Abstract: A solenoid valve has a housing defining a first axis and second axis, a solenoid which produces a magnetic field along the first axis, a valve shaft movable between a first position and a second position along the second axis, and a manifold mounted to the housing. The valve shaft is biased toward the first position by a spring and mechanical forces sufficient to overcome the force of the spring are transferred from the solenoid to the shaft by a lever to displace the shaft to its second position. A poppet seal affixed to the shaft, which interacts with a portion of the housing to close an outlet port in the housing, and a spool seal, also affixed to the shaft which interacts with a wall of the manifold defining an exhaust port to route fluid to the desired port. An electronic circuit controls delivery of current to the solenoid to shift and hold the shaft in the second position.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an electric actuator including a first driving source coupled to an output through a first pathway created by a transmission, a second driving source coupled to the output though a second pathway created by the transmission that, upon the electric actuator losses electrical power to the electric actuator, causes the output to be positioned at a fail-safe position, a differential coupled to the first driving source and the second driving source through a third pathway created by the transmission to store energy from the first driving source in the second driving source, and a switching controller that is configured to control switching the transmission between the first pathway, the second pathway, and the third pathway.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a diagnostic which can identify the source, or “root cause” of variability of process and process control parameters. A plurality of correlations is provided, each representing a possible cause of variation. One of the correlations is identified as the most likely root cause of variation. The remaining possible root causes are also listed, in sequence, from most likely to least likely. The method applies to both normal and abnormal operating conditions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a rotary shaft position indicating and display apparatus for use with a device having a rotatable shaft may include one or more of the following features: (a) a housing having a base with a cover secured to said base and defining a hollow sealed chamber, (b) an actuator shaft journaled for rotation in said base and extending through said base into said sealed chamber, (c) at least one electromechanical actuating element mounted on said actuator shaft, (d) a frusto-conical member having graphics information representative of said actuator shaft position viewable through a window area, (e) said cover having a frusto-conical base, (f) female threads on the interior of the frusto-conical base, and (g) male threads on the base housing to accept the female threads on the interior of the frusto-conical base.

Abstract: In an actuator, a first piston is attached to a first toothed rack, and a second piston is attached to a second toothed rack. A rotary member is attached to one pinion mating with the first or second toothed racks. A first volume is disposed in the cavity on one side of the first piston. A second volume is disposed in the cavity on another side of the first piston. A third volume is disposed on a side of the second piston opposite the second volume. A first fluid port is in fluid communication with the first volume via a primary fluid passage. A second fluid port, which is external to the cavity, is in fluid communication with the second volume. A fluid passage in the housing, external to the cavity and separate from the primary fluid passage connects the first and third volumes independently of the primary fluid passage.

Abstract: A solenoid actuator includes an electrical circuit with a first power input terminal, a second power input terminal, a first coil wound around a first axis and configured to generate a first magnetic field while electrical current flows through the first coil, and a second coil wound around a second axis configured to generate a second magnetic field while electrical current flows through the second coil. An electric switch connects or disconnects the first coil and second coil in series. Thus, the electric switch can energize or de-energize the second coil. A movable member, such as a rod, bar, spool, or hollow tube, influenced by the magnetic fields generated by the first and second coils is configured to move with respect to the first and second coils from a first position to a second position in response to the magnetic field generated by the first coil.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a gas purification system having a plurality of vessels each having a first port opening and a second port opening. The gas purification system includes a first valve element having at least a first aperture to selectively connect a first port opening of a vessel to an outlet of the first valve element. The gas purification system also includes at least a second valve element having a second aperture to selectively connect a second port opening of a vessel to an input of the second valve element. Also provided is a drive mechanism configured to cause intermittent movement. The first and second valve elements are intermittently moved by the drive mechanism such that the intermittent movement changes the vessel connected to the second aperture and the vessel connected to the first aperture.

Abstract: A system for controlling a processor having at least one sampling port connected to a stage of the processor in order to sample a reactant product from the processor. The system includes a controller configured to control a processing parameter of the processor based on measurements of at least one property of the reactant product such that changes to the processing parameter maintain a target value for the at least one property of the reactant product. The system further includes a dead time compensator. The dead time compensator is configured, based upon a prescribed dead time related to a time before at least one effect of at least one change to the processing parameter is fully realized, to evaluate the reactant product to determine if the effect has been realized at a plurality of sequential times offset from the dead time.

Abstract: A fiber processing system including a refiner configured to process fibrous matter. The system further includes a plurality of measurement units coupled to the refiner to measure different operating conditions of the refiner, and a first control system coupled to the plurality of measurement units and configured to receive a plurality of operation conditions of the refiner from the plurality of measurement units. A processing unit is coupled to the control system and configured to estimate a production disturbance and a feed consistency disturbance of the refiner based on the plurality of operation conditions. The system also includes a second control system coupled to the processing unit and configured to generate a target operating condition based on the production disturbance and the feed consistency disturbance. The first control system is further configured to control an operation of the refiner based on the target operating condition.

Abstract: In an actuator, a first piston is attached to a first toothed rack, and a second piston is attached to a second toothed rack. A rotary member is attached to one pinion mating with the first or second toothed racks. A first volume is disposed in the cavity on one side of the first piston. A second volume is disposed in the cavity on another side of the first piston. A third volume is disposed on a side of the second piston opposite the second volume. A first fluid port is in fluid communication with the first volume via a primary fluid passage. A second fluid port, which is external to the cavity, is in fluid communication with the second volume. A fluid passage in the housing, external to the cavity and separate from the primary fluid passage connects the first and third volumes independently of the primary fluid passage.

Abstract: A system for controlling a processor having at least one sampling port connected to a stage of the processor in order to sample a reactant product from the processor. The system includes a controller configured to control a processing parameter of the processor based on measurements of at least one property of the reactant product such that changes to the processing parameter maintain a target value for the at least one property of the reactant product. The system further includes a dead time compensator. The dead time compensator is configured, based upon a prescribed dead time related to a time before at least one effect of at least one change to the processing parameter is fully realized, to evaluate the reactant product to determine if the effect has been realized at a plurality of sequential times offset from the dead time.

Abstract: An improved seal arrangement in an assembly such as a valve assembly in which a compression member is provided to press a seal between the compression member and the valve body. In a preferred form, the compression member includes a recess which receives a first portion of the seal, and a second portion of the seal is disposed between the compression member and the valve body. In addition, a first inclined surface is provided in the recess of the compression member. The first inclined surface contacts a second inclined surface provided on the first portion of the seal. A third inclined surface on the compression member contacts a fourth inclined surface provided at a juncture between the first and second portions of the seal. Further, a fifth inclined surface is provided on the housing to contact a sixth inclined surface provided on the second portion of the seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a gas purification system having a plurality of vessels each having a first port opening and a second port opening. The gas purification system includes a first valve element having at least a first aperture to selectively connect a first port opening of a vessel to an outlet of the first valve element. The gas purification system also includes at least a second valve element having a second aperture to selectively connect a second port opening of a vessel to an input of the second valve element. Also provided is a drive mechanism configured to cause intermittent movement. The first and second valve elements are intermittently moved by the drive mechanism such that the intermittent movement changes the vessel connected to the second aperture and the vessel connected to the first aperture.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a gas purification system having a plurality of vessels each having a first port opening and a second port opening. The gas purification system includes a first valve element having a first aperture to selectively connect a first port opening of a vessel to an outlet of the first valve element. The gas purification system also includes a second valve element having a second aperture to selectively connect a second port opening of a vessel to an input of the second valve element. Also provided are a motor adapted to rotate continuously and a converting mechanism that converts continuous movement of the motor into intermittent movement. The first and second valve elements are intermittently moved by the motor and the converting mechanism such that the intermittent movement changes the vessel connected to the second aperture and the vessel connected to the first aperture.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided which can be particularly advantageous in a gas purification system (e.g., for purifying hydrogen) having a plurality of vessels each having a first port opening and a second port opening. The gas purification system includes a first valve element or assembly having a first aperture to selectively connect a first port opening of one of the plurality of vessels to an outlet of the first valve element. The gas purification system also includes a second valve element or assembly having a second aperture to selectively connect a second port opening of one of the plurality of vessels to an input of the second valve element. Also provided are a motor adapted to rotate continuously and a converting mechanism that converts continuous movement of the motor into intermittent movement.

Abstract: A system for controlling a processor having at least one sampling port connected to a stage of the processor in order to sample a reactant product from the processor. The system includes a controller configured to control a processing parameter of the processor based on measurements of at least one property of the reactant product such that changes to the processing parameter maintain a target value for the at least one property of the reactant product. The system further includes a dead time compensator. The dead time compensator is configured, based upon a prescribed dead time related to a time before at least one effect of at least one change to the processing parameter is fully realized, to evaluate the reactant product to determine if the effect has been realized at a plurality of sequential times offset from the dead time.

Abstract: A four way valve which is relatively easy to manufacture and which is smaller than conventional four way valves for a given bore size or flow capacity. The valve can be formed utilizing a closure having a pair of intersecting bores, with a separator provided within the closure to form two isolated passageways or flow paths. An improved sealing/seating arrangement is also provided.