Springs And Spring Retainers Patents (Class 251/337)
  • Patent number: 5924443
    Abstract: A device for limiting the prestress of a control spring (17) which is particularly well-suited for pressure control valves and similar equipment, the control spring (17) being located in a spring housing (15) and supported on a spring plate (18) which can be adjusted by means of a rotating adjustable spindle (19) that is provided with a thread for prestressing the control spring (17), includes an end stop (22), which, by means of its own adjusting device which can be operated from outside the spring housing (15), can be adjusted and locked at any desired location between two end positions. When the spring plate (18) is moved in the direction which increases the prestress of the control spring (17), the spring plate (18) makes contact with the locking end stop (22), as a result of which the prestress of the control spring (17) is restricted to the preselected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Hygrama AG
    Inventor: Harald Wohlfahrt
  • Patent number: 5913504
    Abstract: A ring divided in two is fitted around a valve stem at a portion thereof projecting upward beyond a piston, with a C-ring fitted around the divided ring. The divided ring has an annular projection formed on its inner periphery and fitted in an annular groove which is formed in the valve stem at the portion thereof projecting upward beyond the position. The divided ring is formed in its outer periphery with an annular recess having fitted therein the inner peripheral portion of the C-ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Ryutaro Nishimura, Tetsuya Kojima
  • Patent number: 5913331
    Abstract: A check valve for preventing backflow in a conduit. The check valve includes a check valve mechanism having a valve seat defining an opening for fluid flow, a seal retainer positioned downstream of the valve seat and configured to seal the opening and a linkage between the valve seat and seal retainer. The linkage permits guided axial displacement between the valve seat and the seal retainer. The linkage also provides a retention force urging the seal retainer into engagement with the valve seat and creating a fluid seal therebetween when a downstream flow in the opening is insufficient to overcome the retention force provided by the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad L. Noll, Kirk A. Johnson, Timothy W. Hurt
  • Patent number: 5901728
    Abstract: The lower surface of a valve spring retainer is engaged on a valve spring in a valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine. The valve spring retainer is subjected to T6 treatment under JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard), and machined as finishing. The lower surface of the valve spring retainer is not machined, and remains as subjected to T6 treatment, thereby improving fatigue strength and wear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Makoto Abe
  • Patent number: 5901742
    Abstract: A pressure control valve in which the mass to be moved by the diaphragm is reduced by providing that a valve seat body having a valve seat face is placed in a middle region of the diaphragm. When the valve seat face lifts away from the valve closing body, fuel to be diverted flows from the pressure control side of the diaphragm to the return side of the diaphragm, via the valve seat face and a return conduit The pressure control valve is especially suitable for use in fuel supply systems of internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Kleppner, Helmut Schwegler, Kurt Frank, Wolfgang Bueser, Uwe Liskow, Lorenz Drutu
  • Patent number: 5884596
    Abstract: A valve spring is used in a valve operating mechanism for moving a poppet valve up and down in an internal combustion engine of an automobile. The terminal end of the uppermost portion of the valve spring extends in a tangential direction to go away from an axis of the valve spring, thereby avoiding contact with a retainer to prevent wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuo Hara, Makoto Abe
  • Patent number: 5873563
    Abstract: An improved valve lock comprises a plurality of tapered arcuate sections that fit together to provide a sleeve that fits on the tip of a valve stem, with the inner surfaces of the arcuate sections having raised ridges thereon that mate with corresponding valve lock grooves in a valve stem. The axial position of the ridges in the valve locks of the present invention are modified from the position of the ridges for an original equipment engine by an amount sufficient to compensate for a change in compression strength of a used valve spring or a variation in position of the valve stem due to grinding of the valve seats or valve stems. Desirably, the ridges are positioned thirty thousandths (0.030) of an inch outwardly from the position of the ridged in an original equipment valve lock for an engine where the valves have been ground and new valve springs are used, and the ridge position is adjusted sixty thousandths (0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: George Hoving, III
  • Patent number: 5855225
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve for releasing fluid through a vent in a railway tank car, tank trucks and similar vessels. A valve disk is normally biased in a closed position by a plurality of constant-force springs of laminated steel tapes on drums supported on upright angle brackets symmetrically arranged around a valve seat. The pressure at which the valve opens is determined by a preselection of the number of springs, laminated tapes per spring, and the restoring force of each tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Inventor: James W. Williams, III
  • Patent number: 5855224
    Abstract: A check valve assembly mounted for engagement with a valve seat includes a flapper valve and a lever arm. The flapper valve includes a bracket pivotably mounted along a first hemisphere of the valve seat, a valve plate mounted to the bracket along a region generally spaced from a periphery of the valve plate, and a mounting assembly adjustably joining the valve plate to the bracket. The flapper valve has a closed position with the valve plate in sealing engagement with the valve seat about the periphery of the valve plate. The lever arm is pivotably mounted to the valve seat along a second hemisphere of the valve seat opposite the first hemisphere. The lever arm includes a lever surface disposed for moving contact with an engagement surface of the bracket and a biasing means for biasing the lever surface toward contact with the engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventors: Ping Lin, Rand Ackroyd
  • Patent number: 5840155
    Abstract: A blower arrangement for detachment of a metallized belt from a sheet and for creating a braking force on a sheet, which belt and sheet are situated between platens of a press in a machine for printing sheet elements which comprises a bar arrangement near the exit of the press in which is provided a series of nozzles having the form of flattened parallelpipeds, each of these nozzles being sealed by a translational mobile cylindrical valve member movable perpendicular to an air supply duct with the valve member having a communication passage. The plane of the jets coming from the nozzles is directed approximately horizontally between the metallized belt and the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Bobst SA
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Rebeaud
  • Patent number: 5839468
    Abstract: A pump valve for use with positive displacement/reciprocating pumps. The pump valve includes an adapter, valve body, disk, spring, and retaining ring. The adapter is driven or pressed into the fluid end of the pump and includes an annular interior threaded surface to receive a mating threaded neck of the valve body. The valve body includes the neck, trunk having a cavity therein, and an integral valve seat inside the cavity of the trunk. The disk has a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the cavity so as to fit snugly therein and seat on the integral valve seat of the valve body. The spring is coiled from a first coil of smallest diameter so that each successive coil is of an increased diameter to a final coil of largest diameter. The spring is inserted inside the cavity in the trunk and contacts the disk. The spring is compressed so as to fit entirely within the cavity. A groove is cut in the wall of the trunk on its internal circumference so as to receive a retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Gene Bias
    Inventor: Danny K. Allred
  • Patent number: 5803433
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting the forces exerted by a helical coil spring on relatively movable elements is disclosed in which a movable element is movably mounted within a casing so as to move along a movement axis, in which a helical coil spring is interposed between the casing and the movable element so as to exert opposite forces on the casing and the movable element. The lateral forces and the torque forces on the movable element are eliminated by using a swivel joint interposed between the piston and one end of the helical coil spring. The use of the swivel element insures that the force exerted on the movable element by the helical coil spring is coincident with the movement axis of the movable element. A second swivel joint may be utilized between the second end of the helical coil spring and the casing, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation "S.N.E.C.M.A."
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Brocard, Christian Lacour, Michel Marie Andre Albert Lechevalier
  • Patent number: 5794655
    Abstract: A swing-check valve for controlling fluid flow includes a valve housing and a valve assembly connected to a removable cover of the valve housing for rigid positioning of the valve assembly within the interior of the valve housing. Moreover, the valve assembly includes as a modular unit a valve seat subassembly in addition to a clapper subassembly and a spring subassembly. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat that is frictionally disposed within a port of the valve housing for controlling fluid flow therethrough when the cover is fastened to the valve housing. The clapper subassembly includes a clapper pivotal between a first position in engagement with the valve seat for blocking fluid flow through the port and a second position for permitting fluid flow through the port. The spring subassembly includes a spring and a spring base engageable with the clapper subassembly for urging the clapper into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vernon Funderburk, Timothy Duane Price
  • Patent number: 5775370
    Abstract: A fluid pressure control valve apparatus, including a main body in which an input opening is formed in communication with a master cylinder and an output opening is formed in communication with a wheel cylinder. A stepped bore in the main body communicates with the openings, the bore being enlarged in the direction towards the input side. A cover member is inserted into the input opening and a stepped piston sidably fits into the bore and extends between a through hole of the cover member and the output opening side of the bore. A path in the piston has one end communicating with the through hole of the cover member and another end communicating with the output opening side. A valve seat formed at the one end of the path and a valve body are arranged in a valve chamber formed in the through hole of the cover member. A valve spring urges the valve body toward the valve seat and a retainer member supports one end of the valve spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Nabco Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kaneko, Akira Matuo
  • Patent number: 5775672
    Abstract: A release valve for a lifting device includes a valve stem, a fixing seat, a spiral spring, and a knob. The valve stem includes a first conical end mounted in an oil path of the lifting device, a mediate portion, and a second end beyond the lifting device. The valve stem further includes a threaded section in threading engagement with the lifting device. The fixing seat is mounted around the mediate portion of the valve stem and is beyond the lifting device. The fixing seat includes a boss formed on a first side thereof, a central through hole extending through the fixing seat and the boss. The boss includes a longitudinal slit defined in a periphery thereof. The spiral spring is mounted around the boss of the fixing seat. The spiral spring has an inner end which is securely received in the longitudinal slit of the boss and an outer end. The knob is securely mounted around the second end of the valve stem to rotate therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Kun-Shan Hsu
  • Patent number: 5713390
    Abstract: A pressure gauge has a housing unit which includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an air chamber communicated fluidly with the air inlet, and a pressure relief chamber communicated fluidly with the air chamber via a pressure relief passage and with the outlet via a check valve. An adjustment rod is threaded on the housing unit and can be rotated so as to move in the housing unit. A reed spring is carried on the adjustment rod by a spring carrier and pushes a ball to close the upper end of the pressure relief passage. When the air pressure of the air chamber exceeds a preset value which corresponds to the position of the adjustment rod relative to the housing unit, the ball is pushed upward to disengage from the upper end of the pressure relief passage so as to permit excessive air to flow from the air chamber to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
  • Patent number: 5711341
    Abstract: A swing-check valve for controlling fluid flow includes a valve housing and a valve assembly that engages a removable cover of the valve housing for rigid positioning of the valve assembly within the interior of the valve housing when the cover is mounted to the housing. Moreover, the valve assembly includes a valve seat subassembly in addition to a clapper subassembly and a spring subassembly. The valve seat subassembly includes a valve seat that is frictionally disposed within a port of the valve housing for controlling fluid flow therethrough when the cover is fastened to the valve housing. The clapper subassembly includes a clapper pivotal between a first position in engagement with the valve seat for blocking fluid flow through the port and a second position for permitting fluid flow through the port. The spring subassembly includes a spring and a spring base engageable with the clapper subassembly for urging the clapper into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Conbraco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Vernon Funderburk, Timothy Duane Price
  • Patent number: 5701930
    Abstract: A pre-assembled valve mechanism for use in valve controlled internal combustion engines and the like which is constructed and arranged to be installed and removed quickly as a unitary module with minimum effort and expenditure of time; the module comprising a cylindrical housing with valve seat and exhaust port, a headed valve cooperable with the seat, a valve guide, a return spring and a valve actuating cam follower coaxially mounted in operating position with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Robert L. Russell
  • Patent number: 5664527
    Abstract: A pneumatic valve recoil system includes a piston that is unitary with the stem of a valve and which slides in a cylinder, such that the piston, valve stem, and cylinder cooperate to form a chamber containing a compressible fluid. The chamber is connected through a single calibration port to an oil-evacuation and fluid-pressure-regulating system located outside the cylinder head of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignees: Automobiles Peugeot, Autmobiles Citroen
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Boudy
  • Patent number: 5617894
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve body which is provided for a solenoid valve. The valve body is held between two perforated disks whose holes each have a collar. The two perforated disks are connected to form a valve body holder. In order to connect the two perforated disks, each have tongues which project through holes of the respective other perforated disk and are bent over in such a way that they hold the two perforated disks against one another. The tongues protrude obliquely from the valve body holder with their free ends. They serve as springs which are supported against an end wall face of a valve chamber and press against a valve seat lying opposite the end wall face. The invention constitutes a cost-effective design of a valve body which is integral with a valve spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Wolff
  • Patent number: 5611367
    Abstract: The invention relates to an in-line valve connected to a master cylinder for exhibiting the braking of automobile. The in-line valve is comprised of a body 20, a piston 30 installing slidably in the body and a plate spring 40 having a low height for supporting the linear movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Mando Machinery Corporation
    Inventor: Choi Jae Young
  • Patent number: 5606940
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus 10 for hydraulically slowing a member (12), preferably an engine poppet valve, to an acceptable impact seating velocity as the valve (12) is moved from open to closed. The poppet valve (12) has a stem (16) having a first portion (18) connected through a stepped portion (20) to a second portion (22) having a greater cross-sectional area than the first portion (18). The valve (12) rides within a guide body (28) having an opening (34) in an end wall (32) thereof through which the first portion (18) of the stem (16) extends. A hydraulic fluid space (50) is formed by the guide body (28) and the valve (12). As the valve (12) closes, fluid is forced out of the space (50) through a first fluid exit opening (66). As the valve (12) nears its seat (44), the fluid still in the space (50) is forced out through a second fluid exit opening (68) through which the rate of flow is less than the rate of flow through the first fluid exit opening (66).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott F. Shafer, Thomas S. Carroll, Steven F. Meister, David R. Orr, J. Roger Weber
  • Patent number: 5606991
    Abstract: A pressure control valve is made small-sized and light-weighted and assembly of parts thereof can be simplified. Diameter of an upper end of a control spring is smaller than that of a lower end thereof while a ball o which a valve body is fixed is held by a claw member. An engaging member is provided in a lower casing and is spaced from a side wall of the lower casing. A seat portion for receiving the control spring is integrally formed on a holding member and thickness of a caulked portion of an upper casing is greater than that of the other part of the upper casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 5586529
    Abstract: Pneumatic valve spring members (10) provide replacement for mechanical springs used to seat engine valves in internal-combustion engines. A valve guide (16) sits atop the engine head 40, allowing the valve stem (12) of valve (14) to pass and reciprocate therethrough. At the distal end of the valve stem (12), a valve retainer (30) is attached to the valve stem (12). The valve retainer (30) is spaced apart from the valve guide (16). A bellows seal flexibly interconnects the valve retainer (30) with the valve guide (16). Upper and lower isolators (52), (50) serve to hold an air cushion about the valve stem (12) adjacent the bellow seal (42). The air cushion (60) serves to maintain and store pressure, lifting the distal end of the valve stem (12) toward the rocker arm (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Serge Vallve
  • Patent number: 5580240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combustion nozzle for a gas lighter, particularly a nozzle structure provided with an internal, automatic flame extinguishing device. Within a nozzle cylinder is disposed a second valve for closing a to-be-closed portion under the action of a shape memory member. The second valve is provided with a push-back portion which undergoes an elastic deformation upon closing of the to-be-closed portion and thereby urge the shape memory member in a direction in which the shape memory member is pushed back. This structure permits omission of a return spring and hence reduction in the number of components used; besides, the shape memory member such as, for example, a shape memory alloy coil, can revert to its original shape to a sufficient extent even without imparting a bidirectional property thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Tadamichi Hattori
  • Patent number: 5522424
    Abstract: The invention features a coupler that is substantially disposed around an armature, and is constructed to provide an axial force-transmitting relationship between a carrier and the armature for blocking and unblocking the passage of fluids between the first and second passages. The force-transmitting relationship is characterized by the carrier being capable of axial movement relative to the armature, while the carrier substantially following the motion of the armature for both blocking and unblocking the passage of fluids between the first and second passages. The coupler includes coaxially nested coupling and blocking springs that provide equal spring forces and are removed from the direct passage of fluid between the first and second fluid passages. The solenoid is reversible in orientation such that the electrical connectors can be situated on either the manifold face, or 180.degree. on the opposite face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: LDI Pneutronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Dalton, Jr., William C. Klebusch, Andreas A. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5515821
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting leakage of lubricating oil into an intake manifold and cylinder of a diesel engine during idling incorporates a seal press fit onto one end of an intake valve stem adjacent a tappet assembly coupled in driving relationship with the valve. In an illustrative form the seal comprises an annular ring sized to the valve stem and having a flexible, circumferential flange adapted for sealing engagement with a valve spring retainer attached to the valve. The flange of the seal engages an inner annular, chamfered surface on the valve spring retainer, the chamfered surface being located adjacent the one end of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John G. Wolck, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5509396
    Abstract: In a throttle valve actuating apparatus, a return spring member is arranged between one side face of a throttle valve main body and an acceleration drum member. The return spring member includes two coil spring members. One collar member is arranged at a side of a throttle valve main body, and another collar member is arranged at an acceleration drum member. The two collar members are provided directly and independently surrounding a throttle valve shaft and are set for positioning the shaft. The movement of the return spring member is restrained by the two collar members. The return torque due to the return spring member can be transmitted smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd. and Hitachi Automotive Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Tamaki
  • Patent number: 5496287
    Abstract: The disclosure is of a suction catheter having a valve body including a vertical plunger in a vertical bore and two horizontal tubes, one for connection to a source of suction and one for connection to a patient. In one position of the plunger, the two tubes are aligned with a path through the plunger to provide suction to the patient. In another position of the plunger, the tube connected to the suction is led to the atmosphere whereby suction is completely removed from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Walter J. Jinotti
  • Patent number: 5482085
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a spring biased pilot pressure sub-assembly for adjustably setting an initial step pressure. The sub-assembly includes a spring seat and an axially movable spool. The spool includes a body portion having a threaded outer surface. A pair of lock nuts are threaded on the threaded body portion. A pilot spring reacts between the lock nuts and the spring seat. The magnitude of the initial step pressure is dependent upon the magnitude of the force exerted by this pilot spring. The magnitude of this force can be adjusted by changing the position of the lock nuts relative to the spring seat. Because they are threaded onto the spool, rotation of the lock nuts causes axial movement relative thereto. Thus, the position of the lock nuts on the spool can be adjusted simply by rotating them relative to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Wasson
  • Patent number: 5458314
    Abstract: An ultra light weight poppet valve which includes elements for controlling the temperature of the valve during operation. The valve is of the type which is formed as an elongated cup having a flared open end to which a cap is fixed and in which an extremely thin-wall section is maintained all the way to a closed tip end. Temperature control elements include multiple thin-walled elements in nesting relationship to define multiple interior chambers, and a plug member received within the stem portion of the valve and maintained in place by inwardly deflecting the stem portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Bonesteel
  • Patent number: 5452741
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve includes a first screw member on which a nut for adjusting the spring force of a pressure regulating spring travels, and a second screw member screwed into the first screw member and provided with a stopper for limiting the travel range of the nut at the tip. The second screw member can be displaced with respect to the first screw member along its length, so that the limiting range of the stopper against the travelling nut is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taku Tomita, Katsuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5449147
    Abstract: This application concerns a leaf type spring for closing valves in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. Specifically, the leaf spring has an edge base which is attached to the cylinder head and a cantilevered unsupported portion which extends therefrom. The unsupported portion is bifurcated to form two arms, each arm engaging a valve in a manner biasing it towards its closed operative position and yieldably permitting the valve to be moved toward its open operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: J. Gary Pace, Jerry P. Harkey, James R. Klotz, James P. Savoyard
  • Patent number: 5447178
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air valve (10) for inflating and deflating an inflatable. The air valve (10) includes a housing floor (16) with air ports (36, 38), and a slide bar (12) with an air passageway (54) formed therein. The slide bar (12) is supported on the floor (16) by seal rings (92) surrounding the ports (36, 38) and is biased into a center position by a spring (94) positioned in a spring well (28) in the slide bar (12) or the floor (16). Pins (50, 52) project into the spring well (28) and engage opposite ends of the spring (94). A stem extends from a tilt button (66) into a socket (48) on the slide bar (12). When the button (66) is tilted, it moves the slide bar (12), compressing the spring (94) and aligning the ports (36, 38) and the passageway (54) to allow air to pass through the valve (10). The slide bar (12) is prevented from tilting by a stabilizer frame (82) or housing shoulders (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: GT Development Corporation
    Inventors: Denny Gabrlik, John M. Morris
  • Patent number: 5443242
    Abstract: The valve spring wear plate is proposed for use in a locomotive engine cylinder head to protect the areas of the cylinder head each acting as a valve spring seat from becoming grooved by the action of the spring thereagainst. The wear plate accommodates one spring seat at each end thereof, the two end portions being connected together by a narrow bridge portion, the bridge portion keeping the ends from rotational movement caused by action of the spring thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Gammill Parts, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Gammill, Randy Frank
  • Patent number: 5435345
    Abstract: A flow-through type fuel pressure regulator having, for its valve element, a sphere laser-welded to the housing end wall of the fuel inlet chamber, and for its valve seat, a coined circular surface circumscribing a through-passage in an annular member at the center of a movable wall (diaphragm) that divides the fuel inlet chamber from the fuel outlet chamber and that is resiliently biased toward the fuel inlet chamber by a spring that is disposed in the fuel outlet chamber. The annular member includes a series of circumferentially spaced bars that form a cage for the sphere, allowing the sphere to guide the motion of the central region of the movable wall relative to the sphere substantially along the axis of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive L.P.
    Inventors: Barry S. Robinson, Jan L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 5381765
    Abstract: A keyless valve spring retainer for an internal combustion engine. The valve spring retainer has a high load strength yet can be easily assembled or unassembled on a valve stem. It includes a curved arm portion which permits the spring retainer to be located as close to the valve stem as possible yet long enough so as to be bendable for assembly or unassembly. The valve spring retainer in one embodiment clamps on the valve stem thus inhibiting rotation of the valve stem. In another embodiment, the valve spring retainer is not clamped thereon to allow rotation of the valve stem. It is adaptable to being used with a support plate for increased loading as well as externally or internally of a valve spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron G. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5361804
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a faucet is operated by an actuation lever(s) normally positioned to be engaged by a container, for example, into which water is to be discharged from the faucet. For normal operation the lever(s) is moved in a self-return range of about 10 to 50 degrees. The lever(s) can also be swung further to a fully-on position so that the faucet can function in the normal manner by its valve system. The lever(s) operate a cam which acts on a cam follower presented by a valve stem. Responsive axial movement of the valve stem in opposition to spring pressure opens a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: Myron C. Keller, Michael C. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5360197
    Abstract: An electromagnetically operated injection valve including a return spring having upper and lower ends, the upper and lower spring ends are bent to extend axially and parallel with a valve's longitudinal axis. The upper end of the spring engages a recess of a fixed setting bushing, and the lower end engage in a recess of a needle sleeve so as to prevent twisting. Due to the position of a valve seat body relative to the valve closing member the same angle is maintained throughout the life of the assembly, the adaptation process of both components is reduced to a single running-in phase. The new injection valve is particularly suitable as an injection valve for fuel injection units of mixture compressing spark ignited internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Reiter, Martin Maier
  • Patent number: 5357918
    Abstract: A valve operating mechanism for internal-combustion engines has a valve and a pressure spring which is to move the valve into a closed end position and which is supported on a spring plate. For the reduction of the valve operating masses, at least the valve, the pressure spring and the spring plate are optimized with respect to their weight. The spring plate consists of a plastic material and has widenings of the cross-section for absorbing the occurring stresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Norbert Hemmerlein, Thomas Kannen
  • Patent number: 5349984
    Abstract: A check valve having a presettable cracking pressure. The check valve employs a spring-loaded valve element in which the compression spring and valve element are held into position in the valve body by means of an apertured plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    Inventors: Jacek M. Weinheimer, Michael T. Taylor, Terrence C. Allen
  • Patent number: 5348046
    Abstract: A reversible check valve cartridge wherein a sealing disk is urged to the shutoff position by means of a cage mounted umbrella spoke-like spring which is secured to the cage and is fully recessable therein so as to permit full travel of the sealing disk within the cage, thereby permitting increased flow for a given thickness of the valve cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: The Aro Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Kozumplik, Jr., Gerald M. Distel
  • Patent number: 5346174
    Abstract: A gear pump includes a valve member adapted to engage a valve seat and close a control port and urged to an open position by a coil spring. In order to reduce cocking of the valve member relative to the valve seat when the valve member is closed, the end coil of the spring that engages the valve member is formed so as to be in non-parallel relation with the sealing surface of the valve seat when the spring is relaxed. As the spring is compressed during closure of the valve member, the end coil moves into parallelism with the sealing surface in order to enable the valve member to squarely engage the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Suntec Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Frank L. Harwath
  • Patent number: 5343835
    Abstract: A keyless valve spring retainer for an internal combustion engine. The valve spring retainer has a high load strength yet can be easily assembled or unassembled on a valve stem. It includes a curved arm portion which permits the spring retainer to be located as close to the valve stem as possible yet long enough so as to be bendable for assembly or unassembly. The valve spring retainer in one embodiment clamps on the valve stem thus inhibiting rotation of the valve stem. In another embodiment, the valve spring retainer is not clamped thereon to allow rotation of the valve stem. It is adaptable to being used with a support plate for increased loading as well as externally or internally of a valve spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Charter Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Myron G. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 5327936
    Abstract: A spool valve includes a spool assembly axially movably disposed in a cylindrical valve case. The spool assembly comprises a guide sleeve threaded in an end portion of the valve case and having an inner end positioned in the valve case and an outer end positioned outside of the valve case, and a spool axially slidably extending through an opposite end portion of the valve case and the guide sleeve. The spool is centered with respect to the valve case by a self-centering mechanism which is retained in the guide sleeve and the spool by a stopper nut threaded in the inner end of the guide sleeve. A lock nut is threaded over the outer end of the guide sleeve for fastening the guide sleeve to the valve case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Showa Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hisao Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 5322039
    Abstract: A valve spring top collar is formed by a unitary body having a circular top face and a bottom surface, with a first circular shoulder extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the body and a second inwardly spaced circular shoulder. The shoulders are inserted into the valve springs so that the springs cannot slip off the collar in a radial direction. A central aperture extends through the central core of the body, through which a valve stem is inserted. A plurality of peripheral apertures extend through the body about the central aperture, thereby decreasing the total weight of the collar and allowing flow of lubricant to the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan L. Kinsey
  • Patent number: 5316044
    Abstract: Centering spring devices are useful in hydraulic control valves for returning the valve to the neutral position under both normal and abnormal operating conditions. Since the actuator moving the valve spool must work against the spring centering device, electrically actuated hydraulic valves have been limited to small sizes. The subject hydraulic control valve incorporates a centering spring device that can be controllably disabled so that the valve spool can be freely moved between the neutral and operating positions. In one embodiment, a centering spring is disabled by hydraulically moving the spring retainers toward each other to compress the spring with hydraulic fluid controlled by a solenoid valve. Maintaining the spring in a compressed condition permits the valve spool to be moved with a smaller actuator thereby making it feasible to control the valve position with an electrical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Szentes, Daniel E. Zimmermann, David C. Mack, Eric A. Hutchison
  • Patent number: 5303734
    Abstract: A pressure regulator includes a housing having a chamber that receives a pressure responsive member. The pressure responsive member includes an internal charge that allows a movable portion of the regulator to react in response to pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment of the regulator includes a dampening member defined by an O-ring that exerts a drag on the pressure responsive member to address oscillations associated with high flow rates. The dampening force can be varied according to the subject invention. Moreover, a normally planar poppet retaining member reduces manufacturing costs of the regulator and allows for a highly polished surface to address concerns with impurities. A biasing arrangement is also incorporated into the regulator to assure that the poppet seals against the valve seat if the internal pressure charge of the regulator is lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Paul G. Eidsmore
  • Patent number: 5293848
    Abstract: A spring retainer (10) for a poppet valve (18) which is biased by a valve spring (16) and a method of assembling the spring retainer (10) the poppet valve (18) and a valve spring (16). The spring retainer (10) has first and second body portions (30, 32). Each body portion (30, 32) has a spring flange segment (50), for engaging a valve spring (16), and a finger segment (54), for extending into a groove (26) on a valve stem (20) of the poppet valve (18). The spring retainer (10) has a slot (44) which permits relative movement between the first and second body portions (30, 32) such that the spring retainer (10) may be installed on the poppet valve (18). The spring retainer (10) has frangible web segments (36) for retaining the first and second body portions (30, 32) together prior to installment of the spring retainer (10) on the poppet valve (18). The web segments (36) break during installation of the spring retainer (10) to permit outward movement of the first and second body portions (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Rich, Frank J. Savel, III
  • Patent number: 5289847
    Abstract: To minimize metal-to-metal engagements of valve components, and relative movements therebetween, as an end toward reducing wear, the valving plate has an integral bushing, and both the plate and the bushing are formed of a non-metallic material. The bushing, therefore, moves with the valving plate; it has grooves formed therein in which to nest the plate-biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. O'Leary, Terry J. Ott