Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly structured to reduce breakaway friction (stiction) upon movement of the piston within the cylinder. The assembly includes a cylinder housing, a piston having a piston crown with a top face and one or more peripheral grooves, and a sealing ring positioned on the piston in each of the one or more peripheral grooves. The piston crown incorporates one or more passageways extending from a space above the piston to a location within the peripheral groove inside of (behind) the sealing ring. An increase in a volume of fluid in the chamber above the piston directs fluid through the passageways into the peripheral groove, thereby pressing the sealing ring against the cylinder wall. A double acting piston embodiment uses at least two sealing rings positioned within at least two grooves, each with associated fluid flow passageways into the grooves behind the sealing rings.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly structured to reduce breakaway friction (stiction) upon movement of the piston within the cylinder. The assembly includes a cylinder housing, a piston having a piston crown with a top face and one or more peripheral grooves, and an O-ring positioned on the piston in each of the one or more peripheral grooves. The piston crown incorporates one or more passageways extending from a space above the piston to a location within the peripheral groove inside of (behind) the O-ring. An increase in a volume of fluid in the chamber above the piston directs fluid through the passageways into the peripheral groove, thereby pressing the O-ring against the cylinder wall. A double acting piston embodiment uses at least two O-rings positioned within at least two grooves, each with associated fluid flow passageways into the grooves behind the O-rings.

Abstract: A piston and cylinder assembly structured to reduce breakaway friction (stiction) upon movement of the piston within the cylinder. The assembly includes a cylinder housing, a piston having a piston crown with a top face and one or more peripheral grooves, and an O-ring positioned on the piston in each of the one or more peripheral grooves. The piston crown incorporates one or more passageways extending from a space above the piston to a location within the peripheral groove inside of (behind) the O-ring. An increase in a volume of fluid in the chamber above the piston directs fluid through the passageways into the peripheral groove, thereby pressing the O-ring against the cylinder wall. A double acting piston embodiment uses at least two O-rings positioned within at least two grooves, each with associated fluid flow passageways into the grooves behind the O-rings.

Abstract: A bias spring structure for pressure regulators for increasing flow capacity. The inventive device includes a specially shaped metal disc. The bias spring is a circular, thin, conically shaped, metal disc, with a center through hole, and having specifically controlled height and thickness values.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm structure for pressure regulators for increasing flow capacity, flow control, and pressure rating. The structure includes a specially shaped metal diaphragm installed and clamped on its periphery into the outlet cavity of a pressure regulator body. The diaphragm is a circular thin metal disc dome shaped with specifically controlled height and thickness values.

Abstract: A bias spring structure for pressure regulators for increasing flow capacity. The inventive device includes a specially shaped metal disc. The bias spring is a circular, thin, conically shaped, metal disc, with a center through hole, and having specifically controlled height and thickness values.

Abstract: A metal diaphragm structure for pressure regulators for increasing flow capacity, flow control, and pressure rating. The structure includes a specially shaped metal diaphragm installed and clamped on its periphery into the outlet cavity of a pressure regulator body. The diaphragm is a circular thin metal disc dome shaped with specifically controlled height and thickness values.

Abstract: A serpentine disk lever that can be utilized for surround-type levering in a pneumatically controlled valve actuator for high pressure applications. The design of the serpentine disk lever allows it to have the flexibility required for surround-type levering, whereby the disk lever may transition from a flat to a frusto-conical shape, and the strength necessary for high pressure levering applications. High flexibility results from the disk lever's serpentine pattern, which is created by cutting alternating internal and external slits into the disk from the internal and external edges, respectively. High Strength is created by use of a hard material and by limiting stress concentration by use of a generally symmetric disk shape as well as rounded edges within the internal and external slits of the serpentine pattern.

Abstract: A unitary diaphragm and seat assembly for making the removal and replacement of diaphragms and seats practical, simple, and easy is taught. The inventive device includes a diaphragm cap, one or more diaphragms, and a diaphragm plate all respectively stacked and welded together in concentric alignment. A valve seat is attached to the lower face of the diaphragm plate. This assembly is concentrically retained within the valve body. The valve actuator installs over the top of the assembly and mechanically attaches onto the valve body. The diaphragm cap is a tubular shaped metal structure. The diaphragm is a circular thin metal disc preferably dome shaped. The diaphragm plate is a disc shaped metal structure having an upper and lower face. The valve seat is a tubular plastic structure. The valve body is a metal structure containing fluid ports and attachment means to a valve actuator.

Abstract: A serpentine disk lever that can be utilized for surround-type levering in a pneumatically controlled valve actuator for high pressure applications. The design of the serpentine disk lever allows it to have the flexibility required for surround-type levering, whereby the disk lever may transition from a flat to a frusto-conical shape, and the strength necessary for high pressure levering applications. High flexibility results from the disk lever's serpentine pattern, which is created by cutting alternating internal and external slits into the disk from the internal and external edges, respectively. High Strength is created by use of a hard material and by limiting stress concentration by use of a generally symmetric disk shape as well as rounded edges within the internal and external slits of the serpentine pattern.

Abstract: A longitudinally compact vacuum generator having an incorporated check valve. The generator includes a valve assembly housing having top and bottom portions. An exhaust housing is coupled to the top portion of the valve assembly and a venturi inlet port is located in the bottom portion of the valve assembly. A vacuum inlet port is configured in fluid communication with a suction chamber within the valve assembly and a pneumatic valve pressure supply port is configured in fluid communication with a pneumatic pressure supply channel.

Abstract: A force multiplication mechanism utilizing one or more upwardly open slotted conical disc springs to impart a highly amplified biasing force substantially at the center of the spring upon a force receiving member when the springs are oriented in an unrelieved, but loaded configuration. Two fulcrums are positioned, one each, proximate to upper and lower surfaces of the slotted disc springs. One fulcrum, a high amplification fulcrum, engages the upper surface of the disc spring in the unrelieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be a multiple of the spring's rated force, exemplarily on the order of five times that rated force. A second fulcrum, a low amplification fulcrum, engages the lower surface of the disc spring and acts as a pivot point about which the spring transitions into the relieved configuration causing the downwardly biasing force to be relieved.

Abstract: A fluid delivery force-actuated valve, such as a gas delivery pneumatic-actuated valve suitable for use in the electronic industry, employing bellows means so that the actuation means can be used to open or close the valve independent of the force of the pressurized fluid. A method for delivering the pressurized fluid, such as gas, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A micropanel for the delivery of gas from a supply cylinder to a tool location comprises an arrangement of valves, pressure regulator and associated components adapted to enhance the purity of the delivered gas and the safety of the gas delivery panel.

Abstract: IA purge block is disclosed in which inlet, process, purge and vent ports are series connected in a ring or bridge. The channel or passageway connecting the inlet and purge ports comprises a flow sensor. The impedance to gas flow of each channel is different from the others. The impedances are chosen such that improper operating conditions cause an imbalance in the flow which is detected by the flow sensor. During normal operation of the system in which the purge block is used, the flow sensor acts as an excess flow detector by comparing the flow through itself with the flow through a parallel, but more restrictive, path within the purge block.