Abstract: An underwater connector for interconnecting a plurality of fluid power and control lines for controlling and actuating underwater equipment. The connector includes one or more members adapted to be positioned underwater some each of which includes a vertically positioned flat surface with a plurality of fluid passageways terminating at the flat surfaces of the members. Another member is adapted to engage and disengage from underwater members and also includes one or more vertically positioned flat surface for mating with the flat surfaces of the underwater members and includes a plurality of passageways terminating at the other member flat surface for sealingly mating with the passageways of the underwater members. Coacting cam means are provided between the underwater members and the retrievable member for horizontally moving the underwater members into a sealing relationship with the retrievable member as they move vertically together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple coupling for lubricating systems, preferably progressive lubricating systems of motor vehicles, especially tractor trailer units. The multiple coupling a plug box and a plug, with the help of which several lubrication pipes may be interconnected. In order that the plug box-plug-combination may be used for variable number of lubrication pipes, a special valve arrangement has been provided with the help of which the desired number of passages of lubrication pipes is opened or closed.

Abstract: The present invention involves a central pivot assembly for a self-propelled, center-pivot irrigation system. The assembly includes an hydraulic slip ring arrangement, a pivot arrangement, and a support arrangement for the pivot pipe of the irrigation system. The hydraulic slip arrangement includes first and second concentrically positioned rings which permit hydraulic fluid to continuously flow along out and return paths between a stationary source and the moving, pivot pipe. The pivot arrangement of the present invention includes a pivot bar, sleeve member slideably positioned about the pivot bar and fixedly secured to the pivot pipe, and pillow blocks which slideably receive the ends of the pivot bar. This arrangement allows the pivot pipe to move in vertical planes to accommodate the up and down motion of the distribution pipe as it revolves about the central axis of the system.

Abstract: A pipe manifold for utilization with hot water heating systems and including substantially adjacent inlet and return flow chambers within a single elongated box and separated by an internal dividing wall. Disposed on the outside of the housing are pipe headers of various types, in particular frustoconical pipe headers, which may be cut off so that the diameter obtained matches that of a valve or pump or the like to be mounted thereto with the intent that the overall height of the apparatus is constant independently of the size of the attached device. The headers communicate with the chambers within the manifold via openings which are advantageously disposed at one or the other side of the edge of the dividing wall. A variety of embodiments is presented.

Abstract: A double-acting closure valve for use in a coaxial flow system consists of an inner pipe having an inner wall surface including surface portions which are profiled so as to provide a pair of inner valve seats spaced apart axially from one another, an inner body disposed coaxially within the inner pipe and having associated therewith a pair of inner valve closure members movable generally axially so as to abut the inner valve seats and an outer pipe coaxial with the inner pipe and having an inner wall surface including surface portions which are profiled so as to provide a pair of outer valve seats spaced apart axially from one another, an outer wall surface of the inner pipe also including surface portions each of which is profiled to enable one of a pair of outer valve closure members associated therewith to move generally axially so as to abut an outer valve seat.

Abstract: A coupling device has two detachably connectable parts which are provided with two valves that are activated in the connected position of the parts. In said connected position, two separate channels are formed through the coupling device; the first channel transmits to a first medium and the second channel transmits to a second medium. The first channel extends through a unit positioned in the coupling device. The unit slidingly moves in the longitudinal direction of the coupling device during connection of the parts. The sliding movement of the unit is coordinated with the opening movement of the valve of the first part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing and dispensing a semi-frozen food product containing liquid and gaseous ingredients including a refrigerated freezing chamber and volumetric type gas and liquid pumps operable when driven to pump gas and liquid in preselected proportions and under pressure to the freezing chamber. The gas and liquid pumps are motor driven under the control of a pressure responsive control which starts the pumps when the pressure in the freezing chamber falls below a predetermined super-atmospheric pressure range and stops the pumps when it rises above that predetermined super-atmospheric pressure range.

Abstract: The gate for each conduit, of a preferably multiple conduit installation is transversally slidably mounted between full skirts. Dual hydraulic actuators drive a transversally extending rolling cam follow pin along an oblique path to slide the gate open and closed. The actuators have spring-assisted closure for fail safe operation, the actuator pistons being isolated from well pressure. Where there are two conduits so valved, the actuators for one extend longitudinally upwards from a central bulkhead, and the actuators for the other extend longitudinally downwards. Stem packing for the actuator piston rods is located in the central bulkhead. Modifications for accommodating, e.g. a third valved conduit are described. Also disclosed is a version with two, mutually inverted commonly housed gate valves controlling the same conduit.

Abstract: A slide gate damper arrangement which works well in large ducts, which are conveying hot, dust laden gases, and which duct has an obstruction extending down through the middle of it, such as a concentric pipe. The slide gate arrangement comprises a pair of gates which traverse the large duct from opposite sides thereof, seating in the middle of the duct. The leading edges of the two gates have a configuration such that they match and seal around the inner pipe.

Abstract: A terminal and gauge assembly which provides connections for lines to or from individual fluid pressure circuits, such as the pneumatic circuits of a pneumatically operated control system includes a duct with a removable cover. The lines run longitudinally inside the duct. A bar located on the cover outside of the duct is formed with spaced chambers. The lines are terminated at couplings which extend into the chambers and serve to fasten the bar to the cover of the duct. Gauges or test points are mounted on the bar and connect to the chambers so that the pressure or other parameter associated with each circuit may be monitored.

Abstract: Fluid links are interposed between manual levers which control the motions of a machine such as a construction crane and associated spool valves which regulate the machine motions. In normal operation within predetermined safe limits of machine motions, pressurized fluid delivery valve means connected with the fluid links is conditioned by a normal signal from a safe machine motion sensing means and delivers pressurized fluid to the fluid links rendering the links "hard" so that the manual levers are enabled to effect safe machine motions. When an unsafe machine motion is sensed by the sensing means, the valve means responds to the interruption of the normal signal from the sensing means and is conditioned to interrupt delivery of pressurized fluid to the fluid links thus rendering the links "soft" and thus disabling the manual levers from causing machine motions beyond safe limits.

Abstract: A detachable fluid coupling for fluid hoses or conduits used in pneumatic or hydraulic systems, such as between tractors and towed equipment, such as implements or trailers, includes a retaining mechanism with one portion having a connector releasably engageable with a member or device holding or connected to a pair of such fluid conduits from the towed equipment for retaining coupling portions thereof in position respectively received and coupled to a pair of members or coupling parts operatively connected to a respective pair of fluid conduits of a fluid pressure system, such as from a tractor. The fluid coupling includes a ramp positioned to be engaged by one end of a trip member pivotable about a pin to thereby move another end of the trip member into engagement with said one portion and move the connector portion thereof out of engagement with the holding device in response to separation of the towing connection and relative separation of the tractor and towed equipment.

Abstract: A valve plate construction for use in a refrigerant compressor is disclosed. A method of assembling and joining by brazing a pair of end plates, a spacer plate defining radial passages and a collar defining an axial passage is described. The product is then a unitary structure formed of the various plates having a central axial passage and a plurality of radial passages.

Abstract: A water valve assembly for mounting on the vacuum return wand of a steam cleaner a water valve of the type having an outwardly biased actuating member which prevents the passage of water in its normal position and permits the passage of water when pressed inwardly. The assembly comprises (a) two mating mounting brackets shaped to receive portions of the peripheries of the vacuum return wand and the water valve, (b) a shaft passing through the mounting brackets between the vacuum return wand and the water valve, (c) a lever arm mounted on shaft between the two mounting brackets, and (d) means for urging the two mounting brackets together so as to firmly grasp the vacuum return wand and the water valve therebetween.

Abstract: Spray coating apparatus featuring an improved solenoid valve construction in which response time of the valve actuation is improved by a free-traveling armature. The armature which is unrestrained by spring or other means has an annular shoulder portion which is engageable with an enlarged head portion of the pilot member of the valve. When the pilot is in its seated position, the dimensions of the valve are such that the armature must travel a short distance before its shoulder will impact against the pilot head thus allowing kinetic energy to build up as the armature travel is initiated by coil energization which enables the armature to effectively snap open the pilot upon impact despite spring and high fluid pressure resistance.

Abstract: Emergency shutoff valve apparatus, including a gate valve assembly actuated to a closed position by fluid pressure acting on an actuator piston, such actuation causing the piston to exert a force through a liquid medium on a power piston to store energy in a spring device or other energy storing means. Relieving of the fluid pressure acting on the piston causes the energy storing means to act through the power piston and liquid medium to shift the actuator piston to a position closing the gate valve assembly. The gate valve assembly can also be shifted to a closed position by supplemental fluid pressure acting on the power piston or on an override piston.