Centrifugal Mass Type (exclusive Of Liquid) Patents (Class 137/53)
  • Patent number: 10948086
    Abstract: A flushometer system having an integrated control stop and three ports. The piston or flush control device is accessible through an actuation opening. The flushometer system may be utilized in a behind-the-wall installation with a face plate exterior for user interaction. The interior of the flushometer may be accessed through the actuation opening behind the face plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, John Beckman, David Carpenter
  • Patent number: 10795381
    Abstract: The present invention is a flow-rate adjustable valve for adjusting a flow rate of liquid flowing through a flow path. The flow-rate adjustable valve includes: a main valve body; a back pressure chamber; an inlet hole; an outlet hole; a pilot valve body for opening and closing an end of the outlet hole on a side of the back pressure chamber; an elongated member holding the pilot valve body; and a lifter rotatable and also movable in the axial direction of the elongated member by the rotation of the rotatable member. The lifter and the elongated member are integrally movable in the axial direction. The elongated member is connected to the lifter under a condition in which the elongated member is biased to the lifter in a one-way direction of the axial direction by a biasing-connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Hashimoto, Hideyuki Matsui, Makoto Hatakeyama, Kohei Kawana, Tetsuro Kamiyoshi, Masanobu Kanashiro
  • Patent number: 10260606
    Abstract: The improved gearbox mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of cam-actuated gear block assemblies, which transfer power from a power shaft to a secondary or output gear element. Each gear block assembly includes a gear block having a surface that periodically interfaces with a secondary or output gear element. In a preferred embodiment the interface surface comprises a plurality of projections or teeth which correspond to complementary projections or gear teeth on the output gear element. Each gear block assembly further includes a plurality of linkage assemblies, which connect or link the gear block to a cam assembly, which in turn is connected to a power source. The cam assembly includes about its circumference a unique pathway or groove for each linkage assembly of a particular gear block assembly so that the movement of the gear block may be controlled in two dimensions in accordance with a certain design parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Motus Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Carlos A. Hoefken
  • Patent number: 10151668
    Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring health of rotating engine components are provided. The systems and methods may receive a measurement from a speed sensor, detect the measurement from the speed sensor indicates a vibration of an engine, determine the vibration of the engine persisted for a predetermined duration, and signal the vibration of the engine is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Behzad Hagshenas, Thomas T. Yacono
  • Patent number: 10151375
    Abstract: The improved motorized gearbox mechanism of the present invention includes a plurality of cam-actuated gear block assemblies, which transfer power from an integral rotor and stator assembly contained in a cam/rotor assembly, to a secondary or output gear element. Each gear block assembly includes a gear block having a surface that periodically interfaces with a secondary or output gear element. When energized, the stator assembly interacts with the rotor assembly inducing the cam/rotor assembly to rotate about its central axis, thereby driving the output gear element via the plurality of cam-actuated gear block assemblies. The motorized gearbox mechanism may be powered electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or by steam, or any conventional power source that can be adapted to use an integral stator/rotor assembly configured in the cam assembly body to generate rotative power in the cam/rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Motus Labs, LLC
    Inventor: Carlos A. Hoefken
  • Patent number: 9849274
    Abstract: A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a rigid member movably mounted within the housing, and a resilient member with a sealing portion. The housing also has at least one relief zone that is in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow channel. The relief zone may be radially outward from the sealing portion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid from passing through the valve when in the closed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NP Medical Inc.
    Inventors: William Siopes, Luis Maseda, Ian Kimball
  • Patent number: 9604047
    Abstract: A gland member within a medical valve is configured to have a substantially consistent or enlarging internal volume as the valve transitions from a closed mode to an open mode. The valve has a housing forming an interior containing a flow path, and a stationary post member within the interior. The post member has a lumen that is a part of the flow path. The lumen has an opening to the interior of the housing. The valve further includes a gland member circumscribing the post member to produce a variable volume region formed at least in part between the gland member itself and the post member. The variable volume region is a part of the flow path, while the gland member occludes the post lumen opening when in the closed mode. The variable volume region has an open volume that is no less than its closed volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NP Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Newton, Andrew L. Cote, Sr., Charles F. Ganem, David B. Woyak, Richard T. Boisjoly
  • Patent number: 9259565
    Abstract: A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a rigid member movably mounted within the housing, and a resilient member with a sealing portion. The housing also has at least one relief zone that is in fluid communication with the outlet when the valve is in the closed mode. The rigid member may have a proximal end, a distal end, and a flow channel. The relief zone may be radially outward from the sealing portion. The sealing portion may seal the valve and prevent fluid from passing through the valve when in the closed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: NP Medical Inc.
    Inventors: William Siopes, Luis Maseda, Ian Kimball
  • Patent number: 9138572
    Abstract: A medical valve has an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the medical valve has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a resilient member within the housing. The resilient member has a body portion with a free state when undeformed by external mechanical forces and a deformed state when the valve is in the closed mode. The body portion is formed to return toward the free state as the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode and defining at least part of a fluid path through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: NP Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Zeytoonian, Ian Kimball
  • Patent number: 7247486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for performing an assay on chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids. The apparatus includes an assay chamber for fluid reactions and a centrifugal force activated-valve for controlling fluid movement through the assay chamber. An active surface can be positioned in the assay chamber to react with fluids passed through the assay chamber. The active surface may contain biomolecular probes. The biomolecular probes can be DNA, DNA fragments, RNA, RNA fragments, reagents, protein, protein fragments, lipids, and lipid fragments. The apparatus is particularly useful when multiple reactions, dilutions, or washing steps are required to determine a final answer. The centrifugal force activated-valve provides positive control over fluid in the assay chamber and allows for repeated use of the same chamber for multiple reaction steps. The apparatus can be disposed of after an assay to eliminate potential contamination from reuse of the same apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol T. Schembri
  • Patent number: 7051750
    Abstract: A governor spring bracket assembly that attaches to an exterior surface of a shaft-mounted governor valve assembly for an automatic transmission is disclosed. The present governor spring bracket assembly functions to counterbalance the effect of centrifugal force on the governor valve weights, which is generated by rotation of the governor with the transmission output shaft. The present governor spring bracket assembly aligns and supports a calibrated compression spring in functional engagement with the primary governor valve weight to return it to its closed position in relation to the governor output circuit at low output shaft speeds thereby preventing excessive governor output pressure, 2nd gear starts, and improper shift timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Luisi
  • Patent number: 6899514
    Abstract: An overspeed safety device for a pneumatic rotation motor having a stator (10) with an air inlet passage (16), a rotor (12), and a speed governor for determining a maximum speed level, and comprising a speed responsive actuator (34) connected to the rotor (12) and a valve (33) shiftable by the actuator (34) from a normally open position to a closed position so as to block or substantially restrict the air flow through the inlet passage (16) at the attainment of motor speed levels exceeding a predetermined maximum level should the speed governor malfunction, wherein the actuator (34) comprises a spring biassed contact element (48) connected to the rotor (12) and responsive to centrifugal action, and the valve (33) comprises a disc-shaped valve element (36) pivotally supported in the inlet passage (16) and maintained in its open position by one magnet (42) and in its closed position by another magnet (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventors: Karl-Johan Lars Elsmark, Gunnar Christer Hansson, Anders Urban Jansson
  • Patent number: 6179552
    Abstract: A speed control unit for a pneumatic rotation motor having a stator (10) with an air inlet passage (14), a rotor (11) journalled in the stator (10). The speed control unit includes a speed governor (26) operated by two or more fly-weight members (28), and an overspeed safety device (27). The rotor (11) is formed with a coaxial blind bore (22) in which is secured a mounting structure (23) for supporting the fly-weight members (28), the valve element (29) and the bias spring (35) of the speed governor (26) inside the rotor (11). The overspeed safety device (27) includes a flow restricting element (39) displaceably guided in the air inlet passage (14) and locked in an inactive rest position by a trip element (43), and a speed responsive actuator (45) that is co-rotative with the rotor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Rolf Alexis Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 5291086
    Abstract: An electrical actuator for actuating a valve or other device includes an electrical motor rotating a rotary member and centrifugal body. The centrifugal body is mounted to the rotary member and is biased to normally assume an inner position with respect to the rotary axis of the rotary member, and to move to an outer position by centrifugal force when the rotary member rotates. An actuator pin is normally biased to a non-actuating position but is movable to an actuating position, to actuate a valve or other device, when the centrifugal body is moved to its outer position by centrifugal force upon the rotation of the rotary member by the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Eureka Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Avraham Shekalim
  • Patent number: 4772186
    Abstract: An improved torque control mechanism for a rotary vane, air motor tool includes acceleration and speed responsive slidable elements positioned in grooves that lie in a plane transverse to the spin axis of the motor and which form an angle with the radii extending from the spin axis. The elements cooperate with a cam plate which operates a fluid supply valve to close off air supply to the tool whenever torque of the tool causes the speed of the motor to decrease below a threshold level. A bypass valve and passage is manually operable to initiate operation of the air motor. An auxiliary low volume, low pressure valve and passage permits an operator to provide minor adjustments of the orientation of the output shaft of the tool. For reverse operation, the speed and acceleration control is eliminated by operation of a reverse operation control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas E. Pyles, David N. Carey
  • Patent number: 4586884
    Abstract: In a pneumatically powered portable tool there is provided a speed governor and an overspeed safety device the purpose of which are to ensure a predetermined maximum speed by controlling the air inlet flow to the motor. A cup-shaped shell insert (28) is detachably mounted in the housing (10) to form with the latter an air supply passage (58) and to support the valve means (51,53) of the overspeed safety device. The top surface of the shell insert (28) is exposed through an aperture (57) in the housing (10) and carries the maximum speed marking of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Karl G. Berger, Karl G. Karden
  • Patent number: 4443164
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a combined speed sensor and control valve for a rotary fluid motor such as a rotary vane air motor. Weights are pivotally attached to the opposite sides of the rotating output shaft of the air motor and are spring biased into engagement with an annular valve disc member positioned over the air inlet. Upon excessive speed of the shaft, the weights swing from engagement with the valve disc member and release the member. Air flow and air pressure within the air inlet passage cause the disc member to translate axially along the rotary shaft and close the air inlet. The air motor must be disassembled and the overspeed control reset prior to continued operation of the air motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1984
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventor: Lowell R. Bavin
  • Patent number: 4425931
    Abstract: Disclosed is a speed controlled fluid pressure regulator that is adapted to provide a fluid pressure control signal for use in a variety of control functions in response to changes in rotational speed of an object such as a rotating component of an internal combustion engine. The regulator is controlled by a speed biasing mechanism that utilizes a counterbalancing arrangement between a biasing means and a component that is moved by a centrifugal weight assembly in response to changes in the rotational speed of the object being monitored to position a valve of the regulator with a high degree of sensitivity which in turn enables the regulator to provide the output fluid pressure control signal from a fluid pressure source in a highly effective manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew A. Kenny, Ronald J. Wojtecki
  • Patent number: 4417884
    Abstract: A timing and control mechanism for a centrifuge comprising a piston to which is attached a cam having cam surfaces which interact with flexible tubing to control the rate of flow through the tubing. The velocity of the piston in the centrifugal force field is determined by the resistance to flow of fluid which the piston displaces. The movement of the cam is therefore a measure of the speed and duration of the centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Haemonetics Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Schoendorfer, Allen Latham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4368004
    Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a turbine from exceeding a predetermined value of a monitored physical magnitude, the apparatus including an over-center toggle lever (3) pivotally mounted on a pivot point (6) on a stationary frame (7), the lever being capable of occupying a tripped position or a released position. In the cocked position, one arm (4) of the lever (3) presses against a stop (8) provided with a unit (20) which controls steam admission units to the turbine, the lever (3) moves away from the stop, steam is cut off, while the end (14) of the other arm (5) is pivotally mounted on the end of a connecting rod (10) which is pivotally mounted at its other end on a pin (11) which is integral with a piston (12) which a spring (16) pushes away. A mass (2) strikes the lever (3) which moves to the tripped position if the monitored magnitude exceeds the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Societe Anonyme dite: Alsthom-Atlantique
    Inventor: Andre Lapart
  • Patent number: 4133060
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a means for evacuating the odors associated with toilet use away from the environment of the bathroom and into the sewer. Vent means are provided around the periphery directly below the toilet seat, and impelling means are provided to channel the air traversing through these vents into the sewer outlet remote from the bathroom interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Wayne Webb
  • Patent number: 4057113
    Abstract: A pneumatic hand tool comprises a housing having a compressed-gas inlet and provided with a pneumatically powered motor which carries on one side a tool holder such as a chuck and on the other side a governor. A speed-control valve is operated by the governor and can close a first air passage between the inlet and the motor to maintain the motor speed below a predetermined limit. Another passage is provided which bypasses the governor-controlled speed-control valve and a valve is provided in this bypass conduit which is openable in order to allow the hand tool to operate at a speed substantially above the governor-established speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Paule, Karl Roll, Max Burklin
  • Patent number: 3942422
    Abstract: A roof ventilator comprising a pipe provided with an opening therein, a shutter means adapted to be raised above or lowered over said opening, a supporting arm associated with a rotating shaft which is rotatably disposed within said pipe, a fan means housed in said pipe below said shutter means and attached to said shaft, means for rotating said shaft and the fan associated therewith, said shutter means being supported on said supporting arm by two pairs of foldable arms, each pair of arms being pivotally connected to each other and to the terminating top end portion of said supporting arm at one end and to the shutter means at the other end so that a unitary upward movement of said pairs of foldable arms and said shutter means is achieved by the rotation of the fan means disposed therebelow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Assignee: Suiden Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuzo Kawai, Hajime Kawai, Ryoyu Hachisu
  • Patent number: 3939856
    Abstract: A rotational speed responsive type fluid pressure signal control valve comprises a plurality of fly weights rotated by a drive shaft, a sleeve operated by the fly weights, fluid passages provided in the valve and valve bodies actuated by the sleeve so as to open and close the fluid passages, thereby getting a fluid pressure signal from the fluid passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Michikatsu Naito