(19)

(11)

EP 1 266 143 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 18.04.2002 (43) Date of publication: 18.12.2002 Bulletin 2002/51 (21) Application number: 01918848.1 (22) Date of filing: 20.03.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: F15B 13/043 (86) International application number: PCT/US0108/869 (87) International publication number: WO 0107/1198 (27.09.2001 Gazette 2001/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 21.03.2000 US 191066 P (71) Applicant: Ross Operating Valve Company Troy,Michigan 48084-4838 (US)	(72) Inventor: SCHNELL, Richard, E. Oswego, IL 60543 (US) (74) Representative: Neumann, Ernst Dieter, Dipl.-Ing. et al Harwardt Neumann Patent- und Rechtsanwälte,Brandstrasse 10 53721 Siegburg 53721 Siegburg (DE)