Dividing Into Parallel Flow Paths With Recombining Patents (Class 137/625.28)
  • Patent number: 11499742
    Abstract: There is provided a door mechanism comprising a door and a door closure mechanism for moving the door between a first, open, position and second, closed position. The door closure mechanism comprises a drive motor coupled to a drive screw, the drive screw having a first, right handed thread portion and a second, left handed thread portion, a first drive nut threadedly engaged with the first thread portion, a second drive nut threadedly engaged with the second thread portion, a first drive linkage pivotally coupled to the first drive nut at one end and to the door at a second, opposed end, and a second drive linkage pivotally coupled to the second drive nut at one end and to the door at a second, opposed end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pawel Kwaƛniewski
  • Patent number: 11440145
    Abstract: Example aspects of a disk stack repair insert, a repaired disk stack, and a method for repairing a disk stack are disclosed. The disk stack repair insert can comprise a first replacement disk segment defining a first groove pattern comprising first grooves; and a second replacement disk segment defining a second groove pattern comprising second grooves, the first replacement disk segment coupled to the second replacement disk segment, wherein the first groove pattern and the second groove pattern define a fluid passageway therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Edwin Gardner, II
  • Patent number: 11149653
    Abstract: A bleed valve assembly of a gas turbine engine includes two or more valve segments extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine, and a first splice bracket spanning a first joint between a first valve segment and a second valve segment of the two or more valve segments. The first splice is bracket secured to the first valve segment and the second valve segment. A second splice bracket spans a second joint between the first valve segment and the second valve segment. The second splice bracket is secured to the first valve segment and the second valve segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael John Robert Catherall
  • Patent number: 11028943
    Abstract: A control butterfly valve comprises a valve body having a fluid passage through which a fluid flows, a valve disc controlling an opening and closing of the fluid passage of the valve body, and a diffuser including a passing hole configured to allow the fluid, which passes through the valve disc, to pass therethrough and a passing part configured to allow the fluid, which passes through the valve disc at a low speed, to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Yong Taek Park, Myoung Joon Kwon
  • Patent number: 10900591
    Abstract: A control valve has a cage disposed within a valve body adjacent a valve seat and proximate a valve plug to provide guidance for the valve plug. The cage includes a solid, unitary circumferential wall with inlet passages adjacent one of an inner surface or an outer surface and outlet passages adjacent the other of the inner and outer surface. An annular cavity is spaced apart from the inner and outer surfaces and is connected to the inlet passages. Intermediate passages are connected to the annular cavity and recovery plenums interconnect the intermediate passages and the outlet passages. The recovery plenums have cross-sectional areas that are larger than a cross-sectional areas of the intermediate and outlet passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Thomas N. Gabriel, Raymond W. Micheel
  • Patent number: 10786638
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a nebula or aerosol to a patient is described. In one aspect, the nebulizer is composed of a minimum number of parts to reduce complexity for automated or human assembly. The nebulizer may include an inhalation valve, exhalation valve and biasing member integrated into a single diaphragm structure that may be connected with an actuator and inserted into a housing for controlling nebulization of a medicine to a patient in response to the patient's breathing or in a continuous nebulization mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Trudell Medical International
    Inventors: Neritan Alizoti, Andrew Dittmer, Luke Kilroy, Robert Morton, Jennifer Pevler, James N. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10648162
    Abstract: A precision ceramics control balance valve includes a valve housing, a rotary base mounted in the valve housing, a valve lever mounted on the rotary base and protruding upward from the valve housing, a movable valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the rotary base, a fixed valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the movable valve plate, a valve seat mounted on a lower end of the valve housing to stop the fixed valve plate, the movable valve plate and the rotary base, a temperature limiting device mounted in the valve seat, a pedestal connected with the valve seat, and a balance unit mounted in the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: HAIN YO ENTERPRISES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Po Chang
  • Patent number: 10570591
    Abstract: A precision ceramics control valve includes a valve housing, a rotary base mounted in the valve housing, a valve lever mounted on the rotary base and protruding upward from the valve housing, a movable valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the rotary base, a fixed valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the movable valve plate, a valve seat mounted on a lower end of the valve housing to stop the fixed valve plate, the movable valve plate and the rotary base, and a temperature limiting device mounted in the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hain Yo Enterprises Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Po Chang
  • Patent number: 10539252
    Abstract: A control valve has a body having an inlet and outlet, a valve seat between the inlet and outlet, a valve plug, and a cage adjacent the valve seat to provide guidance for the valve plug. The valve plug is movable between a closed position, where the valve plug sealingly engages the valve seat, and an open position, where the valve plug is spaced away from the valve seat. The cage has a solid, unitary circumferential wall having inner and outer surfaces and a plurality of passages formed through the wall. Each passage extends between the inner and outer surfaces and follows an arcuate, non-linear path from the inner surface to the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Daniel M. Adams, Allen C. Fagerlund, James L. Gossett, Patrick L. O'Shea, Daniel J. Eilers, William E. Wears
  • Patent number: 10450831
    Abstract: A choke assembly. In some embodiments, the choke assembly includes a choke element having a fluid flow passage therethrough. The choke element includes a cage having a plurality of apertures therethrough for the passage of fluid and a plug moveable with respect to the cage. The plug has an end surface that defines a boundary of the fluid flow passage through the choke and is moveable to open or close each of the apertures through the cage, whereby the flow of fluid through the cage is controlled. The apertures in the cage are disposed in a first portion and a second portion separated by a land. Each of the first and second portions has a least one aperture therein. The plug may be positioned with its end surface disposed to intersect the land, such that each aperture is fully open or fully closed to the flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Derek Meek
  • Patent number: 10128430
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gyro element as a vibration element is a manufacturing method of processing a quartz crystal substrate to form an outward shape of a gyro element including a vibrating arm and form recessed portions in a vibrating arm. The method includes forming the outward shape of a gyro element from one surface of the quartz crystal substrate using dry etching and forming the recessed portions using wet etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Yamada, Atsushi Matsuo, Toshihiro Il, Takatoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 9897012
    Abstract: A method for assembling an actuating ram of air bleed valves, which ram is placed between low pressure and high pressure compressors of a turbomachine, the ram including a piston rod surrounded by a spacer extending from the piston cylinder and configured to be connected to an end of the transmission mechanism linked to the bleed valves, the method including: deploying the piston rod such that it projects from the spacer; connecting the projecting piston rod to the end of the transmission mechanism; retracting the piston rod to bring the cylinder closer to the case wall; and attaching the spacer to the case wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Sylvain Chauvel
  • Patent number: 9856884
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed having an air injection system useful to supply a relatively pressurized air to a flow path of a compressor. The air injection system includes a port cover operable to open and close a port through which the air can flow to the compressor from a relatively pressurized source. The port cover extends circumferentially around the gas turbine engine and can include a portion that is anchored and an opposite portion coupled to an actuator. Movement of the actuator causes the port cover to open and close the port. Biasing members can be used to urge the port cover into one of an open and closed position against the movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Dierksmeier, Daniel Kent Vetters
  • Patent number: 9757741
    Abstract: A valve for use with a showerhead assembly includes a housing having a threaded inlet for connecting to a water source and a distally located front face with nozzles. The nozzles are connected to the threaded inlet by a central conduit which is closeable by an electronically controlled valve. The valve is controlled by a processor which opens the valve based on temperature and audio signals above a predetermined decibel level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FAN FI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Travis Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9534576
    Abstract: A cryogenic liquid turbine is provided, wherein, impeller end of the rotor and nozzle assembly are received into cavity of volute, and main part of the volute is put into perlite cold box; insulation pad is used between the volute and machine housing to insulate heat; impeller outlet is connected to diffuser pipe. A nozzle assembly is connected to the machine housing by a nozzle compression flange; a nozzle compression plate adjusts a compactness of nozzle vanes by a disc spring; a nozzle turntable is connected on a nozzle chassis, and adjusts the nozzle vane stagger angle by adjusting mechanism passing through the volute; impeller shroud side seal is axially fixed on the nozzle compression flange, and a shaft seal is axially fixed to a seal gas part; the seal gas part and an oil seal are axially fixed to the machine housing by a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jinju Sun, Ke Wang, Peng Song
  • Patent number: 9447895
    Abstract: An electrostatic actuator is provide that can include a fluidic line, a first electrode, and a second electrode such that a gate chamber portion of the fluidic line is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrostatic actuator can also include a pressure-balancing channel in fluid communication with the gate chamber portion where the first electrode is sandwiched between the pressure-balancing channel and the gate chamber portion. A pneumatic valve system is provided which includes an electrostatic gate and a fluidic channel fluidly separate from a fluidic control line. A pneumatic valve portion of the fluidic control line can be positioned relative to a portion of the fluidic channel such that expansion of the pneumatic valve portion restricts fluid flow through the fluidic channel. Methods of using an electrostatic actuator and a pneumatic valve system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University Of Illinois, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua D. Tice, Thomas A. Bassett, Amit V. Desai, Christopher A. Apblett, Paul J. A. Kenis
  • Patent number: 9217515
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided to control the flow of a fluid therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve body and a pressure-regulating assembly. The valve body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path extending therebetween. The pressure-regulating assembly includes a longitudinally extending piston tube, a venturi element, and a vent. The piston tube is shiftably mounted in the valve body and at least in part defines an outer chamber. The flow path extends through the piston tube. The venturi element is disposed in the flow path. The vent fluidly interconnects the flow path and the outer chamber such that a pressure drop associated with fluid flow through the venturi element draws fluid from the outer chamber through the vent and into the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. DuHack, Joseph LaBonte
  • Patent number: 8997771
    Abstract: An integrated pressure control actuator assembly of a hydrogen supply system includes: a start/stop solenoid valve, a bypass valve, and a pressure control actuator, which are integrally formed in a single body; a normal flow path formed on the body, through which hydrogen gas is transferred from the start/stop solenoid valve to the pressure control actuator; an auxiliary flow path formed on the body, through which hydrogen gas is transferred according to opening and closing of the bypass valve connected to the normal flow path; and a control means for controlling the opening and closing of the bypass valve by detecting a failure of the pressure control actuator. The assembly enables the fuel cell vehicle to be driven in a limp home mode in the event of an emergency by adjustment of the pressure of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyun Joon Lee, Yong Gyu Noh
  • Publication number: 20150083244
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a linear displacement control valve comprising a valve body having a valve bonnet cooperatively engage thereto. The body and the bonnet collectively accommodate a valve trim which comprises a flow control element and a complementary spindle. The spindle is preferably attached to a reciprocally movable valve stem of the control valve via a stem adaptor. The stem adaptor is adapted to allow for some measure of “float” between the spindle and the flow control element as may be needed to accommodate any misalignment therebetween. The spindle is uniquely configured such that when used in conjunction with the flow control element, the trim is capable of providing low end flow control at a higher level of accuracy and/or wider rangeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Control Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Naziri, Graham Clark
  • Patent number: 8807168
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a trim cartridge, a diaphragm assembly, and a control element. The trim cartridge defines a cartridge supply port and an upper planar surface. The cartridge supply port is disposed along a supply path of the volume booster and the upper planar surface is disposed along an exhaust of the volume booster. The diaphragm assembly defines an exhaust port on the exhaust path. The control element is movably disposed in the trim cartridge and includes a supply plug, an exhaust plug, and a stem. The supply plug engages the cartridge supply port and the exhaust plug engages the exhaust port. The exhaust plug further includes a lower planar surface that is coplanar with the upper planar surface of the trim cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 8794264
    Abstract: An optimized fluid valve port has the following features: 1) the seal is preferably a standard O-ring seated in a rectilinear seal channel of one of a first or second valve body, 2) the unsupported span of the O-ring during valve port crossing is limited to a length of less than approximately three O-ring diameters, the support being provided by a web disposed between port openings; and 3), within the area of the O-ring, the fluid flow area of the fluid valve port is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian K. Bartnick, Pablo Valencia, Jr., Corry W Johnson, Bill F Tompkins
  • Patent number: 8727308
    Abstract: An adjustable electromagnetic fluid flow control valve includes: a tubular member of non-magnetizable material. One end of the tubular member is forming an inlet and serves as the main entry port for: gases or other fluids entering the valve. The opposite end of the tubular member is forming an outlet The valve includes at least one annularly configured electromagnetic coil which is surrounded from outside and partially inside by a core preferably built from ferrous laminations. The coil is connected to a power supply and can be energized by the power supply under control of a controller: A disk occluder of a magnetic material has diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of the tubular member. The occluder is disposed Within the tubular member and occludes the fluid flow when is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The occluder rests on a supporting non-magnetic-member with at least one passageway for fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Konstantin Shukhmin
  • Patent number: 8689832
    Abstract: A fluid flow control device having a body having a inlet connection, an outlet connection, a discharge port and a booster module disposed within the body. The booster module including a control element and an actuator element having a noise-reducing trim element with a supply path extending between the inlet connection and the outlet connection and an exhaust path extending between the outlet connection and the discharge port. The noise-reducing trim element being coupled immediately adjacent to the discharge port such that the noise-reducing trim element distributes a fluid flow to the discharge port via the exhaust path into a plurality of fluid jets to substantially inhibit jet recombination at the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michel K. Lovell
  • Patent number: 8678048
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of food industry, more particularly, to commercial equipment, and is useful in apparatuses for dispensing beer and other foaming and/or carbonated beverages from an isobaric storage to plastic bottles or glasses for sale in retail kiosks, shops, restaurants, and bars. The technical result of the present invention is a simplified maintenance both of the apparatus for a manual dispensing of beverages as a whole due to excluding the need for a sanitary treatment of a part of the filling pipe each time a container is filled and a simplified maintenance of taps due to eliminating the need for frequent washing of units and parts of these means after the dispensing of beer or another beverage is over. The technical result is reached by two embodiments of the three-way cock (6364), which are installed in the apparatus for a manual dispensing of foaming and/or carbonated beverages to uncovered containers (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Sergei Aleksandrovich Buchik
  • Patent number: 8641395
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the balance piston pressure in a screw compressor. The system can use the slide valve of the compressor as a valve to control the flow of fluid from a fluid source to the balance piston. When the slide valve prevents direct flow between the fluid source and the balance piston, an alternate path is used to provide fluid at a reduced pressure to the balance piston. The reduced pressure fluid is obtained by passing the fluid from the fluid source through an orifice to lower the fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Paul Nemit, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8584692
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130263952
    Abstract: An oil passage change-over valve allows an alternate communication from a first opening portion in one side a second and a third opening portion provided in another side to be changed over. A first opening portion is formed in one side of a valve body and the second and third opening portions are formed in another side of the valve body; a valve element within a valve hole of the valve body; and a communicating oil passage is formed in the valve element for alternately communicating the three opening portions. Inside the valve body, there are formed a first oil passage for connecting the valve hole with the first opening portion, a second oil passage for connecting the valve hole with the second opening portion, and a third oil passage for connecting the valve hole with the third opening portion deviated by 120 degrees from the first oil passage, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko ARAI, Toshiki ICHIKAWA, Tokio SAKATA
  • Patent number: 8539981
    Abstract: A fluid flow regulator (1) of the passive type is disclosed which has a fluid inlet adapted to be connected to a fluid reservoir and a fluid outlet (13) adapted to be connected to a patient's body. The regulator comprises a rigid substrate (2) and a resilient membrane (3) tightly linked together so as to define a cavity (6) there between which is disconnected to the fluid outlet while the membrane has a first surface (12) opposite the cavity which is connected to the fluid inlet. The membrane has a plurality of through holes (15) contiguous with the cavity, to define a pathway for a fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and is flexible so as to be able to come into contact with the substrate as a fluid applies a sufficient pressure on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Chappel
  • Patent number: 8430129
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8397760
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include electromagnetic flow regulators for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive fluid, nuclear fission reactors, systems for regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant, and methods of regulating flow of an electrically conductive reactor coolant in a nuclear fission reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jon D. McWhirter, Ashok Odedra, Joshua C. Walter, Kevan D. Weaver, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8322371
    Abstract: A ball seat valve, use thereof, and method for controlling a valve assembly comprising a ball seat valve, wherein the valve body has a chamber and a plurality of inlet openings in the chamber. The inlet openings together have an inflow area leading into the chamber through which a medium can flow, and wherein the medium flows through said openings simultaneously as these are connected to one another in parallel. The valve has a seat with an outlet opening leading out of the chamber through the valve body, and wherein the outlet opening has an outflow area leading out of the chamber through which the medium can flow. Additionally, the valve has a ball which is situated in the chamber so as to be displaceable to open up or block the outlet opening. It is advantageous that the plurality of inlet openings comprise more than 10, especially more than 50, individual such inlet openings, resulting in a decrease in pressure between the inflowing medium outside and that inside the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kendrion (Villingen) GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Strobel, Florian Schulz
  • Patent number: 8272399
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve housing located between a fluid inlet region maintained at a first pressure and a fluid outlet region maintained at a second pressure. A movable metering plate is located within valve housing. A fixed metering plate interacts with the movable metering plate to meter fluid flow through the valve housing. An armature is coupled to the movable metering plate and is configured to move the movable metering plate from a closed position toward an open position. The fluid admission system further includes a balancing region to balance pressure related forces acting on the movable portions of the valve, including the metering plate. A balance passageway is in communication with the balancing region and the fluid outlet region to maintain the balancing region at the second pressure of the fluid outlet region when the movable metering plate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Farrow, Gregory J. Brodsack, Ronald L. Witt
  • Patent number: 8136551
    Abstract: Precise control over gas delivery is achieved at the micro and nanobar mass levels by incorporating blocks of aligned carbon nanotubes into valves and finely adjusting the flow through the block by controlling a compressing force applied to the block. A valve for controlling gas flow includes: a valve housing; a block of aligned carbon nanotubes, the block and the valve housing being configured to direct the gas through the carbon nanotubes in the block; and a device configured to apply a force to the block in order to compress the block, wherein the block is compressed perpendicular to the walls of the carbon nanotubes in the block; whereby the application of the force to the walls restricts the flow of the gas through the valve. The valve may further comprise an electrical device for monitoring the electrical properties of the carbon nanotube block. This monitoring provides information on the state of compression of the carbon nanotube block and/or the gas that is flowing through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor L. Pushparaj, Omkaram Nalamasu
  • Patent number: 8093917
    Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling a fluid from a fluid source includes a first fluid passage device, a second fluid passage device and a fluid by-pass. The first fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass is disposed downstream of the fluid source and upstream of the second fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass being in fluid communication with and disposed between the fluid source and the second fluid passage device is operative to cause a first portion of the fluid to flow through the first fluid passage device and to cause a second portion of the fluid to by-pass the first fluid passage device and to flow to the second fluid passage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Evapco, Inc.
    Inventor: Sarah Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8066258
    Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described. An example valve seat apparatus includes a flexible seal disposed between a cage and a valve body such that an outer seating surface of a closure member slidably coupled to the cage slidingly engages the flexible seal to prevent fluid flow through the valve body when the valve is in a closed position and an end of the closure member is not driven into abutting engagement with another seating surface when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Andrew Perrault, Rochelle Marie Blackford, David James Westwater, Ronald W. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 7921868
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airing and venting valve for pipes and fittings carrying fluid, comprising a substantially cup-shaped valve body becoming smaller in cross-section towards the bottom for closing and opening a valve outlet, with a seal cup co-operating with a float of the valve, and a cup seal which is disposed between the valve body and seal cup and is able to move into different closing and opening positions lying across passage orifices of the valve body. By virtue of one aspect of the invention, the seal cup has an internal contour which becomes wider towards the top conforming to the external contour of the valve body. By virtue of another aspect, the valve body is disposed so that it is able to move against its seat at the valve outlet so that it can release and close a passage in the region of the valve body seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: HAWLE Armaturen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Goetzinger, Helmut Grassl
  • Publication number: 20100163127
    Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling a fluid from a fluid source includes a first fluid passage device, a second fluid passage device and a fluid by-pass. The first fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass is disposed downstream of the fluid source and upstream of the second fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass being in fluid communication with and disposed between the fluid source and the second fluid passage device is operative to cause a first portion of the fluid to flow through the first fluid passage device and to cause a second portion of the fluid to by-pass the first fluid passage device and to flow to the second fluid passage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: EVAPCO, INC.
    Inventor: Sarah FERRARI
  • Patent number: 7661609
    Abstract: A pressure washer wand having first and second valves that can be opened in a predetermined or user-adjustable manner through movement of a trigger. In one form, the first and second valves are opened sequentially in response to movement of a trigger to transition from a no-flow condition to a relatively low pressure flow and thereafter to a relatively high pressure flow. In another form, the sequencing of the valves can be changed such that only the first valve, which provides a relatively low pressure flow, is opened in response to movement of the trigger. A pressure washing system having the pressure washer wand is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Dexter, Dinesh Koka
  • Publication number: 20090217996
    Abstract: A valve trim for a pressure reduction valve containing a plurality of high hydraulic flow resistance flowpaths therethrough. Each flowpath comprises at least two inlets (208, 209) and at least one impingement zone (210) having two zone inlets (211, 212) and two zone outlets (213, 214). The zone inlets (211, 212) communicate with the inlets (208, 209) and are arranged substantially 180 degrees to one another. The two zone outlets (213, 214) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the zone inlets (211, 212) such that flow entering the two zone inlets (211, 212) mutually impinges on itself creating an area of high energy loss, and thereafter separates and exits through the zone outlets (213, 214).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Eugene Vladimirovich Stepanov, Douglas P. Goulet, John Hunter
  • Patent number: 7527072
    Abstract: A gas cook-top with glass (capacitive) touch controls and automatic burner re-ignition is provided. The gas cook-top utilizes a variable flow gas control valve that is driven by an electronic controller whose user interface provides a glass capacitive touch interface. Various electronic features including safety lockouts and burner re-ignition are provided, as is relational control of the burner flame. As a user moves their finger along a flame adjust indicator, the electronic control positions the variable flow gas valve to control the flame height of the burner to correspond to the relative position along the indicator selected by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Andrew Crnkovich
  • Publication number: 20080173363
    Abstract: A Joule-Thompson or other throttling valve comprises an outlet channel (7) in which swirl imparting means (10) impose a swirling motion to the cooled fluid stream discharged by the valve, thereby inducing liquid droplets to swirl towards the outer periphery (7A) of the fluid outlet channel (7) and to coalesce into enlarged liquid droplets (17) which can be separated easily from a gaseous or other carrier fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Marco Betting
  • Publication number: 20080023086
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises two or more stackable annular plates. Each disk having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis when the annular plates are stacked one on top of the other. Each disk further comprising at least one inlet flow sector having an inlet flow stage for defining a first inlet area and a first outlet area, and at least one outlet flow sector having an outlet flow stage defining a second inlet area and a second outlet areas wherein the ratio of the second inlet area to the second outlet area is predetermined to define a backpressure at the outlet flow stage to provide a sub-sonic fluid flow at the perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Allen C. Fagerlund, Frederick W. Catron, Charles L. DePenning, Paul T. Alman, Ted D. Grabau
  • Patent number: 7213547
    Abstract: A valve is constructed to strike a balance between providing relatively high sealing yet low friction as components of the valve move. The valve includes a port and an actuator movable relative to the port. A member is disposed between the port and the actuator. The actuator acts on the member so that it can intermittently seal the port as it moves. The member and the actuator have a substantially low friction interface, whereas the seal member and the port have a substantially high sealing interface. The valve can be used in an engine, such as a rotary valve in an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Bilgor Peliks, Nam P. Suh
  • Patent number: 7201187
    Abstract: A low-flow diaphragm valve is disclosed having a flexible diaphragm that cooperates with a portion of the valve body to open and close the valve. The diaphragm may have a portion for seating in a passage between the inlet and outlet of the valve and may have one or more ribs for seating against other portions of the body located around the passage. While the valve body may include openings or interruptions to permit fluid and small particulate matter to flow through the valve, the ribs and openings block or restrict particulate matter of relatively large size from flowing to the passage between the diaphragm and the valve body. With this structure, the valve will function even when particulate matter is trapped between one or more of the diaphragm portion that sits in the passage and ribs, on the one hand, and the body on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin M. Irwin, Philip G. Roper, Matthew M. Salviano, John E. Thompson, Clint Haas, Victor Olivas
  • Patent number: 7163027
    Abstract: An air tap assembly includes a mounting seat, a gasket, a connecting member, and an end cap. Thus, the sealing portion of the first mounting cap of the connecting member is rested on the gasket to interrupt the connection between the vent holes of the first mounting cap of the connecting member and the passage of the mounting seat, thereby preventing the air contained in the air cushion from leaking outward from the air tap assembly, so that the air tap assembly has an anti-reverse effect to prevent the air from leaking outward from the air cushion, thereby facilitating a user inflating the air cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Mike Hwang
  • Patent number: 7114336
    Abstract: A pulsing valve assembly pulses metered fuel flow to a turbine engine. The pulsing valve assembly comprises a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet. A divider valve divides metered fuel flow into a first flow portion and a second flow portion. A first actuator sets a magnitude of a flow divide between the first and second flow portions. The valve assembly also includes a pulsing valve for pulsing the first flow portion and a second actuator for setting a frequency of pulsing valve. The pulsed and unpulsed flow portions are then joined and delivered to the turbine engine combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Edward L. Hommema
  • Patent number: 7037411
    Abstract: In an apparatus capable of distilling and refining an easily polymerizable substance, piping is performed so that when a strainer in action is switched to a backup strainer, the strainer can be switched after removing air in the backup strainer to replace air in the backup strainer with a discharge liquid of a pump. According to the apparatus, switching the strainers installed on an upstream side of the pump for extracting a liquid of a vacuum distillation column, which distills and refines the easily polymerizable substance, can be performed with no trouble during operation of the distillation column. When the apparatus includes a device for measuring a differential pressure between an upstream side and a downstream side of the strainer in action, two or more strainers installed in parallel can be switched at proper times and the easily polymerizable substance can be produced efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yada, Yasushi Ogawa, Hirochika Hosaka, Yoshiro Suzuki, Mitsuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6986365
    Abstract: A method for achieving high flow in valves with small actuation distance is described. A detailed description for a silicon microvalve is provided. An algorithm is described for designing optimized valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Redwood Microsystems
    Inventors: Albert K. Henning, Michael Selser, Bradford A. Cozad
  • Patent number: 6845917
    Abstract: A water outlet structure of a ceramic control valve for a single-handled faucet is made up of a valve body having a housing chamber for a regulating seat with a control stick joined thereto to be adapted therein, and an upper switching control valve having a regulating cavity of proper width and length disposed: at the lower bottom thereof matching to cold/hot water inlet holes and a water outlet hole of a lower switching control valve, and cold/hot water inlet passages and a water outlet passage of a switching control valve. The regulating cavity thereof has a slant plane facet defining at one front side in a trapezoid-like design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kuching International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 6625824
    Abstract: The electronically controlled system of the present invention includes a regulator for regulating the flow of water through selected conduits of a filtration system associated with the swimming pool. The regulator includes a rotatable selector (32) arranged in association with a valve housing (11) having a number of inlet and outlet ports; biasing member (37) for biasing the rotatable selector (32) into a seated position in the valve housing (11); and motor (39) operatively associated with the rotatable selector (32) and adapted to rotate the rotatable selector while it is in the seated position in the valve housing (11). The system further includes a control member (50) for automatically controlling the regulator in a predetermined manner wherein the control member includes a microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: APMI Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Peter Gustav Lutz, Maynard Leslie La Cock, Stephanus Hendrik Petrus Boshoff, Barend Jacobus De Lange