Self-cycling Patents (Class 137/624.14)
  • Patent number: 6732760
    Abstract: This device comprises a body (2) having outlets (8), and a bonnet (3) housing a rotor (6) being submitted to the action of the inflowing fluid and being connected to a reducing gear (15) activating the closing device. This device is characterized in that the opening of the outlets (8) is carried out with respective angularly sliding shutters (9) being turned by means successively shifting them in opposite directions to thus respectively obtain the opening and closing of the outlets (8). The means shifting the shutters (9) are made up by studs (12, 13 and 14) being provided on the lower surface of the rotary intermediary plate (4) being solid with the reducing gear (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sacopa, S.A.U.
    Inventors: Rafael Ruiz Mellado, Emilio Serrano Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6691739
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing defining a main chamber having an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized fluid, and an outlet; a first valve within the main chamber normally closing the main chamber outlet but automatically opening its outlet in response to a first predetermined pressure within the main chamber; an intermediate chamber communicating with the main chamber outlet; and a second valve having an inlet communicating with the intermediate chamber, and an outlet for discharging fluid from the chambers. The second valve is normally closed but automatically opens in response to a second predetermined pressure slightly higher than the first predetermined pressure, such that the second valve reduces or eliminates drippings in the discharge of fluid from the chambers particularly during low rates of flow of the fluid into the main chamber via the main chamber inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Peretz Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 6688329
    Abstract: A water feeder controller for a boiler monitors a low water cutoff sensor in a boiler and uses a feed timer to feed water to the boiler for a predetermined feed period of time. The feed timer brings the water level in the boiler well above the low water cutoff sensor. The feed timer supplies water to the boiler only if the low water cutoff sensor continues to indicate a low water level for a delay period of time measured by a delay timer. A resettable display indicates the quantity of water supplied by the water feeder to the boiler based on a feed counter incremented during water feeding. A manual feed button allows water to be manually fed to the boiler. The quantity of water manually supplied to the boiler is also shown on the display. The feed timer and delay timer are preferably implemented in software in a microcontroller in the water feeder controller. A lockout loop in the software prevents overfeeding of water to the boiler in the event of a failure of the low water cutoff sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: C. Cowles & Company
    Inventors: Christopher L. Murray, Richard A. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6675795
    Abstract: A freeze resistant method for draining liquid condensate from a condensate furnace includes quickly purging the liquid condensate from a condensate reservoir. A condensing heat exchanger connected to a condensing reservoir stores liquid condensate as the system is in use. An inducer produces a positive pressure along a condensate line to the outlet of the reservoir, creating a back pressure which prevents draining of the reservoir. When the inducer is shut off, the positive pressure is removed, and the liquid condensate rapidly flushes from the reservoir. The amount of liquid condensate remaining in the system and exposed to cold conditions can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Brian David Videto, Robert Henry Swieczkowski
  • Patent number: 6644344
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid based on the fluid weight. A container is provided between a fluid source and a fluid removal system. A valve is arranged between the fluid source and the container, to control the admitting of fluid into the container from the source, and removal of fluid from the container by the removal system. The valve is controlled by a weight-responsive mechanism, which detects a change in weight of the container due to the admitting and removal of fluid, and opens or closes the valve accordingly. A flow rate of the fluid may be determined in terms of a time period between the closing and subsequent opening of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Tibbott
  • Patent number: 6622933
    Abstract: A lawn sprinkler system utilizes a master controller whose input is coupled to a water supply and whose output is coupled via pipe to a number of valves. The master controller is preprogrammed to supply water for a number of phases of operation, where the operation advances to a subsequent phase upon turning the supply of water off for a relatively short amount of time followed by turning the supply of water back on. Each of the valves includes an in-port and an out-port, where each valve cycles through each of the phases as controlled by the master controller. Each valve is setable/changeable to supply water to its respective out-port during a selected phase of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventors: George A. Young, Jonathan R. Young
  • Patent number: 6615864
    Abstract: A pool cleaner reed valve for a pulsating submersible swimming pool cleaner which has a valve body (22) configured to fit into a pulsating valve enclosure. The body includes a rectangular inlet end (24) and an round outlet end (26) with a pair of fulcrum points (30) and restricting boundaries (32) for retaining and confining valve movements. A pair of opposed rigid valve plates (50) are angularly juxtaposed within the valve inlet end contiguously engaging the fulcrum points and respective restricting boundaries such that each opposed blade rotates inwardly on the fulcrum point until the distal ends intimately engage as influenced by negative fluid pressure applied by a pool pump. A pair of torsion springs (70) surround each restricting boundary and interface with each valve plate returning them to a parallel position when fluid pressure is terminated. A resilient sleeve (72) is positioned on each spring for eliminating a metal to metal contact with the spring to the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Paul C. Chang
  • Publication number: 20030116203
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning device includes a fluid distribution system for controlling its operation. More particularly, the distribution system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, a pair of outlet openings and a valve chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet openings. A piston, including a valve member, is movably mounted in the housing so as to be movable between a first position, in which the valve member closes one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the other one of the outlet openings, and a second position, in which the valve member closes the other one of the outlet openings so as to divert pressurized fluid to the one of the outlet openings. A valve is provided for controlling the movement of the piston between the first and second positions. The piston has a passage extending therethrough so as to permit flow of pressurized fluid from the valve chamber to the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: H-TECH, INC
    Inventor: Eric C. Fleischer
  • Patent number: 6581624
    Abstract: An automatic pressurized fluid switching device performs a switching using pressurized fluid rather than electrical elements, and comprises a pressurized-fluid inlet port, plural pressurized-fluid outlet ports, a switching valve for switching between outlet ports, a pilot valve for piloting the valve switching operation, and a reaction member for controlling the pilot valve in response to pressure of the pressurized fluid introduced. The pilot valve includes a first pilot unit controlled only by the reaction member, and a second pilot unit controlled by the reaction member in its initial and final stages and directly by the pressurized fluid in its middle stage, whereby the second pilot unit in the middle stage is reliably controlled even with little pressurized fluid introduced when again operated after an intermediate stoppage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Magami, Naoyuki Magami, Takuya Magami
  • Patent number: 6581232
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with automatic pool cleaners includes a tube which defines a flow channel for water drawn pump from the pool through a house by a remote pump. The tube includes tubular sections (10A, 10B) joined by a joint (11) which operates to move one tube section between first and second angularly displaced positions. Means are provided for periodically causing the movable tube section to move about the joint with sufficient force to impart movement to the hose to cause a change in direction of the cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Michael John Chandler
  • Patent number: 6539967
    Abstract: A distribution valve includes a fluid inlet port and a plurality of fluid outlet ports, wherein the distribution valve includes a housing including a fluid inlet (3). The housing includes an upper section (15B) and a lower section (15B). A gear reduction assembly (2) located in the housing includes a gear reduction mechanism (2A) and impeller (2B) located near the inlet port and connected to a rotary input shaft of the gear reduction mechanism (2A). A cam device (6) engages a rotary output shaft of the gear reduction mechanism so as to rotate the cam device in response to rotation of the impeller. The cam device (6) includes a raised section (6A having their own a raised camming surface (6B) which rotates in response to rotation of an impeller of the impeller (2B). A plurality of valve assemblies disposed in the lower section (15A) are arranged to open or close fluid paths through the plurality of fluid outlet ports (4), respectively, in response to rotation of the camming surface (6B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Shasta Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6473928
    Abstract: A magnetic control valve is provided in a suction powered pool cleaner of the type for vacuuming dirt and debris from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The pool cleaner comprises a head defining a suction inlet for vacuum inflow of water and debris into a plenum chamber, and further through a suction tube adapted for connection via a vacuum hose to a conventional pool water filtration system. The control valve includes an oscillatory valve member movable between open and substantially closed positions relative to an upstream end of the suction tube to produce pressure fluctuations causing the cleaner to advance in steps over submerged pool surfaces. Oscillatory driving of the valve head is assisted by permanent magnets mounted on the valve member and cleaner head to generate repulsion forces as the valve head respectively approaches the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Veloskey, Justin A. Forbes, Jeffrey A. Wichmann, Ronald J. Sargent
  • Patent number: 6386232
    Abstract: A fluid distributor valve including a chamber formed by a body and bonnet and having an intermediary plate through which a central shaft extends, a rotor being fitted around said central shaft and being submitted to the action of the fluid flowing into said chamber, said body having fluid outlet bottom orifices being each closed by a respective stopper, the stoppers being prised open by activation of a reducing gear connected to said rotor, This valve includes a controlling and arresting device by which the fluid passage towards the rotor is controlled and can even be totally blocked in order to thus adjust the time during which each outlet will be held open, and also in order to keep a given outlet open and all of the remaining outlets closed when the valve has been arrested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Sacopa, S.A.
    Inventors: Emilio Serrano Sanchez, Juan Capdevila Arnau, Armand Puiggros Roig
  • Publication number: 20020053363
    Abstract: A distribution valve includes a fluid inlet port and a plurality of fluid outlet ports, wherein the distribution valve includes a housing including a fluid inlet (3). The housing includes an upper section (15B) and a lower section (15B). A gear reduction assembly (2) located in the housing includes a gear reduction mechanism (2A) and impeller (2B) located near the inlet port and connected to a rotary input shaft of the gear reduction mechanism (2A). A cam device (6) engages a rotary output shaft of the gear reduction mechanism so as to rotate the cam device in response to rotation of the impeller. The cam device (6) includes a raised section (6A having their own a raised camming surface (6B) which rotates in response to rotation of an impeller of the impeller (2B). A plurality of valve assemblies disposed in the lower section (15A) are arranged to open or close fluid paths through the plurality of fluid outlet ports (4), respectively, in response to rotation of the camming surface (6B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: William C. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6360767
    Abstract: The base of a fluid distribution valve is configured to allow a cluster of outlet pipe sockets to extend beyond the outer diameter of the base of the valve to accommodate larger diameter pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6325087
    Abstract: A distribution valve includes a fluid inlet port and a plurality of fluid outlet ports, wherein the distribution valve includes a housing including a fluid inlet (3). The housing includes an upper section (15B) and a lower section (15B). A gear reduction assembly (2) located in the housing includes a gear reduction mechanism (2A) and impeller (2B) located near the inlet port and connected to a rotary input shaft of the gear reduction mechanism (2A). A cam device (6) engages a rotary output shaft of the gear reduction mechanism so as to rotate the cam device in response to rotation of the impeller. The cam device (6) includes a raised section (6A) having their own a raised camming surface (6B) which rotates in response to rotation of an impeller of the impeller (2B). A plurality of valve assemblies disposed in the lower section (15A) are arranged to open or close fluid paths through the plurality of fluid outlet ports (4), respectively, in response to rotation of the camming surface (6B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Shasta Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Tarr
  • Patent number: 6314999
    Abstract: Alignment arrangement between a valve module and a base containing outlet chambers assures that the valves in the valve module are correctly positioned relative to the chambers. A plurality of posts between a valve actuating assembly in the module and a shut-off plate also in the module assures proper seating of the shut-off plate in the base of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Conn
  • Patent number: 6311728
    Abstract: A multiple outlet valve includes a valve actuating mechanism driven by a turbine. Fluid entering the valve passes through a flow control member which determines the velocity of the fluid entering the turbine and thereby controls the frequency with which the valve operates. The valve further includes a gasket associated with a valve shut-off plate for preventing leakage of fluid between outlet chambers in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Goettl, Steven R. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6287457
    Abstract: A water treatment device wherein the water during treating is brought into contact with a treatment medium (29), whereby this treatment medium (29), either by means of a regeneration medium (42) or not, is regenerated regularly and whereby, a regulator (59) is used which is provided, with a hydraulically driven first monitoring mechanism (24) with which the water consumption can be controlled and the start of the regeneration cycle can be ordered, and with a hydraulically driven second monitoring mechanism (25) with which the regeneration cycle is controlled and characterized in that both monitoring mechanisms (24-25) are driven by means of the same volumeter (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Padema, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Guido Ivo Cesar Maria Van De Moortele
  • Publication number: 20010015228
    Abstract: A fluid distributor valve comprising a chamber formed by a body and bonnet and having an intermediary plate through which a central shaft extends, a rotor being fitted around said central shaft and being submitted to the action of the fluid flowing into said chamber, said body having fluid outlet bottom orifices being each closed by a respective stopper, said stoppers being prised open by means activated by a reducing gear connected to said rotor, This valve is characterized in that it comprises a central device by means of which the fluid passage towards the rotor is controlled and can even be totally blocked in order to thus adjust the time during which each outlet will be held open, and also in order to keep a given outlet open and all of the remaining outlets closed when the valve has been arrested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Emilio Serrano Sanchez, Juan Capdevila Arnau, Armand Puiggros Roig
  • Patent number: 6206041
    Abstract: A fluid pressure amplifier is provided, which includes a pipe for flowing fluid and having an array of holes formed therein through which fluid can flow from within the pipe in use, and resiliently-movable obturator means adjacent the pipe and operatively responsive to fluid inlet pressure in the pipe, in which fluid inlet pressure causes the obturator means to oscillate between conditions which alternately permit and prevent fluid from passing through the holes, whereby the fluid leaving the pipe has a pulsed increased pressure. The amplifier is intended for use especially to increase the pressure of water flowing through a pipe submerged in a river, to provide a pumping action to a higher level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Frederick Philip Selwyn
  • Patent number: 6189556
    Abstract: A distribution valve for a swimming pool cleaning system includes a housing with a high pressure fluid inlet disposed on a side of the housing, a plurality of outlet ports for connection to a plurality of return lines, respectively, a plurality of valves opening or closing the outlet ports from the interior, and an impeller-driven gear assembly to sequentially open and close each valve in response to rotation of the impeller. A cover unit is connected to the housing, and includes an impeller chamber connected to an underside portion of the cover unit, with the impeller disposed concentrically in the impeller chamber. The impeller includes a circular disk base that forms a bottom of the impeller chamber. A guide passage extends from an inlet window of the impeller chamber to guide a stream of water from the inlet into the inlet chamber against blades of the impeller causing it to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Shasta Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Andy F. Blake, Paul A. Womack
  • Patent number: 6176258
    Abstract: A water conditioner valve includes a main housing configured for providing fluid communication between a plurality of locations, and having first and second valve chambers, a main piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the first valve chamber and having a main piston rod attached thereto, the main piston rod provided with a main cam follower; a supplemental piston mounted for reciprocal movement in the second valve chamber and having a piston rod attached thereto, the supplemental piston rod provided with a supplemental cam follower; the valve also having a cam member having an axis of rotation, a first cam track for receiving the main cam follower, and a second track for receiving the supplemental cam follower, the cam tracks being constructed and arranged on the cam member so that rotation of the cam member will cause movement of the pistons along a linear axis which is parallel to the axis of the cam member for controlling the relative positions of the pistons in the respective chambers to obtain the de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: United States Filter Corporation
    Inventor: Walter Bernardi
  • Patent number: 6176437
    Abstract: A dusting gun for removal of dirt and for cleaning purposes, where dirt, dust, oil and other loose or firmly sticking coats are removed with compressed air. The dusting gun comprises an oscillating pressure discharge valve which causes splitting up of the air flow into periodically repeated pressure discharges. The oscillating valve acts automatically under the influence of the static and dynamic pressures of the compressed air and is designed to oscillate with a frequency in the range of 2-50 Hz. The oscillating valve is connected to a nozzle by an elongated air duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Inventor: Ejnar Pedersen