471 results about "Mechanical valve" patented technology

The present invention comprises a method for deploying an aortic valve prosthesis. This valve prosthesis may include any of the known aortic valves including, but not limited to, stented and unstented bioprosthetic valves, stented mechanical valves, and expandable or self-expanding valves, whether biological or artificial. The method involves the steps of: making a first opening leading to the left atrium; passing a valve prosthesis through the opening and into a cardiac chamber of the left side of the heart using a first manipulation instrument; making a second opening in the arterial system and advancing one end of a second manipulation instrument through the arterial opening and into the aforementioned cardiac chamber; securing the second manipulation instrument to the valve prosthesis; and using the second manipulation instrument to retract at least some portion of the valve prosthesis out of the aforementioned cardiac chamber.

Apparatus for regulating blood flow of a subject is provided, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve that comprises a tubular element, shaped to define a lumen therethrough; and a valve member, configured to be coupled to the tubular element and to be disposed within the lumen. The prosthetic valve has (1) a compressed configuration in which the lumen has a compressed width, the valve member is generally cylindrical, and the prosthetic valve is configured to be percutaneously delivered into the subject, and (2) an expanded configuration in which the lumen has an expanded width that is greater than the compressed width, and the valve member is generally disc-shaped, is coupled to the tubular element, and is disposed within the lumen. Other embodiments are also described.

Latch position indicator systems remotely determine whether a latch assembly is latched or unlatched. The latch assembly may be a single latch assembly or a dual latch assembly. An oilfield device may be positioned with the latch assembly. Non-contact (position), contact (on / off and / or position) and hydraulic (flowmeter), both direct and indirect, embodiments include fluid measurement systems, an electrical switch system, a mechanical valve system, and proximity sensor systems.

Apparatus for regulating blood flow of a subject is provided, the apparatus comprising a prosthetic valve (20) that comprises a tubular element (22), shaped to define a lumen (23) therethrough, and a valve member (24), configured to be coupled to the tubular element (22) and to be disposed within the lumen (23). The prosthetic valve (20) has (1) a compressed configuration in which the lumen (23) has a compressed width, the valve member (24) is generally cylindrical, and the prosthetic valve (20) is configured to be percutaneously delivered into the subject, and (2) an expanded configuration in which the lumen (23) has an expanded width that is greater than the compressed width, and the valve member (24) is generally disc-shaped, is coupled to the tubular element (22), and is disposed within the lumen (23). Other embodiments are also described.

The improvements proposed in this invention provide a reliable apparatus and method to gasify low rank coals in a class of pressurized circulating fluidized bed reactors termed “transport gasifier.” The embodiments overcome a number of operability and reliability problems with existing gasifiers. The systems and methods address issues related to distribution of gasification agent without the use of internals, management of heat release to avoid any agglomeration and clinker formation, specific design of bends to withstand the highly erosive environment due to high solid particles circulation rates, design of a standpipe cyclone to withstand high temperature gasification environment, compact design of seal-leg that can handle high mass solids flux, design of nozzles that eliminate plugging, uniform aeration of large diameter Standpipe, oxidant injection at the cyclone exits to effectively modulate gasifier exit temperature and reduction in overall height of the gasifier with a modified non-mechanical valve.

A electronic cigarette vaporiser that includes a mechanical valve that is (i) pushed up from its seat to enable automatic filling of the vaporiser with e-liquid from a fluid transfer mechanism and (ii) returns to seal against its seat at other times when the vaporiser is being vaped or inhaled from (e.g. when filling is complete).

A method and apparatus for the treatment of thrombosis, venous insufficiency, and the like, and in particular to an Automated Compulsory Blood Extraction System (ACBES) configured to provide an efficient and safe means for the measured extraction of blood utilizing a device providing, in effect, an artificial leech, but without the infection, control, care, and other limitations associated with the medicinal leech. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes recent micro technological advances to provide a micro mechanical device which mimics and improves upon the bloodletting properties of the medicinal leech utilizing a micro mechanical valve, micropump, and micro sensor arraignment cooperating with a tertiary jaw array having teeth situated thereon. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates an extraction device which may have a head size of one centimeter or less, and which may be utilized in number about the affected area of the patient to provide controlled, precision, pulsed blood extraction via vacuum induction, supplying a controlled dosage of anticoagulant, histamine anesthetic, or the like. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include an independent, single needle, stationary design configured primarily for emergency use, a multi-needle piston design, a large extraction area array design including concentric needles of adjustable depth, and a deep extraction needle design.

A serial, dual piston high pressure fluid pumping system that overcomes the difficulties of gas in the fluid stream without the need for added mechanical valves or fluid paths. A bubble detection and recovery mechanism monitors compression and decompression volumes of the serially configured dual pump head pump, and the overall system delivery pressure. Bubble detection is effected by sensing a ratio of compression to decompression volume and determining if the ratio exceeds an empirical threshold that suggests the ratio of gas-to-liquid content of eluent or fluid in the system is beyond the pump's ability to accurately meter a solvent mixture. The magnitude of the ratio of compression to decompression volume indicates that either the intake stroke has a bubble or that the eluent has a higher-than-normal gas content. Once a bubble has been detected, recovery is effected by forcing the pump into a very high stroke volume with the compression and decompression stroke limits constrained to obtain the largest delivery stroke compression ratio that will expel a bubble or solvent that has detrimental quantities of gas.

Thus, systems and methods for a debriding wound vacuum may include a sponge for application to a wound, a flexible sheet for covering and sealing the wound, and a bladder. The bladder may be in fluid communication with at least a portion of the sponge. The bladder preferably contains a debridement substance. A negative pressure device may form part of the system and may be used to apply negative pressure via a hollow tube to the sponge. The negative pressure device may be adapted to apply negative pressure to the sponge via the hollow tube in order form a seal between the flexible sheet and the wound. The systems may also include microelectronic mechanical valves for releasing the debridement substance from the bladder.

An engine crankcase bypass system includes a scavenging mechanism for the collection and removal of oil entrained in engine bypass gases that include unburned gasoline fuel and water vapors. The improved bypass system, designed to replace a standard PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system, senses manifold and crankcase vacuum pressures, and via utilization of either an electronic or mechanical valve provides continuous adjustments of bypass gas flows for the maintenance of a constant gas flow sufficient to exceed normal engine bypass flow rates. A deflector system positioned in a flow stream is designed to extract and separate oil vapor from unburned gasoline fuel and water vapors entrained in the bypass gases. The oil is collected and drained to a temporary reservoir for subsequent re-entry into the oil sump of the engine. The fuel and water vapors are immediately returned to the intake manifold of the engine for reburning of the fuel.

A prosthetic mitral heart valve including a contoured sewing ring that better matches the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring includes an inflow end and an outflow end, the outflow and having at least one raised portion. There may be two raised portions located approximately 120° apart from each other and designed to register with two anterior trigones of the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring may be formed by a suture-permeable annular member surrounded by a fabric covering, the annular member desirably being molded of silicone. The raised portion(s) may gently curve upward to a height of about 2 mm above the adjacent portions of the outflow end of the sewing ring. The sewing ring may also be constructed so as to be more flexible around a posterior aspect than around an anterior aspect to accommodate calcified tissue more commonly found around the posterior annulus. The contoured sewing ring can be combined with various types of heart valve including bioprosthetic and mechanical valves. A bioprosthetic heart valve of the present invention may include a support stent having three outflow commissures alternating with three inflow cusps, with two of the commissures being located at the same place as two raised portions of the sewing ring. A method of implant includes tilting the prosthetic heart valve in the mitral annulus so that a posterior commissure angles away from the ventricular wall and reduces the chance of contact therebetween.

The invention relates to an icebound type pressure-maintaining and temperature-preserving sampler. The icebound type pressure-maintaining and temperature-preserving sampler comprises a drilling in / sampling switching mechanism, a refrigerating fluid circulating system, a slurry ice valve and core valve in-situ generation mechanism, a core accommodating pipe single acting mechanism and channels I, II, III, IV, V and VI; the slurry ice valve and the core valve which are generated by freezing are used to replace mechanical valves of a ball valve or a plate valve and the like to close an upper port and an lower port of a sampling drilling tool, solid impurities in a hole have no influence on the closing process, thereby the sampler has high reliability and solves the problems of difficult starting, difficult closing caused by easy blockage of sundries in the hole and the like of the tradition mechanical valves and improves pressure-maintaining reliability and success ratio; and moreover, radial dimension can be smaller so as to be beneficial to acquiring cores with larger diameters and improving hydrate coring recovery factor. Tests prove that the ice valve can realize the sealing of 25MPa, which is suitable for drilling on hydrate with an inner hole liquid column reaching 2500m; and a hydro hammer drives a reciprocating pump, which utilizes the slurry as dynamic medium, thereby avoiding the complexity brought by an electric structure and having simplicity and reliability.

The present invention relates to the production of thin films. In particular, the invention concerns a method of growing a thin film onto a substrate, in which method the substrate is placed in a reaction chamber and is subjected to surface reactions of a plurality of vapor-phase reactants according to the ALD method. The present invention is based on replacing the mechanical valves conventionally used for regulating the pulsing of the reactants, which valves tend to wear and intrude metallic particles into the process flow, with an improved precursor dosing system. The invention is characterized by choking the reactant flow between the vapour-phase pulses while still allowing a minimum flow of said reactant, and redirecting the reactant at these times to an other destination than the reaction chamber. The redirection is performed with an inactive gas, which is also used for ventilating the reaction chamber between the vapour-phase pulses.

A water-conserving system equipped to periodically rinse ultra high-efficiency urinal drainage plumbing of corrosive waste liquid and reduce associated gaseous odor is provided. A valve-controllable rinse-cycle supply of water is provided which can selectively be directed into a single drainage conduit which receives waste water from one or more ultra high-efficiency urinals. The system provides embodiments having mechanical valves, or electro-mechanical valves configured responsive to control-signals provided from one or more electronic components, or one or more types of microprocessor-enabled devices, networked devices or computer apparatus.

An electrokinetic actuator for fluid flow titration including two chambers separated from one another by a porous dielectric disposed therebetween. A plurality of electrodes are disposed about a perimeter of the first and second chambers. Polar electrolyte disposed within the actuator is able to pass through the porous dielectric between the first and second chambers upon the application of an electric field or electric potential to the plural electrodes. A mechanical valve actuation mechanism connected to the second chamber allows for fine titration of fluid flow using electro-osmosis, including full-flow and / or complete cut-off. The polar electrolyte is isolated to prohibit intermixing with a fluid being titrated (such as cerebrospinal fluid).

A prosthetic mitral heart valve including a contoured sewing ring that better matches the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring includes an inflow end and an outflow end, the outflow and having at least one raised portion. There may be two raised portions located approximately 120° apart from each other and designed to register with two anterior trigones of the mitral valve annulus. The sewing ring may be formed by a suture-permeable annular member surrounded by a fabric covering, the annular member desirably being molded of silicone. The raised portion(s) may gently curve upward to a height of about 2 mm above the adjacent portions of the outflow end of the sewing ring. The sewing ring may also be constructed so as to be more flexible around a posterior aspect than around an anterior aspect to accommodate calcified tissue more commonly found around the posterior annulus. The contoured sewing ring can be combined with various types of heart valve including bioprosthetic and mechanical valves. A bioprosthetic heart valve of the present invention may include a support stent having three outflow commissures alternating with three inflow cusps, with two of the commissures being located at the same place as two raised portions of the sewing ring. A method of implant includes tilting the prosthetic heart valve in the mitral annulus so that a posterior commissure angles away from the ventricular wall and reduces the chance of contact therebetween.

Latch position indicator systems remotely determine whether a latch assembly is latched or unlatched. The latch assembly may be a single latch assembly or a dual latch assembly. An oilfield device may be positioned with the latch assembly. Non-contact (position), contact (on / off and / or position) and hydraulic (flowmeter), both direct and indirect, embodiments include fluid measurement systems, an electrical switch system, a mechanical valve system, and proximity sensor systems.

A universal catheter stabilization system includes a medical article integrated with a securement device. The medical article can comprise one or more of a male luer adapter, a female luer adapter, an integrated extension set, and an integrated mechanical valve.

Methods and system are provided for identifying unintended closing (or corking) of a mechanical valve coupled to a fuel tank. If tank vent valve corking is identified during a leak test, fuel tank pressure data collected during the leak test is disregarded and not used to determine a fuel system leak. Instead, a fuel system leak test is repeated to improve reliability of test results.

An apparatus that mounts on an outer surface of a rim of a vehicle wheel on which a tire can be mounted. The apparatus includes a high pressure reservoir for receiving and storing compressed air from an outside source, a first mechanical valve that permits compressed air from an outside source to be directed into and stored in the high pressure reservoir, a second mechanical valve that directs air from the high pressure reservoir into the extended tire air chamber of a tire, a third mechanical valve that releases air from the extended tire air chamber of the tire, a fourth mechanical valve that releases air from the high pressure reservoir, and a fitting that provides a pressure tight conduit from the tire's air chamber to the extended tire air chamber of the apparatus.

The invention relates to an electromagnetic coil driving type blood pump system. Two ends of a pump body are respectively connected with a blood flowing cavity; an electromagnetic coil driving cavity is arranged in the pump body; three bottom coils and two top coils are wound outside the electromagnetic coil driving cavity in an overlapping manner; a permanent magnetic rotor is closely fit in the electromagnetic coil driving cavity, and can move under control of the external coil group; the inside of the electromagnetic coil driving cavity is separated into a first work zone and a second work zone by virtue of the permanent magnetic rotor; a sealing elastic film is arranged on the joint of the blood flowing cavity and the electromagnetic coil driving cavity; the edge of the sealing elastic film is tightly clamped by internal and external pipe threads on the joint of the blood flowing cavity and the electromagnetic coil driving cavity to form a seal state together with a seal ring; and a flow-in mechanical valve and a flow-out mechanical valve are arranged on the blood flowing cavity. According to the electromagnetic coil driving type blood pump system, cardiac impulse can be simulated by controlling the electromagnetic coils, and mechanical injury for blood is minimized.

The invention relates to an improved plant and method for chemical looping combustion of at least one hydrocarbon feed with independent control of the circulation of the solid active mass particles between the fluidized bed reaction zones, by means of one or more non-mechanical valves of L-valve type.

A mechanical valve has a main body having a cylinder hole formed therein, a movable element that is inserted into the cylinder hole and that moves forwardly and rearwardly, and a drive section that drives the movable element. A plurality of openings through which air passes are formed in an internal peripheral surface of the cylinder hole, and the openings are opened and closed as a result of forward and rearward movements of the movable element. A movable magnet is fastened to each of both ends of the movable element. Electromagnets opposing the respective movable magnets are provided in a drive section. The movable element is actuated by utilization of magnetic force of the electromagnets.

A vent valve for a fuel tank includes a valve housing having a first valve mechanism movable between an open and closed position and a second valve mechanism movable between an open and closed position. The first valve mechanism opens to vent the tank at a first design pressure differential between the tank pressure and atmospheric pressure and the second valve mechanism opens to vent the tank at a second design pressure differential that is greater than the first design pressure differential. The first valve mechanism is an electronic valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism is a mechanical valve mechanism. A method of venting a fuel tank includes opening the first valve mechanism to establish fluid communication between the tank and atmosphere at the first design pressure differential and opening the second valve mechanism to establish fluid communication between the tank and atmosphere at the second design pressure differential.

A valve system designed to regulate the flow of fluids for pressure regulation systems. The valve is defined by a plurality of valve elements in the form of overlapping and interlocking valve blades that can retract and close on command, and defining a central aperture having an adjustable dimension dependent upon the relative positioning of the plurality of valve elements as they are selectively oriented between an open and closed position. The central aperture at least partially defines a free, unobstructed flow path of fluid in pressure regulation applications. The valve system can be driven mechanically or electronically. A mechanical valve control assembly can be comprised of any combination of components that facilitate the operation of said assembly. An electronic control assembly ideally comprises a plurality of sensors each transferring sensor signals to a central processing unit and Shutter Valve driver assembly for purposes of controlling the operation of the pressure regulation system. The central processing unit is interconnected by an activation assembly to the valves so as to regulate the pressure of the system, based on the operational requirements of the pressure regulation system.

The invention discloses an automatic regulating device for flow pressure of a gas chromatograph, which comprises at least one pressure stabilization valve and at least one needle valve. The automatic regulating device also comprises at least one proportional valve, at least one flow sensor and a detection control circuit. The pressure stabilization valve is connected with the needle valve and the proportional valve. An air source of the gas chromatograph passes through the pressure stabilization valve, the needle valve and the proportional valve, is detected by the flow sensor and then enters a detector. The detection control circuit regulates the proportional valve to control the flow according to the data and the preset value provided by the flow sensor. The automatic regulating device for the flow pressure is adopted to substitute for a mechanical regulating valve and a mechanical pressure gage, achieves the flow control precision of the mechanical valve, and meets the basic requirement on automatic operation of the gas chromatograph.

An apparatus is provided for accurately dispensing a powder such as powdered infant formula into a container, and pasteurizing and reconstituting the powdered formula while completely mixing the formula in the container. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly for storing powder, a dosing assembly for measuring and dispensing powder from a receptacle into the container, a dilution assembly and a mixing assembly for obtaining accurately and completely mixed formula from the dispensed powder. The hopper is shaped to promote powder bridging, and the resulting powder bridge is used in combination with the dosing assembly to provide a predetermined amount of powder using a single mechanical valve that is isolated from the powder. The mixing assembly mixes the contents of the container while holding the bottle at a fixed angle relative to the vertical. A method of providing pasteurized infant formula from an infant formula powder is also disclosed.

The invention relates to an ice valve type pressure-maintaining and heat-preservation sampler, which comprises a drilling or sampling switch mechanism, a refrigerating fluid circulating system, a corebarrel lifting and positioning mechanism, an upper mechanical sealing mechanism, an ice valve forming mechanism, a corebarrel single-acting mechanism and a channel I-VIII which are connected. Pressure maintaining is realized by an ice valve formed below a corebarrel through mechanical sealing and refrigerating fluid circulation. Heat preservation is realized by coating porous foam, heat-preservation paint and a reflecting film on the outer wall of an inner circulation pipe. By adopting the invention, the problem that a mechanical valve is difficult to start, and is easily blocked by sundries in holes is solved, the reliability and the success ratio of pressure maintaining are improved, and a smaller radial dimension is beneficial to obtaining a larger-diameter core and improving the extraction rate of a hydrate core. Through tests, the ice valve realizes 25MPa sealing and is suitable for drilling a hydrate with a hole liquid column of 2500 m. When in pressure-maintaining sampling, a downhole reciprocating pump is started to drive the refrigerating fluid to circulate, and ice jamming is generated in an inner cavity at the lower end of the inner circulation pipe to form the ice valve so as to realize sealing pressure maintaining.

The invention relates to a device of a boiling chlorination furnace for continuous slagging and a slagging method. The device is formed by a slagging pipe, a slagging valve, a water cooling spiral deslagging machine and a slagging tank that are sequentially connected through pipelines, the slagging valve comprises a vertical tube and a material discharge chamber that are in parallel, the material discharge chamber is communicated with the vertical tube through a hole at the bottom of the material discharge chamber, a material discharge opening is arranged at the upper part of the material discharge chamber, and the vertical tube and the bottom of the material discharge chamber are respectively provided with an air inlet. Slag forms stock columns in the vertical tube so that the device automatically seals, therefore, gas in the boiling chlorination furnace is prevented from leaking, slagging discharge rate is controlled through nitrogen flow regulation, and regulation and control of chlorination slagging rate are realized. According to the device, the boiling chlorination furnace realizes continuous slagging through a sealing and controllable manner without using a mechanical valve, therefore, the chlorination furnace is effectively prevented from leaking gas in the slagging process. The device has the advantages of being good in sealing performance, simple in operation, safe and reliable, easy to realize automatic control and the like.