Abstract: A valve having a housing from which projects a stem rotatable about an axis has an actuating assembly with an abutment ring fixed on the housing, formed with an annular slot, and having an abutment projecting radially into the slot. A knob mounted on and rotatable with the stem adjacent the ring carries a single-arm abutment lever pivoted on the knob and having an end engaged in the slot and displaceable radially between a radial outer position angularly engageable with the abutment and a radial inner position so that when the end is in the outer position rotation of the knob is blocked by engagement of the lever end and the abutment. A spring braced between the knob and lever urges the end into the outer position. A radially displaceable button on the knob engageable with the lever is radially inwardly displaceable to move the lever into its inner position.

Abstract: A handle mechanism to be mounted to a stem of a valve element. The mechanism includes a socket to be fixed to the stem of the valve element, a handle portion including a clevis having a pair of legs and a base joining the legs and pivotally connected to the socket at a lug of the socket and a generally C-shaped spring. The spring has a first end and a second end. The spring engages the lug surface and the top surface of the base over a substantial portion of the spring. A method of installing the spring, including hooking a lip at a first end of the spring over a back surface of the base of the clevis, pivoting a second end of the spring down onto the lug surface and snapping the second end of the spring on a bottom portion of the lug surface.

Abstract: Two-stage water-saving structure of a faucet, including an inner switching/controlling valve assembly, a bar seat, a locating pin, a switching/controlling bar and a housing. The inner switching/controlling valve assembly is composed of several controlling valves. Two engaging hooks and two locating blocks are disposed on the bottom of the inner switching/controlling valve assembly. The top face of the inner switching/controlling valve assembly is formed with a water exit. The top face of the bar seat is formed with a central rectangular bar hole. Two inner lateral sides of the bottom of the bar hole of the bar seat are respectively disposed with two semicylindrical locating blocks. A lateral side of the bar seat is formed with a central pin hole. The bottom end of the switching/controlling bar is disposed with a downward extending semispherical switching/controlling head. A front and a rear faces of a lower section of the switching/controlling bar are formed with <-shaped stop faces.

Abstract: A slide valve faucet handle operates when a user arcuately pushes or pulls the handle back and forth in one arcuate axis. A knob atop the slide valve is pushed away from the user in an arcuate fashion to increase flow or pulled toward the user to reduce or shut off flow. The slide valve includes an escutcheon/valve housing at the bottom with a manually graspable knob at the top attached to a movable cover member. The cover member, which is basically hemispherical, has a section removed at an angle to permit the movable cover to advance forward over the escutcheon/valve housing. With the knob in the upright position, the valve is closed. With the knob tilted fully back in a position of use, the slide valve is in the full open position. Intermediate positions regulate flow in a continuous linear manner as expected. There is no spring return, so the slide valve remains open where adjusted along the arcuate axis.

Abstract: A shower valve assembly comprising a handle operably connected to a valve stem of a mixing valve. A limit stop is positioned between the valve stem and the handle to limit the range of motion of the handle and thereby limit the proportion of hot and cold water mixed by the valve to control the temperature of the mixed water emitted through the valve.

Abstract: The tap intended for controlling the flow of a fluid, for example of a gas, comprises a tap body (34), an inner member (36) for opening and closing the passage of the gases, an outer rotary operating handwheel (42), a connection means (40) connecting the operating handwheel (42) to the closing member (36) and means limiting the movement of the operating handwheel (42) and of the opening and closing member (36) in the opening direction of the tap. In order to avoid the tap becoming jammed in the open position, said means limiting the movement of the operating member consist of an abutment (44) and a counterabutment (46) with frontal contact, which are arranged respectively on a rotary element and on the body (34) of the tap, or vice versa.

Abstract: A handle for a shower valve has a fixed portion having a first bearing surface and a movable portion having a second bearing surface. A spring biases the first and second surfaces into engagement. The fixed portion includes a chassis that is threadedly attached to a valve body. The chassis mounts an interchangeable lower shell that has a decorative finish or shape. Rotation of the lower shell causes rotation of the chassis for installation or removal of the handle on the valve body.

Abstract: The invention concerns a valve or tap for fluids, with a stopper that rotates controlled by a control rod equipped with a throttle or grip lever fixed to said rod by means of a fastening screw. The throttle or grip lever has at least one blocking notch (19, 20), designed to fit tightly with a catch (18), which is part of the valve body in order to prevent the stopper from turning. The fastening screw (15) has a special head that allows it to be screwed/unscrewed only with a specific wench or tool, thereby preventing tampering.

Abstract: On the surface of an n-type semiconductor layer as a drain region (1), a plurality of body regions (2) formed by p-type diffusion regions are formed regularly. And within each of the body regions (2), an n-type source region (3) is formed with a certain interval from the periphery, and a gate electrode (5) is provided through a gate oxide film (4) on the surface of a channel region (8) between the source region (3) and the drain region (1), and a drain electrode (7) is formed through a contact region (9) on the drain region (drain cell) (1) surrounded by the plurality of body regions (2). And the body region (2) is formed as an octagon on the plane, and the drain cell (1) is formed as a quadrilateral on the plane. As a result, a semiconductor device is obtained which has a lateral DMOS with an increased gate width per unit area that can increase the withstand voltage.

Abstract: A valve stem extension for extending the length of a valve stem, the valve stem extension including an extension member and a rotation resisting member. The extension member has a first end for engaging the valve stem and defines an opening which exposes two opposing flat sides of the valve stem when the extension member is engaged with the valve stem. The rotation resisting member includes two opposing flat sides and is configured to be insertable within the opening of the extension member after engagement of the extension member with the valve stem. When positioned in the opening of the extension member, the two opposing flat sides of the rotation resisting member engage the two opposing flat sides of the valve stem to resist rotation of the extension member relative to the valve stem.

Abstract: An automatic shutoff valve for shutting off the main water supply to a building in the case of detected water leak. A ball valve is provided with a mounting kit for rendering the valve automatic. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to fit over the valve body and secured directly to the pipes with adjustable clamps. The kit includes a two-section lever member pivotally mounted to the valve. The one-quarter turn movement of the lever member determines the opening and the closing of the valve. A spring-loaded cable and a system of pulleys control the lever member. A retaining member is pivotally mounted to the floor of the housing and a pair of arms extends outwardly therefrom with one arm of the retaining member engaging a slot in the upper end of the internal section of the lever member to retain the valve in the opened position.

Abstract: A compact diverting valve having a plurality of output ports for supplying various previously mixed hot water and cold water to anyone of a number of output ports. In some instances more than one output port may be supplied with previously mixed hot and cold water at a particular setting of the device. The system also includes a positive keying system into the diverter valve so that the valve actuator, manipulated by the user, has only one possible “rest” position for each selected output mode position. The valve also includes limit stops to prevent complete rotations of the valve actuator by the user an single spring C clips to facilitate removal of the component parts of the valve.

Abstract: A water temperature regulating valve for limiting the maximum temperature of the water output. A temperature limiting cap is installed above the cartridge of the regulating valve. The limiting cap restricts the rotation of a control rod device pivotally installed in the barrel portion of the valve. When the limiting temperature is to be reset, the user removes the cap, rotates it to the desired position, and reinstalls the cap.

Abstract: A rotary channel-selector valve is provided, which includes: a valve-seat plate covering one end of a cylindrical valve housing and provided with low and high pressure ports and two switching ports all connecting the inside and the outside of the valve; and a main valve element accommodated in the valve housing and provided with low and high pressure connecting grooves on one end surface thereof, wherein one (or the other) of the switching ports communicates with the low pressure port through the low pressure connecting groove and simultaneously the other (or one) thereof communicates with the high pressure port through the high pressure connecting groove at a first (or second) channel-switching position of the main valve element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit using a polishing head release mechanism. The polishing head release mechanism is for use with a polishing tool having a polishing head and a polishing platen. In one embodiment, the polishing head release mechanism comprises a platen protective shield, shield-to-platen retainers, and retaining clamps. The shield-to-platen retainers are configured to removably couple the platen protective shield to the polishing platen. The retaining clamps are couplable to the platen protective shield and configured to couple the polishing head to the platen protective shield.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a bulk container valve adapted for use with a bulk container having a tubular spout. The valve comprises a plastic housing having an interior chamber connecting a front port to a rear port. The housing includes a rear fitting about the rear port for connection to the spout, in use, and a front fitting about the front port. A generally spherical valve element is rotationally supported in the interior chamber for movement between a valve open position and a valve closed position. A handle includes a stem. The stem extends through an opening in the housing and is operatively mated with the valve element for selective rotation of the valve element. A fastener is secured to the stem within the interior chamber for securing the handle to the housing.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve stem that is rotatable through 90.degree. for opening and closing the valve. A lever sleeve is securely mounted to the exterior end of the valve stem, and includes at least one pair of diametrically opposite threaded apertures. An indicator cap includes a side wall that is mountable over the lever sleeve. The side wall includes an aperture. The indicator cap is mounted on the sleeve such that the aperture aligns with a selected one of the threaded apertures in the lever sleeve. A handle then is passed through the aperture in the indicator cap and is engaged in the threaded aperture of the lever sleeve for selectively rotating the valve stem. If an obstacle near the valve restricts rotation of the handle, the handle is removed, the indicator cap is rotated 180.degree. and the handle is positioned in the diametrically opposite threaded aperture of the lever sleeve.

Abstract: A valve position adjustable lock mechanism is secured to the handle which is connected to the stem of a valve element to control the position of the valve element and accordingly the size of the opening of the valve element. An indicator ring is secured to the handle and is provided with position indicias thereon to indicate the position of the valve element from a fully open to a fully closed position. An arresting projection arrests the handle at the fully open and fully closed positions. A stopper ring is disposed over the indicator ring and displaceable for engagement and disengagement therewith. The stopper ring has an abutment flange for abutment with a fixed stop element secured to the valve body. The stopper ring has an alignment window to position the abutment means at a desired location selected by the position of the alignment window relative to the position indicias on the indicator ring.

Abstract: A non-riser valve assembly 30 includes a bonnet or housing 32, a bushing 34, a stem 36, a washer 38 and a stop 40. The assembly 30 further includes a coupling 42, a rotatable or movable disk 44, a fixed disk 46 and a bottom seal 48. In assembly, the bushing 34 and the stem 36 are located within an opening 50 of the housing 32 with the bushing being located between the housing and the stem. One of the stem 36 extends from one end of the opening 50 and the stop 40 is removably attached to the stem to limit the rotational movement of the stem within the housing. The coupling 42 is located in the opening 50 of the housing 32 and is in driving engagement with the opposite end of the stem 36. The movable disk 44 is located with the opening 50 and is coupled to the coupling 42 for rotation therewith. The fixed disk 46 is attached to the housing 32 within the opening 50 and is formed with a surface 224 which is in water-sealing engagement with a surface 162 of the movable disk 44.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a housing having an abutment and a valve cartridge in the housing having an actuating stem displaceable about a flow-control axis for varying a flow rate between a maximum flow and a minimum flow and about a temperature-control axis for varying temperature of the flow. A handle connected to the stem carries another abutment engageable with the housing abutment in a position of the valve cartridge corresponding to partial flow through the cartridge. A deflectable override button on the handle is operable to displace the handle abutment out of engagement with the housing abutment.

Abstract: A non-riser valve assembly 30 includes a bonnet or housing 32, a bushing 34, a stem 36, a washer 38 and a stop 40. The assembly 30 further includes a coupling 42, a rotatable or movable disk 44, a fixed disk 46 and a bottom seal 48. In assembly, the bushing 34 and the stem 36 are located within an opening 50 of the housing 32 with the bushing being located between the housing and the stem. One of the stem 36 extends from one end of the opening 50 and the stop 40 is removably attached to the stem to limit the rotational movement of the stem within the housing. The coupling 42 is located in the opening 50 of the housing 32 and is in driving engagement with the opposite end of the stem 36. The movable disk 44 is located with the opening 50 and is coupled to the coupling 42 for rotation therewith. The fixed disk 46 is attached to the housing 32 within the opening 50 and is formed with a surface 224 which is in water-sealing engagement with a surface 162 of the movable disk 44.

Abstract: A water temperature and flow rate control device, including a casing, a rotary cap mounted on the casing to control the horizontal turning angle and vertical tilting angle of a control lever in regulating the temperature of output volume of mixed hot and cold water, and a wedge block adjustably fastened to the control lever and adapted for adjusting the tilting angle of the control lever.

Abstract: A non-riser valve assembly 30 includes a bonnet or housing 32, a bushing 34, a stem 36, a washer 38 and a stop 40. The assembly 30 further includes a coupling 42, a rotatable or movable disk 44, a fixed disk 46 and a bottom seal 48. In assembly, the bushing 34 and the stem 36 are located within an opening 50 of the housing 32 with the bushing being located between the housing and the stem. One of the stem 36 extends from one end of the opening 50 and the stop 40 is removably attached to the stem to limit the rotational movement of the stem within the housing. The coupling 42 is located in the opening 50 of the housing 32 and is in driving engagement with the opposite end of the stem 36. The movable disk 44 is located with the opening 50 and is coupled to the coupling 42 for rotation therewith. The fixed disk 46 is attached to the housing 32 within the opening 50 and is formed with a surface 224 which is in water-sealing engagement with a surface 162 of the movable disk 44.

Abstract: In a rotary flow-path exchanging valve, a high pressure side communicating groove 37 is provided to communicate a first exchanging port 23 and a second exchanging port 27 of a valve seat plate 5 with a high pressure side communicating port selectively. A part of a joint pipe 17 to be connected to the high pressure side port 19 is protruded into the high pressure side communicating groove 27. The protruding part constitutes a stopper pipe 20 for limiting the rotatable range of a valve element 1. In installing the stopper pipe 20, it is connected and secured to the high pressure side port 19 of the valve seat plate 5, and thereafter is hardened by plastic deformation processing. Thus, when the stopper pipe is heated by soldering for its securing to the valve seat 5, the necessary strength thereof can be maintained.

Abstract: A modular valve block assembly adapted to form a manifold for fluid applications comprised of a plurality of individual valves having an outlet orthogonally disposed relative to the inlet. More specifically, the manifold of the present invention includes a plurality of individual valve blocks having one inlet, and two outlets. One outlet is disposed coaxially with the inlet and is adapted for direct or spaced connection to the inlet of another valve block. The other outlet of each block is provided at a ninety degree angle to the inlet to allow for connection to the machine or object receiving the compressed fluid. A ball or needle valve is provided to control the flow of fluid to the first outlet, the second outlet, or both. The present invention therefore provides a modular manifold assembly which allows for quick and inexpensive assembly without the need for costly and cumbersome "T" adapters and individual input lines in that the individual valves include orthogonally disposed inlets and outlets.

Abstract: A simplified liquid dispenser comprises a hopper formed at the bottom into a base through which a base passage is drilled. The hopper contains the liquid to be dispensed. A rotary plug valve controls the flow of the liquid through the base. The plug valve is formed by a shaft journal which mates with a base bore which intersects the base passage at right angles. The shaft journal contains a shaft passage which, when aligned with the base passage, allows the liquid to flow out of the dispenser, and when not aligned with the base passage, prevents the exit of the liquid. A shaft handle contains a slot through which a restraining screw is attached to the base, allowing the rotation of the shaft through ninety degrees. The dispenser is fabricated from a hard, slippery plastic material, obviating the need for bearings.

Abstract: An self-regulating quarter turn faucet valve is fabricated entirely of non-metal parts for use in purified and distilled water dispensing faucets. The valve has wall dimensions that are designed to withstand the torque and tensile forces generated when the valve is threaded into a faucet receptacle and has key operational components located in non-stressed areas of the valve to prevent destructive shear forces during operation. A stacked polished ceramic disc arrangement is used to shut the valve on and off through rotation of the discs relative to each other to align and misalign wing-shaped openings formed in the discs.

Abstract: A device for introducing substances into water, comprising a water supply element having a throughgoing passage, one end connectable with a water source and another end connectable with a water discharge element so that water passes from the water source through the throughgoing passage to the water discharge element, and a substance supply element having one end connectable with a substance containing element and another end turnably connectable with the water supply element in an open position in which a communication is established between an interior of the substance supply element and the water supply element for supply of a substance from the container through the substance supply element into the water supply element, and a closed position in which the communication is interrupted so that the substance is no longer supplied from the substance supply element into the water supply element.

Abstract: A device to control the rate of flow for valves that mix hot and cold water, the valves comprising a cartridge body (15) with a cylindrical upper neck (18) and incorporating valve means consisting of small superimposed plates. At least one small plate is stationary in the cartridge body (15). The other small plate can be displaced on the stationary plate by an operating lever (16) pivoted on a supporting sleeve (20) able to rotate in that neck (18). The operating lever (16) can be rotated together with the supporting sleeve (20) about a vertical axis "x" to change the proportions of incoming hot and cold water and is capable of oscillations on a transverse pivot (19) borne by the sleeve (20) to change the quantity of water leaving the valve. The control device includes an element (22) for controlling the rate of flow in association with a surface (16a) of the operating lever (16).

Abstract: A valve has a valve housing and a stem projecting from the housing and rotatable relative thereto about an axis. A handle assembly for the valve has an abutment directed angularly in one direction of the axis and fixed relative to the housing, a knob, and formations on the knob and stem for rotationally fixing the knob on the stem and for axial displacement of the knob on the stem between a normal use position and an override position. A knob abutment projecting axially from the knob is directed angularly opposite the housing abutment. The knob abutment is angularly engageable with the housing abutment in the normal use position but is able to pass angularly past the housing abutment in the override position. Thus the knob is in the normal use position most of the time. In order, however, to gain increased flow, a higher temperature, or divert water from the tub to the shower, it is displaced into the override position.

Abstract: A unitary handle structure to be secured to the shaft of the valve and cooperate with the stops on the body to delimit and lock the valve element in its open and closed positions. The handle structure includes a socket portion fixed to the stem of the valve element and a handle portion extending from the socket portion and doubling back towards the socket portion and terminating at an end adjacent the socket portion. A detent portion on the end includes a pair of walls sufficiently spaced to receive the stops to lock the valve element in the open and closed positions. The handle portion is flexibly resilient to allow the detent portion to raise and lower with respect to the stops. One of the walls of the detent has a height high enough and the end of the handle portion is separated from the adjacent portion of the handle by a sufficiently short distance to prevent the one wall of the detent portion from raising above the stops.

Abstract: A stem extender for use with a faucet valve assembly which contains a valve body, a valving member including a valve stem rotatably disposed in the valve body, a stop member including a detent and a bore non-rotatably mounted on the valve body with the valve stem extending through the bore, and a handle for rotating the valve stem and the valving member. The stem extender includes a tubular member having a camming surface which cooperates with the detent of the stop member to ensure that the valving member is rotated to a sufficiently open position to prevent so-called "temperature kick" which occurs when the valving member is in the only slightly open position. The tubular member includes a slot opposite the camming surface adapted to receive a compression spring.

Abstract: Objective To avoid undesirable contact between the moving side stopper and the fixed side stopper, to maximize the contact width at the time of hitting, to decrease damages, wearing, etc. to those stoppers, and to improve reliability of the moving side stopper and the fixed side stopper in terms of rigidity and durability. Solution To provide a motor operated valve comprising a valve body 20, a screw fed valve stem 30 and a shaft 35, a motor 10 which rotationally drive the aforementioned shaft 35, a sleeve 40 having a convexed moving side stopper 41 which is rotated with the aforementioned shaft 35 as a monolithic structure, and a fixed bearing washer having a convexed fixed side stopper 55 to which the aforementioned moving side stopper 41 hits, and where a clearance slope 41a to avoid hitting the fixed side stopper 55 is provided on the rear part, looking in the rotational direction, of the aforementioned moving side stopper 41.

Abstract: A temperature- and flow-control valve has a housing defining a mixing chamber and having at least one outlet extending from the mixing chamber and a pair of inlets. A valve cartridge in the housing connected to the inlets opens into the mixing chamber and has a temperature-control element displaceable between an end off position with the cartridge blocking any flow from the inlets through the cartridge to the chamber through intermediate on positions with different ratios of flow from the inlets to the mixing chamber. A flow-control unit in the housing between the cartridge and the outlet includes a flow-control element displaceable between a position for maximum flow from the cartridge to the outlet and a position for restricted flow from the cartridge to the outlet. A link assembly in the housing couples the temperature-control element to the flow-control element for returning the flow-control element to the maximum-flow position on displacement of the temperature control element into the off position.

Abstract: A compact, portable, radio-controlled on/off valve for use with a garden hose has low energy consumption by using a water-powered motor for driving the valve into open and closed positions. The on/off valve has a pilot device for starting water flow through the water-powered motor. A low-power local electrical energy source, such as a battery pack, powers the pilot device and a receiver for receiving control signals. Upon receiving a control signal, the pilot device is energized briefly to start water flow through the water-powered motor. The water-powered motor then moves the valve from a closed position to an open position, or from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An air-conveying apparatus for moving articles along a path of travel at varying speeds comprises in combination a pneumatic conveyor for supporting the articles, a fan operatively coupled to the conveyor to provide air under pressure to the pneumatic conveyor to convey the articles there along, a damper to restrict the flow of air through the fan, and a controller responsive to a signal to vary the positioning of the damper and thereby vary the flow of air through the fan and consequently vary the speed of the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A combination of parts including a single piece valve body for a valve which is interchangeable between a straight valve and an angle valve. Each of the three bores of the valve body is adapted to operatively receive the valve opening and closing mechanism, the other two bores receiving fittings for attaching the flow conduits. One of the bores is perpendicular to the other two bores. If the opening and closing mechanism is received in this bore, the assembly comprises a straight valve. If the opening and closing mechanism is received in one of the other bores, the assembly comprises an angle valve. The three faces of the valve body through which the bores extend are machined substantially identically and symmetrically to the center thereof which is the point of intersection of the axes of the bores so that each bore is able to accommodate interchangeably the valve opening and closing mechanism and the fittings.

Abstract: A stop member and an invertible quarter turn insert for the stop member for allowing ready interchangeability of knob handles and lever handles on quarter turn two handle faucet valves. The stop member includes a stop detent and an arcuate groove bounded by the side edges of the stop detent. The invertible quarter turn insert comprises a generally annular member having a ring portion and a stop tab having a section extending above the plane of the ring portion and a section extending below the plane of the ring portion. One section of the stop tab is inserted into the groove on one side of the stop tab with the other section of the stop tab cooperating with the stop detent to extend the arc of the stop detent in one circumferential direction.

Abstract: A fiber-optic linked anti-tamper fluid block system is disclosed. The device comprises a fluid blocking means, disposable within the fluid flow path of a fluid line, and a control means for control of the fluid blocking means. The control means electronically communicates with the fluid blocking means via a fiber optic link. The control means has an input means, such as a magnetic strip card reader, computer chip key, electronic key switch, electronic alpha-numeric keypad, voice recognition module, or other similar appliance, for receiving an authorized signal from the user to permit device operation. The control means prevents the fluid line bearing apparatus from operating when the device is activated and also prevents device activation when the apparatus is operational.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body having threaded connections on each end. A unit handled valve mechanism includes a cage carrying a spring loaded floating valve ball. The valve mechanism is placed in and removed from the valve body without the use of special tools. The valve mechanism includes lip type polyseals allowing pressure from below to leak past a lower valve seat so pressure from below causes the valve ball to seal only against an upper seat assembly. The only segment of the valve ball in substantial compression is immediately adjacent the upper seat assembly. An actuator for the valve fits onto a connector between the actuator and ball in only one manner, so the indicator on the actuator correctly points at the correct indicia on the valve body describing the valve condition, i.e. open or closed. An improved connector between the actuator and the valve ball minimizes the potential of deformation due to abuse.

Abstract: A device used in an actuator for locking in place a spring module while under load, the device including a spring return cylinder carrying a spring under compression when under load, a spring guide, a pull rod linked to a piston in a power cylinder, and a connection linking the pull rod and the spring guide, the connection being disengageable when said spring is not under compression, but not so when under compression.

Abstract: A tamper-proof locking mechanism for a rotatable control device, such as a quarter turn valve, including a valve member connected to a stem rotatably mounted in a body housing the valve member and an operating handle connected to the stem via an elongated extension for rotating the valve member between open and closed positions. The locking mechanism includes a bracket mounted on the body and having a flange spaced outwardly from the body and generally perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the stem and including an aperture through which the extension extends and a pair of circumferentially spaced projections extending radially outwardly relative to the rotational axis of the stem at locations corresponding to the open and closed positions of the valve member.

Abstract: When the O-rings of ball valves used in the fluid circuits of refrigeration systems are exposed to new EPA-correct refrigerants and blends, the lubrication covering the O-rings tends to wash away. This results in failure of the ball valves. A quarter turn ball valve with a valve stem seal configuration for use under such conditions is disclosed. The valve stem seal configuration protects the ball valve O-ring from contact with the refrigerant fluid flowing through the ball valve. The ball valve has a valve stem receiving passageway with annular recesses in the upper and bottom portions of the passageway. The recesses are spaced apart from one another and a primary seal washer is seated within the bottom recess while an O-ring is seated within the upper recess. Both embrace the valve stem. An annular spring and valve stem guide are supported above the O-ring. In order to minimize wear, the O-ring is maintained in a state of "controlled squeeze" where it is subjected only to radial compression.

Abstract: A single-lever mixer valve for liquids, for example hot and cold tap water. The valve comprises a housing, which is provided with an inlet for each of said liquids and a common outlet. A lever is provided for controlling the amount and the temperature of the liquid flowing out through the outlet. The lever is connected to an actuator in the valve housing that cooperates with a valve member. The lever includes an adjustable spring loaded stop to provide a temporary increase of fluid flow when pressed against a stop surface. The actuator is provided with a built-in closing damper, including at least one sealed chamber and a movable piston for forcing an amount of fluid from the chamber via a throttling member when the lever is closed. When the fluid pressure in the chamber exceeds a certain value, the throttling member is elastically deformed and pressed progressively against a sealing face in the actuator for reduction of hydraulic shock waves related to rapid closing of the mixer valve.

Abstract: In a sanitary single-lever mixer valve, the linear displacement of a movable plate cam, which can carry out a combined rotary and linear movement upon a fixed plate cam arranged in a housing, is influenced by an elastic locking device. This acts in the region of two co-operating guide surfaces, of which one is provided on an element rotatably guided in the housing and the other is provided on the movable plate cam. A first opening is provided in a first of these guide surfaces. A second opening is provided in the second of these guide surfaces, has an approximately circular cross section, is intersected by the guide surface and receives a spring element. The latter is constructed as an incompletely closed hollow moulded element which attempts to expand elastically within the opening and therefore always projects as far as possible beyond the associated guide surface. However, the spring element can be forced completely into the accommodating opening under elastic compression.

Abstract: A flow-control valve has a housing, a valve cartridge in the housing connectable between sources of hot and cold water and an output and including a valve for varying a volume/rate parameter and a temperature parameter of flow from the sources to the output, and a lever pivoted on the cartridge about two transverse axes, connected to the valve means, and movable by pivoting about one of the axes along a path in one direction relative to the housing to vary one of the parameters and movable by pivoting about the other of the axes in another direction relative to the housing to vary the other parameter. A stop is provided on the housing outside the valve cartridge along the path engageable with the lever. A biasing or spring unit urges the stop transversely into the path of the lever and thereby inhibits movement of the lever along the path past the stop.

Abstract: An automatic temperature control means 16 for automatically generating a mixed warm water of prescribed temperature by mixing an introduced hot water from a hot water inflow passage 14 and an introduced cold water from a cold water inflow passage 12 with each other at a flow rate ratio corresponding to the prescribed temperature, and a flow rate control means 19 for regulating the temperature of the discharged mixed warm water by mixing it with a hot or cold water introduced from the hot or cold water inflow passage 14 or 12 through a by-pass 18 around the former means are provided. As a result, mixed warm water of desired temperature can be easily obtained by manipulating the flow rate control means 19.

Abstract: A unit for a single-lever mixing valve, includes a fixed housing defining an upper region, and a bottom, inlet region. An inner sleeve is located within the fixed housing. A cage is located within the fixed housing and adjacent to the inner sleeve. The cage is rotatable and radially displaceable relative to the housing. A spindle is swively mounted obliquely inside the inner sleeve, and engages the cage. The spindle is actuated externally relative to the fixed housing. A plurality of flat, superposed washers are provided. Each washer has at least one opening therethrough. One of the washers is an inlet valve attached to the fixed housing. Another of the washers is a distributor, temperature valve attached to the cage. Another of the washers is a volume valve forming a shim fitted between the inlet valve and the temperature valve. The volume valve and the cage are together radially displaceable on the inlet valve relative to the fixed housing.

Abstract: A rotatable control device or valve including a body housing a control mechanism and a rotatably mounted control shaft connected to the control mechanism. Stops are spaced circumferentially relative to the control shaft. A stop arm is operably connected to the control shaft and engages the stops to limit rotational movement of the control mechanism between first and second positions. An elongated extension is drivingly connected to the stop arm, and an elongated operating handle is connected to the extension with the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the operating handle corresponding in a predetermined relationship to the position of the control member. A registration mechanism permits the extension to be drivingly connected to the stop arm only when the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the operating handle corresponds in the predetermined relationship to the position of the control means.

Abstract: A mixing valve (10) has a limiting mechanism (26) for controlling the maximum flow rate and maximum temperature mix of the mixed water. The limiting mechanism (26) includes a rotatable plate member (70) retains on a cap assembly (56) by a positioning ring member (82). The plate member (70) has a slot (74) that receives a control stem (22) of valve element (20). A handle (90) has a leg section (96) that fits onto control stem (22) and has a cross-sectional shape that prevents the handle from rotating about the control stem axis. The positioning ring has a projection (88) that limits the rotation of the plate member (70) to define a maximum temperature mix of the discharged water through outlet port (30) of the mixing valve (10).