Abstract: The present invention provides a manual override system for a linear magnetically operated valve assembly having a valve member reciprocally located in a valve body. A first carrier member connected to the valve member mounts a peripheral set of driven magnets. A barrier member surrounds the first carrier member and is hermetically sealed to the valve body. A second carrier member surrounds the barrier member and mounts a set of driven magnets for magnetically inducing following linear movement in the first carrier member and the valve member in response to specific linear movement of the second carrier member. The manual override system includes a piston member reciprocally located in the valve body for linear movement between the valve body and the first carrier member, the piston member having an annular skirt thereon sealingly engaging an inner bore of the valve body and defining first and second sealed chambers on respective sides thereof within the valve body.

Abstract: A manual override for a magnetically operated rotary valve (10) is provided. The valve includes a rotary member connected to an internal carrier (18) that carries a plurality of permanent magnets (20). A rotary drive carrier (22) also carries a plurality of permanent magnets (24) and is separated from the internal carrier (18) by a hermetic barrier member (42). At one end the barrier member (42) is affixed to a rotatable plate member (26) that is held stationary by a removable pin (64) that interconnects the plate member (26) and a support member (56) affixed to the valve body (12). Rotation limit means are constituted by a pin (40) on the driven portion of the valve which is received in a cooperating recess (36) in the plate member (26). If the valve member jams and there is not sufficient magnetically-induced torque to free the valve member then the override of the invention will come into play.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple pass optical rotary joint which can simultaneously transmit optical signals along two or more channels in either of two directions. The joint uses a rotor and a stator to each of which is connected a plurality of optical fibers. Within the joint reflecting mirrors are used to redirect off-axis optical signals onto the joint axis, with relative rotation occurring while the signals are on-axis. A rotating member for each channel has a mirror for reflecting the on-axis signal portion off-axis to a receptor fiber. Alignment between the rotating member and the receptor fiber, as well as drive for the rotating member, is provided by a pair of magnets of opposite polarity, one being secured to the rotating member and the other being secured to the rotor. The magnetic interaction ensures synchronous rotation of the rotor and the rotating member. Specific embodiments in which transmission losses can be minimized are also disclosed.

Abstract: A laminar flow element for use in a cylindrical fluid flow passage for restricting the flow of fluid through that passage to a constant volume flow rate. The element comprises a body portion having a cylindrical peripheral surface of predetermined length and predetermined diameter, with the surface defining with the passage an annular, tubular fluid passageway. Locating portions are provided extending from the element for engagement with at least one surface in the cylindrical passage for maintaining the peripheral surface concentrically disposed within the cylindrical passage. The length and diameter of the element are dimensioned so that the flow is laminar under all operating conditions, and therefore the volume rate of flow of fluid through the passage is linearly proportional to the pressure drop along the annular passage.