Abstract: Dome-loaded pressure regulators are disclosed. An example pressure regulator includes body having a pressure inlet and a pressure outlet. A piston is disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the pressure inlet, the pressure outlet, and the pressure control inlet. The piston is configured to contact a valve seat and to control the flow of fluid from the pressure inlet to the pressure outlet in response to a pressure applied to a surface of the piston via the pressure control inlet.

Abstract: A control element of a bi-directional valve is in fluid communication with an outlet pressure and an inlet pressure when the valve is closed such that a sum of the forces applied to the control element result in a net force urging the control element to seat against a valve seat. The valve includes a valve body carrying the valve seat. The control element is balanced on an outlet side of the valve seat such that the outlet pressure applies approximately no net force to the control element. In contrast, the control element is unbalanced on an inlet side of the valve seat such that inlet pressure applies a net force on the control element to bias the control to seat against the valve seat.

Abstract: A valving arrangement for a mobile gas supply system includes a primary inlet port, a primary outlet port, a regulator, a secondary inlet port, and a secondary outlet port. The primary inlet port is adapted to be connected to a gas cylinder. The primary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary inlet port and is adapted to be connected to one or more accessories for delivering gas from the gas cylinder. The regulator is disposed between the primary inlet port and the primary outlet port for reducing the pressure of the gas delivered by the gas cylinder to the primary inlet port. The secondary inlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port. The secondary outlet port is in fluid communication with the primary outlet port and the secondary inlet port. The secondary inlet and secondary outlet ports are adapted for connecting the valving arrangement to one or more additional gas cylinders.

Abstract: A high pressure three-way control valve comprises a valve body defining first, second, and third ports disposed in selective fluid communication with each other via a control element. The control element is movable between a first seated position and a second seated position to selectively control the direction of fluid between the first and second port, or alternatively, between the first and third port. So configured, the control valve serves a function that conventionally requires two valves plumbed together.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a manifold having a fluid outlet port to dispense fluid from a plurality of fluid supply containers. The system additionally includes a plurality of valves connected to the manifold for controlling the flow of fluid from the containers. The manifold and valves are configured such that all fluid flow connections are disposed within the manifold, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the amount of piping required external to the manifold. So configured, the valves include simple cartridge-type devices that are easily installed into and removed from the manifold.

Abstract: The gas valve assembly includes a housing with a bore and a main valve body and a main valve stem mounted therein. The valve body has a fluid passage fluidly connecting the inlet and one of a housing and valve body outlet with the valve stem mounting a valve seat and being movable for blocking fluid flow through the passage. In two embodiments, the housing is threadable to the neck portion of a vessel for the inlet opening to the vessel interior and the main valve body mounts a manual operated shut off valve extending within the valve body to selectively block fluid flow through the passage and an excess flow valve to block fluid flow through the passage when the flow to the outlet is greater than desired. The last two mentioned valves include a common piston in the fluid passage.

Abstract: A high-pressure regulator includes body having a pressure inlet and a pressure outlet. A piston is disposed in the body and fluidly coupled to the pressure inlet and the pressure outlet. The piston is configured to operate in compression to contact a seat ring for the purpose of controlling the flow of fluid from the pressure inlet to the pressure outlet in response to a pressure applied to a surface of the piston via the pressure outlet. A piston seat circumferentially engages the piston to provide an improved seal at low temperatures.

Abstract: The pressure regulator is threadable onto the neck of a tank of gas under pressure that has a plug mounted in the neck and a rupturable disk blocking fluid flow through a plug bore. The main body includes a central reduced diameter portion extendable into the plug bore without rupturing the disk when the regulator is threaded to the neck, but when further threaded, ruptures the disk. The combination of the main body and a cap have a bore extending therethrough which opens to the tank interior when the disk is ruptured and to the regulator outlet. A piston is mounted in the body and cap bore that blocks fluid flow through the last mentioned bore when the pressure at the outlet is at or above a preselected level but permits flow therethrough when the outlet pressure is below the preselected level.

Abstract: The moisture detector assembly includes a moisture detector having a probe extending into a housing bore to have fluid flow in contact with the probe and exiting through a housing bore orifice. A pressure regulator is mounted to the housing with its outlet opening to the housing bore. The regulator includes a cap closing the regulator bore opposite the outlet to provide a main chamber and has an inlet and a piston extending within the regulator bore to control fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. The regulator outlet is an orifice for limiting fluid flow from the regulator bore to the housing bore. The piston enlarged head and the opening of outlet toward the head provides a control chamber in the regulator bore with the pressure therein controlling the movement of the piston between fluid flow blocking and fluid flowing positions.

Abstract: The inline flow control device includes housing with a tubular portion coaxially aligned with the tubular portion of a fitting threaded to the housing. A piston has a bore extending therethrough with the tubular portions extended thereinto in axial spaced relationship, the fitting tubular portion mounting a valve seat to abut against a piston internal shoulder when the piston has axially moved relative to the tubular portions to a blocking position to block fluid flow through the device. The piston enlarged diametric portion bottom surface is in fluid communication with the piston bore in both of the piston positions but not in fluid communication with the body high pressure inlet when the piston is in its blocking position. A spring resiliently urges the piston in its blocking position. Two embodiments are pressure regulators while the third is a balanced valve.

Abstract: The valve includes a dome shaped diaphragm clamped between a base and valve body with the base having an inlet and an outlet opening to the diaphragm and a plastic button having a concave central portion surrounded by an annular convex portion for abutting against the diaphragm to move it to a closed position against a valve seat to block fluid flow between the inlet and an outlet. In a valve open position, the button central portion abuts against the diaphragm central portion while, as the button moves to a valve closed position, the closing force is applied to the diaphragm further radial outwardly. An actuator is operable for moving a plunger against a larger diameter insert mounted in a button recess which is axially opposite the diaphragm.

Abstract: The gas control assembly includes a control body threaded to a vessel neck to extend into the vessel containing pressurized fluid and has a fitting in the body bore which in conjunction therewith provides a part of a first fluid passageway from an inlet in the vessel and an outlet to the ambient atmosphere. A manually operated valve and a pressure regulator are provided in the first passageway exterior of the vessel. In one embodiment the control body has a second passageway opening through a relief device to the vessel interior and to the ambient atmosphere while in a second embodiment a relief device is provided exterior of the vessel and opens to the first passageway. A main valve is provided in the first passageway and is moved to an open condition when a solenoid is energized.

Abstract: The gas control assembly includes a control body threaded to a vessel neck to extend into the vessel containing pressurized fluid and has a fitting in the body bore which in conjunction therewith provides a part of a first fluid passageway from an inlet in the vessel and an outlet to the ambient atmosphere. A manually operated valve and a pressure regulator are provided in the first passageway exterior of the vessel. In one embodiment the control body has a second passageway opening through a relief device to the vessel interior and to the ambient atmosphere while in a second embodiment a relief device is provided exterior of the vessel and opens to the first passageway. A main valve is provided in the first passageway and is moved to an open condition when a solenoid is energized.

Abstract: The internally piloted dome loaded pressure reducing regulator includes a regulator body with a main valve portion and a pilot valve portion. The inlet is fluidly connected to the main valve bore which in turn is connected to the pilot valve bore. Each of the pilot and main valve members are spring urged to a closed position while the pilot valve is moved to an open position by a diaphragm when there is a decrease of pressure in the pilot chamber. A continuous fluid connection is provided from the pilot chamber, including through the main valve member, to a control chamber portion below a piston which is moved under pressure to open the main valve member. The piston has a bleed hole bottom chamber portion to the top control portion which in turn is fluidly connected to the outlet.

Abstract: The inline flow control device includes housing with a tubular portion coaxially aligned with the tubular portion of a fitting threaded to the housing. A piston has a bore extending therethrough with the tubular portions extended thereinto in axial spaced relationship, the fitting tubular portion mounting a valve seat to abut against a piston internal shoulder when the piston has axially moved relative to the tubular portions to a blocking position to block fluid flow through the device. The piston enlarged diametric portion bottom surface is in fluid communication with the piston bore in both of the piston positions but not in fluid communication with the body high pressure inlet when the piston is in its blocking position. A spring resiliently urges the piston in its blocking position. Two embodiments are pressure regulators while the third is a balanced valve.

Abstract: The valve device includes a valve body and a bonnet with a fitting clamped therebetween and extending within body and bonnet bores. The fitting and valve body have bore portions with a valve stem extended therein and through a valve seat and having opposite end portions of the same diameters and in fluid sealing relationship with the above bore portions axially opposite the valve seat. The body has inlet and outlet passages opening to the fitting and body bores axially opposite the valve seat and axially intermediate the stem end portions. A sensor is connected to the valve stem and is movable against spring action to move the valve stem to its open position. An actuator, for example an electric motor, is mounted to the bonnet and operable for forcing the sensor to move the valve stem to its valve open position.

Abstract: A gas flow valve having an internal valve chamber with an inlet and outlet passage, and a movable metallic diaphragm in the chamber, the diaphragm bonded to a valve stem projecting outside of the chamber. The diaphragm has a Teflon film coating which is engageable against at least one of the inlet and outlet passages in sealing relationship, and the valve stem has a spring-biasing member outside the chamber for urging the diaphragm away from sealing engagement with the inlet and outlet passages. A peripheral rib is formed in a chamber wall and the diaphragm is held in fixed relationship against the peripheral rib.

Abstract: A switching power supply that converts an input AC or DC voltage to a regulated output DC voltage while offering electrical isolation between the input and output stages through use of solid state switches and charge storage devices in place of isolation transformer used in traditional systems. The power supply uses two series connected switching blocks that alternately charge and discharge a storage capacitor, wherein each switching block includes a pair of switches which may be turned on and off with a duty cycle adjusted by a controller. The duty cycle and on time of each block is adjusted such that respective blocks are never turned on at the same time, thereby providing electrical isolation.

Abstract: The pressure reducing regulator includes a balanced valve arrangement, a sensor being resiliently urged toward a valve seat. A sensor insert is mounted by the sensor for axial movement therewith, the insert mounting the valve stem for movement therewtih between an open and a closed position and limited swivel movement relative thereto to form a more positive fluid seal with the valve seat. The valve stem extends through the valve seat. When the pressure decreases in the variable pressure chamber that is axially between the valve seat and the sensor, the sensor, and accordingly the valve stem is resiliently moved to its open position to allow fluid flow thereinto from the regulator inlet. A relatively weak spring and the inlet pressure in the pressure chamber act to result in the valve stem being moved to its closed position against the above mentioned resilient urging when the outlet pressure is at its desired level.

Abstract: Upon energization of the control unit, it operates a switch to supply air in a gap between the cutting nozzle and the electrode of a plasma torch, a second switch to apply a high voltage from a high voltage DC (direct current) power supply unit at the gap to initiate a starting arc, a third switch to energize a low voltage direct current power supply unit, and a fourth switch in circuitry for applying from the low voltage power supply unit, a low voltage across the cutting nozzle and the electrode to establish a pilot arc after the high voltage has been applied across the gap and after the establishment of the pilot arc and upon moving the head of the torch sufficiently closely adjacent to the a workpiece, establish a main arc between the electrode and the workpiece. Preferably the high voltage is applied for only about 0.25-0.5 seconds and the low voltage applied across the cutting nozzle and the electrode for about 3 second.