Abstract: An external valve operating means that forms a seal around the rotating valve stem of a valve operating under internal pressure is disclosed. This seal prevents the escape of fluids should the valve's primary seals fail. The external valve operating means allows for rotation of the valve stem without removal or compromise of the seal. A stationary operating seal cap is in threaded and sealed engagement with the valve body. Upon partial disengagement of the stationary operating seal cap, the pressure within the external valve operating means is vented. An external valve stem drive protrudes through the top of the stationary operating seal cap. An O-ring forms a seal between the two. The bottom of the external stem drive mates with the rotating valve stem while the top of the external stem drive is shaped so as to allow gripping by a tool. Rotation of the external stem drive via the tool effects rotation of the valve stem while the seal surrounding it is maintained.

Abstract: When the O-rings of ball valves used in the fluid circuits of refrigeration systems are exposed to new EPA-correct refrigerants and blends, the lubrication covering the O-rings tends to wash away. This results in failure of the ball valves. A quarter turn ball valve with a valve stem seal configuration for use under such conditions is disclosed. The valve stem seal configuration protects the ball valve O-ring from contact with the refrigerant fluid flowing through the ball valve. The ball valve has a valve stem receiving passageway with annular recesses in the upper and bottom portions of the passageway. The recesses are spaced apart from one another and a primary seal washer is seated within the bottom recess while an O-ring is seated within the upper recess. Both embrace the valve stem. An annular spring and valve stem guide are supported above the O-ring. In order to minimize wear, the O-ring is maintained in a state of "controlled squeeze" where it is subjected only to radial compression.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting frost buildup on an evaporator (34) of a refrigeration system (10) includes an air velocity sensor (42) in the air flow path. The sensor is connected to an analog to digital converter (46) which delivers binary signals representative of air velocity to a microcomputer (50) which includes a processor and a memory. Microcomputer (50) is programmed to prompt an operator through a screen (56) at a user station (52) to input an air flow reduction factor at a keyboard (54). The microcomputer uses the air flow reduction factor and the velocity sensed when the evaporator is fully defrosted to calculate a defrost initiation value. When the air velocity sensed at the sensor is no longer greater than the initiation value the microcomputer generates a defrost initiation signal. The microcomputer also includes a timer clock and periodically prints at a printer (58) the time and the velocity sensed.

Abstract: A pipe mount manifold assembly (10) including a valved manifold (11). The manifold is carried on a mounting bracket (23) having a carrier portion (34) to which the manifold may be secured in any one of a plurality of different positions by suitable securing devices (35). The mounting bracket (23) is adapted to be mounted to a pipe support (19,20,21) in any one of a plurality of different positions, and for this purpose, is provided with pairs of chocks (25,26) spaced apart in mutually perpendicular directions for cooperation with a securing clamp (30) in mounting the mounting bracket to the pipe in mutually perpendicular directions. The chocks include cleat portions (27) for biting into the pipe to provide a further improved positive mounting of the assembly to the pipe. Mounting bracket (23) may be formed as a one-piece element with the chocks and carrier portion defining turned flange portions thereof.

Abstract: A metering valve having a deflectible beam for controlling fluid flow through an inlet port wherein a selected orifice disc, which may be any one of a plurality of orifice discs having different size orifices, is disposed in aligned relationship with the inlet. The deflectible beam may be carried on the orifice disc. The orifice disc may be removably secured within the valve by separable portions of the wall structure thereof. The outlet may be arranged to extend around the periphery of the orifice disc and opens to the flow chamber within the valve closely adjacent the beam to provide effective minimum axial extent of the valve. The beam deflecting structure includes a spring. One spring retainer at an outer end thereof is provided with a conical surface engaging a threaded adjusting element for minimum transfer of rotational force to the spring during the adjustment of the metering valve.

Abstract: A needle valve having a stem movably carried in a body defining a flow chamber with the tip of the stem being provided with a soft movable valve portion adapted to have seating engagement with an annular valve seat of a body port. The soft movable valve element may be defined by a tubular sleeve formed of a cold flowable material. A tubular retainer is slidably carried about the sleeve to prevent undesirable radial expansion of the sleeve as a result of cold flow and to direct the cold flowed material of the sleeve inwardly about a retainer portion of the stem disposed within the body port when the sleeve is in seating engagement with the body seat. The retainer is arranged to limit the adjustment of the stem to a maximum inward position wherein a major portion of the sleeve is cold flowed into the body port.

Abstract: A valve structure having a body provided with a threaded recess for receiving a bonnet provided with a chordal flatted tool engaging portion received in an outer portion of the recess when the member is threadedly installed on the body. The outer end of the recess may be radially enlarged to receive a retainer which, when installed therein, extends between the flatted surface of the member and the body to effectively positively prevent further rotation of the member in the body threaded recess, thereby locking the member in the mounted disposition. The retainer may extend outwardly from the body surface portion and may include an outer portion engaging an outer portion of the flatted surface. The retainer may be defined by a pin having an inner end received in a hole provided in the body radially outwardly of the recess.