Abstract: A proportional actuator valve (110) adapted for position control and position adjustment is provided. The proportional actuator valve (110) includes a valve housing (112) having at least two chambers (324, 325). The chambers are separated by one or more sealing members (322). A valve slider (113) is provided that is movable in the valve housing (112). One or more grooves (329) are formed in the valve slider (113). The one or more grooves (329) pneumatically communicate with the two chambers (324, 325) of the valve housing (112). One or more bores (327, 328) are also formed in the valve slider (113). The one or more bores (327, 328) pneumatically communicate with the one or more grooves (329). Movement of the valve slider (113) relative to the valve housing (112) provides a pneumatic valve action.

Abstract: A method for balancing an electrode arm (101) of a welding device (100) is provided. The welding device (100) includes a first electrode arm (101) and a second electrode arm (102) movable with respect to one another and coupled to a reference arm (30). The welding device (100) also includes a compensation actuator (106) coupled to the first electrode arm (101) and to the reference arm (30) to balance a weight of the first electrode arm (101) and including first and second fluid chambers. The method comprises a step of adjusting a differential pressure between the first and second fluid chambers of the compensation actuator (106). The method further comprises a step of determining a differential balance pressure required to balance the weight of the first electrode arm (101) when the first electrode arm (101) moves by more than a threshold amount.

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: 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 piston portion (102) for a piston assembly (100) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The piston portion (102) includes a substantially cylindrical head portion (103) including a mating face (105). The piston portion (102) further includes a substantially annular insert chamber (126) formed in the mating face (105) and adapted for receiving a portion of a substantially annular insert (120).

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator system (200) is provided according to the invention. The system (200) comprises a pneumatic actuator (100) including an actuator component (108), with the pneumatic actuator (100) being configured to include a first actuation phase and a second actuation phase. The system (200) further comprises one or more feedback sensors configured to provide one or more actuation feedback values, an actuator valve (213) coupled to and providing a first pneumatic pressure and a second pneumatic pressure to the pneumatic actuator (100), and a controller (240) coupled to the one or more feedback sensors and the actuator valve (213). The controller (240) is configured to receive the one or more actuation feedback values from the one or more feedback sensors and control the actuator valve (213) in order to actuate the actuator component (108) according to an actuation profile and according to the one or more actuation feedback values.

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 pneumatic actuator (100) is provided according to the invention. The actuator (100) comprises an actuator body (102) and a piston rod (108) extending from the actuator body (102). The piston rod (108) moves over an actuation span. The actuation span comprises a first stroke span that is traversed by the piston rod (108) at a first actuation speed and a second stroke span that is traversed at a second actuation speed that is substantially slower than the first actuation speed.

Abstract: A locking piston assembly (100) is provided according to the invention. The locking piston assembly (100) includes a piston chamber (107), a piston rod (106) configured to be substantially extended from and substantially retracted into the piston chamber (107), and a piston head (108) coupled to the piston rod (106) and configured to move reciprocally in the piston chamber (107). The locking piston assembly (100) further includes at least one lock (120) configured to mechanically lock the piston head (108) and the piston rod (106) in at least a substantially fully extended position. The lock (120) is configured to unlock the piston head (108) and the piston rod (106) in a presence of a pressurized fluid provided to retract the piston rod ( 106). The pressurized fluid is introduced into the piston chamber (107) and the piston rod (106) is retracted only after the lock (120) is unlocked.

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 valve block assembly (300) for a blow molding system is provided. The valve block assembly (300) comprises a valve block housing (301) and a stretch rod (303) movable along a longitudinal axis (324) within a stretch rod bore (304) formed in the valve block housing (301). The valve block assembly (300) also includes one or more valves (302a) coupled to the valve block housing (301) and spaced away from the stretch rod (303). Each of the one or more valves (302a) includes a valve piston (323) with a longitudinal axis (325) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (324) of the stretch rod (303).

Abstract: The displacement sensor (100) includes a rod (103) including a conical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) and a magnetic sensor (110) located in close proximity to the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105). The magnetic sensor (110) generates a positional signal that is related to the position of the concical convex graduated magnetically anomalous region (105) in relation to the magnetic sensor (110).

Abstract: A blow molding machine having the valves integrated into the valve block is disclosed. The valve pistons form annular rings stacked vertically along the stretch rod axis. The valve pistons activate by moving up/down along the stretch rod axis. The valve seat for each vertically stacked valve is formed radially around the stretch rod.

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 pressure switch (100) having a housing (101) and a connector (106) coupled to the housing (101) is provided. The housing (101) comprises a first chamber (212) and a second chamber (213). The first and second chambers (212, 213) are separated by an integrated diaphragm (102). The integrated diaphragm (102) has a first side (210) and a second side (211). The integrated diaphragm (102) flexes in response to a pre-determined pressure acting on the second side (211). A first bushing (103) is inserted into the first chamber (212) of the housing (101) and coupled to the first side of the integrated diaphragm (102). The connector (106) comprises one or more electrical contact members (219) and at least one switch (105), the at least one switch (105) communicates with the first side (210) of the integrated diaphragm (102).

Abstract: A rocker type diaphragm valve is disclosed. The diaphragm (428) in the diaphragm valve is asymmetric and the stroke of the diaphragm is offset from the center of the diaphragm. The two sealing surfaces (318, 320) that the diaphragm acts against form two planes that make an angle with respect to ones another. The diaphragm (428) may be fabricated in only one piece. The diaphragm (428) 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 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 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 blow molding machine having the valves integrated into the valve block is disclosed. The valve pistons form annular rings stacked vertically along the stretch rod axis. The valve pistons activate by moving up/down along the stretch rod axis. The valve seat for each vertically stacked valve is formed radially around the stretch rod.

Abstract: A blow molding machine having the valves integrated into the valve block (100) is disclosed. The valve pistons (110) form annular rings stacked vertically along the stretch rod (104) axis. The valve pistons activate by moving up/down along the stretch rod axis. The valve seat for each vertically stacked valve is formed radially around the stretch rod.