Stop Element On Actuator Patents (Class 251/288)
  • Patent number: 7819134
    Abstract: A valve fitting including a mixing valve housing, a first stop valve configured to control the flow of fluid through a first inlet, and second stop valve configured to control the flow of water through a second inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Zuhair A. Izzy, Scott K. Jones, Jeffrey W. McCormack, Derek Allen Brown, Adam M. DeVries
  • Patent number: 7731153
    Abstract: A handle (1) for valves (4) comprising a connecting region (2) for connecting the handle (1) to a spindle (5) of the valve (4), an actuating arm (3) for actuating the valve (4), a locking lever (8) arranged resiliently in the actuating arm (3) for engaging the actuating arm (3) and a locking and guide disc (16) for locking and guiding the handle (1), the locking and guide disc (16) having a greater external diameter than the connecting region (2) and being arranged to be able to be connected to a flange region (12) of the valve (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Rohrleitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Miklo, Peter Tkaczyk
  • Patent number: 7681864
    Abstract: A valve actuator including a body, a rotatable drive screw having an external thread over at least a portion of its length and extending through the body and projecting out at least one side of the body. An internally threaded member is captured on the drive screw on the interior of the body, the member being held against rotation during rotation of the drive screw, so as to cause the member to travel along a length of the drive screw as the drive screw is rotated in both a first and second rotational direction. At least one sleeve having an abutment surface engagable by the member upon a sufficient rotation of the drive screw in one of the two directions. The sleeve surrounds the drive screw and may be axially adjustable relative to the drive screw from the exterior of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Val-Matic Valve & Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Shea
  • Publication number: 20100051847
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for cutting a conduit passing through a valve as the valve is closed. The apparatus may be used in subsea well operations or as a safety valve in any well. A spherical outside surface on a cutter element seats in the apparatus. The cutter element cuts a conduit passing through the apparatus in one location and leaves free the severed pieces of the conduit. An actuator to rotate the cutter element may be driven by energy stored in springs or by hydraulic pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Tejas Research and Engineering, LP
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Thomas G. Hill, JR.
  • Patent number: 7604216
    Abstract: A remotely activated shut-off for stopping a fluid flow in a fluid line by actuating an existing valve in fluid connection with the fluid line wherein the valve is within an existing valve body and includes an existing external element for the actuating of the valve between a valve open position and a valve closed position. The shut-off including an outer body having means for connecting the outer body to the valve body in a mounted position such that the external element is substantially covered when the shut-off is in the mounted position. The shut-off further including a coupler for mating engagement with the external element such that movement of the coupler is translated to the external element and a lever within the housing that is moveable between a first position and a second position and is selectively engageable with the coupler such that movement of the lever from the first position to the second position actuates the valve to the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk A. Gebler, John G. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7552710
    Abstract: A variable geometry intake manifold for an internal combustion engine; the intake manifold presents: at least one intake pipe which connects the intake manifold to at least one cylinder of the internal combustion engine; and a choking system to vary the geometry of the intake manifold and comprising at least one choke valve provided with a choke body, which is arranged within the intake pipe and is turnably mounted about an axis of rotation; the choke valve integrates therein a pair of mechanical stoppers, which respectively determine the location of an active position and of a home position of the choke body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Federico Lancioni, Michele Pecora, Stefano Fornara
  • Patent number: 7540300
    Abstract: A faucet handle assembly configured to couple to a valve stem extending outwardly from an escutcheon. The faucet handle assembly includes a handle base axially adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the valve stem. A glide surface is supported by the handle base and is configured to contact an outer surface of the escutcheon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Kurt Judson Thomas, Brian Jolliffe, Dan Zendzian
  • Publication number: 20090057591
    Abstract: A valve fitting including a mixing valve housing, a first stop valve configured to control the flow of fluid through a first inlet, and second stop valve configured to control the flow of water through a second inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Zuhair A. Izzy, Scott K. Jones, Jeffrey W. McCormack, Derek Allen Brown, Adam M. DeVries
  • Patent number: 7404543
    Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed for use with short throw valves. The actuator includes a plate perpendicular to the valve stem that has a slot formed of regions having different radii of curvature centered on the valve stem. An eccentric cam is attached to a handle mounted on the valve stem. The cam extends through the slot and is rotatable for positioning at a radius corresponding to the radius of the different slot regions. When the cam is rotated so that it may traverse a slot region, the handle can be turned to move the valve closing member through an angle subtended by the slot region. This permits the valve to be opened or closed in a step-wise fashion and prevents rapid opening and closing of the valve that can cause a water hammer effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Weston, Terrance M. Carom
  • Patent number: 7357370
    Abstract: A detent apparatus for water temperature regulation of induction faucets includes a mixer located in a faucet and a swiveling mechanism located in the mixer. The swiveling mechanism has a rotary valve and a handle located outside the mixer and the faucet. The handle is fastened to an end seat located on one end of the rotary valve through a coupling member. The detent apparatus includes a detent portion preferably formed integrally with the mixer and located on the outer surface of the mixer body in a protrusive manner. The detent portion has a top end surface spaced beneath a bucking portion of the end seat at a selected distance. When the end seat is swiveled the bucking portion hits a left bucking angle or a right bucking angle of the top end surface thereby the swiveling angle of the end seat is confined within a limited range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Jan Sun Chen
  • Publication number: 20080061261
    Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed for use with short throw valves. The actuator includes a plate perpendicular to the valve stem that has a slot formed of regions having different radii of curvature centered on the valve stem. An eccentric cam is attached to a handle mounted on the valve stem. The cam extends through the slot and is rotatable for positioning at a radius corresponding to the radius of the different slot regions. When the cam is rotated so that it may traverse a slot region, the handle can be turned to move the valve closing member through an angle subtended by the slot region. This permits the valve to be opened or closed in a step-wise fashion and prevents rapid opening and closing of the valve that can cause a water hammer effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Weston, Terrance M. Carom
  • Patent number: 7337804
    Abstract: A single handle mixing valve of the plate valve type where a single stem controls both the temperature and flow output from the valve. A control plate having an opening is positioned over the stem and has at least one surface defining limits of stem movement. An actuating ring positioned within an exterior cover for the mixing valve has inwardly facing cam surfaces, which interact with the control plate to adjust either maximum temperature or maximum flow from the valve. The actuating ring has a tab extending to the outside of the exterior cover for convenient operator manipulation without the need for disassembly or the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: M. Scot Rosko
  • Patent number: 7325782
    Abstract: A remotely activated shut-off for stopping a fluid flow in a fluid line by actuating an existing valve in fluid connection with the fluid line wherein the valve is within an existing valve body and includes an existing external element for the actuating of the valve between a valve open position and a valve closed position. The shut-off including an outer body having means for connecting the outer body to the valve body in a mounted position such that the external element is substantially covered when the shut-off is in the mounted position. The shut-off further including a coupler for mating engagement with the external element such that movement of the coupler is translated to the external element and a lever within the housing that is moveable between a first position and a second position and is selectively engageable with the coupler such that movement of the lever from the first position to the second position actuates the valve to the valve closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk A. Gebler, John G. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7318449
    Abstract: A mixer cartridge contains a plate-type control system, the control plate of which is displaceable and twistable by an actuating element configured as a double-armed lever. The displacement leads to an opening and closing of the valve, while the twisting serves to alter the temperature. According to the invention, it is envisioned that the maximum opening and closing position of a holding plate controlling the movable control plate is limited by stops. For the actuating element, a stop is also provided, which acts in the same way, yet is arranged such that it still has a minimum distance from the actuating element when the holding plate is already bearing against the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hansgrohe AG
    Inventors: Andreas Ginter, Joachim Blattner, Juergen King
  • Patent number: 7302969
    Abstract: A first valve body is disposed in a first opening defined in a valve housing, and a second valve body is disposed in a second opening defined in the valve housing. The first valve body is fastened to a first shaft by screws, and the second valve body is fastened to the first shaft by screws. The first valve body and the second valve body are coupled to the first shaft substantially perpendicularly to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuji Hasegawa, Masakazu Murai, Junichi Sugamori, Yoshio Kusano, Toshikatsu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7234682
    Abstract: The invention provides a ball valve excelling in economy due to the efforts devoted to the reduction of cost, enjoying light weight and high reliability, manifesting high and uniform accuracy, and enabling manufacture of compact finished products having a small interface dimension, and provides a method for the production of the ball valve. The ball valve includes a body formed from a pipe having a predetermined length by subjecting opposite terminal parts (ends) of the pipe to a plastic processing including flaring and diametrical contraction. The body has at a central position a seat-shaping part (seat) formed with a stem-inserting hole, a stem inserted into the stem-inserting hole, a ball disposed non-rotatably at a lower terminal of the stem, and a pair of inserting members having an annular shape forced into the body from opposite terminals of the body. Opposite terminal faces of the body are compression-formed so that the pair of inserting members receive and support the ball rotatably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kitz Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kitazawa, Chikashi Gomi
  • Patent number: 7231935
    Abstract: This invention relates to a faucet, which comprises a body and a rotation control device. The body is assembled with a control valve and the control valve has a valve rod. The rotation control device comprises a shell, a handle and a fixing base. The shell is mainly forged with copper material and covers the body. The handle has a connecting part connected to the valve rod through the shell. Furthermore, the fixing base is made of plastic material and comprises a base disc and two fixing plates. The base disc is fixed within the shell and has a through-hole for the valve rod to pass through. The two fixing plates are formed on two opposite sides of the through-hole and tightly clipped with the connecting part of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Wen-Shun Huang
  • Patent number: 7188641
    Abstract: A water valve assembly for bathroom faucets, comprising a water passage, an accommodating cavity and a flow diverting unit, whereby the flow pathway within a faucet can be adjusted. The accommodating cavity has a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, the second cavity portion being connected to the water passage and provided with two water holes respectively connected to two water outlets. The flow diverting unit, being capable of rotating within the accommodating cavity, has a first end rotatably sealing the first cavity portion and a second end coupled to the outer body of the faucet by a limiting member, whereby the rotation of the flow diverting unit with respect to the accommodating cavity will be limited, and whereby a blocking member of the second end of the flow diverting unit can seal either of the water holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 7185676
    Abstract: A faucet valve includes a chamber defined in an underside thereof and a fixed plate is fixed in the chamber and has a first flat surface and a second flat surface defined in two respective raised portions of the fixed plate. A groove is defined between the first and second flat surfaces so as to receive grease therein. A hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and an outlet are defined through the first flat surface. A movable plate is mounted on the fixed plate and has an adjusting recess defined in an underside thereof. The movable plate is driven by a control rod extending through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Ching Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 7174913
    Abstract: The manual gas tap for a cooking appliance is of the type with a conical plug (3) for regulating the outlet gas flow (G), accommodated in a central housing (2a) in the tap body, and has a rotary actuating shaft (4) coupled to the conical regulating plug (3), and a tap cover (5) covering said central housing (2a). The rotary shaft (4) is provided with a transverse pin (6) for rotation thereof from an initial rotation locking position (7) corresponding to the gas supply “OFF”, to two other spaced positions corresponding to the maximum and minimum gas flows. The tap cover (5) is a tubular bushing shaped and comprises a sealing base (5c) with a sliding surface (11) in the form of a circular arc segment (A) provided with a series of indentations (12), which are in friction contact with the transverse pin (6) and produce a tactile and/or acoustic indication of shaft (4) rotation and tap (1) opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri
  • Patent number: 7174887
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism is installed to change the operating angle and lift amount of an intake valve in accordance with the rotation position of a control shaft. A worm wheel is secured to the control shaft. The worm wheel is coupled to a motor actuator via a worm gear. The motor actuator is controlled during a normal operation so that the rotation position of the control shaft changes within a normal rotation range. A low-end stopper and high-end stopper are installed outside the normal rotation range to mechanically restrict the rotation of the control shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Toshiaki Asada, Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 7172173
    Abstract: A switch valve includes a valve body, a control stem rotatably mounted on the valve body, a limit ring mounted on the valve body, a locking member secured on the control stem and hidden in the limit ring, and a rotation head removably mounted on the limit ring and detachably engaged with the locking member. Thus, the locking member is only rotated by rotation of the rotation head to rotate the control stem so as to open/close the water flow in the valve body, so that the switch valve has a locking effect, thereby preventing the switch valve from being opened by a person intentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Wen Sheng Fu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 7163194
    Abstract: An actuator (16) for a rotor valve (10). The actuator includes a rack (86) for driving a pinion gear (87) of the valve. The rack is moved between first and second positions by the action of a first piston (88). Movement of the first piston and rack is selectively restricted in one direction by the movement of a moveable stop (104) from a withdrawn position to an extended position, thereby defining a third position of the rack. The moveable stop may be driven by a second piston (102). The first and second pistons may be powered by a common compressed air supply (122). The cross-sectional area of the first piston may be at least 1.4 times the cross-sectional area of the second piston to ensure that the force exerted by the first piston is not sufficient to displace the moveable stop from the extended position when the second piston is open to the compressed air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Muhammad Pervaiz
  • Patent number: 7137410
    Abstract: A single handle mixing valve of the plate valve type where a single stem controls both the temperature and flow output from the valve. A control said characteristic plate having an opening is positioned over the stem and has at least one surface defining limits of stem movement. An actuating ring positioned within an exterior cover for the mixing valve has inwardly facing cam surfaces, which interact with the control plate to adjust either maximum temperature or maximum flow from the valve. The actuating ring has a tab extending to the outside of the exterior cover for convenient operator manipulation without the need for disassembly or the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: M. Scot Rosko
  • Patent number: 7124999
    Abstract: A switch valve includes a valve body, a control stem rotatably mounted on the valve body to open/close a water flow in the valve body, a limit ring mounted on the valve body to encompass the control stem, and a rotation head removably mounted on the limit ring and detachably engaged with the control stem for rotating the control stem. Thus, the distal end of the control stem is only rotated by rotation of the rotation head to rotate the control stem so as to open/close the water flow in the valve body, so that the switch valve has a locking effect, thereby preventing the switch valve from being opened by a person intentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Wen Sheng Fu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 7108599
    Abstract: A pitch circle radius of a driving side gear of a drive mechanism of an air mix door is continuously and progressively increased from a maximum heating position side part to a maximum cooling position side part. A pitch circle radius of a driven side gear of the drive mechanism is continuously and progressively increased from a maximum cooling position side part to a maximum heating position side part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventor: Michihiro Kachi
  • Patent number: 7080821
    Abstract: A valve with a structure limiting of the turning angle of the valve knob includes a valve and knob installed on the valve. The valve contains a raised tube, which contains a globe valve brake axle protruding in the center; and the knob contains a connecting groove which can be affixed to the top of the globe valve brake axle. One side of the raised tube of the valve forms a section of fillister plane along the circumference, and two crosswise ends of the fillister plane form first and second blades vertically. The bottom of the connecting groove of the knob forms an expanded groove, and one side of the fillister plane forms an inner protrusion. The structure of the turning angle of the knob is completed concealed inside the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Li-Chin Su
  • Patent number: 7021258
    Abstract: A learning apparatus for a variable valve control of an internal combustion engine includes a variable valve operating mechanism, an actuator that rotationally drives the control shaft, a control shaft sensor that detects an angular position of the control shaft, a reference position determining section that determines whether or not the control shaft has reached a predetermined reference position under the drive from the actuator, a learning section that learns an output value of the control shaft sensor when it is determined that the control shaft has reached the reference position and stores the learned output value as a sensor output reference value, and a learning preparing section that causes the control shaft to be driven by the actuator toward the reference position when a crankshaft of the engine is rotating and supply of fuel to the engine is stopped. A learning method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneyasu Nohara, Yuuzou Akasaka, Katsuhiko Kawamura, Hajime Miura, Satoshi Nishii
  • Patent number: 6923430
    Abstract: A valve which intended to control the flow of a fluid, for example a gas, comprises a valve body (50), an internal member for opening and shutting-off the passage of the gases, an operating handwheel (56) connected to the opening and shut-off member, and means limiting movement of the operating handwheel (56) and of the opening and shut-off member in the direction of opening of the valve. To avoid the valve jamming in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member includes a stop (60) and of a mating stop (62), with frontal contact, arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body of the valve (50) or vice versa. To ensure optimum contact between the stop (60) and the mating stop (62), the latter forms part of an element the angular position of which can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Torrent Trading, Ltd.
    Inventors: Léon Kerger, Claude Goffin
  • Patent number: 6913241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuating device with an electromotive rotary drive, via which an actuating element can be driven rotatably about an axis of rotation between a first end position and a second end position and can be acted upon out of the first end position by a spring. The electromotive actuating drive includes a reversing drive and the spring action upon the actuating element is effective between the first end position and an intermediate position. The spring action is ineffective between the intermediate position and the second end position. The intermediate position lies between the first end position and the second end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Eugen Bernarding, Rajko Colic, Thomas Mann
  • Patent number: 6854709
    Abstract: Throttles (10) include a bore (1b) defined within throttle body (1a). A longitudinal axis defined within the bore serves as a throttle air flow channel. Throttle shaft (3) extends across the air flow channel and is rotatably supported by the throttle body about a rotational axis. Throttle valve (5) is coupled to the throttle shaft and opens and closes the air flow channel by rotating throttle shaft and throttle valve within the bore. The throttle valve extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the bore when the throttle valve is disposed in a fully closed position. Clearance (S) is defined between a peripheral edge (5a) of throttle valve and an inner wall of the bore when the throttle valve is in the fully closed position. The peripheral edge of the throttle valve end defines a substantially spherical surface having a radius (R) of curvature with respect to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kawai, Kazuhiko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6808056
    Abstract: A stop apparatus for a gear actuator includes a traveling stop nut that has adjustable positions and travels on a screw on an input shaft. The stop nut is mounted to threadably travel on the stop screw. A stop guide is attached to the stop screw and prevents rotation of the stop screw relative to the gear actuator and permits longitudinal travel of the stop screw during rotation of the input shaft. The stop nut abuts a stop surface upon a predermined amount of rotation of the input shaft to prevent further rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Steven K. Neu, James E. Barker
  • Patent number: 6758242
    Abstract: A rotational limit stop comprising a substantially circular disc having an upper surface, a lower surface and a perimeter surface, the perimeter surface containing a plurality of teeth on one portion thereof, a central aperture passing through the center of the circular disc, and a plurality of resilient spring legs extending downwards from the lower surface of the disc, such that the resilient spring legs of the rotational limit stop flex to accommodate the compression forces as a faucet assembly containing the rotational limit stop is being assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventors: Jacob Jones, Christopher W. Conlisk, Kyle H. McMains, Gerald J. McNerney
  • Publication number: 20040089834
    Abstract: A main valve body has a first passage, a second passage, and an opening which intersects the first passage and the second passage. A main plug body is rotatably inserted into the opening, and has an upper section into which a handle is inserted, and a lower section having a through-hole. An O-ring is seated on an annular groove which is provided in the vicinity of the through-hole. A seal-retaining member for preventing the O-ring from projecting is fitted to an expanded diameter section of the first passage. One end of the seal-retaining member tightly contacts an end surface of the expanded diameter section. A curved surface corresponding to an inner circumferential surface of the opening is formed at the other end of the seal-retaining member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Aoshima, Takashi Tozaki
  • Patent number: 6722631
    Abstract: A valve device has an outer sleeve with a first end to be secured in an orifice of a container. A second end is releasably attached to a receptacle. Walls define a generally cylindrical support passage which extends from said first end to said second end. An inner sleeve is within the support passage with walls defining a generally outer surface adjacent the walls of the outer sleeve. The walls rotatably support the inner sleeve and define an internal through passage. A butterfly valve member is in the through passage. The butterfly valve has diametrically opposed first and second pivot stubs which extend at least into the walls of the inner sleeve to rotatably support the butterfly valve. The walls of the outer sleeve have a profiled opening into which the first pivot stub extends. The first pivot stub includes a cam member which interacts with the profiled opening. Relative rotation of the inner and outer sleeves causes the butterfly valve member to rotate between a closed state and an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Aventis Cropscience S.A.
    Inventor: Patrick Warren Bailey
  • Patent number: 6708948
    Abstract: A stopcock for controlling ducts in a medical endoscopes passing flux media, including a housing made of a hard material and rotatably receiving a conical plug in a conical seat crossed by a duct. The housing subtends, in the direction of the axis of rotation and beyond the larger opening of the conical seat, a bearing collar which supports a rotary body that is rotatable about the axis of rotation. The rotary body is fitted outside said housing with a handle and is rotationally coupled with the plug. The rotary body is axially displaceable and biased by a spring relative to the plug and is further fitted with a radially elastic detent device, which in the assembled state of the stopcock is configured inside the housing. The rotary body, by operation of the detent device, acts in a locking manner against the spring action on the bearing collar. The rotary body includes a prefabricated rupture site that, following deliberate rupture, exposes the snap-in device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Nösel
  • Patent number: 6698716
    Abstract: A suction valve for water bag, includes a mounting block fastened to the water outlet tube of a collapsible water bag and adapted for guiding water out of the water outlet tube, a rotary valve block coupled to the mounting block for free rotation between a first position where the valve block closes the water passage through the mounting block and a second position where the valve block opens the water passage through the mounting block, a flexible suction nozzle threaded onto a tubular front screw rod of the rotary valve block for enabling the user to suck when the valve block rotated to the second position, and a hygienic cap adapted for protecting the flexible suction nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 6681793
    Abstract: A top-entry ball valve assembly that includes top and bottom camming plates which are coupled to top and bottom shoulders of the ball valve member. The camming plates include a first pair of opposing camming corner-surfaces to displace the spring-biased valve seat from the perimeter of the ball valve member when it is rotated between open and closed positions. The plates further include a second pair of opposing camming corner-surfaces to fully retract the spring-biased valve seat when being serviced so that the retraction tool can be inserted to hold the seats in place with little or no damage to the forward end of the seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Jeff Mike
  • Patent number: 6676109
    Abstract: A rotary valve includes a main valve body that includes a body, a seat disposed in the body and a valve body disposed in the body so that the valve body is rotatable through the seat that are modulated as a common component part. A stem pierces the body and imparts opening and closing motions to the valve body. An attaching-detaching part is disposed at a position at which the stem pierces the body. An operating part is disposed on the stem and is adapted to operate the valve body. A coupling part is detachably fastened at one end thereof to the attaching-detaching part and is mounted at the other end thereof on the operating part for joining the attaching-detaching part and the operating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kitz Corporation
    Inventors: Chikashi Gomi, Masaru Takusagawa
  • Patent number: 6640390
    Abstract: A valve knob is provided with a first confinement slot and a second confinement slot symmetrical to the first confinement slot. Both confinement slots have a first stop wall and a second stop wall to facilitate the confining of the valve knob at ON position and OFF position in conjunction with an arresting block of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hung-Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 6626203
    Abstract: A sanitary mixing valve having two valve disks (1, 2) arranged in a cartridge casing (7), one of which is held in a rotationally fixed manner while the other can be moved by means of a driving element (4) provided on a spindle (3) is created, whereby the driving element (94) has at least one stop projection (5, 15) which, in cooperation with at least one stop (6, 26) on the cartridge casing (7), limits the rotational movement of the driving element (4), whereby the driving element (4) consists of a part (8), which is fixedly connected to the spindle (30) and has a gearing (9) in at least one portion of its outer circumference, and a coupling (10), which has on its inner circumferential surface a gearing (11) which, in the installed state, engages the gearing (9) of the fixedly connected part (8) of the driving element (4), whereby the minimum of one stop projections (5, 15) of the driving element (4) is provided on the coupling (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Hermann-Josef Schneider
  • Patent number: 6540206
    Abstract: The present finding relates to a bidirectional ball valve usable particularly for ecological frigorific gases, which has a valve body housing a ball shutter connected to a control rod sealingly protruding from said valve body. The peculiarity of the finding is in that the ball shutter is turnable by 180° and is provided with a through hole on the side surface, and in the closing step can be arranged in the incoming flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fratelli Guerra KMP Srl
    Inventor: Daniela Guerra
  • Tap
    Publication number: 20030047701
    Abstract: The tap intended for controlling the flow of a fluid, for example of a gas, comprises a tap body (34), an inner member (36) for opening and closing the passage of the gases, an outer rotary operating handwheel (42), a connection means (40) connecting the operating handwheel (42) to the closing member (36) and means limiting the movement of the operating handwheel (42) and of the opening and closing member (36) in the opening direction of the tap. In order to avoid the tap becoming jammed in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member consist of an abutment (44) and a counterabutment (46) with frontal contact, which are arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body (34) of the tap, or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Torrent Trading Ltd.
    Inventors: Leon Kerger, Jean-Claude Schmitz
  • Publication number: 20020125453
    Abstract: A handle drive mechanism for use of in operating a water control valve having an outwardly extending valve stem, includes a stem adapter having a bore which is sized and configured to received the stem and to rotate it concurrently with the stem adapter. There is a stop tube extending about the stem and stem adapter with cooperating stop elements on these two members to limit rotation of the stem adapter and valve stem. A handle base extends about and is engaged with the stem adapter and a screw extends through the handle base and stem adapter to attach these elements to the valve stem. A handle cap is attached to the handle base and masks the screw with the handle cap having a plurality of generally centrally positioned inwardly directed flexible hooks which engage with and interlock to the handle base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Edward R. Donath, Matthew S. McMaster, Davor G. Mandic
  • Patent number: 6431520
    Abstract: The safety valve for fluids subject of this Patent is a spherical valve for a straight or right-angle (90°) flow and a quarter-turn. Its structure comprises: a box (1) having a small central cylindrical recess (2) on its bottom, and two diametrically opposed notches (6) in its neck (5). A spherical body (4) provided with two throats (8) on its driving shaft (7) and a central cylindrical projection (3) on the bottom end of the axis of longitudinal symmetry. An intermediate tube-shaped part (10) between the shaft (7) of the body (4) and the neck (5) on the box (1), provided with two peripheral throats (11). A washer (13) provided with two diametrically opposed radial projections (14). A manual control (15) provided with two diametrically opposed dissymmetrical projections (16)-(17). The sealing means are: two O-ring seals (9) on the driving shaft (7) and a further two (12) on the intermediate part. Two annular elastic seals (18) between the box (1) passages and the spherical body (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Valvulas Arco. S.A.
    Inventor: Jose María Ferrer Beltran
  • Patent number: 6409148
    Abstract: The combination of a shower valve having a metallic movable stem to control operation of the valve and a non-metallic high strength composite handle adapter secured to the stem for movement therewith, with the non-metallic handle adapter preventing galvanic corrosion between the metallic valve stem and a metallic handle attached to the handle adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: James F. Dempsey, John C. Holzheimer, Matt R. Kesti
  • Patent number: 6390128
    Abstract: A cold/hot water switching/controlling valve structure of a mono-spout faucet, which includes a valve main body, an adjusting seat, a restricting member, an upper switching/controlling valve, a lower switching/controlling valve, and a switching/controlling seat. The restricting member can be directly taken out for re-adjusting the restricting member to a desired position so as to easily adjust the amount of discharged hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Kuching International Ltd.
    Inventor: Ping-Jung Tung
  • Patent number: 6382590
    Abstract: A distribution valve is formed of a tubular body, a rotating body, a spherical body, and a handle. The tubular body is provided with a fitting tube in communication with the hollow interior of the tubular body. The spherical body is rotatably disposed in the interior of the tubular body such that the spherical body is located by the handle via the rotating body which is fastened at one end with the handle, and is engaged at the other end to the spherical body. The rotation of the spherical body is confined by a pin which is turned along with the rotating body within the confines of a pin hole of a predetermined length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Cheng-Yui Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yin-Ke Wu
  • Patent number: 6382592
    Abstract: A valve has a valve body, a valve sheet formed in the valve body which contacts the valve sheet in an axial direction, to thereby open and close the valve sheet with a knurling portion and a screwing action. A handle is combined with a handle combination unit formed in an upper portion of the valve body, so that a valve rod can ascend and descend. An oil storage chamber is located between the knurling portion and the screw, to maintain the ascending and descending of the valve rod. The angular slope in the screw thread is formed so as open and close the valve by 90° rotation of the valve rod. A stem contacts the valve sheet, the stem having a conical end portion, which is received by the valve sheet. The handle is flexibly manipulated to simply and swiftly control flow and entrance/exit of fluid. The valve can be used semi-perpetually since wear of the valve sheet is prevented, providing excellent general purpose usability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Jong Wok Kim
  • Patent number: 6371439
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the central position of the pistons and the angular position of the pinion in a valve driving actuator comprises a tubular body in which are tightly movably arranged a first and second pistons having opposite racks, meshing with a central pinion which can turn through discrete angles. The main feature of the invention is that the inventive device further comprises limit means for limiting the stroke of the pistons toward the pinion, which means can be accessed from the outside of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Giovanni Trevisan