Tank Patents (Class 251/144)
  • Patent number: 6840274
    Abstract: A vent apparatus (10) includes a tank mount (12) made of a weldable plastics material and a fuel system component such as a valve assembly (13). Valve a assembly (13) includes a valve housing (14) made of a nonweldable plastics material and a valve (21) movable in a valve chamber (24) formed in valve housing (14) to open and close an aperture (23) leading to a venting outlet (22). Tank mount (12) supports valve housing (14) in a position in a mounting aperture (16) formed in a fuel tank (18). Valve housing (14) is made by injecting on-weldable plastics material into a mold containing the pre-molded tank mount (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy Williamson, Thomas Blease, Jeffrey Devall, Dwight Smith
  • Publication number: 20040251442
    Abstract: A drain valve including a housing, a poppet, a seal, a follower pin, and a biasing mechanism. The housing defines a passage there-through from a first end to a second end, a cam surface at the second end with at least two detents therein, and at least one slot in the housing fluidly coupling the passage to exterior of the housing. The poppet is disposed within the passage. The seal is disposed between the housing and the poppet. The follower pin is coupled to the poppet near the poppet second end. The follower pin is configured to move along the cam surface and settle in at least one of the at least two detents. The spring is configured to bias the poppet away from the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Richard E. Scott
  • Publication number: 20040217314
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for connecting the end of a first pipe to the end of an axially aligned second pipe. The clamp assembly comprises a first semi-circular clamp arm, a second semi-circular clamp arm, a lever, a latch and a gasket. The first clamp arm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second clamp arm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the second clamp arm is pivotably attached to the first end portion of the first clamp arm. The lever is pivotably attached to the second portion of the first clamp arm. The latch has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the latch is pivotably attached the second end portion of the second clamp arm. The second end portion of the latch is attached to the lever upon the clamp assembly in a closed position. The first clamp arm defines a groove for seating the gasket. The second clamp arm defines a groove for seating the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Alex V. Degutis, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Craig H. Leighton
  • Publication number: 20040183043
    Abstract: A pin valve assembly includes a spring biasing a piston against a seal to seal an opening of a gas cylinder. The spring compresses a length determined by a distance between the insert and the plunger. The insert is pressed into an opening opposite the plunger and held in place by at least one barb extending inward from an inner diameter of a body of the insert. The insert includes an opening to allow communication of gas pressure to a rear portion of the piston. The inner diameter of the pin valve assembly includes at least one barb to secure and prevent removal of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas S. Siimes, Timo Siimes
  • Patent number: 6748851
    Abstract: A food-cooking vessel has a bottom plate and an upwardly extending continuous sidewall. A spigot assembly is secured to the sidewall above the bottom plate to allow draining of liquid from the vessel. A valve mounted in the spigot assembly regulates the flow of liquid from the vessel to an outlet spout. A filter is mounted in the spout to filter solid particles from the drained liquid. The spigot assembly has an attachment plate that is fixedly secured on the convex exterior surface of the sidewall surrounding a drain opening formed in the sidewall. A cylindrical attachment member is fixedly attached to the plate and extends through the plate into the drain opening without contacting the wall of the container, thereby avoiding the necessity of having the cylindrical member to conform to the convex wall of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Nathan Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20040108484
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for connecting the end of a first pipe to the end of an axially aligned second pipe. The clamp assembly comprises a first semi-circular clamp arm, a second semi-circular clamp arm, a lever and a latch. The first clamp arm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The second clamp arm has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the second clamp arm is pivotably attached to the first end portion of the first clamp arm. The lever is pivotably attached to the first end portion of the first clamp arm. The latch has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the latch is pivotably attached the second end portion of the second clamp arm. The second end portion of the latch is attached to the lever upon the clamp assembly in a closed position. The distance between the attachment of the latch to the second clamp arm to the attachment of the latch to the lever is adjustable in the attachment of the latch to the second clamp arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Alex V. Degutis, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Craig H. Leighton
  • Patent number: 6708723
    Abstract: An inwardly opening mechanical vent system is provided for use in a fluid tank having a bottom loading valve and a vent formed in an upper tank surface. The vent system includes a spring interposed between a vent valve and a body extending downwardly into the tank to bias the vent valve upwardly into a closed position. A shaft extends downwardly from the vent valve and is connected to a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism includes a scissor-hinge assembly connected to a trunnion of the body. A linkage rod extends upwardly from the bottom loading valve and is capable of actuating the lever mechanism to lower the shaft and vent valve into the tank to open the vent when the bottom loading valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: J. C. Carter Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Tak-Yiu Wong, James Turvey
  • Publication number: 20040021121
    Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Patent number: 6669167
    Abstract: An improved structure of a LPG tank valve having a threaded connector mounted onto a LPG tank and a rotating button being provided to one end of the threaded connector, and an urging device being provided to the threaded connector, and the bottom end of the rotating button aligned with the urging device being provided with an urging rod, the urging device includes a tube body, an urging rod and a spring, and one end of the tube body is vertically locked to the threaded connector, via the connector and the space of the valve, the tube body is provided with the urging rod, and the rod head of the urging rod is higher than the tube body and is protruded into the mouth of the LPG tank valve, and the lower end of the rod head is connected in series with a spring urged the wall of the tube body, and a gap is formed between the rod body of the urging rod and the wall of the tube body and when the valve is mounted onto the tank, the bottom end of the tube body does not urge against the needle valve of the tank and on
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Lin
  • Publication number: 20030226994
    Abstract: A liquid-dispensing faucet includes a mounting fitting that defines a first flow passage and that is adapted for connection to an associated container with the first flow passage in communication with an internal space of the container. The mounting fitting comprises a valve seat. A body is connected to the mounting fitting. The body defines an inlet, an outlet and a second flow passage that fluidically interconnects the inlet and the outlet. A seal member is connected to the body and is selectively movable between a first operative position and second operative position. The seal member sealingly mates with the valve seat to block the first flow passage when the seal member is in the first operative position. An actuator is operably coupled to the seal member for moving the seal member from the first operative position to the second operative position. In this manner, the valve seat is provided in the mounting fitting rather than as a part of the faucet body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Raymond P. Kawolics
  • Patent number: 6651697
    Abstract: A fitting, particularly a tap cock, for receptacles such as tank trucks or containers, which includes a housing (2), having an inlet opening (12) and an outlet opening (14), and a rotatable body (4) with a through passageway (48), having an inflow opening (50) and an outflow opening (52). The rotatable body (4) is rotatably disposed in the housing such that when rotated into an open position it facilitates fluid communication between the inlet opening (12) and the outlet opening (14) and when rotated into a closed position, it shuts off such communication. The fitting of the invention enables a large throughput during loading and unloading of the receptacle with little structural change by providing the rotatable body (4) with a second inflow opening (54) having a cross-section at least approximately the same size as the first inflow opening (50), and by providing the housing (2) with a bearing ring (46) or a seat ring (82) in the vicinity of the second inflow opening (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Xomox International GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Wolfgang Gonsior
  • Publication number: 20030168621
    Abstract: An improved structure of a LPG tank valve having a threaded connector mounted onto a LPG tank and a rotating button being provided to one end of the threaded connector, and an urging device being provided to the threaded connector, and the bottom end of the rotating button aligned with the urging device being provided with an urging rod, the urging device includes a tube body, an urging rod and a spring, and one end of the tube body is vertically locked to the threaded connector, via the connector and the space of the valve, the tube body is provided with the urging rod, and the rod head of the urging rod is higher than the tube body and is protruded into the mouth of the LPG tank valve, and the lower end of the rod head is connected in series with a spring urged the wall of the tube body, and a gap is formed between the rod body of the urging rod and the wall of the tube body and when the valve is mounted onto the tank, the bottom end of the tube body does not urge against the needle valve of the tank and on
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Lin
  • Patent number: 6616123
    Abstract: A hopper tee mounting assembly capable of accommodating a valve member within the hopper tee mounting assembly. The hopper tee mounting assembly comprises an upper plate having a plurality of upwardly extending bolts, a lower plate having a plurality of downwardly extending bolts, a hinge assembly allowing the upper plate and the lower plate to pivot relative to each other, and a latch assembly to latch the upper plate together with the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Malinda Chilcote
  • Publication number: 20030160203
    Abstract: A control device for an oil drain valve can control opening and closing of the oil drain valve at a far end. The oil drain valve includes a base and a control element connected to the base. The control device further includes a guide element and a driving element. The guide element at an end thereof is joined to the base and the driving element passes through the guide element. An end of the driving element is joined to the control element and another end of the driving element can be pulled from the far end to rotate the control element for controlling opening and closing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Da Chen
  • Publication number: 20030160201
    Abstract: A high-pressure tank in which the sealing ability and pressure-proof strength at a mouth portion are prevented from being lower by a high pressure within the tank, wherein the mouth portion 2 projects into the inside of the tank, and internal threads are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion, and a thread member is threadedly engaged with the internal threads. Further, a seal member is provided between the mouth portion and the thread portion, and is disposed adjacent to the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion adjacent to an inner end thereof disposed within the tank. A high pressure within the tank acts on an outer peripheral surface of the mouth portion while the atmospheric pressure acts on the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion, so that the mouth portion is compressed radially inwardly, thereby preventing the loosening of the tightened seal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Sugiura, Shoichi Hagiwara, Kiyoshi Yoshizumi
  • Patent number: 6609699
    Abstract: An oil drain valve comprises a base and a control part. The base is fixedly attached to a drain hole at the bottom of the oil container. The base at the interior is a hollow chamber to communicate with the oil container and a guide opening is provided at the lateral wall of the base to communicate with the hollow chamber. The control part at the interior thereof has a communication chamber communicates with the hollow chamber and the lateral side thereof has an outlet connects with the communication chamber. The base at the lateral wall thereof has a guide groove and receiver grooves with a resilient piece being received in each receiver groove. A ball is disposed on the respective resilient piece to be biased against the guide groove so that the control part can fit with the base pivotally to block the guide opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Da Chen
  • Patent number: 6607177
    Abstract: A hopper tee mounting assembly adapted to retain a valve member situated between a circular flange and a hopper tee. The hopper tee mounting assembly comprises an upper mounting assembly separate from the circular flange and a hinge assembly. The upper mounting assembly has a flat surface adapted for abutment with the circular flange. The hinge assembly is attached to the upper mounting assembly. The hinge assembly allows the hopper tee to pivot relative to the upper mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Burian, Charles Lonnie Horne, James M. McLaughlin, Michael S. Ryan, Clayton Strand, Malinda Chilcote
  • Patent number: 6601823
    Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Patent number: 6592100
    Abstract: A float valve mounted to a tank body made of a synthetic resin. A welding flange provided on a cover made of a synthetic resin having a large swelling rate is welded to an outer periphery of an opening defined in an upper wall of a tank body made of a synthetic resin having a large swelling rate, so that the cover covers the opening, and a fixing flange provided at an upper portion of a protector having a small swelling rate for supporting the float case of the float valve by a concavo-convex engagement is fixed between the outer periphery of the opening of the tank body and the welding flange of the cover. The protector is formed of the synthetic resin having the small swelling rate and, hence, it is possible to reliably prevent the float case from being dropped out due to the swelling of the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Chou, Masaaki Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20030094588
    Abstract: An oil drain valve comprises a base and a control part. The base is fixedly attached to a drain hole at the bottom of the oil container. The base at the interior is a hollow chamber to communicate with the oil container and a guide opening is provided at the lateral wall of the base to communicate with the hollow chamber. The control part at the interior thereof has a communication chamber communicates with the hollow chamber and the lateral side thereof has an outlet connects with the communication chamber. The base at the lateral wall thereof has a guide groove and receiver grooves with a resilient piece being received in each receiver groove. A ball is disposed on the respective resilient piece to be biased against the guide groove so that the control part can fit with the base pivotally to block the guide opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventor: Ching-Da Chen
  • Publication number: 20030075700
    Abstract: The present invention provides a valve assembly comprising a first passageway including a first port, a second port defining a restrictive orifice, a third port, and a first valve seat defining a first orifice, a second passageway extending from the third port and including a minimum cross-sectional area defined by a minimum orifice, and also including a second valve seat defining a second orifice, a first piston sealingly disposed in the first passageway between (i) the first port and (ii) the second and the third ports, and configured to seal the first orifice, and a second piston disposed in the second passageway between the third port and the second valve seat, and configured to seal the second orifice, wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the minimum orifice is larger than the cross-sectional area of the restrictive orifice, and wherein the second orifice is characterized by a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Erick Girouard, Christopher Green
  • Publication number: 20030062503
    Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Patent number: 6532865
    Abstract: A food-cooking vessel has a bottom plate and an upwardly extending continuous sidewall. A spigot assembly is secured to the sidewall above the bottom plate to allow draining of liquid from the vessel. A valve mounted in the spigot assembly regulates the flow of liquid from the vessel to an outlet spout. A filter is mounted in the spout to filter solid particles from the drained liquid. The spigot assembly has an attachment plate that is fixedly secured on the convex exterior surface of the sidewall surrounding a drain opening formed in the sidewall. A cylindrical attachment member is fixedly attached to the plate and extends through the plate into the drain opening without contacting the wall of the container, thereby avoiding the necessity of having the cylindrical member to conform to the convex wall of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Nathan Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6532981
    Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating a sample to or withdrawing a sample from a vessel or conduit includes a body with an internal collection chamber formed therein. A valve operating rod is movable to open and close an orifice in the collection chamber. The mechanism used to reciprocate the valve operating rod to open and close the orifice can be either manual and automatic. Furthermore, a drain passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located adjacent to or below the opening of the orifice. An inlet passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located above the opening of the drain passage. A seal is formed between the movable valve operating rod and the body, thereby separating and isolating certain mechanical parts of the valve from certain other process-contact parts of the valve. The seal is formed by one of seal glands, o-rings, flexible diaphragms or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Publication number: 20030006393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure for a container to be pressurised, comprising a housing to be fixed to the container, in which a passage is present, whilst a seat is arranged in said passage, which seat is intended to mate with a closing element, which is urged in the direction of the seat by means of a coil spring surrounding said closing element, said the coil spring being confined between a part of the closing element and a few spaced-apart projections formed in one piece with the housing, which are connected to the remaining part of the housing by means of a few spaced-apart arms, said coil spring and said projections being capable of resilient deformation relative to each other, in such a manner that the spring can be moved past the projections in its position of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas Hubertus Hullegien, Willem Terpstra
  • Patent number: 6499721
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a bulk container valve for use with a bulk container having a tubular spout. The valve comprises a one piece plastic housing having an interior chamber connecting a front port to a rear port. The housing includes a rear fitting about the rear port for connection to the spout, in use, and a front fitting about the front port. A one piece plastic cylindrical valve element is rotationally supported in the interior chamber of the housing for movement between a valve open position and a valve closed position. The valve element includes a handle for selective rotation of the valve element. A collar secures the valve element to the housing to maintain the valve in assembled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael D. Stolzman, Leszek T. Gawronski
  • Patent number: 6499718
    Abstract: A fluent material containing and dispensing apparatus including a hopper having four sidewalls. A tube mounts to one of the sidewalls, and an auger extends from one end of the tube to the opposite end of the hopper, driving material in the hopper through the tube when the auger is rotated. A flexible hose is mounted to the underside of the tube and material in the tube pours into the hose, which can be kinked to slow or stop flow of material. A gap is formed between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall. A radially inwardly extending flange can be mounted to the tube wall to slow the flow of material through the gap. Alternatively, a compressible sleeve can be mounted in the gap between the outer surfaces of the auger and the tube wall extending a substantial length of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Damian L. Lang, Michael D. West
  • Patent number: 6497243
    Abstract: Apparatus and method of assembling an interior fuel systems component suitable for immersion in liquid fuel in a tank to an exterior component of different material weldable to the fuel tank. The exterior component is preferably formed of HDPE having a hardness in the range of about RR-40 to RR-80 and has an array of projections extending therefrom. The interior component has a corresponding array of radially extending slots having barbed edges for push on connection to the projections. The slots permit sliding movement due to material swelling of the projection on the barbs without loosening of the connection. The internal component is preferably formed of material comprising a member of the group consisting of Polyamide, Polyketone and Polyphenylamide and having a hardness in the range of about R112, such that the barbs deform the lugs to maintain the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Martin, Gill E. Eisenstein, Kenneth M. Spink, James R. Jamrog
  • Patent number: 6491283
    Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Publication number: 20020166988
    Abstract: A drain plug assembly for insertion into a drain outlet through the floor of a rotary dump container. The drain plug assembly comprises a plug member, a washer and a securing mechanism. The plug member has a shank and a plug head. The shank is insertable into the drain outlet and includes an upper shank portion and a lower shank portion. The diameter of the lower shank portion is less than the diameter of the upper shank portion so as to define a shoulder along the shank. The washer is slidably fit on the lower shank portion. The securing mechanism secures the washer onto the lower shank portion so as to allow the washer to slide a predetermined distance on the lower shank portion and impact on the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Salco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Degutis, Stan Brzezniak
  • Publication number: 20020162983
    Abstract: A valve device, for connecting a container filled with a flowable material to a receptacle and for dispensing the flowable material from the container into the receptacle, including an outer sleeve having a first end to be secured in the orifice of a container, a second end for releasable attachment to a receptacle and walls defining a generally cylindrical support passage extending from said first end to said second end, an inner sleeve within the support passage having walls defining a generally outer surface adjacent the walls of the outer sleeve so as to rotatably support the inner sleeve and defining an internal through passage, and a butterfly valve member within the through passage having diametrically opposed first and second pivot stubs extending at least into the walls of the inner sleeve so as to rotatably support the butterfly valve, the walls of the outer sleeve including a profiled opening into which the first pivot stub extends, the first pivot stub including a cam member which interacts with t
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick Warren Bailey
  • Patent number: 6454237
    Abstract: An air actuated internal valve for a cargo container. The valve generally includes a valve base having a valve disk seat and a line connector extending therefrom. A valve stem having a first end is fixed to the valve base and a valve disk is slidingly mounted on the valve stem. A cylinder assembly is connected to the valve disk and a piston is positioned within the cylinder assembly and fixed to a second end of the valve stem. An air passage communicates through the base and the valve stem in order to provide air to an air space between the piston and a top internal portion of the cylinder assembly. When pressurized air is introduced into the air passage, the cylinder assembly (and thus the valve disk) moves upward, unseating the valve disk from the valve seat. This opens the valve and allows fluid to flow there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan VanDeVyvere, Robert David Weichers, Brent Stewart Hanson
  • Patent number: 6443427
    Abstract: A substantially sputtering-free low-profile low-restriction drain valve is used with a fluid reservoir having a drain opening. The drain valve comprises a valve body, a cap and at least one perforation-sealing member. The valve body has a tubular shank installed in the drain opening and defining a fluid ingress, and a tubular head portion generally coaxial with the tubular shank and defining a chamber in communication with the fluid ingress and having a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of the fluid ingress. The tubular head portion comprises an inner transverse wall extending across the chamber and comprising at least one fluid flow perforation, and a distal end opposite to the shank. The cap is movably assembled to the distal end of the tubular head portion between open and closed positions. This cap defines a fluid egress which, in the open position of the cap, is in communication with the perforation to permit draining of fluid from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: André Coupal
  • Publication number: 20020109116
    Abstract: A bulk container valve is adapted for use with a bulk container having a tubular spout. A plastic housing has an interior chamber connecting a front port to a rear port. The housing is connected to a rear fitting about the rear port for connection to the spout, in use. The rear fitting comprises a cylindrical neck having an annular flange. A valve element is rotationally supported in the interior chamber for movement between a valve open position and a valve closed position. A handle is operatively mated with the valve element for selective rotation of the valve element. A one-piece, all plastic collar is received on the rear fitting. The collar comprises a tubular body including an inner threaded wall for threading on the spout and an end wall having a through opening. The through opening is larger than the neck and smaller then the flange whereby the end wall is captured between the plastic housing and the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventor: Michael D. Stolzman
  • Publication number: 20020104568
    Abstract: The closing device (16) moves between a position that opens a valve and a position that closes a valve (14), which is specifically a drainage valve used on a chemical reactor (1), a storage vat, a column or other container, and it comprises an interior housing (30) designed to hold a measurement or detection probe (27). It has an opening (38) that is accessible when it is in the operating position inside the valve and which provides access to its interior housing, allowing the probe to be inserted or removed without the need for prior disassembly of either the valve or the closing device. This invention is of interest to the chemical industry, particularly manufacturers and users of temperature measurement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Georges Cronimus
  • Patent number: 6427710
    Abstract: The end-side holding device for a vent pipe of a fuel tank on a stationary wall of a motor vehicle is constructed in two parts and is composed of a connecting piece connected with the vent pipe and of a counterpart. The end region of the connecting piece, which faces away from the vent pipe, and the counterpart extend from opposite sides of the wall in the area of the recess and are pushed into one another until they interact by way of a releasable detent connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Griesbaum, Ulrich Essig, Antonious Kollias
  • Publication number: 20020036278
    Abstract: A flow control valve is provided for controlling gas flow comprising a conduit including a first conduit orifice, a second conduit orifice, and a third conduit orifice, a primary piston, disposed within the conduit, including a primary piston valve configured to seal the third conduit orifice, a first aperture and a second aperture, and a bore extending from the first aperture to the second aperture, and configured to facilitate communication between the first aperture and the third conduit orifice, a sealing member, interposed between the conduit and the primary piston, and configured to prevent gas from flowing within the conduit between the first conduit orifice and the second conduit orifice and between the first conduit orifice and third conduit orifice, and a secondary piston, disposed within the conduit between the primary piston and the first conduit orifice, including a first valve, configured to seal the first aperture of the primary piston, and a second valve, configured to seal the first conduit o
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Erick Girouard, Mark W. Sajewycz
  • Publication number: 20020024035
    Abstract: A dump valve for a tank includes a liquid retaining tank having a bottom. An outlet is positioned on the bottom of the tank. A valve seat is positioned on the outlet. The valve seat has inwardly tapered sidewalls. As liquid flows through the outlet, debris in the tank tends to wash down the tapered sidewalls of the valve seat. A valve member is provided which is movable between a closed position engaging the valve seat and an open position spaced from the valve seat. An actuator is provided to move the valve member between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Melvin B. Schellenberg, Murray G. Hozack, Terrance D. Erickson, Jody E. Veltikold
  • Patent number: 6345640
    Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating a sample to or withdrawing a sample from a vessel or conduit includes a body with an internal collection chamber formed therein. A valve operating rod is movable to open and close an orifice in the collection chamber. The mechanism used to reciprocate the valve operating rod to open and close the orifice can be either manual and automatic. Furthermore, a drain passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located adjacent to or below the opening of the orifice. An inlet passage having an opening in communication with the collection chamber is located above the opening of the drain passage. A seal is formed between the movable valve operating rod and the body, thereby separating and isolating certain mechanical parts of the valve from certain other process-contact parts of the valve. The seal is formed by one of seal glands, o-rings, flexible diaphragms or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Publication number: 20020008221
    Abstract: A float valve mounted to a tank body made of a synthetic resin. A welding flange provided on a cover made of a synthetic resin having a large swelling rate is welded to an outer periphery of an opening defined in an upper wall of a tank body made of a synthetic resin having a large swelling rate, so that the cover covers the opening, and a fixing flange provided at an upper portion of a protector having a small swelling rate for supporting the float case of the float valve by a concavo-convex engagement is fixed between the outer periphery of the opening of the tank body and the welding flange of the cover. The protector is formed of the synthetic resin having the small swelling rate and, hence, it is possible to reliably prevent the float case from being dropped out due to the swelling of the protector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Chou, Masaaki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 6328278
    Abstract: An outlet valve is arranged in the bottom of a vessel intended to be filled with liquid and has a valve disc (1) connected to a piston rod (4) and a piston (5) actuated by a pressure medium. The valve disc (1) is movable between a first and a second position and is arranged to bear against a valve seat (2) in its first closed position. The piston (5) is arranged in an operating device (6) provided with a connection (7) to a source for pressure medium. The operating device (6) is designed as a unit sealed from the liquid and is arranged at such a distance from the valve seat (2) that the liquid, when the valve is open, passes a zone between the operating device (6) and the valve seat (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alfa Laval AB
    Inventor: Anders Hillström
  • Patent number: 6308735
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a valve assembly and a retainer that couples the valve assembly in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing having a body portion, a flange coupled to the body portion and retainer blocks extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange. A valve is positioned to lie in the housing. The retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the tank. The retainer includes a body portion that defines a passageway sized to receive the body portion of the housing and a ring coupled to the body portion of the retainer and formed to extend into the passageway. The flange and retainer blocks cooperate with the body portion of the retainer and ring to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
  • Publication number: 20010028050
    Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Patent number: 6289915
    Abstract: A strategy for decreasing hydrocarbon emissions from a plastic fuel tank assembly having a multilayer plastic fuel tank (10) and at least one overmolded fuel tank attachment (100). The strategy consists of two basic components. First, the swelling properties of the overmolded outerlayer (116) of the fuel tank attachments 100 are exploited to close possible leakage paths between the barrier resistant core (101) and the overmolded outerlayer (116) of the fuel tank attachment (100). Second, the barrier properties of the barrier resistant core (101) of the fuel tank attachments (100) are exploited to increase the length of the diffusion path of hydrocarbon molecules out of the multilayer plastic fuel tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nulman, Giuseppe Rossi
  • Patent number: 6264166
    Abstract: A hands-free activating valve which permits liquid to flow and be ingested by the user. The apparatus includes a mouth portion and a mounting portion which engages to the opening of a container such as a water bottle. Embedded within the mouth portion is the hands-free activating valve which includes an elongated flexible arch shaped activating stem, where one end is fixed to a holding plate and the other end is attached to a valve. The activating stem has memory which allows the stem to return to its initial condition. The valve is seated on a valve seat of the mounting portion for blocking liquid from exiting the apparatus. In addition, there is also an elongated liquid channel which is located adjacent to the activating stem. This liquid channel extends from the holding plate to the valve and communicates to the outside for allowing the liquid to flow therethrough and be consumed by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Mark A. Bowland, Brian A. Bowland
  • Publication number: 20010007355
    Abstract: A substantially sputtering-free low-profile low-restriction drain valve is used with a fluid reservoir having a drain opening. The drain valve comprises a valve body, a cap and at least one perforation-sealing member. The valve body has a tubular shank installed in the drain opening and defining a fluid ingress, and a tubular head portion generally coaxial with the tubular shank and defining a chamber in communication with the fluid ingress and having a cross sectional area larger than a cross sectional area of the fluid ingress. The tubular head portion comprises an inner transverse wall extending across the chamber and comprising at least one fluid flow perforation, and a distal end opposite to the shank. The cap is movably assembled to the distal end of the tubular head portion between open and closed positions. This cap defines a fluid egress which, in the open position of the cap, is in communication with the perforation to permit draining of fluid from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Inventor: Andre Coupal
  • Patent number: 6237639
    Abstract: A dump-valve device for a craft, characterized in that it comprises: a plug valve (13) movable approximately rectilinearly relative to a fixed seat (17) supported by a craft transom plate (3), drive means (9, 10) mobile in rotation along a rotary stroke of limited angular amplitude and able to be activated from inside the craft, and coupling means (11, 19) interposed between the valve (13) and the drive means (9, 10) to convert the rotary stroke of limited angular amplitude of the drive means into a rectilinear stroke of limited linear amplitude of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Zodiac International
    Inventors: Daniel Jougla, Pierre Valax
  • Patent number: 6227223
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable modular valve-actuator combination whereby the valve stem on the valve and the actuators are configured to be interchangeably engageable. The components of the valve-actuator are sized accordingly so that when engaged, the valve-actuator combination fits within the confines of an emergency hood located under the dome of a transportable tanker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Provacon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Crochet, Edward A. Sentilles, III
  • Patent number: 6220285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting/closing the shut-off valve (2) of a gas bottle or a similar container. The device comprises a frame (7), a turning means (5), a coupling element (6) fitted to the regulating element (3) of the shut-off valve (2) of the gas bottle, and power transmission elements (8, 9, 10, 11) for the transmission of the motion of the turning means (5) to the regulating element (3). The turning means makes it easier to open/close the gas bottle. The turning means can serve as a valve state indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Mauri Hattunen
  • Patent number: 6213449
    Abstract: A bottom outlet valve for a tank car having a bottom is provided. The valve includes a nozzle projecting from the bottom of the tank car and defining an opening and having a locking member, an outlet cap shaped and dimensioned to cover the opening and moveable between open and closed positions, wherein in the closed position the cap forms a substantially liquid-tight seal with the opening. The valve also includes at least one moveable handle coupled to the cap and having a locking portion engageable with the locking member and a hand gripping portion formed by structure defining a closed loop. Movement of the hand gripping portion causes engagement of the locking portion with the locking member, wherein when the locking member and locking portion are engaged, the outlet cap is retained in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Portis, Robert H. Dean