Abstract: A method for adjusting control parameters of a clip applier using a surgical hub is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during a first surgical procedure, evaluating the gathered data to determine the appropriate operation of a clip applier in a subsequent surgical procedure, gathering data during the operation of the clip applier in the subsequent surgical procedure, determining if the operation of the clip applier needs to be adjusted based on the data gathered during the subsequent surgical procedure, and adjusting the operation of the clip applier based on the data gathered during the subsequent surgical procedure.

Abstract: A pneumatic pressure control device for an empty/load changeover valve on a railway car, which enables an empty/load changeover valve to have a lower profile. The pneumatic pressure control device comprises a mounting member having a first surface, a second surface, and further having an actuating push rod. A sensor arm of a predetermined size and shape has a first end and a second end. A first disposed adjacent at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the mounting member pivotally supports the sensor arm in a predetermined position on the mounting member. A second is engageable with the sensor arm and the actuating push rod on the mounting member for moving the push rod in response to a movement of the sensor arm. A load sensing has at least a portion thereof disposed on the second end of the sensor arm for determining a rate of brake cylinder pressure required relative to an actual weight of a railway car. The sensor arm and the load sensing have a predetermined travel limit.

Abstract: An empty/load brake control system mountable on a sprung and an unsprung member of a railway car and disposed between the car brake control valve and brake cylinder for adjusting the brake cylinder pressure during a brake application according to the car load condition. Such system includes an empty/load sensor valve device and a sensor arm coupled to a sensor cable whose movement is controlled by a sprung member and a terminal member disposed on an end of sensor cable, in contact with sprung member so that any downward movement of sprung member forces such terminal member in a similar downward direction and similarly pulls on the sensor cable. A piston, under pressure, urges the sensor arm to rotate and retract sensor cable but must overcome resistance of a spring. The system includes a load proportional valve.

Abstract: A test connector adapter plate for use with a pipe bracket portion of a freight brake control valve of a railway freight vehicle and with a portable automated single car brake tester. The pipe bracket portion having four test ports vertically disposed on a front side of such pipe bracket portion for single car brake testing. These test ports are fluidly connected to passageways within the pipe bracket for communicating fluid pressure with brake pipe, brake cylinder, emergency reservoir and auxiliary reservoir, respectively. A first member of the test connector adapter plate is engagable with the test ports on such front side of the pipe bracket portion for accessing the passageways respectively communicating to brake pipe, brake cylinder, emergency reservoir and auxiliary reservoir and are fluidly connected to respective passageways within the adapter plate.

Abstract: A purge valve for expelling liquid contaminants from a fluid conduit which is normally unpressurized but is at times pressurized with a gas which contains liquid contaminants. It has a housing, a diaphragm mounted within the housing, a control chamber on a first side of the diaphragm, an exhaust passage on a second side of the diaphragm and a valve seat surrounding the exhaust passage. The valve seat is positioned so that the diaphragm can seal against it. A spring on the second side of the diaphragm presses it away from the seat. An annular chamber is on the second side of the diaphragm, surrounding the exhaust passage. The annular chamber is open to the exhaust passage when the diaphragm is unseated from the valve seat. The valve has a low impedance flow path between the control chamber and the fluid conduit. The valve also has a high impedance discharge flow path connected to the annular chamber.

Abstract: The invention is a valve for expelling a liquid contaminant from a gas in a conduit. It is used for a conduit with a pressure subject to variations in time. The valve has a housing containing a diaphragm with a control chamber on one side of the diaphragm and an exhaust passage on the other side. A valve seat surrounds the exhaust passage. A spring presses the diaphragm against the valve seat so that the valve is normally closed and an annular chamber surrounds the exhaust passage. A low impedance discharge passage is connected to the annular chamber and to the conduit. A high impedance control passage is connected to the control chamber and is either connected to the discharge passage or to the conduit. When the conduit pressure remains constant in time, the pressure in the control chamber equilibrates with it so that a net pressure force on the diaphragm plus the spring force presses the diaphragm against the valve seat so that the valve is closed.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes first and second valve bodies. The first body defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. In the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. The second body defines a bore between its upper and lower threaded ends which communicates with the passage. The upper threaded end connects with the threaded end of the first body whereas the lower threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In the bore, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a seal element that is seatable against an inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables quick measurement of pressure contained within a housing. The fitting includes a valve body, a valve retainer, first and second sealing rings and a biasing mechanism. The valve body defines a flow passage within which is situated the valve retainer. The valve body is designed at its protuberant end to mate with a female coupler of a quick connect device and at its threaded end to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. The valve retainer defines around itself first and second annular recesses each of which spaced apart from the other to match the spacing of outer and inner annular valve seats formed in the flow passage. Forming a first valve, the first sealing ring retains in the first annular recess so as to be seatable against the outer valve seat. Forming a second valve, the second sealing ring retains in the second annular recess so as to be seatable against the inner valve seat.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end screws into the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve atop a valve stem features a poppet head that is seatable against an outer valve seat. A first biasing mechanism compels the head against the outer seat to keep the first valve normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a seat piece and a valve retainer. On its periphery, the seat piece carries an o-ring which sealingly secures the piece within the passage. The piece defines an inner bore between its ends and has an inner valve seat on its bottom. The top of the retainer is extendable through this inner bore to a point a dead space apart from a bottom of the stem. Around its bottom, the retainer carries an annular check valve.

Abstract: A dual valve fitting enables pressure within a housing to be quickly measured. The fitting includes a single valve body that defines a passage between its threaded and protuberant ends. The threaded end is designed to screw into a threaded bore of the housing. In an upper section of the passage, a first valve features a poppet head atop a valve stem. The poppet head is seatable against an outer annular valve seat formed in the protuberant end of the passage. A first biasing mechanism compels the poppet head against the outer valve seat so that the first valve is normally closed. In a lower section of the passage, a second valve features a retainer whose top defines a recess that retains a check seal element used for seating against an inner annular valve seat formed in the passage. A second biasing mechanism acts upon the retainer so that the check seal element seats against the inner valve seat thereby rendering the second valve normally closed.

Abstract: A dual valve apparatus enables quick measurement of pressure contained within a housing. The housing has a main body, a check valve housed in the main body and a cover whose removal renders the check valve accessible. The check valve is normally compressed against a check valve seat to provide a first seal that prevents leakage of the pressure. The dual valve apparatus includes a modified cover, a valve body and a valve stem. The modified cover defines first and second bores axially offset from and in communication with one another. The first bore is at least partially threaded. When the modified cover is secured to the main body, the second bore is aligned with the check valve. The valve body accommodates a valve bore from its protuberant end to its threaded end. The protuberant end is shaped to mate with a female portion of a quick connect coupling. The threaded end screws into the first bore of the modified cover.

Abstract: A dual seal coupling apparatus enables quick measurement of brake cylinder pressure through a receiver assembly of a control valve. The receiver assembly has a receiver body, a check valve housed in the body and a cover whose removal renders the check valve accessible. The check valve is normally compressed against a check valve seat to provide a first seal that prevents leakage of the pressure. When moved away from its seat, the check valve provides access to the pressure. The apparatus includes a boss that protrudes from the cover and a male portion of a quick connect coupling. The boss defines a threaded bore aligned with the check valve when the cover is secured to the receiver body. The male portion includes a valve body and a valve stem. The valve body defines a valve bore and has a threaded end for screwing into the threaded bore of the cover. At its opposite end, the valve body is shaped to mate with a female portion of the quick connect coupling.

Abstract: A dual seal coupling fitting enables quick measurement of pressure. The fitting includes primary and secondary valves and has one end shaped like a male portion of a quick coupler and another end screwable into a threaded bore defined in a pressure bearing housing. The fitting defines first and second cylindrical sections in communication with each other. The primary valve situates in the first section, the secondary valve in the second section. The primary valve includes a valve stem with a poppet head. A first mechanism compresses the poppet head against an outer valve seat to close the primary valve thereby preventing leakage of pressure. The secondary valve features a cylindrical seat piece and a retainer. The piece secures within the second section and defines through itself an inner bore. The piece at one end forms an inner valve seat and at an opposite end situates adjacent the first mechanism. The retainer has at one end a post approximate a terminal end of the valve stem within the inner bore.

Abstract: A pneumatic receptacle adapted to receive a pneumatic connector head of a test device is mounted in a universal location remote from the brake control valve of a railroad freight car. The remotely mounted receptacle may be located on the railroad car body, for example, and is communicated with access ports associated with the control valve via hoses or conduits. In locating the receptacle on the car body, hook-up of the test device can be accomplished conveniently and in a safe manner by railroad personnel in the course of conducting a single car test to check the condition of the car brakes, regardless of the control valve location.

Abstract: A two-piece check valve device comprising a rubber sealing element and a plastic carrier member. A through bore in the plastic carrier member receives the sealing element, which is formed with an annular groove in which the carrier member is removably secured. The through bore and annular groove may be correspondingly tapered to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the check valve device.

Abstract: A test connector for connecting an air brake test device to access ports provided on an air brake control valve device where such access ports are normally closed by check valves is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of stem operators project into the access ports without opening the check valves therein when the test connector is installed in position on the control valve device. A handle is provided to effect rotation of an eccentric shaft on which the stem operators are connected to unseat the check valves and thereby access air at the respective access ports when it is desired to initiate testing following installation of the test connector. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of test probes pivotally mounted on the test connector body enter the access ports and unseat the check valves in the course of installing the test connector in position on the control valve. In both embodiments, the stem operators/test probes are self-aligning to facilitate installation of the test connector.

Abstract: A broaching machine for cutting keyways in a bore of a piece part. There is a stationary bed plate on which is slidably mounted a moveable vise which slides along the bed plate. The jaws of the moveable vise clamp the piece part which is to be machined. A broach holder lowers the broach through an upper fixed support which has upper broach guide means disposed therein. The broach then passes through the piece part and through a lower broach guide means positioned in the bed plate. A broach pulling unit receives the bottom of the broach and reciprocates the broach in an up and down vertical cutting operation. The broach is maintained in position and alignment by means of the upper and lower broach guide means which are disposed above and below the piece part. The upper and lower broach guide means are removable and replaceable after a predetermined amount of wear has occurred.

Abstract: A piston valve assembly in which plastic wear rings are fitted on an aluminum piston member to prevent metal-to-metal engagement between the piston member and the bore of the bushing in which the piston member is operatively disposed in order to eliminate abrasion of the piston member due to vibration in the bushing bore.

Abstract: A multi-thickness diaphragm member including clamping sections that are sized for assembly of the diaphragm in standard air brake valve devices and a flexure portion intermediate the clamping sections that forms a convolution during assembly. The thickness of the flexure portion is less than that of the clamping sections to facilitate formation of the diaphragm convolution without wrinkling, in order to alleviate progressive fatigue failure. The thin flexure portion of the diaphragm is joined with the respective clamping sections through a tapered area, which lies entirely outside of the annular space in which the diaphragm convolution forms during assembly, to thereby maximize the radius of curvature of the convolution for optimum utilization of the flexure portion in forming the convolution.

Abstract: A two-piece check valve device comprising a rubber sealing element and a plastic carrier member. A through bore in the plastic carrier member receives the sealing element, which is formed with an annular groove in which the carrier member is removably secured. The through bore and annular groove may be correspondingly tapered to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the check valve device.