With Limit Control Patents (Class 251/129.12)
  • Patent number: 11841717
    Abstract: A pressure control valve for controlling or regulating a pressure of a compressed fluid in a pilot pressure chamber includes a valve housing with at least one inlet which is fluidically connectable to the pilot pressure chamber, at least one outlet, a tappet mounted in the valve housing to be moved along a longitudinal axis by means of an actuation device that can be energized, and a first seal element which is mounted in the valve housing to move along the longitudinal axis and which is preloaded into a closed position by means of a first spring. The first seal element rests against a first valve seat in the closed position. The first seal element has a passage through which the compressed fluid can flow. A second seal element is secured to the tappet and can be moved by the energization of the actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: KENDRION (VILLINGEN) GMBH
    Inventor: Bjorn Bergfeld
  • Patent number: 11144083
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a transmission element for a spring return of an actuating drive comprising: a toothed wheel element with teeth at least in sections; and a locking element including a locking section for locking engagement in the teeth of the toothed wheel element to prevent a rotation of the toothed wheel element in a return direction. The locking element includes a safety element mechanically operatively connected to the locking section and elastically deformable in order to release the locking of the toothed wheel element by elastic deformation of the safety element at a torque of the toothed wheel element in the return direction greater than a safety torque limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Florian Erich Böttger, Andreas Pally
  • Patent number: 10989319
    Abstract: Provided is a three-way valve for flow rate control capable of suppressing an increase in driving torque for a valve body, which is caused due to contact between the valve body and a valve port forming member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SHINWA CONTROLS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsushi Kusumoto, Koji Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10935155
    Abstract: Provided are an electronic expansion valve, a control system, and a control method, including: a step motor and a Hall sensor; the step motor includes a rotor and a stator; the rotor includes a permanent magnet; the Hall sensor is provided on the outer periphery of the permanent magnet; the Hall sensor and rotor are arranged in the radial direction, and the stator and Hall sensor are arranged in the axial direction; the main-body part of the Hall sensor is used for sensing the magnetic pole change of said permanent magnet; such a structure reduces the effect that an operating environment has on the Hall sensor when detecting a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Hangzhou Sanhua Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Zhang, Yaofeng Lan, Junxiao Jiang
  • Patent number: 10935153
    Abstract: A flow control valve including a valve body, stepper motor, and valve member. The valve member includes a poppet that can slide longitudinally within a bore of the valve body when the stepper motor receives electricity. A diaphragm, extending inwardly from the valve body to the valve member, deflects in response to movement of the valve member. A flow control needle, mounted to the poppet of the valve member, is at least partially received in an outlet port of the valve body. The flow control needle cooperates with an inner surface of the outlet port to define an outlet flow orifice that varies in size when the valve member moves between open and closed positions. In the closed position, a seat engagement surface of the valve member contacts a valve seat of the valve body to create a fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAC Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Williams, David M. Sobka, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10767566
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a gas turbine engine may comprise an electric motor disposed within a nacelle of the gas turbine engine, wherein the electric motor is configured to receive a bypass air from a fan bypass duct for cooling the electric motor and the electric motor is configured to drive a low speed shaft of the gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Debabrata Pal
  • Patent number: 10711706
    Abstract: An exhaust gas flap drive for an internal combustion engine, including a driveshaft which has a central axis m, an exhaust gas flap shaft, which is indirectly connected to the driveshaft and has a central axis k, and a coupling element, which is designed as a spring. The coupling element has a first end portion which is rotationally fixed to the driveshaft, and the driveshaft has a receiving area in which the end portion is mounted. The coupling element additionally has a second end portion which is rotationally fixed to the exhaust gas flap shaft via a coupling element, and the receiving area is designed as a groove which is provided on the end face of the driveshaft. The groove has a groove base and two groove flanks which delimit a width b of the groove. The width b decreases towards the groove base, and/or the coupling element has a form-fitting connection with the second end portion in a direction of the central axis k.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TENNECO GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Aigner, Bernd Fuhrmann
  • Patent number: 10473234
    Abstract: A torque reducer assembly including a ball screw assembly and a plunger gear assembly with a low torque allowing a single user to operate a hand wheel to open or close a valve under very high pressure without need of gear reduction and a Balance Stem. A gear shaft, ball screw, valve stem and gate are fixed from rotation with respect to each other but move axially together in response to rotation of a ball screw nut in the ball screw assembly. The plunger gear assembly rotates with the ball screw nut. In the engaged position, a plunger prevents rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve open direction but permits rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve close direction. In the disengaged position, the plunger permits rotation of the ball screw nut in the valve open direction and the valve close direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Inventor: Ninad Ashok Oak
  • Patent number: 10167878
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to cooling electronics. A set of recirculation flaps is coupled with a cooling fan. At least one recirculation flap has a ferrous material. In various embodiments, the set of recirculation flaps is arranged in an open position in response to air pressure from the cooling fan, and is arranged in a closed position in response to substantially no air pressure from the cooling fan. A controller is coupled with the cooling fan. The controller indicates a set of indicated positions for the set of recirculation flaps based on a tachometer value. An electromagnet is connected with the controller to position the set of recirculation flaps in the set of indicated positions using the ferrous material. In various embodiments, the electromagnet engages the ferrous material to arrange the set of recirculation flaps in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan E. Cruz, Jose A. Hejase, Howard V. Mahaney, Jr., Joel Mendez
  • Patent number: 10167879
    Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to cooling electronics. A set of recirculation flaps is coupled with a cooling fan. At least one recirculation flap has a ferrous material. In various embodiments, the set of recirculation flaps is arranged in an open position in response to air pressure from the cooling fan, and is arranged in a closed position in response to substantially no air pressure from the cooling fan. A controller is coupled with the cooling fan. The controller indicates a set of indicated positions for the set of recirculation flaps based on a tachometer value. An electromagnet is connected with the controller to position the set of recirculation flaps in the set of indicated positions using the ferrous material. In various embodiments, the electromagnet engages the ferrous material to arrange the set of recirculation flaps in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ethan E. Cruz, Jose A. Hejase, Howard V. Mahaney, Jr., Joel Mendez
  • Patent number: 10132420
    Abstract: In one aspect, a choke apparatus includes a choke body through which fluid is adapted to flow, a bonnet assembly connected to the choke body, and an electric actuator operably coupled to the bonnet assembly. The choke apparatus operates to control the imposition of backpressure on the fluid. In one embodiment, an actuator stem of the electric actuator is toollessly operably coupled to a choke stem of the bonnet assembly. In another embodiment, an adapter is connected to the bonnet assembly. In yet another embodiment, an absolute position sensor is disposed within a housing of the electric actuator. In still yet another embodiment, a measurement scale is used to indicate choke position. In certain embodiments, the choke apparatus provides for manual override. A method of assembling a choke apparatus is provided. A method of retrofitting a choke apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SEABOARD INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Long
  • Patent number: 9784382
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve for installation in gas meters, has a valve disk that can be moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to its valve seat. The movement is realized by a linear unit held in the longitudinal direction in a valve casing, which is actuated by an electric motor via reduction gearing. The valve seat has a lip seal. The electric motor is a small DC motor. The reduction gearing and the linear unit, are installed in a panel of the valve casing. The linear unit is a rack-and-pinion gearing or a sliding-screw gearing, having an adjusting-nut element and an adjusting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Electric S.A.
    Inventors: Sten Wahrisch, Joerg Gassmann, Sebastian Fraulob
  • Patent number: 9714723
    Abstract: A speed-adjustable returning device of a valve actuator including a transmission assembly, an energy storage device arranged at one side of the transmission assembly and is operatively coupled thereto, an arrestment device arranged beside the energy storage device and is operatively coupled to the transmission assembly, and a valve device arranged at one side of the transmission assembly and is operatively coupled thereto. Under a condition of normal power supply, the energy storage device is controlled to store energy, and when power supply is interrupted, the energy storage device releases the stored energy to drive the transmission assembly to operate in a reversed direction so that the transmission assembly drives the arrestment device in such a way that the arrestment device makes the transmission assembly and the energy storage device operated at fixed speeds to thereby make the valve device operated at a fixed speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FLOWINN (SHANGHAI) INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuo-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 9599352
    Abstract: A radiator thermostat (1) to be fitted onto a radiator valve (4) is provided. The radiator thermostat (1) has a transmission element (5, 105, 205) that transmits a compressive force to the valve pin (8) of the radiator valve. An electric motor (12) is provided to drive the transmission element (5, 105, 205). The transmission element (5, 105, 205) is preloaded with a counter force (F2) that acts in opposition to the valve force (F1) using a spring (18; 20; 32). Thus, when moving the transmission element (5, 105, 205), the motor (12) has only to overcome the differential force (df).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Baur, Bernhard Blocher, Stefan Schwamberger
  • Patent number: 9273786
    Abstract: Three-way valve with two flaps comprising common control means (9) for the two flaps and actuation means (12, 13, 50) arranged each to drive, pivotwise, one of the two flaps, from one to the other of its open and closed position of one of the pathways, with a temporal phase-shift, such that, in a first stage the common control means pivot the second flap, the first flap remaining in a waiting position under the action of return means, and in a second stage, said control means, while continuing to pivot the second flap, begin to pivot the first flap, characterized in that said second actuation means (12, 50) comprises a return driving means (71) making it possible to pivot the second flap (5) to its first position under the action of the common control means (9) in the case of a failure of said return means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Grégory Hodebourg, Sébastien Adenot
  • Patent number: 9133919
    Abstract: At least a motor, a gear unit and an adjustment connection form an actuator. The gear unit is fitted with at least two mutually movable gear parts, as well as a spring acting on two of these that counteracts their movement out of an idle state. The gear unit is designed such that when an adjustment connection is blocked the motor moves the gear parts out of the idle state during operation to an operating point. In addition, the gear unit is designed such that during the movement out of the idle state it reduces the extent to which the movement is counteracted from a particular point upstream of the operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Markus Bretz, Jörg Evertz, Jörg Hindermann, Andreas Pally, Martin Sprecher
  • Patent number: 9051998
    Abstract: A motor and a gear unit form an actuator. The gear unit is fitted with at least two mutually movable gear parts, acted on by a spring that counteracts their movement out of an idle state. The gear unit is fitted with at least one manual actuator that when actuated switches the motor off, disengages two mutually interacting gear wheels of the at least two gear parts and forces the at least two gear parts into the idle state. When the motor moves the gear parts out of the idle state during operation to an operating point, a cam plate on a first gear part is contacted by a sensor element on a second gear part, and the spring acts on the first and second gear parts during the movement out of the idle state in accordance with a position on the cam plate of the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jörg Hindermann, Andreas Pally
  • Patent number: 9033192
    Abstract: A rotary actuator suitable for use in a refrigerator ice-dispensing door provides a rotating shaft driven by a DC permanent magnet motor through a gear train and subject to a returning force of an internal spring. The gear train communicates with a switch to reduce current to the motor when a limit of travel is reached and a shunting path is provided around the motor to produce generative braking when power is removed from the motor and the actuator rotates backward to its initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Publication number: 20150083057
    Abstract: A coolant-control valve that performs initialization learning using a stopper and provides an efficient structure by an initialization learning stopper within an actuator which drives a valve body. The coolant-control valve is equipped with a rotor driven to control a flow rate of coolant for cooling an engine, a casing that houses the rotor, and a rotary drive device that drives the rotor. Control means of the rotary drive device have an initialization learning function of an operating range of the rotor. The rotary drive device is equipped with a motor and a reduction gear. The operating range of the rotor is restricted by the operating range of an output gear among power transmission elements in the reduction gear. A groove of the output gear and a fixed-angle stopper inserted into the groove are restricting means for use during initialization learning by the control means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toru TSUCHIYA, Takumi OIKAWA, Yoshiyuki KANESAKA, Satoshi ANDO
  • Publication number: 20150060711
    Abstract: A gas shut-off valve for installation in gas meters, has a valve disk that can be moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to its valve seat. The movement is realized by a linear unit held in the longitudinal direction in a valve casing, which is actuated by an electric motor via reduction gearing. The valve seat has a lip seal. The electric motor is a small DC motor. The reduction gearing and the linear unit, are installed in a panel of the valve casing. The linear unit is a rack-and-pinion gearing or a sliding-screw gearing, having an adjusting-nut element and an adjusting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Sten Wahrisch, Joerg Gassmann, Sebastian Fraulob
  • Patent number: 8967196
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include a valve disposed in a flow path and an actuator disposed above the valve. The actuator may be configured to actuate the valve to move between an open position and a closed position. The valve may also include a rocking member disposed above the actuator and configured to move with the valve. The valve may also include a pair of first and second position sensors disposed above and parallel to the actuator. The pair of first and second position sensors may be configured to detect a position of the rocking member. The position of the rocking member may be indicative of a position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Incorporated
    Inventors: Khang Pham Ngoc Ha, Cody Charles Howarth
  • Patent number: 8919374
    Abstract: An electromechanically actuated, hydraulic control valve with a double slide arranged in a valve housing which is in fluid communication with at least three hydraulic-fluid ports wherein a first and a second axially movable valve slide are, independently of each other, arranged to sealingly abut corresponding portions of a double valve seat, each valve slide is provided with a slide nut which is in engagement with an external threaded portion on the valve slide and is connected via transmission means to an actuator, and to each valve slide, a position sensor is connected, arranged to indicate a rotational motion of the slide nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tool-Tech AS
    Inventor: Egil Eriksen
  • Patent number: 8899548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device for a combustion engine, in particular of an automobile, comprising a housing with at least two fluid connections and a hollow valve element rotatable between at least two rotational positions via a valve shaft supported rotatably in the housing, which valve element comprises at least two openings, which, depending on the rotational position of the valve element, can be connected with the fluid connections of the housing, further comprising an electromotive drive with a drive shaft for rotating the valve element, the drive shaft and the valve shaft being connected via a coupling with one another. According to the invention, the coupling connects the drive shaft and the valve shaft torque-proof with one another up to a predetermined threshold torque and releases the torque-proof connection between the drive shaft and the valve shaft above the predetermined threshold torque, so that rotation of the valve shaft relative to the drive shaft is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Torsten Hauk
  • Patent number: 8844568
    Abstract: A multi-channel stepped motor operated gas adjusting valve includes a valve shell, a reduction motor, a locator, a gas flow distributor and a locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. The gas flow distributor has a disk which is tightly attached to a hard hollow washer. An inner wall of the valve shell is provided with locating ends corresponding to a group of locating nodes to form the locator rotation angle detecting mechanism. Each locating node is placed corresponding to a gas flow distribution groove of the same sequence. The inner wall of the valve shell is also provided with stopping blocks at a beginning state and an ending state of the locator. The valve enables accurate control by utilizing an action position feedback signal and a control circuit, and enables multi-position stepped adjustment on gas flow rate upon multi-channel gas passages simultaneously. The valve can independently cut the multi-channel gas passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Zhaokeng Pan
  • Publication number: 20140261815
    Abstract: A flow channel switching valve is provided including a stator and a rotor inside a housing, in which the rotor is rotated by a rotor drive portion while sliding on the stator. A rotor drive shaft holding the rotor is biased to a housing top side by an elastic member. A drive shaft stopper is provided that limits movement when the rotor drive shaft moves to the housing top side from a normal position when a housing top is attached to a housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8820354
    Abstract: A liquid flow rate control valve is provided in which since a distributor (38) is rotated relative to a sleeve (37) by a first drive source (46) only through a predetermined angle, the total area of overlapping sections of a first opening (37a) of the sleeve (37) and the second opening (38c) of the distributor (38) changes, and a rotor (42) having a third opening (42c 42d) is rotated by a second drive source (47), it is possible to carry out PWM control of the liquid input from an input port (61e) and output it from an output port (61f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiichiro Ishikawa, Yuki Shibahata, Yasunari Kimura, Masashi Kato
  • Patent number: 8810427
    Abstract: Electronic control system for a submarine actuator, said actuator comprising a container body, from which a drive shaft projects that is suitable for inserting in a seat of said submarine device. The system comprises an electronic control board for at least one electric motor arranged inside said container body suitable for moving said drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Carlo Liberale, Fabio Imperiali
  • Patent number: 8800964
    Abstract: A female screw member includes a female screw part with a female screw, and a projection part projecting in the direction of a center shaft of the female screw and having a working face in the rotating direction centering on the center shaft. The female screw part and projection part are integrally molded with a resin. The projection part has a spiral inclination face spirally inclining by one round from the working face centering on the center shaft of the female screw. The height H of the working face is equal to or smaller than a pitch P of the female screw. Using the projection part as a fully opening fixing stopper, a motor operated valve includes a valve main body having a valve seat, the female screw member attached to the valve main body, a motor having a rotator and stator, and a valve shaft. The valve shaft is screwed to a female screw of the female screw member, and is rotated and driven by the rotor, and has a fully opening movable stopper capable of contacting the fully opening fixing stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoari Ohuchi, Takeshi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 8800959
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flow-rate control valve that allows for manufacturing cost reduction and has a compact size with improved ease of maintenance. The flow-rate control valve includes a lower casing provided with a channel that leads a liquid and a fluid and with a valve seat, a valve body that controls, in conjunction with the valve seat, the flow rate of the liquid and the fluid that pass through the channel, a reciprocating drive part that moves the valve body closer to or away from the valve seat, and an upper casing that houses the reciprocating drive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hasunuma
  • Patent number: 8763419
    Abstract: A motor-operated valve configured to control the flow rate during a normal flow and pass the fluid so as to minimize pressure loss during a reverse flow, and a refrigeration cycle using the same, are provided. It is configured such that during a normal flow, the fluid is made to flow only from between the main valve member and the orifice to perform flow rate control, and during a reverse flow, all or a majority of the fluid is made to flow to a bypass channel without being passed through the orifice to decrease pressure loss as much as possible. A check valve member which closes the bypass channel during a normal flow and opens it during a reverse flow is provided in the valve main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Suganama
  • Patent number: 8746658
    Abstract: A coaxial valve for regulating and blocking a fluid medium having a valve housing having at least one inlet opening, at least one outlet opening and a flow duct connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening; a tubular valve sleeve disposed in an axially movable manner in a portion of the flow duct and having an inflow and an outflow opening for the medium, wherein the inflow and outflow openings open into the flow duct; a closure member disposed in the valve housing and arranged coaxially with the valve sleeve and configured to close the inflow opening; and a drive configured to axially move the valve sleeve and having an electric servomotor and a transmission part coupled between the servomotor and the valve sleeve, the transmission part configured to transmit an axial movement to the valve sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Gauss, Arno Voit
  • Patent number: 8720851
    Abstract: When a valve body is rotated toward a full-close position in a valve-close mode, a control portion controls an electric motor so that the rotating speed of the valve body is lower than that in a valve-open mode. A rotating speed of the valve body around the shaft in the valve-close mode is lower than that in the valve-open mode. Thus, when the seal ring is brought into contact with the inner wall surface, an impact generated therebetween can be moderated. While the valve body is rotated toward the full-close position, a seal ring is gradually elastically deformed. A sliding friction between the seal ring and the inner wall surface can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Furukawa, Ryo Sano, Kazushi Sasaki, Yuusuke Niwa
  • Patent number: 8667935
    Abstract: An intake/exhaust valve control device for an internal combustion engine including a cylinder having an intake valve and an exhaust valve includes: solenoids for driving at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve; a battery for supplying an electric current to the solenoids, a battery state predicting unit for predicting the voltage state of the battery; and an energization start timing setting unit for setting the current carrying start timing of the battery with respect to the solenoids based on the result of the prediction by the battery state predicting unit. According to the intake/exhaust valve control device, since it is possible to obtain the amount of energization necessary for driving the solenoids at an appropriate timing, it is possible to secure the responsiveness of the solenoids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhito Imai, Ryuji Okamura
  • Patent number: 8585012
    Abstract: A method for controlling an actuator, such as the type used to drive valves, vanes, and other variable position devices. In one exemplary embodiment, a method may improve the accuracy of actuator feedback by periodically or dynamically resetting the position of a lower hard stop, which can then be used as a future point of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Labataille, Robert Keefover, Matthew E. Junker
  • Patent number: 8474790
    Abstract: A final gear of a speed reducing mechanism and a magnet of a valve opening degree sensor are separately joined to a shaft, which is rotated integrally with a valve. The final gear and the magnet are arranged to satisfy at least one of ?a>?-?swo and ?b>?swc, where ?a denotes a valve open side clearance that is a circumferential gap angle circumferentially measured between the magnet and an open side end part of the final gear, ?b denotes a valve close side clearance that is a circumferential gap angle, which is circumferentially measured between the magnet and a close side end part of the final gear, ? denotes a full open degree of the valve, ?swo denotes a valve open sensing degree, and ?swc denotes a valve close sensing degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Uda
  • Patent number: 8459607
    Abstract: A control device includes an opening detector that detects the opening of a control valve driven by an electric actuator. A control element sets the target opening of the control valve, thereby to control the electric actuator in accordance with a deviation between the target opening and the detected opening. In the case where a predetermined necessary condition containing at least a condition for the absolute value of the deviation to be smaller than a predetermined value is satisfied, power to the electric actuator is interrupted to prevent the electric actuator from generating a driving force. This reduces situations where the driving force to be applied from the electric actuator to the control valve fluctuates finely to suppress the progress of the wear or deterioration of the components of the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Sasaki, Hideyo Uehara
  • Publication number: 20130134336
    Abstract: An electric three-way valve comprises: an input port, a plurality of output ports and a valve core which rotates in a sliding manner in the valve seat by a driving force of a motor unit, wherein the valve core selectively opens or closes the plurality of output ports, the motor unit is attached as a separated constituent to an outside of an upper end surface of a cylindrical casing introducing refrigerant, the valve core is driven by a gear unit which transmits the driving force of the motor unit and is disposed inside the cylindrical casing, the cylindrical casing includes one opening portion and a side wall with an apex portion, a housing which is fixed to a cylindrical wall portion of the apex portion and is equipped with the motor unit is uprightly formed in the other opening portion, and the housing is attached to the cylindrical casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: ZHEJIANG SANHUA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ZHEJIANG SANHUA CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8408518
    Abstract: Electric actuators having internal load apparatus are described herein. An example electric actuator having an internal load apparatus described herein includes a housing defining a cavity to receive a drive system and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the drive system. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first rectilinear direction. A biasing element is operatively coupled to the drive system such that least a portion of the drive system moves axially toward the biasing element to deflect the biasing element when the drive shaft reaches an end of stroke position to provide a load to the drive shaft when electric power to the electric actuator is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Arthur Schade, Thomas Pesek, John Stanley Bandas
  • Publication number: 20130068978
    Abstract: An inductive non-contact rotation angle sensor used in a motor-driven throttle valve unit is such that a circuit substrate to which a stationary conductor and an electronic circuit are attached is secured to a resin cover without the use of an adhesive. A TPS substrate as the circuit substrate and an electric conductor are electrically connected to each other by pressure welding (press fit). The circuit substrate and the electric conductor can be formed of the same molding resin as a single molded body. Thus, it is not necessary to prepare another metallic conductor (a bonding wire) and also welding and soldering are eliminated. Further, since the TPS substrate is covered by the same material as cover resin, a process of bonding the substrate to the cover can be omitted, which allows for a reduction in manufacturing cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Daisuke Hiranuma, Michimori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8393595
    Abstract: The device (1) includes a housing (2) in which an electric motor (5) is secured, the shaft (6) of this motor being coupled to a rotary control member (11) having on one surface a cam profile (11c) cooperating with a coordinated profile (20d) of a controlled member (20) which may move in translation in the housing (2) such that when the motor (5) is actuated, the rotation of the rotary control member (11) is adapted to cause the controlled member (20) to move in translation into a first position remote from the control member (11) or to enable this controlled member (20) to move in translation into a second position close to the control member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Leo Querio
  • Patent number: 8360393
    Abstract: A spring return valve comprising a motor, a first worm member, a second planetary gear member, a second worm member, an elastic member, and a valve attached to said second worm wheel is provided. Since the first and the second planetary gear are installed between the first worm shaft and the second worm shaft and the elastic member is fitted onto the second worm shaft, the load applied on the output shaft can be reduced a lot, the opening and/or closing operation is very easy even if the elastic coefficient is small, thereby the reduction in size is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eunha Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon-won Park
  • Patent number: 8297588
    Abstract: To provide a motor-driven valve with a small number of parts, with excellent assemblage, capable of maintaining a large valve port diameter even downsized, and to prevent deterioration of housing environment due to sound caused by the impact and shortened life that are generated by collisions of closing limit stopper parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoari Ohuchi
  • Patent number: 8292262
    Abstract: An object is to provide a flow control valve that is capable of reducing or eliminating backlash generated between a male threaded portion and a female threaded portion engaged with the male threaded portion and preventing or eliminating hysteresis in the flow level. The flow control valve includes a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a cover attachable to the body, a motor disposed in a space defined by the body and the cover, a valving element connected to a rotary shaft of the motor with a screw member, and an urging member that urges the valving element toward the motor side or toward the side opposite to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasunuma, Yoshihiro Ushigusa
  • Publication number: 20120153198
    Abstract: An actuator for displacing a control device including a valve, a gate valve or the like, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, said actuator comprising an electric drive and a thread drive displaceable by means of said electric drive. The thread drive comprises at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in a substantially axial direction between an advanced position and a retracted position so as to displace the control device. In order to improve an actuator of this kind in such a way that advantages of an already known actuator will be maintained on the basis of a smaller number of components and a more compact structural design and a reduction of the manufacturing costs can simultaneously be accomplished, the electric drive comprises at least one torque motor with a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being connected to the driven side of a safety clutch unit such that it is secured against rotation relative thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 8183741
    Abstract: A piezoelectric valve is provided that includes a valve body includes a plug and a drive body coupled to the valve body and operable to cause the rotatable plug to rotate about a rotational axis. The drive body includes a shaft disposed along the axis, the shaft statically coupled to the plug and rotatably coupled to the drive body. The drive body also includes a rotor assembly disposed about the axis and rotatably coupled to the drive body. The drive body further includes a first piezoelectric actuator disposed about the axis and statically coupled to the drive body, the first piezoelectric actuator configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the rotor assembly. The drive body additionally includes a second piezoelectric actuator disposed about the axis and statically coupled to the shaft, the second piezoelectric actuator configured to frictionally engage the inner surface of the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Discovery Technology International, Inc.
    Inventors: Serhiy Petrenko, Valentin Rangelov Zhelyaskov
  • Publication number: 20120080623
    Abstract: An electric valve for refrigerant control is provided, which includes: a base; a cover adapted to cover the base; a rotor adapted to perform stepping motions in a rotating direction by means of a stator disposed outside the cover; and a drive pad rotated by receiving a rotating force from the rotor through decelerating gears, wherein the base has a first port through which a refrigerant is introduced to the space inside the cover and at least two or more second ports through which the refrigerant introduced through the first port is discharged, and the drive pad has a contact surface contacted with the surface of the base and an open surface stepped from the contact surface and forming a passage extended to the second ports in accordance with the operation of the drive pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: JAHWA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sin Il Kang
  • Patent number: 8136789
    Abstract: A valve actuator operates a valve, such as a drain valve of an industrial washing machine. The valve actuator has a permanent magnet DC motor which drives a gear train which rotatably drives an output shaft. The output shaft is engaged with the drain valve and moves the drain valve to open and closed positions as desired. The valve actuator also has a controller which controls operation of the valve actuator. The controller provides power to the motor only when needed to open and close the drain valve. The controller does not provide power to the motor when the drain valve is in the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Molon Motor and Coil Corporation
    Inventor: Stoyan S. Staev
  • Patent number: 8109089
    Abstract: A waste gate actuator for an exhaust gas turbocharger, including an actuator housing and an actuator cover, an element for actuating the waste gate valve and electronic components for controlling the element to actuate the waste gate valve being arranged in the waste gate actuator. Provided is a simple and inexpensive revolution counting system on the turbocharger which allows the number of revolutions of the rotating parts (turbine wheel, compressor wheel, turboshaft) to be detected without substantial constructional alterations to the design of existing turbochargers. A sensor for detecting the variations in a magnetic field that are produced by the rotation of the rotating parts is arranged in or on the actuator housing or in or on the actuator cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Gilch, Stephan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20120003559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel gas supply system for a power-consuming member, particularly a gaseous hydrogen supply system for a fuel cell or a heat engine, the system including at least one upstream end comprising a movable mechanical actuator for selectively controlling the opening of an insulation valve of a pressurized fuel gas tank to be coupled to the at least one upstream end, the supply system including a member for controlling the movement of the mechanical actuator, characterized in that the control member is mechanically connected to the actuator via a selectively movable mechanical movement transmission member, the control member being offset relative to the actuator so as to remotely ensure the offsetting of the actuator via mechanical forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour L'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Antoine Frenal, Philippe Pisot
  • Patent number: 8033525
    Abstract: A control valve having an external valve trim adjustor is provided. The control valve comprises a valve shaft comprising a contact member extending in a direction transverse to the valve shaft, a stationary valve cap adapted to receive the valve shaft, an adjustment member coupled to the valve cap, and a stop plate coupled to the contact member and threadedly coupled to the adjustment member, the stop plate positioned at least partially between the adjustment member and the contact member and adapted to position the contact member away from the valve cap in response to manipulation of the adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wingett, Steve Abel, Eric J. Ekstrom