Abstract: A coupling having male and female halves is disclosed. Typically the female half is under pressure. The female half may be mounted to an implement and when coupled to a male coupling on the tractor. It supplies hydraulic fluid to the driven device. The female half has three valves: a main valve, a relief valve and a sliding sleeve valve. The female half, when coupled, opens the sliding sleeve valve first followed by the opening of the relief valve which is followed by the opening of the main valve. The relief valve is designed to reduce pressure behind the main valve so as to permit easy coupling under pressure when the female half is under pressure. During the uncoupling process, the main valve closes first followed by the closure of the relief valve which is followed by the closure of the sliding sleeve valve. The relief valve is a ball and seats against an elastomeric seal mounted in the back side of the main valve. A push pin having flat edges operates the relief valve.

Abstract: A solenoid valve is disclosed which includes a solenoid assembly, an axial flow chamber and inlet and outlet housings secured to the axial flow chamber. The axial flow chamber comprises a generally cylindrically shaped inner portion and a cylindrically shaped outer portion spaced radially apart from the inner portion and connected to the inner portion by a web forming at least one passageway through the axial flow chamber. The solenoid assembly resides generally within the inner portion of the axial flow chamber and is further restrained by the inlet housing. The inlet and outlet housings are secured to the axial flow chamber.

Abstract: A power circuit for controlling the amount of power delivered to a solenoid coil is disclosed. A current mode pulse width modulation controller is employed to interrupt the flow of current through a power branch of the circuit. A rectifying bridge enables use of the power circuit with either AC or DC power sources. The power circuit includes a startup current source for initially energizing the pulse width modulation controller. Two feedback voltages, one representing the compensated current through the power branch of the circuit and one representing the output voltage of the power circuit are used by the pulse width modulation controller to output pulses of varying duration at constant frequency to a field effect transistor. The opening of the field effect transistor interrupts the flow of current in the power branch of the circuit.

Abstract: A solenoid valve employing a coil can cover and a top cover residing between the bobbin, the stop and the plunger is disclosed. The coil can cover and top cover perform efficiently resulting in less saturation and hysterisis. Low power operation is achieved. A plug valve and seal arrangement are provided in one end of the plunger to operate in conjunction with a square edged orifice formed at the exit of the body. A linear flow characteristic is achieved over mid range throttle positions which facilitate the flow control of natural gas, and propane and other such fuels at low pressures.

Abstract: The invention discloses a plurality of cylindrical slugs linked together by a cable. The slugs are separated by spacers and the cable is crimped at each end thereof to keep the slugs and spacers from coming off the cable. The cable-slugs-spacers assembly is inserted through a guide tube and into an annulus locking the cover of the pressure vessel to the housing of the vessel. A relief mechanism is provided in the cover to ensure that the cable-slugs-spacers assembly is fully inserted in the annulus thus preventing accidental extrication of the cover when the vessel is pressurized. A proximity sensor is positioned in the housing of the vessel and senses the pressure of the first slug inserted into the annulus thus insuring that the cable-slugs-spacers assembly has been fully inserted in the annulus. A coupling is provided on one end of the cable-slugs-spacers assembly to positively lock the assembly in place ensuring that the cover will not be extricated from the pressure vessel under pressure.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling employing a polymeric elastomeric sealing member to provide an excellent seal under pressure. The polymeric elastomeric seal additionally has high resistance to acids, alkalis, hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers, esters, alcohols and salt solutions. The sealing member has the elasticity to return to its normal physical condition after pressure is removed.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling employing a polymeric elastomeric sealing member to provide an excellent seal under pressure. The polymeric elastomeric seal additionally has high resistance to acids, alkalis, hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers, esters, alcohols and salt solutions. The sealing member has the elasticity to return to its normal physical condition after pressure is removed.

Abstract: A piston valve for use in connection with the fire protection industry is disclosed which includes features for protecting against corrosion. A sacrificial zinc anode is mounted in the body of the valve under the handwheel. A polymeric piston is used which cannot corrode. A grease fitting protects against corrosion at the interface of the spindle and the valve body or bushing within the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the use of carbon dioxide in drying cleaning clothes, garments and other fabrics is disclosed and claimed. The components of the invention include a distillation vessel, a compressor, a warm-up vessel, a cleaning chamber, a condenser, and a carbon dioxide storage tank. A programmable logic controller is utilized to control the apparatus. Several modes of use are disclosed. One mode, the reclaim mode, enables the efficient operation of the apparatus. As the name implies the reclaim mode recovers most of the carbon dioxide gas remaining in the cleaning chamber is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a male portion and a female portion wherein the female portion comprises: a housing, an inner body member positioned within the housing and slidable relative thereto, a relief valve positioning member, a piston residing intermediate the relief valve positioning member and the inner body member and slidable relative to the positioning member and the inner body member, and a valve. The housing includes a first port and a second port. The inner body member includes a port communicating with the first port of the housing. The relief valve positioning member includes a relief valve. The piston includes an interior, an exterior, and a passageway interconnecting the interior of the piston and the exterior of the piston. The valve slidably engages the piston and seats against the inner body member. The male portion of the coupling engages the inner body of the female portion.

Abstract: A coupling comprising a male portion and a female portion wherein the female portion comprises: a housing, an inner body member positioned within the housing and slidable relative thereto, a relief valve positioning member, a piston residing intermediate the relief valve positioning member and the inner body member and slidable relative to the positioning member and the inner body member, and a valve. The housing includes a first port and a second port. The inner body member includes a port communicating with the first port of the housing. The relief valve positioning member includes a relief valve. The piston includes an interior, an exterior, and a passageway interconnecting the interior of the piston and the exterior of the piston. The valve slidably engages the piston and seats against the inner body member. The male portion of the coupling engages the inner body of the female portion.

Abstract: A breakaway coupling comprising a nipple and coupler normally engaged together by a canted coil spring. The coupler includes a coupler valve and the nipple includes a check valve. The canted coil spring is disposed in the coupler and receives the nipple as it enters the coupler. The nipple includes an inclined surface which enables the canted coil spring to be gradually compressed as the nipple enters the coupler. The canted coil spring simultaneously engages the shoulders and bottom surface of a recess in the coupler body and the first and second beveled surfaces and the bottom surface of a recess in the nipple adaptor. Vent structure is provided in the coupler and a bleed back vent is provided in the nipple.

Abstract: The invention is a coupling which includes male and female portions thereof. The male portion usually has pressure applied to it due to heat build up from the environment. The male portion can be and usually is attached to a farm implement. Left in a field in the sun, pressure builds in the male portion while it is disconnected from the female portion. The female portion of the coupling enables the connection of the male portion without spilling any fluid from either the male or the female portions. This is accomplished by the simultaneous engagement of the body of the male and the male valve with an intermediate member of the female portion and the female valve of the female portion such that the female valve and the intermediate member move together into a sealed relationship with the male components. When the supply side female portion is pressurized by a pump the female valve forces the female and male valves to their open positions and allows flow between the female and male portions of the coupling.