Pilot Or Servo Type Motor Patents (Class 251/25)
  • Patent number: 8290631
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to arbitrate valve position sensor redundancy are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises measuring a first value representative of a position of a valve, measuring a second value representative of the position of the valve, computing a first estimated position of the valve, selecting one of the first and second values based on the first estimated position, and generating a first valve control signal for the valve based on the selected one of the first and second values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sweeney, Scott Shaw, Peter Nicholas Francino
  • Patent number: 8256738
    Abstract: A double action directional fluid flow valve includes a stepped piston connected with a poppet valve and moveable by a controller between open and closed positions by applying a continuous pressure to a small diameter piston face and selectively applying and removing pressure from a large diameter piston face to move the poppet valve between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventors: John Leslie Johnson, James G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8245727
    Abstract: A multistage, pilot-operated pressure regulator for pressure adjustment and/or back pressure relief and/or differential pressure or flow control applications comprises a diaphragm and a plurality of plates, including a throttle plate and at least one flow control plate. In at least one embodiment, the throttle plate includes a sloped upper surface for contacting the diaphragm, and a plurality of apertures residing within a plurality of concentric rows. In addition, in at least one embodiment, at least one flow control plate is positioned downstream of the throttle plate, the at least one flow control plate including a plurality of apertures residing within a plurality of concentric rows. A method of controlling the flow of fluid in a conduit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventors: Richard J. Mooney, Pamela Mooney, legal representative
  • Publication number: 20120205565
    Abstract: A hydraulic pilot control arrangement for a spool valve is provided, wherein the spool of the spool valve is biased towards a central position. The arrangement includes a first and a second pilot hydraulic line connected to opposite sides of the spool of the spool valve and a pilot pressure regulating arrangement is provided for selectively establishing or removing a pilot pressure in each of the first and second lines. The arrangement includes a damping device including a chamber divided into a first and a second pressure compartment by a sliding piston, the first and second pressure compartments being connected respectively to the first and second pilot hydraulic lines, and the piston is biased towards a rest position in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO COMPACT EQUIPMENT SAS
    Inventors: Christian Balmonet, David Lazzaro
  • Patent number: 8196892
    Abstract: A valve includes a body, a cage, a plug, a stem, a stop ring, and a pilot plug. The cage includes at least one cage port there through allowing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The plug is movable linearly within the cage to allow fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet when the valve is open. The pilot plug is adapted to transfer downward force from the stem to the plug by contacting the stop ring of the plug and thereby urging the plug downward through the cage when the stem moves linearly downward to adjust the valve from the closed position to the open position. In an alternative embodiment, the stem includes a collar adapted to contact the plug and adjust the valve from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Asher Glaun
  • Publication number: 20120056113
    Abstract: A variable displacement compressor control valve is provided, which can reduce a time required until a discharge capacity becomes large at a time of actuation of a compressor without reducing an operation efficiency of the compressor. An in-valve release passage for releasing a crank chamber pressure Pc to a suction chamber of the compressor through a Ps inlet/outlet port is provided, a sub valve element which opens and closes the in-valve release passage is provided, and under a situation in which a valve port is closed by a main valve element, two forces that are a force corresponding to a suction pressure Ps (contraction force of a bellows device) and a force corresponding to a differential pressure of the crank chamber pressure Pc and the suction pressure Ps act on the sub valve element in a direction to open the in-valve release passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Fujikoki Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro TANO, Yoshiyuki KUME
  • Publication number: 20120056114
    Abstract: A quick acting control valve for a steam turbine is provided. The quick acting control valve includes a valve box and a control valve cone which is arranged in the valve box so as to be displaceable along its center axis, whereby the control valve cone may be brought into an open position in which the control valve cone, with its control valve cone surface is lifted off the valve box and into a closed position in which the control valve cone rests against the valve box with its control valve cone surface, and a quick acting valve piston which is arranged in the valve box so as to face the back of the control valve cone facing away from the control valve cone surface, the quick acting control valve piston, on its outer peripheral edge, always resting on the valve box in a steam-tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Martin Bennauer, Ningsih Flohr, Michael Nienhaus, Christoph Schindler, Dirk Weltersbach
  • Publication number: 20120036991
    Abstract: A cup for an air valve assembly in a positive displacement pneumatic motor includes a cup body, a gas cavity, and a first pilot slot. The cup body is rectilinear and has a sliding face as one side, and the gas cavity is concave and extends into the cup body through the sliding face and terminates within the cup body. The first pilot slot extends from the gas cavity and into the cup body through the sliding face and terminates within the cup body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Roman
  • Patent number: 8079567
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body having an inlet section for a pressurized fluid and an outlet. A piston is movable within the valve body between an open position and a closed position blocking fluid communication. The piston has an end section, a sealing section and a middle section located between the end section and the sealing section. A cavity receives the piston within the valve body. The cavity has a superior chamber, an intermediate chamber, and an inferior chamber. A spring within the superior chamber exerts a spring force onto the piston to urge the piston towards the open position. An actuator device provides upon actuation for a first flow of fluid outside the cavity from the inlet section to the superior chamber. The first flow causes a pressure within the superior chamber to increase until it is about the same as the pressure within the container so that the spring force moves the piston to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.S
    Inventors: Stéphane Beucher, Bernard Dusser, Nicolas Giraud
  • Publication number: 20110266471
    Abstract: A piloted middle-high pressure gate valve includes a valve stem (4) connecting with a gate plate (9) and a valve body (5). A pilot unloading valve (6) is installed under said valve stem (4), under which is said gate plate (9) that has a balancing chamber (14) therein. A valve core (8) provided in said balancing chamber (14) is between said valve (5) and a back pressure spring (7) and has a damping hole (13) for communicating a valve inlet with said balancing chamber (14). Such a gate valve is adapted for on-off control of a middle high pressure fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Zuoyi Wang
  • Publication number: 20110265879
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing flushing fluid at different rates has a valve for controlling flow through a housing, the valve having a reset area to close the valve, a first bleed valve for constantly providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a first path, a second bleed valve for providing high pressure fluid to the reset area through a second path, and an actuator. The actuator has a first position in which fluid is prevented from escaping from the second path, a second position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is activated, and a third position in which fluid is allowed to escape from the second path and the second bleed valve is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony G. Straatman, Bryan Todd Fisher, Kamran Siddiqul, Frank A. Stauder
  • Publication number: 20110260081
    Abstract: A self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Muhidin A. Lelic, Fanping Sun, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Tony George, Lyle H. Hamilton, Robert G. Dunster, Rob J. Lade, Paul C. Upton, Mark Williamson
  • Patent number: 7997556
    Abstract: A finely adjustable firing valve for rapidly discharging compressed air or compressed gas, for the purpose of generating a pressure wave in silos or containers of granular materials, comprising a pneumatic main valve (1), a pneumatic secondary valve (9), arranged to control the main valve (1), and a pilot valve (16), arranged to control the secondary valve (9), said main valve (1) comprising a main valving element (7) of membrane type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Larix S.r.L.
    Inventor: Genio Migliorati
  • Publication number: 20110139260
    Abstract: A proportional motion control valve includes an electro-mechanical actuator that provides an infinitely controlled pressure setting in response to an electric signal applied to the electro-mechanical actuator. In another aspect, a proportional motion control valve includes a pilot-operated valve disposed intermediately with respect to a cage and a valve body to fluidly isolate an internal cavity of the valve body from a bore of the cage. The pilot-operated valve is subjected to a hydraulic opening force of pilot fluid that is present in the bore of the cage. A spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the valve body and arranged to subject the pilot-operated valve to a closing spring force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HydraForce, Inc.
    Inventors: David Dornbach, Anthony Casale, Tomasz Slawinski
  • Patent number: 7921867
    Abstract: An elbow fluid flow valve exhibiting reduced flow loss and including a body having a specified shape and size and defining a short radius associated with an elbow shaped fluid passageway characterized by a first fluid flow inlet and a second fluid flow outlet. A cover secures over the valve body, and such that a generally sleeve shaped annulus is defined therebetween. A light-weight and linearly translatable sleeve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body and within the intermediately defined annulus. The sleeve is operable to be displaced between a first location permitting fluid flow to the outlet and a second location interrupting fluid flow. A control element is operably connected to a pair of access ports, in turn communicated with one or a pair of interior regions in communication with locations of the displaceable sleeve and, upon experiencing at least one of a pressure and flow disparity between valve inlet and outlet, facilitates displacement of the sleeve to the second (flow interrupting) location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Olmsted Products Co.
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves, II
  • Publication number: 20110049400
    Abstract: Rotary valve actuators having partial stroke damping apparatus are described herein. An example rotary valve actuator described herein includes a housing containing a first piston and a second piston opposite the first piston, where the pistons move in opposite directions to rotate a shaft of the rotary valve actuator. A damper is operatively coupled to at least one of the first piston or the second piston to slow the movement of the piston for only a portion of a stroke of the rotary valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gerard ter Horst, Erwin van Dorp
  • Publication number: 20100301238
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve element, a valve actuator, and a fluid-operated switch. The valve body defines a flow passage. The valve element is disposed at least partially within the flow passage and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve actuator is coupled to the valve element and is responsive to pressurized fluid supplied thereto and vented therefrom to move the valve element between the open position and the closed position, respectively. The fluid-operated switch has a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a third fluid inlet, an actuator port, and an actuator vent port. The fluid-operated switch is in fluid communication with the valve actuator and is operable to selectively supply pressurized fluid to the actuator via the actuator port, and vent the pressurized fluid from the actuator via the actuator port and the actuator vent port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Krake, Cecilia Lam, Anthony Matarazzo, Kenneth Roberts, Paul Banta
  • Patent number: 7775503
    Abstract: An oil pressure relief valve for use in the lubrication system of an internal combustion engine is controlled by both pump outlet pressure 3 and pilot pressure 2. The action of the valve reduces the start-up pressure spikes associated with known pilot-operated valves, while also permitting a fuel economy benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Quanbao Zhou
  • Patent number: 7757714
    Abstract: A two-stage servo-valve has a first stage in which four flow resistances are arranged in a bridge circuit. At least one of the flow resistances is variable, and two opposite switching points of the bridge circuit are connected to an air inlet and to an air outlet respectively. A differential pressure of variable size and sign is provided between the two other switching points. The servo-valve also has a second stage in which a control piston which can be actuated by the differential pressure is arranged and controls a three-way valve. In order to enable the current position of a process valve driven by the servo-valve to be maintained by the most simple means in the event of a power failure, the switching points which provide the differential pressure are interconnected by a magnetic valve which is closed in the driven state and open in the unconnected state, thus pneumatically interconnecting the switching points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andre-Heinrich Meinhof
  • Publication number: 20100155629
    Abstract: A pilot-control valve assembly for a roll control system for a vehicle defines a pressure control valve assembly and includes a main stage valve and a pilot stage valve. A body of the main stage valve is press fit to a body of the pilot stage valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: HARRY A. HUNNICUTT
  • Patent number: 7699070
    Abstract: Shutoff valve apparatus comprising: a valve block having a valve chest on which gas collects temporarily, an inlet flow path which makes gas flow into a valve chest, an outlet flow path into which gas is made to flow out of a valve chest, a valve seat located in the inlet port of an inlet flow path, or the outlet port, a diaphragm valve element located in the opposed position of the valve seat and closes the valve port by contacting with the valve seat, pressing means for pressing diaphragm valve element, an actuator plate disposed at the opposite side of the valve chest so that the diaphragm valve element may be opposed, an operation chamber divided with the actuator plate, and an operation gas supply exhaust mechanism in which operation gas is made to supply or exhaust into the operation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigehiro Suzuki, Ryu Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100090136
    Abstract: A pressure valve comprises a valve bush and a control plunger which is movably guided in the valve bush and enables a pressure medium path from a pressure medium source to a consumer via the valve bush to be controlled. A collar section is provided on the control plunger, via which the cross section of a radial opening of the valve bush on the side of the pressure medium source may be modified. The pressure medium path downstream of the radial opening is guided by at least one channel which extends axially through the collar section. The pressure valve also comprises a pilot control system which is used to apply an adjustable control pressure to the control plunger; a control pressure medium supply channel comprising an inlet opening is provided on the control plunger in a region upstream of the collar section. The invention is characterized by the fact that the at least one axially extending channel is dimensioned in such a way that pressure medium may accumulate on the collar section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Benjamin Daniel Barriga Garcia, Georg Schoppel
  • Patent number: 7654503
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed that includes a main valve, a pilot valve, and means providing fluid communication between the main valve and the pilot valve. The main valve includes an inlet, outlet, and means adapted to selectively open and close fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet. The pilot valve includes a housing having a first port, a second port, and a third port, and a piston disposed within the housing. The piston cooperates with the housing and the means providing fluid communication to selectively establish fluid communication between the first port of the pilot valve and one of the inlet and the outlet of the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: James H. Gammon
  • Patent number: 7650905
    Abstract: An emergency isolation valve has a valve plug in a valve body connected to a pipeline. The valve plug is connected to a valve shaft around which a sector gear is provided and engaged with a rack of a piston rod in a cylinder. The piston rod has a piston at one end and is connected to a compression spring at the other end. The piston is moved by air supplied into a cylinder from a compressed air source via a fluid control and a solenoid selector valve. Air supply stops and a discharge hole of the cylinder is opened, so that air is discharged to the outside. The piston is returned by the compression spring to close the discharge hole. At the same time stop of the piston rod is detected by a sensor thereby checking whether to actuate the valve plug normally even during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motohiro Kubota, Wataru Kunieda
  • Publication number: 20100012475
    Abstract: A combination switch including a pressure switch moveable between closed and open positions in response to a working pressure of a fluid, an unloader valve moveable between open and closed positions, a mechanical interconnection between the pressure switch and the unloader valve and operable to move the unloader valve in response to movement of the pressure switch, and a mechanical lever selectively operable to move the pressure switch between the closed and the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: CONDOR-WERKE USA, INC.
    Inventor: Craig R. Wildman
  • Publication number: 20100012195
    Abstract: The microvalve device includes a pilot microvalve and a pilot operated spool valve. The pilot microvalve includes a pilot input orifice; a pilot output orifice, at least one of the pilot input orifice and the pilot output orifice having a cross-section flow area that changes as the pilot microvalve is actuated; and a passageway providing fluid communication between the pilot input orifice and the pilot output orifice. The pilot operated spool valve includes a spool having a surface in fluid communication with the passageway; a spool input port; and a spool output port, at least one of the spool input port and the spool output port having a cross-section flow area that changes as the spool is actuated. The spool valve is operable by the pilot microvalve such that a ratio of the cross-sectional flow area of the spool input port to the spool output port will substantially equal to a ratio of the cross-sectional flow area of the pilot input orifice to the pilot output orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: MICROSTAQ, INC.
    Inventor: Harry A. Hunnicutt
  • Publication number: 20100012868
    Abstract: A single chamber two-way servo-operated valve comprising: a valve body (1) presenting an inlet aperture (2), an outlet aperture (3) and an access (11); a cover (12) to close the access (11) of the valve body (1); a port (4) dividing the valve body interior into an inlet section (5) and an outlet section (6); a valving element (8) comprising a disc (10) for closing said port (4); and an actuating chamber (15) at least partially defined by the cover (12), the disc (10) and a flexible diaphragm (14) connected to the valving element (8), the disc (10) of said valving element (8) comprising a rigid central core (50) which is at least partially covered by a rubber layer (18) adhering to said central core (50), said rubber layer (18) extending from the edge of the disc (10) to form the flexible diaphragm (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Alberto Lodolo
  • Publication number: 20090294710
    Abstract: A valve is provided including a first valve member and a second valve member. The first valve member includes a first step and a first orifice adjacent the first step. The second valve member includes a second step and a second orifice adjacent the second step. The second valve member is movable relative to the first valve member between an open position, in which the first orifice is fluidly connected the second orifice, and a closed position, in which the first orifice is substantially fluidly disconnected from the second orifice. The first and second steps are fluidly connected to the second orifice and substantially fluidly disconnected from the first orifice when the second valve member is in the closed position, and the first and second steps are fluidly connected to the first and second orifices when the second valve member is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Dale A. Stretch
  • Publication number: 20090159723
    Abstract: A valve having a membrane for controlling flow through the valve, the membrane having open and closed positions. An element urges the membrane to the closed position, and a vacuum pressure at one end of the valve may overcome the urging of the element, thereby moving the membrane to the open position. An actuator is provided for easing or initiating the movement of the membrane. In some embodiments, the valve may take the form of a valve assembly for use in a variety of applications, for example, a valve assembly for relieving a vacuum pressure wherein the assembly includes intake and exhaust ends, a membrane for controlling flow through the assembly, a spring providing a closing bias to the membrane that the vacuum pressure may overcome to move the membrane, and an actuator for initiating the movement of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: James Russell Hornsby, Marcellus Rambo Benson, James Augustus Keefe, III, Joseph Lee McGowan
  • Publication number: 20090146090
    Abstract: A pilot-type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device capable of performing both the discharging/stopping of water and the regulation of flow by light operations, and capable of, once the flow is regulated, discharging the water at a pre-regulated specified flow in the next water discharge even if the water is stopped. The pilot type water discharging/stopping and flow regulating valve device has a main valve, a back pressure chamber, an introducing small hole, a pilot channel and a flow regulating mechanism. The flow of the main channel is regulated by advancing and retreating the main valve following the advance/retreat of a pilot valve. The valve device further has a water discharging/stopping switching mechanism that switches between the discharging and stopping of water by advancing and retreating the pilot valve between a water discharge position and a water stop position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: INAX Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Hashimoto, Yukihiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7520487
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gas valve arrangement having at least one main valve that has a valve closure element which is connected with a fluid-actuated drive device. A pilot valve is connected to the drive device so as to control it by a pilot fluid flow, and which has a piezoelectric actuation element for influencing the pilot fluid flow. A control device is connected with the pilot valve and acts on it with an alternating voltage so as to open the main valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Karl Dungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerd Mattes
  • Patent number: 7478793
    Abstract: A filler spout comprising a tubular body having a transverse partition pierced by an opening forming a valve seat which is associated with a main valve member that is connected to a piston extending in a pilot cavity connected to an exhaust orifice and to a pilot duct having a pilot orifice provided with a controlled pilot valve member, the pilot duct opening out to a face of the piston that causes the main valve member to move towards an open position when the pilot duct is fed with a liquid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Serac Group
    Inventor: André Graffin
  • Publication number: 20080149181
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow in a fluid system is disclosed. The valve includes a housing, a servo spool, and a piston. The servo spool defines a spiral groove and a spiral land. The piston defines an orifice configured to provide flow communication to a supply of pressurized fluid and an orifice configured to provide flow communication to a portion of the fluid system exterior to the valve. The valve further includes a main spool operably coupled to the piston. The main spool is configured to control flow of fluid in the fluid system. The spiral groove and spiral land are configured such that angular displacement of the servo spool results in a force imbalance on the piston, thereby moving the piston and the main spool in one of a first direction and a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Philippe Georges Vande Kerckhove, Pengfei Ma
  • Patent number: 7370615
    Abstract: Improved actuators and valve control systems, and methods for controlling actuators and/or engine valves, are disclosed. In addition to the inherent capability of timing control, the ability to provide continuous valve lift or stroke control greatly improves engine achieve fuel economy, emission and performance. The power-off state of the actuator is at the minimum stroke, from which an easy start-up can be directly executed. The minimum stroke is also very beneficial to achieve efficient low load operation. Even with continuous lift variation, the present invention is able to keep the spring force neutral or zero point in the center of a stroke, thus maintaining an efficient scheme of energy conversion and recovery through the pendulum action. When in compression braking or other high engine cylinder air pressure working mode, the invention is able to supply necessary force to open the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: LGD Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7357367
    Abstract: A high temperature valve for controlling gas flow includes an outer vessel, a valve housing, and a valve element. The valve housing is disposed at least partially within, and is at least partially surrounded by, a propellant gas flow passageway that is formed in the outer vessel, and the valve element is disposed within the valve housing. Because the gas flow passageway at least partially surrounds the valve housing, when gas is supplied to the gas flow passageway a compressive force, rather than a tensile force, is exerted on the valve housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Christensen
  • Patent number: 7290509
    Abstract: Improved actuators and valve control systems, and methods for controlling actuators and/or engine valves, are disclosed. In addition to the inherent capability of timing control, the ability to provide continuous valve lift or stroke control greatly improves engine achieve fuel economy, emission and performance. The power-off state of the actuator is at the minimum stroke, from which an easy start-up can be directly executed. The minimum stroke is also very beneficial to achieve efficient low load operation. Even with continuous lift variation, the present invention is able to keep the spring force neutral or zero point in the center of a stroke, thus maintaining an efficient scheme of energy conversion and recovery through the pendulum action. When in compression braking or other high engine cylinder air pressure working mode, the invention is able to supply necessary force to open the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7213549
    Abstract: Improved actuators and valve control systems, and methods for controlling actuators and/or engine valves, are disclosed. In addition to the inherent capability of timing control, the ability to provide continuous valve lift or stroke control greatly improves engine achieve fuel economy, emission and performance. The power-off state of the actuator is at the minimum stroke, from which an easy start-up can be directly executed. The minimum stroke is also very beneficial to achieve efficient low load operation. Even with continuous lift variation, the present invention is able to keep the spring force neutral or zero point in the center of a stroke, thus maintaining an efficient scheme of energy conversion and recovery through the pendulum action. When in compression braking or other high engine cylinder air pressure working mode, the invention is able to supply necessary force to open the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventor: Zheng Lou
  • Patent number: 7210502
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for controlling a variable displacement compressor. The device comprises a microvalve operated control valve. A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow and a micro spool valve for use as a microvalve are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Microstaq Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Nelson Fuller, Brady Reuben Davies, Jeffrey Ross Uibel, Steven Brent Booth, Jeffrey Oliver Chance
  • Patent number: 7000893
    Abstract: A servo-valve control device for controlling servo-valve opening. The servo-valve opening follows a target by inputting signals of a servo-valve opening target value and of an actual servo-valve opening. The control device has a controller, which is constructed to receive a signal of difference between the servo-valve opening target value and the actual servo-valve opening, and to generate a servo command signal for driving the servo valve. The control device also has an extended observer, which is constructed to receive the actual valve opening signal and the servo command signal, and to estimate an input-terminal disturbance signal added on the servo valve. The control device also has a modification part, which is constructed to modify the servo command signal by subtracting the estimated input-terminal disturbance signal output from the extended observer, from the servo command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koji Yakushi
  • Patent number: 6997209
    Abstract: A locking device of an air-operated normally-closed valve for a gas cylinder includes a housing; a piston assembly provided in the housing; a tapered axial member having an annular outer tapered surface and positioned coaxially with the piston assembly axis; a lock nut which is screw-engaged with the housing and coaxial with the tapered axial member; an annular inner tapered surface formed on an inner peripheral surface of the lock nut to correspond to the annular outer tapered surface; an intermediate cylinder member positioned between the annular outer and inner tapered surfaces; and a lock piece inserted into a radial through hole and contacting the annular outer and inner tapered surfaces. The lock nut can press the lock piece against the annular outer tapered surface via the annular inner tapered surface to lock the piston assembly by adjusting the lock nut with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ejiri
  • Patent number: 6945507
    Abstract: A gas flow controller includes a control valve coupled for actuating a main valve. In one example embodiment, a gas flow controller includes a main valve and a servo valve operated by an actuator, said servo valve being used for controlling the opening of the main valve. The servo valve is implemented in a variety of manners, such as a three-way valve means or as a double two-way valve. The servo valve further communicates, via gas pipes, with a first gas chamber limited by a diaphragm being in operative connection with the main valve, as well as to a second gas chamber in the inlet area, and a third gas chamber in the outlet area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerrit Jan Baarda, Derk Vegter
  • Patent number: 6771178
    Abstract: A flap to be identified is caused to move over the whole of its angular range of travel. The number of motor steps is counted during this movement, and the number of steps counted is compared with at least one pre-recorded information item corresponding to a particular flap or type of flap. The method is applicable to the checking of the correct fitting of actuator housings in an air-conditioning installation, or to the allocation of addresses to actuators connected to an information bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Climatisation
    Inventors: Christophe Bruzy, Philippe Richardot
  • Publication number: 20040084645
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprised of a valve body, a piston, a modulating plug, a valve cover adjoining the valve body, and a throttling member. The valve body has an inlet and outlet port, a partition with a valve seat separating the valve body into a first and second flow passage. The piston has a throughbore including an orifice, reciprocably mounted in the valve body and movable between a first and second position. The modulating plug, in abutting contact with the piston and reciprocably mounted in the valve body, gradually moves between an open position, permitting a main fluid flow, and a closed position engaging the valve seat, blocking the main fluid flow. The throttling member is adapted to insure a gradual alteration of the cross-section of the orifice upon piston movement. A method of gradually opening the valve assembly modulating plug is also set forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Paul G. Szymaszek, Ricky J. VanSeters
  • Publication number: 20040056221
    Abstract: A gas flow controller includes a control valve coupled for actuating a main valve. In one example embodiment, a gas flow controller includes a main valve and a servo valve operated by an actuator, said servo valve being used for controlling the opening of the main valve. The servo valve is implemented in a variety of manners, such as a three-way valve means or as a double two-way valve. The servo valve further communicates, via gas pipes, with a first gas chamber limited by a diaphragm being in operative connection with the main valve, as well as to a second gas chamber in the inlet area, and a third gas chamber in the outlet area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Gerrit Jan Baarda, Derk Vegter
  • Patent number: 6659247
    Abstract: The system controls the position of a pneumatically operated valve using an electrical control signal from a controller. A pilot circuit of the system has multiple piezo valves that are subject to electrical signals from the controller to provide pneumatic output signals to a volume booster circuit of the system. Relatively small volume pneumatic pilot signals from the piezo valves are used to determine the opened or closed state of higher volume valve assemblies of the booster circuit which connect or disconnect the actuator of the valve to be operated with a source of pressurized gas. Both the piezo valves and the booster valve assemblies are subjected to gas at the same operating pressure, but the surface area of pistons in the booster valve assemblies exposed to the piezo valves is substantially larger than the surface area of the pistons exposed to operating pressure such that the pneumatic signals shift the pistons even when pressure is the same on both sides thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Lafler, Douglas J. Tanner
  • Publication number: 20030218146
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air blast device comprising an air flow control device disposed between an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, which control device comprises a so-called evacuation valve (16) that controls the flow of the air contained in a so-called rear chamber to the outlet conduit (5), this air holding a main valve (2A) in its seat (2B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Herve Simoens
  • Patent number: 6612536
    Abstract: This invention relates to a remote shut-off valve, and in particular to a valve for the remote shutting-off of a fluid such as a main water supply. The remote shut-off valve comprises a diaphragm valve and a pilot valve which are connected together by way of flexible tubes so that that pilot valve can be located in a desired location remote from the diaphragm valve. Part of the flow channels between the diaphragm valve and the pilot valve, and also the flow channel to the control chamber of the diaphragm valve are located within the body of the diaphragm valve. Quick-release connectors can be provided to connect the flexible tubes to the pilot valve and to the diaphragm valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Walter Dalton
  • Patent number: 6607174
    Abstract: This dispensing apparatus includes a shut-off valve having a magnetically actuated valve element. The valve element is moved into an open position by magnetic attraction from a magnet mounted to a movable actuator. The actuator is adapted to be raised by a liftable handle connected to the actuator or by application of an upward force applied by a bottle container to the actuator. In both cases, the valve element is moved vertically by the application of a vertical force to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Dema Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bruce Weber, Paul E. Naslund
  • Patent number: 6601552
    Abstract: A hydraulically controllable globe valve having a stem piston to which pressure can be applied by a spring connected to a pressure source, with the stem piston being able to move from a first end position in the direction of a second end position. Pressure control means are provided which maintain a constant pressure of the hydraulic spring means on the stem piston while the latter moves from the first end position in the direction of the second end position by connecting the hydraulic spring means to a pressure source during a variable portion of the valve lift. The valve can be used, for example, as a gas exchange valve in a reciprocating engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Michael Kübel, Knud Lembke, Ulrich Letsche, Rudolf Thom
  • Publication number: 20030071234
    Abstract: This dispensing apparatus includes a shut-off valve having a magnetically actuated valve element. The valve element is moved into an open position by magnetic attraction from a magnet mounted to a movable actuator. The actuator is adapted to be raised by a liftable handle connected to the actuator or by application of an upward force applied by a bottle container to the actuator. In both cases, the valve element is moved vertically by the application of a vertical force to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce Weber, Paul E. Naslund