Abstract: A pump connectible to fluid under pressure comprising a housing having a cavity and a differential area piston reciprocable in the cavity on pumping and reset strokes and dividing the cavity into an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber and a reversing chamber. The housing has an inlet port communicating with the inlet chamber and connectible to the fluid under pressure, a water port communicating with the outlet chamber and a reversing port communicating with the reversing chamber. The piston has a passage leading from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber. A first valve opens and closes the passage and a second valve is provided in the housing. A cam assembly opens and closes the first and second valves as a function of the position of the piston in the cavity.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system comprising a reverse osmosis filter having an inlet port connectible to a source of feedwater under pressure via a feedwater inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered product water and brine outlet port for brine. First and second pressure intensifiers are coupled to the feedwater inlet conduit between the source of feedwater and the inlet port of the reverse osmosis filter. Each of the pressure intensifiers includes a pumping member having a pumping stroke and a return stroke. A control valve in the feedwater inlet conduit controls which of the pressure intensifiers receives feedwater under pressure. The control valve is driven by particular fluid pressures in the first and second pressure intensifiers so that feedwater is alternately supplied to the first and second pressure intensifiers.

Abstract: A pump assembly comprising a housing having a cavity therein, an inlet leading to the cavity and an outlet leading from the cavity and a wobble plate mounted for nutating movement in the cavity. The wobble plate divides the cavity into first and second pumping chambers, and during its nutating movement, liquid entering the inlet into the pumping chambers is pumped by the wobble plate through the outlet. The pump can be driven by a motor.

Abstract: A guidepost includes an elongated post member and an anchor member, the post member having first and second ends and a tip portion extending to the second end that narrows in at least one dimension in order to facilitate penetration into the ground. The post member defines an opening adjacent the second end, the anchor member has at least a first leg, and the anchor member extends through the opening in the post member to a position such that the first leg of the anchor member extends outwardly from the opening and away from the second end. According to another aspect of the invention, the post member includes first and second sides facing in generally opposite directions and a runner arrangement defining at least one longitudinally extending rib for abutting a sleeve placed over the post member for post driving purposes in order to limit the amount of post member surface area contacting the sleeve and thereby to facilitate sliding of the post member through the sleeve.

Abstract: A post driver includes a sleeve for supporting a post as the post is driven into the ground and a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve. The sleeve defines a channel that is dimensioned and arranged to receive the post so that the post can slide through the channel as the post is driven into the ground and the driver is dimensioned and arranged to slide over the sleeve. Preferably, the sleeve extends to the right height above ground and one embodiment includes a spade attached to a lower end of the sleeve for breaking the ground. A method of driving a post into the ground includes the steps of providing a sleeve for supporting the post as the post is driven into the ground and a driver for driving the post into the ground while the post is supported by the sleeve.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system including a reverse osmosis filter with a reverse osmosis membrane and having an inlet port coupled to a source of feed water under predetermined pressure via a feed water inlet conduit, a product water outlet port for filtered outlet product water, and a brine outlet port for brine. A pump coupled into the feed water inlet conduit between the source of feed water and the inlet port of the filter and driven by the feed water under pressure. The pump increases the pressure of the feed water so that the reverse osmosis filter receives feed water at an increased pressure.

Abstract: A reciprocable device comprising a reciprocable member mounted for reciprocating movement within a chamber and a valve system for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of such member. A motor is enabled by the reciprocable member to operate the valve system whereby at least some of the force for driving the valve system is obtained from the motor and not from the reciprocable member.

Abstract: A reciprocating device comprising a housing having a chamber and a reciprocable member reciprocable in the chamber. First and second pressure valves are connectible to a source of fluid under pressure to drive the reciprocable member and first and second passages lead from the first and second pressure valves to the chamber on opposite sides of the reciprocable member, respectively. First and second exhaust valves are coupled, respectively, to the first and second passages at locations intermediate the associated pressure valve and the chamber and communicating with the first and second vents, respectively. Actuators are drivable by the piston for switching the valves between first and second positions, and the fluid under pressure retains the valves in whichever of the positions they are placed.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a fluid medium comprising a positive displacement member movable to move the fluid medium and a drive mechanism adapted to be driven by a motor for driving the positive displacement member to move the fluid medium. The drive mechanism includes a driving member, a driven member, a resilient coupling and a wobble plate for driving the positive displacement member. The angle of the wobble plate is adjustable by varying the relative angular position of a driving member and a driven member.

Abstract: A ratio pump for delivering first and second liquid beverage components in a desired ratio comprising a motor and a pump driven by the motor. The first beverage component is pressurized and is used as the driving fluid for the motor. The second beverage component is pumped by the pump. The first beverage component is exhausted from the motor and delivered along with a second beverage component delivered by the pump. The motor, which may include a piston, requires a predetermined amount of the first beverage component in order to drive the pump to deliver a known volume of the second beverage component.

Abstract: A reciprocable device comprising a reciprocable member mounted for reciprocating movement within a chamber and a valve system for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to the reciprocable member to bring about reciprocation of such member. The valve system includes first and second valve elements, a connector joining the valve elements and a bistable spring, which is actuated by the reciprocable member, for driving the connector.

Abstract: A pump comprising a housing and a flexible diaphragm mounted in the housing. A first region of the diaphragm partially defines a first pumping chamber, and the pumping chamber has an inlet and an outlet. A wobble plate drive is coupled to the first region of the diaphragm to provide a pumping action in the pumping chamber. The wobble plate drive has a nutating axis, and the first region of the diaphragm lies radially outwardly of the nutating axis. The first region of the diaphragm has a generally annular ramp section which flexes when driven by the wobble plate drive to provide the pumping action, and the ramp section is wider radially at a location remote from the nutating axis than at a location nearer the nutating axis. The pump also has a single outlet valve arranged to serve multiple pumping chambers.

Abstract: A dispensing system comprising first and second collapsible storage containers, a pump and a pressure responsive selector coupled to both of the storage containers and to the intake side of the pump. The selector includes a valve movable between a first position in which the selector provides communication between the first storage container and the pump and blocks communication between the second storage container and the pump and a second position in which the selector provides communication between the second collapsible container and the pump and blocks communication between the first collapsible container and the pump. An actuator is responsive to the pressure drop at the selector resulting from the collapse of one of the collapsible containers for moving the valve from one of its positions to the other of its positions.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump comprising a supporting structure, a rotatable input member and first and second bearings mounted on the input member so that the rotation of the input member causes the second bearing to nutate. Each of the bearings have outer races, and the outer race of the first bearing is coupled to the supporting structure by a mounting member of sheet material. A region of the diaphragm forms a portion of a pumping chamber, and a drive member is provided for moving the region of the diaphragm in at least one direction. First and second mounting members couple the outer race of the second bearing to the drive member so that nutation of the second bearing causes the pump to operate.

Abstract: A pressure switch comprising a housing, a first contact mounted in the housing and a support mounted in the housing in spaced relationship to the first contact. A pressure responsive member is mounted in the housing for moving a second contact into and out of engagement with the first contact and with the support. A first spring urges the pressure responsive member in opposition to the fluid pressure acting on the pressure responsive member. The pressure responsive member includes a bistable spring which carries the second contact. The bistable spring augments the first spring as the pressure responsive member moves from a low pressure position toward a high pressure position and opposes the first spring as the pressure responsive member moves from the high pressure position toward the low pressure position.