Abstract: A fluid flow control proportional valve having structure for providing mounting therein of any one of a plurality of different solenoid coils having different electromechanical characteristics for providing desired positioning of the movable valve thereof. The solenoid armature is slidably mounted within the solenoid tube by structure providing extremely low friction so as to provide improved accuracy in correspondence between the current flow through the solenoid coil and resulting positioning of the spool assembly of the valve. The structure for mounting the armature in the solenoid tube further defines a seal between the armature and solenoid tube.

Abstract: A fluid indicator for viewing the condition of refrigerant flowing therethrough includes a brass body (12) having a cylindrical extending portion (26). The cylindrical extending portion includes a recess (30) bounded by a deflectable wall (28). An aperture (14) which includes a transparent glass pane (36) surrounded by a steel ring (38) is mounted in the recess and fixed therein by braze material. Tubes (16, 18) are brazeable into coupling portions (20, 22) of the body, and the fluid tight character of the indicator is unaffected despite failure to use a chill block, wet rag or other cooling device during the brazing operations.

Abstract: Duplex filter apparatus suitable for pressure or suction applications includes dual filter housings and a central valve housing having dual, cylindrical, three-way plug valves. Four glass-filled Teflon sleeve seals, each having an inner cylindrical cut edge conform to the valve periphery and seal the valve openings in either a pressure or suction configuration. A wave spring biases each sleeve seal against the plug valve and further o-ring seals utilize the pressure or suction condition to enhance the effectiveness of the sleeve seals. In the pressure configuration a tubular support is used in conjunction with the sleeve seal with the wave spring acting either directly on the sleeve seal or indirectly through an intermediate metal ring which houses the o-ring seals and which minimizes thermal expansion effects.

Abstract: A solenoid valve of the hung diaphragm type includes a diaphragm assembly having a pilot valve seat mounted for movement toward and away from a main valve seat in a valve body, a plunger assembly consisting of a valve disc holder reciprocably mounted in the pole piece of the electromagnetic valve resiliently supports a valve disc for cooperation with the pilot valve seat, being actuated by a plunger slideably mounted in an enclosure tube. The valve holder is biased to an upper position and a pickup extension spring is coupled between the valve holder and diaphragm valve assembly to lift the latter from the main valve seat. A necked down end of the valve holder prevents abrasion at the edge of the pole piece while a groove in the actuating face of the plunger prevents excessive distortion of the end of the pole piece due to repetitive impacts.

Abstract: A mechanically rigid joint is formed between two different metals by completing the joint in a forging operation. A part (14) made of one metal is placed in a die form (20) and is maintained at a temperature below that required for forging. A billet (23) made of the material from which the second part (13) is to be formed is coated with boron nitride at an interface (16). The boron nitride is thermally treated while on the billet (23) by heating the coated billet (23) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The billet (23) may then be heated and placed in the die (20) so that the billet (23) can be formed into the second part (13), engaging the first part (14) at an interface (16) defining the joint. The joint (16) is stabilized by providing suitable coatings for the materials, particularly at the interface (16).

Abstract: A rotational position transducer comprising a rotor having annularly spaced teeth and a stator with a pole face configuration comprising annularly spaced teeth opposing the rotor teeth. One or more pole windings are energized by an alternate current source, and one or more output voltages induced in pole windings are produced with components having a characteristic which varies as a function of the angular position of the rotor relative to the stator. The output voltages may be either amplitude or phase modulated as a function of rotor position. The transducer may be combined with a stepping motor having an identical pole configuration.

Abstract: A dual position chuck and turning machine method allow automatic shifting of a workpiece from a first to a second turning axis by actuation of a draw bar through the spindle of the turning machine. A linkage in the chuck drives a movable jaw assembly having peripheral fixed keys thereon in an arcuate keyway responsive to the draw bar movement. The arcuate keyway allows moving the workpiece to second axes which are not merely rotations of the jaw assembly.

Abstract: Integral gradient, skinned, submicroscopically porous, anisotropic, hydrophilic, asymmetric polyamide membranes comprising:(a) a first porous polyamide zone obtained from a polyamide solution formulated to give coagulated film with pores of a given size,(b) a fabric support imbedded in the first porous polyamide layer, and(c) a second porous polyamide zone having a skinned outer surface, obtained from a polyamide solution having the same constituents as the solution used to form the first porous polyamide zone but solution post-treated to give pores substantially smaller than those in the first porous polyamide zone, as well as a process for producing such membranes, are disclosed.

Abstract: An inductor nozzle assembly for use with an air blast sprayer of the type having a tank holding waterborne pesticides, delivery lines connected to the tank and an air blast fan mounted in close proximity to the delivery lines, includes a spray nozzle mounted to the delivery lines which is disposed in the hollow interior of a conical-shaped housing mounted thereto. The housing is formed with an enlarged entrance opening, and a reduced diameter discharge opening which mounts an inductor ring charged with high electrical potential. A high velocity stream of air produced by the air blast fan is directed into the housing through its entrance opening where the air stream is accelerated by the conical shape of the housing toward its discharge opening.

Abstract: A three fluid heat exchanger in which first (fuel) and second (oil) fluids are in a normally flowing heat transfer relation, with flow of a third fluid (compressor bleed air) being dependent on a changing condition of one of the first or second fluids. Tubular heat exchanger cores are comprised in a unitary body with one being perpendicular to the other for space conservation and to simplify fluid flow patterns. The described one core is in the path of flow of one of the first or second fluids and provides a flow path for the third fluid. A valve influenced by a changing pressure condition of one of the first and second fluids controls flow of the third fluid.

Abstract: An improved valve, responsive to the loss of coolant under pressure in a diesel engine or the like, to open and allow fluid flow downstream with a consequent loss in fluid pressure, which is recognized by a pressure sensitive fuel valve supplying fuel flow to the engine. The coolant loss valve includes a three-part housing having the periphery of an elastomeric rolling diaphragm trapped between two housing parts and forming a coolant chamber. A spring-loaded piston and pin assembly transmit diaphragm movement, the pin forming a valve controlling fluid flow through a die cast aluminum head structure which is the third part of the housing. A stainless steel pin is used for corrosion resistance and is supported for axial movement in a dual quad ring seal and sleeve structure.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston-valve-type control valve that includes a housing in which a control piston is longitudinally displaceably disposed. By means of annular recesses, and hence control surfaces formed on piston collars about a piston core, the control piston regulates at least one fluid stream that flows through the housing. This regulation is effected by coupling the recesses between the piston collars, while appropriately longitudinally shifting the control piston, with annular control chambers on the housing side. The collars of the control piston are provided with control edges that progressively release the control chambers. The problem with heretofore known valves was that an undesired sudden increase in the flow forces could not be avoided. In addition, the manufacture of the corresponding configurations of the control edges was complicated and expensive.

Abstract: A filter assembly and associated collection bowl for a single or dual contaminant collection zone arrangement use a self-sealing o-ring in combination with a threaded mating arrangement in order to withstand high pressure differentials. The filter assembly may include an end cap having a plurality of downwardly projecting ribs distinct from a threaded connector ring upon which the end cap rests or the ribs may be integral with the connector ring and separate from the end cap. The lower end of the filter housing includes a number of contaminant channels between adjacent pairs of the ribs, the contaminant channels leading to corresponding contaminant outlets.

Abstract: A safety latch means for a filter assembly or like pressure vessel characterized by a shell member and a removable cover member. Locking means provided on the cover member is adapted to engage with locking means provided on the shell member to secure the cover member to the shell member. Proper engagement between the respective locking means is indicated by alignment of respective external brackets provided on the cover member and shell member. A peripheral locking clamp is provided for retaining the cover and shell members together, the locking clamp being capable of being attached only when the external brackets are aligned.

Abstract: A protective spacer for fittings and the like consists of tubular plastic body member with a transverse end wall having a plurality of radiating slits therein forming plural gripper tabs. The body member is formed of thermoplastic material and the tabs are resiliently deformable into a tunnel configuration adapted to receive a portion of a fitting member and to be self-supported thereon. The spacer provides radial spacing from the thus supported fitting portion and axial spacing for opposed structures in abutment with the transverse end wall and free end of the body member.

Abstract: A coupler of the type provided with a male fitting (11) which can be locked in a female fitting (7') by means of locking balls (9) housed in an annular row of holes (8) located in the female fitting (7').That part of the mobile tubular element (7) including between the annular row of holes (8) in which the locking balls (9) are housed and the nearest external shoulder (23) of the tubular element (7), which serves to support a return spring (16) is surrounded by a cylindrical bushing (24) whose inside end is provided with a flange (25) which is normally biased against the external shoulder (23) of the mobile tubular element (7), whose other end, which is normally biased against the internal tapered face (6a) of the internal rib (6) in the body (2), is internally beveled so as to provide a divergent face (26), whereby the length of the cylindrical skirt of this bushing (24) slightly exceeds the distance between the aforesaid shoulder (23) and the annular row of holes (8) housing the balls (9).

Abstract: A drain assembly uses a valve body with a drain passage and a vent passage in order to provide self-venting drainage of a collection bowl mounted to a filter unit. The valve body cooperates with a seal such that the drain passage is opened before the vent passage, thereby insuring proper operation of the passages. Additionally, the valve body draws air into a cavity within the seal, thereby inherently clearing an upper vent port of fluid prior to opening of a vent port disposed at the upper end of the vent passage.

Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly includes a flexible wiper element and a semi-rigid backing strip, the wiper element having a curved roller back configuration to maintain the point of contact with the backing strip substantially directly above the wiper lip to reduce the force necessary to flip the wiper element upon reversal of wiping motion. The wiper element includes an involute tooth and head to retain the wiper element in the backing strip and to allow relatively unrestricted floating movement therein.

Abstract: This fitting has a transverse bore (3) and, at one of its ends, a male or female threaded end to connect it immovably to one of the two parts to be joined by means of tube (6) and, at its other end, a ring-shaped chamber (5) which is coaxial to bore (3) and which, in addition to a ring-shaped watertight joint (9) and a retaining collar (8), houses a ring-shaped member (7) which has prongs (7a) slanted toward the rear (5a) of chamber (5) and pro-jecting radially into chamber (5), thus delimiting an inside diameter normally smaller than the outside diameter of the connecting tube, the purpose of this chamber (5) being to receive and retain one of the ends of tube (6) simply by inserting it to the rear (5a) of the chamber and the inside and outside diameters of chamber (5) corresponding approximately to the outside diameter of tube (6), while the outside diameter is greater than the outside diameter of tube (6) to make it possible to house the ring-shaped joint (9), the pronged member (7) and the retaining colla

Abstract: A self-centering seal for threaded fasteners and the like consists of a rigid, load-bearing retainer in the form of a ring having an elastomeric seal molded in place therein at the inner periphery. The seal is of tear drop shape in section having a portion which projects beyond the surfaces of the retainer, adjacent recessed portions and an inner tip portion with a relatively large radius of curvature. The diameter of the tip portion is sized to be an interference fit on the fastener shank so that the seal may be preassembled with the fastener.