Abstract: A butterfly valve is provided having a disc with a hub. The disc is adapted to be rotated between an open and a closed position. A valve seat is adapted to engage the disc in the closed position. A shaft has one end affixed to the hub and extends outwardly therefrom to permit torque to be transmitted to the disc from a point external thereof. The end of the shaft affixed to the hub includes a plurality of splines for securing the shaft to the hub. Each of the splines interfers with the hub by a maximum dimension of 0.030 inches. The hub has a stress that is less than 20,000 pounds per square inch. The shaft is joined to the disc by forming the valve disc with a portion of increased thickness (hub) relative to the main portion of the disc. The portion of increased thickness is formed adjacent the circumference of the disc. A hole is then machined into the portion of increased thickness parallel to the disc, with the hole having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the shaft.

Abstract: A butterfly valve is provided having a disc with a hub. The disc is adapted to be rotated between an open and closed position. A housing has a valve seat that is adapted to engage the disc in the closed position. A shaft has one end affixed to the hub and extends outwardly of the housing to permit torque to be transmitted to the disc from a point external thereof. A seal is provided for preventing fluid from passing between the shaft and the housing. A bearing supports the shaft in the housing at a point where the shaft extends outwardly over the housing. A retaining ring frictionally engages the shaft and abuts the bearing to insure that fluid leaking along the shaft does not eject the bearing and cause injury.

Abstract: Fluid control valve apparatus is provided having a directional control valve for metering passage of fluid from a supply passage to a feeder passage for first actuator. A pressure compensating valve is provided for regulating flow through the directional control valve and for delivering excess fluid to a compensating valve output port for power operation of a second actuator. A main relief valve is connected to the first actuator feeder passage downstream from a metering portion of the directional control valve for sensing a first actuator stall condition. The main relief valve, when actuated, delivers fluid to a tank from a supply passage, through the metering portion of the directional control valve, and a relief passage including the main relief valve upon sensing an overload condition. The rate of flow through the relief passage is subject to limitation only by the metering portion of the direction control valve.

Abstract: A variable delivery pump has a pump control mechanism in a housing secured thereto for governing directional flow of fluid through the pump, the pump being adapted to be connected through a closed loop to a motor. A pressure compensating valve is provided in the housing for governing pressure output of the pump, and a pump control cylinder is provided for positioning a flow control cam of the pump in accordance with flow of fluid through the direction control valve and the pressure compensating valve. A cam plate is coaxially connected to a directional control rotatable valve spool of the direction control valve, the cam plate having an outer periphery that is continuously radially variable from a maximum radial point to a minimum radial point for either direction of rotation of the cam from the maximum radial point as the control spool is rotated in either direction from a normal position. The cam plate actuates a cam follower, which in turn actuates a slideable sleeve in the pressure compensating valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic system including at least one hydraulic cylinder is provided with an anti-cavitation and overload relief valve having a housing, a first chamber within the housing in fluid communication with one end of the cylinder, and a second chamber within the housing in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. A fluid passageway within the valve housing connects the first and second chambers. A movable valve assembly is positioned within the fluid passageway for operating in a first mode to block fluid flow between the first and second chambers, for operating in a second mode to permit fluid flow from the first chamber to the second chamber only when the pressure in the first chamber exceeds the pressure in the second chamber by a first predetermined amount, and for operating in a third mode to permit fluid flow from the second chamber to the first chamber only when the pressure in the second chamber exceeds the pressure in the first chamber by a second predetermined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a liquid and a gas in a tank includes a means for circulating the liquid in the tank and a sparge ring for dispersing gas into the tank. The circulating means includes a plurality of blades extending downwardly from a bottom surface of a disc so that rotation of the blades creates a suction area. The sparge ring introduces gas into the tank in a direction that bypasses the suction area to prevent the gas from flowing into the suction area. Preferably, the sparge ring has a discharge means with a radius that is larger than the distance from the center of the disc to the outer tips of the blades.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering a substance to a desired point and includes a delivery means responsive to n independent controls for delivering the substance to the desired point at a particular delivery rate, with n being equal to an integer greater than 1. An input signal is provided indicative of the desired delivery rate and means are provided for taking the n th root of the input signal and simultaneously communicating the resultant signal to each of the independent controls, whereby wide range control of the delivery means is effected.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system is provided including a fluid reservoir, a variable displacement pump having a fluid input in fluid communication with the reservoir and having a fluid output, and a fluid actuated displacement control mechanism for controlling the displacement of the pump. A control valve is placed in fluid communication with the fluid output of the variable displacement pump and with the reservoir and is adapted to control the flow of fluid to a fluid actuated device. The control valve includes means for developing a control pressure signal.

Abstract: A fluid horsepower control system is adapted to operate a fluid load by output of a variable delivery pump having a control cylinder governed by a pressure compensated variable orifice connected in multiple with a load sense control valve for causing fluid flow to be inversely proportional to pump discharge pressure and maintaining constant drop across the orifice, without requiring mechanical feedback from the variable delivery pump to the load sense control valve.

Abstract: A mechanical movement is provided for converting between linear and rotational movement and includes a frame adapted to move only along a linear path of travel. A first rotatable member is adapted to bear against the frame in such a manner that the first rotatable member is free to rotate with respect to the frame. A second rotatable member is adapted to bear against the first rotatable member in such a manner that the second rotatable member is free to rotate with respect to the first rotatable member in an eccentric fashion. A third rotatable member is affixed to the second rotatable member and is adapted to rotate therewith about a fixed axis. Means are provided for minimizing the sideward thrust on the first and second rotatable members so that linear movement of the frame will be converted to rotational movement of the third rotatable member and so that rotational movement of the third rotatable member will be converted to linear movement of the frame.

Abstract: A hydraulic handbrake control system for vehicles has a hand operable reversible fluid pump and a shuttle valve operable to circulate fluid in one direction for applying vehicle handbrakes, and in another direction for releasing vehicle handbrakes by governing flow of fluid alternately in application and release directions over application and lock release passages connected to a plurality of hydraulic handbrake cylinders. An improved lock control mechanism is associated with each of the cylinders having a check valve permitting passage of fluid from the application passage to the associated brake cylinder, but preventing release of fluid when handbrakes are applied.

Abstract: An improved gear pump includes seal plates having lubrication channels communicating between the low pressure side of the zone where the gear teeth intermesh and the shaft bearings. Lubricant flow is directed first through one bearing on one side of the pump and then back through the other bearing on that side to the pump inlet chamber. Placement of the lubrication channels on the low pressure side of the pump where the volume between intermeshing teeth is increasing ensures that flow reversals in the bearings and lubricant aeration are avoided; and renders bearing flow rate less sensitive to pressure so that relatively large flow channels may be used in the wear plate.

Abstract: A machine for mixing solids in portable containers, such as shipping containers, is provided with a drive station which has a mechanism for holding the containers at one end thereof and contains motors and associated drive elements for revolving the container continuously about a generally horizontal axis. The entire drive station is pivotable about another axis which is perpendicular to the axis about which the container and holding mechanism revolves by actuators which are spaced on the opposite side of the drive station from the holding mechanism. The arrangement makes efficient use of factory floor space and provides an opening in the holding mechanism almost entirely around the front of the machines so as to facilitate loading and unloading of containers.

Abstract: A force absorbing device and a force transmission device are provided including at least one member having a tubular configuration. A second member extends into one end of the tubular member and engages it in an interference fit to form a permanent joint. The tubular member and the second member have complementary bends at the permanent joint. The force absorbing device may include one or two such permanent joints. In the force transmission device, two such permanent joints are provided. The joints are made by cutting a tubular member to a desired length, press fitting a portion of a second member into one end of the tubular member to form a reinforced zone, and bending the second member and the tubular member at the reinforced zone to form the complementary bends and the permanent joint.

Abstract: A gauge movement includes a tapered plastic output shaft having a member disposed symetrically thereabout. The member has first and second ends and a conical inner surface disposed about and adapted to receive the tapered plastic output shaft. The conical inner surface extends substantially from the first end to the second end and defines a conical bore through the member. The bore has a first inside diameter at the first end and a second inside diameter, smaller than the first inside diameter, at the second end. The member is further provided with a stepped outer surface having a first outside diameter at the first end and a second outside diameter, larger than the first outside diameter, at the second end. The member further includes at least one slot for deforming the tapered plastic output shaft when the member is forced into engagement with the shaft, to thereby prevent relative rotational movement between the member and the shaft.

Abstract: An in-line blender is provided for mixing a single fluid or blending it with at least one other substance. The blender includes a conduit having a hollow interior disposed about a central axis and a shaft extending longitudinally through the conduit along the central axis. The blender also includes a plurality of stationary mixing stages extending in series along the central axis with each of the mixing stages defining a plurality of spiral channels within the hollow interior of the conduit. Each of the mixing stages includes a plurality of distinct segments extending in series along the central axis. The blender further includes means for adjusting both the angular and the axial position of each of the segments with respect to adjacent segments along the shaft.

Abstract: An in-line blender is provided for mixing a single fluid or blending it with at least one other substance. The blender includes a conduit having a hollow interior disposed about a central axis and a shaft extending longitudinally through the conduit along the central axis. The blender also includes a plurality of stationary mixing stages extending in series along the central axis with each of the mixing stages defining a plurality of spiral channels within the hollow interior of the conduit. Each of the mixing stages includes a plurality of distinct segments extending in series along the central axis. The blender further includes means for adjusting both the angular and the axial position of each of the segments with respect to adjacent segments along the shaft.

Abstract: A device is provided having means for defining a fluid passage which include an inlet section, a throat section, and an outlet section. The fluid passage decreases in size in the inlet section and increases in size in the outlet section. A plurality of flexible members extend axially along the entire length of the fluid passage and extend radially outwardly from the means defining the fluid passage. Means are provided for adjusting the radial position of the flexible members to vary the size of the fluid passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of divided solid material is provided having a chamber disposed about a generally vertical axis. Means are provided for introducing the divided solid material into the top portion of the chamber and further means are provided for introducing a pressurized gas into the bottom portion of the chamber. The apparatus includes first impeller means, supported by a first shaft adapted to rotate about the axis, and situated in the top portion of the chamber, for fluidizing the divided solid material in the top portion of the chamber to thereby prevent the divided solid material from clogging within the top portion of the chamber. Additionally, the apparatus includes second impeller means, spaced from the first impeller means, supported by a second shaft adapted to rotate about the axis, and situated in the bottom portion of the chamber, for radially dispersing the pressurized gas and for fluidizing the divided solid material in the bottom portion of the chamber.