Butterfly Patents (Class 251/305)
  • Publication number: 20070240676
    Abstract: A throttle control apparatus includes a valve. A motor is provided for generating driving force to rotate the valve. Gears transmit the driving force to the valve. A biasing unit generates biasing force to bias the valve in a close rotative direction. A control unit is provided for supplying electricity to the motor to generate the driving force. When the control unit terminates electricity supply to the motor, the valve is biased to a full close position by the biasing force. When the control unit performs a full close control to manipulate the valve toward the full close position, the control unit continues electricity supply to the motor to stop the valve at a full close control point, which is set in advance of the full close position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7282170
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of making a throttle body comprising injection-moulding of a reinforced thermoplastic composition, wherein a polyethylene terephthalate composition containing a nucleating agent and 25-60 mass % of glass-fibres is used as the reinforced thermoplastic composition. Advantages of the throttle body obtainable by the process according to the invention include excellent dimensional tolerances and stability, significant weight reduction of the body, and improved fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine equipped with an air-intake assembly comprising a throttle body according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit H. Dutmer, Jong-Eon Lim
  • Patent number: 7270101
    Abstract: An arrangement for attaching a blade to a shaft for use in intake manifolds, uses fasteners that create a load on the blade. Fasteners are inserted through fastener holes in the blade and through shaft holes in the shaft. Once inserted outward pressure by the fastener on the shaft and the blade places the assembly under a constant load. The load prevents the shaft and the blade from vibrating against each other during engine operation. The same attachment method can also be used to retain and bias a shaft locater to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: MAHLE Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Letourneau
  • Patent number: 7266891
    Abstract: The present invention is a method where a one-piece throttle valve is fastened to a throttle valve shaft in a first step. In another step, at least one elastic compensating element is placed onto the throttle valve. In another step, the elastic compensating element is pressed against the inner wall of the throttle valve housing by an expanding tool. In another step, the elastic compensating element pressed against the inner wall of the throttle valve housing is joined to the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Thomas Hannewald
  • Patent number: 7264224
    Abstract: A valve is disclosed having a valve closing member that divides the valve bore into passageways of unequal cross sectional areas when in an open position. A venturi is positioned within the valve bore upstream of the valve closing member. The throat of the venturi may be within one pipe diameter of the valve closing member. The venturi is offset from the bore centerline so as to align with the larger of the two passageways. Turbulence is reduced allowing more accurate pressure measurements to be made within the venturi yielding more accurate determination of volumetric flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Weston
  • Patent number: 7264221
    Abstract: A control valve assembly that utilizes a butterfly valve having a valve body and a valve disc movable between a seated position and an open position. The control valve assembly includes a flow insert positioned along the interior of the valve body and generally aligned with a first outer sealing edge of the rotatable valve disc. The flow insert maintains close spacing to the first outer sealing edge of the valve disc as the valve disc initially moves away from the valve seat. The control valve assembly can also include a first, upstream butterfly cage and a second, downstream butterfly cage positioned on opposite sides of the valve body. The first and second butterfly cages aid in controlling the flow of fluid past the valve disc as the valve disc moves from its seated position to its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Yeary & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur R. Yeary, Aaron Kielar, Adam Zmick, Matt Bardelli
  • Publication number: 20070200080
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switching valve (1) for controlling a gas flow in a gas line of an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising a line section (2) for installation in the gas line, an actuator drive (3) for rotational adjustment of a butterfly valve (11) about an axis of rotation (13) running across the direction of flow inside the line section (2). In the closed position of the butterfly valve (11) a throttle sealing gap (17) is formed radially between a butterfly valve edge (16) and a sealing surface (14) facing the butterfly valve (11) and belonging to a sealing section encompassing the butterfly valve (11) along the butterfly valve edge (16) in the circumferential direction. To simplify the manufacture of a high quality throttle sealing gap (17), the sealing section may be formed by a sealing body (15) which is manufactured separately from the other line section (2) and can be added directly onto the line section (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventor: Alfred Elsasser
  • Patent number: 7240691
    Abstract: A rotary bleed valve (10) for a gas turbine engine comprises a passage (11) connecting high pressure gases from a compressor to an exhaust and a valve member (12), the valve member (12) may be rotated within the passage (11)so as to vary or if necessary block the flow of compressor gases. The valve member (12) is shaped such that as the member (12) moves from a closed to an open position gas flows around the member (12) induces a torque on the member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Bevan Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Neil Bevan
  • Patent number: 7237759
    Abstract: An air passage 2 is provided with an air passage groove 5 that supplies a required volume of air to the side downstream from the fully closed position of a valve body for control purposes. Further, a taper is formed in such a way that a predetermined volume of air can be supplied, even if positional variations have occurred to the valve body. This arrangement allows the volume of air required for the traveling of a car to be supplied, without increasing the number of parts, even if the valve body 3 has stuck downstream from the controlled area. This arrangement also permits a stable supply of air flow at the idle position of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Andoh, Masahiko Soshino, Takahiro Shimura, Kenjo Ono
  • Patent number: 7234443
    Abstract: A valve body or a throttle valve is disclosed that is capable of changing the amount of intake air into an engine according to a gradient angle of a valve body rotatably supported in an intake air passage. The valve body includes at least one first end surface and at least one second end surface formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. Air eddies occurring from air flow contact with the first and second end surfaces are shifted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 7213568
    Abstract: A throttle valve assembly is held within a passageway in a throttle body. The assembly includes a plate and a pivot shaft. The plate includes a contoured front surface, a contoured back surface, and a mounting receptacle. The mounting receptacle forms smooth bulges at the sides of the plate. The front and back surfaces are smoothly contoured to the bulges. The pivot shaft extends through the mounting receptacle and engages with the throttle body. A method of making a series of throttle bodies includes molding multiple like bodies having first and second passageway portions. The first portions are sized to receive butterfly valves of a standard size. The second portions, positioned downstream from the first portions, have cross sectional openings equal to or smaller than the first portions. The second portions are machined or molded to various sizes adapted to flow fluid into the in-take ports of various size engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Ole E. Tweet
  • Patent number: 7207545
    Abstract: A throttle body (1) includes a throttle casing (2) and a motor casing (8). The throttle casing has a first main body (3) and a throttle valve (4) disposed within the first main body. The first main body is made of resin. The motor casing (8) has a second main body (9) and a motor (11) disposed within the second main body. The first main body and the second main body are formed separately from each other and are connected to each other via a joint device (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Kawai, Hisashi Kino
  • Patent number: 7201141
    Abstract: A throttle body for an automobile includes a housing defining a plurality of bores separated by a central wall. A passageway is defined through the central wall. A shaft is rotatably received within the passageway. A plurality of plates is coupled with the shaft. A contacting preventing means is configured to selectively engage the shaft upon deflection of the shaft in the region of the central wall to prevent contact between the shaft and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: James Richard Rauch, Bruce Raymond Beyer
  • Patent number: 7198252
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a housing flange unit which includes a housing flange wherein a butterfly valve shaft is rotatably mounted in a perpendicular position in relation to the longitudinal axis of the housing flange and includes a butterfly valve which is arranged in the middle and provided with a first bearing and a second bearing. The butterfly valve shaft includes a circular disk on the outside of the first bearing. The disk engages with a cup-shaped seat of the housing flange. A pot-shaped element with a circular recess is fixed in the cup-shaped seat. The circular disk is embedded in the pot-shaped element. The invention also relates to the use of the housing flange unit as a sealing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Rolf Anschicks, Jörg Krüger
  • Patent number: 7191754
    Abstract: A control system having a housing with a bore formed within the housing. A valve member is associated with the bore for controlling the passage of a fluid medium through the bore. An induction sensor is aligned with the valve and facilitates determining the valve position. An inductor is connected to an end of the valve member that is in close proximity to the induction sensor. It is contemplated that this control system can be used in a number of different applications including throttle control systems, turbo actuators, canister purge systems and shift control mechanisms. However, it is within the scope of this invention to incorporate the control system on virtually any type of vehicle system where it is possible to determine the position of a valve utilizing induction sensor technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Keefover, Michael J. Halsig, Hal E. Pringle
  • Patent number: 7185878
    Abstract: A control device for the throughput in a conduit portion a is provided. The device comprises a valve or a flap composed of a body mounted on a rotary support shaft and being displaceable between a position of maximum closure and a position of minimum closure by pivoting about said shaft. The device is characterised in that at least one shape or structure (4,4?) which is at least partially obstructive, by projecting into the internal passage of said conduit portion (1) and locally reducing the passage section thereof, is present in the region of the internal face of the wall of said conduit portion. The device includes at least one cooperating surface zone (5) which intimately mates with the shape of at least one part of the imaginary surface swept by at least one segment of the external peripheral edge (6) of the body (2) of the valve or flap when pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mark IV Systemes Moteurs (Société Anonyme)
    Inventor: Anthony Alves
  • Patent number: 7182314
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes a rotatable control shaft connected to the valve and a gearbox wheel is secured to the control shaft. A worm intermeshes with the gearteeth of the gearbox wheel such that when the worm is rotated, the wheel and the shaft are rotated for moving the valve between the open and the closed disposition thereof. A housing defines an enclosure for the reception therein of the gearbox wheel and the intermeshing worm. Bearings are slidably disposed within recesses so that location of the worm into intermeshing relationship with the gearteeth is facilitated. A multi-turn power drive is secured to the flange and is drivingly connected to the first extremity of the worm for rotating the worm so that the valve is controllably moved between the open and the closed disposition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Mastergear USA
    Inventors: Raymond Harvey, Carroll Stein
  • Patent number: 7182063
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control system is described. The system includes a non-contacting sensor stator integrated into an electronic throttle body and is aligned to the sensor rotor attached to the shaft to properly set sensor air gap by assembly aids or by close fit to the throttle body. A motor and vehicle connector is electrically connected to the sensor stator but is allowed to be positioned separately from the sensor stator by means of a flexible interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Keefover, Michael J. Halsig, Hal E. Pringle
  • Patent number: 7174877
    Abstract: The invention is intended to simplify a default mechanism of a throttle valve opening and closing device for the purpose of improving mountability of the device to a vehicle. When a motor generate no driving forces, a throttle valve is held in a position (1) by a return spring. In this position, gaps are formed between the throttle valve and a wall surface of an intake passage. Spherical recesses are formed in parts of the wall surface of the intake passage. In a position (2) where the throttle valve is opposed to the spherical recesses, the gaps are minimized in an operating range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Soshino, Takehiko Kowatari, Yuzo Kadomukai, Yuki Ejiri, Kenji Ono, Yasuhiro Kamimura, Norihiro Isozaki, Eisuke Wayama, Hitoshi Andoh, Yutaka Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7172174
    Abstract: A throttle valve and a throttle shaft are welded to each other. Here, the throttle valve is made of resin material having a transmission property for a laser beam and includes a convex portion on a surface thereof irradiated by the laser beam. By contrast, the throttle shaft is made of resin material having a absorption property for a laser beam. The throttle valve and the throttle shaft are disposed so that their mutual portions to be welded face each other. Laser beams are radiated from the surface of the throttle valve to the mutual portions to be welded so that the convex portion is included in a part of an irradiated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Sano, Mitsutaka Hirata, Yasunori Kawamoto, Hiroyuki Nishina, Youichi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7168682
    Abstract: Emission gas recycling equipment includes a passage for recycling a part of an emission gas and a control valve for controlling an amount of the part of the emission gas. The control valve includes: a housing having a pipe portion; a butterfly valve accommodated in the pipe portion rotatable in a first direction and a second direction; a seal ring for sealing a clearance; and valve open/close operation means for stopping the butterfly valve at the valve full close position after the valve open/close operation means operates the butterfly valve to open and to close equal to or more than one cycle across the valve full close position at the time when the engine stops or after the engine stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Nanba, Kazuto Maeda, Koji Hashimoto, Tatsuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 7165401
    Abstract: This invention relates to an actuator assembly for a turbocharger pressure control valve assembly and a method of assembling a pressure control assembly of a turbocharger. The assembly comprises an actuator coupled to an actuator rod which in use is coupled to the valve assembly to control the position thereof. The actuator rod comprises an elongate member at least a portion of which is flexible. The actuator rod may be a resilient member which may be substantially straight when stressed. In use the actuator rod may extend in a substantially straight line between the actuator and the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: James Alexander McEwen, Andrew P. Day
  • Patent number: 7163189
    Abstract: A tapping valve of plastics material for transport and storage containers for liquids, which is constructed as a flap valve or ball valve, includes a valve housing with an inlet connection connectable to an outlet connection of the liquid container and an outlet connection, wherein the outlet connection of the valve body is welded to the male part of a Kamlok coupling for connecting a discharge hose. The valve housing is of a polyethylene of high density and the male part of the Kamlok coupling is of a glass fiber-reinforced polyethylene of high density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Protechna S.A.
    Inventor: Udo Schütz
  • Patent number: 7143996
    Abstract: A throttle valve connection piece for an internal combustion engine is disclosed, the piece including a housing and a throughflow opening in which the valve is pivotably mounted around a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends in a perpendicular manner with respect to a longitudinal axis the opening. The valve is used to close the throughflow opening. When in a closed position, the valve is inclined at a defined setting angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. The radial peripheral edge of the valve rests against the inner wall of the throughflow opening and the throughflow opening has a cylindrical shape at least in the region where the valve comes to rest. The cylindrical region of rest in relation to the longitudinal axis of the throughflow opening forms a circular cylinder which is cut on both sides at a certain angle, the levels of the cut are inclined at a similar angle in relation to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Peter Kohlen, Rolf Oppermann
  • Patent number: 7140383
    Abstract: An intake system has an intake pipe, a passage member which is inserted into a peripheral wall of the intake pipe in a radial direction to form an intake passage passing across a front end and a rear end thereof in a direction of insertion along with the intake pipe, a seal member which is arranged at a seam between the peripheral wall of the intake pipe and the passage member and seals the seam, and an elastic member which is made of the same material as that of the seal member and is interposed between the peripheral wall of the intake pipe and the front end of the passage member so as to be capable of giving the front end of the passage member an elastic reaction force in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the direction of insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Yamamoto, Masao Ino
  • Patent number: 7140379
    Abstract: A valve mechanism which is resiliently biassed towards a first position but is normally retained in a second position by means of a linkage including a chemically sensitive device which is arranged to release in the presence of a contaminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Risbridger Limited
    Inventor: Graham M. Stuart
  • Patent number: 7137614
    Abstract: A valve device controls a flow of intake air within a surge tank connected to an engine. The surge tank is divided into a plurality of tank chambers by a partition wall disposed within the surge tank. The valve devices include a valve body and a valve member. The valve body has a frame mounted within a communication opening defined within the partition wall. The valve member is rotatably mounted to the valve body in order to open and close a frame opening defined in the frame. A motor is coupled to the valve member in order to rotate the valve member. The motor includes a stator molded integrally with the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Masui, Katsuji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7118092
    Abstract: A vane-type throttle valve assembly including a body having a passage therethrough and a pivotable shaft transverse of the passage and supporting a vane for variably restricting the flow of material through the passage. The shaft is disposed in opposing bores in the valve body. Each bore includes an access slot. The valve is assembled by inserting an integrated shaft and vane into the passage, engaging the ends of the shaft into the access slots, and translating the shaft ends in the access slots until the ends of the shaft are positioned in the bores. The shaft is retained in the bores by bushings inserted from outside the valve body. In a currently preferred embodiment, the access slots are formed over an angle from an axis of the bores, and the shaft ends are entered into the bores by rotating the shaft and vane about the passage axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Nicholas, Ashish Singh, Curtis D. Lamb, Paul H. Williams
  • Patent number: 7114486
    Abstract: The dividing unit comprises a metal throttle valve shaft and of a plastic throttle valve. The throttle valve shaft is mounted so that it centrally passes through the throttle valve and the maximum acute angle alpha between the longitudinal axis of the throttle valve shaft and another longitudinal axis of the throttle valve ranges from 5 DEG to 25 DEG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hannewald, Stefan Koehler, Roland Lindner
  • Patent number: 7100569
    Abstract: A one piece slide in place “butterfly” valve plate for a short runner manifold of a vehicle. A method of reducing friction in an anti-chatter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Lozen, John W. Duddles, Frederick K. Miller, Kevin C. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 7100568
    Abstract: The direct drive for a throttle valve shaft in a throttle valve manifold comprises a coil and a rotor arranged directly adjacent to the coil. The rotor is made from a steel ring inside which a first inner magnetic shell and a second inner magnetic shell lie opposite each other. The steel ring has a first outer magnetic shell and a second outer magnetic shell lying opposite each other on the outside thereof. The steel ring is connected to the throttle valve shaft on the end thereof facing the throttle valve. A sensor for position recognition of the throttle valve is arranged in the middle of that region of the end of the steel ring facing away from the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Gerd Bornmann, Wolfgang Sauerschell, Lutz Scholten, Peter Wiese
  • Patent number: 7093618
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lounge valve mounting housing and assembly. The housing and assembly are useful for directing air through ducts, and particularly the assembly is useful for directing air, or other fluid, through Y-shaped junctions. The housing comprises in part a plate and a supported platform. The plate mounts to a duct. An actuator assembly can be affixed to the platform. The housing further includes a cylinder; a shaft is disposed within the cylinder and extends into the duct. A flapper affixed to the shaft can direct air depending on the radial position of the shaft. The housing and assembly offers weight and capital advantages over dual valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Williams, Robert D. Sleeper, Stuart K. Denike, Don J. Atkins
  • Patent number: 7089958
    Abstract: A damper unit for an air circulation system. The damper unit includes a frame defining an air flow opening, a damper vane for opening and closing the air flow opening, and a drive mechanism for turning the damper vane between the open and closed positions. The vane of the damper unit includes a main body and vane turning surfaces that project outwardly from the main body. The vane turning surfaces are configured for converting air flow into torque for assisting the drive mechanism in turning the damper vane between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Schlosser, Robert C. Knutson, Dennis R. Grabowski, Greg T. Mrozek
  • Patent number: 7090193
    Abstract: A portion of the one valve rod which extends outward is pivotally supported, the valve shaft cylindrical portion which is connected to the valve rod shaft supporting portion is made of material different from that of the valve body, a slanting surface is formed between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the sheet ring, an angle and a width formed by the slanting surface and the outer peripheral side surface are the greatest at a position intersecting with the valve shaft at right angles and are the smallest at a position of the valve shaft, a central portion of an inner peripheral surface of the valve body is allowed to project inward to form an engaging projection, the sheet ring is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the valve body under pressure in the opposite sides of the recess groove, the cylindrical bush whose one end is closed is mounted to the other valve rod which pivotally supports the valve element, and the other valve rod is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Tomoe Technical Research Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Jiro Kamesawa
  • Patent number: 7077383
    Abstract: A butterfly valve for controlling a gas pressure, in particular inside a cabin of an aircraft, comprises a valve housing (10) having a longitudinal axis (11), a shaft (20) having a rotation axis (21), and a closure member (30) connected to the shaft (20). The closure member (30) is pivotally mounted in the valve housing (10) for rotation about the rotation axis (21) between an open position and a closed position. Moreover, the closure member (30) consists of a first disk (40) and a complementary second disk (50) which abut against each other. The first disk (40) and the second disk (50) are symmetrically arranged with regard to a symmetric axis (31) extending at a predetermined angle of inclination to the rotation axis (21). Such a butterfly valve ensures a restricted cross-sectional area of the valve housing (10), even if breaking of the closure member (30) occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nord-Micro AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Ralf Dreisilker, Bernhard Petri
  • Patent number: 7069902
    Abstract: An electrically controlled throttle apparatus is constructed with a throttle body and a throttle valve that are simultaneously formed in the same dies. The throttle valve is rotatably assembled in a bore wall part of the throttle body while the throttle valve is rotated by a predetermined rotation angle ? with respect to a rotation angle 0° corresponding to its full close position. Besides, a clearance is formed between the throttle body and the throttle valve around a portion in the vicinity of a throttle shaft of the throttle valve and a shaft hole of the throttle body. Furthermore, a joint is inserted between the throttle shaft and the shaft hole in the forming process thereof. Thus, the throttle body and the throttle valve can be separated by the molding dies and the joint, and the throttle body and the throttle valve can be prevented from welding to each other in a forming process thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arai, Naoki Hiraiwa, Isao Makino, Katsuya Torii
  • Patent number: 7055800
    Abstract: A flow rate control valve 1 comprises a first sleeve 4 and a second sleeve 5 fitted into an inner periphery of a housing 3. The both sleeves 4 and 5 have inner end faces 4d and 5d which are disposed in abutment against each other while being displaced from each other radially, thereby forming annular stepped end faces 4d? and 5d? on a common plane. An edge of the stepped end faces define a first seat S1. The valve body 6 has an outer peripheral surface which is formed as a beveled surface, which defines a second seat S2. The second seat S2 of the valve body 6 is disposed in linear contact with the first seat S1 to close a flow path in a gas passage 2. With this arrangement, a seal leakage when a butterfly valve 7 is closed can be reduced in comparison to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsumi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7051997
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve which includes a housing made from aluminum and a valve seat made from aluminum, for a flap which is mounted such as to rotate on a drive shaft and a peripheral piston seal. The valve seat includes a metallic coating on the surface thereof facing the flap, the layer thickness of which lies in the range from 5 to 30 m and has a temperature resistance in the range from 500 to 800 Celsius. The invention further relates to a use of said valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Thomas Hannewald
  • Patent number: 7044439
    Abstract: An easy-to-assemble motor-adjustable throttle valve for fluid channels, especially in motor vehicle air conditioning systems, which can be obtained when a geared motor is integrated in the setting stem without causing an unacceptable reduction of the remaining clear channel cross-section. A built-in housing fitted with a high-speed small servomotor and provided with a strongly reducing shaft gear disposed inn the axial extension of the housing is radially inserted through a side wall of the channel and coaxially inserted into a pot-shaped tapered section of one end of the setting stem, the output wheel of the shaft gear being formed on the inner covering surface of such section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Oechsler Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Poehlau
  • Patent number: 7032884
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retaining a butterfly plate within a valve housing after complete drive shaft failure. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the use of a pin extending between the butterfly plate and the valve housing where an end of the pin extends into a semi-circular channel centered on the center axis of the drive shaft. In preferred embodiments, the pin is immovably fixed to the valve housing, and extends into a channel on the butterfly plate assembly where the channel is sized, dimensioned, and positioned such that it corresponds to the path of an end of the pin as the plate rotates on the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell W. Horner, William M. Scherzinger, Gregor McDowall, Wayne T. Pearson
  • Patent number: 7032883
    Abstract: A flow control valve system has a housing that defines a flow path, a throttle element disposed in the flow path, and a linkage assembly coupled to the throttle element and oriented substantially outside the flow path. With such an orientation, the linkage assembly has minimal effect on a pressure gradient or pressure drop within the flow control valve system. As such, the linkage assembly allows the flow control valve system to deliver fluid from a fluid input channel to a fluid output channel at a relatively large volume flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: Delton M. Boardman, Lawrence E. Parker
  • Patent number: 7032885
    Abstract: A throttle body for an automobile and a method of assembly of a throttle body are provided. The throttle body includes a throttle shaft defining a rotational axis, a housing having a bore, a deformable member located on the throttle shaft and at least partially-located within the bore, and a bearing having an inner surface and an outer surface. The bearing inner surface forms a press-fit connection with the deformable member to substantially prevent movement between the throttle shaft and the bearing in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James Richard Rauch, Richard Eugene Tyzo
  • Patent number: 7025325
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow control valve capable of controlling a flow amount of air, gas or fluid inside a pipe. The flow control valve has a relatively simple structure, which can reduce manufacturing expenses, minimize malfunction and wrong driving, and allow a rapid repair and replacement of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Tae Moug Kwon
  • Patent number: 7021325
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with an access opening in which a linearly installed but pivotally operated gate-like valve-stopping mechanism is disposed, said mechanism including a support structure or cartridge with a pivotally moveable valve-stopping element or isolator (e.g., a butterfly element). A method for hot tapping a pipeline with a valve assembly as described above proceeds by (i) connecting the valve body to a line to be tapped, (iii) connecting a hot-tapping machine to the valve body, (iv) connecting a bonnet holding the valve-stopping mechanism to the valve body over the access opening, (v) hot tapping the line, (vi) advancing the valve-stopping mechanism into the valve body interior, and (vii) disconnecting the hot-tapping machine from the valve body with the valve-stopping element pivoted to the first position where it stops fluid communications. The gate-like valve-stopping mechanism can replace a gate in an insert valve (IV) or a repair-under-pressure (RUP) valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Occlude
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Maichel, Thomas A. Sovilla
  • Patent number: 7011073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a throttle valve housing, particularly for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, comprising a tubular housing part whose flow-through channel can be closed off from a gaseous medium by means of a throttle valve mounted on a throttle valve shaft. A tubular inlet area and a tubular outlet area are situated at the ends of the housing part, have flow-through openings that extend the flow-through channel, and can be detachably connected to a supply tube and a discharge tube. The inlet area and the outlet area can be produced as separate parts and can be connected to the housing part in a fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Thomas Hannewald
  • Patent number: 7004138
    Abstract: A servo-operated rotary vane valve is intended for external assembly through an opening in an engine inlet manifold passage with an integral rib formed therein. Baffling surfaces on the edge of the vane minimize pressure pulse communication over the rib when the valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Keller, Marc H. Sanderson, Kevin Petri, Robert J. Boychuk
  • Patent number: 6997240
    Abstract: A flap provided with an integral motor-containing drive element provided with an integral motor-containing drive element for controlling the air flow through an air-guide duct in, for example, a motor vehicle air condition system which includes a housing defining an air flow duct, an evaporator located in the housing, a heater located in the housing. The flap is adapted to be pivoted about and axis and is supported at each of its axial ends. One end is provided with a cut-out or recess which extends inwardly from one end along the axis of rotation. This cut-out or recess has opposed edges which engage in slots formed in holding means or housing that encloses the drive element, and which permit the ready insertion of the drive unit into an operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Walter Denk, Karl Lochmahr, Eric Reinisch, Klaus Waibel
  • Patent number: 6997163
    Abstract: A throttle apparatus includes a throttle body having a motor insertion hole in which a motor is received. The throttle body has an undercut groove perpendicularly extending with respect to the axial direction of the motor around the insertion hole. A metallic plate is inserted into the undercut groove, so that a motor engaging hole formed in the metallic plate is attached to the throttle body, and a motor engaging hole formed in the metallic plate engages with the motor. A sensor cover is attached to the metallic plate, so that a notch formed in the metallic plate engages with an engaging boss integrally formed in the sensor cover to steadily receive a motor, such that the motor is restricted in the axial direction of the motor and in a direction which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Arai, Katsuya Torii, Isao Makino
  • Patent number: 6997438
    Abstract: An electronically controlled butterfly valve comprising a valve body, a valve seat formed in the valve body, a butterfly disc adapted to engage the valve seat, a shaft on which the butterfly disc is keyed, an electric motor coupled to the shaft by means of a gear transmission having a final gear keyed on the shaft, a spiral return spring adapted to rotate the butterfly disc towards the closed position, and an opposing spring adapted to rotate the butterfly disc towards a limp-home position defined by an abutment body against the action of the return spring; the opposing spring is a flat leaf spring and is mounted on a moving member which is mounted coaxially and idly on the shaft and has a projection adapted to engage in abutment against the abutment body, an end of the opposing spring being free and ending in a projection which is disposed so as to be superimposed on the trajectory followed by a member rigid with the final gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventor: Claudio Fauni
  • Patent number: 6986502
    Abstract: A lightweight, low cost throttle body and throttle valve placed in the body, both formed of resins, that resolve the problem of excessively large gap formation is disclosed. Circumferentially oriented filler contained in a resin forming a throttle valve compensates to make the radial linear expansion coefficient of the throttle valve substantially equal to that of a bore. Grooves are formed on concentric circles in the throttle valve to orient filler circumferentially. A throttle valve provided with circumferentially oriented filler can be formed by impregnating an aggregate formed by circumferentially arranging the filler with a resin and curing the resin. A rib is formed in a part near a throttle shaft to control molding shrinkage so that the roundness of the bore is small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naozumi Hatada, Makoto Iida, Yutaka Takeuchi, Shigeo Tamaki