Abstract: The check valve (12, 14) of the present invention is a ball-type valve that incorporates multiple annular valve seats (34, 38) of progressively smaller diameters for the specific purpose of providing a series of effective annular valve seats as the larger annular valve seats progressively deteriorate, and as the ball valve elements (24) wear away (decrease in diameter) from use, for example, as abrasive slurry is pumped through the check valves and through the fluid pump. Each of the annular valve seats (34, 38) comprises a flexible or otherwise deformable annular lip defined by a cylindrical section having an annular groove (36, 40) formed therein slightly outboard of the cylindrical section, such that the cylindrical section may deform slightly outwardly into the annular groove, thereby effecting an improved functional sealing engagement with the ball valve element (24) as the tip of the cylindrical section deforms outwardly into the annular groove.

Abstract: Resilient attachment members interconnect a pair of flat plates of a movement detector pad and are preferably disposed in the corners of these flat plates. A piezoelectric transducer is disposed centrally between the plates to generate signals when the plates move with respect to one another. In one embodiment the resilient attachment members each have a connector pin which is connected to one of the plates and extends into a pin receiving hollow node formed in the other plates and projecting above an inner surface of the other plate. The end of the connector pin has lateral projections to engage within the node when both plates are spaced apart a predetermined distance by the pressure of helical springs which are disposed about each pin and its associated node. During movement of the pin within the node the pin is in substantially friction free movement whereby not to corrupt the movement signal generated by the piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant by-pass valve prevents an unauthorized user from tampering with the valve when it is in the closed position to block gas flow to a meter being replaced or repaired.

Abstract: Valve (1) with a through-going axial bore (4), a first spindle (5) axially displaceable in the bore (4), an elastic/flexible seal (10) placed at the one end surface (6) of the first spindle (5), at least two hollow connection branches (7, 8), each of which connects the valve to an outer coupling, said first spindle (5) in a first position forming a first annular sealing surface (9) between the outer surface of the seal (10) and the inner bottom (11) of the valve body which contains the outlet opening (29), and where the first spindle (5) lies coaxially inside a second axially displaceable and hollow spindle (12) lying in the bore (4), the end surface of which or parts thereof (13) form a second annular sealing surface (14) between the outer surface of the seal (10) and the inner bottom (11) of the valve body at a second position radially from the first annular sealing surface (9).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a safety hose system. In one embodiment, the process of the present invention comprises the steps of positioning the inside hose with the outside hose; inserting first and second pre-mold inserts about the first and second end portions of the inside hose; attaching the first and second connectors to the first and second end portions of the inside hose to form first and second crimped portions, respectively; applying an adhesive to the first and second crimped portions; inserting the first and second crimped portions into the connector inlet portions of the first and second pre-mold inserts, respectively; inserting the drain hose into the drain hose inlet portion of the first pre-mold insert; molding a first end-cap member to the first end portion of the outside hose, the first pre-mold insert, and the drain hose; and molding a second end-cap member to the second end portion of the outside hose and the second pre-mold insert.

Abstract: A modular gas control device for use with a compressed gas cylinder (111) comprises a primary module (152) and a secondary module (252) mounted on the primary module. The primary module comprises a first supporting body (154) having a first main gas flow path (155) through the body. The supporting body has input connecting means (156) for mounting the body on the cylinder (111) and connecting the gas flow path (155) to communicate with the gas cylinder through a first flow path (157). Pressure reducing means (166) provides gas in the flow path at a lower pressure than in the container. Output connecting means (170) downstream of the pressure reducing means provides a low pressure outlet from the main gas flow path. A high pressure shut-off valve (164) is positioned upstream of the pressure reducing means, and filling means (161, 160) allows filling of the cylinder with compressed gas through the input connecting means (156) along a second flow path (159) separate from the input flow path (157).

Abstract: A portable wash water containment apparatus having a flat ground cover portion surrounded by an integral berm formed from the ground cover material, said berm defines the area of the apparatus in which contaminated are contained. Dual ramp assemblies are provided to allow ingress and egress from the containment mat without damaging the berm or ground cover portions. A pump system is included to provide oil/water separation before discharging waste water into a sewer system. The containment mat may also be equipped with electrical heating elements to facilitate use in extreme cold temperatures.

Abstract: A tensile load is applied to a sensor element that will carry the tensile load in the absence of a substance and will fail to carry the tensile load in the presence of the substance. The sensor element is disposed in a flow of fluid, and a flow control member is actuated to shut off the flow of fluid when the sensor element fails to carry the tensile load. In a preferred implementation, a hydrocarbon sensing valve includes a polystyrene sensor element suspending the flow control member above a valve seat. The sensor element is disposed in a cavity in the top of the flow control member, and a channel member directs fluid from the inlet port to the cavity. The sensor element is pinned to the channel member, and the flow control member is pinned to the sensor element.

Abstract: A liquid transfer system that includes a valve and coupler assembly of unique design for use in extracting hazardous fluids from a transport container. The system includes a novel valve and coupler assembly that is of a simple design and is uniquely constructed from a corrosive resistant plastic that is substantially impervious to most corrosive liquids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid based on the fluid weight. A container is provided between a fluid source and a fluid removal system. A valve is arranged between the fluid source and the container, to control the admitting of fluid into the container from the source, and removal of fluid from the container by the removal system. The valve is controlled by a weight-responsive mechanism, which detects a change in weight of the container due to the admitting and removal of fluid, and opens or closes the valve accordingly. A flow rate of the fluid may be determined in terms of a time period between the closing and subsequent opening of the valve.

Abstract: A method and system for treating crude oil to improve its flowability includes operating an internal combustion engine to produce exhaust gas, reducing the temperature of the exhaust gas, injecting cooled exhaust gas into a separator in which water is extracted to provide dry exhaust gas, pumping crude oil at an elevated pressure into a treatment vessel, compressing the dry exhaust gas to provide pressurized exhaust gas that is introduced into the treatment vessel and intimately mixing the crude oil and the pressurized exhaust gas in the treatment vessel to provide treated crude oil having a substantial portion of the exhaust gas absorbed therein to thereby provide crude oil having improved flowability.

Abstract: A temporary ball valve support structure is utilized to apply pressure to the ball in a ball valve so that a seal is maintained between the ball and the upstream seal member in the ball valve to prevent fluid from leaking from the valve while the valve is being serviced. The temporary ball valve support allows a downstream seal member and the ball valve retainer housing assembly to be removed. This allows the outer seal and retainer to be replaced and/or serviced without allowing fluid to escape from the tank or pipe. First and second ball support members are alternately used to force the ball member against the upstream seal member.

Abstract: A hot tapping tool having a stationary tubular member threadedly engaged to a movable tubular member adapted for rotational and axial movement with respect to the stationary member with said movable tubular member operably connected to a shaft having cutter head and causing said shaft to move axially toward and away from a pipe line to be cut.

Abstract: A leak identification and containment device (10, 48, 64) is provided which is designed for application to a valve assembly (12) including a conduit (16) and a valve (18) having an operating handle (20) and an outlet (22). The device (10, 48, 64) includes a flexible bag (24, 50, 66) formed of synthetic resin material which is at least translucent (and preferably substantially transparent) with a valve-receiving opening (30, 52) and an absorbent lining (34) on the inner surfaces of the bag (24, 50, 66). In use, the bag (24, 50, 66) is disposed over the valve assembly (12) including handle (20) and outlet (22) and a cinch strap (34, 54) is used to tighten the bag (24, 50, 66) about the conduit (16). The absorbent lining (34) is of a color which contrasts with that of material which may leak from the valve assembly (12), so that the device (10, 48, 64) gives a visual indication of leakage.

Abstract: A two-way valve is disclosed comprising at least two lateral openings which can be shut off by a piston provided with an axial orifice for the passage of gas, which piston slides axially in the casing between a position in which the openings are shut off under the influence of a spring and an open position counter to the action of the spring under the influence of the pressure of the filling gas, and a level valve activated by a float at the bottom of the casing. In order to prevent pressure from building up inside the casing after closure, the latter is provided with vent orifices. A seal member is arranged on the piston to cover or uncover the vent orifices.

Abstract: A fitting including a housing (2), a rotatable body (4) which is situated in the housing and which may advantageously be constructed in the form of a conical plug, a bushing (18) provided in the housing to floatingly mount and seal the rotatable body (4), a cover (14) connected to the housing (2), a shaft (12) coupled with the rotatable body (4) and extended out through the cover (14), and at least one sealing element (30, 44) associated with the shaft (12). The fitting is configured in such a way that the bushing (18), the at least one sealing element (30, 44), and the cover (14) can be positioned and mounted centrally and free from transverse forces in relation to the axis (10) of the floatingly mounted rotatable body (4).

Abstract: The flushing apparatus comprises a reservoir for storing liquid, the reservoir having an outlet end movable between a raised position where liquid accumulates in the reservoir, and a down position where liquid stored in the reservoir is flushed out; a counterweight for producing an effect of urging the outlet end of reservoir toward the raised position; a reservoir ballast for cancelling the effect of the counterweight when the liquid stored therein reaches a predetermined amount; a channel for channelling a liquid into an inlet of the ballast when the outlet end of the reservoir is in the raised position; and a means for preventing an overflow of the outlet end of the reservoir. There is also provided a method for flushing liquid.

Abstract: The seal assembly is disclosed for use with a valve having a trim cage with an inner surface extending along in axis and a plug sized to fit inside the trim cage inner surface, wherein the plug is adapted to move along the axis thereof. A seal ring is attached to an upstream portion of the cage to effectuate a seal with the plug. The plug is equipped with a wiper seal that cleans or otherwise removes debris from the seating surface of the seal ring, an interior surface of the seal ring and an interior surface of the cage during both the opening and the closing of the valve. Thus, the valve is self-cleaning. Further, the wiper seal delays throttling action through the valve until the plug has moved a substantial distance away from the seating surface of the seal ring which reduces high pressure abrasive flow against the seating surface of the seal ring to reduce wear on the trim set.

Abstract: A device and method for collecting distension media or other fluids discharged during surgical procedures is shown. Also shown is a method for reducing the risk of hyponatremia. The apparatus makes it practical to determine the amount of distension media retained by a patient during hysteroscopic or other surgical procedures, particularly procedures using non-isotonic distension media during monopolar electrosurgery. The apparatus and methods are also useful during a variety of laparoscopic, obstetric, cardiovascular, liposuction, plastic, orthopedic, restorative, and other procedures.

Abstract: The present invention is a control arrangement that includes a detent assist assembly for assisting a detent arrangement in holding a control device in a predetermined position. Additionally, the detent assist assembly serves as an actuator for a control valve operative with the control device. Further, the detent assist assembly provides tactile feedback to an operator through the control device. The present invention is a simple and efficient device for providing a detent assist with tactile feedback.