Abstract: An automatically operating valve for use for example in a forecourt fuel pump has a body (10) defining a flow passage (20) within which is formed a valve seat (22), the body having a weakened zone (16) around the flow passage (20) such that an impact on the body will fracture the body at the weakened zone. A valve member (30) is mounted for movement within the flow passage (20) and is engageable with the valve seat (22) to close the valve. A closing mechanism effects movement of the valve member (30) to its closed position in the event that the body (10) is fractured at the weakened zone. Further, the valve member (30) is configured to move to its closed position under the influence of excessive flow of liquid through the flow passage (20).

Abstract: A reduced density, low water, high-solids flooring adhesive, comprising an intimately blended mixture of between 10 percent and 20 percent by weight of a high solids acrylic polymer characterized by having at least 70 percent by weight solids, between 10 percent and 20 percent of a tackifying resin for increasing initial adherence of the adhesive to the flooring, between 40 percent and 60 percent filler, between 0.25 and 2 percent of a gas, wherein the total amount of solids is no less than 80 percent by weight. The gas may be the decomposition product of hydrogen peroxide introduced into the adhesive during mixing.

Abstract: A wood sealer composition for preparing wood for subsequent finishing steps, comprising a water-based acrylic polymer emulsion and a water-based urethane resin solution, wherein the acrylic polymer emulsion comprises at least 50 percent by weight of the total composition and at least three times the percentage by weight of the urethane resin solution.

Abstract: A lock which incorporates a digital programmable microprocessing interface capable of user-programming whereby a programmed combination opens the lock. According to one embodiment of the lock, there can be as many as approximately 10×106 possible different combinations which may be entered by the user. The operation of the lock is driven by an electric signal derived from the combination, and that electrical signal is sent to a motor assembly inside the lock body in response to which there is a disengagement of a set of locking balls from a locking bar, which with the assistance of a springing mechanism causes the locking device to open automatically.

Abstract: A forecourt fuel pump has a casing locating means for metering and delivering to a flexible hose liquid fuel to be dispensed, and a processing unit arranged to monitor and control the delivery of fuel and the display of information concerning that delivery. The pump is provided with at least one sensor for an environmental parameter associated with the pump, such as the sensing of hydrocarbon liquids in the casing. Further sensors external of the pump may be provided to sense other parameters such as the presence of hydrocarbon vapor or liquids. Each sensor provides an output which is supplied to the processing unit which is arranged to monitor the output and provide an indication if the sensed value falls outside a pre-set range.

Abstract: A system is provided for changing hydraulic oil in vehicles such as airplanes, which enables rapid replacement of dirty oil and rapid cleaning of oil to meet military/commercial aircraft specifications for reuse. The apparatus includes a frame (40), dirty and clean oil tanks (14, 16) mounted on the frame, a filter tank (30) with filters (32) mounted on the frame, and pump and valve means (20) for controlling the flow of oil. Initially, the apparatus is rolled up to an airplane, dirty oil in the hydraulic reservoir of the plane is pumped into the dirty oil tank, and clean oil from the clean oil tank is pumped into the airplane reservoir. Thereafter, while the apparatus is moved or is stationary, dirty oil from the dirty oil tank is pumped through filters of the filter tank and into the clean oil tank for an initial cleaning, and thereafter the oil is continually circulated from the clean oil tank through the filtered tank and back to the clean oil tank to polish the oil.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for a forecourt fuel pump having a nozzle (11) receivable in a holder (13) of the pump body has a bar (23) movable between free and locked positions by an actuator (28). When the bar (23) is in its locked position, the bar passes through an opening (24) in the nozzle handle, so preventing removal of the nozzle from its holder. The actuator (28) may be electrically controlled from a remote position such as a payment booth. All of the fuel pumps on a forecourt may similarly be arranged to permit simultaneous locking and unlocking of all of the pump nozzles.

Abstract: A mechanism for interconnecting a rotary component (40) and two members (25, 26) linearly reciprocable at 90.degree. to each other in respective bores (16, 18, 17, 19) in a housing (15). The first rotary component (40) has a shaft (41) with a pair of spaced toothed rings (42, 43). A second rotary component (44) has a bore (37) with internal teeth (45, 46) at the two ends thereof. The first rotary component (40) extends through the bore (37) with the respective teeth of the two components meshing. The second rotary component has external first and second eccentric surfaces (37 and 38), 180.degree. out of phase. Each reciprocable member (25) has a pair of spaced-apart pistons (26, 27) with a web (28) extending therebetween, the web having a bore (29) in which is received the first (or second) eccentric surface (38 or 39). In operation, the first and second rotary components (32 and 36) rotate in the same sense, and the first and second members (25) reciprocate linearly 90.degree. out of phase with each other.

Abstract: An automatically operating shut-off valve has a valve body (12) with a weakened zone (15) about which the body will break, in the event the valve is subjected to a shock load. A valve seat (25) is formed within the body (12) and a valve member (29) is pivoted to move between an open position and a closed position, against the valve seat. The valve member is spring-urged to its closed position but is held in its open position by a crank (34) having a pin (35) bearing on a brittle glass rod (33). The valve will close whenever the rod (33) breaks, even if the shock load is only sufficient to crack the valve body, about the weakened zone.

Abstract: A high flow filter system uses readily available filters of moderate capacity to provide a high capacity flow in a reliable and easily maintained structure. The system includes a pressure vessel (20, FIG. 2) with inlet and outlet ports (16, 42), and an outlet conduit structure (68) which holds multiple moderate capacity filters (50). The filters are exposed to the inside of the vessel, and pressured fluid in the vessel flows through the filters with the filtered fluid flowing into center conduits (54) that extend vertically through a central passage of each filter. In one system, the filtered fluid flows through the lower end of each center conduit, through radial conduits (60, 61) and a manifold or spider hub part (62) to a pipe (44) that extends through the vessel outlet port. In another system, the lower ends of the center conduits are connected through holes of a manifold plate, to a manifold region.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding solid fuel to a furnace grate comprising a conduit adapted, in use, to extend downwards through the roof of the furnace, means for feeding solid fuel to the conduit above the lower end thereof said means including at least one fuel propulsion element and drive means to cause the element to move to propel the fuel in a desired direction and means to cause a rapid deceleration in the movement of the element whereby any fuel adhering to the element is flung therefrom.