Abstract: Pusher centrifuges having screen drums rotatable about axes of rotation are used for separating a mixture into solid cake and into liquid phase. Pusher centrifuges may further have pusher bases arranged in the screen drums and arranged to be movable to and fro alternately in a first pushing direction and a second pushing direction along the axis of rotation that are used in order for the solid cake to be alternately displaced along the axis of rotation. The mixture is introduced into a first empty space or into a second empty space using a feed device. The first empty space is established on a displacement of the solid cake by the pusher base in the first pushing direction and the second empty space is established on a displacement of the solid cake by the pusher base in the pushing direction opposite to the first pushing direction.

Abstract: A valve arrangement includes various improvements useable in the context of a fluid additive system, such as a water softener. For example, the valve assembly may include a seal assembly engaged by a reciprocating piston, in which the seal assembly includes a minimal number of parts, is easily assembled, and can be easily inserted in the bore of the valve body without jeopardizing the integrity of the seals. The valve assembly may further include a quick-disconnect system which allows a “control head” including a valve actuation system and electronic controls to be disconnected from the rest of the valve arrangement with only a partial rotation of the control head. The valve assembly may also include a venturi used for drawing regeneration fluid into the system, and an associated venturi cleaner system which allows a user to unclog the fluid-flow orifice of the venturi without any disassembly of parts of the valve arrangement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a venturi valve and control system for use in an indoor environment to regulate air flow. The venturi valve includes a substantially cylindrical pipe, a high pressure sensing assembly, a low pressure sensing assembly, a differential pressure transducer, and a damper assembly. The high pressure sensing assembly and the low pressure sensing assembly do not substantially impede air flow through the valve. A controller is connected to the differential pressure transducer and a damper actuator. The controller determines a current flow rate of air into the indoor environment and operates the damper actuator in order to provide a desired flow rate of air into the indoor environment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a venturi valve and control system for use in an indoor environment to regulate air flow. The venturi valve includes a substantially cylindrical pipe, a high pressure sensing assembly, a low pressure sensing assembly, a differential pressure transducer, and a damper assembly. The high pressure sensing assembly and the low pressure sensing assembly do not substantially impede air flow through the valve. A controller is connected to the differential pressure transducer and a damper actuator. The controller determines a current flow rate of air into the indoor environment and operates the damper actuator in order to provide a desired flow rate of air into the indoor environment.

Abstract: Improvements in an Overflow Shutoff Valve (OSV) that is designed to automatically shutoff water flow when water flows above a rated amount. It is a self-cleaning design with automatic resetting function. The valve consists of an outer body with an inlet and outlet port with an internally installed rubber Venturi tube assembly, fixed flange, moving flange, coil spring and surge flow suppressing orifice. The lower pressure causes the rubber tube to be squeezed by the water pressure, and then automatically shuts off the valve. When the supply water pressure drops below 5 psi the Overflow Shutoff Valve automatically resets and opens to normal position. A flow suppressor orifice prevents any surge flow or start up flow which could cause premature shutoff of the valve. The Overflow shutoff valve can be installed in-line or in a Y body shutoff valve for easy service.

Abstract: A vacuum system, particularly for vacuum grippers, has a fluid entrainment pump for generating the vacuum which, when the required vacuum is built up, is supplied with a throttled compressed-air flow. For the throttling of the compressed-air flow, a controlled throttle device is used which, as a function of the detected vacuum value, throttles the compressed-air flow to the fluid entrainment pump when the desired vacuum value has been reached or exceeded.

Abstract: A fluid metering system comprises a source of pressurized fluid, a proportional metering valve and a delta-p regulator, which maintains a constant pressure drop across the proportional metering valve. The delta-p regulator is referenced to the static pressure upstream of the metering valve and the stagnation pressure downstream of the metering valve. By referencing the stagnation pressure downstream of the metering valve, the effective static pressure across the metering valve increases as a function of fluid flow rate and therefore provides an increased flow range and corresponding turndown ratio for any given proportional metering valve.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed which is adapted to be disposed between a first chamber and a second chamber for the purpose of selectively interconnecting the two chambers or isolating them from one another. The valve comprises a body, a sleeve disposed therein and provided with a number of orifices which open into a first duct in the body for the delivery of fluid to the second chamber, and a piston which is slidable in the sleeve to close or open the orifices and which separates a feed chamber communicating with the first chamber from a control chamber communicating, by way of a second duct, with the throat of a venturi formed in the first duct. The opposite faces of the piston are thus both exposed to the fluid, and a spring is provided in the control chamber for biassing the piston towards closing the orifices.

Abstract: A system for controlling the rate of flow of a liquid in a liquid flow system, especially a system for controlling the rate of flow of treated water in a municipal water treatment and pumping system, the flow control system utilizing a venturi (10) having an inlet (12), a restricted throat (14) and a diffuser (16) through which the liquid flow is in series. The rate of flow of liquid through the venturi is adjusted by a flow rate control valve (18) in fluid communication with the diffuser of the venturi, and the flow control valve has a spool (22) that moves linearly to selectively permit a variable volume of liquid to flow through the valve into an outlet main (20). The movement of the spool is actuated by an electrically operated linear actuator (44) that operates in response to an electrical signal from a digital controller (40), which is indicative of a pressure differential between liquid pressure at the inlet of the venturi and liquid pressure at the throat.

Abstract: A nozzle damper assembly (10) for installation in a duct (12) operative for measuring and controlling the flow of a gaseous medium through the duct (12). The subject nozzle damper assembly (10) includes enclosure means (24) cooperatively associated with the duct (12), shaft means (26) suitably supported from the sidewalls (32, 34, 36, 38) of the enclosure means (24), damper blade means (16,18) rotatable mounted on the shaft means (26) for movement within the enclosure means (24), damper blade operating means (28) operative for purposes of effecting the movement of the damper blade means (16,18) within the enclosure means (24), and flow measurement means (20,22) supported at a first location and at a second location relative to in lieu thereof the damper blade means (16,18) and operative to measure the flow of the gaseous medium through the nozzle damper assembly (10) such that control may be exercised over the flow of the gaseous medium through the duct (12) based on such measurements.

Abstract: An improved variable volume control assembly for conditioned air systems having an improved air flow amplifying measuring means that amplifies the difference between the total pressure and the static pressure and is sensitive at low pressures, an improved air flow collector-straightener, a critical ratio of the area of the inlet to the area of the expansion chamber, and a vortex filter strategically located within the assembly for maximum reduction of turbulence and noise.

Abstract: A conduit arrangement for heavy duty purposes in which a conduit section, such as a length of flexible hose, may be subjected in use to high stresses from pressures attaining several hundred atmospheres, wherein the arrangement provides protection against ruptures and significant leaks and comprises stop valve means at the inlet end of the conduit section, pressure drop type flow sensing means (e.g. an orifice plate or venturi restriction) at the outlet of said section, and pressure comparator means for comparing the pressure drop over the flow sensing means with that over the stop valve means and operative to effect a rapid closing operation of the stop valve means if the ratio of said pressure drops deviates by a certain amount from a predetermined value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a venturi valve and control system for use in an indoor environment to regulate air flow. The venturi valve includes a substantially cylindrical pipe, a high pressure sensing assembly, a low pressure sensing assembly, a differential pressure transducer, and a damper assembly. The high pressure sensing assembly and the low pressure sensing assembly do not substantially impede air flow through the valve. A controller is connected to the differential pressure transducer and a damper actuator. The controller determines a current flow rate of air into the indoor environment and operates the damper actuator in order to provide a desired flow rate of air into the indoor environment.