Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a modular cartridge (60) rotatably mounted in housin (12). The cartridge has a bottom volume control valve plate (58) attached to a lower section (62) housing a pressure balance valve (80). The lower section (62) is secured to an upper section (120) that rotatably receives a temperature control plate (150). The plates (58) and (150) are both rotatable about a common axis (64). The plate (58) is controlled by operation of stem (180) attached to handle (34). The plate (150) is controlled by stem (160) which is operated by knob (38). An insert (250) allows the knob (38) to operate even when hot and cold water supplies are inverted. A splined hot water stop ring (228) sits in handle (34) and adaptably limits rotation of knob (38) for a selected maximum water temperature. Outer seals (58) assure that all water flows through cartridge (60) when the volume is set for partial flow.

Abstract: A valve housing is claimed which provides for diversion of fluid flow into a valve cartridge from a selected inlet through a selected outlet to the valve cartridge. An opening is provided in the housing in which the cartridge is located. The housing also has diverting mechanisms disposed between the cartridge and the fluid inlets. The diverting mechanisms may be adjusted to orient the fluid flow into the valve cartridge. For example, if an installer incorrectly installs the hot and cold water inlets to the housing, the diverting mechanism may be moved to provide the correct orientation of flow into the valve cartridge.

Abstract: A bypass/diverter valve for controlling the flow of fluid from a source to a fluid treatment device such as a water softener. The valve includes a valve housing defining a circular chamber having a cylindrical wall into which three spaced ports open into. Two of the ports form inlet/outlet ports communicating with connecting conduits. The third port forms an intermediate port that communicates with the input to the water softener. The valve housing also defines a second intermediate port communicating with the output of the water softener and which communicates with the valve chamber through a passage arrangement.

Abstract: An improved pressure balanced choke valve with a reversible cage style trim suitable for installation in production flowlines where it may be desired to later reverse the flow direction and use the well for water injection. The valve body has end connections machined thereon and a central bore for sealingly receiving a reversible cartridge assembly containing the cage style trim. The cartridge assembly is sealed against the valve body cavity by metal-to-metal seals and is easily removed for flow reversal by removal of a simple retainer cap. The cartridge assembly uses an inner sleeve movable within a cage type trim to control the flow. The cartridge is surmounted by a bonnet assembly utilizing a handwheel operated traveling nut assembly to control movement of the inner sleeve.

Abstract: A fluid powered mechanism has a housing with a generally cylindrical shape and circumferentially adjacent axially extending primary and secondary fluid passageways. Exhaust direction and rotary limit speed are controlled by a flow reversing and regulating ring having a first face with a thru slot and an adjacent blocking flange and a second face having a turning flange which is the reverse of the blocking flange of the first face. The flow reversing and regulating ring is color coded to indicate the size of the fluid flow passageways and, thus, the limit speed provided by the ring. The rotational limit speed and the exhaust direction are determined by selection of the color-coded flow reversing and regulating ring and by its orientation in the tool.

Abstract: A fluid cutoff device in a line, includes a first coupling having a generally cylindrically shaped outer body, and a hollow generally cylindrically shaped inner body with a first inner sealing surface. The first coupling includes a first shutter valve adapted to be normally biased closed to abut against the first sealing surface to cut off fluid flow through the first coupling. The device includes a second coupling having a generally cylindrically shaped outer body adapted to sealably translate within the inner body of said first coupling, and a hollow generally cylindrically shaped inner body with a second inner sealing surface.

Abstract: A mixing faucet for hot and cold water including a cartridge 40 which contains a fixed valve plate 32 and a movable valve plate 23, both constructed of hard ceramic material, and both constructed to control the proportion of mixing and the flow that comes out of the faucet. In this faucet, the part 25 of the cartridge that has the seat for the fixed valve plate 32 constitutes an element which is separate from the cover 16 of the cartridge. It is mounted in the cover 16 for sealed axial movement and is arranged so that sealed flow can occur from a part of the cavity of the body of the faucet that has a reduced section and in which one of the supply pipes 2 is connected. The seat 25 for the valve plate has some projections 30 which can interact in the passage apertures 32a to laterally affix the plate 32. The cartridge has an annular ring 34 which has some upper teeth 35 that engage with corresponding recesses 33 present peripherally on the work face of the fixed valve plate.

Abstract: An insert for a fluid flow system is constructed of a body having a plurality of faces two of which are adapted to mate with corresponding faces of fluid flow components of the system with the body inserted therebetween and a plurality of stud adapters each of which has an externally threaded male end and an internally threaded female end and an enlarged portion forming a bearing surface. One end of each stud adapter is adapted to threadedly engage one of the system components with the bearing surface in bearing contact with the corresponding face thereof for supporting the body with one body face in contact with one of the system components and the other end of each stud adapter is adapted to be threadedly engaged with the mechanism for mounting the other of the system components in contact with the other body face.

Abstract: A set of components for creating various spool-type directional control valves. By rearranging the spools and springs, or reversing one or more spools end-to-end, valves with different desired and preselected flow patterns can be made from the same components.

Abstract: A three-way valve has its inlet fitting fixed to a housing and a pair of outlet fittings on opposite sides of the inlet fitting are formed on annular compartments which are rotatable on the housing to simplify orientation of the fittings for installation in pipe networks and the like.

Abstract: A cartridge valve 10 for a faucet has a shell 12 housing a movable valve plate 22 and an operating stem 20 able to control the plate 22 by operating mechanism 17. A bottom member 19 has hot and cold water inlets 54 and 56. A fixed valve plate 23 is seated on the bottom member 19 and has hot and cold water outlets 50 and 52 in communication with the inlets 54 and 56. The shell has orienting notches 42 and 44 with notch 44 having a removable prong 46 therein. Bottom member 19 has two orienting tabs 38 and 40 with tab 40 having a groove 48 that receives prong 46 to assure a correct first orientation of the bottom member to shell 12. The prong 46 can be removed if the bottom member 19 is desired to mount to the shell 12 in a second reversed position that is 180.degree. rotated from the first orientation.

Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a modular cartridge (60) rotatably mounted in housing (12). The cartridge has a bottom volume control valve plate (58) attached to a lower section (62) housing a pressure balance valve (80). The lower section (62) is secured to an upper section (120) that rotatably receives a temperature control plate (150). The plates (58) and (150) are both rotatable about a common axis (64). The plate (58) is controlled by operation of stem (180) attached to handle (34). The plate (150) is controlled by stem (160) which is operated by knob (38). An insert (250) allows the knob (38) to operate even when hot and cold water supplies are inverted. A splined hot water stop ring (228) sits in handle (34) and adaptably limits rotation of knob (38) for a selected maximum water temperature. Outer seals (58) assure that all water flows through cartridge (60) when the volume is set for partial flow.

Abstract: A thermostatic mixing valve has a connection housing and an attachment housing which are joined together at abutting surfaces. The connection housing has hot, cold and mixed water passages which mate with respective hot, cold, and mixed water passages in the attachment housing. The attachment housing further has valve means for controlling the temperature and quantity of the mixed water.

Abstract: A reversible spring return cylinder actuator having a pair of piston rods extending from a common spring load piston to the exterior of the housing. In a non-pressure position of the piston, one of the piston rods extends further from the housing than the other. Either piston rod and either end of the housing can be mounted to a device to be actuated so that the same actuator can be used to define a non-pressure extend or retracted actuator without disassembly of the actuator.

Abstract: An ashtray has a hollow housing in the interior of which is mounted a smoke detector and an audio playback unit for providing an anti-smoking message upon the detection of smoke. A digital counter counts the number of activations of the smoke detector. The ashtray has a concave ash receiving depression on a top surface of the hollow housing. A centrally disposed smoke passage in the concave depression allows smoke to be drawn into the smoke detector through a smoke tunnel by a small fan. The device is battery powered and is provided with an on/off switch for selectively disconnecting the battery power supply.

Abstract: A reversible buoyant and non-buoyant flush tank valve is adapted for use in various types of flush tanks each having different selective valve operating attachments for moving the valve. The valve for use in one type of tank includes an elongated base with opposite end portions with a valve operating attachment selectivity at one end for opening and closing the valve. The other end portion of the valve is selectively attachable to the overflow pipe. The base has opposite sides with a vertically extending hollow frusto-conical cup member on one side. When the valve is used in another type of tank the opposite end portions are removed for connecting a vertical rod valve operating attachment to a first and second oppositely disposed bores to selectively position the cup member upwardly for non-buoyant operation or downwardly for buoyant operation.

Abstract: A flow selector device makes use of an annular plate having a plurality of flow control orifices spaced about its perimeter. The plate is rotatably received within a housing that includes a first fluid conduit formed therein. The plate is selectively rotated to bring any one of the orifices therein into alignment with an open end of the first conduit by means of a removable cover on the housing. The conduit includes an annular seal about its open end and against which the orifice plate is pressed to seal the selected orifice within a fluid flow passage. A second fluid conduit is also provided and is connected to a clamp device mounting an open end of the conduit and a second annular seal. A clamp device is manually operable to securely clamp the plate between the seals, securing the plate in position with the selected orifice in line with and connecting the fluid flow conduits.

Abstract: The check valve includes a disc-shaped closure member mounted to the valve body for sealing engagement with an annular seat in the valve body. A stem is rotatably mounted to the valve body so that the closure member can swing into and out of engagement with the annular seat. The stem extends outwardly of the valve body and may be positioned on either side of the valve body so that a biasing or cushioning mechanism attached thereto may be positioned on either side of the valve body. An adjustment mechanism is provided for axially moving the stem with respect to the valve body, thereby laterally adjusting the position of the closure member with respect to the seat on the valve body to ensure reliable sealing engagement with the seat.

Abstract: A solenoid on-off valve for opening or closing a flow channel passing through a valve chamber by alternately moving a plunger in the valve chamber with a solenoid and a return spring, comprises valve seats on both ends of the valve chamber, a valve head 12 for closing valve seats is disposed at one end, while a path 14 for communicating the valve hole of the valve seat with the valve chamber is disposed at the other end of the plunger and the flow channel is adapted so as to be normally open or normally closed by the mounting of the plunger in the valve chamber while turning the direction depending on the case.

Abstract: A fluid delivery manifold especially designed for water systems in buildings and residences is the subject of this invention. The manifold is formed from a plurality of identically configured fittings provided with male and female ends so that like fittings may be frictionally joined without the need for thermal welding. Retaining rods extend the length of a gang of joined fittings and are designed to provide compressive forces to maintain the fittings in sealing relationship. The fittings are joined together in pairs which make an integral unit so that side-by-side hot and cold water manifolds may be presented in one assembly operation. The juncture between the integral pair of fittings is, however, designed to present a line of weakness so that the two fittings may be separated if desired. Each fitting has three equal flat elongated surfaces which are disposed at 90.degree. relative to each other so that fittings may be joined in three different rotational positions.

Abstract: The connecting fitting member for a cold and warm water mixing valve includes a coupler mounted in a structure wall, which has passages for two or more pipe connections and from which additional passages lead for connection of the mixing valve branch in a substantially transverse direction. The housing of the mixing valve has a base surface corresponding to the upper surface of the coupler. This connecting fitting member is improved, since a fitting member is inserted or mounted in the housing of the mixing valve, with which it is possible to reverse the connections for the cold and warm water by a rotation of 180.degree. and to fix the mixing valve in any angular position in the coupler.

Abstract: A check valve having a dual valve seat, a valve member, a retainer, and a valve spring. The dual valve seat has a cylindrical body having an axial bore therethrough. A conical valve seat is provided at one end of the axial bore and a flat valve seat is provided at the other end of the axial bore. A recess is provided in the face of the cylindrical body at the end having the conical valve seat to form a first retainer seat and an annular recess is provided about the flat valve seat to form a second retainer seat by inverting the valve seat, the check valve may accept either a stem valve member having a conical sealing surface or a flat valve member having a flat sealing surface. The embodiment of this check valve in an electromagnetic fluid pump permits it to have different operating characteristics depending on which valve member is used.

Abstract: A removable cartridge type valve is provided which has a minimum number of parts yet affords right and left hand conversion for cold and hot water usage in the same valve. A cross shaped groove is provided on the top of the movable disk, and the stem selectively is inserted into one or the other arm of the groove. The valve also provides a secure fitment of the valve stem in the valve body through the use of a grooveless type retaining member. Further, any tendency for bottom gasket members to be forced down out of the valve housing is eliminated by the use of an L-shaped gasket. Binding is also reduced by thinning the gasket adjacent the intersection of the arms of the L on the gasket.

Abstract: A tail piece for insertion in a waste pipe of a water drainage system including a main tubular portion connected to a waste pipe, tubular branch means having central conduit means connected to the main tubular portion, and means for selectively adapting the tubular branch means for connection to an upwardly extending tube for draining an appliance into a downwardly extending tube for priming a drain trap.

Abstract: A cartridge is receivable in a mixing valve body for regulating the flow rate and the mixing proportions of the liquid from two supply inlets. The cartridge includes a shell housing, an operating mechanism, and a movable valve element of hard material. The cartridge can be standardized to fit different kinds of mixing valve bodies. A separate bottom, built separately from the shell, mounts a fixed valve plate of hard material and includes at least the main parts distinguishing the cartridges assigned to different kinds of mixing valve bodies. A joint mechanism allows the mounting of the bottom onto the shell in selected positions so that the shell and bottom are resistant against separation from a pulling force. Preferably the joint, foreseen between the shell and the bottom of the cartridge, is a bayonet-type joint that fixes the shell and bottom against rotation but allows limited axial movement between the shell and the bottom.

Abstract: A faucet valve cartridge for a dual handle faucet which facilitates conversion between a lever-operated faucet and a knob-operated faucet utilizing identical components. The cartridge may be used to control either the hot-water supply or the cold-water supply to the faucet spout. The cartridge includes an integrally formed stop member and housing within which is rotatably disposed a valving member. The housing includes a pair of outlet ports and is open to the bottom to receive the valving member and a pair of cooperating valving plates which control fluid flow. Orientation of the valving plates within the housing controls the specific configuration of the valve cartridge. Preferably the valving plates are made of a ceramic material to reduce wear and facilitate rotation.

Abstract: An angle cock which is capable of functioning in a left-handed mode or in a right-handed mode. The angle cock is a ball valve having a ball which is located within the curity of a housing, a valve stem and handle for selectively moving the ball to an open position and one of two closed positions, and a locking device for releasible locking the handle in the open position or in either of the two closed positions.

Abstract: A pilot valve for connecting a source of fluid under pressure to an actuator where the pilot valve may be connected to the actuator in any of 360.degree. of rotation so that the fluid connections may be made from any desired direction. Further disclosed is a coupling adapter joining the pilot valve to the actuator with passages so arranged in the adapter that 180.degree. rotation of the coupling adapter reverses the fluid flow connections between the pilot valve and the actuator simultaneously exposing indicia indicating the condition. Still further disclosed is a spring return manual override that is slotted to enable operation by a coin and has a mating slot in the pilot valve body allowing locking in the override position by insertion of a coin or similar device. A ball valve actuator is described as an actuator device.

Abstract: A reversible side outlet washing machine box for being mounted between two adjacent studs in a wall and for allowing first and second water supply lines and a drain line to be coupled to the first and second water hoses and drain hose, respectively, of a washing machine. The box includes a first side wall; a second side wall; and a base member having a first and a second end; the base member extends between the first and second side walls and is reversible to allow either the first or second end thereof to be attached to either the first or second side wall; the first water supply line and the first water hose being attachable to the base member adjacent the first end thereof, the second water supply line and the second water hose being attachable to the base member intermediate the first and second ends thereof, the drain line and the drain hose being attachable to the base member adjacent the second end thereof.

Abstract: The valve comprises a body with an inlet connector and an outlet connector for connection to a pressure source and a pneumatic circuit respectively, and with an obturator valve which controls communication between the connectors. The valve has a control device including a piston sealingly slidable in a guide portion of the body between a first chamber which can be put into communication with a pressure source and a second chamber housing a valve so that the piston can move and open the valve under the effect of the pressure in the first chamber. The guided portion of the piston is generally cylindrical and has a smaller cross-section than the passage cross-section of the guide portion of the body. An intermediate member is sealingly interposed between the guided portion of the piston and the guide portion of the body.

Abstract: A bonnet is mounted on an insert support and connected to a valve body to retain a diaphragm in fluid sealing relationship between the body and insert support. The insert support is rotatable relative to the housing of a fluid actuator while being retained in a fixed axial position relative to the housing. A plunger is extended through the insert support to abut against a button that abuts against one side of the diaphragm, the opposite side of which abuts against a valve seat subassembly that is resiliently urged to a valve open condition. The housing mounts a spindle which in turn has an eccentric lobe keyed thereto for moving the plunger toward the diaphragm so that the button flexes the diaphragm to move the seat subassembly to its valve closed position. Piston operated rack mechanism controls the rotation of the lobe for moving the plunger toward the diaphragm. Spring mechanism moves the piston in one direction while fluid under pressure applied to the actuator moves the piston in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A mixing valve for a faucet includes a cartridge and a chamber of a body and a reversing piston within a bore positioned below the chamber. The piston has passageways therethrough in communication with the inlets of the body and also in communication with respective entrances of the cartridge. As the piston is rotated 180.degree. from its initial position, the passageways connect the opposite inlets with the respective entrances in the cartridge. As such operation of the handle can always be conventional where movement of the handle to the right provides cold water and to the left provides hot water irrespective as to which inlets in the body provide the hot and cold water.

Abstract: A ball assembly for crossing hot and cold water channels in a faucet mixing valve housing. The ball assembly is used with a hot and cold water faucet and is interchangeable with other ball assemblies when water lines have been inadvertently or intentionally crossed.

Abstract: A faucet valve of the ceramic disc type convertable from hot to cold water usage by a reassembling of the elements.

Abstract: A vacuum breaker for connection in the discharge line from a source of liquid. The preferred embodiment comprises an elongated body for connection in the discharge line and opening to atmosphere through a lateral passageway selectively closed by a cylindrical sleeve coaxially carried by said body. In the open position of the sleeve the vacuum breaker is particularly adapted for in-line installation in the drain line of appliances. Various applications for the vacuum breaker are disclosed.

Abstract: There is disposed a valve control structure for a working vehicle for operating two control valves by means of a control lever rockable crosswise, wherein one of the valves is operable by a rocking movement in a first direction of the control lever and the other valve is operable by a rocking movement in a second direction of the control lever. A connection switching mechanism is provided between the control lever and the valves to switch interlocking relations of the two control valves with respect to the rocking directions of control lever. This switching is readily carried out by operating a single switch lever permits the operator to use the vehicle after selecting the interlocking relations to which he is accustomed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system of the type in which a pump unit supplies pressurized fluid to a plurality of bidirectional servomotors. The system includes at least two modules each of which includes a bidirectional servomotor, a control valve and a compensating valve on the upstream side of the control valve. The pump unit includes a feedback loop having a throttle and a pump pressure regulator in series. Each of the modules has a sensing conduit connected to a common header which is operable to sense load pressure at the upstream side of the control valve for controlling the compensating valve in accordance with the load pressure. A pressure divider comparator valve is connected to the header and a point in the feedback loop between the throttle and the pump pressure regulator. The comparator valve is operable to compare the pressure at such point with the pressure in the header and to bleed pressurized fluid from that point to the tank to equalize the pressures.

Abstract: A multiposition valve having a dynamic slide plate with at least one cavity is provided with a stationary plate intermediate such dynamic plate. The stationary plate has a plurality of through-bores for providing fluid connection to fluid passageways in the valve housing. The stationary plate can be inverted to selectively provide a variety of valve functions for any given dynamic valve plate position.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for slurries has a plunger reciprocating in a receprocation direction a plunger chamber. Gravity biased inlet and outlet valves control the egress and egress of slurries to the chamber. Special fittings between the valves and the chamber allow the valves to be oriented at one of four directions separated by 90.degree. angles so that the valves may be oriented so that flow is upwardly therethrough in any attitude of the plunger chamber.

Abstract: A mixing valve for connection to hot and cold supply lines for feeding a variably proportioned mixture of hot and cold water to a shower head or the like is disclosed. A valve body presents a planar discharge surface having spaced hot and cold inlet orifices with an outlet orifice generally centered on an axis between them. A cap of inverted cup shape has a rim sealed with respect to the discharge surface and has a circular end wall with an axial opening formed therein. Arranged on the axis is a rotor having a shaft which extends through the axial opening and which is in the form of a disc having a plurality of hollow pedestals with blind openings facing the discharge surface. Resilient sealing pads are respectively telescoped into the blind openings, each sealing pad having an associated coil spring for biasing the pad into engagement with the discharge surface. Stops limit the range of rotor rotation to more than 90.degree. but less than 180.degree..

Abstract: A housing partitioning diaphragm type of gas pressure regulator for maintaining a different desired output pressure for different types of supply gas includes a threaded rod 7 extending into one of the housing chambers for establishing the force applied by a compression spring 8 to the diaphragm 2. To facilitate the adaptation of the regulator set pressure when changing from city gas to LPG, for example, abutment nuts 19, 22 or a flange 30 are provided on the rod intermediate its ends to determine preselected lengths by which the rod may be extended into the chamber. Thus, when changing from one type of gas to another, it is only necessary to remove, reverse, and reinsert the rod.

Abstract: A balanced solenoid operated valve having a balanced solenoid plunger, and the valve can be made as a three-way valve or a four-way valve. In the four-way valve embodiment the solenoid plunger balancing means also functions as a sliding spool valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve between two valve ports. The four-way valve can be made with a valve body comprising an upper member and a lower member, and wherein the lower member can be adjusted relative to the upper member to vary the locations of the valve ports relative to each other.

Abstract: A piston-driven valve includes a valve body provided with inlet and outlet openings, the communication between which may be interrupted by a valve member which is integral with a rod connected to a piston on which a valve control pressure is exerted. The piston is located in a head mounted on the valve body and receiving a system of reset springs of the driving piston. The head includes a valve being characterized in that it includes at least one head comprising a housing with a cylindrical bore, the walls of which are provided with passages for the control fluid. The upper end of the bore is closed by a cover. The piston and its system of reset springs are reversibly mounted in the head. The head is mounted on a base which is provided with openings for the control fluid and which cooperate with the passages, so that the control pressure enters the head either under the control piston or over the control piston.

Abstract: A faucet, such as a mixing valve (32), is connected to plumbing pipes through a fixture (7) adjustably received in a bore (19) of a fitting member (4) mounted in a housing (5). The position adjustable fixture (7) has two longitudinal ducts (28, 30) provided with duct inlets (36, 38) opening into ring grooves (37, 39). Sealing rings (40) on the fixture separate the duct inlets and grooves in pairs for keeping cold and hot water apart upstream of the mixing valve. The duct inlets communicate through ports (45, 47) with chambers (12, 14) in the fitting member. The chambers in turn are connected to the plumbing pipe to provide a separate through flow connection between the pipes and the mixing valve separately for the hot and cold water.

Abstract: A piston-driven valve includes a valve body provided with inlet and outlet openings, the communication between which may be interrupted by a clack-valve which is integral with a rod connected to a piston which is subjected to a valve-control pressure. A reversible head is equipped with an intake port for the control pressure, and the piston is located in the reversible head. A first reset spring named low pressure spring, directly bears on the piston, and a second reset spring is located between two calibrating bridges and selectively acts on the piston structure is provided for removing action by the second spring on the piston, in order to allow the valve to work with a low control pressure value.

Abstract: Handle assemblies for fluid control valves are described that can be operated from various positions and in either direction of rotation to open and close 90.degree. operating valves. A detenting element passes through a selectable one of a plurality of notches in a handle arm to engage fixed stops on the valve and sets limits at various positions depending on the selected notch.

Abstract: In general, a motorized valve actuator includes an electric drive motor having a rotatable shaft for providing an actuating torque. An output member is provided for operating a valve to be coupled thereto and a gear member is adapted to be mounted intermediate the shaft and the output member and in a first position or in a second position. The gear member includes first means for driving coupling of the motor shaft and the output member when the gear member is mounted in the first position and second means for decoupling the output member from the shaft when the gear member is mounted in the second position. In the latter position, the gear member permits the output member to be driven by a source of power external to the actuator.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a pressurized fluid tool is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a spool inside a sleeve. Rotation of the sleeve by 180.degree. causes the valve to change from an open center (normally open--N.O.) to a closed center (normally closed--N.C.) condition.

Abstract: A float valve assembly capable of operating as a steam trap for discharge of fluid from a system wherein a float operates to open and close an orifice located in a valve seat, the valve assembly being adapted to be easily converted for use in either horizontal flow lines or vertical flow lines by altering the relative position of internal components of the system.

Abstract: A pneumatic liquid level control apparatus and method providing both a snap-actor mode and a throttling mode by rotating a control means on the apparatus. The control means has a reciprocating valve means mounted inside which is operative in the snap-actor mode and which is inoperative when the control means is rotated to the throttling mode. The control means is mounted on the apparatus housing so that it can be moved between its snap-actor mode and its throttling mode by merely loosing screws for affecting the movement and then tightening the screws to begin operation.