Abstract: A deicer control system for a pneumatic deicer wherein a solenoid operated valve directs either pressurized air or creates and pulls a vacuum on the inlet port of a control valve. The inlet port communicates to an outlet port in the control valve post moveable piston which in one position maintains communication between the ports and in a second position is operative to block communication between the ports. The piston has one face of the piston with two distinct effective surface areas, wherein one surface area communicates at all times with the inlet port and upon a predetermined force on such one surface area such piston is moved to expose both effective surface areas and block communication between the inlet port and the outlet ports of the control valve.

Abstract: A pressure limiter valve for regulating the inflation and deflation of inflatable tubes of a deicer wherein such valve has a housing with a central chamber with inlet and outlet ports communicating therewith. The inlet port is selectively subjected to a vacuum or a fluid pressure. An annular shoulder with a central aperture separates the ports so that a piston moveable within the bore between a first position and a second position can seat on the shoulder and isolate the ports. The one face of the piston has a first and second operative surface wherein the first operative surface communicates at all times to the inlet port via a passageway so that when the force on such first operative surface is slightly greater than a piston biasing force the piston is in a first position which causes the piston to expose both operative surfaces to the fluid pressure from the inlet port.

Abstract: The container (12) has an inflation opening (46) which is closed by a valve (56) with seals (66) compressed by spring (90) pressure during the packing process. Air is removed from the container (12) for deflation by a vacuum pump (20) and excessive vacuum necessary for deflating the container (12) in a reasonable time but which is too high for the packing process and may damage the valve (56) or seals (66) is limited by a vacuum control unit (20) adjusted to maintain the vacuum below a predetermined vacuum and then admit atmospheric air over that level. The vacuum control unit (20) may have a screw adjustment (34) engageable with a spring (36) for increasing or decreasing pressure on an inlet valve member (32).

Abstract: A supported ring (11) is locked in the load retaining eye (12) of a hook by a locking jaw (14) carried by a rotatable cam (44) which holds the locking jaw (14) in the locking position by engagement with a releasable latch (50). The locking position is maintained by a coil spring (64) connecting the latch (50) and cam (44). A lanyard (70) is connected to the releasable latch (50) for disengaging the locking edge (56) of the latch (50) from the cam (44) to arm the hook assembly (10). The spring (64) also urges a cam ejecting surface (48) against the load carrying ring (11) and maintains pressure on the ring (11) after arming so that when the load is released the ring (11) will be ejected from the eye (12). The lanyard (70) extends from the releasable latch (50) to the cam (44) where it is engageable with the cam (44) for manual rotation of the cam (44) to eject the ring (11) in the event of spring (64) failure.