receives the secondary pressure of the pressure return chamber to cause the valve body to move toward a closed position. A bearing member is provided between the valve body and the housing. In a gap between the valve body and the housing, a high-pressure sealing member is provided closer to the valve passage than the bearing member, and a low-pressure sealing member is provided closer to the bearing member than the high-pressure sealing member. A buffer chamber connected to a secondary port is formed between the sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Nomichi, Yutaka Suzuki, Makoto Ninomiya, Shoji Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150047720
    Abstract: A solenoid device including pressure altering means for altering an output pressure of the solenoid device; and an actuator for providing an actuating signal to said pressure altering means; wherein the solenoid device further includes a sensor arranged to sense a control value of the solenoid device, and a controller which receives a request and is arranged to control delivery of power to the actuator with feedback from the sensor until the control value meets the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: BRT GROUP PTY LTD
    Inventor: Richard Terrence Tamba
  • Publication number: 20150040989
    Abstract: An automatic excess water flow saving system reduces the water loss by water outlets in houses and other water consuming installations. The system controls the water flow through an outlet by toggling the water flow rate. An actuator activates a timer which opens and closes a valve intermittently and continuously while a water outlet is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Rene FRONTERA-MARIANI
  • Patent number: 8944095
    Abstract: There is provided a gas supply apparatus 10 which does not necessitate installation of a pressure type flow controller for each processing reactor and which enables a compact construction of the flow controller. The gas supply apparatus 10 includes gas supply sources 11a, 11b, gas introduction pipes 13a, 13b, a main gas pipe 15, and branch pipes 21a, 21b. A pressure type flow controller 30 is provided for the main gas pipe 15 and the branch pipes 21a, 21b. The pressure type flow controller 30 includes a pressure detector 17 provided in the main gas pipe 15, and control valves 23a, 23b and orifices 22a, 22b, both provided in the branch pipes 21a, 21b. An arithmetic circuit 40 determines a flow rate Qc based on a detected pressure P1 from the pressure detector 17, and an arithmetic control circuit 58 controls the control valves 23a, 23b based on a set flow rate signal Qs from a flow rate setting circuit 52 and on the flow rate Qc from the arithmetic circuit 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsuneyuki Okabe
  • Patent number: 8944096
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Ruediger Conrad, Heiko Marz
  • Patent number: 8944099
    Abstract: A valve arrangement is provided, (1) comprising: a valve (2) for controlling a flow of heating or cooling fluid through a heat exchanger, an actuator (12) for actuating said valve (2), control means (15) for controlling said actuator (12), a first temperature sensor (18) connected to said control means (15), a thermal resistance between the first temperature sensor (18) and the valve (2) being greater than a thermal resistance between the second temperature sensor (19) and the valve (2). It is intended to improve control of the valve. To this end the first temperature sensor (18) and the second temperature sensor (19) are part of detector means detecting a closing condition of the valve (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Peter Gammeljord Nielsen, Lars Munch, Niels Gregersen, Bjarne Frederiksen
  • Patent number: 8944384
    Abstract: The aircraft refuelling equipment (20) of an aircraft comprises a pipework (22) in which a fuel supply line (13) is connected to a plurality of tank supply lines, fuel tanks connected to tank supply lines of the pipework, first valves (24, 25,26) allowing each fuel tank to be disconnected from the fuel supply line, and at least one captor (30) that provides a signal indicative of a pressure or a flow rate. For each of said first valves, a first valve flow parameter can be estimated, using said captor. The equipment further comprises:—at least one actuator associated with each of said first valves, the actuator allowing adjustment of the opening of the associated first valve; and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the respective actuator-first valve assemblies and adapted to regulate an opening of the first ECU valves, using respective first valve flow parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Zodiac Aerotechnics
    Inventors: Nicolas Travers, Antoine Veyrat-Masson
  • Publication number: 20150027547
    Abstract: A hydraulic spool valve includes a housing, a valve element disposed within the housing, a first piston coupled to the valve element, and a first biasing member. The housing includes a pair of first ports. The valve element is selectively moveable within the housing between a first closed position and a second open position allowing fluid communication between the first ports. Hydraulic pressure against the first piston causes helical translation of the piston in a first direction, and motion of the valve element in a first direction from the first position toward the second position. The first biasing member is configured to bias the first piston and the valve element toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Luis A. Arce-Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20150027565
    Abstract: A water flow monitor for detecting water flow comprising: a control panel, where the control panel depicts control mechanisms associated with water flow monitoring; a pipe receptacle on a bottom side of the water flow monitor; a strap extending from the bottom, where the strap secures the water flow monitor to a water supply pipe; a plurality of time period settings, where a particular time period may be selected using the control panel; and an alarm, where the alarm alerts a user of continuous water flow over one of the time period settings. In an alternative embodiment, the water flow monitor connects in line with a water supply pipe, where water flow monitor provides both an alarm and a mechanism to actually cut the water supply off should the overflow parameters are met associated with the monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Pairoj Vatanakorn
  • Publication number: 20150027557
    Abstract: A pressure relief comprises a valve body which includes an inlet bore that is connectable to a flow line, an outlet bore that is connectable to a vent line and a valve bore that extends to between the inlet and outlet bores. A valve member is slidably supported in the valve bore and is moveable between a closed position in which the fluid in the flow line is prevented from flowing from the inlet bore to the outlet bore and an open position in which the fluid in the flow line is permitted to flow from the inlet bore to the outlet bore. A solenoid operated pilot valve is connected to the valve body over the valve bore, and a fluid chamber is located in the pilot valve above the valve member. The fluid chamber is filled with a hydraulic fluid, and the hydraulic fluid in the fluid chamber is operatively engaged with the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20150013786
    Abstract: Embodiments of a valve positioner that can maintain operation of the control valve despite failures in one or more components. These embodiments reduce downtime by allowing in-situ repair to occur on the valve positioner. In one embodiment, the valve positioner incorporates a by-pass component, which can utilize control input signals (e.g., a 4-20 mA signal) to energize one or more components (e.g., a current-to-pressure converter) to cause the control valve to modulate fluid flow without the digital microprocessor and/or related components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Dresser Inc.
    Inventor: Sandro Esposito
  • Patent number: 8931508
    Abstract: A vapor isolation valve includes a first chamber in fluid communication with a fuel tank and a second chamber disposed with respect to the first chamber. A diaphragm is disposed between the first and second chambers, has an orifice allowing fluid communication therebetween, and is moveable between a diaphragm open position and a diaphragm closed position. A third chamber is disposed adjacent the first chamber, relative to the diaphragm, and is in fluid communication with an exit passage. The diaphragm open position allows fluid communication between the first and third chambers, and the diaphragm closed position substantially restricts fluid communication therebetween. A pilot valve is disposed between the second and third chambers and is selectively moveable between a pilot open position configured to allow fluid communication between the second and third chambers and a pilot closed position configured to block fluid communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Martin, Matthew L. Erdmann, James P. Ostrosky
  • Publication number: 20150007897
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing a self-validating mass flow controller or mass flow meter without requiring any software modification to a tool/tool controller in which the mass flow controller is being utilized. For example, the disclosed embodiments include a mass flow controller comprising an internal valve configured to receive a first pneumatic line coupled to a tool pilot valve and couple a second pneumatic line from the internal valve to an external isolation valve upstream of the inlet. The mass flow controller also includes at least one processing component configured to execute instructions to perform an in-situ rate of decay measurement after executing instructions to close the external isolation valve by using the internal valve to block airflow being received through the first pneumatic line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Bill Valentine, Chris Ellec, Berwin Banares, John Lull, Anthony Kehoe
  • Patent number: 8925896
    Abstract: A positioner includes a modeling portion that, having input/output characteristics that model an electropneumatic converter, inputs a control signal from a control calculating portion to calculate an estimated value for an input air pressure that is inputted from the electropneumatic converter into a pilot relay, and a shift magnitude calculating portion that calculates a shift magnitude from the equilibrium state of the pilot relay, from the estimated value for the input air pressure, which is calculated by the modeling portion, and the output air pressure that is outputted from the pilot relay. The control calculating portion determines the control signal from an actual opening signal, an opening setting signal, and the shift magnitude from the equilibrium state of the pilot relay, and outputs it to the electropneumatic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nomiyama, Masaki Namikawa