Abstract: The present invention provides a filtering system including an impermeable extension for a filtering element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve with different threads for preventing rotation of and locking a bonnet with the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid level system with a blowdown feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid level system with a blowdown feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid level gage and an illuminator therefor. One embodiment of the liquid level gage includes a housing, a liquid column, an illuminator, and a power supply. The housing has a first or front end and a second or rear end. The liquid column includes a plurality of liquid column bodies connected to the front end of the housing. The liquid column also includes a first or front port assembly and a second or rear port assembly connected to each liquid column body. The liquid column is connected, either directly or indirectly, to a vessel. The illuminator includes a plurality of directed light source assemblies connected to the rear end of the housing. Half of the directed light source assemblies emit a first color light and half of the directed light source assemblies emit a second color light. A pair of bi-color directed light source assemblies (i.e.

Abstract: An improved boiler water-level controller. According to one aspect of the present invention, a positive blowdown signal is presented to indicate to the operator that the alarm probe is in steam; performing blowdown until this indicator turns on helps ensure that the alarm probe is working properly. According to another aspect of the present invention, the controller uses a novel methodology of sensing water level using conductivity probes. An embodiment of this methodology uses the charging and discharging of a capacitor through a resistive value to sense the presence of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting and cross-checking faulty sensors in liquid level indicators and controllers. A liquid level indicator and controller in which one embodiment of the present invention operates includes a control unit for controlling the other components of the liquid level indicator and controller, sensors electrically connected to the control unit for sensing the level of a liquid in a vessel, and an indicating device electrically connected to the control unit for displaying the liquid level. The control unit includes a monitor and a fault detector. In operation, the liquid level indicator and controller has two (2) basic modes. The first mode is a monitor mode. In this mode, the liquid level indicator and controller, under the control of the monitor, senses the liquid level in the vessel using the sensors and displays the liquid level on the indicating device. The second mode is a fault detection mode.

Abstract: A magnetic float assembly is provided, comprising (i) a generally cylindrical paramagnetic (e.g. stainless steel) float enclosure having first and second closed end portions located at opposite ends of a longitudinal axis running the length thereof, and having a generally cylindrical interior surface located between the end portions, (ii) a first annular magnet disposed within the float enclosure at a first location along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to the generally cylindrical interior surface, and (iii) and a second annular magnet disposed within the float enclosure at a second location along the longitudinal axis and having an outer surface which substantially corresponds to the generally cylindrical interior surface. The first and second annular magnets are separated by a paramagnetic (e.g. aluminum or titanium) spacer.

Abstract: Lighting assemblies are provided for visual indicators which indicate the level of fluid in a container. One such assembly comprises a backlighting assembly for a visual fluid level indicator having front and rear transparent viewing windows for viewing the level of a fluid contained therein, comprising (i) a substantially flat fiber optic panel located proximate the rear transparent viewing window; (ii) an attachment mechanism for attaching the substantially flat fiber optic panel to the visual fluid indicator proximate the rear transparent viewing window; and (iii) an illumination source optically coupled to the substantially flat fiber optic panel. The illumination source is a gas filled light source operating at less than 25 volts A.C. which is enclosed in a waterproof and explosion-proof enclosure, and which is optically coupled to the fiber optic panel by a fiber optic light cable.

Abstract: Lighting assemblies are provided for visual indicators which indicate the level of fluid in a container. One such assembly comprises a backlighting assembly for a visual fluid level indicator having front and rear transparent viewing windows for viewing the level of a fluid contained therein, comprising (i) a substantially flat fiber optic panel located proximate the rear transparent viewing window; (ii) an attachment mechanism for attaching the substantially flat fiber optic panel to the visual fluid indicator proximate the rear transparent viewing window; and (iii) an illumination source optically coupled to the substantially flat fiber optic panel. The illumination source is a gas filled light source operating at less than 25 volts A.C. which is enclosed in a waterproof and explosion-proof enclosure, and which is optically coupled to the fiber optic panel by a fiber optic light cable.

Abstract: A point liquid level monitoring system includes a sensor removeably mounted to a liquid level device. The sensor is designed to direct a microwave signal from a transmitter through a window in the liquid level device. In one embodiment, the microwave signal is reflected off a surface in the device opposite the window and collected by a receiver. In another embodiment, the microwave signal is collected by a receiver mounted onto a second window opposite the first window through which the microwave signal is transmitted. When liquid is present in the liquid level device at or above the level of the transmitter and receiver, the microwave signal is attenuated as it passes through the liquid. Sensor electronics compare the received signal to a predetermined threshold level and provide an output indicating the presence or absence of liquid at the transmitter/receiver level.

Abstract: A sight flow apparatus includes a body designed to be connected in-line to fluid pipes within a manufacturing plant or other facility. One or more window assemblies are removably mounted on the sides or ends of the body to allow visual inspection of fluid flow through the body cavity. A fluid indicator device i.e., a flapper assembly or a rotor assembly, is mounted within the body cavity and supported by an axle extending between the windows, between the body itself, or between a pair of alignment washers located within the body. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of planar blades which are interconnected to form generally radially extending vanes. An enlarged indicator cap is coupled to each end of the rotor assembly to improve visual examination of fluid flow effects, to lock the interconnected blades together and to prevent the blades from contacting the windows, alignment washer or body.

Abstract: A sanitary sight indicator for viewing the contents of a production process is provided. The sanitary sight indicator includes a body, an optical unit, and a sanitary connection between the body and the optical unit. The body includes a process-interfacing portion which is adapted to interface with the production process and an optical-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical unit. The optical unit includes a viewing portion for viewing the contents of the production process and a body-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical-interfacing portion of the body. The sanitary connection includes a sanitary gasket having a substantially flat annular portion, and first and second annular projections which are approximately semi-circular in cross-sectional shape and which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the annular portion. The sanitary connection further includes a sanitary gasket-groove in each of the optical unit-interfacing portion and the body-interfacing portion.

Abstract: A sight flow product includes a body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet and fluid outlet are designed to be connected in-line to fluid pipes within a manufacturing plant or other facility. A cartridge can be located within and conform substantially to a cavity in the body. One or more window assemblies are removably mounted on sides or ends of the body to retain and locate the cartridge within the body cavity. The cartridge can be removed from the body and replaced when either of the window assemblies has been removed. Each of the window assemblies includes a transparent window to allow visual inspection of fluid flow through the sight flow product. A fluid sensing device e.g., a flapper, rotor or condensation drip tube, can be mounted within the cartridge by connection to the cartridge itself or by connection to opposed alignment washers in the window assemblies to facilitate visually inspecting the fluid flow in the sight flow product.

Abstract: A sanitary sight indicator for viewing the contents of a production process is provided. The sanitary sight indicator includes a body, an optical unit, and a sanitary connection between the body and the optical unit. The body includes a process-interfacing portion which is adapted to interface with the production process and an optical-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical unit. The optical unit includes a viewing portion for viewing the contents of the production process and a body-interfacing portion which interfaces with the optical-interfacing portion of the body. The sanitary connection includes a sanitary gasket having a substantially flat annular portion, and first and second annular projections which are approximately semi-circular in cross-sectional shape and which extend outwardly from opposite sides of the annular portion. The sanitary connection further includes a sanitary gasket-groove in each of the optical unit-interfacing portion and the body-interfacing portion.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved temperature responsive control arrangement. It includes a valve member, a chamber, and a bellows disposed in said chamber for controlling the position of the valve member in response to the temperature of fluid flowing through the chamber. The arrangement is particularly suited for use in steam traps. There are surfaces in the chamber for distributing fluid flowing through the chamber around the bellows to promote rapid expansion and contraction of said bellows with changes in temperature of the fluid flow through said chamber. The chamber has an outlet centrally located at one end thereof, and the distributing surfaces include a plurality of fluid inlets at the end of the chamber opposite from the outlet, the fluid inlets being distributed about the periphery of the chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a housing in which any one of a plurality of steam trap valve assemblies may be installed and which may be machined to accommodate a plurality of different inlet and outlet conduit configurations. The housing includes a main body through which a central cylindrical passage extends. Flanges extend radially outward from the main body at opposite ends of this passage and serve to connect the main body with the top and bottom members. The main body also includes a pair of additional passages which are parallel to the central cylindrical passage and a pair of bosses which extend radially outward. The top and bottom are made from identical castings and each comprises a circular portion adapted to mate with a flange on the main body and a boss extending diametrically from the perimeter of the flanges across at least past its center. The bosses on both the main body and the top and bottom may be machined to provide a plurality of different fluid flow paths and inlet and outlet connections.