Abstract: An electromagnetic valve (32) for use in controlling fluid flow between first and second passageways (P1, P2) in a hydraulic valve block (4), includes a valve body (51). The valve body (51) defines a central axis (A), has a central opening (51A) therethrough, has a lower end (54) adapted to be inserted into a bore (19) of the valve block (4), and is provided with a lower cylindrical opening (70). An armature (56) is axially movable within the valve body (51) and is biased by a spring in one axial direction (57A). A closing element (88) is carried by a lower end (54) of the armature (56). An electromagnetic coil (64) coaxially surrounds the armature (56) and is operable to effect axial movement of the armature (56) in an axial direction opposite the one direction (57B). A valve seat member (62) is carried by the lower end (54) of the valve body (51) and has an orifice (98) providing fluid flow between the first and second valve block passageways (P1, P2).

Abstract: A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for supplying natural gas to a sales line, the system comprising: an inlet connected to receive natural gas from a well; an outlet connected to discharge the natural gas to a sales line; piping between the inlet and the outlet; a moisture sensor on the piping for detection of a predetermined moisture level in the natural gas; a shutdown valve, on the piping, connected to close upon detection by the moisture sensor of a moisture level at or above the predetermined moisture level; an odorant addition unit on the piping; and a gas analyzer on the piping for tracking the volume and heating value of natural gas discharged through the outlet. A method of supplying natural gas to a sales line is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is a key for use with pressurized gas cylinders. The key includes a sleeve configured to fit over a lever arm of a gas cylinder. The key includes a handle extending from the sleeve, and having a body. The handle includes a first slot and a second slot extending through the body of the handle and configured to fit over a valve toggle of a gas cylinder. The handle includes a washer storage device extending substantially orthogonally from the body of the handle. The handle includes a flange coupled to an end of the washer storage device, opposite the body. The handle also includes a recess portion disposed about a base of the washer storage device of the handle and sized and shaped to receive a plurality of gas cylinder washers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow adjustment valve (1) comprising a valve housing (2) having a flow channel (3) and a pipe stub (10), disposed at an angle to the flow channel (3). A throttle unit (6) is arranged in the flow channel (3) and comprises a throttle element (8) that can be actuated through the pipe stub (10). The flow adjustment valve also comprises two measuring points (14, 15) for detecting the pressure in the flow channel (3) at both sides of a throttle arrangement, each of which measuring points being connected to a pressure measuring connection (17) via a pressure measuring channel (26, 27). The aim of the invention is to improve the design options for a flow adjustment valve of the aforementioned type. For this purpose, at least one pressure measuring channel (26) is guided through the pipe stub (10).

Abstract: A solenoid valve comprises a first mouth for an inlet of a working fluid and a second mouth and a third mouth for an outlet of the working fluid. The valve has a first operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to the second mouth and the third mouth is enabled, a second operating position in which a passage of fluid from the first mouth to only one of the second and third mouths is enabled, and a third operating position in which the passage of fluid from the first to the second mouth and the third mouth is disabled.

Abstract: In a valve seat made of an iron-based, composite sintered alloy having hard particles and a solid lubricant dispersed therein to have high wear resistance and good machinability, which is usable in high-power fuel direct injection engines with improved fuel efficiency and low emission, relatively coarse solid lubricant particles in such an amount as not to drastically reduce the strength of a sintered body are dispersed to provide self-lubrication, and as fine solid lubricant particles as not hindering the bonding of matrix particles are dispersed to improve machinability.

Abstract: A cleanout protector includes a hollow sleeve having an upper end, a lower end and at least one outer wall. The lower end includes a plurality of piercing members for penetrating surrounding soil. Any one of a plurality of fixtures, such as a solar lamp or a decorative design element, is removably mounted on the upper end of the sleeve. Accordingly, a user superimposes the sleeve on a cleanout and inserts the piercing members into the soil as far as possible. A desired fixture is mounted on the sleeve thereby protecting and decoratively concealing the cleanout.

Abstract: A floor drain having a drainage gutter and a detachable cover that is firmly attached to the floor drain and configured to hold a tile that complements or accents the tile in the shower, the surrounding floor, or the floor plane.

Abstract: A door for sealing an opening (2) in a wall (3) of a vacuum chamber (4) relative to the atmosphere includes a sealing element (1), which is attached to at least one rod (9, 9?, 9?) and which can be moved between an open position, in which the sealing element releases the opening (2), an intermediate position, in which the sealing element covers the opening (2) but is raised from a seat (7) surrounding the opening (2), and a closed position, in which the sealing element is pressed against the seat (7), a door body (10), which carries the at least one rod (9, 9?, 9?) and the sealing element (1) and which can be tilted about a tilt axis (20) relative to the wall (3) in order to move the sealing element (1) between the intermediate position and the closed position, and at least one tilting actuator (25, 25?, 26, 26?), which has an inner cavity (27) into which a compressed gas can be introduced in order to tilt the door element (10) about the tilt axis (20).

Abstract: A solenoid-operated control valve has a primary piston and a secondary piston located within a sleeve, and a solenoid coil disposed about the sleeve to effect movement of the primary piston. The primary and secondary pistons are independently movable along the sleeve. The secondary piston defines a pilot orifice connected with a center passage. The primary piston has a seal pin that extends into the pilot orifice of the secondary piston to block and unblock the center passage with movement of the primary piston in relation to the secondary piston. A spiral cut scarf ring disposed about the secondary piston is in contact with both the secondary piston and the sleeve to allow controlled leakage of a fluid through the valve via space between the secondary piston and the sleeve. The leaked fluid is permitted to collect in a cavity between the primary and secondary pistons.

Abstract: Ventilation system for a fuel tank comprising a pump, an active liquid/vapor separator (LVS) that can be drained using the pump, in which a roll-over valve (ROV) that is normally open brings, by default, the internal volume of the LVS into communication with the pump and only blocks this communication when the level of fuel in the valve reaches a certain height or when the tank is tilted beyond a certain angle, or even overturned.

Abstract: The on-off valve includes a body having a fluid path, a spherical valve body opening and closing the fluid path, a guide member opposing the valve body and having a flange portion radially extending outward, a first seat member slidable along an outer peripheral surface of the guide member and seating the valve body, an O-ring disposed between the first seat member and the guide member, a chamber formed of an inner wall portion of the fluid path, the outer peripheral surface, the flange portion, and the first seat member, and a spring member disposed in the chamber and urging the first seat member toward the valve body. In the on-off valve, a gap portion is formed between the inner wall portion and the first seat member and connects the valve body side of the fluid path to the chamber.

Abstract: A hose reel assembly including a drum assembly and a motor drive system, wherein: the motor drive system includes a drive motor arranged within the drum assembly and further arranged to drive the drum assembly from inside the drum assembly, wherein the drum assembly is arranged to axially rotate relative to the drive motor, and the drum assembly includes a removable access panel for providing access to the drive motor.

Abstract: A parallel movement mechanism including guide grooves and guide rollers and a vertical movement mechanism including cam grooves and cam rollers are interposed between a drive rod and a valve shaft of an air cylinder, and a valve seal of a valve plate is moved vertically toward and away from a valve seat surface to open and close the opening by moving the valve shaft in parallel to the valve seat surface by the parallel movement mechanism and moving the same vertically with respect to the valve seat surface by the vertical movement mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus comprising a tube, an opening in the tube, and a valve associated with the opening. The tube is configured to carry an inert gas in a fuel tank. The valve is configured to control an amount of the inert gas that exits the opening based on a level of fuel relative to the opening.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a valve assembly wherein a heating modality such as an induction heater is cooperatively engaged to a prescribed location on a valve housing or body of a valve to effectively maintain the temperature of the valve above the saturation temperature of the related system pressure. Maintaining this temperature differential effectively avoids the accumulation of condensate within the interior of the valve body and/or on other internal structural features thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for testing a valve actuator is provided, where an electrical motor is operatively connected to the valve actuator operatively connected to the valve. The system can include a main motor driver connecting the electrical motor to a primary power source, a first sensor to monitor the primary power source, a second sensor to monitor the flow of current to the electrical motor, a third sensor to monitor the angular rotation of the valve, and an emergency shut down (“ESD”) controller to operate the main motor driver in the event of an alarm condition to actuate the valve to a fail-safe position. The method includes the steps of providing the system, actuating the valve, monitoring the rotation of the valve and generating an alarm if the valve does not rotate in response to the step to actuate it.

Abstract: To create a valve for aerating and ventilating a tank comprising a closing element, which is fixed against a valve seat in a closed state so as to form a seal and which is lifted out of the valve seat in an open state, wherein provision is made for a blocking element, which can be moved by means of the force of gravity, by means of which the closing element can be fixed at least in the closed state, which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art, which ensures a reliable function even in response to a use under rough conditions with impact loads and which is designed in a simple manner, it is proposed for the blocking element to be accommodated on the closing element so as to be movable.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooking comprising a cooking cavity for receiving a food item and a burner positioned within a bottom portion of the cooking cavity for delivering a combustion gas in the cooking cavity which will flow upwardly to heat the vertically-extending interior surface of the cooking cavity. The upward flow of combustion gas within the heating cavity is operable for heating the vertically extending interior surface in a manner such that the food item positioned in the cooking cavity will be cooked at least predominantly by infrared radiation.