Abstract: A hearing device, e.g. a hearing aid, comprises a) at least one input transducer for converting sound in the environment of the hearing device to respective at least one acoustically received electric input signal or signals representing said sound; b) a wireless receiver for receiving an audio signal from a wireless transmitter of a sound capturing device for picking up sound in said environment and providing a wirelessly received electric input signal representing said sound; and c) a processor configured c1) to receive said at least one acoustically received electric input signal or signals, or a processed version thereof; c2) to receive said wirelessly received electric input signal; and c3) to provide a processed signal. The processor comprises a signal predictor for estimating future values of said wirelessly received electric input signal in dependence of a multitude of past values of said signal, thereby providing a predicted signal.

Abstract: A fluid disperser includes a plate body installed in a channel, having a first wall portion in a middle region of a first surface facing the upstream side, and provided with a plurality of holes allowing a fluid to flow in from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a second wall portion provided on the first surface and having an inner surface intersecting with a line extending from the middle region to a circumferential edge of the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flow balancer for an evaporator, comprising: a permeable assembly comprising at least one gas- and fluid-permeable plate and located above a heat exchange tube bundle of the evaporator; a sealing assembly disposed on a periphery of the permeable assembly and constructed to be nonpermeable to gas and fluid; and a mounting assembly constructed to support the permeable assembly and the sealing assembly. The present invention also relates to an evaporator comprising the flow balancer. The flow balancer of the present invention has the advantages of simple structure and convenient manufacturing and mounting, can balance the pressure distribution above the heat exchange tube bundle, and can achieve a more even distribution of the refrigerant liquid level in the length direction of the heat exchange tube bundle.

Abstract: A check valve has an internal gate having an adjustable retention force, such that in the event that if the differential pressure between the upstream and downstream pressure changes, the force required to allow flow through the valve may be adjusted without removal of the valve from the piping system.

Abstract: An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck defining an opening that provides fluid communication with the interior; a cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, where the second portion extends radially outward from the first portion to form a floor on an interior thereof and a shoulder on an exterior thereof, the first portion defining a first bore and the second portion defining a second bore fluidly connected to the first bore; a self serum stopper having a self sealing membrane that extends radially outward to overlie at least a portion of the floor of the funnel; and a cap having a cap wall sized to fit over the funnel and a cover portion extending radially inward from the cap wall.

Abstract: An evacuated bottle system including a bottle defining a hollow interior, the bottle having a neck with a rim defining an opening; a cap assembly supported on the bottle, the cap assembly including a funnel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being insertable within the interior of the bottle and the second portion engaging a portion of the bottle to support the funnel above the rim, the funnel defining a bore that fluidly communicates with the hollow interior of the bottle; a self-sealing membrane that covers the bore formed by the funnel to selectively seal the hollow interior of the bottle; a cap attachable to the bottle, the cap including a cover portion that extends at least partially over the self-sealing membrane to restrain movement thereof, the cover portion being axially spaced from the self-sealing membrane to define a gap that permits axial movement of the self-sealing membrane to selectively open the bottle to fluid communication outside of the bottle.

Abstract: The present application relates to a safety valve, in particular a safety valve which can be released by manual operation and automatic operation. The safety valve comprising: valve body having an inlet, an outlet and a releasing port; and valve core being movable within the valve body between a close position in which the inlet communicates with the outlet and an open position in which the inlet communicates with the releasing port, the valve core comprises a resilient member which biases the valve core to the close position; wherein the position of the valve core can be manually or automatically controlled such that the valve core is able to switch between the close position and the open position, fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet in the close position and flows from the inlet to the releasing port in the open position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an exhaust assembly for an aerostat, including a valve base (2) provided with a valve port (1), and a valve cover (3) that selectively covers the valve port (1), and further including: a motor driving mechanism and a transmission mechanism that are arranged on the valve base (2). The motor driving mechanism propels the transmission mechanism to drive the valve cover (3) to selectively cover the valve port (1). When the valve cover (3) is in a position where the valve port (1) is open, the valve cover (3) is arranged at an angle with respect to a plane at which the valve port (1) is located. A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide the exhaust assembly that is for an aerostat and whose exhausting pressure can be flexibly adjusted, and an aerostat provided with the exhaust assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum device according to the present invention may comprise: a vacuum unit for suctioning air from inside a packaging back through a check valve of the packaging back, thereby generating a vacuum therein; and a clamping unit provided on the vacuum unit so as to clamp the packaging back such that the check valve of the packaging back airtightly communicates with an air suction portion of the vacuum unit.

Abstract: Single-door flap gates and double-door flap gates are disclosed. A first flap gate includes a first door coupled with a first hinge, a second door coupled with a second hinge, wherein the first door and the second door together form a continuous concave surface, wherein the first hinge and the second hinge couple with a wall, and wherein, when in a closed position, the first door and the second door rest against the wall to cover an opening thereof. The opening may correspond to an end of a pipe that extends away from the first door and the second door. Further, the continuous concave surface may include a radius of curvature configured to be substantially similar to a radius of curvature of the wall, wherein the wall may be interior wall of a cylindrical structure.

Abstract: An illustrative example hydraulic elevator system includes an elevator car, a hydraulic plunger associated with the elevator car, a fluid reservoir and a conduit coupling the fluid reservoir and the hydraulic plunger. A pump causes fluid movement through the conduit between the fluid reservoir and the hydraulic plunger to cause selective movement of the elevator car. A shutoff valve is associated with the conduit, the shutoff valve being between the pump and the hydraulic plunger. The shutoff valve has a closed position in which the shutoff valve prevents fluid movement between the hydraulic plunger and at least one of the reservoir and the pump to prevent movement of the elevator car. The shutoff valve has an open position in which the shutoff valve permits fluid movement between the pump and the hydraulic plunger to permit movement of the elevator car. A valve actuator operates based on pressure in at least the hydraulic plunger.

Abstract: A check valve assembly having an inlet and an outlet for medical fluids, comprising a valve body, wherein the check valve assembly in an initial state allows a flow of a working fluid and/or a sterilization fluid through the check valve assembly in both directions of flow, that is from the inlet to the outlet and vice versa, and wherein the check valve assembly in an operating state allows only one direction of flow of the working fluid, wherein the check valve assembly comprises a pin-pin-reception connection, which is embodied so that the check valve assembly can be transferred from the initial state into the operating state by applying force on the pin-pin-reception connection and/or by an impression of path on the pin-pin-reception connection.

Abstract: A hydrant includes a hydrant body defining an internal cavity; an upper stem positioned within the internal cavity; a lower stem positioned within the internal cavity; and a stem coupling securing the upper stem to the lower stem, the stem coupling comprising a coupling body defining a main bore that is circular in radial cross-section and sized to receive the upper stem and the lower stem; and a plurality of ribs, each rib extending radially outward from the coupling body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuatable gas valve for metering a gaseous fuel into a suction tract of a motor, in particular a gas or diesel gas motor, comprising a valve seat (1) which is designed as a flat seat and which has multiple annular webs (3) that are arranged in a concentric manner and are connected via at least one radially running web (4) in order to delimit circular or semicircular through-flow openings (2). The electromagnetically actuatable gas valve further comprises a movable valve plate (5) which sealingly interacts with the valve seat (1) and which has multiple annular sealing webs (6) that are arranged in a concentric manner and can be brought into an overlapping arrangement with the circular or semicircular through-flow openings (2) of the valve seat (1).

Abstract: A system for storing a pressurized gas in a motor vehicle is provided, having a storage container and at least one thermally activatable safety valve for emptying the storage container. The safety valve activates automatically at a corresponding high temperature. The storage container has an additional activatable emptying device, which has an interface for an external energy source. The interface can be connected to the external energy source in order to empty the storage container in a targeted manner. Also provided is a method for emptying a storage container for a pressurized gas in a motor vehicle.

Abstract: An air compressor for a railway vehicle includes a compressor housing, at least one piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, the at least one piston cylinder including a cylinder head and a piston, a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing and linked to the piston of the at least one piston cylinder, and an unloader valve positioned on the cylinder head of the at least one piston cylinder. The unloader valve may be configured to exhaust pressurized air from the at least one piston cylinder.

Abstract: A vacuum container and/or pump system may include a rounded rectangular base container with opening at a top to receive foodstuffs, adapted with an edge; an optional cover having at least two locking latches adapted to couple to the edge, the cover to close the opening of the container, the cover including: a circular vacuum tubular opening forming a cylindrical hole through the cover, and a cross-shaped notch on the inner cross-section of the tube, through which at least a portion of a plug is received and disposed when evacuating air, and optionally the cover may include a spinner, chopper, and/or twist/lock cap (coupling plug to container) to prevent loss of vacuum of the container (when cap has been twisted in locked position). A vacuum bag may include an opening; resealable fastener; hole for evacuating air with pump; cap for covering hole; and removable clip for easing closure.

Abstract: A double-seat valve has a seat-cleaning function and ensures that the seat-cleaning flow is conducted into and out of the leakage hollow space with as little turbulence as possible. The valve reliably prevents a pressure-increasing direct action upon the seat regions, even in the event that the cross-sectional area of the drain bore is smaller than that of the largest pipeline that can be connected to the valve. This is achieved in that a region of extension of the deflection surface that faces away from the radially outer end of the deflection surface delimits the remaining region of the opening in its entirety and opens out from the second closing element at an end-face and radially inner end of the second closing element, facing the first closing element.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a hemostasis sealing device having a device enclosure with a first seal portion for a medical device and a second seal portion for guide wire sealing. The device enclosure can be generally configured for compressive communication with a housing. The second seal portion can define a split that is in compressive communication with structural elements of the hemostasis sealing device, which can simultaneously provide sealing functionality and allow passage of relatively large-bore devices.

Abstract: A relief valve configured such that a plunger configured to be pushed forward by an elastic member to block communication between an inflow opening and an outflow opening moves rearward by an increase in pressure of the inflow opening against an elastic force of the elastic member to cause the inflow opening and the outflow opening to communicate with each other; and a piston configured to push a rear end of the elastic member forward moves forward by the increase in the pressure of the inflow opening to compress the elastic member, the elastic member includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member arranged in series, and the second elastic member has a smaller elastic constant than the first elastic member.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the formation of an arteriovenous fistula in the limb of the patient. Embodiments include a device for the creation, modification and maintenance of a fistula that includes an integral fistula creation assembly near its distal end that passes through the skin of the patient, through a first vessel such as an artery, and into a second vessel such as a vein. The fistula creation assembly preferably includes an anastomotic implant that is placed within the fistula to maintain long-term blood flow therethrough. The devices, systems and methods can be used to treat patients with one or more numerous ailments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung fibrosis and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract: This invention provides a compression apparatus capable of flexibly responding to a change in service condition. The compression apparatus comprises a compressor main body for housing rotatively driven rotors, an intake channel connected to an intake port of the compressor main body and equipped with a suction adjusting valve, a discharge channel connected to a discharge port of the compressor main body and equipped with a discharge pressure sensor, a revolution speed setting unit for causing a rotor to have a revolution speed that matches a set number of revolutions, a valve controlling unit for controlling the suction adjusting valve based on a discharge pressure detected by the discharge pressure sensor in such a manner that a pressure of the discharge channel is maintained at a set pressure, and a controller for defining the set number of revolutions and the set pressure based on a condition selected by a user.

Abstract: Endoscope assemblies, biopsy caps, and methods for making and using the same. An example endoscope assembly may include an endoscope having a channel formed therein and a port that provides access to the channel. A cap may be coupled to the port. The cap may include a base having a securing member for securing the cap to the port, an outer shell, a locking member coupled to the outer shell, an inner seal member, and a central opening that extends to the channel. The inner seal member may include a plurality of flaps.

Abstract: A main stage in-line pressure control cartridge. The cartridge selectively controls flow in-line in the same direction as opposed to directing flow at a 90 degree angle like other cartridges. A tubular poppet can be mounted into a body and has a sliding control sleeve that can expose radial holes in the poppet to an open position and to seal the radial holes in a closed position. The cartridge can be configured in numerous ways in order to serve many functions, such as a pressure relief valve, a counterbalance valve, and a flow control valve. The cartridge can also be configured to allow or prevent reverse flow.

Abstract: A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume includes a valve body, an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume, and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume. The valve also includes an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body. The valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member. The valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing and providing a vacuum for a vacuum consumer, having a vacuum source, having a suction valve, having a non-return valve arranged between the vacuum consumer and the suction valve, and having a ventilation valve, the control inlet of which ventilation valve is connected to the suction port of the vacuum source, the output of which ventilation valve opens out between the control valve and the non-return valve, and the input of which ventilation valve is open to the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed therein is a gas valve having automatically blocking means, which is mounted at an inlet side of a valve body having a ball valve so that the gas valve does not need additional blocking means for blocking a gas pipe at the time of a gas leak, and which returns a blocking member to its original position when the valve is opened after coping with the gas leak at the leaked portion, thereby making maintenance easy.

Abstract: A port closure system (20) including a retention structure (22), and a valve (24). The retention structure (22) includes a port (28) for establishing communication between an exterior environment (30) and interior volume (32) that can receive a fluent substance. The valve (24) includes a flexible, resilient, self-closing, slit-type valve head (36) with an orifice that is normally closed in an unconstrained condition. The port (28) has a laterally inwardly facing engaging surface (34) and the valve has a laterally outwardly facing peripheral surface (54) that is compressed laterally inwardly by engagement with the surface (34) to increase the resistance of the normally closed orifice to opening when the head (36) is subjected to a pressure differential. The system (20) further includes an annular flange (62) located to extend over at least a portion of an exterior side (38) of the valve head (36) to limit movement of the valve head (36) towards the exterior environment (30).

Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for the head space of the fuel tank of a vehicle consists of a valve assembly received in a housing (30), which assembly is arranged to produce a maximum pressure, which is not to be exceeded, a minimum pressure below which the pressure must not fall, and a random pressure, for example, for the tank filling process, within the head space. For this purpose a valve which is biased by a spring (25) in the direction towards an atmospheric connector (6) and is characterised by a sealing plate (17), and a valve biased by a spring (19) in the direction towards a connector (5) intended for connection to the head space, and a valve characterised by a sealing head (24) are provided, the latter of which is simultaneously connected to an electromagnetic drive in order to produce the random pressure.

Abstract: A smart drain valve comprises a support plate, a bolt passing through a center of the support plate, an outer plate connected to a first end of the bolt, an inner plate connected to a second end of the bolt, and a spring positioned between the inner plate and the support plate. The spring is made of a shape memory material.

Abstract: An LPG bombe valve apparatus includes a valve body, a check valve, a cam, a cam rod and a converting mechanism. More specifically, the valve body is disposed in an LPG bombe and having a fuel channel therein for discharging fuel supplied from an LPG line to the LPG bombe. The check valve is disposed in the fuel channel, with one end supported by an elastic member to be pressed to close the fuel channel. The cam is disposed within the check valve, and the cam rod connects the cam with the check valve and controls opening/closing of the check valve in accordance with rotation of the cam. A converting mechanism has both ends connected to the cam and a float of the LPG bombe converting vertical motion of the float into rotational motion of the cam.

Abstract: A self-sealing valve comprises a valve housing having a fluid conduit, a valve seat, and a retaining member, the valve housing being configured to pass fluid through the fluid conduit, and a flexible diaphragm comprising a flexible material having resiliency, wherein the retaining member and the flexible diaphragm are configured so that the retaining member retains a portion of the flexible diaphragm so as to use the resiliency of the flexible material to bias the flexible diaphragm against the valve seat to a closed position of the self-sealing valve to provide a self-seal of the fluid conduit, and to facilitate movement of the flexible diaphragm under a fluid bias against a first side of the flexible diaphragm in a first direction away from the valve seat to an open position, and wherein the retaining member and the flexible diaphragm are configured so that the self-sealing valve can be contacted to move a portion of the flexible diaphragm away from the valve seat to the open position.

Abstract: A control valve for a device for variably adjusting the control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The control valve has a substantially hollow cylindrical valve housing, a non-return valve and an annular filter. The annular filter is arranged within the valve housing and the non-return valve has a closing body and a spring element.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve seat and a compliant member that moves to seal the check valve by contacting the valve seat. A method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, drawing fluid into the pump from a fluid source, and expelling the fluid from the pump through the valve, thus wetting the check valve. Another method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump, drawing fluid through the valve into the pump, and expelling the fluid from the pump.

Abstract: A cap for closing a sprayer tank has integrated therein a pressure relief valve having a tubular member providing a seat with respect to which a valve provided by an o-ring on a stem is displaced in a direction against the seat to close the valve. The stem is connected at one end thereof to a cap and is biased by a spring around the stem at the opposite end thereof into closing position. The cap is guided by a rim around the seat member. The cap defines around the stem a chamber. This chamber communicates with a spout which directs pressurized flow away from the cap when it is rotated to manually open the valve against the bias of the spring so as to relieve pressure in the tank.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a clean-in-place operation includes a valve body with a valve seat and inner cavity. A shaft extends through the valve body and a stopper is connected to the shaft for movement between a normally closed position and an open position to permit cleaning fluid to enter and exit the inner cavity only through the valve. An actuator contacts the shaft for moving the stopper toward the open position. An air inlet extends into the inner cavity. A stop valve associated with the inlet prevents fluid from exiting through the inlet such that cleaning fluid only enters and exits the inner cavity through the valve seat A source of pressurized air opens the stop valve and causes drying air to enter the cavity and move the stopper toward the open position and supply the air to the processing system.

Abstract: A control valve for a device to variably adjust control times of gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine. The control device has a valve housing and a control piston. The valve housing has an axial cavity with a dividing element arranged in the cavity that separates the cavity into two partial spaces and hydraulically seals the spaces from one another. The dividing element is produced separately from the valve housing and is positionally fixedly fastened in the cavity of the valve housing. The first partial space holds the control piston, and a supply connection is formed in the region of the first partial space. The second partial space has at least one first opening via which pressure medium can be supplied to the second partial space by a pressure medium pump, and at least one second opening by which the second partial space communicates with the supply connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.

Abstract: Provided is a hot air blower comprising a fuel tank for storing fuel, an air compression pump for sucking air and compressing the air, a pressure regulation valve installed at the air compression pump to reduce the pressure of the compressed air, a burner assembly for receiving the fuel from the fuel tank and the air from the air compression pump, and a combustion chamber for receiving the fuel from the burner assembly and combusting the fuel, wherein the pressure regulation valve includes a high pressure regulation valve and a low pressure regulation valve, and a valve opening/closing means is installed at the low pressure regulation valve.

Abstract: A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes a structure enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator.

Abstract: A releasing valve for an inflatable object has a body, a valve disk and a cap. The body is body and has a passage and a disk mount. The passage is defined through the body and has a bottom opening. The valve disk is attached securely to the bottom of the body to close the bottom opening of the passage and has a mounting end and a free end. The mounting end is mounted securely on the disk mount of the body. The free end is opposite to the mounting end. The cap is attached to the body around the bottom opening, holds the valve disk inside and has a stop. The stop selectively engages the free end of the valve disk when the valve disk being pushed away from the bottom opening for discharging air out from the inflating object via the releasing valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved prosthesis donning, doffing, retention, and fit. A valve located in a prosthetic socket port includes a body, a core, a spring located partially within the core, a diaphragm, and a maintained operator. The operator includes a recess and a protrusion. The operator may be indexed to a displacement or vent position. When the operator is indexed to the displacement position, a tip of the core is pressed against the recess via the spring, and the diaphragm displaces any air that enters into the prosthetic socket when a load is applied to the residual limb. When the operator is laterally actuated, it is indexed to the vent position and the core tip moves from the recess to the protrusion. In this position, the diaphragm opens the socket cavity to the external atmosphere via valve vents, thereby facilitating prosthesis donning and doffing.

Abstract: A device for selectively connecting a tire to a pneumatic unit of an aircraft, the tire forming part of a wheel mounted to rotate on a hollow axle of the aircraft, the device comprising a stator and a rotor that is mounted to rotate relative to the stator and that includes means enabling it to be rotated by the wheel. The stator is bell-shaped and is designed to be received as a push-fit in the axle, and includes an end wall carrying a first pneumatic port for connection to the pneumatic unit via a tube running along the inside of the axle, the rotor extending substantially inside the stator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1), in particular for a vehicle, having at least one exhaust gas recirculation line (13) for externally recirculating exhaust gases from an exhaust gas side of the internal combustion engine (1) to a fresh air side of the internal combustion engine (1). To provide a cost-effective and compact design, a combination valve (14) is situated in the exhaust gas recirculation line (13), said combination valve (14) serving to set the quantity of the exhaust has recirculated from the exhaust gas side to the fresh air side and to block a counterflow from the fresh air side in the direction of the exhaust gas side.

Abstract: An apparatus for failsafe control of liquid material passage through a line is provided. The apparatus includes a dispensing control unit for coupling to the line, which includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a conduction port extending therebetween for selectively passing the liquid material received from the line therethrough. A control port is disposed in the housing to direct a flow path of at least a portion of a pressurized fluid stream received thereby. A response valve portion also disposed in the housing is reconfigurable between first and second states responsive to the pressurized fluid stream directed thereto, such that in the first state it seals the conduction port against passage of the liquid material, and in the second state opens the conduction port for passage of the liquid material. The response valve portion is resiliently biased to the first state.

Abstract: A valve (61) for enabling release of pressurized steam from a pressure vessel has a displaceable closure member (67) which is maintained in its closed disposition by exposure to the pressure of the steam within the pressure vessel. The closure member (67) is displaced between its closed disposition and an open disposition by a double-acting actuator (69), suitably an air-driven piston/cylinder device, the closure member (67) being preferably mounted at one axial end of a spindle (68) extending between the closure member (67) and the actuator (69). The closure member (67) is suitably mounted for substantially metal-to-metal contact with a valve seat portion (63), without interposition of any sealing element, preferably for substantially vertical displacement between its closed and dispositions.

Abstract: A combination flow control and reverse flow check valve provides a compact valve unit for controlling the flow of fluid in a downstream direction and limiting undesired backflow of liquid into a source such as a reservoir. The flow control and reverse flow check valve may be provided as a unitary member having a housing with an upstream end configured for mounting to the liquid source, a fluid conveying channel within the housing, and a check element positioned in the channel between the flow control valve, such as a ball valve, and a seat which is complementally configured with the check element to normally seal against backflow. A blocking element may be provided to prevent interference of the check element with the operation of the flow control valve while permitting liquid to flow in an intended downstream direction.

Abstract: A laryngeal mask includes an airway conduit, and a mask connected to the airway conduit, the mask that includes an inflatable portion. An inflation lumen is coupled to the inflatable portion of the mask as well as an inflation valve. The inflation valve includes an exterior housing that has an exit aperture and a stem that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A vent clip is removably coupled to the inflation valve and includes a body portion, an exterior housing interface portion extending from the body portion and a finger extending from the body portion. The exterior housing interface portion includes a gripping surface which is formed to contact at least an approximately 90 degree portion of the inflation valve exterior housing and the finger maintains the inflation valve in an open position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electromechanical device and a self-sealing valve, and in particular, to any inflatable device that includes the assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a valve housing defining an opening through which fluid can be provided to the inflatable device, a flexible diaphragm assembly that is configured to self-seal the opening with sufficient fluid pressure in the inflatable device and to open under sufficient fluid pressure from a fluid moving device, to provide fluid through the opening to and seal the inflatable device. The assembly further comprises an electromechanical device including an actuating arm, having a first position in which the actuating arm urges open the self-sealing valve and a second position in which the actuating arm does not act upon the self-sealing valve, so as to regulate an amount of fluid within the inflatable device. With this arrangement, a small, low power, low duty cycle electromechanical device can be used.

Abstract: An internal valve (10, 10? or 10?) and its methods of use for stabilizing and reinforcing inflatable objects are disclosed. The internal valve is a novel, simple modification to conventional check valves with the addition of a discharging means for external control (14, 22 or 28). An internal supplemental chamber comprises one or more partitions that are secured, directly or by I-beams (40?), to main chamber's walls (40) of an inflatable object and stretched when the main chamber is inflated. With the internal valve as the passage to and from the main chamber, the enclosed or isolated supplemental chamber (30, 30?, 32, 34, 36 or 38) functions as a stabilizing or reinforcing component. A plurality of chambers 36 can form cylinder beams for an inflatable mattress.