Spring Patents (Class 251/263)
  • Patent number: 11788730
    Abstract: A knob assembly for a gas cooktop may include a knob configured to control a flow of gas from a burner of a cooktop starting at a resting position, the knob defining a hollow interior and having a support cylinder extending vertically through the hollow interior, wherein the support cylinder includes a projection flap protruding therefrom, an inner lock ring arranged at least partially within the hollow interior of the knob and having a chamfered region defining a ring opening adjacent an inclined portion, where the opening is configured to selectively receive the projection flap in response to depression of the knob and where the projection flap slides along the inclined portion in response to subsequent rotation of the knob, the inclined portion imparting frictional resistance on the projection flap to prevent against unintentional rotation of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rhony Cristian Daufenbach, Rodrigo Schultz, Rodrigo Tamanini
  • Patent number: 11440788
    Abstract: A tap for dispensing a beverage. The tap includes: a tap body defining a beverage outlet and including a closure member seat; a closure member movably disposed within the tap body and including a head movable into sealing engagement with the closure member seat, wherein the head has a streamlined configuration and the closure member seat is intermediate the closure member and the beverage outlet; and an externally operable actuator operationally coupled to the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: KEGLAND HOLDINGS
    Inventors: Kee Doery, Dominic Evans
  • Patent number: 11287053
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pressing-controlled mixing valve core with through flow control type on the top, having a shell body, a rotational inner shell, a water guide base, fixed and moving ceramic chips, a flow adjustment top seat and a pressing-controlled lifting actuator. By changing the rotation angle of the moving ceramic chip, its mixed water adjustment hole has different communication states to the guide holes of the fixed ceramic chip, so as to adjust the mixture state of the inlet water flow. Through a pressing action by the user, the water control rod head on the lifting shaft of the actuator will have rising and descending positions inside the vertical through hole and through flow passage of the flow adjustment top seat, so as to change the sectional area of the water flow in the through flow passage and adjust the output water flow of the pressing-controlled mixing valve core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Hao-Nan Peng
  • Patent number: 11035489
    Abstract: A variety of assemblies are configured for use with an actuator. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an actuator that includes a housing. An output gear is disposed within the housing. An output nut is connected to the spindle such that the spindle is rotatable within the output nut to enable linear motion of the output nut. The output nut includes a connector. A spacer is selectively coupled to the connector of the output nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Yogesh Subhash Chorghe, Amol Ramdas Vetal, Atul Ramdas Patil, Shivchandra Venkatrao Nagime
  • Patent number: 10914388
    Abstract: A press type valve core has a case, a pressing structure, a stem seat and a valve stem, wherein, the pressing structure is configured on one end of the case, and the other end of the case is communicated with a water supply pipe, the case is formed with two water outlets on its two ends, and the internal portion of the case is formed with first and second cavities, the stem seat is configured inside the case, the valve stem is configured inside the second cavity, and the valve stem is pivoted on the stem seat, to shift between the blocked and communicated state of the flow path between the first cavity and the second cavity. The valve stem uses a plurality of supporting wings to avoid biased abrasion and wearing between the valve stem and the stem seat, and to enhance reliability in controlling the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Mei-Li Chen
  • Patent number: 10731765
    Abstract: A valve actuation device for actuating a valve, such as a sanitary valve, in an axial actuation movement for a first valve function, illustratively a shut-off function, and in a rotary actuation movement for a second valve function, illustratively a quantity regulation or mixing function, and to a sanitary valve equipped with such a valve actuation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hansgrohe SE
    Inventor: Thomas Stulz
  • Patent number: 10537152
    Abstract: Shoes and shoe sole assemblies and associated methods of manufacture are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a shoe and shoe sole assembly made of a non-linearly viscous, SEBS block copolymer-based material that becomes more resilient as more energy is applied. The shoe and shoe sole assembly is configured with a heel and forefoot insert configured to fit within a recess in a midsole. In other embodiments, the non-linearly viscous, SEBS block copolymer-based material is mixed with at least one other polymer in a foam. The midsole is formed with a heel impact region and a forefoot region made of the foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Brooks Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Campbell, Pete Humphrey, Vaikunthanathan Veeriah
  • Patent number: 9217511
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a longitudinal axis defined through the valve housing. The valve also includes a toggle mechanism configured and adapted to cycle flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through a plurality of different flow rates in response to repeated impulses. The toggle mechanism is also configured to hold flow rate steady between impulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Delavan Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon P. Williams, Neal A. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8967591
    Abstract: A trip cock device includes a housing, a cam dog, a handle engaging the cam dog, a piston assembly at least partially received within the housing, and a fault detection valve secured to the piston assembly. The piston assembly includes a piston and the fault detection valve is configured to open and close. The fault detection valve engages the cam dog when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.
    Inventor: Robert N. Scharpf
  • Publication number: 20150027547
    Abstract: A hydraulic spool valve includes a housing, a valve element disposed within the housing, a first piston coupled to the valve element, and a first biasing member. The housing includes a pair of first ports. The valve element is selectively moveable within the housing between a first closed position and a second open position allowing fluid communication between the first ports. Hydraulic pressure against the first piston causes helical translation of the piston in a first direction, and motion of the valve element in a first direction from the first position toward the second position. The first biasing member is configured to bias the first piston and the valve element toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Luis A. Arce-Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8939170
    Abstract: A valve for pressurized fluid comprising a body (1) accommodating a fluid circuit (2) having an upstream end (3) designed to be placed in communication with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end (4) designed to be placed in communication with a using device, the circuit (2) comprising an isolation valve element (5) in order to selectively close off the circuit (2), the valve element (5) being controlled by a lever (8) mounted so as to pivot on the body (1) between a rest position in which the isolation valve element (5) is held in a position of closing the circuit (2) and an active position in which the lever (8) moves the isolation valve element (5) into a position of opening the circuit (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Renaud Ligonesche, Tristan Debry, Romuald De Potter
  • Patent number: 8876082
    Abstract: An actuator for operating a fill valve of a bottle filling machine, said actuator having a camshaft provided with a cam fork on its inner end adapted to engage cam follower means on a fill valve, and having a trip lever on its outer end adapted to engage a rotating shoulder means on a turntable of the machine, the camshaft being rotatable within a sleeve bearing, wherein a braking means comprising a helical wave spring is mounted over the camshaft to provide a desired frictional resistance to rotation of the camshaft within the bearing for preventing rotational drift of the cam fork from its desired operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventor: Bernie Beringer
  • Patent number: 8869834
    Abstract: A pneumatic control device includes a direction control rod, which is connected to a power switch device for activating and shutting off the power switch device. When the direction control rod is in the positive position, the first direction control valve is activated to drive a pneumatic power device. The pneumatic power device drives a hydraulic power tool to move in positive direction. The first direction control valve is shut-off and the second direction control valve is activated when the direction control rod is moved to the opposite position. The activated second direction control valve drives the pneumatic power device; the pneumatic power device drives the hydraulic power tool to move in opposite direction. When the direction control rod is moved to the opposite position, the activated power switch device is relieved and automatically shut off to stop supplying power to the hydraulic power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Tsou
  • Publication number: 20140299805
    Abstract: A valve for metering a flowing, e.g. gaseous or liquid, medium, in particular a fuel injection valve for internal combustion engines, is described, which valve comprises a valve housing having an inflow for the medium, a valve body having a metering opening for the medium, a join present between the valve housing and valve body, and a seal sealing the join. In order to ensure a seal that is reliable and not susceptible to cracking, in which context the material of the valve housing and valve body can be selected without restriction, the seal has a clamping ring, covering the join, that sits with a press fit on end portions, facing toward one another at the join, of the valve housing and valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Dietmar Schmieder, Thomas Sebastian
  • Patent number: 8851446
    Abstract: A product transfer valve (1) includes a valve body (3), an inlet port (2), an outlet port (18). A safety interlock mechanism includes a segmented collar (22) with internal threads (23) for mounting the valve to a connection. A safety collar (6) is axially movable between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and causes movement of the segmented collar. An interference member (12) is supported on the cam operated mechanism (8) and engages the safety collar (6) to prevent inadvertent radial outward movement of the internal threads on the segmented collar until the safety collar is moved to the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • Patent number: 8833730
    Abstract: A cam control valve includes a valve casing having a fluid passage and valve seat, a valve disc seated on the valve seat to open and close the fluid passage, a valve stem holding down the valve disc so it contacts the valve seat, a cam acting on the valve stem to hold it down, a motor rotating the cam, a motor holder holding the motor, a supporting frame fixed to the valve casing and supporting the motor holder so it moves vertically, an elastic member biasing the motor holder towards spacing from an upper side portion of the supporting frame, and height adjustable screws suspending the motor holder from the supporting frame, and adjusting a height of the motor holder with respect to the supporting frame, wherein the height adjustable screws are slidably inserted into the upper side portion of the supporting frame and screwed into the motor holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Yohei Sawada, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8667887
    Abstract: An actuator for a rotary function element, having a housing with at least one pressure means supply and being closed at both sides by a cover, in which housing a piston is guided to reciprocate in a sealing manner, the piston containing diametrically opposed, convolution-like connecting links for a transverse axis of an actuator shaft rotatably mounted in one cover, and having two guide rods firmly anchored in the housing only at one end and engaging into guides in the piston, with the one guide rod anchored in one cover, whereas the other guide rod is anchored in the other cover, and the two guides end blind in the piston in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Willi Wiedenmann, Stephan Mannl, Martin Sauer
  • Patent number: 8636481
    Abstract: An automatic inflation pump including a housing, an air inlet, an air outlet provided in the housing, a manual rotary switch, a sealing device located at the air outlet, an air pump provided inside the housing and a motor for driving the air pump. The manual rotary switch is provided thereon with a dovetail groove which includes a deep groove and two shallow grooves located at both sides of the deep groove. The sealing device includes a driving stem and an air sealing plate for sealing the air outlet. One end of the driving stem is connected with the air sealing plate. A spring is provided on the driving stem. One end of the spring is fixed on a free end of the driving stem and the other end of the spring is supported at the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dong Guan Hua Tao Metal & Plastic Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ying'an Liu
  • Publication number: 20130306892
    Abstract: An apparatus for activation of a control valve is configurable as a slide, ball valve, rotary slide, poppet valve, or the like, and controls or regulates pressure-impacted media, for example, regulating the coolant volume stream of an internal combustion engine. A push piston linearly displaceable in a piston guide rigidly disposed on the flow housing, with an activation joint, is fastened onto the flow housing. A connecting rod is disposed in the activation joint. A push joint is disposed at the push piston end that lies opposite the activation joint, in which push joint the activation element of a control valve is displaceably and/or rotatably disposed. A reset spring is disposed adjacent to the push joint and acts on the push piston, in the direction of its longitudinal axis, so that the push piston always lies against the connecting rod without play, with the activation joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GERAETE- UND PUMPENBAU GMBH DR. EUGEN SCHMIDT
    Inventors: Andreas Schmidt, Toni Steiner
  • Patent number: 8561966
    Abstract: In a step motor driven cam valve a stem freely ascends and descends within a body having an in-flow passage, an out-flow passage, a valve chamber, and a valve seat. The stem is descended by an actuator, composed of a step motor and a cam mechanism located at a position above the stem, that changes a rotational motion of the step motor to a linear motion and transmits the linear motion to the stem. A diaphragm within a valve chamber or a valve body at a lower end part of the stem rests on the valve seat. A lift support mechanism that supports the actuator to freely ascend and descend is arranged at a bonnet that covers the valve chamber. A height fine-adjustment mechanism, arranged at the lift supporting mechanism, finely adjusts the height of the actuator relative to the stem so as to perform zero-point adjustment of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda, Yohei Sawada
  • Patent number: 8556233
    Abstract: Field removable bonnet assemblies for use with valves are disclosed. An example internal valve includes an internal valve body and a field removable bonnet assembly. The field removable bonnet assembly includes a body that is to be removably coupled to the internal valve body and a shaft to be at least partially positioned within the body. The field removable bonnet assembly also includes an adjuster including a first adjuster portion and a second adjuster portion. The body defines a bore having a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion larger than the first diameter portion. The first diameter portion is to receive a valve packing. The second diameter portion to be threadably engaged by the second adjuster portion. The adjuster is externally accessible to adjust the first adjuster portion within the first diameter portion to change a force exerted by the valve packing on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Chun Lin, Matthew William Hanusa, Roy Ronald Pelfrey, Eric Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 8550113
    Abstract: A single stage vacuum breaker flow regulator includes a diaphragm retained in an elevated position in between atmosphere and an outlet chamber for a gaseous medium. A valve in communication with an inlet chamber is yieldingly urged to a closed position by a spring. Cam levers are movable by the diaphragm upon a reduction in pressure to sub-atmospheric in the outlet chamber. The movement of said cam levers in response to a reduction in pressure is transmitted to a yieldingly movable valve to open said valve to the flow of gas from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Hamernik-Harrod, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. Hamernik, David B. Larson
  • Patent number: 8500089
    Abstract: A method of operating an on-off valve comprises closing one of two openings of a valve body with a seal member of a closure element within the valve body, the valve body being within an evacuation pipe connected between a process chamber and an evacuation apparatus; moving the closure element, using a linear driver, so that the seal member is moved away from the one of the two openings; and positioning the closure element into a retreat portion in an surface of the valve body, using the linear driver and a pivotal driver adapted to pivot the closure element between the one of the two openings and the retreat portion, so that the seal member is closed inside a protection seal member of the closure element to surround the seal member, thereby preventing the seal member from being directly exposed to the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20130181153
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing defining a cavity and a bore which opens into the cavity. A valve member is disposed in the cavity. The valve member moves between an open position for allowing fluid flow through the housing and a closed position for preventing fluid flow through the housing. An actuator extends through the bore for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions. A packing is positionable in the bore to provide a seal about the actuator for preventing fluid from exiting the housing through the bore. The packing is ejectable from the bore. The valve assembly includes a first and second biasing member. The first biasing member is configured to apply a first force to the packing to provide the seal. The second biasing member is configured to apply a second force to the packing for ejecting the packing from the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: MARSHALL EXCELSIOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Marshall Excelsior Company
  • Patent number: 8418991
    Abstract: A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids including a valve element movable from a first position for blocking flow between an inlet and outlet to a second position for permitting flow between the inlet and the outlet. An insert member is rotatably connected to a bonnet and defines an opening through which a stem extends. The insert member is located with no portion being clamped between the bonnet and a valve body. An actuator handle assembly includes a lever pivotally connected to an end of the stem and a cam actuator connected to the lever. The cam actuator moves between an engaged position in which movement of the lever is effective to move the valve element from its first position to its second position and a disengaged position in which movement of the lever is ineffective to move the valve element from its first position to its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Meyer Company
    Inventors: Michael H. Meyer, Michael A. Kolar, Eric J. McCarty
  • Patent number: 8418992
    Abstract: A faucet handle includes a safety lock. The safety lock includes a latch that is manually movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The latch is adapted to engage an associated catch when the latch is in its engaged position. The safety lock also includes a primary lock element that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. The primary lock element prevents movement of the latch from its engaged position to its disengaged position when the primary lock element is in its locked position. The primary lock element allows movement of the latch from its engaged position to its disengaged position when the primary lock element is in its unlocked position. A faucet including the handle requires three steps to dispense liquid: (i) movement of the primary lock to its unlocked position; (ii) movement of the latch to its disengaged position; and (iii) movement of the handle to its liquid dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Meyer Company
    Inventors: Michael H. Meyer, Michael A. Kolar, Jeffery J. Labinski
  • Patent number: 8402997
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve with a pivoting lever. This lever pivots around a pivot point and can move between at least three stable positions. In the rest position, this lever is fixed and solidly connected to the body of the valve, and there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage. In the intermediary released position, the axis of the lever is disposed at a positive, non-zero angle in relation to the axis of the lever in the rest position, the lever being now disconnected from the body, but the fluid flow remains zero. In the active position, the axis of the lever is disposed at a positive non-zero angle in relation to the axis of the lever in the intermediary released position, this lever being disconnected from the body, and with fluid now flowing thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Lang, Alain Taillandier
  • Patent number: 8297303
    Abstract: A self cleaning valve assembly includes a valve body having an internal valve cavity. A cylinder member received in the valve cavity has a first sealing surface and a cylinder wall, and divides the valve cavity into a liquid-free cavity portion and a flow cavity portion. A spindle includes a spindle body contacting the first sealing surface to continuously prevent pressurized fluid in the flow cavity portion from entering the liquid-free cavity portion. A spindle piston end has a wiper member in a receiving groove frictionally contacting the cylinder wall. A handle pinned to the valve assembly directly contacts the piston end. Handle rotation displaces the spindle from a valve closed to a valve open position permitting pressurized fluid flow into the flow cavity portion. The wiper member wipes a contaminant off the cylinder wall and further prevents contaminant entrance into the liquid-free cavity portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Paul M. DeSantis, Ryan D. Carignan
  • Publication number: 20120261005
    Abstract: A cam assembly for use in a slam-shut safety valve includes a cam having an elongated first cam arm, and the cam is pivotable about a rotational axis. The cam assembly also includes a torsional spring having a pair of stationary outer arms and a pair of pivotable inner arms, wherein the pair of stationary inner arms is coupled to a portion of the first cam arm. The pair of inner arms is adapted to act on the first cam arm to bias the cam into a position that allows the cam to be relatched in a valve rearming process. The pair of inner arms is symmetrically disposed about the first cam arm to prevent lateral displacement of the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Theodor Cojocaru, Adrian Valean, Roman Alexandru-Vlad
  • Patent number: 8262057
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating a device such as a self-closing internal valve is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing assembly having an internal chamber, a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the internal chamber, and an actuator stem extending from the housing assembly. The actuator stem is moveable in response to the addition or removal of a fluid into or out of the internal chamber. To control the flow rate of a fluid into and out of the internal chamber, the apparatus includes a fluid control valve in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the housing assembly, wherein the fluid control valve is adapted to restrict the rate of fluid flow into the internal chamber of the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Chun Lin, Yin Zhuang, Lu Cang, Fan Jian Jun
  • Publication number: 20120223265
    Abstract: A cam control valve includes a valve casing having a fluid passage and valve seat, a valve disc seated on the valve seat to open and close the fluid passage, a valve stem holding down the valve disc so it contacts the valve seat, a cam acting on the valve stem to hold it down, a motor rotating the cam, a motor holder holding the motor, a supporting frame fixed to the valve casing and supporting the motor holder so it moves vertically, an elastic member biasing the motor holder towards spacing from an upper side portion of the supporting frame, and height adjustable screws suspending the motor holder from the supporting frame, and adjusting a height of the motor holder with respect to the supporting frame, wherein the height adjustable screws are slidably inserted into the upper side portion of the supporting frame and screwed into the motor holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIKIN INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yohei Sawada, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8181545
    Abstract: An actuator assembly having a housing, at least one rotating gear member including a cam, and an actuator device operably connected to the rotating gear member, operably contained in the housing, for rotating the gear member. Also included is a bearing member operably associated with the cam such that when the actuator device is actuated for rotation of the gear member, the bearing member moves on the cam for providing relative motion between the bearing member and the rotating gear member. The actuator device is selected from a torque generating device or a device having linear movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Keefover, Murray Busato
  • Patent number: 8146885
    Abstract: Field removable bonnet assemblies for use with valves are described herein. An example field removable bonnet assembly for use with internal valves includes a body that is to be removably coupled to the internal valve. The body defines a bore that is to receive a valve packing. Additionally, the field removable bonnet assembly includes a shaft having a cam assembly that is to rotatably engage a stem of the internal valve. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the body and the shaft is at least partially positioned within the bore. Further, the field removable bonnet assembly includes a removable adjuster that is externally accessible to enable an adjustment of the removable adjuster relative to the body to change a force exerted by the valve packing on the shaft. The removable adjuster is field removable to replace or repair the valve packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Lin, Matthew William Hanusa, Roy Ronald Pelfrey, Eric Alan Miller
  • Patent number: 8123194
    Abstract: A disclosed on-off valve includes a valve body having two openings that may place a process chamber and an evacuation apparatus in pressure communication with each other; a closure element located inside the valve body and adapted to close one of the two openings; a seal member provided in the closure element and adapted to seal the one of the two openings when the closure element closes the one of the two openings; a linear motion driver that linearly moves the closure element; a retreat portion located away from the two openings; and a pivotal motion driver adapted to pivot the closure element between a first position corresponding to the one of the two openings and a second position corresponding to the retreat portion; wherein the closure element is moved to the retreat portion by the linear motion driver and the pivotal motion driver in order to stay at the retreat portion when the closure element is away from the one of the two openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8061682
    Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid, in particular a medical or industrial gas, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a internal fluid passage that connects them. A valve for controlling the fluid flow can prevent the circulation of a fluid in this passage, and an actuator utilizing a pivoting lever can be manually actuated by an operator. This lever pivots around a pivot point and can move between at least three stable, angularly staggered positions including a rest position where there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage a intermediary released position where the fluid flow remains zero and an active position with fluid flowing thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Lang, Alain Taillandier
  • Patent number: 8056580
    Abstract: A valve to control the flow of pressurized fluids, such as medical or industrial gases, consists of a body with an internal fluid distribution circuit, comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a internal fluid passage connecting them. Fluid flow can be controlled by an operator manually actuating a lever. This lever can move between at least three stable positions that are angularly staggered in relation to each other. In the rest position, the lever is fixed and solidly connected to the body of the valve, and there is zero fluid flow in the internal fluid passage. In the intermediary released position, the lever is disconnected from the body, but the fluid flow remains zero. In the active position, the lever is disconnected from the body, and fluid flows thorough the internal fluid passage at a non-zero rate. Application also to gas cylinders equipped with such valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes George Claude
    Inventors: Daniel Lang, Alain Taillandier
  • Patent number: 7922151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve actuator comprising a support member for supporting a rotatable positioning element operatively connected to a valve rod. The valve actuator further comprises a track follower adapted to follow at least part of a track provided in the positioning element. The track follower is biased against at least part of the track by a resilient member. The rotatable positioning element comprises a curved outer portion arranged in an associated bearing formed in the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Hans Kurt Petersen, Henning Müller
  • Patent number: 7922152
    Abstract: A valve element opening/closing device may include a main body formed with a space, an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe which are connected to the main body, a valve element for opening and closing a flow passage, and a drive part for driving the valve element to open and close the flow passage. The valve element may be arranged on an inflow pipe side with respect an opening of the main body to which the inflow pipe is connected. The valve element is preferably arranged within the inflow pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuhiko Hara
  • Patent number: 7918436
    Abstract: A valve element opening/closing device may include a main body, an inflow pipe, an outflow pipe, a valve element, and a drive part for driving the valve element to open and close a flow passage. The drive part may include a linearly moving mechanism part for driving the valve element, which may include a rotary power transmission member, a linearly moving member for moving the valve element, a turning prevention mechanism, and an urging member for urging the valve element in a closing direction. The turning prevention mechanism may include a shaft turnably supporting the rotary power transmission member, and a shaft hole formed in the linearly moving member that is supported by the shaft, and the shaft is engaged with the shaft hole to prevent turning of the linearly moving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Sankyo Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuhiko Hara
  • Patent number: 7819383
    Abstract: A selector valve (102) having at least first and second ports (108 and 110) is provided. The selector valve includes a closure element (120) selectively displaceable between a first position, wherein the closure element (120) sealingly engages the first port (108), and a second position, wherein the closure element (120) sealingly engages the second port (110). The selector valve (102) further includes a cam assembly that is configured to bias the closure element (120) into at least the first or second position in a manner such that the closure element (120) does not come into substantial contact with the first or second port (108 or 110) when being moved into the first or second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Norgren GT Development Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Morris
  • Patent number: 7627909
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic faucet with a movable cam assembly for mounting the senor and sensor window inside of the faucet body. The cam has an obliquely angled surface and can be moved up against a spring to provide space for assembling the sensor inside the faucet. Once the sensor is properly positioned, the spring drives the wedge-like cam back down to apply a holding force against the sensor and the window. Back pressure against the sensor or window can be absorbed to some extend by the spring to reduce the chance of damaging the window and/or sensor from impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: John C. Esche
  • Patent number: 7497391
    Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines includes a valve-closure element cooperating with a valve seat, and a restoring spring which is situated in a spring pocket opening and acts upon the valve-closure element by a restoring force in the direction of the valve seat. The restoring spring has at least one holding coil in a region of the inflow side, whose area of cross section is positioned perpendicular to an area of cross section of the restoring spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Reiter
  • Publication number: 20080302989
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum gate valve comprising a closure disk for gas-tight closing of an opening by displacement over the opening and pressing of the closure disk onto the opening. A connecting rod with which the closure disk is coupled is linearly adjustable by means of a linear drive unit and the closure disk is thus displaceable between a position uncovering the opening and an intermediate position in which said disk is pushed over the opening. For pressing the closure disk with its closing side onto the valve seat into the closed position by means of an engagement element, at least two limbs are pivotably mounted at one limb end on the back of the closure disk via a first joint and at the other limb end on a support via a second joint. The limbs, the back and the support form an articulated parallelogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Daniel Seitz
  • Patent number: 7418976
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, adjusts fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a body, a seal seat, a sphere, and an adjustment rod. The body includes an axis and an adjustment passage. The adjustment passage is positioned angularly to the axis. The seal seat includes an adjustment end portion. The seal seat is disposed in the body and moves along the axis. The sphere is disposed in the body and moves angularly to the axis. The sphere contacts the adjustment end portion of the seal seat. The adjustment rod includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The adjustment rod is movably disposed in the adjustment passage. The first end portion of the adjustment rod contacts the sphere. The sphere in cooperation with the first end portion of the adjustment rod and the adjustment end portion of the seal seat translates displacement of the adjustment rod into axial displacement of the seal seat. The adjustment end portion of the seal seat includes a groove having a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: Jason Scott Henley, Dale Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7284742
    Abstract: A flow control valve for controlling water flow, for example through a refrigeration unit condenser spray cooling system. The valve includes an arm that carries a paddle adapted to be placed in an air stream for deflection by an air current. Movement of the paddle causes a cam pin within the valve to rotate, thereby radially deflecting a valve pin within the flow passageway to pivot relative to a valve seat at an orifice. The valve pin deflection results in an opening between the valve pin and the orifice to allow flow through the valve. Paddle deflection is thermally controlled by a bimetallic spiral spring 32, which can be adjusted to regulate the temperature at which the paddle is allowed to deflect relative to the body of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Lem Rachels
  • Patent number: 7163193
    Abstract: A water flow-controlling device has a tube, a shaft, a block, a washer and a reciprocating assembly. The tube has a front opening, a rear opening, a side opening and a rear bracket. The openings communicate with one another. The rear bracket is mounted in the tube near the rear opening. The shaft is mounted in and is aligning with the tube and is mounted movably in the rear bracket. The block and the washer are mounted on the shaft. The block selectively obstructs the communication between the front and side openings. The reciprocating assembly connects to the shaft to move the shaft to align with the tube. The reciprocating assembly moves the shaft to extend out of the tube or the inner pressure pushes the block to prevent the block from obstructing the communication between the front and side openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Yung-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 7147207
    Abstract: An actuator apparatus controls a valve mechanism of a suspension system. The apparatus includes a valve actuating assembly and an adjuster assembly. The valve actuating assembly is operatively connected to the valve mechanism and is operable between at least two rider-selectable positions to adjust the valve mechanism between various suspension settings. The adjuster assembly is operatively connected to the valve actuating assembly for adjusting the damping characteristics corresponding to at least one of the positions of the valve actuating assembly independently of the damping characteristics corresponding to another position of the valve actuating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Jordan, Kevin Wesling, Christopher Shipman, Eric Swaidner, John Cheever
  • Patent number: 7140337
    Abstract: In a valve gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine, there is provided a valve opening and closing a combustion chamber, a spring device which generates a force pressing the valve toward a valve seat, a drive mechanism driving the valve in an opening direction via an operating section capable of being in contact with and separated from the valve, and a separation inhibiting device which inhibits a separation between the operating section and the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kimitoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7118090
    Abstract: A compact, in-line valve assembly consists of a hollow valve body, a seat, and a first diaphragm assembly including a deflectable portion forming a first volume between the seat and the first diaphragm assembly. A second diaphragm is attached to the first diaphragm assembly such that a second volume is defined between the second diaphragm and the second opening. A third volume is formed between the first diaphragm assembly and the second diaphragm and is sealed from the first volume and the second volume. A process flows through the first diaphragm assembly between the first volume and the second volume. A low-leak rate, self-aligning head assembly including a stem and a head coupled are coupled to the first diaphragm assembly. A deflection of the deflectable portion and the second diaphragm provides movement to open and close the head from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Puregress Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Noyes, Alexander David Glew
  • Patent number: 7032881
    Abstract: A switch mechanism for a pneumatic tool comprises a choke ring having an air hole disposed in an air passage of the pneumatic tool; A control rod is swayably inserted through the air hole with a first end of corresponds to a trigger of the pneumatic tool; A choke member is provided for insertion of a second end of the control rod and pushed by a spring to seal the choke ring. A bushing is disposed in an air passage and located between the choke member and the inner wall of the air passage of the base body and between the choke member and the choke ring. By such arrangement, the inner wall of the air passage of the base body and the choke ring can be avoided from being abraded by the choke member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Basso Industry Corp.
    Inventor: Hua Chiang