Abstract: A manifold assembly for a ventilator is disclosed. The manifold assembly has an oxygen inlet connector and compressed air inlet connector mounted on the front face of the manifold. A compressed air filter and an oxygen filter are mounted on the bottom side of the manifold. Two regulator mounts are integrated into the manifold and an oxygen regulator and a compressed air regulator are mounted into the two regulator mounts.

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: A pneumatic shuttle valve for a ventilator is disclosed. The pneumatic shuttle valve selectively connects one of two inlet openings to an outlet opening. The shuttle valve has a plug that is forced by gas pressure entering the second inlet opening, to move to and seal against a first sealing surface, thereby forming a passageway between the second inlet opening and the outlet opening. The plug is forced by gas entering the first inlet opening, to move to and seal against a second sealing surface, thereby forming a passageway between the first inlet opening and the outlet opening.

Abstract: A valve is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The valve comprises a piston (104), a housing (106) surrounding the piston (104), an inlet (108) capable of allowing fluid into the valve, an exhaust (110) capable of allowing fluid out of the valve, a light source (112) capable of emitting light directed at the piston (104), and a light sensor (114) capable of measuring an intensity of the light received from the light source (112), said intensity varying based on the position of the piston (104) within the housing (106). A piston assembly is also provided according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a light source 608 and a light sensor 610 may be used to determine the position of the piston. A system is provided for obtaining and analyzing operational status information is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. An action may be automatically taken depending on the analyzed operational status.

Abstract: A pneumatic swivel elbow is provided according to the invention. The pneumatic swivel elbow includes an internal passage extending through the pneumatic swivel elbow and substantially changing in direction. The pneumatic swivel elbow further includes a male coupling portion formed on one end and adapted to be sealingly inserted into and engaged with a corresponding bore of a mating component and being configured to sealingly rotate within the corresponding bore. The pneumatic swivel elbow further includes a conduit coupling portion formed on a substantially opposite end from the male coupling portion. The conduit coupling portion is configured to sealingly receive a pneumatic conduit and is configured to allow the pneumatic conduit to rotate within the conduit coupling portion.

Abstract: A parking brake interlock is provided according to the invention. The parking brake interlock includes a parking brake inlet configured to receive a parking brake air supply, a service brake inlet configured to receive a service brake air supply, an exhaust port, and an interlock valve mechanism in communication with the parking brake inlet, the service brake inlet, and the exhaust port. The interlock valve mechanism is configured to exhaust the parking brake air supply if the service brake air pressure is not received. The interlock valve mechanism is further configured to hold the parking brake air supply in order to generate a parking brake air pressure if the service brake air pressure is received.

Abstract: An actuator and method for a heated sealing strip is disclosed. The actuator and method comprise embedding at least one wire (218) into a sealing strip (216). A power supply (30) is connected to the wire (218). An electrical current is run from the power supply (430) through the wire (218), heating the sealing strip (216).

Abstract: A valve island that has the PC board captured in the expansion station is disclosed. The PC board is held into the expansion station by a feature on the PC board that interferes with the inside of the wire-way of the expansion station sub-base.

Abstract: A self-vacuum arrangement for pneumatic equipment is provided. A Venturi device having first and second ports and a central tap is provided. A first check valve having a first port operably coupled with the central tap of the Venturi device is configured to prevent pneumatic flow from the central tap through the first check valve. Optionally included is a second valve having a first port operably coupled with the first port of the Venturi device, and a second port operably coupled with the second port of the Venturi device.

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: A system and method for an expandable gas or fluid distribution system is disclosed. The expandable distribution system comprises at least one device, an endcap, and an inlet piece. The electromagnetic switch is removably coupled to the endcap and the inlet piece such that the distribution system can be expanded by adding another device.

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: A valve island that has vented non-active areas is disclosed. The valve island has a plurality of active gas passageways that are coupled together between components. At the junction between the different components the active fluid passageways are surrounded by a sealing surface. The sealing surface essentially surrounds some non-active areas. The non-active areas are vented to the outside air through one or more passageways. The non-active areas may be recessed from the sealing surface.

Abstract: A valve island that has a pilot fluid passageway located on the side of the sub-base is disclosed. The pilot fluid passageway is formed into one side of the sub-base and couples the front end of the sub-base with the back end of the sub-base. A gasket or sealing device may be used to help form a seal around the pilot fluid passageway when the sub-base is joined to a mating part.

Abstract: A system and method for a pressure gage assembly for an expandable gas or fluid distribution system is disclosed. The pressure gage assembly comprises a pressure gage with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The pressure gage assembly has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. The pressure gage is coupled to the passageway. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another device, forming a line or chain of devices.

Abstract: A bioreactor valve island is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The bioreactor valve island includes a sparge mixing region that receives and mixes a first air input and one or more first gas inputs and an overlay mixing region that receives and mixes a second air input and one or more second gas inputs. The bioreactor valve island further includes one or more output valve pairs. An output valve pair of the one or more output valve pairs receives a gas from a gas supply of one or more corresponding gas supplies and selectively outputs both a first gas input of the gas to the sparge mixing region and a second gas input of the gas to the overlay mixing region.

Abstract: A member for being joined to a mating member is provided. The member includes a number of drive sections that are engagable by a driver having corresponding driver sections. The rotation of the driver causes the member to be joined to the mating member. Each drive section can include a drive face body, a flat and a ramp. Each of them has an angular extent for desired contact with and engagement by the driver sections. The drive sections are integral with a drive support of the member. The drive sections can be located at a border section of the drive support. In one embodiment, the drive of the member is comprised of an inner drive and an outer drive. In another embodiment, the member is hollow. Different sized members can be joined to different mating members using the same driver. The drive is configured, particularly the ramp thereof, to substantially reduce unwanted removal of the member from the mating member.

Abstract: A control valve is provided which may be incorporated within a fluid operating system. The valve has an internally-mounted check element which allows the valve to provide a fail-safe mode for a downstream device in fluid communication with the control valve. The invention includes the control valve, the valve in combination with a downstream device, and a method whereby the flow of pressurized fluid is controlled by operation of the control valve.

Abstract: A brake control method and apparatus capable of locating fluid carrying lines away from a vehicle dash and providing threshold pressure detection is provided. The apparatus includes an electric switch assembly which can have portions that are mounted in the vehicle cab. A pressure switch subassembly and a control subsystem electrically communicate with the electric switch assembly. The electric switch assembly provides electrical current to a solenoid in the control subsystem, opening a pneumatic valve and providing air pressure to other components of the control subsystem and a brake release actuator. If electrical current is removed from the solenoid in the control subsystem, the pneumatic valve is closed, removing air pressure from other components of the control subsystem and the brake release actuator. If less than a threshold pressure is detected at the pressure switch subassembly, the electric switch assembly does not provide electrical current to the control subsystem.