Abstract: Variable flowrate regulators of this invention r comprises a regulator body having a fluid transport chamber disposed therethrough. Fluid inlet and outlet ports are in fluid flow communication with the chamber, and a valve seat is positioned at one end of the chamber. A diaphragm housing is attached to the body and has a diaphragm chamber in fluid flow communication with the fluid transport chamber. A diaphragm is disposed within the diaphragm chamber. A one-piece poppet assembly is attached to the diaphragm and is disposed within the body. The poppet assembly comprises a head that has a diameter sized greater than that of the valve seat for providing a leak-tight seal thereagainst when placed in a closed position. The poppet assembly also comprises a plurality of orifices positioned downstream from the head for passing fluid into the fluid transport chamber when the head is unseated from the valve seat. The plurality of orifices is positioned concentrically within the fluid transport chamber.

Abstract: Fittings of this invention generally comprise a body having a substantially hollow transport passage that extends between a body first end and a body second end. Each of the fitting body ends are adapted to accommodate attachment with respective fluid handling devices. The fitting includes a hexagonal outside surface portion for grasping and rotating the fitting. An interlocking attachment member is disposed along an outside surface of the fitting body and is adapted to form an interlocking attachment with a complementary member of a fluid handling device when the fitting is connected thereto. In an example embodiment, the interlocking attachment member comprises a plurality of rachet teeth that are configured to register with a complementary fluid handling device member. The fitting body first end includes a tongue that projects axially a distance therefrom that is sized and shaped to provide an interference fit within a groove disposed within a fluid handling device opening.

Abstract: A dispense head assembly comprise a housing, and a body having a fluid inlet and outlet attached to the housing. A piston is disposed within the body and housing and is attached at one end to an actuating handle. A poppet/diaphragm is attached to the opposite piston end and includes an imperforate head, a thin-walled sleeve that extends axially away from the head, and a tongue that defines a terminal edge of the sleeve and that forms a leak-tight interference seal with the body. The poppet/diaphragm sleeve is rolled between opposite piston and assembly wall surfaces to provide open- and closed-flow poppet/diaphragm movement. A dip tube adapter is releasibly attached to the housing and body. A tongue and groove seal arrangement is used to form a leak-tight interference seal therebetween. A dip tube is attached to the second adapter body end to provide fluid pick-up from a fluid container to the dispense head assembly.

Abstract: Fluid handling devices comprise a body having a fluid passage therethrough and a fluid inlet and outlet at passage ends. The body is formed from a non-metallic material in a number of different forms, e.g., pipe fittings, pipes, valves and the like. The body includes weldable stubs that extend outwardly therefrom that are designed to facilitate welded attachment with the weldable stubs of an adjacent fluid handling device. To facilitate accurate rotational positioning of the device vis-a-vis other adjacent devices, one or more alignment marks are positioned along the device surface. The alignment marks are positioned on the device to provide an indication of rotational position of the device about an axis running through at least one of the weldable stubs. In one embodiment, the alignment marks are integral with and placed along an outside surface of the device body. In another embodiment, the alignment marks are integral with and placed along an outside surface of the weld stubs.

Abstract: Pumps of this invention comprise a pump housing having at least one pressurizing chamber disposed therein, and a pressurizing member is disposed within the pressurizing chamber. The pressurizing member has a body with a solid imperforate head at one end, a thin-walled skirt extending away from the body head, and a flange extends circumferentially around a terminal edge of the skirt. A piston is disposed within the pump housing and is connected at one end to the pressurizing member. A piston gland is attached to the chamber and includes a diametrically positioned piston guide through which the piston is disposed. The flange is interposed between the chamber and the piston gland and includes sealing means to provide a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A pressurizing member plug is attached to the pressurizing member and has an outside wall surface that contacts and carries a variable portion of the skirt inside surface during reciprocating pressurizing member axial displacement.

Abstract: A valve apparatus comprises a valve body, a piston disposed within the valve body, and a rolling diaphragm poppet that is attached the piston to regulates fluid flow through the valve via interaction with a valve seat within the valve body. The valve body has a chamber extending therethrough that includes a valve seat at one chamber end that defines a fluid inlet passage into chamber. The piston disposed within the chamber and is adapted for axial displacement therein by an actuating means. The rolling diaphragm poppet is attached to an end of the piston and is of a one-piece construction. The poppet includes a head that has a circular radial cross section, and that has a frontside surface that is adapted to interface with the valve seat in the chamber to control fluid flow therethrough. The head also has a backside surface that is adapted to accommodate attachment with an end of the piston.

Abstract: A coupling system comprises a first coupling member having a tongue that projects axially a distance therefrom, and a second coupling member that is threadable attached to the first coupling member. The tongue is inserted within a groove disposed within a second coupling member body. The tongue is axially displaced within the groove by rotation of one of the first or second coupling member relative to the non-rotated coupling member to form a leak-tight seal therebetween. At least one of the first or second coupling member body includes a hollow passage that extends axially therethrough. An elastomeric member is disposed within the groove and is interposed between a base portion of the groove and an end portion of the tongue.

Abstract: A magnetically-driven centrifugal pump comprises a pump body having a pump chamber extending therein from a pump body open end to a pump body closed end, and includes a liquid inlet port and a liquid outlet port for accommodating passage of liquid to and from the pump chamber. An outer magnet assembly is disposed concentrically around the pump chamber and attached to a drive means. An inner magnet assembly is disposed within the pump chamber and is mounted to a shaft that is rotatably mounted within the pump chamber. An impeller is attached to the inner magnet assembly and is mounted to the shaft. Together, the shaft, inner magnet assembly and impeller are rotated within the pump chamber by magnetically coupling with the outer magnet assembly. A diaphragm is disposed within the open end of the pump body and is positioned adjacent the impeller. The diaphragm includes a sleeve that extends radially therefrom and is adapted to form a leak-tight seal with the pump body without the use of O-ring seals.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a valve body and at least one valve seat is disposed within the valve body. A groove is disposed therein concentrically around the valve seat. A poppet assembly is disposed within the valve body and comprises an imperforate valve stem and a valve plug at an end of the valve stem. For three-way flow, the valve body includes two valve seats, and a valve plug at each valve stem end. A cap is attached to an end of the valve body top and a first flexible imperforate diaphragm is disposed within the cap. A second flexible imperforate diaphragm is disposed within the valve body between the poppet assembly and the first diaphragm, and forms a leak-tight seal with the valve body. A base is attached to an opposite end of the valve body. A third flexible imperforate diaphragm is disposed in the valve body between the poppet assembly and the base, and forms a leak-tight seal with the valve body.

Abstract: A spray gun includes a body with a barrel portion having an inner chamber that extends therethrough from a front to a rear portion, and a grip portion. The grip portion includes a water inlet conduit and water outlet conduit disposed therein that each extend through the grip portion to the internal chamber. A spray nozzle is disposed within the front portion of the barrel and includes a valve seat disposed around an inlet end of a passageway extending therethrough. A popper assembly is slidably disposed within the inner chamber and has a cylindrical body with a valve element at one end that is adapted to form a liquid-tight seal with the valve seat when the gun is operated in a no flow position. The poppet assembly also includes a diaphragm at an opposite end of the body that is adapted to form a liquid-tight seal with an adjacent portion of the inner chamber.

Abstract: A double-diaphragm gauge protector constructed according to principles of this invention comprises a diaphragm housing formed from a upper housing body, a lower housing body, and a central housing body interconnected between the upper and lower housing bodies. A first diaphragm is disposed within the upper housing body forming an upper chamber therebetween and a liquid pressure-transfer medium is disposed within the upper chamber. The first diaphragm includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or downwardly facing bottom surface of the first diaphragm toward the lower housing body. A second diaphragm is disposed within the lower housing body forming a lower chamber therebetween. The second diaphragm also includes a transfer pad that projects outwardly away from a frontside or upwardly facing top surface of the second diaphragm toward the first diaphragm. The transfer pads of the first and second diaphragms are positioned one on top of the other.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus includes first and second coupling members each having the form of a hollow conduit having a radially extending flange at a first end, an axially extending sleeve defining a second end adapted to connect with a fluid transport fitting, and a fluid transport passageway running axially therethrough. Each flange has a generally planar axially facing frontside surface. In one embodiment, the frontside surface of the first coupling member flange has at least one integral tongue extending axially outwardly therefrom, and the frontside surface of the second coupling member flange has at least one groove disposed axially therein. Each tongue is placed within a respective tongue to form a liquid-tight seal when frontside surfaces of the first and second coupling member flanges are joined together. In another embodiment, the frontside surfaces of each first and second coupling flange include at least one groove disposed axially therein.

Abstract: A valve apparatus for distributing flow from an inlet among either of two outlets consists of essentially four components comprising a valve body, a second valve seat, a poppet assembly, and an actuator assembly. The valve body comprises an inlet port and two outlet ports disposed between a top end and a bottom end of the body. The inlet and outlet ports communicate with a centrally located valve chamber. A first valve seat is integral with the body and is disposed in the chamber between the inlet port and the second outlet port. A second valve seat is formed separately from the body and is disposed within the chamber between the inlet port and the first outlet port. A poppet assembly is disposed within the chamber and comprises an enlarged diameter section integral with a valve stem positioned between opposing top and bottom ends of the stem. The enlarged diameter section comprises an upper shoulder adjacent the second valve seat and a lower shoulder adjacent the first valve seat.

Abstract: A dual containment fitting comprises an intermediate annular body having a bore therethrough and an outside surface including a nose portion at one end and a threaded portion adjacent the nose portion. The bore includes a threaded portion opposite the nose portion, a collar adjacent the threaded portion, a sleeve adjacent the collar, and an annular shoulder between the sleeve and collar. An annular fitting body has a bore therethrough and an outside surface including a nose portion at one end that is inserted into a flared end portion of an inner tube, and a threaded portion adjacent the nose portion. The nose portion of the fitting body is inserted within the intermediate body bore and is threadably engaged with the intermediate body bore about respective threaded portions, compressively engaging the flared end between the nose portion and the annular shoulder to form a first attachment fitting.

Abstract: A leak-sensing apparatus comprises a gas module, at least one liquid inlet module, a sensor module, and a base module in fluid flow communication and air and liquid-tight attachment with one other. The gas module comprises means for accommodating a predetermined volume of gas and leaking liquid and means for ensuring the containment of gas and leaking liquid therein. Each liquid inlet module comprises at least one liquid inlet port for accommodating the passage of gases and leaking liquids from a fluid handling device to an internal chamber, and means for ensuring one-way passage of gases and liquids into the apparatus. The sensor module comprises a sensing chamber and means for detecting the presence of leaking liquid therein.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve is provided which can be used both with corrosive liquids without valve component degradation and with chemically pure liquids without deleteriously affecting the liquids' purity. The valve incorporates a valve body having at least one inlet and at least one outlet, with a valve seat between each inlet and outlet. A pair of spaced-apart diaphragms are provided which are in contact with the fluid flowing through the valve. A poppet assembly, which extends between the diaphragms, incorporates a valve stem with a valve plug on one or both ends which engages an associated valve seat. A leak detection port is provided to detect liquids which may leak through either one of the two diaphragms.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump having a support ring positioned interiorly within the coil of the plastic bellows. The support ring is initially coiled to a diameter smaller than the normal bellows coil diameter. The free ends of the support ring have a telescopic relationship so that, when expanded to form a complete loop for supportive engagement within the bellows coil, the oppose free ends of the loop circumferentially engage one another and are positively held in telescopic engagement due to the circumferential hoop stress of the support ring.

Abstract: A bellows-type pump has a plastic bellows interiorly supported by interior pressure. The interior pressure is supplied by a fluid source which passes through a pressure regulator to control the amount of interior pressure exerted on the bellows. A fiber-optic leak detector can be inserted into the plastic bellows to detect the leakage of process fluid therein.

Abstract: A fitting arrangement where a fitting body has a collar portion for accommodating an end of an inner plastic tube. The collar portion defines a tapered seat which cooperates with a tapered ferrule which surrounds the tube and which abuts a tapered gripping sleeve which also surrounds the tube. An intermediate one-piece annular member has a nut part which externally threads onto the collar portion, and also has an interior conical seat which wedgingly cooperates with the gripping sleeve to wedgingly hold the ferrule and gripping sleeve between the opposed seats to radially compress them against the inner tube. This intermediate member also has a collar part projecting axially thereof for surrounding the end of a concentric outer tube. An annular nut surrounds the outer tube and is externally threaded onto the collar part.

Abstract: A fitting having a collar defining a bore which accommodates a plastic tube. The collar defines a tapered seat on the end thereof. A tapered plastic ferrule surrounds the tube and cooperates with the tapered seat for compressing the ferrule into sealing engagement with the tube. The ferrule has an axial end face adapted to abut a deformable plastic gripper sleeve which surrounds the tube, the gripper being surrounded by a nut which threads over the collar. The gripper is disposed in a tapered bore in the nut. The gripper has a tapered exterior surface which extends at an angle which is slightly greater than the angle of the tapered bore. When the nut is threaded onto the collar, the differential taper causes an axial torque to be imposed on the gripper so as to radially distort the gripper into gripping engagement with the tube. The gripper has an axial end surface which, when nondistorted, is slightly sloped axially away from the ferrule as it projects radially outwardly.