Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an actuator (100) for a valve assembly. The actuator can include a yoke (146) with at least one bore (196), a first rod assembly (136), and a first slide member (148) seated within the at least one bore and pivotally connected to the first rod assembly. The yoke can be configured to rotate about a yoke axis (198) to actuate the valve assembly. The first rod assembly can be configured to move in a first direction transverse to the at least one bore and the yoke axis. The first slide member can be configured to slide telescopically within the at least one bore as the first rod assembly moves in the first direction to transmit torque to the yoke for actuation of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a pressure control system in a vehicle includes controlling a flow-control valve in a charging line, which conveys a charging pressure medium, in dependence upon an admission pressure and/or upon an admission volume flow. The admission pressure and/or the admission volume flow characterizes a prevailing or currently to be expected loading of a pneumatic consumer of the pressure control system during the supply of the charging pressure medium with a charging volume flow and at a charging pressure into the pneumatic consumer. The method further includes adjusting a flow-control cross-section, which acts on the charging pressure medium as it flows through the flow-control valve, or adjusting an average flow-control cross-section so as to limit the charging volume flow to a limit volume flow. The method additionally includes outputting the volume-flow limited charging pressure medium to the pneumatic consumer.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to a system configured to protect flows in piping systems using minimal spare components. Some embodiments may provide: a first piping subsystem configured to receive a portion of the input flow; a second piping subsystem configured to receive the portion of the input flow by substituting for the first subsystem; a test subsystem configured to detect whether each of the first and second subsystems is able to vent when at least one, in the each subsystem, of a respective pressure and a respective pressure rate satisfies first and second criteria, respectively; and first and second pilots configured to detect a maximum pressure and a maximum pressure rate, respectively, of the portion of the first and second subsystems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boom arm for mobile concrete pumps and to a mobile concrete pump. The boom arm, having a first and second end, wherein at least one elbowed section, in which the main bending loads which occur during proper use act as torsional loads, is provided between the first and the second end of the boom arm, is made from a fiber composite material, wherein beyond the elbowed region the height of the boom arm in cross-section is greater than the width of the boom arm in cross-section and in the elbowed region the width of the boom arm in cross-section is greater than or equal to the height of the boom arm in cross-section. A concrete pump with a placing boom, arranged on a substructure, comprising at least two boom arms, at least one of which is designed according to the invention.

Abstract: A fluid circulation system of a washing machine appliance includes a wash tub configured for containing fluid during operation of the washing machine appliance and a drain pump positioned below the wash tub. The fluid circulation system also includes a hydraulically actuated diverter valve coupled to the drain pump. The diverter valve is in fluid communication with the drain pump and is downstream of the drain pump. The diverter valve is configured to selectively direct a flow of fluid from the drain pump to one of the wash tub or an outlet of the washing machine appliance.

Abstract: Improved flow control valve assemblies for fluid systems (e.g., pools or spas) are provided. Advantageous flow control valve assemblies for pool/spa cleaners (e.g., suction pool/spa cleaners) are provided. The present disclosure provides for flow control assemblies for suction pool/spa cleaners, with the cleaners utilized in conjunction with a variable speed pump. A manual valve set-up can be removed from the system, and an advantageous flow control valve assembly can be provided to automatically regulate the flow/suction to the cleaner. The improved flow control valve assembly thereby provides regulated flow to the cleaner, so that if the cleaner remains in the water at low pump speeds, when the pump is later operated at a higher speed the cleaner will function as designed. When there is flow/suction below the desired operating parameters of the cleaner, the pump will operate as desired, and the cleaner is stationary.

Abstract: A metering valve for introducing media into a pressurized fluid includes media passaging having a media inlet for receiving media and a media outlet for dispensing media toward the pressurized fluid. The media passaging defines a flow path extending from the media inlet to the media outlet and is configured to permit flow of media along the flow path. A plunger, including a plunger head, is movable between a closed position in which the plunger head forms a seal to prevent flow of media through the media passaging and an open position in which the plunger head permits flow of media through the media passaging. The seal formed by the plunger head includes a first sealing interface and a second sealing interface downstream along the flow path of the first sealing interface.

Abstract: An actuated valve assembly includes a valve body (110) having a valve seat (112) disposed between inlet (111) and outlet (113) passages, and a fixed orifice (115) restriction provided in at least one of the inlet and outlet passages, a valve element (120) assembled with the valve body and axially movable between a closed position and an open position, and an actuator (130) assembled with the valve body and connected with the valve element for axial movement of the valve element between the closed and open positions. A ratio of the maximum seat annulus flow coefficient associated with the valve seat and valve element to an orifice flow coefficient associated with the fixed orifice restriction is between about 2:1 and about 8:1.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a first mixing valve, a second mixing valve, a housing configured to receive the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve, and a check valve. The housing defines a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, a first fluid passage, and a second fluid passage fluidly coupling the second fluid inlet to the first mixing valve and the second mixing valve. The first fluid passage includes a first fluid inlet chamber fluidly coupled to the first fluid inlet, a first connecting passage fluidly coupling the first fluid inlet chamber to the first mixing valve, and a second connecting passage fluidly coupling the first fluid inlet chamber to the second mixing valve. The check valve is coupled to the housing and configured to substantially prevent fluid from flowing from the first mixing valve to the first fluid inlet chamber.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a steam turbine, wherein, for regulating a fluid flow, the valve arrangement has a hollow cylindrical valve body, which cooperates with a corresponding valve seat. The valve body has a linear contact edge and has multiple compensating bores for pressure equalization. The valve body is moved electromechanically via a coupling element into a stationary element. In addition, the valve arrangement has a housing having a curvature, which extends in the direction of the valve body.

Abstract: Disclosed is ball valve with automatic safety exhaust function, which is suitable for working environments in high pressure applications, such as up to 600 psi of water, oil, and gas. The ball valve includes a valve body, cap, ball with a vent hole, stem, a built-in vent needle valve, and seals. When the valve is in the closed position, the built-in needle valve is in the open state. The downstream gas enters the bottom of the valve cavity from the exhaust hole on the ball and exits the valve body through the needle valve hole. When the ball valve is in the open position, the built-in needle valve is in the closed state. The built-in needle valve design ensures that under high-pressure use (open state), the gas will not leak out of the valve body.

Abstract: Fluid-dispensing systems and methods relating thereto are described. A method of dispensing fluid includes: (i) receiving, from a temperature encoder, a temperature signal; (ii) receiving, from a flow rate encoder, a flow rate signal; (iii) providing, based on the temperature signal and the flow rate signal, a first amount of power required by a first motor; (iv) providing, based on the temperature signal and the flow rate signal, a second amount of power required by a second motor; (v) opening, based on the first amount of power, the first valve by a first amount of valve opening; (vi) opening, based on the second amount of power, the second valve by a second amount of valve opening; and (vii) facilitating admixing of a first fluid flow at a first fluid flow rate, received from the first valve, and a second fluid flow at a second fluid flow rate, received from the second valve, to create an admixed fluid stream.

Abstract: A faucet includes a spout, a water level sensor, and a controller. The spout includes a water outlet having a first set of nozzles oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis defined by the water outlet such that water discharged from the first set of nozzles converges at the central axis at a focal distance from the water outlet. The water level sensor is disposed on the spout, and is configured to detect a distance between the water outlet and a level of water in a container disposed below the water outlet. The controller is configured to control the flow of water through the water outlet based on a comparison between the detected distance and the focal distance.

Abstract: A ball check valve assembly includes a combination ball valve and spring check valve within a valve assembly. The use of union ends on the valve assembly permits the easy removal and replacement of the components of the valve assembly from a plumbing system. An integral bleeder valve allows for the pressure release and drainage of the ball check valve assembly before the union ends are decoupled.

Abstract: A valve component utilized in a fluid end assembly of a reciprocating pump may contain a multi-piece construction. The valve component may include a valve body portion, a leg assembly portion, a sealing element, and an insert at least partially captured between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may be constructed from a carbide or a ceramic material, and, when the valve component is fully assembled, may be compressed between the valve body portion and the leg assembly portion. The insert may at least partially form the strike surface of the valve component. The valve body portion and the leg assembly portion may both be constructed from a metallic material, and the valve body portion may define a sealing seat. The sealing element may be constructed from an elastomeric material that may be pre-formed and then compression molded onto the seat of the valve body.

Abstract: Valve assemblies for reciprocating downhole pumps are provided. The valve assembly may comprise: a flow cage comprising a housing and a tubular insert; an annular valve seat positioned below the tubular insert; and an elongated sealing member positioned above the annular valve seat and at least partially received into the tubular insert. In some embodiments, the elongated sealing member may be more stable and may more securely engage the valve seat compared to spherical valve balls. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A ball valve cage insert that includes: (1) a first section including an inlet ring having a radial wall thickness varies along the longitudinal axis of the cage; (2) a second section including side ribs that define a plurality of side openings, where the width of each opening varies from a first width at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis to a second width at a second radial distance and (3) a third section including closure ribs extending from a first point at a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis to a second point where, as measured at a given radial distance from the longitudinal axis, the width of each closure rib varies from a first circumferential width at a first point on the longitudinal axis to a second width at a second point on the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system that deploys attic vent covers when there is the immediate threat of fire, as well as methods and device relating thereto, is disclosed. This system includes varied cover types and deployment methods to utilize with a range of attic vents found suitable for use in residential and commercial construction.

Abstract: A faucet having a base that is mountable to a support, a spout moveably coupled to the base and having an outlet for dispensing water, and a valve that controls a flow of water to an outlet, where the valve is opened in response to the spout being moved relative to the base to a first position, and the valve is closed in response to the spout being moved relative to the base from the first position toward a second position.

Abstract: A pivotable spray head for connection to a faucet for expelling water is described herein. The spray head includes a spray head top portion having an inlet to receive water from the faucet and a spray head bottom portion having an outlet to expel water. The spray head further includes a pivoting joint mechanism structured to pivot the spray head relative to the faucet about a pivot axis.