Abstract: A thermostat valve 10 is provided for controlling gas flow to an infrared catalytic heater 26. The thermostat valve includes a thermally responsive snap member 50, 64 positioned within a housing central flow path and moveable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. An elastomeric seal 54 supported on the housing surrounds the central flow path and engages the snap member when in the closed position. A restricted flow path 58, 68 is provided in one of the housing and the snap disk for passing gas to the catalytic heater when the snap member is closed. The thermostat valve is relatively simple yet highly reliable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling emergency ventilation of a liverstock building comprising an environment sensor (12), air operated trip mechanism (14), and a source(10) of compressed air. The trip mechanism (14) is connected to open or close doors, windows or other sources of ventilation in the building in response to the presence or absence of the compressed air. Upon sensing a deviation from a prescribed ventilation norm, the environmental sensor (12) controls application of the compressed air to the trip mechanism (14) via solenoid valves (24, 30) to reverse the state of the building ventilation, i.e., to close the ventilation source if open, or to open the ventilation source if closed.

Abstract: A valve body includes a base section having an inlet and an outlet and means forming a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm is supported for movement relative to the valve seat and includes a center by-pass port which is opened and closed by a valve member supported for axial movement by a closure section of the valve body. A pin-like actuating lever is pivotally supported by a flexible seal secured to the closure section and has an inner end portion projecting into an opening formed within the valve member. An elongated U-shaped bimetallic actuating element is mounted on the closure section generally parallel to the lever and includes a movable head portion. The bimetallic actuating element is preferably connected as a resistance in series with an electrical load, and a spring is compressed against the outer end of the actuating lever to cause rapid snap-action movement of the lever, and the valve member in response to slower movement of the head portion of the actuating element.