Abstract: A method for mixing fluids and/or solids in a manner that can be varied from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. Variation in the manner of mixing is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to control the frequency and amplitude of the motor(s), which drive an unbalanced shaft assembly to produce a linear vibratory motion. The motor may be a stepper motor, a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor on the mixing vessel platform to provide feedback control of the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid or solid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce a high quality mixant.

Abstract: A method for mixing fluids and/or solids in a manner that can be varied from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. Variation in the manner of mixing is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to control the frequency and amplitude of the motor(s), which drive an unbalanced shaft assembly to produce a linear vibratory motion. The motor may be a stepper motor, a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor on the mixing vessel platform to provide feedback control of the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid or solid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce a high quality mixant.

Abstract: A check valve is provided that includes a valve body, a stop bar, a flapper, and a protrusion. The valve body has a flow channel extending therethrough, a first stop support, and a second stop support. The first and second stop supports extend axially from the valve body. The stop bar is coupled to and extends between the first and the second stop supports. The flapper is rotationally mounted to the valve body and comprises a first material. The protrusion is integrally molded with the flapper and extends axially therefrom. The protrusion comprises a second material that is non-metallic and different than the first material. The flapper is moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper at least substantially seals the flow channel, and a fully-open position, in which the protrusion contacts the stop bar and the flapper unseals the flow channel.

Abstract: A check valve is provided that includes a valve body, a stop mechanism, and a flapper. The valve body includes a flowpath extending therethrough and a pair of stop supports extending axially therefrom. The valve body includes an engineered composite. The stop mechanism is integrally formed with the valve body and extends between the pair of stop supports. The stop mechanism includes the engineered composite. The flapper rotationally is coupled to the valve body and configured to be selectively moveable between an open and closed position in response to a pressure differential thereacross. The flapper includes the engineered composite.

Abstract: A check valve stop assembly and method of retaining the check valve stop assembly in a check valve flow body without external fixation means, wherein the check valve stop assembly includes a threaded check valve stop insert and a check valve stop housing including a threaded interior sidewall that defines a void space therein. The check valve stop insert is inserted within the void space of the check valve stop housing by mating the threads of the check valve stop insert with those of the check valve stop housing. The check valve stop housing further includes an opening formed in the sidewall through which at least a portion of the check valve stop insert is accessible. The check valve stop insert that is accessible via the opening formed in the sidewall is either coupled to the check valve stop housing or mechanically deformed to prevent removal of the check valve stop insert from within the check valve stop housing.

Abstract: A check valve is provided that includes a valve body, a stop bar, a flapper, and a protrusion. The valve body has a flow channel extending therethrough, a first stop support, and a second stop support. The first and second stop supports extend axially from the valve body. The stop bar is coupled to and extends between the first and the second stop supports. The flapper is rotationally mounted to the valve body and comprises a first material. The protrusion is integrally molded with the flapper and extends axially therefrom. The protrusion comprises a second material that is non-metallic and different than the first material. The flapper is moveable between a closed position, in which the flapper at least substantially seals the flow channel, and a fully-open position, in which the protrusion contacts the stop bar and the flapper unseals the flow channel.

Abstract: A damping system, for a valve with a flapper movable between an open position and a closed position, comprises a main body and a piston. The main body has at least an inner wall that defines a chamber having fluid therein. The main body is coupled to the flapper, and is configured to move therewith. The piston is disposed at least partially within the chamber. The piston is configured to move within the chamber in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the main body when the flapper approaches the open position or the closed position, to thereby compress the fluid in a section of the chamber and slow movement of the main body. Movement of the flapper is thereby slowed when approaching the open position or the closed position.

Abstract: A damping system for a valve with a flapper comprises a main body having at least an inner wall defining a chamber having fluid therein, a paddle disposed within the chamber, and a fluid channel. The paddle is coupled to the flapper and moved thereby between a first and second position when the flapper is in a closed and an open position, respectively, and is configured to force fluid from at least a section of the chamber when approaching the first or second position. The fluid channel is coupled to the chamber section, and is configured to allow fluid egress out of the chamber section at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to a predetermined intermediate position between the first and second positions, and at a second, lower egress rate when the paddle moves from the predetermined intermediate position to the second position.

Abstract: A damping system, for a valve with a flapper movable between an open position and a closed position, comprises a main body and a piston. The main body has at least an inner wall that defines a chamber having fluid therein. The main body is coupled to the flapper, and is configured to move therewith. The piston is disposed at least partially within the chamber. The piston is configured to move within the chamber in a direction opposite the direction of movement of the main body when the flapper approaches the open position or the closed position, to thereby compress the fluid in a section of the chamber and slow movement of the main body. Movement of the flapper is thereby slowed when approaching the open position or the closed position.

Abstract: A check valve is provided that includes a valve body, a stop mechanism, and a flapper. The valve body includes a flowpath extending therethrough and a pair of stop supports extending axially therefrom. The valve body includes an engineered composite. The stop mechanism is integrally formed with the valve body and extends between the pair of stop supports. The stop mechanism includes the engineered composite. The flapper rotationally is coupled to the valve body and configured to be selectively moveable between an open and closed position in response to a pressure differential thereacross. The flapper includes the engineered composite.

Abstract: A damping system for a valve with a flapper comprises a main body having at least an inner wall defining a pneumatic chamber, a paddle disposed within the pneumatic chamber, and a plurality of orifices extending through the main body. The paddle is coupled to the flapper and moved thereby between a first position and a second position when the flapper is in a closed and an open position, respectively, and is configured to force gas out of the pneumatic chamber when moving to the first position or the second position. The plurality of orifices allow gas egress out of the pneumatic chamber at least at a first egress rate when the paddle moves from the first position to an intermediate position between the first and second positions, and at least at a second, lower egress rate when the paddle moves from the intermediate position to the second position.

Abstract: A check valve assembly including a position indicator and method of operation, wherein the position indicator indicates the position of at least one of a plurality of flappers. The valve assembly including at least one bridge conductor and at least one pair of spaced apart mating conductors formed on at least one of a fluid flow opening and/or on a flapper stop. During operation, the bridge conductor bridges the pairs of conductors formed about at least one fluid flow opening thereby generating a signal to alert a controller that the flapper is in a closed position. Alternatively, or in addition to, the bridge conductor bridges the pair of conductors on the flapper stop thereby generating a signal to alert a controller that the flapper is in a full-open position.

Abstract: A check valve stop assembly and method of retaining the check valve stop assembly in a check valve flow body without external fixation means, wherein the check valve stop assembly includes a threaded check valve stop insert and a check valve stop housing including a threaded interior sidewall that defines a void space therein. The check valve stop insert is inserted within the void space of the check valve stop housing by mating the threads of the check valve stop insert with those of the check valve stop housing. The check valve stop housing further includes an opening formed in the sidewall through which at least a portion of the check valve stop insert is accessible. The check valve stop insert that is accessible via the opening formed in the sidewall is either coupled to the check valve stop housing or mechanically deformed to prevent removal of the check valve stop insert from within the check valve stop housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing fluids and/or solids in a manner that can be varied from maintaining the integrity of fragile molecular and biological materials in the mixing vessel to homogenizing heavy aggregate material by supplying large amounts of energy. Variation in the manner of mixing is accomplished using an electronic controller to generate signals to control the frequency and amplitude of the motor(s), which drive an unbalanced shaft assembly to produce a linear vibratory motion. The motor may be a stepper motors a linear motor or a DC continuous motor. By placing a sensor on the mixing vessel platform to provide feedback control of the mixing motor, the characteristics of agitation in the fluid or solid can be adjusted to optimize the degree of mixing and produce a high quality mixant.