Abstract: A retractable plug assembly for engaging a seat ring seating surface comprises a plug housing, a plug body, a retainer ring, a wear ring, a spring retainer and a valve spring. The plug housing has the plug body slidably disposed therewithin and defines a plug body seating surface. The wear ring is mounted to the retainer ring and extends downwardly therefrom to define a wear ring bottom face positioned downwardly relative to the plug body seating surface. The valve spring, captured between the spring retainer and the plug housing, biases the plug body away from the seat ring during engagement of the wear ring to the seat ring such that inwardly flowing fluid is prevented from directly impinging the plug body seating surface. The valve spring deforms during downward movement of the plug body such that the plug body seating surface engages the seat ring seating creating a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug and seal assembly comprising an annular seat ring and a plug head for use in a fluid control valve utilized for regulating a flow of high-pressure fluid. The seat ring includes first, second, and third sealing discs alternately stacked with respective first, second and third resilient bearing discs. The inner annular edges of the first, second and third sealing and bearing discs collectively define a conical sealing surface. The plug head defines stepped first, second and third ramps, each ramp having a truncated conical shape of equal half-angle with the conical sealing surface half-angle being larger than the ramp half-angle. The direct engagement of the first, second and third ramps against respective ones of the sealing discs acts to deform the respective ones of the bearing discs to create three fluid-tight seals therebetween to reduce the risk of leakage of the valve when in a closed position.

Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a new style toner cartridge which has a toner cartridge/developer roller/waste bin sub assembly covered by a first and second end cap. The method includes removing the first and second end cap using a cutting tool and template, removing the existing seal from the toner hopper, replacing it with a new seal assembly that connects the toner hopper to the developer roller housing, reattaching the waste bin, and then reattaching the end caps with quick disconnect clips or clamps.

Abstract: An improved nozzle assembly for spraying cooling water into superheated steam flowing through a steam pipe of a steam desuperheater includes a nozzle housing, a nozzle barrel, a valve element, and at least one valve spring. A nozzle barrel disposed within the nozzle housing has flow passages in fluid communication with a barrel chamber. The barrel chamber minimizes a tendency for cooling water to enter the superheated steam in a streaming spray. The valve element is slidable within the nozzle barrel for regulating the flow of cooling water through the nozzle assembly. The valve spring biases the valve element against the forward end of the nozzle housing to initially seal the nozzle assembly in a closed position. A control valve increases the fluid pressure within the nozzle housing which in turn forces the valve head away from the nozzle housing, allowing for increased flow of cooling water into the superheated steam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffuser apparatus for facilitating a reduction in fluid pressure and suppression of noise. The apparatus comprises a tubular inner sleeve, a tubular muffler and a tubular outer sleeve. The inner sleeve defines a fluid flow axis and has a plurality of inner sleeve passages. The outer sleeve has the inner sleeve concentrically positioned therein and defines a plurality of outer sleeve passages. The muffler is concentrically positioned between the inner and outer sleeves such that fluid flows radially outwardly through the inner sleeve passages, through the muffler, and through the outer sleeve passages. The muffler may be spaced from the inner sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the inner sleeve. The muffler may also be spaced from the outer sleeve so as to define a gap between the muffler and the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A printer cartridge and method of making or refurbishing a printer cartridge are disclosed. The printer cartridge may include a first cartridge subassembly attached to a second cartridge subassembly. The first cartridge subassembly may include a first conductive terminal and the second cartridge subassembly may include a second conductive terminal that is normally in electrical contact with the first conductive terminal when the first and second subassemblies are assembled. An external access may be provided to the first conductive terminal in the event the first conductive terminal is inaccessible after assembling the printer cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piston positioning system for positioning a piston within a cylinder of a pneumatic circuit. The system comprises a piston position indicator for sensing an actual piston position, a controller for generating an output signal in response to the piston position signal, a pneumatic valving device for regulating the flow of pneumatic fluid and a solenoid valve configured to energize the pneumatic valving device. The pneumatic valving device comprises a four-way valve, a servo valve coupled to a stepper motor, and a two-way valve. The reversible stepper motor is incrementally rotatable over a desired angle of rotation in proportion to the magnitude of the output signal for linearly translating the servo valve such that the flow of pneumatic fluid maybe manipulated into and out of first and second ends of the cylinder to control the piston position therewithin.

Abstract: A combination face and plug seal for use in a balanced pressure valve having a valve housing and a valve plug movable within the valve housing between an open position and a closed position. The seal comprises a main body portion and an engagement portion integrally connected to the main body portion. The seal further comprises at least one primary spring which extends along and at least partially between the main body and engagement portions. Integrally connected to the main body portion is at least one seal leg portion, with at least one secondary spring extending along and at least partially between the main body and seal leg portions. The seal is adapted to be retained within the valve housing, with the engagement portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve plug and the seal leg portion being forced into sealed engagement with the valve housing when the valve plug is closed or moved from the closed position toward the open position.

Abstract: There is provided a vortex generator comprised of a diffuser, a vortex ring and a spray nozzle. The diffuser redirects a flow of superheated steam radially outwardly by forcing the superheated steam through orifices. An end plate creates a low pressure area downstream of the diffuser. The vortex ring imparts a spiraling motion to the flow of superheated steam. The spray nozzle sprays cooling water in a predetermined spray pattern into the low pressure area. The spray pattern maximizes the surface area of the cooling water within the superheated steam. The combination of the spiraling motion, the radially outwardly directed flow, and the low pressure area results in a closed vortex having a vortex core. The closed vortex is characterized as a spiraling, swirling flow of eddies and vortices downstream of the vortex generator. The closed vortex promotes the uniform mixing of the cooling water with the steam flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a blowdown valve for a boiler system for removing fluid that contains debris. The blowdown valve comprises a housing for a shutoff valve and a reversible throttle valve. The shutoff valve is fluidly connected to a fluid inlet that, in turn, is connected to the boiler system. Each one of the shutoff and throttle valves includes a rotatable valve ball having a bore formed therethrough. Rotation of the valve ball alternately blocks and unblocks fluid flowing therethrough. The throttle valve bore includes first and second bore ends. A bore insert is disposed within the bore between first and second debris zones. The bore insert includes passages configured for reducing fluid energy. The first and second debris zones entrap debris therewithin. The throttle valve reverses positions of the first and second debris zones such that entrapped debris may be flushed out of the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A valve stem sealed by a packing. A spigot applies an axial compression loading to the packing via a sleeve when bolts are tightened. A clamp attaches two parts of the valve body to each other with the bolts extending between the spigot and the clamp. The bolt and spigot provide an integral spring construction.

Abstract: A Toner Cartridge Seal Assembly including a gasket, a handle integral with a gasket, and a removable seal lying over the gasket. The handle which is integral with the gasket is in, one embodiment, removable by detaching the handle from the remainder of the gasket along a series of perforations. Alternatively, in another embodiment the handle may be folded over the gasket after the seal assembly is attached to the toner cartridge. The Toner Cartridge Seal Assembly of this invention is used to contain toner in a toner hopper during the transport of a toner cartridge. The removable seal is, in the preferred embodiment, integral with a tail. The tail folds back over the seal and extends outside of the cartridge. Upon arrival at its intended destination the end user pulls the tail removing the removable seal and exposing the toner in the toner hopper to the remainder of the toner cartridge. The invention is usable in both new and rebuilt or remanufactured toner cartridges.

Abstract: A Method of Manufacturing a Developer Roller in which a wetting agent is added to a polymer and graphite to ensure thorough dispersion of the graphite. The developer roller's performance is further improved by spray applying a surface layer of graphite and wetting agent and burnishing this surface layer after spray application. Additional improvements are seen by using many multiple steps of spraying thin coats to improve adhesion between the spray applied coats.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for use in remanufactured toner cartridges in which the toner hopper has been physically separated from the developer roller housing. The device holds the toner hopper and developer roller housing in proper alignment to one another and the component parts within. The nature of this device is disclosed and described herein.

Abstract: A valve filter is provided particularly for a balanced pressure valve and provides a means of preventing particles passing, through the balance holes of the valve plug.The valve comprises a valve housing and a valve plug movable in the housing to open and close the valve, the valve plug containing at least one balance hole, the balance hole defining a fluid communication channel through the valve plug, the fluid communication channel being provided with a filter, the filter comprising a body member and a plurality of elements, each element having a first end and a second end and being fixed at its first end to the body member and being, free at its second end, whereby the elements can deflect under pressure.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, sometimes called a variable fluid restrictor control valve or severe service control valve. These valves employ a moveable plug and are used to control high pressure fluids e.g. superheated steam. The valve of the invention provides axial flow passageways for the fluid, which have right-angled turns. The passageways are either on the radially outer surface of the plug or within an annular sleeve through which the plug is moveable.

Abstract: A balance seal for a valve, said seal comprising an annular seal element retained within a valve housing. The seal element has a seal well which links with the pressure on one side of the valve to urge a flexible seal leg with a foot into engagement with a moveable valve plug. The seal leg is prevented by an annular retainer from over-deflection.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device for use in a variable fluid restrictor control valve or severe service control valve. These valves employ a moveable plug and are used to control high pressure fluids e.g. superheated steam. The control device of the invention includes annular discs with fluid passageways through them. Pairs of discs together form a radial passageway for fluid between the interior of a stack of discs and its radially outer circumference. The passageways may have a smaller cross-section at a mid-region of the disc than at the radially inner or outer side of the disc.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device for use in a variable fluid restrictor control valve or severe service control valve. These valves employ a moveable plug and are used to control high pressure fluids e.g. superheated steam. The control device of the invention includes annular discs with fluid passageways through them. Pairs of discs together form a radial passageway for fluid between the interior of a stack of discs and its radially outer circumference. The passageways may have a smaller cross-section at a mid-region of the disc than at the radially inner or outer side of the disc.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/004,962 filed Sep. 29, 1998, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).