Abstract: An adapter arranged for interposition between a manifold and a first test instrument and detachably supporting a second test instrument in a selected angular orientation includes a stationary bar and a rotatable body attached to the stationary bar that has a mounting surface arranged to detachably support the second test instrument. The adapter also includes a means for securing the rotatable body in a selected angular relationship with respect to the stationary bar and providing a stabilized sealed connection between the rotatable body and the stationary bar.

Abstract: A low emission fluid disconnect 10 is provided along a flexible flow line 12 for transmitting fluid from the transport 16 to a bulkhead 14. The disconnect includes a ball valve 32 including a ball 31 rotated between the opened and the closed positions about a stem axis. The disconnect also includes union housing 64 and a female body 58 for threaded engagement with the ball valve. A poppet sleeve 82 is linearly moveable within the union housing between the opened and closed positions, and has an end surface 104 substantially conforming to an exterior surface of the ball. The poppet member is guided when moving between the opened and closed positions. A very low volume of fluid is released when the union housing is disconnected from the ball valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accurately controlling the amount of NH.sub.3 to be applied to a field by measuring the NH.sub.3 flow rate without condensing or cooling the NH.sub.3. The system includes a control station 12 on the vehicle with a tachometer 12A or a GPS system for providing a vehicle speed signal to a control panel 13. The control panel includes a toggle switch 17 for adjusting the opening or closing of a valve 52 in the flow line to regulate the flow through the system, although the control panel alternatively may automatically control the valve 52. The vehicle transports a tank 20 containing liquid NH.sub.3 and a tool bar 30 for distributing the NH.sub.3 to the soil. After flowing through the flow meter 40, 60, 130, the NH.sub.3 is conducted to the soil through a series of hoses, fittings, a distributor, and tubing.

Abstract: Improved breakaway coupling 10, 10B includes an upstream housing 24, 24B and a downstream housing 26, 26B. A poppet 40, 40A, 40B, 40C is positioned within each respective upstream and downstream housing, and is biased by a spring 44, 44A, 44B, 44C for sealing engagement with a seating surface fixed to the respective housing. A push rod 58 maintains the upstream housing 40, 40B open when the coupling is mated. A spiral ring 72, 72B fits within a groove in both the upstream housing and the downstream housing when the coupling is mated, and is radially modified by sliding up a respective ramp surface 86, 86B when an axial pull is exerted on one of the flow lines connected to the coupling. The coupling may be easily reconnected by pressing the male housing into the female housing while the spiral ring is maintained in the groove in the female housing.

Abstract: Fill valve 10 controls the flow of propane from a fill line FL to a control valve CV mounted on a propane use tank T. The fill valve includes a valve body 12 having a propane inlet 20, an elongate sleeve 24 and a discharge housing 22 surrounding the elongate sleeve and having an external left-hand thread 30 for interconnection with a mating thread in the control valve. A nose tip 26 is secured to the elongate sleeve and has an external surface 68, an annular seal 70 for sealing engagement with the control valve, and a fill valve seat 100 defining a portion of a flow passage 66 therethrough. Valve stem 18 extends through the valve body and the elongate sleeve and is axially moveable between opened and closed positions. A lower end of the valve stem is positioned within the nose tip. A handle is pivotably connected to the valve stem. A fill valve seal 76 is carried on the valve stem for sealing engagement and disengagement with the fill valve seat 100.

Abstract: A system 10 fluidly connects a bulkhead B to a portable transport using a flexible fill line or liquid hose LH. The system includes a coupling 12 for separating the liquid hose LH from the bulkhead B during an inadvertent pull-away. An arm 24 is pivotally supported by the bulkhead B, and a support plate 36 is supported at the upper end of the arm 24. A release disk 50 is normally supported by the plate 36, and in turn supports a saddle 42 for supporting the liquid hose LH. Three circumferentially spaced pins 38 function as retaining members to support a release disk 50 on the plate 36. The components thus function to prevent the discharge end of the hose from dropping onto the ground. During a pull-away, at least one of the coil springs 64 associated with each release pin is compressed, thereby releasing the disk 50 and allowing both the saddle 42 and the liquid hose LH to become disconnected from the arm 24.

Abstract: A three valve manifold having body, flange and web sections has primary flow blocking and crossover valves operatively disposed in the body. Vent ports are disposed in a rear surface of the body, and vent port control valves that controllably direct and selectively block fluid flow from primary flow passages disposed within the manifold, to the vent ports. The vent port control valves are operatively disposed in the web of the manifold. Positioning the vent port control valves in the web of the manifold enables the thickness of the flange to be reduced to that required to only provide an mounting surface and fluid transfer ports.

Abstract: A manifold valve has a pair of inlet ports and a pair of outlet ports with separate passageways extending separately between a respective inlet port and a respective outlet port of the pair. The manifold valve has a body portion in which a plurality of valves are disposed for controllably directing and selectively blocking the flow between selected inlet and outlet ports. The manifold valve also has a flange portion that is integrally formed with the body portion and has a means disposed therein for selectively providing a separately modulated flow path between each of the internal passageways and an environment external of the manifold valve.

Abstract: A five valve flanged manifold valve in a straight-flow configuration has a height that is less than 25 percent greater than it width, and in 90.degree. angled flow configuration is less than 50 percent greater than its width. A vent pert is advantageously positioned on the front face of the valve in both configurations. A vent pert control valve is located a rear surface of the straight flow configuration manifold valve, and on a bottom surface of the 90.degree. flow configuration manifold valve. Neither configuration of the manifold valve requires a separate access hole for use during manufacture to form and shape the internal crossflow passageways. Both configurations have significantly less mass than the counterpart prior valves of their respective types.

Abstract: An improved sampling pump has utility for withdrawing fluid from a pressurized source and outputting fluid to a sampling container. The fluid pump assembly of the present invention includes an operator unit for reciprocating a plunger, and a side body port positioned within the pump body for receiving a removable filter. A pressure regulator has an inlet positioned within a side body port of the pump body and regulator outlet port in fluid communication with the operator unit. A collar rotatable with respect to a regulator housing is provided for reducing installation costs and for optionally removing condensate from the regulator. An adjustable discharge valve is pressure balanced for increasing the reliability of the pump. An improved seal is utilized for dynamic seal engagement between the pump body and the pump plunger.

Abstract: A shutoff valve for closing off flow through a fluid line includes a stem 28 axially movable relative to a valve body 12. A valve element 22 is carried by the stem 28 for engagement with a seat 20 to close off fluid flow through the valve, and is biased toward the seat by valve closure spring 40. The swivel body 52 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the stem, and may be rotated to allow the spring 40 to force the valve element into engagement with the seat. A fusible link mechanism 64 is carried by the swivel body for engagement with the valve body to rotate the swivel body to the valved closed position. The mechanism 64 includes a piston 66, a spring 70, and a fusible material for normally acting as a solid stop to prevent the spring 70 from moving piston 66 to rotate the swivel body to the valve closed position.

Abstract: A system 10 for controlling the operation of a propane powered vehicle engine includes a gas sensor 28 for providing a fuel rich signal and a fuel lean signal to a controller 20. The controller is also responsive to a tachometer 26 which senses the engine rpm. When the engine speed is in excess of a preselected value and is not decelerating, the controller generates an unacceptable engine operation signal if the period of duration of the fuel rich signal exceeds a preselected value. A warning unit 32 is provided for alerting the operator of a service required signal from the controller. A fuel shutoff device 30 automatically terminates the fuel supply to the engine in response to a fuel shutoff signal from the controller. The method of the invention allows for vehicle startup after the fuel shutoff device has been activated. The invention is particularly well suited for requiring a propane powered vehicle engine to output an acceptable level of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: An improved sampling pump has utility for withdrawing contaminated fluid from a low pressure source and outputting cleaned fluid to a sampling container. The fluid pump assembly of the present invention includes an operator unit for reciprocating plunger, and a side body port positioned within the pump body for receiving a removable filter. The pump assembly includes a discharge check valve which is ideally positioned within the pump body for minimizing "dead areas" within the pump, but is also adjustable for controlling the downstream pressure generated by the pump. An operator unit for the pumping assembly may include a spacer attached to the operator piston for selectively controlling the pump stroke. The pump assembly preferably has a pump body inlet port substantially aligned with the plunger axis. High pump reliability is obtained by the preferred filtering technique which cleans both the fluid supplied to the pump and the fluid supplied to the operator unit.

Abstract: A valve has a seat that is replaceable without disassembly of the bonnet from the body or removal of the stem and closure member. The seat is maintained in a fixed position within the body of the valve by a single retainer member that is readily separable from the body. The seat and closure member are formed of hard, wear- and corrosion resistant materials and the valve has internally disposed seal members to prevent leakage around the seat and retainer. The valve is particularly useful for controllably conveying high pressure and high temperature fluids such as steam.

Abstract: An improved sampling pump has utility for withdrawing fluid from a pressurized source and outputting fluid to a sampling container. The fluid pump assembly of the present invention includes an operator unit for reciprocating a plunger, and a side body port positioned within the pump body for receiving a removable filter. A pressure regulator has an inlet positioned within a side body port of the pump body and regulator outlet port in fluid communication with the operator unit. A collar rotatable with respect to a regulator housing is provided for reducing installation costs and for optionally removing condensate from the regulator. An adjustable discharge valve is pressure balanced for increasing the reliability of the pump. An improved seal is utilized for dynamic seal engagement between the pump body and the pump plunger.