Abstract: An armature of magnetizable material is mounted within a magnetic housing by means of a pair of Belleville springs so that the armature is movable along the central axis thereof between opposed pole pieces formed in the housing. A radially magnetized permanent magnet is positioned in the housing concentric with the armature and a single actuator coil is positioned in the housing concentric with one of the pole pieces. The armature is held in engagement with one of the pole pieces by the flux of the permanent magnet. When the coil is energized the armature is moved into engagement with the opposite pole piece against the biasing force of the Belleville springs, in which position one valve element is closed and the other valve element is opened. The armature pole faces and the pole pieces within the housing have a configuration such that when the armature is in the coil energized position the magnetic permeance of the armature with respect to each pole piece is substantially equal.

Abstract: A valve for simultaneously controlling the flow of two propellant fluids to a rocket engine. The valve has separate flow passages for the two fluids and a separate valve element for controlling the flow through each passage. A single solenoid simultaneously controls the movement of both valve elements and each valve element provides a portion of the path for the magnetic flux generated by the solenoid. Each flow passage leads to a series of openings in a wall of the engine, such openings serving as injection orifices to the combustion chamber of the engine. The openings are of small diameter and length so that the volume of the openings between the valve seat and the combustion chamber is relatively small. Separation of the two flow passages is accomplished without the use of flexible or sliding seals.

Abstract: A device for controlling flow of fluid to and from a resilient inflatable cuff implanted about the urethra to control flow of urine therethrough. The device comprises a housing of rigid material that provides an expansible sealed chamber, a piston forming one wall of the chamber and spring pressed to a position for decreasing the volume of the chamber to thereby force fluid from the chamber to the cuff, manually operable means for moving the piston to another position for enlarging the chamber to permit deflation of the cuff by return of fluid to the chamber, and a flexible cover or envelope encapsulating the housing, piston and manually operated means.

Abstract: A device for controlling flow of fluid to and from a resilient inflatable cuff implanted about the urethra to control flow of urine therethrough. The device comprises a flexible bulb reservoir and a control unit that includes a manually operated valve that opens automatically when the bulb is squeezed to force fluid into the cuff for closing the urethra. The control unit also includes a movable valve seat member having a relatively large area exposed to pressure of fluid in a chamber that is connected to the cuff and which moves to a position in which the valve member is unseated by an abutment when fluid pressure in the chamber exceeds a predetermined value to thereby relieve excess fluid pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: A vent and relief valve for a tank containing pressurized fluid such as oxygen or hydrogen characterized in that coaxial vent and relief valve members have interengaged seats to close the vent outlet of the valve, the vent valve member having actuating means associated therewith to disengage said seats to open communication between the interior of the tank and the vent outlet of the valve as during filling of the tank, and the relief valve member being actuated by fluid pressure in the tank exceeding a predetermined value to move said relief valve member to disengage said seats and thereby again establish communication between the interior of the tank and the vent outlet of the valve thus to vent excess fluid pressure.