Abstract: Tunable fluid ends reduce valve-generated vibration to increase fluid-end reliability. Tunable fluid end embodiments comprise a family, each family member comprising a fluid end housing with at least one installed tunable component chosen from: tunable check valve assemblies, tunable valve seats, tunable radial arrays and/or tunable plunger seals. Each tunable component, in turn, contributes to blocking excitation of fluid end resonances, thus reducing the likelihood of fluid end failures associated with fatigue cracking and/or corrosion fatigue. By down-shifting the frequency domain of each valve-closing impulse shock, initial excitation of fluid end resonances is minimized. Subsequent damping and/or selective attenuation of vibration likely to excite one or more predetermined (and frequently localized) fluid end resonances represents further optimal use of fluid end vibration-control resources.

Abstract: Tunable fluid end embodiments comprise a family, each family member comprising a pump housing with at least one installed tunable component chosen from: tunable valve assemblies, tunable valve seats, tunable radial arrays and/or tunable plunger seals. For example, a tunable valve assembly or tunable radial array selectively attenuates valve-generated vibration at its source, thus reducing the likelihood of fluid end failures associated with fatigue cracking and/or corrosion fatigue. Adding tunable valve seats and/or tunable plunger seals to a fluid end facilitates optimal damping and/or selective attenuation of vibration at one or more predetermined (and frequently localized) fluid end resonant frequencies. Thus, the likelihood of exciting destructive resonances in a pump's fluid end housing is further reduced.

Abstract: A tunable valve assembly attenuates valve-generated vibration at one or more predetermined assembly resonant frequencies. The assembly comprises a valve body having a peripheral groove spaced radially apart from a central reservoir. An adjustable preload flange is centrally coupled to the valve body for changing assembly compliance and for imposing a shear preload by partially constraining a viscoelastic element in the reservoir. Assembly resonant frequencies are thus predictably altered. Further, the vibration spectrum is narrowed and its amplitude reduced through hysteresis loss of closing impulse energy at each such altered resonant frequency. At least a first predetermined assembly resonant frequency is achieved through adjustment of shear preload, and at least a second predetermined assembly resonant frequency is achieved through choice of a viscoelastic or composite element in the peripheral groove.

Abstract: The invention relates to extraction apparatus and method for obtaining essential oils and essence and pigments from odorous raw materials by microwave radiation heating under sub-critical conditions, which has advantages of easy operation, higher extracting temperature and efficiency. The microwave chamber has a power level of 100 W to 1,500 W and its microwave radiation has a frequency at 915 MHz or 2,450 MHz. The extraction process can be performed without any preheating necessary. A condenser unit is operated at temperatures between ?20° C. and 15° C. for cooling the gas extractive flowing out of the extraction unit. Because both volatile aromatic compounds and pigments of the odorous raw materials can be extracted successfully, the extracted essence is colorful. Since the extraction process by microwave radiation heating is free from adding any organic solvent and/or any artificial chemical compound, the extraction apparatus and method applied are really environmentally friendly.

Abstract: Extraction apparatus and method for obtaining essential oils, essence, and pigments from odorous raw materials (e.g., plant materials and Chinese medicinal herbs) by microwave radiation heating have advantages of easy operation, higher extracting temperature and efficiency. The microwave chamber has a power level of 100 W to 1,500 W and its microwave radiation has a frequency at 915 MHz or 2,450 MHz. The extraction process can be performed without any preheating necessary. A condenser is operated at temperatures between ?20° C. and 15° C. for cooling the gas flowing out of the extraction cartridges. Because both volatile fragrant compounds and pigments of the odorous raw materials can be extracted successfully by the top-down extraction fashion, the extracted essence is colorful. Since the extraction process by microwave heating is free from adding any organic solvent and/or any artificial chemical compound, the extraction apparatus and method are environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A top entry check valve including a valve body with an access port. A compressible hanger body engages a portion of the valve body and is positioned in alignment with the access port of the valve body. A clapper is connected to the hanger body so that the clapper is movable between a closed position wherein the clapper engages a valve seat to occlude the passage of fluid through the fluid flow passage and an open position wherein the clapper is moved away from the valve seat to permit passage of fluid through the fluid flow passage. A closure member is connected to the valve body to close the access port of the valve body. The closure member has an abutment surface engaging the hanger body so that the hanger body is compressed between the closure member and the valve body.

Abstract: A check valve for use in a pump. The valve is arranged to be subjected to severe service conditions and high impact loads, yet be resistant to damage to its components. The check includes a body, a valve seat, a poppet and an impact cushion. The poppet is movably coupled to the valve seat and is biased by a spring into engagement with the valve seat. Upon the opening of the valve the poppet moves off of the valve seat and into engagement with the impact cushion against the spring bias. The impact cushion is movably coupled to the valve body and is biased by another spring. When the poppet engages the impact cushion they stay together and move, with the movement of the impact cushion absorbing energy from the poppet.

Abstract: A top entry check valve including a valve body with an access port. A compressible hanger body engages a portion of the valve body and is positioned in alignment with the access port of the valve body. A clapper is connected to the hanger body so that the clapper is movable between a closed position wherein the clapper engages a valve seat to occlude the passage of fluid through the fluid flow passage and an open position wherein the clapper is moved away from the valve seat to permit passage of fluid through the fluid flow passage. A closure member is connected to the valve body to close the access port of the valve body. The closure member has an abutment surface engaging the hanger body so that the hanger body is compressed between the closure member and the valve body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backflow preventing check valve (1) comprising a housing (2) in which a closing member (3) is arranged. The closing member is moveable between a closed position and an open position and is disposed on a valve seat with a sealing area in the closed position. A pressure-compensation device is provided for when the backflow preventing check valve is closed and a volume of fluid is sealed off on the outflow side. In order to counteract an undesireable high pressure load when the check valve is closed, the outflow area defined by the closing body (3) in a closed position is joined to at least one pressure compensation chamber (6) whose receiving volume corresponds approximately to the expansion volume of the sealed-off fluid and which is disposed outside the area which is defined on the outflow side.

Abstract: A resilient member, useful in a back checking arrangement, is provided as a body of resilient material having a surface engageable by an outside member such as a portion of a sliding mechanism in a door closer. The body is compressible when engaged by the outside member with a sufficient force. The body has at least one reservoir chamber therein, for receiving a liquid, such as hydraulic fluid, with a communication passage leading from the chamber to the surface to provide fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior of the body. Additional communication passages from the chamber to the exterior of the body may be provided as well. When the body is engaged by the member, the body, chamber and passage are compressed, thus causing the liquid in the chamber to exit the body through the compressing passage. This increasingly restricts the flow of liquid through the passage and increases the force of operation.

Abstract: A control device for operating drive motors of closure devices that is reponsive to air pressure differential inside and outside an enclosure and including a housing that will extend through a wall of the enclosure, vanes in the housing and adjustably weighted linkage interconnecting the vanes outside the housing and, depending upon the position of the linkage, operating sealed switches to actuate the drive motors.

Abstract: A micro pump which employs magnetostrictive or electrostrictive elements as solid drive elements and is capable of self-priming even though its flow rate is increased. In the pump, disk-shaped valve elements respectively having tapered protrusions on one side are used as check valves to reduce weight and made to follow the motion of liquids so as to smoothly open and close. Retainers for regulating the gap h between the valve seats and the valve elements are respectively provided with tapered recesses for guiding the protrusions of the valve elements, whereby the valves are prevented from contacting the retainers, thus undergoing less friction therewith, to ensure smooth opening and closure of the valves. Moreover, ringlike or sheetlike elastic materials are provided on the bottoms of the recesses to improve responsivity in the direction in which the valves are closed.

Abstract: A valve is disclosed having a valve piston slidably movable within a valve casing. The valve also includes a spring biasing the valve piston against a valve seat such that the valve is normally closed, but may be opened when the pressure acting on the valve piston exceeds the biasing force of the spring. In order to assure perfect sealing between the valve piston and the valve seat, the valve seat is formed on a member which is movably mounted in the valve casing by a generally annular elastic element. The elastic element connects the valve seat to the valve casing, as well as a shoulder extending from the valve casing into the valve chamber,d such that an axial clearance exist between the valve seat member and the shoulder, and a radial clearance exists between the valve seat member and the valve casing under all operating conditions of the valve. Such clearances enable the valve seat member to move axially and radially so as to assure perfect sealing between the valve seat and the valve piston.

Abstract: An improved reed valve mechanism having a cushioned reed valve seat is disclosed. The present invention provides a smooth resilient insert which is attached around ports in a reed cage and projects beyond the reed cage surface on which the reed valve members seat. The benefits of conventional rubber coated reed cages are supplied without the expenses inherent in previous construction methods. Various mechanical mounting means are disclosed for ease in construction and improved reed valve performance.

Abstract: A swing-type check valve (10) having a bonnetless two-piece valve body (12, 14) with a valve chamber (22) and inlet and outlet ports (15, 21) defining a flow passage through the valve. A clapper (25) fixed to a clapper shaft (28) is restrained in working location by the two valve body members as mated in assembly and is adapted for pivotal movement between a valve open position and a valve closed position. A planar valve sealing surface (23) is provided on the end of one of the valve body members and positioned in the valve chamber in a location where it is protected from erosion from flow through the valve and adapted to be sealingly engaged by the clapper element (25). Guide ribs (40) are formed in the valve body for guiding the clapper (25) in movement between its valve open and valve closed positions so as to insure a seal by the valve clapper (25) when in its valve closed position irrespective of the orientation of the valve.

Abstract: A top-entry check valve having a seat, cage, disc and removable bonnet utilizes threaded fasteners to prevent movement of the seat, cage and disc in the downstream direction. An annular shoulder in the valve body prevents movement of the seat, cage and disc in the upstream direction. The disc has a hinge pin which is cradled in hinge pin supports of the cage. Removal of the bonnet allows access to the valve chamber for replacement of the seat, cage, disc or threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve (14, 14A) has a reciprocable valve member (34, 34A) for seating on an annular seat face (66,66A) of a nozzle assembly (38,38A). The nozzle assembly (38,38A) has an inner seat ring (40,40A), a radially outer anchor ring (42,42A), and a flexible connecting member (44,44A) extending in a generally radial direction between the outer peripheral surface (64) of the seat ring (40,40A) and the inner peripheral surface of the anchor ring (42,42A). Upon seating or reseating of the valve member, (34,34A), seal face (36,36A) contacts the seat face (66,66A) of seat ring (40,40A) and flexible connecting member (44,44A) flexes upon relative movement of the seat ring (40,40A) after initial contact of the valve member (34,34A) against the seating ring (40,40A) thereby to act as a shock absorber for absorbing impact forces.

Abstract: A flow control device illustrated as a pressure relief valve (10, 10A) has a reciprocable valve member (22, 22A) for seating on a face (20, 20A) of a fixed seat ring (18, 18A). The valve member (22, 22A) includes a hub (36, 36A), an outer seal ring (38, 38A), and a flexible connecting member (40, 40A) extending between and connecting the seal ring (38, 38A) and the hub (36, 36A). Upon seating or reseating of valve member (22, 22A) seal ring (38, 38A) contacts fixed seat ring (18, 18A) and flexible connecting member (40, 40A) flexes upon relative movement of the hub (36, 36A) after initial contact of the seal ring (38, 38A) with the fixed seat ring (20, 20A) to act as a shock absorber for absorbing impact forces.

Abstract: A pressure compensated flow control valve including a body member having an axial bore extending to a closed end and a number of radially aligned ports formed near the closed end. A cylindrical spool is disposed within the axial bore and is movable between a controlled flow position where the spool extends over a portion of the radial ports and a reverse flow position where the radial ports are unobstructed. An orifice formed in an end plate of the spool is sized to allow a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: A pneumatic oscillator of the type having an operating piston reciprocable in a cylinder to control a poppet valve arrangement so as to control a gas flow path, and biassed to the flow path-closing condition with feedback of output supplementary to the bias in opposition to source pressure, is characterized by a piston seal comprising an O-ring having both radial and axial clearance in a retaining groove in the piston to provide low friction, and by a resilient buffer to arrest the piston at its stroke-end in the flow path-opening position and to cause piston rebound to an extent to position the O-ring against the lateral groove wall that is downstream to the prevailing pressure differential, thereby to ensure effective sealing at the switching point. The buffer also suppresses noise of operation of the oscillator. The oscillator is particularly useful for generating breathable gas pulses for resuscitation and/or lung ventilation purposes.

Abstract: Reed valve means in which a valve plate is held at one end by a valve seat member of a resilient material and an open-position regulating member of a resilient material, and the interior of a fluid flow port is formed in complementary to the configuration of said reed valve means so that the reed valve means are held press-fitted against the interior of said fluid flow passage.

Abstract: A stiffly compliant upstop extends parallel to the hinge axis of a bi-petal check valve and provides essentially a continuous line of contact with the downstream side of each valve member. This line of contact is symmetrically located to span virtually the entire distance between the spaced hinge-suspension points unique to each valve member. And continuity of the respective lines of upstop contact is maintained throughout a terminal range of angular displacement, as the upstop compliantly deforms in approach to the full-open condition of the respective valve members.

Abstract: An impact resistant pressure operated relief valve comprising a valve body having an exhaust port and a nozzle assembly having a flow passage which terminates in an opening surrounded by an annular valve seat. A disc holder in the valve body is slidably disposed between a closed position abuting the valve seat, thus closing the nozzle passage and a second position in which the disc holder is displaced from the valve seat, thus opening the valve port to the nozzle passage. A compression spring forces the disc holder to the normally closed position. The lower portion of the disc holder is provided with a valve disc having a facing surface which is adapted to contact the valve seat in the closed position. The invention further comprises compressible shock absorber means interposed between the disc and the disc holder. The shock absorber functions to lessen the shock forces involved when the valve disc impacts upon the valve seat at closing.

Abstract: Inlet valve assembly for a paint prayer and the like includes an adjustable inlet valve stop movable toward and away from an inlet valve seat to reduce or increase the amount of free movement of the inlet valve for obtaining optimum volumetric efficiency by reducing the back flow through the inlet valve. The adjustable stop includes a rebound spring and a holder therefor which is threadedly mounted, whereby rotation of the holder in opposite directions varies the initial clearance space between the spring and inlet valve when the inlet valve is closed. The holder has a non-circular opening in the center to enable the user to insert a turning wrench or the like therein to turn the holder to the desired adjusted position. Access to the adjustable stop for turning the holder may be obtained by inserting the tool through an outlet valve opening in the sprayer pump upon removal of an outlet valve assembly therefrom. A conical lock spring may be used to frictionally lock the holder in the desired adjusted position.