Abstract: A vacuum-actuated shear valve coupled between piping from a storage tank and piping internal to a fuel dispenser that automatically opens and closes in response to a vacuum level. A vacuum actuator is provided to control a fuel flow valve inside the shear valve. When a sufficient vacuum level is generated to the vacuum actuator, the actuator keeps the flow path valve inside the shear valve open. When the vacuum is lost, the vacuum actuator releases the flow path valve inside the shear valve, which closes it. The vacuum actuator is coupled to a secondary containment space of a fuel-handling component that is drawn under a vacuum level by a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. Thus, if a leak occurs in the monitored secondarily contained space, the shear valve is automatically closed to prevent the flow of fuel from continuing to be supplied to the source of the leak.

Abstract: An in-dispenser leak pan provided inside the housing of a fuel dispenser. The leak collection chamber collects any fuel that leaks from fuel-handling components located inside the fuel dispenser above the pan. The pan is secondarily contained by an outer pan or container such that an interstitial space is formed therebetween. If a breach exists in the top part of the pan, the captured leaked fuel will be contained in by the outer pan in the interstitial space. The interstitial space of the pan is drawn under a vacuum level using a vacuum-generating source to monitor for leaks. If a leak is detected, a control system may generate an alarm and/or cause the submersible turbine pump to stop supplying fuel, or cause the dispenser product line shear valves to close, thereby only stopping fuel flow to the individual fuel dispenser containing the leak.

Abstract: A shear valve employing a two-stage main poppet valve. The two-stage main poppet valve that can be opened with less force than normally required by prior art designs. For example, if there is pump pressure trapped on the upstream side of the two-stage main poppet valve and little or no pressure or atmospheric pressure on the downstream side, more force than can be provided may be required to open the two-stage main poppet valve to reset the shear valve after the two-stage main poppet valve is closed. The two-stage main poppet valve is designed to first begin to equalize pressure differential across the shear valve without opening a main poppet valve head from its seat inside the shear valve. Thereafter, the main poppet valve head can be opened with less force than otherwise would be required.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A double-walled contained shear valve comprises of an inner housing forming a fuel flow path, and a containment housing surrounding the inner housing, either partially or wholly, to provide a secondary containment. An interstitial space is formed between the inner housing and the containment housing as a result, and may be placed under a vacuum or pressure level to monitor for leaks. A vacuum actuator coupled to the interstitial space automatically opens and closes the fuel flow path of the shear valve in response to the vacuum level in the interstitial space to prevent leaks to the environment. The shear valve may contain a flange for connection to internal fuel dispenser piping that either does or does not includes interstitial space orifices to couple the shear valve interstitial space to the fuel dispenser piping interstitial space to monitor the vacuum or pressure level in these interstitial spaces as one contiguous space.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension for a vehicle. The trailing arm suspension having a height control system for controlling the ride height of the suspension relative to the vehicle. The height control system preferably comprises a motor driven height control valve.

Abstract: A sensor for a height control system in a trailing arm suspension uses a transducer to detect changes in position of a trailing arm relative to a vehicle and sends a proportional signal to a microprocessor that, in turn, actuates a pneumatic valve operably connected to an air spring between the trailing arm and the vehicle. The transducer includes an optical bridge, a variable capacitor, or a flexible variable resistor.

Abstract: A sensor for a height control system in a trailing arm suspension uses a transducer to detect changes in position of a trailing arm relative to a vehicle and sends a proportional signal to a microprocessor that, in turn, actuates a pneumatic valve operably connected to an air spring between the trailing arm and the vehicle. The transducer includes an optical bridge, a variable capacitor, or a flexible variable resistor.

Abstract: A control system, primarily for use with a vehicle, which increases ride stability and minimizes cycling of the control system during normal operation of the vehicle by utilization of a restriction valve to restrict the fluid introduced into or exhausted from a fluid bag in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: An air suspension control system, primarily for use with a vehicle, which increases ride stability and minimizes air losses to the air suspension control system during normal operation of the vehicle by utilization of an air restriction valve to restrict the air introduced into or exhausted from an air spring in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: An air suspension control system, primarily for use with a vehicle, which increases ride stability and minimizes air losses to the air suspension control system during normal operation of the vehicle by utilization of an air restriction valve to restrict the air introduced into or exhausted from an air spring in response to a received control signal.

Abstract: A method is provided that minimizes the seek time necessary for relocating bad sectors found during data processing. During standard data processing in the prime disk area, identified bad sectors are saved in memory until after all of the data processing has been completed. The bad sectors are then relocated from memory in a batch process, thereby requiring only a single seek command to the defect management area. This procedure reduces the time penalty in the number of relocations to a near constant time and avoids a linear time penalty.

Abstract: Automated address mapping is achieved by a system and methodology which automatically reacts to changes in the disk configuration. Prior to utilizing the disk, disk configuration information is provided by the user resulting in a stored configuration table. This configuration table is then used to compute an address translation structure which can be later used to perform actual address mapping operations. Utilizing this address translation structure, in combination with appropriate formulas, address mapping from a logical block address, provided by the host computer, to a surface-track-sector address (STSA) is easily accomplished. By having the actual address translations dependent upon the configuration table, the system and method automatically reacts to changes in the disk configuration.