Lost Motion, Abutment Or Resilient Connection Between Actuator And Valve Patents (Class 251/63.4)
  • Patent number: 11927306
    Abstract: A system for operating and/or lubricating a plurality of valves. The system includes at least first and second control units, each of which is associated with a respective valve. Each control unit includes a hydraulic pressure inlet, a hydraulic pressure outlet, a hydraulic pressure line connected between the hydraulic pressure inlet and the hydraulic pressure outlet, and a hydraulic port which is connectable to the valve. The hydraulic pressure inlet of the first control unit is connectable to a hydraulic pressure source and the hydraulic pressure outlet of the first control unit is connectable to the hydraulic pressure inlet of the second control unit. In operation, the control unit is operable to selectively communicate hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure line to the hydraulic port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: James Michael Zerkus, Steven Dornell Raymond, Thiago Guimarães Machado, Rajeev Rajan Pillai
  • Patent number: 11927074
    Abstract: Provided is a communications sub. The communications sub, in one aspect, includes a fluid chamber, and a pressure-activated indexing device positioned within the fluid chamber, the pressure-activated indexing device including a lock mandrel configured to incrementally move between an engaged state and a disengaged state when subjected to two or more pressure cycles. The communications sub, in accordance with one aspect, further includes a latch body positioned in the fluid chamber, the latch body configured to be fixed in place by the lock mandrel and close a fluid path from the fluid chamber to a control line when the lock mandrel is in the engaged state, and configured to be allowed to move and open the fluid path from the fluid chamber to the control line when the lock mandrel is in the disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. W. Inglis, Katherine Davies
  • Patent number: 11920431
    Abstract: A valve assembly for connection to an opening provided in a housing of a well tool device includes a fluid communication channel, a flapper valve device, a flapper element supporting device, and a securing device. The fluid communication channel provides fluid communication from an outside of the housing to a bore provided on the inside of the housing. The flapper valve device includes a flapper element configured to be in a closed position in which the fluid communication channel is closed and an open position in which the fluid communication channel is open. The flapper element is biased to the closed position. The flapper element supporting device supports the flapper element when the flapper element is in the open position. The securing device secures the flapper valve device and the flapper element supporting device to the opening. The securing device includes a through bore forming a first part of the fluid communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Interwell Norway AS
    Inventor: Erik Åsmund Glennsjø Solland
  • Patent number: 11859724
    Abstract: A check valve (1) which comprises an obturator (2) and a biasing mechanism, the biasing mechanism arranged to urge the obturator towards a closed condition, and the check valve further comprising an actuator assembly (5, 7a, 7b) which is arranged to be selectively activated to cause the obturator to be in an open condition, and the check valve comprising a controller which has a control signal input to cause the controller to selectively activate the actuator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LONTRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Francis Lindsey
  • Patent number: 11853085
    Abstract: An actuator for a pilot valve, including a housing, a piston movably mounted in the housing and an actuator chamber defined between the piston and the housing. The actuator includes a control fluid feed for introducing a fluid into the actuator chamber to control fluid pressure, with the fluid pressure acting on the piston. The actuator also includes an actuation member for acting on the pilot valve and a loading spring between the piston and the actuation member. The loading spring is arranged to bias the piston against the fluid pressure in the actuator chamber. The control fluid feed controls the fluid pressure so the fluid pressure acts on the piston against the bias of the loading spring to control the biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: OFIP LIMITED
    Inventor: Matthew Collins
  • Patent number: 11802626
    Abstract: A valve apparatus [11] for connection to a tank or pipe, the valve apparatus [11] comprises a housing [12], a first opening [176a] and a second opening [177a] communicating with respective first conduit [16] and second conduit [17] each for providing ingress and egress of fluid into and out of the housing [11] through the first opening [176a] and the second opening [177a], and discrete first and second valve means or valves [14; 15] which are spaced apart from one another, the first and second valve means or valves [14; 15] selectively controlling fluid flow between the first and second conduits [16; 17], wherein, in use, the principal flow axes along the first conduit [16] and second conduit [17] are parallel and opposed, the first valve means or valve [14] is configured to open when the pressure in the first conduit [16] is greater than a first pressure and the second valve means or valve 15 is configured to open when the pressure in the first conduit [16] is less than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Elmac Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Daomin Hong, Lewis Bingham
  • Patent number: 11781663
    Abstract: [Solution] A pilot check valve includes a first body that has input and output ports, a main path 13 that is in communication these ports, and a check valve element that allows a flow of a pressure fluid from the input port toward the output port. The valve element blocks or allows a flow toward the input port side by supply or discharge of a pilot fluid and has a residual pressure exhaust path connected between the main path and an exhaust hole, a seal member that is provided in the exhaust path, and a push rod that moves the check valve element to a position where a flow of a pressure fluid toward the input port side in the main path is allowed and moves the seal member to a position where a flow toward the exhaust hole is allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Fukushima
  • Patent number: 11690779
    Abstract: A portable oscillating compression system including an for compressing air; an accumulator tank for receiving and storing the compressed air from the air compressor; an air pressure adjustment module for modulating pressure of the compressed air when the compressed air exits the accumulator tank; a valve body assembly attached to the accumulator tank, a plurality of inflatable cuffs connected to the valve body assemble for receiving the compressed air from the valve body assembly; a controller for controlling the valve body assembly; a power supply; and a housing for containing said system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Renew Group Private Limited
    Inventors: William N. Tally, Roy Carl Burmeister, Jr., Kevin Francis Moran
  • Patent number: 11680866
    Abstract: The present invention is a bleeding air regulator control pneumatic circuit for supplying air to a leakage detection system for testing a device under test for leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Leakmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry Money
  • Patent number: 11674452
    Abstract: A bleed valve for an air plenum includes a valve body having a poppet seat, a poppet supported by the valve body and movable relative to the poppet seat, and piston slideable relative to the poppet and movable relative to the poppet between an extended position and a retracted position. Gas turbine engines and methods of bleeding fluid from gas turbine engines are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Myles R. Kelly, James S. Elder
  • Patent number: 11668150
    Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling fluid communication along a well tubular that includes hydraulically operated valve that includes a valve member movable between open and closed positions, and a hydraulic actuator for moving the valve member; a control system for selectively controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the actuator; a vent chamber for selectively receiving hydraulic fluid exhausted from the actuator when the valve member is moved to its closed position; and a vent conduit for selectively receiving hydraulic fluid exhausted from the actuator when the valve member is moved to its closed position. The control system has a first valve closing state in which the vent chamber is isolated from the actuator. The control system has a second valve closing state in which fluid exhausted from the actuator during movement of the valve member to its closed position is vented into the vent chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Dariusz Krzysztof Szpunar, Andre Nicolaas Duplessis, Kris Manett
  • Patent number: 11585462
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for moving a valve between an open position and a closed position includes an actuator housing forming at least a portion of a chamber. The actuator assembly also includes a support plate arranged within the actuator housing. The actuator assembly further includes a diaphragm coupled to the actuator housing and the support plate, the diaphragm expanding and contracting in response to a working fluid within the chamber. The actuator assembly also includes an indicator rod extending through the chamber and out of the actuator housing, the indicator rod being removably coupled to the support plate, wherein the indicator rod is arranged within an opening formed in the support plate, the indicator rod secured to the support plate via a coupling mechanism that releases the indicator rod in response to a pressure from the working fluid between the diaphragm and the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd R. Cheatham, Keith M. Adams
  • Patent number: 11578685
    Abstract: A motorised fluid metering valve includes an inlet pipe, a discharge pipe and a motor moving a piston that can move linearly between a closed position in which a distal end of the piston sealingly engages with a seat of matching shape, and an open position. The valve is configured to have a flow rate that varies continuously between the closed position and the open position depending on an axial position of the piston. The inlet pipe opens in a periphery of the discharge pipe, with a constant protuberance regardless of the position of the piston, the protuberance not extending radially beyond a barycentre of the discharge pipe. Also, the motor is a rotary electric motor moving the piston in translation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MMT AG
    Inventors: Philip Graf, Marc Fuin, Martin Lütenegger
  • Patent number: 11542964
    Abstract: An actuator includes a housing defining an inlet port, a piston and a return spring disposed within the housing, and an elastically deformable element. The return spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the piston to move the piston to a spring return position. A first fluid pressure applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the biasing force of the return spring to a first actuated position in which the piston indirectly engages a stop portion of the actuator housing. A second fluid pressure, greater than the first fluid pressure, applied to the inlet port moves the piston against the elastically deformable element to compress the elastically deformable element to move the piston to a second actuated position beyond the first actuated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: William H. Glime, III, Branden W. Keeper
  • Patent number: 11428246
    Abstract: In a steam valve driving apparatus according to an embodiment, a control valve permits or blocks a flow of hydraulic oil from a supply port to an opening direction piston chamber. A dump valve blocks or permits the flow of the hydraulic oil from the opening direction piston chamber to a discharge port. A blocking valve permits or blocks a flow of the hydraulic oil from an accumulator to a closing direction piston chamber. The control valve permits the flow of control oil from the closing direction piston chamber to the discharge port in a state where the flow of hydraulic oil from the supply port to the opening direction piston chamber is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidekazu Miyajima
  • Patent number: 11352928
    Abstract: Valve device, in particular for an exhaust gas section of an internal combustion engine, includes a valve housing with an inlet and outlet, a valve seat arranged between the inlet and outlet and having a valve opening, closeable by a valve closing member pressed against the valve seat by a predetermined force, and a diaphragm acting on the valve closing member. A first control chamber is separated from a second control chamber by the diaphragm so that the valve is switched by a pressure difference between the first control chamber and second control chamber. For reliable opening even under adverse operating conditions, the diaphragm is connected to the valve closing member, at least over a partial range of a possible stroke of the valve closing member, via a gear mechanism to translate movement of the diaphragm into movement of the valve closing member at a lower speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MSG MECHATRONIC SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Ewald Lampl, Daniel Theussl
  • Patent number: 11073223
    Abstract: A fluid control valve includes a multi-stage piston actuator unit with first piston and second pistons coaxially and slidably arranged therein and a valve unit provided with an inlet port for inflow of a control fluid and an outlet port for outflow of the control fluid. The first and second pistons are slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to an imaginary line connecting the center of the inlet port and the center of the outlet port. The multi-stage piston actuator unit has a smaller thickness in a direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction than the thickness of the valve unit in the direction perpendicular to the imaginary line and perpendicular to the sliding direction. The first and second pistons have either an elliptic or oval cross-section taken perpendicular to the sliding direction, the cross-section having a long axis parallel to the imaginary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: CKD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshio Iwata
  • Patent number: 10851785
    Abstract: A compressor system is disclosed with at least one fluid compressor for compressing a working fluid. At least one separator tank is structured to receive compressed working fluid from the compressor and separate air and lubricating fluid from the working fluid. A lubrication supply conduit is fluidly coupled between the separator tank and at least one compressor for supplying lubrication from the separator tank to the compressor. A blowdown pressure control valve is fluidly coupled to the separator tank. A controller is connected to the blowdown pressure control valve to control a pressure in the separator tank to a predetermined pressure at a compressor operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Industrial U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Peters, Michael R. Borkowski
  • Patent number: 10296020
    Abstract: Booster valve (4) for pneumatic circuits, comprising: a hollow body (5), a pilot flow inlet/outlet gap (15) communicating directly with a control volume (16), an inlet/outlet gap (45) communicating with an actuator and communicating directly with an accumulation volume (29), a supplying gap (53) communicating directly with a supplying volume (38), a discharge gap (44), an amplified discharge shutter (25) which determines the sealing towards the discharge gap (44), a central device (43) comprising an amplified charge shutter (32) which determines the sealing towards the supplying gap (53), an activation piston (22) which, subjected to the pressure acting in the accumulation volume (29) and in the control volume (16), determines the movement of the amplified discharge shutter (25) or the amplified charge shutter, and having two separated and independent charge (47) and discharge (46); gain control devices which allow an independent adjustment between the charge and the discharge step and vice versa, and the cen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: STI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Flavio Tondolo
  • Patent number: 9004444
    Abstract: Valve control device includes a body with a longitudinal axis, a control member housed at least partially in the body in a bottom portion along the longitudinal axis, a piston movable along the longitudinal axis and housed in a portion of the body forming with the piston a control chamber of the piston, an element movable in rotation with respect to the longitudinal axis on a top portion of the body, and sealing means between the movable element and the control chamber in the area of the connection port and/or of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Muzzo
  • Patent number: 8985137
    Abstract: Mounting assemblies for use with fluid control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a bonnet to be coupled to a valve and a mounting assembly including a first side to be coupled to an actuator and a second side to be rotatably coupled at an end of the bonnet to enable a rotational position of the mounting assembly to change relative to the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Tescom Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Jacob Burgett, Brian J. Tutt, Todd William Larsen
  • Patent number: 8939743
    Abstract: With the invention, a device for fluid feed for explosive forming, which has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, is to be improved, so that the device permits both good filling of a die with fluid and good sealing during the explosive forming process in a technically simple design. This task is solved by a device for fluid feed for explosive forming that has a valve and an activating mechanism to activate the valve, in which the activating mechanism is arranged separate from the valve in an inactivated valve state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cosma Engineering Europe AG
    Inventors: Andreas Stranz, Alexander Zak
  • Patent number: 8925895
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cutoff valve control apparatus capable of predicting a failure of devices therein with a failure diagnosis based on an operation test when the cutoff valve control apparatus is set. The cutoff valve control apparatus includes a judging device to judge a normal state or an abnormal state of the apparatus based on a pressure characteristic of an internal pressure of a cylinder measured with a pressure sensor when an air is supplied to the cylinder of an air cylinder from an air supply source, and a memory device storing beforehand the pressure characteristic of the internal pressure of the cylinder of an initial normal operation of the apparatus and the pressure characteristic of a failure prediction boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kaneko Sangyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Takemoto
  • Patent number: 8881757
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Publication number: 20140319389
    Abstract: An automatic vacuum-relief apparatus for liquid suction systems includes a vessel defining a chamber filled with liquid in communication with a liquid flow line, a rotary shaft extending through the chamber to support a valve device adjacent to the liquid flow line and to move the valve device to open a relief-air flow channel to relieve increased suction caused by inlet blockage, and a piston on the rotary shaft responsive to suction increases within the liquid flow line and chamber to actuate shaft rotation. The valve device, chamber and relief-air flow channel are configured and arranged to cause a spurt of liquid from the chamber into the inlet while the valve device is moving from its isolating position toward its opening position upon inlet blockage, whereby the spurt of liquid pushes the blockage away from the inlet and the relief air reduces the suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: POOLVERGNEUGEN
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief
  • Patent number: 8814130
    Abstract: A self-regulating valve controls the flow of high pressure gas discharging from a gas cylinder in a fire suppression system in response to a detection of a fire within a protected space by a two-step process which reduces the pressure rise within the protected space upon release of the fire suppression gas into the protected space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: UTC Fire & Security Corporation
    Inventors: Muhidin A. Lelic, Fanping Sun, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Tony George, Lyle H. Hamilton, Robert G. Dunster, Rob J. Lade, Paul C. Upton, Mark Williamson
  • Patent number: 8800958
    Abstract: Disclosed is a slow-acting ON/OFF valve which includes a valve-opening pressure chamber that makes an actuating member (which actuates a valve body that comes into contact with and moves away from a valve seat to close and open a flow passage) move in a valve-opening direction against a spring biasing force in a valve-closing direction, and supplies air to the valve-opening pressure chamber, in minute increments, via a flow rate regulation valve. In this slow-acting ON/OFF valve, the dead time from the receipt of a valve-opening signal to the commencement of a valve-opening operation is short. A manifold is provided independently of the valve-opening pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fujikura Rubber Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ejiri
  • Patent number: 8708690
    Abstract: A blow valve comprises at least one blow valve body, an environmentally controlled first receiving space constructed in the blow valve body and having at least one entry opening and at least one exit opening for receiving and conveying an operating gas, and a second receiving space constructed in the blow valve body for the guidance of a pressure distribution member such as, for example, a piston element. A sealing component prevents exchange of gas between the first receiving space and the second receiving space and is arranged between the first and second receiving spaces. The sealing component has a stationary part for fixing to the blow valve body and a movable part for changing the flow rate of the operating gas, wherein the setting member is surrounded in part by the sealing component and is coupled to the movable portion in order to move it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Josef Knott, Eduard Handschuh
  • Publication number: 20140097365
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods of preventing rotational stress on the top shaft of valve actuators. Certain methods and apparatuses include a bifurcated top shaft. Other apparatuses and methods include a method of preventing rotational stress at the distal end on the top shaft of an actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Array Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Glenn Young
  • Patent number: 8678349
    Abstract: A ball valve and a valve shaft are in a valve chamber. The ball valve opens and closes a valve port. A coil spring arranged in a spring chamber pushes the valve shaft against a diaphragm via a spring bracket of the valve shaft. A cone portion and a flat portion (or a concave portion) inside the cone portion are on the diaphragm. A diaphragm-side end face of the valve shaft is larger in diameter than the flat portion of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is initially deformed, a boundary portion interposed between the cone portion and the flat portion abuts on the diaphragm-side end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tadaaki Ikeda, Yasumasa Takada
  • Publication number: 20140030125
    Abstract: A spring element includes a disc-shaped basic body, in which at least one spring bridge is inserted. The basic body has at least one dynamic throttle point to throttle a fluid flow. The basic body has a resilient configuration in a region of the at least one throttle point. Accordingly, an opening cross section of the at least one throttle point is configured to be set variably depending on a pressure difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Fellmeth, Juergen Haecker, Oliver Gaertner, Heiko Jahn, Marc Zimmermann, Harald Hermann, Rolf Stotz, Daniel Gosse
  • Patent number: 8579249
    Abstract: A biasing device for use with a piston actuator of a fluid valve includes a tubular seat member, a tubular retention member, a tubular seat bracket, and a biasing element disposed between an external annular flange of the tubular seat member and an external annular flange of the tubular seat bracket. The tubular retention member is partially disposed within the tubular seat member, the tubular retention member passing through an opening in the inner flange of the tubular seat member. The tubular retention member is partially disposed within the tubular seat bracket, the tubular retention member passing through an opening in the inner flange of the tubular seat bracket. The basing member is seated against the exterior annular flange of the tubular seat member and against the exterior annular flange of the tubular seat bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventor: Michael Wildie McCarty
  • Patent number: 8573244
    Abstract: A relief valve assembly to relieve overpressure of a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, the assembly comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet to form a conduit for a pressurized fluid. A normally closed valve member is axially displaceable within the housing to engage a valve seat to prevent a flow of the pressurized fluid along the conduit. A biasing member applies a bias force to the valve member to retain the valve member against the valve seat. A piston within the valve member contactingly engages the pressurized fluid. A mechanically collapsible member resists axial movement of the piston responsive to said contacting engagement of the pressurized fluid. The piston and collapsible member decouple the bias force supplied by the biasing spring member upon the valve member from a force upon the valve member applied by the pressurized fluid, thereby maintaining a bubble-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Taylor Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8413573
    Abstract: Helical spline actuators can be employed to actuate ball valves. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a remote operated vehicle shaft, an internally splined shaft, and an externally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston that is displaced axially and not rotated, an externally splined shaft, and an internally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston, a spring, a spring cap, and a joint member wherein the spring cap and joint member translate axial force from the spring to the piston. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a bearing that insulates a piston from rotational forces exerted by an externally splined shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: PetrolValves LLC
    Inventor: Francesco Rebecchi
  • Patent number: 8371552
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a pressure dead band includes a first valve or sleeve slidably disposed within a valve body. A second valve is partially slidably disposed within the first valve and partially slidably disposed in the valve body. A plurality of fluid passages communicate with the valve assembly and provide a first flow of hydraulic fluid and a second flow of hydraulic fluid. A lower threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the combination of the first area of the first valve and the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve. An upper threshold of the pressure dead band is defined by the pressure on the first area of the second valve required to balance the resultant force developed on the second area of the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Bret M. Olson
  • Patent number: 8251345
    Abstract: A suck-back valve having an open/close valve with a suck-back function is provided. The suck-back valve includes a suck-back chamber formed in a valve internal channel of the open/close valve, a piston shaft portion and an open/close pressuring member to apply pressure to a valve piece, bellows that accommodate the piston shaft portion inside and that are connected to the open/close pressuring member at one end and are supported by a casing at the other end, wherein a two-step operation is performed at the time of a closing operation of the valve piece, including a valve closing operation step in which the piston shaft portion moves to the fully closed position of the valve piece, and a suck-back operation step in which the piston shaft portion and the open/close pressuring member further move from the fully closed position of the valve piece to increase the volume of the suck-back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8047502
    Abstract: To overcome problems concerning the sticking of the check plate in a combined check and control valve, a stop is provided on the valve rod or a guide element in the vicinity of the valve rod, whose distance to the limiting element is smaller than the maximum stroke and larger than the nominal stroke of the limiting element. Thus, it is achieved that the check plate is released from the valve seat by means of the stop, when the valve rod is displaced to the maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Paffrath
  • Publication number: 20110068285
    Abstract: An automatic vacuum-relief apparatus for liquid suction systems includes a vessel defining a chamber filled with liquid in communication with a liquid flow line, a rotary shaft extending through the chamber to support a valve device adjacent to the liquid flow line and to move the valve device to open a relief-air flow channel to relieve increased suction caused by inlet blockage, and a piston on the rotary shaft responsive to suction increases within the liquid flow line and chamber to actuate shaft rotation. The valve device, chamber and relief-air flow channel are configured and arranged to cause a spurt of liquid from the chamber into the inlet while the valve device is moving from its isolating position toward its opening position upon inlet blockage, whereby the spurt of liquid pushes the blockage away from the inlet and the relief air reduces the suction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: POOLVERGNUEGEN
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Schlitzer, Manuela Rief
  • Patent number: 7584692
    Abstract: Helical spline actuators can be employed to actuate ball valves. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a remote operated vehicle shaft, an internally splined shaft, and an externally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston that is displaced axially and not rotated, an externally splined shaft, and an internally splined shaft that can be used in combination to actuate a ball valve. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a piston, a spring, a spring cap, and a joint member wherein the spring cap and joint member translate axial force from the spring to the piston. In certain embodiments, an actuator can include a bearing that insulates a piston from rotational forces exerted by an externally splined shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: PetrolValves, LLC
    Inventor: Francesco Rebecchi
  • Patent number: 7357152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable non-return valve, in which a connection between a working chamber and a connector chamber may be closed by a non-return piston and opened by the opening movement of a release piston which may be pressurized with a release pressure. The non-return piston, discharge piston and release piston are arranged concentric to each other with the release shaft in the common valve axis. The valve has a cartridge embodiment with a non-return valve cartridge which may be inserted in the valve housing and a discharge valve cartridge independent of the non-return valve cartridge. The release shaft extends through the non-return piston with a sliding seal and engages behind the piston base by means of a stepped diameter for opening. The discharge piston is pressure compensated on both sides by pressurization with the working pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Tiefenbach Control Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Kussel
  • Patent number: 7340939
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for use in sampling the exhaust emissions from a turbine engine. The device has a valve array in a manifold housing coupling multiple turbine exhaust lines to an emissions analyzer, such as used in CEMS. Each valve can be actuated by pilot air pressure to open or close off flow of one or more of the exhaust lines. Exhaust from various zones of the turbine combustor section can be selectively sampled thereby allowing emissions measurements to be taken and used for compliance monitoring and performance and diagnostic analysis of turbine combustor operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Jansen's Aircraft Systems Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Harvey B. Jansen
  • Patent number: 7320456
    Abstract: A valve element for opening and closing a flow path can be reliably set to an opening position and a closing position. The valve element for opening and closing a communication opening portion communicating with an inflow hole and an outflow hole is provided in a valve receiving chamber formed in a valve block, and a valve magnet is provided in the valve element. A driving magnet can be moved to approach to and separate from the valve element by a pneumatic cylinder. When the driving magnet approaches to the valve element, the valve element moves to a closing position where the communication opening portion is closed. When the driving magnet separates from the valve element, the valve magnet provided in the valve element is attracted to a magnetic member, so that the valve element is kept at an opening position where the communication opening portion is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Koganei Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Yajima
  • Patent number: 7163194
    Abstract: An actuator (16) for a rotor valve (10). The actuator includes a rack (86) for driving a pinion gear (87) of the valve. The rack is moved between first and second positions by the action of a first piston (88). Movement of the first piston and rack is selectively restricted in one direction by the movement of a moveable stop (104) from a withdrawn position to an extended position, thereby defining a third position of the rack. The moveable stop may be driven by a second piston (102). The first and second pistons may be powered by a common compressed air supply (122). The cross-sectional area of the first piston may be at least 1.4 times the cross-sectional area of the second piston to ensure that the force exerted by the first piston is not sufficient to displace the moveable stop from the extended position when the second piston is open to the compressed air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Muhammad Pervaiz
  • Patent number: 7156267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve unit for container filling machines, particularly for bottle fillers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve unit (1), particularly for machines for filling containers (8), comprising a hollow body (2) in which a plug (3) is slidably housed and a guide means (14) for the said plug (3), a passage (9) being formed in the said hollow (2) for a fluid (7) for filling the said container (8), characterized in that the said passage (9) for the said filling fluid (7) is separated from the said guide means (14) and from the said plug (3) by an isolating and sealing membrane (32), the said membrane being open at the bottom in such a way as to allow a tip (30) of the to protrude downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Simonazzi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Zanga
  • Patent number: 7032876
    Abstract: A valve for controlling fluid flow. The valve include a support element providing a flow path, at least a portion of the flow path extending along an axis of flow through the valve. A flexible element is compressible against the support element to interrupt the flow path and restrict fluid flow through the valve. An actuating element is movable along the axis of flow to engage and deform the flexible element against the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. L. Pedersen, Steven J. Goldrich, Stephanie J. Moehnke
  • Patent number: 7004446
    Abstract: A dual-magnet valve unit having a first master magnet ring assembly with an outer casing slidably contained within an outer housing that forms a chamber with the casing of the master magnet ring assembly and a second, slave magnet disk assembly with an outer tube and a poppet member in the form of a cone and displaceable within the inner transport fluid conduit, the inner transport fluid conduit having a valve seat contactable by the cone of the poppet member to block fluid flow through the fluid conduit in one position of the slave magnet disk assembly and displaceable from the cone to pass fluid flow through the fluid conduit in an opposite position of the slave magnet disk assembly, the master magnet ring assembly being displaced by selective supply of a motive fluid to the chamber to displace the master magnet ring assembly from one position to another, which automatically displaces the slave magnet ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: John P. Petro, Donald Burch, Jeremy F. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6971301
    Abstract: An asymmetrical vibrator is provided, which is actuated by compressed air. The vibrator operates in a case, which has two bores disposed parallel on opposite sides of the casing. One of the bores is smaller than the second bore and the piston operating in the small bore is called the slow piston, since it is actuated with air to a relatively slow motion and the piston operating in the second larger bore is called the fast piston, since it is moves at a larger speed when driven directly by the compressed air. The asymmetric vibration motion can be employed to transport materials upwardly in factories and assembly stations. The air operated asymmetric vibrators need low maintenance and do not entail the spark dangers caused by the presence of electrical wiring for electrical drive motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: vibro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6932318
    Abstract: A flow control device comprises an inlet port through which fluid is supplied, an outlet port through which the fluid is delivered, a valve body which is arranged in a passage between the inlet port and the outlet port so as to open and close the passage, the flow control device further comprising a valve body guide means which urges downwardly and pulls upwardly the valve body so as to allow the fluid in the passage to flow at a flow rate which is lower than a basic control rate of the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Surpass Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6932315
    Abstract: An apparatus for manually opening a normally-closed valve includes a value and a hand-operated valve opening jig. The valve includes a working rod for operating a valve element which is moved to close and open a conduit; a cylindrical holder fixed to the working rod, and to which the hand-operated valve opening jig can be detachably attached from the outside of the housing; a biasing member which biases the working rod to close the conduit; and a pressure chamber which is supplied with a working fluid to move the working rod to make the valve element open the conduit. The hand-operated valve opening jig includes a manual-opening attachment which can be detachably attached to the cylindrical holder; and an operational member which is operated to move the working rod in a direction to make the valve element open the conduit via said manual-opening attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignees: Fujikura Rubber Ltd., Neriki Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Ejiri
  • Patent number: 6913240
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic control unit for operating an actuator of a hydraulically controllable device is disclosed. The electrohydraulic control unit comprises a housing including a chamber for hydraulic fluid. The housing is coupled to the actuator such that a path for fluid communication between the chamber and the actuator is created. Disposed within the chamber is a piston for regulating the flow of the hydraulic fluid between the chamber and the actuator. An electric motor is securably attached to the housing. The electric motor includes a selectively rotatable shaft. The electrohydraulic control unit also comprises a converter configured to transform the rotational motion of the shaft to translational motion of the piston, thereby controlling the actuation of the hydraulically controllable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy MacKenzie