Abstract: A shutoff valve connects between a toilet fill valve and a water supply line for a toilet tank. A housing containing a valve mechanism is positionable between open and closed positions. A latching mechanism holds the valve mechanism in the open position unless receiving an electric signal from an electronic sensing system upon detection of a fault condition. A manually-actuated reset lever returns the valve mechanism to the open position. The electronic sensing system includes at least one water level sensor for sensing a water level in the toilet tank, the electronic sensing system programmed to detect a slow flush valve leak, a stuck-open flush valve, or a high water level fault. Another water level sensor may be included in the toilet bowl to detect a plugged toilet fault condition.

Abstract: A device to shut-off a water supply to a toilet diverts water from a toilet fill valve to a shut-off valve that has a housing that includes a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges closing of the valve mechanism. A trip latch is adapted to prevent closing of the valve mechanism except when withdrawn from the valve mechanism by a solenoid that is electrically connected to the trip circuit. The trip circuit includes at least one trip sensor input and a power source, such that when the trip circuit detects a fault condition on any of the trip sensors, the trip circuit connects power to the solenoid to withdraw the solenoid to close the valve mechanism. A rest knob may then be rotated to reset the valve mechanism into a valve-open position.

Abstract: An auxiliary actuator for a toilet fill valve comprises a plunger oriented under an arm of the toilet fill valve to lift the arm to close the toilet fill valve when the plunger is in a raised position. A spring or hydraulic mechanism urges the plunger into the raised position. A solenoid mechanism is normally de-energized and engages a latching mechanism of the plunger when the plunger is in a lowered position. An electronic sensing circuit has at least one sensor and a power source. The electronic sensing circuit is electrically connected with the solenoid mechanism to energize the solenoid mechanism upon detection of a fault condition based on the input of the at least one sensor. Fault conditions may include a flush valve leak, a stuck-open flush valve, a plugged toilet, and a leaking fill valve.

Abstract: A device to shut-off a water supply to a toilet diverts water from a toilet fill valve to a shut-off valve that has a housing that includes a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges closing of the valve mechanism. A trip latch is adapted to prevent closing of the valve mechanism except when withdrawn from the valve mechanism by a solenoid that is electrically connected to the trip circuit. The trip circuit includes at least one trip sensor input and a power source, such that when the trip circuit detects a fault condition on any of the trip sensors, the trip circuit connects power to the solenoid to withdraw the solenoid to close the valve mechanism. A rest knob may then be rotated to reset the valve mechanism into a valve-open position.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for connecting between a water supply valve and a tank inlet port of a toilet tank includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, a valve mechanism, a trip mechanism, and a trip circuit electrically connected with the trip mechanism. The valve mechanism includes a valve housing rotationally confining a first ceramic disk and a ceramic second disk, each disk having at least one aperture therethrough that, when mutually aligned, allow for fluid communication between the inlet and outlet ports. The trip mechanism includes a rotational spring that urges rotation of an axial shaft fixed coaxially with the second disk. A trip latch is adapted to prevent rotation of the axial shaft and second disk except when withdrawn from the axial shaft by a solenoid electrically connected to the trip circuit that is electrically connected with a toilet tank overflow sensor, a toilet bowl overflow sensor, or the like.

Abstract: A flow shut off valve for residential water line pressure includes a self cleaning valve element held in a housing having an inlet, an outlet section and an outlet adapter with a fluid passage connecting the inlet and the outlet adapter. The inlet and the outlet adapter include exterior threads for connection to a further item. The valve element is slidably mounted within a passage in a poppet guide and metering slot insert having one or more metering slots that allow variable fluid flow between the inlet and outlet adapter. A spring biases the valve element toward the inlet. Reduced back pressure at the outlet adapter drives the valve element into a closed position with a sealing surface against the valve seat to terminate flow. The flow shutoff valves are contemplated for integration with stop valves supplying water to employment with household appliances, sinks, toilets and the like.

Abstract: The valve comprises a housing defining a flow passage, an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, and a valve seat. An annular cavity is formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall. A valve member is slidably mounted within the housing. The valve member includes an annular skirt section extending in the downstream direction. A downstream-facing portion of the valve member comprises a sealing portion configured to selectively engage the valve seat. The valve member is movable between an upstream no flow position, a downstream shutoff position, and a normal flow position intermediate the no flow position and the shutoff position. A biasing element is disposed between the housing and the valve member so as to bias the valve member away from the valve seat.

Abstract: A flow shut off valve for residential water line pressure includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a passage there between with a valve seat in the passage. A valve element is slidably mounted within the passage and includes a cavity open to the inlet and orifices partially restricting flow from the cavity to the passage. A spring biases the valve element toward the inlet. Reduced back pressure at the outlet drives the valve element into a closed position with a sealing surface against the valve seat to terminate flow. The restrictive orifices in the valve element extend from the cavity to the periphery of the valve element and, in a position toward the inlet, the restrictive orifices are closed by the housing to block communication between the inlet and the outlet. In an intermediate position, the orifices are open and the sealing surface is not against the valve seat. A motion damper may be employed to allow for start-up conditions on sprinkler systems and the like.

Abstract: The present flow shutoff valve comprises a flow metering sleeve positioned within a flow passage. The sleeve and a housing of the valve define an annular space. The sleeve includes a flow metering aperture downstream of the annular space. A valve member is slidably mounted within the sleeve. The valve member is movable between a no flow position, a normal flow position and a shutoff position. The valve is self cleaning, so that it reduces the buildup of sediment within the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulverizing a collection of pieces of materials such as vulcanized rubber to create a very fine powder. The apparatus includes a piston and a cylinder which places the material to be pulverized under extremely high pressure of at least 1,000 psi and forcing the compressed material out of one or more exit ports. These exit ports are located at the end of a smoothly narrowed channel leading to the exit ports. A rapidly moving cutter is positioned so that its path completely covers the exit port. The compressible materials are thus compressed to the point where they have no voids and provide a solid incompressible cuttable face. The rapidly moving cutter creates a fine powder at the exit port.

Abstract: A loader includes a sleeve support which will carry in a raised position a lightweight open-centered sleeve, of the type which is capable of holding a plurality of automobiles. An automobile support, capable of carrying the automobiles which will comprise one level when loaded into the sleeve, is located below the sleeve. A lifting device moves the sleeve support and the automobile support together to insert the automobiles into the sleeve from its bottom. Latching mechanisms which attach the automobiles to the sleeve are movable between loading positions, where the automobiles can be inserted past them, and latching positions where they will engage the automobiles' tires. The loader is capable of removing the sleeves from cargo containers for loading and/or unloading and then placing them back into the containers when this procedure is completed. The apparatus also is capable of folding the sleeves to their collapsed position and of expanding them to their erected position.