Abstract: An improved frostproof hydrant having a readily removable valve seat-valve body assembly which may be easily replaced from the nozzle end of the hydrant as a single unit or as a portion thereof without any special alignment.

Abstract: A two-way ball valve including a housing having an open interior chamber or space with opposed inlet and outlet openings, apertured ball seats operatively positioned in the housing at the junctures of the inlet and outlet openings, a ball in the chamber floatingly seated between the ball seats and in liquid sealing engagement therewith, an axial flow bore through the ball, the ball being rotatably positionable to open and closed positions, and a large bore or opening in the body of the ball in the nature of a side channel intercommunicating the axial flow bore and the interior space in the housing, and with the valve in open position permitting fluid to circulate freely within the housing to flush the housing space and thereby prevent formation of contaminated dead spaces in the valve.

Abstract: An expansible tube valve having inlet and outlet body and closures with a generally cylindrical body enclosure between them. A flexible tube embraces a slotted core and integral enlarged beads around the ends of the tube are confined in accommodating annular recesses. Being so confined, the beads serve as retainer means for the tube ends and function also as body seals, being under moderate compression between cylindrical surfaces on the end closures and the interior of the body enclosure.

Abstract: Locking apparatus for a ram type blowout preventer having a housing with a passageway through which a tubular member may pass; rams movable between a non-sealing position in the housing, in which the passageway is open, and a sealing position in which the passageway is sealingly closed; and an operator assembly for moving the rams between the non-sealing and sealing positions. The locking apparatus may comprise: at least one rod connected to the operator assembly reciprocable between first and second terminal positions in response to movement of the rams between their non-sealing and sealing positions, respectively; and locking means engageable with the rod when in its second terminal position to lock the rams in their sealing positions. A method of operating such a ram type blowout preventer is disclosed also.

Abstract: A fire hydrant designed to prevent the unauthorized use of an outlet nozzle which is located on the above ground barrel portion of the stand pipe. The hydrant includes a valve means located within the barrel portion and provided with a valve member which is biased to a closed position extending across the upstream end of the outlet nozzle. A valve actuator is provided to be threaded onto the outlet nozzle for moving the valve member away from the closed position to an open position permitting the flow of water through the outlet nozzle.

Abstract: A tamper-proof locking system for a standard fire hydrant, one embodiment of which includes a cap assembly that fits over the valve stem of the hydrant and is fastened thereto. The cap assembly cannot be turned to open the valve except by means of a special wrench which is adjustable to securely grip the assembly. In another embodiment, the system includes a cover assembly which replaces a standard hydrant port cover and cannot be taken off the nipple of the port except by the special wrench.

Abstract: A reverse buckling rupture disc safety device wherein there are associated cutting means, these cutting means releasably mounted in a sub-assembly, allowing ready replacement of the cutting means.

Abstract: External leakage around the actuator-stem of a plug valve is prevented by the application of forces to the lower surface of the valving member whereby to normally advance and maintain sealing surfaces on the upper end of the valving member against and in sealing relationship with a diaphragm.

Abstract: A high pressure gas tank safety and service valve which comprises a body portion that sealingly engages a threaded opening of a high pressure gas tank. The valve has a flow passage that communicates the interior of the gas tank to an outlet port of the safety and service valve; the flow passage including first and second axially spaced valve seats which are, respectfully, engageable by first and second valve members interconnected by a safety rod. The first valve member is operable to open and close communications between the interior of the high pressure gas tank and the outlet port of the valve to permit selected exhausting of the gas tank. The second valve member is normally bias toward engagement with the second valve seat and in the event of a fracture resulting in the escape of gas, the second valve member will automatically close communications from the tanks.