Tortuous Path Patents (Class 138/42)
  • Patent number: 6840281
    Abstract: A pressure reducer is configured for use in a liquid delivery system that requires its liquid contents to be pressurized to a first, relatively high pressure but also requires that the liquid be delivered to a downstream location such as a faucet at a second, relatively low pressure. The pressure reducer reduces the pressure of the flowing liquid by repeatedly imparting directional changes to the liquid. Preferably, the pressure reducer comprises a stationary restrictor having multiple aligned segments, each of which is configured to divide the liquid into two or more diverging streams and to recombine the streams at the end of the segment. Each segment preferably comprises a curved blade having opposed generally toroidal surfaces that border one of two divided liquid streams. The device may be located either remote from or adjacent to the faucet or other terminal point of the system and can include either a single passage or multiple parallel passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Vent-Matic Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradford G. Amidzich
  • Publication number: 20040261872
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising two components connected to each other with possible displacement of one component relative to the other, sealing means arranged between said two components, and flow rate adjusting means actuated by displacement of one component relative to the other. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises positioning means for placing the two components in two different positions, namely a first so-called sterilizing position, wherein said two components do not, or hardly exert, any stresses on the sealing means, and second so-called operating position, wherein said two components stress the sealing means to provide the required sealing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Mermet
  • Patent number: 6810904
    Abstract: A lavatory flush tank silent-operating fill device has a silencer extending along an axis and through which a stream of water flows; a number of channels are defined inside the silencer by a bundle of substantially straight, parallel tubes housed inside the silencer and parallel to the axis, and into which the stream of water is divided; and the flow section of the channels is such that flow of the water inside is substantially laminar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Oliveira & Irmao, S.A.
    Inventors: Noe Figueiredo, Antonio Manuel Gameiro Lopes, Victor Antonio Ferreira Da Costa, Antonio Manuel Moura De Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20040211478
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use within a production pipeline or other flowbore to reduce fluid pressure and regulate fluid flow while minimizing erosion effects caused by particulate matter in the fluid, wherein varying geometries with respect to multiple components within a choke valve are utilized to effectuate multiple changes in fluid flow direction, causing a fluid pressure drop at each directional change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen McCulloch, Jimmy Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20040213084
    Abstract: Two or more independent and offset fluid transporting fractals allow the scaling and intermingling of two or more fluids separately and simultaneously prior to contacting the fluids with one another. The device provides rapid and homogeneous mixing and/or reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Michael M. Kearney
  • Patent number: 6755209
    Abstract: The fill valve incorporates a housing (8) that has a vertical water-carrying channel (24) that leads from an inlet (49) to be fastened on the flush tank bottom (2) to a float-controlled diaphragm valve (50). The diaphragm valve (50) incorporates in a diaphragm (43) a passage for the pressure equalization between a first chamber (51) in front of the diaphragm (43) and a second chamber (52) behind the diaphragm (43). To actuate the diaphragm valve (50) a pilot valve (58) is provided. The diaphragm valve (50) is disposed laterally on the housing (8), thus permitting a low overall height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Paul Wey
  • Patent number: 6756151
    Abstract: A draining device including a threaded portion, the threaded portion depending outwardly from an annular portion and having an inner opening in fluid communication with a pair of openings in the annular portion, where said pair of openings provides a pathway for draining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Shijian Zhou, Timothy H. Kline, Donald F. Turner, James R. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 6742924
    Abstract: Two or more independent and offset fluid transporting fractals allow the scaling and intermingling of two or more fluids separately and simultaneously prior to contacting the fluids with one another. The device provides rapid and homogeneous mixing and/or reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Amalgamated Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Kearney
  • Patent number: 6722780
    Abstract: A process for mixing or dispersing liquids is provided that includes introducing liquids to be mixed or dispersed into a mixing device having a cylindrical support. The cylindrical support includes an inlet nozzle having a bore which is in fluid communication through a turbulence chamber with a bore of an outlet nozzle, wherein the bores of the nozzles are axially spaced apart relative to one another. The liquids are then allowed to enter the turbulence chamber through the bore of the inlet nozzle where the liquids are mixed or dispersed. The mixed or dispersed liquid is then recovered from the outlet nozzle. Various devices for mixing or dispersing liquids are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Roche Vitamins Inc.
    Inventors: Hermann Stein, Klaus Viardot
  • Patent number: 6718633
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a valve trim assembly. The process comprises providing a flow disk having an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and an outer disposable flow disk portion, providing a separation disk having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, wherein the flow disk outer diameter is greater than the separation disk outer diameter, stacking the flow disk on the separation disk, and removing the outer disposable flow disk portion creating a reduced flow disk outer diameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Alan Holton Glenn, Kenneth Alden Thurston
  • Patent number: 6708727
    Abstract: A water pipe structure of a branch pipe line (12) connected to a main pipe (22) for flowing water therethrough, wherein a cavity flow suppressing structure (30) is installed between the main pipe (22) and the branch pipe line (12) or in the branch pipe line to suppress a cavity flow produced in the closed branch pipeline, whereby the adverse effect of a thermal stratification formed by the cavity flow on the pipe can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Shiraishi, Yukiharu Nabika, Shigeki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6701963
    Abstract: A flow conditioner includes a body composed of an array of vanes generally parallel to the direction of fluid flow. The vanes create a plurality of chambers to effectively reduce large scale vortices in the flow. The vanes have surfaces with perforations to allow pressure regulation between chambers to effectively reduce asymmetric flow and reduce drag. Additional preferred features include an acoustic choke created by a reduction in cross-sectional flow area at the entrance and the exit of the flow conditioner with circular plates. The plates have rough edges to increase production of micro-vortices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Horiba Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Hill
  • Patent number: 6701957
    Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wildie McCarty, Ted Alan Long, Michael M. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20040035481
    Abstract: A micro channel unit having a shape designed to reduce a pressure drop when fluid passes through a connecting channel portion is provided. The micro channel unit includes a micro channel with a width of micrometer dimensions through which liquid flows. The micro channel includes a plurality of straight channel portions and connecting channel portions that connect each pair of adjacent straight channel portions. The connecting channel portions are wider than the straight channel portions connected by the connecting channel portions. The use of the micro channel unit can reduce the pressure drop when fluid passes through the connecting channel portions, thereby reducing the amount of power required to drive the fluid flow and further enabling miniaturization of microfluidic devices such as pumps and peripheral devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Seoul National University
    Inventors: Seokhyun Lim, Haecheon Choi
  • Publication number: 20040007277
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving a flow of fluid and restricting the flow through a device are described. The apparatus includes an insert having a shaped surface including at least one through-hole located off-center. The shaped surface may be a bell-shaped curve in cross-section. The method includes supplying a flow of fluid to one side of the apparatus, redirecting a portion of the flow of the fluid onto itself, and directing the flow to the at least one through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary N. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20040000349
    Abstract: A fluid flow resistor 10 for use in ophthalmic surgery includes a housing 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16. An elongated turbine 22 is caused to spin within the housing 12 by a flow of fluid which extracts energy from the fluid flow and effectively increases a resistance to fluid flow from the inlet 14 to the outlet 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Laurence J. Cull, James T. Perkins, Matthew J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 6668863
    Abstract: A throttle element with a gap filter for use in a fuel pump is proposed, which is press-fitted into a conduit in the housing of an injection pump. By means of the press fitting, a good sealing action and at the same time low-cost production and mounting are attained. The throttle element can furthermore be designed economically and compactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Maier
  • Publication number: 20030221734
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (2; 2.2; 2.6; 2.7) to increase the thermal fatigue resistance of glass tubes (1; 1.2; 1.6; 1.7) flown through by fluid and pressure-loaded. This arrangement comprises a glass tube (1; 1.2; 1.6; 1.7), into which an interior component (3; 3.2; 3.6; 3.7) is inserted. The interior component (3; 3.2; 3.6; 3.7) can be designed as thin-walled tube (19; 19.2) or tubular component. In accordance with a first design example the cavity enclosed by the interior component (3; 3.2) is hydraulically connected with the interior (10) of the glass tube (1; 1.2). The wall thickness (s3) of the interior component (3; 3.2) is smaller than the wall thickness of the glass tube (1; 1.2) and the interior component (3; 3.2) is in the condition of being flown through by fluid at least partially free from a direct heat connection with the glass tube (1; 1.2). In accordance with a second design example the interior component (3.6; 3.7) increases the wall thickness of the glass tube (1.6; 1.7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Gunter Bauer, Nikolaus Benz
  • Patent number: 6644334
    Abstract: A method and system for treating crude oil to improve its flowability includes operating an internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas, reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas, injecting cooled exhaust gas into a separator in which water is extracted to provide dry exhaust gas, pumping crude oil at an elevated pressure into a treatment vessel, compressing the dry exhaust gas to provide pressurized exhaust gas that is introduced into the treatment vessel and intimately mixing the crude oil and the pressurized exhaust gas in the treatment vessel to provide treated crude oil having a substantial portion of the exhaust gas absorbed therein to thereby provide crude oil having improved flowability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: William H. Briggeman
  • Patent number: 6615873
    Abstract: A choke valve for an automatic transmission is formed from a valve hole having a circular section that runs through a valve body in its thickness direction and a columnar valve main body that is fitted in the valve hole. The valve main body has a pair of annular channels formed on the outer periphery of the valve main body at opposite ends and a small diameter section formed between the two annular channels, the small diameter section together with the valve hole forming a choke. An inlet port and an outlet port formed between two separator plates and oil channels formed on opposite faces of the valve body communicate with the pair of annular channels, respectively. Thus, the structure of the choke valve for an automatic transmission is simplified, thereby reducing the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Mochizuki, Toshiaki Maeda
  • Patent number: 6615874
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cost effective means by which pressure reduction in a fluid flow control device is optimized. The pressure reduction achieved according to the present invention also minimizes valve wear and presents new solutions in reducing, attenuating, eliminating, damping, redirecting, or otherwise defeating valve noise. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flow control device is provided including a valve trim assembly comprising a plurality of valve trim disks defining a plurality of flow paths along a fluid passage between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the flow control device. Respective flow paths defined by the valve trim disks comprise an expansion/contraction mechanism, a velocity control mechanism, an acoustic chamber, and frequency shifting passages. The expansion/contraction mechanism has a cross section including rapid increases and decreases in cross-sectional flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Flowserve Management Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Thurston, Alan H. Glenn
  • Publication number: 20030155026
    Abstract: A reliable, compact, and efficient asymmetrical interference pulsation dampener is intended for the reduction of pulsation in hydraulic or pneumatic systems and their pressure head pipelines. Basic elements of the dampener are interference disks or combinations of rigid concentric cylinders, which divide the stream of a fluid or gas for the purpose of reducing the pulsation through negative interference. In relation to the central channel, the secondary channel of the dampener is made with a reduced section. The power wave balance at the merging point of the channels is established through the acoustic resonators built into the dampener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Abramovich Michlin, Igor Igorevich Stukanov
  • Publication number: 20030155027
    Abstract: A composite interference pulsation dampener that has no moving parts, which results in the high reliability and efficiency of the dampener on wide intervals of frequencies, temperatures, pressures, and flow velocities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Abramovich Michlin, Igor Igorevich Stukanov
  • Publication number: 20030142582
    Abstract: An extensional flow mixer especially for viscous liquids has a housing with an end inlet connectable to a pressurized source of the liquids, and an outlet at an opposite end of the housing. A mandrel located in the cavity has protrusions with sloping side surfaces, the outer edges of which cooperate with the internal surface of the cavity to divide the cavity into a series of chambers separated by slits, such that liquid passes successively through all the chambers and slits in moving from the inlet to the outlet. The slits have cross-sectional areas which decrease in the liquid flow direction. The mandrel sides have helical grooves forming passageways with the housing wall which allow liquid to be distributed evenly around the edges of the mandrel to the inlet end or upstream chamber. The mandrel may rotate to provide additional shear mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA
    Inventors: Lechoslaw Adam Utracki, Andre Luciani, Daniel Jude Joseph Bourry
  • Publication number: 20030136454
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cost effective means by which pressure reduction in a fluid flow control device is optimized. The pressure reduction achieved according to the present invention also minimizes valve wear and presents new solutions in reducing, attenuating, eliminating, damping, redirecting, or otherwise defeating valve noise. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flow control device is provided including a valve trim assembly comprising a plurality of valve trim disks defining a plurality of flow paths along a fluid passage between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the flow control device. Respective flow paths defined by the valve trim disks comprise an expansion/contraction mechanism, a velocity control mechanism, an acoustic chamber, and frequency shifting passages. The expansion/contraction mechanism has a cross section including rapid increases and decreases in cross-sectional flow area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Thurston, Alan H. Glenn
  • Patent number: 6581902
    Abstract: In a fluid metering device for metering a fluid from a supply source to means of use of this fluid comprising a metering valve able to slide in a sleeve over a travel C, this valve comprising an intake orifice (16) for admitting the fluid from the said supply source and an orifice (18) for ejecting this fluid to the means of use, there are provided means (20) for channelling the fluid intended to allow, during the movement of the metering valve in its sleeve, a sweeping of the fluid over all the contacting surfaces of the valve and of the sleeve. The means of channelling the fluid advantageously comprise a helical groove of width L and of pitch P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: SNECMA Moteurs
    Inventors: Marion Michau, José Rodrigues, Alain Tiepel
  • Patent number: 6579041
    Abstract: A pre-screening element for use with pneumatic discharge systems for transport of powdered material has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a first vane array, having a plurality of strip-shaped first vanes arranged inside the housing and spaced apart with respect to a longitudinal axis of the housing, each individual vane of the plurality of first vanes being substantially parallel to other vanes of the first vane array and having a long edge facing the inlet, and a second vane array, having a plurality of strip-shaped second vanes arranged inside the housing each individual vane of the plurality of second vanes being substantially parallel to other vanes of the second vane array and having a long edge facing the inlet, a longitudinal axis of the first vanes being arranged at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the second vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: George Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6550956
    Abstract: An extension flow mixer especially for viscous liquids has a housing (10) with an end inlet (12a, 14a) connectable to a pressurized source of the liquid, and an outlet (119) at an opposite end of the housing (10). A mandrel (30) located in the cavity has protrusions (20′, 32′) with sloping side surface, the outer edges of which cooperate with the internal surface (114a) of the cavity to divide the cavity into a series of chambers separated by slits, such that liquid passes successively through all the chambers and slits in moving from the inlet (12a, 14a) to the outlet (119). The slits have cross-sectional areas which decrease in the liquid flow direction. The mandrel (30) sides have helical grooves (134) forming passageways with the housing wall (114a) which allow liquid to be distributed evenly around the edges of the mandrel (30) to the inlet end or upstream chamber. The mandrel (30) may rotate to provide additional shear mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Lechoslaw Adam Utracki, André Luciani, Daniel Jude Joseph Bourry
  • Patent number: 6530684
    Abstract: A process for mixing or dispersing liquids is provided that includes introducing liquids to be mixed or dispersed into a mixing device having a cylindrical support. The cylindrical support includes an inlet nozzle having a bore which is in fluid communication through a turbulence chamber with a bore of an outlet nozzle, wherein the bores of the nozzles are axially spaced apart relative to one another. The liquids are then allowed to enter the turbulence chamber through the bore of the inlet nozzle where the liquids are mixed or dispersed. The mixed or dispersed liquid is then recovered from the outlet nozzle. Various devices for mixing or dispersing liquids are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Roche Vitamins Inc.
    Inventors: Gudrun Kolb, Hermann Stein, Klaus Viardot
  • Patent number: 6523572
    Abstract: An injection system used to generate an acrodynamically induced force, with accordance to the present invention, serving as an air-cushion non-contact supporting system. The system comprises a high pressure manifold (101), connected by high pressure pipe (103), to a high pressure source (102). A SASO-conduit (1), whose inlet (2) is connected to the high pressure manifold, and the outlet (3) is located on the injection-surface (104), of the injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Core Flow Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Levin, Yuvai Yassour
  • Publication number: 20020196706
    Abstract: Two or more independent and offset fluid transporting fractals allow the scaling and intermingling of two or more fluids separately and simultaneously prior to contacting the fluids with one another. The device provides rapid and homogeneous mixing and/or reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: Michael M. Kearney
  • Patent number: 6491053
    Abstract: A method of decreasing the viscosity of crude oil including the steps of injecting into the crude oil CO2 alone or CO2 mixed with N at an elevated pressure of about 600 psi to about 1800 psi and intemently mixing the CO2, or CO2 mixed with N, with the crude oil at the elevated pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Briggeman, John J. Black
  • Publication number: 20020170605
    Abstract: A water pipe structure of a branch pipe line (12) connected to a main pipe (22) for flowing water therethrough, wherein a cavity flow suppressing means (30) is installed between the main pipe (22) and the branch pipe line (12) or in the branch pipe line to suppress a cavity flow produced in the closed branch pipeline, whereby the adverse effect of a thermal stratification formed by the cavity flow on the pipe can be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Tadashi Shiraishi, Yukiharu Nabika, Shigeki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020117224
    Abstract: A honeycomb type bundle of conduits are of various construction to provide a multitude of uses. The primary function of the honeycomb type bundle is to alter the flow path of fluid and produce Uniform flow, uniform turbulence and reduced noise. Because of the unique construction, the bundle has other unexpected uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Ahmad D. Vakili
  • Patent number: 6435216
    Abstract: Flow enhancing restrictors are located within a fluid conduit to provide pressure reduction and flow enhancement. The restrictors may be used in combination with a conventional choke valve or as a stand-alone pressure reduction means. Alternative exemplary embodiments for flow enhancers are described. Each of the flow enhancers has a generally cylindrical base with at least one fluid passage disposed therethrough. Each of the flow enhancers also provides a dome that projects upwardly from the center of the base to assist in directing fluid flow and receiving the abrasive forces associated with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Wood Group Pressure Control, Limited
    Inventor: Stephen McCulloch
  • Patent number: 6394412
    Abstract: A hydraulic diaphragm valve comprising a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a diaphragm valve seating between the inlet and the outlet, a sealing diaphragm mounted in the housing and displaceable about the diaphragm valve seating, so as to close and open a flow path between the inlet and outlet, a valve control chamber and a command valve comprising a first duct communicating a one end thereof with the valve inlet, and at an opposite end thereof with a first command valve seating, a second duct communicating into one end with the valve outlet, and at an opposite end thereof, with a second command valve seating. A third duct communicates at one end with the valve control chamber and at its opposite end it selectively communicates with the first and second command valve seatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Netafim (A.C.S.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Zakai, Youval Katzman, Vladimir Ryabtsev
  • Patent number: 6394134
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fluid flowing control device of a valve having fluid flowing paths which are made in more sophisticated configuration and by controlling the velocity of the fluid by the maximal use of available volume thereof, to thereby prevent to a maximal extent the generation of cavitation, flashing, blocking by foreign materials, and the damage of internal parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Kab-Ju Kwon
  • Patent number: 6382233
    Abstract: A mobile tank car or like vehicle includes a mechanical hydraulic dampening device having kinetic energy dissipating baffles in its interior with no moving parts. The moving tank car carrying a liquid load, such as for example a railroad tank car, including a rupture disc assembly or a safety relief valve at the top of the tank to prevent fracturing of the tank due to excessive pressure. The dampening device is located in line between the rupture disk assembly or safety valve and the liquid load. When the tank is suddenly moved, the shifting liquid load passes through the pipe-like device, impacting against impact surfaces of a baffle, causing its energy and the hydraulic hammer action to be dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: S. Elwood Yandle, II
  • Patent number: 6360777
    Abstract: A high-pressure hose includes a rubber tube, a pair of steel tubes connected to each end of the rubber tube, and a pulsation damping member installed in the rubber tube, one end of the damping member being fixed in the steel tube connected to a downstream end of the rubber tube by means of a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Kyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yeon-No Bae
  • Patent number: 6354326
    Abstract: A toilet fill valve includes a housing defining a water fill passage and a water inlet. A valve disposed in the passage divides the housing into a upstream portion and a downstream portion. A pressure regulator vertically oriented in the downstream portion of the housing has a spiral configuration providing a significant pressure drop in the water flow. Noise abatement is enhanced by pressure regulation which reduces the flow velocity, flow directors which inhibit turbulence, and energy drops provided in a downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Van Le, Christopher A. Coppock
  • Patent number: 6338363
    Abstract: An energy attenuation device for a conduit conveying a liquid under pressure, a system incorporating same, and a method for attenuating energy in a conduit, are provided. The device includes a conduit, a restrictor disposed in the conduit and dividing the interior thereof into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, and a first tube disposed in one of the chambers, wherein an annular space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the conduit and an outer peripheral surface of the tube. One end of the tube is connected to and in fluid communication with the restrictor or with the inlet or outlet end of the one chamber, and the other, free end of the tube is spaced by an open gap from the inlet or the outlet end of the one chamber or from the restrictor. The tube has at least one aperture in the free end and/or on the peripheral surface thereof for providing fluid communication between the tube and the one chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Yungrwei Chen, Jack R. Cooper
  • Publication number: 20010015231
    Abstract: An ultra-lean dilution apparatus is provided for proportioning minute quantities of a first fluid, such as a concentrated cleaning solution, for mixing into a second fluid, such as tap water, which provides improved performance and which can be manufactured by assembling several molded components with little or no machining. The dilution apparatus (20) provides a selective pressure drop in a conduit (22) by including a plurality of dilution disks (50a-50f), each dilution disk (50a-50f) having a tortuous path (52a-52f) of sufficient cross-sectional area to be resistant to clogging and having a sufficient number of sharp turns to create a desired pressure drop. While each disk (50a-50f) produces a predetermined drop, the serial configuration of the tortuous paths of the plurality of dilution disks is additive to produce a range of dilution suitable for the chemicals used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Hydro Systems Company
    Inventor: William F. Sand
  • Patent number: 6260574
    Abstract: A fill valve particularly suited for OEM assembly in gravity operated flush toilets has a modular construction including a main valve body that encloses a pilot operated diaphragm valve operated by a float arm. A hollow riser has a lower end configured for connection to a water supply line. Mating couplers are provided on the bottom of the main valve body and on the upper end of the riser for rigidly securing the riser to the main valve body. The riser has a length that is pre-selected to place the diaphragm valve and float arm a predetermined height within the tank to ensure that the tank is re-filled to a predetermined optimum level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lavelle Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nichols-Roy
  • Patent number: 6206305
    Abstract: An emitter unit to be integrally bonded to an internal surface of a conduit and comprising an elongated housing, a housing inlet adapted to communicate with an interior of said conduit and a housing outlet adapted to communicate with a conduit outlet. An elongated, flow-restricting flowpath is formed in the housing having a flowpath inlet communicating with the housing inlet and a flowpath outlet communicating with the housing outlet. A resiliently flexible membrane is mounted in the housing which is of closed box-like shape and is constituted by an elongated receiving member and a correspondingly elongated cover member. Projections and recesses are formed along the lengths of elongated rim portions of the members and are directed substantially transversely to longitudinal axes of said members such that projections of one member are adapted to form a close pressure fit within corresponding recesses of the other member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Hydroplan Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: Raphael Mehoudar
  • Patent number: 6192939
    Abstract: A pneumatic apparatus and method for driving a microflow is disclosed. The microflow driving apparatus of this invention comprises an external pneumatic driving device that generates an array of airflows; an air gallery to accept airflows of said pneumatic driving device and to generate a suction force and an exclusion force; and a fluid channel connected with said air gallery to allow a fluid to flow inside it. In the air gallery, a trapezoid block is provided to generate an air circle from at least one of said airflows. An open gap is provided in the fluid channel at the connection of the air gallery and the fluid channel. When different combinations of airflows are introduced into the air gallery, a suction force or an exclusion force is generated to drive the reaction fluid inside the fluid channel to proceed, retreat or pause. A method using the apparatus for driving a microflow is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Nan-Kuang Yao, Yue-Min Wan, Chi-chen Chen, Lung-Yu Hung, Shin-Hwan Wang, Si-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 6190034
    Abstract: A micro-mixer is disclosed having at least one mixing point which is connected to an inlet channel arrangement having at least two inlet channels and to an outlet channel arrangement, and a mixing method is disclosed for at least two fluids which are supplied from different directions. With this mixer and method it is intended to achieve a rapid and predeterminable mixing of the fluids. For that purpose, a separating element which extends into a region of the mixing point in which the inlet channels run parallel to one another is provided. By this means the fluids can be kept separate from one another until their flow speeds virtually coincide in respect of value and direction. Only then are they brought into contact with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Claus Rye Nielsen, Jens Anders Branebjerg, Peter Gravesen, Poul Dyhr-Mikkelsen, Niels Gade
  • Patent number: 6186660
    Abstract: Microfluidic devices, systems and methods of using same which incorporate channels where some portion or all of the channels have aspect ratios less than 1. Devices with such channel dimensions are optionally configured to provide uniform flow rates through the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Anne R. Kopf-Sill, John Wallace Parce
  • Patent number: 6168415
    Abstract: A mold insert for an injection molding machine has a circumferential liquid conduit groove and a plurality of liquid-receiving bores extending inwardly from the groove. Baffles are removably inserted into the liquid-receiving bores and have heads located in locking engagement with the sidewalls, including the undercut portions thereof, to retain the baffles in their respective liquid-receiving bores. Each baffle has a blade that fits snugly within a liquid-receiving bore to separate the liquid-receiving bore into a liquid inlet passageway and a liquid outlet passageway. Fins project outwardly from opposite faces of the blade to create turbulence in liquid flowing into and out of the liquid-receiving bore, which enhances cooling (or heating) of the mold insert. The baffle is also useful with other solid components having a liquid conduit for cooling purposes and a transverse liquid-receiving bore intersecting the liquid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Pleasant Precision, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pleasant, H. Eugene Lafferty
  • Patent number: 6164141
    Abstract: A gas delivery sensor, of the type in which two upstream and downstream pressure pick-up conduits, which are each connected to a pressure sensor, open into a gas flow duct, in which a permeable element extends axially at least between opening ends of the two pressure pick-up conduits characterized in that the permeable element is produced in the form of a body which has, in cross-section, a shape complementary to that of the duct and which includes slots extending radially about its axis, so as to open radially onto an outer lateral surface of the body, and in that the slots extend axially over the entire length of the permeable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Societe d'Applications Industrielles Medicales et Electroniques
    Inventors: Philippe Chalvignac, Jean-Philippe Mercier
  • Patent number: 6152182
    Abstract: A flow regulator (1) is provided having a flow dispersion device (5) after which in the flow direction (Pfi) a flow regulation device (8) is connected. This flow regulation device (8) has several deflectors arranged in the flow path crosswise to the flow direction (Pf1). For the flow regulator (1) according to the invention it is characteristic, that the deflectors (9) are constructed in a pin or ring shape and set apart at a distance from each other, are connected with at least one mounting part (3, 4) as a single piece, that the at least one mounting part (3, 4) is constructed as an injection molded plastic part with its molded-on deflectors (9) as a single piece, and that the at least one mounting part (3, 4) can be inserted into a flow regulator housing or is constructed as a flow regulator housing (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Dieter Wildfang GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Grether, Christoph Weis