Abstract: In an electronic closed loop control system for controlling the air-fuel ratio of an air-fuel mixture fed to an internal combustion engine to an optimum, the frequency of a dither signal is discretely or continuously changed to change a repetition rate of a pulsating signal in order to prevent engine vibration discomfortable to a driver, the pulsating signal being applied to at least one electromagnetic valve provided for regulating the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: Valve actuator for causing both rotation of a valve member and linear movement of said valve member.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator for use in operating a remotely located flush valve includes a housing having fluid inlet and outlet ports, each of which are connected to the flush valve through tubes or the like with the inlet port being under fluid pressure derived from the flush valve. There are passage means connecting the ports with first and second seal members being positioned in the passage means. A stem is movable in the housing with the first and second seal members being positioned on and movable with the stem. A spring positioned within the housing urges the stem toward a position in which the second seal member closes communication between the inlet and outlet ports. The first seal member is located closer to the inlet port than the second seal member and is removable from the stem. There is a seat for the first seal member with fluid pressure at the inlet urging the first seal member, after removal from the stem, toward the seat to close communication between the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting into and stopping the flow of fluid in a plastic pipe including a cutting blade that is forced downwardly into a pipe by a hydraulic force. The blade is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the pipe and thus when located within the pipe stops the flow of fluid in the pipe. The apparatus is constructed so that the cutting, flow stopping and the consequential withdrawal of the blade operation is carried out without loss of fluid from the pipe. Part of the apparatus is left on the pipe and encapsulated to complete the operation.

Abstract: A receptacle such as a dishwasher tub having an improved control for effecting filling of the tub to a preselected full level and protecting the apparatus against undesirable overfill in the event the normal flow control malfunctions. The flow control includes a control valve having two valve elements for cooperatively preventing such undesirable overfill. One of the valve elements may be controlled by an electrically operated solenoid, and the other valve element may be controlled by mechanical control structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrically controlled valve element is controlled by a timer, and the mechanically controlled valve element is controlled by a float.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring toxic fluid material from a container having a closure means toward another closed location comprising conduit means and a probe member to provide a closed fluid transfer system.

Abstract: A high pressure valve of the type employing a non-rotating valve needle having a tapered tip which may be selectively moved between seated and unseated positions relative to a valve seat in a valve chamber. The valve seat is tapered inwardly and has a smaller taper angle than the valve needle. A valve actuating stem is received through a valve packing nut with the actuating stem having a bifurcated inner end defined by a transverse, generally rectangular bore intersected by an axially directed slot. The slot is somewhat smaller in breadth than the width of the bore and extends between the bore and the innermost end of the stem. The valve needle includes an enlarged cylindrical or spherical connecting end adapted to be received in the actuating stem bore and slot. Sealing for the needle is provided by a sealing medium comprised of a combination of a seal member received between a pair of seal washers in an enlarged coaxial area at one end of the valve chamber.

Abstract: A sewage relief valve includes a cylindrical housing mounted on the upper end of an upper end of a riser connected to a sewer line, the housing includes a cylindrical through-bore with the upper end of the bore sealed by means of a dome cover held in place by a resilient O-ring, and a float supported beneath the housing on a lift linkage is responsive to rise with the level of liquid in the riser for forcing the cover from the end of the housing thereby relieving the sewage line. The lift linkage means is supported within the housing by support means which permits the linkage to be lifted and carried upward out of the housing by the float means when liquid flows therethrough.

Abstract: Most valve assemblies used in water closet tanks are relatively bulky and often interfere with the operative action of the tank. Furthermore, such valve assemblies are noisy in operation and "wire drawing" effects cause considerable wear of the valve seat and/or valve. This device includes a flexible diaphragm engageable with an annular valve seat and acting as a valve between the water intake and the interior of the tank. A spherical segment cam is mounted in the assembly operatively connected to a float and connecting rod moving reciprocally. The cam operates a plug sliding reciprocally in the body of the valve assembly, said plug engaging the diaphragm and controlling the opening and closing of the diaphragm with the valve seat. The mechanical advantage of the spherical segment cam gives a positive closing action plug minimizing the "wire drawing" effect and the construction of the diaphragm and associated parts eliminates thumping and hissing during the closing action.

Abstract: The flow rate of feed material containing a constituent to be absorbed and the flow rate of the absorption medium entering an absorption zone are controlled in response to the content and flow rate of feed material entering the absorption zone and the amount of a desired bottoms constituent in the overhead stream of the absorption zone so that the efficiency of the absorption process is optimized. Under circumstances necessitating maximum production from the absorption zone and its associated stripping zone, the absorption medium flow rate is maintained at a maximum value and the feed flow rate is controlled in response to feed composition and flow as well as the concentration of desired bottom product in the overhead stream. The output of the absorption unit is stabilized by alteration of the flow control apparatus associated with the output stream of the stripping zone in order to alter the amount of control over the output flow.

Abstract: A radiator valve has a housing carrying a valve stem with plate and loading spring on the valve stem above the valve plate; a first seal bears against the valve stem between the valve plate and the spring. A presetting member is located in the housing and it carries a second seal bearing against the valve stem at a position removed from the valve plate with respect to the first seal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a butterfly-type valve cooperable with a valve seat element formed of an elastomeric material, wherein this element also forms a seal between two identical housing halves. There is also disclosed an improved method of making such a valve, as well as a vacuum motor for actuating the valve which incorporates a linkage mechanism having force limiting means to prevent the application of excessive forces to this valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine which comprises placing a reaction cylinder filled with a catalyst for partially oxidizing a hydrocarbon-base fuel within an exhaust gas passage, feeding a mixture gas consisting of hydrocarbons and a gas which contains oxygen of a quantity providing an "oxygen-to-carbon ratio" of 0.3 to 1.2 into the reaction cylinder, partially oxidizing the hydrocarbons into a reformed gas which consists essentially of H.sub.2 and CO in the temperature range of 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C., mixing the reformed gas and a gas containing oxygen of a quantity providing "an excess oxygen ratio" of 1.1 to 2.0, and feeding this mixed gas into an intake manifold of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A combination gladhand and shutoff cock includes a dust cover attached to the shutoff cock operating handle and closing the gladhand body air outlet when the shutoff cock is in a closed position. There is a latch effective between the shutoff cock handle and the gladhand body holding the shutoff cock in a closed position and a further latch between the shutoff cock handle and the gladhand holding the handle in an open position.

Abstract: An environmental control system for enclosures that accommodate human activities. The system includes an environmental conditioner such as a heating or air conditioning unit for supplying temperature conditioned air to the enclosure and a sensor for detecting the presence of humans occupying the enclosure. In response to an absence of humans within the enclosure, the sensor fails to produce a signal causing a control system to either reduce or terminate the flow of conditioned air into the enclosure and thereby reduce the level of energy consumed by the unoccupied enclosure.

Abstract: An end of an inlet tube communicates through a tank wall with a water supply and an inner end of the inlet tube communicates through a float controlled valve with a generally vertically downwardly extending outlet tube. Thus, the tank water level through the float controls closing and opening of the valve admitting water through the inlet tube, through the valve and down the outlet tube flowing into the tank from the outlet tube lower end. The outlet tube is selectively vertically adjustable to adapt to various depths of tank by being formed of telescoped parts normally retaining a determined telescoping by a projection of one part being radially interengaged in a groove of the other part. Depending on the particular construction, the tube part telescoping may be selectively varied by either relative rotation between the parts or by disengaging and reengaging the interengagement between the parts. Through a slot and lock collar arrangement, the tube parts may be totally telescopically separated.

Abstract: An improved pilot operated valve which may be used in fluid control systems which may have one or more latching unit for controlling the valves. The valves utilizing a concentric arrangement of the major components thereof, each being coaxially located with respect to a single housing member. These major components include the valve closure member, the pilot valve, the diaphragm separating the high and low pressure areas, and the latching actuator controlling the pilot valve. A mounting flange member is provided for threading into a valve body, and is in turn threaded to the valve body member so that the entire valve assembly may be rotated much like a conventional valve handle to provide a flow control, and a manual shutoff if desired. The control electronics may be battery operated and may locate with respect to one valve to provide drive signals to control one or more valves in sequence. Other controls and actuators may be used.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing probe for gravity induced flow liquid level regulators used for maintaining a desired level of a liquid in a sump of a device having moving components within or adjacent the sump, such as maintaining a desired oil level in the crankcase of an engine, increases the accuracy of the regulator by being resistant to wind forces which impinge upon the liquid and gases entrained within the liquid.

Abstract: A flow control valve of the type in which flow through the valve is controlled by means of a diaphragm which operates by differential pressure on its opposite faces to move between open and closed positions with respect to the flow path through the valve. In this type of valve an aperture is formed through the diaphragm to place its opposite faces in communication with the pressure existing in the flow path through the valve and a metering rod extends through the aperture in the diaphragm to meter flow through the aperture and maintain it free of foreign material. The metering rod in the valve of the present invention is mounted so that it can move about one of its ends to allow it to accommodate non-uniform movement of the diaphragm and prevent binding of the metering rod in the diaphragm aperture.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method for repairing a bleeder valve aperture on a disc brake caliper or the like and a device for use in practicing this method thereby eliminating the necessity of replacing the caliper housing. The repair method includes the drilling of the damaged aperture, tapping the enlarged aperture to create new threads thereon, and the insertion of a repair sleeve device having an externally threaded surface and a valve seat and threaded surface machined internally therein. This repair sleeve device is designed to cooperate with the bleeder valve and the caliper housing so as to allow the bleeder valve to function normally. Alternatively, a repair sleeve device having a smooth external surface and designed to be press fitted into an accurately reamed aperture is also contemplated.