Detachable Actuator Patents (Class 251/291)
  • Publication number: 20020079475
    Abstract: A Portable Cooler Valve Activator includes a body, plunger tab, capturing tabs, flange gaps, ridge dimples, strap hole, and textured area. A Portable Cooler Valve Activator enables a user to maintain a valve plunger of variable sizes and depths in a depressed position. A Portable Cooler Valve Activator also allows a user to have both hands free from holding the valve plunger or Portable Cooler Valve Activator so both hands may be used to wash or hold a glass of fluid. The use of a Portable Cooler Valve Activator results in cleaner hands, valve, and plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: James F. Weir
  • Patent number: 6408886
    Abstract: This attachment assembly comprises a housing with channel-shaped walls with detents to snap over the valve housing. It also comprises an electrically powered rack and pinion drive which is fastened to the handle of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Seitz Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Milano, Jr., Herman J. Parent
  • Patent number: 6378548
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve assembly includes a valve housing having two or more fluid ports and defining both a valve chamber extending therebetween for fluid flow therethrough and an access port leading into the valve chamber. A bonnet covers the access port and defines an opening therein through which a valve stem arrangement extends. The valve stem arrangement includes a valve seat disposed within the valve chamber. The valve stem arrangement is slidable through the opening in the bonnet between a first position, wherein the valve seat is disposed in sealing engagement with a fluid port to thereby define a closed position of the valve assembly, and a second position, wherein the valve seat is disengaged from the first fluid port to thereby define an open position of the valve assembly. A diaphragm surrounds and is attached to the valve stem arrangement to form a seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: United Dominion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry A. Norton, Gary Lee Ferguson
  • Patent number: 6361019
    Abstract: A connection for joining an actuator to a valve comprising providing at least two flanged pins each in the body of the valve, providing at least two mating holes in a body of the actuator, the mating holes being aligned with the pins, providing a tapped hole transverse to each of the mating holes, the valve body being joined to the actuator such that the pins mate slidably with the holes, with set screws in the tapped holes engaging the flanged pins to axially tension the pins to draw the valve body into physical contact with the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Parker & Harper Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Massey
  • Publication number: 20020030171
    Abstract: An opening/closing valve has an attachment/detachment mechanism for detachably interconnecting a valve body and a bonnet. The attachment/detachment mechanism comprises a first annular groove provided at a connecting recess of the valve body, a second annular groove provided at a connecting projection of the bonnet, and an elastic semiannular member. The elastic semiannular member is installed to the first annular groove and the second annular groove respectively when the valve body and the bonnet are interconnected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Toyonobu Sakurai, Akira Enzaki
  • Patent number: 6349622
    Abstract: A multipurpose tool suitable for opening a number of different valve structures such as commonly found in public service domains such as fire hydrants, natural gas, fire trucks, etc. The tool is compact and is designed to grip a number of different size valve stems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventors: Stephan Lemaire, Patrick Mellot
  • Patent number: 6305663
    Abstract: A handless or footless operation of an electrical automatic water flow control apparatus for turning water on and off without touching the faucet lever of a faucet. The electrical water flow control apparatus is installed in line between the water shutoff valves from the wall and the water supply lines that descend from a faucet. The flow control apparatus includes a housing which houses a pair of solenoid operated valves. Each solenoid operated valve has an inlet port and an outlet port, where the ports are protruding through a wall of the housing. The inlet ports are connected to the hot and cold water shutoff valves by flexible hoses. The outlet ports are connected to the water supply lines from the faucet by flexible hoses. The electrical flow control apparatus further comprises an elongated bar switch actuator and a transformer which supplies power to the solenoid operated valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Gerald W. Miller
  • Publication number: 20010020692
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely venting or opening a container sealed by a bung. The apparatus comprises a support structure, a means for attachment to the container by a strap, a bung wrench, and means for aligning and rotatably supporting the bung wrench. The alignment means allows the bung wrench to accommodate any deformation of the container face. The bung wrench can include a ratchet for multiple turns of the bung. An extension arm is connected to the bung wrench, and a cable is attachable to the end of the extension arm. The cable is attached to the extension arm, and extended away from the container in a direction whereby pulling the cable sufficient to move the extension arm will produce the desired rotation of the bung, thereby venting the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Daniel D. Ford, John S. Gala
  • Patent number: 6263903
    Abstract: An arrangement intended for a stop valve (1) comprises a tubular member (9). The stop valve (1) is located in the ground (2) and has a valve housing (11) and a valve bonnet (12) fixed thereto with the aid of a fixing means (14), said valve bonnet having a valve spindle (15) supporting a movable stop means (16), such as a slide. The tubular member (9) extends from the valve (1) up to ground level to enable operation of the valve spindle (15). A collar means (10′) is tightly connected with and supported by the valve housing (11). The collar means (10′) has a collar portion (32) which surrounds the valve bonnet (12) and the fixing means (14) and is tightly connected with the lower end of the tubular member (9), the diameter of the tubular member (9) essentially corresponding to the diameter of the collar portion (32). Moreover, the arrangement comprises a pipe access means (12′), which instead of the valve bonnet (12) from ground level is tightly mountable on said valve housing (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Sjöberg
  • Patent number: 6250605
    Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry G. Young
  • Patent number: 6220285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting/closing the shut-off valve (2) of a gas bottle or a similar container. The device comprises a frame (7), a turning means (5), a coupling element (6) fitted to the regulating element (3) of the shut-off valve (2) of the gas bottle, and power transmission elements (8, 9, 10, 11) for the transmission of the motion of the turning means (5) to the regulating element (3). The turning means makes it easier to open/close the gas bottle. The turning means can serve as a valve state indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Mauri Hattunen
  • Patent number: 6152165
    Abstract: A tire air valve (core) mounting and dismounting tool 20 includes a tool head portion 21, a shank portion 22 and a grip portion 23. The tool head portion 21 has a slot 32 for seizing and holding a valve core head portion 16, an axial bore 33 for accepting a valve core shaft portion 14 and its enlarged end 14a. The tool head portion 21 also has annular groove 34 formed along a cylindrical peripheral surface thereof. Balls 36 are retained in second bores 35 which are open to the annular groove 34 and also communicate with the axial bore 33 through openings 37 of a reduced diameter to allow the balls 36 to partially protrude into the axial bore 33. A coil spring 38 is anchored and fastened in the annular groove 34 to act to normally bias the ball 36 radially inwards and leave the balls 36 protruding into the axial bore 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Alma Trading Incorporated
    Inventor: Takanori Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6135417
    Abstract: An actuator for controlling the rotation of a valve spindle relative to a valve body (5). The actuator is in the form of an actuator body which receives a rotatable hub (6). The actuator body (3) is secured to the valve body by for example a mounting plate (7) which is bolted to the valve body or straps which are clamped to pipework connected to the valve body. The hub is retained in a predetermined position adjacent the valve body by the actuator body such that it may rotate with the valve spindle. Jaws (15) are mounted on the hub which may be clamped into engagement with the valve spindle so that torque applied to the hub by for example an actuator bar (12) is transmitted to the valve spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: EJA Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin J. Wadsworth, Stephen L. Foster
  • Patent number: 6109292
    Abstract: A method and system for installing, removing and actuation a rotatable keyed actuation portion or lower valve stem portion of a fire hydrant or other valve device consisting of a first device for installing a rotatable keyed actuation portion, a second device for removing a rotatable keyed actuation portion and a third device for actuating a rotatable keyed actuation portion or a lower valve stem portion of a fire hydrant or other valve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Peter M. Fox
  • Patent number: 6089531
    Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Safoco, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry G. Young
  • Patent number: 6089253
    Abstract: A fire hydrant security system for mounting on a standpipe of a fire hydrant wherein the hydrant has a mounting surface with holes therethrough and a bonnet mounted on the mounting surface, the bonnet surrounding a valve operating spindle assembly. The system includes a security gap which is surrounded by a protective collar spaced from the security cap to define an annular gap. An operating tool having a socket which fits into the gap and surrounds the security cap is used to couple the security cap to the valve operating spindle to open the fire hydrant. The protective collar is preferably made of forged ductile iron and is bolted to the fire hydrant by being bolted to a mounting surface on the standpipe or by being secured by bolts to the bonnet. The security cap is thus protected from blows by sledge hammers wielded by vandals and water thieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hydra-Shield Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry J. Stehling, Roy Istre
  • Patent number: 6086040
    Abstract: In a valve assembly (1) comprising a pressure medium operated valve (2) and a control unit (5) which is mounted on the end of the actuator (3,4) facing away from the valve (2), the control unit (5) comprises a pressure medium passage (17) having a first end for supplying a pressure medium. The control unit (5) is provided with a coupling (26,27) on the end facing the actuator for releasable connection with coupling members (25) on the actuator (3,4) at axial, non-rotational joining with the actuator (3,4). A second end of the pressure medium passage (17) ends in a branch (20) or opening for pressure medium tight connection with an opening (21) or a branch respectively in the actuator (3,4) at the joining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: APV Fluid Handling Horsens A/S
    Inventor: Poul Skadborg Petersen
  • Patent number: 6073907
    Abstract: A valve actuator assembly is provided for use with a valve body. The valve body includes a valve member for controlling flow of fluid through the valve body, which is mounted to a valve stem having an external connector portion. The valve body includes engagement structure, and the valve actuator is removably engageable with the valve body via a latching member movable into and out of engagement with the engagement structure. The valve body is configured such that a valve actuator providing either normally closed or normally open operation can be mounted to the valve body. The valve actuator includes a motor having an output engageable with a drive gear, which in turn is engageable with the valve stem when the valve actuator is mounted to the valve body. The actuator can be changed from providing normally open operation to providing normal closed operation simply by replacing one drive gear of the valve actuator with another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Schreiner, Jr., John H. Schlais, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6062539
    Abstract: A valve gear comprises a valve 1 having a valve element and a valve stem, and an actuator having a driving shaft for operating the valve element of the valve. A connecting portion 7 is provided on either the valve or the actuator. A sleeve having a smooth inner surface is fixedly or rotatably fitted in a bore formed in the connecting portion 7 so as to slidably receive the valve stem and the driving shaft and slidably contact the inner smooth surface of the sleeve with outer surfaces of the valve stem and the driving shaft. The valve stem and the driving shaft inserted into the sleeve through the opposite ends, of the sleeve are provided at their end portions with respective coupling portions, so that the stem and the shaft are able to engage with each other only at the particular one point of relative rotation of the stem and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Toko Valex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Kawabe, Iwao Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6015134
    Abstract: An actuator used to close and open a shut-in valve of a flowline. An indicator rod is threadedly connected to a connector which, in turn, is threadedly connected to the valve stem of the shut-in valve. A compression spring extends between a diaphragm plate and the bottom of the actuator. The shut-in valve is opened by pneumatic pressure above the diaphragm and the compression spring closes the shut-in valve by moving the valve stem when the pneumatic pressure above the diaphragm is exhausted to the atmosphere. The actuator including the compression spring may be disconnected from the bonnet on which the actuator is attached by rotating the indicator rod and removing the attachment bolts between the actuator and the attachment flange. The connector will be left on the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Barber Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence William Johnson
  • Patent number: 6014984
    Abstract: The valve comprises an operating wheel connected by a connecting rod to an opening and closing member. The valve is sealed by a stuffening box fixed into the upper part of the body around the rod. The stuffening box has a polygonal head so that it can be screwed and unscrewed. However the head is not accessible using a conventional spanner so as to prevent a non-specialist form slackening of the stuffing box and avoid him risking an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Schmitz, Leon Kerger
  • Patent number: 6007047
    Abstract: A device for actuating a valve including a body having a slot therein. A pin is positioned within the slot, and the pin is attachable to a valve stem of a valve, whereby when the valve stem is attached to the pin and the pin is moved within the slot, the valve stem moves therewith and actuates the valve. There is also a rotary actuator assembly including a rotary actuator, a body having a chamber therein attached to the actuator, and a valve associated therewith. A slot is provided in part of the chamber, and a pin extends through the slot for guiding movement of the valve stem of the valve when the valve stem is attached to the pin and the rotary actuator is actuated. The slot may be configured as a helical slot. A piston may be provided between the valve stem and the pin. The configuration of the slot may be varied for changing the length of movement of the pin, so as to change the length of movement of a valve stem attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Inventor: Jack M. Phipps
  • Patent number: 5988587
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a fluid supplying machine. The control device includes a first handle and a second handle connected by a resilient attachment member. The resilient attachment member is configured to allow the first handle to move with respect to the second handle in response to an input from an operator. The control device further includes a sensor attached to the first handle for producing a variable control signal indicative of a distance between the first handle and the second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Invasatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug Duchon, Vince Copa
  • Patent number: 5941274
    Abstract: A method and system for securing the exposed valve stem of the hydrant valve system in order to conserve valuable reserve resources and maintain street water pressure by restricting the unauthorized use therefrom; including a first device keying the exposed valve stem, a second devise containing the exposed portion of the keyed valve stem, a third devise for maintaining ease of rotation, a fourth device for securing the second device to the existing valve system, and a fifth device for engaging and operating the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Peter M. Fox
  • Patent number: 5850846
    Abstract: A single-control valve having a valve housing and a stem projecting along a stem axis from the housing and displaceable relative to the housing to control flow through the valve has a handle assembly having a handle body having an actuating arm, a cup-shaped part spacedly surrounding the stem and projecting toward the valve housing, and a mounting collar fittable snugly over the stem. An annular cover skirt us supported on the body by interengaging formations for displacement of the skirt relative to the body between an access position forming with the body an access hole and a use position closely snugly juxtaposed with the body and closing the hole. A fastener engaged is in the collar with the stem and accessible through the hole by a tool only in the access position of the skirt. The fastener is hidden by the skirt in the use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Friedrich Grohe AG
    Inventors: Fred Hannemann, Roland Weiss
  • Patent number: 5810051
    Abstract: The valve operating apparatus cycles valves between open and closed positions. The valve operating apparatus includes a trailer for use in towing behind other vehicles, for instance, behind a pickup truck. The trailer includes an engine, pump, battery, reservoir and a bidirectionally oriented motor which is suspended from a telescoping extension bar. The operation of the valve operating apparatus is substantially balanced and requires very little effort by the operator to operate. Specifically, the operator does not have to push down or lift the apparatus as it is substantially balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Rex International USA Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Campagna, Jon Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5803110
    Abstract: An improved fire hydrant having a lower portion and an upper portion. Under normal circumstances the upper portion is simulated fire hydrant made of resilient plastic and connected to the lower hydrant by a special fitting attached to the rim of the hydrant and opened or closed by a key. The special fitting is fastened to a plate projecting upwardly from the lower hydrant. The plate is connected to the lower hydrant through a segmented collar that is secured around a flange of a basket housing. In case of a fire the simulated fire hydrant is replaced by a light weight metal portable hydrant on which the key is suspended, and transported on a fire truck. The portable hydrant has a plurality of dowels that fit into grooves located on an upper extension of the lower fire hydrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Milton Segal
  • Patent number: 5797417
    Abstract: A valve-automatic-pilot couples to electrovalves that control a watering cycle.The automatic-pilot includes a U-shaped magnetic circuit having two vertically spaced, parallel, and horizontally extending legs. The upper leg of the magnetic circuit carries a permanent magnet. An electrical coil is mounted between the two legs of the magnet circuit with a bottom of the coil abutting the lower leg of the magnetic circuit, with the top of the coil spaced from the top leg of the magnetic circuit, and with an open central axis of the coil extending vertically. A vertically movable retaining block is internal of the coil and is spring biased downward to a valve-closed position. When the block is in its valve-closed and first bistable position, a large air gap prevents the magnet from moving the block upward to its valve-open position. A momentary pulse of coil-current of one polarity moves the block upward to its valve-open and second bistable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventors: Sylvain DeLattre, Gilles DeLattre
  • Patent number: 5762088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gauging device for use in a tanker railcar having a manway cover for attaching a valve having a valve stem, that the manway cover having an opening and a valve mounting recess, a checkvalve positioned in that the manway opening, that the checkvalve having a valve stem contact area, that the gauging device having a plate sized to fit across that the manway cover opening and engage that the valve mounting recess on that the manway cover and that the plate having an opening therethrough, that the opening positioned to substantially align with that the valve stem contact area of a checkvalve. Slidable in that the opening in that the plate is a calibration member, that the calibration member having one end adapted to engage that the valve stem contact area of a check valve and that the calibration member having at least one indicia placed thereon for indicating that the relative position of a checkvalve contact area with respect to a valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: ProVaCon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Crochet, Edward A. Sentilles, III
  • Patent number: 5746416
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor having one end for activating a valve and another end for connection to a rod said adaptor including a socket at said one end to register with said valve for operating said valve, and including a slot at said other end for receiving and pivotally connecting to said rod. The invention also teaches a pin removal tool for removing pins underground from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Christopher John Paylor
  • Patent number: 5727590
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a shroud permanently or removably rotatably mounted on the packing nut in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a configuration on the hydrant nut actuating body between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Julicher, Thomas R. Lanham
  • Patent number: 5722450
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for a fire hydrant including a hydrant nut actuating body for mounting on a hydrant nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on a first end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a cap rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body, a spring mounted within the hydrant nut actuating body and secured to the cap for biasing the cap over the wrench-receiving portion, and a specialized wrench for retracting the cap and engaging the wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body to thereby turn the hydrant nut actuating body and a hydrant nut coupled thereto. The shroud may be removably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body to permit access to set screws which secure the hydrant nut actuating body to the hydrant nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5704589
    Abstract: A gas tank valve and yoke for mounting gas passaging structure on the valve in which a gas tank valve stem and yoke set screw are both adapted to be engaged by a single wrench. The same wrench turns the valve stem to open and close the gas tank valve, and turns the set screw into secure engagement with the gas tank valve to hold the yoke in a fixed, self-retaining position on the valve. A torque rod is connected to the outer end portion of the set screw for conjoint rotational movement with the set screw about the longitudinal axis of the set screw for turning the set screw. Pin and hole arrangements on the yoke and valve body are provided to discriminate against using an undesired gas or gas passaging structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Victor Equipment Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Canuteson
  • Patent number: 5704392
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for cycling a valve having a valve operator for rotationally operating the valve. The apparatus includes a rotary actuator having an output shaft for developing a rotational force and a torque-sensing release clutch for transferring the rotational force to the valve operator. The torque-sensing release clutch decouples the rotational force from the valve operator upon sensing torque at least as great as a preset torque limit. In a preferred embodiment, an adaptive mounting assembly mounts the apparatus to the valve, providing three-dimensional adjustment of the clutch position relative to the valve operator. A counter counts turns of the valve operator to measure and indicate position of the valve, and a switch disables the rotary actuator when the clutch decouples the rotational force from the valve operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Valve Management Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Frew
  • Patent number: 5647397
    Abstract: In a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated valve, in particular, a diaphragm valve, that comprises a valve body that can be actuated via a coupling rod (14), the coupling rod (14) is held in the corresponding position for adjusting a minimum flow cross section via an adjustable limit stop. The coupling rod (14) passes through the housing cover (12) of a valve housing (10) and serves as an indicator for the valve position.The coupling rod (14) is guided in a sliding fashion inside a sleeve (16), with said sleeve (16) engaging with a threaded bushing (20) that is connected with the housing cover (12) in a fixed manner via an external thread (18), and with said sleeve being able to be displaced in its axial direction (z) by means of a screw-turning motion. A limit stop part (22) that can be brought into contact with the face side (26) of the sleeve (16) situated opposite the valve body is fixed on the free end of the coupling rod (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Management AG
    Inventors: Martin Heiniger, Walter Bannwarth
  • Patent number: 5632301
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for a fire hydrant including a hydrant nut actuating body for mounting on a hydrant nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on a first end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a cap rotatably mounted on a second end portion of the hydrant nut actuating body, a wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body, a spring mounted within the hydrant nut actuating body and secured to the cap for biasing the cap over the wrench-receiving portion, and a specialized wrench for retracting the cap and engaging the wrench-receiving portion on the hydrant nut actuating body to thereby turn the hydrant nut actuating body and a hydrant nut coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5630442
    Abstract: A tamper resistant construction for preventing unauthorized actuation of the hydrant nut of a fire hydrant by causing any lateral pounding or upward forces applied to the tamper resistant construction to be transmitted directly to the hydrant body cover of the fire hydrant including a packing nut threaded into the hydrant body cover proximate the hydrant nut, a hydrant nut actuating body located within the packing nut and mounted on the hydrant nut in turning relationship therewith, a groove in the packing nut, a plurality of studs extending between the hydrant nut actuating body and the groove in the packing nut, a shroud rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body in closely spaced relationship to a cap rotatably mounted on the hydrant nut actuating body, and a limited space between the cap and the shroud for receiving a special wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: McGard, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Julicher
  • Patent number: 5622201
    Abstract: A bucket valve with a removable handle includes a tubular valve body, a piston disposed with the valve body and a crank arm integrally formed of a central sleeve and two spaced fingers. The fingers are pivotally retained to the piston. A drive shaft is drivingly disposed in and extends from the central sleeve of the crank arm to project through and beyond the valve body to connect by a distal tip thereof to a handle via an axle sleeve. An `L`-shaped latch is resiliently retained in the axle sleeve whereby the combined axle sleeve and handle are removably retained to the drive shaft. The handle has a forked tip forming an outer upper face, a central fork and an outer lower face against each of which a knob can abut in a first, second and third position respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: King Chang
  • Patent number: 5588460
    Abstract: A hydrant protector for preventing unauthorized use of the hydrant includes an internally threaded tubular shleld around the valve stem. To prevent a collection of trash in the shield and to provide more security for the hydrant a threaded plug fits completely into the shield and against the end of the valve stem and has, in the flat exterior end, a pentagonal keyway of deep grooves. A wrench having a pentagonal tubular socket to fit the keyway will also fit the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Aaron B. Meneses
  • Patent number: 5560824
    Abstract: A filter device has a housing with connections for a fluid and can be secured to a filter pot. The filter has a filter element secured by a holder. A closure prevents the undesired leakage of fluid. The closure has two sealing plates with at least partly bound openings in mutually staggered array in two different planes. The openings can be mutually moved under the effect of a power store for closing or opening the openings. As the filter pot is moved further away from the housing, the closure gradually seals at least one of the connections and/or the filter pot off from the environment. The filter device has a universally usable closure which can be economically produced, requires little space inside the device and operates reliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Sann, Jurgen Hausdorf
  • Patent number: 5525301
    Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating a sample to or withdrawing a sample from a vessel or conduit includes a body with an internal sample cavity, a valve operating rod movable to open and close an orifice to the sample cavity a coupler to attach the body to a port of the vessel or conduit. A manual and/or automatic device can be provided for moving the valve operating rod to open and close the orifice. The manual device includes a trigger actuator. A portion of the sample cavity is formed by an endcap which includes the orifice. The sample cavity has an inner wall and outer wall with a space therebetween. The space can thermally insulate the sample cavity from the ambient environment as well as the interior of the vessel or conduit. The valve operating rod has a diaphragm attached to one end. A blunt sealing tip of the diaphragm seals the orifice when the valve operating rod moves to close the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignees: NL Technologies, Ltd., University of Maryland at College Park
    Inventors: Douglas A. Newberg, Vjekoslav Pavlin
  • Patent number: 5520210
    Abstract: A protective shield for a fire hydrant operating stub is provided which allows direct access to the operating stub by standard authorized tools without requiring the removal of any portion of the shield. The shield includes an inner ring with a peripheral groove which carries a snap ring. A cylindrical outer ring is carried on the snap ring and rotates freely on the snap ring without causing the operating stub to rotate. The outer ring preferably has two recesses formed in its surface to allow placement of authorized tools directly on the operating stub without removing any portion of the shield and the recesses are formed to prevent placement of standard pipe wrenches on the operating stub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: James M. Barton
  • Patent number: 5505226
    Abstract: A sturdy mount is provided between a valve body bonnet (38) and a actuator frame (21) to reduce the transfer of heat from a valve body (39) to a actuator frame (21). Holes (18) in legs (28 a b c) reduce heat transfer through legs (28 a b c). Heat shield (27) blocks radiant heat from a hot valve body from reaching the actuator frame (21) and also acts as a radiator of heat to the surrounding air. Bolt (30) is free to move through bushing (26) located in the center of heat shield (27). Jamb nut (24) and spring plate (23) am screwed on to the threaded end of bolt (30). Legs (28 a b c) are attached to heat shield (27) with welds (19) on one edge to allow legs (28 a b c) to be spread slightly when installing on valve body bonnet (38). Slots (17) in legs (28 ) snap in place around valve body bonnet (38) Hose clamp (29) pulls legs (28 a b c) tightly to the valve body bonnet (38) creating a sturdy mount for heat shield (27) and attached actuator mount (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventor: Newton R. Breth
  • Patent number: 5503045
    Abstract: A drive assembly for a valve includes a motor, a transmission which is coupled to the motor and the valve, and a manual drive unit having a shaft which is arranged to be driven by a handwheel. The shaft has a small amount of axial play and is provided with a worm. The transmission includes a hollow gear having internal teeth coupled to the motor shaft and external teeth in permanent mesh with the worm. A membranous disc is mounted on the worm shaft in such a manner that the outer margin of the disc is held against displacement in axial direction of the worm shaft while the central portion of the disc adjacent the worm shaft is fixed against axial displacement relative to the worm shaft. However, the worm shaft can rotate relative to the disc. Strain gages in the form of strips are mounted on one side of the disc and are connected to an integrated circuit on the same side of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Werner Riester GmbH & Co. KG Armaturen- und Maschinenantriebe
    Inventor: Werner Riester
  • Patent number: 5445190
    Abstract: A manual actuator is attached to a conventional gate valve commonly used in the drainage line of a recreational vehicle. The actuator includes a handle connected to a pair of links which expand to open the valve or are folded to close the valve by turning the actuator handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: James A. Gunder
  • Patent number: 5441074
    Abstract: A unitized, rubber coated valve body for a dry barrel fire hydrant. The valve body is formed to have a hollow, tapered, substantially spherical, cast iron member having a hollow center, a threaded, upwardly facing hole for attachment to a control shaft or stem, a downwardly facing projection, and a rubber coating. The unitized body eliminates labor of assembly during service and maintenance operations. The rubber coating both provides a resilient valve face for effective sealing, and protects metal parts of the valve from corrosion arising from contact with water. The tapered body both distributes force evenly to the rubber valve face in the manner of a prior art metal disc, and enables water to flow therearound with minimized resistance, thereby maintaining head pressure at acceptable levels. The novel valve body satisfies both objectives while minimizing weight and requiring minimal material for fabrication. The body is formed with integral ears for slidably obstructing drain holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: AVK-Holding
    Inventor: Niels A. Kjaer
  • Patent number: 5370149
    Abstract: A line blind valve is disclosed which includes a housing having opposed similar housing halves with resilient sleeve units which compressibly engage each other in the valve open condition and engage opposite sides of the gate or blind in the valve closed condition. The line blind valve provides visibility of all gate edges so as to give a positive indication that the gate or blind has passed completely through the seals. Lockout is also provided when the gate or blind is closed. Each sleeve unit has a plurality of compression holes extending axially and arranged at intervals relative to the circumference of the sleeve. An encircling stiffening ring of harder material is encapsulated in each sleeve so as to be positioned at the inner end of the compression holes. The line blind valve construction of the present invention results in no leakage to the outside when the valve is fully open and no leakage to the outside or past the gate internally when the valve is fully closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: The Clarkson Company
    Inventors: Curtis W. Clarkson, Larry F. Koll, Nicholas J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5326071
    Abstract: A drain plug comprising a housing including a body portion, a head portion and a first passage extending through the head portion and into the body portion; a valve seat disposed in the first passage; a movable valve closure member disposed in the first passage; a biasing device, disposed in the first passage, for biasing the valve closure member against the valve seat thereby sealing off the first passage such that fluid cannot pass through the first passage; a moving device for moving the valve closure member away from the valve seat to allow fluid to pass through the first passage, the moving device being positioned transverse to the longitudinal length of the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Donald B. Gunness
    Inventor: Donald B. Gunness
  • Patent number: 5299777
    Abstract: A valved drain plug apparatus having a valve body with a bore extending therethrough and an opening along a surface extending into the bore, and an insert element rotatably mounted within the bore of the valve body. The insert element has a hole along one surface. The insert element is movable between a first position in which the hole is aligned with the opening and a second position in which the insert element closes the bore of the valve body. The insert element has a generally tubular configuration being open at one end and closed at another end. A key member is detachably received by the insert element. The key member serves to rotate the insert element between the first and second positions. The key member includes a body member having an interior passageway extending therethrough and in communication with the bore of the valve body. The key member also includes a key extending upwardly from the body member so as to engage a key slot formed on a surface of the insert element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventor: Brown W. Milstead
  • Patent number: 5288052
    Abstract: The self-draining sanitary control valve includes a body having an inlet and an outlet and a fluid control port forming a valve seat between the inlet and the outlet. A bonnet is detachably secured to the body having a stem receiving bore aligned on a common central axis with the control port. Clamping rings are provided for securably clamping the body and bonnet together and for securing the valve body to adjacent fluid lines. The clamping rings are readily detachable for permitting the valve to be cleaned and the interior surfaces of the valve are closed to provide for self-draining of the fluid contained therein. The valve includes a stem slidably mounted in the bore with a valve plug at one end having a predetermined outer surface profile movable toward and away from the port and a flexible diaphragm is secured to a central portion of the plug for engaging the valve seat. An outer portion of the diaphragm is clamped between the body and the bonnet when the clamp ring is locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Cashco, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Keith Black, Jerold L. Hlad, Phillip G. Rogers, Wayne A. Rohr, Daniel L. Sharp, Bruce H. Shiffer