Abstract: A four-way fluid valve combines direct solenoid operation of one port with pilot valve operation of a second port and a common exhaust port, all of the ports being located in the valve body. Direct valve operation is achieved by a magnetically operated plunger carrying a normally closed valve element and operable to move a separate valve holder carrying a normally open valve element. A pilot operated valve disc is supported at the inlet port for axial movement to inlet or exhaust positions in response to inlet pressure or a pilot-operated piston.

Abstract: Duplex filter apparatus suitable for pressure or suction applications includes dual filter housings and a central valve housing having dual, cylindrical, three-way plug valves. Four glass-filled Teflon sleeve seals, each having an inner cylindrical cut edge conform to the valve periphery and seal the valve openings in either a pressure or suction configuration. A wave spring biases each sleeve seal against the plug valve and further o-ring seals utilize the pressure or suction condition to enhance the effectiveness of the sleeve seals. In the pressure configuration a tubular support is used in conjunction with the sleeve seal with the wave spring acting either directly on the sleeve seal or indirectly through an intermediate metal ring which houses the o-ring seals and which minimizes thermal expansion effects.

Abstract: An improved valve, responsive to the loss of coolant under pressure in a diesel engine or the like, to open and allow fluid flow downstream with a consequent loss in fluid pressure, which is recognized by a pressure sensitive fuel valve supplying fuel flow to the engine. The coolant loss valve includes a three-part housing having the periphery of an elastomeric rolling diaphragm trapped between two housing parts and forming a coolant chamber. A spring-loaded piston and pin assembly transmit diaphragm movement, the pin forming a valve controlling fluid flow through a die cast aluminum head structure which is the third part of the housing. A stainless steel pin is used for corrosion resistance and is supported for axial movement in a dual quad ring seal and sleeve structure.

Abstract: A filter assembly and associated collection bowl for a single or dual contaminant collection zone arrangement use a self-sealing o-ring in combination with a threaded mating arrangement in order to withstand high pressure differentials. The filter assembly may include an end cap having a plurality of downwardly projecting ribs distinct from a threaded connector ring upon which the end cap rests or the ribs may be integral with the connector ring and separate from the end cap. The lower end of the filter housing includes a number of contaminant channels between adjacent pairs of the ribs, the contaminant channels leading to corresponding contaminant outlets.

Abstract: A protective spacer for fittings and the like consists of tubular plastic body member with a transverse end wall having a plurality of radiating slits therein forming plural gripper tabs. The body member is formed of thermoplastic material and the tabs are resiliently deformable into a tunnel configuration adapted to receive a portion of a fitting member and to be self-supported thereon. The spacer provides radial spacing from the thus supported fitting portion and axial spacing for opposed structures in abutment with the transverse end wall and free end of the body member.

Abstract: A coupler of the type provided with a male fitting (11) which can be locked in a female fitting (7') by means of locking balls (9) housed in an annular row of holes (8) located in the female fitting (7').That part of the mobile tubular element (7) including between the annular row of holes (8) in which the locking balls (9) are housed and the nearest external shoulder (23) of the tubular element (7), which serves to support a return spring (16) is surrounded by a cylindrical bushing (24) whose inside end is provided with a flange (25) which is normally biased against the external shoulder (23) of the mobile tubular element (7), whose other end, which is normally biased against the internal tapered face (6a) of the internal rib (6) in the body (2), is internally beveled so as to provide a divergent face (26), whereby the length of the cylindrical skirt of this bushing (24) slightly exceeds the distance between the aforesaid shoulder (23) and the annular row of holes (8) housing the balls (9).

Abstract: A drain assembly uses a valve body with a drain passage and a vent passage in order to provide self-venting drainage of a collection bowl mounted to a filter unit. The valve body cooperates with a seal such that the drain passage is opened before the vent passage, thereby insuring proper operation of the passages. Additionally, the valve body draws air into a cavity within the seal, thereby inherently clearing an upper vent port of fluid prior to opening of a vent port disposed at the upper end of the vent passage.

Abstract: This fitting has a transverse bore (3) and, at one of its ends, a male or female threaded end to connect it immovably to one of the two parts to be joined by means of tube (6) and, at its other end, a ring-shaped chamber (5) which is coaxial to bore (3) and which, in addition to a ring-shaped watertight joint (9) and a retaining collar (8), houses a ring-shaped member (7) which has prongs (7a) slanted toward the rear (5a) of chamber (5) and pro-jecting radially into chamber (5), thus delimiting an inside diameter normally smaller than the outside diameter of the connecting tube, the purpose of this chamber (5) being to receive and retain one of the ends of tube (6) simply by inserting it to the rear (5a) of the chamber and the inside and outside diameters of chamber (5) corresponding approximately to the outside diameter of tube (6), while the outside diameter is greater than the outside diameter of tube (6) to make it possible to house the ring-shaped joint (9), the pronged member (7) and the retaining colla

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly includes a flexible wiper element and a semi-rigid backing strip, the wiper element having a curved roller back configuration to maintain the point of contact with the backing strip substantially directly above the wiper lip to reduce the force necessary to flip the wiper element upon reversal of wiping motion. The wiper element includes an involute tooth and head to retain the wiper element in the backing strip and to allow relatively unrestricted floating movement therein.

Abstract: A self-centering seal for threaded fasteners and the like consists of a rigid, load-bearing retainer in the form of a ring having an elastomeric seal molded in place therein at the inner periphery. The seal is of tear drop shape in section having a portion which projects beyond the surfaces of the retainer, adjacent recessed portions and an inner tip portion with a relatively large radius of curvature. The diameter of the tip portion is sized to be an interference fit on the fastener shank so that the seal may be preassembled with the fastener.

Abstract: A high burst strength flexible composite hose having low volumetric expansion under pressure includes a thermoplastic core tube, one or more braided reinforcing layers of high strength aramid yarn having a tensile modulus of elasticity of about 17,000,000 psi and a tenacity of more than 20 grams per denier at room temperature, and an outer cover of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A filter assembly and associated collection bowl for a dual contaminant collection zone arrangement use a self-sealing o-ring in combination with a threaded mating arrangement in order to withstand high pressure differentials. The filter assembly includes an end cap having a plurality of downwardly projecting ribs distinct from a threaded connector ring upon which the end cap rests. The end cap includes a number of contaminant channels between adjacent pairs of the ribs, the contaminant channels leading to corresponding contaminant outlets.

Abstract: A winter wiper blade consists of an articulated plastic frame, a rubber boot enclosing the frame and an external wiper blade element. The frame consists of a primary yoke and pairs of pivotable center and end yokes, each having a respective claw thereon for support of a backing strip, in turn slotted to receive the anchoring bead of the rubber wiper element. A pair of end caps, each having spring arms thereon and a further claw are adapted for interlocking engagement in a groove at the outer end of the end yoke to support the tip of the wiper element. Each end cap includes extensive surface area to engage and seal with a conforming shaped end channel portion of the rubber boot. A u-shaped saddle is disposed at the central portion of the primary yoke over the rubber boot for receipt of a wiper motor arm and is uniquely mounted by transverse rivets to facilitate assembly thereof.

Abstract: A tool for lifting and carrying an automotive battery and the like consists of a pair of identical sheet metal stampings in the form of L-shaped levers, pivotally joined for scissor-like action and interconnected by a carrying strap. The levers are generally planar and include a plurality of gripping teeth in a convexly curved configuration at the inner confronting faces of the L-shaped ends to provide variable spacing of the opposed operative teeth. The strap is a semi-rigid plastic and biases the levers to a partly closed position.

Abstract: A dual wall safety tube assembly comprises an inner, seamless, stainless steel tube of extended length and an outer, welded stainless steel tube of the same length, in which the inner tube is connected as a process line without any junctions except for end couplings and the outer tube is similarly connected as a monitoring or inerting conduit. The assembly may include further options of electric heating cable, plastic jacketing and thermal insulation of fiberglass or similar material.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly includes a valve body and an outwardly extending core tube assembly comprising a core tube, a fixed pole piece and a slidable plunger for actuating a valve in the valve body. An electromagnetic coil assembly comprising a flux frame and cylindrical coil is slidably and removably supported on the core tube and is secured in place by a contractible ring with a shoulder engaged in a groove in the outer end of the core tube. The ring is an injection molded plastic part and is split, having a tongue and socket interconnection with plural ratchet teeth thereon to provide adjustable constriction of the ring. A pair of integral spring fingers are provided on opposite sides of the ring to axially bias the coil assembly against the valve body.

Abstract: A pilot-operated poppet valve with integral flow control, the latter being adjustable and direction sensitive to provide free or metered flow. Pressure actuated slidable metering seats having integral lip seals are disposed at load ports and are responsive to pressure therein to move relative to adjustable needles between a metering position and a spaced free flow position. The poppet valves include piston seals consisting of cup-shaped elastomeric elements with a central domed bumper structure disposed freely at the piston head.

Abstract: An adjustable elastomeric seal assembly for accommodating gap tolerances consists of a rubber seal supported by a retainer, the latter consisting of a substrate and a plurality of shims. The assembly is joined as an integral structure and the shims may be peeled individually to fit gap dimensions. Preferably, the substrate thickness equals the minimum gap dimension and together with the plural shims equals or exceeds the maximum gap dimension to provide several selectable combined thicknesses therebetween. The thickness of the rubber seal is greater than the maximum gap dimension but provides suitable sealing as well as the minimum dimension.

Abstract: A low temperature static seal assembly consisting of an elastomeric seal element combined in a gland having a reduced wall dimension at the high pressure side which provides a path for enhanced communication between the seal element and the viscous fluid. O-ring, lathe-cut and molded in place seals can be accommodated in this configuration.

Abstract: A tube fitting with a one-piece ferrule adapted to shear during assembly into two cutting rings for serial setting of the cutting edges thereof into the tube surface. The rear cutting ring is deformed and guided by the previously set front cutting ring at a preferred cutting angle. Engagement of abutment surfaces on the cutting rings determines a final position for the rings and provides a signal to the assembler that the joint is completed. The undeformed ferrule includes a conical front cutting ring having a cutting edge of one diameter, a cylindrical rear ring having a cutting edge of larger diameter, an external annular groove and an enlarged bore therebelow which in part forms the rear cutting ring and controls deformation thereof. The annular groove is placed to define a shear zone between the cutting rings and the shoulders of the groove are the abutment surfaces for determining completed joint position.