Flexible Patents (Class 417/550)
  • Patent number: 11454230
    Abstract: A cylinder piston for an air compressor, in particular for a two-stage air compressor, has at least two channel openings integrated in the piston surface of the cylinder piston, which are designed as an inlet valve and/or as an outlet valve for air in a compression chamber of the cylinder. A coherent, one-piece and flexible bending sealing element is provided inside or covering the channel openings. The sealing element for the at least two or a plurality of channel openings enables an inflow into a channel opening or outflow from a channel opening, wherein the at least two channel openings through the flexible bending sealing element can be designed independently of one another as an inlet valve or as an outlet valve. Also provided is a cylinder with at least one cylinder piston and an air compressor with such a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Schmalz, Christine Reich, Philipp Schaible
  • Patent number: 11408405
    Abstract: An electromagnetic pump (100). The electromagnetic pump (100) comprises a conduit (101) comprising an inlet (103) and an outlet (105). A first magnetic field generating unit (109) is provided for generating a first magnetic field having a first component with a first direction in the conduit. A second magnetic field generating unit (111) is provided for generating a second magnetic field having a second component with a second direction in the conduit (101), the second direction being substantially opposite to the first direction. A piston member (113) is disposed within the conduit, the piston member (113) being moveable within the conduit (101) under the influence of the first and/or second magnetic fields to pump fluid received from the inlet (103) of the conduit (101) to the outlet (105) of the conduit (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK
    Inventors: Eric Dalton, Jeff Punch
  • Patent number: 10883484
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a cylinder that defines an inner space, a piston that is located in the inner space of the cylinder and that defines a compression space configured to receive refrigerant, a discharge cover that is coupled to a side of the cylinder and that defines a discharge space configured to receive refrigerant discharged from the compression space, and a valve plate that is located at a side space defined at the side of the cylinder and that partitions the side space into the compression space and the discharge space. The valve plate defines a discharge hole through which the compression space and the discharge space communicate with each other, in which the discharge hole includes an inlet that faces the compression space and an outlet that faces the discharge space. The inlet and the outlet have different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jongkoo Lee, Sungchul Gong, Jeonguk Lee
  • Patent number: 10801483
    Abstract: A rolling cylinder displacement compressor including a minimum pressure bypass port as an opening of a minimum pressure bypass valve flow path, which is connected to a compression chamber formed in the compression portion in a lowest pressure state, of the bypass valve flow path is arranged such that a compression chamber faces an opening of the discharge flow path or the minimum pressure bypass port. The minimum pressure bypass port may be configured such that a minimum pressure port center as the center of the minimum pressure bypass port is arranged in a rotation advanced-side region with respect to an advanced radius line as a line connecting a cylinder advanced corner point of the compression chamber at the start of a compression stroke and the rotation center of the rolling cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI-JOHNSON CONTROLS AIR CONDITIONING, INC.
    Inventors: Isamu Tsubono, Hirokatsu Kosokabe, Yasuhiro Kishi, Naohiro Tsuchiya, Kenji Takesawa, Keigo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10288054
    Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor may include a suction valve with a plurality of wings. Each of the plurality of wings may include two first edge portions that extend in an outer direction of a fixing portion, and a second edge portion forming an outer circumferential portion of the wing. A distance between a first edge portion of a first wing among the plurality of wings and a second edge portion of a second wing among the plurality of wings gradually increases toward the outer direction of the suction valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Lim, Kiwon Noh, Jeonguk Byun, Yunhyeok Yu, Kyungmin Lee
  • Patent number: 9670920
    Abstract: A compressor assembly having a compressed gas tank having a tank dampening device in the form of a vibration absorption member. The vibration absorption member can provide a pressure to a portion of the compressed gas tank. A method of controlling sound emitted from a compressor assembly, by using a vibration absorber which exerts a force upon the compressed gas tank. A means for controlling the sound level of a compressed gas tank by using a means for absorbing vibration from the compressed gas tank which exerts a pressure on a portion of the compressed gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Vos, Scott D. Craig
  • Patent number: 8550794
    Abstract: A double acting dual stroke fluid pump with pressure assists is disclosed. First and second pistons are mounted to a common shaft which reciprocates within first and second cavities during compression and suction strokes. The second piston may have a one way valve which opens and closes during the compression and suction strokes to enable the fluid pump to force fluid out of the outlet during both the compression and suction strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Foothill Land, LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin R. Du
  • Patent number: 8528792
    Abstract: A piston pump dispenser in which a volume in a compartment defined inside a piston chamber-forming member and between axially spaced discs on a piston varies with movement of the piston in a cycle of operation due to the piston having a portion between the discs which varies in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Ali Mirbach
  • Patent number: 8109745
    Abstract: A floor pump includes a base; and a cylinder assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end, with a cross-sectional area of the first end of the cylinder assembly being larger than the second end of the cylinder assembly. A linkage assembly is partially disposed in the cylinder assembly and communicates with the base. A hose has a first end coupled to the base and communicating with the linkage assembly and a second end coupled to a thing desired to be inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Wu
  • Patent number: 8105058
    Abstract: Drywall mud pump for pumping drywall joint compound, for instance, from a bucket into a drywall tool. The pump includes a cylinder, a piston, a rod, and a means, or a connection structure between the piston and the rod, for allowing the end of the rod to move laterally relative to the piston. Some embodiments have an elongated hole in the piston that receives a flattened or reduced diameter end of the rod, for example. Different embodiments include a pump head through which the rod passes, a handle, a linkage, a means for allowing the rod to pivot, a shortened guide, a means for preventing the piston from rotating about the rod, or a combination thereof. Pistons may include, for example, passageways with straight and curved sides, a flapper, an elongated washer to block the elongated hole, and a means for controlling the rotational position of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cinta Tools LLC
    Inventor: Werner L. Schlecht
  • Patent number: 8056772
    Abstract: A piston pump in which the piston carries a valve and a control mechanism to change a characteristic of the valve, preferably, its tendency to open. The valve may preferably comprise a disc which extends radially outwardly from the piston to resiliently engage the wall of piston chamber. The control mechanism preferably provides an access port communicating axially through the piston and axially out an opening of the piston chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the control mechanism comprises a bladder with a flexible side wall which can be moved from an inherent uncollapsed position to a different position and which bladder is inherently biased to return to its uncollapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Gotohti.com Inc.
    Inventors: Heiner Ophardt, Ali Mirbach
  • Publication number: 20110076164
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a cylinder housing having an outlet tube and an inner peripheral surface, a piston slidably received in the cylinder housing and having a piston rod, the piston is tilted relative to a longitudinal or lateral axis T of the piston rod, and a motor is coupled to the piston for moving the piston relative to the cylinder housing in a reciprocating action in order to generate pressurized air. The piston rod is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis Z of the cylinder housing, and the piston is arranged to be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder housing when the piston is moved toward the outlet tube in a pumping stroke for effectively compressing and pumping the air in the cylinder housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 7841844
    Abstract: A refrigerant suction guide structure of a reciprocating compressor is provided. The refrigerant suction guide structure includes a cylinder having an accommodating space inside, a piston having suction channels through which refrigerant is inhaled inside and inserted into the cylinder to be in a linear reciprocating motion, a suction valve included in the end of the piston to open and close the suction channels, and a valve fixing member for combining the suction valve with the piston. The suction channels of the piston include inclined surfaces for guiding refrigerant to the outside in which the suction valve is first opened. The suction channels are formed so as to be inclined to reduce flow resistance of inhaled refrigerant such that the amount of the inhaled refrigerant is increased. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyeong-Bae Park, Eon-Pyo Hong, Ki-Chul Choi, Tae-Hee Kwak
  • Publication number: 20100260635
    Abstract: A discharge valve is adapted to a linear compressor which is elastically supported in an axial direction by a discharge valve spring and which opens/closes a compression space defined between a cylinder and a piston, the discharge valve comprising: a body made from a metal material; and a coating layer made from a plastic material to wrap the body. The linear compressor provided with such a discharge valve is ensured with a satisfactory level of strength with less use of materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Jung-Hae Kim, Yoon-Seok Yang, Seong-Joon Hong, Dong-Han Kim
  • Patent number: 7491040
    Abstract: A compact compressor including one or more heads. Each of the compressor heads is configured with at least one of the intake and output valves incorporated into the piston head. The compact compressor also has a cylinder with a reduced mass, increased surface area, and metal to metal contact with the housing for greater dissipation of heat generated by the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: AirSep Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, Robert E. Casey, Robert Bosinski
  • Patent number: 7357626
    Abstract: A suction valve for reciprocating compressor includes a fixation part, which receives a driving force of a reciprocating motor, and is fixed-combined to the front end surface of a piston performing linear reciprocal movement in the cylinder, a switching part for switching a hollow channel formed to penetrate the piston having a certain area, and a plurality of arms for connecting the switching part and the fixation part to make the switching unit behave in a certain displacement section having the fixation part as a fixed point. Receiving driving force of the reciprocating motor, the piston is bent and straighten by the pressure difference, and stress is distributed evenly in the above process, and minimizing bulking phenomenon to prevent damage of a switching part. Also, the responsiveness of the valve can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung-Seok Kang, Seong-Yeol Hyeon, Sung-Tae Woo
  • Patent number: 7275477
    Abstract: A piston assembly of an air pump is provided herein. The piston of the piston assembly has a through exhaust channel along the direction of the piston's back-and-forth movement. The exhaust channel is made up of two aligned exhaust holes, and a space is preserved at where the two exhaust holes interface. A flexible valve piece is provided inside the space, which will flip upward and downward to block the exhaust holes when the piston moves downward and upward, respectively. When the air pump is turned off and the piston stops moving, the exhaust valve piece would be automatically restored to its un-bended state by its own flexibility, allowing the compressed air inside the cylinder to escape through the exhaust holes and around the exhaust valve piece inside the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Chi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 7267251
    Abstract: A piston pump dispenser having a reciprocating piston pump arrangement which, in a dispensing stroke, dispenses fluid from an outlet and, in a charging stroke, to draw fluid from a reservoir also draws back fluid from the outlet through which fluid is dispensed in the dispensing stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 6960068
    Abstract: A pump (10) includes an impeller (12) positioned in a housing (11). A valve assembly (13) is positioned within a valve sleeve (25) which is carried by the impeller (12). The impeller (12) is carried by an armature (27), and a pocket (28) is formed between the impeller (12) and the armature (27) adjacent to the valve sleeve (25). One or more elastomeric members (29) are positioned in the pocket (28) to surround the impeller (12) at the area of the valve sleeve (25) to provide a retaining force on the valve sleeve (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventor: Michael H. McNaull
  • Patent number: 6783333
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a machine base, a transmission device, a cylinder, a valve, an automatic pressure-releasing valve and a manual pressure-releasing valve. When a pressure gauge indicates that air pressure is excessive, surplus pressure can be released either by the automatic pressure-releasing valve or by the manual pressure-releasing valve, able to protect the components in the air compressor from damaged and ensure safety of a tire receiving compressed air from the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Min-Hsieng Wang
  • Publication number: 20040071574
    Abstract: A piston machine includes a cylindrical wall (2) defining a swept volume (1) and having a plurality of gas inlet openings (5), and a piston (3) reciprocating in the swept volume (1), and the piston head (12) of which is formed as a valve having a plurality of openings (14) provided in the piston head (12), and a forcelocking device (16, 21; 18, 24) for retaining the plurality of openings (14) in one of their open condition and closed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Eckard Bez, Thorsten Burggraf, Stefan Zabeschek
  • Publication number: 20040028545
    Abstract: A cylinder assembly for a mini air compressor includes a cylinder, a discharge check valve, a piston, a supply check valve and a piston rod. The cylinder has two open ends, and the piston with an open end and a closed end is slidably mounted in the cylinder. A supply check valve is mounted on the closed end of the piston. A discharge check valve is adapted to mount on and seal one end of the cylinder. At least one of the supply check valve and the discharge check valve has with a flexible, resilient disk. Two check valves are configured such that only one valve opens at a time when the piston slides in the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ta-Chin Wang
  • Publication number: 20030180168
    Abstract: A suction valve coupling structure for a reciprocating compressor is disclosed in which a piston being linearly moved in a cylinder upon receipt of driving force from an electric mechanism unit, according to which gas flows through a gas flow passage formed therein, is coupled by welding to a valve for opening and closing the gas flow passage, thereby strengthening the coupling state of the suction valve. Since the coupling structure is simplified, a dead volume is reduced and a stroke volume is increased, improving compression efficiency. A stroke control of the piston is facilitated to enable a precise control of movement of the piston. In addition, a reliability of the coupling of the suction valve can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Seong-Joon Hong, Bon-Cheol Ku, Hyeong-Suk Kim, Hyung-Pyo Yoon
  • Patent number: 6616427
    Abstract: A self-priming centrifugal pump including a supplementary vacuum pump and a float valve. The vacuum pump serves to draw liquid to the pump for priming and the float valve shut of flow to the vacuum pump when liquid reaches a predetermined level to prevent entry of liquid into the vacuum pump. In some embodiments the float valve includes an o-ring valve seal and the vacuum pump includes an oil delivery system to distribute oil from an oil reservoir to improve lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Roper Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: William B. Carnes, Milton K. Leonard, Robert B. Ray
  • Publication number: 20030072654
    Abstract: A portable, high capacity air compressor system for charging air tanks over wide pressure ranges with maximum volumetric efficiency is characterized by employing a shuttle piston assembly in which piston pairs are arranged with axially aligned cylinder pairs to reciprocate in response to precession of a wobble plate, and each of the pistons is further characterized by being of one-piece construction with a built-in leaflet-type intake valve in its piston head, and a universal connector between each of the piston pairs and wobble plate which is stabilized within a pair of guide rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hans-Georg G. Pressel
  • Patent number: 6394773
    Abstract: A pump for delivering product from a product package to a nozzle. The pump may include a housing with a first port, a second port, and an interior. The first port mates with the product package and the second port mates with the nozzle. A first check valve may be positioned within the first port. A piston rod may be positioned within the interior of the housing for movement therein. The piston rod may include a first piston and a second piston. The first piston may include a second check valve positioned therein such that the product is forced past the first check valve on a down stroke of the piston rod and forced past the second check valve on an up stroke of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Marty L. Shampoe, Brett R. Niggel, Mark A. Smith, Gregg S. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6318979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston pump for a hydraulic slip-controlled vehicle brake system. The invention embodies the piston pump with a hollow piston, in whose circumferential wall one or more valve holes are made, which are covered by a bandlike valve closing body that is mounted on an inside of the circumferential wall of the piston. The invention has the advantage of a simple design of the inlet valve, and the inlet valve makes a small-sized, compact piston pump possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Schuller
  • Patent number: 6315534
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a pressure gage attached to a cylinder housing, a compression device having a piston container slidably received in the cylinder housing for supporting a compression valve and a positioning block and a valve piece and a limiting piece. A motor is secured to a seat. A gear is rotatably secured to the seat and driven by the motor and includes a weight pivotally coupled to the piston container with a link. The elements may be secured onto the cylinder housing and the seat separately before the seat is secured to the cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 6280163
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a piston slidably received in a housing, and a sealing ring engaged between the piston and the housing. The piston includes an aperture for air to flow into the housing. A spring blade has one end secured to the piston and the other end for resiliently blocking the aperture of the piston to form a check valve. A gear and a weight are secured to a base which is secured to the housing. The weight has an eccentric pin coupled to the piston. A motor has a pinion engaged with the gear for rotating the gear to move the piston up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 6200110
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a housing having a tube extended from the top and having a passage communicating the housing with the tube and having a tapered surface. A piston is slidably received in the chamber of the housing and is forced to move along the housing in a reciprocating action and to force the air out through the tube via the passage. The provision of the tapered surface allows the piston to smoothly move in the housing. A stop is adjustably spring-biased to block the passage. The piston has a spring blade to block an aperture to control the air into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Wen San Chou
  • Patent number: 6164936
    Abstract: A vertically reciprocating pump is described, characterized by a piston which has a support including a hub extending downwards and supporting reinforcement legs, the hub having a rod to which it is translatably coupled passing therethrough, and by a valve overlying the support, which seals the piston under the weight of the column of liquid above it or allows the passage of liquid when the piston moves down the water column in the drainage pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Sorelec
    Inventor: Salah Djelouah
  • Patent number: 6116873
    Abstract: A floor pump consists of a pump seat, a pumping rod, a pivoting member, an air nozzle, and an air guiding hose. The pump seat is composed of a cylinder and a base. The cylinder is provided in the bottom end thereof with a cross through hole in communication with a chamber of the cylinder. The pumping rod is composed of a handle and a rod body which is inserted into the chamber of the pump seat and is connected at the bottom end thereof with a valve plug for forcing air into the cross through hole. The pivoting member is provided with a shaft tube which is received in the cross through hole and is connected at one end thereof with a tube head in such a manner that other end of the shaft tube is jutted out of the cross through hole, and that the other end of the shaft tube is connected with a locating member. The shaft tube is provided in the periphery thereof with two leakproof rings for preventing the leak of air that has entered the cross through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Lopin Wang
  • Patent number: 6102679
    Abstract: The air compressor of the present invention includes an air storage tank with a hollow cylinder having a closed lower end mounted in the upper wall of the tank, so as to project within the interior of the tank. A drive motor mounted on the tank has a piston rod connected thereto and extending downwardly into the hollow cylinder, to reciprocate therein and pump air into the tank. The piston rod has an enlarged head slidably mounted within the cylinder, and an aperture formed through the piston rod head with an operable valve, to permit air flow into the cylinder, but prevent air flow out of the cylinder through the piston rod head aperture. An intake port with an operable valve is formed in the closed lower end of a hollow cylinder, to permit air flow into the tank but prevent air flow out of the tank. An exhaust port formed in the tank may be connected to a hose or other items as desired, to provide compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Gerald E. Brown
  • Patent number: 5975360
    Abstract: A disposable plastic pump for dispensing liquids is disclosed which comprises two basic unitary, preferably all plastic, elements: a chamber forming body having an open outer end and an inner end in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, and a piston formed to slidably fit into the chamber. The chamber forms two axially adjacent coaxial chambers, an inner chamber of one diameter and an outer chamber of a different diameter. The piston comprises a stem on which is located two spaced flexing disc each sized to fit in and serving as a one-way valve in the inner chamber and outer chamber, respectively, permitting fluids to flow outwardly past each flexing disc. A sealing disc is located on the stem outwardly of the outermost flexing disc. A passageway is provided from an inlet on the piston between the outermost flexing disc and the sealing disc through which the dispensed liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 5950555
    Abstract: A bilge pump for removing water from a personal watercraft such as a kayak or a decked canoe that has a hull and a deck attached to the hull forming a cockpit opening for an operator includes a pumping device secured within the hull and below the deck. A pickup is also located within the hull and is fluidly coupled to the pumping device. An operating handle is positioned proximate the cockpit opening and is coupled to the pumping device to operate the pumping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Douglas M. Damask
  • Patent number: 5927957
    Abstract: New plunger having a cylindrical hollow body 20 or 20B, a handle 30, 30A, or 30B, an outlet hose 40, an outlet tip 42, and a valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 that is able to control the air flow within the hollow 25 of the cylindrical body 20 or 20B. Valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 is moved into a closed position so that air is forced out of the front of the plunger and towards a clogged or stopped area 82 or 92 and is moved into an open position so that air enters the back of the plunger and passes valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 so that water and/or clogging material is not drawn or sucked into the interior of the plunger. First embodiment plunger 10 discloses a flexible valve flap 50 that compresses against the inner wall of the cylindrical body 20 in a closed position and flexes outwardly and away from piston plate 38 in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventors: Craig A. Kennedy, Daniel L. Poole
  • Patent number: 5915930
    Abstract: An oscillating pump (10) includes a housing (11) which carries the components thereof. These components include an electromagnetic coil (24) surrounding an armature (23) carried by an impeller (12) which is positioned longitudinally between an inlet area (16) and an outlet area (17) of the pump (10). The armature (23) moves longitudinally upon activation of the coil (24) to the point of the greatest magnetic force generated by the coil (24). The impeller (12) includes a pair of bellows (19, 20) and carries a valve (13). The bellows (19, 20) define an inlet chamber (21) and a discharge chamber (22). Another valve (15) is carried by the housing adjacent to the discharge chamber (16). Upon activation of the coil (24) the valve (13) forces fluid in the discharge chamber (22) through the valve (15) and allows fluid to pass from the inlet chamber (21) to the discharge chamber (22) upon deactivation of the coil (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventor: Michael H. McNaull
  • Patent number: 5782621
    Abstract: A vacuum pump useful in penile erection systems is provided. The vacuum pump comprises a piston in a cylinder with intake and exhaust valves. The vacuum producing outstroke is powered by a spring having sufficient force to draw a vacuum no higher than the desired upper safety limit, and the reset stroke is powered manually. The pump is constructed to provide an inherent vacuum limit by selecting a spring which, when fully compressed during a reset stroke, exerts a force against the piston which is less than the force exerted against the piston head by the differential pressure between atmospheric pressure and a preselected maximum vacuum pressure inside the cylinder. Thus, when the maximum vacuum pressure is reached, the piston is not returned for successive pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Mission Pharmacal Company
    Inventor: Jesse W. Harris
  • Patent number: 5722817
    Abstract: A noise-reducing apparatus for a linear compressor which can significantly reduce noise by forming a multistage silencer in the suction side of a refrigerant passage of a linear compressor in which an axial flow valve system is adopted and therein a plurality of silencers formed connected to the suction side of the refrigerant passage inside a piston slidably disposed inside the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Sik Park, Hyung Kook Lee
  • Patent number: 5676277
    Abstract: A disposable plastic pump for dispensing liquids is disclosed which comprises two basic unitary, preferably all plastic, elements: a chamber forming body having an open outer end and an inner end in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir, and a piston formed to slidably fit into the chamber. The chamber forms two axially adjacent coaxial chambers, an inner chamber of one diameter and an outer chamber of a different diameter. The piston comprises a stem on which is located two spaced flexing disc each sized to fit in and serving as a one-way valve in the inner chamber and outer chamber, respectively, permitting fluids to flow outwardly past each flexing disc. A sealing disc is located on the stem outwardly of the outermost flexing disc. A passageway is provided from an inlet on the piston between the outermost flexing disc and the sealing disc through which the dispensed liquid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 5634574
    Abstract: The present invention, in one form thereof, is an ergonomically useful dispensing assembly including a short dispensing tube adapted to be coupled at its inlet to a mixing bowl outlet. The outlet of the dispensing tube is coupled, for example, to a nozzle. A piston disposed within the tube has seals, such as O-rings which are sized to contact the interior surface of the dispensing tube along the length of the tube as the piston moves within the tube. The piston is constructed so that as the piston travels within the tube and from the tube inlet to the tube outlet, mix is forced through the outlet and mix is drawn into the tube through the tube inlet. As the piston travels from the tube outlet to the tube inlet, mix disposed within the tube travels through the piston. A check valve disposed adjacent the bowl outlet prevents backflow of mix from the tube into the bowl. The dispensing tube piston is driven by a dual piston-cylinder drive unit. The stroke length of the dual pistons is controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Unifiller Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. McArthur, David A. McArthur
  • Patent number: 5623974
    Abstract: A dispenser having a manually-operated dispensing valve assembly has a container for accommodating a spray product. The bottom of the container has a recess adapted to cooperate with a tube used to deliver air under pressure from an air pump into the container. The container includes a check valve which allows air to flow into the chamber of the container and prevent the flow of air out of the chamber of the container. When the container is placed on the air pump, it actuates a switch which energizes an electric motor which drives a pump for supplying air under pressure which is directed to the tube and into the chamber of the container past the check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventors: Christopher D. Losenno, Gino L. Losenno
  • Patent number: 5620314
    Abstract: A hand-operated, portable, easily-manufactured liquid pump offering efficiency through advanced plunger design, ease of repairability, and enhanced versatility through use of a select group of inlet and outlet accessories. The pump preferably includes a cylindrical housing, a bottom end forming an inlet port, and a top end with an exhaust port located near the top end. A field-repairable plunger assembly having a plunger which is preferably a rubber diaphragm is located within the cylindrical housing and is connected to a rod and handle for reciprocating the plunger within the housing. A unidirectional flow device is operatively connected to the bottom end of the housing to allow fluids to flow in a direction from the inlet port toward the exhaust port while preventing fluid flow in the opposite direction. The pump may be constructed to allow disassembly from the bottom end or the top end to allow a user to service the pump in the field and to replace worn or failing components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: David M. Worton
  • Patent number: 5613837
    Abstract: An air compressor includes a suction space, a compression space and a discharge space that are aligned with one another. The compressor also includes one-way valves that function as a suction valve and a discharging valve. The open areas of the suction valve and the discharge valve are sufficiently enlarged since both valves are not formed in the same element. Therefore, both valves can permit a large amount of air flow. Further, the suction space serves as a crank space so that fresh air is always drawn into the crank space to cool the crank space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshichika Konishi, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 5518377
    Abstract: A miniature metering pump of the type possessing a body provided with an inlet opening out into a metering chamber, associated with an inlet valve having a valve member, and with a piston having a plunger provided with an axial nozzle and flared at its bottom end to form a hood receiving a sealing gasket, its internal channel being associated with an outlet valve having a valve member, wherein said outlet valve member forms a portion of a single elastically deformable part that constitutes said gasket, shaped to have a bottom U-shaped ring assembled round the hood of the plunger, and connected at the top on the outside to a substantially cylindrical skirt for sealing and for returning the piston to its rest position, which skirt runs on from an annular flange for providing sealed connection with the body; and on the inside by a folded valve member that is generally conical or mitral-valve shaped, with a narrow top end carrying a cutout surrounded by a lip that opens to provide an outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Sofab
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Bougamont, Pierre Dumont, Herve Lompech
  • Patent number: 5492459
    Abstract: A swash plate compressor with single ended pistons improves piston stability by providing the ends of the pistons with open, conical rims, the outer surfaces of the which match, and thereby enlarge, the outer surface area of the pistons. The pistons therefore have increased sliding support within the cylinder bores, but without significant added mass. The pistons work in cooperation with matching conical protrusions on the discharge valve plate, which substantially fill the interior of the rims at piston full stroke. The piston compression ratio is therefore kept substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Burkett, Nikolaos A. Adonakis
  • Patent number: 5489044
    Abstract: A method of preparing a liquid reservoir disposable pump for insertion into a permanent dispenser housing is disclosed. The pump comprises two basic unitary, preferably all plastic, elements: a chamber forming body having an open outer end and an inner end in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir, and a piston formed to slidably fit into the chamber. The reservoir and pump are prepared for insertion into the permanent housing by first substantially filling the reservoir with liquid, and then evacuating air from the reservoir by applying a vacuum to the outer end of the chamber to provide vacuum pressure sufficient to draw air out of the chamber and reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hygiene-Technik Inc.
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Patent number: 5476371
    Abstract: A compressor assembly is disclosed including a compressor mechanism mounted within a hermetically sealed housing. A cylinder block contains a reciprocating piston having a suction valve assembly. The piston includes a head with a deep semitorus shaped annular groove with a similarly shaped solid suction valve that seats thereto. A retaining mechanism including a clamping bolt with a plurality of radially extending fingers is used to reduce valve inertia and impact forces. The fingers behave as cantilevered beam springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Nelik I. Dreiman
  • Patent number: 5452994
    Abstract: A refrigerant compressor having a cylinder assembly which includes a piston mounted for reciprocal movement within a cylinder to provide suction and compression strokes which respectively introduce and compress a refrigerant vapor which may have entrained compressor lubricant. The piston includes a suction ring valve which is operated by pressure differentials during the suction and compression strokes to cause the suction ring valve to contact predetermined end surfaces of a predetermined end portion of the piston during the compression stroke and thereby close a refrigerant vapor supply opening surrounded by the predetermined end surfaces, and to cause the suction ring valve to lift from the predetermined end surfaces of the piston during the suction stroke to open the refrigerant vapor supply opening and introduce refrigerant vapor into a compression chamber of the cylinder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Lee J. Erickson
  • Patent number: RE38291
    Abstract: New A plunger having a cylindrical hollow body 20 or 20B , a handle 30, 30A, or 30B , an outlet hose 40 , an outlet tip 42 , and a valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure that is able to controls the air flow within the hollow 25 portion of the cylindrical body 20 or 20B is shown. The valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure is moved into a closed position so that air is forced out of the front of the plunger and towards a clogged or stopped area 82 or 92 and is moved into an open position so that air enters the back of the plunger and passes proceeds past the valve or flap 50, 60, or 70 structure, so that water and/or clogging material is not drawn or sucked into the interior of the plunger. F The hose attached to the cylindrical body is flexible and is smaller in diameter than the drain throat of a plumbing fixture allowing the hose to be placed into a clogged area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Kennedy, Daniel L. Poole