Butterfly Patents (Class 251/305)
  • Patent number: 8356795
    Abstract: Shaft retaining assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. In a described example, a bonnet assembly for use with a fluid valve includes a bonnet defining a passage to receive at least a portion of a shaft of the fluid valve. The bonnet is to be removably coupled to the fluid valve. Additionally, the example bonnet assembly includes a retaining assembly mounted in the bonnet to be substantially not exposed to a flow of fluid through the fluid valve. The retaining assembly is to control an amount of movement of the shaft along a longitudinal axis of the shaft to enable an alignment of a sealing element coupled to an end of the shaft relative to a seating surface of the fluid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Ross Arthur Schade
  • Patent number: 8356796
    Abstract: A unitary damper shaft extender for HVAC air ducts, the extender comprising a unitary apparatus comprised of two interlocked, but relatively movable members. One of the members being capable of interlocking with a damper shaft, and the second member being slidably movable to cover, and thereby lock the first member to the damper shaft, so as to extend its length beyond the usual insulation used for air ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Duro Dyne Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen S. Martin
  • Patent number: 8347908
    Abstract: Embodiments of a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are provided. In one embodiment, the airborne vale includes a valve element and a flowbody. The flowbody is formed at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy and has a flow passage therethrough in which the valve element is movably mounted. Embodiments of a method for producing such a lightweight, high temperature airborne valve are also provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a lightweight flowbody at least partially from a titanium aluminide alloy, hot isostatically pressing the lightweight flowbody, and machining the lightweight flowbody to desired dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ilan Golecki, Robert Franconi, Mike McCollum, Amer Aizaz
  • Patent number: 8342148
    Abstract: A throttle valve for an internal combustion engine includes a cylindrical valve housing and a spherical segment valve disc mounted within the valve housing. The spherical segment valve disc seals with the valve housing without the need for abutting interference between the valve disc or throttle plate and the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Gary Liimatta, Brent Hall, Milan Dockery
  • Publication number: 20120317978
    Abstract: A butterfly valve includes a body with a bore through which exhaust gas may flow and a valve member rotatably mounted within the bore for restricting flow through the bore. A stop extends into the bore to limit movement of the valve member and prevent the valve member from rotating to a closed position. The stop defines a restricted flow position at which the valve member is positioned between an open position and the closed position. An internal combustion engine utilizing the butterfly valve is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Streutker, Aaron C. Luft
  • Publication number: 20120298900
    Abstract: A butterfly valve including a valve body having a passage, a valve shaft assembly, a valve plate, and a tube that is friction fit inside the passage is provided. The valve shaft assembly includes a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first and second shaft portions are in opposing spaced relation with the valve plate disposed therebetween. The valve plate has a flange such that when the butterfly valve is in the closed position a seal is formed with the tube, which is disposed within the fluid flow passage. The valve plate has lip extending from a portion of the valve plate that is radially outward from the circumference of the tube. The lip acts to reduce flow induced torque experienced while the valve plate is actuated from the closed to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: WOODWARD, INC.
    Inventors: Barry T. Brinks, Shawn Justin Pollock
  • Publication number: 20120264028
    Abstract: Backpressure control valves, methods of controlling backpressure, and fuel cell systems. In one form, the backpressure control valve is mountable in a body that defines an asymmetrical fluid passage. The backpressure control valve may include a shaft cooperative with the body, an asymmetrical blade cooperative with the shaft, and a biasing device operatively connected to the asymmetrical blade, wherein the asymmetrical blade is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. In another form, the method of controlling backpressure may include providing a backpressure control valve including an asymmetrical blade, and rotating the asymmetrical blade between a closed position and an open position. In still another form, the fuel cell system may include a fuel cell, a body that defines an asymmetrical oxidant passage, and a backpressure control valve mountable in the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Glenn W. Skala
  • Publication number: 20120256112
    Abstract: The invention relates to vanes used in butterfly valves utilized in fluid control systems requiring special relationships between passing fluid and vane rotation and furthermore can provide leak proof shut-off when in the closed valve position and due to the extended contact length between the vane and the valve bore assures low opening friction. The invention furthermore features a shape that greatly reduces the customary high dynamic torque created by fluid suction effects on a vane when in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Publication number: 20120234025
    Abstract: A shut-off device for low-temperature media includes a housing (2), a valve seat (5) located in the housing (2), and a valve (3) that cooperates with the valve seat and is pivotally supported in the housing (2). On the housing (2) there is at least one flange (10) for mounting the shut-off device in a pipeline. The low-temperature shut-off device, low construction cost and low maintenance cost is achieved because the flange (10) of the housing (2) is designed as a welding flange (10a, 10b) for attachment of the shut-off device (1) in the pipeline by a weld joint, especially a butt weld joint, and because the housing (2) is provided with a housing opening (11) for mounting and/or removing the valve (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: LINKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Metin GERCEKER
  • Publication number: 20120223266
    Abstract: A rolling bearing having high sealing performance and a throttle valve device and an ABS device, which includes such rolling bearing. A metal core with a bent portion extending along a groove surface of the outer circumferential side of a V-shaped groove and an inner peripheral portion which extends in a radial direction beyond the deepest portion of the V-shaped groove toward a central axis from an inner circumferential side end of the bent portion, forms a gap in the radial direction within a region between an end of the inner peripheral portion of the metal core and an outer circumferential surface of an inner ring. The rigidity of an inner circumferential portion of the sealing member is ensured and a lip portion can be prevented from being rolled up by the external pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akimi FURUKOSHI
  • Publication number: 20120199777
    Abstract: Embodiments of a combination bearing are provided, as are embodiments of a valve assembly including a combination bearing. In one embodiment, the valve assembly includes a flowbody having a flow passage therethrough, a drive shaft rotatably mounted within the flowbody, a valve element mounted to the drive shaft and positioned within the flow passage, and a combination bearing coupled between the flowbody and the drive shaft. The combination bearing comprises an integral radial load/thrust ring coupled to the drive shaft, and a thrust washer substantially adjacent the integral radial load/thrust ring, as taken along the longitudinal axis of the combination bearing. An outer radial ring circumscribes the integral thrust/radial load ring. A first plurality of rolling elements is captured between the thrust washer and the integral radial load/thrust ring, and a second plurality of rolling elements is captured between the outer radial ring and the integral radial load/thrust ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Chris Schlarman, Brent Bristol
  • Patent number: 8235025
    Abstract: A ventilation path is provided for communicating an accommodation chamber wherein a transmission mechanism for an electric motor is accommodated and an external space. A covering space is provided for covering an outer end opening of the ventilation path is opened to suppress formation of a water film at the outer end opening. A throttle apparatus includes a housing with covering walls defining covering spaces having open ports which are open to an external space. Lower end openings of ventilation paths are provided for communicating the external space and the accommodation chamber with each other are open to the covering spaces. The opening ports are set to such a size that adhering water flowing down along the lower outer face is cut into pieces between the covering walls and a housing body across the open ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nishimura, Seizo Tamura
  • Patent number: 8205633
    Abstract: Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example collet includes a plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to an elongated member and each having an inner surface that forms at least a portion of a substantially rectangular bore configured to receive a rectangular shaft. The plurality of flexible members form an involute outer surface for engaging an involute inner surface of an opening of a lever. The opening of the lever is configured to cause the plurality of flexible members to be displaced toward an axis of the elongated member to cause the inner surface of each of the plurality of flexible members to engage one or more surfaces of the rectangular shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Russell Dalluge, Larry Joseph Weber
  • Patent number: 8201401
    Abstract: A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component that defines an exhaust gas flow path and a vane that is positioned within the exhaust gas flow path. The vane is positioned at an initial start position and is movable between a closed position to provide a minimum exhaust gas flow and an open position to provide a maximum exhaust gas flow. The start position is orientated at a negative angle relative to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Emcon Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kwin Abram, Robin Willats
  • Patent number: 8172201
    Abstract: An exhaust throttling valve (12) is provided for a vehicle. The valve includes a body structure (16, 41) having a bore (47) there-through. A shaft (28) is supported by the body structure for rotational movement. A valve member (34) is associated with the shaft such rotational movement of the shaft rotates the valve member. The valve member is disposed in the bore and is constructed and arranged to rotate between a first position substantially closing the bore and a second position at least partly opening the bore. A hard stop (56) is associated with the shaft so as to rotate therewith. First and second adjustment structures (52, 54) are constructed and arranged so that upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, the hard stop engages the first adjustment structure and upon rotation of the shaft in a direction opposite the one direction, the hard stop engages the second adjustment structure, thus limiting travel of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Tire Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Veinotte, David W. Balsdon, Russell Miles Modien
  • Patent number: 8172202
    Abstract: Butterfly valves assemblies are provided that include a flowbody, a butterfly plate, an actuator and an upper chimney and a lower chimney disposed within the flowbody. The flowbody has an inner surface defining a channel. The butterfly plate is disposed in the channel, is rotationally mounted to the flowbody, and has an outer periphery. The actuator has an actuator output shaft that is coupled to the valve shaft via a serrated spline coupling. The upper chimney and the lower chimney are configured to include bearing assemblies that constrain radial loads and thrust loads exerted upon the valve shaft and minimize misalignment of the serrated spline coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Mendoza, Mike Kolic, Doug Smith, Ben Ho, Louie Timothy Gaines
  • Publication number: 20120104300
    Abstract: A seal ring assembly has a carbon member extending between spaced ends, and with a step at an outer periphery. A ring is received in the step to maintain spaced ends of the carbon member towards each other. A valve disc and shaft, a butterfly valve, and a method of installing a carbon ring seal are also disclosed. In a separate feature, a valve housing for a butterfly valve includes a first housing portion defining a flow passage, and a second housing portion extending integrally from the first housing portion, and defining a space to mount a valve shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Peter J. Dowd, John M. Dehais, Rosanna C. Glynn, Jay Stradinger, Marc E. Gage, Kevin M. Rankin
  • Patent number: 8162288
    Abstract: A valve utilizes a composite two-piece housing to provide a low cost, high strength, light weight alternative to conventional metal and plastic valves adaptable for corrosive and non-corrosive environments. The valve includes a valve body defined by a first body half coupled to a second body half. A valve disk assembly is disposed between the first and second body halves. The disk assembly includes a valve disk, a valve stem and a valve seal. The disk stem is positioned within the valve disk along a central axis of the disk such that when the disk is rotated about the valve stem, the valve is opened or closed. The valve seal includes a primary portion lining an interior surface formed by the first and second body halves to engage an outer surface of the disk. The seal also includes a secondary portion disposed within and between the first and second body halves. The primary and secondary sealing portions configured to retain position within the housing and in sealing engagement with the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Valves & Controls BV
    Inventors: Jan Broeders, Rene Van Nieulande, Barry Huijben
  • Patent number: 8157241
    Abstract: A method for regulating gas turbine engine fluid flow may include the steps of providing a flow tube having an open valve, a first bend and a second bend, flowing fluid through the flow tube, actuating a piston so that the piston moves in the axial direction, and closing the valve due to the axial movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Douglas Swinford
  • Patent number: 8136793
    Abstract: A valve arrangement has an annular housing with valve seat and a two-part valve plate that is rotatable about an axis. The seat is in the form of a disk including two adjacent openings with a web between and the axis is parallel to the web. The two parts of the valve plate are next to each other with their planes parallel and offset in a perpendicular direction. They are connected to each other through one of the openings by a connection piece extending through the one opening. In a closed position for the valve, the valve plate part are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the valve seat and cover and seal the respective openings due to a seal that is between the valve plate parts and the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventor: Pierino Keller-Staub
  • Publication number: 20120061602
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flap, in particular a throttle flap, for influencing a volumetric flow flowing in a ventilation and air-conditioning system. In order to specify a flap which has a simpler design and can additionally be produced and also mounted more easily, the intention is for the flap to be arranged in an installation frame having an opening and for the flap and the installation frame to form a mounting unit, wherein the flap is mounted in the opening such that it can pivot about a shaft or axle arranged centrally, in particular, with respect to the opening, and for the installation frame and the flap to each be produced from plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Lukas Zwiernik, Daniel Leitner
  • Publication number: 20120061603
    Abstract: A rotation axis O2 of a shaft 3 is attached thereto with double-offset in the X and Y directions with respect to a center line O1 of a valve seat 2. A bevel process is implemented on the outer peripheral surface of a valve 1 such that the valve 1 and the valve seat 2 is line-sealed, and the sign of the angles of inclination is switched between plus and minus at two places of the outer peripheral surface of the valve 1 deviated from the center of the axis. Further, a section where the angle of inclination is constant is prepared in each of the sections connecting the two places, while the other sections are smoothly connected to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Akihiro Kurihara, Takuro Zui, Satoru Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8128057
    Abstract: A valve assembly may include a body having an axis and a flow tube attached to the body for flowing a fluid therethrough, the flow tube having a first bend and a second bend. The valve assembly may further include a valve attached to the flow tube having an axle that is perpendicular to the axis, and a piston attached to the body and the axle and parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Douglas Swinford
  • Publication number: 20120042955
    Abstract: A valve for a plenum or pipe is disclosed. The valve includes a large butterfly valve element pivotally supported in the plenum by at least one rod. The large butterfly valve element includes an opening for accommodating a small butterfly valve element. The small butterfly valve element is coupled to the rod by a shaft. The shaft includes a recess that accommodates the small butterfly valve element but which includes a clearance between the small butterfly valve element and the shaft to permit limited rotation of the shaft before the small butterfly valve element engages at least one wall of the recess of the shaft. Thus, the combination of the shaft and the small butterfly valve element provide limited flow through the plenum. Further rotation of the shaft, however, results in rotation of the large butterfly valve element to provide greater flow through the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: John D. Gierszewski
  • Patent number: 8113230
    Abstract: An axial locking of a valve shaft to be non-turnably attached to a closing element of a valve, an end of the shaft to be attached to the closing element being machined on two opposite sides in order to fit into a pivot recess formed in the outer perimeter of the closing element. A collar part is provided to be fitted to the end of the shaft and to be turned into a locking position, one of the end surfaces of the main part of said collar part having at least one axial projection that fits into the pivot recess of the closing element of the valve when the collar part is in the locking position and the end of the shaft is positioned into the pivot recess of the closing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Automation Oy
    Inventor: Terho Vuojamo
  • Patent number: 8113229
    Abstract: A gear operated shut valve for a ventilation system in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The gear operated shut valve includes gear train. The gear train includes a driven gear that is associated with the shut valve and a driving gear that is associated with an outlet knob on an outlet of the ventilation system. The shut valve is substantially angled with respect to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cordell Bosma, Tadayuki Nishimura, Tadashi Yoda
  • Patent number: 8096524
    Abstract: A wafer-style valve assembly adapted to be coupled between opposing pipeline components having a common centerline secured together by a plurality of longitudinal fasteners includes a substantially cylindrical valve body, a seat retaining plate, and at least one clip. The valve body has a peripheral edge portion and an axial end surface. The seat retaining plate is disposed on the axial end surface. The at least one clip is also disposed on the axial end surface and extends radially outward of the peripheral edge portion. The clip has a radially inward portion and a radially outward portion. The radially inward portion secures the seat retaining plate to the to valve body. The radially outward portion has an edge defining a first recess and a second recess. The first and second recesses are each adapted to accommodate a longitudinal fastener to locate the valve assembly relative to the centerline of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Dalluge, Paul A. Day
  • Publication number: 20120007008
    Abstract: For a flap assembly, in particular an exhaust gas flap assembly, with the flap mounted on both sides via bearing devices in the housing, the disclosure describes a design in which a bearing body is supported radially against an annular collar of the bearing device and, by way of the annular collar, is held braced in a radially spring-loaded manner in a predefined radial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Hegner, Andreas Thoss
  • Patent number: 8082900
    Abstract: A method for producing a support plate (1) for valve bodies includes: i) providing a base armature (22) including an even number of portions of pipes (4, 4?); ii) arranging a valve body (5) on portions (19) of the base armature (22) forming temporary reception zones for a valve body (5); iii) mounting the control axis through bearings (7 and 9) and the transverse groove of each valve body (5); iv) molding onto the control axis a bearing support for each valve body (5) and a mounting insert in the corresponding guide bearing (7); v) mounting each valve body (5) on the corresponding bearing support by sliding on the control axis, and vi) inserting mounting inserts in the corresponding guide bearings (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Mark IV Systemes Moteurs (SAS)
    Inventors: Laurent Germain, Denis Menin, Richard Komurian
  • Publication number: 20110297862
    Abstract: A valve flap device for an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, having at least one tubular valve housing with a flow cross section running perpendicular to a central axis and being formed by the inner geometry and a shaft which can turn about a valve axis with a valve flap mounted on the shaft, being mounted in the valve housing to close the flow cross section. The valve flap device can be made with low material input and at the same time with low fabrication expense at low costs. For this, the valve housing is made from a tubular blank of sheet metal with a tube diameter that is calibrated to the flow cross section at least partially by mechanical, plastic forming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HEINRICH GILLET GMBH - TENNECO
    Inventors: Marcel Womann, Marc Sommerfeld, Rico Weinert, Alexander Schinko, Christoph Schneider
  • Patent number: 8069837
    Abstract: An intake control device for an internal combustion engine includes an intake air induction duct, a housing, a valve, and a gasket. The housing is received in a receiving chamber of the intake air induction duct. The valve is received in the housing for opening and closing an intake passage defined in the housing. The gasket is mounted on one of (a) a position between the intake air induction duct and the attachment surface, and (b) a position between the housing and a wall surface of the receiving chamber. The housing opposes the attachment surface and is spaced from the attachment surface by a predetermined clearance. The gasket has an elastic deformation portion that is positioned between the housing and the attachment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Sano, Masato Ueshima
  • Patent number: 8070130
    Abstract: A biasing apparatus includes a first spring seat that has a first seating surface and a first protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the first seating surface and a second spring seat that has a second seating surface and a second protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the second seating surface. The first and second protruding members engage to slidably couple the first and the second spring seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Gene Olberding, Bryan Quinn Leger, Paul Russell Dalluge
  • Publication number: 20110284787
    Abstract: A pipe-closing apparatus of a machine which is suitable for processing foodstuff mixtures, contains a throttling valve arranged in a pipeline and has a closing element configured with respect to the pipeline with two sealing sections. The apparatus further has an activation apparatus for transferring the closing element into an open or closed position and vice versa. Accordingly, the closing element is formed by a three-dimensional rotationally symmetrical body which has a passage, wherein, in the open position of the closing element, at least the inlet and outlet openings of the passage are aligned with the pipeline, and, in the closed position, the passage is subjected to a pressure for the ingress of compressed air. The pipe-closing apparatus is suitable equally for use in a machine for producing a milk-containing ice cream and for processing and/or preparing, for example, caramels, jams, sweets, crème bavaroise, milk creams and confectioner's creams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Marinus Cornelis Adrianus Heij
  • Patent number: 8061684
    Abstract: An anti-twist device retains an actuating motor (10), which is placed in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner onto the projecting driveshaft (22) of a pivotable shut-off flap (62) of a gas transport tube (34), in particular of an HVAC tube or flue gas tube for a building, in a longitudinally moveable manner. Arranged at an adjustable axial distance (a) from the driveshaft (22) is at least one clamp (36) which secures the actuating motor (10). The parallel limbs (46) of the preferably substantially U-shaped clamp (36) are of resilient design, wherein in each case one end-side, inwardly projecting latching lug (48) is formed for holding down the actuating motor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Belimo Holding AG
    Inventors: Frank Lehnert, Urs Niederhauser
  • Publication number: 20110278486
    Abstract: A throttle device, includes a housing, a gas conduit, a throttle shaft, a throttle body movable by means of the throttle shaft. According to the invention, a bearing is provided for supporting the throttle shaft on the housing, in which for sealing off an interstice in fluid-tight fashion between the throttle shaft and the housing, and in particular outside the bearing, a viscous medium is disposed in the interstice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael BROZIO
  • Publication number: 20110265882
    Abstract: A flow-control assembly may include a fluid conduit and a flow-control valve in the fluid conduit. The flow-control assembly may further include a fluid expansion conduit with an inlet defined at least in part by the fluid conduit and configured to selectively receive flow of a fluid from the fluid conduit. The fluid expansion conduit may further include an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid conduit downstream of the flow-control valve. A rotating fluid expander in the fluid expansion conduit may be configured to expand the fluid and thereby rotate and in some embodiments generate electricity. In a first position flow is substantially blocked. In a second position flow is allowed through the fluid expansion conduit. In a third position flow through the fluid conduit is allowed without necessarily passing through the fluid expansion conduit. Related systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: James Reyenga, William Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 8042515
    Abstract: A compact throttle device with a short air intake pipe length. A throttle device includes: throttle bodies that define air intake paths; throttle valves that are disposed in the air intake paths and adjust the air flow rate in the air intake paths; a throttle shaft that rotatably supports the throttle valves; a motor that rotates the throttle shaft; and a gear that connects the throttle shaft to the motor. A pin is provided as a protrusion on the peripheral surface of the throttle shaft. The gear externally fitted and fixed to the throttle shaft has, on a fixing ring that is externally fitted to the throttle shaft, a housing groove for housing the pin, the housing groove being impelled against the pin by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Mikuni Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 8028677
    Abstract: An assembly for controlling an air intake runner of an air intake manifold. The assembly includes a cartridge including a plurality of compartments. Each of the compartments has a plurality of that are joined to define a central opening and an outer perimeter. Adjacent compartments are spaced apart to define a groove between each of the compartments. The assembly also includes bushing carriers that are configured to be snap-fit into one of the grooves of the cartridge. The assembly further includes bushings configured to rotatably fit within the central openings of the bushing carriers. Each of the bushings has an outer rim and an open center. Flaps including a slot and having a shape configured to substantially adjustably seal the central opening are also included and a shaft is included that extends through the slots of the flaps and the open centers of the bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Mark IV Systemes Moteurs USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Iliya Goldin, Raffik Said, Eric E. Pain, Thomas Kern, Francis V. Rolland
  • Patent number: 8015958
    Abstract: An active intake manifold system includes at least one flap cartridge assembly having a unitary cartridge housing including one or more flap valve housings. A flap valve is rotatable in the aperture of the flap valve housing between an open state and a closed state. A shaft is provided extending through the mounting ear apertures of the flap valves so that the flap valves change state in unison. A plurality of air intake runners provides air flow communication between the outlets of the flap valve housings and the cylinder intake valves of the engine. Each intake runner includes a main runner portion that then splits into a plurality of tracts of differing lengths with each tract tuned to a different predetermined engine speed and having a length and volume selected to optimize engine performance at the predetermined speed. The flap valves may be automatically operated by an actuator under control of an engine control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Mann + Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Kevin Vichinsky, Rick Weckerle
  • Patent number: 8011347
    Abstract: An exhaust brake has a body with a passageway for exhaust gases therein. A valve member is movably located within the passageway for selective movement between an open position where the valve member opens the passageway and exhaust gases are free to move through the passageway and a closed position where the valve member blocks the passageway and the passage of exhaust gases through the passageway. The valve member has an aperture therethrough to permit a limited flow of exhaust gases through the aperture when the aperture is open. An exhaust valve actuator mechanism is coupled to the valve member for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position. A closure member is positioned adjacent to the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Jenara Enterprises, Ltd.
    Inventors: Andre F. Lhote, Vincent A. Meneely, Gabriel Gavril, Tamara Spence, John P. Hartley
  • Publication number: 20110193005
    Abstract: A valve has a body, a fluid inlet duct and two fluid outlet ducts delimited by the body, an intersection formed at an area where the fluid inlet duct opens into the two fluid outlet ducts, and a butterfly valve disposed in the intersection. The butterfly valve is operable to be actuated between a first extreme position in which the butterfly valve directs the fluid mainly toward the first outlet duct and a second extreme position in which the butterfly valve directs the fluid mainly toward the second outlet duct. In the first extreme position, the butterfly valve has a first portion partially blocking the second outlet duct and, in the second extreme position, the butterfly valve has another portion blocking the first outlet duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventor: Laurent ALBERT
  • Patent number: 7984892
    Abstract: A butterfly valve for controlling the flow of fluid within a bore, including a butterfly and at least one ring extending at least one of substantially and completely around a perimeter of the butterfly and adapted to develop an expansion force in the radial direction when the at least one ring is in a contracted state with respect to the radial direction, wherein the at least one ring is secured to the butterfly in the contracted state and radial expansion due to the developed expansion force of the at least one ring is effectively restrained, wherein the butterfly valve is adapted to operate, when placed in a bore, without friction or substantially without friction between the at least one ring and the bore when the butterfly valve is placed in a closed position within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Shenk
  • Publication number: 20110155939
    Abstract: A butterfly valve assembly includes a unitary flow body and a unitary valve element. The unitary valve element is rotationally mounted within the flow body and includes a rotationally mounted shaft and a butterfly plate that is formed integral to the shaft. The butterfly valve assembly can withstand the maximum drive torque supplied from an associated actuator, while at the same time meeting a desired level of flow performance, and allows the unitary valve element to be installed up through the pilot bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Larry Robert Casillas, Ed Kesner, Joel LaBenz, Mitch McGinty
  • Publication number: 20110146296
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluid flow is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve body including a longitudinal axis and a radially inner internal flow passage extending axially between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a disk selectively positionable to modulate a flow of working fluid through the flow passage, and a radially outer external surface. The valve assembly further includes a first actuator positioned radially outboard of the external surface, a second actuator positioned radially outboard of the external surface, and a first linkage including a first actuator end configured to couple to the first actuator, a second actuator end configured to couple to the second actuator, and a rod end configured to couple to the disk, wherein an actuating force applied from each actuator to each respective actuator end is combined through the first linkage to the rod end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Douglas Swinford
  • Patent number: 7963501
    Abstract: A butterfly valve including a housing having a hollow passage defining a flow path and a shaft mounted to the housing and extending transversely across the flow path. The shaft defines an axis of rotation for a butterfly valve element carried on the shaft. The valve element can be rotated about the axis between an open position permitting flow along the flow path and a closed position restricting flow along the flow path. The butterfly valve element includes a thin, substantially disc-shaped, flow-regulating plate having front and rear faces and a flow-straightening vane extending from one of the faces transversely relative to the shaft. The vane is solid and extends substantially to the wall of the hollow passage thereby defining separate non-communicating flow channels on opposite sides thereof for reducing flow turbulence and for straightening and accelerating flow across the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Boyesen Engineering
    Inventor: Gregory Rarick
  • Patent number: 7963503
    Abstract: A rotary valve includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a rotating control element disposed within the valve body for selectively opening and closing the flow passage. The valve also includes a retainer ring mountable to the valve body which holds in place a seal carrier ring having an annular mounting flange mounted between the valve body and the retainer ring. The seal carrier ring also includes a seal carrier cartridge and a flexible portion coupling the seal carrier cartridge to the mounting flange to provide an improved seal and greater ease of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Day
  • Publication number: 20110133106
    Abstract: In a method and a device for controlling an actuator, the first setpoint value for the position of the actuator is predefined. A change in the setpoint value for the control of the actuator to the first setpoint value is limited to a first setpoint value change limitation. For the reaching of the first setpoint value, a second setpoint value is predefined. A change in the setpoint value for the position of the actuator to the second setpoint value is limited to a second setpoint value change limitation. If the actual value of the change of the setpoint value to the first setpoint value using the first setpoint value change limitation would be greater than the change of the setpoint value to the second setpoint value using the second setpoint value change limitation, the first setpoint value is predefined for the setpoint value and the change in the setpoint value for the control of the actuator to the first setpoint value is limited according to the first setpoint value change limitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Alex Grossmann, Mattias Hallor
  • Patent number: 7950623
    Abstract: When a control unit variably controls an electric power supplied to an electric motor to repeat a valve opening and closing movement of a valve between a first intermediate position and a second intermediate position through a neutral position, the control unit initially sets the neutral position as a control target value until a valve position, which is sensed with a valve opening degree sensor, is located immediately before the neutral position. The control unit thereafter changes the control target value to the first intermediate position or the second intermediate position when the control unit determines that the valve position, which is sensed with the valve opening degree sensor, reaches the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazushi Sasaki, Osamu Shimane
  • Publication number: 20110121219
    Abstract: A valve utilizes a composite two-piece housing to provide a low cost, high strength, light weight alternative to conventional metal and plastic valves adaptable for corrosive and non-corrosive environments. The valve includes a valve body defined by a first body half coupled to a second body half. A valve disk assembly is disposed between the first and second body halves. The disk assembly includes a valve disk, a valve stem and a valve seal. The disk stem is positioned within the valve disk along a central axis of the disk such that when the disk is rotated about the valve stem, the valve is opened or closed. The valve seal includes a primary portion lining an interior surface formed by the first and second body halves to engage an outer surface of the disk. The seal also includes a secondary portion disposed within and between the first and second body halves. The primary and secondary sealing portions configured to retain position within the housing and in sealing engagement with the disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO VALVES & CONTROLS B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Broeders, Rene Van Nieulande, Barry Huijben
  • Patent number: RE42940
    Abstract: A throttle control apparatus for an engine on a vehicle is provided, in which the number of component parts in the position detection means and the driven means is reduced to improve the accuracy in its position control and at the same time an integrated wiring is achieved and connectors are aggregated. The position detection means for detecting the position of a control valve, the driven means for controlling the position of the control valve, the means for processing control signals, an output from the position control means for controlling the position of the control valve are disposed within a sealed space defined by a body supporting a control valve shaft, and a cover. Based on the fact that the number of component parts of the position detection means may be reduced, the mechanical hysteresis and electrical hysteresis may also be reduced to improve the accuracy in controlling the control valve position, and it is possible to aggregate the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kamimura, Yasushi Sasaki, Sadayuki Aoki, Kazuo Nagayama