Abstract: An enhanced low noise relief valve renders the anodizing processing irrelevant to the low leakage nature of the valve member based on the tolerance between the tube portion of the valve member and the inlet bore of the machined housing. This is accomplished by providing an additional valve stem holder that acts as a stem holder through which at least part of the tube portion of the valve member extends, with the stem holder instead of the valve member tube being located adjacent to the bore of the machined housing. The stem holder does not need to be subject to the anodizing process, and therefore a tight tolerance between the valve member and stem holder provides adequate leakage control, and the anodizing process applied to the machined housing otherwise is separated from the location where leakage tolerance is critical.

Abstract: A system and method for building on a worksite utilizing compressed masonry blocks is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a block machine at or near a worksite for the structure, providing reusable material at or near the worksite as block material for forming a plurality of compressed blocks, manufacturing each of the plurality of compressed blocks by the block machine by compressing a measured portion of the block material under a pressure in the range of 2500 to 5000 psi, and forming the structure on the worksite from one or more of the plurality of compressed blocks. The reusable material includes common clay, foundry sand, coal ash, construction debris, demolition debris, waste road asphalt, or waste roof shingles.

Abstract: A set top box is described including multiple tuners and an apparatus and method for controlling signal level. The apparatus includes a signal splitter for splitting signal power of a signal between an input and at least two outputs, a controller coupled to an output, and a circuit controlled by the controller and selectively coupled to the signal splitter for altering a signal transfer response characteristic of the signal. The method describes controlling the signal level of signals outputted by a signal splitter including determining a signal quality characteristic of one of the output signals and altering a signal response in the signal splitter in response to comparing the signal quality characteristic to a predetermined signal quality characteristic threshold.

Abstract: A set top box is described including multiple tuners and an apparatus and method for controlling signal level. The apparatus includes a signal splitter for splitting signal power of a signal between an input and at least two outputs, a controller coupled to an output, and a circuit controlled by the controller and selectively coupled to the signal splitter for altering a signal transfer response characteristic of the signal. The method describes controlling the signal level of signals outputted by a signal splitter including determining a signal quality characteristic of one of the output signals and altering a signal response in the signal splitter in response to comparing the signal quality characteristic to a predetermined signal quality characteristic threshold.

Abstract: A split sealing member for a rotary shaft comprising a coiled body, with non-adjoined ends, having a plurality of turns about a central axis, bent along the course of the body such that the body is divided into a radially-inner portion and a radially-outer portion wherein the radially-inner portion defines a first plane and the radially-outer portion defines a second plane which is substantially transverse to the central axis.

Abstract: A packing (10) for a stuffing box (12), for example, for petrochemical and/or power industry valves including one or more low density, graphite preform rings (30 and 44) which are further compressed, when the packing gland is tightened, with controlled material flow into the remaining open areas to provide impervious and effective I.D. and O.D. seals. The preform rings (30 and 44) are preferably adjacent higher density graphite adapter rings (32 and 46) with the adjacent facing surfaces (34-36 and 40-42) of the preform and adapter rings, preferably, having acute angles of 45.degree. and 60.degree., respectively, with respect to the axis of the packing.

Abstract: A Pitman shaft boot seal designed for a static sealing application with one sealing surface compressed against the Pitman arm and the other sealing surface compressed against the steering gear housing. The sealing surfaces are held in place by a compression spring located inside the boot seal. The cylindrical portion of the boot seal is formed with a plurality of identical, equally spaced-apart, parallel, hollow ribs parallel to the axis of the Pitman shaft and extending around the entire circumference of the seal. The ribs allow the boot seal to twist as the Pitman arm moves arcuately, without breaking the static seal at the sealing surfaces.