First Valve Moves Second Valve Patents (Class 137/630.14)
  • Patent number: 11365619
    Abstract: A downhole tool for preventing pump blockage includes an outer conduit defining an outer flow path, an inner conduit located within the outer conduit defining an inner flow path and a space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit. The inner conduit includes one or more angled passageways to allow one-way debris flow. A pressure regulated valve is coupled to the upper end of the outer conduit and configured to open to expand an adjustable width angled passageway defined by the pressure regulated valve. An upper end of the inner conduit is configured to allow fluid bypass of the angled passageways of the inner conduit when the angled passageways are blocked with debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Laine Newport, Robert Charles Delong
  • Patent number: 11352984
    Abstract: A valve, controlling pressure differential by regulating fluid flow between a tank and a canister, includes: a valve opening; a first moving element carrying a first sealing device making a leaktight seal and movable relative to the valve opening between a closed and an opened position allowing a first flow between the tank and the canister, through a first passageway with a first size; a second moving element carrying a second sealing device making a leaktight seal and movable relative to the valve opening between a closed and an opened position allowing a second flow between the tank and the canister, through a second passageway with a second size. The second moving element includes a central hole having a frustoconical surface partly defining the first passageway. The first sealing device has a complementary frustoconical surface cooperating with the frustoconical surface of the central hole of the second moving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: PLASTIC OMNIUM ADVANCED INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
    Inventors: David Hill, Antonin Rohr, Jean-Marc Toussaint
  • Patent number: 11236845
    Abstract: Valve trim apparatus having multiple fluid flow control members are disclosed herein. An example valve trim apparatus includes a primary valve seat and a first flow control member having a cavity and a first seating surface. The first flow control member is movable relative to the primary valve seat to control fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet of the fluid valve. A second flow control member is disposed within the cavity. The second flow control member is slidably coupled relative to the first flow control member. A secondary valve seat is coupled to the first flow control member. The second flow control member is to move relative to the secondary valve seat to throttle a fluid flow across the secondary valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Wesley Richardson, Jesse Creighton Doyle
  • Patent number: 11028808
    Abstract: An injector device is equipped with a casing enabling hydrogen gas to flow in and flow out and a first plunger and a second plunger which are accommodated inside the casing. Further, by a drive unit, the injector device performs a first operation to integrally displace the first plunger and the second plunger and a second operation to displace the first plunger relative to the second plunger. The second plunger has a flow path allowing the hydrogen gas to flow, and the first plunger is disposed to be inserted into the flow path and is displaced relative to the second plunger to open and close the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Kazuya Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 10954658
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cistem (1010): More specifically, the invention relates primarily to concealed cisterns for toilets having integrated, and preferably adjustable, dual-flushing and odour extraction capability. The cistem (1010) includes a primary chamber (1020) for storing a volume of liquid, a liquid inlet (1026) for the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem (1010) with liquid, an air outlet (1028) for exhausting air from the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem (1010) operatively during filling; and a liquid outlet (30) through which liquid operatively stowed in the primary chamber (1020) of the cistem is dischargeable. The cistem (1010) further includes a fill valve for controlling liquid supply into the primary chamber from the liquid inlet (1026) and a flush valve (60) for controlling flow through the liquid outlet (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Dylan Hugh Ross-Kent
  • Patent number: 10907746
    Abstract: A valve including a control assembly that is configured to control fluid flow through the valve, The control assembly includes a driving element and a valve member. The driving element is rotatable about an axis between a first operating state in which the driving element maintains contact between the valve member and a valve seat and a second operating state in which the driving element does not maintain contact between the valve member and the valve seat. The valve member is rotatable about the axis independent of the driving element when the driving element is in the second operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Juan M. Diaz, Roy R. Pelfrey, Tung K. Nguyen, Nadim Ahmed
  • Patent number: 10895331
    Abstract: A vacuum valve includes a main flow channel that connects the first port and the second port, a main valve seat that surrounds the main flow channel, a main valve disc that opens and closes the main flow channel by contacting and separating from the main valve seat, a sub-flow channel that is formed inside the main valve disc, a sub-valve seat that is formed on an outer surface of the main valve disc, a sub-valve disc that opens and closes the sub-flow channel by contacting and separating from the sub-valve seat at a position outside the main valve disc, and a rod that causes the main valve disc and the sub-valve disc to open and close. The sub-valve disc opens and closes the sub-flow channel by being operated directly by the rod, and the main valve disc opens and closes the main flow channel by being operated via the sub-valve disc by the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Enzaki
  • Patent number: 10690263
    Abstract: Valve trim apparatus having multiple fluid flow control members are disclosed herein. An example valve trim apparatus includes a primary valve seat and a first flow control member having a cavity and a first seating surface, where the first flow control member is movable relative to the primary valve seat. A second flow control member is disposed within the cavity and slidably coupled relative to the first flow control member. A secondary valve seat is coupled to the first flow control member and the second flow control member moves relative to the secondary valve seat to throttle a fluid flow across the secondary valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Wesley Richardson, Jesse Creighton Doyle
  • Patent number: 10670161
    Abstract: A vent control valve for a fuel tank controls a ventilation between a fuel tank and an outside, and includes: an annular valve seat defined in a case; a movable valve object which is movable relative to the valve seat; a seal component having an annular plate shape and held by the movable valve object to be seated on or separated from the valve seat to open and close a passage for ventilation; and an annular ridge part defined in the movable valve object or the seal component such that the movable valve object and the seal component are in contact with each other on an annular seal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KYOSAN DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akinari Sugiyama, Yusuke Mukasa
  • Patent number: 10641410
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatic solenoid poppet valve assembly having a dampening element. The valve assembly comprises a housing with a stator having a spring pocket being secured to the housing and an armature slidably located inside the housing. The armature has a spring pocket and an armature return spring located in the spring pockets of the stator and the armature, the spring biases the armature away from the stator thereby creating an air gap between them. A dampening element is located in the spring pocket of the stator surrounding the return spring and extending into the air gap. When the solenoid is energized the armature is moved across the air gap and contacts the dampening element prior to contacting the stator and the dampening element dampens movement of the stator across the air gap. A molded seat retainer locates upper and lower seals, provides a valve seat and flow passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: BEIJINGWEST INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: David Fredrick Reuter, Yinko Grajeda
  • Patent number: 10519923
    Abstract: Systems store energy mechanically at a first time and extract the energy at a later time. When excess electricity from renewable sources or during off-peak periods is available, a pump directs a working liquid (L) to pressurize a gas (G) that is confined within a pressure vessel. When electricity from renewable sources is not available or during periods of peak demand or pricing, the pressurized gas (G) directs the working liquid (L) through a hydropower turbine. The turbine drives a generator through a mechanical coupling to provide electricity for powering a load. In addition, the system can leverage (take) any waste heat as the input to boost the efficiency of the system. The described systems function at ground level and are modular and scalable in capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Ayyoub Mehdizadeh Momen, Kyle J. Gluesenkamp, Omar A. Abdelaziz, Edward A. Vineyard, Ahmed Abu-Heiba, Adewale O. Odukomaiya
  • Patent number: 10480344
    Abstract: A valve module is provided in a steam turbine and a power generation system. The valve module includes a stop valve, a control valve, and a case. The stop valve includes a stem to reciprocate rectilinearly between a first position and a second position, a stop valve disc mounted to an upper portion of the stem, to pass fluid when the stem is in the first position and to block fluid flow when the stem is in the second position, and a sealing member surrounding the stem and configured to prevent exposure of the stem when the stop valve disc is located at the first position. The valve module is capable of protecting a stem from high-pressure fluid that is introduced to the stop valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hyunchul Lee
  • Patent number: 10472218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing device having an inlet for a liquid to be delivered to a container as a dose, in particular a beverage. The device comprises a valve seat, a sealing element interacting with the valve seat and an outlet for the dose of the liquid. In order to reduce foam build-up upon delivering the liquid into the container, according to the invention the sealing element can be moved to a first and a second opening position, wherein, in the second opening position, the flow cross-section area between the valve seat and the sealing element is larger than in the first opening position. In addition, the invention relates to a dosing method comprising the supplying of a liquid to a valve which is moved to a first and second opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: ELOPAK SYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Dirk Auer
  • Patent number: 10443351
    Abstract: Backflow prevention assemblies and methods for downhole systems having outer strings and inner strings include a housing defining a cavity and being part of the outer string, a flow tube disposed between the inner string and the outer string movable axially within the outer string, and a backflow prevention structure having a flapper and a seal seat, the flapper biased toward a closed position and maintained in an open position by the flow tube. The flapper is housed within the cavity when in the open position and the flapper and seal seat form a fluid seal to prevent fluid flow into or through the flow tube when in the closed position. When the flow tube is moved from a first position that maintains the flapper in the open position to a second position, the backflow prevention structure operates to close the flapper and seal the backflow prevention structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jannik Paul Hartmann, Matthias Gatzen, Thorsten Regener
  • Patent number: 10024457
    Abstract: A throttle valve 10 continuously increases/decreases the flow rate of air flowing through a communication hole 17 through which a first port 11 and a second port 12 are communicated with each other, by using a throttle valve element 22. A valve seat member 15 having the communication hole 17 is attached to a housing 13. An electric motor 25 is attached to a motor housing hole 24 formed in the housing 13. The throttle valve element 22 is driven in an axial direction by a motor shaft 28 of the electric motor 25. A gap between the motor housing hole 24 and the electric motor 25 is sealed by a fixed sealing member 41 having a large diameter, and the motor shaft 28 is sealed by a rotary sealing member 42 having a small diameter, whereby the throttle valve element can be driven by the electric motor having a small output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Saito, Ryotaro Oba
  • Patent number: 10012395
    Abstract: A heating apparatus includes two heating circuits (3, 4), one for room heating (3) and one for domestic water heating (4). A primary heat exchanger (1) is provided as well as at least one secondary heat exchanger (7), for the room heating as well as a secondary heat exchanger (9) for domestic water heating. A circulation pump (6) is provided as well as a switch-over valve (5) which hydraulically integrates the primary heat exchanger (1) into the first or into the second heating circuit (3, 4). The heating circuit (4) for the domestic water heating, on operation of the heating circuit (3) for room heating, is used as a bypass conduit for the primary heat exchanger (1), wherein the switch-over valve (5) forms the bypass valve or is used as a bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GRUNDFOS HOLDING A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Young Olesen
  • Patent number: 9872943
    Abstract: A pistol grip suction device comprises a hollow body member having first leg joining second leg at elbow, the legs being generally tubular and disposed approximately 90 degrees apart; a push rod extending through push rod aperture at elbow, the push rod extending into hollow second leg, the push rod having a button on proximal end outside the body, and valve on distal end inside the body; a valve seat disposed within second leg around push rod; valve mounted on the push rod through the valve seat, the suction port having a diameter at least two times the diameter of push rod through suction port; a spring biasing push rod into extended position with respect to second leg such that valve bears against valve seat and closes suction port, wherein a force against button greater than biasing force of spring displaces valve from valve seat and opens suction port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Andrew Hall, Hampton L McClendon
  • Patent number: 9789599
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a valve assembly, the valve assembly structured to selectively permit the flow of a motive fluid from the fluid inlet to a fluid driven motor, and wherein the valve assembly further includes a first plunger and a second plunger, one of the first plunger and the second plunger including a plurality of axially incorporated fluid channels, wherein the plunger including a plurality of axially incorporated fluid channels is structured to be selectively driven by an actuator such that as the plunger including a plurality of axially incorporated fluid channels is axially displaced away from a first position the number of axially incorporated fluid channels in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and the fluid driven motor increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar
  • Patent number: 9687978
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a fluid inlet in fluid communication with a valve assembly, the valve assembly structured to selectively permit the flow of a motive fluid from the fluid inlet to a fluid driven motor, wherein the valve assembly further includes a first plunger including a plurality of axially extending fluid channels, wherein the plunger is selectively movable by an actuator in a manner such that as the plunger is displaced farther away from a closed position, the number of axially extending fluid channels placed in fluid communication with the fluid inlet increases, and wherein the axially extending fluid channels permit the flow of the motive fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid driven motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Sanjeev Kumar
  • Patent number: 9682602
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a damping force varying damper includes a target current determining section, an upper limit setting section, and a supplied current determining section. The target current determining section determines a target current supplied to a solenoid valve that controls a damping force. The upper limit setting section sets an upper limit value for a current supplied to the solenoid valve. The supplied current determining section determines a supplied current, from the target current and the upper limit value. The upper limit setting section determines a coefficient that increases or reduces the upper limit value based on an already determined supplied current and then determines the upper limit value from the coefficient. The upper limit setting section determines a coefficient that increases or reduces the upper limit value based on an already determined supplied current and then determines the upper limit value from the coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takumi Morita, Atsushi Sakuma, Masaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 9581249
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a first chamber, a second chamber, and a valve seat disposed therebetween. A valve head disposed in the housing and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve head defines a bore extending along an axis from the first chamber to the second chamber when the valve head is in the closed position. A valve stem is disposed in the bore and is coupled to the valve head in the bore for moving the valve head between the open and closed positions. The valve assembly allows for selective fluid communication between the first and second chambers to alleviate pressure differences between the first and second chambers. In one embodiment, the valve stem moves in the bore between a sealed position and an unsealed position. In another embodiment, a check valve is disposed in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James C. Zuck, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9416678
    Abstract: In a steam valve, a seat-side convexly curved surface (35b) of a valve body (30) is configured such that the average radius of curvature Rv from a starting end portion (35c) on the upstream side in a flow direction of steam to a termination end portion (35a) has a relationship of Rv<Rs with respect to the radius of curvature Rs of a valve-seat-side convexly curved surface (26a); the seat-side convexly curved surface (35b) is formed with an upstream-side curved surface (36) and a downstream-side curved surface (37); the seat-side convexly curved surface (35b) has an abutting area (35s) abutting a valve seat portion (26); and the radius of curvature R1 of the downstream-side curved surface (37) has a relationship of Rs<R1 with respect to the radius of curvature Rs in the flow direction of the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Hamada, Kensuke Futahashi
  • Patent number: 9328846
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bi-directional shut-off trim for a valve which possesses the functional attributes of a pilot operated trim and a balanced trim through the integration of a spring loaded check valve into a pilot trim. In forward flow isolation, the bi-directional shut-off trim of the present invention acts as a normal pilot operated trim. In reverse flow, the check valve of the shut-off trim opens to balance the pressure on either side of the plug thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Control Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Sina Alikhani
  • Patent number: 9276277
    Abstract: Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel. Also discussed are purge valves that are manually turned ON but are automatically turned OFF as the fuel cell's production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g., steady state or thereabout. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is integrated fluidic interface module that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module can operate passively or without being actively controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Iaconis
  • Patent number: 9151354
    Abstract: A valve device for electrically regulating a pressure in a hydraulic fluid flow through the valve device in response to an actuating force during a normal operation and mechanically regulating said pressure during a fail-safe operation when no actuating force is present is disclosed. The valve device has a valve chamber. A first valve member is movable within the valve chamber in an axial direction to interact with a first valve seat in response to the actuating force in order to restrict the hydraulic fluid flow into the valve chamber during normal operation. The first valve member is spring-loaded away from the second seat in a direction opposite that of the actuating force such that the first valve member is movable in the axial direction. A second valve member forms a movable chamber wall portion defining a part of the valve chamber. The second valve member is spring-loaded in the direction of the actuating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: ÖHLINS RACING AB
    Inventors: Benny Ewers, Lars Sonsterod
  • Patent number: 8752586
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Company
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8272532
    Abstract: A beverage container lid for a container base having a reservoir, the lid comprising a shell removably mountable on the base comprising a first drink passage that extends through the shell and communicates with ambient and a cartridge removably engageable to the shell. A second drink passage is in communication with the first drink passage and is formed between an outer surface of the cartridge and inner surface of the shell. The cartridge comprises a valve that is moveable between an open condition and closed condition to control communication between the reservoir and second drink passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Peter Michaelian, Eric Freitag, Erica Eden, Dean DiPietro
  • Patent number: 8196892
    Abstract: A valve includes a body, a cage, a plug, a stem, a stop ring, and a pilot plug. The cage includes at least one cage port there through allowing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The plug is movable linearly within the cage to allow fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the valve is open. The pilot plug is adapted to transfer downward force from the stem to the plug by contacting the stop ring of the plug and thereby urging the plug downward through the cage when the stem moves linearly downward to adjust the valve from the closed position to the open position. In an alternative embodiment, the stem includes a collar adapted to contact the plug and adjust the valve from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Asher Glaun
  • Patent number: 8113596
    Abstract: A solenoid valve for a brake system, which has a simple constitution and can be easily manufactured with reduced manufacturing costs, is disclosed. A valve core is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a through-hole formed in a longitudinal direction of the valve core and a fluid passage formed in a radial direction of the valve core so as to communicate with the through-hole. A sleeve is coupled to an outer surface of the valve core. The sleeve has a dome-shaped shielding portion at one end, and a flange portion to be fixed to a modulator block at the other end. An armature is slidably mounted in the sleeve. An exciting coil is provided to move the armature. A valve seat is fixed in the valve core, and has a first orifice. A plunger is mounted in the valve core. The plunger moves by movement of the armature to open or close the first orifice. A restoring spring is provided to press the plunger toward the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Cheol Lee, Chung Jae Lee, Dong Il Seo
  • Patent number: 8113240
    Abstract: A fluid transfer system includes a transfer device coupled to a dry break coupler. The transfer device includes a valve assembly moveable between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly includes a main valve and a pilot valve. An actuator controls both the main valve and the pilot valve. A cam plate interconnects the actuator and the valve assembly. The cam plate provides a quick acting shutoff to quickly move the valve assembly to the closed position. A pivotal and rotatable connector couples the transfer device to the dry break coupler. A lock is integrated with the actuator to lock the valve assembly in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Marshall Excelsior Company
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8056154
    Abstract: A device for opening a toilet flushing system, of the type that includes a water cistern fed by a filling tap, and that includes a bottom discharge orifice and a vertical mobile discharge valve element associated with this orifice, which is capable of occupying a low closed position for keeping the water in the cistern or a high open position to discharge the water to a toilet pan, and of the type that includes a float which, when the cistern is full, is submerged to push the valve element towards its open position, and of the type that includes an element for locking the valve element to keep the valve element closed, characterized in that the float is secured to the valve element and in that the locking element includes a vertically mobile locking finger which is capable of being locked or released by an associated latching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: CELEC Conception Electronique
    Inventor: Christian Martin
  • Patent number: 8020383
    Abstract: A steam valve 1 includes: a valve seat 9 being accommodated in a steam flow path of a casing 2 provided with a steam inlet pipe 14 and a steam outlet pipe 15; and a valve body 22, 27 capable of contacting the valve seat 9, the valve body 22, 27 being accommodated in the steam flow path of the casing 2. An expansion part 10 that smoothly projects toward an inside of the steam outlet pipe 15 is disposed at a downstream side on a contact surface of the valve seat 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ooishi, Tomoo Oofuji, Hideo Hosaka, Yasunori Iwai, Hiroshi Saeki
  • Patent number: 7967063
    Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus has a cool-side door device and a heating-side door device between an evaporator and a heater core. The cool-side door device is configured to open and close a cool air passage through which a cool air generated by the evaporator flows. The heating-side door device is configured to open and close a heating air passage through which the cool air flows to be heated by the heater core. At least one of the cool-side door device and the heating-side door device is constructed of a plurality of doors. The plurality of doors is configured to begin to open successively when being opened from a fully closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Toshihiko Muraki
  • Patent number: 7798173
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically controllable valve accommodating in its valve housing (4) a second valve member (6) that is operable by the first valve member (2) in order to be able to variably adjust a second valve opening cross-section (A2) that is arranged in series to the first valve opening cross-section (A1), and a third valve opening cross-section (A3) that is releasable by means of the first valve member (2) is positioned in series arrangement to the first valve opening cross-section (A1) in order to limit the hydraulic pressure to a mechanically preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans-Jörg Feigel
  • Patent number: 7753067
    Abstract: A shear valve employing a two-stage main poppet valve. The two-stage main poppet valve that can be opened with less force than normally required by prior art designs. For example, if there is pump pressure trapped on the upstream side of the two-stage main poppet valve and little or no pressure or atmospheric pressure on the downstream side, more force than can be provided may be required to open the two-stage main poppet valve to reset the shear valve after the two-stage main poppet valve is closed. The two-stage main poppet valve is designed to first begin to equalize pressure differential across the shear valve without opening a main poppet valve head from its seat inside the shear valve. Thereafter, the main poppet valve head can be opened with less force than otherwise would be required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Veeder-Root Company
    Inventors: David J. Bolt, Dale Ewing, Shane Reese, Kent Reid
  • Patent number: 7617842
    Abstract: Valves for connecting fuel supplies to a device are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any device, such as fuel cells or fuel refilling apparatus. The valve includes face seals to minimize the amount of fuel remaining in the valve when the fuel supply is separated from the device. In one embodiment, the valve includes deformable members including sealing surfaces, where the flow paths through the valve are sealed and unsealed by the deformation of the deformable members. In another embodiment, the female valve component includes a shortened body to limit the volume of fuel remaining in the valve. The female valve component also includes a cap with slots formed therein so that residual fuel can drain from the valve component into a fuel reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Société BIC
    Inventors: Andrew Curello, Paul Spahr
  • Patent number: 7520299
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body forming a first flow passage and a second flow passage that connects to the-first flow passage through a first opening and a seating element forming a bypass passage that connects the first flow passage and the second flow passage. The bypass passage opening has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first opening. The valve also includes a valve control element that can be repositioned to open both the first opening and the second opening, open the second opening while closing the first opening or close both the first opening and the second opening. The bypass passage may allow fluid to drain through the valve to prevent fluid from building up in the valve. If fluid becomes frozen, the valve may become stuck shut. In some embodiments, the bypass passage opens only if the temperature creates a possibility of freezing in the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Yanagisawa, Iwane Inokuchi
  • Patent number: 7383859
    Abstract: A main steam valve with improved flow characteristic and enhanced reliability comprises a valve seat, a main valve body, and a bypass valve body. A side surface of the bypass valve body slidably fits into the inner surface of the main valve body and forms a steam inlet comprised of a plurality of rows of inlet openings arranged along the side surface. The openings are diametrically symmetrically arranged in the bypass valve, and the positions of the openings in each of the rows are shifted from the positions of openings in the next row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Takahashi, Osamu Shindo, Atsushi Narabe, Hideaki Miyayashiki
  • Publication number: 20080121298
    Abstract: Shut-off device for a pipe for a liquid, in particular pressurized crude oil, a pipe baffle, having an opening in the form of a valve seat for a valve flap placed upstream, being spring biased toward closed position, an appurtenant hydraulic cylinder being arranged to overcome the spring bias upon pressurizing in order to keep the flap in open position. An appurtenant hydraulic pipe extend along the liquid pipe and locally pressurizes the valve hydraulic cylinders, and a pump-out valve having a relatively small valve area through the stoppage has a throughput channel between the upstream and downstream side of the baffle, the pump-out valve being spring biased toward closed position and being kept open by a hydraulic cylinder, which is fed by the hydraulic pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Jan Norrman
  • Patent number: 7128080
    Abstract: A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure gas cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve is provided with first and second valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice. The initial opening of the valve in an axial direction enables gas to flow through the pressurization orifice at a first flow rate. The full opening of the valve in the axial direction enables the gas to flow through the second valve at a second flow rate, which is much higher than the first flow rate. The controlled pressurization of the gas through the orifice delays the time during which the gas reaches full recompression. The valve may be further provided with a vent for venting pressurized gas away from a nominally closed top surface of the lower valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Allied Healthcare Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Kroupa, William J. Kullmann
  • Patent number: 7011110
    Abstract: A high capacity coaxial gas valve assembly having a coaxial construction with three valves, in which the assembly opens a smaller second valve prior to opening a larger first valve so that the valve can be operated by a relatively smaller and less expensive coil. In addition, or instead, the valve members may be configured so that the first valve is opened with the impact of a moving element that allows the valve to be operated with a relatively smaller and less expensive coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Mark H. Stark
  • Patent number: 6997392
    Abstract: The invention relates to an injection valve (1) comprising a booster piston (23), said piston delimiting a pump chamber (22) and a booster chamber (29). A valve (14) is provided in the inlet to the chamber (22). The valve is configured as a 3/2-way valve and controls the pressure in the pump chamber (22). The pressure in the pump chamber (22) is converted into a correspondingly increased pressure in the booster chamber (29) and in an injection chamber (34) containing an injection needle (6), by means of the booster piston (23). The use of the valve (14) allows a precise control of the injection times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wendelin Klügl, Günter Lewentz, Martin Neumaier
  • Patent number: 6981688
    Abstract: A flow control device includes an opening part through which an upstream side of a fluid flow passage is in communication with a downstream side of the fluid flow passage. A valve element closes the opening part and includes a large flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the opening part, a sealing member provided with a valve hole having an open area smaller than the opening part and formed to be capable of being brought into tight contact with a peripheral wall part of the opening part and a small flow rate controlling valve element capable of adjusting an opening degree of the valve hole. A valve drive device rotates to drive the valve element in a closed direction for closing the opening part or in an opened direction for opening the opening part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Noritake, Ryuhei Wada
  • Patent number: 6957661
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing assembly, a stem assembly and a surge suppression device. The surge suppression device includes an initial flowpath between the valve inlet and the outlet, a primary flowpath between the inlet and the outlet, a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly. The first valve assembly is coupled to the stem assembly and threadably engages the housing assembly and structured to move between a first, closed position wherein the primary flowpath is blocked and a second, open position wherein the primary flowpath is not blocked. The second valve assembly is threadably coupled to the housing assembly and structured to move between a first, closed position wherein the initial flowpath is blocked and a second, open position wherein the initial flowpath is not blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Harsco Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffre Allen Borton, David Michael Lechner, Dennis Herman Sattelberg
  • Patent number: 6920898
    Abstract: A high-pressure valve comprises an intake channel and two outlet channels. Further, an actuator is provided for opening and closing the outlet channels. According to the invention, the actuator is provided with a connection channel. The connection channel makes it possible to reduce a pressure difference between the intake channel and the closed outlet channel prior to opening the outlet channel. For this purpose, a channel opening will be opened by displacement of a control element arranged in the connection channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Lappan, Martin Nowak, Michael Benra, Dirk Hunkel
  • Patent number: 6901962
    Abstract: A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure gas cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve is provided with first and second valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice. The initial opening of the valve in an axial direction enables gas to flow through the pressurization orifice at a first flow rate. The full opening of the valve in the axial direction enables the gas to flow through the second valve at a second flow rate, which is much higher than the first flow rate. The controlled pressurization of the gas through the orifice delays the time during which the gas reaches full recompression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Allied Healthcare Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Kroupa, William J. Kullmann, Ian F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6729351
    Abstract: An expanded-range pintle valve comprising a plurality of stages. Each stage comprises a valve seat and head capable of regulating flow through the valve over its own dynamic range. The valve head of a higher-flow stage includes the valve seat for the next-lower flow stage. The heads and seats for the multiple stages are nested concentrically, the progressively lower-flow stages having progressively smaller diameters. All valve heads except the lowest-flow head have axial and radial bores permitting flow therethrough so that flow may be regulated first by actuating the lowest-flow stage, then by actuating successively higher flow stages. A single pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator is adapted to engage each of the valve heads sequentially as the actuator progresses, beginning with the lowest-flow head, thereby extending incrementally the dynamic range of the valve as each stage is successively engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul A. Bircann, Dwight O. Palmer
  • Patent number: 6655409
    Abstract: The steam valve includes a fast-acting control valve and stop valve acting against a valve seat in a steam flow passage in a closed position. An outlet passage below the valve seat has transition walls therebetween, affording a smooth, continuous flow past the seat into an outlet whereby head losses are reduced. An annular screen about the valve has support structure recessed in the walls of the inlet to reduce flow blockage and vortex formation. A balance chamber disposed above the control valve has a bleed hole for equalizing steam pressure in the balance chamber and steam valve which inhibits depressurization of the balance chamber and facilitates fast closing of the control valve. Buttress threads interconnect the control valve stem and the control valve head to preclude binding of those parts due to oxide buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Howard Steenburgh, Roger Bennett Clark, Nicholas Dundas Porteous
  • Patent number: 6634382
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an apparatus for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has an externally controllable actuation device and a valve part, which cooperates with this actuation device. In order to determine the injection parameters, this valve part controls pressure fluid connections between at least one high pressure-carrying conduit and a low pressure-carrying conduit. The valve part has at least two valve seats in order to produce a multi-stage injection event. These are controlled by separate valve members, which are guided so that they can move in relation to each other and can be actuated in the same direction. Multi-stage injection events can consequently be produced by means of a single triggering of the actuation device. This reduces the triggering frequency and therefore reduces the heat generation of the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 6491056
    Abstract: A combined alarm test and drain device for a fire protection sprinkler system is disclosed. The apparatus is based on a globe valve and has certain specific modifications for the purposes of draining the system and allowing for flow through a specifically sized orifice under conditions simulating the flow through a sprinkler head having the same orifice size. Fluid flow through the apparatus occurs alternatively under a first set of conditions in a system alarm test mode of operation of the apparatus, and under a second set of conditions in a system fluid drainage mode of operation of the apparatus. A combination of mechanical and hydraulic forces are utilized to control opening and closing of the valve in both the alarm test and system fluid drainage modes of operation. The mechanical force is provided by a spring and the hydraulic force is provided by a fluid pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventor: John Gibb