Abstract: A cam actuated valve (10) is disclosed having a butterfly-type valve member (52) rotatably mounted to a crank member (40) extending into a fluid passageway (23) defined by the valve housing. A rectangular bracket (12) attached to one side of the valve housing has parallel edges (66, 68) forming guide surfaces which are slidably received in parallel grooves (62, 64) molded into an actuator member (14). The outer end of the crank member extends through an elongated slot formed in the actuator member thereby defining a cam-cam follower arrangement which transfers the linear movement of the actuator member to rotation of the crank member. The configuration of the cam slot and its position relative to crank member follower end provides a mechanical advantage enabling a relatively low input force exerted on the actuator member to operate the valve.

Abstract: A cam actuated valve is disclosed having a butterfly-type valve member (50) rotatably mounted in a fluid passageway (22) defined by a valve housing (20) with a crank member (16) attached to the valve member and extending beyond the housing. A rectangular bracket (12) is attached to one side of the valve housing and has a pivot hole (60) and a pair of arcuate slots (56, 58) concentric with the pivot hole. A cam (14) is rotatably mounted to the bracket by a pin (84) which projects from the face of the cam and extends into the bracket pivot hole. The cam is axially retained to the bracket by a pair of guide tabs (68, 70) formed around its periphery which extend through the guide slots and abut the valve side of the bracket and a bearing surface on the cam which abuts with the cam side of the bracket. The outer end (74) of the crank member extends through the bracket and into engagement with a cam surface defined by a slot (72) in the cam.

Abstract: Fluid valves for use in internal combustion engines incorporate both plastic and metal housings which are joined at the inlet end to a metallic adapter by means of staking portions of the adapter over the exterior of the valve inlet housing tube. Valves having this type of connection are prone to failure caused by abuse encountered during valve installation and engine maintenance. In the present invention a fluid valve (10) is provided having superior strength at the junction between a plastic inlet (34) and a threaded metallic engine block adapter (14). A portion of the adapter extends into the inlet end of the housing and has a circumferential rib (48) having an outer knurled surface (50) located intermediate and adjacent to a pair of grooves (52, 54). By heating the knurled rib (48), the plastic material of the hollow inlet portion of the valve housing flows into and conforms with the grooves and the knurled rib thereby providing a rigid connection between the valve housing and the adapter.

Abstract: A cam follower having a two-piece composite laser welded configuration is disclosed and comprises a solid and alternatively thin wall tubular base (16) portion formed of mild steel and a thin-disc reaction portion (18) having a hardened, wear resistant outer surface portion (50). The reaction portion is joined to the base portion by laser welding which results in a weld zone (54) comprised of a fusion zone (56) bounded on either side thereof by heat affected zones (58) having relatively narrow transverse thicknesses. A method of laser welding the hardened reaction portion to the mild steel base portion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermostatic fluid valve of the type having a temperature responsive power element mounted between upper and lower housing members. A tubular extension member is attached to the lower end of the power element and permits a spring biased valve member to be mounted thereon. The tubular extension member has an inwardly extending flange formed on the upper end and is received over a cylindrically shaped, cold formed boss projecting from the lower end of the power element. The extension member is retained on the lower end of the power element by orbitally staking the boss radially outward to form a cold worked, high strength retaining flange.

Abstract: A pneumatic vacuum regulator (10) is disclosed for supplying a modulated vacuum output signal proportional to an input pressure signal. Upper (18) and lower (20) diaphragms mounted within a housing (14, 16, 36), cooperate therewith to define a fluid chamber (46), a control chamber (58), and an atmospheric vent (104). A spacer (22) between the diaphragms allows the diaphragms to move as a unit in response to sensing subatmospheric pressure in the fluid chamber, atmospheric pressure on one side of the upper diaphragm, and fluid pressure in the control chamber. A valve member (92) is integrally molded into the upper diaphragm and is engageable with an atmospheric valve seat (96) formed around an opening (98) in an upper diaphragm plate (88). A vacuum valve seat (52) is aligned with opening (98) such that the valve member is engageable with either or both valve seats, thus permitting pressure in the fluid chamber to be modulated proportional to the pressure in the control chamber.

Abstract: A flow control device having a resilient, disc-shaped flow control element mounted in a protective housing assembly. An inlet housing section sealingly engages with an outlet section to form a cavity in which are received a retaining washer and a cup-shaped member. The flow control element is mounted in the cup-shaped member and retained therein against axial movement by the retaining washer. An inner wall portion on the retaining washer and cup-shaped member prevent fluid conduit connections inserted into either the inlet or outlet housing sections from contacting the flow control member.

Abstract: A valve selector including a telescoping spring capsule subassembly having a dual retainer ring arrangement for limiting the maximum extended length thereof. A cup-shaped spring retaining member has an internal groove formed near its rim and a cup-shaped spring receiving member has an external groove formed near its outer open end. The spring retaining member is partially received over the spring receiving member with the external groove axially aligned over the internal groove. A compression spring is captured between the opposed bottom surfaces of the retainer members. An inner retaining ring is received in the external groove and an outer retaining ring is received in the internal groove. The outer ring has an internal diameter sized less than the outer diameter of the inner retaining ring for providing a radial overlap condition. The maximum spacing of the spring receiving and spring retaining members is limited by abutment of adjacent axial faces of the inner and outer retaining rings.

Abstract: A calibration mechanism for a pressure switch of the type utilizing a rotary cam which controls the setting of a spring-biased plunger to establish pressure levels required to actuate the switch. The calibration mechanism includes a support bracket mounted on the switch and a cam assembly including an integrally formed cam member and camshaft. A plunger adjustment mechanism includes a pivotally mounted lever having a cam follower in following engagement with the cam. The support bracket defines a bore adapted to receive the camshaft. The cam has a range of rotational orientations in which the cam follower engages the operative portion of the cam profile. The camshaft includes a projection extending radially therefrom which is axially disposed from the cam a predetermined distance greater than the axial length of the bore in the support bracket. The support bracket defines a slot extending from the bore.

Abstract: A valve selector rotary latch mechanism is provided having an improved locating clip (46, 47) for aligning a telescoping spring capsule subassembly (38, 40) relative to the position of a rotary acting blocker plate (41, 42) and a mounting bracket (36) which connects a solenoid actuator (31) through a linkage (43, 44) to the blocker plates. The locater clip is formed of a resilient spring steel and includes a folded-over horizontal portion (77, 78) which is connected by means of a flared eyelet (66) through the mounting bracket and a looped portion (88) which extends beyond the bracket with an end tap (90) thereof being in locking engagement with a notch (74, 76) formed in the side wall of the telescoping spring capsule subassembly. A locking tab (80) is formed on the end of the folded-over portion and extends into an opening in the bracket for preventing rotation of the clip as the valve selector is assembled to the engine cylinder head.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a lower housing portion (20) having an exhaust gas inlet (24) and an exhaust outlet port (28). An upper housing member (30) has mounted therein an upper flexible diaphragm (48) biased by spring (72) biased a predetermined amount in an upward direction and a lower diaphragm (76) which is also biased by a spring (102) biased a predetermined amount in a downward direction. The upper and lower diaphragms define a control chamber (108) which is communicated with an engine intake manifold vacuum source. An axially movable valve member (90) is connected to the lower end of a valve stem (88) which is in turn connected to the lower diaphragm.

Abstract: A hydraulic advance device for selectively transmitting applied forces to a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine. The device is operative to select a normal or advanced timing of the fuel injection. An outer cylindrical body (66) is mounted in the upper end of a fuel injector adapter. An inner body (108) is slidably received in an outer body and a reaction member (103) and pressure responsive plunger (117) are slidably received in a bore formed in the inner body. The plunger and the bore cooperate to define a fluid chamber (128). A one-way valve (132) in the chamber permits fluid above a predetermined pressure applied during the advanced stage of the fuel injection cycle to enter the chamber which prevents movement of the plunger relative to the inner body member.

Abstract: A regulator assembly for an automatic temperature control system for the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. Regulation is by vacuum signal modulated by a sensor responsive to the difference between a selected temperature and the temperature of air in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A vacuum actuator operated by the modulated vacuum signal is provided for operating an air-blend door for controlling the passage of blower driven heated and cooled air into the passenger compartment. The regulator includes a compact removable vacuum signal modulator subassembly of a bimetal temperature sensing element directly coupled to a vacuum signal modulator valve. Direct feedback of the position of the vacuum actuator to the bimetal sensing element is provided. The modulator is of the type employing balancing of the pressure forces of the vacuum signal against the bias of the bimetal element for positioning the modulator valve.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for valve gear of an internal combustion engine, the lash adjuster being of the type which operates from oil received under pressure from a gallery provided in the engine lubricant supply system. The body of the adjuster has a movable plunger with a one-way check valve for admitting and retaining oil in a chamber between the adjuster body and the plunger. A portion of the plunger includes a pivot surface for pivotally engaging associated components of the valve gear with a reservoir formed in the plunger which communicates with a one-way valve for admitting oil to the chamber. An inlet metering means including an annular metering land provides exclusive lubricant communication to the reservoir from an oil entry port in the body.

Abstract: An agricultural irrigation system having a fluid dispersion nozzle for controlling the flow rate and generating a resultant fluid stream characterized by uniform dispersal along the stream path. The nozzle has a housing member (10) which defines an inlet passageway (16), a nozzle outlet orifice (32), and an intermediate fluid chamber (30). A resilient flow control member (34) is located within the fluid chamber (30) and has an orifice (36) centrally located therein and axially aligned with the inlet passage (16) and the nozzle orifice (32). The nozzle orifice has located along the inner periphery thereof a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced and radially inwardly projecting deflector members (38, 40, 42) which are effective for reducing a portion of the resultant fluid stream velocity therethrough. The fluid dispersion nozzle is mounted on a rotary sprinkler head (50) which receives a supply of pressurized irrigation fluid from an irrigation system primary conduit (56).

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for valve gear of an internal combustion engine, the hydraulic lash adjuster being of the type which operates from oil received under pressure from a gallery provided in the engine lubricant supply system to compensate for lash in the valve train. The body of the lash adjuster has a movable plunger assembly provided therein including upper and lower plunger members each having a bore therein which define upper and lower fluid reservoirs, respectively. A one way check valve is located between the lash adjuster body and the lower plunger member. A thin walled, cup shaped metal separator is received in the lower end of the upper plunger member for fluidly isolating the fluid reservoirs. The separator member is held in place by a plurality of outwardly turned retaining tabs extending from the open end thereof which engage the upper end of the lower plunger member. Annular metering passages meter the pressurized engine oil for supplying fluid to the lower and upper fluid reservoirs.

Abstract: A thermal actuator of the expansible wax type is disclosed having an actuator rod extending through an enlarged clearance hole in an upper guide casing, a closely fitting hole in a guide washer, and a snugly fitting anti-chafe ring. The washer and ring are located intermediate the upper surface of a flexible diaphragm and a counterbore defined by the guide casing. The clearance between the outer diameter of the guide washer and the counterbore formed by the guide casing is substantially less than the clearance between the guide casing opening and the actuator rod. The guide washer and anti-chafe ring mounting arrangement in relation to the guide casing opening provides improved rod alignment and a self-cleaning action as the rod moves.

Abstract: This invention discloses a linear programmer for controlling parts of a servo system by a fluid pressure. The programmer comprises a first body with a longitudinal bore. A second body is joined to the first body forming a manifold therebetween. Apertures in the first body provide fluid communication between the bore and manifold. A plunger is disposed so as to be longitudinally movable within the bore to connect and disconnect the manifold to a source of sub-atmospheric fluid pressure to thereby activate the parts of the system.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly is provided for controlling the recirculation of exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. The assembly includes a fixed body portion having an exhaust inlet and an exhaust outlet port and an adjustable exhaust back-pressure transducer portion movable within the valve. A diaphragm is attached to the body and to the upper and lower housing shells of the transducer to define in the body portion a vacuum chamber on one side and an atmospheric chamber on the other side. A second atmospheric or air bleed chamber and an exhaust chamber are provided by portions of the diaphragm in the transducer portion. The transducer has an air bleed valve responsive to exhaust back pressure which controls the vacuum in the vacuum chamber for effecting movement of a valve for controlling flow between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A valve assembly of the type providing bypass flow through a branch channel when the movable valve member is in the closed position to block flow through the main flow channel outlet. A venturi device is disposed in the main channel upstream of the movable valve member, and the venturi has secondary ports provided through the wall at the throat section. When the movable valve member is in the closed position, flow into the venturi exits at the flow ports and flows through the bypass channel. When the movable valve member is in the open position, flow discharges from the venturi, through the main channel outlet port downstream of the movable valve member, thereby causing reduced pressure at the venturi throat and preventing flow through the secondary ports to the bypass channel.