System Fluid Used In Seal Or In Valve Or Lift Operation Patents (Class 141/46)
  • Patent number: 11905159
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Bob J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11618619
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: DRUG PLASTICS & GLASS COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick N. Biesecker, II, Nathaniel Koller, Bruce T. Cleevely, Douglas S. Camomile, Lissa Biesecker Longacre, Joshua T. Koehler
  • Patent number: 11619316
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Enyeart, Evan Waymire
  • Patent number: 11533931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ALI GROUP S.R.L.—CARPIGIANI
    Inventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
  • Patent number: 11524888
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Bob J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11148924
    Abstract: 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 wi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS
    Inventors: Filippo Bandini, Stefano d'Errico
  • Patent number: 10953174
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventor: Thierry Boulanger
  • Patent number: 9561945
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SERAC GROUP
    Inventor: Bertrand Gruson
  • Patent number: 9193574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter-Rudolf Krulitsch, Jonathan Lorenz, Manfred Härtel, Andreas Fahldieck, Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 9108834
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: S.I.P.A. Societa' Industrializzazione Progettazione E. Automazione S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pasquale Mauro, Stefano Abati, Matteo Zoppas
  • Patent number: 8991443
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Michael D. Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20150053307
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: GE HEALTHCARE BIO-SCIENCES CORP.
    Inventors: Colin R. Tuohey, Thomas Erdenberger, Richard L. Damren, Kenneth Clapp, Parrish M. Galliher, Jonathan Kenney
  • Publication number: 20140305541
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Richard D. Jenne
  • Patent number: 8714207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Heinrich Imhof
  • Publication number: 20140096866
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BEVCORP LLC
    Inventor: Richard D. Jenne
  • Publication number: 20140076460
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: TATSUNO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jianyoung Xia, Kanan Sato
  • Publication number: 20100071802
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ludwig CLÜSSERATH, Dieter-Rudolf KRULITSCH
  • Publication number: 20100037983
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hiroya, Kenji Mizukawa, Hirofumi Sato, Shingo Wada, Tsuyoshi Akimoto, Yoshihisa Tachibana
  • Patent number: 7644739
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Air Cruisers Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Vezzosi, Thomas W. Swierkocki
  • Publication number: 20090095370
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Dieter-Rudolf KRULITSCH
  • Publication number: 20090071566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Erwin Knieling
  • Patent number: 7434600
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Air Cruisers Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Swierkocki, Brian Henry
  • Publication number: 20080216916
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Robert P. Hart
  • Publication number: 20080128415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 7343942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 7296600
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David M. Ferreria, John R. Forgue, Mark R. Johansen
  • Patent number: 7147017
    Abstract: A fill limit vent valve assembly includes a cover assembly, a valve assembly and a fill control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Alfmeier Corporation
    Inventor: Ralf Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 7059365
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 6845793
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Manfred Rüffer, Andreas Klein, Christian Albrich von Albrichsfeld
  • Patent number: 6799614
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Production Control Units, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Smith, Randy S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 6601617
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
  • Patent number: 6588459
    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: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shelby Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 6581654
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: HealthStar, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Goldie, Scot LaMar
  • Patent number: 6578597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: J Bradley Groom, Dennis M. DeCapua
  • Patent number: 6533002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahide Kobayashi, Takashi Ishikawa, Katsuyuki Kido
  • Patent number: 6446681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Johan Christiaan Fitter
  • Patent number: 6443190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
  • Publication number: 20020083997
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick R. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 6347650
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Discovery Partners International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhett Affleck, Thuc Nguyen, Rob Neeper
  • 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: 6253802
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
  • 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: 6234221
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: C.H. & I Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Clark, II
  • Patent number: 6206057
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: G. T. Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Benjey, Rudolph Bergsma
  • Patent number: 6189578
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Ludwig Clüsserath
  • Patent number: 6167920
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor L. Enge
  • Patent number: 6152196
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Peter A. Kehoe
  • Patent number: 6138672
    Abstract: An arrangement in an anesthesia vaporizer comprising a liquid container including a vapor generator; a filling device; and conduits for supplying anesthetic from a transport and storage container to the liquid container and/or for removing anesthetic from the liquid container, and for conveying an amount of replenishment gas corresponding to the amount of anesthetic liquid from the liquid container to the transport and storage container upon filling the container and/or inversely upon emptying. For improved operating safety, the filling device is provided with a closing means, adapted to close a filling conduit which opens to the inside of the liquid container and a replenishment gas conduit between the liquid container and the transport and storage container through an overpressure generated in the transport and storage container, and thus prevent anesthetic liquid from flowing to the liquid container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventor: Jukka Kankkunen