Sectional Patents (Class 251/367)
  • Patent number: 6418955
    Abstract: A device for providing uniform powder flow to the nozzles when creating solid structures using a solid fabrication system such as the directed light fabrication (DLF) process. In the DLF process, gas entrained powders are passed through the focal point of a moving high-power laser light which fuses the particles in the powder to a surface being built up in layers. The invention is a device providing uniform flow of gas entrained powders to the nozzles of the DLF system. The device comprises a series of modular splitters which are slidably interconnected and contain an integral flow control mechanism. The device can take the gas entrained powder from between one to four hoppers and split the flow into eight tubular lines which feed the powder delivery nozzles of the DLF system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gary K. Lewis, Richard M. Less
  • Publication number: 20020084436
    Abstract: A modular electronic throttle valve system for an internal combustion engine. A modular subassembly including at least a housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors are mated with a two-piece air passageway subassembly. Bearings on the throttle shaft hold the throttle shaft in position in the clamshell member. A throttle shaft and throttle valve plate are either positioned in the modular subassembly with the housing, motor, gear train and electronic sensors, or included in the clamshell subassembly with a coupling member. The clamshell member and modular housing are secured together to form the completed electronic throttle control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: James Richard Rauch, John Joseph Fiorini, Bob Forbes
  • Patent number: 6412513
    Abstract: A valve includes a housing having a chamber and two inlets communicating with each other, two casings received in the chamber of the housing and each having a bottom orifice and an upper port and a side aperture communicating with each other. A valve seat is slidably received in the apertures of the casings and has two openings communicating with the inlets of the housing, and a valve member is slidably engaged in the valve seat. A number of sealing members may be easily and solidly engaged between the casings and the housing and a cover for forming an excellent water tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 6374859
    Abstract: A manifold system for incorporation in a gas panel distribution system for semi-conductor manufacturing includes a plurality of individual manifold blocks with each manifold block having a fluid passageway with an entrance and exit port accessing a common surface. Adjacent manifold blocks are removably interconnected to permit the respective fluid passageways to be in position for interconnection. A plurality of active components can be sealingly fastened to the individual manifold blocks to complete the interconnection of the respective fluid passageways. Each active component can bridge over a pair of adjacent individual manifold blocks and form with the individual manifold blocks an operative gas stick for delivering gas to a semiconductor tool. The individual manifold blocks can be identical in configuration and can include a first upper flange on one side and a second lower flange on an opposite side to enable an interlocking of adjacent manifold blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Unit Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim N. Vu, Eric J. Redemann, David P. Sheriff
  • Patent number: 6374861
    Abstract: A fluid handling port array includes at least one fluid conduction bore, a plurality of insert bores each intersecting at least one fluid conduction bore and being adapted to receive a configuration insert, a plurality of port bores each intersecting at least one of the fluid conduction bores for providing fluid access to the fluid conduction bores. The port array is configured by fixing configuration inserts in the insert bores. In a particular embodiment, the configuration inserts comprise device seats and are adapted to receive configuration devices such as a valves, caps or plugs. Alternatively, the configuration inserts, themselves, embody configuration devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Chenand Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Alan Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020038857
    Abstract: A fluid valve having a switching magnet (2) detachably mounted on a valve housing (1) whereby an essentially annular retaining disk (7) is fastened to the valve housing (1), which is provided with a first fastening device (12) and which engages with a second fastening device (14) the supporting housing (3) surrounding the coil (4) of the switching magnet (2) at the opposite side of the valve housing (1) preferably in the way of a snap-on connection. The fastening of the switching magnet (2) to the valve housing (1) may thereby be performed in a simple and cost-effective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Georg Strobel
  • Patent number: 6308735
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a valve assembly and a retainer that couples the valve assembly in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing having a body portion, a flange coupled to the body portion and retainer blocks extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange. A valve is positioned to lie in the housing. The retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the tank. The retainer includes a body portion that defines a passageway sized to receive the body portion of the housing and a ring coupled to the body portion of the retainer and formed to extend into the passageway. The flange and retainer blocks cooperate with the body portion of the retainer and ring to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
  • Patent number: 6305418
    Abstract: In a hydraulic valve (10), the housing (34) is composed of plate-shaped segments (36 to 46). Sections of longitudinal channels (96, 97) are formed by recesses having cross-section with a closed edge which overlap or are flush with corresponding channel sections of the adjacent channels. Radial channels, which are in communication with a supply connection (11, 12) or a consumer connection (13, 14) are formed by radial indentations (86 to 89) of central openings (75, 77, 79 and 81) of housing segments (38, 40, 42 and 44). Grooves (91, 92, 93 and 93) which widen the cross-section of the central housing channel (71) within which the valve piston (19) can slide in a pressure tight manner in the axial direction and/or rotation outwards are formed by recesses (75, 77, 79 and 81) of the housing segments (38, 40, 42 and 44) having a larger diameter and which positively overlap the central channel (71) in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Eckehart Schulze
  • Patent number: 6296227
    Abstract: An improved valve assembly having a valve member encased within a valve housing including a bonnet which is removably mounted on a lower or main valve body by one or more clamp members adapted for quick and easy disassembly without tools to facilitate access to the valve housing interior for service or maintenance. In a preferred form, the valve member is carried by a diaphragm for movement between closed and open positions in response to a solenoid actuator, for regulating the pressure within a control chamber acting upon the diaphragm. The clamp member or members are mounted on the housing bonnet for releasible clamp fit engagement with the main valve body. A bleed screw is mounted on the bonnet for selectively bleeding fluid such as air from the control chamber and normally engages and locks the clamp member or members in a position for retaining the bonnet and main valve body in assembled relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing Corporation Commercial Products Division
    Inventors: Gregory S. Burcham, Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6283155
    Abstract: A fluid panel subassembly comprising: a component; substrate a seal, a body, and an insert; wherein the body is fastened to the insert to form a substrate with the substrate seal therein, and the component is fastened to the body such that, the component is positioned over the substrate seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Insync Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kim Ngoc Vu
  • Patent number: 6273139
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus having a plurality of fluid control members each further having, a blocklike body with an upper side and a lower side, at least one monofunctional member for controlling fluid mounted on the upper side of the blocklike body, and at least one fluid channel formed between the monofunctional member for controlling fluid and the bottom side of the blocklike body; a plurality of couplings each further having, a blocklike body mounted to the bottom surface of at least one fluid control member, at least one communication channel for fluids communicating between at least two fluid channels of at least two different fluid control members; and a base plate for supporting a plurality of couplings. Each of the plurality of fluid control members is mounted to each of the plurality of couplings so as to be individually removable therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Fujikin, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Michio Yamaji, Naoya Masuda, Takashi Hirose, Kosuke Yokoyama, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6273122
    Abstract: The magnetic valve (16,17) is arrangeable in a multipart housing (12) and includes a coil-part group (64,128) and a valve subassembly (138). The valve subassembly (138) is arrangeable in a valve seat (94,95) provided in a housing (12). The valve subassembly (138) includes a punched seat disk (170) and a punched and deep-drawn valve cap (152), which extend into the valve seat (94,95). A pin insert (214,224) is provided between the valve cap (152) and the seat disk (170). The pin insert (214,224) is connected with one end of a longitudinally slidable pin (202) attached to an armature (194). The magnetic valve can be operated to alternately connect a consumer connection (A) with an inlet connection (P) or a return connection (T). A module (10) including a pair or pairs of these magnetic valves (16,17) is also disclosed. Each pair of valves can includes one valve that is open and another valve that is closed when current flows through their coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Schudt, Jim Beakley, John Casari
  • Patent number: 6263918
    Abstract: A device for providing uniform powder flow to the nozzles when creating solid structures using a solid fabrication system such as the directed light fabrication (DLF) process. In the DLF process, gas entrained powders are passed through the focal point of a moving high-power laser light which fuses the particles in the powder to a surface being built up in layers. The invention is a device providing uniform flow of gas entrained powders to the nozzles of the DLF system. The device comprises a series of modular splitters which are slidably interconnected and contain an integral flow control mechanism. The device can take the gas entrained powder from between one to four hoppers and split the flow into eight tubular lines which feed the powder delivery nozzles of the DLF system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of California
    Inventors: Gary K. Lewis, Richard M. Less
  • Patent number: 6254199
    Abstract: A rod-shaped solenoid valve that is provided for insertion into a receiving bore of a hydraulic block of an antilock hydraulic brake system of a vehicle, wherein a fluid influx takes place through an axial bore of a valve seat part that is inserted into a valve support. For simple sealing, a plastic end piece is placed onto the end of the valve support that prodrudes into the receiving bore and seals the valve support in relation to the receiving bore and also seals the valve seat part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Megerle, Siegfried Fritsch, Martin Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6189985
    Abstract: A rodlike magnet valve having a magnetic part which is surrounded by a coil for actuating the valve. The magnet valve can be inserted into a receiving bore of a hydraulic block of a slip-controlled vehicle brake system. For fast, economical manufacture of the magnet valve, the magnet valve has a rotationally symmetrical base body, which has a through bore and a securing flange, as an extruded part without undercuts or tapered features. Along with the advantage of enabling fast, inexpensive manufacture of its base body, the magnet valve has the further advantage that the base body can be made from an economical reforming steel, which can be readily welded for fluid-tight mounting of a valve dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Fritsch, Martin Kirschner
  • Patent number: 6189567
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a vent valve assembly in an aperture of a fuel tank comprising a valve assembly including a housing having a body portion and a flange coupled to the body portion and with a retainer block extending from the body portion spaced-apart from the flange and with a valve positioned to lie in the housing. A retainer is adapted to be coupled to an exterior surface of the fuel tank including a body portion defining a passageway being sized to receive the body portion of the housing therein and a seat formed integrally with the body portion of the retainer and extending into the passageway, so that the flange and the retainer block can cooperate with the seat to couple the valve assembly and retainer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Dean C. Foltz
  • Patent number: 6152423
    Abstract: A system for sealing a head end of a cylinder to prevent a material flow through the cylinder. An o-ring inside the cylinder surrounds a piston when the piston is in a closed position inside the cylinder to prevent material from leaking into the cylinder around the piston. The o-ring is held in position by a groove inside the cylinder wall proximate a head end of the cylinder. A retainer ring has a first end held in place by a step protruding from the cylinder wall and a second end extending into a second end of the o-ring. The retainer ring applies a force to the retainer-ring which holds the o-ring inside the groove. The o-ring also applies a force to the retainer ring holding the o-ring in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy Brooks Nichols
  • Patent number: 6119725
    Abstract: A fixing unit has a crown-shaped resilient member comprising an annular cylindrical member and a flange extending integrally from an upper end of the annular cylindrical member. The annular cylindrical member has a first tooth, and the flange has a second curved portion. The first tooth engages in an annular groove defined in the outer circumferential surface of an upper end of the housing, and the second curved portion presses a step on the outer circumferential surface of a lower portion of a sensor case, for fixing the sensor case and the housing to each other. A first support has a first flange supported on a step on an inner wall surface of the housing, and a second support has a first flange supported on another step on the inner wall surface of the housing. A coil is sandwiched and held between the first and second supports. The sensor case is directly held against the first support. The lower surface of the sensor case and the upper end of the housing are spaced a given distance from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Shinobu, Kenichi Nomura, Takumi Kimura
  • Patent number: 6102068
    Abstract: A selector valve assembly has reduced size, reduced cost, and increased repeatability with improved reliability and reduced maintenance expense due to use of a silicon micromachined valve body held in a releasable housing which in turn is mounted on a manifold plate to which are attached inlet and outlet fluid carrying tubing. The manifold plate includes two metal plates bonded together by an intervening polymer film and defining thread female connection inlets for tube fittings. The micromachined valve body is connected to a pilot valve assembly providing pneumatic operation of the micro-valves in the micromachined valve body. Also, a heater is mounted on the manifold plate to maintain temperature. The micromachined valve body is held on the manifold plate by a releasable spring-loaded assembly allowing quickly replacement of the micro-valve body in case of its failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: William R. Higdon, Alan D. Loux
  • Patent number: 6098652
    Abstract: A modular pressure regulator/filter wherein the fuel filter is adapted to be attached to a fuel delivery system of an internal combustion engine and the housing thereof has a projecting wall on the filter housing adjacent to a female opening in the fuel filter housing. This projecting wall has at least one slot therein. A clip is provided and includes a disc portion with a central opening therein for selectively receiving a male outlet conduit from the pressure regulator. A clip projection, which is integral with and movably attached to the disc portion, is adapted to be selectively received into the slot in the projecting wall whereby the clip is held from moving away from the projecting wall. An annular projection on the pressure regulator housing is disposed between the disc portion and the clip projection when the clip projection is in the first position thereof for holding the pressure regulator housing in the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Parr Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Brandt
  • Patent number: 6098959
    Abstract: A pressure regulator for a drinking system for birds or other animals that includes a housing and first and second engaging members for engaging the elongated supports for the fluid supply conduit of the drinking system. The first engaging member includes a pair of ends, each end including a plurality of flexible fingers extending generally parallel to the fluid supply conduit. The second engaging members are adapted to engage the flanges of the elongated supports. The pressure regulator includes a valve element and the housing desirably defines a valve bore for receiving the valve element. The valve element desirably includes a circular seal having a peripheral edge that extends radially inwardly and that includes a lip for sealing the valve bore when the valve element is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: CTB, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Momont, Philip Wilfong
  • Patent number: 6086041
    Abstract: A low energy consumption valve module (16) includes low energy consumption valves (20) having either bimorphs or monomorphs defined by a circular diaphragm (21) carrying one or more piezoelectric discs (22) (23) operative to position a sealing disc (36) for sealing a valve seat (34). In one embodiment the discs are energized across conductive seals (51,52,54,56) and in another embodiment the discs are energized by a pair of flexible conductors (150). A process for making the bimorphs or monomorphs comprises a tape cast process in which ceramic with piezoelectric properties is shaped without machining. A process for making the valve module providing a valve body (200) and valve cover (202) of either laser energy transparent or laser energy absorbent polyimide material that are joined at a line to line contact (210) and sealed upon application of a laser welding beam to the line to line contact between the valve body and the valve cover at the perimeter thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: McCord Winn Textron Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Gattuso, Anthony R. Haba, II, Richard D. Rhodes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6076803
    Abstract: A solenoid valve is disclosed which includes a solenoid assembly, an axial flow chamber and inlet and outlet housings secured to the axial flow chamber. The axial flow chamber comprises a generally cylindrically shaped inner portion and a cylindrically shaped outer portion spaced radially apart from the inner portion and connected to the inner portion by a web forming at least one passageway through the axial flow chamber. The solenoid assembly resides generally within the inner portion of the axial flow chamber and is further restrained by the inlet housing. The inlet and outlet housings are secured to the axial flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-Tite Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L. Johnson, Albert J. Pristera
  • Patent number: 6039263
    Abstract: A thermostatic valve assembly includes three housing components (16, 18, 20) containing two interconnected chambers (64, 78). A first thermally responsive valve unit (68) is disposed in the chamber (64) while a second thermally responsive valve element (98) is disposed in the chamber (78). Both the chambers (64) and (78) have inlets (60, 110) and the chamber (64) has an outlet (66). The valve may assume configurations allowing a minimal flow (FIG. 2), a large volume warm up flow (FIG. 3), a mixed flow regimen (FIG. 4) and a pure cooling flow regimen (FIG. 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignees: Modine Manufacturing Company, Bayerische Motoren Werke
    Inventors: Klaus Kalbacher, Karl Schuttarle, Axel Temmesfeld, Winfried Eckerskorn
  • Patent number: 6032921
    Abstract: An engine shutdown valve comprises a housing and a gate movable within a housing between a first position where the air flow through the shutdown valve is substantially unrestricted to a second position where the opening is restricted thereby stopping air flow. The gate is pivotable about an axis. The gate has an extension with a recess which is engageable by a piston movable between a first position where the gate is held in its latched position and a second position out of engagement with the recess so as to allow the gate to move to a position where the air passageway is closed. The gate is movable by a rod attached to the gate lever and which rod is biased by a compression spring mounted within a sleeve. The spring is adjustable to increase or decrease the force on the gate and such adjustment can be accomplished from outside the shutdown without disassembly of the entire valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Barber Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Krepela
  • Patent number: 6021805
    Abstract: A backflow preventer assembly includes a housing, a first mounting assembly configured for assembling by insertion with a first end of the housing, and a second mounting assembly configured for assembling by insertion with a second end of the housing. The housing and mounting assemblies include through bores in fluid communication. Securing material secures opposed surfaces of the first mounting assembly and the housing, and opposed surfaces of the second mounting assembly and the housing. Plating material is located on the inner surfaces of the housing and mounting assemblies. The plating material forms a wall restricting migration of the securing material into the housing and mounting assembly bores. Ball valves and check valves are attached to the mounting assemblies. The housing wall defines a port providing access to the check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Watts Investment Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Horne, Dale S. Tripp
  • Patent number: 6016838
    Abstract: An improved valve construction having increased flow/pressure characteristics. The valve comprises a molded valve body including a plurality of body sections each having a generally flat inner surface, and the inner surfaces are disposed in contiguous relation along an interface. Each inner surface is formed with a plurality of recesses that mate with and complement recesses in the inner surface of the other body section to form a valve chamber and a connecting piston chamber. A spool valve is mounted for sliding movement in the valve chamber, while a piston having a generally oval cross-section is connected to the spool and is mounted for movement in the oval-shaped piston chamber. The inner surfaces of the body sections are also formed with a plurality of channel portions which mate and complement channel portions in the other body section to form flow channels that communicate with the valve chamber and the piston chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Mead Fluid Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Wigmore
  • Patent number: 6015340
    Abstract: The cylindrical end of the shaft of a rotating valve door in an automotive HVAC case is closely supported without either excessive clearance or binding, accommodating expected tolerance variations in the final, assembled location of the shaft end. The expected tolerance range is divided up into components along, and perpendicular to, the direction in which two housings of the case are assembled. One slot is cut into one housing along the direction of assembly, and another perpendicular thereto. When the housings are assembled, the two slots cross one another, capturing the shaft end closely on all four sides between the two pairs of slots. The closed ends of the slots have enough clearance from the nominal location of the shaft end to let the shaft end float to its final location without binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Ardeean Scoccia
  • Patent number: 6004118
    Abstract: Inlet valves, with inlet cages, in inlet ports in a cylinder head, and outlet valves, with outlet cages, in outlet ports in the cylinder head, comprise mating combinations of elements which exhibit optimum and proper seating together. The bores and the cages have configurations which, upon elements of one of the combinations being substituted for elements of the other combination, will prevent the seatings from occurring. Consequently, only the correct elements, per combination, will join together and nest in the correct bore and, in this way, the seating of an inlet valve in an outlet bore, or vice versa, is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Gary A. Templar
  • Patent number: 6003835
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve includes a diaphragm with a rigid insert. The diaphragm is arranged over a valve seat. The diaphragm is clamped concentrically around said valve seat. The combination of the rigid insert and the clamp enable a pressure applied an area of said diaphragm outside said clamped area to be communicated to the area of the diaphragm inside said clamped area, thereby closing or opening said valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Rudolf Moller
  • Patent number: 5996967
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve with a housing, which is made of a plastic material, and with at least two fluid connections and a valve element arranged movably in the housing. A valve of this kind must on the one hand be able to withstand a sufficient pressure and on the other hand the production of the valve must be inexpensive. For this purpose the housing is surrounded by a metal sheet enclosure having at each fluid connection an opening, which is surrounded by a metal sheet wall projecting from and connected with the metal sheet enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Helge B. Nielsen, Hans Christian Sand
  • Patent number: 5979872
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant volume damper apparatus for use in gas- and vapor-handling duct systems, installed between existing external duct flanges without having to custom cut or otherwise modify the duct system or the volume damper itself. The retrofittable volume damper has a housing or framework with an aperture extending therethrough and a corrosion-resistant damper blade having integral pivot arms. The aperture or bore is of a suitable size and shape to match the duct system within which the volume damper is to be installed. The housing preferably comprises a pair of corrosion-resistant plates of suitably rigid materials. The two plates have a series of through holes permitting the two plates to be bolted together with a damper blade to be rotatably sandwiched between the plates such that one of the pivot arms of the damper blade extends beyond the two plates on a plane perpendicular to, and away from, the axis of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: GDS Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: David P. Stearns, Shawn P. O. Ruffner
  • Patent number: 5954091
    Abstract: In a two piece valve assembly comprising a non-weldable lower valve body portion inserted into the fuel tank through an opening in the tank wall, and an upper valve body portion or cover made from a weldable material and designed to be connected to the lower valve body portion and welded to the upper surface of the fuel tank wall, an improved assembly structure comprising a plurality of circumferentially-spaced support/retention tabs formed on the upper end of the lower valve body portion to provide a self-supporting option for the lower valve body so that it may rest with the tabs on the upper surface of the fuel tank when inserted into the fuel tank opening, and/or further to be securely sandwiched between the upper valve body/cover and the upper surface of the fuel tank wall when a weldable portion of the cover is welded to the tank and melts over the tabs, thereby strengthening the connection between the upper and lower valve body portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: G.T. Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary H. Leadford
  • Patent number: 5947151
    Abstract: A dual containment valve is provided for use in conjunction with dual containment pipes. The dual containment valve includes an inner casing for fluid transport having a first open end, a second open end, a fluid passageway extending therebetween along its longitudinal axis, and an inner casing aperture therein; and an outer casing for leakage protection having a first open end, a second open end, an axial hole extending therebetween along its longitudinal axis, and an outer casing aperture therein. The inner casing is positioned within the axial hole in the outer casing so that the longitudinal axes of both are substantially aligned. The dual containment valve further includes a valve assembly for controlling the flow of fluid within the fluid passageway in the inner casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: CSR Polypipe, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry C. Shafer
  • Patent number: 5927688
    Abstract: A control valve for an air pressure bar includes a valve cap having an annular groove in a outer surface, a valve body having an annular ridge and an aperture in an annular wall, a valve base and a pin rod. The aperture producing elasticity to let the valve body combined tightly with the valve cap and a stepped notch in an annular wall below the upper center cavity of the valve body form an air passageway for gas to flow through. The valve body and the valve base are combined together by an annular ridge on an inner surface of a lower center cavity of the valve body and an annular groove in an outer surface of the valve base. The valve base has a stop on an inner surface of a center hole to stop a bottom of the pin rod not falling out of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Lin
  • Patent number: 5927330
    Abstract: A high volume rotary selector valve having a modular structure is disclosed. The disclosed device operates to select one of a plurality of individual source lines of pressurized oil, gas, or other matter to divert the contents of the selected line to a predetermined destination for metering, testing, or sampling without interrupting the flow from other source lines. The modular design permits a large number of input lines to be attached to the valve without a corresponding increase in the valve's diameter or material thickness. Additionally, the modular design affords the user the ability to upgrade an existing selector valve system to increase the number of inlet ports, change the size of the inlet or outlet ports, or change the inlet or outlet port connector types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Oil States Industries
    Inventors: Randy Minton, Roger Hart, Richard Castillo
  • Patent number: 5904333
    Abstract: A fuel control device and method of making the same are provided, the fuel control device comprising a housing having an inlet separated from an outlet by a valve seat and having a movable valve member for opening and closing the valve seat, an electrical coil, a movable armature being moved to a first position thereof when the coil is energized and being moved to a second position thereof when the coil is deenergized, and a tension spring operatively interconnecting the valve member to the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Samuel T. Kelly, Robert G. Dewey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5896884
    Abstract: A modular valve structure comprising a fluid conducting valve part and a drive part is characterized in that the fluid conducting valve part comprises a main body (10) with an inlet (10a) and an outlet (10b) and furthermore a uniform connection interface (12), at which both an inlet duct (10a') extending from the inlet (10a) and also an outlet duct (10b') leading to the outlet (10b) and separated from the inlet (10a) by a rib (24) terminate, and in that one of several valve components (36, 50, 709 76, 76'), which are different but however possess a corresponding, uniformly designed connection side (120), may be freely selectively connected with the connection interface (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Burkert Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Gerhard Hettinger
  • Patent number: 5890699
    Abstract: An inner periphery of a housing 1 supports a rotary shaft rotatably via a pair of bearings 3, and a valve body 5 which is secured to the rotary shaft 4 changes at least one opening area of an intake port 19 and an outlet port 14 formed in the inner periphery. A biasing member 25 biases the bearings in a one-way direction. Therefore, the valve body 5 is moved or biased by the biasing member to the inner periphery of the collar 2 via the bearings, thereby decreasing leakage in the valve when closing. Therefore, even if difference of the thermal expansion coefficient between the housing 1 and the valve body 5 is significant, the leakage can be decreased, thus increasing variety of the material choice. In addition, even if the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient between the housing 1 and the ball bearings is significant, the bearings may not become loose due to expansion of the collar 2, therefore the housing may be selected from various kinds of material including resinous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Sugihara, Akira Furukawa
  • Patent number: 5887853
    Abstract: A minimal wear valve assembly which includes a fluid reservoir having an inlet port and an outlet port for passage of the fluid therethrough. The reservoir defines a valve seat about and downstream of the outlet port. The assembly includes a valve having a first substantially non-deformable valve surface. The valve is movable with respect to the valve seat from an open condition which permits flow of the fluid through the outlet port to a closed condition which prevents flow of the fluid through the outlet port. The valve supports a sealing member for movement with the valve. The sealing member has greater compressibility than the first valve surface and provides a seal between the first valve surface and the valve seat upon movement of the valve to the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Loctite Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Holmes, John P. Breault
  • Patent number: 5881757
    Abstract: A pressure regulator apparatus has a pressure regulator mechanism which includes first and second housing portions, each made of substantially rigid material, such as a PVC polymer, and each housing portion having a passageway therethrough. One of the housing portions has a plurality of niches formed therein while a second housing portion has a plurality of raised wedged members formed thereon so that the pressure regulator mechanism can be placed in the two housings which can be driven together to drive the housing wedge members of one portion of the housing into the niches of the other portion of the housing. Since both housings have a cylindrical portion, the wedge members are sized to extend above the inner lip of the other housing portion to thereby require a forced expansion of the substantially rigid housing portion to drive the wedge members into the locking niches in the other housing member which simultaneously locks the pressure regulator mechanism into position in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Senninger Irrigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlene Kuster, Mark Healy, William McFadden
  • Patent number: 5875758
    Abstract: A resin air intake system provided with an intake control valve which permits simplifying the mold structure and maintaining axis center precision. In an air intake manifold, air intake passages are fabricated to be opened and provided with an intake control valve supported by a shaft having an axis in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the openings. The air intake manifold is molded from a resin as an air intake manifold proper and an air intake manifold cluster which have split faces, the split face of the air intake manifold proper provided with grooves in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the openings. Bearings which slidably support the shaft are mounted in the grooves and a projection which projects from the split face of the air intake manifold cluster is brought into contact with the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Susumu Fujita
  • Patent number: 5865210
    Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body (10) which houses a pivotally mounted valve closure member (14) in the form of a valve closure flap secured to upper and lower spindles (16, 17). The valve housing is formed from two sections (20, 22) which are releasably secured together by means of an annular clamp (24) which engages with a peripheral upstanding rib (36) formed by the alignment of a flange (34) on one face of each of the valve housing sections.The valve closure member is located in the vicinity of the junction of the two valve housing portions. The provision of a clamp permits the valve assembly to be dismantled extremely quickly in the event of service or repair of the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Fort Valve Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Edward Sagar Fort, David Bailey
  • Patent number: 5848605
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant check valve having plastic components in the fluid path is provided. The check valve broadly comprises an inlet housing, an outlet housing, a valve poppet, and a spring. The inlet housing has an inlet passageway and the outlet housing has an outlet passageway. The inlet housing and outlet housing are connected to define an internal chamber of the check valve. An inner portion of the inlet housing has a transverse wall which includes a valve seat surface and a central hole which defines a flow passageway between the inlet passageway and the internal chamber. The valve poppet is disposed within the internal chamber and has a disk-shaped body and a stem extending perpendicularly outward from a centerpoint of the body. The stem of the valve poppet is positioned in a central bore in a planar end surface of the spring. The planar end surface of the spring also includes fluid flow passages disposed about the central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Cybor Corporation
    Inventors: David C. Bailey, Carl A. Martin
  • Patent number: 5839471
    Abstract: A valve includes a base having a chamber and two inlets communicating with the chamber, and a cover engaged on the base. The base includes a peripheral groove formed around the chamber for engaging with a sealing member and includes six notches communicating the peripheral groove with the chamber. A valve seat is secured in the chamber and a valve member is slidably engaged in the valve seat. Three sealing rings are engaged between the valve seat and the housing and engaged with the notches of the sealing member for making a water tight seal for the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Tsai Chen Yang
  • Patent number: 5829468
    Abstract: A valve device using pipe materials in which a fluid control mechanism is arranged and which comprises a valve device body (11) made of a metallic pipe material and having a tubular flange (21) integrally formed on the outer surface of the body so as to protrude therefrom, and a tubular member (12) for forming a flow passage, which is fitted and connected at the base end thereof to the top end of the tubular flange (21). The tubular flange (21) is formed so that the area of the opening at the base end thereof communicating with the flow passage within the valve device body is greater than the area of the opening at the top end of the tubular flange. The inner peripheral portion (21a) of the base end of the tubular flange (21) is formed with a smoothly curved surface, and the flow passage is formed along such a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hachihei Watanabe, Masatoshi Enoki, Katsuaki Nakamura, Tatsuo Matsukuma, Tsuguya Okubo, Akira Yubisui, Takayoshi Yanagida, Hiromi Katahira, Toshiyuki Iwao, Yuji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5791632
    Abstract: A quick release clamp mechanism (10) including a pair of slide lock plates (12, 14) for engaging a series of guide screws (32) extending down from a bonnet or end plate (16) and through openings in a valve body flange (18). Toggle clamps (40) releasably engage one of the guide screws (32') and thereby can slide the slide lock plates (12, 14) by pivoting of a toggle lever (76). Sliding of slide lock plates (12, 14) causes a neck down region of openings (34) in plates (12, 14) to capture the heads of guide screws (32) and clamp bonnet plate (16) to valve body flange (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur Brenes
  • Patent number: 5771918
    Abstract: A valve body has second output ports defined in an upper surface thereof. To the second output ports there are selectively and detachably attached quick-connect-and-disconnect pipe couplings or a pipe adapter which provides communication between the second output ports and front output ports through output passages. When the quick-connect-and-disconnect pipe couplings are attached, output pipes can be connected to the valve body from its upper side through the quick-connect-and-disconnect pipe couplings. When the pipe adapter is attached, output pipes can be connected to the valve body from its front side through quick-connect-and-disconnect pipe couplings connected to the front output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Yoshitada Doi
  • Patent number: 5762314
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve for use with cryogenic systems controls the flow of cryogen and is capable of operating at high pressures for extended periods of time. The diaphragm consists of a polyamide film sandwiched between to manifold sections. A pilot valve controls the pressure of cryogen against one face of the diaphragm to open and close the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: O.I. Corporation
    Inventor: Karl M. Williams
  • Patent number: 5749562
    Abstract: A modular valve arrangement, including: a plurality of individual values each having a passage therein with a longitudinal axis, and a fixing arrangement for joining the valves together into a joined condition in which the passages cooperate to form at least one pressure-fluid line through the entire valve arrangement. The fixing arrangement includes, for each valve, a dovetail tenon on one surface of the valve and a dovetailed mortise on an opposite surface of the valve. The mortise and tenon of adjacent valves being engageable with one another in the joined condition, and extending on their respective valve side in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pressure-fluid line. For securing the valves in the joined condition, each valve includes a nub on one surface and a corresponding depression on an opposite surface of the valve arranged so that the nub of one valve engages the depression of an adjacent valve in the joined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Moller, Peter Muller