Pilot Valve Seated In Motor Or Valve Element Patents (Class 251/38)
  • Patent number: 6398182
    Abstract: A discharge valve is provided to open an electrically controlled pilot valve in emergency situations such as during an electrical or hydraulic failure. The discharge valve has a poppet that operates in response to a pressurized control signal, which may be produced by a hand operated pump. When the poppet opens in response to the control signal, a path is established for fluid to flow from a control chamber of the pilot valve, thereby opening the latter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: HUSCO International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight B Stephenson
  • Patent number: 6318406
    Abstract: A pilot operated safety relief valve (14) having a main piston valve member (26). A dome chamber (42) is provided in the valve body (18) over piston valve member (26) and a cap (44) forms a closure for dome chamber (42). A pilot valve (46) is mounted on the cap (44) and has a diaphragm actuated fluid inlet sensing tube (60) received within a bore (30) of the piston valve member (26). Inlet fluid pressure is communicated through bore (61) of sensing tube (60) to the inlet fluid sensing chamber (84) on the outer side of diaphragm (65). Exhaust chamber (56) is positioned between dome chamber (42) and inlet sensing chamber (84). Adjustment spring (67) continuously urges O-ring (72) in dome chamber (42) to a seated position on seat (70). An annular clearance (78) is provided between sensing tube (60) and piston (26) for providing a restricted fluid flow between dome chamber (42) and the inlet (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tyco Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff A. Conley
  • Patent number: 6299127
    Abstract: A flush valve for use on toilet devices such as urinals and water closets includes a body having an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat in the body and a valve member movable within the body toward and away from the valve seat to control water flow between the inlet and the outlet. A housing is mounted on the valve body and there is a chamber within the housing. A piston is movable axially within the chamber and into the valve body for contact with the valve member to cause actuation thereof. There is a spring within the chamber which normally biases the piston outwardly from the valve body. A controlled passage in the housing connects the valve body inlet and the chamber to provide water under pressure to move the piston, against the spring, into the valve body to cause operation of the valve member. The improvement comprises a groove in the exterior of the piston, which groove is adjacent and faces a wall of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6267349
    Abstract: A precision valve control for an hermetically sealed hydraulic valve system which operates with a solenoid driven magnetic actuator. The magnetic actuator forms a toroidal magnetic force field of varying strength which causes controlled movement of a core rod linked to a pilot. The pilot, in turn, causes actuation of the main disc to the desired valve position. Actual valve position is remotely ascertained, by position of the magnet (or core) within the magnetic field, by means of a Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT). The LVDT creates variable voltages predeterminately related to position of the rod within the magnetic field. The LVDT voltage is compared, by an electronic comparator, to an input command voltage, calibrated to a specific valve position. Deviation between the LVDT voltage feedback signal and input command voltage signal causes generation of an error signal which is amplified and applied to the solenoid to vary the magnetic field to correct the valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Target Rock Corporation
    Inventors: Karl G. Gomes, Vito Liantonio
  • Patent number: 6220565
    Abstract: A main valve (5) has a first valve seat (11) to which a compression spring (21) urges a first closure member (14). A restricting passage (16) and an actuation chamber (17) for valve closing are arranged within the first closure member (14) in order. A valve-opening holding chamber (25) is formed from an inner space defined by a fitting wall (23) with which the first closure member (14) fits at a final time of its closing movement. The actuation chamber (17) communicates with a second valve seat (31) of a pilot valve (6). A pushing spring (37) brings a second closure member (34) into closing contact with the second valve seat (31). The second valve seat (31), the first valve seat (11), the actuation chamber (17) and the valve-opening holding chamber (25) have respective sectional areas (S), (T), (U) and (V) set to values enlarging one after the other in the mentioned order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kosmek
    Inventors: Keitaro Yonezawa, Tsutomu Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 6149124
    Abstract: A pilot operated control valve has a body with an inlet and an outlet. A main valve poppet is movable within the body to selectively control flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet. The main valve poppet has a flexible diaphragm with a pilot passage therethrough which is opened and closed by movement of a pilot poppet. The diaphragm flexes due to a pressure differential that acts on the pilot poppet, which flexing compensates for adverse effects that the pressure differential has on the operation of the pilot poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Husco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaolong Yang
  • Patent number: 6098647
    Abstract: A hydraulically controllable valve for double-acting consumers that in the lowering mode drains off a flow of load volume from connection B to connection A in throttled fashion. To that end, the valve has a valve seat (5), which communicates with a sealing face (4) of a main piston (3). A pilot piston (8) is guided concentrically in the main piston (3) and communicates with a sealing face (7) to a pilot valve seat (6) in the main piston; the main piston (3) and the pilot piston (8) are held on the valve seat (5) and pilot valve seat (6), respectively, by the load pressure and/or by spring force. On the pressure-relieved side, the pilot piston (8) has a piston shank (9), guided in a seat bore, with a continuously decreasing throttling action and in particular throttle grooves (10), which form a throttle restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Beringer-Hydraulik AG
    Inventors: Hubert Haussler, Ivan Hristov, Hans Staiger, Josef Zurcher
  • Patent number: 6076550
    Abstract: A solenoid comprising a solenoid coil having a longitudinal hole at the center of a bobbin made of a non-magnetic material and a coil winding wound around the peripheral wall of the bobbin. A yoke comprising a peripheral side plate, an upper end plate and a lower end plate all for the covering the outer peripheral surface and both end surfaces of solenoid coil, a pole core disposed at one end of the longitudinal hole and a plunger fitted slidably into the other end of the longitudinal hole. The solenoid further comprises a protrusion member for forming an irregular magnetic field, formed integrally at the center of the yoke, and a recess for fitting the protrusion member from the end surface of the peripheral wall of the bobbin formed in the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiraishi, Itsunao Koga, Hiroyuki Seki, Taisuke Houei, Takanobu Matsufuji, Yoshinori Nishimoto, Katsuhiro Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6036167
    Abstract: Solenoid-actuated control valves having low hysteresis include an annular flux housing with an axial bore extending therethrough. A coil configured to generate a magnetic field is disposed within the flux housing. A magnetic pole piece is disposed within the flux housing axial bore. A magnetic armature is slidably secured within the flux housing axial bore. A spring, positioned between the pole piece and armature, is configured to urge the armature away from the pole piece. A spool valve, slidably secured within a spool sleeve, is mechanically coupled with the armature such that the spool valve follows movement of the armature as a slave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Fasco Controls Corp.
    Inventor: Richard A. Wade
  • Patent number: 6017015
    Abstract: In a magnetically operated drain valve of an electrohydraulic lifting mod comprising a closing element which in the closing direction is assigned to a main valve seat, a pilot valve which is actuable by the magnet and arranged in a control chamber of the closing element, a throttle arranged upstream of the control chamber, and a closing member of the pilot valve which is adjustable by the magnet against a spring, the closing member being actuable by the magnet against the spring acting either in the closing adjustment direction or in the opening adjustment direction, a spring with a steep characteristic curve is used as the spring, and the closing element and the main valve seat form a lift-dependent flow-quantity adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Heilmeier & Weinlein Fabrik fur Oel-Hydraulik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Heusser
  • Patent number: 5954311
    Abstract: A valve (1, 2) of the kind that is caused to open and close in consequence of the opening and closing of a bleed orifice (15) by a movable pilot valve element (3, 4, 5), characterised in that said element (3, 4, 5) is displaced from sealing relationship with the orifice (15) by a torque resulting from a force applied (7, 9) to the element (3, 4, 5) along a line of action which does not extend through the orifice (15). Another embodiment of the pilot valve element consists of a cylindrical magnet housed in an elastometric tire actuated by a permanent magnet of electromagnet (FIGS. 5-8). Actuators of the torque causing force include a solenoid (FIGS. 1-2), float (FIG. 3), and fluid pressure (FIG. 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Nu-Valve Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Gary Keith Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5904334
    Abstract: A dispensing valve for dispensing a liquid including a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, an armature positioned in the housing, the armature being reciprocal between an open and closed position, a sealing disk fixedly secured to a sealing end of the armature for sealing engaging a valve seat positioned about the fluid outlet for providing selective fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and a flow control device positioned in the fluid outlet for providing a substantially quiet and constant flow of liquid through the fluid outlet. The flow control device including a high pressure region and a low pressure region downstream of the high pressure region with the high pressure region of the flow control device including a flow control orifice having an inside diameter less than a diameter of the fluid outlet and the low pressure region of the flow control device intersects the high pressure region of the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The Horton Company
    Inventors: Jordan Bryce Grunert, James R. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5887848
    Abstract: A diaphragm type of flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets includes a body with an inlet and an outlet and there is a valve seat therebetween and a valve member movable to a closing position on the valve seat. The valve member includes a diaphragm which is peripherally attached to the body. There is a pressure chamber above the diaphragm for holding the valve member on its valve seat and there is a filter and a bypass orifice connecting the inlet and the pressure chamber. The filter includes a filter ring positioned beneath the diaphragm and adjacent the outer periphery thereof. The filter ring and the diaphragm are held in a fixed position relative to each other. The filter ring has a plurality of outwardly directed circumferentially spaced filter grooves. There is a seal ring between the filter ring and the body and facing the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5842679
    Abstract: A lower cost valve results from the use of a single machined part for a valve housing. The housing is made of a non-magnetic material which can be less expensive and eliminates the requirement for screens or filters in automotive applications. Providing a one-piece plunger and pilot valve with a high guiding length minimizes tilting of the pilot. Further, the one-piece housing allows for one common bore for guiding the plunger with the pilot and a poppet. The two ideal concentric surfaces make the poppet outer diameter concentric to the pilot hole. Finally, the use of an adjustable stroke valve eliminates the need for a separate needle valve, providing further cost savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Sterling Hydraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: Abel E. Kolchinsky
  • Patent number: 5797582
    Abstract: A dispensing device (1) for supplying a gaseous fluid (3) to a space (2) and abruptly emptying said space (2) to deliver its contents to an apparatus (4) once the supply has been cut off. The device (1) is characterized in that to reduce the fluid pressure in a supply chamber of the device and cause a sealing member to open abruptly once the supply of pressurized fluid (3) to the device (1) has been cut off, rather than discharging the pressurized fluid (3) in the supply chamber (5) to the atmosphere and that part of the supply circuit between said chamber (5) and the cut-off assembly, the pressurized fluid (3) which previously held the sealing member against a seal seat (10) is released into a discharge duct in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Herve Simoens
  • Patent number: 5762087
    Abstract: A valve construction for high pressure gases, allowing rapid opening and closing, includes a main body with inlet and outlet passages, and a guide sleeve having a primary and a secondary piston slidably mounted within the sleeve, the primary piston being adjacent a closure at one end of the sleeve, and the secondary piston being at the end of the primary piston which is remote from the closure. The secondary piston supports a seal for closing the gas outlet passage when the secondary piston is remote from the closure. The secondary piston has an axial passage with an elongate member movable therein, the elongate member being fixed to the primary piston. A valve means is provided between the axial passage and the elongate member, the valve means being open when the bleed orifice is closed. A peripheral seal between the secondary piston and the sleeve acts to restrain the axial movement of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: GFI Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Khadim
  • Patent number: 5738138
    Abstract: A control valve assembly for selectively controlling a flow of fluid through a fluid flow system is disclosed including a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve seat positioned about the fluid outlet and a sealing diaphragm for cooperating with the valve seat for selectively sealing off fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The diaphragm fluidically separates a pressure chamber from a control chamber within the housing. A central control orifice is formed in the diaphragm for fluidically communicating between the control chamber and the fluid outlet, an armature is reciprocally received in the housing for selectively sealing off fluid communication between the control chamber and the fluid outlet with at least two bleed orifices formed on the diaphragm which fluidically communicate between the pressure chamber and the control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Horton Company
    Inventors: Jordan Bryce Grunert, James R. Shannon
  • Patent number: 5732929
    Abstract: A soft closing liquid valve of the pilot control type including an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, a third pilot chamber, a first conduit for liquid communication between the inlet chamber and the third chamber and a second conduit for fluid communication between the third chamber and the outlet chamber whereby the liquid flow rate through the first conduit is reduced by the conduit including a tortuous path means so that the flow rate into the third chamber is substantially reduced and when the second conduit is closed causes the third chamber to fill at a slower rate than in conventional pilot controlled valves, the resultant slow rate of change of pressure causing a slow closure of the flow path between the inlet and outlet chambers by a diaphragm thus minimizing water hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Technical Components, Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Cosmo Luppino, Gregory Summerton
  • Patent number: 5716038
    Abstract: A proportional flow control valve that has a main valve member controlling communication between an inlet and an outlet and a pilot valve in communication with the fluid inlet. A spring biases the main valve member into its closed position against the pressure of the fluid at the inlet which is applied to the main valve member in a direction to open the valve. The fluid pressure within the pilot chamber opposes opening of the valve. A magnetic armature which can be positioned in a selected longitudinal position is provided to open the valve. As fluid pressure is applied to both sides of the main valve member, it is the longitudinal position of the armature which determines the longitudinal position of the main valve member. The main valve member has a converging portion extending with a tubular member, on one end of which the fluid outlet is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Aztec Developments Limited
    Inventor: Michael F. Scarffe
  • Patent number: 5676342
    Abstract: A proportional flow valve wherein inlet fluid pressure urges a main valve unit having a main valve member and a surrounding diaphragm toward the valve seat. The diaphragm is connected to the valve body and has a bleed passageway to enable inlet fluid to pass from an inlet port below the main valve unit to a reservoir above it. The area of the main valve unit exposed to the reservoir is substantially greater than the area of the main valve unit exposed to the inlet port. A solenoid actuator determines the position of a pilot valve sealing member which controls the flow of inlet fluid from the reservoir through a pilot opening in the main valve member to an outlet port to selectively relieve the pressure above the main valve unit thereby permitting the main valve unit to move away from the main valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Automatic Switch Company
    Inventors: Noel Otto, Peter A. Holborow, Scott Schipper
  • Patent number: 5599003
    Abstract: A bistable solenoid valve with an armature in the form of a movable core disposed within a core guide tube. The armature is resettable by a spring force with one single electromagnetic winding surrounding the tube. The movable core is mechanically coupled with a locking mechanism which is alternately engageable and releasable. A second locking member is longitudinally displaceable against a first member and, in its lifted position, is rotatable through a preset angle. The two locking members, as well as the spring and the movable core, are supported within the core guide tube and surrounded by the fluid medium. The core guide tube is open at one end facing the valve chamber and closed at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Interelektrik Ges. m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans Seemann, Hans Ortner, Walter Pressler
  • Patent number: 5564673
    Abstract: A pilot-operated hydraulic pressure relief valve (HV) includes a main valve element (5) which is biased into a closed position by a spring (6). A pilot valve (VV1) has an open condition and a closed condition. A relief device (EV) is actuatable by the pilot valve (VV1) between an activated condition in which the force exerted by the spring (6) on the main valve element (5) is at a reduced level and a deactivated condition in which the force exerted by the spring on the main valve is at an increased level. The relief device (EV) includes a movable spring support (8) which supports a first end of the spring (6). A second end of the spring (6) is supported for movement with the main valve element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Hydrotechnik Frutigen AG
    Inventor: Heinz Pieren
  • Patent number: 5564674
    Abstract: The valve comprises a first pressure chamber (2), an outlet chamber (6) and a valve body (8), cooperating with a first valve seat (12), and also a second pressure chamber (13) delimited by the valve body. The valve body (8) comprises a control piston (22) which cooperates with a second valve seat (26) and is movable between a closing position and an open position. The control piston delimits in a valve chamber (17) a first sub-chamber, which faces away from the second valve seat (26) and communicates with the first pressure chamber (2), a second sub-chamber, which faces the second valve seat (26) and communicates with the outlet chamber (6), and a middle sub-chamber, which surrounds the cylindrical surface of the control piston and communicates with the second pressure chamber (13). The control piston (22) establishes in the closing position transfer communication between the first and the middle sub-chamber, and in the open position transfer communication between the second and the middle sub-chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Sulzer Thermtec AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Kalin, Bruno Thomann, Edelbert Tiefenthaler
  • Patent number: 5495865
    Abstract: A thermal relief device releases gas from a storage cylinder when a thermal trigger senses a predetermined temperature threshold. The thermal relief device includes a valve body which has a passage for communication with the interior of the cylinder. A pilot valve assembly is disposed within the valve body and has a popper for blocking the flow path. The poppet has a longitudinal passage extending through the popper. A metal diaphragm sealing the passage of the poppet has a first side exposed to the interior of the cylinder and a second side opposite the first side exposed to the outlet. A hollow bayonet is mounted in alignment with the passage of the popper on the outlet side of the disk and is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the bayonet is spaced from the disk in the passage, and in the second position the bayonet pierces the disk. A spring is used to biased the bayonet toward the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Mirada Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd G. Wass, Kurt L. Drewelow
  • Patent number: 5385328
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a control valve provided with a valve closure member (5) for closing and opening a valve opening. The valve closure member (5) has attached thereto a piston (11), which is arranged such that it is movable within a housing (13), said piston (11) being adapted to be acted upon by the force of a spring (spring 27) in one direction and by a fluid pressure in the opposite direction. A property characterizing the present invention is that the length of the path of movement of the piston (11) can be adjusted with the aid of a positioning means (29, 73). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the positioning means (29) consists of a rod (31), which is adapted to be axially moved in the direction of movement of the piston (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: MMM Munchener Medizin Mechanik GmbH
    Inventor: Ludwig Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5363873
    Abstract: A household appliance, solenoid controlled, pilot actuated inlet water valve has a diaphragm insert with a bleed valve that substantially closes when a main valve is open to reduce water and contaminate flow through the bleed passage. The pilot valve outlet extension has openings to reduce vacuum drawn from the outlet into an actuation chamber thereby further reducing water flow through the bleed passage. The bleed passage is internally and externally configured to reduce contamination impairment. An anti-hammer rib or lip is placed on the pilot valve outlet extension upstream of a guide tip which provides less close-fitting surface that may be impaired by contaminates while still dampening valve closing to reduce valve noise and pipe hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: James W. Richmond
  • Patent number: 5339857
    Abstract: A media assisted flow control valve having a main body provided with an inlet, and outlet, a chamber defining a flow passage connecting the inlet and the outlet, and a main valve seat around the flow passage, a main valve mounted in the chamber and having a seat surface engageable with the main valve seat to open and close the valve, the main valve having a flow passage therethrough and a pilot valve seat formed around the main valve flow passage, a pilot valve mounted for movement in the main valve, the pilot valve having a seat surface engageable with the pilot valve seat in the main valve to open and close the pilot valve, a pilot valve stem connected at one end with the pilot valve and extending at the other end exterior of the valve body, and a spring mounted on the pilot valve stem exterior of the valve body to bias the pilot valve and main valve closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Dresser Industries Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Scallan, George W. Parker
  • Patent number: 5335694
    Abstract: A flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets includes a body having an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat between the inlet and outlet and a barrel connects the valve seat with the outlet. A diaphragm assembly is positioned within the flush valve and movable toward and away from a closing position on the valve seat to control the flow of water to the outlet. The diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm peripherally clamped within the flush valve housing and a refill ring extending downstream from the diaphragm. The refill ring has a plurality of circumferentially disposed passages connecting the inlet and outlet when the diaphragm assembly is away from the valve seat. The size of the passages in the refill ring determines the volume of water flow during operation of the flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John F. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5328148
    Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic work cylinder has a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat, a shut-off valve having a valve body cooperating with the valve seat of the housing and having a further valve seat, a pilot valve member arranged in the valve body and cooperating with the further valve seat of the valve body under the action of a spring force. The housing and the valve body form therebetween a pressure chamber so that the valve body under the action of a pressure in the pressure chamber is pressed against the valve seat of the housing. The pilot valve member has a valve member part and a plurality of pilot portions arranged in series. Two throttles are arranged in series so that the pressure chamber communicates with the supply of the housing through the throttles and the pilot valve member is located between the throttles. The pressure chamber is connected with the outlet of the housing through the pilot valve member and a passage which opens by the pilot valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sandau Hartmut
  • Patent number: 5299775
    Abstract: A flow modulating fluid control valve assembly utilizing a spring biased armature to directly operate a pilot passage in a main flow control valve. An electromagnetic coil assembly opens the valve by shifting the armature and its seal away from the pilot passage allowing the control valve to open and follow the armature until its seal again restricts the pilot passage and achieves a new force balance position for the control valve. Precise modulation is achieved by shaping the force vs. displacement curves for the electromagnetic assembly opening force acting on the armature and the same curve for the spring and other forces acting in a closing direction on the armature so they have substantially different slopes and intersect at a locus of points in the operating range of movement of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Kolze, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence A. Kolze
  • Patent number: 5295655
    Abstract: A toilet device flush valve has a body with an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat in the body positioned therebetween. There is a movable diaphragm which closes upon the valve seat to control flow between the inlet and the outlet. A piston is attached to the movable diaphragm and there is a flow control ring mounted on the piston. The flow control ring includes water passages forming the sole flow path between the inlet and the outlet when the piston is in the open position. The passages on the flow control ring are sized to correspond to the desired flow rate through the flush valve. The passages extend in a direction to give the water flowing therethrough both axial and circumferential components to dissipate power in the water flowing through the flush valve to provide a relatively constant flow rate which is independent of the water pressure applied at the flush valve inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: John R. Wilson, Peter Golen
  • Patent number: 5290007
    Abstract: A control device for a volume stream of a hydraulic working medium has a blocking valve having a seat valve body cooperating with a stationary main valve seat, a pre-control valve member arranged in the seat valve member and cooperating with a valve seat provided with the seat valve member, an actuating device with which the pre-control valve member is in an operative communication, a spring providing a force with which the pre-control valve member cooperates with the valve seat and controls a pressure in a pressure chamber formed in the seat valve member and a valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Lueues, Hartmut Sandau
  • Patent number: 5290118
    Abstract: A recording disc filing device for storing optical recording discs such as compact discs. The filing device includes a recording disc filing sheet having a plurality of recording disc storing sections for receiving recording discs, respectively. The recording disc storing sections are arranged in a predetermined pattern. The filing device further includes a leaflet filing sheet having leaflet storing sections for receiving leaflets carrying information on recorded contents in the recording discs stored in the recording disc storing sections. The leaflet storing sections correspond in number to the recording disc storing sections. The recording disc filing sheet and the leaflet filing sheet are arranged so that the leaflet storing sections in the leaflet filing sheet are located at positions corresponding to the recording disc storing sections in the recording disc filing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Slidex Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Ozeki
  • Patent number: 5269333
    Abstract: A household appliance, solenoid controlled, pilot actuated inlet water valve has a diaphragm insert with a bleed valve that substantially closes when a main valve is open to reduce water and contaminate flow through the bleed passage. The pilot valve outlet extension has openings to reduce vacuum drawn from the outlet into an actuation chamber thereby further reducing water flow through the bleed passage. The bleed passage is internally and externally configured to reduce contamination impairment. An anti-hammer rib or lip is placed on the pilot valve outlet extension upstream of a guide tip which provides less close-fitting surface that may be impaired by contaminates while still dampening valve closing to reduce valve noise and pipe hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: James W. Richmond
  • Patent number: 5205531
    Abstract: A lower cost valve results from the use of a single machined part for a valve housing. The housing is made of a non-magnetic material which can be less expensive and eliminates the requirement for screens or filters in automotive applications. A threadable connection connects a tube stop to the valve housing eliminating the requirement of braising in manufacturing. Finally, a one-piece plunger and pilot valve with a high guiding length minimizes tilting of the pilot. The one-piece housing allows for one common bore for guiding the plunger with the pilot and the poppet. The two ideal concentric surfaces make the poppet outer diameter concentric to the pilot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Sterling Hydraulics, Inc.
    Inventor: Abel E. Kolchinsky
  • Patent number: 5178358
    Abstract: The throttle-part of the valve comprises a two-way seat valve with a follow-up throttle valve (8), which is driven by a differential guide piston (12) and an edge control system (20). The guide piston is pressurized via a pressure-spring (16) in a pressure-spring compartment in the direction of the closed position of the edge control system. The drive is effected via a pilot line A which pressurizes or depressurizes the pressure-spring compartment (18) via a proportional directional control valve (6), while the position of the guide piston (12) is determined by an inductive displacement transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Hydrolux S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Hans Schwelm
  • Patent number: 5172713
    Abstract: An electrically operated plural inlet-single outlet plastic mixing valve having common dual valve operator assemblies separately supplying valve flow to an outlet manifold to which the operator assemblies are attached by non-metallic weldment. In one embodiment the manifold has plural inlets oppositely connected to a common outlet such that the valve operators are oppositely disposed. The inlets may be rotationally oriented as desired at weldment with respect to each other and the manifold outlet. In a second embodiment the valve operators are disposed in spaced aligned arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Hall
  • Patent number: 5169117
    Abstract: A lower power type, motor-controlled magnetic valve comprising a reversible motor, a speed reducing gear controlled by said reversible motor to move an external magnetic set into a first position in attracting an internal magnetic set or a second position in repulsing said internal magnetic set, causing a plunger to leave from or press against a valve flap, permitting said valve flap to open or close a discharging pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Inventor: Chi-King Huang
  • Patent number: 5150877
    Abstract: A flush valve body has a passage which connects the inlet and outlet. There is a valve seat at one end of the passage and a diaphragm is positioned to control the flow of water through the passage and to close upon the seat. A guide member is attached to the underside of the diaphragm and a refill ring is attached to the guide member. The improvement is specifically directed to the exterior of the refill ring which has a plurality of recesses to channel the flow of water through the flush valve passage. The recesses have a portion of constant size and a portion of gradually changing size. There are fins which separate the recesses and the fins are always in contact with the interior of the passage. The stroke of the diaphragm when moving between fully open and fully closed positions is approximately one-half of the axial length of the refill ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventors: John F. Whiteside, Bradley S. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5095944
    Abstract: The fitting has a valve (18) for cold water and a valve for (sic) (20) for hot water. Arranged fixedly on the closure part (38) interacting with the valve seat (42) is the auxiliary valve seat (56) of the relevant auxiliary valve (52, 54). The closure element (58) can be displaced in the direction of the axis (30) from the idle position shown into the desired limiting position by displacement of the control pin (82) in the direction of the axis (78') and by rotation of the same about the axis (78'). The auxiliary valves (52, 54) are thereby opened which leads to a pressure drop in the pilot control space (40). The closure parts (38) are lifted from the valve seats (42), by which means the water can flow from the inlet (22, 22') into the outlet (48, 48'). When the valve (18, 29) is opened, the gap between the O-ring (66) and the auxiliary valve seat (56) thus becomes smaller. This results in a pressure balancing occurring between the pilot control space (40) and the other side of the closure part (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventor: Ferdinand Hochstrasser
  • Patent number: 5078240
    Abstract: Adjustable vibration damper for motor vehicles with a cylinder containing damping fluid, an axially-movable piston rod immersed therein, and a damping piston attached to the piston rod, which divides the cylinder into two work chambers, whereby a damping valve equipped with a valve body and a control edge controls the effective cross section of a damping passage. The valve body has an antechamber which is in communication with the upper and lower work chamber by means of at least one passage having a check valve, and that starting from the antechamber, there is a constant throttle cross section to the back side of the valve body to pressurize a control pin controlling a throttle passsage of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: BOGE AG
    Inventors: Norbert Ackermann, Hubert Beck
  • Patent number: 5013007
    Abstract: A refill ring for use in a diaphragm-type flush valve is mounted upon the guide member of the diaphragm assembly. The refill ring has an outer diameter approximating the inner diameter of the flush valve passage adjacent the diaphragm seat. The refill ring has a plurality of recesses formed about its periphery whereby closure of the diaphragm assembly upon its flush valve seat moves the refill ring within the flush valve passage, the exterior of the refill ring being in contact with the interior of the passage such that the flow of water past the refill ring is limited to the area of the refill ring peripheral recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: John F. Whiteside
  • Patent number: 5000220
    Abstract: A metering valve (10) having a bi-directional motor (11) with a linearly-displaceable output shaft (21) in which the shaft (21) is separated from but cooperates with a bi-directionally movable piston (16) to provide a variable flow aperture (102) in a secondary flow path (12,52,74,78,76,102,100,48) extending axially through the piston (16). Flow along a primary flow path (12,18,48,14) is varied by movement of the piston (16) in response to an imbalance of opposing hydraulic forces. The imbalance in forces results from varying the foresaid flow aperture (102) by displacing the output shaft (21). However, the flow aperture (102) is only transitorily varied by displacement of the shaft (21) since the valve (10) is designed to provide a follow-up servo function by which the piston (16) is kept at a substantially constant distance from the shaft (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Eick, John R. Williamson, Paul J. Powers
  • Patent number: 4997159
    Abstract: A main poppet body of a logic valve receives inlet pressure at first and second ends. A flow-restricting orifice between the first and second ends produces a differential pressure between the two ends when inlet fluid is permitted to flow from the second end. The main poppet body is normally resiliently seated against a seat. A pilot poppet body, movable in the main poppet body, seats against a seat in the main poppet body. The pilot poppet body, when sealed to its seat, seals the fluid at the second end of the main poppet body from flowing. Thus, equal pressures exist at opposed ends of the main poppet body, and the main poppet body remains in its sealing position. An external source of controllable pilot pressure acts on the pilot poppet body to unseal it from its seat. This permits a flow of inlet fluid from the second end of the main poppet body, and produces a pressure reduction at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Yoshino, Naotaka Dohke
  • Patent number: 4936541
    Abstract: A valve apparatus has a valve body with an inlet, an outlet and a main valve seat disposed therebetween. A complementary main valve member can be moved by an actuating piston/diaphragm between open and closed positions, or located at an intermediate position therebetween. The actuating piston/diaphragm has one side exposed to an actuating chamber which receives fluid from the inlet through a metering orifice on one side, and an opposite side exposed to outlet pressure. A servo valve assembly controls flow from, and pressure within, the actuating chamber and controls movement of the main valve member. The servo valve assembly can be positioned by a relatively low force actuator in any position between extremes thereof, and acts as a master for the main valve member which follows it as a slave between open and closed positions, and any intermediate positions therebetween. The actuator is protected from high fluid forces imposed on the main valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Singer Valve (1985) Inc.
    Inventors: Kari J. Oksanen, Eugene P. Kalaman
  • Patent number: 4915347
    Abstract: A faucet has a body with a hollow inner cavity and a spout which opens into the inner cavity. A valve assembly is located within the inner cavity to control the flow of water from a source into the spout. The valve assembly comprises a housing with an inlet chamber which opens into a ring-shaped channel, an outlet chamber having an opening centrally located with respect to the ring of the channel, and a diaphragm to selectively close the communication of the inlet and outlet chambers. A solenoid includes a plunger that is biased by a spring against the diaphragm and an electromagnetic coil to pull the plunger away from the diaphragm. A proximity sensor is included to detect the presence of an object adjacent the faucet and energize the coil. A safeguard alarm mechanism is provided to deenergize the coil after a given interval if the object continues to be detected and thereafter periodically briefly energize the solenoid until the object is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Muhammad Iqbal, Jeffery J. Kreutzer, Carl R. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4880205
    Abstract: A solenoid valve of the hung diaphragm type includes a diaphragm assembly having a pilot valve seat mounted for movement toward and away from a main valve seat in a valve body, a plunger assembly consisting of a valve disc holder reciprocably mounted in the pole piece of the electromagnetic valve resiliently supports a valve disc for cooperation with the pilot valve seat, being actuated by a plunger slideably mounted in an enclosure tube. The valve holder is biased to an upper position and a pickup extension spring is coupled between the valve holder and diaphragm valve assembly to lift the latter from the main valve seat. A necked down end of the valve holder prevents abrasion at the edge of the pole piece while a groove in the actuating face of the plunger prevents excessive distortion of the end of the pole piece due to repetitive impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Ellison
  • Patent number: 4799645
    Abstract: A pilot operated control valve includes a spool type pilot valve member which is coupled to the main valve member by a pair of springs so that both pilot pressure forces and spring forces act on the main valve member. The main valve member and the housing in which it moves enclose a damping chamber. A damping orifice extends through the main valve member and connects the damping chamber with a pilot pressure chamber to reduce vibration of the main valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Kramer, Gregory E. Sparks
  • Patent number: 4793589
    Abstract: A fluid flow control valve includes a valve body including a side wall, an inlet port through a portion of the side wall, a top, a bottom, a discharge port centrally located in the bottom, and an interior chamber; a piston slideably mounted within the interior chamber, the piston having one end overlappingly opposing the concentric with the discharge port, the one end having a centrally located recessed portion; a sealing member removably secured to, located within, the concentric with the recessed portion of the one end of the piston for providing a fluid tight seal between the piston and a valve seat about the circumference of the discharge port whenever the piston is positioned for closure of the valve; a throttle rigidly attached to and concentric with a portion of the sealing member, the upper portion of the throttle proximate the piston being cylindrical and having an outside diameter approaching the inside diameter of the discharge port, the lower portion of the throttle including a plurality of scallo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Eldredge, Dolan F. Blalock, John S. McSpadden
  • Patent number: 4787411
    Abstract: A valve controlled by the same medium it handles and released by a preferably electromagnetically activated control valve. Contaminants in the medium that clog up the control bore in servocontrolled valves that employ a differential piston, a relief bore that can be closed off with a control valve, and a control bore that connect a pressure connection with a control space prevent the valve from closing. A mechanism that is especially simple in design is proposed to constantly keep the control bore clean during operation. The control space accommodates a wire spring that rest against the differential piston and against the valve housing and extends through the control bore. The motion of the piston is accompanied by a relative motion between the control bore and the spring that results in a constant cleaning action. The valve is especially practical in water lines and has the advantage of constant self-cleaning on the part of the control bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Firma A. U. K. Muller GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Moldenhauer