Float Or Piston Operation Patents (Class 236/100)
  • Patent number: 11927973
    Abstract: A fluid control device includes a slide valve movable in a chamber along an axis between a closed position, in which the slide valve is pressed axially against a fixed seat, and an open position, in which the slide valve is axially separated from the seat and a thermomechanical actuator, which is able to drive the slide valve depending on the temperature of the fluid in the chamber and which includes both a thermostatic element, including a fixed piston, and a body forming a heat-sensitive part of the thermomechanical actuator, arranged inside the chamber The piston being mounted with the ability to move along the axis on the body so that the piston deploys against the body when the thermally expandable material expands, and a return spring, interposed axially between the casing and the body so as to retract the piston away from the body when the thermally expandable material contracts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventor: Laurie Cécile Marie Louboutin
  • Patent number: 11853086
    Abstract: A system for controlling water delivery throughout a household water delivery network that includes bathroom and kitchen sinks, as well as other equipment for dispensing water, said system including a controller disposed at a site, the temperature of the water of which is to be controlled; said controller including a temperature probe for detecting the water temperature at the site; a pump for circulating water from a water heater to the site; and a wireless communication network that interconnects the controller with the pump in order to control hot water delivered from the water heater based on sensed temperature at the temperature probe. Also a process for controlling the water temperature of a water delivery system that includes a pump, either via a wifi hub or a system APP. Also disclosed is a novel adjustment ring associated with the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: AquaMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans L. Kuster, Michael McNamara, Michael Ferruccio
  • Patent number: 11803200
    Abstract: Thermostatic cartridge for a mixing valve for mixing a cold incoming fluid and a hot incoming fluid in a determined proportion to form a mixture. A head includes a housing extending along a central axis, and a thermostatic regulating assembly. A regulating system defines an abutment surface adjustable in axial translation with respect to the head. A thermostatic system includes a heat sensitive first portion over which the mixture can flow, and a second portion to abut axially against the abutment surface. The first portion can move the second portion axially between plural positions relative to the first portion, the relative positions determined by the mixing temperature. A slide mounted on the first portion moves axially relative to the head for modifying the determined proportion, and may slide between a normal position and plural overtravel positions axially closer to the head than the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventor: Frédéric Jager
  • Patent number: 11713562
    Abstract: A bypass valve is for support between hot and cold water lines that connect to respective hot and cold fixtures. The bypass valve includes a valve body having an internal chamber, a hot water inlet port, a hot water outlet port and a discharge port; a bi-metal spring; a support member for mounting the bi-metal spring within the internal chamber of the valve body; and a shuttle mounted to the bi-metal spring and constructed and arranged to mate with the hot water inlet port in a closed position of the bi-metal spring. The bi-metal spring assumes an open position to disengage from the hot water inlet port at a predetermined water temperature to enable the hot water to discharge through the discharge port to the cold water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: AquaMotion, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans L. Kuster, Michael McNamara
  • Patent number: 11377999
    Abstract: Provided is a thermostat device capable of reducing flow resistance due to a thermal-operating unit and a frame support and also reducing the pressure loss in the flow passage. The thermostat device is provided with a control valve which opens and closes a flow passage in a housing based on expansion or contraction of a thermal expansion body in a thermo-sensitive element and a spring that biases the control valve to close and a spring receiving frame that receives one end of the spring. A thermal-operating unit is incorporated into the housing by locking the spring receiving frame to the frame supports formed in the flow passage of the housing. At the upstream side of the coolant flow at the frame support, a rectifier is disposed that prevents water streams from colliding by detouring the flow passage of the coolant heading to the frame support and the spring receiving frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10914393
    Abstract: A multistage automated thermally actuated valve utilizing a thermally expansive substance to substantially close the valve at a first temperature and a spring to open the valve at a second, lower temperature. A multistage automated valve comprising a first thermal assembly to balance fluid flow at a first temperature and a second thermal assembly to balance fluid flow at a second temperature in order to balance fluid flow in a system operated at a first temperature as well as at a second temperature. A method of utilizing an automated thermally actuated valve to balance and manage hot water supply in a piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Tallos, Glenn Quinty, William C Reilly
  • Patent number: 10808857
    Abstract: A multifunctional restrictive valve for controlling the flow of water therethrough. The valve has a main body with a flow channel through the main body. The main body receives water upstream thereof through an inlet port and passes it out through an outlet port at the downstream end of the body. A flow control assembly is located in the flow channel and includes a temperature sensor/actuator acting on a piston to move, when the temperature sensor heats up the piston, to block water flow control ports. The flow control assembly also includes an override feature wherein the piston is located within a slide and the flow control ports are located in the slide. By moving the slide away from the piston when the piston is blocking the flow control ports, the temperature sensor and piston may be overridden and flow may resume through the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Evolve Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Brown, John Lockhart, Jeffrey S. Doss
  • Patent number: 10633827
    Abstract: A work machine includes a mechanical arm and a hydraulic actuator coupled to the mechanical arm to move the arm between a first position and a second position. A valve is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator for supplying fluid to the hydraulic actuator. A pump is configured to discharge fluid to the valve. An engine is operatively connected to the pump. A coolant system is in thermal communication with the engine and includes a temperature sensor. A controller is in communication with the pump and the temperature sensor. The controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the pump to modify a flowrate of the pump and to adjust the flowrate of the pump in response to a signal from the temperature sensor that a temperature is at or above a set temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brent M. Hunold, Cory D. Wyand, Kristen D. Cadman
  • Patent number: 10626997
    Abstract: A valve for use in a heating or cooling water circuit includes a housing that forms a feed line and a discharge line, and an adjusting unit that is formed separate from the housing and penetrates into the housing for adjusting a flow rate through the valve. The adjusting unit has a valve closing body which is operatively connected to a valve tappet in such a way that the valve closing body together with a valve seat body that in the intended operation is stationary in relation to the housing, forms a valve gap which is adjustable by axially moving the valve tappet. The valve is designed such that the valve gap in the intended operation, when the valve tappet is not actuated, is closed by closing forces and when the valve tappet is actuated in order to open the valve gap, these closing forces have to be overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: TACONOVA GROUP AG
    Inventor: Lothar Dickenscheid
  • Patent number: 10551073
    Abstract: A thermostatic actuator for a radiator valve includes a thermostat mechanism configured to passively open the valve when an environmental temperature is less than a set point and to close the valve when the temperature is greater than the set point. A set point adjustment mechanism draws power from a power supply to selectively drive unitary movement of the thermostat mechanism to adjust the set point. Multiple actuators are used in a zoned radiant heating system in which a controller is operatively connected to the set point adjustment mechanism of each actuator to selectively transmit a control signal to actuate the set point adjustment mechanism to drive unitary movement of the respective thermostat mechanism to adjust the respective set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Controls UK Limited
    Inventors: John Maurice Kent, David M. Beasley, Matthew Dennis
  • Patent number: 10378421
    Abstract: A vehicle cooling system includes an internal combustion engine, a transmission having a cooler, a coolant pump, a first coolant loop, a second coolant loop, and a flow regulator. The first coolant loop fluidly connects the coolant pump to the engine and returns to the coolant pump. The second coolant loop fluidly connects the coolant pump to the transmission cooler and returns to the coolant pump, bypassing the engine. The flow regulator is configured to selectively restrict coolant flow through the second coolant loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Thomas Gooden, Michael Joseph Giunta, David Curtis Ives
  • Patent number: 10371459
    Abstract: A thermally actuated heat pipe control valve including a housing, a phase change material actuator, and a passage closing member. A passage extends through the housing and is configured to receive working fluid from the heat pipe therein. The phase change material actuator is positioned in the housing and has a sealed chamber with phase change material positioned therein. The passage closing member is positioned in the housing proximate to or in the passage and proximate to the phase change material actuator. The passage closing member has a surface which cooperates with a wall of the passage. As the temperature of the phase change material reaches a designed temperature, the phase change material melts and expands causing the passage closing member to move into the passage to a closed position, preventing heat transfer between the condenser portion and the evaporator portion when the designed temperature is reached or exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ADVANCED COOLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Reist, Greg Troszak, Peter Dussinger
  • Patent number: 10337505
    Abstract: A wax filled actuator includes a piston in direct contact with the thermally responsive wax material. A cup containing the wax is mechanically secured to a guide that receives and controls axial movement of the piston in response to expansion and contraction of the wax. A seal between the cup and guide prevents leakage of the wax. Another seal surrounds the piston and prevents leakage of the wax around the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the piston has a cylindrical, polished outside surface that aids in preventing adhesion of the wax to the piston. In a disclosed embodiment, the seal surrounding the piston is a radially compressed annular elastomeric member. The seal surrounding the piston may be disposed between flat, annular wipers. The seal and wipers may be axially retained between the guide and a washer trapped between the cup and guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Rostra Vernatherm, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lamb, Kenneth Lionello, Alberto D. Medina Santamaria
  • Patent number: 10241525
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve is provided according to the present application. In the thermostatic valve, a relief ring movable upward and downward is provided in a cavity of a valve body. Under normal conditions, the relief ring abuts against a step on an inner wall of the cavity or another fixing portion via an elastic element, and the cavity is further provided therein with a first passage which can be opened or closed by upward or downward moving of the relief ring. In the case that the fluid pressure in the thermostatic valve is excessively large, the fluid can push the relief ring to compress the elastic element, thus the first passage in the relief ring is opened, and the first flow passage and the third flow passage may simultaneously allow circulation of the fluid, thereby may prevent damage caused by an excessively large fluid pressure in the thermostatic valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sanhua Automotive Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haoming Qiu, Bin Yin, Xiaojun Qian
  • Patent number: 10222813
    Abstract: A four-way hall valve includes a linear gear for operating the ball element in the valve and a temperature responsive wax element connected to the linear gear for moving the linear gear and rotating the ball in response to temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher A. Carns
  • Patent number: 10197315
    Abstract: A valve mechanism for an air condition circuit of an air condition system may include a valve housing enclosing a fluid duct for passing a fluid flow, a closure body arranged movably in the fluid duct between at least a closed position and an open position, and adjustment element operably connected to the closure body to move the closure body between the open position and the closed position, and a noise reduction device configured to facilitate a reduction of an operating noise when the fluid flow through the fluid duct. The noise reduction device may be disposed at one or more of the closure body, a valve seat, and the adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Humboldt, Michael Paul
  • Patent number: 10077706
    Abstract: A thermostat for controlling flow of a coolant fluid through an aperture, the thermostat including a temperature sensitive valve for controlling the opening and closing of the aperture, the temperature sensitive valve including: a valve body having a heat sensitive material and a displaceable pin; a flange configured to seal off the aperture when the temperature sensitive valve is closed; a support member and a flexible member located between the flange and the support member; the thermostat further including a valve seat and a control piston configured to control the position of the valve seat within the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: M.A.P. MOTORAD AUTOMOTIVE PARTS LTD.
    Inventor: Aviram Arbel
  • Patent number: 10054963
    Abstract: A thermally actuated flow control valve comprises a wax filled actuator assembly including a guide, a piston, a cup and a diaphragm. The cup is disposed at the guide first end and defines a cavity that receives a thermally activated pellet. The thermally activated pellet, diaphragm and piston act in concert to exert a variable actuating force as a temperature of a fluid increases between a first temperature T1 and a second temperature T2. The valve is arranged so that the cup and wax are directly exposed to fluid flowing through the valve and a peripheral shoulder of the cup acts as a valve member to control flow through the valve. One end of the guide also acts as a valve member to control flow between an inlet and outlet of a return flow pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Rostra Vernatherm, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin W. Lamb, Timothy Haskell, Kenneth Lionello
  • Patent number: 10054962
    Abstract: A thermo valve has a valve chamber disposed inside a housing and open to a first flow path through an opening. Second and third flow paths open into the valve chamber. A thermo-element that can move back and forth axially inside the valve chamber in response to fluid temperature opens and closes the second and third flow paths and is biased in a direction that blocks the flow paths by a coil spring. A valve element that is a bypass valve that opens and closes an opening that connects the first and third flow paths inside the valve chamber and communicates the first and third flow paths is disposed in the opening. The coil spring is also used to bias the valve element in a direction that blocks the flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Noriyasu Yajima
  • Patent number: 10048704
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve with a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, with an actuator which is accommodated in the valve housing and has a housing, and with a switching element which is operatively connected to the actuator in order to control a fluid connection between fluid inlet and fluid outlet, wherein a plunger protrudes out of the housing, the plunger being connected in an axially fixed manner to the valve housing, and the housing being accommodated in an axially shiftable manner in the valve housing, wherein the housing is mounted in the region of its opposite end regions in the valve housing by plain bearings, wherein the switching element is arranged in an axially displaceable manner relative to the housing of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Geffert, Frank Blum
  • Patent number: 10024219
    Abstract: An engine system having a coolant control valve unit includes: first and second valve members each having a rod protruding through a center part of the first and second valve members, respectively; a third valve member having a piston rod disposed through a center part of the third valve member; a temperature-sensitive driver attached to one side surface of the third valve member; a cam member contacted with an end part of the first and second rods and of the piston rod; and a cam member driver to rotate the cam member and control an opening of first, second, and third coolant passages by the first, second and third valve members, respectively. In particular, the other end part of the piston rod is inserted into the temperature-sensitive driver to push or pull the piston rod depending on a sensed temperature of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hyo Jo Lee
  • Patent number: 9951663
    Abstract: A multistage bypass valve includes a housing having a plurality of chambers therein, wherein expansive waxes that change volume according to temperature changes are provided in the chambers, a spool inserted into the housing and moved by one or more volume changes of the expansive waxes, and a piston that opens and closes an oil cooler passage as the spool is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: One Vai Kim, Hong Youl Lee
  • Patent number: 9829251
    Abstract: A radiator with reduced thermal inertia, based on the principle of phase changing, using a non-toxic, non-flammable fluid with reduced environmental impact. The radiator is provided by means of vertical pipes which engage a collector containing a pipe bundle-type exchanger with smooth or finned pipes, internally crossed by the thermo-vector fluid of the system, and which heat the intermediate vector fluid, bringing it to the biphasic state. The vector fluid evaporates, rising up the vertical pipes, flowing through the channels obtained in the extruded profiles of the vertical pipes themselves. The fluid re-descends, condensing on the walls, returning into contact with the hot pipes of the exchanger in order to re-evaporate and rise back up the vertical pipes. The film of condensed liquid provides the required heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: I.R.C.A. S.P.A. Industria Resistenze Corazzate e Affini
    Inventors: Michele Peterle, Simone Visentin, Diego Trentin, Federico Zoppas
  • Patent number: 9777617
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine cooling device includes a piston fixedly mounted within a device housing coupled to a plurality of flow paths through which cooling water flows, the piston disposed facing the interior of the device housing; a cylinder container that advances and retreats relative to the piston and has a flange valve that opens and closes a main flow path of the cooling water; a thermal expansion unit provided within the cylinder container that causes the cylinder container to advance and retreat due to volumetric changes attendant upon temperature changes; and a heat-emitting element provided within a piston casing that heats the thermal expansion unit when supplied with electricity. An insulating cover is provided to the exterior of the cylinder container at a portion of the cylinder container disposed facing the cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: NIPPON THERMOSTAT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tadao Nakajima, Toshitaka Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9581072
    Abstract: A motor vehicle engine cooling system includes a fluid flow control device having first and second fluid inlets and first and second fluid outlets. The first fluid inlet is arranged to be connected to a cylinder head coolant outlet of the engine and the second fluid inlet is arranged to be coupled to a cylinder block coolant outlet of the engine. The first fluid outlet is coupled to a radiator bypass conduit of the cooling system and the second fluid outlet is coupled to a radiator conduit of the cooling system and arranged to direct to flow through a radiator of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: William Hutchins
  • Patent number: 9436189
    Abstract: An apparatus for regulating temperature is presented. The apparatus comprises: a shell comprising a first cavity and a second cavity; and an inner valve body and an outer valve body disposed in the shell between the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein the inner valve body is movable relative to the outer valve body, and the outer valve body is movable within the shell. Depending on the temperature inside the shell, the inner valve body and the outer valve body can substantially seal the first cavity from the second cavity. The inner valve body and the outer valve body can also provide, respectively, a first flow path and a second flow path between the cavities, depending on the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: Shenzhen BYD Auto R&D Company Limited, BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Jing Liu, Xudong Song, Hongjun Wang
  • Patent number: 9268341
    Abstract: The cartridge comprises a slide valve for regulating the temperature of a mixture of hot and cold fluids. The slide valve is, under the action of a thermostatic element and in relation to an outer casing of the cartridge, which can be displaced along the central axis of the casing in such a way as to vary inversely the respective flow sections of an inlet for a first of the fluids, delimited axially between the casing and one of the two opposite axial surfaces of the slide valve, and of an inlet for the second fluid, delimited axially between the casing and the other axial surface of the slide valve. Therefore the cartridge can, effectively and economically, provide a good mixture of the two fluids, a flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: VERNET
    Inventors: William Da Silva, Emmanuel Platet
  • Patent number: 8955762
    Abstract: A resettable thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is disclosed. The TPRD includes a piston, a housing adapted to receive the piston and allow movement between an open and a closed position. The housing includes an actuator having a temperature sensitive material disposed therein. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands, increasing a length of the actuator and forcing a lever from a first position to a second position. The piston is held in the closed position by the lever in the first position. When the lever moves to the second position, the piston is allowed to move to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD from a high pressure vessel in communication therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rainer Pechtold
  • Patent number: 8899491
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixer device for sanitary appliances, includes: a cartridge envelope; a distributor bottom member with intake openings for cold and hot water, a delivery opening for mixed water, and elements for controlling and intercepting the delivered flow rate; a mixing member located inside the envelope, forming a cylinder, control openings and passageways for directing hot water and cold water from the intake openings to the respective control openings; a distribution slide valve, sealingly sliding in the axial direction within the cylinder of the mixing member, and cooperating with the control openings in order to partially shut the control openings in opposite senses; a thermometric element for displacing the distributing slide valve against the action of a return spring; and control elements for establishing the temperature desired for the delivered mixed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Studio Tecnico Sviluppo e Ricerche S.T.S.R. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Francesco Knapp
  • Patent number: 8893979
    Abstract: A thermo-element having incorporated in a case a heat expansion body which expands and contracts according to a change in temperature includes: a piston disposed along the axis direction within the case, protruding outward from the opening on one end side of the case, and advancing and receding as the hear expansion body expands and contracts; a guide member disposed within the case and which slidably holds the piston; and a first valve element fitted to an outside portion of the case, in the side of the case, and opening and closing a fluid flow path. A fit-in section of the first valve element and insertion sections of the guide member inserted within the case are displaced from each other in the axis direction and the radial direction of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumito Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 8827172
    Abstract: A valve fitted with a housing which comprises at least two mutually apart coolant hookups, and a thermally expansible device, including a housing and a push-rod and resting on the housing and operating in concert with a valve element that in turn operates in concert with an annular valve seat, said valve seat being situated between the two hookups, and a spring that biases the valve element toward the valve seat, wherein the valve element is in the form of an annular valve disk made by two-part injection molding, where one annular sealing portion is made of an elastomeric plastic and the remaining valve disk is made of a hard plastic, the outer sealing portion cooperating with the valve seat and the inner sealing portion cooperating in a sealing manner with a housing of the thermally expansible device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Habermann
  • Patent number: 8820655
    Abstract: Provided is a temperature sensitive actuator attaching structure wherein the ease of attachment is improved. A heat generating element (51) generates heat by energizing a temperature sensitive actuator (2) via conducting terminals (41, 42). The generated heat expands a wax (W) to project a piston (21), and an elastic member (23) biases the piston (21) in a direction opposite to the projecting direction. In order to attach the temperature sensitive actuator (2) to an attachment portion (11) of an object member (1), fixing protrusions (41a) are provided in the conducting terminal (41) of the temperature sensitive actuator (2), and receiving portions (14) which can receive the fixing protrusions (41a) in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the piston (21) are provided in the attachment portion (11). The temperature sensitive actuator (2) is attached to the object member (1) by inserting the fixing protrusions (41a) into the receiving portions (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Thermostat Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Arai, Kazuyoshi Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8800883
    Abstract: An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Bernard Guilhamat, Sebastien Dauve, Jonathan Fernandez, Florent Marquet
  • Patent number: 8794254
    Abstract: High pressure gas vessels can have a sensitivity to temperature of the compressed gas. Over-temperature conditions in particular may cause decreased durability and/or vessel damage, including gas leakage to the environment. Articles of manufacture, methods, and systems are provided for over-temperature protection using a passive device. The passive closing device does not require electrical power and no controller, sensors, or wiring is needed. This affords cost savings in comparison to other systems. Pressure vessels using the passive closing device can protect themselves, independent of the compressed gas fueling station configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Oliver Maier, Jurgen Thyroff
  • Patent number: 8740102
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine valve is disclosed. In one form the valve includes two inlets in fluid communication with an outlet. The valve can include a spool having two lands capable of selectively closing either of the two inlets. The valve can include energy storage devices that initially position the spool within a valve housing. A temperature motor is provided to position the spool based upon a temperature of a mixture of working fluid from the two inlets. A working fluid flowing into the first inlet can be in fluid communication with a second end of the valve; and a working fluid flowing into the second inlet can be in fluid communication with a first end of the valve. A relatively high pressure condition at one or the other of the inlets can be used to alter a position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel G. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8672233
    Abstract: A water saving device includes a housing having a hot water inlet chamber connectable to a hot water supply, a temperature sensing chamber having a cold water outlet connectable to a water storage system, and a hot water outlet chamber having a hot water outlet. The inlet and outlet chambers are interconnected by a first port. The inlet and temperature sensing chambers are interconnected by a second port. The temperature sensing and hot water outlet chambers are interconnected by a third port. The device includes a water-pressure actuated piston that is displaceable upon a drop in water pressure in the hot water outlet chamber. The temperature sensing chamber has a temperature-sensitive valve assembly that closes the third port when the temperature of water is below a predetermined level and opens the third port and closes the cold water outlet when the temperature of water is above a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Derick Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8651392
    Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A bellows is fixed between an upper portion of the piston and an upper portion of the guide member to define a liquid space between an outer periphery of the upper portion of the piston and the bellows. The fluid in the liquid chamber can flow in and out of the liquid space via a through-hole and a radial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Yukio Onishi
    Inventor: Yukio Onishi
  • Patent number: 8613396
    Abstract: A temperature-operating water flow valve may include a hollow body having axially offset proximal and distal open ends respectively such that the body may have an internal temperature. A temperature-activated plunger release mechanism may be seated inside the body and intermediately positioned between the proximal and distal open ends respectively. The temperature-activated plunger release mechanism may be automatically reciprocated along a linear travel path as the internal temperature rises above a threshold internal temperature and falls below the threshold internal temperature respectively. A temperature-activated plunger release mechanism may automatically open and close during the reciprocation along the linear travel path such that heated water is respectively permitted and prohibited to egress the distal open end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: David B. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8550371
    Abstract: A thermostat assembly including a flow blocking sleeve and a seat between which is defined a flow passage through which a fluid can flow and wherein the sleeve has an end opposing a bearing surface of the seat which extends perpendicular to an axis of the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve and the seat are movable relative to one another by movement of a piston of a thermostatic member to thereby control flow through the flow passage which is radial to the axis and wherein a gasket is crimped within a housing formed between a lateral wall adjacent the end of the sleeve and a ring so as to be secured to be normally engaged with the bearing surface to prevent flow through the flow passage unless the passage is opened by separation of the gasket from the bearing surface by movement of the piston in response to the thermostatic member being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventors: Alain Bernard Armand Bouloy, Thierry Maraux
  • Patent number: 8544762
    Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A check valve is provided between the liquid chamber and an outside of the thermo-element, and operable to permit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the outside of the thermo-element to the liquid chamber, and inhibit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the liquid chamber to the outside of the thermo-element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventor: Yukio Onishi
  • Patent number: 8517282
    Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve has an enhanced response to temperature change by arranging one of the hot water and cold water flows into a series of jets that intersect the other flow such that the proportions of hot water and cold water mixing at the surface of the thermostat is made to respond to the inlet water pressure to augment the temperature change normally experienced at the surface of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Paul Sansum, Richard Timothy Hopson
  • Patent number: 8434510
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a water circulation system includes a valve body defining a bypass passage between a hot water side and a cold water side of the valve body. The bypass passage has a valve seat therein. A bypass valve is received within the bypass passage. The bypass valve restricts the flow of water through the bypass passage based on a temperature of the water in the bypass passage. The bypass valve is variably positionable with respect to the valve seat to control a bypass shut-off temperature of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Grundfos Pumps Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Lum, Dale Kempf
  • Patent number: 8430332
    Abstract: According to the invention, the thermostatic valve (10) includes, on the one hand, a mobile sleeve (30) for adjusting the flow of fluid through the valve body (20), said sleeve comprising a tubular body (31) provided with peripheral sealing fittings (32, 33, 34) adapted for interaction by sealed contact with the fixed seats (25A, 26A, 27A) in order to stop the fluid flows between the openings (21, 22, 23) defined by the valve body and, on the other hand, a thermostatic member (40) including a fixed portion (42) rigidly connected to the valve body and a fixed portion (41) movable in translation in the direction of the axis (X-X) of the sleeve under the action of a volume variation of a thermo-expansible material, the sleeve being kinematically connected to the mobile portion so that the movement of the mobile portion relative to the fixed portion controls the movement of the sleeve relative to the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventors: Alain Bouloy, Nicolas Pottie, Thierry Maraux
  • Patent number: 8251296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (3) that comprises a housing (20) and a thermostatic member (52) having a mobile piston (58) that carries a plug (76) for controlling the fluid flow between two accesses to the housing. In order to simplify the manufacture and the maintenance of the valve, inter alia, a hollow body (54) bearing the thermostatic member is adapted both to be rigidly connected to the fixed portion of the thermostatic member so that the piston can extend inside the inner chamber (64) of the body and so that the plug controls the fluid flow through said chamber, and to be received and sealingly blocked in an inner volume (V20) of the housing so that the fluid cannot flow between the two accesses through the chamber, while a thermostatic assembly (50), defined by the bearing body and the thermostatic member connected together, can be urged as a whole into the inner volume of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventor: Lionel James Mabboux
  • Patent number: 8231065
    Abstract: A flow device for a refrigerant/compressor system is installed between the outlet of an evaporator and the suction port of a compressor. The device includes a floating element that helps inhibit liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor. Under certain conditions where liquid refrigerant discharges from the evaporator, the floating element floats in the discharged liquid. Upon doing so, the float rises to a generally closed position where the float obstructs a main fluid outlet that leads to the compressor. In the closed position, refrigerant can still pass through the flow device, but through a more restricted outlet. To prevent the float from undesirably rising under the impetus of refrigerant vapor flowing at high flow rates, the floating element itself includes a flow-restricting passageway, radial guides, and/or a streamlined shape. The float can be incorporated within a manifold of a multi-coil or multi-circuited heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Roger J. Voorhis
  • Patent number: 8220720
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve for a cooling system in an internal combustion engine. The valve includes a common short-circuit element (21) having a short circuit valve gate (26) and a short circuit valve disc (25) and is arranged upstream in the extending direction of the thermostatic working element (16). A common valve seat is provided, wherein an overpressure valve (32) opening into the mixing chamber (15) is provided in the common valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Behr Thermot-Tronik GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Auweder, Eike Willers
  • Patent number: 8205802
    Abstract: A premounted unit includes a pipe stub and a thermostatic valve. The pipe stub includes a valve seat mechanically biased by a valve spring against the valve seat and resting at its other end against a mating rest element. The unit further includes an expansible element which is configured between a segment of the pipe stub and the valve member and which opens the thermostatic valve as a function of temperature against the force of the valve spring. The unit further includes a U-shaped retention yoke of which the central strip rests against the mating rest element and the legs are connected to an annular cap element thereby recesses being constituted at mutually opposite sides at the inside of the annular cap element and the legs of the retention yoke being fitted at its ends with outwardly pointing hook elements that engage the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Habermann
  • Patent number: 8191794
    Abstract: A flow channel switching device provided in an oil circuit to switch the oil flow channel in accordance with the temperature of the oil. The flow channel switching device includes: a thermo-valve case that includes a plurality of flow passages that are communicated outside of the case; and a cylinder that is formed to move in the thermo-valve case and switches the oil flow channel in accordance with the temperature of the oil. The cylinder moves to a predetermined position and is fixed by means of an external member when the fluid at a low temperature is fed into the fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumichi Sasaki, Akiharu Abe, Manabu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8167217
    Abstract: A thermostatic element includes a metal cup that contains a material, which can expand and contract according to variation in its temperature, and is provided on an inside thereof with an insert that separates its inside volume (V1) into at least two cavities for storing the material. The thermostatic element also includes a piston which is axially reciprocally movable relative to the cup depending on whether the material expands or contracts. The insert includes at least one opening there through for enabling passage of the material between the at least two cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Vernet
    Inventor: Philippe Lhuillier
  • Publication number: 20120091212
    Abstract: An actuator device including: a case housing an expandable material, a moving part that can move in translation as a result of the expansion and/or contraction of the expandable material, and a heater to heat the expandable material. The device also includes: a position sensor which measures the current position of the aforementioned moving part; and a positioner to position the moving part, including a controller acting on the above-mentioned heater according to the current measured position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Bernard Guilhamat, Sebastien Dauve, Jonathan Fernandez, Florent Marquet