Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A valve apparatus employs a shape memory alloy. In another aspect, a shape memory member acts as a lock or trigger in combination with a separate actuator or spring to move a valve. Still another aspect uses an externally mounted shape memory member to rotate a valve if an unsafe condition causes movement of the member.

Abstract: A control program for a positive displacement metering system measures the time required for the travel of a free piston in a cylinder of known volume to determine an average flow rate during a full stroke of the piston. The system may also measure and record the inlet and outlet pressures or the differential pressure between the fluid inlet and outlet. The control program positions a four-way valve which may function as an adjustable metering orifice in response to the measured average flow rate and/or changes in the inlet and outlet pressures to achieve the desired flow rate. At the end of each stroke, the four-way valve is repositioned to reverse fluid flow through the metering cylinder. The system may revise the valve position settings for both forward and reverse strokes based on the measured time required for a full stroke at a certain valve position. In this way, the system automatically and iteratively compensates for changes in fluid properties and fluid pressure.

Abstract: A resettable thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is disclosed. The TPRD includes a piston, a housing adapted to receive the piston and allow movement between an open and a closed position. The housing includes an actuator having a temperature sensitive material disposed therein. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands, increasing a length of the actuator and forcing a lever from a first position to a second position. The piston is held in the closed position by the lever in the first position. When the lever moves to the second position, the piston is allowed to move to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD from a high pressure vessel in communication therewith.

Abstract: A hydrant apparatus comprises at least an outlet pipe, at least a switch for controlling the water flow, and at least a temperature limiting component. The outlet pipe is used for flowing water out of the hydrant apparatus. The switch, coupled to the outlet pipe, is used for controlling the water flow and adjusting the temperature of the water flow. The temperature limiting component limits the temperature of the water flow inside a predetermined range.

Abstract: A resettable thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is disclosed. The TPRD includes a piston, a housing adapted to receive the piston and allow movement between an open and a closed position. The housing includes an actuator having a temperature sensitive material disposed therein. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands, increasing a length of the actuator and forcing a lever from a first position to a second position. The piston is held in the closed position by the lever in the first position. When the lever moves to the second position, the piston is allowed to move to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD from a high pressure vessel in communication therewith.

Abstract: A device is provided to prevent the autorotation of the temperature adjustment handle in an automatic hot and cold water mixing valve. A member is prevented from moving in the circumferential direction of the body and is pressed in the radial direction by a spring against the periphery of an adjusting screw receiver, which forms the rotation shaft of the temperature adjustment handle incorporated in the body. Alternatively, the member is dressed against a connecting sleeve connected to the adjusting screw receiver and the temperature adjustment handle. The member is pressed with sufficient force to oppose autorotation in the temperature adjusting handle when the temperature is set.

Abstract: A resettable thermal valve for controlling the flow of a fluid therethrough comprises a valve assembly housing having a fluid passageway therethrough and a valve coupled to the valve assembly housing and disposed at least partially within the fluid passageway. The valve is moveable between an open position and a close position and is coupled to a resettable, temperature sensitive linear actuator assembly. The linear actuator assembly enables the valve to move from the open position to the closed position when it is heated to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A dry safety device for an inflammable gas comprises a case main body having a gas passage which terminates at one end in a primary side open port connectable to a source of inflammable gas and terminates at the other end in a secondary side open port connectable to a gas-fired appliance. A spindle undergoes sliding movement in the case main body between an open position for opening the gas passage and a closed position for closing the gas passage, and a spindle spring normally urges the spindle to the open position and permits the spindle to move to the closed position in response to a counter-flow pressure exerted on the spindle by a counter flow of inflammable gas directed from the secondary side open port to the primary side open port.

Abstract: An anti-scald water valve assembly comprises a body including a passage for water, a valve provided in the passage for shutting off the passage, and an electro-mechanical actuator to cause closing of the valve. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of water running through the passage. An electronic operating circuit is connected to the actuator and the sensor for activating the actuator to shut off the passage in response to the sensor sensing the water temperature exceeding a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for performing a chemical vapor deposition process that reduces particle contamination of a wafer, wherein a cleaning gas including a fluorine radical is introduced into the process chamber to clean the chamber. After loading a wafer in the process chamber, a deposition gas is introduced into the chamber to form a film on the wafer. An inert gas as a back flow-preventing gas is introduced into the process chamber through a cleaning gas supply line to prevent the deposition gas from flowing back toward the cleaning gas supply line. Thus, the cleaning gas supply line is prevented from being contaminated by the deposition gas and particle formation on the wafer during deposition of the film is reduced, so that yield and reliability of the semiconductor device may be improved.

Abstract: A thermal safety device for cutting off gas pipelines, wherein gas transfer is prevented by the safety device when temperature increases in the section of the gas pipeline placed downstream from the safety device, especially when connected gas apparatuses are in a closed position maintains production costs and dimensions at a level as low as possible. The safety device includes a check valve which prevents backflow from the gas pipeline which is placed downstream from the device. The inventive device also includes a pressure sensitive element placed downstream from the safety device which is actuated by the pressure in the pipeline. The pressure sensitive element is coupled to a cut-off valve in such a way that when pressure increases in the downstream pipeline the valve prevents gas from flowing into the pipeline.

Abstract: Electrical control circuitry is provided for normally maintaining an electrically controlled water supply valve in an open condition and an electrically controlled water drain valve in a closed condition when a home is occupied and for arming the system by shutting off the water supply valve and for maintaining the water drain valve in an open condition. This action prevents pipe bursting and flooding, particularly during the winter, when a single manually operated conspicuously located switch is opened to arm the system upon departure from the home for an extended period. Should the home owner forget to arm the system, an electrical power interruption, which often can disable heating systems, causing pipe bursting and flooding, will automatically arm the system upon a power failure and the supply valve remains shut and the drain valve remains open until the homeowner returns and resets the system with a pushbutton switch.

Abstract: A fluid-activatable shut-off device, configured as a shut-off valve, has a valve housing formed with a flow passage therethrough and a movably supported valve body, which is movable between an open valve position and a closed valve position. In the open valve position, the valve body is mainly withdrawn from the flow passage, which is thereby essentially cleared. In the closed valve position, the valve body blocks the flow passage. The valve body is arranged to close the valve by abnormal flow conditions by a portion being formed so that the flowing fluid provides a lifting force which affects the valve body and seeks to move it towards the closed position. The valve body may thereby close by an abnormal increase in the fluid flow rate, density or viscosity. The portion may also be supported by an expansion pad arranged to push the lifting surface further into the flow passage as a consequence of changes in the fluid pressure and/or temperature, thereby providing increased lift so that the valve body closes.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for stopping the propagation of an ignited flammable gas in a conduit used in semiconductor processing are proposed and described. In the apparatus, a mounting mechanism and a bullet are provided inside an elongated conduit body wherein the bullet is detachably mounted to the mounting means, while the mounting mechanism is fixedly attached to an inside wall of the elongated conduit body. The bullet is equipped with an explosive pack in a body portion and a bullet head in a head portion. When a flame from an ignited flammable gas enters the conduit and ignites the explosive pack, the bullet is propelled into and frictionally engaging the inlet end of the conduit body such that an internal passageway in the inlet end is substantially blocked to prevent the further propagation of flame upstream into the conduit.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric gas delivery system (100) with a backflow control apparatus (10) for preventing backflow into the sub-atmospheric gas source (14). The gas delivery system includes three fluidly coupled sticks: a purge stick (120), a process gas delivery stick (124) and an evacuation stick (130). The backflow control apparatus comprises a gas line (26) fluidly coupling the sub-atmospheric gas source to a chamber (50), a valve (20) attached to the sub-atmospheric gas source for blocking fluid communication between the gas source and the gas line upon receipt of a first signal, a flow restrictor (R) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned between the valve and the chamber, and first and second pressure transducers (P1 and P2) in fluid communication with the gas line and positioned on either side of the flow restrictor. Each transducer is capable of generating a signal representative of pressure.

Abstract: A temperature activated diversion valve for supplying a first inflow fluid as an outflow fluid and for switching to supply a second inflow fluid as the outflow fluid if the first inflow fluid reaches a specified temperature. The temperature activated diversion valve includes a first inflow conduit for carrying the first inflow fluid, a second inflow conduit for carrying the second inflow fluid, an outflow conduit and a valve member. The valve member is moveable between a first position and a second position and establishes fluid communication between the first inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the first position, while blocking fluid communication between the second inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the first position. Additionally, the valve member establishes fluid communication between the second inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the second position, while blocking fluid communication between the first inflow conduit and the outflow conduit in the second position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a thermal safety fitting in which the closure motion of the obturator is longitudinal with respect to the obturator seat. The aim is to avoid lateral excursions of the obturator, while keeping manufacturing costs and structural size as low as possible. The obturator (12) is held in the open position in the housing (1) on the longitudinal axis of the obturator seat (28) by means of an approximatively U-shaped element (30). The two arms (9) of the U-shaped element (30) are located in the vicinity of a reduced-diameter section (17) of the obturator (12). The part (13) of the U-shaped element (30) joining the two arms (9) rests against a thermosolder (14). If the thermosolder (14) melts, the arms (9) no longer remain in the reduced-diameter section (17) owing to the change in the position of the U-shaped element (30), and the obturator (12) thus moves into the closed position under the action of a closing spring (24).

Abstract: An actuator has been developed for actuating a valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, the actuator having, in one aspect a housing with a main interior housing space, a rod with a mid-portion, a top end and a bottom end, the mid-portion movably disposed in the housing, the bottom end movably extending from the housing and interconnected with the valve, a first piston member secured to the rod and movable in the housing as the rod moves, a second piston member movably disposed in the housing above the first piston member, the second piston member movable to contact the first piston member, first power apparatus for moving the rod to open or close the valve, and second power apparatus for moving the second piston member to contact the first piston member moving the first piston member and the rod to close the valve. In one aspect the rod has a stop shoulder above the first piston member, and the second piston member is movable to contact the stop shoulder to move the rod.

Abstract: A hot water shut off valve for use for domestic household water shower use which shuts off excessively hot water. The valve generally includes an water inlet source opening to an inner chamber. The inner chamber has an outlet source at the base of said chamber, a sealing means communicating with said outlet sources for alternately turning on or off the flow of water from said inlet sources through said outlet sources. The sealing means is urged against the base of said mixing chamber by means of a paraffin power element communicating with a spring. In the preferred embodiment, a reset member is provided to reset the flow of warm water from the inlet source to the outlet source.

Abstract: The described invention takes as its basis the problem of developing an overtemperature shut-off valve which guarantees a reproducible gas-tight seal. The problem is solved in that the metal closure body (11) has a spherical shape at least in its sealing area and its diameter is selected so as to form a slight tight fit with the diameter of a valve seat which is in the form of a bore (21) shaped in the housing (1) of the valve when the valve is closed. A second bore (20) extends in the direction of the first bore (21) is arranged upstream thereof. A guide (19) that tapers outwardly in the direction of the closure body (11) when it is in its open position is located between the closure body and the second bore (20).

Abstract: A device (110) for protecting a clutch (C) against overheating from externally caused problems such as rapid cycling is disclosed including a heat conductive plug (120) sealed in an escape port (116) of a fitting (112) by fuse material (124) such as lead. The fitting (112) is threadably, sealably received in a bore (104) formed in the friction interface disc (12) of the clutch (C). The bore (104) is in fluid communication with the cylinder (30) of the clutch (10) which slideably mounts a piston (10) connected to the friction interface disc (12). Fluid pressure introduced into the cylinder (30) by conventional conduits (42) moves the piston (10) therein against the bias of a spring (56) when fluid flow from the cylinder (30) through the bore (104) is blocked by the overheating protection device (110).

Abstract: A fire safe valve which includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, a valve chamber communicating with the inlet and the outlet and having an opening, a bonnet secured to the body and having a bore therethrough with the opening of the bore communicating with the valve chamber opening and defining a back seat surrounding the bore, a valve member, a valve stem connected to the valve member and extending through the bonnet bore, a backseating shoulder on the valve stem, an actuator, the valve stem connecting to the actuator to move the valve member within the valve chamber to open and close flow through, the valve, a temperature sensitive material retaining the valve stem shoulder spaced from said bonnet bore seat during normal operations and allowing additional movement of the valve stem responsive to excessive temperatures to bring the valve stem shoulder into engagement with the bonnet bores seat to backseat and prevent flow of fluids within the valve from escaping therefrom.

Abstract: A valve supports a thermal sensing apparatus within an outlet nozzle of a reaction vessel. The valve includes a head with a socket closed by a disc and a stem providing a bore communicating with the socket and a measuring end defined by the disc. The sensing element of the sensing apparatus is located to a sensing position at the measuring end of the valve for fast response to a thermal change in the contents within the vessel. Substantially any form of sensing element may be incorporated in the valve and the sensing element is spring biased toward the measuring end.

Abstract: A safety valve for a fluid delivery system having a duct in which the safety valve is housed. The safety valve comprises a temperature sensitive means through which fluid passes, this temperature sensitive means being connected to a retaining means which retains a valve member in the cocked position. The associated valve seat is located downstream of the valve member and allows passage of fluid therethrough when the valve member is cocked. When a predetermined temperature is reached by the fluid the retaining means disengages the valve member which is biassed towards the valve seat and subsequently seals the passage through the valve seat.

Abstract: A blanking cover for a pipe comprises a plate able to close the pipe by tilting or rocking under the action of gravity, about a pivot pin to which it is fixed. A part is fixed to the pin, and an electromagnet able to retract the part and fixed to another part rotates on the pin and a jack is provided for actuating the other part. When excited, by attracting the part, the electromagnet makes it possible to keep the pipe open. Its deexcitation leads to the tilting of the plate and consequently to the closing of the pipe. If a tilting or rocking problem occurs, the action of the jack on the other part brings about the tilting by displacing the part. In order to reopen the pipe, the jack is actuated so as to press the excited electromagnet against the part and is then actuated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A plurality of valve structures are incorporated in a drill pipe string for drilling a well into the earth utilizing air as the drilling fluid. A first valve is located in the drill pipe string just above the drilling bit, and an additional valve or valves are located in upwardly spaced relation within the drill collar string. Each of the valves has a valve member held in a position allowing the flow of air through the valve by a fusible support, and when the support melts, the valve member will shift to a position closing the valve. The valve just above the bit is combined with a float valve to prevent the upward flow of fluid into the drill string, while the valve or valves spaced upwardly in the drill collar string are full opening valves which allow the running of instruments through the drill string to selected locations above the bit. The additional upwardly spaced valve or valves include a flap held in a position to one side of the bore through the valve body by a fusible retainer.

Abstract: A safety valve responding to overheating conditions of the surrounding atmosphere, more specifically a combustion gas inlet valve that closes when a fire declares. The valve uses a shape-memory element for detection and command. For the latter function it must be inside the valve, at the expense of sufficiently rapid detection of external temperature. This problem is solved by using a shape-memory element that is in close contact with the valve housing, e.g. countersunk in a groove in the internal wall of the valve housing, for facilitating conduction heat transfer.

Abstract: A hot-water safety valve for preventing scalding of children and invalids when cold water supply to a mixing valve for a shower is interrupted, includes a thermostatic cup freely resting on a perforate transverse platform in a supply pipe upstream from a shower nozzle when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined amount the thermostatic cup expands to constrict flow but always leaves a drip to permit flow of cooler water to be sensed and reset or re-open the valve for flow restoration.

Abstract: A self-actuating, self-locking flow cutoff valve particularly suited for use in a nuclear reactor of the type which utilizes a plurality of fluid support neutron absorber elements to provide for the safe shutdown of the reactor. The valve comprises a substantially vertical elongated housing and an aperture plate located in the housing for the flow of fluid therethrough, a substantially vertical elongated nozzle member located in the housing and affixed to the housing with an opening in the bottom for receiving fluid and apertures adjacent a top end for discharging fluid. The nozzle further includes two sealing means, one located above and the other below the apertures.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for a thermosensitive safety valve to restrict a supply of fluid in a fluid delivery system when the temperature of the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature. A bimetal reed is utilized in which its unattached portion flexes outward from its normal, non-flexed position when the fluid temperature reaches a predetermined value into a flexed intermediate position with the mainstream of the fluid flow subsequently providing the pressing force for placing the unattached portion in a fluid restricting position. Furthermore, the reed may be reinstated in at least its flexed intermediate position so as to allow for subsequent fluid flow when the temperature of the same has been adjusted to a value less than the predetermined value of temperature.

Abstract: A thermostat is arranged to be responsive to the temperature of flue gases from an oil burning heater and actuates switches when the temperature of the flue gases reaches either a predetermined high value or a predetermined low value. The switches are effective, when actuated by the thermostat, to cut off flow of oil to the burner, either by stopping operation of a pump or by effecting closing of a valve in the oil supply conduit. The thermostat is provided with a latch that holds it in the high temperature position, when that position has been reached so that cooling of the flue gases thereafter will not result in resumption of oil flow to the heater. In one form of the invention the same circuit arrangement can be adapted to control either a pump-fed heater or a gravity-fed heater.

Abstract: An improved sprinkler for a fire protection sprinkler system in which the sprinkler opens to discharge water at one temperature and closes to stop the flow of water at a lower temperature. A pilot valve is actuated by a bimetal disc which also resiliently biases the pilot valve in a closed position. The bimetal disc has a snap action resulting in better control of the "on" and "off" temperatures of the sprinkler. A thermal delay for closing is obtained by the hysteresis which is designed into the bimetal disc.