Abstract: A valve assembly having a single stem slidably supported within a bore formed in a one-piece valve body provided solely with four ports. The stem is hollow to permit the exhaust from two load ports to be directed into a single exhaust port. This single exhaust port can desirably be provided with a pair of flow controls to permit individualized control of the exhaust from each load port. The valve poppets are preferably axially press fit unto the valve stem, particularly on portions of the valve stem which are of slightly different diameters, to permit the individual poppets to be precisely axially positioned relative to one another and relative to the valve seats to achieve high tolerance and precision of operation.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a single stem slidably supported within a bore formed in a one-piece valve body provided with three ports which communicate with the bore at axially spaced locations therealong. The axially centermost port functions as a load port. The valve stem has a single valve poppet mounted thereon in encircling relationship thereto, which valve poppet is axially movable between a pair of opposed valve seats formed on the valve body for controlling communication between the load port and the bore. The stem has a passageway extending axially therethrough to maintain a balanced pressure axially of the valve stem.

Abstract: A four-way valve assembly provided with a housing having an elongate bore in which a single shiftable valve is slidably disposed. Electric solenoids are connected to opposite ends of the housing for effecting shifting of the valve between opposite ends positions. A pair of sleevelike liners are disposed in the bore, and an inlet port communicates with the bore between adjacent inner ends of the liners. A pair of load ports communicate with the bore through the individual liners and are spaced axially on opposite sides of the inlet port. A pair of exhaust ports communicate with the bore adjacent opposite ends thereof in axially outwardly spaced relationship relative to the load ports. The valve has an elastic valve ring mounted centrally of the rodlike stem and disposed to axially shift between and sealingly coact with valve seats formed on opposed inner ends of the liners.

Abstract: A four-way valve assembly provided with a housing having an elongate bore in which a single shiftable valve is slidably disposed. The housing has a main center part and a pair of end parts attached to opposite side thereof. A pair of sleevelike liners are disposed in the bore, and an inlet port communicates with the bore in the region between adjacent inner ends of the liners. A pair of load ports communicate with the bore through the individual liners and are spaced axially on opposite sides of the inlet port. A pair of exhaust ports are provided, one in each end housing part, for communication with the bore. The single valve has an elastic poppet mounted centrally thereof and disposed to axially shift between and sealingly coact with valve seats formed on the opposed inner ends of the liners. Each liner has a sleevelike hub part at its outer end which is received within the bore of the respectively adjacent end part so that the latter is concentrically seated on the hub part.

Abstract: A fluid manifold includes at least two releasably interconnected modules, a valve assembly being mountable on each module. A fluid supply channel in each module is in fluid communication with the valve assembly thereon and with fluid supply channels in adjacent modules. A seal assembly provided between adjacent modules prevents leakage of fluid from the supply channels. Each module has two recesses at one end and two outwardly projecting and integral arms at the other end which are received in the recesses on an adjacent module. The arms and recesses have cooperating detents which retain the modules in the interconnected relationship, and screws extend into grooves provided on the arms to maintain the modules locked together.

Abstract: A three-way valve assembly having a reciprocable valve plunger movably controlled by a solenoid. The valve housing has an elastomeric orifice member seated thereon, which orifice member controls flow of pressure fluid from a source. The valve plunger has an enlarged nondeformable valve surface thereon which engages a projecting end portion of the orifice member for sealingly closing off the orifice.

Abstract: A four-way poppet valve having a housing provided with a pair of parallel bores, and a pair of valve stems slidably supported within the bores, each valve stem having one or more elastomeric poppets thereon for controlling fluid flow. A supply port communicates with one of the bores, whereby flow therethrough is controlled by the respective shiftable valve stem through intermediate passages to the second bore, which second bore communicates with both the exhaust port and a pair of load ports. The shiftable valve stem in the second bore respectively controls flow between the ports which communicate therewith. The bores, and the valve stems associated therewith, define various chambers which cooperate with the poppets on the respective valve stems for confining therein fluid pressure so that the valve poppets, when in a closed or seated condition, are always urged in the seated direction by the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A double-acting pneumatic cylinder has a housing with a cylindrical chamber therein. A cylindrical piston is supported coaxially in the chamber for movement axially thereof and has a circumferential groove in the outer surface thereof. A pair of spaced, facing annular surfaces and a radially outwardly extending annular rib are provided in the groove, the rib being axially intermediate the annular surfaces. Two passageways in the housing communicate with the chamber on opposite sides of the piston for supplying compressed air to the chamber. A resilient O-ring encircles the piston within the groove and has annular bands of engagement with the chamber and the rib. The O-ring is transversely movable within the groove between two positions having annular bands of engagement with the respective annular surfaces in the groove in response to low air pressure selectively supplied to the chamber through the two passageways.

Abstract: A throttle valve assembly for controlling flow of air through a passage. A housing is provided having a straight flow passage extending therethrough. The housing also has a bore formed therein in intersecting relationship to the passage. A valve is movably positioned within the bore for adjustably restricting the flow of air through the passage. The valve includes an elastomeric sleeve coaxially aligned with and positioned within the bore and being axially movable therealong into a position wherein the sleeve means extends across the passage. Relatively movable abutments coact with the sleeve when the latter is in said position for resiliently deforming the sleeve into at least partial sealing engagement with the housing for restricting or preventing flow of air through the passage.

Abstract: A fluid pressure cylinder which utilizes a standardized housing, piston and piston rod for forming a cylinder assembly either with or without bumpers. The bumpers can optionally be positioned on the piston when desired, with the overall assembled length and maximum stroke of the cylinder being identical whether provided with or without bumpers. The piston is selectively mounted on the piston rod in one axial orientation if bumpers are not used, and the piston is reversed and mounted on the piston rod in the opposite axial orientation when bumpers are used.