Abstract: The test fixture of the present invention comprises a pair of clamping bars/jaws, matched to accommodate an inflation port, or a pressure supply/sensing nozzle. The clamping jaws further comprise a layer of leak proof crushable material, for helping retain the item being tested. When the jaws are activated, the jaws and leak proof crushable material serve to effectively seal the package on the remaining side, and about the pressure supply/sensing nozzle.

Abstract: The riser line shutoff valve where oxygen flows into the valve from the inlet and through an orifice in the piston. This orifice creates differential pressure between the upstream and downstream side of the piston. When the differential pressure across the piston exceeds the spring load and friction between the piston and the valve body, the piston moves to the left and seats on the brass probe in the conical area of the piston, preventing the flow of oxygen. The valve will not open until the upstream pressure is removed. The base of the brass probe has holes, allowing oxygen to flow out of the outlet port when the valve is open. The probe is threaded into the probe base allowing for valve adjustment for proper operation. The spring simultaneously serves the functions of retaining the probe base and providing a piston load to keep the piston open until the critical flow rate is reached.

Abstract: A reliable and economical apparatus for relieving pressure in a large aircraft cabin oxygen supply, where multiple oxygen cylinders are used concurrently. A series-parallel array of valves actuated by changes in differential pressure between the oxygen supply and the ambient cabin atmosphere provides overpressure relief The series connection of the valves reduces the risk of open-valve failures, while the parallel connection of sets of series-connected valves reduces the risk of closed-valve failures. The small number of valves used in its design reduces the cost of the apparatus. The series-parallel structure is optionally extended to larger numbers of valves to facilitate the use of less-expensive valves and supporting components without loss of reliability.

Abstract: An improved manually-operable outlet valve for a tank of pressurized gas, especially a tank in a pressurized breathing oxygen system in an aircraft. The valve has a valve body conventionally attachable to a standard oxygen tank. A rotatable valve stem is disposed within a threaded port in the valve body to open and close a poppet valve that mates with a seat machined in the valve body. A torque limiter comprising a stack of Belville washers is disposed between the valve stem and the poppet to prevent over-torque of the valve upon closing of the poppet against the seat. A collar surrounds the stem and rides axially with the valve stem during actuation of the valve. A lever and an electrical microswitch are mounted on the valve body.

Abstract: An inflation valve has a valve housing having an inner wall, a cylindrical inner chamber terminating in a gas outlet, and a gas inlet bore providing fluid communication between the inner chamber and a pressurized gas source. A piston enclosed in the inner chamber has at one end a head directed toward the gas outlet and at the opposite end a valve actuator connector. The piston further has a gas inlet seal, positioned between the head and the actuator connector, that releasably seals the gas inlet bore from the inner chamber when the piston is in a normal, non-actuated position. A valve actuator connected to the actuator connector operates to pull the piston, thereby moving the gas inlet seal away from the gas inlet bore and putting the inner chamber in fluid communication with the gas inlet bore and pressurized gas source.

Abstract: An improved pressure relief device (40) for a pressure vessel (42) includes a thin-walled cylindrical tube (41) mounted on the pressure vessel such that the interiors of the vessel and tube continuoulsy communicate with one another. A flat (50) is ground, or otherwise machined, on the tube outer surface to form a weakened wall portion (54) of reduced wall thickness. The vessel is first filled with pressurized fluid through the tube. Thereafter, the remote marginal end portion of the tube is crimped together, and the remote end (44) thereof brazed (53) to hermetically seal the same. The weakened portion is so dimensioned and configured that, should the pressure differential across the tube wall exceed the burst pressure of the tube, the tube will rupture predictably along a longitudinally-extending line (55) in the outer surface of the weakened portion.