Abstract: A rod for a piston and cylinder device has a rod spud having a spiral channel in an outer surface thereof. The spiral channel spirals around the rod spud in a longitudinal direction. The spiral channel provides a hydraulic fluid flow path between an internal volume of a barrel and an internal volume of a spud receiver of the piston and cylinder device when the rod spud is in the spud receiver. At least a portion of the spiral channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases continuously and gradually as the spiral channel spirals longitudinally away from a distal end of the rod spud. The spiral channel provides more controlled deceleration of the hydraulic cylinder rod until the end of the retraction stroke.

Abstract: A sensing system for determining axial position of a cylindrical rod involves: a tapered rotatable shaft having a rotation axis, the shaft positionable so that the rotation axis is perpendicular to a translation axis of a cylindrical rod, the shaft having a tapered portion that is frictionally engageable with the cylindrical rod to be rotatable by the cylindrical rod when the cylindrical rod moves axially: a biasing element that biases the shaft in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the shaft to continually maintain frictional engagement of the tapered portion of the shaft with the cylindrical rod when the shaft is engaged with the cylindrical rod: and, a sensor for detecting rotation of the shaft when the shaft is rotated by the cylindrical rod, the rotation of the shaft being correlated to the axial position of the cylindrical rod.

Abstract: In a piston and cylinder device, such as a hydraulic cylinder, potential or kinetic energy of the piston just before reaching the cylinder head at the end of a stroke can be mitigated using a rod spud/cushion sleeve arrangement where the rod spud and cushion sleeve comprise complementary continuously and gradually tapered portions forming an annular orifice having a cross-sectional area that dynamically, continuously and gradually decreases as an external tapered portion of the rod spud moves through an internal tapered portion of the cushion sleeve to the end of the piston stroke.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. A surface is disposed in the valve body for seating the piston. The surface tapers inwardly as it passes into the outlet wherein the taper improves the flow characteristics of fluid passing by the taper thereby minimizing water hammer and leakage therethrough.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and said outlet to regulate flow through the valve body. The piston has a shoulder. A neck depends from the shoulder and has a smaller perimeter than the shoulder. And, a flange depends from the neck and has a larger perimeter than the neck. Better flow characteristics of fluid about the shoulder, neck, and flange minimize noise coming from the valve and increase reliability thereof.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A piston is disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. A piston cap is disposed within the valve body and has a wall along which the piston is guided. A groove is disposed in the piston cap wall for equalizing pressure on sides of the piston translating therein. The groove has a shallow, semicircular shape whereby a possibility that fluid flow therethrough is diminished is minimized.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, a cartridge disposed in the outlet and a plurality of check valves disposed serially within the cartridge for preventing backflow through the outlet and wherein vacuum effects are minimized.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A piston is disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. A piston cap is disposed within the valve body and has a wall along which the piston is guided. A groove is disposed in the piston cap wall for equalizing pressure on sides of the piston translating therein. The groove has a shallow, semicircular shape whereby a possibility that fluid flow therethrough is diminished is minimized.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, a cartridge disposed in the outlet and a plurality of check valves disposed serially within the cartridge for preventing backflow through the outlet and wherein vacuum effects are minimized.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and said outlet to regulate flow through the valve body. The piston has a shoulder. A neck depends from the shoulder and has a smaller perimeter than the shoulder. And, a flange depends from the neck and has a larger perimeter than the neck. Better flow characteristics of fluid about the shoulder, neck, and flange minimize noise coming from the valve and increase reliability thereof.

Abstract: A flush valve has a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston disposed in the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. A surface is disposed in the valve body for seating the piston. The surface tapers inwardly as it passes into the outlet wherein the taper improves the flow characteristics of fluid passing by the taper thereby minimizing water hammer and leakage therethrough.