Abstract: Electrically controlled combined valve/cylinder apparatus. The apparatus includes a housing having a cylindrical body and spaced first and second end walls closing the body. A cylinder is positioned inside the body and a piston is positioned inside the cylinder for reciprocal movement. A control ram connected to the piston extends through an aperture in the first end wall so that the piston is movable between a first position adjacent the first end wall in which the ram is extended and a second postion in which the piston is located adjacent the second end wall so that the ram is retracted. The apparatus further includes a cylindrical control sleeve positioned between and spaced from both the body and the cylinder. An inlet port tube is provided for supplying an electro-rheological fluid to the body while an outlet port tube is provided for discharging the fluid from the body.

Abstract: An improved flow-limiting fluid refill valve for use with a fluid-actuated pump having a fluid chamber comprises a valve housing, fluid inlet means in communication with a source of hydraulic fluid and fluid outlet means in fluid communication with the fluid chamber of the pump. A first valve within the valve housing is provided between the fluid inlet means and the fluid outlet means for permitting a flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid chamber when the suction pressure within the fluid chamber exceeds the first predetermined pressure limit indicating that the fluid within the fluid chamber has been depleted below a predetermined fluid limit. The improvement comprises a second valve within the valve housing for preventing the flow of fluid from the fluid source to the fluid chamber when the suction pressure within the fluid chamber exceeds a second predetermined pressure limit greater than the first predetermined pressure limit and indicating abnormal operation of the pump.

Abstract: A vapor valve is useful in a vapor recovery nozzle of the type used to dispense fuel to motor vehicles. In response to the stopping of liquid through the valve, the valve stops the flow of vapor through an adjacent passage. The valve operates using coupled permanent magnet actuators.