Abstract: A temperature sensitive safety valve assembly includes a housing for mounting at a faucet outlet and a safety valve element consisting of a rigid cap and an elastic bellows containing a body of temperature sensitive material. Below a predetermined temperature, the bellows has a first condition permitting flow of water towards the faucet outlet. Above the predetermined temperature, the bellows has a second condition restricting flow of water. The bellows also has a third condition, actuated by loss of at least a portion of the body of temperature sensitive material, in which a seal surface of the cap engages with an opposed seat surface of the housing to restrict flow of water towards the faucet outlet.

Abstract: A backflow prevention test assembly for a backflow preventer has a test valve in fluid communication with a conduit of the backflow preventer and a test kit. The test valve has a body defining an axial bore, and a piston defining a test conduit is disposed within the axial bore for movement between a first position permitting test flow through the test conduit and a second position resisting test flow. The piston is biased toward the second position. The test kit includes a test apparatus and a fitting for attachment upon the test valve body in sealing engagement. The fitting defines a displacement surface for engagement, after sealing engagement of the seal with the test valve, with an opposed surface of the piston to urge the piston toward its first position, thereby to establish fluid communication between the test apparatus and a region of the backflow preventer conduit. A method of testing fluid within the flow conduit of the backflow preventer is also described.

Abstract: A poppet check valve for resisting fluid flow through an orifice in a backflow direction includes a valve element, a valve seat defining a valve orifice, and at least first and second torsion springs mounted to apply a pre-determined closing force to bias the valve element toward sealing engagement upon the valve seat. The pre-determined closing force applied by each torsion spring has an axial component, applied in the axial direction, and a lateral component, applied generally transverse to the axial direction. The axial component has a first value with the valve element in a first position and a second value with the valve element in a second position more spaced from the valve seat, the first value being greater than the second value. The lateral component also has a first value in the first position of the valve element and a second value in the second position, the first value being less than the second value.

Abstract: A temperature control flow valve has a body defining conduits for connection to sources of cold and hot water, a chamber for mixing the water, and a thermostat element for maintaining the temperature of the mixed water at or below a predetermined maximum temperature. The cold and hot water are combined through a mixing valve in a ratio adjusted continuously by means of the thermostat element to provide the mixed water at the predetermined temperature. The flow valve includes cold water and hot water pressure regulators responsive to the ratio of cold water to hot water pressures to substantially balance the pressure of the hot water and the pressure of the cold water delivered through the regulator.

Abstract: A sewer drain trap primer valve includes a case defining a volume; a flexible diaphragm separating the volume into an upper, water chamber and a lower, sealed, air chamber; a conduit connecting the water chamber with an outlet orifice defined by a lower end of the case; a valve element moveable between a first position and a second position in response to differential of pressure between an inlet, defined by an upper end of the case, and the water chamber; and a check valve that permits flow of water in a direction from the inlet toward the water chamber and restricts flow of water in the opposite direction. The inlet orifice is located between the volume and a source of domestic water. The outlet orifice is located between the volume and a sewer drain trap. The conduit defines a valve seat and, in first position, the valve element engages the seat to restrict flow of water from the water chamber into the conduit.

Abstract: A toggle linkage check valve includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve assembly disposed within the housing. The valve assembly includes (i) a sealing plug adapted for movement between a first, closed position for preventing flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet, and a second, open position for substantially permitting flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet, and (ii) a spring assembly removably disposed within the valve assembly. The spring assembly contacts the sealing plug and biases the sealing plug towards the first, closed position. The spring assembly comprises a rod member and means for biasing the rod member toward the sealing plug. In the second, open position of the sealing plug, the rod member lies at an acute angle to a plane of the sealing plug.

Abstract: A toggle linkage check valve includng a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a sealing plug disposed within the housing and adapted for movement between a first, closed position for preventing flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet, and a second, open position for substantially permitting flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet. The check valve includes a spring assembly removably disposed within the housing. The sealing plug is mounted upon the spring assembly. The spring assembly includes a rod member and a means for biasing the rod member toward the sealing plug. In the first position of the sealing plug, the rod member lies substantialy perpendicular to a plane of the sealing member across the inlet, and in the second position of the sealing plug, the rod member lies at an acute angle to the plane of the sealing member.

Abstract: A water hydrant defines an elongated flow passage having a water inlet and an air inlet, and a laterally extending water outlet spout disposed therebetween to define an outlet. An elongated rotatable stem is reciprocated within the flow passage, and terminates in an exterior handle. A water inlet valve is connected to the stem for control of flow from the water inlet into the passage and an air valve is connected to the stem to control inflow of air and preclude outflow of water through the air inlet. A first check valve in the spout precludes backflow of water into the passage, movement of the air valve opening the first check valve during operation of the handle. A second check valve in the spout downstream of the first check valve precludes backflow of water into the spout. A drain orifice, open to the atmosphere, extends through the spout between the check valves.

Abstract: A pressure-type vacuum breaker for use in a fluid flow line has a housing defining a central bore and an inlet, an outlet and a discharge vent. A piston assembly disposed within the central bore is movable within the bore between first and second positions. In the first position of the piston assembly, the inlet is closed, the discharge vent is open and the outlet is in communication with the discharge vent and the atmosphere. In the second position of the piston assembly, the discharge vent is closed, the inlet is open and the outlet is in communication with the inlet, thereby to permit liquid flow between inlet and outlet. The position of the piston assembly is in predetermined response to pressure of liquid at the inlet.

Abstract: A toggle linkage check valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a sealing plug disposed within the housing and adapted for movement between a first, closed position for preventing flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet, and a second, open position for substantially permitting flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet. The check valve includes a spring assembly removably disposed within the housing. The sealing plug is mounted upon the spring assembly. The spring assembly includes a rod member and a means for biasing the rod member toward the sealing plug. In the first position of the sealing plug, the rod member lies substantially perpendicular to a plane of the sealing member across the inlet, and in the second position of the sealing plug, the rod member lies at an acute angle to the plane of the sealing member.

Abstract: There is described a lock plate assembly for use with a three-position ball valve. The valve has a body, a valve element disposed for rotation within the body, and a handle mounted for rotation upon the body for operation of (off) position, a second (test) position and a third (drain) position. The lock plate assembly includes a lock plate frame defining a first frame stop for the handle in the first position and a second frame stop for the handle in the third position, a slide latch defining a latch stop for the handle in the second position, the latch stop being mounted upon the frame for movement between a first latch position with the latch stop disposed to prevent movement of the handle to the third position, and a second latch position with the latch stop removed from the path of the handle, and a spring or the like for biasing the slide latch toward the first latch position.

Abstract: A water hydrant defines an elongated flow passage having a water inlet and an air inlet, and a laterally extending water outlet spout disposed therebetween to define an outlet. An elongated rotatable stem is reciprocated within the flow passage, and terminates in an exterior handle. A water inlet valve is connected to the stem for control of flow from the water inlet into the passage and an air valve is connected to the stem to control inflow of air and preclude outflow of water through the air inlet. A first check valve in the spout precludes backflow of water into the passage, movement of the air valve opening the first check valve during operation of the handle. A second check valve in the spout downsteam of the first check valve precludes backflow of water into the spout. A drain orifice, open to the atmosphere, extends through the spout between the check valves.

Abstract: A coupling device for a liquid conduit system has a body defining a liquid flow passage and having an orifice defined by a generally cylindrical surface about an axis, and, disposed within the orifice, an insert. The cylindrical surface of the orifice defines a shoulder surface disposed generally parallel to the orifice axis. The insert has a threaded inner surface, and is sized for rotation relative to the orifice surface in a first direction about the orifice axis. The insert also defines an engagement surface that engages upon the orifice shoulder surface to restrict rotation of the insert relative to the orifice surface in the second, opposite direction. The insert is a split ring, and the engagement surface is defined by a radially aligned surface of the split ring.

Abstract: A backflow preventer comprising a body defining a passage for flow of liquid between a supply pipe and a service pipe, a check valve in the body passage, and a relief valve assembly connected to the body passage downstream of the check valve, the assembly comprising a liquid drainage passage connected to a first port in the body passage, a first valve in the drainage passage, a gas intake passage connected to a second port above the first port in the body passage, and a second valve in the intake passage.

Abstract: A flow-through or in line type trap primer adapted to deliver a first metered spurt of water through a primer flow passage to a trap upon the initiation of flow in a supply line, and a second metered spurt of water upon the termination of such flow. A reaction disc in the main flow passage causes a stem to translate between two positions, and means cooperating with the stem cause the primer flow passage to be closed at said two positions and open as the stem moves between said positions. Manual as well as automatic priming is provided for.