For Valve Having A Ball Head Patents (Class 137/864)
  • Patent number: 9617994
    Abstract: A sliding vane, positive displacement pump is provided which includes a dual mechanical seal that protects against leakage from a pump chamber while also reducing slip across rotor end faces. The dual mechanical seal may be formed as a cartridge seal that is readily demountable from the pump for replacement and service, and is retrofittable to existing pumps to improve the performance thereof. The pump may integrally include a dual mechanical seal, or the mechanical seal assembly may be provided for use by itself or in combination with a replaceable head ring that can be installed on existing pumps for repair thereof or for a retrofit upgrade of such existing pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Douglas Walters, Michael Thomas Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140102575
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dual packing retainer and dual sealing ball valve for use generally in high pressure applications. Further disclosed herein are methods of detecting seal failure before the ball valve must be taken offline due to the presence of secondary or backup seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Array Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane M. Eagen
  • Publication number: 20120234416
    Abstract: A pilot regulator system includes a housing having a fluid inflow port, a ball valve to regulate fluid flow among two fluid outflow ports, two regulator outputs each associated with one of said two fluid outflow ports, and a regulator selection aperture. An extension portion, generally horizontal to the regulator outputs, is connected to the regulator selection aperture, and includes an open end for access to a selection member that can be moved between two positions to select fluid flow to one of two regulator outputs. The extension portion also has a groove and the selection member has an extension extending through the groove so as to be movable by either the extension or the selection member itself. The extension portion has an expansive cross-sectional element to guide a remote vehicle to the selection member for movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Barry J. McMiles
  • Patent number: 8161995
    Abstract: Gravity and flow operated diverter valves are disclosed for diverting liquid flow from one source to either of two output destinations, the valves including a housing defining an inlet opening through a base wall, a first outlet opening through a first upper wall and a second outlet opening through a second upper wall. The housing is operable in a configuration with the base wall arranged vertically beneath the first and second upper walls. A valve member has a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the valve member being movably suspended within the housing by the first end when no liquid is flowing into the inlet opening. The valve member is pivotable in a first direction to seal the first outlet opening and pivotable in a second direction to seal the second outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Lee Armstrong, Stephen Froelicher, Joel Charles Boyer
  • Patent number: 7954513
    Abstract: A regulator valve includes an inlet coupled for receiving a spray solution delivered by a fixed displacement pump coupled to a solution tank. Located in the valve body so as to divide the solution received at the inlet between a bypass or tank port of the regulator valve, and a boom port is a ball valve in the form of a hollow sphere having a first circular opening in register with said inlet, a second circular opening in register with said boom port and an elongate, wedge-shaped opening in register with said bypass port. The ball valve is mounted for rotation about an axis which is coaxial with the first circular opening and includes a stem coupled to an electric motor for actuating the valve, the motor being coupled for receiving a control signal for causing the motor to position the ball for dividing the flow so as to achieve a desired solution application rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Joshua Jacob Engelbrecht, Richard Allen Humpal
  • Patent number: 6874533
    Abstract: A 3/2 normally closed module includes a main body, a housing and a magnetically energizable coil. The main body includes a bore, an armature and a rod. The housing includes first and second valve seats and is configured to receive a first and second ball. The housing also includes a first, a second and a third port. When the module is in an energized state, current flows through the coil, generating a magnetic field. The magnetic field forces the armature against the rod, which in turn, forces the first ball to engage the first valve seat. As the first ball engages the first valve seat, the first ball forces the second ball to disengage from the second valve seat. As a result, a fluid flow path is created between the first and second ports. When the module is in a de-energized state, a spring, disposed between the main body and the second ball, forces the second ball to engage with the second valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexis C. Weber
  • Patent number: 6871576
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for isolating hydraulic devices in a stacked hydraulic circuit of modular design employing an isolator valve module which enables partial and/or complete isolation of components in a hydraulic system to be isolated for inspection, testing, maintenance or replacement, by selective operation of the isolator valves in the isolator valve module. The isolator valve module may be a sub-plate module supporting other modules or a plurality of stacks of modules or may be a “sandwich” type module sandwiched between a sub-plate and another module or between two sandwich-type modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Peter Vari
  • Patent number: 6779560
    Abstract: A multiport valve comprising a casing having at least one fluid inlet port and at least one fluid outlet port, a seal disposed adjacent to each outlet port, a cylinder disposed within a central opening in the casing and having an axial channel with a channel surface and at least one depression within the channel and balls biased toward the cylinder and away from each outlet port. Rotating the cylinder such that the depression aligns with the ball forces the biased ball into the depression and away from the seal opening the outlet port allowing for fluid flow therethrough and rotating the cylinder such that the depression is misaligned with respect to the depression causes the channel surface to overcome the bias and force the ball against the seal thus closing the outlet port. The multiport valve may include a bearing assembly disposed between the valve casing and cylinder and a ball biasing member angled to point towards the cylinder and bearing assembly, providing for ease in rotation of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Vitrom Manufacturing Consultants
    Inventor: Antonio L. A. Reis
  • Publication number: 20040144436
    Abstract: A ventable manifold is disclosed and claimed. Coupling halfs are affixed to coupler ports in the manifold. An actuator having a cam thereon resides in a longitudinal bore in the manifold body and is moveable between first and second positions therein. The manifold includes at least one coupler port and at least one body port for supplying energized fluid to a load. A first passageway is in communication with the coupler port and the body port. A second passageway is in communication with a relief port and the first passageway. A valve is interposed in the second passageway and is in sliding engagement with the cam of the actuator such that when the actuator is in the first position the valve is closed such that when the actuator is in the second position the valve is open. Another embodiment includes a rotatable actuator which can selectively relieve one hydraulic circuit or another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis Zeiber, Craig Price, Nick Freund
  • Patent number: 6675834
    Abstract: A structure is designed to switch the flow of fluid in a fluid conveying system. The structure includes two fluid-discharging pipes connected one to end, a valve slot formed at the juncture of the two fluid-discharging pipes, a fluid-admitting pipe fastened to the valve slot, and a ball valve rotatably disposed in the valve slot such that the ball valve can be turned by a valve knob to control the flow of fluid into the two fluid-discharging pipes from the fluid-admitting pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 6290595
    Abstract: A device for regulating the temperature of premises by a secondary air flow blown therein, comprises an upstream duct communicating with elements for supplying pressurized air, ending in a converging element emerging into a downstream duct communicating with the premises. The device is characterized in that a substantially rotating solid, capable of being positioned along the convergent element longitudinal axis, is arranged at least partially upstream of the outlet thereof, so as to define between the substantially rotating solid outer surface and the convergent element inner wall with a ring-shaped channel the size of which depends on the position of the solid relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SPIREC (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventor: Jacques Daunay
  • Patent number: 5918631
    Abstract: A pneumatic fluid control valve includes a valve body having a fluid inlet connectable to an external source of pressurized pneumatic working fluid, one or more load outlets, one or more corresponding exhaust ports, and a movable valve mechanism. The movable valve mechanism includes at least a pair of movable valve element and preferably resilient deformable connectors in a generally abutting relationship between adjacent movable valve elements for deformably transmitting coordinated motion therebetween. The deformable connector resiliently allows one of the movable elements to move and compress the connector before such coordinated motion is transmitted to the other movable element in order to minimize internal leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Ross Operating Valve Company
    Inventors: Charles A. Weiler, Jr., Paul G. Storrs
  • Patent number: 5857488
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve apparatus is for controlling pressurized fluid flow to at least a pair of coupled hydraulic actuators in response to operator signals. The valve apparatus comprises a main body having main ports communicating selectively with a fluid supply and fluid return, body ports to communicate with the actuators, and a scavenge port to communicate with the return. Each actuator communicates with two control valves and one scavenge valve on the valve body to control fluid flow relative to the actuators. Control devices cooperate with the control and scavenge valves of each actuator so as to actuate the respective valves simultaneously. The control devices maintain the two related control valves in the same phase with respect to each other, but in an opposite phase to the respective scavenge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Jacob Kobelt
  • Patent number: 5730507
    Abstract: A brake lock system is used in a vehicle having a brake line which feeds brake fluid to at least one brake member. The system comprises a brake line fittable housing having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet. A flow control which controls the flow of brake fluid from each inlet to each outlet is provided within the housing. The flow control is movable from a first position which allows two way flow between the inlet and the outlet to a second position only allowing one way flow from the inlet to the outlet. Also provided within the housing is an operating member for moving the flow control. A controller which controls the operating member is provided remotely of the housing and a flexible drive shaft connects the controller to the operating member. The use of the flexible drive shaft permits a mounting position for the controller at a location different from that of the housing within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Mark Wayne MacWilliam, George Meyer
  • Patent number: 5603432
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser as provided for use with a container having an adapter with a resealable valve, which is a ball valve, has a valve which includes an engaging mechanism, such as a pin, for mechanically opening the valve in the adapter. The dispenser valve has a handle for rotatable motion, causing the pin to vertically move in contact with the ball valve, thus opening the container so that its contents flow. The valve may also be provided with a rinse water conduit and an opening so that the user can selectively close the adapter valve and rinse the dispenser system. The pin is preferably mounted to an x-shaped support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Jet Spray Corp.
    Inventors: Gary F. Sardynski, Paul E. Cox, Gilbert R. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 5348192
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser as provided for use with a container which has an adapter with a resealable valve, which is a ball valve. The dispenser has a valve which includes an engaging mechanism, such as a pin for mechanically opening the valve in the adapter. Preferably, the dispenser valve has a handle for rotatable motion, causing an engaging pin to vertically move in contact with the ball valve, thus opening the container such that its contents can flow. The dispenser valve may also be provided with a rinse water conduit and an opening so that the user can selectively close the adapter valve and rinse the dispenser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Jet Spray Corp.
    Inventors: Gary F. Sardynski, Paul E. Cox, Gilbert R. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 5344221
    Abstract: An anti-theft device is installed in a vehicle brake line which carries braking fluid. The device defines a valve seat and a valve body adapted to close against said valve seat, the valve body having a passageway therethrough and being rotatable against said seat about an axis substantially perpendicular to the passageway, between a first position in which it permits fluid flow in one direction and inhibits fluid flow in the opposite direction, and a second position in which it permits fluid flow in both directions. The valve can easily be switched between the first and second positions, and can be locked in the first position. By allowing braking fluid to flow only toward the wheels, it will be evident that the wheel brakes, once applied, cannot, be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Mark W. MacWilliam
  • Patent number: 5269347
    Abstract: An isolator flow control apparatus (10) especially to selectively control communication of a contained fluid to an overpressure protection system. The isolator apparatus (10) includes a flow housing (12) having a single inlet opening (20) placed in fluid communication by an internal manifold means with a plurality of outlet openings (22, 24). A floating rotatable ball closure member (28, 30) is operably disposed in each of the outlet openings (22, 24) for effecting a metal-to-metal seal with a fixed downstream seat (16d, 18d). The ball closure members (28, 30) are interlocked by a shaft (34) in a passage (14b) extending between enlarged diameter portions (22a, 24A) receiving the ball closure members (28, 30). The ball closure members (28, 30) are actuated by an operator means (40) for automatically closing or isolating a selected outlet opening (22 or 24) while opening another outlet opening (22 or 24) to ensure continuous fluid flow or fluid communication through the isolator apparatus (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Keystone International Holdings Corp.
    Inventor: Marvin E. Beasley
  • Patent number: 5109887
    Abstract: A multiway valve having a handle which can be lightly rotated. The valve includes a valve casing (38) provided with an entrance port (64) and plural exit ports (66, 68, 44a). A valve member (40) or a cam shaft (168) which opens and closes the exit ports (66, 68, 44a) is rotatably inserted in the casing (38). One of the exit ports is formed in one end surface of the casing (38), while the others are formed in the outer surface of the casing. Balls (60, 62, 160B, 160C) capable of plugging up the exit ports in the outer surface are mounted in the valve casing (38). The valve member (40) has arms or cams for moving the balls. The exit port in the end surface is opened and closed by the valve member (40) or one ball (160C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Inax Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Saito, Shigeru Takagi, Mineji Kondo
  • Patent number: 4949753
    Abstract: A device for fluid mixing and flow control in showers, baths, and sinks. Three flow control valves are connected to a mixing chamber. Two of the valves control two inlet channels into the chamber, and the third valve controls the flow out of the chamber. The two inlet valves are linked to operate in unison in opposite phase (one opens when the other closes), providing a variable fluid mixing ratio. The complementary operation of these mixing valves causes their combined flow rate to remain constant while the mixing ratio varies. The third valve controls the total flow rate. This provides independent control of mixture and flow via a simple device. A circular dial can show the control arm positions clearly, allowing quick, absolute adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: John V. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4778083
    Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing fluid components includes a mixing chamber for mixing reactive components prior to dispensing the components. The components are provided through separate valves to ducts in fluid communication with inlets to the mixing chamber. The valve actuator can be selectively positioned to prevent one of the valve from opening. The valves are ball valves which are actuated by a hydraulic actuator acting through a rack and gear system. The rack is cylindrical with a flat spot formed thereon for preventing rotation of an associated one of the gears as the actuator is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Herman W. Decker
  • Patent number: 4723575
    Abstract: First and second outlet ports are connected to an inlet port. A first valve member selectively blocks and unblocks the first outlet port. A second valve member selectively blocks and unblocks the second outlet port. A first device urges the first valve member. A second device urges the second valve member. A movable member disposed between the first and second valve members allows a force of the first urging device to travel to the second valve member. The movable member can be driven by a solenoid winding. When the solenoid winding is deenergized, the first valve member is moved to its open position by the first urging device and the second valve member is moved against a force of the second urging device to its open position by the first urging device. When the solenoid winding is energized, the first valve member is moved against the force of the first urging device to its closed position by the movable member and the second valve member is moved to its closed position by the second urging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignees: Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidenobu Kazita, Toshiharu Naito, Yoshiyuki Hattori, Yoshihisa Nomura
  • Patent number: 4640308
    Abstract: For application in controlling fuel flow to a gas turbine engine, the control valve includes one or more fuel inlet manifolds, a fuel outlet manifold and a fuel drain manifold in fuel flow relation with a longitudinal bore in a valve sleeve. A hollow spool valve is slidably disposed in the sleeve bore and includes a metering valve thereon movable past a fuel inlet aperture to meter fuel flow from the fuel inlet manifold to the fuel outlet manifold. The spool valve also includes a shut-off valve thereon for terminating fuel flow to the fuel outlet manifold under certain conditions. The hollow spool valve includes a longitudinal bore in fuel flow relation with the fuel outlet manifold and fuel drain manifold and a drain valve in the spool bore openable when fuel flow to the fuel outlet manifold is interrupted by the shut-off valve so that fuel can drain from the fuel outlet manifold to the drain manifold and closeable during metered fuel flow to the fluid outlet manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O Corporation
    Inventor: Alvin D. Toelle
  • Patent number: 4615401
    Abstract: Automatic Hydraulic Thruster for hole boring including a mandrel and sleeve forming two expandable chambers with plural wall anchor means annularly disposed about the sleeve responsive to pressure differential between one chamber and the bore hole pressure and three-way valve means for automatically connecting the chambers respectively first with mandrel pressure and bore hole pressure and then vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Smith International
    Inventor: William R. Garrett
  • Patent number: 4610267
    Abstract: A fast-response solenoid valve. A three-way form has a body with three successive separated openings interconnected by a linear fluid pathway having two chambers lying between successive pairs of openings, each with a movable ball and a ball seat in respective ball cages. Each cage has a cylindrical exterior wall in snug engagement with the wall of the linear fluid passageway, a seat at one end, and a tanged retainer portion at the other end, so that, each ball is retained in its cage for limited axial movement between its seat and its tanged portion. A cylindrical non-magnetic tube is aligned with the linear fluid pathway, one end of the tube abutting a portion of the body. A non-magnetic end plug is held at a fixed position at the distal end of the tube, and a magnetic guide plug is held at a fixed position in the tube spaced away from the end plug. A solenoid plunger is in said tube, movable in between the two plugs and in connection with a plunger pin that engages one of the balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Orshansky Transmission Corporation
    Inventors: Niels J. Beck, Edward T. Gilbert, William E. Weseloh, Kenneth Rudolph
  • Patent number: 4531549
    Abstract: A valve having at least one passage through the valve body and terminating in a port at one end of the valve body, a stem means extending through the valve body having a stem operating means on one end thereof and having the other end thereof terminating beyond the one end of the valve body and a closure means mounted on the free end of the stem means adapted to be rotated through an arc from a first position removed from the port to a second position adjacent the port, and having a closure element thereon adapted to close the port in the second position, whereby rotation of the stem moves the closure means from a first position, at which the fluid is admitted to the passage through the port, to the second position, at which fluid is prevented from entering the passage through the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Delouis J. Fontenot
  • Patent number: 4407400
    Abstract: A winch control valve is provided for controlling the flow of fluid to and from a clutch and a brake of a winch transmission which are operable for establishing a hold condition in the winch when no fluid pressure is connected to the clutch and brake, a free spool condition wherein pressure fluid is connected to only the brake, and a wind-in condition wherein fluid pressure is connected to both the clutch and the brake. In addition, the valve spool is provided with lands which are dimensioned slightly smaller than service ports leading to the clutch and brake of the winch so that pressure fluid may selectively be routed to the service ports and at the same time, be metered to sump whereby a partial clutch engagement pressure may be effected in the clutch to thereby establish an inching condition and whereby partial pressure may be established in the brake passage for effecting a partial release thereof so as to establish a controlled release condition in the winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Gary R. Fichtinger
  • Patent number: 4338966
    Abstract: A spherical valve member is moved within a housing between operative positions by direct application of supply pressure and operation of a solenoid arranged to maximize mechanical force imposed on the valve member while minimizing solenoid size and eliminating the use of movable close fitting cylindrical parts which can be subject to sticking in the presence of solid contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1982
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Robert H. Smith
  • Patent number: 4301715
    Abstract: A 4-way, 2-position pilot valve having two ball valves seatable at approximately the same time without a precise spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Ali Acar
  • Patent number: 4205784
    Abstract: A temperature responsive fluid control valve with sequential control functions, employing a pair of axially aligned hollow elongated plungers or slide pins, and a pair of ball valves and valve seats therefor. One ball valve is straddled by the two plungers, being biased onto its seat by the second plunger and shiftable off its seat by the first plunger. This ball valve controls a first fluid flow in response to a thermoresponsive sensor acting on the first plunger. The second ball valve is operated sequentially after the first, via the second plunger for control of a second sequential fluid flow using the same thermoresponsive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Kysor Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Larry E. Monigold
  • Patent number: 4137954
    Abstract: There is disclosed a liquids container provided with duct means for conducting fluids into and out of the container, the container comprising head and base portions and side walls connecting the head and base portions, and the duct means being secured to and extending into the container from the head portion. The duct means comprises three concentric pipes, the outermost one of which opens into the container near its head portion and the other two of which open into the container near its base portion, with the innermost one of the latter two pipes opening out at a greater distance from the container head portion than the other one of the two pipes. The duct means also comprises valve means normally closing the conduits and operable to open the conduits. There is further disclosed drawoff, cleaning and filling heads which can be connected to the container duct means and can be used to open different combinations of the conduits to enable fluids to be supplied to and removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Enzinger-Union-Werke AG
    Inventors: Karl H. Brill, Gerhard Schenk, Rudolf Weinlich