Abstract: An improved rotary valve comprising a valve body having a flow passage extending therethrough and a rotary valve stem journaled in said valve body transversely intersecting the flow passage. The valve stem includes at least one spring biased spherical valve member carried in a radially aligned cavity formed in the valve stem. A valve seat is formed in the valve body coaxial with the flow passage and is conformed to sealingly receive the spring biased valve member therein when the valve is placed in the closed position. The valve stem is pressure equalized within the valve body. In one form the valve stem is provided with an external configuration adjacent the valve member and flow passage to maintain a constant flow rate through the open valve. In another form this external configuration is modified to provide for varying the flow rate through the open valve through manipulation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A solvent-bearing sludge material is pumped by a variable speed positive displacement pump from a preparation mixing tank through a pressure responsive valve which distributes the material into the upper portion of an insulated distilling or processing vessel. Steam is introduced into the lower portion of the vessel and mixes with the material to volatize the solvents which are directed through a condenser and pump to a storage tank. Water and suspended solid particles are continuously pumped from the bottom of the vessel to an insulated settling tank where the solid particles settle and are continuously removed by a drag-out conveyor. The hot water in the upper portion of the settling tank is pumped back into the vessel, and may have sufficient velocity to increase agitation within the vessel, or a mechanical agitator may be installed within the bottom portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A shock absorber, particularly adapted for use in the rear suspension of a motorcycle, comprises a tubular housing having a piston reciprocally mounted therein. A first chamber is defined between the housing and the head end of the piston whereas a second chamber is defined between the rod end of the piston and the housing. An inflatable bladder is disposed in a hollow rod of the piston and defines the third chamber with the rod which is in open communication with the first chamber. The chambers are at least partially filled with oil and the first chamber and bladder are air-pressurized to selectively set the spring rates of the shock absorber. A plurality of circumferentially disposed ports are formed through a head of the piston and are normally closed by a spring washer to prevent communication of oil from the first chamber to the second chamber upon extension of the shock absorber and for permitting such communication upon compression thereof.

Abstract: The ball in a ball type check valve is guided by a wire form ball cage. The cage is formed of two spring wire pieces each having two ball guiding legs, attached by cross members formed with interfitting loops which hold the pieces together by spring tension. Each guiding leg is formed with a reverse bend extending outwardly and then rearwardly along the valve body walls, this positioning the guide in the valve body. The cage is formed larger than the inside of the valve body in which it fits and also serves as a retainer for the ball valve spring. The assembly of the cage, spring and ball valve is inserted through the outlet port and the cage expands behind a shoulder in the body, locking it in place by spring tension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of constructing a valve. The valve comprises a casing with a bore therein for receiving a valve member. The bore also receives a plug which is engageable with the valve member to control communication through an opening on the plug. The method comprises the steps of inserting the valve member in the bore, connecting the plug with the casing such that the valve member is engageable with the plug and welding the plug to the casing while at the same time embedding the valve member into the plug to provide a valve seat on the plug. In particular, the casing and plug are a thermoplastic material, such as Nylon, and the valve member is metallic so that ultrasonic welding softens the plastic to bind the casing to the plug and to deform the plug by engaging the valve member with the softened plug.

Abstract: An improved rotary valve comprising a valve body having a flow passage extending therethrough and a rotary valve stem journaled in said valve body transversely intersecting the flow passage. The valve stem includes at least one spring biased spherical valve member carried in a radially aligned cavity formed in the valve stem. A valve seat is formed in the valve body coaxial with the flow passage and is conformed to sealingly receive the spring biased valve member therein when the valve is placed in the closed position. The valve stem is pressure equalized within the valve body. In one form the valve stem is provided with an external configuration adjacent the valve member and flow passage to maintain a constant flow rate through the open valve. In another form this external configuration is modified to provide for varying the flow rate through the open valve through manipulation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A check valve comprises a housing having a ball normally disposed on a seat defined therein to prevent communication of fluid from an inlet to an outlet thereof. A torsion spring is mounted on the housing to have an end thereof engage the ball to hold it in its normally closed position and to permit opening thereof to communicate the inlet with the outlet when the level of fluid pressure in the inlet exceeds a predetermined level. In the preferred embodiment, the torsion spring is mounted on a rotary member rotatably mounted in the housing to selectively adjust the closing force applied to the ball to vary the pressure setting thereof. During assembly of the valve, a pin is secured to the housing in blocking relationship across an outlet passage to limit pivotal movement of the end of the spring and to prevent the ball from rolling therepast.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a gasoline dispensing station equipped with a vapor recovery system. Gasoline vapors displaced from a motor vehicle fuel tank during filling are collected through the dispensing nozzle, and are directed first through a flexible hose attached to the nozzle and then through a pipe to an underground storage system. A preferred embodiment of a break-away valve is placed in the pipe near where it enters the ground such that in the event of an accident, as by an automobile running over the gasoline dispensing console, the break-away valve will automatically close to shut off the vapor recovery system. This minimizes the danger of an explosion or fire possibly caused by an open vapor recovery system.

Abstract: A valve body is provided with a plurality of spaced parallel gas passageways which permit flow through the valve body from one face to the other. Each passage is controlled by a ball valve member which permits unidirectional flow only and which unseats and reseats without requiring springs. The balls seat on seats in the form of frusto-conical surfaces having an included angle of approximately 60.degree., the preferred range being between 55.degree. and 65.degree.. The ratio of ball diameter to the smallest end of the frusto-conical surface is 1.11 to 1. The balls are guided for substantially linear movement on the axis of the conical surface.

Abstract: An anti-syphon device for a water supply line of a toilet tank having an opening in a bottom wall thereof. A tubular inlet fitting is mounted in the opening and has a lower portion extending downwardly from the bottom wall. The water supply line underlies the inlet fitting and includes a main portion, a head portion of enlarged diameter, and an outwardly extending flange at an upper end of the head portion. A washer forms a seal between the flange of the water supply line and the lower portion of the inlet fitting. The washer includes a portion extending inwardly of the head portion. There is a valve seat at the lower end of the head portion and a valve member, which is inside the head portion, engages the valve seat to form a seal therewith. A compression spring bears on the valve member and on the inwardly extending portion of the washer member to urge the valve member to closed position.

Abstract: A liquid fuel filler cap provided with a valve assembly in a channel extending through said cap said valve assembly comprising means defining at least part of a channel, a valve seat in said channel, a valve member adapted to co-operate with said valve seat to seal said channel, and means to bias said valve member into engagement with said seat, said biasing means comprising a pivoted member comprising a first portion which is adapted to move said valve member, and a second portion, and means for engaging with said second portion and for imparting a turning moment to said pivoted member which is greater than and in the opposite sense to the turning moment imparted to the pivoted member by said valve member alone when the valve member moves away from the valve seat, said first portion and said second portion being on opposite sides of the point of pivotal support of said pivoted member.

Abstract: Damage due to rupture or ballooning of the plastic jacket on a flexible pumping strand due to filling of the well with gas is prevented by providing an assembly including a preset pressure release valve in the lower portions of the strand to quickly release fluid from the interior of the strand to the surrounding environment upon the attainment of a pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the strand within a predetermined fraction of the rupture or ballooning strength of the plastic jacket on the pumping strand.