Abstract: A controller includes: an automatic shifting control section that carries out automatic shifting control in which a shifting actuator is driven in response to a predetermined automatic shifting command; and an interference prevention control section that controls the automatic shifting control section so as to prohibit simultaneous occurrence of a manual shifting process induced by operation of a shifting operation member and an automatic shifting process induced by the shifting actuator.

Abstract: Actuator for automotive applications, comprising a main body that houses a motor, a transmission, a control shaft, kinematically connected to the motor by the transmission. The control shaft extends from a first transmission end, connected to the transmission, to a second operating end operatively connected to a user device. The control shaft is controlled in a reciprocating linear motion along an axial direction (Y-Y) by the transmission which transforms a rotation movement along a drive axis (X-X) of the motor into a translation movement of the control shaft along said axial direction (Y-Y). The motor and the control shaft are oriented so that the drive axis (X-X) and the axial direction (Y-Y) are perpendicular or parallel and spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle driving apparatus includes: a first-operating-state determining portion configured to determine whether the driving apparatus is in a first operating state, by determining (i) whether a first drive-force transmitting path is established to cause a drive force to be transmitted through a gear mechanism and (ii) whether there is a probability of generation of noises between an input shaft and an continuously-variable transmission; and a belt-clamping-force controlling portion configured to control a belt clamping force of the continuously-variable transmission, when it is determined that the driving apparatus is in the first operating state, to start execution of a belt-clamping-force increasing control for increasing the belt clamping force such that the belt clamping force is made larger when the driving apparatus is in the first operating state than when the driving apparatus is in an operating state that is different from the first operating state.

Abstract: In an in-wheel motor drive device, a speed reduction part is a parallel shaft gear reducer that includes a plurality of gear shafts extending in parallel to one another. One of the gear shafts is coupled with the rotation shaft of the motor part, the other one of the gear shafts is coupled with the wheel hub of the wheel hub bearing part. Remaining gear shafts decelerate the rotation of the motor part and transmit it to the wheel hub. The motor drive device includes a parking gear attached to any of the gear shafts. The parking pawl has a projection portion engaged with a recess portion of the parking gear. A movement member enables a parking pawl to move between a locking position engaged with the recess portion and an unlocking position not engaged therewith. The parking gear, the parking pawl, and movement member are housed inside a housing.

Abstract: A parking lock module has a housing, in which, for the actuation of a parking lock, a positioning member movable from a locking position into an unlocking position and vice versa. The positioning member is selectively fixable relative to the housing with an arresting device, which has a detent contour fixed to the positioning member and has a detent element on the housing. The detent element is movable from an arresting position into a release position, and vice versa. The detent element is preloaded into the arresting position with a spring and is actively movable into the release position with a fluidic actuator with a pressurizable effective surface. The detent element can be formed as a piston guided displaceably along a feed axis and which forms the pressurizable effective surface of the fluidic actuator.

Abstract: A parking lock module has a housing, in which, for the actuation of a parking lock, a positioning member is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The positioning member is selectively fixable in a position relative to the housing with an arresting device, which has a detent element interacting with the positioning member. The detent element is movable with an actuator between arresting and release positions. A sensor arrangement with a position detector, which is positionally fixed relative to the housing, and a position encoder, which, for the detection of the respective position, is operatively connected to the positioning member or to the detent element. The electromagnetic actuator is activatable with a circuit board attached to the housing and bears the position detector of the sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A piston includes a piston body and a piston ring fitted into a ring groove. The piston ring has a top surface that includes: a convex portion formed between an inner edge position and a central position at which a radial direction thickness is ½, with the piston ring in a free state, and a planar portion or an inclined peripheral portion continuous with the convex portion on a radially outer side of the convex portion. In a predetermined status of the piston body and the piston ring, an angle between the top surface of the ring groove and the planar portion or the inclined peripheral portion is at least 18 arcminutes in a cross-section that is parallel to a central axis of the piston body and includes the central axis.

Abstract: A piston ring for internal combustion engines provided with a ferrous alloy base includes an annular outer surface on which a coating including at least one outer layer is applied deposited on an adhesive layer, the outer layer being provided with a variable thickness, in such a way that the thickness of the outer layer gradually increases from 90° and 270° towards 0° and 360° respectively, with the thickness attaining its maximum value in the region of 10° and 350° and slightly decreasing towards 0° and 360° so as to ensure an optimal working condition, minimizing the contact pressure and consequently the accelerated wear in the vicinities of the ends of the ring, in addition to preventing and/or impeding the detachment of the outer layer of the coating.

Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a channel that receives at least one of a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner edge of the inner liner and a composite encapsulation system including a base elastic adhesive and an outer barrier coating. The base elastic adhesive and the outer barrier coating define a structural adhesive that hermetically seals an insulation cavity defined between the outer wrapper and the inner liner.

Abstract: A corrugated metal gasket for use between two flanges wherein the corrugated metal gasket is produced by a method comprising the steps of providing an annular gasket substrate and machining into that substrate a plurality of substantially uniform and generally concentric corrugations.

Abstract: A gasket assembly and methods of construction and assembly thereof are provided. The gasket assembly includes an elastically deformable, resilient carrier layer having an upper surface and a lower surface extending in planar, generally parallel relation with one another between an inner periphery and an outer periphery when in a disassembled state. At least one top layer is fixed to the upper surface proximate at least one of the inner periphery and the outer periphery. At least one bottom layer is fixed to the lower surface in radially spaced relation from the at least one top layer. The upper surface and the lower surface take on a non-planar, spring-biased shape upon compressing the gasket assembly between a pair of surfaces to an assembled state.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for a gas seal member that can form a gas seal member for a high-pressure hydrogen device that is capable of sufficiently inhibiting both swelling destruction and blister destruction. The composition for a gas seal member is a composition for a gas seal member used in a high-pressure hydrogen environment and contains an elastomer and fibrous carbon nanostructures. The fibrous carbon nanostructures are contained in a proportion of not less than 1 part by mass and not more than 10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the elastomer. An area fraction S (%) of aggregates of the fibrous carbon nanostructures in a cross-section of the composition for a gas seal member and a volume percentage V (volume %) of the fibrous carbon nanostructures in the composition for a gas seal member satisfy a relationship 0?S/V?2.0.

Abstract: In a jig for press-fitting a divided sealing ring, while a sleeve is attached to a first rod head, a guide region leading to a recess is defined between an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve and a rod. When a divided sealing ring attached to an outer circumferential surface of the rod is press-fitted to a prescribed position in the recess by passing the divided sealing ring through the guide region by using a plunger, positioning engagement regions engaged with each other are provided between the sleeve and the plunger.

Abstract: A seal for a ball valve comprising a resilient ring defining an engagement feature; a first polymer ring disposed adjacent to a first axial end of the resilient ring and coupled with the engagement feature; and a second polymer ring disposed adjacent to a second axial end of the resilient ring and coupled with the engagement feature.

Abstract: A butterfly valve that is capable of reducing torque and enables a manufacturer that manufactures and sells the butterfly valve to implement management on qualities such as sealing performance. A butterfly valve 10 includes a shaft member 100, a tabular valve body that is provided on the shaft member 100, a case 310 that is attachable to and detachable from a through-hole 510 formed in an attachment member 500 to which the butterfly valve 10 is configured to be attached, a pair of bearings 320 that is provided in the case 310 and rotatably supports the shaft member 100, and a magnetic fluid seal that is provided between the pair of bearings 320 in the case 310 and seals an annular gap between the case 310 and the shaft member 100.

Abstract: A seal for sealing a circumferential gap between two machine components, one of the machine components being mounted such that it can be rotated in the axial direction relative to the other machine component, having a main seal with at least one shoe for establishing a contact-free sealing action between the machine components, and with at least one spring element which supports the shoe on one of the machine components in such a way that a radial movement of the shoe is possible as a reaction to the exertion of fluid pressure on the shoe, and an auxiliary seal which seals the spring element in the axial direction, the auxiliary seal having at least two layers which adjoin one another in the axial direction.

Abstract: An inline high-recovery flow control valve comprising a tubular housing internally separated into a cylindrical and a contoured diameter section and where the contured portion being subdivided by a reduced diameter bore, a contoured valve plug suitably fastened to a sliding ring which conforms to the cylindrical diameter of the housing, and mechanical means to motivate the ring with attached valve plug to and from the reduced circular bore.

Abstract: An example valve includes: an external component having a longitudinal cavity therein, wherein the external component comprises a first annular groove disposed on an interior peripheral surface of the external component, and wherein the first annular groove is bounded by two annular surfaces; an internal component disposed, at least partially, in the longitudinal cavity of the external component, wherein the internal component comprises a second annular groove disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the internal component, wherein the second annular groove is bounded by two respective annular surfaces, wherein the second annular groove is aligned with the first annular groove, such that the first annular groove and the second annular groove form an annular space therebetween; and a retention O-ring disposed in the annular space formed between the first annular groove and the second annular groove.

Abstract: To provide a valve device capable of easily and precisely adjusting a flow rate of a flowing fluid, and an actuator used in the valve device. The problem is solved by an actuator including pistons housed in a housing, a supply port of compressed air provided to a casing constituting the housing, and an adjustment member that is provided to a position separated from the supply port and regulates an upper limit position of possible movement of the piston that comes into contact with the adjustment member. The piston comes into contact with the adjustment member and is positioned in the upper limit position when compressed air is supplied through the supply port. The adjustment member s provided so as to allow adjustment of the upper limit position from outside the housing.

Abstract: A function fitting is provided, for regulating the fluid flow in a pneumatic system, including a first connector configured to make a fluidic through connection with a pipe of the system, a second connector configured to make a fluidic through connection with a pipe of the system, a restriction element arranged between the first connector and the second connector and including a spool configured to allow or obturate the passage of fluid between the connectors, a controller operationally connected to the spool and including a rotary electric motor configured to move the spool, and a transmission configured to connect the motor and the spool operationally in such a way as to convert the rotary movement of the motor into a linear movement of the spool, and an electrical connector configured to electrically connect the controller to an external electrical system, wherein the spool includes an obstruction portion defining a shape inscribed and delimited by a paraboloid.

Abstract: A function fitting is provided, for regulating the fluid flow in a pneumatic system, including a first connector configured to make a fluidic through connection with a pipe of the system, a second connector configured to make a fluidic through connection with a pipe of the system, a restriction element arranged between the first connector and the second connector and including a spool configured to allow or obturate the passage of fluid between the connectors, controller operationally connected to the spool and including a rotary electric motor configured to move the spool, and transmission configured to connect the motor and the spool operationally in such a way as to convert the rotary movement of the motor into a linear movement of the spool, and an electrical connector configured to electrically connect the controller to an external electrical system, wherein the controller includes an angular position transducer configured to detect the angular position of the motor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cage reset planetary roller screw device comprising a male thread member provided with a male thread and a female thread member provided with a female thread, a number of planetary rollers disposed between the male thread and the female thread. The planetary rollers are disposed between the male thread and the female thread through a cage, and the planetary rollers are disposed in roller retaining pockets of the cage. The side surfaces of the cage are provided with convex ends. The male thread member and/or the female thread member are provided with limit blocks that are in contact with the convex ends of the cage in the circumferential direction of the cage.

Abstract: Rotary valve device for sequentially connecting an first line to a plurality of second lines, the rotary valve device comprising: a stationary structure comprising a first port for connection to the first line and at least two second ports for connection to a respective second line and a distribution rotor rotatably arranged within the stationary structure, the distribution rotor comprising at least one rotor opening, wherein the rotary valve device is configured such that the rotor opening sequentially establishes a fluid communication between the first port and the second ports as the distribution rotor rotates.

Abstract: A faucet contains: a hollow body, a control assembly, an inlet pipe set, a mixing-water outlet pipe, a pull hose, a spray head, and an isolation pipe. The hollow body includes an inflow portion and an outflow portion. The control assembly includes a mixing valve and an operation element. The inlet pipe set includes a cold-water inlet pipe and a hot-water inlet pipe. The mixing-water outlet pipe includes a first connector and a second connector. The pull hose includes an inlet segment and an outlet segment. The spray head is connected with the outlet segment of the pull hose, and the spray head is removed from and fixed on the outflow portion of the hollow body. The isolation pipe includes a channel defined therein so that the pull hose slidably moves in the isolation pipe and avoids contacting with the inlet pipe set and the mixing-water outlet pipe.

Abstract: An example valve includes: a housing having a first longitudinal cavity therein; a sleeve disposed, at least partially, in the first longitudinal cavity, where the sleeve has a second longitudinal cavity therein, and includes a first seat formed as a protrusion from an interior peripheral surface of the sleeve; a poppet mounted within the second longitudinal cavity and configured to move axially therein; and a bushing mounted, at least partially, in the second longitudinal cavity, such that the bushing is floating and is allowed to move axially in the second longitudinal cavity, where the bushing is hollow and defines a first port at a distal end of the bushing and defines a second seat at a proximal end of the bushing, and where the sleeve defines a second port and a third port disposed on an exterior peripheral surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: Examples of a two-piece guide bushing apparatus are provided. A specific example comprises a guide bushing base comprising flanges which extend into the interior of the guide bushing base, and a guide bushing center comprising a spring clip. The guide bushing center is coupled to the guide bushing base and configured to be removable from the guide bushing base.

Abstract: A rupture disk assembly comprises: a single-part or multi-part body with an opening that forms an outlet for a conduit or a container; a rupture disk that closes the opening and bursts subject to the action of a rupture pressure in order to unblock the opening; an actuator to reduce the rupture pressure, wherein the actuator includes a plunger to reduce the rupture pressure on the rupture disk, the plunger being configured to strike against the rupture disk; and a housing to receive the actuator, the housing including a housing opening for the plunger.

Abstract: A steam valve includes a housing defining a steam inlet and steam outlet in fluid communication with a valve cavity, and an annular valve seat disposed within the valve cavity. A control valve is configured to selectively engage the valve seat. The steam valve further includes a stop valve configured to selectively engage the valve seat. The steam valve includes a pressure seal head configured to receive the stop valve. The pressure seal head includes an elongated body having a bore extending longitudinally through the body; and a nose piece extending from an end of the elongated body. The nose piece has at least a tapered end portion and a bore extending longitudinally therethrough. The bore of the nose piece is longitudinally with the bore of the elongated body. The nose piece is formed of a first material which has greater erosion properties than a second material forming the elongated body.

Abstract: With the simple cylindrical body shape of gate valves that are currently on the market, the welded portions have three-dimensionally curved shapes and welding is difficult for general purpose welding machines. Moreover, in manufacture by casting, there are many defects in the material such as cavities and sand trapping, and man-hours and cost are necessary to repair same. In the gate valve according to the present invention, a body has openings to accommodate two connecting pipes and a gate. The two connecting pipes respectively pass through the two openings and are disposed so as to face the gate from two sides. The two connecting pipes are each joined to the body by welding at an opening and the shape of said welded sections is a circular ring. Moreover, when producing the body in the present invention, the body portion is manufactured by forging instead of casting and after machining, is unified by welding.

Abstract: A roller tappet, in particular for a high-pressure fuel pump, is provided that is guided in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof in a housing receptacle and is driven translatably in the longitudinal direction by cams of a camshaft. The roller tappet has a tappet body. This tappet body has a tappet skirt, a pump piston contact point (9), and a rotatably mounted roller (4), by which the roller tappet is supported on the camshaft. The tappet body has a guide cylinder (1), which is mounted in the housing receptacle and on which the roller (4) is supported, and a cup-shaped sleeve (7) having the pump piston contact point (9), which cup-shaped sleeve is supported in the guide cylinder (1) by a radial ring (8). A cylindrical constriction (5) is formed in the guide cylinder (1) in the region of the radial ring support.

Abstract: A shut-off valve (10) comprises a valve housing (12, 14) having a valve inlet (28), a valve outlet (30), a fluid flow channel (32) extending between the valve inlet and the valve outlet, a valve closure member (34) displaceable into the fluid flow channel to prevent fluid flow through the flow channel and a volume within the housing for receiving a compressed absorbent body (42) which expands when in contact with liquid. The compressed absorbent body (42) is configured to displace the valve closure member (34) into the fluid flow channel (32) when expanded, and the housing (12, 14) comprises a closable aperture (52) which allows access to the volume for replacing the absorbent body.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated valve capable of more accurately detecting the position of a valve body. In order to achieve the above object, the electrically operated valve of the present invention comprises a valve body, a driver configured to move the valve body along a first axis, a rotation shaft configured to rotate the driver around the first axis, a permanent magnet member, an angle sensor, and a yoke configured to cover a portion of the permanent magnet or a portion of the angle sensor. The permanent magnet member is disposed on the rotation shaft and configured to rotate with the rotation shaft. The angle sensor is configured to detect a rotation angle of a permanent magnet included in the permanent magnet member. The angle sensor is disposed above the permanent magnet.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dialysis fluid cassette includes an inlet fluid line, multiple outlet fluid lines, and a valve including an actuation feature by which the valve can be rotated to fluidly communicate the inlet fluid line with a selected fluid line of the multiple outlet fluid lines.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure control valve including an electromagnetic actuator configured to position a piston that is received axially movable in a receiving opening of a valve housing of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston facilitates opening and closing flow connections of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston receives a pin at a piston face that is oriented away from the electromagnetic actuator, wherein a relative movement is enabled between the pin and the piston, wherein the pin includes a pin face that is arranged in the valve housing and oriented away from the piston and arranged opposite to a stop, and wherein the pin is fixed at the stop so that a movement of the pin in a direction towards the stop is eliminated.

Abstract: A bistable solenoid valve device for a fluid system is provided. The bistable solenoid valve device comprises a bistable solenoid valve. The bistable solenoid valve comprises a permanent magnet. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises an armature displaceable between a first armature position and a second armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises a first switching coil for energization for a displacement of the armature into the first armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises a second switching coil for energization for a displacement of the armature into the second armature position. The bistable solenoid valve further comprises an evaluation device adapted to measure an induced coil voltage, an induced coil current, or both the induced coil voltage and the induced coil current, at one or more of the non-energized switching coils. The evaluation device is further adapted to assess a switching behavior of the armature.

Abstract: A valve device is provided that is capable of mounting of various electronic devices, and includes a gas-driven type power generation function to solve problems involving wiring or battery-replacement. The problem is solved by a valve device including a piston member that drives a diaphragm, an actuator part that receives supply of a driver gas and drives the piston member, a coil spring that presses the piston member, and a power generation unit that includes a coil provided to a movable part that moves in association with activation of the actuator part, and a permanent magnet provided to a fixed part that docs not move regardless of activation of the actuator part.

Abstract: A solenoid valve includes a solenoid including a guide, a mover that moves in an axial direction radially inside the guide, a yoke made of a magnetic material and disposed on one axial side of the mover, a magnet on one axial side of the yoke, an elastic body that applies an elastic force to the mover in the direction away from the magnet, a cover made of a magnetic material, a pin which moves as the mover moves, and a valve that is opened and closed as the mover and the pin move. The cover includes a cylinder surrounding the radial outside of the solenoid, a first wall on the other axial side of the solenoid, and a second wall that covers one axial side of the magnet.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pressure control valve, comprising: an electromagnetic actuator configured to position a piston that is received axially movable in a receiving opening of a controller housing, wherein the piston facilitates opening or closing flow connections of the electromagnetic pressure control valve, wherein the piston includes a pin at a face that is oriented away from the electromagnetic actuator, wherein a relative movement is enabled between the pin and the piston, wherein a surface of the pin that is arranged in the controller housing and oriented away from the piston is arranged opposite to a stop, wherein the pin is spring loaded to contact the stop so that a movement of the pin in a direction towards the stop is prevented, and wherein a preload element that is configured to provide the spring loading engages the pin.

Abstract: An on/off valve controls circulation of mediums in an upstream pipeline and a downstream pipeline of the on/off valve; a valve stem of the on/off valve is connected with an on/off actuating mechanism; the upstream pipeline of the on/off valve is connected with a pilot trigger mechanism through a communicating pipe, the pilot trigger mechanism is connected with the on/off actuating mechanism, and the pilot trigger mechanism triggers the on/off actuating mechanism. An isolation device is arranged on the communicating pipe and isolates the communicating pipe into an upstream portion and a downstream portion through a pressure sensing component. The pressure sensing component senses a medium pressure from the upstream pipeline and feed back the pressure to the pilot trigger mechanism, thereby causing an action of the pilot trigger mechanism. A non-viscous and incompressible fluid is filled between the downstream of the communicating pipe and the pilot trigger mechanism.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve may have a fixed member having a tube portion. The valve may also have a mobile plunger positioned in the tube portion, the mobile plunger being axially movable between a first and a second position. The valve may also have a rod coupled to the mobile plunger and having a spool for control of fluid flow, the rod being axially movable in the tube portion. The valve may also have an electromagnetic coil positioned externally to the fixed member, where the rod has a coupling end and the mobile plunger has a coupling element where the coupling end hookingly couples to the coupling element.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve including a valve housing; and a valve piston that is axially movable in the valve housing along a first longitudinal axis of the valve housing, wherein the valve housing includes a supply connection for feeding a hydraulic fluid, at least one operating connection and at least one tank connection for draining the hydraulic fluid, wherein the valve piston is movable by an electromagnetic actuator of the hydraulic valve, wherein the valve housing forms a hydraulic portion and the actuator forms a magnet portion of the hydraulic valve, wherein a divider element is arranged between the hydraulic portion and the magnet portion, and wherein the divider element is configured to provide a flow connection between the hydraulic portion and the magnet portion and vice versa.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an inflator head slidably mountable to a valve and configured to move the valve from a biased-closed configuration to an open configuration and to retain the valve in the open configuration.

Abstract: The invention is based on a fluid distribution apparatus, in particular a water distribution apparatus, comprising a fluid chamber, at least one fluid inlet a plurality of fluid outlets and a distribution unit, including a plurality of valve elements for closing the fluid outlets and a camshaft supported to be rotatable about a rotary axis, having a plurality of cams for operating the valve elements. It is suggested that the valve elements be formed as valve flaps and the cams of the camshaft are provided to lift the valve elements off the fluid outlets as a function of a rotary position of the camshaft.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve comprises an apparatus configured to be coupled to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car. The stem of the bottom outlet valve is aligned generally with a longitudinal axis of the railroad car. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the stem of the bottom outlet valve and a primary gear coupled to the coupler. The primary gear is configured to be coupled to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car. The handle assembly is configured to operate the bottom outlet valve.

Abstract: Multi-position valve actuators principally for water-circulation systems of pools and spas are detailed. At least some actuators may indicate position of an associated valve in a non-electronic manner, as by using a handle visible externally of the actuator and directly or indirectly mechanically coupled to the valve so as to move therewith. Hence, even if power to an actuator is disrupted, positioning of the valve may be determined by viewing the handle.

Abstract: A smart valve maintenance alert device includes a connection unit, which is connectable to a valve stem of a smart valve. The connection unit includes a detectable element that is movable in unison with the valve stem. A control unit includes a detecting element arranged to correspond to the detectable element. A drive unit is connected to the connection unit, and the drive unit drives the connection unit to allow the valve stem to be driven by the connection unit to rotate and the valve stem drives the smart valve to rotate. The detecting element and the detectable element collaboratively generate a detection signal in response to the rotation of the valve stem, such that the control unit generates data of operation state according to the detection signal.

Abstract: A pinch valve configuration may include a pinch valve comprising a valve body, a valve plunger, and a fluidic tubing pinch passage defined between a tubing seat of the valve body and an operative end of the valve plunger. The pinch valve configuration may further include a Hall effect sensor assembly comprising a stationary element anchored to the valve body and a motive element anchored to the valve plunger. The pinch valve configuration additionally includes a failure prediction module in communication with the Hall effect sensor assembly. The failure prediction module is programmed to process an output signal of the Hall effect sensor assembly as a displacement reading, to compare the displacement reading with a failure prediction threshold, and to generate a failure prediction signal from the comparison of the displacement reading with the failure prediction threshold.

Abstract: Control valves and cages that are adapted to reduce flashing and cavitation. A cage for use with a control valve having an inlet, an outlet, and defining a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The cage includes a generally cylindrical body and having a central bore, an upper portion, and a lower portion and an inner wall, an outer wall, and an intermediate wall disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall includes an inlet opening and the outer wall including an outlet opening. The inner wall, the outer wall, and the intermediate wall cooperate to define a portion of the flow passage that extends from the inlet opening, through the cage along the inner wall, along the intermediate wall, past a terminal portion of the intermediate wall, along the outer wall, to the outlet opening.

Abstract: A pipe stabilization apparatus is described that stabilizes a pipe partially buried in the ground, such as a plumbing pipe of a yard water hydrant or a gas riser pipe. The pipe is stabilized so that forces and stress on a part of the pipe that extends above ground will not cause pipe breakage or leaks in the pipe or pipe connections that are below ground. The pipe stabilization apparatus includes a first arm coupled to a first clamp, and a second arm coupled to a second clamp. The first and the second clamps are coupled to each other, with the pipe in between, so that the first and the second arm extend from the pipe. A first end of the pipe, the two clamps coupled to the pipe, and the two arms are buried underground with a second end of the pipe extending out of the ground.

Abstract: Pipeline apparatus comprising a housing (2) including a riser (2a) and a pipeline connector (2b) and a device (3) configured to interact with fluid flowing through the pipeline connector, a mounting means (25) for releasably mounting the device in the riser and seal means (50) situated between an inner surface of the riser and an outer surface of the mounting means, the seal means configured to seal against egress of fluid from the apparatus, the mounting means and the riser each including a part of a locking means (27, 28) for releasably locking the device in the riser, the device situated in the pipeline connector.