Abstract: A snap action toggle valve actuator assembly for use in a fluid holding tank. Movement of a float or other movable actuating element causes pivotal movement of pivot arm, which compresses a spring. When the float element reaches a predetermined level, the spring causes a downward movement in linkage attached to the rear of a valve actuating lever and an upward movement of a valve rod secured to the other end of the valve actuating lever and vice versa.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the position and movement of an object in up to six desired degrees of freedom. The system comprises an armature which is provided with a distribution of electric charge. The armature may also include one or more magnetized regions. The system further comprises a base having components that may be actively controlled so as to cause a force to be exerted on the electric charge distribution of the armature. By appropriately controlling the components of the base, the position and movement of the armature with respect to the base can be selectively controlled.The base may also include passive electric and/or magnetic components which assist in stabilizing the armature in one or more degrees of freedom. In addition, the base may be provided with position sensors which provide position information to control circuitry such that the position and movement of the armature with respect to the base can be controlled automatically.

Abstract: A microgeometric electric field machine includes arrays of conductors formed on or carried by a plurality of substrates. The conductors on a first group of substrates carry electrical charges, with alternate conductors being charged positively and the other conductors being charged negatively. A second group of substrates are interleaved with the first group in close proximity therewith. Also included is a voltage source for successively supplying alternate positive and negative electrical charges to the conductors of the second group of substrates. Effectively a pattern of alternate positively and negatively charged conductors is established for the second group of substrates and these patterns are caused to move, relative to the substrates, along the arrays of conductors to produce "moving" electric force fields which cause one group of substrates to move with respect to the other group.

Abstract: A microgeometric electric field machine includes arrays of conductors formed on or carried by a plurality of substrates. The conductors on a first group of substrates carry electrical charges, with alternate conductors being charged positively and the other conductors being charged negatively. A second group of substrates are interleaved with the first group in close proximity therewith. Also included is a voltage source for successively supplying alternate positive and negative electrical charges to the conductors of the second group of substrates. Effectively a pattern of alternate positively and negatively charged conductors is established for the second group of substrates and these patterns are caused to move, relative to the substrates, along the arrays of conductors to produce "moving" electric force fields which cause one group of substrates to move with respect to the other group.

Abstract: A microgeometric electric field machine includes arrays of conductors formed on or carried by a plurality of substrates. The conductors on a first group of substrates carry electrical charges, with alternate conductors being charged positively and the other conductors being charged negatively. A second group of substrates are interleaved with the first group in close proximity therewith. Also included is a voltage source for successively supplying alternate positive and negative electrical charges to the conductors of the second group of substrates. Effectively a pattern of alternate positively and negatively charged conductors is established for the second group of substrates and these patterns are caused to move, relative to the substrates, along the arrays of conductors to produce "moving" electric force fields which cause one group of substrates to move with respect to the other group.

Abstract: In a bellows-actuated thermostatic steam trap (A) having a bellows (41) carrying a valve member (45) of a valve (45/22) for opening and closing the trap, the bellows is disposed between connections (20/21 and 30/31) which are identical to one another so as to be selectively connectable in a steam flow line with the valve (45/22) disposed either downstream of, or upstream of, the bellows (41). The trap includes a metal housing (11/12), the mass of which constitutes at least 70% of the mass of the trap. The trap operates, when connected with the valve disposed downstream of the bellows, in a first mode in which, in normal operation, the trap discharges condensate at a temperature close to saturated steam temperature. When connected with the valve disposed upstream of the bellows, the valve operates in a second mode in which in normal operation condensate is discharged at a temperature significantly below steam temperature.

Abstract: A thermostatic steam trap, which operates either as a blast trap or a liquid expansion trap, depending solely on reversal of inlet and outlet function, has a generally cylindrical housing containing an internal cavity. The housing has two parts, the first of which contains a passage leading to a valve seat and the second of which contains a passage leading, via a plurality of bores, to the cavity. Within the cavity is a bellows, filled with a volatile liquid, having a valve on its top which mates with the valve seat and connected at its bottom to the second housing part. The connection is pivotal to permit self-centering of the valve. Either passage can serve as an inlet depending on which operating modality is desired.