Abstract: A valve connected into an ultra-high-pressure fluid circuit (20,000 to 60,000 psi) which, when the system pressure is exceeded to some preset level, vents the pumped fluid to atmosphere while reducing and maintaining a system pressure on the order of five percent (5%) of the original system value. Upon shutting down the system and restarting, system pressure will be restored.

Abstract: A normally open, two position, ultra-high-pressure three-way valve is comprised of a centrally internally situated short cylindrical spool conically profiled at each end, each end in close proximity to an orifice seat, each seat in fluid communication with an outlet port. Inlet flow through the body and into the interior chamber containing said short cylindrical profiled spool situated between fixed orifice seats can thus be directed through one open orifice seat and through its adjoining port to a downstream destination while the other seat is blocked; or upon shifting, through the other orifice seat and adjoining port to an alternate downstream destination while the first seat is blocked. The actuating stem, an integral part of the aforementioned short tapered cylindrical spool, extending concentrically through the orifice of the sealing seat on the stem end of the short cylindrical member, extends out through the body to external actuation means.

Abstract: A normally closed, two-way ultra-high-pressure valve is comprised of a stem protruding beyond the outer surface of a valve body and extending inwardly toward and coaxially through a stationary seat therein, which separates the high-pressure inlet fluid from the low pressure outlet port, the stem beyond the seat enlarging to a diameter significantly greater than the through-hole. The conical surface is forced back against the hole in the seat by inlet fluid pressure creating the valve seal. External force exerted on the aforementioned protruding stem at the opposite end of the body separates the conical surface away from the seat thus opening the valve.

Abstract: A fluid pressure-intensifying apparatus of the double-acting type has end check valve assemblies (25, 25a). Each assembly has an inner low pressure poppet (100) communicable with the high pressure chamber (30) of the apparatus, and an outer high pressure ball poppet (110) communicable with a high pressure fluid outlet line (57). The check valve assembly (25) is designed for service accessibility without having to dismantle the intensifier. The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing (10) within which low and high pressure piston assemblies (28, 30, 30a) are confined by threaded end rings (12, 12a) under compression.

Abstract: A smoker insert for a gas barbecue comprises a drip pan designed to be supported by the lower grate of a gas barbecue, and a vertical baffle extending from the drip pan upwards to subdivide the cooking compartment. The drip pan is sized to fit on about 1/2 of the lower grate area so that the baffle subdivides the cooking compartment about in half. The baffle occupies a very substantial portion of the cross-section of the cooking compartment so that the side and top edges of the baffle are close to the inner surfaces of the lower shell and the closed barbecue lid. By this arrangement, a small clearance is provided around the drip pan and the baffle, between the insert and the inner surfaces of the lower shell and closed lid. A flame suppressor is provided to control flames and flame-ups.

Abstract: An 2-way on/off high pressure water jet cutting valve is provided with a valve stem designed to close under the influence of high pressure inlet water, an a hydraulic piston designed to open the valve stem against the force exerted by high pressure inlet water. The valve stem extends through the hydraulic piston. The valve stem and the hydraulic piston are contained within the valve housing. Externally applied forces are not required to operate the valve or to insure that the valve operates properly under the influence of the various fluid pressures that are applied to it.

Abstract: A high pressure water/abrasive jet cutting nozzle has a pair of centering rings that act through body-mounted balls to position a nozzle element-holding collet. The interior surfaces of the centering rings are eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle assembly so that rotation of a centering ring will cause the nozzle element collet to shift transversely. By rotating one or the other, or both, centering rings the axis of the nozzle element can be adjusted relative to the nozzle jet-forming element so as to align the nozzle element with the water jet.

Abstract: A fluid pressure-intensifying system of the double-acting type has a recompression valve assembly that meters working fluid of the low pressure hydraulic cylinder to control low pressure piston travel upon reversal at the end of each pressure-intensifying stroke.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for fluid pressure-intensifying apparatus of the double-acting type is provided. The assembly has an inner low pressure poppet valve member communicable with the high pressure chamber of fluid pressure-intensifying apparatus, and an outer high pressure poppet valve member communicable with a high pressure fluid outlet line. The check valve assembly is designed for service accessibility without having to dismantle the intensifier.

Abstract: A fluid pressure-intensifying apparatus of the double-acting type has an elongated cylindrical housing that encloses the low pressure and high pressure chambers and compressively position and restrains the elements that make up the low and high pressure chambers under operating conditions. Hydraulic working fluid 4-way control valve solenoids are actuated by an actuating piston assembly mounted in fluid communication with the low pressure working fluid chamber.

Abstract: A nozzle for use in water jet cutting includes distinct upper and lower bodies held together by a locking device. The upper and lower bodies each include a mating surface, the two mating surfaces being of complementary shape and held in close contact by the locking device. The upper body includes a fluid inlet and a plurality of fluid outlets. The lower body includes a mixing chamber and the fluid outlets are in fluid communication with the mixing chamber. A jewel having a stream-forming aperture formed therethrough is mounted in each of the fluid outlets and arranged so that the centerlines of the stream-forming apertures converge to a focal point within the mixing chamber. The nozzle includes a nozzle exit passage having a first end in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, the focal point of the centerlines being adjacent the first end of the nozzle exit passage. The upper body includes an abrasive inlet connected to an abrasive passage that opens into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A first pressure-intensifying apparatus includes a working cylinder having a working piston mounted within it and reciprocally movable by the application of working fluid alternately to opposite sides of the working piston. The working piston in turn drives a high-pressure piston movably mounted within a high-pressure cylinder. The flow of pressurized working fluid to the working cylinder is controlled by a control valve. The control valve receives pressurized fluid from a source of working fluid and directs the fluid to the working cylinder and then back to a working fluid reservoir or tank. The control valve includes a valve body and has a spool movably mounted therein that is movable between a first position in which fluid is directed to one side of the working piston and a second position in which fluid is directed to the other side of the working piston.

Abstract: An automated parking system includes a multi-story tower having a central elevator shaft. The building is substantially circular in cross section and contains a plurality of parking stalls that radiate from the elevator shaft on each of the stories. An elevator mechanism elevates a turntable, rotatably mounted on the elevator mechanism for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, between the several floors of the building. A shuttle travels from the turntable to an entrance ramp on the ground level of the building, moves a vehicle to be parked from the entrance ramp to the turntable, whereupon the elevator and turntable cooperate to deposit the vehicle in a parking stall on one of the several floors. The elevator and turntable mechanism operate in reverse to carry the vehicle from a parking stall to an exit ramp on the ground floor of the building.

Abstract: An automated parking system includes a multi-story tower having a central elevator shaft. The building is substantially circular in cross section and contains a plurality of parking stalls that radiate from the elevator shaft on each of the stories. An elevator mechanism elevates a turntable, rotatably mounted on the elevator mechanism for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, between the several floors of the building. A shuttle travels from the turntable to an entrance ramp on the ground level of the building, moves a vehicle to be parked from the entrance ramp to the turntable, whereupon the elevator and turntable cooperate to deposit the vehicle in a parking stall on one of the several floors. The elevator and turntable mechanism operate in reverse to carry the vehicle from a parking stall to an exit ramp on the groung floor of the building.

Abstract: An athletic shoe sole has a heel section and a toe section bearing flange-shaped, turf-gripping members. The first gripping member is a generally downwardly and outwardly extending flange that runs around the entire periphery of the sole. The second gripping member is an ovoid-shaped, generally downwardly and outwardly extending toe flange positioned in the toe section of the sole and spaced inwardly from the portion of the peripheral flange on the toe section. The third gripping member is a heel flange extending downwardly and outwardly from the heel section of the shoe and spaced inwardly from the portion of the peripheral flange on the heel section. The rearward portion of the heel flange is arcuate and merges into two generally forwardly extending flange portions that flare outwardly and join with the peripheral flange adjacent the forward end of the heel section. All of the flanges are downwardly convergent and have a bottom edge.

Abstract: A fluid actuated nail extractor includes a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on a reciprocable rod. An impact piston impacting a second rod coupled to the jaws closes the jaws about a nail embedded in a workpiece when the extractor is positioned adjacent the nail. Thereafter, a second piston actuates the reciprocable rod to extract the nail from the workpiece. Pressurized fluid, controlled by a plurality of poppet valves, drives the pistons through a predetermined sequence of operations. The entire sequence of operations is dependent upon the position of a safety valve that is actuated by a push rod having an end located adjacent the jaws. The push rod is actuated only when the nail extractor is positioned adjacent the workpiece, and hence actuating the safety trigger valve so that the operational sequence of the pistons can be initiated.

Abstract: An expansible drive shaft tool mechanism is disclosed in which mutually cooperating parallel drive shafts carry tool elements that can be shifted into and locked by shaft expansion in any of selected positions along such drive shafts. Applied hydraulic pressure in a sealed chamber causes outward expansion of a flexible outer sleeve member on each such shaft to grip the tool elements. An inner sleeve member closely encircled by the outer sleeve member and joined in sealed relationship therewith at opposite end portions forms the radially thin elongated annular sealed chamber into which the pressurized hydraulic fluid is forced by the action of a plunger type hydraulic pressure source housed inside the inner sleeve member cavity. Actuation of the hydraulic pressure source plunger passing through a cylindrical fluid take-up chamber by longitudinal displacement is effected by means of a pneumatic piston energizable through a connecting line including a low pressure rotary seal or union.