Abstract: A two-way fluid control valve for use in temperature controlled HVAC systems. The control valve includes an engine coolant inlet and an engine coolant outlet. A diaphragm is located between the inlet and outlet and is movable between a closed position in which it prevents coolant flow through the control valve and an open position in which it allows coolant to flow through the control valve. A pressure chamber above the diaphragm is in fluid connection with the common port of a three-way control solenoid. The inlet is in fluid connection with the normally closed port of the solenoid and the outlet is in fluid connection with the normally open port of the solenoid. In an unenergized position, the pressure chamber is maintained at a lower pressure than the coolant pressure in the outlet, allowing the diaphragm to be forced open by the engine coolant, thus allowing engine coolant to flow through the valve.

Abstract: A closure member (64) is mounted at the lower end of a draw tube (14) for pivotal movement between an open position (FIG. 4) and a closed position (FIG. 3). The closure member (64) includes a first side part (68) having a lower outer surface (80) which contacts an upwardly facing first valve seat (76) when the closure members (64) is in a closed position. The closure member (64) includes a second side part (70) which extends laterally outwardly from the pivot axis (66). Side part (70) includes an upper outer surface (82) which contacts a second valve seat (78) when the closure member (64) is in a closed position. A first part (88) of a float arm (94) is connected to the second part (70) of the closure member (64). Float arm part (88) extends downwardly from side part (70) to a lower end connection (92). A coil spring (106) is interconnected between the lower end (92) of arm part (88) and the lower end (98) of arm part (96). A buoyant float body (102) is connected to the outer end of arm part (96).

Abstract: A line pressure responsive flow control valve (46) is in series with a solenoid (34) operated off-on valve (26). These two valves (46, 26) are in a common housing having an inlet port (94) and an outlet port (96). A branch (24) of a bypass line (24, 24') extends from a fuel delivery line (10) to a fuel tank (16). A spring (76) biases a closure wall (70) of a piston (66) into contact with a valve seat (88) surrounding a valve orifice (90). Fuel pressure at the inlet (24) acts on the closure wall (70). When this pressure exceeds a predetermined minimum, the piston (66) is moved so as to open the valve orifice (90), allowing fuel to flow from the bypass line (24) to the off-on valve (26). The line pressure responsive flow control valve (46) functions to control flow through the bypass line (24, 24') at times when the off-on valve (26) is open.

Abstract: Separate valve bodies (16, 18) are connected by a sleeve (24). The joint (26) between the first body (16) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by bending forces and resistant to tension forces. The joint (32) between the second body (18) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by tension forces and resistant to bending forces. Each joint (26, 32) includes an annular groove (28, 34) on the valve body (16, 18) and portions (30, 36) of the sleeve (24) extending radially into the groove (28, 34). Each valve body (16, 18) has a valve element (44) that moves axially inwardly to close the flow passage (42) when one of the joints (26, 31) is detached. The valve element (44) is normally retained in an open position by a ball detent (84). A projection (82) carried by the confronting valve body (16, 18) holds the ball (84) in a groove (62) on the element's shaft portion (56).

Abstract: Separate valve bodies (16, 18) are connected by a sleeve (24). The joint (26) between the first body (16) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by bending forces and resistent to tension forces. The joint (32) between the second body (18) and the sleeve (24) is detachable by tension forces and resistant to bending forces. Each joint (26, 32) includes an annular groove (28, 34) on the valve body (16, 18) and portions (30, 36) of the sleeve (24) extending radially into the groove (28, 34). Each valve body (16, 18) has a valve element (44) that moves axially inwardly to close the flow passage (42) when one of the joints (26, 32) is detached. The valve element (44) is normally retained in an open position by a ball detent (84). A projection (82) carried by the confronting valve body (16, 18) holds the ball (84) in a groove (62) on the element's shaft portion (56).

Abstract: A venting valve (2) for a liquid tank, such as a vehicle fuel tank, has a float (64) confined in a cage (10). A valve element (86) is mounted on a mounting post (76, 78) carried by the top surface (72) of the float (64). The element (86) is pivotable about a horizontal axis (X). A rising liquid level in the cage (10) causes the float (64) to move upwardly and seat the valve element (86) against a valve seat (42). When the liquid level falls and the float (64) descends, the valve element (86) pivots on the mounting post (76, 78) and thereby acts as a lever to increase the effective weight of the float (64). This enables the lightweight float (64) to overcome vapor pressure in the tank and unseat the valve element (86). The valve of the invention may be incorporated into a cap (102) for closing a vehicle fuel tank filling and venting tube.

Abstract: A valve has a direct flow passage extending therethrough. A flexible diaphragm (170) is positioned between a main valve seat (156) and an exhaust seat (172). Flow of pressurized air into the valve (110) through the inlet port (142) deflects the diaphragm (170) away from the main seat (156) and seals it against the exhaust seat (172). Higher pressure at the delivery port (144) than the inlet port (142) move the diaphragm (170) away from the exhaust seat (172) and against the main seat (156). A shunt passageway communicates portions of the flow passage on opposite sides of the diaphragm (170) to prevent maintenance of residual positive pressure on the delivery side of the diaphragm (170). The shunt passageway includes a groove (161) along the frustoconical main seat (156) and peripheral cutouts (171) on the diaphragm (170). In one embodiment (210) of the valve, a push member (272,276) moves against the diaphragm (270) to help unseat it from the exhaust seat (272).

Abstract: A gas vent orifice (78, 148) is located within a gas vent passageway. A closure ball (80, 154) is located upstream of the orifice (78, 148). A piston (66, 166) is located downstream of the orifice (78, 148). The piston (66, 166) includes a projection (76, 170) which projects into the orifice (78, 148), for dislodging the closure ball (80, 154) from its seated position. A mass in the form of a spherical ball (74, 160) functions to move the piston (66, 166) to dislodge the closure ball (80, 154). The mass (80, 154) rests on a conical ramp (56, 126) and the slope of the ramp serves to direct the mass (80, 154) against the piston (66, 166). A steep sloped ramp (126) may be used in combination with a piston (166) having a cylindrical center portion (168). Or, a shallow ramp (56) may be used in combination with a piston (66) having a flat upper surface and radial legs (68, 70) which fit within radial slots (58) in the ramp (56).

Abstract: A housing 10, 12 includes a slide chamber 14 in which a slide bar 30 reciprocates between three positions. A coil spring 60 is carried by the bar and extends into lower and upper recesses 50, 52 in the housing. When the bar is reciprocated from the intermediate position to either of the other positions, the ends of the recesses 54 compress the spring, thereby biasing the bar into the intermediate position.

Abstract: Venting gas flow from a fuel tank or the like enters through tangential inlets into a spin chamber, influencing a closure ball in said chamber to spin or orbit around an upper conical wall portion of the spin chamber. The spinning action keeps the closure ball from seating in an outlet opening formed at the upper end of the spin chamber. The closure ball does seat in response to liquid rising in the spin chamber or tilting of the spin chamber beyond a predetermined angle of tilt. A vibrating mass positioned on the outlet side of the outlet opening includes a central striker portion which contacts the closure ball whenever it tends to seat in response to shock forces or some condition other than the presence of liquid activated buoyancy forces or tilt activated gravity forces.

Abstract: A fuel tank cap (10,130) having a venting valve (56,56A) adapted to relieve pressure and temperature in the tank and prevent spilling fuel from the tank. A cover plate (28,28A) is automatically (34,34A) removed from the cap by excessive temperature so as to allow fluid in the tank to escape. The valve body (56) has a spin chamber (98), having generally circular cross sections (102,104) and at least one tangentially directed side wall inlet opening (106). The chamber cross sections decrease in diameter upwardly of the inlet opening (88) to a point below a circular outlet opening whereby gas venting through the chamber spins a light weight buoyant ball (94) around the chamber so as to prevent the ball from closing during venting. The ball (94) is lifted onto a seat (92) at the outlet to close it when liquid enters the chamber to a predetermined level. A heavy ball (96) in the chamber holds the light ball (94) on the seat when the chamber has been tilted a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A tank venting, pressure and temperature relieving, and spill preventing valve for fuel tanks. The valve has a spin chamber, having generally circular cross sections and at least one side wall inlet opening that is tangentially directed with respect to the circumferences of the cross sections. There is a circular outlet at a normally upper and open end of the chamber. The chamber cross sections decrease in diameter upwardly of the inlet opening to below the outlet opening whereby gas venting through the chamber spins a light weight, bouyant ball around the chamber so as to prevent the ball from closing during venting. The ball valve is adapted to be lifted to seat on the outlet to close it when liquid enters the chamber to a predetermined level. A heavy ball in the chamber holds the light weight valve ball on the seat when the chamber has been tilted a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A normally closed pneumatic valve and regulator assembly having regulator and vent valve spools is actuated by an operator pushbutton to automatically regulate pressure of a fluid provided from a pressure source. The valve assembly automatically vents when the pushbutton is released. A bias spring is operatively positioned between the pushbutton and one of the valve spools. The spring is preloaded by a pair of interlinked hook members which limits the travel of the pushbutton with respect to the valve spool and which maintains the spring in a preloaded condition so as to set a minimum value of regulated pressure. Fluid pressure from the pressure source urges the regulator valve spool into a normally closed position and the vent valve spool into an opened position. Pushing the pushbutton opens the regulator valve and closes the vent valve. The spring acts in opposition to fluid pressure on the combined valve spools to provide a regulated, reduced pressure for fluid exiting the valve.

Abstract: A multi-function valve device for controlling the operation of a pneumatically-driven motor. A spring-biased linkage couples a cam-operated push pin to a valve spool assembly. The valve spool assembly coaxially combines the movable elements of a pressure regulator valve, a run valve, and a park valve into a single unit slidable axially within the valve housing and positioned by the spring-biased linkage. The pressure regulator valve permits an increasing pressure to be applied to a slowed or stopped pneumatic motor, approaching the pressure of the pneumatic source to aid in restarting the motor or to provide the additional force necessary to drive a heavily loaded motor. Automatic park and shutoff functions are also provided.

Abstract: A conductive member of plate form is supported on a spring biased member into a static postion of contact at a first corner with a support surface and at a second adjacent corner with a first contact member. A load applying member makes contact with the conductive member on the side thereof opposite from the spring biased support. A low rising pressure acting through the load applying member swings the conductive member in position about a first axis defined by its locations of contact with the support surface and the first contact member into a position in which it also contacts a second contact member and completes a conductive path between the two contact members. An intermediate rising pressure signal causes the conductive member to swing in position about a second axis defined by its locations of contact with the two contact members and against the operator of a micro-switch.

Abstract: A pin shear for shaping and cutting bone pins and other elongate elements to the desired length is described. A pneumatically operated, coaxial cutter assembly includes a cutter plug having pin passageways therethrough positioned inside a cutter body having an aperture therein located in registry with the passageway in a first position. The cutter plug is adapted to move within the cutter body to a second position out of registry with the aperture, whereby an elongate element positioned in the passageway and aperture is severed. A pneumatic operator including means for multiplication of the force applied is described.

Abstract: A toy rocket has a motor receptacle designed to receive a rocket motor of the type fueled by a self-pressurizing liquid propellant. The rocket motor during the fueling operation has its nozzle seated in a launcher through which liquid propellant flows into the propellant cavity of the rocket motor. When the propellant cavity of the rocket motor is pressurized, a member responsive to propellant pressure in the rocket motor engages a portion of the walls of the motor receptacle in the rocket body. When the pressure responsive member releases the receptacle walls, relative motion is provided between at least a portion of the rocket body and the rocket motor. For example, in one embodiment of the toy rocket, a second stage portion of the rocket is spring-biased away from a first stage portion of the rocket body. The major section of the rocket motor is fixed to the first stage portion.

Abstract: Toy rocket launcher adapted for refueling and for remotely triggering the launch of a rocket positioned thereon. The launcher comprises a body having a recessed platform for receiving the end of the nozzle of a toy rocket; a channel for refueling, communicating between the exterior of the body and the surface of the platform, and; a resilient, hemispherical, sealing member, positioned on the platform, which has an opening communicating with the channel and is adapted to sealingly engage the nozzle of the rocket when in position. A remotely releasable latch is controlled by a removable pin which, when manually extracted from a point remote from the launcher, releases the latch and triggers launching.

Abstract: A valve plug (22, 22a, 22b) is biased inwardly by a spring (78, 78a, 78b) to close an opening (6, 6a, 6b) in a tank. A stem (32, 32a, 32b) extends axially inwardly from the plug (22, 22a, 22b). The stem (32, 32a, 32b) has an inner portion (36, 36a, 36b) which is mechanically interlocked with an outer portion (52, 52a, 52b) to directly transmit axial forces created by the spring (78, 78a, 78b). Fusible material (66, 66a, 66b) holds the stem portions (36, 36a, 36b, 52, 52a, 52b) in an interlocking position but carries only relatively small loads. The plug (22, 22a, 22b) and stem (32, 32a, 32b) move against the force of the spring (78, 78a, 78b) to relieve pressure. At elevated temperatures, the fusible material (66, 66a, 66b) melts to allow the stem portions (36, 36a, 36b, 52, 52a, 52b) to separate and the plug (22, 22a, 22b) and outer stem portion (52, 52a, 52b) to move away from the opening (6, 6a, 6b).