Abstract: A vascular interventional device may be introduced over a guidewire into a vessel of the cardiovascular system of a patient. This device includes a hollow, flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end that is adapted to selectively engage a target vessel of the cardiovascular system of the patient. This tube also includes a lumen that is continuous from the proximal to the distal end, and has an end hole in the distal end that is in fluid communication with the lumen. A plurality of side holes are provided near the distal end of the tube, each of which is in continuous fluid communication with the lumen. The device also includes a hollow vessel dilator that is adapted for insertion into and through the tube and over the guidewire. The dilator has an inside diameter that is slightly larger than the guidewire and an outside diameter that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the lumen of the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved clamping device for keyless mounting of a hub on a shaft of the type comprising an inner wedge ring having a cylindrical inner surface for gripping the shaft when contracted and an outer wedge ring having a cylindrical outer surface for gripping the bore surface of the hub when expanded. The pair of wedge rings have interracting annular surfaces with matching shallow-angle tapers and at least one has a stable dry anti-friction material coated thereon. The pair of wedge rings placed in the annular space between the hub and shaft are engaged with axial force means to cause the outer wedge ring to expand and the inner wedge ring to contract and thereby lock the hub to the shaft.

Abstract: A linear torque and thrust transmitting wedge bushing (10, 100) for axially and rotationally securing a part (13, 120) to a circular cross-section shaft (11, 122) is positioned over the shaft within a circular cross-section opening of the part. The bushing includes inner and outer wedge rings (12 and 14; 106 and 108) concentrically disposed relative to each other and being radially expandable and contractible. The outer wedge ring has an outer axially straight surface (20), for engaging the inner surface defining the opening of the part, and the inner wedge ring has an inner axially straight surface (22) for engaging the outer surface of the shaft, characterized in that the wedge rings have engaging non-slip surfaces (16 and 18; 102 and 104) that are axially inclined at the same low angle of less than 10.degree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical locking device for locking a rod in a conventional hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder or a rotary actuator. The device comprises a radially contractible locking ring having a cylindrical inner surface for gripping the rod when the locking ring is contracted and an outer surface which is axially inclined, means for positively securing the locking ring around the rod in a position axially fixed in at least one direction with respect to the actuator housing, a ring-contracting member around the locking ring and having an inner surface which is axially inclined at the same angle as the outer surface of the locking ring for engaging that surface, and means for applying an axial force to the ring-contracting member in the direction of the inner surface axial inclination to cause the ring-contracting member to slide axially on the locking ring thereby causing the locking ring to contract and grip the rod.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed having a motor operating mode and a manual operating mode, with the shifting from motor to manual operation accomplished by sliding the manual operator axially inward toward the actuator mechanism. The invention features a sliding rod mechanism abutting and coaxially aligned with the motor and manual operator, which shifts engagement from motor to manual upon movement inward of the manual operator. The rod mechanism is sized to prevent simultaneous engagement of the motor and the manual operator with the actuator gearing, and resilient biasing means may be provided to continuously bias the actuator toward motorized operation and disengagement of the manual operator.

Abstract: A mechanical disconnect assembly is disclosed for rapid disengagement of an electric motor from a gear or shaft system on loss of power to the motor, and for rapid reengagement of the motor upon restoration of electric power thereto. The assembly utilizes a sliding slave member made of a magnetic material and arranged to be drawn into the magnetic field of the electric motor when under power. The slave member is operably connected to a sliding engagement member on the motor output shaft and is resiliently biased out of said magnetic field by spring means and out of engagement with the gear assembly.

Abstract: An automatic motorized valve actuator is disclosed which features a worm gear drive assembly for receiving high rotational motion of a drive motor and reducing it to the low speed linear or rotational motion of a valve stem. A coaxial alignment of the motor shaft, the worm gear shaft and a manual operator shaft eliminates the need for a separate shifting assembly for shifting from motorized to manual operating mode. The invention further discloses clutches for operationally connecting the various shafts, a sliding lockout rod assembly for preventing simultaneous engagement of manual and motor operating modes, magnetic motor engagement and disconnect means, and resilient torque sensing means for shutting off power to the motor.

Abstract: A gear shaft assembly is disclosed which utilizes a hollow splined shaft having a sliding worm gear sleeve splined thereon engaged with a driven gear. The splined shaft has clutch members at each end, engageable at one end with a motor shaft and at the other end with a manual operator shaft. A sliding rod assembly in the hollow shaft prevents simultaneous engagement of the splined shaft with the motor shaft and the manual operator shaft.

Abstract: A spring resistance cartridge assembly for a valve actuator is disclosed which offers resistance to movement in either direction of an axial member extending therein. The cartridge assembly has a base plate securable to an axial member and an opposing fixed plate which is secured in a non-movable position. Between the base plate and the fixed plate are two compression plates having spring members trapped therebetween. Bolts and studs attach the compression plates one to each, the base plate and the fixed plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thrust retaining device for positive axial securing of a part on a smooth shaft or within a smooth bore without shoulders, threads, grooves or holes. The thrust retaining device for use on a shaft includes a contractible inner collar ring for retaining thrust by having one end positioned against the part to be secured, an outer collar ring to be placed over the inner collar ring for contracting it, and loading screw means attached to the outer ring for applying axial force to the outer ring. The inner ring has an inner surface for gripping the shaft when contracted and an outer surface which is axially inclined at a shallow angle and matches an axially inclined inner surface of the outer ring. At least one of the axially inclined surfaces of the inner ring and outer ring is coated with a stable anti-friction material preventing metal-to-metal contact at static pressure.

Abstract: An automatically releasing lock system is disclosed for use on a motor having an output shaft with a resiliently biased sliding engagement member on the shaft, biased toward engagement with a driven shaft. The system utilizes a locking recess formmed in the engagement member with cam surfaces formed therein, and detent rods resiliently biased into engagement in the engagement member recess.

Abstract: An improved system to eliminate a stuffing box or mechanical seal around the rotating shaft of a pump for liquids. The pump and its motor are hermetically sealed, and a pressurized gas pad maintains a liquid seal at the shaft entrance to the pump casing. A suction return line is provided from the seal liquid to the pump suction. A small flow of pumped liquid leaks past the shaft entrance into the seal liquid, then through the return line back to the pump suction. The gas pad and seal liquid are at slightly higher than pump suction pressure.