Abstract: In a method for driving a solenoid proportional control valve (44) used for flow rate control of a common rail system pump adapted to regulate flow rate by regulating the duty ratio of a pulse voltage applied to a solenoid coil (F) of a solenoid (44E), when an operating condition liable to cause hysteresis in the operation of the solenoid proportional control valve (44) is present, the peak value or pulse width of the pulse voltage is temporarily increased to instantaneously boost the driving force of the solenoid (44E), thereby ensuring smooth operation of a piston (44C) and stabilizing the flow rate control.

Abstract: A fuel tank contains a system for the removal of air, which includes an air removal line to connect the interior of the tank with the outside ambient atmosphere, whereby this line forms a siphon, and at the deepest location of the air removal line a connection section is provided with a suction opening connected to a suction source.

Abstract: A vacuum tank assembly is provided for use on an RV or a boat and includes a two-piece vacuum tank. The two-piece vacuum tank includes a body and a removable top with a gasket located between the body and removable top. A dip tube is integrated into the removable top, thus, forming an opening in the removable top and thereby reducing maintenance problems associated with mechanically attached dip tube assemblies. A vacuum pump is provided to pump the waste out of the vacuum tank into a holding tank.

Abstract: A service valve for a refrigerant system comprising a valve body and a system port. The valve body has at least one fluid passage integrated therein including a longitudinal bore. An orifice is located at one end of the bore. An annular protrusion axially extends from the valve body and is symmetrical about the orifice. A valve seat generally surrounds the orifice. The system port includes a valve stem having a first end, a second end, and a bore integrated within. The stem is axially movable within the annular protrusion between at least a first position in which the orifice is closed when the valve stem first end sealingly abuts the valve seat and a second position in which the orifice is open when the valve stem first end is offset from the valve seat. The valve stem is restricted from moving further away from the valve body by the annular protrusion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic valve in which a force due to a working fluid from an inflow hole acting perpendicularly with respect to the axis of a shut-off valve is reduced to thereby reduce the sliding resistance of the shut-off valve. An electromagnetic valve according to the present invention includes: a housing (10) having an inflow hole (11), an inner flow path (12), and a discharge hole (13); a valve seat (15) secured in position inside the housing (10); a shut-off valve (16) adapted to abut one surface of the valve seat (15) to shut off the working fluid flowing into the inner flow path (12) through the inflow hole (11); and a pressure regulating valve (17) provided coaxially with the shut-off valve (16) and adapted to control, through adjustment of the dimensions of a gap between itself and the other surface of the valve seat (15), the amount of working fluid flowing to the exterior of the housing (10) through the discharge hole (13).

Abstract: A flexible drive mechanism for a flushing apparatus actuated by movement of a flush handle via an actuation element is disclosed. The drive mechanism includes a housing and flexible drive system in the housing, the flexible drive system including an actuating element operable to move the flush handle between a non-actuating position and a full stop actuating position. The housing further includes first and second bracket halves and first and second removable insert halves for adapting the first and second bracket halves to substantially enclose and engage a bushing and nut and thereby secure said electromechanical flexible actuator to the flush lever of the sanitary fixture.

Abstract: A valve which is composed of: —A seal consisting of two identical ferromagnetic discs (1), which enclose another smaller-diameter disc (2) and a permanent magnet, the rims (3) of the outer discs (1) being bevelled and the three discs conjointly forming a perimeter groove housing a spring ring (4), —A valve body in two superimposed parts (5)-(5?) with an intercommunicating chamber (6), inside which the rolling movement of the seal can take place, —Seal movements means consisting of: a bi-metal conductor (8) and an opposing spring (9).

Abstract: A replaceable sleeve insert for a choke assembly is disclosed, wherein the replaceable sleeve insert has a tubular member coaxially and sealingly retained within an upper body section of the choke assembly. The tubular member is also sealed against the bonnet. The tubular member has an inner diameter sufficient to accommodate coaxial linear displacement of a shuttle assembly and an outer diameter sufficient to fit within an upper body orifice in the upper body section. At least one attachment member outwardly extends from the tubular member and is retained between the upper body section and the bonnet. The tubular member has an opening in the sleeve wall to provide fluid communication from the choke inlet to the interior of the tubular member. A method of assembling a choke with a replaceable sleeve insert is also described.

Abstract: A control valve for a drinking water fountain includes a valve housing having an inside formed with a receiving chamber, and a valve seat mounted in the receiving chamber of the valve housing. The valve seat is forced into the receiving chamber of the valve housing by a rib and groove engagement so that the valve seat is secured in the receiving chamber of the valve housing. Thus, the valve seat is forced into the receiving chamber of the valve housing by a rib and groove engagement so that the valve seat is closely secured in the receiving chamber of the valve housing and cannot be rotated relative to the valve housing.

Abstract: Auxiliary fuel tank systems for aircraft and methods for their manufacture and use. In one embodiment, an aircraft can include a fuselage, at least one engine, and a fuel system configured to distribute fuel to at least one of the engine and an aerial refueling manifold. The aircraft can further include an auxiliary fuel tank system operably coupled to the fuel system. The auxiliary fuel tank system can include a master tank assembly and at least one slave tank assembly. The master tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage, and can include a master tank body configured to hold fuel. The master tank body can be configured to pass through a door in the fuselage without disassembly. The slave tank assembly can be removably installed in the fuselage at least proximate to the master tank assembly, and can include a slave tank body configured to hold fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously aspirating a fluid from a fluid source. A vacuum source is operatively connected to a first container forming a first chamber and a second container forming a second chamber. A fluid collection tube provides communication between the fluid source and each of the first chamber and the second chamber. A first level sensor is positioned within the first chamber and a second level sensor is positioned within the second chamber. Upon receiving a signal generated by one of the first level sensor and the second level sensor, a relay responsively exposes a vacuum within one of the first chamber and the second chamber to continuously aspirate at least a portion of the fluid from the fluid source. A shut-off valve is preferably positioned within each of the first chamber and the second chamber to prevent communication between the vacuum source and the corresponding chamber with a fluid level within the chamber at a fluid level setpoint.

Abstract: A prefabricated in-wall water service box with a five sided deep drawn stainless steel enclosure that has an open side with a reservoir lip and three closed sides integral with a top and bottom so that a reservoir is formed that is drained through a drain hole into a stainless steel nipple that is welded to the bottom and extends downwardly from the drain hole while hot and cold water control valves are mounted inside the enclosure through holes to a fittings located outside the enclosure at its two side walls. A trim bezel with a planar facing flush with a mounting wall is secured to the enclosure when it is mounted to two studs by two mounting brackets affixed to the two side walls by stainless steel screws.

Abstract: A modular air gap device adapted for selective insertion into an associated faucet body and comprises a base, an inlet nipple defining an inlet passage and an outlet nipple defining an outlet passage. The inlet and outlet nipples project outwardly from the base in a first direction. An gap structure is connected to the base and projects outwardly therefrom in a second direction opposite the inlet and outlet nipples. The base and air gap structure are adapted for receipt within an air gap chamber of a faucet body. The air gap structure defines a flow path having a first end in direct fluid communication with the inlet passage of the inlet nipple and a second end spaced from the outlet passage of the outlet nipple so that an air gap is defined between the second end of the flow path and the outlet passage. A faucet including the air gap device defines a vent for venting the air gap chamber.

Abstract: A pressure reducer has a housing comprising an inlet and an outlet in which a flow-around body is arranged in a flow channel connecting inlet and outlet. A flow restrictor is adjustably mounted relative to the flow-around body for varying a flow rate and is movably connected with an adjusting means comprising a recirculating ball nut and a rotating spindle wherein the rotating spindle is movably connected with said flow restrictor. To improve such a pressure reducer that a corresponding flow restrictor with a facilitated construction is reliable and can exactly be adjusted in position, the recirculating ball nut is detachably fastened to a turning sleeve rotatably mounted in the flow-around body and the recirculating ball nut is connected with a driving toothed wheel in a rotation-resistant manner, which is rotatable by an electric drive for the movable connected with recirculating ball nut.

Abstract: An air fitting with an integral check valve includes a housing having an inlet and at least one outlet, a passage extending between the inlet and the at least one outlet with a valve seat being formed in the passage adjacent the at least one outlet with a portion between the outlet and the valve having a plurality of channels separated by lands which form a guide surface for the valve as it is being forced onto the valve seat by a spring. The channels allow passage of air around the valve member with less restriction when the valve member is lifted off the valve seat.

Abstract: Valve assemblies and methods of designing valve assemblies having a valve ball, an upper seat, and a lower seat. When fluid pressure is applied to the valve ball, the valve ball will float in the axial direction between an upper position, a neutral position, and a lower position in response to fluid pressure. The valve assembly may be made suitable for internal blowout preventers.

Abstract: A self-sealing male connector having a body, a resilient boot mounted over the body, and a male thread hub. The body is formed with an elongate post that extends to the distal end. The body includes a fluid flow lumen extending from its proximal end to its distal end. At its proximal end, the body may be formed as a female Luer connector, or may be directly connected to tubing, or other arrangements. The internal fluid flow lumen extends through the post to its distal end. The body includes a first groove in which is mounted the boot. In a second groove is mounted the thread cuff. The thread cuff is used to engage a female connector and through thread action, draw in into engagement with the post. As the female connector is further engaged with eh sealed male connector, the post protrudes through the boot and into fluid communication with the female fluid flow passage thus establishing a flow path through both connectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for extracting liquid samples from containers (1) and/or tubes filled with a medium (2), especially from fermenters, via a filter membrane (5) by means of a partial vacuum. Said filter membrane (5) arranged inside a sample probe (3) consists of a material acting as a sterile boundary, a supply line (6) which can be used to guide gas and a discharge line (7) which can be used to guide the sample being arranged on the sterile boundary side (5a) of the filter membrane (5).

Abstract: A closing body (3) which is mounted in a housing (2) in such a way that it can be axially displaced and can be pressed out of an opening position against a valve seat (4) into a closing position. The closing body (3) is rotationally symmetrical and includes, on its outer diameter (D1) in relation to its cross-section, two outer wall sections (5, 5?) which meet at an angle of less than 180°. In this way, a surrounding interference edge (26) is formed, favouring turbulence in the flow and thus a rapid increase in the dynamic pressure. When the closing body is embodied as a hollow body, a spring action also occurs, damping the closing movement.

Abstract: The present invention is a centralized flow control unit (CFCU) for regulating oxygen flow in a multiple user emergency oxygen distribution system in passenger aircraft. Upon activation, the CFCU initially allows unregulated flow of oxygen to surge into the distribution system to thereby purge the ambient air out of the system. After a sufficient pressure is achieved in the distribution system, the CFCU regulates the flow mechanically with a diaphragm engaging a regulator valve. The pressure of the oxygen under the diaphragm causes the regulator valve to reduce the flow of the oxygen through the CFCU. The CFCU accounts for changes in altitude by including a bleed passageway in the diaphragm. A small amount of the oxygen under the diaphragm bleeds to the chamber above the diaphragm then a bleed exit allows the oxygen to escape to the ambient air.