Abstract: The present invention provides a valve actuator for a valve that includes a cylindrical body that is thermally nonconductive and configured to engage a valve stem. A cylindrical adjuster is positioned coaxially with the body. A shaft extends through the adjuster and the adjuster is axially movable between a first position and a second position such that when the adjuster is in the first position a first engaging means engages a second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body. When the adjuster is in the second position the adjuster is radially movable relative to the body. A spring is aligned with the shaft and configured to bias the adjuster toward the first position such that the first engaging means engages the second engaging means thereby fixing the position of the adjuster relative to the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an end cap sealing system for sealing an open piping end. The end cap sealing system includes an end cap having an end cap core. The end cap core has a generally cylindrical end with a circumferential groove formed around the exterior thereof and a closed end that defines a generally circular rim. An o-ring is positioned within the groove for sealingly engaging an interior wall of the piping open end. The end cap sealing system also includes a generally circular clamp having a channel formed therein for capturing the rim and a flange formed on the check valve. The o-ring being spaced-apart from the rim of the end cap core.

Abstract: A detachable pipe joint and a method of joining a pipe to a valve, coupling, fitting or the like without requiring a special tool is capable of withstanding the higher fluid pressure typically generated within a larger diameter pipe. The pipe joint includes a retainer body defining a passageway for receiving a pipe, a retainer nut defining a through passageway coaxial with the passageway of the retainer body and the pipe, and a retaining ring positioned within an open end of the retainer body between the retainer body and the pipe. Securing means on the retainer nut engage securing means on the retainer body to compress the retaining ring in a radial direction when the retainer nut is advanced in an axial direction towards the retainer body. The retaining ring has at least one, and preferably a plurality, of inwardly extending projections to retain the pipe within the pipe joint.

Abstract: A fill valve includes a stand pipe for positioning upright on the floor of a fluid reservoir, and a discharge tube secured at a selected position on the stand pipe by a locking collar. The discharge tube is adapted to move along the stand pipe to allow for height adjustment of the fill valve. A cap is positioned on and engages an end of the discharge tube to house a seating diaphragm, a stem, and a guide ring. The cap uses a snap-on feature that allows for extended fill height adjustment. A float is positioned around the discharge tube and is adapted to move along the discharge tube as the fluid level in the reservoir changes. The discharge tube includes a refill tube connection for filling the reservoir, and a connection for a thermal expansion device to be connected to an interior of the stand pipe.

Abstract: A universal valve adapted to utilize various types of tailpieces. The valve includes a body having a bore therethrough, a valve element positioned in the body and moveable between an open position which permits fluid flow through the bore and a closed position which prevents fluid flow through the bore, and at least one flange nut for releasably securing a tailpiece to an end of the body. The flange nut includes a recess that defines an inner surface adapted to engage the end of the body, an axially-facing annular inner face, and a tapered annular bearing surface disposed intermediate the inner surface and the inner face.

Abstract: A check valve module for use in a backflow preventer. The check valve module includes a housing, a valve element positioned in the housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position, and a spring retainer. The spring retainer includes at least one outwardly extending projection adapted to be received and secured in a recess positioned on an end of the housing. A spring is positioned between the spring retainer and the valve element for biasing the valve element towards the closed position and biasing the spring retainer to a locking position where the projection is secured in the recess.

Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow, and including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of the valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof. At least one valve assembly is disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction at a predetermined flow rate, and axially moveable towards and into sealing engagement with the valve seat in response to a downstream fluid flow at a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: A cover seal system for a valve housing with an access port, such as those found on backflow prevention devices. The invention generally includes a generally U-shaped gasket positioned on a peripheral edge of an access port located in a lateral wall of a valve housing and an arcuate cover for closing the access port. The geometry of the arcuate cover creates a clamping force which is more uniform across a surface of the gasket enabling the cover to seal at an elevated test pressure. The gasket is made relatively hard to prevent extrusion from the joint between the valve housing and the cover under elevated pressures.

Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow, and including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of the valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof. At least one valve assembly is disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction at a predetermined flow rate, and axially moveable towards and into sealing engagement with the valve seat in response to a downstream fluid flow at a flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A tempering valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The tempering valve has first and second thermal valves, each of which mixes hot and cold water flows to produce a tempered flow at a selected temperature. the mixed flow from the first thermal valve bypasses through the second thermal valve. A small valve assembly is responsive to the flow rate therethrough. At low flow rates, direct hot and cold water flow paths to the second thermal valve are blocked. At or above a selected transition flow rate, the small valve assembly opens to permit direct hot and cold water flows from hot and cold water inlets to the second thermal valve. The tempering valve may include a failure protection valve which shuts off all flow in case of a cold water supply failure.

Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A water supply failure protection valve is connected to hot and cold water supplies. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of cold water supply pressure to shut off all water flow. The failure protection valve is responsive to the loss of hot water supply pressure to permit cold water flow through both a cold water flow path and a hot water flow path so as to ensure a substantial flow of water to a downstream fixture. The supply failure protection valve may be integrated with a thermal mixing valve to provide water at a preselected temperature.

Abstract: A swing check valve for controlling fluid flow, including a valve housing having a port for fluid flow therethrough. A valve assembly is disposed within the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough, and includes a valve seat communicating with the port. A clapper is pivotally mounted in the valve housing and moves between open and closed positions. A lever arm is pivotally mounted on the rocker arm for providing leverage against the rocker arm for positioning the clapper and rocker arm within the valve housing. A spring is captured in the valve housing, and normally urges the clapper into the closed position. A first pivot is carried by the spring for permitting unattached pivotal movement of the spring relative to the cover. A second pivot is carried by the spring for permitting the spring to pivot within the valve housing responsive to movement of the clapper.

Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of said valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof and at least one valve assembly disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing, and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction, axially moveable toward the valve seat in response to fluid flow in an upstream direction, and in sealing engagement against the valve seat in the absence of fluid flow.

Abstract: A test cock apparatus with freeze protection capability for controlling fluid pressure and flow in a backflow preventer valve, including a valve housing having interior walls defining a chamber therein and including an inlet port and a discharge port communicating with said chamber for permitting fluid flow therethrough. A temperature-responsive freeze protection element is positioned within the chamber and is axially moveable between a closed position in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the valve housing for preventing fluid flow through said discharge port, and an open position out of sealing engagement with the walls of the valve housing for permitting passage of fluid through the discharge port. The test cock apparatus also includes a test cock communicating with the chamber of the valve housing for monitoring fluid pressure therein.

Abstract: A temperature-actuated mixing valve for controlling outlet temperature in a fluid flow system including a valve housing having first and second inlets for introducing first and second respective supply fluids and an outlet. A shuttle assembly is positioned in the housing. A valve member is mounted within the housing and responds to the temperature of the supply fluids to vary their mixture ratio to dispense fluid at an outflow temperature. A shuttle member is positioned within the valve member, is moveable responsive to supply fluid temperature variation, and includes an elongate grip pad for manual removal of the shuttle member from the housing. A thermal actuator converts thermal energy into mechanical movement using a piston. A spring maintains the valve and shuttle members in a stationary condition relative to each other and permits movement of the shuttle member relative to the valve member for accommodating movement of the piston when the valve member has reached its limit of travel.

Abstract: A swing check valve for controlling fluid flow, including a valve housing having a port for fluid flow therethrough with a removable cover for accessing an interior of the valve housing. A valve assembly is positioned within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow through the valve housing. The valve assembly includes a valve seat in fluid communication with the port and a clapper mounted in the valve housing on a pivotally-mounted rocker arm and moveable between an open position responsive to fluid flow in a flow direction and a closed position sealed against the valve seat responsive to fluid flow in an opposite, backflow direction. A spring is captured in the valve housing by the removable cover without attachment to either the cover or valve housing, and normally urges the clapper into the closed position sealed against the valve seat.

Abstract: A temperature-actuated mixing valve for controlling outlet temperature in a fluid flow system including a valve housing having first and second fluid supply inlets for introducing first and second respective supply fluids and a fluid outlet for dispensing a fluid at a predetermined outflow temperature. The mixing valve includes a shuttle assembly positioned in the housing. The shuttle assembly includes a valve member mounted for movement within the housing responsive to the temperature of the supply fluids to vary the mixture ratio of the first and second supply fluids as required to dispense fluid at the predetermined outflow temperature. A shuttle member is positioned within the valve member and is moveable as a unit therewith within a predetermined range of motion responsive to supply fluid temperature variation. A thermal actuator is provided of the type which converts thermal energy into mechanical movement by movement of a piston.

Abstract: A pitless adapter assembly for a water well system or the like operable by a pump suspended in the well below the pitless adapter assembly to pump underground water upwardly through a plastic supply pipe to a feed pipe through a fitting in a well casing, and including a housing having a generally right-angle flow path therein defined by an housing inlet and a housing outlet for interconnecting the supply pipe with the feed pipe through the well casing. The housing includes an integrally-formed eyelet for receiving and retaining a safety cable to which the pump is suspended in the well and a plurality of annular serrations formed in the walls of the housing surrounding the housing inlet for receiving and retaining an upper end of the feed pipe. Interior walls of the housing defining the flow path extend between the housing inlet and the housing outlet and are curved to provide right-angle turn which reduces turbulence in the water flowing through the housing from the supply pipe to the feed pipe.