Abstract: A fluid mass flow control apparatus, particularly adapted for use in controlling fluid flow to semiconductor fabrication processes, comprises a tubular body part having inlet and outlet fittings and a bore extending therethrough and supporting a valve seat in the bore. A closure member is connected to an arm which extends laterally through a tubular spigot portion of the body part. The body part has a reduced thickness wall at the spigot portion to allow elastic deflection of the wall and movement of the arm to control the position of the closure member. An elongated tube or rod actuator on which a resistance heating coil is supported is operably connected to a control system for heating the actuator to move the arm to control flow of fluid through the apparatus. A flow restrictor is mounted upstream of the valve seat and a mass flow sensor is in communication with the passage to provide a mass flow rate signal to the control system.

Abstract: A check valve is provided for stopping the reverse flow of fluid through a fluid-carrying conduit and includes a fluid dampening device to dampen the closing movement of the valve upon flow reversal. The fluid dampening device includes a member for containing a fluid that becomes compressed upon a reverse flow of fluid through a conduit that houses the check valve. As the check valve is forced by a reverse fluid flow in a reverse direction, fluid in the fluid dampening device becomes compressed and is permitted to slowly seep out of the fluid dampening device via fluid passageways that permit only the slow escape of fluid from a compressed fluid chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressure feedback circuit for use with a vacuum pressure control circuit. The pressure feedback circuit detects the occurrence of, and controls the generation of vacuum pressure under, External Override Conditions (“EOCs”). During EOCs, which typically include emergency stop conditions or loss of electrical power to the vacuum pressure circuit, the pressure feedback circuit senses the condition of the output vacuum pressure port and supplies feedback to the vacuum pressure control circuit thereby maintaining the last output state of the vacuum pressure control circuit.

Abstract: The fluid flow check valve uses a flexure plate or plates to accommodate the valve disk's axial motion required to open and close the valve. The flexure plate also limits the disk's motion in any lateral direction, so the valve disk will align properly with the valve seat and seal when it closes. The flexure plate is a flat, axial spring, made by cutting or otherwise manufacturing spiral cuts in a round, sheet metal disk. Valve qualities such as closing force, size and rigidity to lateral disk motion can be modified by varying the number and configuration of the plates, and by modifying plate characteristics. The compactness of the flexural plate design allows for a shorter valve length and cost as well as increased opportunity for flow optimization.

Abstract: A check valve apparatus, usable in a double check valve backflow preventer apparatus, comprising a valve seat, a clapper pivotally coupled to the valve seat, a seal positioned to sealingly engage the clapper and valve seat when the clapper is closed against the seat, and a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism includes a first linkage element pivotally associated with the valve seat at a first pivot point located upstream from the seal, a second linkage element which is pivotally coupled to the first linkage element at a second pivot point, and which is pivotally associated with the clapper at a third pivot point, and a bias element associated with at least one of the linkage elements and configured to exert a closure force on the clapper.

Abstract: A poppet-type check valve for controlling fluid flow including a valve housing having an interior and first and second ports therein communicating with the interior of said valve housing for permitting fluid flow from an upstream side to a downstream side thereof and at least one valve assembly disposed within the interior of the valve housing for controlling the fluid flow therethrough. The valve assembly includes a valve seat positioned in the interior of the valve housing, and a seal retainer positioned in the interior of the valve housing downstream from the valve seat and mounted on a stem. The seal retainer and the stem are axially moveable away from the valve seat in response to fluid flow in a downstream direction, axially moveable toward the valve seat in response to fluid flow in an upstream direction, and in sealing engagement against the valve seat in the absence of fluid flow.

Abstract: The pressure regulating valve (2) proposed here can be designed with the aid of the outflow throttle restriction (28) downstream of the valve seat (22) in such a way that the pressure regulating valve (2), as the fluid flow becomes greater, sets or adjusts a smaller pressure difference at the pressure regulating valve (2), as a result of which the line losses that can never be avoided can be compensated for. The pressure regulating valve is suitable in particular for a fuel supply system of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An MFC controlling device automation method and related system. The method mainly comprises the steps of automatically controlled algorithmic obtaining of MFC open loop system parameters by an identification technique; automatically controlled algorithmic determining of PI control parameters by a dominant pole-placement method; and automatically controlled calculating of a fuzzy logic rule table. The steps form an automatically controlled single closed loop. By performing said steps, multiple PI control parameter sets are obtainable fast and in an automatic way, and a calculation is done to form a refined fuzzy rule data table, so that a greatly enhanced MFC reaction function is attained.

Abstract: A switchable flap valve having at least one valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) disposed for pivoting about a longitudinal axis in a housing part (1) for opening or closing a valve opening (11) provided in the housing part (1) in which a strip element (4, 4a, 4b) is formed on the upper side of the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve plate. The surface of the strip element (4, 4a) is inclined toward an adjacent housing wall (20) or toward a second strip (4b) and forms a hollow channel with the housing wall (20) or with the strip (4b). The free longitudinal edge (18) of the strip (4, 4a, 4b) is held in a latch mechanism (7, 8) to maintain the valve plate (2, 2a, 2b) in the closed position.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a patient support having a mattress including a bladder comprises an interior housing formed to include a supply chamber, an exhaust chamber, a plenum, and an exterior housing surrounding the interior housing. A supply valve and an exhaust valve are located in the interior housing and connect the supply chamber and the exhaust chamber, respectively, to the plenum. A supply solenoid and an exhaust solenoid are coupled to the interior housing and covered by the exterior housing. The supply solenoid and the exhaust solenoid are coupled to the supply and exhaust valves respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for regenerating an etchant solution comprising metal compounds. When a sample of the etchant solution is determined to be of lower etching ability than a predetermined criteria as a result of the monitoring and analyzing three colors(red, green, and blue) of the etchant with color sensors in association with a microprocessor, the etchant solution is reoxidized by the addition of a suitable additive solution. The apparatus and method can regenerate spent etchant solutions containing heavy metals in a semi-permanent manner within the module device without wasting a portion of them, so that, in addition to producing no pollution of the environment, it is economically very favorable with an increase in overall etching efficiency.

Abstract: A fail-safe HVAC damper apparatus comprises a duct channel with a closure comprising one or more quadri-panel hinged elements, each with four panels connected by four parallel hinge pins. A gear shaft with a toothed gear is controllably rotated to linearly drive a spring-biased plate to move one of the hinge pins of each quadri-panel element between an open and a closed position. A damper may use blades of different sizes and be driven to begin an opening and/or closing action sequentially and/or very gradually. A drive motor may be activated to open or close the closure, e.g. by a smoke detector or other controller. Melting of a fuse in the duct channel serves to disengage a gear from a gear shaft, enabling a spring mounted plate to move the hinged elements to a default closed (or alternative open) safety position. Various gear shaft and gear structures are shown.

Abstract: A flame-retardant pressure equalizing valve contains a valve body that is guided in a housing. Under the influence of excess pressure, the valve body is displaceable from a closing position into a blow-off position. The housing and the valve body form a first closure and, in a series therewith, a second closure. The surface of the second closure projected in the opening direction is larger than the surface of the first closure projected in the opening direction and the first closure opens during opening before the second closure, so that, during opening, the excess pressure acts on an enlarged surface and the valve is opened promptly. The second closure is spaced from the first closure in opening direction. As a result, a better closing behavior and an increased outlet velocity of the outflowing gas are obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-return valve, which is situated at the end of a plasticizing and injection screw to control the flow of plastic melt from the region of the screw channels of the plasticizing and injection screw to the region of the space in front of the screw of a preplasticizing cylinder, where the plasticizing and injection screw is situated, the non-return valve having a basic body, which is rigidly connected to the plasticizing and injection screw, and an outside part, which can move translationally and preferably also rotationally relative to the basic body, so as to allow the flow of plastic melt in a first position and block the flow of plastic melt in a second position.

Abstract: A flow regulation control valve for regulating volume flows in pipelines including valve housing with a flow chamber, a control or shut-off member arranged in the flow chamber for setting a desired flow state through the valve, at least one sensor arranged in the vicinity of the flow chamber of the valve housing for sensing a characteristic value of the flow through the flow chamber, an electronic data store or memory for storing specific characteristic values of the housing of the flow regulation control valve, and an evaluation unit which is connected to the sensor and determines the volume flow from the values measured by the sensor with reference to the characteristic values of the valve stored in the data store.

Abstract: A system for controlling with safety the transfer or control of high pressure fluids from a container for use as to an inflatable escape slide. The pressurized container houses valve mechanisms such as a first and second valve mechanism, with the first valve mechanism controlling by actuation the on off flow of high pressure fluids to the second valve mechanism. The second valve mechanism controls the rate of flow by reducing the pressure for delivery to the inflatable escape slide. A safety valve operates in conjunction with the first valve mechanism and upon breaking of the valve mechanisms from the pressurized container to prevent the contents of the pressurized container from rapid escape or uncontrolled release.

Abstract: An improved fluid flow valve (10) for a fluid flow control system. The flow valve (10) includes a flow-regulating assembly (40) having a housing (44) having a piston bore (15) within which is slideably disposed a piston-like member (42). The piston-like member (42) has a primary flow passage (52) and at least one secondary flow passage (54) formed therein. A first portion (42a) of the pistonlike member (42) is configured for mating with a seat (46) of the housing (44), and a resilient member (48) biases the piston-like member (42) away from the seat (46). When at least a predetermined fluid pressure differential exists, the first portion (42a) mates with the seat (46) and causes the at least one secondary flow passage (54) to be at least substantially closed such that fluid can substantially flow only through the primary flow passage (52).

Abstract: An inline check valve having a piston member and a seat in a valve body having a larger diameter at the end thereof away from the piston. The seat is retained within a groove by a seat retainer which prevents removal of the seat from the groove without deformation of the seat.

Abstract: A valve includes a bobbin/valve body, a solenoid and a plunger. The bobbin/valve body is formed in one piece, defines all of the valve's inlet/outlet ports and forms the entire support structure for the solenoid and the plunger. To assemble the valve, a plunger body is inserted into the bobbin/valve body through an end opening into a longitudinal bore and a spring positioned to bias the plunger body to a normally closed position. A pole piece is then inserted through the end opening into the longitudinal bore and attached to the bobbin/valve body. A solenoid coil is wound around a central cylindrical section of the bobbin/valve body, and terminal pins and a flux conductor are attached to the bobbin/valve body. The attachment of the pole piece, the terminal pins, and/or the flux conductor may be accomplished by press-fit and/or swage coupling techniques.

Abstract: A directional control apparatus for a solenoid valve assembly, including a solenoid valve assembly including a supply/exhaust device and solenoid valves connected together, and a manual directional control valve. The supply/exhaust device is configured to supply to and exhaust from the solenoid valve assembly pressure fluids, and includes a supply-side connection port for connecting to a fluid supply tube and an exhaust-side connection port for connecting to a fluid exhaust tube. The manual directional control valve is configured to be connected between the supply/exhaust device and the fluid supply and exhaust tubes. The manual directional control valve has a supply channel for communicating the supply-side connection port and the fluid supply tube and an exhaust channel for communicating the exhaust-side connection port and the fluid exhaust tube. The manual directional control valve is configured to manually divert the pressure fluids between the supply and exhaust channels.