With Metering Feature Patents (Class 137/625.3)
  • Patent number: 10167881
    Abstract: A first valve component (10), in particular a pressure compensator component, has a valve slide (16) that can be guided in a valve housing (12) in a longitudinal direction. The valve slide has a control part (34) controlling a fluid-conducting connection (28) between at least two fluid connection points (30, 32) in the valve housing (12). The control part has at least one pocket-shaped recess (38), at least part of which is bordered by a fluid-guiding surface (40) extending at least between two vertices of the recess and extending with increasing inclination from one vertex to another vertex. Starting from a predeterminable distance before the other vertex, the fluid-guiding surface (40) extends from its point of greatest inclination with decreasing inclination in the direction of the other vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: HYDAC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Sascha Alexander Biwersi
  • Patent number: 10153417
    Abstract: Provided is a heat conversion device, including: a housing; a thermoelectric module received in the housing and including a thermoelectric semiconductor between substrates disposed to face each other; a first temperature conversion portion and a second temperature conversion portion disposed between the substrates, respectively; and a heat reduction portion adopted to guide a part of a fluid flowing in the housing and passing through the first temperature conversion portion to the second temperature conversion portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Boone Won, Jong Bae Shin, Jong Min Lee, Yong Sang Cho
  • Patent number: 10143217
    Abstract: An air inlet arrangement for an ice cream machine or yogurt machine includes an air-solution tube supported in a solution container which is adapted for storing a predetermined volume of solution at a predetermined fluid elevation, and an air nozzle. The air-solution tube has an elongated structure defining a top end, a bottom end, and a process channel between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the air-solution tube has a height greater than the fluid elevation of the solution container, wherein a volume of the air-solution tube is such that the air-solution tube is arranged to contain 80 g or less of the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventors: Lingyu Dong, Chun Dong Dong
  • Patent number: 10145389
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, multi nozzle device comprises hollow inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The hollow inner cylinder may have multiple nozzles along the length of said inner cylinder. The hollow inner cylinder may be coupled to a first pressure. The outer cylinder may be mounted over said inner cylinder such that internal diameter of said outer cylinder is in push fit with external diameter of said inner cylinder. The push fit is chosen to minimize friction to enable the outer cylinder to take place of the flapper. The outer cylinder is moved exposing the nozzles and the first pressure is reduced by a proportion related to number of nozzles exposed. In one embodiment, multi nozzle device further comprise, an O ring to prevent leakage of pressure when the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are tight fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Bharath Sai Kumar G. R.
  • Patent number: 10126762
    Abstract: A bypass flow valve is provided. The bypass flow valve includes a valve piston and a first annulus disposed on a first end of the valve piston. The first annulus has an inlet and an outlet and surrounds a first valve sleeve. The first valve sleeve contains an arrangement of a first plurality of ports providing fluid communication to the valve piston. The arrangement of the first plurality of ports includes a first region of the first valve sleeve in line with the inlet of the first annulus and a second region of the first valve sleeve in line with the outlet of the first annulus. The second region has fewer ports than the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan L. Loos, Mike L. Hahn, Steve McLevige, Brian Lawver
  • Patent number: 10114385
    Abstract: To provide a fluid control valve that enables the internal volume to be reduced and, for example, the falling response performance to be improved without compromising the accuracy in controlling a pressure, a flow rate, and so on of fluid, a fluid control valve includes a valve seat portion, a valve body capable of making or breaking contact with the valve seat portion, a fluid resistance, and a pair of clamping members that clamps the fluid resistance. The fluid resistance and the pair of clamping members form an in-valve space in which the valve body or at least part of an actuation member that moves the valve body is housed. Fluid passes through the fluid resistance from the downstream-side in-valve space and flows out to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: HORIBA STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Yasuda, Shigeyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10100849
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve includes a valve body having first and second ends, a bore extending therebetween, and first and second drain passages opening to the bore; a spool disposed in the bore and biased in a neutral position, the spool having first and second ends and first and second annuli axially spaced from the first and second ends respectively, whereby when the spool is in the neutral position, the first and second drain passages are connected to first and second bores respectively via the respective annulus, and wherein the spool is axially movable relative to the body by fluid acting on one of the ends to block fluid flow from the first and second bores to the first and second drain passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis L. Reynolds, Brian Slattery
  • Patent number: 10100604
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet, the cage having an outlet end, in use fluid flowing within the cage in a downstream direction towards the outlet; a closure assembly moveable with respect to the cage to open or close each of the apertures through the cage, to thereby control the flow of fluid through the cage; wherein the apertures in the cage extend through the cage at a first angle to the radial direction of the cage and at a second angle to the radial direction of the cage, such that, in use, fluid entering the cage through each aperture is directed into t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Fergal Finn
  • Patent number: 9951877
    Abstract: A system including a valve trim having a plurality of flow paths, wherein each flow path of the plurality of flow paths includes a series of stages, and a plurality of expansion zones disposed in series with the series or stages, wherein each expansion zone of the plurality of expansion zones is disposed between a sequential set of adjacent upstream and downstream stages of the series of stages, wherein each expansion zone of the plurality of expansion zones is configured to flow a fluid in a direction that is generally transverse to directions of flow in both the adjacent-upstream stage and the adjacent-downstream stage, and wherein each expansion zone of the plurality of expansion zones is in line with one of the adjacent-upstream stage or the adjacent-downstream stage and offset from a different one of the corresponding adjacent-upstream stage or the adjacent-downstream stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Grace, Martin O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 9945112
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, the present invention is a valve insertable into a sewage line in order to prevent backflow into a structure. The valve includes a mouth formed therein which corresponds to the size of an inlet of the sewage line and means for rotating for rotating the valve within the sewage line. Rotation of the valve to an open position aligns the mouth with the inlet of the sewage line to permit flow through the sewage line and rotation of the valve body to a closed position rotates the mouth away from the inlet of the sewage line to prevent flow through the sewage line. In a second embodiment, the present invention further includes a conduit adapter that replaces a converging section of the sewage line in order to retrofit the valve into a sewage line where the valve would otherwise not fit therein. Additionally, in either the first or second embodiment, the present invention provides for the simultaneous purging of the sewage line by attaching means for purging to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: Raymon T. Birchmeier
  • Patent number: 9890874
    Abstract: A control valve comprising a cylindrical hollow trim defining an inner bore extending along an axis between a first opening and a second opening, the first opening defining an inlet of the valve, the trim comprising a first outer cylinder extending along the axis and comprising a first plurality of radial through holes defining an outlet, a second cylinder, housed in the first cylinder and coaxial, the second cylinder comprising a second plurality of radial through holes, the holes of the first plurality being smaller and in greater number than the holes of the second plurality, for each hole of one of the first and second cylinders the projection along a radial direction on the other of the first and second cylinders being spaced from each hole of the other of the first and second plurality a plug sized to fit inside the bore and slidably movable along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Lorenzo Bergamini, Vincenzo Pietanza
  • Patent number: 9845901
    Abstract: Cage apparatus having fluid passageways to affect flow characteristics of valves are disclosed. An example valve cage includes clustered fluid flow passages. Each fluid flow passage has a first portion connected to a second portion. The first portion tapers towards the second portion and the second portion tapers towards the first portion. The clustered fluid flow passages include a first row and an adjacent second row. The first row and the second row are oriented at a first angle relative an axis of the valve cage to extend along a helically-shaped path on the valve cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Nathan McCormick, Daniel James Eilers, Jason Gene Olberding
  • Patent number: 9791065
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve device, in particular an LS directional valve, includes a housing (1), with a pressure supply connection (P), at least one utility connection (A, B), and a load-reporting connection, and includes a controller (5) moveable in two directions to at least partly actuate fluid those connections. An adjustable stop device (25, 31, 47, 59) restricts the stroke length of the travel movements of the controller (5) or parts of the stroke length in either direction. The stop device (25, 31, 47, 59) has a stop surface (25) facing in one movement direction and a second stop surface (47) facing in the other movement direction on the same axial end region (19) of a slider piston (5). A counter stop (31, 59) is provided for each stop surface (25, 47). Both counter stops are on the respective same housing end region (11) of the housing (1) in a positionally adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Sascha Alexander Biwersi, Christoph Stoenner
  • Patent number: 9793128
    Abstract: An electrode is exposed to a plasma generation volume and is defined to transmit radiofrequency power to the plasma generation volume, and includes an upper surface for holding a substrate in exposure to the plasma generation volume. A gas distribution unit is disposed above the plasma generation volume and in a substantially parallel orientation to the electrode. The gas distribution unit includes an arrangement of gas supply ports for directing an input flow of a plasma process gas into the plasma generation volume in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the electrode. The gas distribution unit also includes an arrangement of through-holes that each extend through the gas distribution unit to fluidly connect the plasma generation volume to an exhaust region. Each of the through-holes directs an exhaust flow from the plasma generation volume in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Alexei Marakhtanov, Andrew D. Bailey, III
  • Patent number: 9759347
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device that includes a choke valve. The choke valve may include a generally tubular throttling member having a sealing shoulder disposed in an inner volume of the throttling member, a plurality of openings configured to flow a fluid between the inner volume of the throttling member and an outer volume of the throttling member, and a flow-impeding recess disposed between the sealing should and the plurality of openings in the inner volume of the throttling member. The choke valve may also include a valve member disposed at least partially in the inner volume of the throttling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Declan Elliott
  • Patent number: 9746357
    Abstract: A fluid flow sensor includes a hollow cylindrical casing containing a large number of solid spheres of identical diameter, packed tightly together. Fluid inflow and fluid outflow blocks are mounted to opposite ends of the casing, forming a fluid-tight seal. The fluid inflow and outflow blocks each enclose a generally conical fluid chamber tapering from where it meets an end of an interior of the casing to a respective inlet passage or outlet passage. Circular grilles divide the casing from each fluid chamber and retain the spheres in place. A pressure differential across the casing is measured via side passages extending laterally from each fluid chamber. For a given fluid, a given casing diameter and a given sphere diameter, this pressure differential can be converted to a fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: OES MEDICAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Fiedorowicz
  • Patent number: 9732873
    Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described. An example disclosed valve seat apparatus includes a seat ring having an outer surface that includes a first annular recess at a first end of the seat ring, where the first annular recess is to receive a portion of a cage, a second annular recess proximate a second end of the seat ring opposite the first end, and where the second annular recess defines a groove in the outer surface of the seat ring, and a third annular recess adjacent the second annular recess. The example disclosed valve seat apparatus also includes a first seal assembly disposed in the third annular recess and a retainer disposed in the second annular recess to retain the seal assembly in the third annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Eric Robert Dobbs, Theodore Paul Geelhart, Timothy Arthur McMahon, Paul Taylor Alman, Yan Qiu
  • Patent number: 9707587
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a sprinkler head is disclosed. The sprinkler head can include a spray stem comprising an upper stem rotatably coupled to a base stem; a spray nozzle coupled to a distal end of the upper stem; and a connector for removably coupling the sprinkler head to a pressurized liquid source. An interior cavity of the base stem can be in fluid communication with an interior cavity of the connector, and the upper stem can rotate between an operational position where an upper stem interior cavity is in fluid communication with the base stem interior cavity and a maintenance position where the upper stem interior cavity is not in fluid communication with the base stem interior cavity. A pop-up sprinkler head including the spray stem described herein is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: STREAMLINE SPRINKLER COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Mario Todd Perez
  • Patent number: 9671163
    Abstract: An expansion device having a passageway formed orderly by a tubular inlet portion, a tubular throat portion and a tubular outlet portion, with a closing element arranged in the throat portion, the closing element adapted to cause a Joule-Thomson expansion and cooling of an at least partially gaseous fluid that is supplied at a predetermined pressure (P1), where in the inlet portion a direction means is provided for directing the fluid according to a flow direction that is generally at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the inlet portion, in order to reduce the friction of the at least partially gaseous fluid when flowing through the throat portion at the closing element, in order to approximate the transformation to a reversible isentropic transformation more closely than what is possible with the known lamination valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SIME SRL
    Inventors: Stefano Favilli, Luciano Scibola
  • Patent number: 9638342
    Abstract: A valve comprising a valve body with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, an inner cavity and an outer cavity at least partly surrounding the inner cavity. The outer cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and with the inner cavity and the inner cavity is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. A flow splitter is provided, forming at least two flow passages in the outer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone Srl
    Inventors: Lorenzo Bergamini, Vincenzo Pietanza
  • Patent number: 9611952
    Abstract: A choke with reduced cavitation and/or flashing due to a high pressure fluids passing through the choke includes a housing having a high pressure inlet port and a low pressure outlet port, and a cage positioned within the housing and having a passage for passing fluid therethrough. A plurality of beads are each positioned in the cage, such that fluid flows between the cage and the beads and between the beads when passing through the cage. Fluid pressure is reduced by the fluid passing through the cage, thereby reducing cavitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Lane McCaskill
  • Patent number: 9605771
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for implementing flow cages and flow cage assemblies in association with high pressure fluid flows and fluid valves are provided. Flow cages and flow assemblies are provided to dissipate the energy of a fluid flow, such as by reducing fluid flow pressure and/or fluid flow velocity. In some embodiments the dissipation of the fluid flow energy is adapted to reduce erosion, such as from high-pressure jet flows, to reduce cavitation, such as by controllably increasing the flow area, and/or to reduce valve noise associated with pressure surge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Stewart Sherrit, Mircea Badescu, Xiaoqi Bao, Yoseph Bar-Cohen
  • Patent number: 9587764
    Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a fluid passageway. A valve seat is disposed within the fluid passageway. A fluid control member is movably disposed within the fluid passageway, the fluid control member cooperating with a trim assembly to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The trim assembly includes a cage having a plurality of diamond-shaped openings disposed in a wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: David Charles Juhnke, Joshua Charles Crompton
  • Patent number: 9528632
    Abstract: A valve component for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Jeremy Asher Glaun
  • Patent number: 9449859
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for chemical vapor deposition and/or hydride vapor phase epitaxial deposition are provided. The apparatus generally include a lower bottom plate and an upper bottom plate defining a first plenum. The upper bottom plate and a mid-plate positioned above the upper bottom plate define a heat exchanging channel. The mid-plate and a top plate positioned above the mid-plate define a second plenum. A plurality of gas conduits extend from the second plenum through the heat exchanging channel and the first plenum. The method generally includes flowing a first gas through a first plenum into a processing region, and flowing a second gas through a second plenum into a processing region. A heat exchanging fluid is introduced to a heat exchanging channel disposed between the first plenum and the second plenum. The first gas and the second gas are then reacted to form a film on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Eddy J. Song
  • Patent number: 9441738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary slide valve comprising a housing, a valve slide, a valve seat having a sealing surface, against which the valve slide rests and in which a flow opening is provided, which has a curved outer contour at least in substantial parts, wherein the valve slide can be pivoted about an axis that is eccentric to the center of curvature of the outer contour on the side of the center of curvature that faces away from the flow opening, and a drive that can adjust the valve slide between a closed position and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Buerkert Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9429240
    Abstract: A valve device switching between an open position and a close position, the open position allowing passage of oil through a gap between two ports in a spool bore from a small-diameter portion of a spool via a notch formed in a large-diameter portion of the spool, the close position blocking passage of oil through the gap between the two ports by the large-diameter portion, wherein the notch of the large-diameter portion has an inner bottom face at a portion located on a center side of the spool and is open to an outer peripheral space of the small-diameter portion and an outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion, and is formed such that an opening width of an opening at the outer peripheral surface is larger than a width of the inner bottom face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Nagaoka, Yuusuke Miyamoto, Toyomi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 9395004
    Abstract: Refrigerant is controlled by primary and secondary metering by main control valves with connections to individual one pass heat transfer circuits. The connections from the main valve radially extend from the valve body. Needles contact upper edges of sloped seats in valve bodies. The needles have sloped conical surfaces which seal the valves and cylindrical bases which seal orifices leading to radially extending individual circuit connectors. Moving the needle opens the valve, metering flow between the cone and the seat and opening and metering flow to partially opened orifices. The needle shape directs the flow through the orifices which are narrow for fluids and wide for vapors. An internal channel in the valve body is opened when the needle is moved to equalize pressure on the needle and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Quesada Saborio
  • Patent number: 9383027
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is an electronic expansion valve, which comprises a valve seat assembly (7) and a valve housing assembly (5) connected to the valve seat assembly (7). A valve stem assembly (6) and a valve port (121) are disposed in the chamber of the valve seat assembly (7), and an electrical motor (51) is situated in the chamber of the valve housing assembly (5). The electrical motor (51) drives the valve stem assembly (6) to move along an axial direction through a gear system (52) so as to adjust the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the valve port (121). The valve seat assembly (7) has a split structure, which comprises a valve seat (1) and a cover (9) connected to the valve seat (1) and to the valve housing assembly (5). A mounting surface (13) is formed on the outer side of the valve seat (1) and a sight glass (8) is connected thereon. The structure of the expansion valve enables the sight glass (8) to be easily attached to the valve seat assembly (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Lv, Yuzhong Chen
  • Patent number: 9316327
    Abstract: A refrigerant valve has a body with a through bore. Multiple tubes have openings aligned in a ring around a middle of the bore. The tubes lead to larger channels in the body. A needle assembly inserted through an end of the bore reciprocates a needle with a stepper motor and speed reducer to precisely control sizes of the openings. Further advancing the needle shaft after closing the openings to the tubes, engages and slides a bypass sleeve against a return spring force to open a bypass in a side of the valve body. A connector connects the bypass in a first end of the bore to outward opening holes of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: Carlos Quesada Saborio
  • Patent number: 9267604
    Abstract: A valve seat apparatus for use with fluid valves is described herein. An example valve seat apparatus includes a seat ring having a central passage therethrough and an outer wall. The outer wall comprises a threaded portion, having a first diameter, to engage a cage of a fluid valve. The outer wall also includes a sealing portion to capture a seal assembly between the sealing portion and a surface of a body of the fluid valve. The sealing portion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The outer wall of the example valve seat apparatus further includes a flange portion to capture the seal assembly between the cage and the flange portion. The flange portion extends toward the surface of the body and the sealing portion is to be positioned between the flange portion and the threaded portion. The flange portion has a third diameter greater than the second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Brandon Wayne Bell
  • Patent number: 9184028
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer processing apparatus includes a first electrode exposed to a first plasma generation volume, a second electrode exposed to a second plasma generation volume, and a gas distribution unit disposed between the first and second plasma generation volumes. The first electrode is defined to transmit radiofrequency (RF) power to the first plasma generation volume, and distribute a first plasma process gas to the first plasma generation volume. The second electrode is defined to transmit RF power to the second plasma generation volume, and hold a substrate in exposure to the second plasma generation volume. The gas distribution unit includes an arrangement of through-holes defined to fluidly connect the first plasma generation volume to the second plasma generation volume. The gas distribution unit also includes an arrangement of gas supply ports defined to distribute a second plasma process gas to the second plasma generation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Rajinder Dhindsa, Alexei Marakhatnov, Andrew D. Bailey, III
  • Patent number: 9074695
    Abstract: A volume booster for an actuator system advantageously includes an adjustable restrictor, such that the exhaust capacity of the device can be adjusted for specific applications. The device comprises a body, a supply path, an exhaust path, and the restrictor. The supply path operates to provide a supply of fluid to boost a stroke time of an actuator in the actuator system, e.g., in an opening direction. The exhaust path operates to accommodate backpressure relief when the actuator system operates the actuator in a closing direction, for example. The restrictor is disposed within the exhaust path and is selectively manipulable between a plurality of positions to define a plurality of distinct exhaust capacities, thereby eliminating any requirement to change the entire volume booster to achieve a different exhaust capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Michel K. Lovell, Kenneth W. Junk, Ryan J. Jwanouskos
  • Patent number: 9051205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for manufacturing an optical preform. The method includes supplying dopant-containing glass-forming gases to the interior of a hollow glass substrate tube. Furthermore, the supply flow of dopant-containing glass-forming gases includes a main gas flow and one or more secondary gas flows. The secondary gas flows are divided into subflows, which are supplied to the interior of the hollow glass substrate tube together with the main gas flow. The method further includes effecting deposition of glass layers on the interior surface of the hollow glass substrate tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Draka Comteq, B.V.
    Inventors: Igor Milicevic, Mattheus Jacobus Nicolaas van Stralen, Johannes Antoon Hartsuiker, Roland Gerhardus Jacobus Maria Heuvelmans
  • Patent number: 9022070
    Abstract: A control element for a fluid flow control device includes a stem, a plug, and a fastener. The stem includes an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be operably coupled to an actuator and the second end including a fastener recess including a plurality of internal threads. The plug is disposed adjacent to the second end of the stem. The fastener fixing the plug to the stem and includes a threaded portion extending from the plug and engaging the plurality of internal threads of the fastener recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Shawn W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8967200
    Abstract: In order to provide a fluid control valve that can flow a large amount of fluid with a compact arrangement, ring-shaped bottom formed grooves that are in communication with an upstream side flow channel through a valve inner flow channel and ring-shaped bottom formed grooves that are in communication with a downstream side flow channel through a valve inner flow channel are arranged alternatively and plurally between a seating surface and a valve seat surface, and a communication bore, which is an opening in communication with the bottom formed groove of the valve inner flow channel, is formed at least on the side surface of the bottom formed groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Horiba STEC, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8955548
    Abstract: A control element for a fluid flow control device includes a stem, a plug, and a fastener. The stem includes an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be operably coupled to an actuator and the second end including a fastener recess including a plurality of internal threads. The plug is disposed adjacent to the second end of the stem. The fastener fixing the plug to the stem and includes a threaded portion extending from the plug and engaging the plurality of internal threads of the fastener recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Shawn W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8950420
    Abstract: A containment housing includes a hexagonal portion configured to receive a linear variable differential transformer. The containment housing also includes a housing contact flange adjacent to the hexagonal portion. The housing contact flange has a flange face. The containment housing further includes an external threaded portion formed between the flange face and a containment housing end. The external threaded portion is configured to engage a fuel control housing portion of a fuel control. A length is defined between the flange face and the containment housing end, and a ratio of the length to a width of the housing contact flange is between 8.22 and 8.94.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Aaron Rickis
  • Patent number: 8931514
    Abstract: A liquid flow rate control valve is provided in which since a total area of overlapping sections of a communication hole group (38c, 38d) of a distributor (38) and an outlet opening (37a, 37b) of a sleeve (37) changes when the distributor (38) is rotated by a first electric motor (46), if a rotor (42) is rotated by means of a second electric motor (47), an input port (31e) communicates with an output port (31f) through an inlet opening (42c, 42d) of the rotor (42), the communication hole group (38c, 38d) of the distributor (38), and the outlet opening (37a, 37b) of the sleeve (37) when the inlet opening (42c, 42d) of the rotor (42) passes through the overlapping sections, thereby making it possible to carry out PWM control of a flow rate of liquid. Since a thrust load in an axis (L) direction does not act on the distributor (38) and the rotor (42), supporting the distributor (38) and the rotor (42) becomes easy, thereby enabling the cost and weight to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneo Endo, Seiichiro Ishikawa, Hidemi Arai, Yuki Shibahata, Mitsuo Kadota, Hiroshi Hanabusa, Daiki Sato, Kensaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8925583
    Abstract: A flow adjustable waterway switch device is disposed inside a valve body. The valve body is disposed with an inlet connected to the water source and at least two outlets. The waterway switch device has a driving shaft, a setting plate rotated and disposed inside the valve body and a button mechanism. One end of the driving shaft is disposed outside the valve body, and the other end is disposed inside the valve body. The setting plate is rotated by the driving shaft. The flow area of the inlet is changed by the relative rotation of the setting plate and the valve body to adjust the flow. The button mechanism includes a switch plate rotated and disposed inside the valve body, a switch rotor and a restoring spring, the driving shaft is rotated relatively to the switch rotor but not sliding relatively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Xiamen Solex High-Tech Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huasong Zhou, Shuiyuan Luo, Zhongcheng Jin, Jianmin Chen
  • Patent number: 8919377
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an acoustically actuated flow valve having temperature-sensitive reed valves thereon. The flow valve and reed valves are configured to impart acoustical energy into a fluid flowing through the flow valve and one or more fluids downstream of the valve, leading to increased mixing of the fluids. The reed valves are further configured to be temperature-sensitive, thereby allowing more fluid to flow through the flow valve as the result of a change in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20140366970
    Abstract: A cage for a control valve trim assembly includes a cage body having an opening at one end and a wall extending from the opening, a plurality of cage openings disposed in the wall, and a pressure relief mechanism disposed in the cage wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Matthew W. Hanusa, Thomas L. Weyer, Daniel G. Roper, Harold J. McKinney
  • Patent number: 8910661
    Abstract: A cage for a control valve trim assembly includes a cage body having an opening at one end and a wall extending from the opening, a plurality of cage openings disposed in the wall, and a pressure relief mechanism disposed in the cage wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Griffin, Jr., Matthew W. Hanusa, Thomas L. Weyer, Jr., Daniel G. Roper, Harold J. McKinney
  • Patent number: 8863776
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed, including a system that has a trim with a plurality of flow paths. In certain embodiments, each flow path includes a series of stages and an expansion zone disposed in series between each of the stages. The expansion zones are configured to flow a fluid in a direction that is generally perpendicular to directions of flow in both an adjacent-upstream stage and an adjacent-downstream stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Grace, Martin O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20140290659
    Abstract: The invention provides a reversing valve for reversing a fluid flow, comprising a valve housing defining a cylindrical chamber, at least four passage outlets being formed in the valve housing and opening into the cylindrical chamber, and further comprising a valve core being received rotatably and hermetically within the cylindrical chamber of the valve housing, at least two passages being defined in the valve core, wherein the passage outlets and the passages are arranged such that the reversing valve can reverse the liquid flow once every time that the valve core rotates through 90°. The invention also provides a high frequency oscillation airflow generator. According to the invention, the reversing frequency of the gas flow and thus the efficiency of the high frequency oscillation airflow generator are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Tongqing Chen, Wei Zhou, Huimin Chen
  • Patent number: 8820354
    Abstract: A liquid flow rate control valve is provided in which since a distributor (38) is rotated relative to a sleeve (37) by a first drive source (46) only through a predetermined angle, the total area of overlapping sections of a first opening (37a) of the sleeve (37) and the second opening (38c) of the distributor (38) changes, and a rotor (42) having a third opening (42c 42d) is rotated by a second drive source (47), it is possible to carry out PWM control of the liquid input from an input port (61e) and output it from an output port (61f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Ishikawa, Yuki Shibahata, Yasunari Kimura, Masashi Kato
  • Patent number: 8790318
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flow regulator, made of a stack of 3 plates, respectively a top plate including a flexible membrane (1), a middle plate (2) with pillars and through holes and a bottom plate (3) with fluidic ports, micro channels and through holes (8,9,12). The principle is based on the deformation of the membrane due to the pressure of the liquid. The membrane goes in contact with the pillars of the middle plate, obstructing gradually the through holes of the pillars. The device is designed to keep the flow constant in a predefined range of pressure. The device is dedicated to ultra low flow rate up to 1 ml per day or below, typically for drug infusion. Plastic flow regulators comprise preferably several independent valves coupled in parallel. The membrane plate is therefore made of several flexible membranes obstructing gradually the flow by increasing the pressure. Stress limiters are used to avoid plastic deformation of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Debiotech S.A.
    Inventor: Eric Chappel
  • Patent number: 8783288
    Abstract: A sidespray for use with a water faucet unit includes a trigger valve and a volume control valve. The trigger valve is configured to define a full-ON water flow condition and a full-OFF water flow condition for the sidespray. A diverter actuator is coupled to the trigger valve to select between the full-ON water flow condition and the full-OFF water flow condition for the sidespray. The volume control valve is configured to define a volume-variable water passageway to limit a water flow volume through the sidespray when the trigger valve has set the sidespray to the full-ON water flow condition. A volume control actuator is coupled to the volume control valve to selectively adjust the water flow volume through the sidespray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Price Pfister, Inc.
    Inventor: James Lin
  • Publication number: 20140130915
    Abstract: A low hysteresis fluid metering valve includes a valve body having an interior portion, an inlet port, an outlet port including a fluid delivery passage, and a shut-off port. A flow control member is arranged in the interior portion. The flow control member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first end extending to a second end through an intermediate portion having a first metered passage, a second metered passage, and a seal element. The first metered passage is configured and disposed to selectively register with the inlet port and the outlet port when the flow control member is arranged in a first position, and the second metered passage is configured and disposed to register with the shut-off port when the flow control member is arranged in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Chris Bonn, Todd Haugsjaahabink
  • Patent number: 8714560
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with valves is described. An example seal assembly includes a first seal and a second seal opposite the first seal. The first and second seals are to sealingly engage a closure member of a valve and a sealing surface opposite the closure member. A spacer ring is disposed between the first and second seals to prevent the first and second seals from contacting each other. Additionally, the spacer ring is sized so that the spacer ring does not contact the closure member or the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Wayne Russell Faas