Abstract: An expanded-range pintle valve comprising a plurality of stages. Each stage comprises a valve seat and head capable of regulating flow through the valve over its own dynamic range. The valve head of a higher-flow stage includes the valve seat for the next-lower flow stage. The heads and seats for the multiple stages are nested concentrically, the progressively lower-flow stages having progressively smaller diameters. All valve heads except the lowest-flow head have axial and radial bores permitting flow therethrough so that flow may be regulated first by actuating the lowest-flow stage, then by actuating successively higher flow stages. A single pintle shaft connected to a solenoid actuator is adapted to engage each of the valve heads sequentially as the actuator progresses, beginning with the lowest-flow head, thereby extending incrementally the dynamic range of the valve as each stage is successively engaged.

Abstract: A spool 33 provided with a flange 39 is inserted in a spool bore 32, and a pressing force of a spring 52 is always applied through the flange 39 to the spool 33 at its one end in a second pressure chamber 35. A fluid groove 60 is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the spool bore 32 at a position near an abutment surface 51. A hydraulic fluid under the same pressure P2 as that in the second pressure chamber 35 is introduced to the fluid groove 60 through a fluid passage 61 formed in a valve body 31. When the flange 39 and the abutment surface 51 are in contact with each other, the hydraulic fluid is allowed to enter the interface between them through the fluid groove 60. A rise of the cracking pressure, which occurs upon the flange coming into tightly close contact with the abutment surface, can be prevented without reducing the strength of the flange 39, and stable opening/closing characteristics of the spool 33 can be achieved.

Abstract: A relief valve with two outlet ports increases the flow capacity of the valve when open. In an alternative embodiment, a relief valve with two outlet ports also has at least two springs stacked vertically. Alternative seal assemblies can be used with the aforementioned dual outlet port valves.

Abstract: A fertilizer and insecticide capsule attaching to an in-ground sprinkler system allowing lawn and garden chemicals to be dispensed simultaneously to a lawn or garden while watering it. Lawn and garden chemicals in tablet or liquid form can be used interchangeably with ease. This method of chemically treating a lawn or garden greatly reduces or eliminates chemical exposure to a user while dispensing chemicals onto a lawn or garden. The present invention is easy to install and use, and saves a user time by combining process of watering a lawn or garden with process of chemically treating a lawn or garden.

Abstract: An ant-pressure surge device mounted in or on a closure member (1) of a check valve to eliminate overpressure and reduce shock waves in a pipeline when the check valve closes. The anti-pressure surge device comprises a fast acting flow relieving valve having a flow path sufficient in the open position to relieve the reverse flow on closure of the check valve closure member and is designed to open when the back pressure shock wave on the downstream side of the valve approaches a predetermined value. A suitable anti-pressure surge device comprises a poppet comprising a piston portion (7) and a sealing element (7A) moveable by the back pressure shock wave against resilient disk springs (10).

Abstract: An improved non-actuated non-return valve, the valve including a non-magnetic valve body having a substantially hollow interior portion in communication with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A mechanically biased flow check assembly is positioned within the substantially hollow interior portion, the mechanically biased flow check assembly being configured to permit a gas flow from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. A first magnetic member may be provided and be in communication with the mechanically biased flow check assembly within the substantially hollow interior portion. A second magnetic member detachably positioned adjacent an exterior portion of the valve body may be provided, wherein a magnetic field of the second magnetic member is configured to impart motion to the mechanically biased flow check assembly when positioned proximate the exterior portion of the valve body.

Abstract: The fitting, in particular a safety valve, operates according to the relief principle or according to the loading principle. The fitting is opened and closed by a plurality of pilot parts. The pilot parts are connected in series in the control line of the fitting and are each actuated by a pilot valve. The pilot parts open the fitting only when all the pilot parts are in a position which opens the fitting. The fitting closes as soon as even only one of the pilot parts is in a position which closes the fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a valve/actuator plant by generating a plurality of independent correcting control signals each responsive to a plurality of respective input signals and at least one of these input signals being the set point signal. The plurality of independent correcting control signals includes a pneumatic flow signal. The correcting control signals may be derived from all linear control signals, all non-linear control signals, or a combination of linear control signals and non-linear control signals.

Abstract: A pilot operated pressure valve which limits the rate of start-up pressure rise (“soft start-up”) and substantially eliminates excessive system pressure spikes. The valve includes an inlet, a hollow cylindrical main body sealingly connected at one end thereof to the inlet, a pilot chamber having a sleeve slidably mounted within the main body and an operating pressure adjustment connected to another end of the main body adjacent another end of the pilot chamber for varying the threshold operating pressure of the valve. A main chamber receives pressurized fluid metered through a main orifice and discharges pressurized fluid through a damping orifice when the main chamber is filled and fluid inlet pressure exceeds the inlet threshold pressure which is just sufficient to open a spring biased pilot ball downstream of the damping orifice.

Abstract: A valve for a fuel delivery unit has a counterholder pressed into a housing. A spring is supported on the counterholder and is intended for prestressing a closing part against a valve seat. The valve according to the invention can be fitted in a particularly simple manner.

Abstract: A valve seat structure is secured to an outlet end of a passing pipe installed in an exhaust muffler. The valve seat structure includes a flat seat surface portion which extends around the outlet end of the passing pipe. A valve plate structure is pivotally connected to the valve seat structure. The valve plate structure includes a valve plate portion and a flat sealing portion which forms a peripheral part of the valve plate portion. The valve plate structure has a close position wherein the valve plate portion closes the outlet end of the passing pipe having the flat sealing portion entirely pressed against the flat seat surface of the valve seat structure and an open position wherein the valve plate portion opens the outlet end of the passing pipe having the flat sealing portion separated from the flat seat surface. A biasing structure biases the valve plate structure to assume the close position.

Abstract: A pressure valve device for a gas pressure cartridge has a pressure valve, a container connected to the pressure valve and a clip connected to the pressure valve. The pressure valve has an exhaust port and a gas inlet with a crewing portion. The container in which a gas cartridge is retained has a screwing opening screwed onto the screwing portion of the gas inlet. When the container is screwed onto the screwing portion, gas from the gas cartridge is input to the gas inlet. The pressure valve outputs a fixed gas pressure through the exhaust port into the compressed air gun. In addition, the clip on the pressure valve makes carrying the pressure valve device on a belt or the like easy.

Abstract: A contamination-free pyrovalve having first tubing section and a second tubing section. The first and second tubing sections are disposed in spaced-apart relation such that a conveying path between the first and second tubing section is established. An opening is disposed between the first and second tubing sections. A valve body is fixedly attached to the first and second tubing sections. The valve body has a bore. A ram is disposed inside the bore of the valve body. A slug is disposed in the opening between the first tubing section and the second tubing section. The slug is held in position by a frictional fit. A combustion chamber is disposed in operative relation to the ram such that when an explosive material is ignited the pressure inside the chamber causes the ram to move through the bore to strike the slug and to displace it from the opening between the first and second tubing sections such that the valve is opened.

Abstract: A control valve system having a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and an exhaust. A first passage extends between the inlet and the outlet and a second passage extends between the outlet and the exhaust. The control valve system includes a first valve disposed within the first passage. The first valve is movable between a closed position and an opened position. Similarly, the control valve system includes a second valve disposed within the second passage. The second valve is movable between a closed position and an opened position. Furthermore, the control valve system includes a regulator circuit operably coupled to the housing, which outputs a pilot pressure in response to an inlet pressure. An actuating member is slidably disposed within the housing and moveable in response to a pressure differential between the outlet and the pilot pressure. The actuating member independently actuates the first valve and the second valve to provide a quick pressure and exhaust feature.

Abstract: A planar pressure transducer is disclosed which is useful for interposing between living tissue and a medical device that applies pressure to the tissue in order to estimate the pressure applied to a selected area of the tissue. The planar pressure transducer comprises a pair of opposed plates between which the proximal ends of optical fibers and a deformable polymer structure are disposed. When the plates are subjected to a pressure acting normally to the plane of the plates an optical signal is obtained via the distal ends of the fibers and related to the pressure acting on the plates.

Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an apparatus for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine has an externally controllable actuation device and a valve part, which cooperates with this actuation device. In order to determine the injection parameters, this valve part controls pressure fluid connections between at least one high pressure-carrying conduit and a low pressure-carrying conduit. The valve part has at least two valve seats in order to produce a multi-stage injection event. These are controlled by separate valve members, which are guided so that they can move in relation to each other and can be actuated in the same direction. Multi-stage injection events can consequently be produced by means of a single triggering of the actuation device. This reduces the triggering frequency and therefore reduces the heat generation of the actuation device.

Abstract: A valve assembly mounted in a resealable/reclosable storage bag. The valve assembly includes a base and a valve element. The valve element includes a stem with a convex cap attached at one end and a valve gate attached at the opposite end. The stem extends into a hole in the base. The resilient quality of the cap, acting against the top of the base, holds the gate against the bottom of the base, thereby forming a seal between the gate and the base that is strong enough to preserve the vacuum inside the bag. A cavity extends into the stem from the cap end. A hole in the stem runs from the cavity to outside the stem. When the stem is pressed down, a vacuum source may draw air between the gate and the base, through the hole in the stem, into the cavity, and subsequently outside the bag.

Abstract: A skin evaluation apparatus and method for rapidly assessing the degree of erythema of the skin and the skin's response to blanching. The apparatus includes a housing comprising a probe head having an emitter and sensor and a blanching edge. The emitter consists of bundles of optical fibers by means of which light from LEDs is delivered to and recovered from the skin. In use, the probe head is held flush with the skin surface causing the blanching edge to indent a fixed area of skin causing a local blanche. As the probe head is moved, the blanching edge slides along the skin surface evacuating blood as it moves. During the blanche, the LEDs are switched on and the scattered signal collected using a photodiode. A processor measures the attenuation of scattered light and gives a display of blood content against time, providing an indication of the blood circulation in that area.

Abstract: An apparatus imparts movement to a fluid dispersing nozzle with a mechanism for converting rotational movement about an axis of rotation into orbital movement about the axis of rotation, and an elongate orbital member is connectable to the mechanism at one end and is connectable to a fluid nozzle at an opposite end from the mechanism. The orbital member provides orbiting movement of the opposite end in response to rotation of the mechanism about the rotational axis, and provides stationary centered positioning of the opposite end in response to a non-rotating mechanism.

Abstract: A pool cover system including a pool cover collecting drum supported for rotation on its ends and a drive gear connected to the drum by a drive shaft. A power gear is operably connected to a portable electric drill by a power shaft, engaging the drive gear. Upon activation of the drill, the collecting drum rotates retracting the pool cover. A complementary apparatus on the same side of the pool, such as a rope reel collecting apparatus having an engageable drive gear and a drive shaft connected to a reel, extends the pool cover over the pool by pulling on a rope attached to a rigid end of the pool cover. The pool cover is extended and retracted with the sides sliding in one channel of a dual channel track, allowing the cover to serve as a safety cover.