Abstract: An improved device for easy attachment to an external water spigot, which is designed to allow a slight dripping of water when ambient temperatures drop below a point at which there is a danger of water freeze, within house pipes or spigot. The present device has a simple moving valve, or water release shaft, which extends axially between a closed volume of a particular fluid, and a valve seat proximate the connection of the device to the spigot outlet. The improved temperature responsive valve taught herein ensures a most efficient opening function, during temperature drops below approximately 32.degree. F. by employing a closed fluid volume that is unaffected by the temperature of any released water. Further, the particular improvements involve a specially configured liquid chamber piston which ensures a large opening excursion, at desired temperature range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid flow control valve of the type in which flow through the valve is controlled by movement of a chamber wall caused by fluid flowing into the chamber through a restricted inlet and a cleaning element is provided to clean the inlet. In this invention, the cleaning element is longer than the restricted inlet and is movable between a first position in which it does not extend through the restricted inlet and a second position in which it extends completely through the restricted inlet. The cleaning element is a rod-like element of self-supporting flexible synthetic plastics material and has a limited inherent rigidity enabling it to force dirt and scale from the restricted inlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fire-tested butterfly valve having an annular resilient seat member and an annular, flexible metal seat member, both held in place in a valve housing by being clamped between cooperating surfaces of the valve housing and a valve seat retaining ring insert. In a first embodiment, a fusible washer with a lower destruction temperature than that of the annular resilient seat is positioned between the resilient seat and the metal seat. In a second embodiment, an integrally formed protrusion on the annular resilient seat contacts the metal seat. In both embodiments, the metal seat is held out of contact with the butterfly disc until exposure to a fire melts the fusible washer or the seat protrusion, at which time the metal seat comes into contact with the disc to establish a secondary, metal-to-metal, fire resistant seal.

Abstract: A sealing device is provided for use in a butterfly valve, ball valve or the like wherein a seal ring is provided which forms a seal in co-operation with a rotating valve member, in which the seal is held in position by an annular pressure member which is impelled towards the body of the valve by springs, and whose inner periphery is adapted to form an emergency seal in co-operation with the valve member, should the seal itself be damaged or destroyed by fire.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated gate valve having a hermetically sealed piston head adapted to receive a remotely operable actuator for overriding the valve to open the gate.

Abstract: Periodically, the soil moisture sampler and controller automatically activates in-ground probe(s) to measure the soil moisture. The resulting output signal indicative of the soil moisture is adjusted for soil ambient temperature and compared to a pre-set soil moisture value. When the signal indicates that the soil moisture is less than a pre-set value, an irrigation timer is activated which causes the soil to be irrigated for a preselected time interval.

Abstract: A pinch valve comprising a cylindrical housing having a sidewall and an opposed pair of end walls each having an opening. A resilient tubular sleeve having a central passageway is disposed within the housing with its ends frictionally fit within respective openings in the end walls and with its outside surface spaced from the inside surface of the housing's sidewall to form a control chamber. A control port extends through the sidewall of the housing into communication with the chamber. A pair of tubular nipples are frictionally fit within respective ends of the passageway. The thickness of the sleeve wall at portions contiguous with each nipples' inner end is at least equal to the radius of the passageway in that nipple. The nipples and the housing end wall openings each include peripheral grooves for receipt of contiguous portions of the sleeve therein to form fluid tight seals. Snap rings and cap plates are used to hold the housing, sleeve and nipples together.

Abstract: This invention relates to structural devices which include intumescent material for the purpose of inhibiting the flow of heated air, smoke, and other products of extraordinary heat conditions, as in the case of a fire, from flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, useful as a tray for supporting insulated electrical conductors, a structure with double floor members spaced apart from each other, has convection holes in both of the floor members. The holes in one of the members are out of alignment with the holes in the other, and the top surface of the lower floor member has intumescent material positioned thereon.

Abstract: A tap for controlling a plurality of fluid circuits simultaneously, comprising a body provided with a bore into which the said circuits open, and a rotary control member.Each fluid inlet duct is provided with a valve member and the rotary control member is a stem, movable in translation, which is provided with cams and cut-aways and controls the opening and closing of the said valve members.The invention is applicable in particular to oxyacetylene torches.

Abstract: A system to flush the valve chamber of a valve (10) which is mounted in a flowline (12) by passing a cleaning fluid through the valve chamber when the valve is moved between open and closed positions. An actuator (38) operates a pair of flush valves (26, 32) which are connected to the valve body (14) for controlling the flow of the flushing fluid through the valve body. A flush control system is operated by movement of the flowline valve between the open and closed positions. The flush control system is connected to the actuator and operated when the flowline valve is moved from the open position to the closed position. The flush control system causes an operating fluid to be applied to the flush valve actuator so that the flush valves are opened to pass the flush or cleaning fluid through the valve chamber and then after a period of time again sequence the valve actuator to close the flush valves and terminate the cleaning of the valve chamber.

Abstract: A thermal responsive valve including a valve body in which a member is movable between a first position and a second position but normally restrained from such movement by restraining means including a pair of pins held into contact with such member by means of a frame. The frame is of a generally closed planar configuration and includes a base portion to which a pair of spaced portions are interconnected by means of a pair of flexible rods. The spaced portions are in turn interconnected to each other by a link which is separable, such as by being fusible upon reaching a predetermined temperature level, or frangible in response to some form of external signal. The frame is positioned with respect to the valve body or a housing outwardly extending therefrom in such a manner that the pins are laterally held by the frame into contact with the movable member and block such member from moving to its second position by the action of a spring.

Abstract: A hollow closed housing is provided to be interposed in a well casing string and the housing includes vertically spaced upper and lower walls interconnected by first and second pairs of opposite side walls. The upper and lower walls have registered passages formed therethrough relative to which axially spaced lower and upper ends of upper and lower well casing sections may be sealingly secured and a pair of superposed control plates are slidingly mounted within the housing between the upper and lower walls thereof for inverse shifting toward and away from one pair of opposite side walls of the housing between the second pair of housing side walls. The plates have oppositely facing elongated keyhole-shaped opening formed therethrough including large diameter partial cylindrical first ends and small diameter partial cylindrical second ends opening into the first ends remote from the closed ends thereof.

Abstract: A valve connects the duct leading from a process pipe to a flow transmitter, pressure gauge or sampling analyzer. The valve stem of the valve is hollow and aligned with the duct through the connection to process fluid. A cleaning rod is telescoped within the hollow stem so that it may be forced through the duct to clean debris from the duct. Also the valve handle has capstan holes therein for mechanical advantage. Furthermore, a bonnet valve seat is used so that the bonnet packing may be removed while the equipment is pressurized.

Abstract: A shutoff device comprising a substantially tubular-shaped housing within which there is fixed at its ends an elastic hose body. The hose body extends in the lengthwise direction of the housing and forms a closable throughpassage which flow communicates an inlet opening of the housing with its outlet opening. The inner wall of the housing and the hose body bound a substantially ring-shaped pressure compartment into which opens a conduit connection arranged at the housing. The hose body has a number of folds which extend essentially parallel to one another.

Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling or adjusting the position of a control member is disclosed. The control apparatus includes first and second members, pivotally connected together to pivot about a point. A control member is mounted on the first member and is disposed at a first distance from the pivot point. Coarse control means operatively associated with the control member are provided for coarsely adjusting the position of the control member relative to the second member. Further, fine control means are provided for finely adjusting the position of the control member relative to the second member. The fine control means acts at an action point on one of the first and second members to pivot the first and second members relative to each other about the pivot point.

Abstract: A fuel control assembly includes a valve closure member, a fuel inlet restricting member, and a fuel outlet cleaning member which are connected together for simultaneous movement. The valve closure member is movable within a valve body by a crank pin on a rotatable valve control shaft, and the valve closure member is movable in both directions beyond a sealing position in which the valve closure member cooperates with the valve body to shut off fuel flow through the valve body. Movement of the valve closure member in one direction beyond the sealing position maintains the fuel flow path closed and moves the fuel outlet cleaning member into the fuel outlet orifice to clean the orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating an operating valve unit for winch comprising a casing, a first shaft fixedly supported within said casing, second and third shafts rotatably supported within said casing, said second and third shafts being operatively connected with a hook lever and a boom lever, respectively. Said valve unit includes six valves for operating a hook clutch, a hook brake, a boom clutch, a boom brake, a lifting clutch, and a lower clutch, respectively.First and second cams are slidably and rotatably mounted on said first shaft and a third cam is rotatably but not slidably mounted on said first shaft. Said first shaft is operatively connected with said second and third shafts, respectively, so as to selectively actuate said valves in response to operations of said hook lever and said boom lever.

Abstract: A subaqueous sequence valve mechanism includes one or more main valves each adapted to be disposed in the water below the surface thereof. A first expansible chamber hydraulic actuator on the main valve operates that valve and also operates a second expansible chamber device against a spring. A hydraulic pressure line or lead from a controlled source above the surface is joined to and controls the submerged actuator. The second expansible chamber is connected in sequence through a throttle valve and a pressure relief valve to one side of a movable barrier in a hydraulic accumulator. On the other side of the movable barrier the accumulator is open to the water. There is also a return, one way flow valve shunting the pressure relief valve. The accumulator is hydraulically protected by a spring loaded check valve discharging into the water.

Abstract: A safety vent for hopper cars includes a tubular housing member adapted to communicate with the interior of a hopper which may be unloaded by creating a sub-atmospheric pressure therein. The vent includes a rupturable diaphragm normally blocking the entrance of air through the tubular housing to the hopper. The diaphragm comprises a material which is stretched across a tubular wall of the tubular member in a tensioned condition, and which at a predetermined PSI within the hopper, ruptures whereupon the ruptured pieces of the diaphragm recede radially outwardly against the wall of the tubular housing in a manner to occupy a minimal amount of space thereby permitting the free flow of air into the hopper.

Abstract: A control damper is mounted in a building duct system for closing a control opening through a housing or frame and includes a linkage connected to the housing and to a vane positioned in the control opening and is operative for moving the vane between a flow permitting position and a position closing the control opening. The linkage includes a fusible portion permitting a resilient member to move the vane to the position closing the control opening in the event of temperature above the melting point of the fusible portion. Cooperating latch members are mounted on the housing and on the vane and are moved into vane holding engagement after melting of a fusible portion and movement of the vane to the position closing the control opening through the housing.