Abstract: A cartridge valve having a cartridge valve which has no O-ring seals in critical areas of transit flow between the cartridge and the manifold. In one preferred embodiment for a sliding-type, multi-port cartridge valve, the ported sleeve in which the sliding spool is mounted has raised circumferential sealing ridges around its outer periphery where O-rings would conventionally be located. The outer peripheral surfaces of the ridges define a taper which is identical to the taper of the cavity of the manifold block into which the valve is inserted. When the valve is seated in the cavity, the peripheral surfaces of the ridges bearing against the cavity surface provide sealing between ports or sets of ports in the sleeve and the manifold block without requiring the use of O-rings. In another preferred embodiment, the ported sleeve has a smooth taper which matches and seals against a corresponding smooth tapered cavity.

Abstract: This invention produces flame resistant cellulose fiber insulation, which will be referred to as CFI. The best flameproofing agents which have been used in the past are mixtures of boric acid and borax as the major portion of the mix and have been applied both as dry powders and sprayed from water dispersions. Boric acid is quite expensive as it is prepared from borax by the addition of acid and purification of the boric acid. In the present invention lower cost materials and process are obtained by applying a mixture of boric acid and borax which has been prepared by adding acid, such as sulfuric acid, a mixture of sulfuric and phosphoric acid, and the like, to borax to transform a portion of the borax into boric acid. The reaction products, sodium sulfate, or a mixture of sodium sulfate and sodium phosphate in the case both acids are used, remain in the material applied to CFI.