Abstract: A self-closing filter includes a housing to be attached to a sidewall of a self-inflating pneumatic tire. The housing includes a cavity to be in fluid communication with an atmospheric air inlet of a pneumatic control valve for the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter further includes a filtration media to block contaminants from entering the cavity while allowing atmospheric air to be drawn through the filtration media into the cavity by a pump of the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter still further includes a valve attached to the housing. The valve is selectively actuatable to an open state and to a closed state. The filtration media is exposed to an atmosphere impinging upon the tire when the valve is in the open state. The closed state is to prevent exposure of the filtration media to the contaminants when the valve is in the closed state.

Abstract: A self-closing filter includes a housing to be attached to a sidewall of a self-inflating pneumatic tire. The housing includes a cavity to be in fluid communication with an atmospheric air inlet of a pneumatic control valve for the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter further includes a filtration media to block contaminants from entering the cavity while allowing atmospheric air to be drawn through the filtration media into the cavity by a pump of the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter still further includes a valve attached to the housing. The valve is selectively actuatable to an open state and to a closed state. The filtration media is exposed to an atmosphere impinging upon the tire when the valve is in the open state. The closed state is to prevent exposure of the filtration media to the contaminants when the valve is in the closed state.

Abstract: A pneumatic control valve that, when implemented inside a pneumatic tire having an internal reversible peristaltic pump, is configured to prevent air from entering the peristaltic pump if a tire air pressure in a pressurizable cavity of the tire is greater than a selectable set point pressure. The control valve is further configured to open an air passage between an atmosphere external to the tire and an intake of the peristaltic pump if the tire air pressure in the pressurizable cavity of the tire is less than or equal to the selectable set point pressure.

Abstract: A self-calibrating method and system 10 for controlling a hydraulically operated device, such as a clutch actuator 24 in an automatic power transmission, provides a pressure switch 30 in the hydraulic circuit that provides feed-back to the controller 32 when the hydraulic fluid pressure has reached a set point level. Pressure switch 30 provides a signal to controller 32 that allows the controller to compare the control signal at the pressure set point level with that of the calibrated curve for adjusting the calibration curve.

Abstract: A valve assembly having solenoid valves mounted on a manifold or block for, upon energization, controlling flow in selected passages. A bus frame of overmolded bus strips has portions of the strips exposed for connection directly to the solenoids. A pressure switch capsule is received in a ported cavity in the manifold or block and located such that a snap disk on the pressure switch contacts exposed surfaces of end portions of two of the bus strips for completing a circuit responsive to sensed pressure in the block cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the flow of stock mixture through an enclosed head box chamber, such as in a paper-making machine, and onto a forming surface thereof. A plurality of plates are arranged in the chamber to extend transversely across the chamber, with the top edges of the plates and the inner wall of the chamber defining therebetween an opening through which the stock mixture flows. The plates are selectively moved toward and away from the inner wall to vary the configuration of the opening and, thus, control the flow of stock mixture through the openings such that selective movement of selected plates controls the cross-sectional flow profile across the width of the chamber and, correspondingly, controls the cross-sectional flow across the width of the outlet from the chamber and onto the surface forming the sheet material.

Abstract: A cartridge type pressure switch is formed with a cup-shaped contact flanged outwardly at its rim and slidably nested in an annular spacer. A flexible diaphragm has an integrally formed annular bead ring which is stretched over the spacer to secure the diaphragm in place over the cup-shaped contact. A spring nested in the cup-shaped contact has the outer end registered against a deck or spring retainer. A pair of stationary contacts on opposite sides of the spacer have terminal portions extending outwardly through the deck. The spring biases the cup-shaped contact in a direction to seat the flange against the stationary contacts. When the cartridge is inserted in a bore, the bead ring is compressed to seal the cartridge in the bore.

Abstract: A two-way, inline, hydraulic valve through which fluid can flow in reverse and in forward directions has a reverse flow passage including a check valve preventing forward direction fluid flow therethrough. Forward direction fluid flow is controlled by a movable, spring-biased, normally closed, spool valve having one end exposed to forward direction fluid pressure and an opposite end forming a piston acting in a cylindrical cavity containing a volume of fluid. Movement of the spool valve to open position in response to forward direction fluid pressure sufficient to overcome the spring bias causes the volume of fluid to be forced from the cavity through a restricted passage, thereby providing a time delay in the opening of the two-way valve for forward direction fluid flow. In an alternative embodiment, a sleeve valve mounted on the spool valve provides a by-pass permitting forward direction fluid flow under abnormally low forward direction fluid pressure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a continuous length of tubing having an annular wall formed of polyurethane, including a forming cylinder having a mandrel extending centrally therethrough. Two strips of paper material are pulled through the forming cylinder, one surrounding the mandrel and one being disposed at the interior surface of the cylinder, and a curable plastic mixture is injected into the annular space between the paper strips. A sensor is provided to determine the point at which curing of the plastic mixture begins in the annular spacing within the cylinder, and the speed of travel of the paper through the cylinder is regulated as a function thereof. The control system shuts the apparatus down if a break in the paper strips is detected, or if the paper supply approaches exhaustion, or if the point of full curing is within a predetermined minimum spacing from the inlet end of the cylinder.