Biased Open Patents (Class 137/517)
  • Patent number: 5487406
    Abstract: A valve for permitting fluid flow in a first desired direction and preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction. The valve includes a valve body having a rigid wall defining inlet and outlet openings at opposite ends thereof and a main flow passageway between the inlet and outlet openings. Secured to the rigid wall, so as to receive fluid entering the passageway through the inlet opening, is a tubular valve member of elastomeric material having upstream and downstream ends in fluid communication with one another. The tubular valve member is normally open to fluid flow but is yieldingly collapsible in response to downstream pressure increases to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. A ring is secured about the tubular valve member and is dimensioned to prevent the passage of the downstream end through the inlet opening in the event of a downstream pressure increase. The drain control valve may be employed in conjunction with a novel manifold for irrigation purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: James D. Jirasek
  • Patent number: 5472008
    Abstract: The subject of the present invention is an automatic safety valve for gaseous fluids compressed in cylinders whose supply is controlled by pressure regulators, which is provided with a device protecting against dangerous variations in temperature and against excess flow and which in addition may be adapted to various connection systems between existing cylinders and burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: O.A.R.A. s.r.L.
    Inventor: Walter Boarin
  • Patent number: 5469883
    Abstract: A flow modulation device is provided for restricting fluid flow exhausted from a first, actuator-sided conduit toward a second, reservoir-sided conduit to an acceptable rate in the event of sudden pressure drop within the second conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung H. Lee
  • Patent number: 5465751
    Abstract: An excess flow control valve for telescopical receipt in a cylindrical fluid distribution pipe to control downstream flow therein. The excess flow valve includes a cylindrical pressure reducer fitting for mounting the valve in the pipe and is formed with an upstream facing annular valve seat and a downstream diverging venturi nozzle therethrough. A poppet valve barrel having a central chamber is mounted to the pressure reducer fitting, the chamber formed with a plurality of peripheral inlet flow passages disposed upstream of the fitting and further including at the upstream end thereof, a gland. A poppet having an cylindrical base and an upstream projecting stem is slidably received in the chamber and the stem is received in the gland. The stem includes a stop ring at the upstream end thereof and a compression spring is disposed over the stem in an interposed relationship between the valve barrel and the stop ring to bias the poppet away from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: R.W. Lyall & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward K. Newton
  • Patent number: 5465752
    Abstract: A multi-function valve for installation in a riser of a sprinkler system provides two valve functions. One function is to stop flow automatically when breakage of a sprinkler head causes the flow rate to exceed a predetermined threshold. The second function is to prevent back flow and reduce the risk of the "hammer effect" causing damage to the sprinkler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: Gary Higgins
  • Patent number: 5460076
    Abstract: A fluid-operated brake actuator having a check valve in the spring chamber to equalize the pressure on opposite sides of an operating movable diaphragm. The brake actuator comprises a service brake housing divided into first and second service chambers by a diaphragm or piston, and a spring brake housing arranged in tandem with and attached to the service brake housing, also divided into a first and second spring chambers by a diaphragm or piston. The check valve connecting the first and second spring chambers blocks flow between the first and second chambers when the second spring brake chamber is pressurized and opens up flow between the two chambers when the second spring chamber is depressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: NAI Anchorlok, Inc.
    Inventors: Wiliam C. Pierce, John P. Smith, Steven Stojic
  • Patent number: 5441202
    Abstract: A misting system including a locking T coupler with an elongated tubular body having a first end defining an axially extending chamber therein with sidewalls that taper radially outwardly from adjacent the first end toward the center of the body. A tubular ferrule is designed to axially nest within the first end of the body with a first end of the ferrule positioned in the chamber for receiving a supply tube coaxially in a second end thereof. The first end of the ferrule further including axially extending fingers with radially outwardly extending portions positioned to engage the tapered sidewalls of the chamber and force the fingers radially inwardly into a tube gripping position as the ferrule is partially withdrawn from the body so as to tightly grip a supply tube positioned therein and prevent the withdrawal of the supply tube from the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventors: Gary F. Wintering, Thomas A. Bontems
  • Patent number: 5412948
    Abstract: A ball and piston valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to a motive means have the ball and piston spring biased in opposing directions and with both initially subject to a first hydraulic fluid pressure that allows the springs to cause the ball to be unseated from its seat whereby fluid is directed to a fluid tank and wherein the ball is of sufficiently larger diameter than the piston that upon an increase in fluid pressure the ball is seated and remains seated when the pressure drops to the first hydraulic fluid pressure whereby the motive means to which the fluid is directed when the ball is seated does not have a sudden lurch upon a subsequent increase in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Komura, Hiroshige Makita, Tomoaki Ishikawa, Taro Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 5348179
    Abstract: A capping assembly for attachment to a ferrule of a manhole assembly in a tanker truck having a cap which is provided with a central aperture for venting. The cap is further provided with threads for accommodating the threads of the ferrule. A diaphragm having a flexible central member larger than the aperture of the cap and peripheral apertures is fittably connectable to the ferrule and positionable between the cap and the opening of the ferrule. The diaphragm includes an outer circumferential beveled surface for seatingly engaging a beveled upper inner surface of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn M. Walker
  • Patent number: 5323806
    Abstract: A constant-speed exhaust valve device has a valve body of a cylindrical shape opened at both axial ends, and a push means disposed to apply an axial compressive force to the valve body, whereby the exhaust speed of the device can be made steady and manufacturing yield of the device is made excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshie Watari, Mitsuo Nakatani, Satoshi Nakayama, Makoto Fujiwara, Shigeki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5320135
    Abstract: A flow compensator valve for use in a hydraulic system which includes a cylindrical body having inlet and outlet ports, and a slidable, spring-biased hollow piston insert disposed within a center bore of the body, which insert has a plurality of ports for flow control depending on the position of the insert as it reciprocates axially within the center bore of the valve body. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is used in connection with a hydraulically actuated lift which is particularly useful for assistance of handicap persons for vans and mass transit vehicles. The axially-reciprocable, spring-biased flow rate controlling insert has a small central axial bore for slow lift movement in the loaded condition and at least one larger transverse bore, which when exposed, permits flow therethrough for faster movement of the lift in the unloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Pierrou
  • Patent number: 5299595
    Abstract: A two-way draining valve for coffee making machines includes an L-shaped housing containing a chamber, an inlet opening for delivering water to the chamber from a pump, an outlet opening arranged in an upper leg of the housing for delivering water from the chamber to a boiler inlet, and a draining bore arranged in a lower leg of the housing and communicating with the chamber. A spherical rubber valve ball is arranged within the chamber and is movable with respect to the draining bore in response to changes in pressure in the chamber. The ball opens and closes the draining bore in accordance with the chamber pressure to enable excess steam and water from the boiler and the pump, and excess air from the pump to exit the chamber via the draining bore. Thus, pressure within the boiler is controlled to prevent dripping of the coffee making machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Briel - Industria de Electrodomesticos, S.A.
    Inventor: Valdemar M. Ribeiro
  • Patent number: 5293898
    Abstract: In a safety closing device for gas pipe systems (1) with a valve (2) which is capable of being pressed against a valve seating (9) in a housing, especially a tubular housing, the valve (2), as a disc valve capable of being moved in the axial direction of the tubular housing (1), is movably supported against the force of a spring (5). The cross-section area of the valve head (7) is made smaller than the clear cross section of the housing (1) and is kept at a distance from the inner wall of the tubular housing, and, furthermore, the gas supply connection (20) is provided on the side of the valve head (7) facing away from the spring (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Pipelife Rohrsysteme Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Peter Masloff
  • Patent number: 5280806
    Abstract: An excess flow valve comprising a valve body defining a passage for a flow of fluid therethrough, the passage having an inlet and an outlet for fluid, a magnetically attractable closure member movably located within the passage for movement toward and away from the outlet, a seat located adjacent to the outlet for receiving the closure member. A flow restriction assembly is located in the passage for defining at least two flow paths for fluid along the passage, the flow restriction assembly including a retaining member comprising a permanent magnet for retaining the closure member in one of the flow paths and away from the seat whilst there is a flow rate of fluid through the passage which is less than a predetermined rate, the retaining member releasing the closure member when the flow rate of fluid through the passage equals or exceeds the predetermined rate so that the closure member moves toward the outlet to engage the seat and shut off flow of fluid through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Gaslow International Limited
    Inventor: Richard J. Glazebrook
  • Patent number: 5279326
    Abstract: A safety valve includes a tube and a valve device. The valve device is substantially a cylindrical member with an end thereof coupled to an outlet of a gas container by a mounting device. The other end of the valve device has a threading portion for engaging with a first end of the tube whose second end communicates with a burner. The valve device has an inner gas passage which tapers to form a neck adjacent to the threading portion thereof. A stem hole is formed in the threading portion and communicates with the neck. Also formed in the threading portion are two slits which also communicate with the neck. A valve stem has a stem portion received in the stem hole and a valve head in the inner gas passage. When leakage occurs downstream of the valve device, the valve stem is moved toward the neck, and thus blocks the slits, thereby preventing from escapement of subsequent gas remained in the inner gas passage and in the gas container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Inventor: Chi-San Lin
  • Patent number: 5269335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the location of subterranean pipe includes sensors 24 and 26 which detect seismic energy. A pulsing valve (20) is disposed on one end of a water line (10) to allow water to intermittently flow and be shut off. This results in a water hammer effect which send shock waves (22) outward from the pipe (10). This is detected by the sensors (24) and (26) and then transmitted to a detector (32) to provide a differential indication. The locations of the sensors (24) and (26) will determine the differential balances therebetween such that when the sensors (24) and (26) are directly over the pipe (10), an indication of the location of the pipe is provided. Further, a reference sensor (19) is provided to allow distance measurement along the pipe by measuring the difference between the received energy at sensor (19) and either of sensors (24) or (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Inventor: Lynn B. Heitman
  • Patent number: 5241984
    Abstract: An elastically movable valve having a through hole is installed at a required position in the path of a fluid. At the time of normal operation, the fluid is allowed to pass through the through hole, but if the fluid pressure is increased to a certain level over that of normal operation, the valve is elastically deformed by this high fluid pressure allowing it to come into contact with its valve seat and stopping the fluid flow.Since it has no sliding part for the motion of a movable valve. The dust are not generated and, the fluid used in a fluid circuit requiring a high degree of cleanness is always guaranteed to have a high degree of cleanness. As there is no space for the fluid to stagnate, the new fluid is not partially contaminated with the previous fluid after exchanging fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Takashi Onjohji, Mituo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5232012
    Abstract: A spaced apart apertured dual diaphragm fluid flow control device utilizes one flexible overcenter diaphragm to sense a variance flow condition and flex over center into engagement with the other diaphragm where cooperative apertures in the diaphragms cut off or regulate fluid flow through the device. Electrical circuit means are provided for an operational signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Clifford M. Toraason
  • Patent number: 5226446
    Abstract: A flow noise reduction assembly having a fixed flow limiting orifice or an inlet pressure responsive flow control washer having a flow limiting orifice. A conically faced diverter is disposed closely adjacent the downstream face of the orifice and an expansion chamber is disposed downstream of the flow diverter for noise attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5215113
    Abstract: A fluid control device for hydraulic systems is provided having closure means movably positioned within a valve housing and adapted to selectively close a fluid passageway in response to a predetermined pressure level. The closure means includes a piston body slidably located in the valve housing for reciprocating movement therein and a spring adapted to bias the piston body away from a shoulder to maintain the fluid passageway open during normal operation. The piston body includes a conical nose and a plurality of flow channels (or apertures) which allow fluid to pass through the piston body during normal flow. When the fluid pressure is large, indicating a downstream break or leak in the flow line, the fluid pressure will overcome the force exerted by the spring and force the piston body against the shoulder, thereby blocking the flow pathway and stopping flow through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Paul E. Terry
  • Patent number: 5203365
    Abstract: A magnetically operated excess flow check valve which permits fluid flow through a line when the flow is below a predetermined flow rate but shuts the flow if the flow rate rises above the predetermined limit to prevent uncontrolled flow or discharge of fluids such as might occur if a fluid line is ruptured including unique packaging or mounting of the excess flow check valve in a capsule to facilitate its installation in various flow lines, fittings, pipe systems, appliances and the like. The packaging is in the form of a self contained capsule which can be inserted in various flow passageways with the capsule facilitating assembly of the individual components into a self contained compact package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Mallard Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Wallace W. Velie
  • Patent number: 5174332
    Abstract: A constant flow valve comprises a valve body (5) having an inlet passage (2), an outlet passage (3), and a hollow chamber (4) disposed between the passages and inclined with respect to the inlet passage at a certain angle; an opening (7) for connecting the outlet passage with the hollow chamber, an inner circumferential face of the opening being tapered from an upstream side toward a downstream side; a lid body (17) fitted to the valve body; a spindle (9) supported by the lid body and movable back and forth along the axis of the opening; a cylinder (10) integrally arranged at a lower end of the spindle; a valve shaft (12) freely arranged inside the cylinder and positioned substantially on the axis of the opening; a valve plug (13) fitted to a front end of the valve shaft to create an orifice between itself and the opening; and springs (14, 15) disposed inside the cylinder to force the valve plug away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Asahi Yukizai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Yokoyama, Katsuhiro Onishi
  • Patent number: 5158109
    Abstract: A general electro-rheological valve is disclosed used in controlling the flow of fluids in a variety of applications. The valve comprises an inlet in communication with a fluid source, an outlet for transporting the fluid out of said valve, and an oscillating valve member for opening and closing off said inlet. The valve member has a cavity containing an electro-rheological fluid, a perforated electrode member emersed in the electro-rheological fluid within the cavity, and means for electrifying the perforated electrode member such that the electro-rheological fluid within the electrode solidifies, thereby locking the position of the valve member relative to the electrode. In this manner, the valve member, which oscillates with respect to the perforated electrode member, can be frozen in an open, closed, or intermediate position with respect to the inlet. The valve member thereby controls the level of fluid flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Nicholas S. Hare, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5129414
    Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an expansible chamber device includes a piston movable within a cylinder, a head on the cylinder having intake and exhaust ports, a normally-open intake valve for closing the intake port automatically when the flow rate or velocity of a working medium entering the cylinder reaches a predetermined value, variable restraining means for inhibiting closing of the intake valve in response to flow, an exhaust valve for preventing escape of working medium from the cylinder until cylinder pressure is reduced to a set level, spring means for opening the exhaust valve at that level, and means operable near the top-dead-center position of the piston for automatically opening the intake valve and for closing the exhaust valve to enable the cycle to repeat. A unique system for controlling the variable restraining means, as well as methods for regulating the flow or working medium through said valves, also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas R. Glass, Weldon R. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5111843
    Abstract: In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an expansible chamber device includes a piston movable within a cylinder, a head on the cylinder having intake and exhaust ports, a normally-open intake valve for closing the intake port automatically when the flow rate or velocity of a working medium entering the cylinder reaches a predetermined value, variable restraining means for inhibiting closing of the intake valve in response to flow, an exhaust valve for preventing excape of working medium from the cylinder until cylinder pressure is reduced to a set level, spring means for opening the exhaust valve at that level, and means operable near the top-dead-center position of the piston for automatically opening the intake valve and for closing the exhaust valve to enable the cycle to repeat. A unique system for controlling the variable restraining means, as well as methods for regulating the flow or working medium through said valves, also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas R. Glass, Weldon R. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5105850
    Abstract: A valve housing has an inlet bore configured for connection to a fluid supply pipe an outlet bore configured for connection to a fluid distribution pipe. A valve assembly mounted in the housing controls fluid flow between the inlet bore and the outlet bore. A valve seat is mounted in the housing, and a valve stem guide having a plurality of passages for permitting fluid flow therethrough are mounted in the housing. A hollow bolt shaft extends into the housing. A valve stem extends into the hollow bolt and through the valve stem guide and the valve seat. The valve stem guide and the hollow bolt cooperate to hold the valve stem in predetermined alignment relative to the fluid transmission bore. A plunger is mounted to the valve stem upstream from the valve seat. A stop is mounted on the valve stem to limit motion of the valve stem such that the first end of the valve stem is retained within the hollow portion of the adjusting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Inventor: David M. Harris
  • Patent number: 5103860
    Abstract: A safety valve is adapted to fit into the stem of a conventional service valve of a high pressure gas cylinder to prevent the escape of gas when the external part of the service valve is broken off. A plunger within the safety valve is biased away from a valve seat until a high pressure differential exists within the flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventor: Arnold D. Morris
  • Patent number: 5085246
    Abstract: A valve is disclosed for use in suppressing surges of fluid flow therethrough by means of first and second flow paths the former of which has the greater fluid-handling capability but which also is subject to being closed to suppress a surge, while the latter remains open to bleed the surge pressure and effect re-opening of the former for normal flow subsequent to the surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Ralph E. Griinke
  • Patent number: 4986741
    Abstract: A vane compressor has a communication passageway extending between a discharge pressure chamber and vane back pressure chambers. A valve is formed of a ball received within a ball-receiving bore and displaceable for opening and closing the communication passageway depending upon discharge pressure, a coiled spring urging the ball toward a valve opening position, and a stopper for stopping the ball in the valve opening position. The ball-receiving bore has an axial length smaller than an inner diameter thereof such that part of the ball is projected from the ball-receiving bore into the discharge pressure chamber when the ball is in the valve opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Diesel Kiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nakajima, Masaya Moruta, Toshio Yamaguchi, Kazuo Eitai
  • Patent number: 4961482
    Abstract: In an illustrative example, an oscillation damper for damping the steering movement of the handle bar of a motorcycle comprises a cylinder and a piston rod axially movable with respect to the cylinder. A damping piston is provided at the inner end of the piston rod and divides the cavity within the cylinder into two working chambers. These working chambers are interconnected by at least one axial bore through the piston. Valve discs are provided on both axial end faces of the piston. These valve discs are fixed to the piston in their respective central areas. Circumferential areas of the valve discs define circumferential gaps with the respective end faces. In response to the velocity of axial relative movement of the piston rod with respect to the cylinder the circumferential areas of respective valve discs are approached to the respective end faces. So the damping resistance is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Pohlenz, Gunter Wagner
  • Patent number: 4958657
    Abstract: A safety flow limitor of modular construction for use in gas supply lines for passing a combustible natural gas from a source to a consumer comprises a cylindrical shell defining an internal passageway in which resides an axially movable valve head member having an annular surface for mating with an annular valve-seat provided along the passageway. A coil spring having its downstream portion retained in the passageway and its upstream portion abutting the valve head member serves to bias the annular surface of the valve head member away from the annular valve-seat so as to maintain the passageway open. If there is a pressure drop downstream, then the upstream pressure acts against the force of the coil spring and moves the valve head member to a downstream position where its annular surface mates with the annular valve-seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Umac Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hagan, John B. McGowan, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4941511
    Abstract: Device with valve function which can be brought into and out of a pipeline and parked in the same. The device comprises a channel for throughflowing fluid, a valve (2) which is medium controlled and/or remote-controlled, a parking brake/packer seal unit (9) which with limited force can be brought to bear against the wall of the pipeline, a cylindrical wire anchor (1) with an external diameter which is slightly lesser than the internal diameter of the pipeline and can be brought into pressure contact with the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s
    Inventors: Trond V. Johansen, Ola Ruch, Ludvig Naess, K. P. Kristjansson, S. F. Utengen
  • Patent number: 4938259
    Abstract: A flow control for controlling the rate of flow of a fluid through a flow passage over a range of varying line pressures resembles a Belleville washer and is molded from a thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness range from 40 Shore A to 50 Shore D. The control has a circumferential outer rim and a dome-shaped contour within the rim which provides an apex, a concave downstream surface and a convex upstream surface, with the fluid flow passage extending through its apex. This flow control does not require interaction with a specifically designed seat but can simply be mounted across the flow passage which it is to control by retaining its rim portion upstream from the flow passage to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Vernay Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4934405
    Abstract: A safety valve wherein the downstream end of the body has a threaded portion for securing the safety valve to a high pressure tank. The downstream end of the body also has a passage therethrough interconnecting the downstream end with the upstream end. A portion of the passage adjacent the downstream end of the safety valve includes a threaded portion for receiving a service valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Inventor: Elmer E. Brownfield
  • Patent number: 4932435
    Abstract: The problem of controlling overspeed and/or oscillation of a variable displacement hydromechanical actuation system is solved by a multi-stage flow regulating valve (18) which includes a valve body (20, 22) having a fluid inlet (24) and a fluid outlet (26) defining a flow path (A,B) through the valve body. A first stage valve piston (30) is reciprocally mounted within a cylinder (28) in the valve body (20) in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet for restricting fluid flow in response to a first range of incoming fluid pressure. The first stage piston (30) has an inlet orifice (34) exposed to the incoming fluid and an outlet port (36) in registry with the outlet (26) of the valve body (20). A second stage valve piston (44) is reciprocally mounted within the first stage piston (30) and has an orifice plate (46) for covering the inlet orifice (34) of the first stage valve piston (30). The orifice plate has smaller orifices (48) for further restricting fluid flow through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Mark S. Stroze, Shan-Chin Tsai
  • Patent number: 4890640
    Abstract: A drainage valve for use in pressure systems where pressure surges occur for draining an underground water system when the water pressure in the underground water system is off and for sealing the drainage valve against drainage when the water pressure is on comprising a housing having a first annular support and sealing surface and a second annular support and sealing surface for supporting a member that is nonextrudable through a drain passage in the drainage valve under normal operating pressures and surge pressures encountered in water supply systems and to permit said nonextrudable member to open said drain passage when the water pressure is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Lloyd H. King, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4884750
    Abstract: A regulator is housed in the expulsion channel of an aerosol container inside which there is a product that is to be dispensed, this product being subject to an expulsion pressure originating from a compressed gas, the said regulator comprising a flexible disk (6) and a rigid disk (7), the latter presenting a protrusion (8) with grooves (9), and further comprising a sealing disk (12) with a central bore (13), and further comprising a nozzle (16). With the flexible disk (6), the grooves (9) in the rigid disk (7) form ducts for the expulsion of the product, and are oriented so as to form tangents to the circumference of the axial duct (10) of the rigid disk (7). This arrangement of the component parts creates turbulence effects in the flow of expelled product, and these effects are utilized to regulate the flow rate at which the product is expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: Winfried Werding
  • Patent number: 4883093
    Abstract: A connector for high pressure fluid conduits, such as fire hoses, has a chamber (10) with an inlet (4) and outlet (6) and between them a resilient ring (18), having an outer diameter close to the width of the chamber, on a dished support (14). The ring has a generally rectangular section except for a chamfer (24) on the inner upstream edge. The support has a central flow passage (16) aligned with the central passage (20) in the ring and carries two intersecting trapezoidal fins (22) projecting through the ring. When connected to a complementary coupling, the inlet and outlet bores of the connector correspond to the diameter of the chamfered portion of the ring. The device controls transient pressure peaks by deformation of the resilient ring without excessive reduction in flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Hydro-Tec Limited
    Inventors: Peter Miles, Leslie A. D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4880030
    Abstract: A device for use as a safety device to cut off the water supply to a house or building in the event of overly high water consumption due to a leak or break in the plumbing in the house or building is disclosed which has only three moving parts and is of simple and inexpensive to manufacture construction. The safety flow control device of the present invention has a three position selector valve which selectively either allows water to flow freely through the safety flow control device as if it were not there, diverts water through a safety flow chamber, or acts as a shutoff valve by preventing the flow of water into the main water line entrance of the house or building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Paul E. Terry
  • Patent number: 4874066
    Abstract: A shock absorber including a piston with two relatively movable elements defining a variable-sized, fluid-filled space. The size of the space is decreased when subjected to external fluid pressure and fluid flow through the piston is modified in response to such decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: S.U.I. Corporation
    Inventor: Ilan Silberstein
  • Patent number: 4867603
    Abstract: A device for protecting irrigation land local flooding caused by damaged sprinklers or broken risers. The device, in accordance with the present invention is designed to be situated within a piping component upstream of each individual sprinklers and it is completely enclosed within the piping component. The device detects and responds to the excess flow caused by damaged sprinkler or broken riser by shutting off water to the damaged sprinkler. In so doing, the device allows the remainder of the irrigation circuit to operate without interruption, albeit temporarily without the service of the damaged sprinkler. The device has no external housing and therefore the component itself is not vulnerable to physical damage from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Shih-Chih Chang
  • Patent number: 4858644
    Abstract: A fluid flow regulator in which the fluid flow therethrough is restricted twice, first through a fixed orifice in a slidable piston and then through a variable flow restrictor which is a spring. This spring is axially aligned with and bears against the piston, and fluids issuing from the orifice empties into the interior of the spring, the end of the spring opposite the piston being closed. Fluids thus flow from within the spring through the gaps between its coils and into a chamber surrounding the spring, and from there exits through the outlet of the regulator. The gaps between the spring coils are quite narrow and cause the flow of fluids to be restricted this second time. This restriction is variable since the piston moves as the differential pressure thereacross varies which causes the length of the spring to vary accordingly. This in turn varies the size of the gaps. In this manner, the regulator compensates automatically to provide a fluid flow rate which is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Decker
  • Patent number: 4830046
    Abstract: A liquid flow shut-off valve has a one piece housing with an internal ball valve biased by a coil spring to a normal position axially separated from its valve seat, precompression of the coil spring being adjusted so that a predetermined drop in downstream pressure allows upstream pressure to seat the ball valve and stop flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Hose Specialties/Capri, Inc.
    Inventor: Earl R. Holt
  • Patent number: 4811756
    Abstract: A safety valve comprises a valve member which is movable against spring biasing force to close under a predetermined flow rate against valve seats and allow only a small bleed through the valve via slots. The housing consists of two parts which are adjustably connected together by a screw thread which includes a locking nut enabling the valve to be adjusted and set for operation over a range of different flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Compair Power Tools Limited
    Inventor: Raymond J. Hall
  • Patent number: 4806082
    Abstract: An improved flow-limiting fluid refill valve for use with a fluid-actuated pump having a fluid chamber comprises a valve housing, fluid inlet means in communication with a source of hydraulic fluid and fluid outlet means in fluid communication with the fluid chamber of the pump. A first valve within the valve housing is provided between the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means for permitting a flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid chamber when the suction pressure within the fluid chamber exceeds the first predetermined pressure limit indicating that the fluid within the fluid chamber has been depleted below a predetermined fluid limit. The improvement comprises a second valve within the valve housing for preventing the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid chamber when the suction pressure within the fluid chamber exceeds a second predetermined pressure limit greater than the first predetermined pressure limit and indicating abnormal operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation
    Inventor: Jacob W. Schenk
  • Patent number: 4804163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a key button type of water tap, wherein a pressing mode is being employed to establish a non-step positioning as a means to determine the moving downward of depth of the sharp body of a circular awl installed inside the valve gate mechanism to regulate the quantity of water which flows out. At the same time, if one wants to stop the water from flowing out, just slightly press the upper cap to cause the stop body to move away from the gang gear of the key rod. The key button rod will move upward in an instance to cause the valve gate mechanism to close, so as to immediately stop the water from flowing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: Shun-Ching Yang
  • Patent number: 4800925
    Abstract: A two-stage flow controller for use in a vehicle heating circuit including a housing defining an inlet and an outlet and a flow control chamber disposed between the inlet and outlet. A spring biased flow controller is disposed for sliding movement within the chamber towards and away from a valve seat. The flow controller includes an annular segment defining a through aperture and a plurality of axially extending legs which support the segment for sliding movement within the chamber and in predetermined alignment with the valve seat. Projections are defined on a face of the annular segment. When the fluid flow exceeds a predetermined level, the projections initially engage a valve seat surface such that a variable orifice is formed by clearance regions between a confronting face of the element and the seat. The element deforms to diminish the clearance space between the face and the seat as a function of fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventor: Roger L. Yeoman
  • Patent number: 4770740
    Abstract: A photoresist and etch method is used to manufacture valve elements of an ink jet printer. The method involves the building of successive layers upon a substrate, with the layers including conductive spacer layers which may be dissolved and plated layers that resist the dissolving. The resulting structure is a very small structure manufactured to extreme accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Tsuzuki, Michihisa Suga
  • Patent number: 4762309
    Abstract: A hydraulic mount has a flexible decoupler with an opening therethrough and grooves intersecting therewith providing a controlled fluid connection between liquid filled chambers to control the damping. Fluid flow between the chambers is restricted as the flexible decoupler contacts one of two sandwiching valve portions, formed as part of a partition member, and further fluid flow is allowed only through the decoupler grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Hutchins
  • Patent number: 4733606
    Abstract: A closure device for shelters and the like. The frame (1) of the closure device is provided with at least one flow-through passage (2); a closure (3) is mounted displaceably in each passage; and a counter part is formed in the frame for each closure. The closure is displaceable between an open position, which permits a normal air flow, and a closed position, which may be caused by a pressure shock, in which the closure means is pressed against the counter part so as to close the respective passage. The objective is to provide a simple and steady structure, the operation of which is as efficient as possible. Accordingly, the passage (2) is defined by substantially U-shaped elements/partial elements (5a, 5b) which open towards each other in the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Temet OY
    Inventors: Klaus Frestadius, Matti Purhonen