With Intermediate Pilot Valve Patents (Class 417/128)
  • Patent number: 10731669
    Abstract: A pressure vessel apparatus according to exemplary aspects includes: a branched tube comprising a tube main body and three branches, wherein a side branch of the branches comprises a flared out portion connected to the tube main body; a liquid inlet opening disposed at a first branch of the branched tube; a liquid outlet opening disposed at a second branch of the branched tube; a gas inlet opening disposed at a third branch of the branched tube, wherein the third branch is the side branch; and a cover plate configured to mount a valve actuating mechanism in the branched tube, the cover plate configured to be joined to the branched tube at the third branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: EASTERN MACHINE, INC.
    Inventor: Armand Francart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8983667
    Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Smaidris
  • Patent number: 8594851
    Abstract: Reductions in energy consumption and maintenance requirements for operating a wastewater treatment plant are achieved by controlling the operation of pumps at pump stations along a force main in a systematic fashion. The operation of the pumps is controlled to manage the flow of wastewater along the force main to minimize energy consumption, to eliminate sediment, to manage peak pressures encountered by smaller pumps and to avoid septic conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Data Flow Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Smaidris
  • Patent number: 8057192
    Abstract: A condensate pump includes a condensate reservoir, a liquid level float sensor operable to sense a liquid level within the condensate reservoir, and a pressure/vent valve including a pressure source, a pressure vent, and a primary piston slidably supported in a primary cylinder and sliding in the primary cylinder responsive to the liquid level sensor. A secondary piston is slidably supported in a secondary cylinder and moves responsive to a movement of the primary piston between a first secondary-piston position wherein the pressure source is in communication with a gas space of the condensate reservoir and the pressure vent is isolated from the gas space, and a second secondary-piston position wherein the pressure source is isolated from the gas space and the pressure vent is in communication with the gas space. An aperture in the primary piston and passages may also be provided to prevent build-up of gas pressures and maintain pressures in preselected regions within the pump at atmospheric pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Spence Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Page, Jr., Dan Walter Cole
  • Patent number: 7648345
    Abstract: Pumps for Steam Condensates and other Liquids, include receivers that may be connected firstly to the liquid source, and after filling are then pressurised to discharge the liquid to a transfer line, or to a vessel at a higher pressure than that of the source. The use of a small pilot valve to detect the liquid level, mounted externally to each receiver, and controlling the opening and closing of the pressurising and venting valves, enables an unusually low profile to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventors: Albert Armer, Timothy John Moffat Armer
  • Patent number: 7491035
    Abstract: A condensate pump includes a condensate reservoir, a liquid level float sensor operable to sense a liquid level within the condensate reservoir, and a pressure/vent valve including a pressure source, a pressure vent, and a primary piston slidably supported in a primary cylinder and sliding in the primary cylinder responsive to the liquid level sensor. A secondary piston is slidably supported in a secondary cylinder and moves responsive to a movement of the primary piston between a first secondary-piston position wherein the pressure source is in communication with a gas space of the condensate reservoir and the pressure vent is isolated from the gas space, and a second secondary-piston position wherein the pressure source is isolated from the gas space and the pressure vent is in communication with the gas space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Spence Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Page, Jr., Dan Walter Cole
  • Patent number: 7070394
    Abstract: A gas pressure driven fluid pump comprising a pump tank having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. A float, carried within the interior of the pump tank, is operable to move between a low level position and a high level position. A snap-acting valve is operatively connected to the float. The snap acting valve has a rotatable port member that moves so as to switch to exhaust porting when the float falls to the low level position. The port member further switches to motive porting when the float rises to the high level position. As a result, fluid filling the pump tank causes the float to rise from the low level position to the high level position during exhaust porting. Fluid exiting the pump tank causes the float to fall from the high level position to the low level position due to introduction of motive gas during motive porting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Spirax Sarco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jairo Luiz Soares, Rickie Anthony Pendergrass, Drew Leo Platts, Jon William Dukes
  • Patent number: 6802115
    Abstract: A working method of a bar block with a plurality of magnetic head elements and a plurality of pairs of electrode terminals electrically connected to the plurality of magnetic head elements arranged on an element-formed surface of the bar block in at least one line. This method includes a step of pre-laminating an ACF on the element-formed surface of the bar block, a step of bonding a conductive plate member with a plurality of projections located at positions faced to the plurality of pairs of terminal electrodes of the bar block, respectively, on the ACF so that each pair of the terminal electrodes is electrically short-circuited with each other, and a step of, then, working the bar block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Shiraishi, Koichi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 6797401
    Abstract: Electromagnetic wave absorbing materials comprising magnetic alloy particles and an insulating matrix are disclosed. The magnetic alloy particles comprise a transition metal such as Fe and/or Co, and further comprise at least one refractory metal such as Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. The magnet alloy particles may further include Ni and/or Al, or other alloying additions which provide the desired absorption characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic alloy particles comprise an Fe—Cr—Ni—Al alloy. The insulating matrix of the electromagnetic wave absorbing material may comprise a water miscible polysilicate or a refractory cement. The materials may be provided in the form of coatings that are applied to a substrate, such as the hot engine exhaust area of an aircraft. The electromagnetic wave absorbing materials are capable of functioning at very high temperatures for extended periods of time while retaining satisfactory electromagnetic wave absorbing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed-Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Dale P. Herron
  • Patent number: 5938408
    Abstract: A compressed air-actuated pump includes a venturi nozzle (24) to create a vacuum condition within a fluid-tight pump body or chamber (8) to pump in a liquid or slurry from a remote location. When a given level of liquid is pumped in, a float mechanism (69, 97, 101) actuates a magnetic air valve (60) which actuates a diverter valve (40) whereby the pressurized air from the venturi nozzle is diverted into the pump body to create a pressurized condition therein, whereby the liquid or slurry previously accumulated therein is pumped out. The magnetic actuated valve and diverter valve controlled thereby insures that the desired amount of liquid or slurry is always discharged from the pump chamber during each pressure cycle, and drawn into the chamber during the suction or fill cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: E.R. Advanced Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Krichbaum
  • 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: 5368447
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a well testing or production facility system. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention discloses a method and apparatus to transfer crude oil from a separator to an oil pipeline, or alternatively, to a burner flare. The method includes collecting oil in a separator, and then transferring the oil to a first, second, and third pump cylinder. The oil is sequentially forced from the cylinders by high pressure gas, and after being drained, the cylinders are again filled with crude oil. The apparatus includes a separator, a first, second and third pump cylinder which will sequentially receive crude oil. Sensing means are associated with the pump cylinders for sensing the level of crude oil within the cylinders. A control system is utilized to cycle a high pressure gas or air into each of the cylinders in order to force the oil out of the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Schwendemann, Timothy M. Young
  • Patent number: 4467831
    Abstract: A hybrid gate-controlled three-way valving device that because of its regenerative-feedback-induced bistable action is a fluid-logic analogue of the electronic thyristor. The device is more particularly analogous to a common electronic thyristor known as the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) because each is a switching device that in its normal state blocks forward conduction of the control-agent fluid, but which upon receipt at a control gate of an appropriate signal will trigger full forward conduction of the control-agent fluid. Each is moreover a device wherein such full forward conduction, once triggered by a brief signal, will continue even after the signal has been removed, until the control-agent supply flow has been cut off, reduced or reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Inventor: George F. French
  • Patent number: 4321017
    Abstract: For starting and stopping air injection, a pneumatic ejector for a liquid transport system typified by a municipal sewerage system is provided with an air release valve fitted with a limit switch as a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Mayo Gottliebson
  • Patent number: 4025236
    Abstract: To return condensate from a system using steam to a boiler, a sump chamber is arranged to collect the condensate and to return the condensate under pressure to the boiler when a float within the sump opens a pilot valve. High pressure gases from a compressor are supplied to a valve chamber which is in communication with the sump chamber through a valve. Normally, the pilot valve is closed and flow of the high pressure gases into the sump chamber is blocked. When the pilot valve is opened it, in turn, passes a flow of the high pressure gas so that it opens the valve in the valve chamber for admitting the high pressure gas into the sump chamber. When the valve is closed so that no high pressure gas enters the sump chamber, the sump chamber is connected to an exhaust port whereby it can be vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1973
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1977
    Inventor: Katsuji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 3991825
    Abstract: The present invention is a secondary recovery system normally used for retrieving oil from the producing zone after the bottom hole pressure has decreased so that artificial lift is required for production. An accumulator is positioned in the lower portion of the casing where oil will accumulate from the producing zone. A standing valve is located in the bottom of the accumulator to prevent oil collected therein from leaving the accumulator. Above the accumulator is located a free floating piston having passageways therethrough. By proper control of the pressure line from the surface, oil is gradually moved through the free floating piston into a production tubing thereabove. Next, again in response to surface control, the free floating piston and oil collected thereabove is moved to the surface of the well by a rapid pressurization of the accumulator. Thereafter, pressure is exhausted from the accumulator allowing the piston to drop back to its lowermost position immediately above the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Inventor: Thomas H. Morgan
  • Patent number: 3972650
    Abstract: A sewage system wherein a sewer line for delivering sewage to a discharge point and a compressed air line extend adjacent to each other. A pluraity of tanks at spaced points and serving to collect sewage from different sources are connected to the sewer line and to the air line. Each connection of a tank with the air line is controlled by a multiple stage valve means which normally vents the tank and prevents air flow to the tank. Each multiple stage valve means includes a pilot valve controlled by float means in the associated tank and a pneumatically activated valve. Check valves are interposed adjacent each tank at the sewage collection and sewage discharge points thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Inventor: Bernard E. Brennan