Abstract: A high recovery sonic gas valve design with the inlet flow entering transverse and orthogonal to the outlet flow is presented. The configuration cancels the effects of the inlet flow entering orthogonal to the axis of the nozzle and diffuser. The inlet passage is curved in a manner to let the flow enter along the centerline of the nozzle and diffuser. The nozzle is contoured and provides upstream flow impedance. The diffuser is contoured with the area gradient varying from a low positive value at the nozzle throat then to a maximum value and finally dropping off significantly to near zero prior to the nozzle exit. The diffuser is nearly cylindrical and may extend past the valve outlet flange and protrude into adjacent piping.

Abstract: A fluid metering valve includes a gear rack which is slidable on a valve stem in which a spring counteracts the force of an actuator to maintain a constant load on the gear mechanism to prevent backlash. Corresponding stop mechanisms between the gear and the shaft of a rotary actuator come into engagement with each other near a fully closed position of the fluid metering valve for zero calibration purposes upon power loss to the actuator. A single valve member and a single actuator of the fluid metering valve provides for both a shut-off function and a metering function.

Abstract: A valve system is presented that has a thin walled hollow sphere connected to the valve shaft. The hollow sphere has ports in the sphere wall to allow fluid to enter and exit the hollow sphere. An adjacent flow path is formed by a pressure balanced tube that is biased against the thin walled hollow sphere. The thin walled hollow sphere is supported by plates that are located parallel to the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A detonation detector operable for detecting the intensity of detonation occurring in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The detonation detector of the present invention includes a mechanical filter mounted on the engine for amplifying vibration signals resulting from detonation, including low intensity, sub-audible detonation signals. The mechanical filter is tuned to a resonant frequency at about the detonation frequency signal in order to attenuate noise signals from the engine and amplify signals at about the detonation frequency signal. A flat response accelerometer is mounted on the mechanical filter and receives the amplified detonation frequency signals and the attenuated noise signals and converts these signals into electrical output signals. An electronic circuit is connected to the accelerometer for amplifying the electrical output signals and filtering the attenuated noise signals.