Reciprocating Patents (Class 251/282)
  • Patent number: 7604218
    Abstract: A valve module includes a valve housing (2) providing a chamber accommodating at least part of a valve member (3). The chamber forms part of a high pressure side of the valve. A valve port leads from the valve chamber to a low pressure side of the valve and the valve member co-operates with a valve seat around the valve port. The valve member is displaceable inwardly away from the valve seat to open the valve against a biasing spring biasing the valve member towards its closed position. The valve housing has on its low pressure side a shroud or wall (200) extending transversely with respect to the valve axis and spaced from the valve so as to deflect any gas exiting from the valve port in the direction parallel with the valve axis. The valve housing defines with the shroud or transverse wall (200) one or more transverse passages (113) leading to openings at the sides of the valve housing for the passage of gas issuing from the valve port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: F.X.K. Patent
    Inventor: Francis Xavier Kay
  • Patent number: 7597306
    Abstract: A directional control seat valve includes a piston that is biased against a valve seat by means of a spring. The piston is associated with a compensating piston whose end face subjected to the pressure at one of the ports of the directional control valve is arranged before the valve seat when viewed in the closing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventor: Klemens Strauss
  • Publication number: 20090114169
    Abstract: A thermostatted valve used in an internal combustion engine and comprising a housing fitted with at least three ports, namely an engine port to communicate with the engine cooling system, a radiator port to communicate with the radiator, and a bypass port to communicate with a bypass, further comprising a hollow, spherical valve element supported pivotably about a pivot axis within the housing between two end positions, said valve element being fitted with at least two apertures of which one permanently communicates with the engine port and the other is situated in a plane substantially perpendicular to said pivot axis, further comprising a temperature sensor controlled valve element drive, characterized in that the axes of all ports are configured in planes that are approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis of the valve element in that the valve element is approximately a spherical segment or a laminar sphere of which the open side communicates permanently with the engine port, further that the valve ele
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Heldberg, Thomas Bather
  • Patent number: 7523763
    Abstract: A valve body includes a poppet type valve member disposed therein and a through hole formed thereto wherein first and second cylindrical synthetic resin retainers are fitted to the through hole. Valve seats are disposed to the end walls of both the retainers confronting each other across the central port, respectively, and a poppet seal portion is disposed to the poppet type valve member in confrontation with both the valve seats so as to open and close the valve seats of the first and second retainers. The diameters of the inner peripheral walls of both the retainers are slightly reduced in the vicinities of the ends thereof on the valve seat sides so that the effective seat diameters of the valve seats are approximately equal to the inner surface diameters of the retainers with which the slide portions of the valve member are in sliding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Katsuta, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7513441
    Abstract: Disclosed is a valve comprising a valve member (72) that is guided so as to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal axis (73) thereof, extends into a valve pressure chamber (77), and is provided with a sealing surface (81) on a face which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (73) thereof inside the valve pressure chamber (77). Said sealing surface (81) of the valve member (72) cooperates with a valve seat (79) that runs perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (73) thereof so as to at least largely close an opening (78) which is surrounded by the valve seat (79) relative to the valve pressure chamber (77). A connection (64) to a low-pressure area lies immediately next to said opening (78).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Nestor Rodriguez-Amaya, Christoph Hollmann, Michael Mennicken, Matthias Beck, Hubert Greif, Falk-Alexander Petry, Thilo Rzymann
  • Patent number: 7458356
    Abstract: A bellows unit and a compression coil spring are located in series with each other between a first member and a second member. The bellows unit has an inner bellows, an outer bellows, and first and second end members. A sealed space is defined in the bellows unit. A compressed gas is sealed in the sealed space. The bellows unit is caused to extend and contract in the direction of an axis by the compressed gas. The sealed space contains an uncompressible liquid that can exchange heat with the gas. The liquid is an example of a heat exchange material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Iwata, Takeyoshi Shimbori, Koichiro Yamada, Noritoshi Takamura
  • Publication number: 20080265199
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a hydraulic device. The valve assembly has a valve seat within a valve passageway used in combination with a spool. The spool has a first section wherein a flexible element is disposed within a cavity of the first section such that in a first position the spool and specifically the flexible element engages the valve seat to provide zero leakage from the valve passageway into a tank passageway. Additionally, the spool is designed to have an additional section at a second end to provide equal sealing areas at both the first and second ends of the spool to balance the forces within the valve passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SAUER-DANFOSS INC.
    Inventors: Ercio Lutkemeyer, Adriano Nunes Garcia
  • Patent number: 7431043
    Abstract: An automatic transmission having a pressure regulator with flow force compensation. The pressure regulator includes a valve body having a valve bore and at least one inlet and at least one outlet adapted to provide fluid communication with a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and a return to the source of pressure. A valve member is slidingly disposed within the valve body that includes at least one valve element having an outer diameter and a metering face. The metering face is adapted to control the flow of pressurized hydraulic fluid between the inlet and the outlet of the valve body. The metering face includes a flow force compensating annular void disposed adjacent to the outer diameter that is defined by a lead angle ? measured between the outer surface and a line intersecting the outer surface and tangential to the annular void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Borgwarner Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoning Xiang, Melissa Koenig, William Vukovich
  • Patent number: 7429027
    Abstract: A needle valve with a hollow needle effective for permitting a portion of the fluid passing through the valve to flow throughout the valve and exit through any leaks in the valve, whereby any environmental fluid within the valve is displaced by the fluid passing through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Mocon, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Mayer, Stephen D. Tuomela
  • Publication number: 20080173836
    Abstract: In a Valve, grid-patterned, fixed wall(s) and movable gate plate/plug are built in the hub to control the conduction area. Adjustable spring is applied to push the gate/plug firmly against the fixed wall(s). The structure alteration reduces the travel length required to switch the valve between open and closed states. Since the open/close state is self-sustaining at its last switched state due to friction, no holding energy is required in the actuator. Consequently, a small linear operation solenoid can be used in impulse mode to operate the valve. Due to its low cost, separate solenoids are used to respectively pull open and close the valve in lieu of applying an auto-direction-conversion mechanism. A bimetallic strip contact in series with a resister, packaged together in a thermal isolating tube, is used to prevent the low-duty solenoid from excessive stress-time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Shy-Shiun Chern
  • Patent number: 7401762
    Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve for use with fuel cells has a valve housing made of aluminum, for example and having first through third heating medium passages defined therein. A valve seat disposed in and fastened to the valve housing is made of stainless steel, for example. A valve head has a disk which can be seated on and unseated off a valve seat member of a valve seat. The valve head is coupled by threaded surfaces to the distal end of a movable member which is displaceable when a solenoid is energized. The movable member is made of a magnetic metallic material, and the valve head is made of a corrosion-resistant metallic material such as stainless steel or the like, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroto Ohmori, Kouetsu Hikichi, Takahide Kato, Masakazu Murai, Narihiro Takagi, Ryoichi Yoshitomi, Koji Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20080116409
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a valve comprising a body defining at least an admission duct and an outlet duct for a fluid and receiving a valve member that is movable by means of an actuator member fastened to the body to move between a closed position closing the outlet duct and an open position leaving it open, the valve member having a central portion secured to a central portion of a substantially plane diaphragm that has a peripheral portion associated in leaktight manner with a support element secured to the body in such a manner as to co-operate with the support element to define a chamber, the valve member and the diaphragm being pierced by an opening providing permanent communication between the chamber and the outlet duct, the diaphragm being elastically deformable and being dimensioned to urge the valve member into its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Valeo Systems de Controle Moteur
    Inventor: Jose Vaz De Azevedo
  • Patent number: 7357151
    Abstract: Improved fluid control devices are provided for metering pressure effectively in environments that may contain solid particles and in which the ambient pressure is subject to change. Such a valve comprises a valve body containing a plunger assembly contacting a first spring, said plunger assembly having a cavity and including a second spring and a poppet assembly engaged to said second spring within said cavity; and valve seat means located in position to contact said poppet assembly and essentially prohibit flow through the valve when fluid pressure at the valve inlet is less than a predetermined differential pressure plus a fluid pressure at the valve outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Steven B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 7322562
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a shut-off valve is disclosed that has particular application for opening and closing a high pressure compressed gas storage tank. In one embodiment, the valve includes a single sealing member and a bellows. High pressure is provided at inlet port to one side of the sealing member and a bellows chambers so that both sides of the sealing member are at high pressure to provide equalization. A spring bias is the sealing member against a valve seat in one direction. An electromagnetic coil is energized to draw the sealing member away from the valve seat against the bias of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer Pechtold
  • Publication number: 20070295927
    Abstract: An actuator-valve assembly includes a housing, which has an inlet operable to allow material to enter the housing and an outlet operable to allow the material to exit the housing. The actuator-valve assembly also includes a valve operable to control a flow of the material into the outlet. In addition, the actuator-valve assembly includes an actuator operable to move the valve, where the actuator includes a resilient member. At least one of the valve and the resilient member has one or more dimensions such that forces applied against the valve and the resilient member by the material are approximately balanced. For example, the one or more dimensions could be selected such that a net force applied against the valve and the resilient member by the material is within a specified threshold. The specified threshold could represent a percentage of a force provided by a control signal received by the actuator-valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Chirico
  • Patent number: 7264223
    Abstract: A flow rate control valve comprises a rotary driving source which is rotated by a control signal, a movable member which is displaceable by the aid of a transmitting shaft under a rotary action of the rotary driving source, a valve mechanism which is connected to the end of the movable member and which is capable of being seated on and separated from a valve seat of a valve body, and a balance mechanism which is integrally connected underneath the valve mechanism with a connecting shaft intervening therebetween. When the valve opening degree is changed in a state in which pressure fluid is supplied into the valve body, the balance mechanism maintains an equilibrium state with respect to the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Hideaki Yashiro
  • Patent number: 7249750
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure balanced fluid control device. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet that is adapted to allow a pressure of a working fluid flowing through the valve to be exerted in the sealed cavity above the valve stem seal. In another illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet, the opening being in fluid communication with the sealed cavity and an interior region of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Shi Zheng
  • Patent number: 7246787
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprised of a solenoid coil, having a coil bore, and being operative to produce a magnetic field when subject to an electric signal, a fixed magnetic pole piece within the coil bore, a generally cylindrically and axially translatable armature with a disc-shaped portion and an aperture therethrough, a valve base with a fixed portion over which the armature fits and forming a fluid cavity therebetween. The armature aperture allows a fluid to pass through the disc-shaped portion and into the fluid cavity to substantially equilibrate the fluid pressure on the armature in an axial direction. The valve assembly further includes a solenoid base which forms a chamber around the armature and a biasing mechanism between the magnetic pole piece and the armature which axially translates when the magnetic pole piece is subject to the electric signal, allowing the fluid to pass through the valve assembly in proportion to the electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Viraraghavan S. Kumar
  • Patent number: 7210501
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a valve body having both fluid inlet and discharge ports. A flow passage axially extending within the valve body communicates with the inlet and discharge ports. A valve member within the flow passage is movable by an actuator force in a first direction to direct a pressurized fluid from the inlet to the discharge port. The valve member includes first and second valve heads having different diameters and a valve seating member. The valve seating member engages first and second sealing diameters of the flow passage, the second sealing diameter being smaller than the first. Fluid pressure acting on the different diameters of the first valve head and valve seating member in contact with the second sealing diameter creates a net return force directing the valve member in a second direction opposite to the first direction upon removal of the actuator force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Mac Valves, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H Neff, Eric P Janssen, Lynn R Long
  • Patent number: 7159617
    Abstract: An essentially fully balanced plug valve is presented in which the flow control contour is interior to the moving member. The sealing edge of the moving member is at the exterior surface relative to the interior contour. This sealing edge is formed by use of matching angles on the interior of the moving member and the exterior of the stationary member. As a result, operation of the plug is fully balanced with the internal fluid pressure of the liquid therein. The sealing surface of the stationary member is positively retained therein to prevent blowout of the sealing surface. Should failure of the sealing surface occur, a secondary metal-to-metal seal will provide fluid containment albeit possibly at a reduced containment level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Invensys Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Irving C. Erickson, Hongming Ge, Bonnie Dickinson
  • Patent number: 7143994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device including a coupling part provided with a coupling member and having an internal bore extending through the coupling part and its coupling member, wherein the coupling part is provided with a valve, which includes a valve body displaceably arranged inside the internal bore and a spring member acting on the valve body, the valve body being displaceable against the action of the spring member from a first position to a second position. The valve includes a housing fixed inside the internal bore, the housing being provided with a cavity accommodating the spring member and a part of the valve body. The cavity is in fluid communication with an orifice at the end of the valve facing the free end of the coupling member so as to allow the cavity to be in fluid communication with the surroundings via the orifice when the coupling member is out of engagement with a corresponding coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Vetco Aibel AS
    Inventors: Inge Østergaard, Erik Raad, Staale Svindland
  • Patent number: 7134447
    Abstract: A gas pressure regulator has an inlet for connection to an upstream gas line for flow of gas into the regulator under pressure and an outlet for connection to a downstream gas line for flow of gas out of the regulator at a reduced pressure. A pilot mechanism delivers a desired pilot gas pressure through a pilot passage. A main valve mechanism regulates the flow of gas through a main flow passage connecting the inlet and outlet of the regulator. The regulator has a piston chamber, and a piston operatively connected to the main valve mechanism and movable in the piston chamber. The main valve mechanism has a passageway between the piston chamber and the pilot passage whereby the pilot gas pressure is adapted to move the piston and thereby position the main valve mechanism to regulate the gas pressure at the outlet of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7124770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for preventing damage to the actuator of a hydraulic choke valve in the event of excessive backpressure on the outlet of the choke. The backpressure relief device is applicable to a choke valve which meters flow from a high pressure annular region around the axially reciprocable choke throttling member into a low pressure exit channel coaxial with the throttling member. In particular, a shearable means is used to connect the reciprocable control shank of the actuator to the throttling valve member of the choke valve. In the event of excessive pressure on the exit channel of the choke valve, the shearable means will shear, thereby fully opening the valve and permitting the excessive pressure to escape. The shearable means is readily replaced so that the valve easily can be put back into operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Power Well Services, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert F. Schmidt, David A. Schmidt, John W. McCaskill
  • Patent number: 7118088
    Abstract: To provide a fluid control valve which is capable of preventing or suppressing degradation of the accuracy of flow rate control dependent on the lift amount of a valve element from a valve seat. An expansion valve is configured such that a valve portion and a valve portion integrally formed with a valve element move to and away from a valve seat and a valve seat, respectively, simultaneously. Further, the expansion valve is configured such that a flow passage cross-section formed by a gap between the valve portion and the valve seat, and a flow passage cross-section formed by a gap between the valve portion and the valve seat have approximately the same size when the expansion valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: TGK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisatoshi Hirota
  • Patent number: 7070160
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve capable of increasing durability of a diaphragm comprises a valve body internally formed with a valve chamber having an open upper end and a suck-back chamber having an open lower end, between an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a through hole which provides communication between the valve chamber and the suck-back chamber. The open end of the valve chamber is closed by a first diaphragm which is brought into and out of contact with a valve seat. The open end of the suck-back chamber is closed by a second diaphragm. The first and second diaphragms are substantially identical in shape. Each circumferential edge portion of the first and second diaphragms is tightly retained by a retaining member mountable to the valve body so that the diaphragms are curved outwardly with respect to the valve chamber and the suck-back chamber respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: CKD Corporation
    Inventors: Eitaro Ijichi, Shigeru Osugi
  • Patent number: 7066444
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pressure balanced fluid control device. In one illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet that is adapted to allow a pressure of a working fluid flowing through the valve to be exerted in the sealed cavity above the valve stem seal. In another illustrative embodiment, the device comprises a body, a bonnet coupled to the body, a valve stem operatively coupled to a gate positioned in the body, a valve stem seal positioned between the valve stem and the bonnet, wherein a sealed cavity exists above the valve stem seal, and an opening through the bonnet, the opening being in fluid communication with the sealed cavity and an interior region of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Qiu Shi Zheng
  • Patent number: 7051746
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed that provides for complete or partial fluid pressure balancing across the valve, and can be used for reducing valve actuation forces in order to employ electric actuation. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having a valve chamber, a flow passageway, and a piston chamber. A valve member is disposed in the valve housing and is movable along a valve axis. The valve member is subjected to a first pressure, which urges the valve in a first direction. To counteract this force, a piston integral with the valve member is slidably arranged in the piston chamber. One side of the piston is subjected to this first pressure to provide a counterbalancing force. A pressure passage fluid communication of the first pressure between the flow passageway and said one side of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Jeff A. Gessaman
  • Patent number: 7028976
    Abstract: A closing body is mounted in an axially displaceable manner in a bore of a fluidic valve to control a pressure medium flowing via the valve. The closing body has a sealing section, interacting with a seating edge of valve, and a guide section which serves to guide the valve cone in the bore. The guide section is provided with recesses which allow an overflow of pressure medium between the two sides of the closing body. To reduce costs of production, the guide section of the closing body is of cylindrical form and its surface is provided with at least one helical groove which leads from one side of the guide section to its other side. The closing body is useful in particular in constant pressure valves for controlling fluid pressure medium. The sealing section of the closing body is normally of conical form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Bosch Rexroth AG
    Inventors: Peter Bachmann, Uwe Künzinger, Holger Mühlhoff, Hans Wölfges
  • Patent number: 7017608
    Abstract: An essentially fully balanced plug valve is presented in which the flow control contour is interior to the moving member. The sealing edge of the moving member is at the exterior surface relative to the interior contour. This sealing edge is formed by use of matching angles on the interior of the moving member and the exterior of the stationary member. As a result, operation of the plug is fully balanced with the internal fluid pressure of the liquid therein. The sealing surface of the stationary member is positively retained therein to prevent blowout of the sealing surface. Should failure of the sealing surface occur, a secondary metal-to-metal seal will provide fluid containment albeit possibly at a reduced containment level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Invensys Building Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Irving C. Erickson, Hongming Ge, Bonnie Dickinson
  • Patent number: 7011081
    Abstract: A cylindrical-walled seat element (50) in a double-pintle (42) EEGR valve (20) is a machined metal part in which two substantially identical apertures (62, 64) collectively span essentially a semi-circumference of the seat element wall (52) and are separated by a narrow axial stabilizer bar (80) in that wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard J. Hrytzak, Tom Maciejowski
  • Patent number: 7000895
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed that provides for complete or partial fluid pressure balancing across the valve, and can be used for reducing valve actuation forces in order to employ electric actuation. The valve assembly includes a valve housing having a valve chamber, a flow passageway, and a piston chamber. A valve member is disposed in the valve housing and is movable along a valve axis. The valve member is subjected to a first pressure, which urges the valve in a first direction. To counteract this force, a piston integral with the valve member is slidably arranged in the piston chamber. One side of the piston is subjected to this first pressure to provide a counterbalancing force. A pressure passage fluid communication of the first pressure between the flow passageway and said one side of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Jeff A. Gessaman
  • Patent number: 6991212
    Abstract: In a needle valve (1) for a high-pressure gas conduit system consisting of two units (2, 3) which are joined and one of which encloses a stepping motor (8) and the other includes gas flow passages and a gas flow control bore (17), a valve needle (10) is supported in the housing unit so as to be movable by the stepping motor and extends into the gas flow control bore (17) in the other housing unit through a guide passage (18) provided with seals to prevent gas from flowing to the housing unit including the stepping motor (8) between a region of the guide bore (18) and a low pressure region of the needle valve (1) a compensation connection is provided for relief of pressure at the sealing region (43) of the guide bore (18). The needle valve is particularly suitable as an expansion valve in an automotive CO2 air conditioning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Roland Cäsar, Jan Gärtner, Frank Obrist, Jürgen Wertenbach
  • Patent number: 6986362
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pilot operated relief valve, in which a balance system is provided to offset a tank pressure exerted on a piston, so that a setting pressure of a pilot poppet is not changed even when the tank pressure is changed, and thus a function of the relief valve can be stably performed. The pilot operated relief valve is comprised of a sleeve, a main poppet provided to be movable in the sleeve, a seat provided in the sleeve, a housing connected to a rear end of the sleeve, a pilot poppet provided to be movable in the housing, a piston moved by a pilot signal pressure, and the balance system offsetting the tank pressure exerted on the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Holding Sweden AB
    Inventor: Hae Kyun Cheong
  • Patent number: 6981515
    Abstract: A valve body is provided that be used as a balanced normally open valve, a balanced closed valve, or as a three way valve. The valve body incorporates a valve plug provided with a pressure port such that pressure chambers are created in the valve body when the valve is being used as either a normally open valve or a normally closed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Valentin Alexander Horin
  • Patent number: 6957665
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow force compensating spool valve having a flow force compensating protrusion ring at a supply channel of a sleeve on an outer circumference portion of a spool rod, and a hydraulic valve, a pneumatic valve, a three-way valve, and a four-way valve using the spool valve, in which the flow force can be compensated by a simple structure change of the spool without changing a structure of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignees: Agency for Defense Development, Hanwha Corporation
    Inventors: Weon Gyu Shin, Hyun Young Choi, Hyo Pil Shin, Eui Joon Moon, Jong Yeol Kim
  • Patent number: 6935847
    Abstract: A pump assembly for a penile implant is provided having a mechanism which prevents spontaneous inflation of the cylinders implanted within the user. The preventative mechanism uses overpressure generated by the reservoir during unintentional compression to effectively seal the pump assembly from unintended fluid flow. The prevention mechanism itself creates all necessary forces to prevent the undesired fluid flow to the cylinders. This is accomplished by incorporating appropriate mechanisms within the pump itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: AMS Research Corporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Kuyava, John W. Westrum, Jr., David W. Clark
  • Patent number: 6935616
    Abstract: A balanced plug valve having substantially reduced shut-off force requirements due to an integral dual seating arrangement of the valve plug within a valve housing having slanted inlet and outlet ports and wherein the inlet port forms an elliptical opening for fluid control which is selectively exposed by a cylindrical portion of a sliding valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 6893505
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating fluid flows, such as flows of electrochemical processing fluids for processing microelectronic workpieces. The apparatus includes a valve body having an entrance port, an exit port, and a flow passage between the entrance and exit ports through which a first fluid flows. The valve body further includes a pressure chamber coupleable to a second fluid source and at least partially isolated from the flow passage. A regulator, movably disposed in the flow passage to change a flow area of the flow passage, has a first surface with a first projected area and a second surface with a second, larger, projected area, both of which are operatively coupled to the first fluid. A third surface of the regulator is operatively coupled to the second fluid. The regulator can adjust its position to maintain a constant or nearly constant first fluid flow rate as the fluid pressure at the entrance port changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Peace
  • Patent number: 6892900
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve (21) for a fluid or gaseous medium, with a displaceable valve body (8), by means of which the clear flow cross-section is adjustable. The valve (21), viewed in the direction of flow, comprises a pressure sensor (1) up- or down-stream of the valve body (8), to record the pressure of the medium and the valve body (8) is controlled depending on a signal from the pressure sensor (1) and/or an external controller (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: Arno Drechsel
  • Patent number: 6886595
    Abstract: A bi-directional head loss valve with a valve body having a flow path along a flow axis and a transverse valve actuation axis, an actuation shaft housing and a guide shaft mount disposed in opposition along the transverse valve actuation axis. A fixed plate is housed within the valve body transverse the flow axis, with downstream orifices parallel to the flow axis and a mobile plate is housed within the valve body upstream of and parallel to the fixed plate, with upstream orifices parallel to the flow axis. The mobile plate is adapted to move along the transverse valve actuation axis: from a fully open position, wherein the upstream and downstream orifices are in flow communication; to a fully closed position, wherein the downstream orifices are blocked by the mobile plate. An actuation shaft along the transverse actuation axis is slidably housed within the actuation shaft housing, and has an inner end engaging the mobile plate and an outer end adapted to engage a valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Stealth International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce James, Amzad Ali
  • Patent number: 6871802
    Abstract: A relatively low pressure inert gas hazard suppression system (20) is provided which is designed to protect a room (22) or the like from the effects of fire or other hazard. The system (20) includes a plurality of pressurized inert gas cylinders (24) each equipped with a valve unit (26); each valve unit (26) is in turn coupled via a conduit (28) to a delivery manifold (30). The respective valve units (26) are operable to deliver gas from the cylinders (24) at a generally constant pressure (usually around 10-100 bar) throughout a substantial portion of the time of gas delivery, to thereby provide effective hazard suppression without the need for expensive high-pressure gas handling and distribution hardware and a reduction in room venting area due to lower room over-pressurization. Each valve unit (26) has a valve body (48) and a shiftable piston-type sealing member (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford T. Stilwell, Michael J. Keiter, Devang Narharilal Patel, Keith Leslie Goodall
  • Patent number: 6866066
    Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator, especially a piston accumulator, includes an accumulator housing (10) with at least one gas chamber (12) and a fluid chamber (14). These chambers are separated from each other by a separating element (16). At least one of these chambers (12, 14) can be filled with a pressure medium or at least partially emptied through at least one valve control unit (26) which has switching valves (28, 30). One switching valve (28) is accommodated in a corresponding valve location (29), and can be moved in the direction of movement of the separating element (16) from an opening position into closing position and vice-versa. Expensive line network between the hydraulic accumulator and the valve control unit is avoided. Sealing or leakage problems, such as are common in a line network, never occur. The valve control unit (26) is accommodated in a valve block (24) which is independent from the housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hydac Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Weber
  • Patent number: 6863255
    Abstract: A solenoid improvement has been achieved in terms of abrasion resistance. A fluid accumulating chamber Q is formed substantially coaxially with a plunger chamber P and on the opposite side of a center post 4 through the intermediation of the plunger chamber P. On the outer peripheral side of the rod 6, there is provided a first bearing 7 for separating the plunger chamber P and the fluid accumulating chamber Q from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Watanabe, Takuya Kudo, Norio Uemura
  • Patent number: 6851658
    Abstract: An ANSI Leakage Class V control valve having consistent shut off characteristics with a reduced actuator force required to open and close the valve is provided. The trim arrangement of the control valve includes a valve cage having a multi-contoured inner surface. The multi-contoured inner surface can include a plurality of surfaces. The multi-contoured surface can include first, second, and third perimeter surfaces, and a first transition surface disposed between and coupling the first and second perimeter surfaces, and a second transition surface disposed between and coupling the second and third perimeter surfaces. The valve also includes a valve plug disposed at one end of a valve stem. The valve plug controls the fluid flow through the valve. The valve plug includes an opening through the plug for equalizing pressure across the valve plug. An annular channel is formed within a wall of the valve plug and is sized to accommodate a sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International Inc.
    Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Jr., Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush
  • Patent number: 6840498
    Abstract: A zero pressure electromagnetic server mainly includes an electromagnetic controlling valve stem. The valve stem has two sealing sides of the same area to seal respectively two valve openings. The valve stem has an axial flow opening to channel the positive pressure to the two sealing sides to generate a thrust force and a bucking force opposite to each other for offsetting. Thus the valve stem has no loading and a spring completely controls the closing of the valve. An electromagnetic coil is provided to control the opening size of the valve opening so that accurate conveying quantity may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Wen-Ya Chuang
  • Patent number: 6832748
    Abstract: The valve includes a valve element with an internal longitudinal bore and cross-drilled orifices which, in combination with other orifices and restrictions, force balance the valve in an open configuration when attached to a pump assembly in a spilling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Carroll, III, Donald J. Benson
  • Patent number: 6802298
    Abstract: A nozzle needle of a fuel injector is driven in a controlled manner by changing back pressure applied thereto. The back pressure is controlled by a pressure control valve driven by stacked piezoelectric elements. A valve body of the pressure control valve is disposed in a valve chamber having a drain port and a high pressure port which are selectively closed. A diameter D1 of a drain seat, a diameter D2 of a high pressure seat, and a diameter D3 of a piston portion connected to the valve body are set to satisfy a relation: D1≧D2≧D3. In this manner, operation of the pressure control valve is stabilized, and thereby the fuel injector is smoothly and stably operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshimura, Shuichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040195534
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve capable of increasing durability of a diaphragm comprises a valve body internally formed with a valve chamber having an open upper end and a suck-back chamber having an open lower end, between an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a through hole which provides communication between the valve chamber and the suck-back chamber. The open end of the valve chamber is closed by a first diaphragm which is brought into and out of contact with a valve seat. The open end of the suck-back chamber is closed by a second diaphragm. The first and second diaphragms are substantially identical in shape. Each circumferential edge portion of the first and second diaphragms is tightly retained by a retaining member mountable to the valve body so that the diaphragms are curved outwardly with respect to the valve chamber and the suck-back chamber respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eitaro Ijichi, Shigeru Osugi
  • Patent number: 6793196
    Abstract: A flow control valve is intended for use in a gasoline direct injection system of an engine to maintain the fuel rail pressure at a consistent level as the cylinder injector valves open and close. A valve element moves against and away from a seat to control the flow of fuel through the valve. The high pressure from the fuel supply rail acts on surfaces of the valve which are designed to produce a force imbalance that serves to rapidly open the valve element. The electromagnetic actuator has components fabricated from a soft magnetic composite material which reduce eddy currents that could impede performance of the valve. The electromagnetic actuator is sealed so that that the fuel does not impede movement of the components. A low impedance coil also is used to operate the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. VanWeelden, Kathryn I. Bacon
  • Publication number: 20040149950
    Abstract: An ANSI Leakage Class V control valve having consistent shut off characteristics with a reduced actuator force required to open and close the valve is provided. The trim arrangement of the control valve includes a valve cage having a multi-contoured inner surface. The multi-contoured inner surface can include a plurality of surfaces. The multi-contoured surface can include first, second, and third perimeter surfaces, and a first transition surface disposed between and coupling the first and second perimeter surfaces, and a second transition surface disposed between and coupling the second and third perimeter surfaces. The valve also includes a valve plug disposed at one end of a valve stem. The valve plug controls the fluid flow through the valve. The valve plug includes an opening through the plug for equalizing pressure across the valve plug. An annular channel is formed within a wall of the valve plug and is sized to accommodate a sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: William V. Fitzgerald, Cecil J. Eggleston, Wade J. Helfer, Donald Ray Bush