Abstract: A ball valve including upstream and downstream seats and a ball having a flow opening disposed between the upstream and downstream seats. A flow path is defined through the valve only when the ball is disposed in an open position. In one embodiment, when the ball is disposed in a closed position the upstream seat may intermittently disengage from the ball to relieve hydrostatic expansion of a liquid within the ball resulting an increased pressure that is greater than a pressure within a body cavity of the valve outside the ball. In another embodiment, a distance between the upstream and downstream seats is greater than an outer diameter of the ball and the ball engages only one of the upstream and downstream seats when disposed in the closed position and a pressure differential is defined between the upstream and downstream seats. The upstream and downstream seats may each include a partially spherical sealing surface that may have a crenulate configuration.

Abstract: A ball valve including upstream and downstream seats and a ball having a flow opening disposed between the upstream and downstream seats. A flow path is defined through the valve only when the ball is disposed in an open position. In one embodiment, when the ball is disposed in a closed position the upstream seat may intermittently disengage from the ball to relieve hydrostatic expansion of a liquid within the ball resulting an increased pressure that is greater than a pressure within a body cavity of the valve outside the ball. In another embodiment, a distance between the upstream and downstream seats is greater than an outer diameter of the ball and the ball engages only one of the upstream and downstream seats when disposed in the closed position and a pressure differential is defined between the upstream and downstream seats. The upstream and downstream seats may each include a partially spherical sealing surface that may have a crenulate configuration.

Abstract: A valve having a valve body having spaced inlet and outlet ports separated by an intermediate valve seat in open communication with the inlet and outlet ports includes a piston and a valve member being adapted to sealingly mate with the valve seat. A biasing member is positioned to bias the valve member toward the valve seat. A linear motor assembly attached to the valve body, the linear motor having a plurality of stator discs, a plurality of stator coils, a plurality of teeth defining a cylindrical opening, and a slider positioned within the cylindrical opening. The slider has a plurality of teeth defining a generally cylindrical outer periphery of the slider and is movable in response to magnetic flux generated by electrical current passing through one or more of the stator coils.

Abstract: A valve having a valve body having spaced inlet and outlet ports separated by an intermediate valve seat in open communication with the inlet and outlet ports includes a piston and a valve member being adapted to sealingly mate with the valve seat. A biasing member is positioned to bias the valve member toward the valve seat. A linear motor assembly attached to the valve body, the linear motor having a plurality of stator discs, a plurality of stator coils, a plurality of teeth defining a cylindrical opening, and a slider positioned within the cylindrical opening. The slider has a plurality of teeth defining a generally cylindrical outer periphery of the slider and is movable in response to magnetic flux generated by electrical current passing through one or more of the stator coils.

Abstract: A universal valve for refrigeration systems including an investment-cast, stainless-steel valve body, a piston and one of a plurality of an anodized aluminum adapter plates. Each adapter plate configured to be removed and replaced with another to operate the valve to perform a different function. The investment-cast, stainless steel valve body includes an inlet and an outlet which each include a flangeless distal end configured, as cast, with an unmachined, weldable rim for integration without mechanical connections in a leak-free configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motor operated valve including a valve body with an inlet and outlet and a valve seat therebetween. A valve core reciprocates between open and closed positions by threads of the valve core cooperating with threads on a shaft which rotates with the armature of the motor. The armature has a plurality of spaced apart permanent magnets, a bearing assembly, and is enclosed by a magnetically transparent enclosure closed at one end and hermetically sealed at its other end to the valve body. Lying closely outside the enclosure is a drive stator that includes drive windings and plural Hall-effect devices for commutation of the windings.

Abstract: An improved modulating expansion valve includes a housing having a high pressure side, a low pressure side and a piston reciprocally mounted in a portion positioned centrally therebetween. A manifold is sealingly mounted above the piston, and a high pressure control passageway extends from the valve inlets, through the manifold, to a chamber on top of the piston. A low pressure passageway extends from the chamber through the manifold to the valve outlet. A pair of electrically operated solenoids open and close the high and low pressure passageways to operate the valve. Substantially infinite control of the solenoids provide for modulating control of the valve in a semi-hermetically sealed expansion valve.

Abstract: A rupture disk which is welded or brazed to a relatively massive or robust ring member integrally attached to the remainder of the body by an isolating member of reduced cross-sectional thickness. The upper part of the tubular body is attached by welding or brazing to the lower half of the body at a flange which extends outwardly from the mounting member. This eliminates the need for compressive forces to effect a seal, and one or two sources of potential leakage and setpoint shift (assembly force) are thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A handle for a valve stem having a polygon shaped cross section has a transverse hole for receiving the polygon cross section portion of the stem. A second hole having an axis perpendicular to the transverse hole intersects a portion of the transverse hole which is adapted to receive one of the corners of the polygon shaped valve stem. A removable pin is thereafter forced into the second hole to deform a portion of the valve stem and retain the handle on the stem.

Abstract: An improved capacitance bridge type liquid level control system for use in refrigeration applications is disclosed which provides improved apparatus for sealing the probe in its mounting and for insulating same against the condenser reservoir stand pipe in which it is mounted. Improved sealing between the probe and probe body is accomplished through an annular PTFE seal which when compressed pushes inwardly to seal a tubular PTFE insulation against annular ridges in the side of the probe rod proper. The improved probe rod shape also maintains a proper stabilized axial alignment between the probe rod and the probe body.

Abstract: An improved capacitance bridge type liquid level control system for use in refrigeration applications is disclosed which provides improved apparatus for sealing the probe in its mounting and for insulating same against the condenser reservoir stand pipe in which it is mounted. Improved sealing between the probe and probe body is accomplished through an annular PTFE seal which when compressed pushes inwardly to seal a tubular PTFE insulation against annular ridges in the side of the probe rod proper. The improved probe rod shape also maintains a proper stabilized axial alignment between the probe rod and the probe body.

Abstract: An improved refrigerant float switch assembly includes a float chamber adapted for mounting in fluid communication with a refrigeration system, and a proximity switch assembly mounted adjacent the float chamber and having a tubular extension of the float chamber positioned therein. Improvements in the float chamber include the use of a baffle adjacent and inlet port thereof, and a float impact damper positioned inwardly adjacent the connection between the float chamber and tubular extension thereof. Improvements in the proximity switch portion of the refrigerant float switch assembly include a switch mechanism having an activating arm mounted directly thereon with the actuation of the switch being positioned internally of the assembly between the switch housing and the actuation arm therefore. In a second embodiment of the invention, a plurality of proximity switches are mounted on the switch assembly in spaced relation along the tubular extension of the float chamber.

Abstract: An improved valve-strainer body or housing is disclosed wherein a single structure is adapted for use as both a valve housing for globe valves, gate valves, check valves and the like, and also utilized as a casing for a strainer. The housing is sized such that the single housing may be utilized in differing sized pipeline systems from approximately 1/4 inch IPS to 1 inch IPS. The invention also discloses superior means of using the valve body casing in connection with not only threaded pipe systems, but also brazed pipe systems and welded pipe systems. Finally, improvements in the valve assembly structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: The longevity and safety of pressure-responsive, flexible diaphragms is improved by providing laminated construction of sealing and reinforcing layers that "breathe" through a portion of their cross sections. In one embodiment the flexible diaphragm comprises a laminate having a layer of perforated fabric-like reinforcing material on the low pressure side and a layer of impermeable elastomeric sealing material on the high pressure side with or without an additional layer of said fabric, with or without perforations on the high pressure side and with the areas of bond between the reinforcing material and sealing material being substantially continuous. In another embodiment the laminate comprises an inner layer of perforated fabric-like material bonded to outer layers of perforated elastomeric material on the low pressure side. The elastomeric sealing material layer on the high pressure side of this latter embodiment may be perforated.