Electric Patents (Class 137/625.64)
  • Patent number: 9341274
    Abstract: A pilot passage that is in communication with an input port at all times is formed inside a spool, the pilot passage and a second pressure receiving chamber on one side of a pilot piston are made to be in communication with each other at all times through a constantly open communication passage formed in a continuous portion between the spool and the pilot piston, the second pressure receiving chamber and a first pressure receiving chamber on the other side of the pilot piston are made to be in communication with each other through an opening/closing communication passage that is formed in a piston box and that is opened and closed with a pilot valve, and the pilot piston is driven and the spool is switched by turning the pilot valve on and off to supply/discharge pilot air to/from the first pressure receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Yoichi Morodomi
  • Patent number: 9115730
    Abstract: A valve device includes a valve housing (2) and a valve piston (4) axially displaceably in a housing bore (3). By valve piston movement, load connections (A, B) can alternately be connected to a pressure connection (P) and to a tank connection (T1, T2) by solenoid magnets (5, 6). Pilot control chambers (8, 10) pressurize piston back sides (9, 11). The control chambers (8, 10) are connectable via fluid-conducting connections (12, 13) to the pressure connection (P). Pilot control pistons (14, 15) release or close fluid-conducting connections (16, 17) between control chambers (8, 10) and the tank connection (T1, T2). One pilot control piston (14, 15) includes a ring channel (19) controlling a fluid-conducting connection (16, 17) between a pilot control chamber (8, 10) and a tank connection (T1, T2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: HYDAC FLUIDTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Schulz, Peter Bruck, Markus Bill
  • Patent number: 9038659
    Abstract: The invention allows securing greater discharge pressure and flow rate at high revolutions of an engine in order to secure lubrication and cooling, while reducing discharge pressure and flow rate at low and medium revolutions of the engine in order to improve efficiency. The invention includes a housing; a relief valve; a valve passage; a main discharge flow channel; a main relief flow channel; an auxiliary relief flow channel; a solenoid valve mounted on the auxiliary relief flow channel; and a spring. The solenoid valve is controlled so as to switch between communication and shut-off between the auxiliary relief flow channel and the large-diameter passage section in accordance with an increase or decrease in engine revolutions, and oil in the large-diameter passage section is discharged when the shut-off is implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: YAMADA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Watanabe, Junichi Miyajima
  • Publication number: 20150129070
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to bias spool valves using supply pressure are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a housing of a spool valve, the housing including a first port to receive a fluid at a supply pressure. The example apparatus further includes a spool within the housing. A position of the spool is to be selectively controlled via an input force acting on the spool, the position of the spool to define a path of a flow of the fluid through the spool valve from the first port to a second port of the housing. A biasing force is to bias the spool opposite the input force, the biasing force to be generated from the supply pressure applied to an end of the spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Jay Winkler, Christopher Steven Metschke, Bradley Dale Busse
  • Publication number: 20150123460
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing and a first movable member which divides the housing into a control chamber and a main chamber. A second movable member has a first valve part and a second valve part and is movable to engage the first valve part with a corresponding inlet valve part to substantially prevent flow of fluid into the main chamber via an inlet port. The first movable member is provided with an exhaust valve part and is movable to engage the second valve part of the second movable member to substantially prevent flow of pressurised fluid out of the main chamber via an exhaust port. A support part is secured relative to the housing, there being a first seal between the second movable member and the support part and a second seal between the support part and the first movable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Robert David Prescott, Laurence John Potter, Edward Gilbert Shaw
  • Patent number: 9022072
    Abstract: A valve array includes a reservoir containing a pressurized fluid, a non-return valve and a seat valve that is actuatable so as to allow the fluid to flow out of the reservoir. The seat valve is configured as a pilot control valve connected to the reservoir such that, in an open condition of the seat valve, a smaller amount of the fluid flows out of the reservoir via the seat valve and a larger amount of the fluid flows out of the reservoir via the non-return valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Thomas Pippes
  • Patent number: 9010373
    Abstract: A diaphragm sealed, pressure balanced valve assembly includes a valve body and a cartridge connected to the valve body. The cartridge includes a cartridge loading end having a retaining member engaged to the cartridge loading end. A valve member slides coaxial to a longitudinal axis of the valve body. A resilient material first diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member having a diaphragm body clasped between the retaining member and the cartridge loading end, creating a first diaphragm fluid pressure boundary. A resilient material second diaphragm is connected to and extends diametrically outward from the valve member at an opposite end of the valve member with respect to the first diaphragm and has a diaphragm body clasped between first and second adjustable retention members, creating a second diaphragm fluid pressure boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Patent number: 9010374
    Abstract: A control valve for an automatic transmission includes a valve body including a chamber and a control pressure port, metering edges formed in the valve body at the control pressure port, a reference surface formed in the valve body, a spool displaceable along the chamber, and a solenoid module including a pin for displacing the spool, and located in the chamber by contact with the reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Burkhart, Derek Kinch, John Butwin, Anthony Koenings, Hrudaya Mahapatro, Wei Zhuang
  • Publication number: 20150096636
    Abstract: An oil control valve assembly includes a valve body and a controller coupled to an exterior end of the valve body. The controller includes a solenoid housing attached to the exterior end of the valve body, and defines an interior region. An encapsulated coil assembly is disposed within the interior region of the solenoid housing. A housing seal is disposed within the interior region of the solenoid housing, in sealing engagement with the solenoid housing, the valve body, and the encapsulated coil assembly. The housing seal is operable to seal the interior region of the solenoid housing to prevent fluid communication between the solenoid housing and the valve body. An adapter assembly is coupled to the valve body to reposition a discharge location of a supply port, a control port, and an exhaust port of the valve body along a longitudinal axis of the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Dayton, Robert John Boychuk, Daniel William Bamber, Fred Andrew Weeks
  • Patent number: 8978701
    Abstract: An energy-saving valve includes a spool-driving unit which changes the position of a spool to a position at which compressed air is discharged from a first output port without pressure control and includes a pressure control unit which changes the position of the spool to a position at which compressed air is discharged from a second output port in a predetermined pressure level due to pressure control. The pressure control unit includes a pressure control piston, a pressure-receiving surface which enables air pressure in the second output port to act on the pressure control piston, a cylinder chamber, a pressure control channel, and an elastic member which applies biasing force to the pressure control piston in a direction opposite to the action of air pressure on the pressure-receiving surface to determine pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Katsuyuki Senba, Takashi Murakami
  • Publication number: 20150059898
    Abstract: A detent mechanism that increases a holding force for the valve member having two switch positions when the valve member is in each of the switch positions includes a ring shaped housing groove which is formed on one of an inner periphery of the valve hole and an outer periphery of the valve member and an annular elevated portion which is formed on the other, and a ring shaped detent member housed in the housing groove, the housing groove includes right and left groove side walls which extend in parallel to each other, and a groove bottom wall, the detent member is made of a material having rubber elasticity and includes right and left side walls which face the groove side walls of the housing groove, and a protruding portion which extends from the housing groove, and a locking section which elastically locks the protruding portion of the detent member in the two switch positions is formed on both ends of the elevated portion in the axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bunya HAYASHI, Kenichi MATSUMURA
  • Patent number: 8960233
    Abstract: A solenoid valve 10 including a valve sleeve 41, and a solenoid portion 20 which is mounted at one end along axial direction of the valve sleeve 41. A plurality of ports 51 to 54 are formed on the valve sleeve 41. In at least an outlet port 51 of the plurality of ports, a relation of S1?S0 is fulfilled, where S1 is an opening area of valve portion when the spool 60 moves in an axial direction to maximally open the valve portion between the outlet port 51 and the internal flow passage 47, and S0 is the total flow passage cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nishinosono, Yoshinari Kasagi
  • Patent number: 8960232
    Abstract: A latch valve includes a first port containing line pressure, a second port containing control pressure, a third port located between the first and second ports, alternately connecting the first and second ports to a transmission control element, and a fourth port containing control pressure that tends to close the second port and open the first port in opposition to a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert O. Burkhart, John Butwin, Derek Kinch, Hrudaya Mahapatro, Wei Zhuang, Anthony Koenings
  • Publication number: 20150047731
    Abstract: The externally fitted control device includes an electronic control module (1), a hydraulic control module (2) and a common control enclosure (3). The hydraulic control module (2) has electromagnetic actuators (10) and control pistons (14) which are positioned on top of one another to result in a compact design which is safe to operate and can be manufactured economically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Kathrin FORSTER, Michael RIEDHAMMER, Jochen SCHNEIDER, Oliver BAYER
  • Patent number: 8944103
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a tank, a displacement actuator having first and second chambers, a regeneration valve, and a load-holding valve. The hydraulic system may also have a displacement control valve including a valve element, and a stationary cage portion at least partially forming a high-pressure passage fluidly connecting the pump and valve element, a low-pressure passage fluidly connecting the valve element and tank, a first displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and first chamber, a second displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and second chamber, a load-holding control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and load-holding valve, and a regeneration control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and regeneration valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Publication number: 20150020905
    Abstract: Embodiments of a directional valve assembly that provides a single device with functionality of a two-position design for automated operation and functionality of a three-position design for manual operation. The embodiments can include a housing with a piston chamber and a spool member that transits in the housing to regulate the flow of a working fluid to a cylinder. The embodiments can also have one or more pilot operators that regulate the flow of pilot air into the piston chamber to move the spool member between two positions, i.e., two open positions. The embodiments can also have a manual operator (e.g., a lever) that can move the spool to the open positions and to a closed position. In one embodiment, the spool member is configured to remain in either a first position, a second position, or a third position in the absence of an outside stimulus on the pilot operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Richard Strobel
  • Patent number: 8936042
    Abstract: A dual control shut off system, such as a dead man system for a blasting system, blasting equipment, or other equipment having both pneumatic and electric safety control circuits, may include an electric dead man's switch or a pneumatic dead man's switch. An embodiment of the dual control dead man system is for wet abrasive blasting systems used for cleaning, preparing surfaces, removing coatings, and/or other abrasive blasting operations. Embodiments of the dual control shut off system provide the ability to conveniently switch between an electric and pneumatic shut off system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc
    Inventor: Keith Eliason
  • Patent number: 8931758
    Abstract: Provided is a solenoid valve stable in response performance, whose quickness and damping performance are appropriate. In the solenoid valve, a respiration port for flowing fluid into and out from a space located on one side of a plunger that faces the spool is formed in an end portion of a valve sleeve. Further, a respiration groove, which causes the space on the one side of the plunger and the respiration port to communicate with each other when an end portion of the spool and an end portion of a center post are in contact with each other, is formed on the spool. This configuration makes it possible to discharge, with an appropriate level of flow-channel resistance, fluid placed in the space located on the one side of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinari Kasagi, Hiroyuki Nishinosono, Hiroyuki Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 8899387
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing (24?) provided with an inlet port (12?), a delivery port (14?), and an exhaust port (16?), the valve assembly further including a first movable element (32?), a first valve member (34a?) and a second valve member (26a?), the first movable element (32?) being engageable with the first valve member (34a?), engagement of the first valve member (34a?) and first movable element (32?) substantially preventing flow of fluid between the inlet port (12?) and the delivery port (14?), and the first movable element (32?) also being engageable with the second valve member (26a?), engagement of the second valve member (26a?) with the first movable element (32?) substantially preventing flow of fluid between the delivery port (14?) and the exhaust port (16?), the valve assembly further including a second movable element (26?) which divides the housing (24?) into a control chamber (22?) and a main chamber (30?) and which is movable relative to the housing (24?) under the influence of flui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products Limited
    Inventors: Edward G. Shaw, Laurence J. Potter, Robert D. Prescott
  • Publication number: 20140345728
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprising an inner housing in which is provided a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a valve member assembly which is movable between a first position, a second position, and a third position. An outer housing is separate from and encloses at least part of the inner housing, the outer housing having a first port and a second port, the Inner housing and outer housing each being provided with first mating parts, which engage to provide a substantially fluid tight seal whilst enclosing a conduit for fluid communication between the first port of the inner housing and the first port of the outer housing, and second mating parts, which engage to provide a substantially fluid tight seal whilst enclosing a conduit for fluid communication between the second port of the Inner housing and the second port of the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Robert David Prescott, Laurence John Potter, Edward Gilbert Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140318652
    Abstract: A valve control unit is connected to a control valve and automatically moves a valve spool first and second bleed positions. The control unit prevents valve bleed if the control valve is in its extend or retract position under command of the operator. The control unit prevents a valve bleed if a temperature of oil in the reservoir is not less than a reference temperature. The control unit prevents a valve bleed if a speed of the vehicle is less than a reference speed. The control unit automatically returns the spool to its neutral position from the first and second bleed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: MARK S. SOMMER, DEREK M. EAGLES, PHILIP S. ROE, PAUL R. SEEBER
  • Patent number: 8857313
    Abstract: An actuation system (200) is provided. The actuation system (200) includes a fluid operated actuator (211) and a control valve (230). The control valve (230) is movable between a first position and a second position and is adapted to open a fluid flow path from a pressurized fluid supply (240) to the actuator (211) when the control valve (230) is in the first position. A diverting fluid conduit (246) is provided that is adapted to divert a portion of the pressurized fluid supplied to the actuator (211) when the control valve (230) is in the first position. The pressurized fluid diverted through fluid conduit (246) biases the control valve (230) towards a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Norgren GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Ridder, Gerhard Bohmer, Martin Engels
  • Patent number: 8851118
    Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Sergio Stucchi, Onofrio De Michele, Raffaele Ricco, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
  • Patent number: 8844291
    Abstract: A universal heat engine is disclosed for converting energy from an input heat source to an output. The universal heat engine comprises a heat engine section and an output section. The heat engine section includes a heat engine bore receiving a heat engine piston. A heat engine valve assembly communicates with the heat engine bore for effecting reciprocal motion of the heat engine piston. The output section includes an output bore receiving an output piston. A piston rod interconnects the heat engine piston to the output piston. A control controls the heat engine valve assemblies to operate the heat engine section in accordance with a desired output from the output section. The heat source may comprise the burning of a petroleum product, a solar heat source, geothermal heat source or a byproduct heat source. The output may comprise a static or mobile air conditioning system or an electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: VaporGenics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric M Gilmore, Michael B Gilmore, Patrick Sheppard, James M Berry, Timothy K. Mariani
  • Patent number: 8757208
    Abstract: A proportional motion control valve includes an electro-mechanical actuator that provides an infinitely controlled pressure setting in response to an electric signal applied to the electro-mechanical actuator. In another aspect, a proportional motion control valve includes a pilot-operated valve disposed intermediately with respect to a cage and a valve body to fluidly isolate an internal cavity of the valve body from a bore of the cage. The pilot-operated valve is subjected to a hydraulic opening force of pilot fluid that is present in the bore of the cage. A spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the valve body and arranged to subject the pilot-operated valve to a closing spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dornbach, Anthony Casale, Tomasz Slawinski
  • Patent number: 8752585
    Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a housing comprising a reference pressure connection, a reference pressure chamber, a preliminary pressure connection, a preliminary pressure chamber, a control pressure connection and a control pressure chamber which are configured to cooperate with a control member moveable in an axial direction within the housing so as to adjust a desired control pressure between a preliminary pressure at the preliminary pressure connection and a reference pressure at the reference pressure connection. A driving device is configured to act on the control member. At least one first sealing device is configured to seal the reference pressure chamber against the control member. At least one second sealing device comprising a second sealing element is configured to seal the preliminary pressure chamber against the reference pressure chamber. At least one third sealing device is configured to seal the control pressure chamber against the preliminary pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Buse, Alvito Fernandes
  • Patent number: 8726937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for an extracting unit in the face of a mine, for actuating the hydraulic actuator in the sense of drawing, stepping, setting, and having a plurality of main valves for connecting the actuator of the extracting unit to a main pressure line and a main return line, and a similar plurality of pilot valves, each associated with a main valve for adjusting same and connected to the main pressure line via a pilot pressure line common to all pilot valves and connected to the main return line via a return line common to the main valves and the pilot valves. The pilot pressure line can be shut off and the return line can be blocked off from the main return line and connected to a measuring device for measuring escaping hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tiefenbach Control Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Wülfing
  • Patent number: 8678033
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exemplary valve having a first valve member that may include at least one orifice, and which is moveable between a first position and a second position, and a second valve member that includes at least one orifice, and which is moveable relative to the first valve member between a first position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly disconnected from the at least one orifice of the first valve member, and a second position, in which the at least one orifice of the second valve member is fluidly connected to the at least one orifice of the first valve member. The exemplary valve may also include first and second actuators for moving the first and second valve members between their respective first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Sorin C. Bengea, G. Clark Fortune, Thomas J. Stoltz, Benjamin Saltsman, Mihai Dorobantu, Subbaraya Radhamohan, Qinghui Yuan
  • Patent number: 8662109
    Abstract: A proportional pressure control valve includes a valve box (10) having a pump (P), user (A) and reservoir (T) connections. Control piston (18) is guided in a longitudinally displaceably inside the valve box (10) for optionally connecting the pump connection (P) to the user connection (A) and the user connection (A) to the reservoir connection (T). A fluid-carrying connection is established between the pump connection (P) and a pilot chamber (20) of a pilot valve (22). The pilot valve (22) is controlled by a magnet system, especially a proportional magnet system (28). The proportional pressure control valve, for the fluid-carrying connection to the pilot chamber (20), has a bore (27) extending axially inside the wall of the valve box (10) and from a radial bore (9) of the housing (10) forming the pump connection (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Bill, Peter Bruck, Gerd Schneider
  • Patent number: 8651140
    Abstract: A valve arrangement has several valve clusters which are designed for different nominal flow rates. Each valve cluster (1c) comprises a valve base (2) fitted with valve units (4), the valve units (4) respectively having a control portion (13), which is connected by way of electrical interface means (23) with internal signal transmission means (22) of the valve base (2). Irrespectively of the flow rate category the overall height of the valve bases (2), the width of the component mounting sites and of the valve units (4) and also the electrical interface means (23) are identically configured in the case of the valve clusters of all flow rate categories. The modification of the nominal flow rates is performed more especially by the choice of different overall lengths of the valve units (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Grzegorz Bogdanowicz
  • Patent number: 8640723
    Abstract: A pilot valve configured to provide a control pressure within a dynamic fluid system, the pilot valve comprising: (a) a valve body having a supply port, a return port, and a control pressure port, the pressure control port in fluid communication with a subsequent valving component; (b) an axial bore formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with each of the supply, return, and control pressure ports; (c) a valve spool slidably supported within the axial bore of the valve body, the valve spool configured to control fluid flow through the supply, return, and control pressure ports, and to vary the rate of change of area of at least one of the supply and return pressure ports upon being displaced, thereby providing a variable resistance to fluid flowing therethrough and reducing the quiescent power of the pilot valve; and (d) means for displacing, in a selective manner, the valve spool within the axial bore about the supply, return, and control pressure ports to apportion fluid therethrough to provide
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Shane Olsen
  • Publication number: 20140007964
    Abstract: The invention relates to a proportional pressure-regulating valve (1) comprising a valve housing (3) that has at least three fluid-conducting connections, in particular in the form of a pump connection (P), a utility connection (A), and a tank connection (T). A regulating piston (5) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner within the valve housing (3) in order to selectively connect the pump connection (P) to the utility connection (A) and the utility connection (A) to the tank connection (T), said regulating piston being controllable via a magnetic force (FM) by means of a magnetic coil device (7) to which current signals can be applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Frank Schulz, Peter Bruck
  • Patent number: 8590571
    Abstract: A latching valve system includes a housing, a supply port defined in the housing, a delivery port defined in the housing, an exhaust port defined in the housing, an apply port defined in the housing, and a release port defined in the housing. The apply port is sealingly fluidly isolated from the supply port, the delivery port, and the exhaust port. The release port is sealingly fluidly isolated from the supply port, the delivery port, and the exhaust port. An apply valve supplies an apply pilot pressure to the apply port as a function of a state of the apply valve. A release valve supplies a release pilot pressure to the release port as a function of a state of the release valve. A bore, defined in the housing, fluidly communicates with the supply port, the delivery port, the exhaust port, the apply port, and the release port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Thanh Ho
  • Patent number: 8567442
    Abstract: In a soft start device for pneumatic systems comprising a primary inlet where compressed air can be supplied at primary pressure, wherein the primary inlet is, via a valve circuit, connected to at least one secondary outlet which can be coupled to a load and where compressed air can be discharged at secondary pressure, the secondary pressure being lower than or equal to the primary pressure, wherein a main valve is installed between the primary inlet and the secondary outlet, a restrictor device being installed in the bypass, wherein the main valve and the restrictor device together with further directional valves of the valve circuit are interconnected such and the valve circuit can be switched into a standard switching position for venting such that the secondary outlet is vented, the valves of the valve circuit are interconnected such that several further switching positions for venting are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Christiani, Gunter Gebauer, Bodo Neef, Markus Kleske, Udo Walden
  • Patent number: 8567443
    Abstract: A tapered face whose hole diameter is gradually reduced toward a riding-on direction is formed at a valve-seat end of a supply valve seat or an discharge valve seat where a seal member of a spool slides and rides onto from a side with a low fluid pressure to a side with a high fluid pressure, while the other valve-seat end is kept as a cylindrical surface with a constant hole diameter, by which two tapered faces are formed in a valve hole, and an inner diameter of a portion located between the two tapered faces of the valve hole is formed equal to an inner diameter of a small diameter end of the tapered face, while an inner diameter of a portion located on a hole end side rather than the two tapered faces of the valve hole is formed equal to or larger than the inner diameter of a large diameter end of the tapered face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20130276925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure regulating device (1), in particular a hand- or foot-operated hydraulic controller for a heavy construction machine, characterised in that it comprises an electrical or electronic means (20) for determining the position of the actuator (18) or the push button (7) including a proportional sensor comprising, on the one hand, a mobile member (21) following the movement of the actuator (18) or a push button (7) and, on the other hand, a contactless means (22) for detecting the position of the mobile member (21) secured to the body (2), as well as an anti-tilting system, a load sensing system for controlling the pressure increase, the idling delivery of the heat engine, or a flow sharing system, comprising such a pressure regulating device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: BOSCH REXROTH D.S.I.
    Inventors: Didier Merletti, Jean-Luc Boudou
  • Patent number: 8522821
    Abstract: A servovalve torque motor includes first and second pole pieces and an armature. Each of the first and second pole pieces includes an armature face that opposes the armature. The area of the armature face of the second pole piece is smaller than the area of the armature face of the first pole piece. The unequal areas of the first and second armature faces create a bias in the servovalve torque motor while allowing the first and second pole pieces to be disposed at equal distances from the armature to define substantially equal air gaps. The inclusion of substantially equal air gaps between the pole pieces and the armature reduces the maximum flux in the armature for the same bias and torque output, compared to conventional servovalve torque motors. The reduction in maximum armature flux decreases armature saturation and improves linearity during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Woodward HRT, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Olson, Torin R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8474486
    Abstract: An actuator system (14) comprising a valve assembly (40) having an inner spool (50), an outer spool (60), and a sleeve (70). An assembly (80) directly drives the inner spool (50) to move it relative to the outer spool (60), and thereby hydromechanically causes the outer spool (60) to move relative to the sleeve (70). A control assembly (90) provides current input to the drive assembly (80), which converts current input into mechanical motion. The control assembly (90) senses the position of the inner spool (50) and regulates current in accordance with the sensed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifan Corporation
    Inventor: Luc P. Cyrot
  • Patent number: 8474487
    Abstract: A latching valve includes a housing, a supply port, defined in the housing, which receives supply pressure, a delivery port defined in the housing, an exhaust port, defined in the housing, and an apply port defined in the housing. A housing bore fluidly communicates with the supply port, the delivery port, the exhaust port, and the apply port fluidly. A shuttle is sealingly and movably secured in the housing bore. The shuttle is alternately set to one of an apply position and a release position as a function of sequential pilot pressures at the apply port acting on the shuttle, and as a function of the supply pressure acting on one of an apply pair of sealed seats with different diameters in the housing bore and a release pair of sealed seats with different diameters in the housing bore. The delivery port fluidly communicates with the supply port while the shuttle is in the apply position. The delivery port fluidly communicates with the exhaust port while the shuttle is in the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle System LLC
    Inventor: Thanh Ho
  • Patent number: 8464757
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve device includes a fluid connection arrangement (10) having different connections and a mobile control (18) for at least partially controlling connections of the fluid connection arrangement (10). The control (18) is provided with load reporting and load detecting connections (32, 38; 34, 36). According to the displacement position of the control (18), at least one part of the connections of the fluid connection arrangement (10) are interconnected in a fluid-guiding manner. The control can then be brought with precision into the required functional positions, with a favorable dynamic driving behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Winfried Rüb
  • Patent number: 8453678
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a valve bore. A valve member is slidably disposed within the valve bore between first and second stop positions. First and second valve elements of the valve member have first and second sealing surfaces equally angled with respect to a valve member longitudinal axis. Each of the first and second sealing surfaces is oriented parallel with conical shaped first and second seat surfaces. Both first and second seat surfaces are equally angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and have an adjustable spacing such that the first sealing surface contacts the first seat surface and the second sealing surface contacts the second seat surface simultaneously in the first stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Neff, Jeffrey Simmonds
  • Patent number: 8439329
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and device for operating an electropneumatic valve for driving a pneumatic actuator drive to activate fittings in automation systems. The valve has at least one electropneumatic transducer and a pneumatic booster. The pneumatic booster has at least one 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position for optionally connecting an air inflow duct or an air outflow duct to a connecting duct, which connects to the actuator drive. The ducts are activated as a function of an electrical actuation signal by the electropneumatic transducer. At least one position of the 3/3 way valve with a blocking center position is measured and a correction value of a variable of the actuation signal is determined based on the measured value and the electrical actuation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Heiko Kresse, Stefan Tabelander
  • Patent number: 8430127
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrohydraulic control module capable of being reduced in the number of components. A control valve 6 includes a concave portion 51 that serves as an oil pathway. An electronic control device 4 controls a solenoid 33 and the like. An electrical interconnect plate 2 includes an interconnect member 21 such as a bus bar. A separate plate 5 is disposed between the interconnect plate 2 and the control valve 6. The interconnect plate 2 also includes a concave portion 24 at its surface side that abuts the separate plate 5, the concave portion 24 being formed at a position corresponding to a concave portion 63 of the control valve 6. The separate plate 5 includes a communication portion 51 that communicates between the concave portion 63 of the control valve 6 and the concave portion 24 of the interconnect plate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Shigyo, Yasunori Odakura, Itaru Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8430125
    Abstract: A control valve includes a body including an internal passageway and is constituted at one end as a coupler that includes a valve poppet openable to allow fluid access to or from the passageway past the poppet. The body defines at least one lateral port. A valve spool is disposed within the body and is movable lengthwise of the body by a solenoid actuator, disposed at the other end of the body, to control fluid communication between the passageway and the lateral port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Aker Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Andrew E Massie, Andrew D Gledhill
  • Patent number: 8418722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure-regulator servo-valve comprising a body having a utilization port, a pressure feed port, and a return port, a distributor spool movably mounted in the body to put the utilization port into communication either with the feed port or with the return port, the spool co-operating with the body to define at least one pilot chamber connected to a nozzle that is arranged to open out into a cavity connected to the return port, a vane extending in the cavity facing the nozzle and being mounted to be moved in controlled manner. According to the invention, the pilot chamber is connected to the utilization port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: IN-LHC
    Inventor: Raymond Grancher
  • Patent number: 8418724
    Abstract: In a solenoid valve, multiple flow-blocking portions are formed in a passage between a supply port (23) and an output port (24) and a passage between the output port (24) and a drain port (25). The flow-blocking portions, having an overlap length that corresponds to the movement amount of a spool (30), are formed by the outer peripheral faces of lands (32, 33) and the inner peripheral face of a spool case (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Suzuki, Masaya Segi, Kaori Fujita
  • Patent number: 8413679
    Abstract: A modular control device (1) is proposed, containing a support module arrangement (3) equipped with a control module arrangement (15). Additionally provided information-carrying modules (42) make it possible to make information regarding the control modules (16) available. They respectively contain a fastening section (43) fixed in place on the support module arrangement (3) and an information-carrying section (45), which is pivotably seated on hinge means (44). The information-carrying section is embodied in an L-shape and can be selectively positioned in a working position, in which it extends over the control module arrangement (15), or in a release position, in which it makes the control module arrangement (15) accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Wenske, Heiko Kuhbauch
  • Patent number: 8397758
    Abstract: A valve, particularly a proportional pressure control valve for controlling fluid flows, includes a valve housing (10) having at least three fluid-conducting connections in the form of a pump connection (P), a use connection (A) and of a tank (T) connection. To connect the pump connection (T) to the use connection (A) and the use connection (A) to the tank connection (T), a control piston (18) can be guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner inside the valve housing (10). This control piston is provided for establishing a fluid-conducting connection between at least one of the connections (P) and a pilot chamber (20) of a pilot valve (22) having a connecting channel (24). A valve part (40) of the pilot valve (22) is guided in the pilot chamber (20) in a longitudinally displaceable manner. The connecting channel (24) has a throttle in the direction of the pilot chamber (20) of the pilot valve (22) with its valve part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hydac Fluidtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Hillesheim, Peter Bruck
  • Patent number: 8375989
    Abstract: A method of operating a control valve assembly for a hydraulic system includes detecting the current operation of a first position sensor and a second position sensor to determine if at least one of the first position sensor and the second position sensor is inoperable. A pressure of the fluid at a first work port and a second work port is measured, and one of a first valve and a second valve is actuated when one of the first position sensor and the second position sensor is determined to be inoperable. The first valve is actuated based upon the fluid pressure measured at the second work port to adjust the flow of the fluid through the first work port. The second valve is actuated based upon the fluid pressure measured at the first work port to adjust the flow of the fluid through the second work port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Chris W. Schottler
  • Patent number: 8375992
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve and method of assembly characterized by a threaded connection between the pole piece (69) and the cage (11), the threaded connection (75) including a first threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the pole piece and a second threaded connecting portion fixed in relation to the cage and in threaded engagement with the first threaded portion such that relative rotation of the first and second threaded portions would vary the axial spacing between the proximal end of the pole piece and the valve seat (38) over a range of adjustment; and an anti-rotation device interposed between the first and second threaded connecting portions for locking the first and second threaded connecting portions against relative rotation to fix the axial spacing between the proximal end of the pole piece and the valve seat within such range of adjustment, which axial spacing regulates the maximum pressure that can be supplied to the control port (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Patrick Reilly, J. Eric Haggard, Charles Edward DiVincenzo