Abstract: A solenoid assembly (100) is provided that includes a frame (104), a coil (106) positioned proximate the frame (104), and a core (114) defined by the coil (106). A plunger (108) is actuatable between at least a first position and a second position, and a guide (109) is at least partially disposed within the core (114). The plunger (108) is disposed at least partially within the guide (109). A housing (102) at least partially houses the frame (104), the coil (106), the guide (109) and the plunger (108), and the guide (109) is prevented from rotating independently of the housing (102).

Abstract: A solenoid assembly (100) is provided that includes a frame (104), a coil (106) positioned proximate the frame (104), and a core (114) defined by the coil (106). A plunger (108) is actuatable between at least a first position and a second position, and a guide (109) is at least partially disposed within the core (114). The plunger (108) is disposed at least partially within the guide (109). A housing (102) at least partially houses the frame (104), the coil (106), the guide (109) and the plunger (108), and the guide (109) is prevented from rotating independently of the housing (102).

Abstract: A multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) is provided. The multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) comprises a housing (101) including a first bore (212) with a first cross-sectional area and a second bore (215) with a second cross-sectional area. The multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) further comprises a piston assembly (210) including a first piston (210a) movable within the first bore (212) and a second piston (210b) movable within the first and second bores (212, 215). The piston assembly (210) separates the first and second bores (212, 215) into a first fluid chamber (214a) selectively in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source (220) or an exhaust, an airtight second fluid chamber (214b), and a third fluid chamber (214c) selectively in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source (220) or the exhaust.

Abstract: An electromagnet assisted pressure-actuated valve (200) is provided. The electromagnet assisted pressure-actuated valve (200) includes a housing (201) with a pilot fluid pressure port (202), a first process fluid port (203), and a second process fluid port (204). The electromagnet assisted pressure-actuated valve (200) further includes a poppet member (205) movable within the housing (201) and a control chamber (220) in fluid communication with the pilot fluid pressure port (202) and with a first cross-sectional area (205a) of the poppet member (205). A permanent magnet (251) is provided that is coupled to one of the housing (201) or the poppet member (205). An electromagnet (250) is also provided that is coupled to one of the housing (201) or the poppet member (205) opposite the permanent magnet (251).

Abstract: A valve that has the solenoids aligned at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the valve operator is disclosed. By aligning the solenoid at 90 degrees the fluid passageways in the valve operator are simplified and the operator body is easier to mold.

Abstract: A multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) is provided. The multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) comprises a housing (101) including a first bore (212) with a first cross-sectional area and a second bore (215) with a second cross-sectional area. The multiple-stage fluid operated actuator (100) further comprises a piston assembly (210) including a first piston (210a) movable within the first bore (212) and a second piston (210b) movable within the first and second bores (212, 215). The piston assembly (210) separates the first and second bores (212, 215) into a first fluid chamber (214a) selectively in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source (220) or an exhaust, an airtight second fluid chamber (214b), and a third fluid chamber (214c) selectively in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source (220) or the exhaust.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alignable electric connector (5), an electrical connector system, and a method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) with a second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) is configured mount to a support structure (201) and connect with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be provided with one or more orienting structures (59, 60, 61) that mate with one or more other orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (105) is oriented to mate with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be rotatably mounted to the support structure (201) and rotated to orient the alignable electric connector (5).

Abstract: A control valve (100,200) with a two-piece shifting mechanism is provided. The special control valve has two levers, one is a sealing lever (106,206) and the other is a shifting lever (104,204). The sealing lever (106,206) has a channel (116,216) on one of its ends to couple together different ports (SP, S, P, IS) to change the airflow direction. Each lever has its own axis. The shifting lever and the sealing lever interact through an oval opening (114) and a cylindrical boss (112), obtaining two angular range motions. When a small angular input is put on the shifting lever it will produce a large angular output at the second end of the sealing lever. It will achieve a multiple-position switching.

Abstract: A fluid control device is disclosed that is configured to vent pilot volume through an exhaust port or exhaust passageway (140) integrated into the fluid control device. The fluid control device has a fluidic switch (112) configured to switch a pilot volume into the exhaust port or exhaust passageway (140) when a signal port or signal passageway (114) is de-pressurized. The fluidic switch (112) couples the signal port or signal passageway (114) to the pilot volume when the signal port or signal passageway (114) is pressurized.

Abstract: A modular coupling system comprises a connector (200, 201) having a generally cylindrical center section (224) with a bore (208) extending from a front face (206) of the connector (200, 201) through to a back side of the connector. The connector (200, 201) has a first (220) and a second wing (222) extending from the generally cylindrical center section (224) of the connector (200, 201). A first flange (202) extends from a front side of the first wing towards a top side of the connector (200, 201), and a second flange (204) extends from a back side of the first wing towards a bottom side of the connector (200, 201). A third flange (202) extends from a front side of the second wing towards the bottom side of the connector (200, 201), and a second flange (204) extends from a back side of the first wing towards the top side of the connector (200, 201).

Abstract: A valve is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The valve comprises a piston (104), a housing (106) surrounding the piston (104), an inlet (108) capable of allowing fluid into the valve, an exhaust (110) capable of allowing fluid out of the valve, a light source (112) capable of emitting light directed at the piston (104), and a light sensor (114) capable of measuring an intensity of the light received from the light source (112), said intensity varying based on the position of the piston (104) within the housing (106). A piston assembly is also provided according to an embodiment of the invention, in which a light source 608 and a light sensor 610 may be used to determine the position of the piston. A system is provided for obtaining and analyzing operational status information is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. An action may be automatically taken depending on the analyzed operational status.

Abstract: A fluid control device with a non-circular flow passageway is disclosed. The fluid control device has an inlet port (318) formed on a first side (314) of a fluid control body. A valve cavity (320) is formed in the bottom of the fluid control body. The inlet port is coupled to the valve cavity with an inlet port opening. A valve seat (316) is formed in the valve cavity with a non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310). An outlet port (306) is formed on a second side (312) of the fluid control body. The outlet port is coupled to the non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310) by an outlet port passageway (308).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an alignable electric connector (5), an electrical connector system, and a method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) with a second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) is configured mount to a support structure (201) and connect with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be provided with one or more orienting structures (59, 60, 61) that mate with one or more other orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (105) is oriented to mate with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be rotatably mounted to the support structure (201) and rotated to orient the alignable electric connector (5).

Abstract: An electrical circuit and method for switching an input voltage onto a load by way of an AC control voltage is provided. A voltage magnitude reduction circuit is configured to be driven by the AC control voltage. A rectifier circuit is operably coupled with the voltage magnitude reduction circuit. Also, a voltage limiter circuit is operably coupled with the rectifier circuit, and an energy storage circuit is operably coupled with the voltage limiter circuit. The voltage magnitude reduction circuit, the rectifier circuit, the energy storage circuit and the voltage limiter circuit cooperatively generate a switch control voltage. An electronic switching unit is then configured to switch the input voltage across the load when the switch control voltage is active. In one embodiment, the input voltage is a DC voltage generated by an AC-to-DC voltage converter circuit configured to convert an AC supply voltage to the DC voltage.

Abstract: A control valve (100,200) with a two-piece shifting mechanism is provided. The special control valve has two levers, one is a sealing lever (106,206) and the other is a shifting lever (104,204). The sealing lever (106,206) has a channel (116,216) on one of its ends to couple together different ports (SP, S, P, IS) to change the airflow direction. Each lever has its own axis. The shifting lever and the sealing lever interact through an oval opening (114) and a cylindrical boss (112), obtaining two angular range motions. When a small angular input is put on the shifting lever it will produce a large angular output at the second end of the sealing lever. It will achieve a multiple-position switching.

Abstract: A double solenoid PC board that has a long narrow section extending from the main section is disclosed. The long narrow section has a connector at the tip. The connector at the tip of the long narrow section is configured to mate with or couple to a mating connector on a single solenoid PC board in a double solenoid valve.

Abstract: A modular coupling system comprises a connector (200, 201) having a generally cylindrical center section (224) with a bore (208) extending from a front face (206) of the connector (200, 201) through to a back side of the connector. The connector (200, 201) has a first (220) and a second wing (222) extending from the generally cylindrical center section (224) of the connector (200, 201). A first flange (202) extends from a front side of the first wing towards a top side of the connector (200, 201), and a second flange (204) extends from a back side of the first wing towards a bottom side of the connector (200, 201). A third flange (202) extends from a front side of the second wing towards the bottom side of the connector (200, 201), and a second flange (204) extends from a back side of the first wing towards the top side of the connector (200, 201).

Abstract: A fluid control device with a non-circular flow passageway is disclosed. The fluid control device has an inlet port (318) formed on a first side (314) of a fluid control body. A valve cavity (320) is formed in the bottom of the fluid control body. The inlet port is coupled to the valve cavity with an inlet port opening. A valve seat (316) is formed in the valve cavity with a non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310). An outlet port (306) is formed on a second side (312) of the fluid control body. The outlet port is coupled to the non-circular shaped valve seat passageway (310) by an outlet port passageway (308).

Abstract: A system and method for a valve for an expandable gas or fluid valve is disclosed. The valve comprises an electromagnetic switch with a male connector on one face, and a female connector on an opposite face. The electromagnetic switch has a passageway connecting the male connector with the female connector. An output port is switchably connected to the passageway by the electromagnetic switch. The male connector on one face can be coupled to the female connector on another electromagnetic switch, forming a line or chain of electromagnetic switches.

Abstract: An integrated regulator mount for a ventilator is disclosed. The ventilator has the regulator mount built into a manifold. The regulator mount is formed into the manifold on two opposite faces. One face is configured to mount the valve seat for the regulator. The valve spring assembly is held against the valve seat by a valve spring retaining plug mounted in the manifold. The regulator case and diaphragm assembly mount on the opposite face of the manifold.