Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic connection device for enabling faster observation of reactions even with only sample amount far less than that of reaction experiments in which a 96-well particularly used for a conventional sample reaction is used. The objective of the present invention is to provide the microfluidic connection device comprising: a microtube having a fine tube shape; a microvalve comprising a fluid moving unit for causing samples filled in the microtube to flow or stop; a plate-shaped plate; a reaction zone in which chemical reactions between samples supplied through the microtube occur, which has an observation window through which chemical reactions are observed, and which is provided on the upper surface of the plate; a supply tube for connecting the reaction zone with the microtube; and a reaction plate comprising a discharge tube for discharging reactants from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A system and method for natural language processing for document sequences comprises a computing device configured to train a neural network as a function of a corpus of documents, wherein training comprises receiving the corpus of documents, identifying significant terms, and tuning, as a function of the corpus of documents, the neural network to generate a plurality of vectors for each significant term of the plurality of significant terms, a vector in a vector space representing semantic relationships between the significant terms and semantic units in the corpus of documents, receive a current document sequence including a plurality of documents in a sequential order, map a plurality of mapped terms of the plurality of significant terms to the plurality of documents as a function of the neural network and the plurality of vectors, and generate a plurality of timelines as a function of the sequential order and the mapped terms.

Abstract: A damper for a continuous ink jet printer, comprising a fluid receiving chamber (6), comprising at least a lateral wall (22), a fluid inlet (11), and a fluid outlet (12), and at least one membrane (14), the membrane being in a material having a Young modulus between 0.5 MPa and 1000 MPa, the membrane being deformed under the influence of a pressure variation in the first portion.

Abstract: A bi-stable popper valve and a device for detecting blockage in a flow of a fluid are provided. The valve includes a membrane supporting two conformations: in a first conformation the membrane is convex in relation the upstream fluid, and in a second conformation the membrane can be concave in relation to the upstream fluid, such that in the first conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is prevented and in the second conformation the flow of the fluid through the membrane is permitted through a pore defined by the membrane in only the second conformation. The membrane changes from the first conformation to the second responsive to a pressure of the fluid meeting or exceeding an opening pressure value of the membrane. A sensor can detect a shift from the first conformation to the second conformation, indicating a flow, or absence of flow, of the fluid.

Abstract: The fluid control valve comprises: a valve seat constituting a part of a valve chamber; a valve body that is installed in the valve chamber and moves in a contacting/separating direction with respect to the valve seat; an actuator configured to move the valve body; and a plunger that transfers power of the actuator to the valve body. The valve body and the plunger are in contact with each other via an inclination suppressing protrusion configured to suppress an inclination of the plunger, the inclination being caused by contact between the valve body and the valve seat.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided in which tableware is capable of being washed with washing water of a high pressure by preventing the pressure of the washing water from dropping. The dishwasher includes a main body in which a washing tub is formed, a sump provided in the main body and storing washing water, a plurality of injection nozzles to inject the washing water into the washing tub, a plurality of flow passages respectively connected to the plurality of injection nozzles, and a distribution apparatus configured to selectively open and close the plurality of flow passages and communicate with the plurality of flow passages, respectively, and including rotary member having a plurality of independent connection passages and a case in which the rotary member is accommodated.

Abstract: Fluid delivery systems and methods of delivering an agent and treating a disorder are disclosed that include a subcutaneously implantable port having a body defining a chamber with an open top and a delivery opening and a septum coupled to the body to extend over the open top of the chamber. The systems and methods can further include an intrathecal catheter having an proximal end configured to be coupled to the port and fluidly coupled to the delivery opening of the chamber and a plug having a body with a passage to receive the intrathecal catheter therethrough. The plug can be configured to be inserted into the fascia to protect against leakage of cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: A diaphragm (18) includes a disk-shaped center planar portion (40) and a first lip (42) and a second lip (44) on the outermost edge of the disk shaped portion (40) and extending transversely to the planar disk portion (40). The first lip (42) is on a first side of the diaphragm (18) and the second lip (44) is on an opposite side of the diaphragm (18). A mounting portion (38) extends outward from the center of the face of the planar portion (40) on the first side of the diaphragm (18). For metering pump applications pumping harsh fluids, the diaphragm (18) is typically made from a fluoropolymer and in particular may be made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Abstract: A pressure regulating valve includes a casing, a holder, a fixed valve, a movable valve, a spring member, a diaphragm, and a filter. The filter is configured to filter fluid flowing from a flow inlet of the casing into a pressure chamber. The filter includes a filtering part for filtering fluid and a holding part including a frame part for holding an outer periphery of the filtering part. An alignment structure configured to align the holding part at a predetermined position is provided between the holding part of the filter and the holder, or between the holding part of the filter and the casing.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an injection valve for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a cooling device for cooling the injection valve. The mentioned cooling device is a thermosiphon cooling device, wherein the thermosiphon cooling device comprises a reservoir volume, and wherein the cooling element has a thermally conductive connection to the reservoir volume.

Abstract: A cushioned relief valve includes a housing, a piston, a cylinder cover, and a flexible diaphragm. The housing has an inlet, an interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the interior being a hollow cylinder in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet channel, the outlet channel extending from a cylindrical side of the hollow cylinder to the outlet, the outlet opening outside the housing. The piston is located within the hollow cylinder and is slidable between a first position blocking the inlet and the outlet channel, and a second position opening a path for fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet channel. The cylinder cover defines a compressible gas volume in fluid communication with the second end of the hollow cylinder. The flexible diaphragm separates the compressible gas volume of the cylinder cover from the second end of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A valve having an inlet, exhaust, control port, and diaphragm. The diaphragm moves between an open position, in which the inlet and exhaust are in fluid communication, and a closed position, in which the diaphragm blocks fluid from flowing between the inlet and the exhaust. The diaphragm moves from the closed position to the open position when an inlet force due to pressure at the inlet is greater than the sum of the biasing force and a control port force due to pressure at the control port. The valve is operable to automatically drain contaminants from a vehicle air reservoir when the vehicle's emergency brakes are set. To reduce noise, the diaphragm of the valve is preferably in tension when in the closed position, and/or the diaphragm opens a limited distance when in the open position so that a back pressure is generated at the inlet.

Abstract: An annular headphone includes a pair of speaker modules and a pair of wearing headbands. Each speaker module has a housing, an electroacoustic transducer disposed in the housing and a pair of joining portions. The pair of joining portions are oppositely formed on the housing. Each wearing headband has two ends which are respectively formed with a fixing piece. The two fixing pieces of each wearing headband are dismountably connected to one of the joining portions of each speaker module. The pair of speaker modules are arranged oppositely and disposed between the pair of the wearing headbands, so as to form an annular structure.

Abstract: A membrane valve for controlling flow and pressure relief has a format following the anatomy and the action mechanism of a sphincter, in order not to have restriction points to the fluid flow. The valve includes a body provided with terminal sections provided with ends and, internally, a folded membrane which opens and closes according to the flow and/or pressure exerted therein, directly or indirectly, locally or remotely.

Abstract: An implantable body fluid drainage system includes a metering shunt having a housing with an internal chamber. A movable barrier divides the chamber into a first section and a second section, and the barrier can be displaced by a differential pressure. A first powered inlet valve providing a fill path to the first section of the chamber, and a first powered drain valve providing a drain path from the first section of the chamber. A CSF inlet conduit connects a CSF space to the first powered inlet valve. A CSF outlet conduit connects the first powered outlet valve to a discharge location. A controller opens the first powered inlet valve and close the first powered drain valve to fill the first section to a volume defined by the barrier and chamber geometry and closes the first powered inlet valve and opens the first powered drain valve to discharge the filled volume from the first section through the outlet conduit.

Abstract: A method and a system control flow of fluid from a storage tank through a supply line to an end user. The system includes a valve that in its open position allows fluid flow from the storage tank to the end user and closes when the pressure in the fluid supply line drops below a predetermined set point. The storage tank is thereby isolated because the valve prevents fluid from flowing from the storage tank to the supply line when the pressure in the supply line is lower than a predetermined upper limit of the storage tank pressure. An end use that is particularly suited to the present system and method is a fuel storage and supply system for a natural gas powered internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A spray head includes a spray head base body (2) and a nozzle plate (3). The spray head base body (2) includes at least one liquid channel (4) for providing a liquid flow towards the nozzle plate (3). A drip-stop element (10) is located between the spray head base body (2) and the nozzle plate (3). The drip-stop element (10) includes at least one opening (11) being fluidly coupled with liquid channel (4) for providing a fluid flow into a space (6) between the drip-stop element (10) and the nozzle plate (3). At least a top portion (12) of the drip-stop element (10) is movably mounted within a spray head chamber (5) in order to perform a stroke movement.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is formed by a plurality of heat exchanger units each including a respective small tank at each end of a core, the units being stacked in a thickness direction of the cores, and oil is supplied to finned tubes constituting the core of each of the units via a header. Each of the tanks has an opening for communicating with the header which opening is at a position on the length of the tank different from that of each of the adjacent tanks.

Abstract: A coupling fitting for connecting adjacent pipes. The coupling fitting includes a branchless tubular structure having a sealable access opening to facilitate line testing utilizing the coupling fitting. The sealable access opening is a no-hub opening extending through a body of the branchless tubular structure. The coupling includes a plug to seal the access opening to fluidly connect the pipes for use. For testing an inflatable balloon is placed in a flow passage of the coupling and is inflated via air pressure through the sealable access opening. Upon completion of line testing, the balloon is removed and the access opening is sealed via the plug.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing feedback for reduced-pressure therapy are described. A regulator can include a supply chamber fluidly coupled to a dressing, a control chamber fluidly coupled to the dressing, a charging chamber fluidly coupled to the supply chamber through a port, and a regulator valve operable to control fluid communication through the port based on a pressure differential between the control chamber and a target pressure. The feedback system can include a printed circuit board, a pressure sensor and a signal interface communicatively coupled to the printed circuit board. The pressure sensor can be fluidly coupled to the control chamber to determine the pressure in the control chamber. The signal interface can indicate a state of the reduced-pressure therapy. A potential source can be communicatively coupled to the printed circuit board, the pressure sensor, and the indicator.

Abstract: A control valve in which a PWM (pulse width modulated) control pressure signal acts on a membrane to which a control rod is connected tends to wear, and the device to which the control rod is attached likewise tends to wear, due to the transmission of undesired PWM control pressure pulsations. A third chamber is provided in the control valve housing. Control pressure pulsations enter the third chamber via a pressure medium connection. By providing at least one throttle aperture in a partition wall between the third chamber and the membrane acted upon by the pressure medium, it is possible to attenuate the pressure waves, thereby damping the vibration of the control rod, thus avoiding wear.

Abstract: A well test burner system includes a plurality of burner nozzles. At least one of the burner nozzles includes a well product inlet, an air inlet, an air/well product mixture outlet, and an automatic valve. The automatic valve is responsive to a remote signal to cease flow of well product to the air/well product outlet.

Abstract: The valve device has a valve main body defining a valve chest provided with a NO outlet port and a NC outlet port through which a fluid flows, and a valve for opening/closing the NC outlet port and NO outlet port. The valve includes a diaphragm disposed so as to cover the valve chest, and a drive means for pressing the diaphragm to open/close the NC outlet port and NO outlet port. The first valve seat and the second valve seat are formed around the NC outlet port and NO outlet port. The diaphragm is made of an elastic material of which JIS-K6253 durometer A hardness is A50-A85. The pressure of the diaphragm seated on the first valve seat and the second valve seat is 0.5-1.0 N/sq·mm.

Abstract: A valve for metering a flowing medium, in particular a fluid, having a metering opening situated in the fluid flow and surrounded by a valve seat, a valve needle that controls the metering opening and that has a closing head that works together with the valve seat to close and release the metering opening, a piezoelectric actuator that acts on the valve needle to release the metering opening, and an elastic resetting element that acts on the valve needle to close the metering opening. To minimize the required stroke of the piezoelectric actuator for a required stroke of the closing head of the valve needle, the point of action of the resetting element on the valve needle is situated on or close to the end of the valve needle that bears the closing head.

Abstract: A high temperature protective valve and the use thereof in a shower head, wherein the high temperature protective valve includes a body, the body having a complete one-way waterway, and also a thermo-sensitive assembly and a pivot valve assembly. The thermo-sensitive assembly is fixed inside the body and has a memory alloy body which can be immersed in the waterway and extend and retract along the direction of the flow. The pivot valve assembly is also fixed inside the body downstream waterway of the thermo-sensitive assembly. The pivot valve assembly has a pivot valve plug which is controllable by the thermo-sensitive assembly so as to cut off the waterway. The high temperature protective valve of such a structure has a fast response and can achieve good protective effects at a high temperature.

Abstract: A nozzle needle for an injector for injecting fuel includes at least one guiding section with a recess and a guiding surface configured to rest against an inner surface of a nozzle body of the injector, the recess at least partially delimiting the guiding surface and being configured to allow a flow of fuel along the guiding section, and the guiding surface being guided about the longitudinal axis of the nozzle needle in a helical manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for insertion in an eye of a patient for aspirating material from the eye in the treatment of an ocular condition, the apparatus comprising a needle disposed at a distal end of the apparatus, an aspiration channel extending from a distal aperture of the needle to a proximal end of the apparatus, and an irrigation sleeve coaxially disposed about the needle. The aspiration channel comprises a proximal portion having a first diameter, a bypass portion having a second diameter and at least one bypass port, and a distal portion having a third diameter. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter. The irrigation sleeve and the needle form an annular irrigation passageway therebetween. The bypass port is shaped and configured to establish fluid communication between the irrigation passageway and the aspiration channel.

Abstract: A blocker apparatus (20) for blocking a stream (22) of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (30), or a rod (160) receivable within a partially surrounding seat (34/162) at the forward end of a seat carrier (40) to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier (40) is extended and retracted by an actuator (32) to place the blocking member within the path of the stream (22) and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member (30/160) off of the seat (34/162) and lowering a new blocking member into the seat.

Abstract: Provided is a valve unit which opens/closes a flow path and includes a unit-main body having a pressure-adjustment chamber formed therein, a film sealing an opening of the pressure-adjustment chamber, a pressure-receiving plate adhered to the film, a valve body connected to the pressure-receiving plate, and a spring urging the valve body to the film. The pressure-adjustment chamber has an inlet and an outlet through which the liquid flows, a wall portion facing the pressure-receiving plate, and a first-concave portion facing the pressure-receiving plate. The inlet is opened/closed by the valve body and is provided in the first-concave portion. A gap between the wall portion and the pressure-receiving plate is smaller than that between the first-concave portion and the pressure-receiving plate. The wall portion makes the first-concave portion extend from the inlet to a side opposite to the outlet side, with respect to the inlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve device (10) comprising a substrate (12) and an elastic membrane (13), the membrane being joined at least around a valve area to the substrate. The substrate comprises a first channel (16) and a second channel (17), both ending in the valve area, the first channel having in the valve area a first channel end surface (19) and the second channel having in the valve area a second channel end surface (21), wherein the area of the first channel end surface is substantially larger than the area of the second channel end surface.

Abstract: A pressure control valve for reactive adhesives includes a valve housing with a liquid recirculation passage communicating with a conduit leading to a dispensing apparatus and an adhesive pump, a valve element mounted within the valve housing, and a biasing member for biasing the valve element towards a valve seat in the liquid passage. The pressure control valve also includes a flexible seal with a first end fixedly coupled to the valve element and a second end fixedly coupled to the valve housing. The flexible seal also includes an intermediate portion that flexes or deforms as the first end of the flexible seal follows movements of the valve element, thereby preventing liquid adhesive in the liquid recirculation passage from contacting the biasing member. The flexible seal may include an arch-shaped compression seal or a thin flexible annular membrane.

Abstract: An inventory management method is also provided. This method includes removing and replacing the gas product from a first salt cavern as supply and demand dictate, analyzing the impurities in the gas product that is removed, predicting the duration until a maximum acceptable impurity limit is present, removing all the working gas from the first salt cavern when the maximum acceptable impurity limit is reached, then replacing the working gas in the first salt cavern, while concurrently, removing and replacing the gas product from a second salt cavern as supply and demand dictate, analyzing the impurities in the gas product that is removed, predicting the duration until a maximum acceptable impurity limit is present, removing all the working gas from the second salt cavern when the maximum acceptable impurity limit is reached, then replacing the working gas in the second salt cavern, while concurrently repeating steps a)-g).

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: In a fluid control device, a check valve includes a first valve housing and a first diaphragm. The first diaphragm defines a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. An exhaust valve includes a second valve housing and a second diaphragm. The second diaphragm defines a third valve chamber and a fourth valve chamber. The check valve is opened and closed by a difference in pressure between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber. The exhaust valve is opened and closed by a difference in pressure between the third valve chamber and the fourth valve chamber.

Abstract: A gas flow regulating device including a housing assembly, an inlet tube assembly, and a biasing device. The housing assembly has a main housing, a valve seat body, and a distal plate forming an outlet orifice. The inlet tube assembly includes a proximal inlet end, a tube forming a lumen, and a flange, and is slidably disposed within the main housing, biased to an open state by the biasing device. The flange separates middle and constant pressure chambers within the housing assembly. The inlet tube assembly is transitionable to a closed state in response to pressure in the constant pressure chamber to generate a relatively constant flow rate of air exiting the device via the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A fluid pressure regulating unit, comprises a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a valve comprising a movable valve part, wherein the movable part comprises at least one fluid pressure balancing means and wherein the at least one pressure balancing means comprises a tapered surface, and a main valve biasing means. The main valve biasing means biases said valve in the direction of an open position. An auxiliary valve biasing means is provided, biasing the valve in the direction of a closed position. Wherein essentially every surface part, being in fluid connection to the fluid inlet port and having a surface normal at least partially in parallel to the moving direction of the moving part of the valve, is balance by a balancing surface part.

Abstract: A heating system can include certain pressure sensitive features. These features can be configured to change from a first position to a second position based on a pressure of a fuel flowing into the feature. These features can include, fuel selector valves, pressure regulators, burner nozzles, and oxygen depletion sensor nozzles, among other features.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vibration reducing device for pump cover body of water shut-off diaphragm pump comprising a hood cover mount and a pump cover body with a containing pit, which orderly accommodates a plastic elastic membrane disk, an obstructing baffle and a compressed spring therein. The plastic elastic membrane disk includes a downward central flow directing buffer, which can insert into a flow directing compartment in the containing pit when the hood cover mount docks with the pump cover body. The flow directing buffer can not only absorb the direct impacting momentum of pumped high pressurized water to the surrounding internal wall of the flow directing compartment but also redirect the random impacting direction of the high pressurized water. Thus, the vibration of the pump cover body with annoying noise created by the impacting momentum of the high pressurized water is deleted.

Abstract: A regulator (108) comprising a first chamber (132), and second chamber (134) and an actuator (130). The second chamber (134) is coupled to the first chamber (132) through an aperture (156). The actuator (130) is arranged to the adjust the size of the aperture (156) according to a pressure differential between fluid pressure in the first chamber (132) and a pressure reference (36). The rate of change of the cross sectional area of the aperture (156) is arranged to have a non-linear response to a change in the pressure differential.

Abstract: To provide a fluid pressure regulation apparatus and a fuel supply apparatus which are compact in arrangement and simple in construction, a pressure regulator includes a housing, a pressure adjustment member constituted by a partition wall forming together with the housing a pressure adjustment member held in communication with a fluid introduction opening and having the pressure adjustment chamber brought into communication with a fluid discharge opening in response to the pressure of fluid in the pressure adjustment chamber. The pressure regulator is capable of adjusting the fluid pressure in the pressure adjustment chamber to a preliminarily set pressure, and has one surface side thereof forming an area of a pressure receiving range receiving the fluid pressure, the area being variably set and the set pressure being varied in response to the area of the pressure receiving range.

Abstract: A miniature unidirectional valve configured to restrict the free flow of fluid through the valve includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet. A flexible membrane is movably disposed over the inlet and outlet, and movable between an open position and a closed position. The flexible membrane is movable by a pressure from the inlet to move the membrane to the open position. A control chamber is disposed in the valve body adjacent the fluid flow path, and configured to apply a pressure against the membrane to move the membrane to the closed position to restrict fluid flow through the valve. A preload structure is associated with the flexible membrane, and biases the flexible membrane toward the closed position.

Abstract: A ball valve and a valve shaft are in a valve chamber. The ball valve opens and closes a valve port. A coil spring arranged in a spring chamber pushes the valve shaft against a diaphragm via a spring bracket of the valve shaft. A cone portion and a flat portion (or a concave portion) inside the cone portion are on the diaphragm. A diaphragm-side end face of the valve shaft is larger in diameter than the flat portion of the diaphragm. When the diaphragm is initially deformed, a boundary portion interposed between the cone portion and the flat portion abuts on the diaphragm-side end face.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid control device leak detection are disclosed. An example apparatus in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure includes a plurality of ports. One of the ports is to receive a supply pressure to drive an actuator and another of the ports to be fluidly coupled to a purge port of a fluid control device. The apparatus includes a sensor to measure a value at the purge port and a processor to compare the value to a predetermined value or a previously measured value to identify if the value is outside of a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An irrigation valve has a liquid passage, a sealing diaphragm and a control port that can receive control signals. The sealing diaphragm is held in the valve in a non clamped manner and is adapted to seal the passage. Upon receipt of a control signal the sealing diaphragm bends and opens a path for liquid around the sealing diaphragm that can exit the valve.

Abstract: A single stage vacuum breaker flow regulator includes a diaphragm retained in an elevated position in between atmosphere and an outlet chamber for a gaseous medium. A valve in communication with an inlet chamber is yieldingly urged to a closed position by a spring. Cam levers are movable by the diaphragm upon a reduction in pressure to sub-atmospheric in the outlet chamber. The movement of said cam levers in response to a reduction in pressure is transmitted to a yieldingly movable valve to open said valve to the flow of gas from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber.

Abstract: A pressure regulating device that regulates a pressure of a fuel, including a housing that includes a fuel introduction passage into which the fuel to be supplied into a fuel consuming unit is introduced and a fuel discharge passage from which the fuel is discharged, wherein the fuel discharge passage includes a plurality of discharge passage portions; a pressure regulating provided so as to partition the housing, and that communicates the fuel introduction passage with the fuel discharge passage and cuts off the fuel introduction passage from the fuel discharge passage, according to a pressure of the fuel in the housing; an impelling mechanism that impels the pressure regulating member in a direction of cutting off the fuel introduction passage from the fuel discharge passage; and a discharge restricting mechanism, provided in the fuel discharge passage, that selectively restricts discharge of the fuel from the discharge passage portions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward pressure controllers and calibrators for setting or measuring pressures in test devices. In one embodiment, the pressure controller contains a dual reference pressure controller. The dual reference pressure controller is operable to maintain two different pressures relative to a reference pressure. The first pressure being a relatively fixed amount greater than the reference pressure and the second pressure being a relatively fixed amount less than the reference pressure.

Abstract: A piston with a piston rod coupled thereto is inserted in a cylinder, which sealingly contains oil. An oil flow generated by movement of the piston is controlled by a damping force generation mechanism, thereby generating a damping force. A separator tube is disposed around the cylinder, and the oil is transmitted to the damping force generation mechanism through a branch tube integrally formed on a cylindrical sidewall of the separator tube. The branch tube is tapered at the outer circumferential portion thereof with the outer diameter thereof reducing toward the distal end of the branch tube.

Abstract: A demand valve for gas mixing comprises two or more flow control valves that are connected to separate gas supplies. The demand valve includes a common actuation mechanism, such as a diaphragm arranged to displace levers, each of which, in turn, opens and closes proportionally in a substantially constant ratio a respective flow control valve. Inhalation flow drawn through an outlet causes displacement of the diaphragm and hence opening of the flow control valves. Gas from the separate supplies is therefore mixed in a main chamber to a substantially constant composition, regardless of the flow rate demanded, before being dispensed via the outlet.

Abstract: A fuel system 10 includes a fuel tank 11, a demand valve 12, a primer pump 13, and an internal combustion engine 14. The demand valve 12 closes and prevents fuel flow to the engine and potential fuel spillage when the engine is not running, even if a positive pressure condition exists in the fuel tank 11. The demand valve 12 is opened to allow fuel flow to the engine 14 only when the engine is to be started or is running. This opening of the demand valve is caused by a vacuum in a central cavity 31 of the demand valve 12. The vacuum causes a diaphragm 43 to move laterally and act through a connector 44 against a pin 39 connected to a valve member 37, to tilt or rotate the valve member 37 relative to a valve seat 34.