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Fluid Flow Regulator  US Patent 3,847,178
Inventor: Wolf-Dieter Keppel, Remscheid, Germany
Assignee: Mannesmann & Keppel Electronics, Remscheid, Germany
Filed Dec. 8, 1971   Appl. No.:205842 
Foreign Application Priority Data: Dec. 10, 1970  Germany ...2060751
June. 23, 1971 Germany ...2131117
Find more Information about this Patent on Google          View this Patent at USPTO
ABSTRACT
Fluid flow regulator for intercalation in conduits through which flows a medium to be
regulated, having a housing with interengaging inner and outer members, the inner
member being in form of an axial, profiled core portion, at least one housing member
having intermittent flow passages therein, together with at least one seating surface
for an elastically deformable sealing member which constitutes flow throttling means.
A bypass valve my be provided in an axial inlet passageway of the regulator. The
sealing member is preferably annular but may have a different profile, such as
rectangular, lip shaped or other. The flow passages are radially or axially disposed
for respective axial or radial operation of the sealing member as a result of a pressure
difference of the medium being regulated between the inlet and outlet sides.
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FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
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As shown in Fig. 1 the Liquid Medium enters the Flow Regulator at [p1] in the direction the
arrow indicates and leaves the Regulator on the Outlet side [p2].
The Liquid Medium is in almost all applications water.
Fig. 2 shows in Position 1 the O-Ring [d] in expanded and resting Position due to no Medium
Flow and consequently no presents of pressure. This situation changes in Position 2 when
Pressure and Medium Flow increase. Simultaneously the O-Ring is drawn against the
Protuberances [f] and reduces the through let area [F2]
The Protuberances [f] of the Profiled Core [c] are designed in a manner that in Position 2
and later at high pressure in Position 3 the nominal flow value this core was designed for
remains constant.  In other words the O-Ring  [d]  penetrates the Profiled Core  [c]
continuously deeper with increasing pressure narrowing the Through Let areas [F2] and (F3].
The curve / diagram below shows 3 different Regulators which have a constant flow under
increasing and decreasing pressure conditions.
The question is: "Why does the O-Ring perform in this way?" The answer is: The differential
pressure which occurs between [p1] and [p2] and the narrowing pass way between
the inner diameter of the O-Ring and the Profiled Core increase the speed of the medium to
a very high extend which leads to a Venturi or Vacuum like effect which forces the O-Ring
towards the center.
The design of this Patent appears to be simple - however, it was never discovered before,
until I stumbled over it during needle valve testing in 1970. This makes this Regulator a
remarkable discovery.
After almost 40 years this regulator is still sold exactly the way I designed it and adds 
up to many millions distributed all over the world. When this regulator came on the market
it revolutionized industries like Instantaneous Water Heaters, Faucets, Shower Heads, 
Filters, Aerators, Solenoid Valves, Appliances and many other industrial applications.

More Curves & Model Drawings - Descriptions

There is a Company in Connecticut which manufactures this Regulator on a large scale:
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Take a look

The Significance of this Fluid Flow Regulator lies in its Patent Value and
Classification which is defined by five Categories  and ranks between 4 & 5.
Level Description Percentage of  all Inventions
1   Apparent Problem Solutions (Metaphor) 32%
2   Design / Product Improvement (Metaphor) 45%
3   Invention Inside of Paradigm 18%
4   Invention Outside of Paradigm 4%
5   True Discovery 1%
This may sound for some of you exaggerated - but it is not after taking a close look.
The decision if this Fluid Flow Regulator is an Invention outside of Paradigm or
a True Discovery should be in the eye of the beholder. However my conviction is that
 this Invention is without any doubt at Level 4 because it doesn't meet any criteria
which allow the conclusion that this Invention is inside of Paradigm.
TERMINOLOGY

                A Metaphor is the linking of two sets of concepts so one set of concepts is

                                         understood in terms of another.

           A Paradigm is the set of common beliefs and agreements shared between scientists

about how problems should be understood and addressed, also a class of all items
that can be substituted into the same position and/or a generally accepted
perspective of a particular discipline at a given time.
Let me know your Thoughts and Opinions

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Economical Background of this Invention over the last 40 years
The Market success of many million of these Fluid Flow Regulators sold
and still distributed with climbing sales quantities, even the Patent
has expired years ago, proves that this invention is unique
and was never surpassed by anything better (Price, Accuracy, Reliability).
                                           Brief Historical Summery
Starting with the Industrial Revolution in the 18th Century in Europe and the United States
many mechanical patents were issued and many fell in these times in the category of True
Discoveries which is not surprising. However, after World War I and II significant Discoveries
became more and more rare and mechanical Inventions turned towards Patents based on
on existing prior art showing combinations of known Technology or Product Improvements.
Inventions Outside of Paradigm and True Discoveries are almost exclusively achieved by
the Chemical / Pharmatheutical Industries or are the results of modern Physics like
(Nano Technology)
                            Click the Banner above to see the entire Patent.
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Method for Producing Fluid Flow Regulators  US Patent 4,632,791
Inventors: Wolf-Dieter Keppel, Chicago, USA
               ReinHard C. Mannesmann, Herrsching, Germany
Assignee:  ReinHard C. Mannesmann, Herrsching, Germany
Filed        Jan.18, 1984 
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A Patent concerning a Method for plastic injecting mold manufacturing to
achieve higher part precision and an increase in mass production capability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
This Patent was based on the fact that the Plastic Injection Mold manufacturing was very
difficult and time consuming using an EDM Sinker to pre-burn the contour of the Profiled Core
and then grinding the contour with a pneumatic pencil grinder (equipped with a cylindrical
diamond pin) step by step larger, producing Samples on a Plastic Molding Machine after every
change, running  Lab tests and then performing corresponding changes until the Regulation
Curve was completed to the required Flow Regulation Specifications. However, every molding 
insert was unique and could not be duplicated. A 4-insert mold required that every insert had
to "developed" individually.
At this time the first "Wire EDM" Machines appeared on the market which had the capability 
to cut a complex contour into a piece of pre-drilled metal based on programmable software.
Changing the injection mold design with Wire EDM was extremely time consuming compared 
to the previous diamond grinding method. Performing any Profiled Core changes the process
sequence of program data changes, Wire EDM burning into a new blank, installing the burned
disk insert into an plastic injection mold, producing a sample and testing the result in a
Laboratory required the repetition of this above described R&D process over and over until
the profile in the disk delivered results to specification. However, ones the core profile
burned into the insert disk was perfect for production the big advantage of this method
was that the software data allowed to manufacture large numbers of duplicate insert disks.
This method made it possible to manufacture for large Production Molds which were
capable of manufacturing a large quantity of identical Flow Regulator in just one
Injection Molding Machine cycle which is very cost effective and recovered the R&D
cost in a short period of time.
The Patent Claims for this method were accepted  in this time as an Invention even
Wire EDM was developed under the idea of precise metal part reproduction among
other applications.
A Patent of this kind is obviously an "Apparent Problem Solution" (Metaphor) and
falls in the Category 1 of the above table.
                            Click the Banner above to see pages of the Patent.
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Self-Drilling Rivet Gun - Patent Application DOC. No. 20090031545
Inventor: Wolf-Dieter Keppel, Chicago, USA
Assignee: ABEO LLC. Omaha, NE 
Filed:       2007
This Self-Drilling Rivet Gun was developed by me from the "Idea" to a finished first Prototype.
The first Prototype was a design based on a pneumatic / hydraulic principal. I utilized in my
R&D work Pro/Engineer (3D) and AutoCad (2D) Software.
The biggest problem to overcome was to engineer a mechanism which had the capability to
to provide a rotational movement for Drilling and then move into a position for Pulling a pop
rivet with a force of over 2000psi. Both function had to be combined utilizing parts which
were common for both functions and also provide a channel for the separated mandrel
to through the gun including the air motor and hydraulic assembly into a collector basket
for disposal. This Rivet Gun and an electrical version is intended for worldwide distribution.
Both versions contain numerous inventions which are partially included in the pending
Patent which can be viewed by clicking the Link below.
At this point I want to thank Mr. Jim Eggers (CEO) and Mr. Graig Wolf (CFO) from ABEO LLC. 
located in Omaha, NE for hiring me as an Engineering Consultant to accomplish this complex
task. These Gentlemen not only financed this Project but also had the patience to wait for
optimized results which I delivered to them with great pride. See "My Credentials".
Please visit ABEO LLC's web site: http://abeollc.com/index.php  and see a video of the
first successful Prototype test and other interesting information.
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This Self-Drilling Rivet Gun is a very Versatile System: From light commercial work to heavy
industrial work, this component can be adapted for several applications:
  • Steel Framing
  • HVAC Duct Work
  • Architectural Sheet Metal
  • Structural Steel Framing
  • Automotive Assembly
  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Metal Building Fabrication
Patent
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A rivet gun for setting a self-drilling rivet in one or more work pieces has a tool body
having a handle for gripping, a rotation assembly having a motor attached to an axially
adjustable shaft and a chuck to thereby impart rotation to the chuck adapted to grip
and rotate the shank of the self-drilling rivet.  A hydraulic assembly having a pull bushing
is connected to a piston rod attached to a piston and a retraction assembly having
a mandrel clamp and a mandrel clamp ring is connected to a spring guide biased toward
the mandrel clamp by a spring to thereby compress the mandrel clamp to grip and
retract the shank, set the self-drilling rivet in the work pieces and detach the shank
from the self-drilling rivet.

Self-Drilling Rivet Gun - Patent Application DOC. No. 20090031545

                                               Click on Image below
                       
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XENON
Medical - Dual Xenon Lamp Light Source for Endoscopy in Operating Rooms
Inventor: Wolf-Dieter Keppel, Chicago, USA
Unfortunately this is one of my inventions which never made it to the Patent Office because
my partner bailed out of his financial promise - and Inventors are usually poor.
This concept was great:
An Uninterruptible Operating Room Light Source  
This new medical Light Source Invention was the first result of my Medical Device
Development program and was intended be used during Minimally Invasive Surgery when
Endoscopes (Laparoscopes,  Arthroscopes,  Cystoscopes etc.)  are applied and
penetrate dark areas of the human body. In many cases the Abdominal Cavity which is
expanded by pressurized CO2 Gas during Endoscopy to provide space during procedures.
A failure in Light supply to these instruments interrupts the surgical procedure until
the fiber optic light cable has to be plugged into a spare light source or until one is located.
This can be dangerous for the patient. During the time a new Light Source has to be
connected or brought over from another Operating Room uncontrolled bleeding may occur
or infectious fluid might reach other organs and cause later complications.
The Light Source which I developed avoids this problem. The light Source has 2 Xenon
light bulbs which face each other. One lamp was primary and always used. However, if this
primary bulb failed or even started to flicker a fiber optic cable directed to this primary lamp
transmitted the he light condition to a photo cell located on an electronic circuit board.
This photo cell gives a signal to an electronic processor chip which was programmed to trigger
a sequence of events: The secondary light bulb was supplied with power and  turned a prism
by 900 redirecting the light flow from the primary lamp to the secondary lamp within a fraction
of a second. This was an ideal solution and well received by surgeons I talked to.
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                    Please click on the Image above to view the Patent Application.

Click here to see the Picture Gallery of this Light Source

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                              Email: DKconsulting@mindspring.com 
                                  
 

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A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on
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Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
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The profit of great ideas comes when you turn them into reality.
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Necessity is the mother of invention, it is true - but it's father is creativity, and knowledge is the midwife.

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Imagination is the beginning of creation.

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The man with a new idea is a crank - until the idea succeeds.

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Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.
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Inventing is a combination of brains and materials. The more brains you use, the less material you need.

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I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success
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Creation is a drug   I can’t live without

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An Inventor’s most used tool is his wastebasket

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Many saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why.
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Never to stop Questioning turns Curiosity in the Essence of Evolution
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Wolf-Dieter Keppel
(1948 - present)
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Be like a postage stamp—stick to one thing until your Mind suceeds 

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Exploration is the ingredient of genius
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Wolf-Dieter Keppel
(1948 - present)
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It’s not that I’m so smart it’s just that I stay with problems longer.

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The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me.

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Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
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Albert Einstein
(1879 - 1955)
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Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
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    Invention 1

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    Invention 1

    Invention 2

    Invention 3

    Invention 4

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   If you need a Website
     Domain Name etc.
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