Abstract: A diverter valve for controlling a fluid flow without the sudden hammering pressure changes normally found in fluid control systems, and a method for assembling the valve. The valve includes a modular valve body with two substantially identical sections, each with a valve seat, oppositely arranged. The valve body also includes a T-shaped connecting section connected between the end openings of the two other sections. A valve stem shaft in the valve body has two valve plugs facing together, with the two valve seats between the valve plugs, so that each valve plug moves against the flow of the fluid to a closed position. A valve actuator shifts the valve stem shaft axially between first and second positions so that first one plug is closed, and then the other. The second valve plug is removably attached to the shaft by means of a hollow stem connected to the second valve plug preferably by means of threads.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body formed of a cylinder having upper and lower ends with an inlet port at one end, an outlet port on an opposite end and at least one side outlet port. An annular ring element has upper and lower ends on which are formed upper and lower valve seats, respectively, the ring being sealed around its periphery on each end to the valve body. A central portion of the ring connecting the upper and lower ends has at least one and preferably about 6 to 8 openings therethrough in fluid flow communication with the side outlet port. An actuator assembly fitted in the cylinder includes actuators, concentrically fitted actuator rods valve stems and valve plugs for opening and closing the two valve ports by engaging the valve seats on opposite sides of the ring. The rod for the upper valve seat is in the form of a hollow cylinder concentric and coaxial with the actuator rod for the lower seat, the first and second rods being independently actuatable.

Abstract: A gasket is provided for joining lengths of pipe having dissimilar end faces which are of approximately equal diameters and which are substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the pipes. The end faces each include a circular recess which are of differing diameters. The gasket has a first side which has a surface contour which is a mirror image of one of the faces and the opposite side has a surface contour which is a mirror image of the other end face. The outer periphery of said gasket is of a substantially lesser thickness than its inner marginal portion so that compression during use of the thicker inner marginal portion is minimized.

Abstract: A valve gasket includes a main body portion formed of an elastomeric material having a high hardness durometer. The main body portion has recesses located on its opposite sides and at least one opening through the body connecting the recesses. The opposed recesses and the opening are filled with an elastomeric material having a hardness of a lesser durometer, softer than that of the main body portion. At least one of the filled recesses forms a sealing surface of the gasket. In a preferred embodiment both filled recesses form sealing surfaces, one to the seat and one to the stem. In one embodiment the gasket is generally ring-shaped in configuration and the opposed recesses are on opposite sides of the ring and each circumscribe the circumference of the ring.

Abstract: A method of forming lengths of pipe for assembly together to form fluid flow conduits includes the steps of providing a pipe having a first inner diameter and a central longitudinal axis, providing a ferrule which has an annular first end, having an inner diameter equal to the pipe inner diameter and having a second end formed into a flange adapted to form a flange coupling when abutted against and connected to another similar flange. The flanges have end faces countersunk approximately 1.degree. to 5.degree.. The first end of each ferrule is welded to an end of a pipe, whereby the end face of the flange assumes an orientation wherein the end face is substantially normal to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A sanitary valve assembly including a valve with a field replaceable gasket. The gasket is formed with an opening capable of deformation to a shape which deforms sufficiently to slide over a noncircular retaining surface of the valve head. The valve head retaining surface is provided between a pair of axially spaced laterally extending shoulders including a shoulder formed of shoulder segments separated by concave indentations. Upon passing over the shoulder, the opening in the gasket reassumes its undeflected configuration in which it engages the shoulders thus retaining the gasket on the valve stem. The gasket fits loosely on the valve head when the valve assembly is in the open position, thereby permitting the assembly to be cleaned in place by flushing washing fluid through the clearances between the valve head and gasket.

Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including pairs of generally vertical valve cylinders each cylinder having actuator rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators. Each cylinder has an inlet port at its top each connected to a different supply conduit and each being connected by a crossover conduit near its lower end to the lower end of the other cylinder of the pair. One of the bottom ports of each pair is connected to a drain, thereby forming a leak detector, while the other bottom port of each pair is connected to a line supplying a clean-in-place liquid. Valve seat 45 is positioned below valve plug 40 so that it is closed by extension of actuator rod 32.

Abstract: A manifold valve assembly, composed of a plurality of valve subassemblies, each of the subassemblies including at least five valves. At least a first one of the valves in each subassembly is in fluid flow communication with a supply source, and at least a second one of the valves in each subassembly is in fluid flow communication with a fluid distribution conduit and at two of the valves in each subassembly, when open, discharge fluid into a drain and serve as leak detector ports. A fifth valve, when closed, separates the first and third valves from the second and fourth valves, the valves being interconnected by fluid flow conduits to selectively allow flow of fluids from the supply source to the distribution conduit and to prevent flow thereof to a drain.

Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including a generally vertical valve cylinder having an inlet port at its top and at least two outlet ports near its bottom. A single actuator valve is fitted for closing each of the ports, each including a valve actuator, an actuator rod attached to and actuatable by the actuator, one end of the rod projecting outward from the actuator, and at least one valve plug attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod. Two of the three valves have rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators, both closing in the same direction so that no valve cage or bonnet is required.

Abstract: A gate valve assembly is provided which includes a valve body having a fluid passage extending laterally therethrough which has an inlet end and an outlet end, with means at the inlet end and at the outlet end to connect the valve body to a fluid conveying conduit. The passage has a bottom surface coplanar with the bottom of the conduit and is free of recesses capable of preventing the drainage of liquids. An axially extending valve chamber intersects the passage and is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the passage, the chamber having an elliptical cross-section with its widest dimension perpendicular to the passage. An axially and non-rotationally movable valve member is fitted closely within the chamber and has an internal, downwardly tapered hard, core member formed of metal, glass ceramic or hard plastic material. The core is surrounded by an elastomeric elliptically cross-sectioned outer member.

Abstract: A fluid flow control assembly for controlling the flow of fluids to and from a number of tanks, and for controlling the communication of that flow. Raw material, product, CIP solution and drain conduits pass near to the tanks. The fluid flow control assembly which is the subject of this invention includes three sets of valves. One set of valves regulates the flow of raw materials from the first conduit into the tanks. Another set of valves regulates the flow of product out of the tanks into the second conduit. A third set of valves regulates the flow of CIP solution out of the tanks into the third conduit. Each set of valves prevents flow of fluid into or out of its respective conduit when desired, such that one of the tanks can be being filled at the same time another of the tanks is being emptied of product and a third one of the tanks is being flushed with CIP solution.

Abstract: A flow control manifold assembly, constructed of a number of manifold valve assemblies. Each manifold valve assembly is formed of first and second valve bodies, each body having at least one inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports. The two valve bodies are connected together in fluid communication with each other. Associated with each valve body is an actuator assembly, which includes a valve actuator and an actuator rod attached to and projecting outward from the actuator, and actuatable by the actuator. In at least one of the valve bodies, a bonnet is affixed to the actuator, and projects into the respective one of the valve bodies. A valve stem, carrying at least one valve plug, is attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod, positioning the valve plug on the opposite side of the bonnet from the actuator. The bonnet includes a valve seat for engagement with the valve plug when the valve plug is actuated to a predetermined position by the actuator.

Abstract: A plurality of manifold valve assemblies each including a generally vertical valve cylinder having an inlet port at its top and at least two outlet ports near its bottom. A single actuator valve is fitted for closing each of the ports, each including a valve actuator, an actuator rod attached to and actuatable by the actuator, one end of the rod projecting outward from the actuator, and at least one valve plug attached to the projecting end of the actuator rod. Two of the three valves have rods that are coaxial with each other, the rods being independently actuatable by their respective actuators, a hollow cylindrical valve stem attached to the projecting end of the hollow actuator rod, having a valve plug for opening and closing an inlet port, the valve plug having a central opening through which the first actuator is fitted, the other two valves having valve plugs for opening and closing outlet ports, and being independently controllable by a valve actuator, one of the outlet ports.

Abstract: A flow control manifold assembly, constructed of a number of manifold valve assemblies. Each manifold valve assembly is formed of a single valve body that has two or three valve chambers. Each chamber is fitted with an inexpensive single actuator valve assembly. The valve chambers are connected together in fluid communication with each other at their lower ends. A bonnet is affixed to each actuator, and projects into its valve chamber and removably carries the valve stem which carries a valve plug. Each valve assembly is thus independently removable from the valve housing while the other two valve assemblies remain in place, thus providing a means to prevent unwanted loss or mixing of fluids in the system.

Abstract: A diverter valve for controlling a fluid flow without the sudden hammering pressure changes normally found in fluid control systems, and a method for assembling the valve. The valve includes a modular valve body with two substantially identical sections, each with a valve seat, oppositely arranged. The valve body also includes a T-shaped connecting section connected between the end openings of the two other sections. A valve stem shaft in the valve body has a two valve plugs facing together, with the two valve seats between the valve plugs, so that each valve plug moves against the flow of the fluid to a closed position. A valve actuator shifts the valve stem shaft axially between first and second positions so that first one plug is closed, and then the other. The second valve plug is removably attached to the shaft by means of a tube connected to the second valve plug. This tube slides over one end of the valve stem shaft until it contacts a shoulder, and attaches to the valve stem shaft in that position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is formed of opposed hermaphroditically mating connectors, having two or more pairs of alternating male and female contact members. Each female contact member is carried by and disposed at the outer end of a linear elongated insulating member projecting from the end of the plug. The insulating members in cross-section are each in the configuration of a sector of a circle having a truncated central edge. The male contact members are disposed between the elongated insulating members. The elongated insulating members are so configured that when two of the connectors are mated together the elongated members will form a cylindrical shape. The connectors will mate together only in one orientation due to the fact that at least one of the elongated insulating members forms an arcuate part of the circumference of a circle that has a different length than at least one of the other elongated members.

Abstract: A two stage blender is capable of handling high viscosity liquid-powder mixtures. The mixture discharged from the first stage is directed to the second stage, from which it is discharged at a relatively high discharge pressure. The second stage further enhances the natural vacuum created within the first stage, so that powder is fed at a constant ratio for a wide variety of liquid flows. Selected internal parts of the blender are designed to permit cleaning the blender in place.

Abstract: A filter bag sealing device includes a sub-assembly that can be conveniently inserted into and removed from a filter housing. The sub-assembly comprises a filter basket, a filter bag, and an annular retainer. The three components are joined together by a locking mechanism that includes a pair of cams mounted to a shaft with stepped ends. The shaft extends between two lugs on the filter basket. A seal retained in the filter basket and a rigid ring in the mouth of the filter bag are placed between the filter basket and the retainer. Selectively rotating the cams draws the filter basket and retainer together to form the sub-assembly with a tight seal between the basket and retainer. The filter basket periphery includes a seal for sealing the sub-assembly to the inner diameter of the housing wall.

Abstract: A valve stem is reciprocable in an axial bore of a valve body toward and away from the valve seat. The valve plug has integral lip seals for preventing leakage of product out the valve and preventing entry of foreign matter into the valve along the stem. The valve plug has integral seating surfaces having small and large diameters for seating on valve seats having small and larger diameters, respectively and hence the valve plug can be used for different size valves. Steam flows through the bore around the stem to serve as a barrier to entry of foreign matter and to sterilize the zone behind the valve plug and the rearward lip seal.

Abstract: An improved multi-piece pipe clamp particularly useful for clamping the ends of two flanged sanitary pipes together in longitudinal alignment. When in the closed position the clamp engages the flanges to draw the pipe faces into intimate sealing contact. The clamp pieces pivot with respect to each other to an open position which more nearly approximates the closed position than previous clamps, thus facilitating assembly of the clamp and pipes.