Heat Or Buoyancy Motor Actuated Patents (Class 251/11)
  • Patent number: 4799577
    Abstract: A telescopic hydraulic shock absorber with controlled damping comprising a cylinder (1), within which a piston (6) connected to the end of a rod (7) can reciprocate, the piston having at least one restricted passage (12) interacting with an elastic flap (13), an additional passage (16, 17) capable of being closed to a greater or lesser extent by a remote-controlled shut-off (18), to allow the hydraulic fluid to pass from one side of the piston to the other during the movement of the latter within the cylinder, wherein the movement of the shut-off (18) is controlled via an actuating member (21) comprising an active element comprised of a metallic memorizing material capable of changing its size at a predetermined conversion temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Christian B. de Carbon
  • Patent number: 4780973
    Abstract: A water bypass valve for a steam iron controls the passage of water between a tank and a vaporization chamber. The valve has an inlet which is opened and closed by a temperature sensitive element that prevents water from entering into the valve until the vaporization chamber is of sufficient temperature. The outlet of the valve is opened and closed by a locking pin that is controlled by the operator and is not temperature sensitive. The temperature sensitive element is separate and distinct from the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Oficina de Investigacion Agrupada, S.A.
    Inventor: Tomas B. Vildosola
  • Patent number: 4776559
    Abstract: The present invention is a valve and valve housing designed for controlling the flow of water into washing machines comprising a molded plastic housing (1) with an inlet coupling (2) connecting the valve to the water supply, and an outlet coupling (3) connecting the valve to the washing machine; a poppet valve (4) located between said water inlet and outlet couplings normally remains closed with respect to its seat (5); the stem (4a) of said poppet valve (4) is associated with a leaf spring (8), and actuated by a piston (7) projecting from a casing (6) containing a wax with high thermal dilative properties; said casing (6) is in contact with one or more thermistors (9) (PTC) electrically powered through terminals (10) connected to the washing machine's timer, and having the purpose of opening the valve when the thermistor(s) is/are energized causing the wax contained in the casing (6) to expand inducing the axial movement of the piston (7), the leaf spring (8), and the poppet (4) of the valve, which retracts
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Eltek, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Fornasari
  • Patent number: 4770387
    Abstract: An improved blowout preventer of the ram type is provided with means allowing limited relative rotational movement of support elements in the seal along with radial inwardly directed movement of the ram assembly to conform to drill string size and accommodate for a tighter seal thereby enabling support of heavier drill string assemblies of smaller diameter pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley W. Granger
  • Patent number: 4760955
    Abstract: An improved control system for controlling the heating and cooling of a building or home including an improved control device forming a component of the control system. The control device includes a lever which can pivot about a central axis intermediate the ends of the lever, each end of the lever having a bimetallic element adjacent to and above a resistance heating element. The outer end of the bimetallic element coupled to one end of the lever engages an adjustable stop. The other bimetallic element is in engagement with a resilient blade which, depending upon its operative position, controls the flow of a fluid through a tube, the fluid flow through the tube being a function of the operative condition of the adjacent bimetallic element. The fluid flow through the tube determines how a fluid-actuated controller is operated to control a valve which provides heating and cooling fluid for heating and cooling a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: James H. Turner
  • Patent number: 4753271
    Abstract: A four-way electrovalve, particularly for the reversal of refrigerant flow in all types of refrigeration and conditioning systems such as heat pumps, or any other systems where it is periodically necessary to reverse the direction of flow of a compressed fluid. The valve comprises a hermetically sealed housing with four ports for the inflow and outflow of pressurized fluids; said ports are controlled by a deflector governed by a thermoactuator associated with one or more thermistors (PTC) acting against elastic devices (FIG. 1.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Eltek, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Fornasari
  • Patent number: 4750520
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrically-actuable valve for a fluid such as a gaseous medium. The valve has a valve closure member disposed adjacent a valve plate provided with a plurality of pass-through openings. The valve closure member and the valve plate are displaceable relative to one another in a direction perpendicular to their surfaces by means of a short-stroke drive whereby a plurality of sealing lines are opened. To arrive at a good valve operation especially for relatively small valves, the valve plate is configured with a plurality of pass-through openings or perforations. The surface of the valve plate facing the valve closure member has a plurality of raised portions formed thereon defining respective receiving surfaces for receiving the closure member in contact engagement therewith to form the sealing lines when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Dragerwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Heim, Scato Albarda
  • Patent number: 4736587
    Abstract: A shape-memory electromechanical drive device comprising a casing, a pair of fixed terminal members carried by the casing in electrically insulated relation thereto, an actuating member supported within the casing for movement between two positions from an intermediate position in opposite directions and having a pair of spaced spring seats defined therein, and a pair of coil springs interposed between the fixed terminal members and the spring seats, respectively. Each of the coil springs is made of shape-memory alloy and capable of returning from a compressed state to an original, expanded state when heated to a predetermined temperature. These coil springs are heated by the flow of an electric current therethrough one at a time when the device is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4731069
    Abstract: A tube for use in a flow controller of an intravenous or other slow flow control apparatus has a configuration somewhat like the opening defined by the open eyelids of the human eye whereby to provide relatively sharp corners and narrow width of the opening to reduce materially the force required to close relative to that required to close a round tube and to reduce the movement of the flow control element of the controller, which controller is configured to take advantage of the shape of the tube and employs a shape memory control element to adjust rate of flow of the fluid; the controller also including a brake element to lock the flow rate at a particular preselectable rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Beta Phase, Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Krumme
  • Patent number: 4711270
    Abstract: A valve for channeling refrigerant gases into different tubes of refrigeration devices comprising a casing enclosing a waxy, thermally expandable mass hermetically sealed by an elastically deformable diaphragm that activates the rod of a needle valve controlling two outlets of gases entering the valve. The heating of the casing is achieved by means of one or a pair of electrically-powered thermistor(s) (PTC). The valve is hermetically sealed against gas leakage; the electrical components of the valve are enclosed in a housing made of an insulated material, and can be removed and interchanged with respect to a bracket connected to the body of the valve with a tube. The valve rod lies longitudinally within the tube and is hermetically enclosed by a diaphragm or metallic bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Eltek S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Fornasari
  • Patent number: 4685651
    Abstract: A capsule of a thermic control device contains a substance which expands when heated by an electrical resistor to displace a piston. Devices are disclosed wherein the capsule is disposed transversely in a pipe which carries a circulating fluid, and the front and rear ends of the capsule are sealingly affixed in opposed openings in the wall of the pipe. In one such embodiment, the pipe has two fluid channels; the capsule lies in one channel; and, the piston actuates a valve which is disposed in the other channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Dauphinoise Thomson
    Inventors: Robert Nouvelle, Jean L. Segura
  • Patent number: 4685652
    Abstract: A valve construction and method of making the same are provided, the valve construction comprising a housing, a valve seat carried by the housing, a movable lever carried by the housing and having an opening passing through opposed sides thereof, a valve member for opening and closing the valve seat and having a stem projecting through the opening of the lever whereby the valve member is carried by the lever, and a tubular member disposed in the opening of the lever and telescopically receiving the stem of the valve member therein whereby the tubular member spaces the stem from the lever at the opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4681296
    Abstract: A valve construction and method of making the same are provided, the valve construction comprising a housing, a valve seat carried by the housing, a movable lever carried by the housing and having an opening passing through opposed sides thereof, a valve member for opening and closing the valve seat and having a stem projecting through the opening of the lever whereby the valve member is carried by the lever, and a tubular member disposed in the opening of the lever and telescopically receiving the stem of the valve member therein whereby the tubular member spaces the stem from the lever at the opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4674398
    Abstract: An electrically operated valve assembly including a valve member maintained on a seat by a tensioned wire or filament which is heated to permit the valve member to move off of its seat. A piston and cylinder assembly including a conduit therein for permitting pressurized fluid to actuate the piston when an electrically operated valve of the type described above is actuated. A self-contained system including a reservoir, compressible liquid in the reservoir, a squib for pressurizing the compressible liquid, a piston and cylinder, a conduit between the reservoir and the cylinder, and a valve of the above-described type in the conduit for selectively admitting pressurized compressed liquid to the cylinder. A piston and cylinder system including a plurality of the above-described valve assemblies and associated conduits for selectively admitting hydraulic liquid to opposite sides of the piston to move it in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Tayco Developments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4671484
    Abstract: A gas valve having a cantilevered bi-metal arm subject to electrically energized heating regulates fluid flow between a fluid inlet and fluid outlet. A poppet is preloaded for seating with a valve seat and further includes a disc member to inhibit valve teasing. Projecting fingers from the arm operatively engage the disc member to provide consistent, repetitive movement between the poppet, arm, and valve seat so that the valve is uniformly opened and closed under various operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Frank H. Bergquist, Donald W. Cox
  • Patent number: 4666081
    Abstract: A thermostat member (10) disposed within a coolant flow passage (12) of an engine comprises a valve (32,34,36,40,42) movable between first and second positions for opening and closing the flow passage (12) and when in the first condition prohibiting coolant to flow from the engine and when in the second condition permitting the coolant to flow to a heat exchanger. A thermally responsive element (22) contained within a housing portion (16), and coupled to the valve. The element expandable in volume, when exposed to a predetermined temperature so as to urge the valve into the first position to terminate flow therethrough and a heater (50) for increasing the temperature of the element above the temperature of the coolant, to cause the element to urge the valve into the second cindition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Canadian Fram Limited
    Inventors: John E. Cook, Gary M. Everingham
  • Patent number: 4660589
    Abstract: An optical feedback loop system used in conjunction with an optical hydraulic servovalve. The system uses light energy from a single fiber optic bundle for expanding a gas in a pair of bellows. When one of the bellows is expanded a jet pipe connected to a servo fluid inlet is moved from a first fluid outlet to a second fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard D. Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 4653283
    Abstract: A refrigerator system, a control device and methods of making the same are provided, the system having a frozen food compartment and a fresh food compartment operatively interconnected together by the control device having a housing provided with a passage interconnecting the compartments together, the housing having a movable damper valve member controlling the passage and a temperature responsive unit operatively interconnected to the valve member to move the valve member between open and closed positions thereof in relation to the temperature sensed by the unit. An electrical heater is carried by the housing and is disposed adjacent the temperature responsive unit to cause the temperature responsive unit to open the passage when the electrical heater has been energized for a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Roger P. Sepso
  • Patent number: 4651683
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a water-cooled engine for a boat, including apparatus to prevent the engine from overheating due to a shortage of coolant. The apparatus includes an air intake connected to supply fresh air to the engine, and an exhaust system connected to discharge exhaust gas from the engine. A duct is connected between the air intake and the exhaust system, and a normally closed valve is provided in the duct. A heat responsive device is provided on the engine to open the valve in response to a predetermined high temperature of the engine, whereby at least a portion of the exhaust gas is fed back through the duct to the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishida
  • Patent number: 4651968
    Abstract: A valve construction and method of making the same are provided, the valve construction comprising a housing, a valve seat carried by the housing, a movable lever carried by the housing and having an opening passing through opposed sides thereof, a valve member for opening and closing the valve seat and having a stem projecting through the opening of the lever whereby the valve member is carried by the lever, and a tubular member disposed in the opening of the lever and telescopically receiving the stem of the valve member therein whereby the tubular member spaces the stem from the lever at the opening thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Harvey J. Shopsky
  • Patent number: 4645489
    Abstract: A unitary disposable conduit extends from the intravenous reservoir along a gravity-flow path to the patient, and incorporates a valve block containing an externally controlled flow-control valve. An electronic controller monitors the drop rate in a drop chamber which is an integral part of the disposable conduit, compares this rate with an operator-selected rate, and controls the valve by varying the current in a shape-memory actuator element whose movements, caused by the resultant Joule heating, are coupled to the valve to proportionally vary the flow rate in the conduit. The valve block is securely received within a recess in the controller, and is automatically coupled to the controller when inserted within this recess. The shape-memory actuator element may be incorporated within the disposable valve block, or may form a part of the controller, with a simple mechanical coupling to transmit its movements to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Beta Phase, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Krumme, Darel E. Hodgson
  • Patent number: 4638828
    Abstract: An automatically operated valve to prevent freezing of water lines. The valve is elongated, having threads on one end to be received in a conventional plumbing tee or the like, or in a threaded opening in a faucet. The opposite end discharges water during dripping, and has a nipple to receive a hose to divert the waste water. A temperature sensitive device is in contact with the water, and includes a tip that projects at high temperatures and retracts at near-freezing temperatures. A plunger in the elongate valve is moved to close a valve when the tip is projected, and a spring within the drip valve urges the plunger to open the valve when the tip is retractable. The temperature sensitive device is carried by the drip valve by mating threads so the position of the temperature sensitive device can be varied through the threaded engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventors: Wyman L. Barrineau, Sr., Julius P. Barrineau
  • Patent number: 4637071
    Abstract: An arrangement for the remote actuation of a controlled device, e.g. a hydraulic valve, in situations with stringent safety requirements, uses optical power. The optical power, e.g. from a high-power laser, is conveyed via an optical fibre (1) to the controlled device. Here it falls on a heat-absorbent surface (2), as a result of which a volatile fluid (e.g. freon) is evaporated. This via a bellows (4) drives an output rod (5), which operates the controlled device.Alternatives include a bimetallic strip, a thermostat-type capsule, and a memory metal strip, as the heat responsive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Gillies D. Pitt, David N. Batchelder, Roger E. Jones, Rosamund C. Neat
  • Patent number: 4627181
    Abstract: A steam iron with a valve for controlling the flow of water from a water reservoir to a steam generating chamber. The valve has a displaceable bridge-shaped member positioned outside the water reservoir and spaced apart from a shaft carrying member. A valve stem extends between the legs through the bridge-shaped member and through a contour cam attached to the top of the bridge-shaped member. The valve stem is attached to the shaft carrying member. The contour cam has a first slanted surface along its circumference upon which a shaft carrying member projection may rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Ofcina de Investigacion Agrupada, S.A.
    Inventor: Tomas Bastida
  • Patent number: 4619320
    Abstract: Subsurface safety valve assembly (16) for oil wells comprising a valve element (57) and a temperature responsive operator comprising multiple coil springs (69, 70), made of shape memory material, operable in opposing directions for opening and closing the valve element and a ratchet locking mechanism comprising wickers (79) for locking the valve in its open position after removal of the heating which causes shape memory effect movement to such position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Memory Metals, Inc.
    Inventors: Dewa N. Adnyana, Neil E. Rogen
  • Patent number: 4614148
    Abstract: A control valve system and method are disclosed for blowout preventers having an actuating piston for actuating the closing of the blowout preventer whereby the piston has an opening side and a closing side. The control valve system and method include a means for selectively directing fluid from the opening side of the actuating piston to the closing side of the actuating piston in order to reduce the fluid requirements for closing the blowout preventer and reduce installed horsepower requirements thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: H. John Bates
  • Patent number: 4611629
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve in which all of the functioning parts are formed in an insert which is threaded into the valve housing. The insert can include a body for guiding the valve stem and having a sleeve forming a main valve unit and an auxiliary valve unit, the latter being engageable by a limiting body to restrict flow through the valve in the fully open position of the main valve member with respect to the main valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: F.W. Oventrop Arn. Aohn KG
    Inventor: Gunther Seiffert
  • Patent number: 4593882
    Abstract: A zone valve of the type using a heat motor includes a biasing spring that operates on a lever, the lever operating on a valve. The spring includes arms that slidingly engage the lever. The arms each include a bent portion adjacent the point of contact with the lever. By providing the bent portion on each arm, the effective biasing force produced on the lever is decreased when the lever is in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. West
  • Patent number: 4582293
    Abstract: There is disclosed a ram type blowout preventer in which the chambers in which the rams are received and for movement between opened and closed positions are automatically vented to the bore of the preventer housing above the closed rams, as the rams are moved to open position, in order to equalize pressure across the ram and thus facilitate its opening. When the rams are moved to closed position, this vent is closed so that well pressure beneath the closed rams has access through a groove between the ram and the ram chamber to the chamber behind the closed rams so as to assist operating fluid in maintaining them closed. The stem which connects a piston of a hydraulic system for operating the rams is hollow and so arranged as to be pressure balanced whereby there is substantially no force due to well fluid pressure resisting closing movement of the rams due to the extension of the rod sealably through an opening in a wall separating the ram chamber from the cylinder of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Koomey Blowout Preventers, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Jones
  • Patent number: 4561627
    Abstract: A valve body defines an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm valve member has an outer portion supported by the valve body and a movable inner portion which cooperates with the valve seat to control the flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet. A small bleed hole extends through the diaphragm valve member and provides a limited flow of liquid which is adapted to be vented to the outlet through a slightly larger vent passage defined by the valve body. In one embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by over-center snap movement of a flexible concaved bimetal disc positioned within the vent passage. The disc is heated by a small electric resistance coil when it is desired to open the valve, and when the coil is deenergized, the disc is cooled by the liquid flowing within the vent passage. In another embodiment, the vent passage is opened and closed by a flexible member in the form of a diaphragm disposed adjacent a metal disc forming an armature for a solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 4560140
    Abstract: A zone valve is described in which the frame for the operator unit is assembled without separate fasteners. Tongue and groove on the frame pieces fit together in an interlocking manner to provide a rigid frame construction. The assembly of the frame, hinges the parts against each other so that they snap together and are rigidly retained together by the inherent spring force of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. West
  • Patent number: 4553733
    Abstract: In a zone valve, an improved arrangement for connecting the operator unit to the valve unit is provided. A one piece wire locking spring carried by the operator unit in conjunction with a groove on the valve unit valve plug provides a snap connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventor: Michael D. West
  • Patent number: 4546828
    Abstract: A system is disclosed which may alternatively be used as a diverter or as a blowout preventer for a drilling rig. The system comprises a BOP attached above a spool having a hydraulically driven sleeve/piston. An outlet passage in the spool, which may be connected to a vent line, is closed off by the sleeve wall when the spool piston is at rest.Hydraulic ports are connected above and below the BOP annular piston and above and below the spool annular piston. The ports below the BOP piston and above the spool piston are in fluid communication with each other. A hydraulic circuit is provided having two valves between a source and a drain of pressurized hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. Roche
  • Patent number: 4541448
    Abstract: The freeze protection valve includes a molded plastic valve housing (A) including a peripheral wall (10) which defines an elongated recess (12) therein. The valve housing includes a first seating region (18) surrounding the elongated recess open end, a drain outlet (C) in fluid communication with the elongated recess, and at least one side fluid passage defining configuration (30). The side fluid passage defining configuration defines a first recess (32) having a wall portion (34) which is adapted to be cut through to provide one or more fluid passages (170) into the elongated recess. A first fitting assembly (60) includes a metal nipple (62) having a flange (64) peripherally therearound, a hold down plate (68), and a plurality of screws (70) for pressing the hold down plate and nipple flange in a fluid sealing relationship with the first or second seating region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Kolze
  • Patent number: 4540153
    Abstract: A temperature sensitive negative-pressure control valve is provided with a pressure adjusting means functioning to output a constant negative-pressure which is determined by the biasing force of an adjusting spring, and a temperature sensitive device for varying the biasing force of the adjusting spring, whereby variation of the biasing force of the adjusting spring imparted to the pressure adjusting device according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensitive device warrants outputting of continuously varying negative-pressure in response to the variation of the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Gomi, Shigeru Nishio
  • Patent number: 4538633
    Abstract: An optical hydraulic control wherein the flow of hydraulic fluid is controlled by movement of a valve spool 12. Movement of the valve spool is initiated by a hydraulic pressure differential that is established by moving a control member 34 out of an equilibrium position. Movement of the control member from its equilibrium position is accomplished by illumination of a beam support structure 36 with an optical command signal. The control member 34 is returned to its equilibrium position after appropriate movement of a valve spool 12 by mechanical linkage between control member 34 and valve spool 12 or, alternatively, by modulation of the optical command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Curtis E. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4535590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal servomotor which includes two operating elements particularly bellows boxes, which act oppositely on a valve actuating bridge. Each operating element has a temperature-dependent filling. Each operating element is connected to a relatively small container having a volume on the order of 0.2 cm.sup.3 by a capillary passage which has the effect of partially thermally insulating each operating element from the associated container. Each container contains the medium of the filling that determines the pressure and separate heating apparatus is associated with each of the two containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Finn Jacobsen, Jens J. Molbaek, Jan Zangenberg, Poul S. Dam
  • Patent number: 4531580
    Abstract: An improved rotating blowout preventer having a sealing assembly which is latched in place in a body with an upper latch engaging the non rotating body and lower latch engaging in a groove to engage the rotating portion, a sealing assembly having an improved elongate flexible tubular sealing element for sealing against a rotating Kelly or other element and being sufficient long and resilient to seal under conditions of lateral misalignment without interfering with the rotation and an improved support system which maintains a predetermined bearing load and transfers excess loads to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Jones
  • Patent number: 4530216
    Abstract: A refrigerator system, a control device and methods of making the same are provided, the system having a frozen food compartment and a fresh food compartment operatively interconnected together by the control device having a housing provided with a passage interconnecting the compartments together, the housing having a movable damper valve member controlling the passage and a temperature responsive unit operatively interconnected to the valve member to move the valve member between open and closed positions thereof in relation to the temperature sensed by the unit. An electrical heater is carried by the housing and is disposed adjacent the temperature responsive unit to cause the temperature responsive unit to open the passage when the electrical heater has been energized for a certain period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: Roger P. Sepso
  • Patent number: 4523605
    Abstract: A freeze preventing valve which comprises a valve cage body longitudinally provided with a cylindrical guide at the upper part thereof in a valve housing connected to a steam feed pipe, a valve element having a shaft disposed through the guide of the valve body to be able to open an exhaust port opened at the lower end of the housing and to be elevationally guided in the guide of the housing, a spring of shape memory alloy interposed between the lower surface of the valve body and the valve element for urging the valve element to close the valve element, a bias spring mounted between the upper surface of the valve body and the shaft protruding from the guide of the valve element upwardly for urging the valve element to open the valve element. Thus, the valve element of the freeze preventing valve is effectively supported and guided in the housing via the guide of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichizo Ohkata
  • Patent number: 4522219
    Abstract: A freeze preventing valve which comprises a valve body longitudinally provided with an inserting hole at the upper part thereof in a hollow valve housing connected to a steam feed pipe, a valve element having a shaft disposed movably through the inserting hole of the valve body to be able to open an exhaust port at the lower end of the housing and to be vertically guided through the inserting hole of the housing. A collar is secured at an intermediate position on the shaft and a spring of shape memory alloy is interposed between the upper surface of a valve seat of the valve housing and the lower surface of the collar for urging the valve element to close the valve, by moving the valve element upwardly. A bias spring is mounted between the lower surface of the upper part of the valve body and the upper surface of the collar for urging the valve element to open the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichizo Ohkata
  • Patent number: 4519776
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting insects to an insect trapping device. The apparatus includes: a source of combustible fluid; a burner communicating with the fluid source for igniting the fluid in an exothermic reaction generating carbon dioxide, moisture and heat; and a catalyst for catalytically sustaining the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Armatron International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sal G. DeYoreo, David P. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4508314
    Abstract: A gas valve of the type having a movable resilient poppet attached to the free end of an electrically heated cantilever bi-metal arm. The poppet is preloaded by the arm to the closed position against a valve seat by the bi-metal arm and is lifted by warping the bi-metal arm with a predetermined electrical current. The poppet has a necked position received through an aperture near the free end of the arm. An annular bead ring is formed on the poppet and surrounds the neck. The annular bead is resiliently contacted by the surface of the arm in the preloaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Wilbur F. Hemme
  • Patent number: 4500036
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism comprises a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion. The lower housing portion is cup-shaped and receives a mounting plate into which a thermostatically working element together with a heating coil are inserted. The lower housing portion comprises leaves which are shielded by an insulating plate. Apertures in the insulating plate allow penetration of a working piston of the working element and of contact pins through the mounting plate during assembly of the housing portions whereat the contact pins engage the contact leaves so that the heating coil is supplied with a voltage only in the assembled condition of the actuating mechanism. A compression spring seves as an abutment for the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Rudolf Vollmer
  • Patent number: 4484725
    Abstract: A bimetal driven control valve comprises: a main body having an inflow channel, an outflow channel, and an orifice which connects the inflow channel and the outflow channel; a first bimetal which constitutes part of a tubular body, an outer portion of the bimetal being fixed to the main body; a second bimetal which constitutes part of the tubular body and whose outer circumferential surface is formed by the same metal used for the inner circumferential surface of the first bimetal, and whose inner circumferential surface is formed by the same metal used for the outer circumferential surface of the first bimetal, the inner circumferential surface of the second bimetal being opposed to the inner circumferential surface of the first bimetal: hinges for connecting respective ends of the first and second bimetals to form the tubular body; a value member which is mounted in the main body and which is connected to an outer portion of the second bimetal for moving the valve member between a first position at which th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Fuji Koki Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Yoshiga
  • Patent number: 4475686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve assembly for a refrigeration plant of the kind used for controlling the flow of refrigerant from the evaporator to the compressor. The closure member for the valve unit is controlled directly or indirectly by a movable wall of an expansible chamber filled with a refrigerant medium having vapor and liquid phases. The pressure exerted by the vapor phase of the medium provides a bias in a valve opening direction which is directly related to the temperature of the liquid phase and is opposed by a spring bias in the valve closing direction. A heat transfer element such as a heating resistor in the liquid phase is heated or allowed to cool in a controlled manner by an external control unit. A temperature responsive sensor element in the liquid phase of the medium is part of a feedback system for the control unit which allows a selected temperature to be maintained in the chamber which results in a desired constant pressure in a valve opening direction to be maintained in a chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Zbigniew R. Huelle, Leif Nielsen, Jakob S. Jakobsen
  • Patent number: 4460006
    Abstract: The freeze protection valve includes a valve housing (A) which has a bore (20) through a lower wall portion (22) thereof to define a freeze drain outlet (B). A valve assembly (C) including a valve cup (50), a valving element (54), and a valve element biasing spring (56) is biased away from the valve housing lower wall portion by a valve cup spring (60). A thermal sensing assembly (D) including a thermal sensing element (82) which is disposed closely adjacent the valving element urges the valve assembly toward the lower wall portion as the temperature of fluid around the thermal element increases and allows the valve cup biasing spring to move the valving element away from the lower wall portion as the fluid around the thermal sensing element cools below a preselected temperature. In this manner, the valve assembly opens the freeze drain outlet in response to the fluid at the bottom of the valve housing adjacent the valve assembly dropping below a preselected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Kolze
  • Patent number: 4460007
    Abstract: In a freeze protection valve, a wax actuator is situated in a heat-conductive housing to which heat is conducted from the liquid system being protected. The housing prevents the actuator from triggering the valve to its opened condition while the liquid system is hot, but permits a rapid response when the liquid system is cool. In a snap-action freeze protection valve, the actuator is carried by the valve stem, and heat is conducted from the valve body to the valve stem through a sleeve through which the valve stem slides. The actuator moves a cam within the valve stem which operates a ball-type latch. The latch holds the valve in the closed position until the actuator releases the latch.Also disclosed is a remote-controlled valve operating mechanism which uses an electrically heated wax actuator to effect valve closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Inventor: Fred L. Pirkle
  • Patent number: 4456216
    Abstract: A carburetor fuel bowl vent valve assembly consists of a one-piece plastic housing having a central partition with a central well defining a zigzag shaped path for the flow of fuel vapors from the carburetor fuel bowl to a carbon canister. The well contains a vacuum operated vent valve that is spring opened during engine-off operation to allow the storage of fuel vapors under engine hot soak conditions, and is closed by engine manifold vacuum during engine running operation so that the fuel vapors will be rerouted into the engine. The vent valve further includes thermally responsive means to close the vent valve during low ambient temperature conditions. It also includes seal locating means that retain the seal in position without stretching or deforming it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Thaddeus Boruta
  • Patent number: 4444090
    Abstract: In a hydraulic piston actuator the supply of working fluid is governed by at least one servo valve of the three-gate type, the spring-loaded valve body of which is activated by a thermowire adapted normally to hold the valve body in a position to close-off the supply of fluid. One end of the thermowire is connected to a compensating device, goverened by the movement of the actuator piston in such a manner that thermal movements are partly counteracted. The servo valve may actuate a maximum switch, and a time relay will, after a predetermined period of time put the fluid pump out of action, and connect both sides of a double acting actuator with a return flow tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Inventor: Karl E. Joelson