Abstract: A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for placing a supply of motive fluid in alternating communication with first and second motive fluid chambers. The valve arrangement includes a power valve including a supply chamber, a pilot chamber, and a shiftable member separating the supply chamber from the pilot chamber. The valve arrangement also includes a pilot valve actuable between an on condition in which the pilot valve generates a pilot signal that shifts the power valve, and an off condition in which the pilot valve does not generate the pilot signal. At least a portion of the pilot valve is exposed to motive fluid, and the portion of the pilot valve exposed to motive fluid includes surface areas giving rise to a net zero actuating force arising from pressure of the motive fluid. Because there is no biasing force on the pilot valve, the pilot valve is shifted between the on and off conditions without significant resistance.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for placing a supply of motive fluid in alternating communication with first and second motive fluid chambers. The valve arrangement includes a power valve including a supply chamber, a pilot chamber, and a shiftable member separating the supply chamber from the pilot chamber. The valve arrangement also includes a pilot valve actuable between an on condition in which the pilot valve generates a pilot signal that shifts the power valve, and an off condition in which the pilot valve does not generate the pilot signal. At least a portion of the pilot valve is exposed to motive fluid, and the portion of the pilot valve exposed to motive fluid includes surface areas giving rise to a net zero actuating force arising from pressure of the motive fluid. Because there is no biasing force on the pilot valve, the pilot valve is shifted between the on and off conditions without significant resistance.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprising: an exhaust chamber having a longitudinal axis and an outer wall defining alternating longitudinally-extending ribs and grooves; and an insert within the exhaust chamber, the insert including a plurality of fins extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each fin including a distal edge extending substantially close to the plurality of ribs, the insert defining expansion chambers between adjacent fins. Pressurized gas flowing through the exhaust chamber flows along the grooves and expands within the expansion chambers to reduce the pressure of the pressurized gas prior to the gas exiting the exhaust chamber. The fins may in some embodiments be sufficiently stiff to resist substantial deflection under the influence of the gas.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes first and second conduits having respective first and second flanges in abutment with each other, a stopper in the second conduit, and a valve body secured between the first and second flanges. The valve body includes a body bore in communication between the first and second conduits. The body bore defines a circular opening in one end of the valve body. The valve body also includes a circumferential notch that substantially insulates the circular opening from distortion arising from securing the valve body. The stopper snuggly seats against the circular opening to prevent fluid flow from the second conduit to the first conduit, but unseats to permit fluid flow from the first conduit to the second conduit. An o-ring may surround a portion of the valve body and be energized as the valve body is secured. A lip may surround the circular opening to provide a seat for the stopper.

Abstract: An exhaust system comprising: an exhaust chamber having a longitudinal axis and an outer wall defining alternating longitudinally-extending ribs and grooves; and an insert within the exhaust chamber, the insert including a plurality of fins extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each fin including a distal edge extending substantially close to the plurality of ribs, the insert defining expansion chambers between adjacent fins. Pressurized gas flowing through the exhaust chamber flows along the grooves and expands within the expansion chambers to reduce the pressure of the pressurized gas prior to the gas exiting the exhaust chamber. The fins may in some embodiments be sufficiently stiff to resist substantial deflection under the influence of the gas.

Abstract: A body element for a spool valve is provided that includes a body having an inner surface that defines an internal valving chamber having a longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse surface to the longitudinal axis. The transverse surface has at least one port comprising an annular flow passage, an intermediate flow passage and an outer flow passage extending outward from and in fluid communication with the inner surface of the internal valving chamber.

Abstract: A valve apparatus and pneumatically driven diaphragm pump incorporating same having a valve body having a longitudinal axis and an actuator having an axis with a first end and a second end. The first and second ends have first and second diaphragms, respectively, disposed thereon and located transversely to the axis of the actuator. Upon inserting the actuator into the valve body, the first and second diaphragms define wall portions of first and second chambers at the first and second ends of the axis of the actuator, respectively, and a chamber defined between the diaphragms.

Abstract: A body element for a spool valve is provided that includes a body having an inner surface that defines an internal valving chamber having a longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse surface to the longitudinal axis. The transverse surface has at least one port comprising an annular flow passage, an intermediate flow passage and an outer flow passage extending outward from and in fluid communication with the inner surface of the internal valving chamber.

Abstract: A double diaphragm pump including a pump housing, first and second pump diaphragms, an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and an air motor. The air motor includes a spool valve having a valve housing, an insert surrounded by the valve housing, and a spool. The valve housing and the insert cooperate to at least partially define a valve chamber, and the spool is slidably positioned within the valve chamber. The spool includes a seal engaging an inner surface of the insert and delimiting the valve chamber into valve subchambers. Movement of the spool within the valve chamber selectively communicates pressurized fluid to one of the diaphragms to move the associated diaphragm, thereby pumping fluid through the pump.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump including at least one diaphragm having an inner diaphragm surface, an outer diaphragm surface, and a projecting rim, the rim projecting from the inner diaphragm surface and having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, a hub positioned to lie within the inner circumferential surface of the projecting rim, a ring positioned around the outer circumferential surface of the projecting rim, where the hub and ring secure the projecting rim there between, and a reciprocating rod coupled to at least one of the hub and the ring.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump including at least one diaphragm having an inner diaphragm surface, an outer diaphragm surface, and a projecting rim, the rim projecting from the inner diaphragm surface and having an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface, a hub positioned to lie within the inner circumferential surface of the projecting rim, a ring positioned around the outer circumferential surface of the projecting rim, where the hub and ring secure the projecting rim there between, and a reciprocating rod coupled to at least one of the hub and the ring.

Abstract: A double diaphragm pump including a pump housing, first and second pump diaphragms, an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold, and an air motor. The air motor includes a spool valve having a valve housing, an insert surrounded by the valve housing, and a spool. The valve housing and the insert cooperate to at least partially define a valve chamber, and the spool is slidably positioned within the valve chamber. The spool includes a seal engaging an inner surface of the insert and delimiting the valve chamber into valve subchambers. Movement of the spool within the valve chamber selectively communicates pressurized fluid to one of the diaphragms to move the associated diaphragm, thereby pumping fluid through the pump.

Abstract: A method for reducing ice formation in a gas-driven motor and a reduced-icing, gas-driven motor are provided, the motor having a housing with a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one partition is disposed in the housing and is reciprocally moveable therein responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the first and second pressure chambers. A motive gas conduit is disposed between and connects the pressure chambers such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit. Also provided are a reduced-icing diaphragm and piston pumps having the reduced-icing, gas-driven motor according to the present invention.

Abstract: A method for reducing ice formation in a gas-driven motor and a reduced-icing, gas-driven motor are provided, the motor having a housing with a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one partition is disposed in the housing and is reciprocally moveable therein responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the first and second pressure chambers. A motive gas conduit is disposed between and connects the pressure chambers such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit. Also provided are a reduced-icing diaphragm and piston pumps having the reduced-icing, gas-driven motor according to the present invention.