Abstract: A rotary sprinkler comprising a stationary housing, a distribution member rotatable with respect to said housing, a stationary fluid supply member being in flow communication with an inlet port of the housing and with the distribution member, and a sealing assembly, the sealing assembly comprises at least one sealing ring made of an essentially hard, abrasion resistant material, wherein one face of the sealing ring is rotationally fixed with respect to either the distribution member or one of the stationary housing and fluid supply member.

Abstract: A valve device, in particular a window and lens cleaning device in motor vehicles, comprising a housing (1) with a duct (2) and at least one nozzle (3), and also a tubular connecting piece (4) for feeding a pressurized fluid, in particular a cleaning liquid, into the duct and to the nozzle. The connecting piece (4) is provided at its nozzle-side end with a nonreturn valve which blocks a return flow from the nozzle to the connecting piece wherein, the connecting piece (4) is open at its nozzle-side end. The nonreturn valve comprise an elastic shaped part (8) with a mouth which is normally closed and can be opened by the pressure of the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: The present device relates to a dispensing and rinsing gun (100) for use with a hose member (209 and 210) to dispense either a diluted product or water through the same dispensing and rinsing gun (100) without having to attach different nozzles. A selector (156) operatively connected to the gun (100) allows the gun (100) to dispense either a diluted product or water by rotating the selector (156) to the appropriate push button valve (154) controlling the desired product or water, and the selector (156) may be operated with one hand. A trigger (103) controls the type of spray used when the dispensing and rinsing gun (100) is used in the water rinse mode.

Abstract: A burner utilizing a low pressure fan for atomizing fuel and supplying air for combustion. The burner includes an air-tube, an air-atomizing nozzle disposed in the air-tube, a conduit for supplying fuel to the nozzle, and a fan for supplying air to the air-tube. A back plate, a retention plate, and a side ring meter primary air to the nozzle and provide a chamber through which secondary air passes around the nozzle. The side ring is provided with a plurality of apertures for directing secondary air inwardly into a chamber desirably normal to the direction from which the secondary air is discharged therefrom. Also disclosed is a novel three-piece air-atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A water spray device for connection to a standard garden hose, having an adjustable incrementally lockable trigger mechanism for controlling the flow of water from a standard spray nozzle or extension spray wand attached thereto. The spray device includes a housing which can be in the form of a pistol grip that is connectable at a lower end to the garden hose and at an upper end to the nozzle or wand. A water passageway extends through the housing with a trigger chamber formed at the front of the housing with an actuator pin receiving hole connecting therebetween. A trigger having an upper notch is pivotally disposed within the chamber with a spring loaded trigger lock which fits within the notch linearly slidably mounted to the housing.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a first needle, and a second needle slidable within a passage formed in the first needle. The needles are engageable with respective seatings to control fuel delivery through respective groups of outlet openings. A load transmitter is provided whereby movement of the first needle can be transmitted to the second needle. An alternative injector includes a second needle provided with formations defining an integral resilient biasing arrangement.

Abstract: A high pressure gaseous fuel injector for injecting natural gas or other gaseous fuels at high pressures (eg. 300 to 700 psig more or less) into combustion engines for improved efficiency, better performance and reduced environmental emissions. The fuel injector is powered by hydraulic signals from an electrohydraulic valve. The fuel injector includes an outer cartridge housing and a universal valve cartridge mounted therein. The cartridge comprises an activator body and a valve body secured together, and the valve body has a gas valve slidable therein. The stroke of the valve is adjustable by controlling the size of shims in the valve body assembly, thereby providing a universal valve cartridge that can be easily adapted to differing fueling requirements for models and sizes of engines. The valve body includes a spring chamber between upper and lower valve guides.

Abstract: A method and equipment manufacturing predetermined low bark content wood chips and a high bark content fuel fraction from wood chips with bark attached, includes mechanical bark removal treatment, in which the bark is removed from the chips and their size is reduced; pre-cleaning of the flow of chips with bark attached, into a flow of chips with a bark content of less than 10% and high bark content rejects, with the aid of pneumatic and mechanical sieving; final cleaning of the aforesaid wood chip flow from the pre-cleaning, with the aid of an optical separator, to create low bark content wood chips and a fraction with a higher bark content; collection of the rejects leaving the process, to create the aforementioned high bark content fuel fraction; and seiving out of the flow of wood chips, before the mechanical bark removal process, a predetermined thin fraction of the chips, which bypasses the debarking process.

Abstract: An improved tub grinder includes a hammer mill having a swing diameter which is adjustable. The tub grinder includes: first and second sets of interchangeable hammers, the second set being shorter than the first; first and second interchangeable semi-cylindrical screen assemblies, the second screen assembly having a smaller diameter than the first; and a pair of shear bars and adapter plates. In a first configuration, the first set of hammers are mounted to a rotor assembly and have a first swing diameter. The first semi-cylindrical screen assembly is secured within a cylinder box in co-axial alignment and outwardly spaced relationship with the first set of hammers. The shear bars are mounted to the tub floor and extend across the sides of a floor opening in spaced relationship to the swing diameter of the first set of hammers to form a gap therebetween.

Abstract: An agitator mill comprises a cylindrical grinding receptacle, in which is disposed an agitator to be driven in rotation. At one end a grinding-stock supply line opens into the grinding chamber. At the other end a grinding-stock discharge line discharges therefrom. An auxiliary-grinding-body return line is provided, which discharges from the grinding chamber in an area of high local pressure and opens into the grinding chamber in an area of low local pressure, namely separate from the grinding-stock supply line.

Abstract: A shredder cylinder that includes a generally circular shaft having a plurality of spaced apart cutting disks arranged along the axis of the cylinder, and a spacer disposed between adjacent disks. The spacer has a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft and smaller than the diameter of the cutting disks, and a spacer surface wherein the peripheral cross-section of the surface of the spacer has a linear measure greater than the measure of the distance between two disks adjacent the spacer.

Abstract: A densely packed storage drum containing wire, and a method and apparatus for producing the same. The storage drum having an interior storage cavity into which wire is fed. The drum is supported on a turn table adapted to rotate and index the storage drum relative to a rotatable laying head which guides the wire into the drum. A capstan turning at a set rotational velocity pulls the wire and delivers the wire into the rotating laying head. As the laying head feeds the wire into the storage drum the difference in the rotational velocities of the capstan and laying head causes the formation of loops of wire in the storage drum. By varying the relative velocities of the capstan and the laying head, and rotating and indexing the storage drum relative to the laying head the wire can be deposited into the drum in layers, with each layer having a plurality of loops of a specified diameter circumferentially and eccentrically positioned about the interior cavity of the drum.

Abstract: Force limitation in retractors is needed to avoid injury to an occupant from the seat belt itself particularly at high crash impact loads. The invention provides a seat belt retractor comprising a spool including force limiting means for allowing further payout of the seat belt webbing after the spool has locked, under the influence of an occupant's forward momentum in the crash condition.

Abstract: An automated yarn creeling method and apparatus for the textile industry. Preferably, the present yarn creeling system is used in the carpet tufting industry to automate, ultimately, the intelligent transfer of packages of yarn from the shipping pallets to the bullhorns of a creeler. The apparatus preferably comprises a service arm assembly, a vertical support, a base support, and automated weighing and control systems.

Abstract: A thread guide engages the thread from a supply qallet to a suction element, while the thread is held by the suction element, to entrain the thread to the thread-capturing slit of a winding sleeve in a winding apparatus, especially a stretch winder. As a result, the thread meets the winding sleeve at a location at which the winding sleeve and the thread are traveling in the same direction.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a reel rewinder apparatus. The apparatus includes a base supporting a drive motor which rotates a drive wheel. A reel foot mounting assembly is mounted to the base and is configured for positioning a reel seat in a predetermined position. Locking assemblies are provided for locking components of the reel seat mounting assembly in a predetermined position. A foot clamping assembly is operatively associated with the reel seat and configured to secure a reel foot thereon. A service spool arm extends from the base and is configured to support a spool in operative relationship with the drive wheel. A support arm assembly is securable to the reel seat with the foot clamping assembly and is used to support a spool against the drive wheel. Alternatively, a spool clamping assembly is incorporated into the drive wheel for clamping a spool to drive wheel.

Abstract: A two-shaft linear motion type winder for winding up a sheet material, e.g. a film is provided, which can eliminate the occurrence of any mechanical loss by simplification of a transission device, shorten the path distance of the film upon roll changing, prevent the neck-in and wrinkling of the film and reduce vastly the roll changing cycle. It comprises at least a pair of upper-stage winding frames having holders for an upper winding shaft, suspended from an upper main frame to be slidingly movable back and forth in a given area; and a pair of lower-stage winding frames having holders for a lower winding shaft, disposed on a lower main frame to face upwards so as to be slidingly movable longitudinally in a given area.

Abstract: A rewinder for rewinding a web into one or more rolls on separate cores, includes at least one rewinding mandrel having a distal end. The rewinder also has a supply device for supplying the web to the rewinding mandrel, and a drive device. The drive device can (a) rotate the rewinding mandrel in order to wind at least a portion of the web onto the rewinding mandrel, and (b) axially retract the mandrel to unload the portion of the web wound on the mandrel. Also included is a holder for holding the one or more rolls. The rewinder also has a lifter for (a) raising the holder to support the portion of the web wound on the mandrel, and (b) lowering the holder. This rewinding mandrel is rotated in order to wind at least a portion of the web onto the rewinding mandrel. The holder is then raised to support the portion of the web wound on the mandrel. Next, the mandrel is axially retracted to unload the portion of the web wound on the mandrel, before lowering the holder.

Abstract: A reel-up in a paper machine has two primary arms, each of which has an elongate beam that is pivotably journalled on stand members in the reel-up, and a carriage that is displaceably journalled on the beam and has a gripper on its side that faces the surface winding drum for gripping a reeling drum collected from a top drum stock. Each beam has a free end located at a lesser distance from the pivot axis of the primary arm than the distance between the pivot axis and the empty reeling drum located in the drum stock. Each carriage can be displaced outwards from the beam so that the gripper is beyond the free end of the beam at a distance from the free end so as to assume a position for receipt of a reeling drum.

Abstract: A multi-carrying-roll winder, and method for winding a material web with a multi-carrying-roll winder. The multi-carrying-roll winder comprises a first carrying roll, a second carrying roll, a loading device, and a controller. The first and second carrying rolls contact a reel upon which a material web is to be wound, such that the first carrying roll is driven to wind the material web onto the reel. An additional loading device contacts a circumference of the reel to additionally drive the reel. A controller adjusts an amount of driving power applied to the reel by each of the first carrying roll, the second carrying roll and the additional loading device.

Abstract: A coiled pipe dispensing rack for use in cooperation with a moving vehicle to effectuate the unrolling of plastic pipe, with the rack comprising a main cage, a hub and spindle assembly, and a mounting unit. The main cage comprises a first portion and a second portion which cooperate with each other to retain a coil of plastic pipe therebetween. Both the first and second portion each comprise a center plate, a plurality of strut arms, and an exterior side wall, with each of the strut arms connected to and radiating outwardly from the respective center plate, and with each of the strut arms connected to the respective exterior side wall. The hub and spindle assembly is positioned intermediate the main cage and the mounting unit. The mounting unit remains in contact with the moving vehicle as the pipe is unrolled.

Abstract: A device for spooling flexible tubular pipe comprising at least one spooling wheel comprising a hub and spokes extending from the hub in a radial plane, wherein the spokes are articulated to the hub so that they can be folded towards the axis of the hub. The spokes may have several fold up articulations along their lengths.

Abstract: An improved tracking and guidance system is provided for line-of sight commanded missiles. The system includes a missile mounted laser beacon which is modulated at a predetermined frequency. An infrared sensor mounted on a tracking unit receives the incoming optical energy and provides a corresponding electrical output. The output signals are filtered to eliminate clutter and those signals outside the range of frequencies within which the laser is modulated. The filtered signals are then peak detected to determine missile azimuth and elevation within a predetermined window. Azimuth and elevation error detector circuits compare the missile azimuth and elevation to predetermined signals to generate error signals. The error signals are utilized by the missile guidance system to provide updated guidance commands.

Abstract: To provide aerodynamic continuity between the front part, pivoting with the rotor, and the stationary rear part of a pod housing an engine for driving the rotor, a curved cowl curved about the pivot axis extends the rear edge of the bottom cowling of the front part to join this rear edge to the front edge of a bottom cowling of the stationary rear part, in helicopter mode, and a flap swivel-mounted on the top cowling of the front part joins this latter to the top cowling of the stationary rear part, onto which this flap is folded, in helicopter mode.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle includes cascade vanes mounted in a duct for discharging exhaust. The vanes have a dolphin profile which is effective for turning subsonically the exhaust near leading edges of the vanes, and then diffusing supersonically the exhaust downstream therefrom. Thrust efficiency of the vanes is therefore shifted to lower pressure ratios during operation for improving performance of the nozzle.

Abstract: The Oya glider is a modified hang-glider that incorporates many advanced aerospace technologies, such as, glues, for binding Shape Memory Alloy materials to Piezoelectric Ceramic Strips, and synthetic feathers. Lightweight composite plastic materials treated with the MuCell Process, both for framing and chassis construction. Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators. Nano wires, and nano cables, for electrical connections and manual control levers. Computer firmware and software, designed to mimic, in real time, the aerodynamic flight reactions to external wind conditions, of a gliding bird. The Oya computerized glider will come as close as technologically possible to imitating a bird's mastery of the wind.

Abstract: A feedback control system for a multi-thrusted hovercraft is disclosed. In a hover craft having a plurality of vertically oriented thruster that are controlled by a system that relies on operator input and also the use of sensors to control the altitude and attitude of the hovercraft. A set of simultaneous equations is constructed and solved to reconcile the demands placed on the thrusters to maintain altitude and attitude of the hovercraft.

Abstract: A transformable gun launched aero vehicle having a ballistic projectile configuration and an aeroplane configuration includes a cylinder forming a shell of the vehicle in the ballistic projectile configuration and wings deployable from the cylinder. The wings are capable of achieving sufficient lift for sustained flight in the aeroplane configuration. The cylinder forms a fuselage of the vehicle in the aeroplane configuration. A wing includes plural rib elements, plural inflatable tubes where each tube is braced by the plural rib elements, and a wind shell disposed around the plural inflatable tubes and the plural rib elements. The vehicle includes an inflatable tail section that is inflated while the vehicle is in the aeroplane configuration. The vehicle includes a parachute that is reversibly deployable from a nose portion of the vehicle. The vehicle includes at least one landing rod. Each landing rod is reversibly extendable from the vehicle.

Abstract: A compact, aerodynamic wing assembly constructed and arranged so as to withstand a force due to acceleration in at least one direction includes at least two wing segments, each of the wing segments having a span-wise axis, and a airfoil cross section normal to the span axis. The wing segments are preferably disposed mutually adjacent and end to end. For each pair of wing segments, the wing further includes a pivot assembly fixedly attached to the wing segments at an end of each of the wing segments along the span-wise axis. The pivot assembly forms an articulation axis for relative movement between each the pair of wing segments, such that the wing assembly converts, upon a predetermined stimulus, from a stowed configuration characterized by nested wing segments, to a deployed configuration characterized by a substantially uninterrupted aerodynamic surface.

Abstract: A wing fold actuation system (24) is provided for folding an outboard wing section (18) relative to an inboard wing section (16) between a deployed position (20) and a stored position (22). The system (24) includes an actuator (26) in the form of a geared rotary actuator (30) in combination with a four-bar linkage (32). A locking mechanism (28) is provided to lock the outboard wing section (18) in the deployed position (20), and includes a catch on the outboard wing section (18) that is engageable with a rotary latch (42) on the inboard wing section (16). A timing transmission (46) connects the rotary actuator (30) with the rotary latch (42) to time the rotation of the rotary latch (42) with respect to the movement of the outboard wing section (18) between the deployed and stored positions (20,22).

Abstract: An aircraft power plant for vertical take-off and landing comprises a jet propulsion unit having an air inlet and an exhaust outlet and incorporating a combustion chamber, a high pressure compressor for supplying air from the air inlet to the combustion chamber, a fuel inlet for supplying fuel to the combustion chamber, and a turbine coupled to drive the compressor and arranged to be driven by the exhaust gases passing from the combustion chamber to the exhaust outlet. Swivelling front nozzles are provided for selectively directing a proportion of air from a fan arrangement downwardly in front of the propulsion unit and swivelling rear nozzles are provided for selectively directing at least a proportion of the exhaust gases from the exhaust outlet downwardly to the rear of the propulsion unit, in order to effect lift on take-off or landing.

Abstract: A hinge arm for a thrust reverser door may be mounted to an exhaust nozzle using an aft mount. The mount includes a frame for attachment to the nozzle. A swing link has a first pin pivotally joined to the frame, and a second pin for pivotally joining the hinge arm to the link to permit both swinging and pivoting of the hinge arm from the frame. The aft mount thusly permits the reverser doors to be reliably stowed around the nozzle.

Abstract: An airborne pneumatic launch tube ejection system to described for launching an aerospace vehicle/payload into orbit. The system can be installed in a jet transport aircraft without requiring structural modifications.

Abstract: A multi-tether kite control device uses a racheting mechanism to rewind the tether reels. The mechanism is activated by a pull-string attached to the belt or torso of the operator. By repetitively moving the device away from and toward his body, the operator can rewind one or both tethers without releasing his grasp upon the device handles. Separate reels are used to coil the tethers attached to the leading edges of the kite to provide a controlled braking action.

Abstract: A functionally and structurally modular, parallelogram-shaped spacecraft. The spacecraft includes a plurality of modules joined to one another along an axis of the spacecraft, wherein each module is devoted to a particular function of the spacecraft, and wherein all of the modules have the same cross-sectional size and geometry. The geometry is approximately a parallelogram in a plane normal to the axis of the spacecraft. The functions include power, processing, propulsion, and the like.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the attitude of a momentum biased spacecraft about all three mutually orthogonal axes during a thruster firing maneuver without separately sensing angular displacement, angular rate, or angular acceleration about the spacecraft yaw axis. The method includes a transient phase during which a yaw feedforward torque is computed based on the known pitch/yaw coupling due to thruster geometry, and a steady state phase, during which feedback gains are adjusted to estimate yaw attitude based on coupling of a steady state disturbance torque about the roll axis of the spacecraft and a steady state disturbance torque about the yaw axis of the spacecraft.

Abstract: The attitude of a spacecraft is controlled during an eclipse without the dependence on auxiliary power by configuring the spacecraft so that it will receive solar power after solar eclipse is passed. The spacecraft is then oriented with respect to a sun line. The spacecraft is then spun so that it maintains a desired angular momentum throughout the eclipse and provides passive stabilization of the attitude. After the eclipse has passed, the spacecraft power is restored and the spacecraft attitude is detected. All spacecraft units are then powered up and thereafter, normal on-station attitude is re-established and normal spacecraft operations are established.

Abstract: A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

Abstract: A spacecraft includes a spacecraft base structure having an externally facing, electrically conducting spacecraft surface, with the spacecraft structure including a solar cell array. A grounding structure has an externally facing, electrically conducting plasma grounding surface, and an electrical ground extends between the plasma grounding surface and the spacecraft base structure. In space, the spacecraft is oriented with the plasma grounding surface facing the sun. Electron photoemission from the plasma grounding surface balances electron charging of that portion of the spacecraft surface that does not face the sun, preventing electrical charging of the spacecraft relative to the plasma environment.

Abstract: Blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise, associated with the operation of aircraft having rotary-wing blades, is abated by the inclusion of an ovate loop tip (20) at the tip portion (16) of each of the rotary wing blades. The ovate loop tip (20) is substantially ovate in shape transverse to the direction of rotation of the rotary-wing blades (12). The ovate loop tip (20) includes upper and lower halves (20′,20″) of similar or substantially identical geometry, and is positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to a plane (24) defined substantially by the chord of the rotary-wing blade at or near the tip portion (16). The upper and lower halves (20′,20″) of the ovate loop tip (20) have a common origin or root at their point of attachment with the blade tip portion (16). This geometry and positioning of the ovate loop tip (20) reduces the intensity of the resulting tip vortex, while also minimizing additional loads and stresses on the blade.

Abstract: A device for mounting a sprinkler to a ceiling support rail in a building is disclosed. This device consists of two vertical sidewalls integrated into a U-shaped single structure by a top wall. The two sidewalls are bent inwardly at their lower ends to form clip flanges for gripping the head of the ceiling support rail positioned between the two sidewalls. A first bolt hole is formed at the lower portion of each sidewall. A first locking bolt is threaded into the bolt holes of the two sidewalls so as to tighten the lower portions of the two sidewalls and allow the two sidewalls to firmly grip the ceiling support rail. Each of the two sidewalls also has a notch at its upper portion and seats the reducer support beam in the notch. The top wall has a second bolt hole. A second locking bolt is threaded into the second bolt hole so as to hold the reducer support beam seated in the notches of the two sidewalls.

Abstract: A cup holder attachment for holding a beverage container and mounting to the backrests of a pair of adjacent seats in a row of seats. The cup holder attachment includes a base with an upper ring spaced above the base and an elongate support extending between the base and the upper ring to connect them together. Fixed and sliding clips are provided each designed for hooking over a backrest of a seat. The fixed clip is coupled to the upper ring and the sliding clip is slidably mounted to the upper ring to permit slidable positioning of the sliding clip along the upper ring with respect to the location of the fixed clip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stand (1) which can be collapsed for transportation and storage and unfolded when in use, comprising an upper stand head (2) arranged to support sheet-like objects, in particular sheets of music, and a rod-shaped central part (4) and preferably a lower leg arrangement (5), or similar, and with the objective of providing an improved stand both as regards its haandling, use and transportation, it is proposed according to the invention that the upper stand head (2) comprises extendable stays (6, 7).

Abstract: A fitting for anchoring an aircraft seat to a track mounted to the floor of the aircraft is provided. The fitting is removably mounted to the seat and includes a generally rectangular elongate base having flange-like extensions running longitudinally thereof. The base has symmetric slide bearings affixed thereto, one at each end thereof, and overlaying the base, dimensioned so that the base with attached bearings is slidably insertable into the slot of the track. When the seat is mounted to the track, the symmetric bearings are in contact with the upper inside surfaces of the slot within the track, providing relative ease of slidable movement thereof when required.

Abstract: An air compressor 10 for an air leveling suspension system of a motor vehicle is mounted on a vibration reducing bracket 12. The bracket includes a bottom panel section 16 that has a perforated metal grid 40 embedded therein. Side walls 18 extend to an open top 20. A first set of brass inserts 24 are embedded into a plurality of tiers 22 that are spaced between the closed bottom panel section 16 and open top 20 to mount the air compressor 10. A second set of brass inserts receive bolts 31 to mount the bracket to the chassis 14 of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Two telescopically interconnected support members of an adjustable furnace support are secured together by mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners maintain the top end of one of the support members a fixed predetermined distance from the bottom of the other support member. A furnace support ledge extends inwardly from the sides of one of the support members. The furnace support ledge also supports a furnace filter below the furnace.

Abstract: A formwork is structured from a tubular body or core made of a plurality of parts, attached to each other by an adhesive through their connecting edges. The tubular core is internally coated with a sheet made of plastic, or rigid plates made of wood plasticized on the internal side or made of rigid plastic, attached to each other on their inner side with the help of an adhesive constituting an impervious barrier. Externally the formwork has a reticulated support having a fiber glass mesh rolled up helicoidally on the tubular core and fixed to the core by an adhesive in such a way that the mesh ensures the proper mechanical rigidity of the formwork. Optionally, a self-adhesive sealing band can be placed on the enveloping mesh as a decorative element and as a formwork advertising support.

Abstract: In the hydraulic blowout preventer of an integral production wellhead, the ram chambers and hydraulic fluid supply line are both buried or formed in the side wall of the blowout preventer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses various embodiments of a thin film fluid control system (10, 110, 220) for controlling fluid flow through tubular conduits (24, 124, 224). The system is designed such that a shape memory alloy (14, 114, 214) is transformed between austenitic and martensitic phases to constrict or open the tubular conduit as desired.

Abstract: The invention is a valve that releasably locks the valve in both the open position and the closed position. The valve has a valve body, a valve element, a handle, and a lock-out member that cooperates with the handle and the valve body to lock the handle and the valve element in either the open position or the closed position. The lock-out member has a collar that is rotatably mounted to the rim of the valve body. The collar has cogs that fit within notches in the rim and prevent the collar from rotating. The interlocking of the collar of the lock-out member with the valve body prohibits the rotation of the handle and the valve element. The lock-out member has a release member that cooperates with the handle to lift cogs out of the notches and cause the collar to disengage with the rim when the release member is activated. This allows the handle and the valve element to rotate between either the locked open position or the locked closed position.