Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system for controlling fluid systems and for remotely controlling fluid control devices. In some described embodiments, the system includes at least one fluid control device, a proportional valve driver coupled to the at least one fluid control device, a wireless network, and at least one user controller device coupled to the proportional valve driver through the wireless network. In some described embodiments, the proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver, a proportional translation unit, and a parameter unit. The proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver operable to establish a communication channel with a user controller, receive a request signal, transmit the request signal to a processor for deconstruction and execution, and transmit a response signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system for controlling fluid systems and for remotely controlling fluid control devices. In some described embodiments, the system includes at least one fluid control device, a proportional valve driver coupled to the at least one fluid control device, a wireless network, and at least one user controller device coupled to the proportional valve driver through the wireless network. In some described embodiments, the proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver, a proportional translation unit, and a parameter unit. The proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver operable to establish a communication channel with a user controller, receive a request signal, transmit the request signal to a processor for deconstruction and execution, and transmit a response signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system for controlling fluid systems and for remotely controlling fluid control devices. In some described embodiments, the system includes at least one fluid control device, a proportional valve driver coupled to the at least one fluid control device, a wireless network, and at least one user controller device coupled to the proportional valve driver through the wireless network. In some described embodiments, the proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver, a proportional translation unit, and a parameter unit. The proportional valve driver comprises a wireless transceiver operable to establish a communication channel with a user controller, receive a request signal, transmit the request signal to a processor for deconstruction and execution, and transmit a response signal.

Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a hydraulic actuator component and an electronic actuator component that are arranged coaxially, each of the actuator components being arranged to control a locking member that retains a movable component. In one version, each of the actuator components can individually engage a mechanical detent to enable unlocking of the movable component, for use, for example, in an uplock mechanism for aircraft.

Abstract: Apparatus for dampening pulsations in a fluid system has a radially expandable tube connected in the fluid system. A flexible outer shell surrounds the tube to form with the tube an annular chamber. The annular chamber is pressurized by a compressed gas or other fluid to dampen fluid pulsations that act upon the tube. Annular end caps connect the tube and the shell. At each end, the tube has an extension with a threaded connection to a bushing; the bushing has a threaded connection to the inner annulus of the end cap.

Abstract: A pressure regulator uses a pliable seal to segregate a pressure confinement volume from the remaining cylinder volume. The pliable seal has a cross section comprising a pair of apexes that are disposed into grooves incorporated into the piston and the cylinder internal wall. The radii of the pliable seal establish a rolling contact to ensure pressure seal in the presence of seal deformation. The seal promotes linear regulator response and minimizes hysteresis causes by frictional forces of prior art piston rings.

Abstract: A slide valve containing a ceramic apertured slide block slidably supported upon a pair of ceramic shear seals so that the slide can reciprocate between an operative and an inoperative position. A roof block also formed of a ceramic material is mounted over the slide block and a roller unit is positioned between opposing surfaces of the two blocks. Control pistons are mounted in cylinders on either side of the slide block. Control circuits are arranged to bring pilot fluid in a selected one of the cylinders to extend the piston housed therein against the slide thus changing the slide position. The control circuits are isolated from other circuits within the valve to prevent contaminants from adversely effecting poppet valves operatively associated with the control circuits.

Abstract: A pump inlet stabilizer for positive displacement reciprocating pumps, which reduces pressure fluctuations at the pump inlet and aids in filling the pump head with fluid during each inlet stroke. The pump inlet stabilizer comprises an accumulator housing with a bladder which creates a gas chamber which is fludically isolated from a fluid chamber within the housing, and a control unit. The control unit consists of a compound pressure gauge to measure positive and negative pressure levels in the gas chamber, a ball valve with an open and closed position for opening or closing an inlet into the gas chamber and a venturi pneumatically coupled to a compressed air source. The control unit is able to use the compressed air source, typically shop air, either to reduce the pressure in the gas chamber or increase the pressure in the gas chamber, depending upon whether the outlet of the venturi is blocked or unblocked.

Abstract: A rotary servo valve includes a valve body having a longitudinal bore therethrough. A sleeve fits into the bore. The wall of the sleeve is perforated by two groups of port openings, each group includes a plurality of sets of radially-disposed ports. In each group, the central longitudinal axis of one set of ports is radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis of one other set of ports by a preselected angular displacement. At least a third set of ports in one group is in continuous fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid; at least a third set of ports in the other group in continuous fluid communication with a return sump. A hollow rotary control member consists of two internal chambers. Each chamber includes a number of sets of apertures that are radially disposed around the walls of the chambers, spaced-apart by a preselected angular separation.

Abstract: A fluid-conducting swivel includes an upstream conduit, downstream conduit, and support assembly for holding the upstream and downstream conduit with their flow passageways aligned, allowing rotation of one of the upstream and downstream conduit, and maintaining a space between the adjacent ends of the conduit. The upstream conduit includes an acceleration nozzle for accelerating the velocity of the fluid flow to such a velocity that the fluid creates a substantially self-contained fluid jet. The downstream conduit includes a deceleration nozzle for decelerating the velocity of the fluid flow and a downstream throat extending between the deceleration nozzle and the end of the downstream conduit adjacent the upstream conduit. The downstream throat receives the accelerated fluid from the upstream conduit and is sized to substantially prevent expansion of the accelerated fluid and thereby prevent fluid leakage and pressure loss between the upstream and downstream conduit.

Abstract: A servo valve body is made by first boring a central cylindrical passageway, for receiving a valve spool, through an elongated, substantially rectangular valve block of tool steel. A plurality of cross slots are cut through the valve block, from one side through to the opposite side, at intervals along the length of the block, orthogonally to the axis of the passageway. The cross slots are cut by use of electronic discharge machining technology. The cross slots serve as fluid flow chambers when the cross slots are terminated by transition plates secured to the opposite sides of the valve block. The transition plates provide fluid inlet, outlet and drain ports. The valve block in combination with the transition plates comprises the servo valve body.

Abstract: A double-containment thermoplastic pipe assembly provides for transfer of differential thermal expansion forces to rigid external supports. The assembly includes a flanged restraint coupling having an inner carrier pipe portion, an outer containment pipe portion, a wall connecting the inner and outer pipe portions, and a radially extending flange around the outside of the containment pipe portion. The flange is secured to an external support such as a manhole for underground system by being cast into the wall of a cast-in-place manhole or by being engaged by rings on each side of the flange for precast manhole systems. The outer pipe terminates at the manhole wall so that the containment function within the manhole is performed by the manhole inself. For above-ground applications, the coupling is secured by engagement of the flange with a cast concrete wall or metal saddle connected to an underground footing.

Abstract: The disclosed valve may be configured for use as a pressure relief valve, pressure regulator valve or pressure reducing valve. A pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member comprises a substantially pressure balanced piston, the axial movements of which control flow through the valve. A pilot valve for relieving pressure above the piston has its inlet positioned within a cavity formed on the upper surface of the piston.In a second disclosed valve, a pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member is mounted on a stem having an upper end which is urged upwardly by a spring disposed around the stem.

Abstract: The disclosed valve may be configured for use as a pressure relief valve, pressure regulator valve or pressure reducing valve. A pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member comprises a substantially pressure balanced piston, the axial movements of which control flow through the valve. A pilot valve for relieving pressure above the piston has its inlet positioned within a cavity formed on the upper surface of the piston.

Abstract: A cartridge valve is received in a housing for restricting fluid flow to the top of a piston in the housing. The cartridge valve includes a pair of opposed substantially parallel working faces, one of which is movable toward the other. The fixed face includes a central bore into which fluid flows radially from the outer peripheries of the working faces.

Abstract: A valve body includes a cylindrical seat having a substantially flat working face. A cylindrical valve member having a working surface thereon is slidable toward and away from the seat face to vary flow from the outer peripheries of the seat and valve member into an orifice extending into the seat and in communication with the seat face. The valve member is mounted on a stem which is in threaded engagement with the radially inner surface of an annular member. The outer surface of the annular member is in threaded engagement with the valve body. The inner threads have 12 threads per inch and the outer threads have 11 threads per inch thereby moving the valve stem 0.0075 inches per 360.degree. revolution of the annular member.

Abstract: A pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member is mounted on a stem having an upper end which is urged upwardly by a spring disposed around the stem. A substantially cylindrical element is threadably engaged in the upper end of a valve body in which the valve members are received and the stem is urged thereagainst. In another embodiment, the stem is fixedly connected to the cylindrical element. Rotational movement of the cylindrical element axially moves the stem thereby controlling flow through the valve.

Abstract: The disclosed valve may be configured for use as a pressure relief valve, pressure regulator valve or pressure reducing valve. A pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member comprises a substantially pressure balanced piston, the axial movements of which control flow through the valve. A pilot valve for relieving pressure above the piston has its inlet positioned within a cavity formed on the upper surface of the piston. In a second disclosed valve, a pair of opposed valve members defines a radial flow path therebetween which extends from the outer radial peripheries of each valve member to an axial bore formed in one of the valve members. The other valve member is mounted on a stem having an upper end which is urged upwardly by a spring disposed around the stem.