Abstract: Pointer zero adjustment in a pressure gauge is effected by means of a shaft (50) centrally extending laterally inward of the casing from a supportive centering flange (40) on the inside face of the crystal (10). A Bourdon tube (44) is radially coiled concealed from view through the crystal (10) about a pressure sealed rear portion of the shaft (50) to which it is rotationally secured. The pointer unit (42) is of a more or less U-shaped cross section with a tubular center (48) loosely supported on the shaft (50) juxtaposed to the crystal (10). The front pointer formation (42) simulates a conventional pointer appearance while its rear formation (52) is rotatably linked to the free end (56) of the Bourdon tube for incurring operational displacement therewith. On removing a detachable cover (37) from over an aperture (34) in the crystal coincidingly located opposite the shaft end thereat, access is provided for an external tool (78) to operationally engage a tool receiving hex socket (38) in the shaft end.

Abstract: The Bourdon tube socket of a pressure gauge is constructed of an extruded metal bar having a first as-extruded slot in which to secure the inlet fixed end of a Bourdon tube. The bar also includes a pair of second as-extruded parallel slots for receipt of case mounting, self-tapping screws and formed of spaced apart arcuate ears extending transversely along each side face thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated wrench comprised of a body saddle, bonnet clamp and hydraulic system providing controlled high torque turning force for in-line assembly and disassembly of threadedly connected valve housing components such as the body and bonnet. With the saddle and clamp separately secured to the valve body and bonnet, respectively, a pump actuated piston/cylinder is mounted on the saddle with its piston end secured to the clamp. The axis of the piston/cylinder is aligned with a force vector normal to the bonnet radius such that when the piston is extended outward by operation of a jack pump in response to hydraulic pressures imposed against the piston/cylinder it imposes a high force turning moment against the bonnet relative to the body.

Abstract: A breather vent mountable on the vent pipe outlet from an underground storage tank at a gasoline service station site. A vent housing includes a body section adapted for placement on the vent pipe and which cooperates with a superposed cap section to accommodate a vapor floatable valve disc supported internally thereof. Vapors from the tank can normally discharge in a primary flow path past the valve disc from where it is diverted upwardly by an annular diverging deflector to atmosphere. Displaced apertures having comparatively increased protection against freezeup form an alternative outlet for a secondary flow path diverted downwardly from a location downstream of the valve disc. The latter being better protected against freezing rain, etc. enables continued vent discharge to atmosphere in the event the primary flow path becomes ice blocked.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting leaks in an underground piping network supplying liquid petroleum products pumped from an underground storage tank to an aboveground dispenser outlet. A highly sensitive flow detector situated in a parallel looped bypass arrangement is selectively operated for ascertaining existence or non-existence of a piping leak. Following a sufficient time lapse of non-dispensing for enabling temperature stabilization of the piping network to occur, the detector is actuated in a controlled sequence of go, no-go steps that culminates in ascertaining existence or non-existence of a piping leak while at the same time eliminating any false indication occasioned by detector malfunction.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve for installation in the recirculation flow path between the exhaust and intake manifolds of an internal combustion engine. A metering control in the form of an axially displaceable pintle is operative in the flow path of a throat body to form an annular convergent-divergent nozzle. Pintle movement is responsive to predetermined engine variables to vary the throat flow area for continuously maintaining sonic gas flow therethrough. By the pintle being disposed toward closing the throat in a direction counter to the direction of incoming gas flow, sonic flow can be maintained at high efficiency throughout the full range flow capacity required of the valve.

Abstract: A self-contained unit integrally operable in conjunction with a gas meter registers equivalent standard gas volume by correcting actual gas volume for both pressure and temperature. A magnetic couple provides a drive input to the correction unit at a rate proportional to the operational rate of the meter. Separate temperature and pressure sensitive mechanisms exposed to the gas flow each provide a linear displacement proportional to changes in their absolute condition. Respective displacement of each is supplied independently to a dual input single output multiplying mechanism from which an integrated output serves to position a limiting cam in angular correlation therewith. Position of the cam effectively modifies the drive input from the magnetic couple through a crank arrangement that drives the corrected register at a rate correlated to the integrated function of absolute pressure and temperature of the metered gas.

Abstract: A dissipative-type muffler for attenuating the high velocity discharge of a high pressure-high temperature safety valve. A path of flow constituting four stages of controlled turbulence suppressed diffusion is formed internally of the muffler extending from an intake into a plenum chamber then distributed past a plurality of parallel arranged radial diffuser flanges and an acoustical liner before exiting to atmosphere at relatively low velocity and low noise level. Laminar flow to small scale turbulence is obtained in the first stage by a jet impingement directional reversal in a controlled spacing discharge from an intake pipe within the plenum chamber. In the second stage, small scale discharge turbulence of high frequency is achieved by laminar flow induced via radial diffusion through controlled gap spacings between the diffuser flanges.

Abstract: An improved construction for securing the connecting link from the free end of a Bourdon tube to the segment gear in the geared movement of a pressure responsive instrument. An elongated flat spring clip, recessed in its center portion, has one open end from which it is longitudinally slotted inward. The opposite end is screw tapped for acting as a nut to receive a screw fastener. By a slip fit insertion of the spring clip over a controlled recess on the segment shaft, the clip is held in place in a controlled tensioned grip for captivating the nut at the fastener location of the segment gear. Should it be necessary to shift the fastener location for purposes of calibrating the instrument, the spring clip is finger slideable for relocation as required.

Abstract: A transducer for converting position displacement into a digital output signal correlated to the current placement state. An opaque vane is operably movable transversely in a radiation path between a radiation source and two juxtaposed radiation sensitive diodes. Discrete signals, emitted by each of the diodes in relation to the amount of their respective surface areas exposed to radiation, are converted by logic and a dual slope integrating analog-to-digital converter to a useful digital output signal. In one embodiment, both diodes are subject to having exposed radiation interrupted by the vane. Logic supplies the difference of the diode signals to the converter as its measured input while a sum signal is supplied thereto as its reference input. The ratio of input signals is then emitted by the converter as an output signal indicative of the current placement state.

Abstract: A tapping sleeve for mounting on an in-service pipe under pressure in which a pipe opening is to be formed. The sleeve comprises upper and lower sleeve halves, one of which supports an endless gasket adapted to provide a pressure seal about the branch opening when formed in the pipe. Contained in the lower sleeve half are a plurality of arcuately displaced longitudinally extending metal pads mounted for articulation and adapted to support the pipe against internal pressure forces. The pipe engaging surfaces of the pads are inwardly curved approximating the pipe radius and are sufficiently deformable to enable surface conformance with the circumferential curvature of pipe wall in distributing the unit force loading therefor.

Abstract: A portable food thermometer affording an audible alarm at a preset cooking completion temperature. A water reservoir defined within a two-part housing is fillable by the user in advance of use. An elongated sensing probe insertable in the food is secured extending through one of the housing parts inward of the reservoir and contains a slideable rod supported on a confined temperature sensing material. Expansion of the sensing material in response to increasing food temperature forces the rod outward of the probe. Opposite the free end of the rod is a spring loaded ball valve sealing the reservoir from a whistle outlet. Temperature graduations on the housing enable adjusting the spacing between the rod and valve at room temperature for presetting the operating temperature of the unit. On reaching set point cooking temperature, the outwardly forced position of the rod acts to open the valve enabling steam in the reservoir to activate the whistle alarm.

Abstract: A butterfly valve in which a gasket is secured about the vane periphery and in cooperation with an annular body seat effects a seal for closure of the valve passage. Supporting the gasket in a manner to enable controlled enlargement by a locally applied compression force is an annular recess in the vane face inwardly extending from the periphery and a radial clamping ring securing the gasket in the recess. A plurality of screw fasteners extending through the ring and gasket into the vane body operate when tightened to radially enlarge the elastomer for increasing its sealing capability against the seat. Combined surface interference afforded by each of the ring and recess radially constrain the gasket between the ring and vane enabling the energy of compression imposed by screw tightening to remain stored. In this manner the effected enlargement is substantially restricted to within a controlled peripheral portion of the gasket.

Abstract: A safety latch preventing inadvertent lowering or dropping of an automotive hoist by means of a torsionally biased pawl shaft that automatically self engages with a lateral notch located in the lift at hoist operating height. The backside of a vertically movable gear rack attached to the hoist includes the pawl notch near its lower end and which when raised cooperates with the pawl shaft for effecting a latching relation therewith. The pawl shaft is slotted to embrace the gear rack and is manually releasable for permitting hoist descent by a partial rotation which in one embodiment is effected by manually shifting a bi-stable locking rod. Reset for latching on subsequent ascent of the gear rack is effected by descending engagement of the hoist bolster against the bi-stable locking rod. In an alternative embodiment release is obtained by raising a lift pin which similarly effects partial rotation of the biased pawl shaft.

Abstract: A combination fuel introduction, distribution and air shaping device is provided for a fuel carburetion system of an internal combustion engine. The distributor is elongated and of generally inverted tear-drop cross-section. Fuel discharge openings are spaced longitudinally near or at the bottom of the distributor. The distributor extends across the intake air duct of an air-fuel mixing and modulating device that is adapted to deliver a mixture of finely divided fuel droplets in air to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine. The body of the distributor divides the intake air flow into two converging air streams which entrain the fuel as liquid droplets sweeping it from a helically coiled wire extending along the downstream side of the distributor and uniformly distributing the droplets in the air streams.

Abstract: A tapping T for effecting a house outlet connection on non-metallic plastic pipe. A tapping tool is threadedly supported in the body of a tapping T service connector adapted for mounting on a pipe main under pressure. The cutting nose of the tool is secured on a plastic head and is comprised of a smooth, thin wall circularly tubular sleeve the radial end facing of which is serially stepped axially inward in a repetitively controlled pattern of sequential relief about its periphery. To cut a slug or coupon, the cutting nose via the head is threadedly advanced into the pipe wall while a screw extending centrally outward of the cutting nose aids in retaining the cut coupon within the open bore of the sleeve.

Abstract: Pressure regulator system and apparatus for producing a controlled output pressure corresponding to a pre-programmed BCD set point command. Measured values of output fluid pressure emitted from the regulator is applied in BCD signal form to electronic logic in which the measured signal is compared with the signal of the set point. In response to a determined differential between signals, output pressure is changed in a series of repetitive but rate variable differential reduction steps until set point pressure is achieved. In each step a D. C. motor under control of a logic actuated servo-system operates a force balanced air system to adjust a primary control pressure which in turn operatively resets the output pressure of the regulator.

Abstract: Amplifier apparatus for providing output motion correlated to condition change motion or deflection of a condition responsive element. The amplifier in a preferred embodiment is mounted onto the condition responsive element for floating conjoint movement therewith. A remotely connected actuator, extending into the motion path, defines a pivot axis for a hinged gear sector arm of the amplifier. In pivoting about the actuator axis, the sector arm operably drives a rotatable output shaft supporting a pointer or the like.

Abstract: A valve fitting insertable in a gas service pipe coupling for operably effecting gas flow interruption in response to either an encountered excess flow or in the event of a piping disconnect from the coupling. A tubular, stepped diameter valve body is sized for receipt within a pipe coupling to define an annular flow passage internally forming an annular seat at an intermediate location within the passage. A more or less T-shaped poppet having a scalloped faced hex head is spring biased in opposition to the gas flow and cooperates with the body seat to interrupt flow in response to an increasing flow pressure being exerted against the head. A pullout plate encircling the poppet shank is biased toward seating the poppet against the body seat for separately arresting gas flow there-past but is prevented from doing so when a pipe section is positioned in place within the coupling.

Abstract: A hand drive for manually operating a blender-type gasoline dispenser in the event of power disruption, including a crank operated shaft mounted for rotation and which is axially presettable relative to the pump drives for selectively operating either or both of the dispenser pumps. Laterally extending from the shaft are a pair of spaced pins for rotatably coupling the shaft with the drive sheave of the selected pump or pumps. Presetting the shaft axially with the pins in a first position rotatably couples the shaft via one of the pins to one sheave for high octane dispensing while the other pin and respective sheave remain disengaged. Setting the shaft in a second position rotatably couples the shaft via the other of the pins to the second sheave for low octane dispensing while the first pin and respective sheave remain disengaged.