Abstract: A tube bender having a swivel connection of the handle to the shoe for facilitating readjustment of the handle in providing tube bends of greater than 90.degree., while avoiding crossover of the tube handle with the mandrel handle. The shoe handle includes a cylindrical extension rotatably received in a socket in the shoe and structure is provided for automatically disposing the handle in either of preselected dispositions. The extension is caused to be disposed in an overcenter arrangement in the preselected dispositions so as to cause forces generated on the shoe handle during the bending operation to more firmly lock the handle in the preselected disposition. A friction washer is provided for biasing the shoe handle to provide releasable retention thereof in the preselected positions.

Abstract: A tube working tool having a pair of jaws each provided with a single semicylindrical tube receiving recess. The tool includes a yoke defining a pair of spaced jaw supports and a carrier support spaced from and centered betwen the jaw supports. A carrier is threadedly mounted to the carrier support and provided with any one of a plurality of different tube working heads at its lower end for working the end of a tube retained by a pair of clamping jaws carried on the jaw supports. The clamping jaws are clamped against a back wall of the yoke by a pair of screws extending through the jaws at opposite sides of the tube clamping recesses. Cooperating structure is provided on the inboard jaw and jaw support for retaining the inboard jaw against displacement.

Abstract: A fluid flow control proportional valve having structure for providing mounting therein of any one of a plurality of different solenoid coils having different electrochemical characteristics for providing desired positioning of the movable valve thereof. The solenoid armature is slidably mounted within the solenoid tube by structure providing extremely low friction so as to provide improved accuracy in correspondence between the current flow through the solenoid cell and resulting positioning of the spool assembly of the valve. The structure for mounting the armature in the solenoid tube further defines a seal between the armature and the solenoid tube. Pressure compensation structure is associated with the movable valve member for converting a portion of the instantaneous positive pressure differential acting across the valve between the inlet and outlet ports to urge the valve member to the closed position as a result of an increase in the pressure differential acting across the valve.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve having a block defining a spool valve chamber and ports communicating with the chamber. A spool valve assembly for selectively controlling flow through the valve includes a spool body having an annular end provided with at least one axially outwardly opening notch. A spool end on the spool body defines a first frustoconical, axially outwardly narrowing outer surface concentrically within the annular end of the spool body, and a second, frustoconical, axially outwardly widening radially outer surface extending axially outwardly from the axial outer end of the first frustoconical surface and axially outwardly of the spool outer end.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for producing in a single stroke a forged metal article with a helical contoured surface. The apparatus uses an upper punch with a generally smooth surface which is telescopically received in a punch housing and a lower punch of generally smooth surface which is mounted for free rotation with respect to the axis of the die assembly. This design allows for the use of a die of the general configuration and length of the finished article which is economical and efficient to operate.

Abstract: A releasable push-to-connect tube fitting wherein a collet receiving the tube end is provided with longitudinally extending inner slots sized so as to limit constriction of the collet to maintain the outer diameter of the inner end of the collet greater than the minimum diameter of a confronting camming surface of a fitting body member for effectively positively retaining the collet in the body member upon assembly of the fitting elements. The collet includes an enlarged outer end exposed exteriorly of the fitting body for use in releasing the tube from the fitting when desired. The collet is retained in the body by constrictive deformation of the body outer end portion after installation of the collet therein. The constrictive deformation is effected by a suitable tool. In one embodiment, the fitting body is adapted to be secured in a port element. An eyelet may be provided for reception within the tube end to be connected to the fitting.

Abstract: A hydraulic fuse closes flow of hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic line upon loss of downstream fluid pressure. The hydraulic fuse includes a housing having an upstream opening and a downstream opening and a poppet slidably mounted within the housing for opening and closing fluid flow between the upstream and downstream openings. A spool is slidably mounted within the poppet for opening and closing fluid flow between first and second ends of the poppet. The spool includes a head which is positioned within the poppet and a rod which extends outwardly from the second end of the poppet and into the housing. When downstream pressure is lost, differential pressure acting on the first and second ends of the poppet will move the poppet to close fluid flow.

Abstract: A quick disconnect female coupling includes an actuator which is engageable with the valve of a male coupling and a lock for maintaining the actuator in position to hold the valve of the male coupling open when the male and female couplings are connecting.

Abstract: An article and method for bonding a high temperature resistant polymeric material to an aluminum base substrate is disclosed using an alkaline bath comprising an alkali metal chromic salt, an alkali metal carbonate and a water soluble salt of an alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, barium, strontium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A liquid level indicator system is provided for sensing the presence of liquid at a preselected level in a liquid containing container. A piezoelectric reed transducer is disposed in the container for detecting vibrational movement and for producing an electrical signal in response to the vibrational movement. Operationally coupled to the transducer is a paddle which is sized to be immersed in the liquid when the liquid is present at the proper level. Immersion of the paddle in the liquid inhibits the transducer from vibrating due to fluid resistance against the paddle and accordingly inhibits an electrical signal output from the transducer. A control circuit is provided for sensing the electrical signal generation and for generating an alarm signal representative of low liquid level. A tubular housing is provided for containing a level of liquid representative of liquid level in the liquid container. The reed is preferably tuned to a preselected natural frequency sympathetic to ambient system vibrations.