Joshua J Kimmel

US Patent:

20020083981, Jul 4, 2002

Filed:

Nov 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/005484

Inventors:

Robert Thompson - Sugarland TX, US
Joshua Kimmel - Houston TX, US
Brian Popovits - Livermore CA, US
Phuong Nguyen - Richmond TX, US

International Classification:

B01D001/00

US Classification:

137/544000

Abstract:

The present invention is related to valves for the controlling the flow of media. For example, the valves of the present invention may control the flow of solid media into a fluid stream. More, specifically, the valves of the present invention may be used to control the flow of a blasting media into an air stream as part of a blasting apparatus for treatment of a surface. In one embodiment, the media control valve of the present invention includes a valve body having a media inlet and a media outlet. A housing is connected to the valve body. A plunger is positioned within the valve body and is connected to a piston positioned within the housing. A base is connected to the valve body such that it communicates with the media outlet. The media control valve of this embodiment may further include a sleeve disposed between the valve body and the plunger. This sleeve may contain a media opening. In some embodiments of the media control valve of the present invention, the media opening has a first portion proximate to the media outlet and a second portion distal to the media outlet, the second portion being broader than the first portion. In other embodiments of the invention, the piston includes a contaminant isolation region.

US Patent:

6607175, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Nov 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/709894

Inventors:

Phuong T. Nguyen - Richmond TX
Robert E. Thompson - Sugarland TX
Joshua J. Kimmel - Houston TX

Assignee:

United States Filter Corporation - Palm Desert CA

International Classification:

F16K 34143

US Classification:

251 635, 251 60, 251205, 137553, 451101

Abstract:

The present invention is related to valves for the controlling the flow of media. For example, the valves of the present invention may control the flow of solid media into a fluid stream. More, specifically, the valves of the present invention may be used to control the flow of a blasting media into an air stream as part of a blasting apparatus for treatment of a surface. In one embodiment, the media control valve of the present invention includes a valve body having a media inlet and a media outlet. A housing is connected to the valve body. A plunger is positioned within the valve body and is connected to a piston positioned within the housing. A base is connected to the valve body such that it communicates with the media outlet. The media control valve of this embodiment may further include a sleeve disposed between the valve body and the plunger. This sleeve may contain a media opening.