Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a leak in a conduit line includes a housing in fluid communication with the line, a valve including a valve seat and a valve element movable relative to the seat between opened and closed positions, a bypass line around the valve, a flow detector coupled to the bypass line for detecting fluid flow therethrough, and a first mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position. The apparatus may further include a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism for maintaining the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop is reached. The first mechanism may operate on the principle of buoyancy and the second mechanism may operate on the principle of magnetism.

Abstract: A support frame has tube elements (1) that are connected to one another by node elements (2). Both the tube elements (1) and the node elements (2) are formed from fiber-reinforced plastic. The tube elements (1) are connected to the node elements (2) by material bonding.

Abstract: A handle shaft assembly includes a tube spacer, a handle shaft, a stuff box, and an operational handle. The stuff box may be configured for insertion into a through-hole within a bottom loading coupler body and include first and second stuff box ends defining a cylindrical cavity. A first sealing member may be positioned on the first stuff box end, and a second sealing member positioned on the second stuff box end. The tube spacer may be configured to be positioned within a blind counterbore of the bottom loading coupler body. The handle shaft may include a first end positioned within the tube spacer configured to be positioned with a blind bore of the bottom loading coupler body, a linkage section configured to be coupled to a drive linkage of a poppet valve assembly, and a second end extending through the cylindrical cavity of the stuff box. The operational handle is mechanically coupled to the second end of the handle shaft.

Abstract: A clamping device has a hollow shaft (1) rotatably mounted in a housing with a clamping element fastenable to the shaft and includes a lever arm (2) as part of a toggle lever mechanism. An intermediate element is articulated on both sides by the lever arm (2) and an axially movable final control element (4) of a drive element, respectively. An inner shaft (6), connected to a hand lever (5), is arranged in the hollow shaft (1). The inner shaft has a pin element (7) that extends through a link guide (8) on the hollow shaft (1). The inner shaft (6) can be operationally linked to the toggle lever mechanism. A spring element (9) tensions the inner shaft (6) against the hollow shaft (1) in the main axial direction. The spring element (9) is arranged in the interior of the hollow shaft (1).

Abstract: An actuating device has an actuating element connected in a rotationally-fixed manner to a shaft. The shaft is mounted so that it is rotatable in the housing. The actuating element is pivotable using a hand lever connected to the shaft. The hand lever is formed from an attachment element connected to the shaft and an elongated handle element fastened on the attachment element. The handle element is fastenable at different positions on a front side of the attachment element. The front side of the attachment element is oriented perpendicularly to a main axial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: A ball lock clamp includes a cylinder housing. A first piston is movable in the cylinder housing in response to a first fluid pressure. A second piston is movable in the first piston. A rod extends from the first piston. A biasing member is positioned in the cylinder housing to provide a biasing force between the first piston and the housing. A plunger is at a terminal end of the rod. The plunger includes at least one ball moving radially in and out of the plunger. A receiver receives the plunger. The receiver retains the plunger in a locked position in the receiver. A mechanism releases the plunger from the receiver. The mechanism includes a member in the rod to move the at least one ball radially in and out of the rod.

Abstract: A clamp has a housing with a piston assembly positioned in the housing. A detent mechanism is coupled with the piston rod and is positioned in the housing. A clamping arm is coupled with the piston rod. The clamping arm is moved by a biasing mechanism from a position parallel to the piston rod, when in a retracted position, to a position substantially perpendicular to the piston rod, when in a clamping position.

Abstract: A clamping apparatus has a shaft (2) mounted in a housing element (1). The shaft (2) is rotated about an axis of rotation. One end of the shaft (2) is connected to a drive mechanism (3) disposed in the housing element (1). The other end of the shaft (2) is connected to an actuating element (4), in a torsion-proof manner. The shaft (2) implements a rotational and translational movement to the actuating element (4). The shaft (2) is mounted so that it can be displaced perpendicular to the axis of rotation in a guide element (5) connected to the drive mechanism (3). The guide element (5) is rotatably mounted in the housing element (1).

Abstract: A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing fluid including a nozzle body having a fluid path which is configured to receive fluid therein and a vapor path which is configured to receive vapor therein. The nozzle further includes a main fluid valve positioned in the fluid path to control a flow of fluid therethrough, the main fluid valve including a main fluid valve spring configured to bias the main fluid valve to one of its open or closed positions. The nozzle further has a main vapor valve positioned in the vapor path to control a flow of vapor therethrough. The main vapor valve includes a main vapor valve spring configured to bias the main vapor valve to one of its open or closed positions. At least part of the main fluid valve spring or the main vapor valve spring is positioned within the other one.

Abstract: A nozzle system including a nozzle body configured to dispense fuel through a fuel path thereof into a vehicle tank. The nozzle body includes a vapor path configured such that vapor recovered from the vehicle tank during refueling is passable therethrough. The nozzle system further includes a main vapor valve positioned in the vapor path and configured to selectively block the vapor path. The main vapor valve is movable to a position wherein the main vapor valve does not block the vapor path. The nozzle system further includes a relief valve in fluid communication with the vapor path. The relief valve is configured to open to allow ambient air to enter into the vapor path when sufficiently low pressure is present in the vapor path, and the relief valve is generally aligned with the main vapor valve.

Abstract: A controller and method of using same are disclosed. Preferably, the controller includes a pilot cartridge housing supporting an invertible pilot cartridge assembly (“cartridge”). The cartridge preferably includes a cartridge body supporting a number of pneumatic seals adjacent the housing, wherein at least two of the seals are diaphragms. The cartridge preferably provides a first pilot activation feature and an opposing second pilot activation feature. The operating mode of the cartridge is determined by a selected orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; and preferably the method of operating the controller includes the steps of: selecting an orientation of the first pilot activation feature relative to the housing; setting a span control mechanism to a neutral position relative to the housing; adjusting a float communicating with the cartridge to a neutral position; and adjusting said span control mechanism to determine a response type of said cartridge.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser reads RFID tags on both chemical source and diluted chemical mixture containers. A dispensing button shifts and electric controller from low to high power state for such reading and initiation of dispensing when data read from such tags is determined compatible. A battery powers the controllers in both power states. A selector valve for selecting a chemical concentrate at one of several source stations also provides selected station information to the controller. A controller learn mode stores data from RFID tags on the concentrated chemical containers, with the controllers initiated in a high power state in response to entering the learn mode. An alternate embodiment substitutes an alternative receiving container such as a mop bucket, and a dispensing nozzle is provided with an RFID reader for reading an RFID tag on the alternative container. Methods are provided.

Abstract: A cartridge for mounting around a movable shaft is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, the cartridge features a cartridge housing, first and second rings having respective radial inner peripheries for establishing interfaces with a movable shaft, first and second pressure plates situated in the cartridge housing between the first and second rings, and a biasing member urging the first and second pressure plates towards the first and second rings, respectively. According to a second exemplary embodiment, the cartridge features a cartridge housing, a ring having a radial inner periphery for establishing an interface with a movable shaft, a pressure plate situated in the cartridge housing between the protruding portion and the ring, and a biasing member urging the pressure plate towards the ring. The cartridges of both embodiments may be designed to permit removal of the ring(s) from the cartridge housing without requiring removal of either the pressure plate (s) or the biasing member(s).

Abstract: An electric gripper has a housing with a motor. A gearhead is coupled with the motor. A controller is electrically coupled with the motor to control the gripper via the motor. A compliance device is coupled with the motor. The compliance device absorbs impact energy created by the device. A drive mechanism is coupled with the compliance device and with a jaw movable on the housing. Fingers are coupled with the jaw that opens and closes to grip a part.

Abstract: A suction cup assembly has a housing with an actuator in the housing. A flexible cup is coupled with the housing. The actuator movement causes the flexible cup to move between at least two positions. In a first position, the flexible cup moves into an increased volume position. In a second position, the flexible cup moves into at least a neutral volume position. In the increased volume position, the flexible cup seals with a surface. In the neutral volume position, the flexible cup releases from the surface.

Abstract: A system and methods including a direct ramp measurement method and a free running oscillator method is used to measure electrical properties of a material in contact with a sensor. Digital control of signal generation and switching cover a wider measurement range, but still maintain the relaxation oscillator running in an optimal frequency range. A variable amplitude voltage generator and independently controlled switching levels depend on measurement range and voltage generator level.

Abstract: A spring contact assembly having a first plunger with a tail portion having a flat contact surface and a second plunger having a tail portion with a flat contact surface wherein the flat contact surfaces are overlapping and are surrounded by an external compression spring such that the sliding engagement of the flat surfaces increases during compression of the spring.

Abstract: A fluid handling swivel joint and fluid conveyance equipment incorporating the same includes a first flanged portion, a tail portion that form a conduit. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a body secured to the first flanged portion and at least partially surrounding the tail portion, where the body and the tail portion form a raceway. The fluid handling swivel joint further includes a primary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion, and a secondary seal positioned between the first flanged portion and the tail portion and radially outward of the primary seal. The fluid handling swivel joint also includes a first environmental seal and a second environmental seal positioned two contact two of the first flanged portion, the tail portion, and the body to form an isolated volume around the plurality of roller elements.

Abstract: A wireless sensor device, system and method includes a handle/antenna component and probe shaft sensor. A spiralpole loop antenna interfaces with a probe shaft comprising electrical connection to a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor device for wireless temperature sensing. Applications include monitoring the internal temperature of the contents of ovens.