Abstract: A latching, dynamically balanced, fluid control valve. The valve includes a housing which has a supply port, a cylinder port and a return port. Fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port is controlled by a first valve that opens and closes a first valve port of the housing. Fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port is controlled by a second valve that opens and closes a second valve port. The first and second valves are connected to a transfer tube that is coupled to a solenoid and a return spring. The solenoid and spring are sealed by a pair of seals that each have an effective area which is approximately equal to the effective area of the valves. Each seal is located opposite from a valve seat so that opposing fluid pressures are applied to the seal and the valve. The opposing pressures create a net force on the transfer tube that is approximately zero, thus providing a balanced fluid valve that requires less energy to actuate.

Abstract: A latching, dynamically balanced, fluid control valve. The valve includes a housing which has a supply port, a cylinder port and a return port. Fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port is controlled by a first valve that opens and closes a against first valve seat of the housing. Fluid communication between the supply port and the return port is controlled by a second valve that opens and closes against a second valve seat. The valves are connected to a transfer tube that is coupled to a pair of solenoids. The solenoids can be actuated to move the tube and valves between a first position, which allows fluid communication between the supply port and the cylinder port, and a second position that allows fluid communication between the supply port and the return port. The solenoids are actuated by short digital pulses that latch the transfer tube and valves into either the first or second position.

Abstract: The present invention is an attachment that can pressurize a beverage container with carbon dioxide or other suitable pressurized gaseous fluid. The attachment has a first threaded opening that can be screwed onto the container and a second opening which can be coupled to either a pressurized gas cartridge or a pressurized gas tank. Extending from the carbonator is a button that is coupled to a valve which controls the flow of gas into the container. The button and valve are coupled to a spring that functions as a regulator which controls the gas pressure within the container. When the button is depressed, the valve is opened and gas flows into the container until the gas pressure overcomes the spring force and closes the valve. Varying the displacement of the button varies the spring force and the gas pressure within the container. The user can thus vary and control the gas pressure of the container by manipulating the button.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an improved tap assembly including a tap, a delivery tube, and a rotatable cam for selectively compressing or not compressing a resilient flow control portion of the delivery tube in order to block or allow fluid flow therethrough. Also included is a decompression device for positively ensuring unrestricted flow through the resilient flow control portion when the cam is rotated to its opened position. The dispensed fluid may be pressurized by premixing with another fluid supplied by a manifold. The manifold is adapted to be connected to multiple pressurized sources of the another fluid. A diffuser is provided upstream of the flow control portion in order to effectively condition the dispensed fluid to desired characteristics such as reduced velocity, laminar flow, and appearance. The tap and manifold have matable piloting members for easily guiding these components together in correct relation for a snap assembly.

Abstract: Solar powered programmable valves and methods of programming thereof are disclosed. A controller for the valves is provided having one or more solar cells for charging a large capacitor or capacitors upon illumination, which provide energy storage for the continuous powering of a very low current single chip computer controller and for providing actuating power to a latching solenoid of a pilot operated valve. Programming of the microcontroller to cause the valve to operate at subsequent times as desired is accomplished by magnetically actuating, through the sealed controller case, "yes" and "no" reed switches in response to simple prompts presented on a display. The use of solar power eliminates the need for batteries, and together with the non-intrusive programming, allows the controller to be totally sealed and free of control switches, battery cases and the like which can allow moisture entry and premature failure of the controller. Typical methods of programming the controller are disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical control valve that can automatically direct the flow of fluid between two output lines. The control valve has a housing with a fluid inlet, a first outlet and second outlet. The valve also has a poppet that allows fluid to flow out of the first outlet when in a first position and through the second outlet when in a second position. The poppet is normally in contact with a mechanical timing switch. When fluid initially flows into the housing inlet, the poppet directs the fluid to the first outlet. The fluid activates the mechanical timing switch which releases from the poppet. When the fluid no longer flows through the valve, a spring moves the poppet into the second position. At the same time, the mechanical timing switch begins to move back into contact with the poppet. An orifice controls the movement of the switch, so that there is a time delay between the moment the fluid pressure in the valve drop, to the point when the poppet is pushed back to the first position.

Abstract: A Chatterless AC Solenoid without pole shading is disclosed. The solenoid has a stationery member and a moveable member forming a magnetic circuit having a small but predetermined gap in the magnetic circuit when the moveable member is in the solenoid actuated position, and a much larger gap when the moving member is in the unactuated position. Both the stationery member and the moveable member are fabricated from a relatively soft magnetic material, with a coil associated with the stationery member providing a magnetizing force for the resulting magnetic circuit responsive to a current in the coil.

Abstract: A mechanical control valve that can automatically direct the flow of fluid between two output lines. The control valve has a housing with a fluid inlet, a first outlet and second outlet. The valve also has a poppet that allows fluid to flow out of the first outlet when in a first position and through the second outlet when in a second position. The poppet is normally in contact with a mechanical timing switch. When fluid initially flows into the housing inlet, the poppet directs the fluid to the first outlet. The fluid activates the mechanical timing switch which releases from the poppet. When the fluid no longer flows through the valve, a spring moves the poppet into the second position. At the same time, the mechanical timing switch begins to move back into contact with the popper. An orifice controls the movement of the switch, so that there is a time delay between the moment the fluid pressure in the valve drop, to the point when the poppet is pushed back to the first position.

Abstract: A portable soft drink dispenser that can be attached to a conventional beverage container and maintain the carbonation of the beverage. The dispenser includes a housing with an internal thread that can be mated with the external thread of a conventional beverage container. Attached to the housing is a removable CO.sub.2 cartridge which can supply CO.sub.2 to the beverage container. The flow of CO.sub.2 into the container is controlled by a regulator valve that is coupled to a button by a spring. The pressure within the beverage container can be varied by manually pushing the button.

Abstract: A attachment that can be attached to the opening of a container to pressurize the same with a gas. The attachment has a housing which holds a removable cartridge that contains either pressurized nitrogen or CO.sub.2. Extending from the attachment is a button that is connected to a valve which controls the flow of gas into the container. The button and valve are coupled to a spring which functions as a regulator that controls the gas pressure within the container. When the button is depressed, the valve is opened and the gas is allowed to flow into the container. The spring maintains the valve in the open position until the gas pressure overcomes the spring force and closes the valve. Varying the movement of the button varies the spring force and the gas pressure within the container.

Abstract: A high speed solenoid valve that has a housing with an inlet and outlet that are typically connected to a pneumatic system to control the flow of air across the valve. The solenoid has a first magnetic core coaxial with an armature. Wrapped around the first core is a coil that is connected to a source of power. The coil emits a magnetic flux when current flows through the coil. Adjacent to the coil is a second magnetic core that is attached at one end to the first core and spaced from the opposite end of the first core by a first bushing. Attached to the armature is a magnetic plate that is adjacent to the spaced apart ends of the first and second cores. When the coil is energized, the magnetic flux flows through the magnetic cores and plate, pulling the plate toward the cores and moving the armature from a first to a second position.

Abstract: A solenoid valve which has a first magnetic core that is separated from a second magnetic core by a bushing. The bushing has an inner corner that sits within an outer seat of the first magnetic core, and an outer seat that cooperates with an inner seat of the second magnetic core such that the magnetic cores capture the bushing.

Abstract: A portable dispenser for fastening to a conventional carbonated beverage container and providing the convenient dispensing of the contents therein while maintaining the carbonation of the beverage until fully consumed is disclosed. The dispenser is comprised of a body assembly for threadedly engaging a conventional carbonated beverage container, such as one liter, two liter and three liter PET containers, and sealing with respect thereto. The body assembly contains a tube assembly for extending from the bottom of the beverage within the container to the dispenser outlet, with a valve mechanism spring loaded to squeeze the tube closed and manually operable for controllably allowing the flow of the beverage therethrough. The body assembly includes a unique pressure regulator and a CO.sub.2 cartridge in a cartridge holder for providing a source of CO.sub.2 at the regulated pressure to the beverage container.

Abstract: A temperature compensated position sensor which may be used with hydraulic and pneumatic actuators having a magnetic piston and a non-magnetic cylinder is disclosed. The position sensor comprises a pair of Hall effect sensors mounted adjacent a permanent magnet on the outside of a hydraulic cylinder. One Hall effect sensor is oriented upside down with respect to the second Hall effect sensor such that the two Hall effects sensors perceive equal and opposite magnetic fields. The voltage outputs of both Hall effect sensors are amplified, and one is inverted. The resultant voltage signals are added together. Because changes in temperature produce equal changes in the output voltage of each sensor, the summing process cancels out temperature induced variations in the voltage signals. The resultant sum is dependent only on the magnitude of the magnetic field perceived by the Hall effect sensors, regardless of the variation in temperature.

Abstract: Simplified battery operated automatic and manually operable valves for use in sprinkler systems and the like are disclosed. The valves are operable from a latching actuator controlled through a microcomputer programmed to turn the valve on and off at a specific time of the day. For purposes of programming the system once batteries are in place, the user simply pushes an on/off button at the desired turn on time of the day, at which time the valve will turn on. At the same time, the time of the turn on occurrence will be retained in memory. Similarly a subsequent operation of the same switch will turn off the valve and cause the storage in memory of the corresponding turn off time. Thereafter, the valve will automatically turn on and turn off at those programmed times on each subsequent day, or on such days as are commanded by control of a manually operated switch or as permanently wired.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is disclosed which includes a valve housing with a sliding piston member defining inlet and outlet chambers. A valve seat in conjunction with the piston member forms a valve controlling fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet chamber. The piston member includes a piston and piston plate, the piston plate engaging the valve seat to control fluid flow. The diameters of the chambers and the piston are selected so that the inlet pressure causes no net force on the moving piston member, and does not contribute to either the opening or closing of the valve. On the outlet side, the piston plate is sealed with respect to the valve seat at a diameter which is less than that of the piston plate, such that the outlet pressure creates a net force urging the piston plate to engage the valve seat. The resulting unbalanced output force on the member is opposed by coil spring urging the member upward to unseat the plate from the valve seat.

Abstract: Pressure regulating valves intended primarily for use as pressure regulating shut-off valves are disclosed. The valves utilize a simple piston assembly operative between a valve open position and a valve closed position responsive to a spring biasing the assembly toward the open position against an opposite force proportional to the outlet pressure. The piston assembly has only a single seal to seal the assembly against leakage, with a shut-off mechanism operative on only a 180 degree rotation thereof being cooperatively disposed with respect to the piston assembly so as to not require any additional seals. Embodiments having a fixed pressure regulation and a manually adjustable pressure regulation are disclosed.

Abstract: Pressure regulating mechanically operable valves intended primarily for use as pressure regulating shut off valves are disclosed. The valves utilize a simple piston assembly operative between a valve open position and a valve closed position responsive to a spring biasing the assembly toward the open position against an opposite force proportional to the outlet pressure. The piston assembly may have only a single seal to seal the assembly against leakage with a mechanical shut off mechanism operative on only a 180 degree rotation thereof being cooperatively disposed with respect to the piston assembly so as to not require any additional seals. An electrically operable unlatching means is provided to close the valve upon receipt of a pulse from a battery or other electrical system, exemplary circuits, including a unique moisture sensing system are enclosed.

Abstract: Integrated latching actuators are disclosed which may be used as direct replacements for nonlatching actuators in various applications. The integrated latching actuators comprise a magnetically latching actuator with control electronics packaged therewith so that actuation and release may be controlled through a single control line. The integration of the actuator and control electronics eliminates many potential failure modes of conventional latching actuators and results in greatly reduced power consumption, particularly in low duty cycle applications. Various embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments that may operate directly on microprocessor outputs without special drive circuitry.

Abstract: A controller which can be set to operate a group of sprinkler control valves, which can be easily set and tested for proper automatic operation, and which can operate a sprinkler system in a variety of ways. The controller includes a clock, a series of dividers for dividing down the frequency of the clock, and a group of controls that can be operated to begin sprinkling cycles at predetermined times and close the sprinkling control valves after predetermined durations. A selector control can be utilized to effectively increase the frequency of the clock, as by bypassing a divider stage, to operate the system at a very rapid rate, which is useful in testing the system for automatic operation after it is set and for repetitive short duration sprinkling cycles. The controller has a cascade input that enables the beginning of a cycle of operation by an external signal, to permit repeated cycling of the system, and to synchronize a group of controllers.