Abstract: This invention reliably returns a measurement surface to a reference position while weakening the elastic force of a spring. A tool length measurement apparatus of this invention includes a supporter that supports the measurement surface that the tip of a tool contacts while translating in accordance with a biasing force received from the tool. The tool length measurement apparatus of this invention also includes a detector that detects the position of the measurement surface in a translation direction. The tool length measurement apparatus of this invention also includes a biasing unit that biases the measurement surface by a gas in a direction against the biasing force received from the tool.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to align a seat ring in a valve are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a curved internal surface to receive a seat ring and a seat ring having a sealing surface to receive a movable control member and a curved surface opposite the sealing surface to engage the curved internal surface of the valve body.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Abstract: Reciprocating compressors used in oil and gas industry having actuated rotary valves with sealing profiles between a rotor and a stator thereof and related methods are provided. An actuated rotary valve includes a stator having a stator opening, and a rotor having a rotor opening. At least one of the rotor and the stator has a sealing profile extruding from a surface of the rotor or of the stator towards an interface there-between, the sealing profile surrounding a respective one of the rotor opening or the stator opening.

Abstract: A dual flow gas valve suitable for gas grills that allows a user to select the valve for use with gases of different heating values and to select one of a high flow position and a low flow position for each gas. The gas valve includes a body and an input passageway communicating with the body. In one embodiment, a rotational member in the body defines a first port communicating the input passageway with an interior chamber. The rotational member defines an additional passageway external to the rotational member. The rotational member may be rotated to a first position to activate high flow through the rotational member or may be rotated to a second position to activate the external, low flow, passageway.

Abstract: A plug valve includes a valve body (10) and a valve stem (30) supporting a plug (32). A seat is formed on and is integral with the valve body. The seat includes a seating surface (16) above and below the passageway connecting the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The seating surface provides a seal with the plug. A method of forming the seat on the valve body is disclosed.

Abstract: A balanced pressure regulator includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet connected by a fluid passageway. A valve seat is disposed within the fluid passageway. A self-aligning valve plug is at least partially disposed within the fluid passageway, the self-aligning valve plug interacting with the valve seat to selectively open or close the fluid passageway. A retainer is partially disposed within a bore of the self-aligning valve plug and operatively connects the self-aligning valve plug to a valve stem having a ball portion. More specifically, the retainer includes a recess adapted to receive the ball portion of the valve stem, such that the self-aligning valve plug automatically rotates around the ball portion of the valve stem to achieve alignment and sealing engagement between a valve disc of the self-aligning valve plug and the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve skirt is connected to a shaft. The shaft extends in a rearward direction away from the skirt and has rack teeth at a location spaced away from the skirt. A tab is positioned between the skirt and the rack teeth, and has at least one flat surface. A rack support supports the rack for axial movement, and the rack support has a support ear that has a flat surface engaging the flat surface on the rack to prevent relative rotation of the rack when driven by a pinion gear. An air starter valve, a gas turbine engine and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stopcock includes a housing and a sealing insert. The housing includes a first surface, a first blind hole defined in the first surface, and a through hole defined in a first bottom surface of the housing in the blind hole. The through hole tapers toward the bottom surface. The sealing insert includes a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion connected to the first engaging portion. The first engaging portion is engagingly received in the blind hole. The second engaging portion is engagingly received in the through hole.

Abstract: The present invention improves upon a pop-up drain stopper of the type which is controlled by a horizontal pivot rod as is typically used in bathroom sinks, through incorporation of a new snap-in method for attachment of the stopper to the pivot rod whereby the stopper can be easily and quickly removed and reinstalled as is normally required to clear a clogged drain. The present invention is installed by inserting the stopper into the drain opening with the bottom connecting bracket channel opening positioned over the pivot rod and applying downward pressure forcing the pivot rod to pass through the narrow channel and snap into the connecting bracket journal. Transversely, by pulling upward, the stopper is disengaged from the pivot rod and can be quickly removed from the drain opening allowing for convenient and efficient extraction of drain clogs without the necessity of disassembling the mechanical components located under the sink as is required to remove the typical pop-up stopper.

Abstract: A high-pressure plug valve is refurbished by replacing a valve plug, a valve plug cage, and flow path inserts that line a flow path through the plug valve. The valve plug cage has first and second opposed flat side surfaces, each side surface has a port for receiving one of the replaceable flow-path inserts in a fluid-tight seal. In one embodiment, refurbishing the plug valve includes replacing at least one inset seal for sealing at least one of the ports when the plug is in a closed position to inhibit leakage through the valve at low fluid pressures.

Abstract: A gas purge device for a metallurgical melting vessel includes a conically shaped ceramic body (2) in contact at its top side with heat contained in the melting vessel. The ceramic body has a static external element and an internal element axially movable therein. A pneumatic drive axially moves the internal element to and fro relative to the external element between a closed position and an open position. The spring force of a spring retains the internal element in the closed position. The device furthermore includes a gas-tight enclosed volume arranged at the bottom side of the ceramic body the volume being connected to a gas supply duct for introduction of purge gas. A deformable membrane is connected to the internal element with the pressure difference between the purge gas pressure prevailing in the gas-tight enclosed volume and the ambient pressure acting upon the membrane.

Abstract: A flow-restricting plug is provided for installation within a vapor recirculation pipe that communicates with a fuel filler pipe. The plug is manufactured of fuel-impervious material and has a cylindrical shape adapted to be mounted by press fit within the vapor recirculation pipe. A flow passage of tortuous shape is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the plug between the opposed ends thereof. The tortuous shape of the flow passage permits the flow of fuel vapor through the plug but prevents the flow of liquid fuel through the plug.

Abstract: Apparatus to connect a valve stem to a valve plug and, more particularly, apparatus to connect a threaded valve stem to a valve plug of a control valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a threaded valve stem received in a threaded opening of a valve plug and a securement member received in an adjacent opening extending from at least one of the threaded opening or an exterior surface of the valve stem to secure non-rotatably the threaded valve stem to the valve plug.

Abstract: A medical stopcock is provided that is constructed and arranged to withstand high pressures and gamma irradiation. The stopcock generally includes a housing and a valve member. The valve member is trapped within the housing so that, when subjected to relatively high pressures, the valve member is unlikely to become separated from the housing. A handle member is attached to the valve member and allows the valve member to be rotated from open to closed positions. In some preferred embodiments, the handle member locks the valve member within the housing, when attached. All of the components are constructed of gamma-stable materials so that the stopcock may be sterilized, in its package, using gamma irradiation.

Abstract: A plug valve is provided that may be lubricated while in service. The invention provides a high-pressure valve having a valve body containing a plug allowing bi-directional flow and moveable between an open and closed flow-through position. The valve permitting lubricating and sealing while in-service and in the closed or open position. The lubricating and/or sealing mechanism includes channels formed through the plug to a lubricant groove or grooves formed on the outside surface of the plug between the ends of the fluid conduit through the plug for directing lubricant to the plug-insert or plug-valve body interface when the plug is in the closed position and lubricant to the relief area formed by the insert when the plug is in the open position.

Abstract: A fitting including a housing (2), a rotatable body (4) which is situated in the housing and which may advantageously be constructed in the form of a conical plug, a bushing (18) provided in the housing to floatingly mount and seal the rotatable body (4), a cover (14) connected to the housing (2), a shaft (12) coupled with the rotatable body (4) and extended out through the cover (14), and at least one sealing element (30, 44) associated with the shaft (12). The fitting is configured in such a way that the bushing (18), the at least one sealing element (30, 44), and the cover (14) can be positioned and mounted centrally and free from transverse forces in relation to the axis (10) of the floatingly mounted rotatable body (4).

Abstract: A rotational two valve disconnect apparatus including a first rotational valve, a second rotational valve, and a rotational disconnect structure connected to the valves. The valves on the disconnect structure are constructed so that the disconnect can be engaged to flowably connect the first and second valve and disconnected to separably disconnect the first and second valves. The structure is further designed so that a single rotational movement will engage the disconnect structure and open the first and second valves or an opposite rotational movement may close the first and second valves and then disengage the disconnect structure. The preferred embodiment utilizes a single rotational axis for both the first and second valves and the disconnect structure. A further design advantage includes radial ports to allow for reduced operating requirement for the valve in high pressure environments.

Abstract: In a hose coupling with a coupling sleeve and a coupling nipple and a valve insert (9) provided therein, the valve spring, the holding element and the valve seat of the valve insert are designed as a one-piece component, and the valve spring (11) has a cavity (21) which is closeable.

Abstract: An improved valve disc assembly that can be easily and conveniently disassembled and reassembled with accurate positioning of the valve disc within the through bore of the valve body. A split clamp ring is provided for securing the seat retaining ring and valve seat onto the valve body for sealing engagement with the valve disc. The shaft through which movement of the valve disc to and between open and closed positions is accomplished, also includes a detent that automatically positions the valve disc within the bore upon reassembly of the valve.