Abstract: A handle and a valve actuated by the handle. The handle includes first and second handle portions offset from one another in one or two directions and joined by a linking portion. Offset handle portions allow one handle portion to be aligned with the centerline of the valve, or to be placed on an opposite side of the valve from the other handle portion.

Abstract: A constant flow rate valve has a housing in which a rotatable sleeve is positioned between the valve's inlet and outlet. Apertures in the sleeve move into alignment with the valve's inlet and outlet upon sleeve rotation to establish the fluid flow rate. A piston is movable longitudinally within the sleeve bore. The piston has openings which align with the apertures in the sleeve upon longitudinal motion of the piston. Pressure ducts connect each end of the sleeve to the inlet and outlet. The piston moves in response to relative pressure changes in the inlet and outlet communicated by the pressure ducts. The area of overlap between the piston's openings and the sleeve's apertures varies with piston motion to ensure a constant flow rate in spite of relative inlet and outlet pressure changes. The ends of the sleeve are in fluid communication to control the response sensitivity of the piston.

Abstract: A module for testing and draining fire protection sprinkler systems is disclosed. The module has a chamber with an inlet duct in fluid communication with the sprinkler system and an outlet duct. A valve controls fluid flow through the chamber. A plate, having an orifice, is mounted within the chamber and is pivotable to a first or test position wherein the orifice is aligned with the outlet. Flow of water through the chamber is restricted by the orifice to simulate flow through a single open sprinkler head. The plate is pivotable to a second or drain position out of alignment with the outlet, allowing unrestricted flow. The module may include a pipe segment on which the module is mounted, the segment being integrated with a riser of the sprinkler system.

Abstract: A constant flow rate valve has a housing in which a rotatable sleeve is positioned between the valve's inlet and outlet. Apertures in the sleeve move into alignment with the valve's inlet and outlet upon sleeve rotation to establish the fluid flow rate. A piston is movable longitudinally within the sleeve bore. The piston has openings which align with the apertures in the sleeve upon longitudinal motion of the piston. Pressure ducts connect each end of the sleeve to the inlet and outlet. The piston moves in response to relative pressure changes in the inlet and outlet communicated by the pressure ducts. The area of overlap between the piston's openings and the sleeve's apertures varies with piston motion to ensure a constant flow rate in spite of relative inlet and outlet pressure changes. The ends of the sleeve are in fluid communication to control the response sensitivity of the piston.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed for use with short throw valves. The actuator includes a plate perpendicular to the valve stem that has a slot formed of regions having different radii of curvature centered on the valve stem. An eccentric cam is attached to a handle mounted on the valve stem. The cam extends through the slot and is rotatable for positioning at a radius corresponding to the radius of the different slot regions. When the cam is rotated so that it may traverse a slot region, the handle can be turned to move the valve closing member through an angle subtended by the slot region. This permits the valve to be opened or closed in a step-wise fashion and prevents rapid opening and closing of the valve that can cause a water hammer effect.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed for use with short throw valves. The actuator includes a plate perpendicular to the valve stem that has a slot formed of regions having different radii of curvature centered on the valve stem. An eccentric cam is attached to a handle mounted on the valve stem. The cam extends through the slot and is rotatable for positioning at a radius corresponding to the radius of the different slot regions. When the cam is rotated so that it may traverse a slot region, the handle can be turned to move the valve closing member through an angle subtended by the slot region. This permits the valve to be opened or closed in a step-wise fashion and prevents rapid opening and closing of the valve that can cause a water hammer effect.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed having a valve closing member that divides the valve bore into passageways of unequal cross sectional areas when in an open position. A venturi is positioned within the valve bore upstream of the valve closing member. The throat of the venturi may be within one pipe diameter of the valve closing member. The venturi is offset from the bore centerline so as to align with the larger of the two passageways. Turbulence is reduced allowing more accurate pressure measurements to be made within the venturi yielding more accurate determination of volumetric flow rates.

Abstract: A seal for use with a knife gate valve is disclosed, the seal having a loop to which is attached an axially facing sealing lobe. A sealing surface is positioned on the sealing lobe, the sealing surface having an axially projecting leading edge and flanking annular sealing surfaces oriented angularly. Axial and inner channels extend around the loop and provide space for the loop to deform when the sealing lobe is compressed. A reinforcing band is encapsulated within the loop to stiffen it against buckling when compressed by forces acting across the leading edge. The seal is used in facing pairs with the sealing lobes being compressed against one another to form a radial seal when the valve is open. The seal is made from a flexible, resilient elastomeric compound; the band is metal.

Abstract: A flexible, resilient incompressible seal for a butterfly valve is disclosed formed from a loop having a perimeter mounting surface and a perimeter sealing surface with first and second oppositely disposed axial surfaces extend between the perimeter sealing and mounting surfaces. Channels are positioned in the axial surfaces in spaced relation around the seal. The channels extend from the perimeter mounting surface toward the perimeter sealing surface and provide fluid communication to the perimeter mounting surface allowing fluid trapped against the perimeter mounting surface to escape when compressed by the closing of the valve. A void space is positioned in the perimeter mounting surface in the form of grooves or dimples allowing the perimeter sealing surface to deform under compression when the seal is captured within the valve and substantially restrained from deforming.

Abstract: A valve having a valve closing member rotatably supported on one or more valve stems which are positionally infinitely adjustable is disclosed. The valve has a valve body defining a bore with an upper passageway extending from the bore. A valve stem extends coaxially through the passageway and rotatably supports the valve closing member in the bore. A cartridge is coaxially located within the passageway between the valve body and the stem. The cartridge captures the valve stem and engages the passageway via screw threads allowing for infinite positional adjustment. The cartridge also houses bearings for rotation of the stem and seals for sealing the passageway. The valve body may have a second passageway coaxially aligned with the first passageway in which a second valve stem is located. The second stem engages the passageway via screw threads allowing for infinite positional adjustment.

Abstract: Coupling segments of a segmented pipe coupling have dissimilar ends that are interfittable with ends of an identical said coupling segment in only one specific orientation of said coupling segments, and which are antagonistic to the interfitting of said ends of said coupling segments in all other positions of orientation of said coupling segments.