Abstract: A valve assembly in which, even if a housing corrodes, application of a radially inward compression force to a heat-resistant filter can be suppressed. The valve assembly includes the housing having a gas path and a valve shaft hole, a valve having a valve shaft movably inserted in the valve shaft hole and also having a valve element connected to the valve shaft, and tubular heat-resistant filters installed between the inner peripheral surface of the valve shaft hole and the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft and capturing dust in exhaust gas. The housing is made of cast iron. The valve assembly further has reinforcement collars installed between the inner peripheral surface of the valve shaft hole and the outer peripheral surfaces of the heat-resistant filters. The reinforcement collars have higher rigidity than the heat-resistant filters. At least the surfaces of the reinforcement collars are made of a high corrosion resistant material having higher corrosion resistance than the cast iron.

Abstract: The present embodiments are directed towards the transfer, retrieval and storage of flexible materials. In one embodiment, a system is provided that generally includes a hose retrieval system having a first hose gripper assembly. The first hose gripper assembly includes a pair of first grippers configured to move between a first open position and a first closed position in opposite crosswise directions relative to a longitudinal axis of a hose. Each first gripper includes a first L-shaped structure, and the first L-shaped structures are configured to overlap one another to define a first bending gap in the first closed position.

Abstract: A valve operable to control flow between two adjacent pipe sections and having a system for relieving pressure from an enclosed cavity within the valve. The valve includes a first pressure port, a second pressure port, and a seal. When the valve is closed, the first pressure port is in fluid communication with one pipe section and the second pressure port in fluid communication with the enclosed cavity. The seal isolates the second pressure port from the first pressure port when fluid pressure within the enclosed cavity is less than a pre-selected valve and is displaceable to enable fluid communication between the second pressure port and the first pressure port when fluid pressure in the enclosed cavity is equal to or greater than the pre-selected value.

Abstract: A valve has a valve body including a main chamber having a first port and a second port, and a main poppet disposed within the main chamber. The main poppet includes a first surface forming a control chamber within the main chamber. The valve has a first passage communicating the control chamber with the first port, and a second passage communicating the control chamber with the second port. The valve also includes a pilot valve having a pilot poppet for controlling fluid flow from the control chamber to the first port through a third passage, and to the second port through a fourth passage, respectively. The valve may further have a feedback spring coupled between the main poppet and the pilot poppet to provide a force relative to a distance between the main poppet and the pilot poppet.

Abstract: A polymer actuator is capable of being utilized for any of various drive sources, and the amount of deformation of the polymer actuator can particularly be used also for a valve or shaft-sealing device. The polymer actuator includes a power driver deformed upon receiving electro stimuli and electrodes disposed on the upper and lower surface sides of the power driver in an opposite manner for applying positive and negative electro stimuli to the power driver in a planar fashion. The electrodes have different stimuli application regions to have different electrical field distributions for causing distribution of stress generated in the power driver to be eccentrically located on one of positive and negative sides, thereby bending and deforming the power driver onto a side on which the opposite stimuli application regions do not exist.

Abstract: A valve assembly controls the flow of fluid at very low pressures of about 5 psi or less to and from inflatable chambers. Each valve assembly has a plurality of valves that operate between a closed and an open position. A first conduit or channel directs the fluid to each of the valves; and a plurality of second conduits each associated with one of the plurality of valves communicates with an inflatable chamber. Each of the valves has a valve seat and a valve stem with a head that seats on or with the valve seat to effect a seal in the closed position. The valve stem has a portion positioned to be moved by the solenoid when activated. The separate valves also act as relief valves. A vent valve is also provided and configured to operate between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A vortex reducing apparatus and method for drainage of a process tank are described. The vortex reducer including a keel having a longitudinal axis, a top flow foil coupled to the keel and a bottom flow foil coupled to the keel. The top flow foil and the bottom flow foil are each coupled to the keel at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A concentrator for increasing the particle concentration in an aerosol flow is described. The concentrator comprises a sculptured acceleration plate with a number of slit-shaped and radially extending acceleration channels and a sculptured deceleration plate with a number of slit-shaped and radially extending deceleration plate channels. Acceleration channel exit openings are spaced from a base surface on an exit side of the acceleration plate and sculptured deceleration channel entry openings are spaced from a base surface on an entry side of the deceleration plate so that a relatively large gap is provided between the acceleration plate base surface and the deceleration plate base surface allowing a waste volume flow to be exhausted through this relatively large gap at low flow resistance. The plurality of openings comprises openings of at least two different lengths.

Abstract: Stem-actuated two-way valve for precise, intermittent and repeatable delivery of fluid and/or gaseous substances from high pressure sources. A dual purpose o-ring functions as a valve seat and separates high pressure segments from low pressure segments. The novel valve stem system allows precise delivery of desired liquids and/or gases regardless of valve stem travel within a defined travel length.

Abstract: A fuel vapor vent valve assembly includes an anti-trickle valve having a casing defining a first cavity. A movable element is disposed within the first cavity. The casing defines a lower dynamic vapor passage in fluid communication with an interior of a fuel tank. A concave ramp is disposed concentrically about the lower dynamic vapor passage, within the first cavity. The movable element moves upward along the concave ramp in response to a change in motion to open fluid communication through the lower dynamic vapor passage to vent vapor pressure from within the fuel tank during movement.

Abstract: An observation valve structure includes an inlet pipe joint. The inlet pipe joint has an outer threaded section at an inner end thereof, an annular guide groove in the inlet pipe joint, and guide holes at the inner end thereof. The annular guide groove communicates with the guide holes. The inlet pipe joint has a stop trough at the inner end thereof for insertion of an annular gasket. A holder is provided on top of the connector body. The holder has two threaded holes at two sides thereof close to the inlet end of the connector body. A plate is positioned on the holder by two screws which are screwed in the threaded holes. The plate has a top surface with characters which are perpendicular to each other, a position hole disposed close to the middle character, and two apertures disposed at an outer side of the other two characters for insertion of the two screws. The handle has an indication plate. The indication plate has a positioning bead hole for insertion of a positioning bead.