Abstract: The present weir valve includes a weir disposed along a flow passage. A port at the other side of the weir is open to the flow passage when the diaphragm is lifted off the weir.

Abstract: Several embodiments are disclosed of an automatic shutoff valve apparatus for permitting removal, repair, or replacement of a control valve from a mounting base without deactivating a complete system. In addition, a redundancy arrangement is disclosed wherein the shutoff valve apparatus and at least two control valves are employed in parallel so that the device activated by the control valves can be maintained operative when one control valve malfunctions or is removed, repaired, or replaced.

Abstract: The ventilating apparatus for a protective suit has a portable, comparatively small housing in which a blower driven by a battery-powered electric motor is mounted. The high pressure side of the blower is provided with a plurality of different connectors which provide different flow rates. The flow rate through the connectors can be made changable by a rotary slide valve which comprises a flexible plate and a handle for exterior operation. A connector on the high pressure side can be provided to supply air to a breathing mask as well as to ventilate the suit. Because a significantly reduced air flow rate is necessary for the breathing mask an orifice plate or diaphram is provided for the connector for the breathing mask. The vacuum or low pressure side of the blower may be provided with a filter connector.

Abstract: A micromachined miniature valve used for gas chromatography has very low valve and interconnection dimensions to reduce the fluid volume inherent in other gas switching valves to thereby provide accurate measurements involving small gas flows. In order to reduce actuating diaphragm size, without encountering excessive stress concentrations in the diaphragm, the diaphragm can be polyimide film actuated in connection with a silicon valve body having valve seats with ports that are opened or closed by deflection of the diaphragm. Silicon wafers can be micromachined using batch fabrication techniques to provide the necessary valve seats and passageways for operating. The valve assembly is produced as a layered sandwich made up of individual wafers, including an actuator layer, a stop layer, a valve seat layer, and a layer which has flow channels receiving gas from the valve seat layer and making the necessary interconnections to provided outlets.

Abstract: An endoscope and valve system specially adapted for use with a disposable sheath having a plurality of channels and respective resilient tubes extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the resilient tubes extend along grooves formed in the side of an endoscope control handle and are captured behind a pivotably mounted access door. The valve system pinches the tubes against the door. The pinching mechanism selectively releases the tubes by pressing respective valve-actuating buttons on the control handle. In another embodiment, the tubes are placed in external pinch valves which are selectively actuated by actuating switches mounted on the control handle.

Abstract: A piston biasing means including, a coil-type spring, adapted to exert pressure on one side of a piston to be biased in a predetermined direction, a spring retaining means which is slidable toward and away from the piston when the spring is compressed and released and centering means, preferably including pivot balls on each end of the spring, so as to make point contact and rolling contact with the piston. A spring adjusting means to adjust the tension on the spring is also included. A piston assembly and valve assembly incorporating the piston biasing means are also described.

Abstract: A valve including a valve body having a surface with a plurality of orifices with a resilient closure membrane adjacent thereto is disclosed. The membrane is positioned to yield in response to a pressure differential so as to permit flow between respective ports. A male closure member is mounted to selectively urge the membrane into contact with the periphery of an orifice in order to prevent liquid flow therethrough in accordance with a desired flow arrangement. Further refinements include spring biasing of the closure mechanism, which in one construction has a movable carriage provided with a roller.

Abstract: There is disclosed tub-shower diverter apparatus that includes a diverter chamber having a planar annular surface that is pierced by a first opening or openings to provide communication with an inlet water supply, and is further pierced by second and third oppositely disposed openings or series of openings that communicate respectively with a tub outlet and a shower outlet. The second and third openings are centered on a diameter of the planar annular surface and are spaced radially from the first opening. Diverter seal means disposed within the diverter chamber is an elastomeric washer sized to overlay the second and third openings, but not the first opening. A diverter cam underlies a portion of the elastomeric washer to prevent that portion from engaging the diverter chamber planar annular surface. Rotation of the cam permits selection of the portion of the elastomeric washer that will not be engaged with the diverter chamber planar annular surface.

Abstract: An in-line switch and mixer control including a first restriction adjacent the outlet of a mixing device having a cleaning fluid and water inlet for controlling the flow rate from the mixer and a second restriction connected to the water inlet for varying the restriction of the water inlet to determine the mixing ratio. Initially, the first restriction is totally closed preventing any flow from the mixer and the second restriction is initially unrestricted. The first and second restrictions include a common actuator for sequentially operating the first and second restrictions to various intermediate restrictive positions.

Abstract: A dispenser is disclosed, the dispenser comprising a head adapted with one or more expandable members to regulate the quantity of flow from the head.

Abstract: A novel improved pinch valve for controlling the flow of fluids in an unrestricted manner in, at least, two flexible tubes, including a housing for holding a solenoid coil between its outer wall and inner cylindrical core member. The solenoid armature is a truncated cone shape which coacts with a similarly shaped opening at the end of the inner cylindrical core member to optimize the flux path of the solenoid and thus its efficiency. A tube retention member includes openings for holding the flexible tubes. A further opening in the tube retention member holds a plunger member which is captured by a retaining pin. The plunger member is secured to the solenoid armature prior to assembly of the tube retention member to the solenoid housing. The plunger member moves with the armature as the solenoid is energized and deenergized. When the solenoid is unenergized, one of the flexible tubes is compressed between a knife like edge on the plunger member and a body portion of other tube retention member.

Abstract: An electromagnetic reed valve comprises a pressing member which is mounted at a plunger. The pressing member is urged by a spring toward a reed valve body, so that the pressing member urges at least that portion of the reed valve body which confronts the outlet of a valve chamber, when the outlet is closed by the reed valve body.

Abstract: A miniature electromagnetic valve having a valve mechanism with three spaced parallel rods, a pair of generally semi-circular, resilient conductor tubes extending between the rods and a linear solenoid for selectively shifting the intermediate rod for selectively and individually pinching the tubes closed.

Abstract: A pinch-type shut-off, pressure- or flow-regulating valve having a flexible tube extending through a valve body wherein the flexible tube is pinched off by the action of an eccentric cam attached to a motor. As the eccentric cam is rotated the flexible tube can be pinched off as it presses against the opposing wall inside the valve body. A number of positions of pinching off can be achieved and a microswitch can be available to locate the position of the eccentric cam.

Abstract: A multi-port diaphragm-sealed valve capable of use at high temperatures, said valve including actuating pistons having spring-lock seals of heat resistant material, said pistons having specially adapted structure allowing for the spring lock seals to be readily assembled thereon.

Abstract: A milking apparatus is disclosed for automatically providing the appropriate amount of vacuum for purposes of milking a cow throughout the entire milking operation. The milking apparatus includes a fluid control valve system having a controller unit and a discharge valve in fluid communication with a collection jar. The controller unit is further adapted for communication with a source of vacuum, and the collection jar is adapted to be in communication with the cow such that the vacuum can draw milk from the cow into the collection jar. The discharge valve is further adapted for communication with a source of vacuum for drawing the milk through the discharge valve.

Abstract: A valve module is provided which finds particular utility in a domestic solar water heater system. The solar water heater system includes a collector, a storage tank, and a circulating pump. The system also includes a solid state electronic control module which automatically stops the circulating pump when the temperature of the water in the collector drops below the temperature of the water in the storage system, so that water is circulated through the system only when solar heat is available to heat the water to a temperature above the temperature of the water already stored in the storage tank. The valve module, upon a signal from the control module, causes the water to drain out of the collector when the temperature of the water in the collector falls to freezing temperatures so as to prevent damage to the collector.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated switch comprises elastic-wall chambers arranged in the form of an array, and distortion-imposing means for the elastic walls of said chambers, which are positioned in the array lines of a first direction, communicating with a drive means. The inlet ports of the chambers are coupled with data sources and their outlet ports constituting ducts, positioned in the array lines of a second direction, are coupled with inlet ports of additional elastic-wall chambers communicating with an independent drive means through their own distortion-imposing means. The outlet ports of the additional chambers are coupled via an outlet duct with an external apparatus.

Abstract: A pinch valve for controlling the flow through at least two flexible hoses includes an actuating member by which one hose is pinched against an abutment. This abutment is yieldable against a spring bias and normally keeps the other hose pinched. When said one hose has been pinched, the abutment is moved against the spring bias by the actuating member in order to relieve said other hose.

Abstract: A sphincter valve for the control of fluid flow is characterized by a pair of diaphragms spaced apart from one another and having different effective areas. The smaller-area diaphragm is adapted for deflection into sealing engagement with a seating to control fluid flow thereacross, whereas the larger-area diaphragm is arranged to be exposed to operating (pilot or signal) fluid to be deflected thereby towards the smaller-area diaphragm. A thrust transmission element disposed between the diaphragms serves to deflect the smaller-area diaphragm in response to deflection of the larger-area diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure regulator comprising a regulated pressure chamber and first and second conduits leading to the regulated pressure chamber. The first and second conduits are adapted to communicate with fluid at first and second pressures, respectively. Each of these conduits terminate in ports in the regulated pressure chamber. The ports are opened and closed by a resilient, metal valve strip. An actuator driven by a torque motor controls the valve strip.

Abstract: A deflector valve for fluids directs fluid flow from an inlet port into either of two outlet ports. Deflection of the fluid into the desired outlet port is controlled by piston means which typically are operated by a solenoid. A unique operating pin, shaped like an hourglass, provides mechanical engagement between the piston means, and also facilitates the flow of fluid in the desired direction. The piston means are spring-biased, so that the valve selects one of the outlet ports in the de-energized state. The other outlet port is selected when the piston means encounter an external force opposing the spring.

Abstract: A flushing valve for installation in a drip irrigation system comprises a head portion at one end of a tubular body that fits within the end of one of a series of lateral conduits of the system and has a recess open to the conduit. A transverse passage extends diametrically through the head portion to accommodate a flexible conduit which serves as a pilot line. When filled with fluid under pressure, the pilot conduit covers and seals a port between the recess of the tubular body and the transverse passage. An open slot is provided in the outer side of the head to facilitate installation of the pilot conduit.

Abstract: A multitube valve comprises a housing which has open front and rear ends with a plurality of channels defined between the front and rear ends each of a size to receive an individual tube therein and each including a support surface for the tube. A clamp in the form of a rotatable clamp roller has a journal extending outwardly from each side and it is engaged within respective clamp roller grooves which are defined in the housing on each side of the tube channels. The roller is movable by rotation along the grooves toward either the front or rear ends of the housing and it is of a size such that it cooperates with the support surface to compress the tubes therebetween and to at least partially close off the tubes when it is aligned over the support surface. The support surfaces are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the channels so that they operate at a separate time in respect to the positioning of the clamp for closing off the tube flow.