Abstract: A gas distribution valve including a body defining an inlet and an outlet passage, a central well containing a cylindrical plug disposed for arcuate displacement therein and including a transverse thru-bore that can be rotated into and out of axial alignment with the flow passages of said body for opening and closing the valve respectively. Overmolded elastomeric seat seals are provided for superior sealing that are urged against the well walls by an arcuate leaf spring intervening between the seals and the plug and extending in a direction concentric with the plug. A cover plate secures the plug within in the well and there is afforded a fire seal ring providing bi-directional contact sealing operative to restrict gas flow during and after exposure to fire or other high temperature environment.

Abstract: A device and method for selectively controlling the flow of production fluid through a tubing string in an oil and gas well according to which a housing is connected to a tubing string for insertion into the well, and well fluid is passed from the ground surface into the housing. The housing is provided with a plug to establish well fluid pressure in the housing to actuate a packer and/or other ancillary devices. The plug can be removed from the hosing by increasing the pressure of the well fluid in the housing above a predetermined value, thus permitting the flow of production fluid from the formation zone, through the housing and the tubing string, and to the ground surface.

Abstract: A pipeline strainer having a body defining a rectilinear flow passage between an inlet and an outlet and a cylindrical cavity centrally located therebetween. A removable cover of cup-like configuration is secured in a sealed relation to the body subtending the body cavity in which a dual layered strainer assembly is supported in the flow passage in a sealed relation between an interior surface of the cover and an interior surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering a gasoline vapor/air mixture from a vehicle tank during the dispensing of gasoline from a storage tank into the vehicle tank in which the mixture flows from the vehicle tank to the storage tank during the dispensing of the gasoline. A sensor is provided which detects a property of the mixture which corresponds to the vapor content of the mixture. The flow of the mixture is controlled in response to the vapor content of the mixture.

Abstract: A push button switch assembly and method according to which a button is mounted to a partition and has at least one hook for engaging a ledge of the partition. At least one post extends from the button and through an opening in the partition and is fastened to the partition for mounting the button to the partition for pivotal movement which is limited by the engagement of the hook with the ledge. A membrane switch is mounted on the partition, and a bumper extends from the button for engaging the membrane of the switch to activate same. The bumper is fabricated from a silicone rubber to minimize the effects of relatively large pushing forces acting on the button and to enable the assembly to be used in relatively low temperature environments.

Abstract: A noise-attenuating shielding unit and method for a speaker according to which a shield is formed by a housing of a noise-attenuating material having a metal plate attached thereto. The housing is located over at least a portion of the speaker and relative to the speaker so that the plate is magnetically attracted to the magnet of the speaker to secure the shielding unit to the speaker.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preventing paper jams in thermal printers are disclosed. A thermal printer of the present invention includes a motor for advancing the free end of a roll of paper between a thermal print head and a roller in a conventional manner. A controller provides control signals to the motor for controlling the amount and direction of movement of the motor. A sensor is positioned just beyond the thermal print head for detecting the presence of paper thereunder and for providing a paper detect signal indicative of same to the controller via an appropriate interface. Upon the elapse of a predetermined time period, the controller reads the paper detect signal generated by the sensor and, if the signal indicates that paper is detected by the sensor, the controller causes the motor to retract the paper. Conversely, if the paper detect signal indicates that paper is not detected under the sensor, the controller causes the motor to advance the paper so that it is detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method for a card reader device that initiates a prompt when a head of the card reader device needs to be cleaned, and cancels the prompt only when the head has been cleaned. A card reader device is connected to a computer system which determines when the card reader device should be cleaned. When it is time for the card reader device to be cleaned, the computer system initiates a prompt requesting the cleaning task. The card reader device is cleaned with a cleaner card including a cleaning surface and a data strip. The cleaner card is inserted into the card reader device so that first the cleaning surface comes in contact with the head, thereby cleaning the card reader device, and then the data strip of the card comes in contact with the head. The card reader reads data encoded on the data strip and sends it to the computing device. The computing device acknowledges that the head of the card reader device has been cleaned and cancels the prompt accordingly.

Abstract: A fluid nozzle for threaded insertion into a drill bit. The nozzle is equipped with a drive head that receives a socket-type torquing tool. The torque forces exerted by the tool compress the drive head, permitting larger torque forces to be exerted on the nozzle without breakage of the drive head that occurs where a tension force is produced in the drive area by the torquing tool. Use of a compressive drive structure permits the use of less material, which in turn permits a larger flow passage to be formed through the nozzle for a given nozzle size. The facets of the drive area may be inclined relative to the nozzle axis to limit the torque force applied by a drive tool. When the torque force exceeds a limit determined by the configuration and inclination of the facets, the tool is forced axially off of the drive area. This feature controls the amount of torque applied to the nozzle and prevents nozzle damage.

Abstract: In a method for determining the volume of liquid, such as fuel, being dispensed from a liquid pump unit, a correction of the number of pulses generated by a pulse generator corresponding to the volume flow rate when dispensing liquid is carried out. The purposes of the correction is to produce a predetermined number of pulses per unit of volume of the liquid. The correction preferably comprises disregarding a pulse for ever Nth produced pulse or adding a pulse in addition to the pulses generated for ever Nth generated pulse. This correction, which can be made continuously during volume determination and which does not require any multiplications, is preferably realized by a processor unit and its associated software in an apparatus for volume determination.A method for carrying out calibration for determining N is also disclosed.

Abstract: Steel bit bodies are manufactured with polystyrene patterns in a lost foam casting process. The patterns are machined in complex shapes that cannot be extracted from reusable, two-piece pattern molds. The patterns are machined in a basic, programmed, five-axis machining process to form multiple copies of a complex pattern body. The process is modified to produce multiple copies of a modified design. Multiple bit patterns of variable forms are produced without an intermediate, reusable pattern mold that requires multiple mold pieces, thus eliminating the time and expense in variation of the bit design. The pattern is machined in a single chucking operation in a machine tool adapted for machining plastics in a three-dimensional global process. The plastic composition and density permit it to be machined into a pattern having relatively small, unsupported structural projections and smooth surface features.

Abstract: A system and method for dispensing a fuel derived from one or more fuels having different octane ratings respectively stored in a plurality of storage tanks. The fuels are passed from their respective tanks to a mixing zone for mixing to form a blended fuel. The blended fuel is passed from the mixing zone to a dispensing nozzle while the octane rating of the blended fuel is sensed. The flow of each fuel from its tanks to the mixing zone is controlled accordingly to establish and maintain a predetermined octane rating of the blended fuel.

Abstract: A torque limiting system for limiting the torque transferred between a rotating member and another member in which a disc is disposed within the rotating member and a shaft is coupled to the disc for receiving a load. At least one bearing member is disposed in the disc and is urged in a radial direction into engagement with the rotating member to normally couple the rotating member to the shaft to drive the shaft. The bearing member responds to loads on the shaft exceeding a predetermined value for releasing the engagement with the rotating member and decoupling the rotating member from the shaft.

Abstract: An instrument casing assembly and a method of forming the casing that includes a case for receiving a lens having an integral peripheral shoulder engageable with a sidewall of the case. The sidewall when crimped about the shoulder, providing a gasketless water-tight seal to protect the internal parts of the instrument assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering a gasoline vapor/air mixture from a vehicle tank during the dispensing of gasoline from a storage tank into the vehicle tank in which the mixture flows from the vehicle tank to the storage tank during the dispensing of the gasoline. A sensor is provided which detects a property of the mixture which corresponds to the vapor content of the mixture. The flow of the mixture is controlled in response to the vapor content of the mixture.

Abstract: A gasoline dispenser, and cable assembly utilized therein, in which the cable assembly is formed by a plurality of conductors, a sheath of insulative material extending around each conductor, and a sleeve extending over a portion of the jacket. The sleeve is crimped over the jacket to compress the jacket and sheaths to reduce the passage of vapor through the cable assembly. The cable assembly is connected between two components in the dispenser to prevent the flow of gasoline vapor from one component to the other.

Abstract: A vent plug assembly for relieving overpressure from within an instrument casing and comprising a body adapted for secured placement within an aperture defined in the exterior wall of the casing and having a thru-bore and a blind recess symetrically spaced apart and of like configuration and internal cross-sectional dimension. A cooperating plug having a top plate and a pair of dependent stubs of like cross-sectional configuration and spacing as the thru-bore and recess of said body is interchangeably insertable within the thru-bore and recess of the body with one of the stubs defining a blind upward recess and the other of said stubs defining a thru-bore.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method utilizing a break-away antenna in a radio frequency customer identification system for service stations to reliably and accurately identify and charge customers for their purchases. The antenna is formed by a bracket adapted to be affixed to the object, a rod pivotally mounted to the bracket, and a spring normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a valve guide that is pressed into an opening in the cylinder head. An exhaust valve is slidably mounted in the bore of the valve guide. The exhaust valve has a head which is sized to cover the exhaust port, a stem which is slidably mounted in the valve guide so that the stem moves axially within the bore of the guide to open and close the valve head over the exhaust port, and a shank which extends between the valve stem and the valve head. The valve stem includes a recessed portion adjacent the valve shank. Except for the recessed portion, the valve stem is coated with a solid lubricant coating which is not capable of surviving repeated exposure to the hot exhaust gas passing through the exhaust port. The valve stem including the recessed portion remains located within the internal bore of the valve guide whenever the valve is opened or closed in such a manner that the recessed portion does not contact the bore of the valve guide.

Abstract: Steel bodies are manufactured in a production process that employs polystyrene patterns in a lost foam casting process. The patterns are machined to permit the formation of complex shapes that cannot be reproduced in simple patterns that are extractable from reusable, two-piece pattern molds or dies. Bit patterns formed in the process have forward canted blades that are machined from mating planar surfaces to simplify the machining process. The edges of the forward canted blades form a spiral surface for mounting cutter elements. The forward canting makes the blades stronger and thus permits the blades to be thinner than non-canted blades to increase the clearance between blades, which improves the movement of the cuttings past the bit. Recesses are machined into the gauge face of the patterns to produce a recess in the casting for receiving hardfacing. The hardfacing in the recess forms a layer that cooperates with the surrounding blade material to form a smooth transition area as the bit wears during usage.