Abstract: Valve assemblies which comprise a valve housing; an inner valve element; an outer valve element spaced apart from the inner valve element; a valve stem on which both the inner valve element and the outer valve element are located; a portion of the valve stem between the inner valve element and the outer valve element is threaded; and a protective element located within the valve housing and covering the threaded portion of the valve stem.

Abstract: Wave mode converters, and methods of using wave mode converters are disclosed. The wave mode converters include a radial waveguide including a generally disk-like structure to receive a radially propagating field derived from rectangular TE10 waveguide mode, and a body including a plurality of spaced apart apertures.

Abstract: Wave mode converters, and methods of using wave mode converters are disclosed. The wave mode converters include a radial waveguide including a generally disk-like structure to receive a radially propagating field derived from rectangular TE10 waveguide mode, and a body including a plurality of spaced apart apertures.

Abstract: A tank gage assembly is provided including a tank gage antenna operatively couplable to a tank gage; a cover coupled to the tank gage antenna; a gage hatch flange including an opening and being coupled to the cover and structured to be coupled to a tank; and a hinge having a first hinge member secured to the gage hatch flange, and a second hinge member secured to the cover, the hinge being movable between a first position in which the cover is spaced apart from the opening and a second position in which the antenna and cover substantially cover the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve the safety of static line parachute jumping are disclosed. According to the method, a safety device situated on a jumper continuously or periodically senses the distance of the jumper from the jumping platform (e.g. an aircraft). The safety device compares this distance to a predetermined distance threshold. When the distance between the jumper and the jumping platform reaches or exceeds the predetermined distance threshold, the safety device enables the reserve parachute deployment device which automatically deploys the reserve parachute if at such time the jumper's rate-of-descent is at or greater than a predetermined rate-of-descent threshold. Thus, the apparatus enables its reserve parachute deployment portion when the jumper is at least a predetermined distance from the jumping platform.

Abstract: A combination noise suppressor and air filter fits closely around a pressure regulator for milking machines, in such tight-fitting sealed relationship that little or no air or dirt can enter except through a relatively large diameter washable air filter which can be removed and cleaned even while the milking machine is running. The air passing inwardly through such filter also passes through the bars of a cage which support the filter against collapse. A noise suppressor, formed of a laminate of rigid and soft synthetic resin, is provided, and has apertures therethrough through which air passes downwardly after entering through the air filter. After thus passing downwardly, the air is in a chamber that contains the inlet ports of the pressure regulator portion of the combination, the upper wall of the chamber having convolutions which cooperate with sound-absorbing side and bottom walls of the chamber to absorb sound that is generated when air enters into the regulator.

Abstract: A motor assembly useful for rotating a drum comprising: a hub adapted to be removably secured to the drum so that the drum rotates in response to rotation of the hub, the hub including a first outer surface adapted to face toward the drum and a second outer surface adapted to face away from the drum; a motor comprising a spring element having a first end adapted to be secured to the hub and being in aligned position relative to the hub to be wound around the hub between the first and second outer surfaces to apply a force to the hub which force urges the hub to rotate in one direction; and a housing adapted to hold the hub and the motor in aligned position substantially without frictional contact with the first and second outer surfaces of the hub.

Abstract: A valve assembly, particularly a breather valve assembly for fluid storage tanks, is described. This assembly comprises a valve housing including a fluid conduit and a valve seat defining a fluid outlet of the fluid conduit, and a pressure pallet sized and adapted to move away from the valve seat in response to an increased fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. A seal is provided and acts to effectively seal the fluid outlet against fluid flow from said fluid conduit when the seal is in contact with the valve seat. The seal which includes first and second flexible seal elements which are unsecured to the pressure pallet at or near their respective outer peripheries, is structured so that fluid from the fluid conduit is in the space between the first and second seal elements when the seal means is in contact with the valve seat.