Abstract: A control for a liquid level regulating system including a casing which is immersed in the liquid to a depth at which control is to be effected, a loose flexible diaphragm closes the casing at the bottom and is moved in accordance with the liquid head. A plunger mounted in the casing for free vertical movement within a selected range has a disc-like foot positioned for free engagement by the diaphragm. An adjustable spring and stops are provided for setting the range of movement. Vertical movement of the plunger actuates a cam or screw to vary the setting of the control element of the level control system. This element may be the discharge outlet control. The control provides quick response and actuates the level control to effect accurate maintenance of the required liquid level in an air pressure control system or, for example, a variable resistance control in an electrical control system.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for a float valve of the type including a main valve that controls an inlet port, a control chamber having a bleeder port and a pilot valve member unitary with a float to control the bleeder port and thereby adjust pressure in the control chamber for regulating actuation of the main valve. In order to increase the float cycle of the valve, a water reservoir is formed by the float for receiving water and increasing weight of the float while the valve is actuated during each float cycle, the reservoir including vent means for emptying the reservoir when the valve is deactuated in order to then reduce the weight of the float. Additional improvements are provided to facilitate operation of the valve.

Abstract: This apparatus disclosed in its preferred form is a choke for controlling the flow of drilling mud which is highly abrasive. The abrasive drilling mud is introduced through a lateral port and an elongate, tubular body. In the tubular body, a fluid actuated, double acting piston is forced to a choke control position. The piston has appended to it a centralized, tubular extension which receives a sleeve of wear resistant material. The sleeve is positioned in a circular chamber communicated to the lateral port where the drilling mud is introduced. It travels toward a seat downstream of the body. The seat is formed of hardened material. The downstream outlet of the body is additionally lined with a wear resistant sleeve. An alternate embodiment is also disclosed. A hydraulic control system for operation of the choke is also disclosed.

Abstract: A level control arrangement for dishwashers in which the inflow to the dishwasher tub from the water supply line is automatically terminated when the water level in the tub reaches a predetermined level. The arrangement includes a two-stage level control valve disposed in a valve housing installed downstream of the water fill valve. The valve is moved into and out of engagement with the valve housing in response to a connector which in turn is in operative engagement with a stem of a float positioned in the dishwasher tub. When the water level in the tub approaches a predetermined washing level, the float rises in the tub to a position where the connector permits the valve to move to a sealing position, thereby terminating further flow to the dishwasher tub. When the water is drained from the tub, the float stem moves the connector thereby releasing the pressure exerted against the sealed valve through a port located within the valve.

Abstract: In a poultry watering system having a float-controlled valve for maintaining a desired water level in a trough, leakage through the valve from an overhead supply line, which may occur when the water supply is cut off is effectively prevented without reducing sensitivity of the float by the provision of spring means located within the interior of a valve housing and acting on the end of the float stem.

Abstract: A valve for opening and closing a fluid conduit of the type having a generally wide cross section, the conduit having a transverse slit therein to allow for movement of a shut-off plate therethrough. The shut-off plate has a spherical shape and defines a center about which the shut-off plate may be arcuately displaced to close the conduit when the plate is positioned within the conduit and to open the conduit when the plate is positioned external to the conduit.

Abstract: A blowout preventer having a body and bonnets hinged thereto with throw latches for securing the bonnets to the body, wedges between the body and the hinges for adjusting the tilt of the bonnet and the position of the hinge side of the bonnets when closed and wedges between the body and the latches for adjusting the position of the latch side of the bonnets when closed.

Abstract: A valve actuation system is provided for a valve of the type wherein at least two separate movements are utilized to achieve either opening or closing thereof. The actuation system includes a pair of hydraulic or pneumatic actuator units for automatically performing these two separate operations. An electrically energizable control valve is associated with each of these actuators for controlling the flow of a pressurized control medium therethrough to achieve actuation in the proper sequence for attaining the desired valve movement. A control circuit preferably comprises a plurality of switches responsive to the positions of these two valve actuators as well as the position, (viz., "valve open" or "valve close") of an operator accessible main control lever or switch. These switches deliver electrical power to energize the fluid flow control valves so as to automatically perform the correct sequence of actuator operations to open or close the valve, as desired.

Abstract: A pilot valve is described for control of a pulse valve for e.g. production of pulses of compressed air. The pilot valve comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a movable valve element disposed inside the housing, and means for switching said valve element between a closed and an open position, said inlet and outlet communicating in the open position. At least a portion of the interior of the housing presents in one plane a circular shape, the outlet being formed as a radial slot from this portion around at least a part of the periphery. The valve element is designed as a flexible disc which in the closed position is located in said plane to seal the slot with its outer edge at the inner side of the housing. Said means are arranged to switch the valve element to the open position by giving the disc a curved shape so that the outer edge no longer covers the slot.

Abstract: For ensuring a quick cut-off of a float controlled valve, there is provided a float having a buoyant body and a receptacle for liquid on the body, a single first tube providing an inlet to and an outlet from the receptacle, and a second tube connected to the first tube at an angle directed towards the interior of the receptacle to permit a portion of the liquid from the valve to flow through the second tube into the receptacle to bias the float downwardly and therefore the valve to its maximum open position, the direction of flow of liquid from the second into the first tube acting to dam any liquid in the receptacle. When the valve approaches its closed position, the flow through the second tube decreases and liquid flows out of the receptacle so removing the bias on the float and allowing the float rapidly to rise and close the valve.

Abstract: A tank valve apparatus particularly adapted for effecting rapid discharge of the liquid contents of a tanker truck or the like, the apparatus being characterized by an improved valve opening apparatus actuated by an air cylinder. The cylinder includes a single acting piston requiring a certain cylinder pressure to move the valve to its open position, but requiring a significantly lower pressure to permit its return stroke, whereby rapid closure of the tank valve is facilitated.

Abstract: A manifold mounting pairs of relief valves in side-by-side clusters having a slide-rod interlock cooperating with swing-mounted clapper discs and operationally engaging handles connected thereto for selectively isolating one valve at a time from pressure in the manifold in preparation for its removal and replacement under pressure therefrom.

Abstract: An improved plug assembly for seating against a valve seat, the plug assembly being usable in a movable plug valve which controls the flow of the fluid through a conduit. The plug assembly includes an arm member, a plug member and biasing means. The arm member is adapted to be mounted for movement in the conduit and has an enlarged head. The plug member has a first face for sealingly engaging the valve seat and a rear face. The plug member further includes a recessed opening in one of the front and rear faces for receiving and retaining the enlarged head of the arm member for relative movement with respect thereto. The biasing means is disposed in the recessed opening and normally urges the enlarged arm head and the plug member into tight engagement with one another.

Abstract: A dual valve actuator mechanism for a fire extinguisher bottle in a milit vehicle. The mechanism includes an electrical trigger system for operating the valve automatically in response to energization of an electronic optical fire sensor; alternately the electrical trigger system can be operated by closure of a manual switch from within the vehicle interior. A second cable system is provided to operate the valve manually from a point external to the vehicle, as when the vehicle is unoccupied at onset of the flame or when the soldiers are forced to exit the vehicle to avoid inhalation of fumes or vapors. Unfortunately the valve actuation stroke is very small, on the order of two-tenth inch or less. The present invention relates to a lost-motion connection in the cable for lengthening the stroke necessary to operate the valve; this prevents inadvertant valve actuation due to vehicle vibrations or installation tolerances.

Abstract: A fluid shut-off device is provided which comprises a non-magnetic casing having a fluid passage therein, a metallic valve body movably disposed in the casing to close the passage at one operative position, and a magnetic member slidably disposed outside the casing and magnetically attracting the valve body. The magnetic member takes an inoperative position against a spring force and is locked at this position. The lock is released by a bimetallic strap deformable by supply of an electric current. When the lock is released, the magnetic member is moved by the action of the spring force, so that the valve body magnetically attracted by the magnetic member is also moved to the operative position to shut off the flow of fluid material through the passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an hydraulic actuation system for poppet valves of internal combustion engines. In substance, the system replaces the valve guide and spring assemblies of conventional mechanisms with miniature hydraulic actuators wherein the valve stem now serves as the actuator shaft and the valve guide as the actuator body. The valve actuators are remotely driven in push-pull fashion by fluid supplied by complementary cam followers. As such, interconnecting hydraulic lines replace the push rods and rocker arms of conventional valve driven mechanisms.

Abstract: A valve having a flexible diaphragm for opening and closing the valve. The diaphragm is biased into valve-closing position by a ridge, formed in the valve body, which presses the diaphragm toward the valve seat. A rigid backup washer is secured to the diaphragm solely by an elastomeric type adhesive. A bleed hole in the diaphragm establishes communication between the valve inlet port and a chamber on the side of the diaphragm opposite the valve seat. The bleed hole is in the margin of the diaphragm which is sandwiched between two portions of the valve body.

Abstract: An improved system for sensing and controlling the level of fluent material in two reservoirs when material is transferred from one reservoir to the other. In electrically conducting materials, levels are sensed by direct current conduction between electrode pairs placed in each reservoir at desired "high" and "low" control levels which send D.C. digital logic sensing signals from these four sensors over connecting wires to four high resistance input circuits of a digital signal processing circuit; in electrically nonconducting materials, levels are sensed by suitable transducers which upon immersion send D.C. digital logic sensing signals to the digital signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A butterfly valve made of a synthetic resin comprising; a valve casing, a valve plate, a valve shaft connected to said valve plate, pivoted turnably to said valve casing and having one end thereof protruding into an axial cylinder formed to protrude from said valve casing, and a rotary moving member engaged with the outer circumference of said valve shaft turnably and slidably in the axial direction, retarding the rotation of an operation handle shaft and transmitting it to said valve shaft.

Abstract: A valve assembly adapted to be emplaced upon a pipe comprises a housing having a bore extending perpendicular to the pipe to which the valve is to be connected and serving as a guide passage for a drill adapted to penetrate the pipe wall. The housing is formed with a transverse slot through which a slider can be inserted to block escape of fluid from the passage upon withdrawal of the drill. The control member is then mounted in this passage and can be used to open and close the valve which communicates with the pipe to which the valve connects via the aforementioned slot.