Reciprocating Patents (Class 251/282)
  • Publication number: 20040099832
    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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Jeff A. Gessaman
  • Patent number: 6738996
    Abstract: A spray head for a faucet or the like has a wand body defining a flow path from an inlet to first and second outlets. Diverter seats are provided so a face seal on a diverter spool can direct flow to the first or second outlet. The spool is positioned by a trigger acting on cam surfaces formed on a toggle. A spring biases the toggle to one of two stable states. Movement of the spool by the trigger causes the toggle to change states so subsequent actuation of the trigger causes the spool to move in the opposite direction. The wand body also has a pause button that reciprocates in a chamber that is part of the flow path. The chamber includes a valve seat and the pause button has a spool having a face seal that is engageable with the valve seat to shut off flow through the spray head. A return spring causes separation of the pause button's face seal upon release of pressure on the pause button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael L. Malek, W. Randall Tucker
  • Patent number: 6736747
    Abstract: A replacement forward clutch control valve assembly including a primary control land, which is designed to properly align the valve piston within its mating bore in the valve body of an automatic translate is disclosed. The primary control land has a substantially increased axial length in comparison to the original equipment manufacture valve piston without exceeding the overall length of the original valve piston. The present forward clutch control valve assembly provides a substantially improved control land-to-bore surface contact ratio and also provides a more durable end surface area for contact with the retaining clip during operation. As a result the present forward clutch control valve assembly is substantially less prone to bending and/or seizure within its mating bore during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sonnax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Maura Jane Stafford
  • Patent number: 6732996
    Abstract: A gas cylinder valve comprises a valve body (10) having a valve chamber (30), an inlet passage (28) and an outlet passage (34) therein. An obturating body (38) is movable relative to a valve seat (40) in the valve body. A valve stem (48) is connected to the obturating body for moving the latter between a closed position, wherein the obturating body sits on the valve seat so as to seal gas discharge through the valve seat, and an open position, wherein the obturating body is spaced from the valve seat so as to allow gas discharge from the gas cylinder through the valve seat. A first diaphragm member (50) forms a flexible wall of the valve chamber. It is mechanically connected to the valve stem, so that a reciprocating movement of the valve stem elastically deforms the first diaphragm member. The inlet passage is in direct pressure communication with the valve chamber, so that the valve chamber is under gas cylinder pressure when the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Ceodeux Ultra Pure Equipment Technology S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Kremer
  • Patent number: 6719271
    Abstract: A combination face and plug seal for use in a balanced pressure valve having a valve housing and a valve plug movable within the valve housing between an open position and a closed position. The seal comprises a main body portion and an engagement portion integrally connected to the main body portion. The seal further comprises at least one primary spring which extends along and at least partially between the main body and engagement portions. Integrally connected to the main body portion is at least one seal leg portion, with at least one secondary spring extending along and at least partially between the main body and seal leg portions. The seal is adapted to be retained within the valve housing, with the engagement portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve plug and the seal leg portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve housing when the valve plug is closed or moved from the closed position toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Control Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Jamshid Faramarzi
  • Publication number: 20040056230
    Abstract: A directional control valve which is operated directly, particularly electromagnetically, of the cartridge type. A valve of this type has a valve sleeve on the outside of which at least two connecting areas are different from one another and which has an axially running valve bore which is open towards an end face which is at the rear in the installation direction of the cartridge and towards an electromagnet, and into which a bush-like valve seat having a seating edge is inserted, and into which a transverse bore, which is open on the outside towards a connecting area opens at a distance from the seating edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Horst Rott
  • Publication number: 20040046139
    Abstract: Disclosed is a directional control valve comprising a front-side connector and at least one radial connector, wherein the front faces of a valve body (valve shift or seat body) of the directional control valve are pressurized approximately equally, so that the actuating forces for shifting the valve body are minimal. In accordance with the invention, the pressure for pressurizing a rearward front face of the valve body is tapped at an axial distance to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Graf, Herbert Reder, Rainer Imhof, Hans-Georg Schubert, Frank Schwab
  • Patent number: 6701716
    Abstract: A bleed valve 60 for regulating a fluid flow through a bleed hole 88 defined by a casing 49 of a gas turbine engine 10 compressor 22, the bleed valve 60 comprises a central axis 92, a piston 62 and a static structure 70, the static structure 70 generally surrounds the piston 62, and is arranged to define in axial sequence from the bleed hole 88 first, second and third chambers 82, 84, 86 respectively, the piston 62 comprises a spindle 66, a first end plate 90 slidably sealed against the static structure 70 and a valve face end plate 64 from which walls 68 axially extend, the walls 68 being slidably sealed to the static structure 70, the static structure 70 comprises a radially inwardly extending flange 74, the flange 74 defining an aperture 76 through which the spindle 66 axially extends and is slidably sealed against, the first chamber 82 is in fluid communication with the compressor 22 via pressure balancing apertures 108 defined in the valve face end plate 64, the third chamber 86 is also in fluid communic
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Quintin G Rayer, Michael F Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040011986
    Abstract: A combination face and plug seal for use in a balanced pressure valve having a valve housing and a valve plug movable within the valve housing between an open position and a closed position. The seal comprises a main body portion and an engagement portion integrally connected to the main body portion. The seal further comprises at least one primary spring which extends along and at least partially between the main body and engagement portions. Integrally connected to the main body portion is at least one seal leg portion, with at least one secondary spring extending along and at least partially between the main body and seal leg portions. The seal is adapted to be retained within the valve housing, with the engagement portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve plug and the seal leg portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve housing when the valve plug is closed or moved from the closed position toward the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Jamshid Faramarzi
  • Patent number: 6675994
    Abstract: A fluid squirt gun includes a linear flow path provided in a barrel, a nozzle at a tip end of the flow path, a valve seat provided in the flow path, a valve element disposed for movement in an axial direction of the flow path to open and close the valve seat, a spring for pressing the valve element in a valve-closing direction, and a trigger for opening and closing the valve element. The valve element includes a forward pressure receiving face on which fluid in the flow path acts in a valve-opening direction in a closed state of a valve and a reverse pressure receiving face on which the fluid acts in the valve-closing direction in the closed state of the valve and both the pressure receiving faces have substantially equal pressure receiving areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Yamamoto, Kouichiro Ishibashi, Kenji Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6676108
    Abstract: A control valve includes a valve body and a valve seat mounted within the valve body. A valve element is mounted in the valve body and bears in a closed position on the valve seat to block a fluid passage formed in the valve body. An actuating rod is configured for axial movement and acts upon the valve element to move the valve element into an open position. At least one of the actuating rod and the valve element has an annular piston surface and is in communication with a fluid passage through an equalizing line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Erwin Weh, Wolfgang Weh
  • Patent number: 6651696
    Abstract: A relief valve with two outlet ports increases the flow capacity of the valve when open. In an alternative embodiment, a relief valve with two outlet ports also has at least two springs stacked vertically. Alternative seal assemblies can be used with the aforementioned dual outlet port valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Richard R. Watson, F. Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 6648010
    Abstract: An ant-pressure surge device mounted in or on a closure member (1) of a check valve to eliminate overpressure and reduce shock waves in a pipeline when the check valve closes. The anti-pressure surge device comprises a fast acting flow relieving valve having a flow path sufficient in the open position to relieve the reverse flow on closure of the check valve closure member and is designed to open when the back pressure shock wave on the downstream side of the valve approaches a predetermined value. A suitable anti-pressure surge device comprises a poppet comprising a piston portion (7) and a sealing element (7A) moveable by the back pressure shock wave against resilient disk springs (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Goodwin International Limited
    Inventor: Richard Stanley Goodwin
  • Patent number: 6641110
    Abstract: A binary balance seal assembly for use in a balanced pressure valve having a valve housing and a valve plug movable within the housing between an open position and a closed position. The seal assembly comprises an annular primary seal which is adapted to be retained within the valve housing. The primary seal is deformable into sealed engagement with the outer surface of the valve plug when pressure is applied to the primary seal as occurs upon the movement of the valve plug from its closed position toward its open position. In addition to the primary seal, the seal assembly includes an annular secondary seal which is adapted to be retained within the valve plug itself. The secondary seal is movable into sealed engagement with a portion of the valve housing when the valve plug is moved to its closed position so as to prevent upstream pressure from causing fluid to leak downstream of the valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Nhan V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6637460
    Abstract: A service coupling for use with either a push-type or a screw-type port valve of a charge port is provided that includes a body portion and an axially moveable valve housing. Axial movement of an actuator permits both the selective axial movement of the valve housing from a rearward position toward a forward position and the selective disengagement of the port valve to open a flow path. In one embodiment the actuator has a nose portion that engages a threaded port valve, or axially moves a push-pin valve, to open a flow path. The operation is the same with either type of type of valve such that the user in not required to know which type of valve is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory A. Haunhorst
  • Publication number: 20030197144
    Abstract: A binary balance seal assembly for use in a balanced pressure valve having a valve housing and a valve plug movable within the housing between an open position and a closed position. The seal assembly comprises an annular primary seal which is adapted to be retained within the valve housing. The primary seal is deformable into sealed engagement with the outer surface of the valve plug when pressure is applied to the primary seal as occurs upon the movement of the valve plug from its closed position toward its open position. In addition to the primary seal, the seal assembly includes an annular secondary seal which is adapted to be retained within the valve plug itself. The secondary seal is movable into sealed engagement with a portion of the valve housing when the valve plug is moved to its closed position so as to prevent upstream pressure from causing fluid to leak downstream of the valve plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Nhan V. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030168623
    Abstract: A sliding valve for the bypass-valve assembly in a hydraulic dashpot, with a shaft and a flange that fits into a round sealing edge surrounding a cutout with ports (bores) extending through to its back. The object is to decrease the suction caused by the suction caused by rapid flow against the sealing edge. The ports (26) through the flange (17) are accordingly as wide as possible, leaving only webs (25) between the sealing edge (12) and the shaft (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventor: Lennart Askevold
  • Publication number: 20030155541
    Abstract: A pressure enhanced valve comprising: a diaphragm for controlling a flow of fluid media having a first pressure entering through a first chamber, the diaphragm having a first side within the first chamber wherein the first pressure is applied to the first side; and a pressure inlet for providing a second pressure to a second side of the diaphragm in a second chamber, the second side configured opposite of the first side, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are separately sealed from one another. The first and second pressures are any appropriate amount in relation to one another. The pressure inlet supplies internal working fluid tapped from an internal port or externally supplied fluid at the second pressure. The valve further comprising a control circuit coupled to the pressure source. The valve alternatively includes a filter element and a pressure regulator positioned within the pressure inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Supercritical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexei Sheydayi
  • Publication number: 20030155544
    Abstract: A high-pressure valve comprises an intake channel (10) and two outlet channels (12,14). Further, an actuator (16) is provided for opening and closing the outlet channels (12,14). According to the invention, the actuator (16) is provided with a connection channel (34,36). The connection channel (34,36) makes it possible to reduce a pressure difference between the intake channel (10) and the closed outlet channel (14) prior to opening the outlet channel (14). For this purpose, a channel opening (34) will be opened by displacement of a control element (22) arranged in the connection channel (34,36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: PIERBURG GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Lappan, Martin Nowak, Michael Benra, Dirk Hunkel
  • Patent number: 6604727
    Abstract: A pressure compensating element (8) for a control valve (3) for controlling an overflow of a medium from a first pressure space (1) into a second pressure space (2) has a diaphragm (9) separating the pressure space (1, 2) from one another. The pressure compensating element (8) compensates forces acting on a valve body (5) of the control valve (3) and generated by pressure differences in the pressure spaces (1, 2). However, an overflow of a medium from one pressure space (1) into the other pressure space (2) takes place solely in the region of the control valve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Nouhad Bachnak
  • Publication number: 20030116734
    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 which includes the stepping motor 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 sealing means to prevent gas from flowing to the housing unit including the stepping motor (18). The needle valve is particularly suitable as an expansion valve in an automotive CO2 air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Roland Casar, Jan Gartner, Frank Obrist, Jurgen Wertenbach
  • Patent number: 6568656
    Abstract: This flow control valve (10) may be used in refrigeration systems (200) as an expansion valve or as a hot gas by-pass valve. The valve (10) includes a body (16) having an inlet (34), an outlet (36), a communicating passage between the inlet (34) and outlet (36), the passage having a valve seat (30). The valve includes a piston chamber (22) and a piston (12) mounted in the piston chamber for movement toward and away from the valve seat. The piston (12) includes an equalization passage (60), extending between an upper port (66) communicating with the piston chamber (22), and a lower port (64). In the open position, piston modulation relative to the valve seat (30) creates a variable zone of low pressure in the area between the valve seat (30) and the piston nose piece (42), which is lower than inlet pressure. The lower piston port (64), which is laterally disposed, communicates with the lower pressure zone to control the resultant force on the piston (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Sporlan Valve Company
    Inventor: David P. Wrocklage
  • Publication number: 20030075699
    Abstract: A wireline valve/blowout preventor is capable of resisting the flow of fluids through a bore. At least one actuator assembly has a first and second end moveable between a first configuration in which fluids can flow through the bore, and a second configuration in which fluids flow through the bore is prevented. The first and second ends are each exposed to the pressure in the bore. A biasing arrangement may bias the actuator assembly toward one of the first and second configurations. A locking member may also be provided to abut with the actuator assembly when it is in the second configuration in order to prevent movement of the actuator assembly from the second configuration to the first configuration. Also, the actuator assembly may have at least one rod assembly which extends from the actuator assembly to a position where it is visible from an outside of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Carl Richard Wood, Kenneth Steven Coull
  • Patent number: 6530556
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control unit (4) for controlling the pressure buildup in a pump unit (2), with a control valve (5) and a valve actuation unit (6) connected to it, wherein the control valve (5) is embodied as an I-valve that opens inward in the flow direction, which has a valve body (11) that is supported so that it can move axially in a housing (12) of the control unit (4) and rests against a valve seat (13) of the control valve (5) from the inside when the control valve (5) is closed. In order to produce a control unit (4) whose control valve (5) requires lower valve actuation forces and has short switching times, the invention proposes a control unit (4) which is characterized by means of an axially effective surface of the valve body (11) which surface is embodied in such a way that the forces, which act on the valve body (11) when the control valve (5) is closed and are due to the pressure present in the pump unit (2), cancel each other out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Friedrich Boecking
  • Patent number: 6505812
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and a valve seat having a passageway. An electrical solenoid assembly moves a valve member upon being energized to control fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet ports. The valve assembly also includes a fluid-tight bellows positioned to apply a force to the valve member, and a pressure balancing passageway connects the inlet port to the bellows. The valve assembly further includes a housing received over the solenoid assembly and having a flange received against the valve body. A seal is positioned between the flange of the housing and the valve body, and a collar is secured in a continuous manner to the valve body over the housing flange, thereby securing the housing to the valve body and applying a sealing force to the seal in a substantially even manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey V. Anastas
  • Patent number: 6502803
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids is embodied with a piezoelectric actuator (3) for actuating a valve member (2) that on one end has a valve head (7), forming a valve closing member, that cooperates with a seat (8) provided on the valve body (6) for opening and closing the valve (1). On a side of the piezoelectric actuator (3) remote from the valve member (2), a hydraulic chamber (21) is provided, which communicates, via at least one hydraulic line (23), with a bore (5) of the valve member (2) that is sealed from the piezoelectric actuator (3), and into which bore a piston (20) connected to the piezoelectric actuator (3) can plunge; the hydraulic chamber (21) is embodied as a hydraulic spring, which with its spring force on the piston (20) connected to the piezoelectric actuator (3) act as the prestressing element and the tolerance compensating element. The valve is intended in particular as a component of a fuel injection valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Mattes
  • Patent number: 6460567
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motor operated valve including a valve body with an inlet and outlet and a valve seat therebetween. A valve core reciprocates between open and closed positions by threads of the valve core cooperating with threads on a shaft which rotates with the armature of the motor. The armature has a plurality of spaced apart permanent magnets, a bearing assembly, and is enclosed by a magnetically transparent enclosure closed at one end and hermetically sealed at its other end to the valve body. Lying closely outside the enclosure is a drive stator that includes drive windings and plural Hall-effect devices for commutation of the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hansen Technologies Corpporation
    Inventors: Charles C. Hansen, III, John A. Yencho, Martin F. Kozi, Orval J. Kuhn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6450199
    Abstract: A service coupling is provided that includes a body portion and an axially moveable valve housing disposed in a central passageway of the body portion. The valve housing includes at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough and a service valve sealingly engaged within an inner cavity of the valve housing. An actuator moves the valve housing to a forward position that causes the service valve to abut a port valve of a refrigerant system inlet port and disengage the service valve from sealing engagement within the cavity to open a flow path. The axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position also creates a void between the valve housing and the body portion. The void is provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage, such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Aeroquip, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A. Haunhorst
  • Patent number: 6425410
    Abstract: An inline high pressure fluid release valve is formed by a valve body having a transverse opening forming a fluid passageway interposed in a fluid conductor. A vertically moveable plunger in the valve body includes a disc normally closing the fluid passageway. A pin cage assembly includes a collapsible pin axially connected with a vertically movable valve stem on the plunger is responsive to excess fluid pressure unbalancing a valve stem and collapsing the pin and impact moving the plunger to a fluid passageway open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6415820
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve with a single inlet for connection to a pump and a control signal outlet for connection to a power assist steering actuator and a bleed port for connection to a pressure control valve. The valve has a poppet rod extending through an annular valve seat, with a pressure equalization passage extending through the poppet and rod to balance the inlet pressure forces acting on the poppet and rod. The valve provides a low residual flow when the solenoid is de-energized and proportionally increases flow as current in the solenoid is increased and gives substantial linearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Carl G. Gluf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6412516
    Abstract: A valve control system for regulating fluid flow in a high pressure system, the control mechanism including a valve slidable within a cartridge, said cartridge carrying a seat, said valve being movable between a first position permitting high pressure fluid flow from a source to the exit of a gun, to a second position blocking passage of said fluid through said exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Gardner Denver, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Goldsmith
  • Patent number: 6394135
    Abstract: There is a balanced plug valve with a contour shaped wall. The contour shaped wall forms a gap with an edge of a balanced plug. Fluid is able to flow through an input port, through the balanced plug, through the gap, and out an output port. The shape of the contour and the relative position of the balanced plug to the contour shaped wall affect the modulation of the rate of the fluid flow through the gap, and thus, through the valve. Multiple possible variations of the dimensions of the contour shaped wall make possible a multitude of flow rate verses valve stroke relationships. Further, the use of a balanced valve decreases friction forces on the plug which allows for smaller, more efficient, and more economical valve actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Barber-Colman
    Inventors: Irving Erickson, Gary Burwell, Bonnie Dickinson, John Du
  • Patent number: 6394418
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling the pressure of fluid, such as water or steam, from a fluid source to a flow controlling orifice. The actuator can be used to apply such fluids to the web of a papermaking machine. The actuator comprises a housing having a first inlet connectable to the fluid source and a second inlet connectable to a pressure source. A resilient bellows structure extends between the first and second inlets within the housing to define an internal region of the bellows structure in sealed communication with one of the first and second inlets and an external region of the bellows structure in sealed communication with the other inlet. The bellows structure expands or contracts within the housing depending on the difference in pressures between the internal and external regions of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: ABB, Inc.
    Inventors: Shizhong Duan, Douglas W. P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6386228
    Abstract: A control device includes a pressure-displacement transducer for triggering a control part for activating a safety valve of a pressure vessel. A space in the pressure-displacement transducer can be connected to a blow-off tank through a drainage line. A first embodiment includes a switchover valve device which is associated with the drainage line and connects the space to a take-off line instead of to the blow-off tank when the pressure in the blow-off tank is above a limiting pressure. A second embodiment includes a hydraulic compensating system which exerts a first force on the pressure-displacement transducer, from a pressure in the blow-off tank. That force counteracts a second force produced in the space by that pressure and in particular compensates for that force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann-Josef Conrads, Erwin Laurer, Jürgen Model
  • Patent number: 6382251
    Abstract: A coupling half comprising: a body; a principal valve seating against the body and unseating therefrom; a relief valve seating against the principal valve and unseating therefrom; and, a flush face sliding sleeve valve seating against the body and unseating therefrom is disclosed. When the flush face sliding sleeve valve unseats from the body it travels toward the relief valve and engages the relief valve unseating the relief valve from the principal valve permitting flow by the relief valve and enabling the principal valve to unseat from the body. The relief valve and the principal valve define an annulus therebetween. The principal valve includes a passageway for relieving pressure by the relief valve. As the relief valve unseats from the principal valve, flow is permitted to the annulus defined by the relief valve and the principal valve and through the passageway in the principal valve and to a reservoir generally defined by the principal valve and the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas F. Hopson
  • Patent number: 6375156
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Numatics, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Patent number: 6367499
    Abstract: A safety valve has a valve body, a piston contained in the valve body, a soluble alloy filled between said piston and said valve body, and a spring inserted between the piston and the valve body. The piston includes a path connecting both ends thereof, and has a first gas pressure receiving surface and a second gas pressure receiving surface at both ends. The first and second gas pressure receiving surfaces have the same area; the piston works as a balanced piston where the gas pressure in the fuel tank functions in reverse directions. As a result, no gas pressure is applied to the soluble alloy but only the energizing force of the spring is applied. Therefore, the pressure applied to the soluble alloy can be kept constant without regard to the increase of the gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hamai Industries Limited
    Inventor: Chiba Taku
  • Patent number: 6354319
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for regulating the pressure of fluid flowing though a conduit system according to which a valve seat is formed in a lower housing connecting in the conduit system with the seat extending between an upstream portion of the system and a downstream portion of the system. A valve stem is mounted in the lower housing for axial movement in the lower housing and one end of the stem is connected to a valve head. Two spaced membranes are mounted in the upper housing to define two chambers, and the membranes are connected to the valve stem . The downstream portion of the conduit system is connected to one of the chambers to apply a load to of the membranes in proportion to the fluid pressure in the downstream portion so that changes in the fluid pressure in the downstream portion causes corresponding changes to the load on the one membrane, corresponding movement of the valve stem and the valve head, and corresponding changes to the fluid flow through the lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Mooney
  • Patent number: 6349920
    Abstract: A spool slides in a bore to open and close a valve. The spool moves in a first direction until the spool forcibly engages a seat in the bore, closing the valve. The spool moves in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the spool disengages with the seat, opening the valve. Proper configuration of the spool and bore geometries in the vicinity of the seat keeps static pressure from developing that could otherwise retard spool valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Charles B. Looney, Wade J. Robel, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr., David E. Martin, James D. Griffith, J. Duwayne Manahan, Avtar S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20010050348
    Abstract: A weld gun cylinder and piston assembly includes a common center end wall interposed between two cylinders. The common center end wall functions as a manifold with bores extending therethrough. The manifold houses two spool valves. The spool valves control the passage of pneumatic pressure through passages of the manifold to and from the cylinders to extend and retract two piston rods for controlling jaws and a weld tip on a robotic arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Donald E. McGeachy
  • Publication number: 20010048093
    Abstract: A pressure compensating element (8) for a control valve (3) for controlling an overflow of a medium from a first pressure space (1) into a second pressure space (2) has a diaphragm (9) separating the pressure spaces (1, 2) from one another. The pressure compensating element (8) compensates forces acting on a valve body (5) of the control valve (3) and generated by pressure differences in the pressure spaces (1, 2). However, an overflow of a medium from one pressure space (1) into the other pressure space (2) takes place solely in the region of the control valve (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Nouhad Bachnak
  • Patent number: 6311950
    Abstract: A fluid metering device that employs a sealing element for delivering a metered dose of a pressurized fluid. The sealing element includes a metal bellows sealing element or metal bellows that attaches to a valve needle and a housing. The metal bellows includes a number of corrugated elements for sealingly guiding said valve needle as the valve needle moves to deliver the metered dose of pressurized fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Kappel, Bernhard Fischer, Bernhard Gottlieb, Randolf Mock, Eric Chemisky, Hans Meixner
  • Patent number: 6283152
    Abstract: A valve includes a valve body having an upstream bore, a downstream bore, a fluid flow chamber and a valve seat useful for sealing the fluid flow chamber from the downstream bore. The valve also includes a valve stem, a bonnet connected to the valve body and adapted to receive the valve stem therethrough, and a plurality of sealing assemblies operably connected to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: COR-VAL, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby J. Corte, Jr., Kane J. Corte
  • Patent number: 6276125
    Abstract: A valve is disclosed for regulating the flow of a pressurized working fluid through a nozzle having a nozzle throat. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the valve comprises a valve body defining a valve bore, a pressure inlet and a nozzle plenum. The nozzle plenum fluidly communicates with the nozzle throat. A valve seat is disposed between the pressure inlet and the nozzle plenum. A valve member is slidably disposed within the valve bore. The valve member comprises a first end disposed proximal the valve seat and a second end distal the valve seat. The first end comprises a valve face and the second end comprises first and second rear surfaces. The second rear surface is spaced apart from the first rear surface. The first rear surface cooperates with the valve bore to define a rear chamber. The second rear surface cooperates with the valve bore to define an actuation chamber, the volume of which is not a function of the valve member diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Tseng
  • Patent number: 6240955
    Abstract: A liquid level controller is shown having a housing with a rear wall. A shaft has a first end which extends through the rear wall to a liquid displacement member located within a liquid containing vessel. A second end of the shaft joins a pair of oppositely extending arms. Each of the oppositely extending arms is rotationally mounted on the housing generally parallel to the rear wall in a bearing. Vertical forces responsive to changes in liquid level act on the displacement member and are transmitted as a force tending to rotate the oppositely extending arms. A lever pivotally mounted to the housing is interconnected with a torque bar which, in turn, connects to the oppositely extending arms of the shaft. A valving assembly is engaged by the lever to provide an output for controlling liquid level within the vessel. The valve assembly includes a pneumatic pilot with a contact point which is engageable by a pin carried on the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Anderson Controls, L.C.
    Inventors: R. David Anderson, Carl Wayne Winfrey, Randal Alan Winfrey
  • Publication number: 20010001964
    Abstract: There is a balanced plug valve with a contour shaped wall. The contour shaped wall forms a gap with an edge of a balanced plug. Fluid is able to flow through an input port, through the balanced plug, through the gap, and out an output port. The shape of the contour and the relative position of the balanced plug to the contour shaped wall affect the modulation of the rate of the fluid flow through the gap, and thus, through the valve. Multiple possible variations of the dimensions of the contour shaped wall make possible a multitude of flow rate verses valve stroke relationships. Further, the use of a balanced valve decreases friction forces on the plug which allows for smaller, more efficient, and more economical valve actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Applicant: MARK JOY
    Inventors: IRVING ERICKSON, GARY BURWELL, BONNIE DICKINSON, JOHN DU
  • Patent number: 6230991
    Abstract: A gas valve with electromagnetic actuation, in particular a fuel-injection valve for gas engines, is provided with a sealing member which is actuable by way of the armature of a controllable electromagnet between the or each fuel supply and the or each fuel outlet and with at least one closure spring acting upon the sealing member. In order to provide a gas valve which has—at the same time—a large throughflow cross-section, exact operating and response times as short as possible and a low power consumption and which is also suitable for use in multi-point or ported-gas admission systems and in the case of supercharged engines, in particular in the case of gas engines for commercial vehicles or stationary gas engines, at least one device for compensating the differential pressure acting upon the sealing member is connected to the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hoerbiger Ventilwerke GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Steinrück, Karl Rein
  • Patent number: 6227229
    Abstract: The valve assembly of the present invention includes a body portion having one or more inlets and two aligned outlets. The outlets are located on opposing faces of the body portion, one having a generally rigid valve seat defining a first valve outlet port and the other having a generally flexible valve seat defining a second valve outlet port. The valve assembly also employs a valve support assembly configured to move relative to the body portion generally along the axis of the aligned outlets. The support assembly has a flexible valve member at one end positioned inside the body portion and configured to engage the rigid valve seat to block flow through the first valve outlet port. The support assembly also has a generally rigid valve member positioned outside the body portion and configured to engage the flexible valve seat to block flow through the second valve outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6227521
    Abstract: An apparatus incrementally reduces pressure in a first volume in response to an increase in pressure in a second volume. A valve body defines a bore that houses a piston and supply and return passages that communicate with first and second ends of the bore, respectively. The valve body also defines a release passage that connects the bore with the first volume and an exhaust passage that connects the bore with atmosphere. An inlet valve opens when pressure in the second volume increases relative to pressure in the supply passage. An outlet valve opens when pressure in the second volume decreases relative to pressure in the return passage. The piston is biased in a closed position against the first end and defines a passageway through which the first and the second ends communicate. When pressure increases in the second volume, the inlet valve opens causing the first end to pressurize and move the piston to an open position in which the release and exhaust passages communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Trevor A. Scott, Ulf Stahmer
  • Patent number: 6192924
    Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve (14) in which a pilot valve (32) controls the opening and closing of the main valve member (26). The pilot valve (32) has a spindle valve member (70) between an intermediate dome fluid chamber (52) and an exhaust chamber (54) communicating with exhaust port (52) and exhaust line (38). Spindle valve member (70) has an annular sealing member or membrane (104) having a relatively thin body (105) with opposed beads (106, 108) along inner and outer peripheries of body (105) for sealing between spindle valve member (70) and the adjacent retainer sleeve (94). Any positive backpressure forces from exhaust line (38) are balanced against spindle valve member (70) by annular seal (80) and membrane (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. McNeely, Thomas F. Higgins