Abstract: This emergency valve comprises a thermal foamable plastics element or a valve operation gear with a built-in thermal foamable plastics element, which is functioned by thermal foaming and expansion of the built-in thermal foamable plastics, and if a fire broken out near the valve, the valve should be automatically and non-reversibly closed or opened by the valve operation gear which is functioned by thermal foamed plastics or thermal foamed plastics in itself.

Abstract: A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body.

Abstract: A gas valve has a thermally responsive actuator and an electric heater for heating the actuator normally to produce a displacement output that moves a constrained spring to an over-center position in order to snap open the valve poppet.Portions of the actuator and the poppet holder are aligned such that the actuator portion will interferingly engage the poppet holder portion to move the poppet to its closed position when the heater receives an excessive electric power input causing an excessive mechanical displacement output of the actuator.

Abstract: A control circuit for a gas appliance includes ignition and hold circuits, the former providing for series energization of the heater of a thermal fuel valve and an electric igniter positioned proximate the appliance burner port area for ignition of the gas fuel and air mixture exiting the same and the latter providing for direct energization of only the igniter to hold or to maintain the appliance at a warm temperature. Moreover, the fuel valve includes an exterior selector mechanism for facile calibration and/or other adjustment for effective valve operation with either of two different gases at respectively different pressures, such as, for example, natural gas and bottled gas.

Abstract: An electrically operated valve having a valve body in which a valve member is mounted for movement to an open or closed position, an operating assembly being removably mounted on the body and including a heat motor that is offset with respect to the axis of the valve member and that is operable to effect movement of the valve member against the action of a control spring as also mounted in the operating assembly, the heat motor having a thermal switch mounted directly thereon for controlling current to the heating element thereof and thereby protecting the heat motor for increased life thereof.

Abstract: A thermally operated control device having a housing provided with a chamber divided into two sections by a flexible diaphragm and with thermally expansible material filling one of the sections to act on one side of the diaphragm and with a plunger disposed in the other of the sections and having one end thereof abutting the other side of the diaphragm to be moved thereby, the chamber sections being substantially of the same size adjacent the opposed sides of the diaphragm and the one end of the plunger substantially filling its respective section adjacent its side of the diaphragm to minimize the deformation and stretching of the diaphragm as the material forces the diaphragm into the plunger section upon expansion of the material.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating or shut-off valve of the kind having a bimetallic element which regulates or opens and closes a flow passage through the valve in dependence upon temperature is provided with at least one electrically heatable PTC-element which is in thermal contact with the bimetallic element. Heating of the PTC-element by control of the supply of electricity to it thus controls the operation of the valve. The bimetallic element is preferably in the form of a snap-acting bending bimetallic plate which is heated by radiation from the PTC-element and which itself forms the valve closure member. With the bimetallic plate snapped in one direction, a passage through the valve is opened, but when the plate snaps in the other direction, it bears against a sealing ring surrounding a valve opening within the valve to close and seal the opening and thus shut the valve.

Abstract: An explosion resistant gas valve in which a valve actuating mechanism in the form of a bimetallic strip is operated by an electric heat motor. An explosion containment structure is provided about the electric heat motor to isolate it from the path of gas flow. A plurality of pressure relief apertures extend through the sides of the containment structure.

Abstract: An ignition timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes a body having at least three ports, the first port of which draws vacuum thereinto, the second port of which draws atmospheric air thereinto and the third port of which emits vacuum or air therefrom. A first passageway is provided for establishing communication between the first port and the third port, a second passageway is provided for establishing communication between the second port and the third port, and a third passageway is provided for communicating with the first and second passageways. A first valve, provided within the first passageway, is adapted to be open in response to a low temperature value of the engine and to close at intermediate and high engine temperatures, and a second valve, provided within the second passageway, is adapted to close in response to a low temperature value of the engine and to be open at intermediate and high engine temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulating drive for a thermostatically controlled feed member, especially the shaft of a heating valve, having a pivotable, spring-loaded actuating lever carrying a control element, preferably an expansion-material element, the operating member of the said control element being stationary and the mobile element being supported on the actuating lever, characterized in that the control element is mounted pivotably on the actuating lever.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a passage therethrough for passing a fluid. Has a movable member adapted for variably constricting the passage in proportion to an applied voltage. The assembly includes an expansible electrical heater connected to the movable member which keeps the passage constricted. The wire expands upon passage of electric current therethrough to slacken whereupon, a bias means connected to the movable member acts thereupon to open the passage.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the inlet or exhaust openings of central ventilation or exhaust installations wherein air is only removed from the individual rooms or areas by means of a central exhaust ventilator when such rooms or areas are in use as well as for a certain time duration thereafter, and after expiration of such time duration the exhaust openings of the rooms or areas are automatically closed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas control valve adapted for controlling exhaust gas flow returning to the upstream side of a carburetor from an exhaust line of a vehicle engine. The control valve comprises a means for reducing or stopping the returning exhaust gas when ambient temperature is very low, whereby so called carburetor icing is avoided.

Abstract: A condition responsive valve construction having a first housing provided with an internal chamber and an inwardly directed shoulder projecting into the chamber and defining a first valve seat on one side thereof and a spring seat on the other side thereof. An axially movable valve means is disposed in the chamber for controlling the valve seat. A spring is disposed between the spring seat and the valve member to tend to move the valve member in one axial direction in the chamber. A condition responsive device is carried by the housing and is operatively interconnected to the valve member to move the valve member in the other axial direction upon an increase in the sensed condition. One or more additional housing can be added to the first housing in stacked aligned relation therewith and with each new housing having a valve seat arrangement to be controlled by the valve member.

Abstract: An ignition timing control device for an internal combustion engine includes a body having at least three ports, the first port of which draws vacuum thereinto, the second port of which draws atmospheric air thereinto and the third port of which emits vacuum or air therefrom. A first passageway is provided for establishing communication between the first port and the third port, a second passageway is provided for establishing communication between the second port and the third port, and a third passageway is provided for communicating with the first and second passageways. A first valve, provided within the first passageway, is adapted to be open in response to a low temperature value of the engine and to close at intermediate and high engine temperatures, and a second valve, provided within the second passageway, is adapted to close in response to a low temperature value of the engine and to be open at intermediate and high engine temperatures.

Abstract: An electrofluid converter converts electrical energy into fluid energy by ntrolling the linear expansion of a wire that is used as a fluid control valve. Thermal linear expansion of the wire is brought about by passing an electric current through the wire thereby increasing or decreasing the portion of the wire within the fluid flow path. The converter can be used in applications that require converting electrical proportional or digital signals into corresponding fluid signals. The converter signal may be used to control fluid amplifiers or other fluid sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably controlling the flow of air in an air conditioning system and comprising a regulator having flow control means movable in response to fluctuations in the pressure of the air supplied to the regulator for maintaining the flow of air passing through the regulator at a substantially constant rate and having flow adjustment means cooperating with the flow control means for permitting varying the flow rate maintained by the flow control means.

Abstract: A valve device particularly adapted for remote electrical operation at very low power levels has actuator means which are located outside a valve body but which are operatively connected to a valve member within the body through a flexible diaphragm which seals the valve body without excessively restricting movement of the valve member within the valve body. The actuator means are selectively operable for moving the valve member to open and close the valve. Preferably, at least the flexible diaphragm is exposed to fluid pressures within the valve body so that the valve member is normally moved to closed valve position with selected force in response to these pressures when fluid is introduced into the valve body.

Abstract: A temperature controlled fluid shear coupling adapted to drive a fan for an internal combustion engine. The coupling includes a driven member defining a housing adapted to carry the fan, a drive member adapted to be driven by the engine, a working chamber defined by the driven and drive member and containing viscous fluid, a pump for removing fluid from the working chamber to a reservoir, and temperature control assembly which varies the volume of fluid in the working chamber by controlling fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber in response to temperature changes. The temperature control includes a wax filled power element and a valving member. The valving member blocks fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber when the wax is solid and allows flow to the working chamber when the wax is a liquid.

Abstract: A mixing valve for mixing airstreams in an air distributing system including a housing having first and second air inlet passages therein for receiving respective airstreams of different characteristics, valve means cooperating with the first and second inlet passages for adjustably selecting the proportion of air received through the respective passages so as to obtain a mixture of the two airstreams from the mixing valve, and an actuator cooperating with the valve means for effecting adjustment of the same to obtain a desired mixture of the different airstreams from the mixing valve. The actuator includes a thermal motor having an axially movable shaft extending therefrom, a heater cooperating with the thermal motor for applying heat thereto to effect movement of the motor shaft toward an extended axial position, and linkage operably interconnecting the thermal motor and the valve means and being movable in response to axial movement of the motor shaft for effecting adjustment of the valve means.

Abstract: An arrangement for retaining an actuating member in an extreme position which has a connecting element held in permanent engagement with the actuating member and received between a pair of supports to which the connecting element is pressed by at least one coil of wire wound about the supports with an effort sufficient for retaining the actuating member in its extreme position. The wire is selectively connectable to a source of power so that the wire is heated up whereby the pressure of the supports against the connecting element is reduced, and the connecting element is released to move relative to the supports, thus releasing the actuating member, so that the latter moves through its working stroke.

Abstract: A thermally responsive fluid control valve device which is particularly adapted for control of an air operable clutch. The valve device includes a housing which is adapted to be positioned adjacent a conduit which is a part of a system through which coolant fluid flows in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The valve device includes a thermally responsive actuator member which is adapted to be positioned within a conduit within which coolant fluid flows. The thermally responsive actuator member has a portion operable upon a movable valve element which is within the housing and which controls flow of air through the housing. The movable valve element is also operable by air at suitable pressures within the housing.

Abstract: A valve body includes a base section having an inlet and an outlet and means forming a valve seat therebetween. A flexible diaphragm is supported for movement relative to the valve seat and includes a center by-pass port which is opened and closed by a valve member supported for axial movement by a closure section of the valve body. A pin-like actuating lever is pivotally supported by a flexible seal secured to the closure section and has an inner end portion projecting into an opening formed within the valve member. An elongated U-shaped bimetallic actuating element is mounted on the closure section generally parallel to the lever and includes a movable head portion. The bimetallic actuating element is preferably connected as a resistance in series with an electrical load, and a spring is compressed against the outer end of the actuating lever to cause rapid snap-action movement of the lever, and the valve member in response to slower movement of the head portion of the actuating element.

Abstract: A thermally operated valve utilizes a member which is moved in accordance with the pressure of a gas within a chamber containing an adsorbent carbon material formed from a compound of carbon and a non-carbon component wherein the non-carbon component has been removed leaving a porous structure with cavities of sufficient size to receive and adsorb the gas.

Abstract: A gas smooth top range in which the burner beneath the glass ceramic top is of powered blue flame, rather than radiant, type. The burner in this and other possible environments is controlled by electric circuit means including a resistance igniter element having an appreciable energy output, electrically operated valve means in circuit with the igniter, and cycle control means for cyclically energizing the igniter and valve means at a rate that can be varied to regulate the heat output of the burner. Heat transfer structure is associated with the burner and arranged so that hot exhaust gases from the burner are effective to preheat the respective inflows of ambient air and fuel making up the mixture which is combusted.