Abstract: A valve actuator includes an actuator housing, a piston, a linkage assembly, a magnet, and a Hall sensor. The actuator housing is adapted to receive pressurized fluid. The piston is movably mounted within actuator housing, and is configured to translate in a first direction and a second direction. The linkage assembly is rotationally coupled to the piston and is adapted to couple to a valve element. The linkage assembly is configured to rotate the valve element in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in response to piston movement in the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The magnet is mounted on the piston and is movable therewith, and the Hall sensor is mounted on the actuator housing and is responsive to movement of the magnet to supply a position signal.

Abstract: A valve actuator includes an actuator housing, a piston, a linkage assembly, a magnet, and a Hall sensor. The actuator housing is adapted to receive pressurized fluid. The piston is movably mounted within actuator housing, and is configured to translate in a first direction and a second direction. The linkage assembly is rotationally coupled to the piston and is adapted to couple to a valve element. The linkage assembly is configured to rotate the valve element in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in response to piston movement in the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The magnet is mounted on the piston and is movable therewith, and the Hall sensor is mounted on the actuator housing and is responsive to movement of the magnet to supply a position signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for retaining a hinge shaft of a check valve with a bushing. The check valve includes a valve body defining a flow passage therethrough; a hinge shaft; a bushing coupled to the valve body and welded to the hinge shaft; and a closure element pivotally mounted on the hinge shaft for opening and closing the flow passage.

Abstract: Anti-ice valve components are provided that include a servo housing, a valve body, and a transfer tube. The servo housing includes a surface having a cavity formed therein. The valve body is spaced apart from the servo housing and includes a surface having a cavity formed therein. The transfer tube has a first end, a second end, and a length, where the first end is disposed in the servo housing cavity, the second end is disposed in the valve body cavity, and the length extends between the first end and the second end and has a portion forming a bend of at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for retaining a hinge shaft of a check valve with a bushing. The check valve includes a valve body defining a flow passage therethrough; a hinge shaft; a bushing coupled to the valve body and welded to the hinge shaft; and a closure element pivotally mounted on the hinge shaft for opening and closing the flow passage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for retaining a hinge shaft of a check valve with a bushing. The check valve includes a valve body defining a flow passage therethrough; a hinge shaft; a bushing coupling the hinge shaft to the valve body; a pin secured to the valve body and engaging the bushing; and a closure element pivotally mounted on the hinge shaft for opening and closing the flow passage.

Abstract: A check valve includes a valve body defining a flow passage therethrough; a hinge shaft mounted on the valve body; a closure element pivotally mounted on the hinge shaft for opening and closing the flow passage; and a pin secured to the valve body and received by the hinge shaft.

Abstract: A relief plate is provided for coupling a housing of an electro-mechanical actuator assembly to a valve housing of a valve assembly. The relief plate includes a first side, a second side, an opening, an annular collection channel, and a plurality of grooves. The first side is configured to couple to the actuator housing. The second side is configured to couple to the valve housing. The opening extends between the first and the second sides. The annular collection channel is formed in the second side concentric to and in communication with the opening. The plurality of grooves is formed in the second side in communication with and extending radially outwardly from the channel.

Abstract: A split flapper check valve includes a torsion spring wear reduction mechanism. In particular, the valve includes a pair of bushings on a shaft to which a pair of valve plates is rotationally mounted. A torsion spring is also mounted on the shaft and is configured to bias the valve plates toward a closed position. The wear reduction mechanism is implemented using a pair of bushings that are disposed between the shaft and the torsion spring.

Abstract: A method for making and using a test fixture (10) for testing a packaged semiconductor device (44). The test fixture (10) includes a nonconductive housing (11) and a contactor assembly (30). The contactor assembly (30) has a contactor lead (31) and is removable from the housing (11). The contactor assembly (30) is mounted to the housing (11) such that the contactor lead (31) becomes interdigitated between upper cantilever structures (20) and lower cantilever structures (21). The test fixture (10) is coupled to a tester (46) which is between a first tool set (41) and a second tool set (42) of a trim and form apparatus (40). The packaged semiconductor device (44) is placed in contact with the test fixture (10) and tested.

Abstract: A method of forming leads and providing a final test of a semiconductor package including an electronic circuit therein, the package having unformed leads. A forming and testing station is provided including a support for receiving the package, and dies movably positioned adjacent the support for contacting and forming the leads with test equipment connected to the dies. The semiconductor package is positioned on the support, and the leads of the package are contacted with the dies to connect the test equipment to the leads for testing the electronic circuitry in the package and to form the leads with this contacting step as the final manufacturing step.

Abstract: A method for making and using a test fixture (10) for testing a packaged semiconductor device (44). The test fixture (10) includes a nonconductive housing (11) and a contactor assembly (30). The contactor assembly (30) has a contactor lead (31) and is removable from the housing (11). The contactor assembly (30) is mounted to the housing (11) such that the contactor lead (31) becomes interdigitated between upper cantilever structures (20) and lower cantilever structures (21). The test fixture (10) is coupled to a tester (46) which is between a first tool set (41) and a second tool set (42) of a trim and form apparatus (40). The packaged semiconductor device (44) is placed in contact with the test fixture (10) and tested.

Abstract: An apparatus (19) for singulating a series of packages (17). The apparatus (19) includes a vertical wheel (12), a retainer spring (10), a gravity feed track (14), a pass track (15), and a reject track (16). The vertical wheel (12) comprises a plurality of slots (22-29), and rotates in a clockwise direction to deliver the packages (17) to an electrical test fixture (18). Upon completion of testing, the vertical wheel (12) rotates in a clockwise direction and delivers the packages (17) to either the pass track (15) or the reject track (16). A motor driven eccentric (37) actuates the retainer spring (10) to unblock the appropriate slot (22-29), thereby releasing the packages (17) from the appropriate slot (22-29).

Abstract: A gravity fed culling apparatus (10) capable of singulating work pieces (12). The culling apparatus (10) comprises a transport track (11) and a rotating device (14) wherein the rotating device (14) has a first and a second protrusion (17 and 18, respectively) which cooperate with the transport track (11). A plurality of work pieces (12) are conveyed along the transport track (11) to an inspection site (13). After inspection, at least one work piece (12) is separated from the plurality of work pieces (12) and continues along the transport track (11).