Abstract: A valve assembly for insertion in a line formed by an existing pipe of predetermined outside diameter containing fluid under pressure includes a valve body with a bonnet-supporting flange that defines an access way into the valve body through which an installer can cut and remove a section of the existing pipe. A bonnet with a moveable gate having a width no less than the predetermined outside diameter of the pipe, includes a flange-mating portion that fits into the access way in a fluid-tight fit while defining a gate opening through which the gate moves into the valve body to a closed position in which the gate extends through the gate-receiving gap in the pipe and into fluid-tight engagement of the valve body.

Abstract: A gas control assembly for controlling supply of fuel gas to a gas burner. The assembly includes a housing having an elongate body with a longitudinally extending gas flow passage, an inlet into the passage for gas communication with a manifold, and an outlet from the passage for directing a regulated flow of gas from the manifold to the burner. A safety valve is mounted in a valve chamber, within the gas flow passage, an is operable to control flow of gas through the gas flow passage from the inlet toward the outlet. An actuating member is mounted in the passage for guided movement along the passage to operate the valve. A regulator valve is mounted in a further valve chamber in the body and is operable to regulate flow of gas to the outlet. The regulator valve lies in a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the gas flow passage.

Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant has a normally horizontal fluid inlet tube with an interior end and exterior end. A hollow valve fitting is rigidly secured to the interior end of the inlet tube for a connection to a source of pressurized fluid. A valve seat is located on an interior end of the valve fitting. An elongated hollow tube of a diameter less than the interior diameter of the inlet tube is positioned on the center line of the inlet tube and has inner and outer ends. A plug is rigidly secured to the inner end of the tube to close the inner end for fluid flow. A normally closed check valve is movably mounted in the tube to engage a valve seat on the plug, to open the tube for fluid therein under conditions of high fluid pressure in the inlet tube.

Abstract: A ballcock valve with a valve body mounted on a tubular riser with a valve seat which passes water from the riser. The valve body includes a base and a removable cap which enclose valve workings. A screen body passed through the valve seat has a central passage and openings to the passage that exclude particulate solids. A flow control is fitted to the screen body. The combined screen body and flow control is upstream from the valve seat. Preferably a retainer releasably holds the screen body against axial movement when installed.

Abstract: An improved pilot guard for controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to both a pilot burner and a main burner, the pilot valve comprising a housing having an inlet port, a pilot port and a main burner port; a bore extending through the housing between the pilot port and main burner port; a stop shuttle normally biased to a seated position in which it blocks communication between the inlet port and the bore; a reset shuttle positioned in the bore for lifting the stop shuttle from its seated position, the reset shuttle supporting a sealing member for sealing the inlet port from the main burner port but permitting communication between the inlet port and the pilot port when the reset shuttle lifts the stop shuttle from its seated position; a thermocouple capable of generating a current from the heat of the pilot burner; an electromagnet connected to the thermocouple and capable, when fully energized, of holding the stop shuttle from moving to its seated position; wherein the reset shuttle is movable by the force of

Abstract: An automatic water freeze prevention device having a first valve, second valve and third valve that cooperate to fill or drain a water utilization device according to pre-selected temperature conditions. These three valves are driven to their respective open/closed positions by an electrical power sending device that is, in turn, actuated by a temperature setting device that is associated with a temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A water flushing unit and a method of making such comprising a cover plate that is to be mountingly installed to replace the original equipment cover plate of a shower valve. The modified cover plate has a drain conduit which includes an on/off valve. The on/off valve is in turn connected to a flexible tube. Flushing water from the shower valve is to be confined and directed through the drain pipe and, with the on/off valve in an open position, is caused to flow through the drain tube.

Abstract: A tapping valve having a housing which can be electrically welded to a pipe and which includes a connection piece (2) with a drill (24) therein for drilling the pipe. The connection piece has an inner surface (34). The drill or a bushing (70) in which the drill can be moved axially by a threaded connection (74, 76; 80, 82) is provided with an external thread which engages the inner surface of the connection piece. Inner surface (34) is constructed such that it is initially cylindrical adjacent the external thread (32) and an inner thread can be formed in the inner surface (34) using the external thread (32) by rotating the drill (24) or the thread (70) in an axially forward direction (30). The tapping valve is easy to manufacture and yet offers a high degree of functional reliability.

Abstract: The fill valve incorporates a housing (8) that has a vertical water-carrying channel (24) that leads from an inlet (49) to be fastened on the flush tank bottom (2) to a float-controlled diaphragm valve (50). The diaphragm valve (50) incorporates in a diaphragm (43) a passage for the pressure equalization between a first chamber (51) in front of the diaphragm (43) and a second chamber (52) behind the diaphragm (43). To actuate the diaphragm valve (50) a pilot valve (58) is provided. The diaphragm valve (50) is disposed laterally on the housing (8), thus permitting a low overall height.

Abstract: Couplers for joining actuators to valves are configured to allow their affixment to different makes and models of actuators and valves, thereby allowing an off-the-shelf S coupling solution and avoiding the need to specially construct a coupler which is only adapted to connect whatever valve and actuator that are desired for coupling. The couplers include a shaft/stem bore which accommodates the torque-transmitting components of the valve and actuator to be coupled, and sets of affixment holes surround the shaft/stem bore, with these affixment holes being arrayed in patterns matching those of different common valves and actuators. Thus, a coupler may affix to different valves or actuators provided the appropriate affixment holes are chosen. The couplers may be formed as single-piece or multi-piece units.

Abstract: A combination junction provides a fluid, electrical-power and control-signal connections. A combination tap comprises a flow probe that pierces a main conduit when it is attached to it. It thereby provides fluid communication between a tap conduit and the main conduit. The combination tap also includes one or more tap electrical conductors to tap electrical conductors embedded in the main-conduit wall.

Abstract: Pipeline stopping tools for use in temporarily stopping flow in a pipeline have features for centering a conduit or cable within the pipeline. The conduit or cable is guided into a recess, to avoid damage as the pipeline is squeezed closed. Alternative pipeline stopping stools have features for sealing against both the inside walls of the pipeline and against the cable. In a first tool, a linkage on a handle drives seal lips on a seal ring to engage around and seal against the cable in the pipeline, while the outer edges of the seal ring seal against the inside walls of the pipeline. The linkage includes jaws which force the seal lips against the cable. In a second tool, a resilient seal is attached over a center plate and side plates pivotably attached to the center plate. A linkage drives the center plates from an open to a closed position. A cable recess in the seal ring seals against the cable while the outside edges of the seal ring seal against the pipeline.

Abstract: A multiport valve having a valve body and a controllable opening in a surface is provided. An activation element is also disclosed which is controllably attached to a sealing element in communication with the surface. An elastomer membrane is provided about the activation element and in contact with the sealing element. The activation element selectively elevates the sealing element from a valve seat. Additional multiport valve embodiments are also disclosed including a toggle to regulate multiple valve seats.

Abstract: A self-piercing radiator drain valve which is implemented in a radiator requiring the coolant therein to be drained, particularly a radiator having no integrated drain valve. A radiator foot has a blind bore. A self-piercing valve body including a piercing tip and a resilient seal is threadingly driven into the blind bore to cause the piercing tip to penetrate the bore end wall and enter into a coolant reservoir tank, thereby providing a valve orifice for draining the tank. The seal provides coolant tight sealing with respect to the valve orifice for the remaining life of the radiator. At any time in the future, coolant draining and refilling can again be performed by unthreading and then rethreading the self-piercing valve with respect to the blind bore, as recounted.

Abstract: A method of introducing a fiber optic conduit into a pressurized gas pipeline includes the step of introducing a translating member into the pressurized gas pipeline via an entry port in a first drilling nipple attached to the pressurized gas pipeline. Tools are deployed within a first pressure lock housing attached to the first drilling nipple by using a first manipulator located in the first air lock housing. The duct rod is advanced within pressurized gas pipeline by a driving mechanism, until a second drilling nipple is reached. The translating member is attached to a fiber optic conduit. The duct rod and fiber optic conduit are then pulled back or pulled forward through the pressurized gas pipeline by the driving mechanism. A conduit is installed in a gas service line, to line the cable or conduit in a natural gas main pipeline to a telecommunications panel in a building.

Abstract: The solenoid valve comprises a duct having an inlet opening and an outlet opening through which the fluid can pass substantially without changing direction, a valve seat within the duct, a closure member movable between a closure position and a fully-open position, and electromagnetic means for acting on the closure member in order to move it to any position between the closure position and the open position in dependence on an electrical control quantity. The electromagnet means comprise a core of ferromagnetic material, fixed firmly to the closure member and movable substantially along the same axis as the fluid, and a solenoid for generating a force on the ferromagnetic core along the same axis. A second closure member, movable along the same axis, may be provided in order to provide a solenoid valve with a double seal. The solenoid valve described is less bulky and expensive than known solenoid valves because it does not require a metal housing body.

Abstract: A compact fuel control valve is presented where a hydraulic manifold is used as both a valve bonnet and an actuator seat for the valve actuator. The valve body has a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet and a metering plug opening. A metering plug guide mounted within the metering plug opening and attached to the hydraulic manifold forms a thermal barrier between the valve body and the hydraulic manifold to protect lower temperature components from high temperature gaseous fluids. A valve metering plug is directly coupled to the valve actuator piston. The hydraulic manifold maintains barriers between the hydraulics and the gaseous fuel with redundant seals and leakage paths. An intermediate vent within the hydraulic manifold routed to atmosphere further maintains physical separation of the gas and hydraulic system.

Abstract: A directional-control valve is connectable to a first main pipe and to a secondary pipe. The valve includes an upstream port and a downstream port connectable to the first main pipe and having identical diameters. A third connection port is connectable to the secondary pipe. A shut-off member is capable of moving at right angles to the main pipe between a closed position and a second open position. In the closed position, the shut-off member includes a first orifice, of a diameter identical to that of the upstream port and downstream port, positioned in line with the upstream port and the downstream port.

Abstract: A pressure regulator having a valve cartridge adapted to be removably held within its housing, said cartridge having a frame carrying and positioning a valve seat, a valve member, a valve stem, and a spring. The valve cartridge ensures correct spacing between the valve member and the valve seat. Difficulties in pressure regulation may be quickly rectified and pressure flow characteristics may be altered by removing and replacing the valve cartridge. Another aspect of the invention discloses a multiple pressure regulator comprising: a housing adapted to removably house two valve cartridges; an inlet opening into the housing; an outlet opening from the housing; and two valve cartridges adapted to be removably held within the housing. Each of said cartridges similar to those described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow control apparatus and method. In accordance with the present invention, the flow control apparatus comprises a thermostat that automatically actuates valve to enable water to flow through the valve when the temperature of the air or water is at or near the freezing temperature of water (32° F.). When the temperature of the air or water rises above freezing, the thermostat causes the valve to close, thereby preventing water from flowing through the valve. Therefore, when the apparatus is coupled to an end of a water conduit, such as a water spigot or hose, water is allowed to flow through the conduit when the air or water temperature is at or near freezing to prevent the conduit from bursting due to water freezing and expanding within the conduit.