Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fluid leakage past a control valve in a system for controlling and measuring the flow of a fluid in a conduit of the type having first and second control valves, a flow sensing element of the differential pressure type located in the conduit between the control valves and a differential pressure flow rate indicator connected to the flow sensing element through high and low pressure conduits. Fluid leakage past the control valve discharges from the isolated portion of the fluid conduit first through the low pressure conduit and then through a vent conduit causing a pressure drop along the low pressure conduit which causes an indication of flow on the flow rate indicator.

Abstract: A high pressure gas tank has its output closely connected to the input of a Joule Thomson cryostat. The valve which releases the high pressure is a plug of electrically conductive thermally degradable material located in the line. An electrical pulse is applied to the plug to cause it to degrade and to permit the flow of pressurized refrigerant gas from the high pressure gas tank through the cryostat.

Abstract: A single lever control arrangement for selectively actuating a pair of first and second valve spools reciprocally mounted in a housing comprises a handle assembly including a triangular plate pivotally mounted on the housing by a first ball and socket connection. The first and second valves are pivotally mounted to the plate by second and third ball and socket connections, respectively, whereby the valves may be reciprocated by the handle assembly separately or simultaneously.

Abstract: A means and method of irrigation control wherein a porous sensor is placed in the root zone in moisture transfer relation with the soil, and is supplied with air at a pressure sufficient to cause progressively increasing seepage of air through the sensor as soil moisture is lessened, there being means for detecting the rate of seepage of the air utilized to indicate moisture content of the soil for manually or automatically activating a timer for the irrigation system; the irrigation control further including the use of several sensors placed at different soil levels, as well as a warning sensor adapted to be activated should the soil start to become drier than its normal relatively moist condition.An embodiment utilizes one or more selected plants with corresponding sensors as a means of detecting sudden weather changes to anticipate changes in ground moisture. A further embodiment utilizes an evaporation measuring means designed to detect incipient change in humidity indicative of sudden weather change.

Abstract: A pinch tube type valve adapted to accept an elongated flexible outlet tube protruding from a liquid container for selective control of liquid flow through the tube from the container. The tube is passed through a passageway in the valve body for selective engagement by a stem which is reciprocable into and out of closing engagement therewith. An apertured tube receiving area is disposed in the bottom wall of the valve body adjacent the outlet end of the passageway to receive the tube in a desired position angularly disposed of the passageway to facilitate ease of liquid dispensing operations. A stop or tube retention member is removably received in the passageway at the outlet end thereof to retain the tube in its desired position within the receiving area.

Abstract: A valve comprising: a housing having an opening therethrough around which is provided a seat; a closure assembly for blocking flow through the opening and for sealing engagement with the seat; and an actuator assembly connected to the closure assembly for moving the closure assembly between a first position, out of the flow path of the opening, to a second position, in the flow path, and for expanding the closure assembly for sealing engagement with the seat.

Abstract: A clamp and related method provides for a stable fluid flow rate through a flexible tubing. The clamp comprises a body having an anvil and a tube-constricting cam that cooperates with the anvil to pinch together diametrically opposed sections of the tubing to provide a reduced flow passageway. The cross-sectional area of this passageway, and hence the fluid flow rate, is varied by rotating the cam to change the transverse extent of the pinched off portions. The reduced flow passageway is constrained at each adjustment of the clap to prevent variations in flow rate due to displacement of the material of the tubing wall.

Abstract: A valve comprising a casing having a passageway therethrough for flow of fluid and a tapered bore intersecting the passageway, a tapered plug rotatably mounted in the tapered bore adapted to block the passageway in valve closed position of the plug and the plug having a port adapted to connect and be in communication with the passageway in valve open position, the plug and casing providing chambers at opposite ends of the tapered plug, means for connecting the chambers to the port to dynamically balance the plug within the casing when the plug is partially or fully open, a biasing means is provided in the casing to axially bias the tapered plug in the direction of the larger end of the plug.

Abstract: A fire hydrant locking device is disclosed for preventing undesirable tampering, such as turning on the water release at the fire hydrant. The device consists of an imperforate dome encompassing and rotatably attached to a spider which in turn is secured to a known type of fire hydrant. Inside of the apex of the dome is a recess snugly fitting the nut which controls the opening and closing of the water supply through the hydrant. The dome can be rotated, thus turning on the water, only by use of a special wrench which fits into receiving recesses formed on the outer face of the dome.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated interlock system for automatically controlling a plurality of remotely located valve assemblies. A fluid switch and a locking device are disposed for cooperation with each valve operator. The fluid switches are connected to a supply line for a pressure fluid, and the locking devices are connected to a manifold. Communication is permitted between the supply line and the manifold only when one of the fluid switches is moved into an open position. Each fluid switch is maintained in a closed position by its respective valve operator in a preselected position. When one valve operator is moved away from this preselected position, the associated fluid switch is opened whereby pressure fluid flows from the supply line into the manifold which in turn supplies pressure fluid to the locking devices associated with the remaining valve operators.

Abstract: A sliding plate air flow control valve adapted for use in a high efficiency air filter system of the type used in clean rooms and the like. The sliding plate valve is preferably positioned on the downstream side of each filter, and includes a highly viscous, non-evaporating fluid positioned between the plates to thereby prevent the air from flowing laterally between the plates, whereby the volume of air flow may be accurately controlled over the full area of the clean room as well as the full area of each filter.

Abstract: A valve comprising a housing with an inlet and outlet and a chamber in between, a reciprocating gate mounted in a gate seat disposed within the chamber for opening and closing the valve, an upper bonnet for closing the chamber at one end and a lower bonnet for closing the chamber at the other end, the gate being disposed between upper and lower stems which extend into the upper and lower bonnets respectively. Metal-to-metal seals are provided at all junctures between the above members in the lower gate position with back-up seals at the junctures of all moving members.A double edged seal ring integral with the upper stem self-contained within the upper bonnet provides a metal-to-metal seal with the upper bonnet in the upper and lower gate positions of the valve.A metal gasket arrangement is provided between the upper bonnet and valve body whereby the assemblage of all points of contact between the gasket and body form an annular ring.

Abstract: The invention relates to a snap-fitting pipe connecting device comprising a body adapted to be secured to the frame structure of a machine, a connecting member proper and a lock bolt, a fluid passage formed in the connecting member having a portion at right angles to the axis of said member. The body of the device constitutes a connecting or distributor box adapted to supply several different fluids. Each connecting member and the bore receiving same in said body comprise specific assembly means inherent thereto to prevent their accidental operation in another bore intended for other connecting members, and vice versa.

Abstract: A valved fluid coupling having tubular halves interconnected by frangible means. Each half includes a self-closing valve located in its passage and the valves are maintained in an open position by supports and retainers which sense the coupling connected state. Upon fracture of the connection means the halves separate permitting the valve retainers to release the valves closing the body passages. The frangible connection means takes the form of a rib formed upon one half overlapped by a projection defined on the other half having a retainer engaging the rib. Axial forces of a predetermined value on the halves cause the rib to fracture. Also, frangible means are disclosed for permitting valve half separation under radial shear forces and a sealing boot may be used to minimize fluid loss upon coupling disengagement.

Abstract: A sleeve valve comprising a torpedo shaped core provided with radial, longitudinal ribs, a generally cylindrical sleeve surrounding the core and being made from radially elastically deformable material and a generally cylindrical housing, against which the sleeve is sealed at both ends and in which the core is supported by means of radial supports between each end of the sleeve and the corresponding end of the core at least two approximately radial fins being provided each located between two longitudinal ribs of the core, the contour of said fins facing the sleeve substantially corresponding to the shape the sleeve has at that point in its normally closed state.

Abstract: Flushing valves of the type having a control chamber with a movable wall are disclosed, the chamber being partially emptied to cause the main valve surface and seat to separate and open the valve, and being slowly refilled to close the valve. A cleaning needle is provided which moves in the restricted inlet to the chamber to remove dirt and scale therefrom. In one form, the valve actuating element sequentially lifts a valve closure element, to which the needle is secured, from a seat to open said outlet and thereafter acts on the movable wall part to cause a reduction in the volume of said chamber and force some of its contents through the open outlet. In a further form, the actuating element pressurizes the chamber by forcing the movable wall in the direction which reduces the volume thereof. The increased pressure forces a flexible wall part of the chamber from a sealing surface to allow liquid to flow from the chamber.

Abstract: A sealant system for slide valves used in analysis apparatus and the like in which the slide valves are formed with a channel between the ports in the valve block and the outside thereof, with a sealant liquid supplied under a slight pressure to the channel to seal and lubricate the valve and prevent sticking even after long periods of idleness. The apparatus used to pressurize the sealant liquid is at the same time used to generate a flow of water through a heat exchanger used in the kinetic analysis apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid mixing valve having a single handle for mixing hot and cold water which incorporates a pair of resilient, tube-like squeeze elements for water passage. A pair of cams, controlled by the handle through a linkage arrangement, restrict the cross-sectional area of the squeeze elements thereby regulating the hot and cold water flow rates.

Abstract: .Iadd.A gate valve structure having a slab gate member and a pair of opposed seat assemblies on opposite sides of the gate member. The seat assemblies loosely fit in recesses in the housing and the dimensions of the gate member, seat assemblies and housing recesses are such that there is controlled interference between all sealing surfaces on assembly. An emergency sealant system provides emergency sealant to the face of the seat assemblies. .Iaddend.

Abstract: A valve assembly for detecting leaks in fluid systems which includes an airtight transparent cup means at least partially filled with liquid and a plunger means provided with an orifice and a tube means interconnecting said orifice and liquid. The valve assembly is connected into the fluid line so as to allow the fluid to pass therethrough unimpeded. Depression of the plunger effectively closes the fluid line except for the passageway afforded by the orifice and the tube positioned in the liquid. The existence of a leak in the fluid system is thereby easily observed by a fluid flow through the liquid, i.e., bubbles, etc.