Abstract: A valve actuating device for opening and closing a valve is disclosed. The valve has a valve housing, a valve member sealingly engageable with a valve seat formed in the valve housing and a valve stem attached to the valve member for moving the valve member from an open position to a closed position, the valve member being biased to the open position. The valve actuating device includes a housing which is constructed to be attachable to the valve housing of the valve, a bidirectional motor mounted on the housing and a pinion gear which is coupled to the motor by a shaft, the pinion gear being drivable by the motor via the shaft.

Abstract: An automatic vent has a cup including a bottom wall, a side wall, an open top, and an inlet for introducing fluid into a compartment defined by the bottom and side walls. A valve assembly of the automatic vent includes a cap disposed over the open top of the cup. The cap has a body with an upwardly facing surface, a downwardly facing surface, a bore formed within the body for enabling fluid communication between the compartment and atmosphere, and an annular rim provided around the bore on the downwardly facing surface. A lever arm is hingedly connected at one end thereof to the body of the cap adjacent the annular rim.

Abstract: The present process for the production of sparkplugs provides coated sparkplugs that are resistant to carbonization or lead fouling of the central ceramic insulator. A liquid metal carboxylate composition is applied to the insulator of the sparkplug and subjected to heat treatment at a temperature preferably above 400.degree. C. to form a durable metal oxide layer on the insulator.

Abstract: A valve actuating device is provided for opening and closing a valve of the type having a valve housing, a valve member sealingly engageable with a valve seat formed in the valve housing, and a valve stem attached to the valve member for moving the valve member between a closed position and an open position. The valve actuating device includes a housing threadably attached to the valve housing of the valve, and a motor, mounted on the housing, for driving a shaft having a pinion gear upon activating the motor. The device further includes a rack having a body with an end portion thereof engageable with the valve stem of the valve, and a rack segment, disposed between the rack and the pinion gear, for moving the rack between a first position in which the end portion of the rack engages the valve stem for maintaining the valve stem in its closed position, to a second position in which the rack is moved by the rack segment upon activation of the motor via the pinion gear of the motor for opening the valve.

Abstract: A valve actuating device of a heating and/or cooling system controls the opening and closing of a valve of the system. The device includes a housing having a fitting which is threadably received by a fitting receiving formation of the valve for securing the housing to the valve. The device further includes an electric motor mounted on the housing. The motor drives a shaft having a pinion gear mounted thereon, and, upon its activation, opens the valve. A rack has teeth engagable with the pinion gear of the electric motor and an end portion engagable with a valve stem of the valve. The arrangement is such that the rack is movable upon activation of the motor from a first position in which the end portion of the rack engages the valve stem for maintaining a valve member of the valve in a closed position, to a second position in which the rack is moved via the pinion gear of the motor away from the valve stem for opening the valve.

Abstract: A de-aerator apparatus for removing gas from fluid flowing through a pipe includes a housing having a chamber, an inlet connected to an inlet pipe for allowing the passage of fluid into the chamber, an outlet connected to an outlet pipe for discharging fluid from the chamber, and a vent for venting gas from the top of the chamber. The arrangement is such that as fluid flows into the chamber through the inlet and out of the chamber through the outlet, relatively large gas pockets present in the fluid in the chamber rise to the surface of the fluid and exit the chamber through the vent. A device disposed within the chamber has bristles facing the flow of fluid into the chamber through the inlet. The bristles vibrate for merging micro gas pockets present in the fluid with one another to produce large gas pockets which rise to the surface of the fluid within the chamber and exit the chamber through the vent.

Abstract: A power driven valve actuator includes a thermostatic device which is movably supported in a housing to accommodate overtravel of a thrust member against the stem of the valve resulting from excess expansion of a thermostatic element enclosed in the thermostatic device and heated by a heating device. Movement of the thermostatic device trips a dust-tight switch to interrupt power to the heating device, and a spring engaging the thermostatic device returns the thermostatic device to a starting position, so that whenever heat is called for by the thermostat, the thermostatic device cycles in a reciprocating motion within the housing after the valve has been fully opened. The heating device comprises an electric resistance heating element placed in contact with a thermal enclosure of the thermostatic element and covered by an insulating material.