Diaphragm Patents (Class 251/331)
  • Patent number: 5791631
    Abstract: A novel valving assembly that provides redundant control, eliminates separate gasketing, and assures proper valve seating, which includes a dual valve disk construction having a laterally extending integral web membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: David D. Martin, Douglas W. Ray
  • Patent number: 5788217
    Abstract: The flow of water to a cuspidor bowl-rinse spout and cup-filling spout is controlled by a normally closed valve that is actuated by a lever, the ends of which lever protrude through opposite sides of the cuspidor housing. Either end of the lever may be moved in either of two opposite directions for actuating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: A-Dec, Inc.
    Inventors: George K. Austin, Jr., Shawn R. Irwin, Brian E. Bonn
  • Patent number: 5785295
    Abstract: A thermally buckling control microvalve including three layers in which the intermediate layer is an electrically conductive one. The left side of the intermediate layer that aligns with an outlet of the lower layer has a suspension supported on both sides by a thin bridge structure. An upper side of the suspension is provided with an electrical thermal membrane which slightly curves upwardly, and a valve nozzle communicating with the outlet of the lower layer is caused to gradually open when actuated. A pressure chamber is disposed above the suspension and the bridge structures and a pressure distribution chamber communicating with the pressure chamber is disposed below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Ming-Jye Tsai
  • Patent number: 5779224
    Abstract: A two-way valve has a poppet valve displaceably disposed in a bonnet for selectively opening and closing a communication passage between primary and secondary ports, and a resilient member disposed in a diaphragm chamber defined between the bonnet and the poppet valve and resiliently deformable for dampening a load applied to a diaphragm of the poppet valve which is exposed to the communication passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tetsuro Maruyama, Tadashi Uchino, Masaaki Ono, Yuzuru Okita
  • Patent number: 5762086
    Abstract: An apparatus free of polymer material in contact with process gas for delivering process gas for making semiconductors includes a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of the process gas to be delivered by the apparatus from a supply of pressurized process gas. The pressure regulator has a first valve seat and a first valve which cooperates with the first valve seat for controlling the flow of process gas through the regulator. Both the first valve seat and the first valve are formed of metal. The apparatus further includes a second valve having metal-to-metal dynamic seating for controlling the flow of the gas from the supply to the regulator. The second valve is provided immediately upstream of the pressure regulator along a flow path for the gas through the apparatus. A relatively high creep of the pressure regulator is significantly reduced by operating the regulator in conjunction with the pneumatically operated (on/off) second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Veriflo Corporation
    Inventor: Louis A. Ollivier
  • Patent number: 5758865
    Abstract: A valve including a housing defining an interior, entry port, an exit orifice, and a fuel path between the entry port and exit orifice, a magnetic coil associated with the interior of the housing, and a resilient valve element defining an outer section fixedly secured to the housing, an interior section engaging and closing the exit orifice, and a spring section between the outer section and the interior section defining at least one aperture. The resilient valve element will be deflected such that the interior section of the valve element is disengaged and spaced apart from the exit orifice in response to an application of a predetermined voltage to the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Kavlico Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Lee Casey
  • Patent number: 5758864
    Abstract: The valve structure of the present invention can completely eliminate the dead volume of a valve in closed position, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of measurement. A valve chamber (3) is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion by a diaphragm (6). The whole circumference of the diaphragm (6) is fixed on the same level as the bottom of the valve chamber (3). A fluid inlet port (4a) is formed on the substantial center of the bottom face of the valve chamber (3). A stepped hole (7) is arranged concentrically with the fluid inlet port (4a) open to the valve chamber (3). A valve seat (8) composed of perfluoro-elastomer has a stepped element (8a) which corresponds to and is fitted in the stepped hole (7). A valve disc (10) projected through the bottom face of the diaphragm (6) is pressed against a ring projection (8b) of the valve seat (8) protruded into the valve chamber (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Takasago Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Hakuji Asai
  • Patent number: 5755428
    Abstract: A valve having metal-to-metal dynamic seating for controlling the flow of gas includes a valve body having a gas passage extending therethrough, a metal seat extending about the gas passage, a flexible metal diaphragm mounted in the valve so the diaphragm can be moved into and out of sealing contact with the metal seat to respectively close and open the gas passage, and an actuator operable for opening and closing the gas passage by way of movement of the diaphragm relative to the metal seat. The actuator includes a metal backing member forcedly contacting the diaphragm during closing of the gas passage on a side of the diaphragm opposite a side thereof which makes sealing contact with the metal seat. The metal seat and the metal backing member are configured such that the sealing contact between the metal diaphragm and the metal seat is a relatively narrow line of contact extending about the gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Veriflow Corporation
    Inventor: Louis A. Ollivier
  • Patent number: 5738335
    Abstract: A device for isolating and containing gas reactive materials includes a novel valve arrangement that is actuatable in conjunction with the movement of a pre-loaded metal diaphragm. The valve is situated in a housing having an inlet and an outlet fitting, a seat for the diaphragm and a metal tube in contact with the diaphragm to provide fluid communication between the housing and the gas supply to that the pre-loaded diaphragm is opened upon the connection of the gas supply to allow gas flow to the gas reactive material disposed within the housing. The pre-loaded diaphragm force is sufficient to form a fluid tight seal when the device is disconnected from a gas supply line therby sealing the interior of the device from the surrounding enviroment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventor: Roger R. Coutu
  • Patent number: 5730423
    Abstract: An all metal diaphragm valve is provided. The valve includes a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage each of which communicates with a valve chamber. Portions of the inlet passage in the valve chamber are surrounded by a toroidal sealing bead. The valve further includes a resilient metallic diaphragm which is dished and in an unbiased condition projects away from the toroidal sealing bead. Thus, fluid may flow through the inlet passage, through the valve chamber and out of the outlet passage. Actuation of a valve stem will cause the metal diaphragm to deflect toward and into sealing engagement with the toroidal sealing bead. The surface of the diaphragm that engages the toroidal sealing bead is formed from a very hard metallic alloy However adjacent layers of the diaphragm are formed from softer metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Jing-Chau Wu, Patrick P. Barber, Lewis L. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 5718569
    Abstract: An IV pump actuates a disposable cassette having two parallel fluid paths that include first and second pumping chambers. The disposable cassette (12) has a housing(14) that includes a back portion (152) in which is defined a fluid path (60) between an inlet port (16) and an outlet port (18). An elastomeric membrane (150) is sealed between the back portion and a front portion (52). The elastomeric membrane is exposed through the front portion at a first pumping chamber (82), a second pumping chamber (84), inlet valves (70, 76), and outlet valves (86, 92). The inlet valves operate in a fully open mode, a fully closed mode, and a cracking mode. The cracking mode of the inlet valve occurs as the elastomeric membrane is initially forced further into the pumping chamber. If the pressure of the fluid in the pumping chamber exceeds a predetermined cracking pressure, the inlet valve is forced open so that the fluid flows from the pumping chamber back toward the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Peter A. Holst
  • Patent number: 5711507
    Abstract: An automatically-calibrating electrically-controlled diaphragm valve actuator has a stepper motor controlled by a controller mechanism for moving the actuator within a diaphragm valve. A reference position indicator is provided to signal the controller mechanism when the valve actuator is at a reference position within the actuator's linear stroke. A method for automatically calibrating an electrically controlled diaphragm valve actuator includes the following steps. The actuator is initially driven to a reference position. Second, the actuator is driven a first number of steps. Third, the actuator is returned to the reference position. Fourth, it is determined whether fall back has occurred. Fifth, a second number of steps is determined based upon whether fall back has occurred. Sixth, the actuator is driven the second number of steps in order to compensate for the fall back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Mark D. Berget, Dennis L. Manthei
  • Patent number: 5706859
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve for controlling a flow of gaseous or liquid fluid and including a valve housing having a valve chamber, into which opens a central channel and on each side thereof a first side channel and a second side channel, respectively, each having an external connection for fluid, valve seats arranged in the housing, an elastic diaphragm adapted to be brought into and away from sealing contact with at least one of the valve seats and controls for actuating the diaphragm. At least one portion of each valve seat is common to the central channel and one of the side channels. Two controls are arranged to press the diaphragm against one such portion each, thereby to shut off the passage of fluid between the central channel and the respective side channel, and to raise one portion each of the diaphragm off the respective portion of the valve seat thereby to open passage of flow between the central channel and the respective side channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Robovalve AB
    Inventor: Ingvar Backlund
  • Patent number: 5660370
    Abstract: A valve has a flexible sheet member which moves toward and away from a flat, non-flexing sheet member to cover and open two holes in the nonflexing sheet member to block or permit fluid flow between passageways in a second valve body portion member. The flexible sheet member is extendible into a recess formed in a first valve body portion member above the two holes so that fluid flows from one passageway through a chamber formed between the non-flexing sheet member surface and the faring surface of the flexible sheet member. The plunger head of a solenoid forces the flexible sheet member into contact with the non-flexing sheet member and when excited causes the plunger head to be moved out of contact with the flexible sheet member allowing the flexible sheet member to uncover the holes in the nonflexing sheet member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Integrated Fludics, Inc.
    Inventor: Milo E. Webster
  • Patent number: 5657786
    Abstract: A gas cabinet manifold is free of dead-legs both during delivery of process gas to a semiconductor fabrication tool location and during purging of the manifold. The manifold includes three similar dual valve assembly blocks. Each valve assembly block includes two valves and each of the valves has a valve chamber in which are formed three ports. Each valve also includes a mechanism for selectively closing one of its three ports. Each of the valves has one of its non-closeable ports connected via a conduit to a corresponding non-closeable port of the other valve, and the other non-closeable ports are connected by a second conduit which is connected by a third conduit to a port by which gas may be introduced into the valve block. A vacuum venturi or other vacuum source is used to vent process gas from a high pressure area of the manifold by way of a pressure regulator and a low pressure area of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignees: SCI Systems, Inc., BOC Group, Inc. (The)
    Inventors: Ronald R. DuRoss, William K. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5653419
    Abstract: The invention has its object to provide a diaphragm type high pressure shut-off valve which is simple in external shape, can realize miniaturization and is convenient in handling.The shut-off valve comprises a cylindrical housing (10) having a supply unit for compressed air at its end in an axial direction (Q), a piston (19) provided in the housing (10) and adapted to reciprocate in response to the compressed air, a return spring (20) provided in the housing (10) so as to permit the piston (19) to return, a rack portion (19A) provided to extend from the piston (19), a cam pinion (17) having a pinion portion (17B) provided integrally with the pinion portion (17B) and a rotating shaft (18) supported by the housing (10), and a diaphragm (7) adapted for movement in response to displacements of stems (9,13) and abutting against the cam face portion (17A) of the cam pinion (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Osamu Uchisawa, Jun Yamashima
  • Patent number: 5653422
    Abstract: The solenoid valve, which can be used as a single valve to control small flow quantities, or also as a pilot valve for valves controlling larger flow quantities of a medium, has a narrow, oblong cuboid valve housing (10), in which two seal seats (38, 40) and an oblong chamber (26) are formed. In this chamber (26) a bar-shaped armature (28) is movably accommodated and pivotally located on a blunt edge (30). The armature (28) has two recesses (42, 44) each opposite the seal seats (38, 40). A seal (46, 48) is located in each recess. The armature (28) is retained in its functional position by means of a return spring (50) stabilised in position on the floor of the chamber (26), the spring engaging in one recess (44) of the armature (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Burkert Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Pieloth, Dieter Schrepel, Heinz Topfer
  • Patent number: 5609185
    Abstract: An actuator for actuating a valve from a first position to a second position includes a housing and a rotatable stem mounted within the housing and restricted from moving axially. The actuator also includes a non-rotatable plunger engaging the stem such that the plunger moves axially in response to rotation of the stem, whereby the valve is actuated from the first position to the second position. The actuator is also provided with a non-rotatable indicator member, which is mounted within the housing and through which the stem extends. The indicator member engages the stem such that the indicator member moves axially in response to rotation of the stem. A viewing window is formed in a wall of the housing such that the indicator member can be seen through the window for indicating the first position and the second position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: H-Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Booth, Alan R. Levin
  • Patent number: 5593134
    Abstract: A piezo-electrically actuated fluid control valve has a nozzle type seat, a magnet opposite from the seat, and a piezoelectric actuator in sheet form between the seat and magnet. The actuator includes a piezo-ceramic layer laminated to an electrode sheet, so that the composite is parallel to the seat and a surface of the magnet. The electrode sheet has opposite edges which extend beyond the piezo-ceramic layer and are clamped by the housing of the valve so that the center of the actuator is positioned between the seat and magnet. When an electric field is applied to the piezo-ceramic layer, the actuator bows or dishes so as to displace from the seat toward the magnet, and the magnetic field of the magnet draws the actuator further away from the seat, to increase the valve opening between the actuator and the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Steber, Dale A. Knutson
  • Patent number: 5593130
    Abstract: A valve of the membrane valve type comprises a valve body with two fluid flow channels (5, 5') separated by a land portion which forms a valve seat (6) having a sealing surface for co-operation with a flexible membrane (7) mounted over a duct (8) which opens in front of the valve seat and is arranged for fluid pressure actuation of the membrane between a closing position, where the membrane (7) sealingly contacts the valve seat (6), and an opening position where there is a flow channel communicating space ( 11) between the valve seat (6) and the membrane (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Pharmacia Biosensor AB
    Inventors: Thord Hansson, Stefan Sjolander
  • Patent number: 5551477
    Abstract: A manual control valve apparatus having a structure which is provided with, as a conversion mechanism, a diaphragm compressor which is held between a valve casing and a guide member, arcuate engaging grooves formed in a surface of the diaphragm presser opposite to the valve stem, and rolling elements which engage in a freely rolling manner in the engaging grooves and are supported by the lead end part of the valve stem. The bottom surfaces of the engaging grooves are made cam surfaces for causing reciprocating motion in the axial direction of the valve stem. An indicator possessing opening indicating portions indicating the rotational position of the valve stem is attached to the opposite end of the guide member from the valve casing, and furthermore, windows exposing the opening support portions are provided in an area from the circumferential wall of the handle to the end wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yohichi Kanno, Osamu Uchisawa, Sigekazu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5549134
    Abstract: A sanitary valve comprising a valve body, a diaphragm and an actuator is provided. The valve body includes a cavity or bowl which defines a fluid chamber. A hole for passage of fluid into or out of the chamber is located in the bottom of the cavity. A second hole is located in the side of the cavity. Passages connect the holes to connection ports on the outside of the valve body. The ports, passages, holes and fluid chamber provide a fluid path through the valve. The diaphragm is mounted over the cavity and includes in its center a boss or raised area which extends into the cavity. The boss controls the flow of fluid through the valve. The size of the boss is slightly larger than the hole in the center of the cavity. The boss has a thickness selected so that the boss closes the center hole when the diaphragm is flexed towards the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: MarcValve Corporation
    Inventors: Ronnie A. Browne, Marc Baril
  • Patent number: 5546977
    Abstract: An integral dual containment valve system for dual containment piping having inner carrier pipes for fluid and outer carrier pipes. The dual containment valve system includes an inner carrier housing connectable to the inner carrier pipes. A valve controls flow of fluid through the inner carrier housing. An outer containment housing surrounds the inner carrier housing and surrounds the valve. The outer containment housing connects to the outer containment pipes. The outer containment housing provides sealable access to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Conley Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Chaney
  • Patent number: 5542444
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a valve and a method of use. In one embodiment, a first element is operatively and removably positioned with respect to a first fluid conveying conduit and a second fluid conveying conduit. The first element is movable between a first position where no fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit and a second position where fluid communicates between the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A second element is operatively and removably engagable with the first element for maintaining operative position of the first element with respect to the first fluid conveying conduit and the second fluid conveying conduit. A third element is operatively and removably engagable with the second element for maintaining engagement between the first element and the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Alan J. Alcock
  • Patent number: 5535987
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve has a diaphragm for sealing against a valve seat. The diaphragm has an enlarged resilient annular rim portion which is clamped between mating portions of the valve to seal and support the diaphragm within the valve. The annular rim portion comprises an annular bead that extends substantially completely around a peripheral edge of the diaphragm and is integrally molded with the diaphragm. In addition, a separate flexible ring member having a radially inwardly facing cavity for receiving the bead is separably attached to the bead such that the annular rim portion is formed both by the bead and the ring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Anthony M. Wlodarczyk
  • Patent number: 5529280
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve (20) of the class having a diaphragm (32) backed-up by a spring retainer (38). The spring retainer (38) is provided, at a portion thereof facing the valve seat (30), with a relieved surface (48) spaced away from the diaphragm (38) in the free state thereof. The relieved surface (48) permits the diaphragm to resiliently yield in response to any circumferential undulation or unevenness (52) of the valve seat to provide a snug fit between the diaphragm (32) and the valve seat (30) throughout the entire circumference of the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Satoh, Koichi Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 5524865
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve structure which is durable and has high reliability is obtained.In the diaphragm valve structure, a body 11, a valve seat 12, a seat holder 13, and a diaphragm 14, are provided; an inflow passage and an outflow passage for fluids and openings thereof are formed in body 11, valve seat 12 is disposed around the periphery of the opening of the inflow passage, the valve seat is pressed downward into body 11 by seat holder 13, diaphragm 14 comes into contact with valve seat 12 and places the opening in an airtight state, and thereby, movement of fluid between the inflow passage and the outflow passage is halted. At least two projecting parts are formed between the inflow passage and the outflow passage of this diaphragm valve structure; one of these two projecting parts is formed on valve seat 12, and the other projecting part is formed either on valve seat 12 or on seat holder 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki-Kaisha Motoyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Osamu Uchisawa, Jun Yamashima, Shigekazu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5518015
    Abstract: An automatically-calibrating electrically-controlled diaphragm valve actuator has a stepper motor controlled by a controller mechanism for moving the actuator within a diaphragm valve. A reference position indicator is provided to signal the controller mechanism when the valve actuator is at a reference position within the actuator's linear stroke. A method for automatically calibrating an electrically controlled diaphragm valve actuator includes the following steps. The actuator is initially driven to a reference position. Second, the actuator is driven a first number of steps. Third, the actuator is returned to the reference position. Fourth, it is determined whether fall back has occurred. Fifth, a second number of steps is determined based upon whether fall back has occurred. Sixth, the actuator is driven the second number of steps in order to compensate for the fall back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Mark D. Berget, Dennis L. Manthei
  • Patent number: 5516075
    Abstract: A controller comprises a valve body having a valve element and a valve seat defining a fluid cannel openable and closable with a reciprocating upward and downward movement of a valve stem, a casing fixed to an upper portion of the valve body, an operating rod provided in an upper inside portion of the casing upwardly and downwardly movably, a drive device for moving the rod upward and downward, and a transmission device provided in a lower inside portion of the casing for transmitting a force acting on the rod to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5490659
    Abstract: A diaphragm for flush valves has a plurality of concentric reinforcing rings spaced closer together at the smaller diameters of the diaphragm than at the larger diameters. The reinforcing rings have a geometrically progressive spacing from the inside to the outside of the diaphragm so as to provide maximum hoop stress reduction with a minimum amount of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John F. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5485984
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve is provided with a removable metallic elastic seating ring (7) having a first passage (10) and at least one second passage (11) extending through it. The first passage communicates with an inlet passage (8) of the valve while the second passage communicates with the outflow passage (9). A first surface (7a) of the seating ring is provided with a valve seat (12) against which the diaphragm (6) may be pressed to block fluid flow through the valve. A second surface (7b) of the seating ring has two annular and axially extending projections (15, 16). The first projection (15) contacts a bottom surface (2a) of valve chamber (2) in a region surrounding the opening where the inflow passage joins the valve chamber. The second projection (16) contacts the bottom surface of the valve chamber around the periphery of the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Masako Kiyohara
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Michio Yamaji, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5476118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-stagnant piping system and it is an object of this invention to provide a piping system such that the fluid inside the upstream side piping of a valve portion and inside the valve will not become stagnant in a super pure water line and chemical solution, etc., regardless of whether the valve is in a closed or opened state.A diaphragm valve 3 having a by-pass means 3b installed on the upstream side of the valve portion 3a is mounted in the sub-line 2 branched from the main line 1 in the piping system, and a pressure reducing unit 4 having a pressure reducing portion by a throttling portion 4a, and a by-pass 4b communicating with the throttling portion 4a is installed on the downstream side of the branch point with the sub-line 2 in the main line 1, and moreover, both by-pass means 3b and 4b communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Asahi Yukizai Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 5470044
    Abstract: A safety faucet including a handle having an opening, a safety sliding block received in the opening on the handle, a casing, and a valve device mounted within the casing, the valve device including a cap fastened to the casing, a valve stem having one covered end with a water stopper and the other end extended out of a hole on the cap and pivotally secured to the handle, and a spring mounted around the valve stem and disposed inside the casing, when the safety sliding block is pressed with the handle to engage projecting plates of the block against the top cap, the valve stem and the water stopper can be lifted by the handle to open the water passage through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Inventor: James Chi
  • Patent number: 5470045
    Abstract: A valve apparatus wherein a diaphragm is provided above a valve seat in the valve body, employing a structure whereby the diaphragm can be depressed onto the valve seat, wherein a means of load is provided to depress the diaphragm, wherein an electromagnetic actuator is installed to separate the diaphragm from the valve seat, wherein a thin plate disc is provided with its center fixed to the periphery of the means of load and wherein a valve stem is positioned being fixed to the center of the thin plate disc. Driving the electromagnetic actuator, the valve stem is pulled up opposing the resilient force of the thin plate disc to allow the diaphragm to restore itself from its status being depressed onto the valve seat, thus controlling the aperture of the valve appropriately and smoothly. This invention therefore can provide a valve unit with a simplified structure but capable of maintaining a high cleanliness and improved flow rate controllability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Kazama, Tomihisa Oyama
  • Patent number: 5467960
    Abstract: A two-way fluid control valve for use in temperature controlled HVAC systems. The control valve includes an engine coolant inlet and an engine coolant outlet. A diaphragm is located between the inlet and outlet and is movable between a closed position in which it prevents coolant flow through the control valve and an open position in which it allows coolant to flow through the control valve. A pressure chamber above the diaphragm is in fluid connection with the common port of a three-way control solenoid. The inlet is in fluid connection with the normally closed port of the solenoid and the outlet is in fluid connection with the normally open port of the solenoid. In an unenergized position, the pressure chamber is maintained at a lower pressure than the coolant pressure in the outlet, allowing the diaphragm to be forced open by the engine coolant, thus allowing engine coolant to flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: GT Development Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Morris, Charles J. Green
  • Patent number: 5462256
    Abstract: A push button flow stop is mounted on a disposable infusion pumping cassette provided for use with a drug infusion pump. The flow stop is operative to enable or to block fluid flow through the cassette in a first mode and to monitor fluid pressure in the cassette in a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Steven E. Minick, Michael W. Lawless, Peter A. Soberon, Ashok Kaul, Robert A. Hermann
  • Patent number: 5452878
    Abstract: A miniature actuating device with a carrier, a diaphragm, a hollow space formed between the carrier and the diaphragm and an insulating layer arranged between them and with two electrode terminals for producing an electrostatic field between the diaphragm and the carrier for an activated state. With an actuating device of this kind, it is desired that the throw can be achieved under the influence of the electrostatic field be rendered as large as possible. To that end, the hollow space is present only in the state of rest and in the activated state virtually disappears maintaining the diaphragm buckle free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Peter Gravesen, Jens A. Branebjerg
  • Patent number: 5452746
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a main valve body having an inlet flow passage and at least one outlet flow passage and a flow chamber extending between the same. The main valve body has a valve seat surrounding the inlet flow passage. The valve body having an opening in alignment with the inlet in the inlet flow passage. The valve body has an annular shoulder surrounding the opening. A diaphragm is disposed within the flow chamber and sealingly engages the shoulder and movable between open and closed positions with respect to the valve seat. A valve operator is mounted on the valve body for moving said diaphragm between the open and closed positions. The main valve body has a side wall and a side wall opening therein in communication with the flow chamber. The side wall has a side wall valve seat formed therein surrounding the side wall opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Aseptic Controls Investment Co.
    Inventors: Luther T. Hoobyar, Walter L. Connolly, Timothy G. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5449144
    Abstract: A faucet for controlling the dispensing of liquids includes a valve body having a valve chamber with a valve element movable between first and second positions for controlling flow between an inlet and the outlet. An operating stem extends from the valve element to a position exteriorly of the body through a bonnet connected to the body. A safety-type cam actuator is joined to the stem and is pivotally movable to selectively move the valve element between the first and second positions if it is first moved inward radially of the stem. Wall forming portions extending outwardly from an insert located between the bonnet and the body to define guide surfaces closely adjacent the stem and the cam actuator to prevent undesired tilting of the stem and the cam actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: The Meyer Company
    Inventor: Raymond P. Kowalics
  • Patent number: 5439197
    Abstract: In a flow rate control valve having a handle (12) for rotating a stem (9), the handle being locked to a bonnet (3) by a lock screw (14), the handle (12) comprises a handle main body (12') fixed to an upper end of the stem (9), and a tubular lock handle (12") coupled to the lower end of the handle main body (12'). The lock handle is movable in a direction orthogonal to an axial line of elongation Y of the stem 9 relative to the handle main body, with the lock handle enclosing the upper outer circumference of the bonnet (3), and the lock screw (14) being movable in the lock handle (12") in a direction nearly orthogonal to the axial line of elongation Y of the stem (9) to engage the bonnet (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Masako Kiyohara
    Inventors: Shigeru Itoi, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5429713
    Abstract: Described is a method of manufacturing a silicious micro-valve comprising the steps of providing a first silicious substrate; removing a portion of the first substrate to reveal the 111 planes of the first substrate; drawing an epitaxial layer to conform to the 111 planes of the first substrate; and assembling the first substrate and the epitaxial layer as two separate identical pieces to form a micro-valve having 111 planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Stevenson, Charles F. Eagen, Carlton S. Avant
  • Patent number: 5427150
    Abstract: A body of generally triangular cross-section has ports opening onto compartments formed therein, which are contiguous with, and fair into a curved drainage channel in the body. Too, diaphragm-controlled openings in the body are bisected by a partition, in traverse of the body, the edges of which define fluid-passing or -restricting weirs. The openings and lowermost portions of the weirs or edges of the partition also blend with, and fair into the channel level, whereby the body presents a horizontal drainage plane for fluids, when installed in a horizontal disposition in a fluid process piping system. Too, side walls of the body are inclined, defining therebetween an angle of from forty to eighty degrees of arc, to enhance fluid flow through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Skaer, Jose M. Robaina
  • Patent number: 5421546
    Abstract: A control valve comprised of a housing having a central, vertical bore retaining therein a flexible, tubular sleeve whose central portion can be eccentrically motivated towards or away from a valve seat with the aid of a ball pushed by a valve stem moving inside of the sleeve and having a slanted, camming groove, which is in contact with the ball, and where the valve seat is located perpendicularly towards and at the center of said vertical bore. The sleeve itself is retained within the housing by an upper and lower flanged plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Hans D. Baumann
  • Patent number: 5419924
    Abstract: Fixed amounts of a liquid source for a chemical vapor deposition process is supplied continuously from a source tank and through a liquid mass flow controller to a three-way valve. Inside the three-way valve, the liquid source is evaporated to generate a source gas by contacting a high-temperature carrier gas which flows therethrough and becomes mixed with the source gas. The gas mixture thus generated is supplied into a process chamber for a chemical vapor deposition process. The carrier gas may be heated by a gas heater before entering the three-way valve. Alternatively, the three-way valve may be enclosed inside a thermostatic container, the carrier gas being heated inside the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Nagashima, Hiroshi Nishizato, Hirofumi Ono
  • Patent number: 5413311
    Abstract: A gas flow valve having an internal valve chamber with an inlet and outlet passage, and a movable metallic diaphragm in the chamber, the diaphragm bonded to a valve stem projecting outside of the chamber. The diaphragm has a Teflon film coating which is engageable against at least one of the inlet and outlet passages in sealing relationship, and the valve stem has a spring-biasing member outside the chamber for urging the diaphragm away from sealing engagement with the inlet and outlet passages. A peripheral rib is formed in a chamber wall and the diaphragm is held in fixed relationship against the peripheral rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Tescom Corporation
    Inventors: Dale C. Arstein, Lee R. Rensberger
  • Patent number: 5411680
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type carburetor has a high speed adjusting needle and a low speed/idle adjusting needle which are independently supplied with fuel from the metering chamber. The path for fuel to the low speed/idle needle has a valve which is controlled by the angular position of the throttle shaft such that when the throttle shutter is closed the valve is open whereas when the throttle shutter is open the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Tillotson, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerard McCarthy, Roger Bowles
  • Patent number: 5398725
    Abstract: A flow control device has a case formed in a lower portion thereof with a fluid channel and a disk seat at an intermediate portion of the channel. A spindle housed in the case has a disk at its lower end and a rollable member at its upper end and is biased by a spring to press the disk against the seat. The case is provided in an upper portion thereof with a rotary shaft having an upwardly projecting handle or sidewise projecting lever handle. The shaft has a rollable member seat which is annular or circular-arc when seen from above and which is formed with a protuberance for lifting and lowering the rollable member as placed on its seat. Rotation of the shaft moves the protuberance, which in turn raises the rollable member to lift the spindle and hold the disk away from the disk seat. The rotation of the shaft reliably opens or closes the channel, or reliably effects a change-over between fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Masahiko Nakazawa, Kazuo Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5390832
    Abstract: Carbonated and non-carbonated beverages are selectively dispensed under the driving force of a one time charge of pressurized inert gas inserted into the headspace of the beverage container at the time of bottling/canning. The gas, preferably nitrogen, is inert to the beverage liquid and is pressurized sufficiently to permit dispensing of all of the liquid from the container via a siphon tube. A cap valve seals the container and includes an elastomeric check valve preventing escape of gas while permitting the siphon tube to be inserted into the container. A throttling and diffusing valve controls outflow from the siphon tube to ambient and prevents fracturing of gas from the beverage liquid to minimize foaming/frothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Inventor: Samuel N. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 5390895
    Abstract: A slow vent valve for semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment is disclosed, which generates a gentle flow of nitrogen gas to the vacuum chamber enough to maintain an undisturbed ambient environment for the wafer being processed in the chamber, protecting the product from disturbed by particulate raised or objectionable ambient stirring caused by the entering gas. The valve includes an adjustable cam mechanism including a valve open timing adjuster and a slow-venting adjuster. The valve open timing adjuster changes the initial diaphragm pressing force on the valve seat, to thereby determine the open speed and the open timing of the valve to take a lift off the valve seat. The slow venting adjuster is provided to adjust the resistance of a spring that exerts downward pressure on a second piston integrated with the valve rod, to thereby slow the slightly upward movement of the rod to operate the diaphragm to permit a slowed flow of nitrogen gas to the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Benkan Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 5386849
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a diaphragm assembly which is conformed to the poppet and which moves therewith. The poppet is integral with or mounted to the pole piece of the solenoid. The poppet is shaped to conform to the shape of the valve seat. The valve seat has an annular groove to allow flushing of the valve in both open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: South Bend Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon P. Gilchrist, William C. Klebusch