System Fluid Used In Seal Or In Valve Or Lift Operation Patents (Class 141/46)
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Patent number: 11987488Abstract: A docking device for mechanically connecting an upper and a lower container module of a multipart container. The docking device includes an upper docking segment which is fastenable on an opening of the upper container module, and a lower docking segment which is fastenable on an opening of the lower container module. Fluid is configured to move from the upper container module into the lower container module. An upper docking region of an upper channel section and/or an upper docking segment and a lower docking region of a lower channel section and/or the lower docking segment can be arranged in such a way that the fluid flows through an externally leak-tight channel in an open valve body position. An actuating assembly is arranged in the upper channel section and/or in the lower channel section.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: VOLKMANN GMBHInventor: Konrad Sümmermann
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Patent number: 11905159Abstract: A system for recovering fuel vapor during delivery of fuel by a mobile fueler includes a storage tank covered with a layer of insulation, a supply pump connected to the storage tank for delivering fuel therefrom, and a fuel dispensing assembly, preferably a coaxial hose and nozzle, including a supply outlet for delivering fuel to a vehicle being fueled, and a vapor recovery inlet proximate the supply outlet. A diverter valve diverts a portion of the fuel in the supply line, and a vacuum jet pump is connected to the storage tank and, by a vapor line, to the vapor recovery inlet, which is driven by the diverted fuel to create a vacuum in the vapor line to draw vapor into the vapor recovery inlet, through the vapor line, and into the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Inventor: Bob J. Hill
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Patent number: 11619316Abstract: A one piece vent formed from one integral piece of material, such as Aluminum, and which defines a fluid pathway therethrough having a borehole within said fluid pathway, and further including a groove that retains a roto clip therein so as to secure a ball and a float within an interior of the vent, the float movable between a sealing position on said borehole and an unsealed position away from said borehole.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Inventors: Daniel Ray Enyeart, Evan Waymire
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Patent number: 11618619Abstract: Child resistant closures are typically two-piece assemblies or squeeze and turn closures with an inside wall and an outside wall. The current squeeze and turn child resistant closures are expensive and difficult for seniors to operate. The preferred design is a child-resistant single wall cap and container assembly that is preferably easy for seniors to open and difficult for children to open or is substantially child-resistant. In addition, due to the single wall of the cap and relatively low cap height, the preferred assembly is light, requires less material and relatively less expensive to manufacture than prior art container assemblies. Like many child resistant closure systems, the preferred container assembly design includes a container with specifically designed neck finish to lock the closure on the container. However, the preferred design includes two small lugs, which generally do not add significantly to the bottle complexity or bottle cost.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: DRUG PLASTICS & GLASS COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Frederick N. Biesecker, II, Nathaniel Koller, Bruce T. Cleevely, Douglas S. Camomile, Lissa Biesecker Longacre, Joshua T. Koehler
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Patent number: 11533931Abstract: A machine for making liquid or semi-liquid food products, specifically ice cream, includes a vessel for processing liquid or semi-liquid base products by means of a stirring device driven by a motor. The mixture in the vessel is transferred through a duct, along which movement means for moving the mixture are operatively located, these movement means comprising a rotary device including two juxtaposed discs, on which a series of rollers is mounted in such a way as to press a flexible portion of the duct, and an opposing element confronting the rollers.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: ALI GROUP S.R.L.—CARPIGIANIInventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
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Patent number: 11524888Abstract: A system for recovering fuel vapor during delivery of fuel by a mobile fueler includes a storage tank covered with a layer of insulation, a supply pump connected to the storage tank for delivering fuel therefrom, and a fuel dispensing assembly, preferably a coaxial hose and nozzle, including a supply outlet for delivering fuel to a vehicle being fueled, and a vapor recovery inlet proximate the supply outlet. A diverter valve diverts a portion of the fuel in the supply line, and a vacuum jet pump is connected to the storage tank and, by a vapor line, to the vapor recovery inlet, which is driven by the diverted fuel to create a vacuum in the vapor line to draw vapor into the vapor recovery inlet, through the vapor line, and into the storage tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Inventor: Bob J. Hill
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Patent number: 11148924Abstract: There is described a filling valve (5) for a filling machine (1) configured to fill a receptacle (2) and comprising a flow channel (11), having a first passage section (15) configured to be fluidly connected with the receptacle (2), and at least one shutter (22) movably arranged within the flow channel (11) and configured to be controlled, during a first operating mode in which the flow channel (11) is fed with a first pourable product, in: a resting position, in which it defines a first maximum opening passage for the first pourable product; a closing position, in which it is configured to sealingly cooperate with the first passage section (15) so as to prevent any fluidic connection between this latter and the receptacle (2); and at least one intermediate position, in which it defines a respective intermediate opening passage, so as to allow a partial flow rate of the first pourable product towards said receptacle; the flow channel (11) has a second passage section (18) configured to be fluidly connected wiType: GrantFiled: May 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONSInventors: Filippo Bandini, Stefano d'Errico
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Patent number: 10953174Abstract: The present invention concerns a pneumatic delivery device having three successively-arranged chambers, a membrane element arranged in the third chamber so as to ensure a tight separation of the third chamber into a lower chamber and upper chamber, a membrane element arranged between the second chamber and the lower chamber of the third chamber so as to ensure a tight separation between said lower chamber and second chamber, a stem integrally fixed to the first membrane element and to the second membrane element, a valve cooperating with an outlet orifice arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a flow adjustment element arranged on a gas conduct in fluid communication with the gas outlet of the second chamber, said flow adjustment element being operable by a user for setting a quantity of gas circulating in said gas conduct.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Thierry Boulanger
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Patent number: 9561945Abstract: The bottling installation for bottling a liquid in containers includes at least one filler terminal comprising a filler spout (2) comprising a spout body having a top end portion connected to a filler spout feed duct (7) and a bottom end provided with an orifice (8) fitted with a controlled valve, the filler spout being fitted with a feed-back duct (10) opening out into the spout body (6) above the controlled valve (9) and suitable for being connected by a connection member (11) to a general feed duct (12) between a stop valve (14) and an isolating valve (15), a purge valve (17) being connected to the general feed duct (12) between the isolating valve (15) and the connection member (11).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: SERAC GROUPInventor: Bertrand Gruson
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Patent number: 9193574Abstract: A filling element for free jet filling of containers with a liquid charge includes a housing having a liquid channel formed therein, a liquid valve provided upstream of a dispensing opening, and an actuator device for actuating the liquid valve for controlled discharge of the liquid charge via the dispensing opening into a container arranged with a container opening thereof spaced below the dispensing opening. In an open state thereof, the liquid valve forms an opening gap through which the liquid charge flows. This opening gap has a gap width of at least four millimeters. The actuating device for the liquid valve is configured to cause the liquid valve to be in the open state for at least one hundred milliseconds.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: KHS GmbHInventors: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch, Jonathan Lorenz, Manfred Härtel, Andreas Fahldieck, Ludwig Clüsserath
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Patent number: 9108834Abstract: A filling valve (1) for hot filling plastic bottles, which allows to meet all the requirements determined by the typical particularities of hot filling applications in the most effective manner possible, while allowing to maintain the same basic configuration also for cold processing plain liquids without needing recirculation, e.g. plain water. The filing valve (1) comprises:—a valve body (2) defining therein a space for the passage of a filing liquid and provided with a hole for introducing said liquid in one of said containers,—a first shutter (4) of said hole, sliding within the valve body (2), a siphon (5) between said space and said hole, and a liquid deflection element (6) accommodated in said hole, configured so as to confer a rotational component to the liquid which crosses it, which permits the liquid itself to adhere to the walls of the container during the step of filing, said deflection element (6) being integrally fixed to and directly in contact with said first end of the first shutter (4).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa' Industrializzazione Progettazione E. Automazione S.p.A.Inventors: Pasquale Mauro, Stefano Abati, Matteo Zoppas
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Patent number: 8991443Abstract: An air flow controller for a pneumatically operated watercraft lift has a valve for opening and closing the air line to the pontoon and a manifold with a gate. The gate is biased to a first orientation in which air from the pontoon can be exhausted only to the atmosphere when the lift blower is switched “off.” When the blower is switched “on,” air flow from the blower moves the gate into a second orientation in which the blower can force air only into the pontoon. This configuration prevents flow of water into the blower during lowering of the pontoon while using relatively few and simple valve system components.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Michael D. Vaughn
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Publication number: 20150053307Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a valve assembly for preventing dead leg spaces in a container or tubing, the embodiments including a three-way valve system for controlling back-pressure in a fluid generating device, such as a single-use high pressure bioreactor. Also disclosed is a pressurized reactor system for bioprocessing, comprising a single-use container including a flexible wall or a semi-rigid wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.Inventors: Colin R. Tuohey, Thomas Erdenberger, Richard L. Damren, Kenneth Clapp, Parrish M. Galliher, Jonathan Kenney
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Publication number: 20140305541Abstract: A fluid filling valve that dispensed fluid to a container in a swirl fashion providing smoother fills with less foam to enable fluids to be dispensed at higher temperatures than conventional filling valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventor: Richard D. Jenne
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Patent number: 8714207Abstract: A vertical round container (1) for storing liquids comprises a floating cover (6) covering the surface of the liquid. The cover is sealed in relation to the container wall by means of flexible sealing elements (18, 19) and includes, on the lower side thereof, at least one compartment (62) which is open towards the liquid and contains gaseous media/vapors. Devices (40a) are provided for determining the submersion depth of the cover, and supply/discharge lines (29) are provided for modifying the quantity of the gaseous medium in the at least one compartment. The supply/discharge lines for the gaseous medium are connected to a central unit (28) provided outside the container region.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventor: Heinrich Imhof
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Publication number: 20140096866Abstract: A filling valve is provided for filling containers such as beverage cans. The valve includes a tipless nozzle having ports oriented for directing flow. The nozzle includes a valve seat having a planar sealing surface. A spring actuated vent seal is provided for closing the vent tube. The valve stem may have protrusions for centering the stem in the valve body. The filling valve may have a bell forming a cavity between the bell and the valve body, and an aperture for directing cleaning fluid from within the bell to the cavity. The valve body may have a duct for directing cleaning fluid from the cavity to an outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: BEVCORP LLCInventor: Richard D. Jenne
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Publication number: 20140076460Abstract: To provide an oil filling nozzle with vapor recovery function capable of controlling opening degree of a vapor passage depending on flow rate and adjusting recovery rate. The oil filling nozzle includes a discharge pipe 3 mounted to a front end of a nozzle; a vapor control valve 21 arranged in a middle of a pipe, which connects a vapor collector 19 mounted so as to cover a circumference of the discharge pipe and a vapor passage 22, the vapor control valve 21 being opened and closed by liquid pressure in a nozzle main body 2; and a means for adjusting vapor recovery rate by adjusting opening degree of the vapor control valve 21.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: TATSUNO CORPORATIONInventors: Jianyoung Xia, Kanan Sato
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Publication number: 20100071802Abstract: A filling system for hot filling of beverage bottles or containers in a bottle or container filling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Ludwig CLÜSSERATH, Dieter-Rudolf KRULITSCH
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Publication number: 20100037983Abstract: A filling valve device having a gripper and a container mouth seal, in which vertical movement of the gripper holding an empty beverage container relative to a filling valve causes a filling valve container mouth seal to be brought into contact with a neck ring to form a gas seal and fill a beverage containing carbon dioxide. The cross-sectional shape of the container mouth seal approximates an inwardly facing lip shape. Flexibility is imparted in the vertical direction of the filling valve. The inside of the container mouth seal is brought into contact with the neck ring during beverage filling, and a sealing force is applied to the beverage container and the container mouth seal by the gas pressure applied during filling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Kiyoshi Hiroya, Kenji Mizukawa, Hirofumi Sato, Shingo Wada, Tsuyoshi Akimoto, Yoshihisa Tachibana
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Patent number: 7644739Abstract: A pressurized actuator system for independent deployment of at least two inflatable structures having a first primary section adapted for deployment of a primary inflatable structure and second section for deployment of a secondary inflatable structure and an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid for operating said device. A control assembly for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the auxiliary source of pressurized into the second system is provided. Thus, the system assures independent deployment of the primary and secondary inflatable structures.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Air Cruisers CompanyInventors: Jonathan Vezzosi, Thomas W. Swierkocki
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Publication number: 20090095370Abstract: A beverage bottling plant having a filling machine with multiple beverage filling elements, a filling machine with multiple beverage filling elements, a filling element and related method. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf KRULITSCH
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Publication number: 20090071566Abstract: A device for the filling of vessels, with a container for liquid and pressurized gas and at least one filling pipe connected with this, which filling pipe comprises a liquid valve and a return gas pipe, whereby a gas pipe discharges into the filling pipe outside the return gas pipe, which gas pipe is connected with the container by means of a pre-stressing valve, so that the pre-stressing valve is positioned on the upper side of the container and the gas pipe discharges into the container from above.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2006Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: KRONES AGInventor: Erwin Knieling
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Patent number: 7434600Abstract: A pressurized actuator system for simultaneously deploying a plurality of inflatable floatation devices or other structures for a rotorcraft or other mobile or stationary devices includes a plurality of primary sources of pressurized fluid adapted for deploying a corresponding number of inflatable structures, a plurality of primary valves that are each operatively associated with one of the primary sources, a plurality of pressure-responsive primary transducers operative to open a different one of the primary valves, and a secondary source of pressurized fluid adapted for simultaneously operating the primary transducers to thereby open the primary valves and simultaneously deploy the plurality of inflatable structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Air Cruisers CompanyInventors: Thomas W. Swierkocki, Brian Henry
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Publication number: 20080216916Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Robert P. Hart
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Publication number: 20080128415Abstract: A filler neck assembly includes a funnel member having a tubular body defining a transition portion between an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a nozzle receptor disposed within the tubular body. The nozzle receptor positions a nozzle relative to the transition portion to create a suctioning effect that prevents fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere during fueling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 7343942Abstract: A method of forming a gas tank filler neck includes configuring at least a portion of a seamless tubular member to induce a swirl to passing fuel for venting vapors from the gas tank during fuel filling. The configuration may include deep drawing a seamless funnel member, forming a relatively large inlet at one end thereof, and forming a relatively small outlet at the opposite end thereof, the inlet having an axis offset from the axis of the outlet. A filler neck includes a seamless funnel member defining a relatively large inlet opening and relatively small outlet opening, the position of the inlet opening relative the outlet opening inducing a swirl to the fuel being supplied.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 7296600Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having a valve seat defining at least part of a vent passage, a pressure responsive member carried by the housing and defining at least part of a pressure chamber, and a valve carried by the housing and having a closure movable relative to the valve seat between an open position permitting fluid flow through the vent passage and a closed position at least substantially restricting fluid flow through the vent passage. The closure is moved by the pressure responsive member in response to changes in pressure in the pressure chamber. A control passage communicates at one end with a pressure source and at its other end with the pressure chamber and an electrically operated valve is movable from a first position permitting a pressure signal to develop within the pressure chamber and a second position permitting pressure within the pressure chamber to vent.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.Inventors: David M. Ferreria, John R. Forgue, Mark R. Johansen
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Patent number: 7147017Abstract: A fill limit vent valve assembly includes a cover assembly, a valve assembly and a fill control system.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Alfmeier CorporationInventor: Ralf Leonhardt
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Patent number: 7059365Abstract: A fuel tank filler assembly includes a filler neck configured to receive a fuel supply nozzle. The filler neck includes a one-piece seamless funnel member having a tubular body configured to swirl supplied fuel and reduce vapor escape. The tubular body includes integrally formed threads for receiving a gas cap. 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 a filler tube. The filler tube is in communication with the fuel tank. A method for manufacturing the fuel tank filler neck is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 6845793Abstract: A method of filling a pressure medium accumulator with a housing having an inner space that is subdivided into two chambers by a metallic pleated bellows used as a media-separating element. The first chamber thereof is filled with a gas and the second chamber is filled with a liquid pressure medium. The bottom valve is provided in a hydraulic port, its closing member being operable by the media-separating element. The valve permits filling of the second chamber with fluid and prevents a complete evacuation of the second chamber. To enable reliable filling of the above-mentioned chambers with corresponding media without damaging the pleated bellows, the method includes the steps of evacuating the second chamber, filling the second chamber with pressure medium and filling the first chamber with a gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHGInventors: Manfred Rüffer, Andreas Klein, Christian Albrich von Albrichsfeld
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Patent number: 6799614Abstract: Fuel is dispensed into a fuel tank fill tube by a hand-held tool assembly having a body with an outlet tube connected to a fuel supply passage through an air actuated control valve. Spring biased arcuate jaws surround the outlet tube and expand outwardly into engagement with an inner surface of the fill tube by an air actuated annular clamping piston surrounding the outlet tube. An air actuated annular sealing piston surrounds the clamping piston and is effective to seal the outer end of the fill tube after the fill tube is clamped. The position of the fill tube is sensed by a pin which actuates a proximity switch, and a handle and fluid line connectors projecting from the body at right angles to the outlet tube. Thumb operated control switches are located adjacent the handle.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.Inventors: Matthew A. Smith, Randy S. Robinson
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Patent number: 6601617Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6588459Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 6581654Abstract: A pneumatic control head for controlling the supply of a product into a container via a filling head. A manifold has a pilot air duct. A start valve outputs main air to the pilot air duct when actuated by a mechanical switch. A pilot valve activates a cylinder using the main air in response to air pressure in the pilot air duct. A filling head source valve routs either sensing air or blow down air to a filling head output in response to the condition of a blow down valve actuated by a mechanical switch. An overpressure valve exhausts the pilot air duct in response to the sensing air having a pressure higher than normal. The switches each includes a ball bearing captured by a collar. An external cam pushes the ball bearing into the collar, causing the ball bearing to actuate the respective valve. Duct connections to valves are implemented by a single machined plate with a depression that overlaps the duct aperture and valve opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: HealthStar, Inc.Inventors: Paul Goldie, Scot LaMar
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Patent number: 6578597Abstract: A vent module is adapted to be mounted in a top wall of a fuel tank to vent fuel vapor from the tank to a vapor recovery canister located outside the tank. An outer shell is positioned around the vent module to define a fuel vapor transfer passageway arranged to conduct liquid fuel droplets into a liquid fuel accumulation chamber. A fuel vapor transfer port is formed in the outer shell to admit fuel vapor into the fuel vapor transfer passageway. A fuel vapor inlet port is formed in the vent module to lie below the fuel vapor transfer port. Liquid fuel entrained in fuel vapor is shed as fuel vapor flows laterally from the fuel vapor transfer passageway into the vent module through the fuel vapor inlet port so that “demoisturized” fuel vapor flows into the vent module and liquid fuel droplets fall into the liquid fuel accumulation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Dennis M. DeCapua
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Patent number: 6533002Abstract: A cooling unit is mounted to an upper wall of a fuel tank so as to cool fuel. A control valve and a vent valve are disposed in a vapor line extending from a float valve to a canister. The control valve and the vent valve are disposed in parallel with one another and constitute a valve member. A cooling unit is mounted to an evaporation passage between a float valve and the valve member. Operation of the cooling units serves to cool fuel and inhibit generation of vapor. If the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a control pressure, a control circuit opens the control valve and performs control such that the pressure in the fuel tank becomes lower than a running-state relief pressure.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahide Kobayashi, Takashi Ishikawa, Katsuyuki Kido
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Patent number: 6446681Abstract: A battery watering unit is mounted atop a battery cell, and includes an open-topped vessel having a bottom wall. A side wall arrangement having an opening at the bottom forms a first divider to partition the vessel into a vented portion and an air entrapping portion. A further side wall arrangement having an opening at the top forms a second divider weir and imposes a significant restriction on the flow of electrolyte from the chamber into a pressure-communicating duct within a downpipe via a restricted orifice. The battery cell is topped up via the vessel with electrolyte following a flowpath over the second divider weir and into the downpipe. As the level of electrolyte rises, the lowermost opening in the downpipe is blocked. A further increase in the level of electrolyte forms, via the air-entrapping portion of the vessel, a pressurized air column in the downpipe which is sufficient to prevent further inflow of electrolyte over the second divider weir.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Inventor: Johan Christiaan Fitter
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Patent number: 6443190Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Publication number: 20020083997Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 6347650Abstract: The resin dispenser comprises a support frame, a probe with an adjustable loading volume mounted on the support frame and connected to a vacuum source, a hopper for containing a resin slurry, a holder for retaining one or more containers to be loaded at a loading position, a translation means for moving the probe from the hopper to the container, a fluid circulation pump and an air pump for circulating fluid in the hopper, and at least one control device. The hopper includes a means for continuous circulation and replenishment of solvent with a large reserve of resin, and has a small volume from which the resin is extracted. The method for dispensing comprises drawing resin from a dispenser trough in the hopper into the loading volume using a vacuum, moving the probe to the loading position, then activating an air actuator which expels a resin pellet from the probe into the container by initiating movement of the inner and outer tubes that define the loading volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.Inventors: Rhett Affleck, Thuc Nguyen, Rob Neeper
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Publication number: 20020003005Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventor: Wendell S. Martin
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Patent number: 6330893Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 3, 1999Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
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Patent number: 6318418Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 7, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Guenter Grossmann, Anton Ettenhofer
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Patent number: 6253802Abstract: An electronic onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system including an electrically operated ORVR valve that selectively opens and closes a fuel vapor path between a fuel tank and a collection canister. An electronic control circuit generates control signals to selectively open and close the ORVR valve. The electronic control circuit receives one or more inputs from one or a plurality of sensors and evaluates the one or more inputs to determine whether to activate the ORVR valve. The sensor inputs include at least a sensor indicating fuel is being introduced into the filler neck and may also include at least a sensor indicating a fuel level within the tank.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6244309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Inventor: Wendell S. Martin
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Patent number: 6234221Abstract: An automatic fluid container (10) refill device. Pressure container (12) is charged with a pressurizing gas and fluid. A hydraulic cylinder (26) with an interior volume and having piston (30) located therein with an attached drive shaft (32) that extends out of the hydraulic cylinder (26) is provided. Drive (32) has gear rack (40) located thereon. Hydraulic cylinder (26) has hydraulic fluid inlets (28, 36) provided at first and second ends thereof. Fluid conduit (24) connects between pressure container (12) and first hydraulic fluid inlet (28). A valve (44) has a fluid inlet (46) and outlet (48). Geared sprocket (42) is mounted on valve (44) and is operable for opening and closing valve (44). Gear rack (40) on drive shaft (32) is engaged with and operates geared sprocket (42). Fluid supply pipe (50) is connected to fluid inlet (46) and carries fluid from a source of fluid through valve (44). Fluid junction (38) is in fluid communication with fluid outlet (48) of valve (44).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: C.H. & I Technologies, Inc.Inventor: James E. Clark, II
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Patent number: 6206057Abstract: A refueling fuel level responsive control valve with a two-stage closing operation providing an initial soft shutoff cue to the filler nozzle operator, and a subsequent final shutoff after a limited amount of “roundoff” filling to a maximum fuel level. The control valve includes two float-operated valve elements which dose serially in response to initial shutoff and final shutoff refueling fuel levels. The initial shutoff partially closes the control valve to create a temporary shutoff-inducing increase in fuel tank pressure. Final shutoff occurs after allowing a few round-off “clicks” of the filler nozzle to fully close venting through the control valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: G. T. Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Rudolph Bergsma
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Patent number: 6189578Abstract: A filling system for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid product under counter pressure has a plurality of filling elements. Each filling element has a liquid valve for the controlled dispensing of the product as well as a plurality of gas ducts realized in a housing, by means of which ducts at least three separate and individually controlled control valves for each filling element can be controlled so that a wide variety of processes can be conducted for the bottling of the product, and namely merely by varying the actuation of the control valves or by varying a corresponding program for a microprocessor-assisted or computer-assisted control device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AGInventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
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Patent number: 6167920Abstract: A method for actuating an onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) valve to selectively enable passage of fuel vapor from a fuel tank to a collection canister for the fuel vapor. The method includes determining whether a filling event is occurring and determining a fuel level within the fuel tank. The ORVR valve is selectively opened and closed in connection with whether a fueling event occurs and whether the fuel tank is full.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
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Patent number: 6152196Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a filling and venting system for a fuel tank which includes a canister having a fill section and a vent section defined therein. The fill section including a fuel inlet portion for the introduction of fuel thereinto and a fuel outlet portion configured to be attached to a fuel tank for directing fuel thereinto. The vent section includes a vapor outlet port configured to be attached to a vent and a vapor inlet port configured to be attached to the fuel tank to permit vapor to pass from the fuel tank, through the canister and to the vent. The vapor inlet port is configured to project into the fuel tank to a level below a level at which the fuel outlet port enters the fuel tank. A partition assembly includes a wall separating the fill section and the vent section. The wall includes an opening defined therein which permits fluid to flow therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Inventor: Peter A. Kehoe