Abstract: A gasket retainer is provided for a fluid coupling. The gasket retainer is machined or molded from plastic, and defines a short tubular shape with a gasket mounting end and an opposed coupling mounting end. A positioning flange extends inwardly intermediate the opposed ends of the retainer. Portions of the retainer between the positioning flange and the gasket retaining end define a gasket seat with a chamfered entry for securely receiving a gasket therein. Portions of the retainer between the positioning flange and the coupling mounting end define a coupling seat dimensioned to grippingly engage the coupling. The coupling mounting end of the retainer may include slits to facilitate the resilient deflection of the retainer that is required for secure gripping of the coupling component, and to permit leak testing. The retainer may be transparent to permit visual checking for the presence of the gasket.

Abstract: A gasket assembly is provided for fluid couplings. The gasket assembly includes a gasket having an outer circumferential surface including arc segments defining a minor outside diameter and a plurality of ears projecting outwardly from the arc segments to define a major outside diameter for the gasket. The gasket assembly further includes a split cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of slots disposed and dimensioned for loosely receiving the ears of the gasket. The sleeve and the gasket are dimensioned such that the ears project outwardly beyond the tube to define gripping protrusions that facilitate mounting and removal of the gasket assembly onto the coupling component.

Abstract: A fluid actuator having a piston, a pair of springs, a pair of cams, and a pair of cam followers mounted in a housing. A normally open valve is coupled to the actuator output shaft for actuation. When fluid pressure is applied to the piston, the springs are compressed, and the cam followers are moved down to permit the cams to rotate away from each other, thereby reducing the force on the actuator output shaft and permitting the valve to open. When fluid pressure is removed from the piston, the springs expand pushing the piston and the cam followers up, thereby rotating the cams toward each other and forcing the actuator output shaft against the valve stem to close the valve.