Particularly Packed Or Sealed Patents (Class 251/214)
  • Patent number: 7201361
    Abstract: Valve having a valve housing, a valve member slidable in the valve housing between open and closed positions, and a friction reducer to reduce friction between the valve member and the valve housing. The friction reducer comprises at least one guide shoe made of low friction material, to provide a low friction sliding surface, the guide shoe being removably insertable into a slot in the valve member. The guide shoe is arranged to cooperate with the slot such that the ends of the slot prevent the guide shoe from being extracted from the valve member in the direction of movement of the valve member, when the valve member is in position with the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Aeon Plc
    Inventor: Ronald Ellis Grandage
  • Patent number: 7198252
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a housing flange unit which includes a housing flange wherein a butterfly valve shaft is rotatably mounted in a perpendicular position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing flange and includes a butterfly valve which is arranged in the middle and provided with a first bearing and a second bearing. The butterfly valve shaft includes a circular disk on the outside of the first bearing. The disk engages with a cup-shaped seat of the housing flange. A pot-shaped element with a circular recess is fixed in the cup-shaped seat. The circular disk is embedded in the pot-shaped element. The invention also relates to the use of the housing flange unit as a sealing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Rolf Anschicks, Jörg Krüger
  • Patent number: 7172172
    Abstract: A valve having a valve packing removal device attached thereto is disclosed. The valve may include a valve plug reciprocally disposed within the valve housing and connected to a sliding stem. The packing may be provided about the valve stem to ensure or minimize leakage of regulated fluid from the valve. A sleeve may have a diameter less than a bore in which the packing is disposed and may be connected to the valve stem such that when the valve stem is sufficiently pulled from the valve, the sleeve engages the packing and pulls the packing from the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Douglas P. Gethmann
  • Patent number: 7159845
    Abstract: A bearing module for a pintle valve including a pintle bearing, bearing spring, and two-part housing. The bearing has an axial face for sealing against an inner axial surface of the housing. The bearing diameter is less than the diameter of the housing, permitting the bearing to float radially. The housing fits into a port in the valve body and also extends over an axial surface of the body, thus forming a seal against the wall of the port and the surface of the body. The bearing spring, preferably a wave washer, is compressed within the housing as the two housing parts are assembled to form the module. In a currently preferred embodiment, the housing further comprises a coking shield extending along the surface of the pintle shaft within the valve port to reduce the tendency for coking gases to enter the bearing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bohdan M. Lyko, Joseph G. Spakowski
  • Patent number: 7111821
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug valve comprising a valve body and a shutter that can be actuated, in the form of a segment of a sphere provided with a mobile shaft in rotation and/or translation, said valve also comprising a double-barrier sealing system at the level of said shaft, said valve being characterised in that the joints of said double-barrier sealing system are maintained in place relative to the shaft by a single lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Techspace Aero S.A.
    Inventor: Christophe Promper
  • Patent number: 7104523
    Abstract: An anti-coking valve arrangement having a valve body that defines a passage for the flow of fluid medium. Valve seat and valve member positioned within the valve body and function to control the flow of fluid medium. A first anti-coking device is operably associated with the valve stem. A second anti-coking device is operably associated with the bearing guide member. A third anti-coking device is operably associated with the valve member and the valve seat. A fourth anti-coking device is operably associated with the valve stem and the bearing guide. A fifth anti-coking device is operably associated with the bearing guide. A sixth anti-coking device is operably associated between the valve stem and the bearing guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Murray Busato, Joseph A. Wilson, James T. McIntyre, Peter G. Weissinger
  • Patent number: 7104522
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly including a bushing and pintle shaft sub-assembly having a pintle shaft supported by a sleeve bushing, the contact area between the shaft and bushing being reduced such that coking deposits that form on the remaining contact area can be broken by the force of the valve actuator, thereby preventing sticking of the valve from coking accumulations. Either the shaft surface or the bushing surface is relieved in a pattern of incuse areas and residual bearing areas. A currently preferred pattern is a helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann
  • Patent number: 7093819
    Abstract: A valve 100 comprising a one piece valve body 112 having an axial fluid bore 124 and a rotatable fluid control element 110. The body 112 includes an integral bracket 128 which provides an open access area between the bracket 128 and the main body 112 of the valve 100. A valve stem 130 is disposed within a stem bore 135, and 137 extending from the valve body 112 to the bracket 128, and engaging the flow control element 110. A contiguous single piece gland flange 142 secures packing 134 disposed between a valve body bore 137 and the stem 130. The stem 130 includes an enlarged shoulder 152 which engages a contiguous single piece shear bushing 148 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the stem bore 130, thereby preventing removal and/or blowout of the stem 130 without prior removal of the shear bushing 148.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Mogas Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Hall, John B. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7093820
    Abstract: A low leakage seal for separating two environments and contacting a component surface is provided. The seal includes a base and an annular rib. The annular rib is coupled to and extends from the base. The annular rib includes at least one contact surface configured to contact the component surface having a plurality of angularly cut radial grooves formed therein. The annular rib flexes and pressure energizes in the presence of a pressure differential between the two environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Anderson, William L. Giesler, Brad King, Jimmy D. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 7083160
    Abstract: A balance-plug cage style control valve has substantially reduced body-bonnet bolt loading with an elastic seal. The elastic seal assembly includes an annular seal having an elastic region, a compression surface, and at least one sealing surface positioned in a channel within a valve cage mounted inside the valve body. At least one shoulder on the valve bonnet engages the elastic seal to deform the elastic region to place the sealing surface of the seal in contact with at least one of the valve bonnet or the valve cage to form a fluid seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 7063303
    Abstract: A throttle shaft, first and second bearings, are inserted and formed in a bore wall part of a throttle body, when the throttle body is formed in the same dies. That is, when the throttle body is formed in a predetermined shape, the throttle shaft, the first and second bearings, are received in the bore wall part of the throttle body. First and second step portions, are formed in the throttle shaft, and axially inserted by first and second supporting portions, respectively formed in the first and second bearings, from both axially ends of the throttle shaft. Therefore, the throttle shaft can be restricted from moving axially, without additional thrust restricting means, such as an E-ring and a C-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Makino, Tsuyoshi Arai, Naoki Hiraiwa, Hiroki Shimada
  • Patent number: 7059586
    Abstract: A gate seal for a knife gate valve comprising a sealing surface lining the gate channel and an integral gasket for compression between valve body halves, a chest seal for a knife gate valve comprising a body having an expandable sealing surface and one or more injection chambers adapted to receive an injectable packing, each chamber having a cross-sectional area that is completely surrounded by the body member, and/or a knife gate valve comprising one or both such seals. The chest seal body may comprise a knife gate slot that is peripherally surrounded by the body. The gate seal and the chest seal may comprise a single integral elastomeric member or separate components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Vanderberg, Shaine Gordon Reeves, John Paul Comstock, Timothy Carl Sumrall
  • Patent number: 7048254
    Abstract: A low-leakage valve apparatus which reduces fugitive emissions from valves to the ambient atmosphere. A secondary packing chamber or gland is installed on an existing valve to intercept leakage past the valve's original primary packing gland, which otherwise would escape past the valve stem to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Giant Industries
    Inventors: John Arthur Laurent, James Patrick Hallock
  • Patent number: 7017915
    Abstract: An improved seal arrangement in an assembly such as a valve assembly in which a compression member is provided to press a seal between the compression member and the valve body. In a preferred form, the compression member includes a recess which receives a first portion of the seal, and a second portion of the seal is disposed between the compression member and the valve body. In addition, a first inclined surface is provided in the recess of the compression member. The first inclined surface contacts a second inclined surface provided on the first portion of the seal. A third inclined surface on the compression member contacts a fourth inclined surface provided at a juncture between the first and second portions of the seal. Further, a fifth inclined surface is provided on the housing to contact a sixth inclined surface provided on the second portion of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Automation USA Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Dorrian, David C. Bayreuther
  • Patent number: 6997437
    Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprising a valve stem threaded with a translator having a flow modulating region, in which rotation of the valve stem about its axis causes the translator to move axially relative to the valve stem. In one aspect, the threads on the translator and the valve stem threads have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. In another aspect, a protrusion limits axial movement of the valve stem in one direction, the valve stem has at least one protuberance, at least one gland is engaged with the valve body, and at least one shim is positioned between the protuberance and the gland so as to limit axial movement of the valve stem relative to the valve body in an opposite direction. There are also disclosed power generating systems including such valves, and methods of constructing such valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: John Mitten
  • Patent number: 6991216
    Abstract: A valve, such as a liquid level sight glass gage valve, has a valve unit and a passageway that extends through the valve unit. The passageway has a stem receiving area, a seal receiving area, and a bonnet receiving area that has a non-circular inner perimeter. A packing assembly is provided to isolate the bonnet receiving area from the fluid path. A bonnet is located within the bonnet receiving areas and has a non-circular outside surface for mating relationship with the non-circular inner perimeter of the valve unit. A valve stem is in sealing relationship with the packing assembly and selectively engages a valve seat. The stem threadably engages the bonnet. A bonnet nut is threadably received on the valve unit for securing the bonnet within the valve unit and allowing axial movement of the bonnet against the packing assembly, thereby effecting compression of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Inferno Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Steve B. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6981515
    Abstract: A valve body is provided that be used as a balanced normally open valve, a balanced closed valve, or as a three way valve. The valve body incorporates a valve plug provided with a pressure port such that pressure chambers are created in the valve body when the valve is being used as either a normally open valve or a normally closed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Valentin Alexander Horin
  • Patent number: 6969046
    Abstract: A liquid sprayer is provided. This liquid sprayer comprises a bottle having an opening and a sprayer housing attached to the bottle. This sprayer housing includes an electric motor, a voltage source for powering the electric motor, a pump driven by the motor, a switch for completing an electrical circuit, a nozzle mechanism attached to the sprayer housing for spraying a liquid. The liquid sprayer also comprises a venting mechanism. This venting mechanism comprises a vent housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a translating piston disposed in the vent housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alen David Streutker, Travis Edward Langevin, Robert James Good, Ka-Nam Ho, Steve Lynn Sweeton, Phillip Joseph DiMaggio
  • Patent number: 6959912
    Abstract: A knife gate valve is provided, comprising: a unitary valve body having a flow channel extending there through, a guide segment and a stuffing box. A knife gate is located in the guide segment, the stuffing box and the flow channel and is slideable between an open and closed position. Lateral seals are provided in the stuffing box and can be replaced while the valve body is connected in its associated fluid system. These seals include an injectable sealing material contained in the stuffing box. A knife gate seat is provided in the valve body for sealing the knife gate and it can be replaced without completely removing the valve body from its associated fluid system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaine G. Reeves, Christopher A. Vanderberg
  • Patent number: 6953182
    Abstract: A control valve includes a valve body defining a top opening. A bonnet is provided for closing off the top opening of the valve body. A stem housed in the bonnet and the valve housing slidably moves a valve plug in the valve housing to open and close the valve. A packing assembly is provided for sealing between the stem and bonnet, and a packing retainer maintains the packing assembly within the bonnet. A retainer ring is provided for securing the packing retainer in place. The retainer ring can be formed as a generally cylindrical ring that engages the packing retainer and can be tightened on the packing retainer. Outer notches formed in an exterior surface of the lock nut provide for tightening of the lock nut with a tool. In addition, the retainer ring may include a lower portion that closely receives an outer surface of the packing retainer, thereby to center the retainer ring with the packing retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC.
    Inventors: Michel K. Lovell, Wayne R. Faas, Michael M. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6938877
    Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly includes a retainer and a sealing element disposed within the retainer. The retainer includes a step and one or more installation pads. The sealing element includes a first sealing lip for sealing a valve stem, and a second sealing lip for sealing a chamfer of a valve guide. The step of the retainer exerts a compression force, F, against the second sealing lip to seal the second sealing lip against the chamber of the valve guide. The one or more installation pads exerts a frictional force against the valve guide to prevent movement of said valve stem seal assembly. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Troy D. Mc Arthy, Timothy A. Hegemier
  • Patent number: 6935615
    Abstract: An improved rod connector assembly and method for mechanically fastening two rods together. Generally planar mating surfaces of a first rod assembly and a second rod assembly are compressively coupled by a rod union. The compressive load by the rod union is derived from a tapered surface that provides an interference fit to a corresponding tapered surface on the first rod assembly. Clearance diameters provided within the rod union accommodate axial misalignment of the first rod assembly and the second rod assembly. The second rod assembly includes an adjustable rod adapter to provide coupling to rods of various lengths. The first rod assembly includes an internal cavity to receive a portion of the second rod that may protrude from the adjustable rod adapter. Shaped mating surfaces of the rod adapters are received in a corresponding shaped cavity of the union to prevent rotation of the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michael W. McCarty
  • Patent number: 6935616
    Abstract: A balanced plug valve having substantially reduced shut-off force requirements due to an integral dual seating arrangement of the valve plug within a valve housing having slanted inlet and outlet ports and wherein the inlet port forms an elliptical opening for fluid control which is selectively exposed by a cylindrical portion of a sliding valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 6932321
    Abstract: A balance-plug cage style control valve has substantially reduced body-bonnet bolt loading with an elastic seal. The elastic seal assembly includes an annular seal having an elastic region, a compression surface, and at least one sealing surface positioned in a channel within a valve cage mounted inside the valve body. At least one shoulder on the valve bonnet engages the elastic seal to deform the elastic region to place the sealing surface of the seal in contact with at least one of the valve bonnet or the valve cage to form a fluid seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 6916012
    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: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: NL Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Newberg
  • Patent number: 6912993
    Abstract: To reduce the amount of air leakage from the air cleaner side of the throttle system into the engine side on an occasion where the throttle valve is set to a closed position, a seal material is installed in the air passage that runs from the upstream side of the suction passage, passes through the upstream side of the gap between the shaft and through hole, communicates with the gap formed by the stepped recession, the shaft and the bearing of the throttle body, runs in the circumferential direction of the shaft and through the downstream side of the gap, and reaches the downstream side of the suction passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonaga Oyamada, Yuuichi Yanagase, Takehiko Kowatari, Teruhiko Minegishi, Eisuke Wayama
  • Patent number: 6908070
    Abstract: A valve insert for a cylinder valve for connecting an LPG tank to a gas consuming appliance has a body member mounted in the outlet end of the cylinder valve and a valve element slidable in the body member and cooperable therewith to control the flow of gas from the tank to the appliance. A quad sealing ring between the valve body and valve element seals against gas leakage therebetween and provides a lubricant reservoir for lubricating the surfaces thereof, and a wiper ring downstream of the quad sealing ring cleans the surfaces and precludes the ingress of foreign matter to the area of the gas sealing quad ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Pao
    Inventors: Josef A. Bartos, Harsharan Grewal
  • Patent number: 6889956
    Abstract: A pintle bushing assembly for a poppet valve assembly including a tolerance ring which is disposable between the pintle bushing and a bore in the body of the valve to both seal and center the bushing in the bore. The tolerance ring includes a plurality of radially-extending dimples which are deformable during assembly such that the valve pintle can be aligned coaxially with the valve seat under all conditions. An axial flange on the tolerance ring is sealed against axial surfaces of the valve body adjacent the bore and a flange on the bushing to prevent leakage past the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos A. Gutierrez, Raul A. Bircann
  • Patent number: 6886805
    Abstract: An improved rod connector assembly and method for mechanically fastening two rods together. Generally planar mating surfaces of a first rod assembly and a second rod assembly are compressively coupled by a rod union. The compressive load by the rod union is derived from a tapered surface that provides an interference fit to a corresponding tapered surface on the first rod assembly. Clearance diameters provided within the rod union accommodate axial misalignment of the first rod assembly and the second rod assembly. The second rod assembly includes an adjustable rod adapter to provide coupling to rods of various lengths. The first rod assembly includes an internal cavity to receive a portion of the second rod that may protrude from the adjustable rod adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Patent number: 6883614
    Abstract: The invention contemplates a simple coupling means for interfacing linear acting actuator shafts with valves or hydraulic chokes. The coupling means of the present invention allows either an actuator or an interconnected valve or choke to be rapidly, safely, and efficiently interchanged with a replacement part. The present invention is broadly applicable to a wide variety of actuator types having rectilinear motion outputs and to a large variety of valve and choke types which are operated by linear motions, including gate valves with or without balanced stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Power Chokes
    Inventors: David A. Schmidt, Thomas E. Neal, John W. McCaskill, Gary L. Horn
  • Patent number: 6874755
    Abstract: A solenoid-actuated pintle valve assembly having a pintle shaft extending from a metering base sub-assembly into a solenoid actuator sub-assembly, the pintle shaft being equipped with a radially-extending fixed shield outside the metering base sub-assembly. The shield moves axially with the pintle during valve actuation and is located on the shaft so that when the pintle is in the valve-closed position, the shield cooperates with the pintle bushing to form an effective impedance to gas leakage from the metering base sub-assembly along the pintle shaft. When the valve is in the fully open position at the opposite extreme of pintle travel, the shield cooperates with an armature shield in the actuator to prevent entrance of gases into the solenoid. The invention is especially useful for exhaust gas recirculation valves on internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann
  • Patent number: 6874753
    Abstract: A sealing device for a modulating valve of the type having a valve body defining a flow passage, an inlet and outlets, a valve displaceable in the flow passage, and an actuator having an actuator rod rotatably coupled to the valve for displacing the valve in the flow passage. The sealing device comprises a body surrounding the actuator rod. A connector is adapted to secure the body of the sealing device to the valve body. Seals are provided between the body of the sealing device and the actuator rod arid between the body of the sealing device and the valve body, to prevent fluid flow therebetween. The body of the sealing device and the seals are adapted to conceal and contain fluid leaks, whereby no fluid is lost due to a leaking modulating valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventors: Serge Dubé , Richard Charron, Luc Tremblay, Mario Daigle
  • Patent number: 6874754
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve having a reciprocating pintle shaft supported by a sleeve bushing and having a labyrinthine pathway between a valve operating chamber and a shaft/bushing interface to minimize intrusion of exhaust gases into the interface. The labyrinthine pathway is formed between fixed annular elements of the valve body and shaft bushing and a movable annular element of the valve head telescopically disposed between the fixed elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Geib, Craig D. Smith, Christopher D. Marlowe, Mark A. Reeves, Jerry L. Kelly, Mahoro M. Fujita, Mark S. Lockwood, Paul L. Gluchowski
  • Patent number: 6866244
    Abstract: A fluid control valve, in which the usual metal stem guide bushings have been eliminated, includes a valve bonnet and a packing nut threadably engaging the valve bonnet. A valve stem passes through the valve bonnet and the packing nut in a clearance fit so that there is no engagement therebetween. A single packing set is included, having a middle virgin PTFE sealing ring, a carbon or glass filled PTFE male packing ring on one side and a carbon or glass filled PTFE female ring on the other side. Belleville disk springs may be provided intermediate the packing nut and the packing set, for supplying live loading to the packing. The packing provides sufficient stem guidance, interference fit with the valve stem to enable the usual upper and lower metal guide bushings to be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: William E. Wears
  • Patent number: 6863258
    Abstract: A motorized damper door assembly for use in freezing temperature applications includes a damper frame, a damper door having, a mounting portion rotatably mounted to the frame, and a seal member having a vertically extending moisture barrier adjacent the mounting portion. The door mounting portion and the moisture barrier together form a reservoir inside the door mounting portion to prevent moisture from seeping directly into the motor housing below the door mounting portion. Consequently, as moisture accumulation in the motor housing is avoided, associated damper jamming and impaired performance issues are also avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jeffery Allen Tupis
  • Patent number: 6848671
    Abstract: A valve stem seal assembly includes several protrusions or bumps on the bottom of a spring seat flange or on a spring wear washer surrounding the seal. The protrusions can be either cast formed or machined in place. In described embodiments, the protrusions are adapted to engage corresponding depressions, holes, or receptors in a cylinder head deck surface against which the flange or wear washer abuts. A positive mechanical anchor is thereby created for resisting any torque applied to the flange or washer through mechanical vibration induced rotation of the valve spring. Sliding contact is thereby avoided at the interface between the flange or washer and the cylinder head, and wear is prevented. Use of one disclosed embodiment will require that the cylinder head manufacturer provides a cylinder head that includes several small depressions or apertures in the valve spring seat area that correspond with the disclosed protrusions or bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Hegemier, Steven M. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20040256589
    Abstract: A low-leakage valve apparatus which reduces fugitive emissions from valves to the ambient atmosphere. A secondary packing chamber or gland is installed on an existing valve to intercept leakage past the valve's original primary packing gland, which otherwise would escape past the valve stem to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: John Arthur Laurent, James Patrick Hallock
  • Publication number: 20040217319
    Abstract: A knife gate valve is provided, comprising: a unitary valve body having a flow channel extending there through, a guide segment and a stuffing box. A knife gate is located in the guide segment, the stuffing box and the flow channel and is slideable between an open and closed position. Lateral seals are provided in the stuffing box and can be replaced while the valve body is connected in its associated fluid system. These seals include an injectable sealing material contained in the stuffing box. A knife gate seat is provided in the valve body for sealing the knife gate and it can be replaced without completely removing the valve body from its associated fluid system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Shaine G. Reeves, Christopher A. Vanderberg
  • Patent number: 6811140
    Abstract: A shut-off valve assembly for refrigerant liquid and/or gases including a valve body (1) having an inlet port, an outlet port and a flat annular valve seat, and a bonnet (2) fitted on the valve body (1). The bonnet (2) is provided with an axially shiftable externally threaded valve stem (3). A mechanism (20) to move the valve stem (3) is rigidly fixed on the valve stem (3). A valve disk (4) is provided with a circular collar. An annular groove is provided adjacent to the circular collar to house a resiliently compressible deformable circular ring (5). The circular ring (5) is placed in the annular groove on the valve disc between the valve disc and seat ring. The circular ring operates to effect a seal in the fluid flow path without requiring maximum compression of the sealing ring between the sealing ring and the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Sanjeev Maini
  • Patent number: 6811011
    Abstract: A dust seal is disposed in a rotational control apparatus for sealing a pressurized chamber, such as a pressure chamber in a pneumatic on/off fan clutch. The dust seal is an annular elastomeric member disposed between first and second members rotating about a first axis. The seal is for sealing against ingress of foreign matter into a pressure chamber that is formed between the first and second members, wherein the first member has an annular extension and the second member has a radially extending surface. The seal comprises a center base section having a first side and a second side, a radially inner upright section and a radially outer upright section. The radially inner upright section extends generally perpendicularly from the first side of the center base section and the radially outer upright section extends from the first side of the center base section at an acute angle relative to the center base section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Horton, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Bastien
  • Publication number: 20040155216
    Abstract: An improved rod connector assembly and method for mechanically fastening two rods together. Generally planar mating surfaces of a first rod assembly and a second rod assembly are compressively coupled by a rod union. The compressive load by the rod union is derived from a tapered surface that provides an interference fit to a corresponding tapered surface on the first rod assembly. Clearance diameters provided within the rod union accommodate axial misalignment of the first rod assembly and the second rod assembly. The second rod assembly includes an adjustable rod adapter to provide coupling to rods of various lengths. The first rod assembly includes an internal cavity to receive a portion of the second rod that may protrude from the adjustable rod adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Publication number: 20040155217
    Abstract: A fluid control valve, in which the usual metal stem guide bushings have been eliminated, includes a valve bonnet and a packing nut threadably engaging the valve bonnet. A valve stem passes through the valve bonnet and the packing nut in a clearance fit so that there is no engagement therebetween. A single packing set is included, having a middle virgin PTFE sealing ring, a carbon or glass filled PTFE male packing ring on one side and a carbon or glass filled PTFE female ring on the other side. Belleville disk springs may be provided intermediate the packing nut and the packing set, for supplying live loading to the packing. The packing provides sufficient stem guidance, interference fit with the valve stem to enable the usual upper and lower metal guide bushings to be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: William E. Wears
  • Patent number: 6769247
    Abstract: An exhaust gas valve device in an internal combustion engine, including a first bearing member mounted between a valve shaft and a valve body with one end of the valve shaft turnably fitted into the first bearing member, a second bearing member mounted between the valve shaft and the valve body with the other end of the valve shaft turnably passed through the second bearing member, and an actuator connected to the other end of the valve shaft protruding from the second bearing member. The valve body, the valve shaft and the first and second bearing members are formed of metal materials having equivalent thermal expansion coefficients; the first and second bearing members are press-fitted into said valve body; and a skin of a graphite-based solid lubricant is formed on a surface of the valve shaft in regions corresponding to the first and second bearing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norihito Watanabe, Yasuyuki Miyahara, Tadashi Sato, Masao Komine, Kenichi Ohmori, Kenji Abe, Tetsuo Endo
  • Publication number: 20040135112
    Abstract: A pressurized sealing arrangement suited for providing a seal between a valve stem and a valve body is disclosed. The sealing arrangement includes a piston that is restrained in and statically sealed to the valve body and which surrounds the valve stem. Contained within the piston is an annular seal packing that includes two sealing elements spaced apart by a spacer element. The piston includes a face acted upon by a process fluid flowing through the valve body in such a manner that the piston exerts pressure upon a lubricant cavity. The lubricant cavity is in fluid communication with the seal packing such that lubricant contained therein forms a lubricant ring around the stem. Lubricant is also thereby supplied to sealing elements of the packing seal. To prevent contamination of the seal packing, a removable cover is provided that encloses the piston and seal packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Kevin E. Greeb, Jeffrey T. Stewart, Wade A. Burdick, Gary M. Bowman
  • Publication number: 20040129000
    Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprising a valve stem threaded with a translator having a flow modulating region, in which rotation of the valve stem about its axis causes the translator to move axially relative to the valve stem. In one aspect, the threads on the translator and the valve stem threads have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. In another aspect, a protrusion limits axial movement of the valve stem in one direction, the valve stem has at least one protuberance, at least one gland is engaged with the valve body, and at least one shim is positioned between the protuberance and the gland so as to limit axial movement of the valve stem relative to the valve body in an opposite direction. There are also disclosed power generating systems including such valves, and methods of constructing such valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: John Mitten
  • Publication number: 20040129912
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug valve comprising a valve body and a shutter that can be actuated, in the form of a segment of a sphere provided with a mobile shaft in rotation and/or translation, said valve also comprising a double-barrier sealing system at the level of said shaft, said valve being characterised in that the joints of said double-barrier sealing system are maintained in place relative to the shaft by a single lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Christophe Promper
  • Patent number: 6749174
    Abstract: A pintle-type valve including a valve body enclosing a chamber having a first port surrounded by an annular valve seat in a first wall of the chamber and a second port in a second and opposite wall of the chamber for receiving a pintle bushing. A valve pintle shaft having an attached valve head is disposed in the bushing. The second port is larger in diameter than the diameter of the valve head, so that the valve head may be admitted to the chamber through the port. The bushing is radially floating in the port and has a flange extending along an outer surface of the valve body for forming a seal therewith. The pintle extends into a conventional solenoid-type actuator bolted to the valve body. A radially-floating gas seal surrounds the pintle between the retainer and the actuator. A compressed coil spring holds the bushing in place against operating pressure within the valve chamber. The bushing and gas seal are centered by the valve stem, reducing frictional drag and reducing valve leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul A. Bircann, Jerry L. Kelly
  • Patent number: 6725876
    Abstract: A compact fuel control valve is presented where a hydraulic manifold is used as both a valve bonnet and an actuator seat for the valve actuator. The valve body has a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet and a metering plug opening. A metering plug guide mounted within the metering plug opening and attached to the hydraulic manifold forms a thermal barrier between the valve body and the hydraulic manifold to protect lower temperature components from high temperature gaseous fluids. A valve metering plug is directly coupled to the valve actuator piston. The hydraulic manifold maintains barriers between the hydraulics and the gaseous fuel with redundant seals and leakage paths. An intermediate vent within the hydraulic manifold routed to atmosphere further maintains physical separation of the gas and hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Bowman, Wade A. Burdick
  • Publication number: 20040065861
    Abstract: A solenoid-actuated pintle valve assembly having a pintle shaft extending from a metering base sub-assembly into a solenoid actuator sub-assembly, the pintle shaft being equipped with a radially-extending fixed shield outside the metering base sub-assembly. The shield moves axially with the pintle during valve actuation and is located on the shaft so that when the pintle is in the valve-closed position, the shield cooperates with the pintle bushing to form an effective impedance to gas leakage from the metering base sub-assembly along the pintle shaft. When the valve is in the fully open position at the opposite extreme of pintle travel, the shield cooperates with an armature shield in the actuator to prevent entrance of gases into the solenoid. The invention is especially useful for exhaust gas recirculation valves on internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann
  • Publication number: 20040065860
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly including a bushing and pintle shaft sub-assembly having a pintle shaft supported by a sleeve bushing, the contact area between the shaft and bushing being reduced such that coking deposits that form on the remaining contact area can be broken by the force of the valve actuator, thereby preventing sticking of the valve from coking accumulations. Either the shaft surface or the bushing surface is relieved in a pattern of incuse areas and residual bearing areas. A currently preferred pattern is a helix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann