Gt Development Corporation

Sprague Devices, Inc.

Hazleton Laboratories Corporation

Alan K Forsythe

John Michael Morris

Charles J Green

Charles E Stephens

Zdenek Gabrlik

Richard J Frigon

Charles H Simmons, Jr

Gabe Fasolino

Andrew F Thompson

Brent L LaRiviere

Scott F Coomes

A knob attachment assembly formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided. The knob attachment assembly includes a control device housing () and an actuation member () coupled to the control device housing, the actuation member including a first engagement surface (). The knob attachment assembly further includes a gripping device () including a first interference surface (), the gripping device being selectively coupled to the actuation member and positionable between a locked position, wherein the gripping device is coupled to the actuation member by interference of the first engagement surface and the first interference surface, and an unlocked position, wherein the gripping device is removable from the actuation member.

Knob attachment assembly

A deformable fastener is provided. The fastener includes a first member having a cavity and a second member sized to be rotatably attached within the cavity. The fastener further includes a protrusion disposed on either the first or second member for locking engagement with a corresponding portion of the other of the first or second member when the first member is attached to the second member. The protrusion is sized and configured to deform both an inner and outer surface of the corresponding portion to assist in maintaining the locking engagement.

Deformable fastener

A three-position push-pull switch assembly is disclosed that includes two magnetic reed switches mounted to a circuit board located within the switch housing. A magnet is mounted to an actuator that extends into the switch housing and is axially translatable from a center position to a pushed in position and a pulled out position. When in the center position, the two magnetic reed switches are in a first closed-open operational state. When force is applied to the actuator shaft to move it into the pushed-in position, the reed switches are in a second closed-open operational state. Similarly, when force is applied to move the actuator shaft to the pulled out position, the magnetic reed switches are in a third closed-open operational state. A detent mechanism maintains the switch assembly in the center position when the actuator shaft is not being pulled or pushed away from that position and returns the switch assembly to the center position after being switched to either the pushed in or pulled out positions to thereby provide momentary push-pull operation.

Switch assembly employing magnetic reed switches

A relatively rugged and simple solenoid-actuated valve () is disclosed having a coil assembly (), including a bobbin (), a winding () for generating a magnetic field, and a flux path bracket (). A fixed pole piece () extends into the axial volume defined by the bobbin. The coil assembly may be encased in a plastic outer body (). An armature () is slidably disposed in the axial volume and a valve seat () closes the opposite end of the axial volume. A conical spring () biases the armature toward a first position against the valve seat. An inlet fitting () and an outlet fitting () fluidly connect to the axial volume. The armature is movable by the magnetic field generated by the winding from the first position to a second position away from the valve seat, such that the valve can be selectively opened and closed.

Solenoid-actuated air valve

A first normally open solenoid valve 'A' is connected to passageway (). A second normally open solenoid valve 'B' is connected to a passageway (). A latching valve () includes a valve spool chamber () and a valve spool () within the chamber. An air-delivery conduit () delivers pressurized air to both a first passageway () and a second passageway (). Passageway () is connected to one end of the valve spool chamber (). Passageway () is connected to the opposite end of the valve spool chamber (). The valve spool () has two positions. In the first position, passageway () is connected with a passageway () that extends to an air-operated device (). Flow through the valve () to and from passageway () is blocked. In the second position, flow from passageway () to passageway () is blocked. Also, flow through the valve () to and from passageway () is blocked. Air in the air-operated device is vented through passageway (), the path (), valve spool groove () and passageway () to a vent avenue ().

Control system for air-operated devices

A two-stage vent valve is incorporated into a vehicle fuel distribution system. The vent valve is mounted to the top of a fuel tank of a motor vehicle in a vertically orientated position, so that a fluid inlet is in communication with the interior open air volume of the fuel tank, and an outlet is in communication with the exterior of the tank. The vent valve utilizes a two-stage valve mechanism to allow vapor to escape from the fuel tank, while preventing the leakage of liquid fuel during such operating conditions where the vehicle has tilted due to a small downgrade, sloshing of fuel in a full or near-full tank, or the event of a roll-over.

Two stage fuel tank vent valve

A contactless control switch (,) for a vehicle for actuating a system between an open and a first closed circuit position is disclosed. The switch includes a housing (,) and a pivot assembly (,) disposed within the housing. The switch also includes a switch actuator (,) having first and second ends. The switch actuator is coupled to the pivot assembly for producing pivoting motion of the switch actuator in response to a force (,) applied to the switch actuator. The switch also includes first and second proximity sensors (,and,) and a first magnet (,). The proximity sensors are disposed within the housing and the first magnet is fastened to the switch actuator second end. The first magnet is adapted to be selectively displaced into and out of close proximity with one of the proximity sensors when the force is applied to the switch actuator. The switch (,) also includes a biasing member (,and,) disposed between the switch actuator and the pivot assembly for biasing the switch actuator into an open circuit position.

Contactless stalk mounted control switch

A cyclic flow valve (20) for cyclically controlling the flow of combustants into a combustion furnace. The cyclic flow valve includes a valve housing (26) having a chamber (30), an inlet (36), and an outlet (46). The cyclic flow valve also includes an aperture plate (52) rigidly fixed within the chamber of the valve housing. The aperture plate has first and second apertures (68a and 68b) extending through the plate. A rotor member (54) is rotatably secured within the chamber. The rotor member is held in spaced disposition from the aperture plate. The space defines a low flow gap (92) of predetermined width between the rotor member (54) and the aperture plate (52). The rotor has diametrically opposed paddles (70s and 70b) positioned and sized to selectively control the flow of combustants through the flow valve between a low flow position, wherein the combustants flow through the low flow gap at a predetermined minimal flow rate, and a high flow position, wherein the combustants flow between the inlet and outlet at a predetermined maximum flow rate. In the low flow position, the paddles (70a and 70b) obstruct flow through apertures (68a and 68b) in the aperture plate (52). In the high flow position, the paddles do not obstruct flow through the apertures. The cyclic flow valve includes a rotary motor (50) for rotating the rotor member (54) within the chamber between the low flow position and high flow position.

Cyclic flow valve

An orientation-sensitive pressure release for the airbag (15) of a vehicular pneumatic seat (11) that includes a rollover valve (21) mounted in the air inlet line of the pneumatic seat is disclosed. The valve (21) releases air from the pneumatic seat (11) when the valve is tilted or overturned, which occurs when the vehicle is tilted or overturned. The valve includes a spring-loaded poppet (43) that encloses an exhaust port (41). Attached to the poppet is a downwardly extending whisker (65) that extends into an inverted conical cup (64). A conically shaped element (78) is affixed to the lower end of the whisker (65). Housed in the inverted conical cup is a relatively heavy ball (67). When the valve (21) is tilted or overturned, the ball (67) hits the side of the conically shaped element (78) causing the whisker (65) to tilt and the spring-loaded poppet (43) to open the exhaust port. Opening the exhaust port (41) releases air from the air bag (15).

Pneumatic seat rollover vent valve

A valve plug is biased inwardly by a spring (90) to close an opening (10) in a cap (2) for a fuel tank filling and venting tube. A valve stem includes a first portion (62) which is engaged by the spring (90) and a second float cage portion (40) that is secured to and extends axially inwardly from the plug. A collapsible retainer (70) is secured to the cage (40) and has an abutment surface (74) which engages an abutment surface (68) on the first portion (62) to hold the cage (40) and the first portion (62) in position relative to each other and to transmit axial forces therebetween. A fusible material ring (88) is positioned radially between the retainer (70) and the cage (40) to prevent the retainer (70) from collapsing. At elevated temperatures, the ring (88) melts to allow the retainer (70) to collapse, the cage (40) and first stem portion (62) to separate from each other, and the valve plug and cage (40) to move away from the opening (10).

Pressure and thermal relief valve for fuel tank

A flow divider (20) is located between a first fuel return line (18), leading from an engine to the flow divider (20), a second fuel return line (22) leading from a first flow divider outlet (46) to a first tank (A), and a third fuel return conduit (24) leading from a second flow divider outlet (48) to a second tank (B). Returned fuel enters the flow divider inlet (34) and flows into an inlet chamber (54). The fuel flows from the inlet chamber (54) through first and second orifices (50, 52). The first orifice (50) is in flow alignment with a first outlet (42). The second orifice (52) is in flow alignment with a second outlet (44). A first closure member (86) is located in a first outlet opening (104) and a second closure member (88) is located in a second outlet opening (106). The closure members (86, 88) are connected to a common member (90). A spring (82) normally biases the closure members (86, 88) towards the orifices (50, 52). Fuel pressure in the inlet chamber (54) exerts forces on the closure members (86, 88), moving them away from the orifices (50, 52) against the force of the spring (82). The closure members (86, 88) will move substantially equal amounts even if forces acting on the closure members (86, 88) are unequal. This is because the two closure members (86, 88) are connected to a common member (90).

Flow divider and utilization system

A poppet valve structure has a valve plug biased inwardly to close a vent opening (10). A connector member (40, 58) includes a cage (40) extending inwardly from the valve plug and a separately formed bottom plate (58) secured to the cage (40). The plate (58) defines a radially outwardly opening recess (64) and a first pair of axially spaced apart confronting surfaces. A spring abutment member (66) surrounds the plate (58) and defines a radially inwardly opening recess (74) and a second pair of confronting surfaces. The two pairs of surfaces confront and substantially contact each other. The recesses (64, 74) together define a substantially closed annular chamber. The chamber may be formed by a pair of confronting channels (64, 74) or defined axially between two flanges (61, 67) on the plate (58') and the abutment member (66'), respectively. A ring of fusible material (76) is cast in situ within the chamber to interconnect the plate (58) and the abutment member ( 66). At elevated temperatures, the fusible material (76) melts to allow the plate (58) and abutment member (66) to slide relative to each other and the plug to move outwardly away from the vent opening. The valve may be incorporated into a fuel tank cap.

Pressure/thermal relief valve for fuel tank

A fill tube (12) leading into a fuel tank (10) is provided with a normally closed closure door (20) and a fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30) spaced outwardly of the closure door (20). When liquid fuel is to be added to the fuel tank (10) a fill nozzle (32) is inserted through the fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30). A seal element (30) engages the outside diameter of the fill nozzle (32) and seals against vapor leakage between the seal element (30) and the fill nozzle (32). Further insertion of the fill nozzle (32) into the fill tube (12) moves the end of the fill nozzle (32) against the closure door (20) opening the closure door (20). When this happens, fuel vapor within the fuel tank (10) flows through an opening (18) that is normally closed by the closure door (20), to and through an outlet (36) leading from a chamber (34) that is between the fill nozzle seal (24, 26, 30) and the closure door (20). The vapor flows from the chamber (34) into and through a vapor recovery passageway which leads to a vapor storage device (38). Liquid fuel being introduced into the fuel tank (10) displaces vapor from the fuel tank (10) through the vapor recovery passageway to the vapor storage device (38).

Vapor recovery systems

A reciprocating piston fluid powered motor having fluid inlet and outlet, wherein reciprocation is controlled by a reciprocable valve spool communicating with said fluid inlet and outlet and cooperating with a valve slide shiftable on said valve spool to control reciprocation of said valve spool. A needle valve assembly controls the exhaust rate proportionally to the operative speed of the motor.

Growing community of inventors

Kent, WA, United States of America

Alan K Forsythe