Abstract: Valve assemblies which comprise a valve housing; an inner valve element; an outer valve element spaced apart from the inner valve element; a valve stem on which both the inner valve element and the outer valve element are located; a portion of the valve stem between the inner valve element and the outer valve element is threaded; and a protective element located within the valve housing and covering the threaded portion of the valve stem.

Abstract: Valve assemblies are disclosed which comprise a valve housing; an inner valve element; an outer valve element spaced apart from the inner valve element; a valve stem on which both the inner valve element and the outer valve element are located; a portion of the valve stem between the inner valve element and the outer valve element is threaded; and a protective element located within the valve housing and covering the threaded portion of the valve stem. Methods of using such valve assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wave mode converters, and methods of using wave mode converters are disclosed. The wave mode converters include a radial waveguide including a generally disk-like structure to receive a radially propagating field derived from rectangular TE10 waveguide mode, and a body including a plurality of spaced apart apertures.

Abstract: Wave mode converters, and methods of using wave mode converters are disclosed. The wave mode converters include a radial waveguide including a generally disk-like structure to receive a radially propagating field derived from rectangular TE10 waveguide mode, and a body including a plurality of spaced apart apertures.

Abstract: A tank gage assembly is provided including a tank gage antenna operatively couplable to a tank gage; a cover coupled to the tank gage antenna; a gage hatch flange including an opening and being coupled to the cover and structured to be coupled to a tank; and a hinge having a first hinge member secured to the gage hatch flange, and a second hinge member secured to the cover, the hinge being movable between a first position in which the cover is spaced apart from the opening and a second position in which the antenna and cover substantially cover the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a height of liquid in a liquid storage tank is provided, the apparatus includes a first rotatable element rotatable in response to a change of a liquid level in a liquid storage tank and including a first magnetic component having a first magnetic field, and a second rotatable element rotatable in response to the rotation of the first rotatable element and including a second magnetic component having a second magnetic field. The apparatus further includes a sensor assembly which includes a first sensor component located within range of the first magnetic field and structured to be effective in providing a first signal indicative of a position of the first magnetic component, and a second sensor component located within range of the second magnetic field and structured to be effective in providing a second signal indicative of a position of the second magnetic component.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a height of liquid in a liquid storage tank is provided, the apparatus includes a first rotatable element rotatable in response to a change of a liquid level in a liquid storage tank and including a first magnetic component having a first magnetic field, and a second rotatable element rotatable in response to the rotation of the first rotatable element and including a second magnetic component having a second magnetic field. The apparatus further includes a sensor assembly which includes a first sensor component located within range of the first magnetic field and structured to be effective in providing a first signal indicative of a position of the first magnetic component, and a second sensor component located within range of the second magnetic field and structured to be effective in providing a second signal indicative of a position of the second magnetic component.

Abstract: A shutoff valve includes a positive position indicator for indicating the position of a piston in the valve. The valve position indicator is operably connected to a piston within the valve so that movement of the piston causes a corresponding movement of the valve position indicator. The shutoff valve may also include one or more springs acting on the piston to close the valve. Each spring is independently capable of closing the valve.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring the accuracy of positional measurements by encoders that translate positional information into signals include determining the difference between two signals generated by the encoder and comparing the difference to a threshold value. Differences greater than the threshold indicate an error in measurement by the encoders. The methods may be practiced using one or more computer programs. The methods may be practiced with any encoder, including absolute and incremental encoders. Encoders include components to implement the methods.

Abstract: A shutoff valve includes a positive position indicator for indicating the position of a piston in the valve. The valve position indicator is operably connected to a piston within the valve so that movement of the piston causes a corresponding movement of the valve position indicator. The shutoff valve may also include one or more springs acting on the piston to close the valve. Each spring is independently capable of closing the valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the height of the liquid in a liquid-containing tank equipped with a height gage including an adjusting disc coupled to the gage shaft, an increment wheel coupled to the adjusting disc and being rotatable in response to rotation of the gage shaft, and a coupling member secured to the increment wheel and the shaft of an encoder assembly. The coupling member is effective to transmit liquid height information from the increment wheel to the encoder assembly. Methods for calibrating such apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A liquid level gage system is disclosed. This system includes a displacer secured to a cable and movable in response to winding or unwinding said cable around or from around a rotatable drum. The rotatable drum is coupled to a driven shaft, and a drive assembly is provided to drive the driven shaft. An indicator subsystem is included which provides an indication of a change in the apparent weight of the displacer as the displacer is moved across a liquid level. A strain gage is a key component of the indicator subsystem. In one embodiment, an assembly is provided for powering the indicator subsystem and transferring data from the indicator subsystem which involves two pair of coils. In another embodiment, the gage system can be effectively remotely programmed using light signals.

Abstract: A motor assembly useful for rotating a drum comprising: a hub adapted to be removably secured to the drum so that the drum rotates in response to rotation of the hub, the hub including a first outer surface adapted to face toward the drum and a second outer surface adapted to face away from the drum; a motor comprising a spring element having a first end adapted to be secured to the hub and being in aligned position relative to the hub to be wound around the hub between the first and second outer surfaces to apply a force to the hub which force urges the hub to rotate in one direction; and a housing adapted to hold the hub and the motor in aligned position substantially without frictional contact with the first and second outer surfaces of the hub.

Abstract: A valve assembly, particularly a breather valve assembly for fluid storage tanks, is described. This assembly comprises a valve housing including a fluid conduit and a valve seat defining a fluid outlet of the fluid conduit, and a pressure pallet sized and adapted to move away from the valve seat in response to an increased fluid pressure in the fluid conduit. A seal is provided and acts to effectively seal the fluid outlet against fluid flow from said fluid conduit when the seal is in contact with the valve seat. The seal which includes first and second flexible seal elements which are unsecured to the pressure pallet at or near their respective outer peripheries, is structured so that fluid from the fluid conduit is in the space between the first and second seal elements when the seal means is in contact with the valve seat.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the workability of a float assembly used to determine the level of liquid in a vessel is disclosed and comprises: a float extension associated with the float of the float assembly and movable when the float assembly is in working order in response to the movement of the float caused by changing the level of liquid in the vessel; a sensor located in spaced relation to the float extension and acting to provide a signal when the float extension is in a predetermined position; and a checking system capable of being activated to move the foat extension into the predetermined position without regard to the level of liquid in the vessel when the float assembly is workable.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the height of liquid in a storage tank comprising: an instrument shaft capable of being associated with the shaft of the tank level gage; a first disc rotatable in response to the rotation of the instrument shaft; a second disc rotatable in response to the rotation of the first disc; first and second signal emitters associated with the first and second discs, respectively; and first and second signal receivers associated with the first and second signal emitters, respectively. A different, distinct pattern of signals is received by each of the receivers for each radial increment of disc as each disc rotates. The patterns of signals received by the first and second receivers are translatable into the height of liquid in the tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the level of liquid in a vessel, e.g., storage tank comprises a plurality of indicators at varying heights along the vessel acting to indicate the presence of the liquid level at a given height; a controller to receive signals from the indicators and translate such signals into liquid level height; a memory device to store information from the controller for future use; and a display system to receive signals from the controller and provide a visual display of the liquid level height in the vessel. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a central monitoring station where signals from a plurality of controllers are received so that the liquid levels in a plurality of vessels can be displayed.In additional preferred embodiments, the controller can collect information regarding vessel liquid temperature and/or the status of pumps, valves and the like which can change the liquid level in the vessel.