Diaphragm Or Bellows Motor Element Patents (Class 251/46)
  • Patent number: 11959564
    Abstract: Example aspects of a seat assembly for a valve, a valve, and a method for opening a valve are disclosed. The seat assembly for a valve can comprise a diaphragm defining a first diaphragm end and a second diaphragm end, the diaphragm comprising a diaphragm end wall at the second diaphragm end, the diaphragm end wall defining an inner diaphragm end wall surface and an outer diaphragm end wall surface; and a diaphragm guide comprising a guide disc, the guide disc defining an inner guide disc surface and an outer guide disc surface, the outer guide disc surface abutting the inner diaphragm end wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Wayne Stern, Stephen Adrianus de Boer, Fairlyte Paige Eubank
  • Patent number: 10975973
    Abstract: A tube unit includes an inner tube that is elastically deformable and has a tubular shape, and a pressurized space forming portion that forms a pressurized space in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube between the inner tube and the pressurized space forming portion. The inner tube is operable between a minimum pressure state and a maximum pressure state. The inner tube has a cross-section having a non-circular shape perpendicular to an axial direction in the minimum pressure state. A transport apparatus includes the tube unit and a pressure controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SOLARIS INC.
    Inventors: Taro Nakamura, Yasuyuki Yamada, Shun Yoshihama, Kyota Ashigaki
  • Patent number: 10591933
    Abstract: A fluidic device controls fluid flow in channel from a source to a drain. The fluidic device may be combined with other fluidic devices to form different types of logic devices g an inverter, OR gate, etc.). And the logic devices may be incorporated into an artificial reality system (e.g., as part of a haptic assembly). In some embodiments, a fluidic device includes a gate, a channel, and a wedge. The wedge controls a rate of fluid flow within the channel based on a fluid pressure in the gate. The wedge induces a first flow rate of fluid in the channel in accordance with a low pressure state of the gate, and a second flow rate of the fluid in the channel in accordance with a high pressure state of the gate, the second flow rate greater than the first flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Jason Keller, Jack Lindsay, Serol Turkyilmaz, Tristan Thomas Trutna, Andrew Arthur Stanley
  • Patent number: 10054233
    Abstract: Embodiments include tubular diaphragm valves with a preformed mechanical closure point and optionally concave or convex convolution areas located near the flanges. These mechanical closure points and convolution areas give the embodiments an extended operational life, as compared to that of conventional cylindrical diaphragms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: AcornVac, Incorporated
    Inventors: Carlos J. Galeazzi, Neil Cletus Levers, Thomas Kent Zinn
  • Patent number: 9309992
    Abstract: A system for detecting a valve replacement element including a flush valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a main valve element adapted for movement between a first position in which the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid isolation, and a second position in which the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication is disclosed. The main valve element includes a replaceable portion. The system also includes a sensor for monitoring usage of the replaceable portion of the main valve element, and an indicator in communication with the sensor for alerting an operator when the replaceable portion of the main valve element should be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SDB IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Shawn D. Bush
  • Patent number: 8905061
    Abstract: A needle fill valve, in which a bearer is set on the top of a body, the bearer is covered on an upper cover, a front cavity is set on the front side of the bearer, an inner cavity is set on the location corresponding to the front cavity for placing the annular gasket of the sealing plate wrapped a sealing valve pad, and the purpose of fixing the sealing valve pad for preventing being disengaged from the annular gasket is achieved by fastening an upper fixed seat and a lower fixed seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: So-Mei Huang
  • Patent number: 8376316
    Abstract: A vandal resistant adjustable metered handle assembly for a faucet is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a body having a base adapted for attachment to a sink and a sidewall extending in an upward direction with respect to the base. The base is attached to a push button handle via a stem. A spring is associated with the body and the push button handle for metering an amount of water emitting from the faucet and a sleeve is positioned between the body and the push button handle. The sleeve cooperates with the sidewall of the body to adjust the shut-off time of the metered handle assembly. The sleeve may be color-coded to indicate water temperature. The handle assembly can be made vandal resistant by adhesively securing various components together and providing an unconventional attachment member for securing the handle assembly to a sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Zurn Industries, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Gustafson, Geoffrey D. Thorp, Michael F. Migliore
  • Patent number: 8172197
    Abstract: A fast-acting, pneumatic diaphragm valve includes a diaphragm valve closure member, a pneumatic piston that provides a closure force on the closure member, and a solenoid pilot valve that controls pressurized air to the piston to cause the piston to move in a reciprocal manner so that the closure member opens and closes the valve. The valve seat seal can be elastomer for enhancing speed, and the solenoid pilot valve can be positioned and configured with air flow longitudinally through or past the solenoid armature to enhance speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Youfan Gu, Sven Nuesken
  • Patent number: 8157243
    Abstract: An evacuation valve for a metering device for a liquid medium is disclosed. The valve includes a seal holder having a chamber formed therein and a seal. An elastomeric material fills the chamber to form the seal. The seal includes a smooth, flat sealing surface located above the seal holder. The inclusion of a lip in the chamber retains the seal; a non-circular lip prevents rotation of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Oil-Rite Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Wech
  • Publication number: 20110068284
    Abstract: The control valve according to the invention is for use in liquid carrying systems. It comprises a valve housing (1) having an inlet side (17) and an outlet side (18), said valve housing being provided with a pressure maintaining arrangement for maintaining a constant differential pressure between the inlet and outlet sides, as well as an amount control arrangement for setting the maximum flow amount through the valve and adjustment of it. The control arrangement comprises two cylinder shell elements (2 and 3) cooperating in the flow path, both having material removed from otherwise overlapping areas, thereby generating an uncovered area (25) in the flow path of the control valve. The outer cylinder shell element (3) is stationary rotatable relative to the valve housing, while the inner cylinder shell element (2) may be rotated by means of a rotatable handle (13), whereby a larger or smaller opening (25) between the cooperating cylinder shell elements (2 and 3) may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: FRESE A/S
    Inventor: Agnes Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7744060
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for fail-safe high-speed-pneumatic valve is disclosed. Fail-safe dependability is provided by a spring-loaded normally-closed pneumatic actuator. When the spring-loaded actuator is pressurized, the normally closed mechanism is actuated to the valve active position. Concurrently, the pressure is directly applied to deflect a diaphragm or a bellow-assembly back to sealing position. Ultra high purity embodiments with standard dome shaped diaphragms are disclosed. Additional high conductance diaphragms and bellows embodiments are employed for higher conductance valves. Novel flow path layouts are disclosed. The valves are applicable for fast gas and fluid switching and are particularly suitable for high productivity Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) applications. Additional embodiments cover improved diaphragm and seal reliability, externally adjustable valve conductance, improved valve safety and high temperature valve seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sundew Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ofer Sneh
  • Patent number: 7647938
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for controlling liquid flow into a reservoir includes a mounting adapter defining a liquid inlet passage for connection to a riser for supplying water to the valve and which renders the fill valve readily mountable and demountable for installation and maintenance. A valve body has liquid inlet and outlet openings and a pressure-responsive member is disposed within the valve body and defines a control chamber with which the liquid inlet passage communicates opposite a second side of the pressure responsive member also in communication with the liquid inlet for selectively opening and closing the inlet opening to liquid flow in response to liquid pressure in the control chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Jobe Holdings Limited
    Inventors: David Jobe, Robin Jobe
  • Patent number: 6886580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve assembly for use in below freezing conditions which includes a valve housing with a connection to a supply of fluid, and a primary chamber, and a secondary chamber, and a flexible diaphragm, and an equalisation port, and a safety port the valve assembly characterised in that has a safety port associated with the secondary chamber wherein the safety port is configured to have a lower flow-rate than that through the equalisation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Jobe, Robin Jobe
  • Patent number: 6845960
    Abstract: Disclosed is a diaphragm valve. When a chamber is expanded by fluid supply into a pipe-shaped button, a valve stem is slightly moved upward by a rod and a shaft to open an outlet of an orifice. Fluid received in a space between a cap and a diaphragm and having a high pressure is discharged into an outlet-side space, whereby the diaphragm opens a guide conduit. When fluid is discharged from the pipe-shaped button, the diaphragm is moved toward the guide conduit, and the valve stem closes the outlet. The fluid in the inlet-side space has a high pressure, and the fluid in the space between the cap and diaphragm has a low pressure. The high pressure fluid flows toward the low pressure fluid through a pilot hole of the diaphragm. When fluid pressure balance is effected between the spaces, the diaphragm closes the guide conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 6478044
    Abstract: A snap-action piloted fill valve for controlling the level in a liquid storage tank, the valve having a float and a weight cup that are adjustably interconnected by an elongated sleeve slidably disposed on a stem extending upwardly from a valve body mounted inside a tank, the weight cup being further connected to a snap-action beam attached to the valve body. The snap-action beam controls operation of a pilot, which in turn causes the fill valve to open when the beam is in its upward position and to close when the beam is in its downward postion. Use as a toilet valve is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: LSP Products Group
    Inventor: Samuel H. Howe
  • Patent number: 6394412
    Abstract: A hydraulic diaphragm valve comprising a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a diaphragm valve seating between the inlet and the outlet, a sealing diaphragm mounted in the housing and displaceable about the diaphragm valve seating, so as to close and open a flow path between the inlet and outlet, a valve control chamber and a command valve comprising a first duct communicating a one end thereof with the valve inlet, and at an opposite end thereof with a first command valve seating, a second duct communicating into one end with the valve outlet, and at an opposite end thereof, with a second command valve seating. A third duct communicates at one end with the valve control chamber and at its opposite end it selectively communicates with the first and second command valve seatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Netafim (A.C.S.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Avi Zakai, Youval Katzman, Vladimir Ryabtsev
  • Patent number: 6286533
    Abstract: A metering valve assembly for use in sanitary applications and method of use is disclosed. The metering valve assembly has a relief valve hydraulically controlling a pilot valve covering a water supply inlet. The relief valve is controllably closed by a damping mechanism substantially independently of typical variations in water supply temperature and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Mark Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Zoltan Goncze
  • Patent number: 6263901
    Abstract: An irrigation valve comprises a valve housing made from a valve body joined to a valve bonnet by a plurality of attachment screws. The valve body and valve bonnet have an alignment rib received in an alignment notch when the body and bonnet are joined together such that the holes that receive the attachment screws are automatically aligned with one another. The attachment screws have a smooth portion adjacent a threaded portion such that the smooth portion when visible signals to the user that the attachment screws are clear of the valve body but are still captured in the valve bonnet. The valve includes a solenoid that may be remotely actuated to open the valve. An L-shaped actuator arm is also operatively connected to the solenoid for manually opening the valve with the upper portion of the actuator arm being closer to the user than in previous valves and thus easier to grip and turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Dan Lohde, John Larry Kent, Alan Dawn
  • Patent number: 6254057
    Abstract: A fluid control valve has a valve member which, on closing creates a stagnation zone between the valve member and a surface within the valve. In the stagnation zone fluid pressure is greater than it is in an adjacent constriction zone. This causes the valve to close slowly, thereby reducing the likelihood that water hammer will occur on closure of the valve. The design of the valve member also reduces resonances which can cause annoying noises and premature wear. A flow restriction chamber further slows closure of the valve. The fluid control valve may be controlled by a conventional 3-way pilot valve. Preferably the fluid control valve is used with a pilot valve according to the invention having a rocker member which, on actuation, first closes an inlet valve member and then opens an outlet valve member. The pilot valve may be used in other situations where a 3-way valve is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Integra Dynamics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Pubben, Scott Phillips, Sandeep Munshi
  • Patent number: 6164313
    Abstract: A float operated valve for controlling the rate of flow of water from a pipe carrying water under pressure, to a vessel, comprises a pipe having an end opening of selected diameter and a flange of larger diameter surrounding the pipe. A flexible diaphragm is attached over the flange having a central closure pad adapted to cut off water flow when pressed against the pipe. A small orifice is drilled through the diaphragm so that when the flow is shut off, water can still flow through the orifice to the second side of the diaphragm. A second short pipe having a similar flange is bolted against the diaphragm to the first flange, to provide a water tight seal. There is a second small orifice in the second end of the second pipe, and a float mechanism is provided with a closure tip to close the second orifice when the water level is at a selected value. The closure tip varies the size of the second orifice so that the orifice is responsive to the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Inventor: William R. Walters
  • Patent number: 6131608
    Abstract: A water flowrate control device, which includes a casing connected to water source means, a holder member mounted inside the casing, a pressure release element mounted in the holder member, a steel ball put in a stepped through hole in the pressure release element, a rubber cap mounted on the holder member and covered over the pressure release element and disposed in contact with an inside annular flange inside the casing to stop water passage, a bottom cap fastened to the casing at a bottom side to hold the holder member in place, a receptacle mounted in a tubular flange in the bottom cap, a movable element mounted in the receptacle and inserted into the stepped through hole at the pressure release element, and a spring member connected between the holder member and the movable element to push the movable element away from the steel ball, wherein when the receptacle is pushed upwards, the movable element is moved with the receptacle to push the steel ball upwards, for enabling water to flow out of the rubber
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu
  • Patent number: 6079437
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve includes a valve housing, a diaphragm assembly mounted within the valve housing, a pilot valve coupled to the valve housing and a flow control stem mounted in an upper bonnet of the valve housing. The valve housing has an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The diaphragm assembly is vertically reciprocable back and forth within the valve housing to thereby connect and disconnect the inlet passage and the outlet passage. The valve housing has a lower inlet chamber below the diaphragm assembly, an upper pressure control chamber above the diaphragm assembly, and a bore in the bonnet which communicates with the upper pressure control chamber. The pilot valve is operatively associated with the upper pressure control chamber for selectively venting pressurized liquid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew G. Beutler, Revis R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5996608
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type control valve for irrigation systems has an outer clam-shell housing that encloses a vertically reciprocable diaphragm assembly. A primary valve seat inside the housing is engaged and disengaged by a seal on the underside of the diaphragm to open and close the valve by connecting and disconnecting its inlet and outlet passages. Pressurized water from a lower inlet chamber of the valve travels through a small metering orifice in the center of the diaphragm assembly to an upper pressure control chamber above a flexible membrane of the diaphragm assembly. A solenoid actuated pilot valve is operatively coupled to the upper pressure control chamber for venting pressurized water therefrom to permit the diaphragm assembly to move upwardly to open the valve. A filter screen is mounted to the underside of the diaphragm assembly to prevent debris from clogging the metering orifice, clogging the small passages of the pilot valve, or fouling the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Hunter, Revis R. Hunter
  • Patent number: 5979482
    Abstract: A diaphragm-type control valve for irrigation systems has a solenoid operated pilot valve assembly. The solenoid includes a housing having a generally cylindrical bore with an open end, an energizeable coil surrounding the bore, a ferrous plunger reciprocally mounted in the bore and having an end extending from the open end of the solenoid housing, the plunger moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and an elastomeric sealing cap mounted on the plunger end and having a central portion for sealingly engaging a valve seat and a peripheral portion sealing the bore around the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Loren W. Scott
  • Patent number: 5979863
    Abstract: A control valve comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water and an outlet, a pressure responsive diaphragm valve assembly including a valve disc having a front face and a back face mounted in the passage for engagement with the valve seat, and a pilot passage between the front face and the back face, a friction plate on the back face, and a screen plate on the front face of the valve member, the screen plate having a cup shape and screen openings at a corner edge of the disc communicating with the pilot passage from the front face of the valve to a back of the diaphragm for controlling the rate of opening of the valve for controlling flow of fluid through the valve to the sprinkler unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley M. Lousberg
  • Patent number: 5871156
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler of the type having an inlet control valve is provided with a removable valve seat formed integrally with an inlet filter screen. The valve seat is positioned to engage a valve head to normally prevent water inflow to a sprinkler case, whereas the filter screen prevents entry of small rocks and other particulate debris into the sprinkler case when the inlet control valve is open. The valve seat is removable from the top of the sprinkler case, without requiring disconnection of the case from a water supply line, to permit flushing of collected debris or to permit replacement of a damaged valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing, Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Lawson
  • Patent number: 5860631
    Abstract: A two-stage pilot valve for suspension control systems. The valve includes an annular pilot member so that fluid discharges in a radial direction, and it is preferable that the valve member is comprised of a resiliently suspended plate.Both the dynamic characteristics of the valve and its function in some respects (minimum opening pressure for the main stage) are improved due to these provisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Jorg Feigel
  • Patent number: 5853026
    Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a liquid includes a valve seat which is engaged by a selectively operable valve member. A pressure chamber above the valve member contains upstream pressurized fluid in the closed position of the valve. The valve is opened by bleeding off pressurized fluid from this pressure chamber. A manual bleed screw assembly is used to manually open the valve when desired by initiating this pressure bleed procedure from the pressure chamber. The bleed screw assembly bleeds the pressurized fluid to a downstream location in the flow path, rather than to atmosphere, without having to completely remove the bleed screw assembly from the port in which it is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Anthony M. Wlodarczyk, James T. Wright, III, John L. Baker
  • Patent number: 5738332
    Abstract: A flow valve operating by pressure differentials and by flow transfer means which regulate small flows of control. This valve is sensitive to small changes of pressure and resistant to great working pressures, having few components of a simple design. The valve of the invention basically consists in a rigid valve body with an opening for flow inlet and one opening for flow outlet, which are oriented in a substantially cross way to said flow opening. The body of the valve has a main cavity between the flow inlet and the flow outlet. A valve seat is in the limit of the main cavity and the flow inlet. In addition, the valve body has pipes for the inlet of the control flow and for the outlet of the control flow, which are associated with the flow transfer means for the control of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Sergio Perez Corbalan
  • Patent number: 5641271
    Abstract: Pump (1) includes a pneumatic valve assembly (98) having a chamber (105) which is supplied by compressed air via an inlet pipe. Included within chamber (105) is a valve (109) with a chamber (111) divided into two separate compartments (112,113) by a pliant diaphragm (114). Diaphragm (114) is biased toward compartment (112) by a spring (115) and supports a plunger (116) which extends from chamber (111) and includes a frusto conical end (117) for selectively engaging seat face (99) and preventing air flow between chambers (105,90). Two air bleed passageways (119,120) respectively extend from chamber (90) and compartment (113) to atmosphere for allowing a gradual return to atmospheric pressure therein when the supply of compressed air is discontinued. A further bleed passageway (121) extends through diaphragm (114) to ensure a gradual equalization of pressure in compartments (112,113) such that the diaphragm will return to its original biased position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: M.I.M. Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Alan J. Forrester, Paavo M. Laukkanen
  • Patent number: 5632465
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a housing with an inlet passage and an outlet passage communicating with a valve chamber through a substantially hemispherical valve seat; a valve member mounted in the valve chamber of the housing for movement between a closed attitude, substantially preventing the flow of fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage, and an opened attitude, defining a path of fluid flow interconnecting the inlet passage and the outlet passage; and a mechanism for moving the valve member between said closed and opened attitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Inventor: Paul M. Cordua
  • Patent number: 5421361
    Abstract: A fill valve assembly for a toilet tank or the like includes a riser and a head portion that can be vertically adjusted without removal or disassembly of the valve in order to select a precise tank liquid level. Telescoping conduits in the riser are secured in adjusted position by a bayonet latch system including detents assisted by the force applied by pressurized liquid at the inlet to the assembly. A main valve disk is held against a valve seat by pressure in a control chamber in a standby position and is moved to an open position by venting of the control chamber. The valve includes an axial peripheral flange having an enlarged bead portion captured in an annular channel to provide an O-ring type seal against positive and negative pressure while maximizing flexibility of the disk. A lever for controlling a pilot seat for venting the chamber is pivoted between fulcrum flanges and is held by shoulders abutting one of the flanges. The lever is pivoted by a float in a float chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5408709
    Abstract: A flow control assembly regulates the flow of water from a shower head independently from the normal valving system. A control valve is located upstream of the shower head, as seen in the water flow direction, and is operated by a conveniently located pilot valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: George H. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 5318062
    Abstract: A tank valve for refilling a water tank. A vertical riser has a passage opening through a valve seat in a body. A flow chamber and a discharge chamber are formed around the valve seat. A cap is secured to the body so as to overlay the chambers. The cap has a central socket opening, a plurality of laterally-spaced anit-siphon ports, and a contact surface. The anti-siphon ports open onto the contact surface. A valve control device has a rigid case with a neck and an engaging shoulder. An anti-siphon disc has a hole through which the neck is passed. The neck is inserted in the socket opening and the engaging shoulder presses the disc against the cap. A bias chamber is formed in the case. A retainer is secured to the case. It includes a retaining shoulder which holds a flexible diaphragm to close the bias chamber. The diaphragm has a bias port therethrough. A level controlled valve opens and closes a vent port in the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 5299774
    Abstract: A diaphragm controlled irrigation valve (20) is disclosed which includes a captivated relief member (60). The captivation is achieved by a stop (100) which radially extends from the member to abut the valve housing (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Champion Brass Manufacturing dba Champion Irrigation Products
    Inventors: Creel M. Arneson, David Flores
  • Patent number: 5238024
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve assembly adapted for use in irrigation systems as a zone valve includes a solenoid-operated diaphragm to control flow through the valve under normal operations, and a ball valve is situated between an inlet port and one or more outlet ports and is selectively movable to a position closing the valve to prevent liquid flow therethrough independently of the opening and closing of the diaphragm so as to permit servicing or repair of the valve without shutting off the entire system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Jerry L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5181538
    Abstract: An improved multiple stream, fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus for automatically regulating flow rate for one or more preset fluid flows including a plural station, fluid flow rate console assembly adapted for cooperating with the standing hydraulic pressure of a dual fluid supply means with a variable effluent flow rate regulator interposed in each of the main supply conduits and associated controller means for presetting the flow rate through each regulator and for determining both the degree of mixing and the incidence of fluid flow to be provided from each supply conduit to the exit conduit. The apparatus being specially adaped for permitting pneumatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Inventor: Paul R. Manganaro
  • Patent number: 5158207
    Abstract: A leak detection device for restricting the flow of liquid fuel through the undergound fuel conduit whenever the leakage exceeds a predetermined rate of flow. The device includes a valve in the conduit that is movable between a first position to permit a first volumetric rate of flow for quickly pressurizing the conduit to a predetermined pressure, and a second position to permit a second volumetric rate of flow is that is much less that the first volumetric rate of flow. The valve includes a seal member which is extendable radially outward of the valve. A valve seat for the valve is provided and has a plurality of slots therein to provide fluid communication between the fuel inlet and outlet of the device. Once the conduit is pressurized to the predetermined pressure, the valve moves from its first position to its second position resulting in the seal member being sealingly aligned with each of the slots thereby preventing the flow of the fuel through each of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Tokheim Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Van Daele
  • Patent number: 5150732
    Abstract: A tank valve for maintaining a water lever storage level in a tank. The tank valve includes differential pressure valve workings under control of a pivot member. A float enables the valve to open when resting on the pivot member and opens the valve when it rises free of the pivot member. A boost link depends from the pivot member to be boosted by the float near the end of its upward travel to assure closure of the valve working when an intended water level has be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 5067516
    Abstract: A pilot-operated, diaphragm-controlled float valve assembly has a primary valve and a pilot valve operated by a float arm, a cavity for the main valve is formed between a split segment casing and is divided by a valve disc centrally mounted upon a flexible diaphragm into a lower, larger, pressure-differential chamber and an upper, smaller, pressure-differential chamber, both chambers being fluidly connected by a variable restricting orifice formed by a gap between an axial bore in the valve disc and a fixed guide rod for the disc. The top of the guide rod acts as a seat for a pilot valve; a lateral bore extends through the top of the guide rod and another through the base of the valve, enabling water to flow into both pressure differential chambers when the main valve outlet is held normally closed against its seat by bias of the diaphragm to prevent backflow under low pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Keith F. Gale
  • Patent number: 5035257
    Abstract: A toilet tank valve having a vertical riser with a collet thread and a plurality of flexible collet fingers. A slider tube is fitted into the riser. It has a plurality of peripheral grooves that can be engaged by the fingers to adjust the elevation of the slider tube. A collet nut threaded to the riser compresses the finger for this purpose. Valve workings are mounted to the slider tube. They include an inverted cup float slidingly fitted around the riser which can engage splines on the collet nut so that rotating the float can turn the collet nut, enabling the slider tube's elevation to be adjusted and its adjustment retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Coast Foundry & Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4991625
    Abstract: An improved multiple stream, fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus for automatically regulating flow rate and temperature for one or more preset fluid flows for connection to domestic water delivery systems including a plural station, fluid flow rate and temperature control console adapted for cooperating with the standing hydraulic pressure of a dual temperature fluid supply means with a variable effluent flow rate regulator interposed in each of the main supply conduits and associated controller means for presetting the flow rate through each regulator and determining both the degree of mixing and the incidence of fluid flow to be provided from each supply conduit to the exit conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Paul R. Manganaro
  • Patent number: 4987920
    Abstract: A pilot operated, diaphragm actuated fluid valve assembly having an annular main valve seat with a tapered annular surface disposed therearound. A movable diaphragm has a generally flat central main valving surface thereon and an integrally formed annular wiper extending outwardly therefrom. The annular wiper contacts the tapered annular surface a relatively small distance before the main valving surface contacts the main valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Donner
  • Patent number: 4981155
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated, pilot operated valve having a nonmetallic body with a pressure responsive disphragm for opening the main valve and defining, in cooperation with a guide member, a pilot chamber having an armature/pilot valve member movably received thereon. The guide member has a bleed-supply hole formed therein and is secured to the body by an annular member attached to the body by nonmetallic weldment and integrally defining a cup into which a solenoid coil is received over the guide member and potted by liquid-cast insulating material. An armature guide member-diaphragm subassembly has the guide with armature received therein with the diaphragm peripherally secured thereto by a ring pressed thereover, the ring interfitting with cooperating body surfaces to define restricted passage to filter flow to the pilot chamber bleed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Pick, Wesley S. Swanson, Edward D. Hurst
  • Patent number: 4971104
    Abstract: A self-powered servo-actuated backpressure regulating valve including a valve housing (1) having an inlet port (2) and an outlet port (3). A valve plate (4) is disposed in the housing (1) and supported by an evacuated chamber (12) defined by a bellows (10) so as to be movable toward and away from a valve seat (15) of the inlet port (2) fluid pressure acting on the valve plate (4) is controlled by a valve assembly including a valve plate (32) supported in a housing portion (51) of a fixed support (50) by a bellows (30) defining an evacuated chamber (35). The valve plate (32) is exposed to pressure of the fluid in the inlet port (2) by way of an opening (54) with the pressure causing a displacement of the valve plate (32). A bellows (20) supports the valve plate (4) relative to the valve assembly so as to permit movement of the valve plate (4 ) relative to the valve seat (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Kent Weber
  • Patent number: 4921208
    Abstract: A proportional flow valve wherein inlet fluid pressure urges the valve member toward the valve set. A pressure member, which may be a rolling diaphragm, has an effective area about equal to that of the valve orifice and is also subjected to inlet fluid pressure, when the valve is open, to counterbalance the force of the inlet fluid pressure on the valve member. A spring constantly urges the valve member toward the valve seat, to close the valve, and a solenoid actuator, when energized, moves the valve member way from the valve seat against the force of the spring. The distance which the valve member moves from the seat, and hence the rate of flow through the valve, is proportional to the amount of current applied to the solenoid actuator. A pilot valve controls the flow of inlet fluid pressure to the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Automatic Switch Company
    Inventor: Drew P. LaMarca
  • Patent number: 4903724
    Abstract: A liquid level control system for automatically stopping the flow of water in a bathtub. The system includes an adjustable level control mechanism and a flow control device. The control mechanism comprises a float suspended from a flexible chain and slidingly mounted in a vertical chamber hydraulically linked to the bathtub. When the float is buoyantly actuated by the level of the water reaching a predeterminedly set height, the flow control device obturates the inlet of water coming from the water supply conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Gilles R. Simard
  • Patent number: 4893645
    Abstract: A control valve in which the bonnet is removably fixedly attached to the valve body by a retained bolt and slot arrangement in such a way as to fix the marginal edge of the diaphragm main valve therebetween. The diaphragm defines with the bonnet a control chamber having an inlet control passage leading thereto from the valve body inlet and an outlet control passage leading therefrom to the valve body outlet. A control valve seat in the outlet valve seat is controlled by a solenoid plunger valve element in such a way as to afford either manual or electrical solenoid operation by virtue of a manually movable member mounting the solenoid assembly on the bonnet. An adjusting knob member is mounted by a snap fit on the bonnet in laterally offset relation with respect to both the main valve and the solenoid assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Andrius R. Augustinas, Raymond F. Lippitt
  • Patent number: 4844112
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated, pilot operated valve having a nonmetallic body with a pressure responsive diaphragm for opening the main valve and defining, in cooperation with a guide member, a pilot chamber having an armature/pilot valve member movably received thereon. The guide member has a bleed-supply hole formed therein and is secured to the body by an annular member attached to the body by nonmetallic weldment and integrally defining a cup into which a solenoid coil is received over the guide member and potted by liquid-cast insulating material. An armature guide member-diaphragm subassembly has the guide with armature received therein with the diaphragm peripherally secured thereto by a ring pressed thereover, the ring interfitting with cooperating body surfaces to define restricted passage to filter flow to the pilot chamber bleed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Pick, Wesley S. Swanson, Edward D. Hurst
  • Patent number: 4842011
    Abstract: An improved flushing means is disclosed for use in water tanks such as are for flushing toilets. The flushing means has a water inlet with an improved two-stage valve using inlet line pressure for operating the two stages. A float is movably mounted on the inlet for controlling the valve with a lever operatively coupling the float to the first stage of the valve. A cooperating vertical hollow and floating overflow tube including an adjustable bowl filling siphon controls the tank discharge to the bowl. These improvements to the tank discharge to the bowl are also to be incorporated into the commonly used flapper-type flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignees: Elwyn V. Harp, Glen H. Baron
    Inventor: Vernon D. Roosa