Spring Patents (Class 251/263)
  • Patent number: 5588634
    Abstract: An improved pinch mechanism for a fluid flow control assembly. It comprises a trumpet-type actuator moveable along its principal axis to control flow through an associated resilient tubular member. Interconnected with the actuator is a caming assembly having a roller guide with a principal surface sloping at an acute angle with respect to the actuator principal axis. Engaging with that principal surface is a dog-leg shaped cam follower that is pivoted at one end for partial rotational movement about the pivot. It is spring loaded to normally retain it in a position in which a proximal end of the follower is pressed on a resilient surface of the tubular member to squeeze it closed. Partial rotation of the cam follower occurs when the actuator moves along its principal axis and the cam forces the cam follower to move through an arc that permits the squeezed tubular member to assume its normally unsqueezed and open shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: MegaDyne Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: William S. Nettekoven
  • Patent number: 5564459
    Abstract: A fob detector for use in a supply line between a pressurized beverage container and a dispenser has a vent valve whose valve head is acted upon by pressure inside the chamber of the fob detector and which is operated by a handle which is movable from a rest position to an activated position, such that upon removal of manual pressure from the handle the valve is closed automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Seamus C. Dunne
  • Patent number: 5556073
    Abstract: A linear control valve that includes a flexible cantilevered beam having a seal mounted thereon that is arranged to open and close against a fluid port as the beam is flexed. The free end of the beam is in contact with a motor driven deflector and the amount of flexure controlled by selectively positioning the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus J. Wawro, Alan S. Knieriem, Zoran I. Psenicnik, Dale E. Finch
  • Patent number: 5551477
    Abstract: A manual control valve apparatus having a structure which is provided with, as a conversion mechanism, a diaphragm compressor which is held between a valve casing and a guide member, arcuate engaging grooves formed in a surface of the diaphragm presser opposite to the valve stem, and rolling elements which engage in a freely rolling manner in the engaging grooves and are supported by the lead end part of the valve stem. The bottom surfaces of the engaging grooves are made cam surfaces for causing reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the valve stem. An indicator possessing opening indicating portions indicating the rotational position of the valve stem is attached to the opposite end of the guide member from the valve casing, and furthermore, windows exposing the opening support portions are provided in an area from the circumferential wall of the handle to the end wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yohichi Kanno, Osamu Uchisawa, Sigekazu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5516075
    Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining a fluid cannel openable and closable with a reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing upwardly and downwardly movably, a drive device for moving the rod upward and downward, and a transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting a force acting on the rod to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5503179
    Abstract: A tapping faucet for dispensing beverages, in particular beer, includes a compensator arranged in a tapping faucet housing provided with a tapping faucet outlet and being a body which is conical at one end, and a closing seal operable via an actuating device, for example, a lever. The tapping faucet is characterized in that the compensator provided with a flow-through duct for the beer is installed in the beer conduit or shaft with its conical end in the direction of the front end of the tapping faucet housing, in which for forming an annular gap for the pressure compensation and for the opening and closing of the tapping faucet, a spring-loaded sealing and adjusting bushing provided with a corresponding conical cavity is arranged. The bushing is capable of being tightly pushed by the actuating device, for example, the lever, over the conical part of the compensator in the longitudinal direction, and away from the part for forming the annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Inventor: Rudolf Till
  • Patent number: 5472169
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device is shown having a cartridge attached to a valve, and an actuator. The valve houses a stem which is activated by the actuator to move between an open and a closed position. The actuator includes a cam having a cam surface and a roller which rides along at least a portion of the cam surface. A yoke, which is moved by the roller, is interconnected to a plunger which is attached to the stem. The cartridge includes an upper piston, a lower piston, and a plug having a channel therethrough, positioned between the pistons, the upper piston being spring biased towards the plug. The pistons are positioned in relation to the plug and cartridge housing so as to form an upper and lower reservoir, which are substantially filled with fluid, preferably ethylene glycol. The lower piston is capable of being in contact with the actuator yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Scott Forney, Jeremiah J. Rowan
  • Patent number: 5456448
    Abstract: A touch button controlled water stop mainly consists of an outer sleeve, a shaft rod, an upper toothed ring, a lower toothed ring, a spring guide bush, two springs, and a plunger; the shaft rod extending through a spring, a washer, a packing sheet, and a bushing ring and subsequently passing through the hollow cylindrical outer sleeve having a shaft support formed therein, the upper toothed ring, the lower toothed ring, the spring guide bush, and another spring and ending with the plunger secured thereon by a screw. The top end of the shaft rod can be linked with a touch button actuating means and the outer sleeve can be accommodated in a rear connector so that depressing the touch button will move the upper toothed ring to engage with the lower toothed ring. Further, raised blocks formed on the outer sleeve's inner wall confines the slide motion of the upper toothed ring and the lower toothed ring in such a way that the shaft rod will in turn dwell at two positions for each depressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Inventor: Hsiao-Tsung Chou
  • Patent number: 5451029
    Abstract: A variable valve control arrangement for a lift valve of an internal combustion engine has a longitudinally adjustable coupling assembly disposed between a cam and the lift valve including an outer cup plunger and an inner plunger on the lift valve side and a hydraulic working space formed between the plungers. During the flanks of the valve lift curve, communication is established at times between the hydraulic working space and a pressure medium supply through the cup plunger so that at sufficiently high pressure the coupling assembly will increase its length. During the valve closing phase, the pressure in the working space is reduced through a throttle aperture in the cup plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Hermann Kruger
  • Patent number: 5449144
    Abstract: A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids includes a valve body having a valve chamber with a valve element movable between first and second positions for controlling flow between an inlet and the outlet. An operating stem extends from the valve element to a position exteriorly of the body through a bonnet connected to the body. A safety-type cam actuator is joined to the stem and is pivotally movable to selectively move the valve element between the first and second positions if it is first moved inward radially of the stem. Wall forming portions extending outwardly from an insert located between the bonnet and the body to define guide surfaces closely adjacent the stem and the cam actuator to prevent undesired tilting of the stem and the cam actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: The Meyer Company
    Inventor: Raymond P. Kowalics
  • Patent number: 5398725
    Abstract: A flow control device has a case formed in a lower portion thereof with a fluid channel and a disk seat at an intermediate portion of the channel. A spindle housed in the case has a disk at its lower end and a rollable member at its upper end and is biased by a spring to press the disk against the seat. The case is provided in an upper portion thereof with a rotary shaft having an upwardly projecting handle or sidewise projecting lever handle. The shaft has a rollable member seat which is annular or circular-arc when seen from above and which is formed with a protuberance for lifting and lowering the rollable member as placed on its seat. Rotation of the shaft moves the protuberance, which in turn raises the rollable member to lift the spindle and hold the disk away from the disk seat. The rotation of the shaft reliably opens or closes the channel, or reliably effects a change-over between fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakazawa, Kazuo Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5388612
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a housing having at least one valve orifice for fluid flow therethrough, and a valve member which moves between a fully closed position and a fully open position, respectively, closing and opening said valve orifice. The valve orifice has a clearance surface forming an auxiliary valve passageway selectively enabling flow communication therethrough in an intermediate position of the valve member between said fully open and fully closed positions, and in the intermediate position the valve member partially obstructs the valve orifice so that the passageway provides attenuated fluid flow communication through the valve orifice relative to fluid flow communication in the fully open position of the valve member. A manually controlled actuator enables limited displacement of the valve member between the fully closed position and the intermediate position for the attenuated flow communication through the valve orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: American Hydro-surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Cerola, Richard M. Davis, Rowland W. Kanner
  • Patent number: 5361804
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a faucet is operated by an actuation lever(s) normally positioned to be engaged by a container, for example, into which water is to be discharged from the faucet. For normal operation the lever(s) is moved in a self-return range of about 10 to 50 degrees. The lever(s) can also be swung further to a fully-on position so that the faucet can function in the normal manner by its valve system. The lever(s) operate a cam which acts on a cam follower presented by a valve stem. Responsive axial movement of the valve stem in opposition to spring pressure opens a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: Myron C. Keller, Michael C. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5360172
    Abstract: A device for controlling incoming/outgoing of water flow of a sprinkler, comprising a control tube, a control pin, a pushing block, a frame member and a spring, wherein the control tube has a water incoming end and a water outgoing end and an outer surface of the control tube is formed with a rectangular recess. A pin chamber is disposed at a middle section of the recess and extends downward therefrom. The pin chamber having a first side wall formed with a water inlet, a second side wall formed with a water outlet, and a bottom wall formed with a communicating hole. The control pin has a substantially semispherical head section and three projecting ring sections. Each ring section of the control pin is formed with an annular groove receiving a sealing ring. The pushing block has a bottom face formed with a depression, two lateral projecting ribs, and an inclined wall located in the depression. The frame member is formed with an elliptic hole and a rectangular peripheral groove surrounding the elliptic hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Yuan Mei Corp.
    Inventor: King Y. Wang
  • Patent number: 5342026
    Abstract: A valve has a valve member and an actuating member supported on the valve member by a mounting pin for actuating movement, wherein the pin has an axis extending between opposite ends thereof and the actuating member is connected to the pin intermediate its ends. The pin is supported on the valve member by a resilient coupling assembly including a support ring engaging the opposite ends of the pin and floating on a wave spring seated on a second support ring which is screwed to the valve member so that forces applied to the pin perpendicular to its axis will translate the pin against the spring rather than bend the pin. The second support ring is welded to a retaining ring and cooperates therewith to retain the spring and the first support ring in an integral cartridge module which can be mounted as a unit on the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Midland Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Robert H. Dean
  • Patent number: 5322263
    Abstract: A suction operating apparatus in an endoscope consisting of an outer cylinder connected to a sucking channel of the endoscope, an inner cylinder removably fitted to this outer cylinder and having a sucking hole on the side, a valve body made of an elastic material and having a slit in a closing part provided in the lower end part of this inner cylinder and closing a lower end opening of the inner cylinder, an operating member provided so as to be free to advance and retreat within the inner cylinder, and to be pushed into the slit of the valve body to open and close this slit, thus forming a fluid flow path communicating with the sucking hole in the axial direction, and an elastic cover for elastically returning the operating member to the fixed position from the pushed-in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosuke Yoshimoto, Yasuyuki Futatsugi, Yoshio Tashiro
  • Patent number: 5301638
    Abstract: An actuating arrangement for a lift valve to be actuated by a cam includes a flexible endless tension member extending in a loop around two rollers and engaging a cam on one side and a valve on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Eggers
  • Patent number: 5299778
    Abstract: A throttle valve system for a percussive, fluid-activated apparatus includes an inlet port in a backhead, a backhead bore in the backhead, fluid passageways through the backhead to a central bore of the apparatus, a removable seal elastically mounted in the backhead bore for opening and closing the backhead bore and a throttle lever having a cam detent surface thereon for opening and closing the seal, as the lever is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert R. Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 5294093
    Abstract: A safety valve includes a body, a chamber defined by the body, two conduits leading into the chamber, a first conduit being upstream with respect to the chamber and the other conduit, a sleeve, a spring housed by the sleeve, and a clapper drawn by the spring. The clapper, when drawn, forms a passage between the chamber and one of the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventors: Jean L. Huveteau, Gerard Line
  • Patent number: 5275375
    Abstract: A rotary throttle member for an internal combustion engine comprises a shaft and a butterfly valve member secured to a central length of the shaft. The shaft and butterfly valve member are single pieces of synthetic material. End portions of the shaft straddle the said central length. The central length has a uniform non-circular cross-section greater than that of the full end portion of the shaft situated on one side of the length. The shaft includes a cam for connection with and winding of a control cable, situated on the other end portion of the shaft. The butterfly valve member has a central hole of complementary cross-section of said central length and is fixed onto the central length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Solex
    Inventor: Pierre Semence
  • Patent number: 5213310
    Abstract: A pressure release valve for use in a supply line of pressurized fluid. The valve includes a housing, a valve for closing a passageway, and a control for tilting the valve to release pressure in the supply line. The release valve is more easily opened than conventional release valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: TRLI, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Beattie, Jimmie D. Sinden
  • Patent number: 5203535
    Abstract: Valve assembly includes a stem having a first section toward the cam and a second section toward the valve face, the first section having a larger diameter than the second section. A housing defines a closed chamber having a first bore which closely receives said first section and a coaxial second bore which closely receives the second section. As the cam rotates to lift the valve face from the valve seat, the first section acts as a piston which increases pressure of hydraulic fluid in the chamber to provide a spring force to return the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Richeson, Frederick L. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5176037
    Abstract: An actuator suitable for use with a valve has a design allowing for easy control or adjustment of the force applied to the valve. The actuator motor has a cam which operates a follower surface of a spring-loaded arm mounted for rotation on a carriage. The carriage is mounted for linear motion and connected to the control element of the valve. The actuation force can be controlled or adjusted by changing the relative positions of the arm's center of rotation, the point on the arm at which the spring applies force, and the position of the cam. In a preferred embodiment, the position of the arm's center of rotation is changed by moving a pin from one set of holes in the carriage and the arm to a second set of holes in the carriage and the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Kasprzyk
  • Patent number: 5165654
    Abstract: A gas control valve including a body having a throat formed in a bore, a post slidably received in the bore and including a plug, a pin laterally engaged on an upper portion of the post, and a spring for biasing the post so that the plug can be separated from the throat and so that gas may flow through the throat, and a guide fixed in top of the bore and having two inclined surfaces, the ends of the pin are slidable along the inclined surfaces, the plug can engage with the throat when the knob is pushed toward the body so that gas is prevented from flowing through the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Hsing-Fu Liu
  • Patent number: 5127428
    Abstract: A poppet valve assembly and method of making same are provided and such assembly comprises a housing; a flow passage in the housing with the passage having a central axis and being adapted to flow a fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppet structure for controlling flow through the passage; a support structure for supporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along the axes; an actuator contact on the poppet structure between its head and stem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; and apparatus for engaging the contact to provide the movement wherein the support structure comprises a cylindrical inside surface provided on the housing and having an axial length generally of the order of several times the particular diameter, and the support structure also comprises a cylindrical outside surface on the stem which slideably engages the inside surface, with the inside and outside surface cooperating and defining sole means confining the poppet structure against movements tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Fahl
  • Patent number: 5127876
    Abstract: An air control valve unit which includes an axially moveable and non-rotating closure member which is responsive to the rotative and non-axial movement of an actuator. The rotative movement of the actuator moves the closure member between a closed position which creates an airtight seal between the closure member and a plurality of open positions each allowing progressive amounts of air to flow from an air source through the valve unit member in fluid communication with the closure member. The closure member and actuator are supported in a cavity of the housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Bruce Industries
    Inventors: Samuel H. Howe, Richard R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5108069
    Abstract: A metal diaphragm valve includes a valve casing, a diaphragm made of an elastic material and having an upward bulge in the center and a valve system in which the diaphragm is operated to close or establish a fluid-flow relationship between an inlet passage and an outlet passage both mounted in the casing. The valve system is separated by the diaphragm from the casing and comprises a vertically shiftably disposed push rod adapted to directly move the diaphragm, a plurality of steel balls arranged in a circular groove of a V-shaped cross section defined in the top surface of the push rod, a vertically movably disposed drive rod having a tapered lower end portion situated above the center of the groove and place in constant contact with the steel balls, and a drive means adapted to move the drive rod. The groove has an outer concentric slope and an inner concentric slope, and the steel balls are normally made to stay in the inner slope of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Benkan Corporation
    Inventors: Kouki Tada, Kazushi Ohhashi
  • Patent number: 5103857
    Abstract: A self closing valve assembly is disclosed. A retainer member provides support for a spring for biasing the valve actuating cam members as well as providing a valve seat. The component parts are housed in a cartridge for easy placement in a faucet as well as for conversion of other faucets to the self closing type. Opening of the valve is accomplished by only a rotary motion of the valve stem without an axial handle motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Weldon R. Kuhn, Kirk T. Nick
  • Patent number: 5099805
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating device and method are disclosed, the device including a rotatable cam having a selectively configured cam face engagable with a worm drive at an outer engaging surface of the cam, the worm drive being configured for both rotary and axial movement, rotary movement imparting rotational motion to the cam face, and axial movement changing relative valve timing. The device preferably includes a plurality of such rotatable cams engagable with different ones of a plurality of worm drives to thus provide selective variation of valve opening and valve closing times independently of one another, with open-valve duration being variable to occur at any point in an overall operating cycle of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Inventor: William E. Ingalls
  • Patent number: 5085245
    Abstract: A flow control device has a body having a fluid holding chamber and an inlet port and two outlet ports which are adapted to removably receive valve cartridges. Each valve cartridge has a body having an inlet, an outlet and a fluid flow passageway extending therebetween. A collapsible tubing is mounted in the fluid flow passageway of the valve cartridge body. A piston movably mounted in the fluid flow passageway in the valve cartridge's body is moved into and withdrawn from the inlet of the collapsible tubing to selectively block and unblock the inlet of the collapsible tubing. The blocking of the inlet of the collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the collapsible tubing downstream of the inlet which causes fluid pressure in the fluid flow passageway surrounding the collapsible tubing to collapse a portion of the collapsible tubing around the piston to further block fluid flow through the collapsible tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Remote Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Grove
  • Patent number: 5076782
    Abstract: A control device, which is interposed between a modulating motor and a valve, includes a control arm which is mounted on the shaft of the valve and a roller follower that is on the arm. In addition, the control device includes a bracket which is mounted on a fuel line adjacent to the valve, a cam which rotates on the bracket about an axis that is parallel to the shaft and an operating arm which rotates with the cam and is connected to the modulating motor, so that the modulating motor moves an air damper and cam in unison. The cam has an arcuate element which curves eccentrically about the axis of rotation and screws which are threaded into the arcuate element such that their ends form a cam profile. The roller follower bears against this profile, riding over the ends of the screws as the cam rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventors: Johnny E. Campbell, James J. Briem
  • Patent number: 5067359
    Abstract: An apparatus for clamping flexible tubing employs one or more plungers as clamps. The plungers are reciprocally moveable by means of a rotatable disk cam which has a cam path on one or both of the faces of the disk, the disk cam being mounted to rotate on a shaft of a stepping motor. The plungers may be used to clamp a single tube or a plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Flaig, Paul Jahn
  • Patent number: 5064170
    Abstract: A lockable sprayer shutoff valve has a housing and an upstream hose insert which is slip-fit into the upstream end of a slidably mounted valve sleeve. An O-ring seal is provided between the hose insert and the valve sleeve. The downstream end of the valve sleeve is slip-fit with an O-ring seal over the upstream end of a tubular wand sleeve supported in the downstream end of the housing. A valve plug is generally centered in the valve sleeve for sealing contact with the downstream end of the hose insert when the valve sleeve is in a closed position. When the valve is in the open position fluid is allowed to flow through the hose insert, around the valve plug through slot openings which circumscribe the plug, through the valve sleeve and through the wand sleeve. At least one locking finger is provided on the valve housing. The locking finger can be positioned to interfere with the sliding movement of the valve sleeve and thereby lock the valve sleeve in either the open or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Root-Lowell Corporation
    Inventor: Robert G. Feyen
  • Patent number: 5048556
    Abstract: The transom-mounted valve includes a valve sleeve disposed in the drain port of a boat transom and carrying a valve stem for axial movement. The valve stem includes a valve head movable with the stem between valve-open and valve-closed positions. A cap is releasably secured on the inboard end of the sleeve and mounts an actuating cable guide and anchor, as well as a cam pivotally carried by the cap and attachable to the movable portion of the actuating cable. The cam engages the valve stem. Upon rotation of the cam by linear movement of the actuator cable, the stem is moved against the bias of the spring from the valve-closed to the valve-open position with the spring bias closing the valve when the cam is moved to the valve-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Master Concepts Inc.
    Inventors: Albert L. Grumelot, William J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5029806
    Abstract: A foot-controlled water faucet for regulating the outflow of water from a water faucet by means of air pressure comprises a compressing bladder connected with an air bladder in the water faucet by a passageway, a valve block, a ring body and a knob associated in proper order to form the water faucet. When stepping on the compressing bladder by foot the air inside is compressed and is squeezed to the air bladder in the water faucet via the passageway. The air bladder expands and pushes the platform as well as the stem in the ring body and the valve block respectively downward. The stem moves away from the opening of the valve block and water flows out. Water is stopped by releasing the compressing bladder which sucks back the air from the air bladder that is then contracts and allows the stem to move back to the original position. It can also be controlled by hand as an ordinary water faucet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Chuang Huo-Lien, Chuang Shih-Wei, Chuang Kan-Jung
  • Patent number: 5007446
    Abstract: A flow control device, such as a valve, has a valve body which has a fluid holding chamber therein. An inlet in the valve body couples the chamber to a source of pressurized fluid. An outlet in the valve body couples the chamber to downstream devices such as sprinkler heads. The outlet has an outlet opening which opens to the valve chamber. A collapsible tubing is sealingly attached at a first end to the outlet opening. The collapsible tubing has an opposite end which extends into the chamber. The opposite end of the collapsible tubing has an inlet which opens into the chamber. A mechanism is provided for blocking and unblocking the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing to cause the collapsible tubing to collapse and uncollapse to block and unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet. The mechanism has a piston for insertion into and withdrawal from the inlet of the collapsible tubing to block and unblock the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: Remote Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Grove
  • Patent number: 5005602
    Abstract: A poppet valve assembly and method of making same are provided and such assembly comprises a housing; a flow passage in the housing with the passage having a central axis and being adapted to flow a fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppet structure for controlling flow through the passage; a support structure for supporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along the axes; an actuator contact on the poppet structure between its head and stem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; and apparatus for engaging the contact to provide the movement wherein the support structure comprises a cylindrical inside surface provided on the housing and having an axial length generally of the order of several times the particular diameter, and the support structure also comprises a cylindrical outside surface on the stem which slideably engages the inside surface, with the inside and outside surfaces cooperating and defining sole means confining the poppet structure against movements tr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Fahl
  • Patent number: 4989832
    Abstract: The valve has a residual pressure valve (14) which is known per se, in which however the gas container can be filled through the residual pressure valve. The residual pressure valve (14) is mounted on a stem (32) which is axially displaceable as a result of a cam configuration in such a manner that it assumes a stable operating position under the influence of its spring (24) and an unstable open position under manual action on a filling apparatus (52) counter to the influence of its spring (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Ceodeux S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Kremer
  • Patent number: 4947886
    Abstract: A flow control device, such as a valve, has a body with two portions which define two valve chambers, an inlet, which is coupled to a source of pressurized fluid and which opens into one of the valve chambers, and an outlet coupled to downstream devices, such as sprinkler heads, and which opens into the other valve chamber. A piece of collapsible tubing couples the two valve chambers. A shaft extends into the valve and is provided with a mechanism for pinching the collapsible tubing shut which causes the collapsible tubing to collapse due to the pressure exerted on its exterior by the pressurized fluid surrounding it. A coil spring is attached to the shaft and the valve body. When the valve is closed, i.e., the collapsible tubing collapsed, the coil spring is biased to cause the shaft to rotate if released. The shaft is prevented from rotating by a fusible link. When the temperature to which the valve is exposed reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, the fusible link melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Remote Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Grove
  • Patent number: 4928722
    Abstract: A valve control mechanism for a paint spraying system provides for pressure relief prior to turn-off of the compressor. A pair of interlocking knobs, a pressure control knob and an off-prime-spray knob, are mechanically interlocked so that the compressor can only be turned on and off in a low pressure condition. When spraying has been completed, it is necessary to first operate the off-prime-spray knob to the prime position at which a cam structure opens the off-prime-spray valve for an immediate pressure relief prior to turn off of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Warren J. Walsh, Bruce Kallevig
  • Patent number: 4871143
    Abstract: An improved gate valve having a body with a chamber and an inlet and an outlet extending therethrough into said chamber, a gate mounted for reciprocation in said chamber between open and closed positions, a pressure responsive actuator having a housing, a piston, a connection to the gate and an actuating stem extending from the housing, a supplemental actuator having a connection to the actuator housing, an operating stem connected to the actuating stem, the operating stem having a shoulder facing in the direction opposite to the direction of closing movement of the gate, roller levers pivotally mounted to be in engagement with the exterior of the operating stem and a spring urging the roller levers into tight engagement with the operating stem, the roller levers pivoting on engagement with the stem shoulder to exert a closing force on the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Cameron Iron Works USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald S. Baker
  • Patent number: 4865078
    Abstract: A manual control valve for a remotely operated munitions magazine sprinkler valve employs a compact body, a pressure input port and first and second output ports to which are secured tubular seat housings, each carrying a valve seat. First and second poppets are slidably mounted in the tubular seat housings and are spring urged to closed position. One or the other of the poppets is pulled open by means of a handle operated rotary cam, which allows both poppets to be closed by spring and water pressure. A modified valve configuration provides a three-way valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Cla-Val Co.
    Inventor: Harold W. Ensign
  • Patent number: 4844127
    Abstract: An actuating mechanism for a hydraulic control system including a valve body having one or more valves slidably arranged therein. Each valve is movable along a linear path in a manner regulating fluid flow through the valve body as a function of the linear position of the valve. The actuating mechanism includes a rotatable cam for selectively positioning each valve relative the valve body. Each valve is operatively connected to the cam such that each valve is positioned as a function of cam rotation. The cam is rotated about an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the linear path of each valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Joachim Horsch
  • Patent number: 4842013
    Abstract: A self-operated droop compensated regulator includes a spring casing and a lower casing, sandwiching a diaphragm. The lower casing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a first cam surface for directly engaging a movable disk holder. The disk holder is movable in a straight line within an orifice tube that supports the valve seat. The cam surface moves the disk holder at a nonlinear rate with respect to the diaphragm. The orifice tube has an extension for providing a boost action to the diaphragm. A pressure relief mechanism is incorporated within the upper portion of the diaphragm. A bias spring acts, between a second similar cam surface on the opposite side of the stem and the disk holder, to maintain the first cam surface in contact with the disk holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald D. Rice, Mark E. Hood
  • Patent number: 4815703
    Abstract: A sink handle for use in a water faucet, which may be operated at a minimum use of manual force is disclosed. The sink handle generally includes a valve spindle contained within a body, with the spindle being rotatable by a fluid flow. The sink handle also includes a seat bearing adjacent to said valve spindle and a cushion upon which said spindle is rotatable. A bonnet, which may be opened and closed, permits a flow of a fluid therethrough by opening a movable closure element. The bonnet is rotatable as a result of the rotation of the valve spindle. In preferred embodiments of the invention, O-rings function as the cushion. Additionally, a seat bearing may be impregnated in polytetraflouroethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: I.W. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Antoniello
  • Patent number: 4813449
    Abstract: A poppet valve assembly and method of making same are provided and such assembly comprises a housing; a flow passage in the housing with the passage having a central axis and being adapted to flow a fluid in either direction therethrough; a poppet structure for controlling flow through the passage; a support structure for supporting the poppet structure during movement thereof along the axes; an actuator contact on the poppet structure between its head and stem to enable movement of the poppet structure along the axes; and apparatus for engaging the contact to provide the movement wherein the support structure comprises a cylindrical inside surface provided on the housing and having an axial length generally of the order of several times the particular diameter, and the support structure also comprises a cylindrical outside surface on the stem which slideably engages the inside surface, with the inside and outside surfaces cooperating and defining sole means confining the poppet structure against movements tr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventor: Richard L. Fahl
  • Patent number: 4801053
    Abstract: The present invention describes a valved dispensing spout for a fuel can or similar article including an outlet at one end and an inlet at the other end. At the inlet end of the spout is a valve housing having a valve such as a poppet valve slideably mounted therein and yieldably biased to a closed position by means of a spring. The valve is connected to a horizontal plunger via a link and the plunger extends through one wall of the valve housing and is pivoted at its outer end to a valve operating lever which can be moved up or down by finger pressure to open or close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Eugene J. Kaster
  • Patent number: 4789001
    Abstract: A control system is provided for a hydraulic actuating system having a multi-phase stepping motor with a driver therefor which supplies and controls DC current through each of the motor windings such that no current is induced into the control winding from adjacent windings. The stepping motor precisely controls the rotation of an eccentric cam engaging an actuating plunger which actuates a control valve of the hydraulic actuating system. The driver receives control signals from a computer programmed to calculate, from user input command signals indicative of the desired system condition, and generate those control signals which most quickly achieve a rough approximation of the desired system condition. After this rough approximation is attained, the computer generates new control signals for the driver as a function of feedback signals and/or system component characteristics so as to precisely achieve the desired system condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: South Bend Lathe, Inc.
    Inventors: Bengt S. Backe, Lamoyne W. Durham
  • Patent number: 4782856
    Abstract: A modulating flow control valve comprising a central valve body with a tubular body member detachably supported at an inlet port thereof and providing a valve seat; a plug member is detachably supported in an access bore of the central valve body; and a valve stem, biased toward the valve seat, is extensive through a bore in the plug member. A valve seating member is supportable by a spring stop portion of the valve stem, and with spring biasing of the valve stem, is urged in restricting or sealing relationship with the valve seat, the valve seating member having a valve seating portion of a selected diameter to permit a predetermined maximum flow rate through the valve seat. A stem modulator assembly is provided to move the valve stem in response to a characterizing linkage assembly. Valve setting is provided by an indicia plate and an indicator pin supported by the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Gordon-Piatt Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventor: George H. Siedhoff
  • Patent number: 4770392
    Abstract: For a shut-off device comprising a tubular housing to be built into a pipe and a rotary valve for which a driving shaft penetrating the housing and a seat in the housing are provided, a ring wheel (4) with movable bearings (9) being disposed on the driving shaft (10) and the valve flap (3) being guided in the ring wheel (4) and connected with the driving shaft by a gearing (22, 23) which locks when the valve flap (3) swivels in and serves to press the valve flap (3) onto its seat (32), the invention provides for the following: when the driving shaft (10) is rotated back, the gearing (22, 23) lifts the valve flap (3) axially off the seat (32) until the valve flap (3) is supported on the ring wheel (4), and the gearing (22, 23) constitutes the connection between the valve flap (3) and the driving shaft, the valve flap (3) being supported on the ring wheel (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Inventor: Fritz Schmidt