Abstract: A self-closing breakaway valve assembly comprises first and second frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member therein. The valve members are spring biased to close and are held open by trigger means. The trigger means comprises a first spider member spanning the bore of one valve member, the spider member having a truncated surface from which a trigger knob protrudes. A second spider member spans the bore of the other valve member, and defines a socket receiving the trigger knob in interengaging relationship to hold the valve members open. Upon separation of the housings, the trigger means disengages permitting the valve members to close.

Abstract: By providing pressure-responsive switch-actuation means constructed for being substantially unaffected by temperature changes, a pressure sensor is attained which is capable of monitoring pressure levels with precision, regardless of the ambient temperature to which the system is subjected. By employing temperature insensitive material to effectively compensate for temperature changes incurred by the remaining sensor components, the actuation control assembly of the sensor is capable of achieving precision monitoring of desired pressure levels regardless of changes in the ambient temperature to which the monitor assembly is exposed. In one preferred embodiment, the pressure sensor of the present invention incorporates a uniquely constructed, machined bellows which further enhances and provides precision pressure sensing capabilities.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir and pressure protection device for use with fluid-filled systems comprises a cylindrical chamber wall, bottom chamber wall and depending mounting shank defining an inlet opening. A first piston slides in the cylindrical chamber wall between upper and lower positions, and has an annular working surface defining a central opening. A hollow cylindrical piston stem extends upwardly from the central opening. The first piston is spring biased downwardly. A second piston slides in the hollow piston stem between upper and lower positions. The working surface of the second piston, the annular surface of the first piston and the hollow piston stem together close a variable volume chamber. The second piston is also biased downwardly.

Abstract: By providing a pressure responsive actuator in controlled actuating engagement with a latch mechanism in which a spring-loaded indicator is securely retained, with said indicator being movable from a non-visible, retained position to a visible, released position in response to pressure exceeding a desired level, a unique, precision constructed pressure sensor and indicator is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, the latch mechanism comprises a plurality of elongated, resilient, spring-biased locking fingers, with the locking fingers being controllably disengaged from the indicator in response to the movement of the pressure responsive actuator. In addition, the present invention is also quickly and easily manually reset, thereby further enhancing the usability of the present invention.

Abstract: Improved valve mountings with rotational limiting stops for self-closing breakaway valve assemblies comprising two frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member and trigger means holding the valve members open until the valve housings separate. The rotatable valve members have slotted trunnion shafts respectively rotatably received in trunnion bearings mounted to the valve housings. A coil spring is deployed about each trunnion shaft and has one tang end received in the slot of the trunnion shaft to bias the rotatable valve member to its closed position. Indicator shafts keyed with the trunnion shafts are rotatably mounted in the trunnion bearings, the ends of the indicator shafts being exposed to indicate the positions of the valve members.

Abstract: Frangibly connected members and frangible connector inserts for frangibly connecting members, such as self-closing breakaway valve assemblies, provide independently selectable tension and bending separating loads. A frangible connector insert comprises a tension ring having a cylindrical surface closely receiving a moment arm ring having a mating cylindrical surface to establish an axial interface therebetween. Tension-mode frangible screws or pins are disposed across the axial interface, and are preferably evenly arrayed about the tension and moment arm rings. A bending ring is attached to the moment arm ring by bending-mode fragible screws or the like, also preferably evenly arrayed about the bending ring and moment arm ring. The tension and bending rings are attached to members to connect them when provided as a frangible connector insert, or are integral with the members. The tension-mode frangible means break upon application of a given tension load, but do not break upon application of a bending load.

Abstract: Improved valve mountings with rotational limiting stops for self-closing breakaway valve assemblies comprising two frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member and trigger means holding the valve members open until the valve housings separate. The rotatable valve members have slotted trunnion shafts respectively rotatably received in trunnion bearings mounted to the valve housings. A coil spring is deployed about each trunnion shaft and has one tang end received in the slot of the trunnion shaft to bias the rotatable valve member to its closed position. Indicator shafts keyed with the trunnion shafts are rotatably mounted in the trunnion bearings, the ends of the indicator shafts being exposed to indicate the positions of the valve members.

Abstract: Self-closing breakaway valve assembly of the type having two housings, two rotatable valve members respectively mounted in the housings and spring biased to close, and trigger means holding the valve members open, incorporates a frangible connector frangibly connecting the housings at a desired angular orientation. The frangible connector comprises two clamping rings secured together by frangible screws, the clamping rings defining a peripheral channel which captures two threaded attachment sleeves, which in turn are threaded into the housings to join the housings together. One of the attachment sleeves has a radially outwardly extending flange for turning it during assembly of the housings, such that a desired angular orientation between the housings may be established and maintained during assembly. Axial pins extending from each housing to openings in the clamping ring are used to establish the desired angular orientation.

Abstract: Frangibly connected members and frangible connector inserts for frangibly connecting members, such as self-closing breakaway valve assemblies, provide independently selectable tension and bending separating loads. A frangible connector insert comprises a tension ring having a cylindrical surface closely receiving a moment arm ring having a mating cylindrical surface to establish an axial interface therebetween. Tension-mode frangible screws or pins are disposed across the axial interface, and are preferably evenly arrayed about the tension and moment arm rings. A bending ring is attached to the moment arm ring by bending-mode frangible screws or the like, also preferably evenly arrayed about the bending ring and moment arm ring. The tension and bending rings are attached to members to connect them when provided as a frangible connector insert, or are integral with the members. The tension-mode frangible means break upon application of a given tension load, but do not break upon application of a bending load.

Abstract: A spool deflection indicator comprising a shank and an integral enlarged switch housing supporting a switch. The shank pivotally supports a rod which is connected at one end to a horizontally movable spool located below the indicator. The other end of the rod opposite the spool has a cam with a concave indentation. The concave indentation is aligned with a switch button on the switch. When the spool moves, the cam also moves causing the concave indentation to become misaligned with the switch button thereby depressing it and changing the mode of the switch.

Abstract: A pressure differential sensing device comprises a sealed housing having mounted therein a gas-filled flexible capsule and a switch operated by expansion of the capsule. The pressure differential sensing device is mounted to a pressurized chamber with the pressure of the chamber communicating with the interior of the housing and surrounding the capsule and monitors the chamber for gas leaks. The gas in the pressurized chamber and in the capsule both respond to variations in temperature in a like manner, and a relatively constant pressure differential is thereby maintained between the interior pressure of the capsule and the pressure of the housing. If gas leaks from the pressurized chamber, the pressure of the chamber decreases relative to the interior pressure of the capsule, and the capsule expands to operate the switch. Thus, the device is temperature compensated.The pressure differential sensing device is calibrated by adjusting the position of the switch relative to the capsule.

Abstract: A fluid reservoir device for use in conjunction with fluid-filled systems, such as helicopter blade dampers, comprises a cylindrical chamber wall closed across its bottom by a mounting shank having a fluid inlet opening formed therethrough. A first piston is slideably mounted within the cylindrical chamber wall and spring biased downwardly therein, and a second piston is slideably mounted in the first piston, and is spring biased downwardly therein, the combined work surfaces of the first and second pistons closing the cylindrical chamber wall wherein a chamber is defined having a volume which varies according to the positions of the first and second pistons. The chamber is filled by moving the first piston (and the second piston mounted therein) upwardly, and the first piston is spring biased downward to force fluid from the chamber to the fluid-filled system as required.