Abstract: Apparatus, including or forming part of a diaphragm valve, features a diaphragm; a compressor or spindle component; and at least one hourglass-stud having a head configured to couple to the compressor or spindle component, having a lower shaft configured to couple to the diaphragm, and having an upper shaft configured to couple together the head and the lower shaft, the head having opposing curved surfaces configured and dimensioned with a width so as to be substantially the same as the diameter of the lower shaft, the upper shaft having a diameter configured and dimensioned so as to be smaller, including slightly smaller, than the width of the opposing curved surfaces of the head.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a diaphragm valve, is provided featuring a valve body, a diaphragm, a pressure ring, and at least one elastomeric member. The valve body may include a circumferential flange. The diaphragm may include a circumferential gasket portion configured to be seated on the circumferential flange so as to form a joint between the valve body and the diaphragm. The pressure ring may include concentric fluctuations, and may be configured to apply a sealing force against the joint so that the concentric fluctuations prevent radial movement of the circumferential gasket portion and the circumferential flange. The elastomeric member may be configured to respond to a compressive force and provide a substantially constant sealing force, transmitted through the pressure ring, regardless of small variations in the thickness or material dimensions of the circumferential gasket portion caused by temperature fluctuation or material flow and age.

Abstract: Apparatus, including or forming part of a diaphragm valve, features a diaphragm; a compressor or spindle component; and at least one hourglass-stud having a head configured to couple to the compressor or spindle component, having a lower shaft configured to couple to the diaphragm, and having an upper shaft configured to couple together the head and the lower shaft, the head having opposing curved surfaces configured and dimensioned with a width so as to be substantially the same as the diameter of the lower shaft, the upper shaft having a diameter configured and dimensioned so as to be smaller, including slightly smaller, than the width of the opposing curved surfaces of the head.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a diaphragm valve, is provided featuring a valve body, a diaphragm, a pressure ring, and at least one elastomeric member. The valve body may include a circumferential flange. The diaphragm may include a circumferential gasket portion configured to be seated on the circumferential flange so as to form a joint between the valve body and the diaphragm. The pressure ring may include concentric fluctuations, and may be configured to apply a sealing force against the joint so that the concentric fluctuations prevent radial movement of the circumferential gasket portion and the circumferential flange. The elastomeric member may be configured to respond to a compressive force and provide a substantially constant sealing force, transmitted through the pressure ring, regardless of small variations in the thickness or material dimensions of the circumferential gasket portion caused by temperature fluctuation or material flow and age.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. The cast draft sill has side walls, front and rear stops, front and rear rib sets and a center plate that are cast as a unit. The draft sill has an open area between the tops of the side walls between the front and rear stops, with a cast metal span connecting the two side walls. The cast metal span may comprise one or more spacer bars or part of a top wall. The cast metal span is in the area between the planes of the front stops and the rear stops. The front and rear stops are spaced below the tops of the side walls. In one embodiment, there are additional lightener holes in each side wall between the ribs in the rear rib set and in the pocket. The total weight of the cast draft sill is not substantially greater than the weight of a comparable fabricated draft sill of substantially the same size, and has a greater fatigue life.

Abstract: A valve including: a bonnet; a body secured to the bonnet and including at least two ports and at least one weir positioned between the ports; a valve stem being movably coupled with the bonnet, the valve stem including first and second longitudinal ends, and a recess in the first longitudinal end; a diaphragm positioned substantially adjacent to the second end of the valve stem so as to be deflectable towards the weir by the valve stem to restrict a flow between the ports; a handwheel rotatably secured to the valve stem so as to enable a torque to be applied to the valve stem, the handwheel including a longitudinal aperture; and, a screw directed through and engaged with the handwheel aperture and being selectively engagable within the recess of the valve stem, such that the valve stem and handwheel remain in a constant relative longitudinal position with respect to one another, and when the diaphragm sets against the weir the handwheel abuts the bonnet to serve as a closing lift valve stop.

Abstract: A low profile pneumatically actuated valve assembly including a pneumatic actuator, a bonnet, and an elongated hollow member disposed within the valve actuator, the member having a threaded portion extending from within the actuator, the threaded portion of the member threadedly engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the bonnet, thereby fastening the actuator to the bonnet. The pneumatically actuated valve assembly further includes a tab and slot arrangement defined by the actuator and the bonnet which permits the actuator and the bonnet to be rotatively positioned relative to each other in at least 90 degree increments to selectively position the air inlets.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing indication of valve position of a manual valve is disclosed for a valve having a rotary, operating assembly journaled in a housing, the operating assembly comprising a handwheel, a bushing fastened to the handwheel, and a spindle threadedly engaged to the bushing to cause translation of the spindle in response to rotation of the handwheel and the bushing, the apparatus for enclosure in the housing comprising a hub coupled to the bushing for transmitting rotary motion in response to rotation of the bushing; translation means for translating the rotary motion into an electrical signal; and circuitry means responsive to the electrical signal for indicating position of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. Weight reductions are achieved and adequate strength is maintained by using a set of front ribs and back ribs, with angled top and bottom ribs. The back rib set has a single central rib along the central plane of the draft sill. A single horizontal center plate rib is also used in the area of the center plate. The side ribs at the center plate have larger lightener holes. Holes are also provided in the bottom wall of the casting. Larger lightener holes are provided in the area of the draft sill pocket. These holes are moved upwardly to lower the center of gravity of the draft sill. The draft stops may be spaced from the top wall of the draft sill and from the bottoms of the side walls.

Abstract: A circular body, having a throughgoing orifice, an externally threaded periphery, and a pair of stepped recesses, defines a valve seat for a reciprocating piston. A retaining ring is made fast in one of the recesses, and a seal which contracts upon cooling to the ambient, after having been exposed to elevated temperatures, is set in the other recess. The seal is formed of a composite of plastic in which are dispersed carbon fibers to render the seal resistant to creep. A housing having a pair of chambers formed therein has the orificed body and piston interposed between the chambers for valvingly controlling inter-chamber communication.

Abstract: A slackless railcar coupler assembly, which is mountable in a railcar center sill, has a draft gear subassembly operable against a rear stop, and a slackfree coupler apparatus mounted in a coupler pocket forward of said draft gear subassembly, which subassembly and apparatus are connected to provide a dynamic load in both the buff and draft directions to avoid a mechanical, longitudinal stress load on the coupler assembly and railway car.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve which mounts directly on a tank bottom provides positive isolation between the vessel and downstream piping. When closed, the diaphragm seals against the valve body weir to seal the valve, and when opened, the valve provides a smooth, crevice free, drainable passageway to the downstream piping.

Abstract: A high density digital signal cross-connect module is disclosed. A plurality of jacks are carried on the module and disposed with jack sleeves being in generally horizontal aligned positions. The jacks are disposed in a vertical column in side-by-side relation. The orientation of the jacks permits a higher DSX density in the module.

Abstract: A trunnion type ball valve arranged so that biasing means is not needed to establish a seal between the valve seats and the ball when the valve is in the closed position. There is no load on the valve seats in the open position and a sufficient load in the closed position to effect a fluid seal in the closed position. The valve seats are movably mounted in the valve body so that they are displaced during opening and closing movement, but center themselves in the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A self-contained spring biasing device, particularly useful for providing a movement-resisting force on the power shaft of a valve actuator, comprises spring cartridge means and safety means. The spring cartridge means has therein a compression spring and a bearing plate that is pushed by the power shaft to compress the spring and resist movement of the shaft. The safety means is accessible from the exterior of the spring cartridge means and removably secures the power shaft to the bearing plate, thus preventing the spring from launching the spring cartridge means from the actuator.