Abstract: A coupling system for a fluid module (100) of an expandable fluid distribution system is provided. The coupling system includes a first coupling side (104) of the fluid module (100) with a female coupling part comprising an aperture (105) and a shoulder (108) and a male coupling part comprising a coupling tab (106) extending from the base (101). The coupling system also includes a second coupling side (204) of the fluid module (100) with a female coupling part comprising a slot (206) sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the coupling tab (106) of an adjoining fluid module and a male coupling part comprising a fluid stem (205) and an engagement rim (208) sized and shaped to engage the shoulder (108) of an adjoining fluid module.

Abstract: A proportional valve (100) is provided that includes a movable armature (104) within a body (102), with the armature (104) including a poppet (107) and with the body (102) including one or more inflow ports (135) and an outflow bore (123), a valve seat (120) located on a projecting valve seat structure (119), with the valve seat (120) including a valve orifice (130) in fluid communication with the one or more inflow ports (135) and the outflow bore (123), and a flow flange (116) extending from the poppet (107) and including a flow flange wall (117) that surrounds the valve seat (120), forming a flange inflow channel (129) of a predetermined cross-sectional inflow area between the flow flange wall (117) and the valve seat structure (119), wherein the poppet (107) moves between closed and opened positions without changing the predetermined cross-sectional inflow area provided by the inflow channel (129).

Abstract: A solenoid (30) is provided. The solenoid (30) includes a magnetic core (304). The solenoid (30) also includes a pole piece (305) positioned substantially coaxially with the magnetic core (304). An over-molded component (303) is provided that is over-molded around at least a portion of the magnetic core (304) and at least a portion of the pole piece (305).

Abstract: A multiple-stage valve system (200) including a pilot fluid supply (209) and a process fluid supply (222) is provided. The multiple-stage valve system includes a first pilot valve (201) including a first port (206) in fluid communication with the pilot fluid supply and a second port (207) selectively in fluid communication with the first port. The multiple-stage valve system also comprises a second pilot valve (202). The second pilot valve can include a first port (213) in fluid communication with the process fluid supply and a second port (214) selectively in fluid communication with the first port. The second pilot valve also includes a first pressure-actuated biasing member (217) in fluid communication with the process fluid supply and a second pressure-actuated biasing member (218) in fluid communication with the second port of the first pilot valve. The multiple-stage valve system also comprises a main control valve (203).

Abstract: A proportional valve (100) is provided that includes a movable armature (104) within a body (102), with the armature (104) including a poppet (107) and with the body (102) including one or more inflow ports (135) and an outflow bore (123), a valve seat (120) located on a projecting valve seat structure (119), with the valve seat (120) including a valve orifice (130) in fluid communication with the one or more inflow ports (135) and the outflow bore (123), and a flow flange (116) extending from the poppet (107) and including a flow flange wall (117) that surrounds the valve seat (120), forming a flange inflow channel (129) of a predetermined cross-sectional inflow area between the flow flange wall (117) and the valve seat structure (119), wherein the poppet (107) moves between closed and opened positions without changing the predetermined cross-sectional inflow area provided by the inflow channel (129).

Abstract: A modular valve assembly (500) is provided. The modular valve assembly (500) comprises a first valve assembly plate (401) and a second valve assembly plate (402). One or more modular valves (200, 300) are positioned between the first valve assembly plate (401) and the second valve assembly plate (402). The first valve assembly plate (401) and the second valve assembly plate (402) are adapted to align the one or more modular valves (200, 300) in more than one configuration.

Abstract: A butterfly valve (100) is provided according to the invention. The butterfly valve (100) includes a valve body (103) including a valve bore (109) passing through the valve body (103) and a shaft bore (112), a valve shaft (121) located in the shaft bore (112) and extending through the valve bore (109), a thermal conductor ring (156) fitted over an end of the valve shaft (121), and at least one compression ring (152) mounted to the thermal conductor ring (156) and located within the shaft bore (112). The at least one compression ring (152) fits partially into and extends partially out of a corresponding at least one ring groove (153) in the thermal conductor ring (156), with the at least one compression ring (152) substantially sealing the thermal conductor ring (156) to an actuator-side shaft bore (112A).

Abstract: A blow molding valve (400) is provided. The blow molding valve (400) is adapted to be positioned within a blow molding valve block (401) including a control pressure chamber (408), a process gas chamber (450), and a piston bore (413). The blow molding valve (400) includes a control piston (402) movable within the control pressure chamber (408) and a portion of the piston bore (413), the control piston (402) being in fluid communication with a control pressure supply. A diaphragm (405) is provided and positioned between the process gas chamber (450) and the control piston (402) such that the diaphragm provides a fluid tight barrier between the process gas chamber (450) and the control piston (402).

Abstract: A fluid operated actuator (100) is provided. The fluid operated actuator (100) includes a cylinder body (101) and a piston (102) movable within the cylinder body (101). The piston (102) defines a first chamber (105) and a second chamber (106). The fluid operated actuator (100) can include a fluid inlet (107) formed in the first chamber (105). A bleed port (110) can be formed to provide fluid communication between the first chamber (105) and the second chamber (106).

Abstract: A high-temperature butterfly valve (100) is provided. The high-temperature butterfly valve (100) includes a valve assembly (110), a valve actuator (123) configured to couple to the valve assembly (110), with the valve actuator (123) including an actuator shaft (126) configured to couple to a valve shaft (121) of the valve assembly (110), and a fluid cooling system (225) configured to flow a cooling fluid through at least a portion of the valve actuator (123).

Abstract: A fluid operated actuator (100) is provided. The fluid operated actuator (100) includes a body (101) forming a piston bore (201). A piston (111) is movable within the piston bore (201). The fluid operated actuator (100) also includes a valve unit (105) coupled to the body (101) and including a fluid inlet port (217), a fluid exhaust port (220), and a valve member (214) configured to selectively open a fluid flow path between the fluid inlet port (217) and the piston bore (201) and between the exhaust port (220) and the piston bore (201). The fluid operated actuator (100) can also include a control unit (106) coupled to the body (101) and the valve unit (105). The control unit (106) can include a pilot input port (317a) in fluid communication with the fluid inlet port (217). The control unit (106) can also include first and second pilot output ports (317b, 317c) in fluid communication with the valve member (214).

Abstract: A butterfly valve (100) is provided. The butterfly valve (100) includes a valve body (103) including a valve bore (109) passing through the valve body (103), with the valve bore (109) including an upstream valve bore portion (109U) and a downstream valve bore portion (109D), a shaft bore (112), a valve shaft (121) located in the shaft bore (112) and extending substantially across the valve bore (109), and a valve flap (107) affixed to the valve shaft (121) and configured to be rotated by the valve shaft (121). The valve flap (107) is configured to rotate between a closed orientation blocking the valve bore (109) and an open orientation. The valve flap (107) is affixed on an upstream valve bore portion side of the valve shaft (121), wherein incoming fluid presses the valve flap (107) against the valve shaft (121).

Abstract: The invention relates to a compensation cylinder unit that acts as a drive for the electrode arms of a welding device. The unit comprises a cylinder and at least two pressure chambers, which are sub-divided by a piston assembly and which can be alternately supplied with a pressurized medium by means of a valve assembly for controlling the drive displacement. According to the invention, the valve assembly comprises a proportional valve which can be controlled by a control unit, first in accordance with harmonized path signals that represent the position of the piston assembly and then by pressure signals that respectively represent the pressure in the pressure chambers, in such a way that the difference between the pressures that prevail in the pressure chambers in a predeterminable position of the piston assembly assumes a constant value that represents the weight compensation force of at least one electrode arm.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system (200) is provided. The pressure monitoring system (200) includes a housing (201) and a fluid port (202) formed in the housing (201). The pressure monitoring system (200) also includes a first pressure switch (204) positioned within at least a portion of the housing (201). The first pressure switch (204) is in fluid communication with the fluid port (202). The pressure monitoring system (200) also includes a second pressure switch (205) positioned within at least a portion of the housing (201). The second pressure switch (205) is also in fluid communication with the fluid port (202).

Abstract: A solenoid (30) is provided. The solenoid (30) includes a magnetic core (304). The solenoid (30) also includes a pole piece (305) positioned substantially coaxially with the magnetic core (304). An over-molded component (303) is provided that is over-molded around at least a portion of the magnetic core (304) and at least a portion of the pole piece (305).

Abstract: A piston support portion (146) for a piston assembly (140) of a rodless cylinder (100) is provided according to the invention. The piston support portion (146) includes a support body (147) substantially matching a shape of the piston assembly (140) and configured to be positioned between a piston center portion (126) and a piston end portion (160). The piston support portion (146) further includes a plurality of guidance portions (152) extending from a circumference of the support body (147). The plurality of guidance portions (152) are configured to contact or nearly contact a piston bore (107) of the rodless cylinder (100) and guide the piston assembly (140) as it reciprocates in the piston bore (107).

Abstract: An actuation system (200) is provided. The actuation system (200) includes a fluid operated actuator (211) and a control valve (230). The control valve (230) is movable between a first position and a second position and is adapted to open a fluid flow path from a pressurized fluid supply (240) to the actuator (211) when the control valve (230) is in the first position. A diverting fluid conduit (246) is provided that is adapted to divert a portion of the pressurized fluid supplied to the actuator (211) when the control valve (230) is in the first position. The pressurized fluid diverted through fluid conduit (246) biases the control valve (230) towards a second position.

Abstract: A one piece double membrane diaphragm including an upper (308) and lower diaphragm membrane (310) joined together by a central section (312) is provided. The upper diaphragm membrane (308) seals against a top sealing surface (222) when the diaphragm is in a first position. The lower diaphragm membrane (310) seals against a bottom sealing surface (224) when the diaphragm is in a second position. The diaphragm may also be made from a resilient material and shaped in such a way as to create a spring force holding the diaphragm into a default position in the valve.

Abstract: A coupling system for a fluid module (100) of an expandable fluid distribution system is provided. The coupling system includes a first coupling side (104) of the fluid module (100) with a female coupling part comprising an aperture (105) and a shoulder (108) and a male coupling part comprising a coupling tab (106) extending from the base (101). The coupling system also includes a second coupling side (204) of the fluid module (100) with a female coupling part comprising a slot (206) sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the coupling tab (106) of an adjoining fluid module and a male coupling part comprising a fluid stem (205) and an engagement rim (208) sized and shaped to engage the shoulder (108) of an adjoining fluid module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an end cap for a rodless cylinder (101) provided with a sealing strip (110). The end cap comprises an end cap body (102, 104) and a channel (105). The end cap body (102, 104) is configured to sealingly fit to a cylinder body (101). The channel (105) is formed in the end cap body (102, 104) and adapted to receive the sealing strip (110). The end cap includes a clamping lever (15) pivotally affixed to the end cap body (102, 104), with the clamping lever (15) including a clamping surface (90) that clamps the sealing strip (110) within the channel (105) when the clamping lever (15) is moved to a substantially closed position.