Abstract: An automatic air tank drain is provided by forming a venturi induced suction at the tank outlet which draws liquid out of the tank as the tank air is exhausted past the venturi through a flexible hose positioned by a weight at the tank bottom.

Abstract: A housing receives ambient air through an inlet located so as to direct the airflow against blades of a rotor which disperses the airflow. A gas inlet conduit discharges hazardous gas into a chamber of the housing. The dispersed airflow acts on the hazardous gas entering the chamber to disperse and mix with the gas. The mixed air and hazardous gas flow impinges against a wall surface of the housing prior to discharge from the housing via an outlet conduit. A source such as the intake side of a blower induces the flow of air and hazardous gas through the housing and the outlet conduit. The rotor is located near an air inlet of the housing for rotor operation by airflow drawn into the housing. A flow sensor and damper control system are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing pasty paraffin from liquid paraffin comprises the use of an agitator for mixing the paraffin during its solidification within a receptacle. The viscosity of the paraffin is controlled by the monitoring of the power of a motor driving the agitator. Also, an apparatus is provided for producing candles in bottles from the pasty paraffin produced hereinabove. The apparatus comprises a filling head which receives the pasty paraffin and a continuous wick. A device is included for positioning a ferrule on the wick with the filling head being adapted for lowering into the bottle for positioning the ferrule at the bottom thereof and being also adapted to inject pasty paraffin in the bottle for setting the ferrule. The filling head is then retracted slowly from the bottle while injecting further paraffin therein for filling to a selected level the bottle.

Abstract: A vibration responsive gas shut-off valve assembly which is highly effective in conditions which give rise to excessive vibration such as earthquakes and the like. The shut-off valve assembly is inserted into a gas line leading from a source of gas to an interior of a building such a dwelling structure. The valve assembly comprises a spherically shaped ball which may be located within the gas line and which contains a gas passage channel extending therethrough. When the ball is in a first position, gas will flow from one side of the ball through the channel and to the other side of the ball in the gas line. When the ball is in a second position, the channel is located so that one side is vented through an orifice in the pipe and the other side is in communication with the downstream side of the pipe such that gas in the downstream side of the pipe leading to the building can be vented.

Abstract: A check valve having a presettable cracking pressure. The check valve employs a spring-loaded valve element in which the compression spring and valve element are held into position in the valve body by means of an apertured plug.

Abstract: Mechanism for controlling the flow of fluid between a fluid inlet and a dump outlet, wherein the mechanism includes a dump tube removably engageable with both a valve housing and valve seat, and also a valve member which is removably engageable with the valve seat and slidably guided by the valve housing.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensitive valve mechanism, including a valve member and a valve positioning device, positioned in a valve chamber between first and second inlet-outlet ports controls opening and closing of a third inlet-outlet port in response to flow of fluid to and from the valve chamber through two or more of the ports. The valve member has a planar platform section and a valve body section extending from one side of the planar platform section. The first inlet-outlet port connects with the valve chamber through a surface engageable by one end of a valve member planar platform section. Fluid flow impingement acts on various valve mechanism surfaces so that when fluid flows from the first port into the valve chamber the valve mechanism is moved to close the third port. It keeps the third port closed so long as there is thereafter no fluid flowing from the second or third port into the valve chamber.

Abstract: A passive aspirator based on the Venturi effect has a pivotable flap in the inlet portion of a first air passage. The flap reduces the air flow through the passage when high pressure is present. A spring biases the flap toward an open position. Increasing air flow overcomes the spring force and tends to close the flap. This variable-volume flow allows use of a large enough passage to aspirate sufficient air at low flow rates but does not produce excess waste air at high flow rates.

Abstract: A booster valve for a pneumatic conveying system is made with an annular seal made out of relatively thin rubber having a low tensile strength to thereby reduce the resistance or opposition to the flow of the booster air into the conveying line and the seal retainer is provided with supporting ribs for restraining movement of the seal to prevent the seal from exceeding its elastic limit which otherwise could occur due to a whipping action which occurs during high volumes of air flow through the booster valve. In addition, the booster valve has a large air-receiving chamber so that the input pressurized air is allowed to expand to thereby reduce the velocity of the air as it passes through the valve.

Abstract: An improved plastic valve body design and construction which has strength and durability similar to that of steel valve bodies but with significantly reduced manufacturing time and cost. The valve body comprises a unique and nonobvious combination of a previously unused plastic material and a complex rib design that results in performance similar to that of steel valves. The valve body is preferably comprised of a nylon/Kevlar composite material. A plurality of ribbed members connect outer and inner faces of the valve body to provide increased strength and durability. The plastic valve body has the ability to deform to mate with the valve seat and thus extrusion gaps are eliminated. This allows use of more desirable softer polyurethane inserts.

Abstract: A composite check valve and positively closing valve, particularly such a valve for regulating the introduction of secondary air into the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine at selected times during the operation of the engine. The valve comprises an inlet port, an outlet port, a first valve element movable between open and closed positions for nominally regulating the flow of a fluid between the inlet and outlet ports, and a second valve element for overriding the first element. The second element can function by seating against the same seat as the first element, or by "latching" the first element in its closed position. The disclosed embodiment is a flap valve which is modified by superimposing a rigid, movable valve disk over the flap. The rigid disk is movable between a disengaged position where it may have no immediate function and an override position urging the flap against its seat or otherwise closing the aperture defined by the seat.

Abstract: The profile of the valve stop of a discharge valve conforms to the maximum bending stress or the maximum allowable fatigue stress whereby impact of the valve element with the valve stop occurs when the valve element has the least kinetic energy and highest potential energy such that the least possible kinetic energy is transferred to the valve stop.

Abstract: A control valve responsive to vehicle speed to vary hydraulic pressure in a vehicle variable assist power steering system. The control valve includes a proportional solenoid which responds to a control signal to vary the pressure difference between the valve inlet and outlet. The flow of hydraulic fluid through the valve generates a momentum force against a solenoid moveable valve element. This momentum force is balanced by an opposing bias spring force such that changes in inlet pressure occur simultaneously with changes in the control signal. The solenoid includes an adjustable air gap which allows calibration of the pressure difference across the valve to match a predetermined solenoid current.

Abstract: A needle assembly for an airless spray gun is provided with a needle which is centerless ground and electropolished to greatly increase life. Further life enhancements are gained by use of a plastic needle bushing in the needle clamp and provision of a specific length to diameter geometry for the needle yields enhanced life as well.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid distribution valve comprising a port select valve structure wherein the flow of fluid from a fluid flow source is directed through a chamber of a rotatable member comprising a plurality of varying sized spaced ports which align with ports of a housing at various positions of rotation of the member to provide variations of fluid flow through the ports of the housing. The valve has particular utility as an air distribution valve in an air flow support mattress system.

Abstract: A swing-type check valve (10) having a bonnetless two-piece valve body (12, 14) with a valve chamber (22) and inlet and outlet ports (15, 21) defining a flow passage through the valve. A clapper (25) fixed to a clapper shaft (28) is restrained in working location by the two valve body members as mated in assembly and is adapted for pivotal movement between a valve open position and a valve closed position. A planar valve sealing surface (23) is provided on the end of one of the valve body members and positioned in the valve chamber in a location where it is protected from erosion from flow through the valve and adapted to be sealingly engaged by the clapper element (25). Guide ribs (40) are formed in the valve body for guiding the clapper (25) in movement between its valve open and valve closed positions so as to insure a seal by the valve clapper (25) when in its valve closed position irrespective of the orientation of the valve.

Abstract: A liquid fertilizer dispensing device comprising a container adapted to hold liquid fertilizer solution; means at the top thereof to connect to a water faucet and to dispense a stream of water therefrom; feeder tube means extending from the interior base of said container to a point adjacent the stream of water passing through said top means so that the venturi effect of the passing stream of water will suck the fertilizer solution up through said feeder tube means and inject the same into the passing stream of water; valve means to adjust and control the rate of flow of said fertilizer solution into and through said feeder tube means; and preferably additional means to constantly indicate the level of fertilizer solution within said container and to permit the addition of more solution or granulated fertilizer to said container.

Abstract: An apparatus for conserving utilities including coolant, in a system having an evaporative cooler equipped with a water reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of cooling water and also equipped with a recirculating system for recirculating the cooling water. The apparatus has a level sensing assembly coupled to the water reservoir. The level sensing assembly provides a first signal when the cooling water level is less than a first predetermined limit. The system has a controller coupled to the level sensing assembly for receiving the first signal. The system also has a supply valve coupled to the water reservoir, to a water supply and to the controller. The supply valve is responsive to signals from the controller. The supply valve delivers water from the water supply to the water reservoir. The system further has a bleed valve coupled to the water reservoir and to the controller. The bleed valve is responsive to signals from the controller.

Abstract: A safety sub is disclosed for retaining drilling fluid in the kelly or equivalent and other components of the mud system located above the drill string when pressure drops in the drill string, such as when the circulation pump is turned off in adding a new joint to the drill string. The safety sub includes a pressurized elastomeric cartridge having three or more depressions surrounding a central bore. When internal drilling pressure drops, the external pre-charge pressure closes the elastomeric material by creating a cusp opposite each depression, the cusps closing together. The metallic end pieces of the cartridge and parallel round connecting rods between these inserts are bonded to the elastomeric material during the molding process.

Abstract: A pneumatic valve that has slow start and quick exhaust features and includes a housing structure defining a main flow passage between a supply inlet and a system outlet and a by-pass flow passage around a main valve in the main flow passage, a control valve that controls flow through the by-pass flow passage, an adjustable restriction in the by-pass flow passage, and an exhaust valve member that opens or closes an exhaust opening to the main flow passage.