With Baffle, Spreader, Displacer, Drip Ring, Filter Or Screen Patents (Class 141/286)
  • Patent number: 6568437
    Abstract: Safety device (20) for a high-pressure fluid regulator for preventing risk of combustion caused by high velocity particles entering the regulator includes an inlet body (24) having a passage in fluid communication to receive the fluid prior to supply to the regulator, to which the device is connected. A filter (60) within the inlet body filters fluid passing through the passage. A fluid disrupter (62) is disposed between the filter and the regulator so that high velocity particles are kept by the filter and disrupter from entering the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Essex Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Dean, Robert E. Sever
  • Publication number: 20030094213
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a duplex stopper-type water dispensing and water bottle supporting apparatus which is adapted to a water bottle-type water dispensing apparatus in which a water bottle is mounted in an upside down configuration for thereby effectively dispensing water. The above apparatus is formed of an upper water bottle receiving portion and a lower water draining pipe portion and is sealed by an O-ring. A water draining pipe formed of a plurality of guide plates is provided in a center of the water draining pipe portion, so that it is possible to implement a continuous and enhanced water draining operation based on a concurrent exchanging operation of water draining and air inflow in one pipe for thereby implementing a simple construction and easier cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Young Mu Moon, Son Kyu Lee, Hyung Min Park
  • Patent number: 6564834
    Abstract: A deflector assembly located within the interior of a trailer for distributing dry bulk during loading of the dry bulk into the interior of the trailer. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector and an air cylinder. The deflector has a deflecting surface capable of deflecting the dry bulk being loaded into the interior of the trailer. The deflector moves from an opened position to a deflecting position upon a flow of compressed air from an air source to the air cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Marvin Miller, Malinda Chilcote
  • Publication number: 20030089424
    Abstract: A fuel tank fill tube assembly is disclosed for use with a conventional gasoline fill nozzle. The assembly includes a fill tube having a first tubular and cylindrical main body with a predetermined inside diameter. The fill tube further includes an enlarged diameter inlet portion joined at one end to one end of the main body. This inlet portion has a second predetermined diameter which is greater than the diameter of the main body. Both the main body and inlet portions are coaxial with each other. The inlet portion is dimensioned so that the gas fill nozzle is insertable through the inlet portion and, upon insertion, a free end of the gasoline fill nozzle is positioned within the interior of the main body. Additionally, the diameter of the main body is configured so that, upon fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle into the interior of the main body, a liquid seal is formed by the fuel flow from the gasoline fill nozzle within the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: David John Gabbey, Larry Martin Vandervoort
  • Patent number: 6561234
    Abstract: An automatic filter shutoff device containing a filter, removably connected to a water container and in fluid communication with a water dispenser, the device monitors water dispensing and disables dispensing after a predetermined amount of water usage. The monitoring and disabling mechanism has a shutoff moveable between dispensing and disabling locations. The disabling location being one in which the mechanism is placed in an interfering position with the connection between the device and the water container. The mechanism automatically moves into the disabling location after the predetermined amount of water usage has occurred without interrupting water dispensing from the then connected water container. This requires that the used filter shutoff device be replaced in order to reestablish connection to a successive water container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Elkay Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Michael Pluta, Steven A. Griffin, Howard Meinert, Michael S. Marszalec
  • Publication number: 20030084958
    Abstract: A filling pipe for a fuel tank comprises a housing which has, on its inner circumference, a number of inwardly directed threaded segments and at least one vertical indentation, the upper part of the housing has segmented threaded parts for screwing a closure cap therein, and its lower part, which is contracted to the diameter of the filling pipe, contains an insert. The insert has, on its outer circumference, a number of outwardly directed threaded segments and two outwardly directed lugs, the segments together with the inwardly directed threaded segments of the housing holding the insert in the longitudinal direction, and the lugs together with the at least one indentation form a safeguard against twisting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Buchgraber, Ing. Wolfgang Suppan
  • Patent number: 6557591
    Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a gaseous product includes a horizontal container having inlet and outlet ports, an elongated hollow tube inside the container, a purifying medium inside the tube, inlet and outlet control means adapted to control delivery of the fluid to the inlet port and to control delivery of a gaseous product from the outlet port. The tube has a first opening, a second opening spaced apart from the first opening, and an internal axis between the first and second openings. The first opening is in fluid communication with the outlet port and the second opening is in fluid communication with a vapor space in the container. A portion of the internal axis adjacent the second opening is at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the horizontal longitudinal axis of the container. Each of the inlet and outlet control means preferably are single ported valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Benjamin Lee Hertzler, Lawrence Paul Jarrett
  • Patent number: 6557596
    Abstract: A leak fuel gas discharging structure for an automobile includes a hollow reinforcement member extending between a floor panel and a wheel house and interconnecting an underfloor space and an internal space of the wheel house. The wheel house has a portion facing a filler recess and having an opening which through which the filler recess and the internal space of the wheel house are connected together. The filler recess is normally closed by a filler lid with a clearance defined between a peripheral edge of the filler lid and a peripheral edge of the filler recess. By the structure thus arranged, a fuel gas, leaking from a fuel tank disposed in the underfloor space, is discharged outside the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tohru Ono, Yozo Kami
  • Publication number: 20030075238
    Abstract: The apparatus has a closed housing (4, 29), one side of the housing (4, 29) being the filling side (13), which, during filling of the container (2), is located opposite an introduction opening (6) provided in said container. The housing (4) has a filling tube (3, 33) passing through it axially in relation to the axis of the introduction opening (6), said filling tube, on the filling side (13), protruding to such an extent that, in the filling position, projects into the introduction opening (6). The interior of the housing (4, 29) is connected to an external arrangement for extracting dust by suction, and the filling side (13) has an air-inlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Doerffel, Siegfried Krieger
  • Patent number: 6530393
    Abstract: A fuel tank for a motor vehicle has at least one reservoir which is arranged within the fuel tank, and a fuel pump associated with the reservoir. A filling conduit for filling the tank with fuel is of such a design that at least a partial flow of the fuel flowing through the filling conduit can be fed directly to the reservoir. The filling conduit opens at its delivery end into an open catch receptacle which communicates with the reservoir by way of at least one discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Georg Reinelt
  • Patent number: 6527021
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing fuel and reductant to a vehicle from a fuel dispensing station are disclosed which allow for providing both fluids to a vehicle equipped with a fuel and reductant tank and allows for providing only fuel to a vehicle without a reductant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Derek Albert Channing
  • Patent number: 6523582
    Abstract: An automobile fuel filler port structure is provided that can improve the fuel filling performance and suppress scattering of the fuel. The automobile fuel filler port structure has a ventilation jacket that is formed between a guide part and the inner surface of a neck section and a plurality of helical swirl grooves that are formed on the surface of the guide part. A recirculation port that recirculates fuel-vapor-containing air during refueling is connected at the outer end of ventilation jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Furuta
  • Publication number: 20030010398
    Abstract: A rotary and flow meter type liquid filling apparatus including a liquid reservoir tank that stores and supplies liquid to filling nozzles, and air supply paths for different amount of air supply and air discharge paths for different amount of air discharge being connected to the liquid reservoir tank. An air compressor is connected to the air supply paths, and the air discharge paths open into the atmosphere. A liquid pressure sensor disposed near the filling nozzles sense the increase or decrease of the liquid pressure inside a pipe that connects the liquid reservoir tank and liquid filling nozzles, and the electromagnetic valves provided on the air supply and air discharge paths are opened or closed, thus supplying air to and discharging air from the liquid reservoir tank so as to control the air pressure inside the liquid reservoir tank and the liquid pressure near the liquid filling nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: TOYO JIDOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Namiyoshi Tanaka, Hiroyuki Okazaki, Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 6497259
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for moving powder from a hopper containing a supply of powder to fill a container. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member operably connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a powder to be moved therethrough; (b) a nozzle member for directing the powder from the conveyor to fill the container, the nozzle member being operably connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and having a first end connected to the conduit member, and a second and opposite end for dispensing moving powder into the container; and (c) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the powder from the hopper in a powder moving direction to the nozzle member, the conveyor device being stoppable for halting the flow of powder, and including a porous portion and vacuum device for additionally halting the flow of powder for a clean shutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul M. Wegman
  • Patent number: 6491070
    Abstract: The device comprises a container (1) with a mouth (4′) to which the end of the conduit through which cement falls into the drum (3) of a concrete mixer truck is coupled, said container being fixed and having a trap door (6) for adapting the back part of said drum (3) so that the dust originating from the fall of the cement remains inside sad container (1). Part of the dust goes out through the conduit (9) to a common collector (10) while the other part is suctioned in through a suctioning head (2) formed by a truncated cone-shaped body, the biggest base thereof being coupled to the mouth (3′) for loading the drum (3) and the smallest base leading to a conduit (13) that ends in the common collector (10). The dust is suctioned in from said collector and passed through a container or hopper (22) with filters with the purpose of cleaning and final reception in a tank or common collector (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Juan José Espina Frutos
  • Patent number: 6484764
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for directing toner from a hopper containing a supply of toner to evenly fill a non-symmetric container without excessive dusting and spills. The apparatus includes (a) a conduit member operably connected to the hopper and having a discharging end for permitting a toner to be moved therethrough; (b) a conveyor device located at least partially within the conduit member for moving the toner from the hopper in a toner moving direction towards the non-symmetric container; and (c) a nozzle member for directing the toner from the conveyor to evenly fill the non-symmetric container. The nozzle member is operably connected to the discharge end of the conduit member and has a first end connected to the conduit member, a second and opposite end for dispensing moving toner into the non-symmetric container, and a central portion between the first end and the second and opposite end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Wegman, Lee J. Gang, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020170618
    Abstract: An automatic filter shutoff device removably connected to a water container and in fluid communication with a water dispenser, which is adapted to monitor water dispensing and disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of water usage. The device includes a housing containing a water filter and removably connected to the water container; a monitoring and disabling mechanism having a shutoff apparatus moveable between first and second locations, the first location being one in which water dispensing is monitored by the mechanism, and the second location being one in which the mechanism is placed in an interfering position with the connection between the housing and the water container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Pluta, Steven A. Griffin, Howard Meinert, Michael S. Marszalec
  • Publication number: 20020170621
    Abstract: A system and a method for providing fuel and reductant to a vehicle from a fuel dispensing station are disclosed which allow for providing both fluids to a vehicle equipped with a fuel and reductant tank and allows for providing only fuel to a vehicle without a reductant tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Derek Albert Channing
  • Publication number: 20020166605
    Abstract: To improve a freedom of layout within a narrow cowling of the outboard engine, achieve a reduction of manufacturing cost and an improvement of a maintenance performance of a filter member, a fuel supply apparatus in an outboard engine is structured such that fuel within a fuel tank is supplied into a vapor separator (V) via a low pressure fuel pump, the fuel stored within the vapor separator (V) is pressurized by a high pressure fuel pump (P) and is supplied to a fuel injection valve via a filter, a pump case (10) receiving the high pressure fuel pump (P) is arranged in a side portion of the vapor separator (10) an upper opening thereof is fixed by a cover member (14), a fuel discharge passage (15) connected to a pump discharge passage (PB) of the high pressure fuel pump (P) and a filter receiving recess portion (16) connected to the fuel discharge passage (15) are formed in the cover member (14), and a filter member (17) is detachably arranged in the filter receiving recess portion (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Tetsu Wada, Tomonori Ikuma, Jun Kimura, Fumihiko Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6471100
    Abstract: A cushion box for adjustably cushioning particulate material in a spouting arrangement includes a hollow tubular housing with an outlet opening disposed below an inlet opening, and a movable baffle disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Easy Blend Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Clayton S. Ellsworth
  • Patent number: 6467513
    Abstract: In a reactor in which reaction tube(s), cooling tubes, heating tubes or combinations thereof are provided, a method for packing a catalyst comprising a step of packing the catalyst in the space formed between the inner wall of the reactor and the outer walls of the tubes by passing the catalyst through a flexible tube provided in the inside of the reactor and having a means to absorb the impact to the catalyst and thereby feeding the catalyst along the inner wall of the reactor with the falling distance of the catalyst maintained within a certain range and a step of fluidizing the catalyst thus-packed in said space, and a device for effecting the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Yanaru, Hitoshi Nakamura, Yuzuru Yanagisawa
  • Publication number: 20020139440
    Abstract: A deflector assembly located within the interior of a trailer for distributing dry bulk during loading of the dry bulk into the interior of the trailer. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector and an air cylinder. The deflector has a deflecting surface capable of deflecting the dry bulk being loaded into the interior of the trailer. The deflector moves from an opened position to a deflecting position upon a flow of compressed air from an air source to the air cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Marvin Miller, Malinda Chilcote
  • Publication number: 20020134461
    Abstract: An automobile fuel filler port structure is provided that can improve the fuel filling performance and suppress scattering of the fuel. The automobile fuel filler port structure has a ventilation jacket that is formed between a guide part and the inner surface of a neck section and a plurality of helical swirl grooves that are formed on the surface of the guide part. A recirculation port that recirculates fuel-vapor-containing air during refueling is connected at the outer end of ventilation jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 6443193
    Abstract: This device comprises an element driven in rotation about a vertical axis, placed at an outlet of a passage used for introducing a divided solid material into a receptacle. The element comprises two conduits for dispersing the material, each having a curved shape and an opening through which the material can flow out into the receptacle. The conduits are curved about an axis perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the element but in opposite directions from one another. Each of the conduits further comprises at least one longitudinal partition extending over a length of the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Blasco
  • Publication number: 20020096228
    Abstract: A fuel tank filler neck assembly includes a resilient seal interposed between a flanged opening in the fuel tank and a filler pipe. The seal is preferably molded or otherwise manufactured from an elastomer, which provides an effective barrier to the permeation of fuel vapors. The seal has a plurality of ribs that assist in bore retention as the filler pipe is inserted through the flanged opening. An alternative embodiment includes a ribbed resilient seal with a metal insert contained within an elastomeric matrix. The metal insert aids in the alignment and installation of the seal. In all embodiments, the seal provides a resilient and secure leak tight joint for use in metallic and polymeric fuel tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Steve Stoddart, Greg Dyer
  • Patent number: 6412524
    Abstract: An improved injector apparatus for introducing flowable force compensating material into a tire/wheel assembly for the purpose of equalizing radial and lateral force variations of the tire/wheel assembly when in use on a vehicle. The injector apparatus generally comprises a container having a cylindrical side wall, an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap, which together enclose a chamber for flowable force compensating material, and a flexible hose having a quick disconnect coupling at its discharge end for conveying a mixture of pressurized air and flowable force compensating material from the chamber to the interior of a tire/wheel assembly. The outlet end cap comprises at least one channel groove, which helps direct the flowable force compensating material toward an outlet fitting in a manner preventing the flowable force compensating material from getting trapped in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Fogal, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6408900
    Abstract: A deflector assembly located within the interior of a trailer for distributing dry bulk during loading of the dry bulk into the interior of the trailer. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector having a deflecting surface. The deflector has an opened position and a deflecting position, wherein the deflecting surface is not situated to deflect the dry bulk when the deflector is in the opened position and the deflecting surface is situated to deflect the dry bulk when the deflector is in the deflecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Marvin Miller, Malinda Chilcote
  • Patent number: 6405767
    Abstract: A fuel fill pipe assembly for promoting less turbulent flow in a fuel pipe is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipe extending between a first end and a second end and at least one vane positioned on the pipe for urging the formation of at least a partial vortex within fuel that traverses through the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Joseph Marsala, Akram R. Zahdeh
  • Patent number: 6397902
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided which includes a nozzle body having a proximal end and an insertion end and defining an inlet orifice at the proximal end thereof and an outlet orifice at the insertion end thereof. The nozzle body is adapted to be attached at the proximal end thereof to an opening of a container and to be inserted at the insertion end thereof into an opening of a receiving vessel for dispensing a first fluid from the container into the receiving vessel from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice thereof. The nozzle further includes a venting device connected to the nozzle body and defining a vent discharge opening for venting a second fluid from the receiving vessel into the container through the vent discharge opening such that the second fluid is vented through the vent discharge opening of the venting device without traversing the first fluid in the container substantially during an entire time for a dispensing of the first fluid from the container into the receiving vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Michael J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6390148
    Abstract: There is disclosed a filling valve for incorporation in a bottle filling machine such as the Crown bottle filling machine or other functionally similar bottle filling machine, which the filling valve has a housing adapted so that the liquid beverage will flow through the valve orifice from a reservoir and further through a bottle sealing rubber into the bottle or other container. A valve stem centrally located in the valve has a passageway extending through it which permits gas displaced from the container as it is filled to pass upward through the stem into the reservoir. A distinctive valve stem guide is provided in the housing which has a non-circular opening, preferably a generally triangular opening, which serves to restrain rotational movement of the stem by virtue of a hexagonal shape, or other polygonal shape, of the cross-section of a portion of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Anderson-Martin Machine Co.
    Inventor: Wendell S. Martin
  • Patent number: 6354344
    Abstract: An automatic filter shutoff device removably connected to a water container and in fluid communication with a water dispenser, which is adapted to monitor water dispensing and disable dispensing after a predetermined amount of water usage. The device includes a housing containing a water filter and removably connected to the water container; a monitoring and disabling mechanism having a shutoff apparatus moveable between first and second locations, the first location being one in which water dispensing is monitored by the mechanism, and the second location being one in which the mechanism is placed in an interfering position with the connection between the housing and the water container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Michael Pluta, Steven A. Griffin, Howard Meinert, Michael S. Marszalec, Edward Donselman
  • Publication number: 20020003005
    Abstract: There is disclosed a filling valve for incorporation in a bottle filling machine such as the Crown bottle filling machine or other functionally similar bottle filling machine, which The filling valve has a housing adapted so that the liquid beverage will flow through the valve orifice from a reservoir and further through a bottle sealing rubber into the bottle or other container. A valve stem centrally located in the valve has a passageway extending through it which permits gas displaced from the container as it is filled to pass upward through the stem into the reservoir. A distinctive valve stem guide is provided in the housing which has a non-circular opening, preferably a generally triangular opening, which serves to restrain rotational movement ofthe stem by virtue of a hexagonal shape, or other polygonal shape, of the cross-section of a portion of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Wendell S. Martin
  • Patent number: 6330893
    Abstract: A fuel tank filler neck is provided to reduce the escape of gasoline vapor from an automobile fuel tank system and is leak tight. The filler neck is configured to receive a fuel supply nozzle. The filler neck includes a one-piece seamless funnel member having a tubular body and an elongated tubular member. The funnel member defines in off-set axial relation a relatively large inlet opening adapted for attachment to a receptor for the nozzle and a relatively small necked down outlet opening adapted for attachment to the inlet of an elongated tubular member. The tubular member is adapted to be in communication with the fuel tank. A method for manufacturing the fuel tank filler neck is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 6318418
    Abstract: A worm metering apparatus which includes a metering tube having an end, the end has an annular barrier element, made of sintered metal, that communicates with a negative-pressure source and an overpressure source gas source. A pressure meter is also provided, which measures the negative pressure that prevails in a line to the barrier element. To prevent the barrier element from becoming clogged with bulk material particles, the overpressure gas is conducted to the barrier element during the operation of the worm metering apparatus, in order to detach adhering particles of bulk material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Grossmann, Anton Ettenhofer
  • Patent number: 6311744
    Abstract: A hose fitting for filling tank cars comprising a t-shaped pipe defining a bore therethrough, the t-shaped pipe comprising a body member with one or more pairs of opposingly directed tubular legs, and an intermediate leg extending substantially perpendicular from the body member, the intermediate leg comprising an intermediate leg end adapted to couple with a hose; and one or more tube extensions for coupling with the tubular legs, each of the one or more tube extensions connected to one of the tubular legs by a connecting wire so that the tube extensions remain connected to the tubular legs when the tube extensions are uncoupled from the tubular legs. A method for filling tank cars with pellet-shaped particles is also provided, the method comprising transporting the t-shaped pipe to the roof of a tank car, the tank car roof having one or more openings for receiving materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Chester Cary
  • Patent number: 6302162
    Abstract: An installation for the treatment of fluid having a receptacle (1) defining a non-vertical portion of a path for fluid through at least two adjacent masses (A; B; C) of particulate materials, typically different from each other, each mass being in direct contact with its neighbor or neighbors, without the interposition of a separating grid. The installation is particularly useful for the separation or drying of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6289947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling a fuel tank (2) with a filling conduit (4). The fuel flow entering the tank is directed by a through flow sensor (53) in order to control and monitor the filling process. A particularly suitable tank system (1) for implementation of said method comprises a fuel tank (2), a filling tube (3) surrounding a filling conduit (4) and discharging into said fuel tank, an adsorption filler (6) connected to the gas area (8) of the tank (2) and a through-flow sensor (53) which detects the flow of fuel in the filling tube (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Klaus J. Heimbrodt, Helmut Auernhammer, Thomas Theuer, Thomas Conrad, Ewald Duermeier, Bertold Ediger, Lothar Mauz, Dieter Scheurenbrand, Manfred Stotz, Manfred Weil
  • Patent number: 6276408
    Abstract: An installation for the treatment of fluid having a receptacle (1) defining a non-vertical portion of a path for fluid through at least two adjacent masses (A; B; C) of particulate materials, typically different from each other, each mass being in direct contact with its neighbor or neighbors, without the interposition of a separating grid. The installation is particularly useful for the separation or drying of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6269851
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6269847
    Abstract: A device for laying dust contained in a flow of bulk product during transfer thereof includes a divergent cone onto whose outside surface the product is directed from a feed pipe to form a tubular layer of product. A mounting device holds the cone in the flow of product leaving the feed pipe and at least one device fixed to the mounting device sprays a moistening liquid to moisten the inside envelope of the layer of product. The spray device has at least one central nozzle in a spray moistening area downstream of the cone to moisten the part of the inside envelope of the product layer downstream of the cone. The structure of the device is such that the thickness of the tubular layer of the flow of product can be freely chosen at least until the flow leaves the area, the layer thereafter retaining its hollow annular shape. Applications include laying dust contained in grain when it is transferred into cells of a storage silo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Exel Industries
    Inventor: Patrick Ballu
  • Patent number: 6267155
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Inhale Therapeutic Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick J. Parks, Michael J. Rocchio, Kyle Naydo, Dennis E. Wightman, Adrian E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6244309
    Abstract: There is disclosed a filling valve for incorporation in a bottle filling machine such as the Crown bottle filling machine or other functionally similar bottle filling machine, which The filling valve has a housing adapted so that the liquid beverage will flow through the valve orifice from a reservoir and further through a bottle sealing rubber into the bottle or other container. A valve stem centrally located in the valve has a passageway extending through it which permits gas displaced from the container as it is filled to pass upward through the stem into the reservoir. A distinctive valve stem guide is provided in the housing which has a non-circular opening, preferably a generally triangular opening, which serves to restrain rotational movement of the stem by virtue of a hexagonal shape, or other polygonal shape, of the cross-section of a portion of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Wendell S. Martin
  • Patent number: 6240983
    Abstract: Foaming and lateral water leakage during the filling of a container with a foam-prone water/chemical mixture is minimized by using, at the inlet of the venturi nozzle which draws the chemical into the water, a water authority-approved resilient-sleeve air gap which furnishes air-free water to the venturi while providing a siphon-breaking air gap if water is not flowing into the venturi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Knight, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Beldham, Donald W. Smeller, Christopher W. Nesselroad
  • Publication number: 20010001180
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Low
  • Patent number: 6227264
    Abstract: An adapter is provided for facillating simultaneous level-monitoring and filling of a vessel through a single vessel aperture. The adapter also reduces backflow that may occur during the filling process. The adapter comprises an aperture engagement end which is adapted to couple with the aperture of a vessel. The adapter also includes a plurality of inlets, pathways and outlets. A first pathway is substantially straight and is adapted to receive a level-monitoring devices easily couple with this first pathway. The adapter also comprises a second pathway which is free from fluid communication with the other pathway. This discrete second pathway is used for filling the vessel with minimal fluid backflow. This discrete second pathway also protects the level-monitoring device from possible damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: William P. Schenk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6209594
    Abstract: In the case of a filling pipe for a fuel tank a branching element is arranged in a section of the filling pipe. The flow of the inflowing fuel preferably runs along an outer wall of the filling pipe, so that a subflow is in each case conducted directly to the antisurge tower through a lower cross-sectional area. Larger volume flows, which completely fill the cross section, pass for the most part directly into the fuel tank. By this means, a sufficient basic supply of the antisurge tower is ensured irrespective of the volume flow produced during filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Löw
  • Patent number: 6196278
    Abstract: A method for filling a powder container, including the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a supply of powder in a vessel, vibrofluidizing the powder in the vessel to improve its flow properties, dispensing powder from the vessel into the first container, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Wegman, Joseph S. Zelazny, Mikhail Vaynshteyn, Fumii Higuchi, Joseph C. Barbisan, Oleg Y. Abramov, Sergei D. Ryabov, Yuri A. Yudin, Alexander G. Kashkarov, Alexander N. Gerasimov, Victor A. Kouzmitchev
  • Patent number: 6182712
    Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper having an opening. The hopper is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder. At least one chamber, which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening, is also provided. An element having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned within the hopper such that the distal end is near the opening. A vibrator motor is provided to vibrate the element when within the fine powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Inhale Therapeutic Systems
    Inventors: Gordon Stout, Xuyen Pham, Michael J. Rocchio, Kyle A. Naydo, Derrick J. Parks, Patrick Reich
  • Patent number: 6176276
    Abstract: A device for feeding a granular material from an upstream source to a downstream location such as a mobile container. The device comprising a conduit for receiving a flow of said granular material and which has an outlet for delivering granular material to said location. Then device further comprises a delivery system for delivering a stream of gas to the conduit to entrain and accelerate at least a portion of the granular material flowing therethrough, and an apparatus for directing the gas stream so that granular material is propelled from the outlet in a plurality of directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignees: NEU Engineering Limited, NEU Transfair
    Inventors: Andrew Maunder, Thierry Destoop
  • Patent number: 6158485
    Abstract: In the case of a filling device for a motor vehicle fuel tank, a distributing element extends from a filling nozzle to an anti-surge tower of the motor vehicle. When there is a low volume flow of fuel in the filling nozzle, the distributing element supplies all of the fuel to the anti-surge tower. When there is a large volume flow, the greater part of the fuel passes directly into the fuel tank. It is thereby ensured that during an initial filling or emergency filling with a jerrycan, virtually all of the fuel passes into the anti-surge tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Knut Meyer, Peter Andreas Low, Thomas Zapp, Christian Kochsmeier