Abstract: A mass flow control apparatus and method for use in combination with a heat transfer system having a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and working fluid in a s fluid circuit. The mass flow is controlled using a quality sensor for the working fluid exiting the evaporator, and a high side pressure sensor. A control circuit is provided that monitors the quality sensor and the high side pressure sensor, and controls operation of the compressor, condenser fan and valve in response thereto. A flow reduction mode is used to reduce high side pressure at the valve inlet without excessive compressor cycling by changing the quality sensor setpoint when the high side pressure exceeds the condenser fan turn-on pressure but is less than the compressor disengage pressure.

Abstract: A novel position sensing device and novel method for determining position use an electronic memory to retain a look up table for calibrated position indicia on a scale. The position indicia are preferably arranged along the scale so that at least two indicia are positioned at unique distances apart in each length segment of the scale. A reader electrically reads the at least two indicia of a segment and the electronic memory look up table allows the at least two indicia to determine the segment, position within segment, and the position relationship between the position within the segment and the reader. Preferably, the indicia are slits in a scale bar, and the reader is a light source and charge-coupled device. The position of the slits is preferably determined using more than one pixel of the charge-coupled device.

Abstract: A nipple characterized by an integral crossbar actuator and check valve. When a mating coupler at atmospheric pressure is connected to the nipple, the crossbar actuator functions to open a poppet valve in the mating coupler independently of the check valve. With the coupler fully connected to the nipple, pressurized media is supplied to the coupler to commence media transfer. When the pressure in the coupler exceeds the pressure behind the nipple's check valve, the check valve will open and the transfer of media will occur. Conversely, the check valve will close and prevent any further transfer of media when the supply to the coupler is ceased and the coupler is vented. The coupler can then be disconnected from the pressurized nipple. The nipple and coupler form a coupling system, and the nipple may be used to retrofit existing systems wherein valved nipples and check valves are used on a pressure side of the system.

Abstract: An actuator (24) for a valve (10) includes a housing tube (26) enclosing an internal cavity (48). A plunger (42) is mounted for movement in the internal cavity. The plunger includes four slots (50). Rollable spheres (58) are positioned in the slots between staked areas (62). A magnetic field created by electrical current passing through a coil (34) moves the plunger downward to open fluid flow through a control element (20). Flow through the control element enables controlled flow from an inlet (14) to an outlet (16) of the valve. The actuator construction provides for substantial elimination of sliding friction acting on the plunger, reduces hysteresis and the amount of power required to move the plunger, and facilitates accurate control of fluid flow rate through the control element.

Abstract: A fuel filter assembly (10) for filtering diesel fuel includes a filter head (12), a spin on replaceable element (13) and a collection bowl (15) removable from the element. The element includes a casing with a turned-in edge portion at a lower end. An adaptor ring (69) is supported on said edge portion inside the element and includes an annular threaded portion (71). The collection bowl has an outer peripheral wall (74) with an annular threaded portion engaging the threaded portion of the adaptor ring. The outer peripheral wall of the bowl has an annular shoulder abutting the turned-in edge portion of said casing to clamp said casing between the adaptor ring and the bowl, when the bowl is attached to the element. A seal (76) between the shoulder and the casing further serves to hold the element and the bowl in fluid tight relation.

Abstract: An improved rotary plug valve of the type having a valve body with a fluid inlet conduit and a fluid outlet conduit therein has a rotary plug disposed for rotation in the valve body between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position the plug has a seat seal disposed in a groove in the cylindrical surface thereof which seat seal extends adjacent and surrounds the fluid inlet conduit to seal the inlet conduit against fluid flow. The groove in the plug has a radially inner wall, a radially outer wall and a base wall. The base wall extends at an angle so that the radially outer wall extends more deeply into the plug than the radially inner wall. Preferably the groove and the seat seal have an annular, cylindrical shape. Also preferably the seat seal has a shape so that a pressure space is formed adjacent the base wall of the groove and a gap is formed adjacent the radially inner wall of the groove. Fluid pressure in these urge the seat seal into sealing positions.

Abstract: An explosion suppression system wherein a photodetector (10), a capacitor circuit (12) and a detonator (14) provide an initiation signal to a dispersion tube (18). The dispersion tube includes a casing (20) having orifices (26), an inner tube (28) where the explosion suppressant is stored, and a propellant cord (34) that is located between the storage casing and the inner tube. In response to the initiation signal, the explosion suppressant is expelled from the orifices (26) and through nozzles (27) to form a controlled spray pattern to quench initial flame in a fuel tank before there is time for a damaging pressure rise.

Abstract: A filter drier (10) for an air conditioning or refrigeration system, has a body (12) with an interior area (20). The unit has an inlet opening (24) and an outlet opening (30). The outlet opening is in connection with an outlet tube (34) that extends substantially the length of the interior of the body. Donut shaped housings (54, 56) holding particles of desiccant material, are sandwiched between a first baffle (36) and a second baffle (72). The housings have an upper filter pad (58) of rigid, coarse fiber material, and a filter bag (62) of fine, flexible fiber material. In each housing, the filter bag is attached to the filter pad about its outer periphery at a seam (66), and at a seam (68) which is adjacent an opening (60) in the pad, through which the outlet tube extends. The filter bags of the donut shaped housings are deformed upon assembly to insure contact with the inner wall of the housing and the exterior surface of the outlet tube.

Abstract: A head (10) for mounting a replaceable spin-on fuel filter element (12) for use in a vehicle fuel system, includes an inlet (18) and outlet (76). The inlet is connected in the head to a second chamber (24) through a first check valve (26). The first check valve enables flow only from the first chamber to the second chamber. The second chamber includes a manually actuated pump (28). The second chamber is connected to a fluid in-flow area (64) of the element through a second check valve (62). The second check valve enables flow only from the second chamber to the in-flow area. The first chamber is also connected to the in-flow area of the element through a third check valve (84). The third check valve enables flow only from the first chamber to the in-flow area of the element. To remove air from a newly installed element and to prime the fuel system of the vehicle, the manual pump is cycled.

Abstract: A fuel system for a diesel truck has a first fuel tank (80) and a second fuel tank (82). A siphon line (90) is open to the lower portions of the tanks and extends above the upper portions of both tanks. A manually operated priming pump (98) is used to remove air from the siphon line. Fuel is delivered from the first tank to the engine of the truck through a fluid delivery line (84). As fuel is drawn from the first tank, the fuel levels in the tanks equalize as the result of flow through the siphon line. Fuel not consumed by the engine is returned through an overflow line (86). The returning fuel is warmed as a result absorbing energy during pumping and having been in close proximity to the engine. A three-way control valve (88) directs the warm returning fuel to either the first or second fuel tank in response to the temperature sensed by a temperature sensor (94).

Abstract: A device for operation of a sliding door member, the device being movable between an open position in which the door member is open and a closed position in which the door member is closed. The device includes a pneumatic cylinder having an actuating piston and a rod assembly. A slidable cage sealingly sleeved between the cylinder and the piston reduces the force applied to the piston rod when approaching the open position. When moving towards the first position force is provided initially by conjoined movement of the piston and said cage, and finally by the piston only. A latch for locking the device in the closed position is provided by a spear secured to the piston and rod assembly and a pin to lock the spear disposed in the cylinder. A manual delatching can be achieved by a cable operated spool which moves the pin to unlock the spear.

Abstract: A ring shaped seal (10) for preventing fluid flow through a gap (32) between a rotating shaft (30) and a cylindrical wall (34) is positioned in a groove (28) in the shaft. The seal has, in cross section, a generally rectangular body (11) that has a slightly lesser width than the width of the groove. The body has a first end wall (12) that includes first pockets (18) and a second end wall (14) that includes second pockets (20). The seal has an outer wall (22) with a contact portion (26) that is in abutting contact with the cylindrical wall. When a higher pressure is applied on one side of the seal, the end wall of the seal on the side away from the higher fluid pressure is pushed against a side wall of the groove. The pockets in the end wall of the seal that is pushed against the groove, are open to the higher pressure and exert a force which counteracts the forces pushing the end wall of the seal against the side of wall of the groove.

Abstract: A lubricating seal construction for a pneumatic cylinder (10) includes a lubricating rod seal (40) and lubricating piston seals (27, 29). The rod seal includes a cavity (66) for holding a supply of viscous flowable lubricant. The piston seals include cavities (100) for holding the supply of similar lubricant. Passages (70) extend from the cavity in the rod seal to apertures (72) adjacent an outer surface (52) of a moveable piston rod (30). Passages (104) extend from the cavity in the piston seals to apertures (106) adjacent an inner surface (26) of the cylindrical chamber (24) inside the cylinder. The seals are made from resilient material and are filled with lubricant during assembly of the cylinder. As the cylinder is cycled, lubricant passes from the cavities as required to lubricate the seals and adjacent moving surfaces.

Abstract: A fiber-optic position sensor includes a light source, a light detector that produces analog electrical signals proportional to the intensity of incident light on the detector, and fiber-optic bundles for transmitting illumination light to an object, transmitting reflected light from the object to the detector, and reference light from the light source directly to the detector. Electronic circuits are also provided for use with the optical position sensor for processing the signals from the detector to determine the position of the object. The detector is a photovoltaic bi-cell having two discrete regions, the first being used to detect the reference light and the second being used to detect the reflected light. A mounting block configuration is also provided to conveniently hold the optical elements.

Abstract: A segmented seal (10) for sealing a first area bounded by the seal from an exterior area, is assembled from segments (12). Each segment includes a metal retainer plate (18) with resilient elements (20) (22) molded thereon. First ends (14) of the segments include tongue portions (34) which are accepted in groove portions (36) on second ends (16) of adjacent segments. Abutting surfaces of the resilient elements, and the tongue portions and groove portions, are tapered to extend at a parallel, acute angle to facilitate assembly. The tapered mating surfaces enable adjacent surfaces of the seal to be readily brought into initial contact. A solid abutting fit between adjacent segments and resilient elements is formed as the segments are aligned and secured. The construction is particularly useful in outer space environments where the seal may be readily assembled for use in connecting adjacent modules of a space craft, or disassembled.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuator having an electric motor disposed in a hydraulic fluid reservoir and connected to drive a hydraulic fluid pump. The actuator includes a piston rod which extends or retracts as a piston is hydraulically driven in a cylinder. An actuator housing forms the reservoir and cylinder and contains hydraulic passages connecting the pump, reservoir and cylinder. The actuator includes a one-way filter for filtering the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic pump is preferably a rotating piston type and includes a port plate which allows the pump to drive the piston while the retract and extend chambers of the pump have different or unbalanced fluid drive ratios. A load limiting valve protects the system from excessive hydraulic pressure and a position sensor detects the position of the piston rod.

Abstract: In a tube fitting a nut which extends about the end of a tube allows the tube to be threadedly joined to a nipple. The end of the tube is formed in the shape of a collar which retains the nut. The face of the collar is flattened to sealingly meet with an o-ring which resides in an annular recess in the frontal surface of the nipple. The process of forming the collar in the end of the tube includes placing a nut on the tube, gripping the end of the tube with a die, and deforming the end of the tube with a tool of truncated cone-shape move in an advancing, precessing motion. The die is shaped with interior shoulders having the profile of the collar. A socket which forms the back side of the collar can be placed over the tube after the die grips the tube. After the collar formed the dies is removed.

Abstract: A seal construction for a pneumatic valve (66) reduces resistance to movement of a stem (76) which directs flow through the valve. The seals (78) (108) are generally "v" shaped in cross section. The seals include heel portions (86) (110) which are supported on supporting surfaces (80) (112). The seals include first lip portions (92) (122) that extend from the heel portions to a surface that is moveable relative to the seal. Second lip portions (98) (128) extend from the heel portion to surfaces that are stationary relative to the seal. Spaces (104) (134) between radially extending projections (102) (132) and spaces (90) (120) between axially extending projections (88) (118) enable fluid entering pressure relief areas (106) (136) to escape to atmosphere. The seal construction avoids seal deformation that would otherwise increase resistance to stem movement.

Abstract: A fluid power pumping apparatus having a control system for limiting the power loading thereon to the power available from a motor (126) driving the apparatus, includes a variable displacement rotating piston pump (122). A compensating valve assembly (128) of a type known in the prior art is mounting on the pump. The compensating valve controls flow volume through the pump in response to pressure at an outlet (130) of the compensating valve. The outlet is connected to a variable pressure relief valve (134). The relief pressure of the relief valve varies according to the position of a cam (140) which is connected to the swash plate of the pump. The relief pressure of the variable pressure relief valve and the control pressure on the compensating valve are both at their maximums when the pump is at a minimum flow condition and vice versa.

Abstract: An electrically insulated tube union includes a pair of tube fitting assemblies and an electrically non-conductive connector. Each tube fitting assembly has a fitting body, a fitting nut and a threaded ferrule. The connector has a body with an external radial flange between the ends thereof. The connector body is externally threaded on either side of the flange and the threads are axially spaced from the connector ends. The ferrules threadably engage the connector threads and are captured between their respective fitting nut and body. Each ferrule has a tapered end with an unthreaded portion that seats in a frusto-conical portion of the fitting body so that when the fitting nut and body are threadably engaged the ferrule unthreaded end grips the unthreaded connector ends to provide a fluidtight and electrically insulated coupling between the pair of tube fitting assemblies.