Kermit L Achterman

US Patent:

7503341, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Jul 10, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/170721

Inventors:

Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

Assignee:

Kermit L. Achterman & Associates, Inc. - La Canada Flintridge CA

International Classification:

F16K 17/30

US Classification:

137498, 13751627

Abstract:

The present flow shutoff valve comprises a flow metering sleeve positioned within a flow passage. The sleeve and a housing of the valve define an annular space. The sleeve includes a flow metering aperture downstream of the annular space. A valve member is slidably mounted within the sleeve. The valve member is movable between a no flow position, a normal flow position and a shutoff position. The valve is self cleaning, so that it reduces the buildup of sediment within the valve.

US Patent:

7591282, Sep 22, 2009

Filed:

Mar 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/402389

Inventors:

Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

Assignee:

Kermit L. Achterman & Associates, Inc. - La Canada Flintridge CA

International Classification:

F16K 31/12

US Classification:

137498, 1375145, 137460

Abstract:

The valve comprises a housing defining a flow passage, an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, and a valve seat. An annular cavity is formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall. A valve member is slidably mounted within the housing. The valve member includes an annular skirt section extending in the downstream direction. A downstream-facing portion of the valve member comprises a sealing portion configured to selectively engage the valve seat. The valve member is movable between an upstream no flow position, a downstream shutoff position, and a normal flow position intermediate the no flow position and the shutoff position. A biasing element is disposed between the housing and the valve member so as to bias the valve member away from the valve seat. When the valve member moves from the normal flow position to the shutoff position, the annular skirt section penetrates the annular cavity and displaces water therefrom to dampen the downstream movement of the valve member.

US Patent:

7644726, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

Mar 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/689104

Inventors:

Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

Assignee:

Kermit L. Achterman, & Associates, Inc. - La Canada Flintridge CA

International Classification:

F16K 17/30

US Classification:

137498, 13751625

Abstract:

A flow shut off valve for residential water line pressure includes a self cleaning valve element held in a housing having an inlet, an outlet section and an outlet adapter with a fluid passage connecting the inlet and the outlet adapter. The inlet and the outlet adapter include exterior threads for connection to a further item. The valve element is slidably mounted within a passage in a poppet guide and metering slot insert having one or more metering slots that allow variable fluid flow between the inlet and outlet adapter. A spring biases the valve element toward the inlet. Reduced back pressure at the outlet adapter drives the valve element into a closed position with a sealing surface against the valve seat to terminate flow. The flow shutoff valves are contemplated for integration with stop valves supplying water to employment with household appliances, sinks, toilets and the like.

US Patent:

7670117, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Dec 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/001241

Inventors:

Kermit Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

Assignee:

Kermit L. Achterman & Associates, Inc. - La Canada Flintridge CA

International Classification:

F04B 1/26
F04B 49/00

US Classification:

417270, 417306, 417308, 417435, 60453

Abstract:

A fluid metering device for monitoring flow of fluid is provided. The fluid metering device comprises: an electric motor; and a housing having a manifold section, a motor adapter plate and a pressure retaining container, said pressure retaining container encompassing a pressurized chamber having a hydraulic pump placed in the pressurized chamber; and the manifold section including an air bleed valve and a pressure biased relief valve for maintaining pressure within the housing.

US Patent:

8209792, Jul 3, 2012

Filed:

Apr 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/087317

Inventors:

Richard Quintana - Westminister CA, US
Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US
David Millar - Aliso Viejo CA, US
David Michael Parrish - Westminster CA, US

International Classification:

E03D 11/18

US Classification:

4427, 4420

Abstract:

A shut-off valve for connecting between a water supply valve and a tank inlet port of a toilet tank includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit electrically connected with the trip mechanism. The valve mechanism includes a valve housing rotationally confining a first ceramic disk and a ceramic second disk, each disk having at least one aperture therethrough that, when mutually aligned, allow for fluid communication between the inlet and outlet ports. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges rotation of an axial shaft fixed coaxially with the second disk. A trip latch is adapted to prevent rotation of the axial shaft and second disk except when withdrawn from the axial shaft by a solenoid electrically connected to the trip circuit that is electrically connected with a toilet tank overflow sensor, a toilet bowl overflow sensor, or the like. Upon detection of a fault condition, the trip circuit trips the trip mechanism to prevent water from flowing into the toilet tank until the fault can be corrected, thereby conserving water and often preventing water damage.

US Patent:

8534313, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Jan 4, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/734717

Inventors:

Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

F16K 21/18
F16K 31/20
F16K 31/26
F16K 31/18
F16K 35/00
E03D 1/00
E03D 1/24
E03D 11/02
E03D 11/18

US Classification:

137389, 137400, 137434, 251 91, 4314, 4331, 4427

Abstract:

An auxiliary actuator for a toilet fill valve comprises a plunger oriented under an arm of the toilet fill valve to lift the arm to close the toilet fill valve when the plunger is in a raised position. A spring or hydraulic mechanism urges the plunger into the raised position. A solenoid mechanism is normally de-energized and engages a latching mechanism of the plunger when the plunger is in a lowered position. An electronic sensing circuit has at least one sensor and a power source. The electronic sensing circuit is electrically connected with the solenoid mechanism to energize the solenoid mechanism upon detection of a fault condition based on the input of the at least one sensor. Fault conditions may include a flush valve leak, a stuck-open flush valve, a plugged toilet, and a leaking fill valve.

US Patent:

20120211094, Aug 23, 2012

Filed:

Jan 3, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/342359

Inventors:

Richard Quintana - Westminister CA, US
David Millar - Aliso Viejo CA, US
Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada Flintridge CA, US

International Classification:

F16K 21/18
F16K 31/02
F16K 37/00

US Classification:

137386, 137551, 25112901

Abstract:

A device to shut-off a water supply to a toilet diverts water from a toilet fill valve to a shut-off valve that has a housing that includes a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges closing of the valve mechanism. A trip latch is adapted to prevent closing of the valve mechanism except when withdrawn from the valve mechanism by a solenoid that is electrically connected to the trip circuit. The trip circuit includes at least one trip sensor input and a power source, such that when the trip circuit detects a fault condition on any of the trip sensors, the trip circuit connects power to the solenoid to withdraw the solenoid to close the valve mechanism. A rest knob may then be rotated to reset the valve mechanism into a valve-open position.

US Patent:

49195824, Apr 24, 1990

Filed:

Apr 14, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/181684

Inventors:

H. John Bates - Yorba Linda CA
Kermit L. Achterman - La Canada CA
Peter Gearin - Portland OR
Terence Halpin - West Linn OR

Assignee:

Greenbrier Intermodal, Inc. - Lake Oswego OR

International Classification:

B60P 164
B65G 6702

US Classification:

414233

Abstract:

A loader includes a sleeve support which will carry in a raised position a lightweight open-centered sleeve, of the type which is capable of holding a plurality of automobiles. An automobile support, capable of carrying the automobiles which will comprise one level when loaded into the sleeve, is located below the sleeve. A lifting device moves the sleeve support and the automobile support together to insert the automobiles into the sleeve from its bottom. Latching mechanisms which attach the automobiles to the sleeve are movable between loading positions, where the automobiles can be inserted past them, and latching positions where they will engage the automobiles' tires. The loader is capable of removing the sleeves from cargo containers for loading and/or unloading and then placing them back into the containers when this procedure is completed. The apparatus also is capable of folding the sleeves to their collapsed position and of expanding them to their erected position.