Abstract: An apparatus for applying a force or action directed at interacting with or stopping a mechanism, or diverting an object. The apparatus includes a motor, a pusher, a drive shaft, and a retainer. The motor provides the force or action. The drive shaft is coupled to the motor and fitted within the pusher, and the pusher plate is coupled to the motor, with the pusher being fitted within the retainer. The pusher plate comprises an anti-rotation feature that prevents the pusher from rotating and converts the rotation motion of the drive shaft into a linear motion whereby the pusher is pushed out of the retainer, such as to engage, interact with or stop the mechanism. The pusher may be variously configured, such as in the form of a drive nut, ball assembly or roller assembly.

Abstract: A modular valve assembly is formed from multiple modular valves having a valve base and a valve actuator. Each base includes at least a first channel and a second channel and an internal passage forming an opening in the first channel so as to be in selective fluid communication with an exterior port of the valve base, and with the second channel being a through passage that is not in fluid communication with the internal passage. Adjacent valve bases are interconnectable in one of two orientations either with the first and second channels of one valve base being aligned with the first and second channels, respectively, of an adjacent valve base, or with the first and second channels of one valve base being aligned with the second and first channels, respectively, of an adjacent valve base. The valve bases may be provided with third and fourth channels for three-way operability.

Abstract: An over-molded valve stem for a valve assembly includes a rigid inner member and a unitary elastic cover molded over the inner member. The inner member includes a main section and an arm extending from the main section. The cover includes a main cover portion, an arm cover portion, and an end portion, with the end portion being spaced from the main cover portion by the arm cover portion. The main cover portion is disposed over the main section with the end portion and main cover portion defining diameters that are larger than the diameter of the arm cover portion. The end portion can include an integral seal member for engaging with a bore of the valve assembly. A method of making the valve stem involves molding the cover about the inner member such that a parting line doe not axially extend across sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve stem having a shaft and including first and second poppet members with a seal portion extending radially outward from the shaft and disposed on the shaft between the poppet members. The valve further includes a valve body having a valve bore within which the valve stem is disposed for reciprocating axial movement and includes first and second ports that defining passageways through which gas or liquid may flow into or out of the valve bore. The valve body further includes first and second valve seats against which the first and second poppet members selectively seal with the seal portion being in sealing engagement with the valve bore between the ports.

Abstract: An over-molded valve stem for a valve assembly includes a rigid inner member and a unitary elastic cover molded over the inner member. The inner member includes a main section and an arm extending from the main section. The cover includes a main cover portion, an arm cover portion, and an end portion, with the end portion being spaced from the main cover portion by the arm cover portion. The main cover portion is disposed over the main section with the end portion and main cover portion defining diameters that are larger than the diameter of the arm cover portion. The end portion can include an integral seal member for engaging with a bore of the valve assembly. A method of making the valve stem involves molding the cover about the inner member such that a parting line doe not axially extend across sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A valve assembly for selectively enabling discharge of fluid includes a plurality of valves that are selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position and a cam that selectively actuates the valves. The cam is moveable between a first position in which fluid is sealed from discharge by the valves and a second position in which the valves are in the open position. An electrical actuator and a manual actuator are connected to the cam, with both the electrical actuator and the manual actuator being separately operable to move the cam into the second position upon actuation. The valve assembly may further include a housing within which the valves are disposed for movement.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively moving a part relative to another part includes a shape memory wire, which contracts when heated. One portion of the shape memory wire is fixed to a first body, and another portion of the shape memory wire is coupled to a second body, which is movable relative to the first body. When heated the shape memory wire contracts and moves the second body in a direction of travel from a first position relative to the first body toward a second position. The actuator further includes a magnetic field for generating a magnetic force on the second body. The magnetic force acts on and moves the second body in the direction of travel to the second position after the shape memory wire initially contracts, and further decouples the second body from the shape memory wire when applying the magnetic force to the second body to thereby unload the load on the shape memory wire when the second body is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing with a pumping chamber, first and second check valves, and an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the pumping chamber through the check valves. The housing also includes a linear actuator with a pumping element located in the pumping chamber wherein actuation of the linear actuator induces the pumping element to move between the first and second check valves between a first position wherein the pump element moves toward the first check valve and generates a positive pressure in the pumping chamber that maintains the first check valve closed and opens the second check valve to allow fluid to flow to the outlet, and a second position wherein the pumping element moves away from the first check valve and reduces the pressure in the pumping chamber to allow the first check valve to open and draw in fluid from the inlet.

Abstract: Contiguous independently-controllable conveyor system zones are controlled by zone control modules executing a program element associated with each module. Each module is coupled with an object detector and a conveyor zone actuator. A two-way zone control module communication port is coupled with two adjacent upstream zone control module communication ports and two adjacent downstream zone control module communication ports. An object detector port is coupled with an object detector, an actuator control port is coupled with an actuator, and a conveyor zone actuator is thereby controlled. Memory allocation in a module includes an event logic element responsive to inputs from adjacent upstream and downstream module communication ports. A program element associated with each module identifies the position of the module in a series of modules. The actuator is controlled by an event logic element, and by communication from an object detector and an adjacent upstream and downstream module.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing with a pumping chamber, first and second check valves, and an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the pumping chamber through the check valves. The housing also includes a linear actuator with a pumping element located in the pumping chamber wherein actuation of the linear actuator induces the pumping element to move in the pumping chamber between the first and second check valves between a first position wherein the pump element moves toward the first check valve and generates a positive pressure in the pumping chamber with the positive pressure maintaining said first check valve closed and opening the second check valve to allow the fluid in the pumping chamber to flow to the outlet, and a second position wherein the pumping element moves away from the first check valve and reduces the pressure in the pumping chamber to allow the first check valve to open and draw in fluid from the inlet into the pumping chamber to thereby pump fluid from the pump.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively moving a part relative to another part includes a shape memory wire, which contracts when heated. One portion of the shape memory wire is fixed to a first body, and another portion of the shape memory wire is coupled to a second body, which is movable relative to the first body. When heated the shape memory wire contracts and moves the second body in a direction of travel from a first position relative to the first body toward a second position. The actuator further includes a magnetic field for generating a magnetic force on the second body. The magnetic force acts on and moves the second body in the direction of travel to the second position after the shape memory wire initially contracts, and further decouples the second body from the shape memory wire when applying the magnetic force to the second body to thereby unload the load on the shape memory wire when the second body is moved to the second position.

Abstract: An actuator for selectively moving a part relative to another part includes a shape memory wire, which contracts upon heating, and a magnetic field. One end of the shape memory wire is fixed to a first body. The other end of the shape memory wire is coupled to a second body, which is movable relative to the first body. When heated, the shape memory wire contracts and moves the second body in a direction of travel from a first position relative to the first body toward a second position. A magnetic field generates a magnetic force on the second body, which acts on and moves the second body in the direction of travel to the second position after the shape memory wire initially contracts to thereby reduce the load on the shape memory wire when the second body is moved to the second position. The actuator may be used, for example, to move the valve stem in a valve.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: A package control conveyor system comprises a plurality of independently-controllable package conveying units each of which comprises a zone control module operably connected to a package sensing device and a package conveying unit for selectively activating and deactivating the package conveying unit, wherein the zone control modules are communicably interconnected upstream and downstream so that each zone control module can selectively activate and deactivate its associated package conveying unit in response to information provided by one or more upstream and/or downstream zone control modules.

Abstract: An electrically-operated plunger-type valve assembly includes a housing, an electromagnetic actuator and a plunger assembly, which is positioned in the housing and supported for movement in the housing. The valve assembly includes a biasing member, which applies a force to the plunger assembly to close the communication between inlet and outlet ports to thereby close the valve assembly. The actuator generates a magnetic field to move the plunger assembly against the biasing member force to move the plunger assembly to control the valve. The plunger assembly includes a seal that seals the communication passage to close the valve when the plunger assembly is moved to its closed position. Pressurized fluid in the inlet port causes the seal to radially seal against the communication passage, which reduces the required biasing member spring force and reduces the energy needed to move the plunger assembly.

Abstract: An electrically-operated three-way plunger-type solenoid valve assembly includes a housing, a valve seat insert provided in the housing, an electromagnetic actuator, and an exhaust port body, which extends into a sleeve passage of the electromagnetic actuator. A non-magnetic member is positioned in the sleeve passage of the electromagnetic actuator and includes an orifice in communication with an exhaust passage of the exhaust port body. A plunger is positioned in the non-magnetic member and supported for reciprocal axial movement in the non-magnetic member. A biasing member is provided which applies a spring force to the plunger, with the electromagnetic actuator generating a magnetic field having sufficient magnitude to move the plunger against the force of the biasing member. In this manner, the electromagnetic actuator selectively moves the plunger to control the communication between inlet and outlet openings of the valve to open and closed the valve.

Abstract: A zone control module for a conveyor system includes a manifold unit having oppositely facing first and second surfaces. A valve unit is mounted to the first surface of the manifold unit and includes an electrical valve actuator and a movable valve element. An electrical control unit mounts to the second surface of the manifold unit and is spaced from the valve control unit by the manifold unit. The valve unit includes first and second conductors extending into conductive apertures in the manifold unit for electrical contact with the electrical control unit, such that electricity from the electrical control unit can be transferred to operate the valve unit. The control modules can be utilized with a slug module to control a conveyor. Optical sensors are used to provide drive signals for respective zones of the conveyor system. The optical sensors can be overridden by an electrical slug signal from the slug module.

Abstract: A poppet-type valve unit having annular elastomeric poppet which cooperates with an annular valve seat. The exterior profile defined by a pair of generally frusto-conical surfaces which are disposed radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to one another. The inner frusto-conical surface extends at a steeper angle or slope relative to valve movement direction than does the outer frusto-conical surface, thereby defining a peak where the two frusto-conical surfaces meet. This peak substantially corresponds in diameter to the diameter of the valve seat. This increases the flow area between the poppet and valve seat when the poppet is opened.