Interlocked Patents (Class 137/637.1)
  • Patent number: 11919789
    Abstract: A water treatment system can generate ozonated water using a vacuum operated injector with reduced vacuum switch lockup. The water treatment system includes an ozone generator, an ozone injector, a vacuum switch, and a pressure regulator. The ozone generator is configured to generate ozone. The ozone injector is coupled to the ozone generator via a hermetically sealed tubing, and the ozone injector is configured to inject the ozone into a water flow passing through the ozone injector. The vacuum switch is configured to operate the ozone generator based on a gaseous pressure inside the hermetically sealed tubing generated by the ozone injector. The pressure regulator is configured to regulate the gaseous pressure inside the hermetically sealed tubing to prevent the vacuum switch from trapped in a triggered state after the water flow stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ECLEAN TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Alejandro Islas, William Lance Burrows
  • Patent number: 11835151
    Abstract: Valve handles and dual-valve assemblies having handles are disclosed herein. An example dual-valve assembly includes a first valve having a first shaft. The first valve has a plate with a notch. The dual-valve assembly also includes a second valve having a second shaft. The dual-valve assembly further includes a handle coupled to the first and second shafts, such that when the handle is rotated, the first and second shafts are rotated simultaneously. The handle includes a body and a flexible arm coupled to and extending from the body. The flexible arm has a lock edge sized to fit within the notch to limit rotation of the handle relative to the first and second valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Masias, Steven Landry Peek
  • Patent number: 11713829
    Abstract: A device for shutting off a pipe, the pipe allowing fluidic circulation of at least one fluid, the shut-off device having an in-line shut-off means for shutting off the pipe in a sealed manner and, conversely, for opening the pipe, an upstream valve arranged upstream of the in-line shut-off means, and a downstream valve arranged downstream of the in-line shut-off means. The shut-off device has an interlocking system for interlocking a member for tightly closing the in-line shut-off means with, for the one part, an upstream control member of the upstream valve and, for the other part, a downstream control member of the downstream valve, the interlocking system being movable in translation in a direction OX between a first end position and a second end position, the interlocking system having at least three separate parts assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: ONIS
    Inventors: Yann Fumanal, Adrien Flumiani
  • Patent number: 11627831
    Abstract: An espresso machine is provided that utilizes a mechanical valve in addition to a flow meter. This results in a low-cost espresso machine while delivering a measured volume of water for the espresso pour. The mechanical valve facilitates a machine with both selectable espresso pour and steam and/or hot water outlets. In this embodiment, the espresso machine utilizes a shared pump and water heater (e.g., a thermoblock, boiler or similar) for multiple functions and/or through different outlets. For example, water from the reservoir may be sent through the flow meter to the pump, then to the water heater, and eventually to either the grouphead or steam wand, or to a pressure release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Timothy Edward Gulliver, Maxim K. Guyatt, Mark James Whitcombe
  • Patent number: 11566593
    Abstract: A multi-path cleaning system is provided for a fuel tank. The multi-path cleaning system includes a controller, a fuel polisher, and a plurality of controllable valves. The plurality of controllable valves are operatively connected to the controller, and each valve fluidly coupled to at least one of the inlet and outlet of the fuel polisher on a first side and the interior of the fuel tank on a second other side. The pump, when operated, causes fuel to be drawn through the inlet and discharged at the outlet of the fuel polisher, and to pass through at least one filter/water separator. Selective operation of the plurality of valves by the controller selectively fluidly couples portions of the interior of the fuel tank to the inlet and the outlet of the fuel polisher, thereby creating a plurality of fluid flow paths through the interior of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: AXI INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey Donald Poirier
  • Patent number: 11480027
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11473399
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11306664
    Abstract: Flight control systems, flight control methods, and aircraft are provided. An aircraft including a system and a method for receiving, via a fuel switch, a first control signal indicative of an off position on a fuel switch, determining a throttle resolver angle of a throttle controller in response to the first control signal, comparing the throttle resolver angle to a threshold throttle angle, and generating a pilot warning in response to the first control signal and the throttle resolver angle exceeding the threshold throttle angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Ziolkowski, Desmond Ruhan, Todd Abler, Andrew Martin
  • Patent number: 10889488
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a multi-compartment tanker. An apparatus includes a first liquid storage tank and a second liquid storage tank. The apparatus includes one or more valves that connect the first liquid storage tank to the second liquid storage tank. The apparatus includes a vacuum pump that is connected to the first and second liquid storage tanks and operable for facilitating transfer of at least a portion of a liquid in the first liquid storage tank to the second storage tank in response to a valve connecting the first and second storage tanks being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventor: Shiloh Williams
  • Patent number: 10578222
    Abstract: A multi-button waterway switching mechanism includes a fixed portion provided with a waterway switching unit and a driving mechanism. The waterway switching unit includes two valve cores that can move relative to the fixed portion, and the driving mechanism is provided with three buttons spaced side by side and parallel to the sliding direction of the fixed portion, the three buttons are divided into two first button and a second button, the two first button respectively drivingly connected to the two valve cores, the driving mechanism further comprises a transmission member, the second button drivingly connects the transmission member, and the transmission member drivingly connected to the two valve cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xi Huang, Mingfu Zhang, Weilong Luo, Wenxing Chen
  • Patent number: 9610136
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the controlled supply of compressed air to at least one pneumatically operated dental instrument (5, 5?, 5?, 5??) from a supply and control unit (2), in which a dental instrument (5, 5?, 5?, 5??) is connected by a supply hose (4, 4?, 4?, 4??) for supplying compressed air with a valve mechanism (6) provided in the supply and control unit (2), the valve mechanism (6) having a plurality of pneumatic sliding valve units (9, 9?, 9?, 9??). The pneumatic sliding valve units (9, 9?, 9?, 9??) of the valve mechanism (6) are accommodated in at least one valve body (10) and the valve body (10) has a plurality of control connections (12, 12?, 12?, 12??), whereby each pneumatic sliding valve unit (9, 9?, 9?, 9??) corresponds to a control input (12, 12?, 12?, 12??) and pressurization of a control input (12, 12?, 12?, 12??) with switching compressed air opens the corresponding sliding valve unit (9?) and locks the additional, closed sliding valve units (9, 9?, 9??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Alfred Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9212632
    Abstract: A three-way valve configured to provide the connection between a gas intake circuit and an exhaust gas recirculation circuit is disclosed. The valve includes a first shutter for regulating the airflow rate, a second shutter for regulating the recirculated exhaust gas flow rate, a single motor for driving the two shutters, and gearing connecting the motor to at least one shutter. The gearing includes functionality to drive the at least one shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Nicolas Vitiello, Sébastien Potteau, Sébastien Adenot, Grégory Hodebourg
  • Patent number: 9004106
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for a fluid flow with a first fluid-conducting connection (5) and a second fluid-conducting connection (6) between first and second treatment devices (3, 4) has a first pair of switching levers (11, 12) assigned to first and second distributor valves (7, 8) and a second pair of switching levers (15, 16) assigned to third and fourth distributor valves (13, 14) arranged in different planes. The switching levers (11, 12) of the first pair can be actuated by an operator without obstruction with the switching levers (15, 16) of the second pair, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hydac Process Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Schlichter, Manfred Deutschmeyer
  • Publication number: 20140262200
    Abstract: A valve can be incorporated as an integral part of the heat exchanger as a plug-in item that can be located anywhere desired between the inlet and outlet flow manifolds of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Dana Canada Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140246106
    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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Frederick W. Blanchard, Alex L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8789560
    Abstract: A fluid valve fitting has an incoming conduit with an inlet, an outlet, and a coupling assembly for its outlet, and an outgoing conduit with an inlet, an outlet, and a coupling assembly for its inlet. The fitting also has a bypass conduit between the incoming and the outgoing conduits, an inflow valve in the incoming conduit, an outflow valve in the outgoing conduit, and a bypass valve in the bypass conduit. An actuator assembly is coupled to lock mechanisms of the coupling assemblies, the inflow valve, the outflow valve, and the bypass valve. Operation of the actuator assembly concurrently operates the lock mechanisms, the inflow valve, the outflow valve, and the bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eric Holley, Daniel Landreth
  • Patent number: 8684033
    Abstract: A valve including a body that defines first and second ducts that open out into a third duct. The first duct is provided with a first shutter and the second duct is provided with a second shutter connected to drive means arranged to move the shutters in a normal mode of operation in which the second shutter is in the closed position and the first shutter is adjustable in position between an open position and a first closed position, a stop mode in which the second shutter is in its closed position and the first shutter is in its first closed position, and a secondary mode of operation in which the second shutter is in its open position and the first shutter is in a second closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Laurent Albert, Arnold Rimpau
  • Patent number: 8646473
    Abstract: A fail-safe system and method for an electro-hydraulic system. The system includes a controller, sensor, directional control valve, interlock, hydraulic valve and movement actuator. The directional control valve moves when the controller is moved. The interlock is hydraulically coupled to the directional control valve; and is in active position when the directional control valve is moved, and in shutoff position when the directional control valve is not moved. The hydraulic valve has an input side coupled to a flow source and an output side coupled to a hydraulic function. The movement actuator moves the hydraulic valve to a desired position as directed by the controller when the interlock is in the active position, and does not move the hydraulic valve when the interlock is in the shutoff position. The sensor detects movement of the controller and sends a control signal to the first valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Derek Scott Hall, Joshua Dean Graeve, Brian K. Kellogg, Eric Richard Anderson, Jeffrey William Dobchuk
  • Patent number: 8602506
    Abstract: An air brake locking device for a vehicle includes a main body having a pair of internal channels capable of connecting to a vehicle air line, a valve interposed between the internal channels for controlling the flow of air, and a control unit for regulating the operation of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Sittnick
  • Patent number: 8561645
    Abstract: A three-way valve (1) with two flaps (5, 6) respectively positioned in two of the three paths (2, 3) of the valve and comprising means (7-12) for controlling and actuating the flaps (5, 6) to make them pivot from one to the other of two positions in which the paths (2, 3) are either open or closed. Single control means (7) are provided for both flaps (5, 6), and there are actuating means (9-12) designed to be controlled by the single control means (7) and to actuate the two flaps (5, 6) with a temporal phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Samuel Leroux, Laurent Albert, Mathieu Lallemant
  • Patent number: 8448667
    Abstract: A multi-function faucet wand configured to be removably supported by the delivery spout of a faucet. The faucet wand includes a mode control movable in response to user input from between a first position for directing water in an aerate mode, and a second position for directing water in a spray mode. A flow control is movable in response to user input from between a first position for providing a low flow rate of water, and a second position for providing a high flow rate of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Steven Kyle Meehan, Timothy J. Sailors, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8430128
    Abstract: A tube clamp includes (i) a tube holding portion; (ii) a first arm extending from a first end of the tube holding portion; (iii) a second arm extending from a second end of the tube holding portion, the second armed curved so that a first catch located at a distal end of the second arm can be snap-fitted to the first arm to occlude a first tube extending through the tube holding portion; and (iv) wherein the first arm includes a locking feature configured such that when a second tube clamp is mated with the tube clamp, the locking feature interacts with a second catch of the second tube clamp so that the second tube clamp is prevented from occluding a second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Balteau
  • Patent number: 8387660
    Abstract: A split flow valve arrangement comprising a first valve portion having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet; and a second valve portion having a first inlet coupled to the first outlet, a second inlet coupled to the second outlet, a main outlet and a secondary outlet. The inlet is selectively coupled to none, one or both of the first and second outlets; the first inlet is selectively coupled to the main outlet and the second inlet is selectively coupled to the secondary outlet. The first and second valve portions are constrained to move in synchronicity to therefore selectively direct fluid to flow from the inlet to none, one or both of the main and secondary outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Antony Morgan
  • Publication number: 20120291901
    Abstract: A fluid valve fitting has an incoming conduit with an inlet, an outlet, and a coupling assembly for its outlet, and an outgoing conduit with an inlet, an outlet, and a coupling assembly for its inlet. The fitting also has a bypass conduit between the incoming and the outgoing conduits, an inflow valve in the incoming conduit, an outflow valve in the outgoing conduit, and a bypass valve in the bypass conduit. An actuator assembly is coupled to lock mechanisms of the coupling assemblies, the inflow valve, the outflow valve, and the bypass valve. Operation of the actuator assembly concurrently operates the lock mechanisms, the inflow valve, the outflow valve, and the bypass valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Eric Holley, Daniel Landreth
  • Publication number: 20120216877
    Abstract: A fail-safe system and method for an electro-hydraulic system. The system includes a controller, sensor, directional control valve, interlock, hydraulic valve and movement actuator. The directional control valve moves when the controller is moved. The interlock is hydraulically coupled to the directional control valve; and is in active position when the directional control valve is moved, and in shutoff position when the directional control valve is not moved. The hydraulic valve has an input side coupled to a flow source and an output side coupled to a hydraulic function. The movement actuator moves the hydraulic valve to a desired position as directed by the controller when the interlock is in the active position, and does not move the hydraulic valve when the interlock is in the shutoff position. The sensor detects movement of the controller and sends a control signal to the first valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Derek Scott Hall, Joshua Dean Graeve, Brian K. Kellogg, Eric Richard Anderson, Jeffrey William Dobchuk
  • Patent number: 8011389
    Abstract: A manifold valve having two valves, which enables operation of one valve while disables operation of the other valve, is compact, and facilitates installation in and detachment from a pipeline, that is, a manifold valve provided with a main passageway, a branch passageway split off from the main passageway, a main passageway valve opening and closing the main passageway, and a branch valve opening and closing the branch passageway, the main passageway, the branch passageway, the main passageway valve, and the branch valve being integrally formed, wherein the main passageway valve and the branch valve are each a manual valve having a valve element, a stem connected to the valve element, and an operating lever connected to the stem, the operating lever pivoting in an axial direction of the stem to open and close the passageway, the main passageway valve and the branch valve each converting pivoting motion of the operating lever to linear motion of the valve element and pressing the valve element against and sep
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Asahi Organic Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Hanada
  • Patent number: 7992589
    Abstract: A valve including a body delimiting an inlet duct opening into a first and second outlet duct. The body includes a first butterfly valve element and a second butterfly valve element. The first butterfly valve element is mounted on a first transmission gearwheel connected to a drive motor and is movable into two closed positions on either side of an open position of the first duct. The first transmission gearwheel is connected to a second transmission gearwheel, on which the second butterfly valve element is connected by a one-way positive drive element. When the first butterfly valve element is moved from an open position to one of the two closed positions in the first duct, the second butterfly valve element is driven from a closed position to an open position of the second duct. The valve includes a member for returning the second butterfly valve element to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Laurent Albert, Samuel Leroux, Guillaume Davoult
  • Patent number: 7874315
    Abstract: A multi-channel, multi-phase flow metering valve has multiple pintle valves for metering liquid media through each valve channel. The valve channels have venturi passageways that alone, or in cooperation with the pintles, cause the local pressure of the media to fall below its saturated vapor pressure and allow the liquid media to change phase. The cavitation creates a gaseous region, formed from one or many discrete cavities, in the media within valve channels that effectively isolates the pressures in the upstream and downstream parts of the valve channels to reduce the affects of input pressure fluctuations in the output media. The valve components, particularly the modules defining the venturi passageways, are made of a high-strength material to better resist pitting and other surface erosion from sonic shock associated with the collapse of the gaseous cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7762281
    Abstract: A bin for storing and dispensing dry flowable material comprises a main body portion defining a chamber for receiving the flowable material, a top portion enclosing the top of the body portion and having an inlet through which the material can pass to fill the bin, a bottom portion enclosing the bottom of the body portion and having at least one outlet, the bottom portion being inclined to direct the material toward the at least one outlet, a wall extending upwardly from the at least one outlet to an elevation in the body portion for dividing at least a lower part of the chamber into adjacent sections and a valve mechanism for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material from each section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bushnell Illinois Tanks Co.
    Inventor: Ernest R. Schuld
  • Patent number: 7743946
    Abstract: A switch over device provides a product dispenser with the capability to switch from a first diluent flow circuit to a second diluent flow circuit. The switch over device attaches to the dispenser, and includes a manifold having a first diluent inlet and a second diluent inlet in communication with a diluent outlet. The switch over device further includes a first and a second stem assembly, wherein the first and second stem assemblies are biased to a first position that interrupts flow from the first and second diluent inlets to the diluent outlet. In a second position, the stem assemblies permit fluid flow to the diluent outlet. The switch over device further includes actuators that enable an operator to easily switch from the one flow circuit to the other. The product dispenser may switch from virtually any type of diluent, and/or diluent temperatures, including ambient, chilled, and carbonated diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Mauro C. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7472700
    Abstract: An adapter for use on an anesthesia machine having of three or more vaporizer units removably mounted thereon by an interlock/exclusion system. The interlock/exclusion system includes plural vertically oriented pins that are coupled together and are operative to move upward to prevent opening of any vaporizer units if one is open. One of the vaporizer units includes a horizontally oriented pin which moves outward when that unit is opened. The adaptor is arranged to mount that vaporizer on the machine and to couple the horizontally oriented pin to an associated vertically oriented pin of the interlock/exclusion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Drager Medical AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jacob Gershteyn
  • Patent number: 7343935
    Abstract: In a gas flow control flap operating mechanism including a ball-head joint provided between an actuator drive and the gas flow control valve flap with a ball head which is received in a multipart ball-head socket, the parts of the ball-head socket are interconnected so that the ball-head socket is closed around the ball head and the ball-head socket is contained by a receiving part and includes locking means which hold the multipart ball-head socket in the receiving part and in engagement with the ball-head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hans Butz, Hermann Büter
  • Patent number: 7240695
    Abstract: A multi-channel valve uses a single drive motor to translate a single actuator assembly coupling multiple pintle valves for metering the same amount of media through each channel. The actuator assembly includes a swivel base mounting two or more clevis and nut arrangements coupled to the pintles. The actuator assembly translates the pintles the same distance. The clevis and nut joints can pivot and slide with respect to the swivel base to provide four degrees of freedom between the pintles to significantly reduce binding or side loading on one or both pintles. A stop cushioning assembly is provided to prevent jamming at the interface of the actuator assembly and a motor driven drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 6962176
    Abstract: A portable suction system comprises a vacuum valve subassembly. The subassembly has a body, upper and lower ball valves, and an actuating linkage. The body has a mounting portion for a tank and a valve housing portion. The mounting portion has a threaded diameter. The tank mounting portion has venturi and feed passageways. The valve housing portions have a cylindrical configurations. The body has a venturi blow-through line passageway intersecting. The ball valves are located within the passageways of the valve body. The ball valves are coupled to the actuating linkage with a trigger which rotates the ball valves into one of the positions from the category. The category includes the venturi ball valve open and feed ball valve open, and neither ball valve open. The linkage is coupled to and held in position on the outside surface of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Neil A Veira
  • Patent number: 6550368
    Abstract: A fluid power interlock system and method for providing same including a circuit having a first valve shiftable between a first and second state having an input and a pair of selectively operable first outputs. One of the first outputs is operatively connectable to a first actuator and the other of the first outputs is operatively connected to a second valve shiftable between a first and second state. The second valve has a pair of selectively operable outputs, one of the second valve outputs is operatively connectable to a second actuator, and the other of the second valve outputs is operatively connected to the first valve and provides a pilot signal thereto for permitting the first valve to shift from a first state to a second state. Shifting state of either of the first and second valves interrupts the pilot signal thereby preventing the non actuated valve from being actuated and shifting state. The system may also include a manifold, wherein the first and second valves are secured to the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Festo Corporation
    Inventors: Gerard Leeman, Frank J. Langro
  • Patent number: 6415819
    Abstract: A switching unit which is suitable for making a first and a second medium—for example oil and cooling water—flow through one of the two plate coolers as desired comprises four switching valves. The valve bodies of the four valves (1-4) are connected to one another by an actuating mechanism (19, 20, 21, 22), in such a manner that when one of the four valves is switched the other three valves are also switched. This definitively prevents incorrect switching operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Indufil B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Pas, Fred Greter