Abstract: The present invention discloses various embodiments of a thin film fluid control system (10, 110, 220) for controlling fluid flow through tubular conduits (24, 124, 224). The system is designed such that a shape memory alloy (14, 114, 214) is transformed between austenitic and martensitic phases to constrict or open the tubular conduit as desired.

Abstract: A fluid control valve having a shaped memory alloy (SMA) driven actuator is disclosed. The SMA driven actuator includes a first frame section coupled to a valve body and fixed in relation thereto, a second frame section coupled to a movable element of the valve body and movable in relation to the valve body, and a multiplicity of SMA wire sections coupling the first and second frame sections for moving the movable element from a biased first position to a second position when heated. An electrical controller controls the heating of the SMA wire sections by regulating current therethrough, preferably using pulse width modulation techniques. The electrical controller may be governed by a position measurement signal proportional to the position of the movable element to regulate current to the SMA drive element to position the movable element to a desired position. The position measuring signal may be provided from a position measuring element integral to the valve actuator.

Abstract: A flow controller module comprising at least one micro flow sensor and a microvalve, integrated in a micro flow channel, is disclosed. The micro flow sensor comprises a pressure sensitive flow sensor. At the position of the micro flow sensor, the micro flow channel is provided with an orifice so that pressure of a flow may be enlarged to facilitate measurement of the flow speed. The microvalve comprises a silicon microbridge with a mesa structure and is driven by a voltage. The microvalve may operate under a normally closed mode or a normally open mode. Disclosed in this invention is also a flow sensor suited in the integrated flow controller module. Methods for preparing the flow sensor and the flow controller module are also disclosed.

Abstract: A micromachined fluid control apparatus includes a micromachined boiler with a thermally conductive housing that has a housing exterior surface and a housing interior surface. The housing interior surface defines an interior void that has a fluid positioned within it. A heat source is incorporated with the housing exterior surface. The heat source selectively generates heat that is conducted through the thermally conductive housing so as to selectively expand the fluid in a predetermined manner. A load resistor may be positioned within the thermally conductive housing. Current may be driven through the load resistor in a predetermined manner to further control the selective expansion of the fluid.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a base plate, a cover plate coupled on the base plate, having an inlet and an outlet, an adiabatic chamber formed within the cover plate and supported on the upper surface of the base plate, and a pressure generating space at the lower portion of the adiabatic chamber. The pressure generating space is filled with heat expansion solution. A hollow is formed at a mid-portion of the adiabatic chamber to communicate with the pressure generating space. A membrane is coupled to the upper circumference of the adiabatic chamber, a coolant space where coolant is filled is located between the cover plate and the adiabatic chamber, a disc is coupled to the lower surface of the adiabatic chamber for sealing the pressure generating space, and a heating member is provided for heating the heat expansion solution filled in the pressure generating space.

Abstract: A valve modulation method and a system utilizing the method is provided. In a hydronic heating system having primary and secondary loops, a simple two-position valve is powered on an intermittent duty cycle to regulate the amount of flow of boiler water from the primary loop to a radiation system in the secondary loop. The actuator of the valve is pre-powered so that it is fully responsive to this intermittent duty cycle. By only supplying power to the actuator of the valve intermittently, the piston of the valve remains in a partially open position, and allows some flow to pass from the primary loop to the secondary loop. The position of the valve remains constant, owing to the duty cycle being shorter than the response time of the valve. By pre-powering the valve, the lag time it takes for the valve to become responsive to changes in the duty cycle is significantly reduced or eliminated. In this fashion, the temperature of the water in the secondary loop may be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and teaches a unique, remote optically controlled micro actuator particularly suitable for aerospace vehicle applications wherein hot gas, or in the alternative optical energy, is employed as the medium by which shape memory alloy elements are activated. In gas turbine powered aircraft the source of the hot gas may be the turbine engine compressor or turbine sections.

Abstract: Integrated, electrically operable micro-valves are formed to control fluid flow and pressure. These valves convert electrical energy to mechanical energy through an energy conversion device having a sealed cavity with a flexible wall. The sealed cavity contains a fluid that expands and contracts as it is heated or cooled, thus causing the flexible wall to move. Movement of this wall or membrane is used to move a valve element and dynamically control the opening or closing of a valve port over a predetermined range.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids which, for its actuation, is provided with a fluid-filled coupling chamber which can be brought to high pressure by virtue of the fact that the valve is disposed between an actuator piston of a piezoelectric actuator and a piston that actuates a valve member and it is used for force and path transmission. To compensate for a leakage in the coupling chamber, a filling valve is provided, which is disposed on the piston that actuates the valve member and is switched by this piston with each stroke of the device. In this manner, the coupling chamber contains a largely constant volume and can also compensate for slight fill level changes caused by temperature differences. The valve is designated for use in fuel injection devices for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling small flows of gas, such as would be used by a satellite (or microsatellite) for orientation thrusters includes a photoetched silicon body etched to provide one or more particular flow paths, and optionally filters, where the flow path is defined by the silicon body and a sealing glass layer bonded thereto. Flow is controlled through the flow path(s) by heating the body to decrease the gas flow.

Abstract: A microvalve has a base element provided with a passage opening, a tappet, a suspension device for guiding the tappet, and a piezoelectric actuator for actuating the tappet. The suspension device guides the tappet relative to the base element in such a way that the passage opening can be closed or opened by the tappet. The longitudinal dimensions of the piezoelectric actuator can be changed by the application of an electric voltage. Longitudinally spaced ends of the piezoelectric actuator are connected to longitudinally spaced ends of the suspension device in such a way that the suspension device provides a way for mechanical translation between the actuator and the tappet.

Abstract: A thernopneumatic valve comprises a fluid channel plate defining a fluid port. A diaphragm plate is attached to the fluid channel plate. The diaphragm plate includes a displaceable diaphragm to selectively obstruct the fluid port of the fluid channel plate. A thermal isolating heater is connected to the diaphragm plate. The thermal isolating heater includes a thermal isolating heater body with a heating surface, a perimeter wall defining an extended axial cavity to confine a thermopneumatic working fluid that is used to control the position of the displaceable diaphragm, and a diaphragm obstruction structure to limit the motion of the displaceable diaphragm into the extended axial cavity.

Abstract: An improved snap action valve construction is disclosed in which stiffening ribs are provided on the snap blade in an area adjacent the valve member carried thereby to aid in resisting flexing of the blade in this area. Additionally, a rib may be provided on the snap blade to provide a pivotable line contact between the snap blade and associated valve member to ensure better sealing engagement with the valve seat. In one embodiment stiffening ribs are also provided on a compensator blade in the area of attachment to the active blade to provide increased resistance to flexing in this area due to heat transfer from the active blade. In another embodiment, the compensator blade is secured to the snap blade in spaced relationship to the active blade so as to limit heat transfer therebetween.

Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor having a spring-steel reinforced stripper rubber removably mounted in a rotating inner housing, wherein the stripper rubber is sealed against the drill pipe by well bore pressure and externally-applied hydraulic pressure. In a preferred embodiment the externally-applied hydraulic pressure is maintained against the middle and upper portion of the stripper rubber by using a pump at a level of about ten percent above the well bore pressure to insure rotation of the stripper rubber with the drilling string and minimize rotation of the drill pipe inside the stripper rubber. A bayonet-type locking mechanism is attached to the stripper rubber for selectively removing the stripper rubber from the rotating inner housing and changing or repairing the stripper rubber.

Abstract: A two-way variable-section control valve for a refrigeration circuit, having a movable member for choking a refrigerant passage interposed between the inlet and outlet of the valve; the position of the movable member is controlled by a wax actuator having a bulb fitted with an electric resistor supplied by a control circuit; and the bulb is immersed in and cooled rapidly by the refrigerant when the heat supplied by the resistor is reduced, thus ensuring rapid response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microvalve for disposable use with a casing with at least one valve seat and a closing element fusible under thermal application for the opening and/or closing of the microvalve with electrical heating elements serving the thermal application being provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ram type blowout preventor whose rams have variable ram packers for sealing about pipes of difference sizes in the bore of the preventor housing. Each ram packer includes a body of elastomeric material installed with a slot across the face of a metal ram body slidable with a guideway intersecting the bore of the preventor body. First and second sets of metal segments embedded in the body of elastomeric material beneath a top plate embedded in the packer body are so constructed and arranged as to prevent extrusion of the elastomeric material as the packers seal about the different sizes of pipe.

Abstract: A thermal actuator comprising a first conductive material encased in a second non-conductive expansive material wherein said first conductive material is constructed in the form of a corrugated heater element so as to increase the rate of thermal transfer to said second non-conductive expansive material.

Abstract: The present invention is to discharge the fire extinguishing water by accurately opening the valve, using a shape-memory alloy at a predetermined temperature in a fire. When a shape-memory alloy in a first heat sensitive operation part is heated to a predetermined memory restoring temperature, a pilot valve is operated by the restoring force thereof so that a spool valve can be in a state capable of being opened by an actuator. When a second heat sensitive operation part reaches a predetermined water discharge starting temperature higher than the memory restoring temperature, a fusible alloy provided inside is thermally decomposed so that the first heat sensitive operation part maintained in the closed state is released so as to discharge the fire extinguishing water.

Abstract: A thermally buckling linear micro structure, in which by isolating technology a thermal oxidization isolation layer are generated on the two ends of a micro structure, or a material with larger thermal inflation coefficient is deposited, or the area of thermal conduction is reduced so that the two ends of a micro structure has a larger thermal stress and the membrane structure may be heated uniformly so to cause a thermally buckling deformation, therefore, the deformation of the membrane type micro structure is amplified linearly with the input power. This micro structure is formed as a membrane type by a membrane manufacturing technology.

Abstract: A compact, quiet, electrically actuatable multiple-way valve, in particular for coolant circulation in an internal combustion engine, includes an inlet duct and at least two outlet ducts branching off from a collecting chamber, each outlet duct being respectively closable by a locking part. Each locking part is connected with an electrically triggerable actuating member which includes a temperature-sensitive, electrically heatable extensible material element.

Abstract: A flow controller module comprising at least one micro flow sensor and a microvalve, integrated in a micro flow channel, is disclosed. The micro flow sensor comprises a pressure sensitive flow sensor. At the position of the micro flow sensor, the micro flow channel is provided with an orifice so that pressure of a flow may be enlarged to facilitate measurement of the flow speed. The microvalve comprises a silicon microbridge with a mesa structure and is driven by a voltage. The microvalve may operate under a normally closed mode or a normally open mode. Disclosed in this invention is also a flow sensor suited in the integrated flow controller module. Methods for preparing the flow sensor and the flow controller module are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for opening and closing a high performance shape memory alloy (SMA) fuel injector that minimizes performance variations due to changes in ambient temperature. When opening the injector to commence fuel injection, a relatively high voltage is applied to an SMA element of the injector to quickly heat the element to its high temperature state, quickly opening the valve. The current level is monitored as a measure of the element resistivity, and when the determined resistivity indicates that the high temperature state transition is complete, the voltage is reduced to a hold value, sufficient to continue resistivity measurement. When the determined resistivity indicates that the element is beginning to transition back to the ambient temperature state, the high voltage is re-applied to begin a new control cycle. To close the injector, the electric heating is discontinued, and fuel circulating through the injector cools the element to its ambient temperature state.

Abstract: An analog voltage signal V.sub.A generated from a command signal generating device is converted to a PWM signal V.sub.B by a converter, and a drive transistor is ON/OFF controlled by the PWM signal V.sub.B, whereby a current is conducted to a heater. When the heater is heated, a fluid filling a chamber of the valve device is caused to expand, whereby a membrane approaches a nozzle and a flow amount of pressurized air introduced to the valve device is restricted. As a result, energy consumed by the drive transistor is reduced and energy efficiency is improved. Further, because the generated heat from the drive transistor is small, the fluid is not affected thereby and raised in temperature by the transistor heat, whereby the flow amount characteristics of the valve device can be controlled in a stable fashion.

Abstract: An integrated micro pressure-resistant flow control module in which, when a fluid enters the integrated module past a pressure-resistant fluid channel and a suspended microstructure into a thermally-driven microvalve zone, the latter utilizes heat actuation to drive a silicon microbridge with mesa to open a linear proportional flow microvalve. A pressure-resistant flow sensing unit is disposed before the fluid channel to sense the flow amount. The flow sensing unit has a micro-suspending arm of pressure-resistant material located vertically at the fluid entrance of the module. The momentum of the fluid is thereof vertical to the micro-uspending arm, and the flow value is obtained by the deflection of the micro-suspending arm which changes the resistance value. The sensing unit is synchronously made with the microvalve and the silicon microbridge structure in an integration process so as to reduce manufacturing steps and minimize the size of the module.

Abstract: Apparatus, positioned at an inlet port to a pump, for shielding the pump from a process chamber of a semiconductor wafer processing system, where the apparatus has a controllably variable effective throughput area, and method for electrically controlling the size of the effective throughput area. Specifically, the apparatus is a controllable restrictor shield supported by an actuator, having a first effective throughput area and a second effective throughput area, where the first effective throughput area is typically less than the second effective throughput area. The size of the effective throughput area is directly responsive to an electric signal that controls the actuator.

Abstract: A suck back valve comprises a linear actuator which displaces a second diaphragm through a stem, an encoder which detects a displacement amount of the linear actuator, and a flow amount controller for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to an ON/OFF valve mechanism.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a second valve by which a flow amount of a pressurized fluid, which is sucked by a third diaphragm, is electrically controlled based on an output of activation and deactivation signals from a main controller. The suck back valve further includes an encoder which detects a displacement amount of the third diaphragm, and outputs a detection signal thereof to the main controller.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator assembly for a fuel injector, wherein the response times of the shape memory alloy element is decreased to less than about 1 millisecond by forced, convective heat transfer from the SMA element or elements. The forced, convective heat transfer is provided by the circulation of fluid across the SMA element by a metering orifice plate, which directs a fluid flow across the SMA element so as to maximize the area of contact between the fuel and the SMA element, regardless of whether the fuel injection valve is opened or closed. Use of forced convective heat transfer in accordance with the present invention allows greater power input levels than previously possible without resulting in an over-temperature condition of the SMA alloy, as well as constant response times.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulating valve using a thermal expansion material. The valve includes a body provided with inlet and outlet ports; a displacement control part in the body, the displacement control part containing the thermal expansion material and displaced toward the outlet port when the thermal expansion material expands, thereby regulating a degree of opening of the outlet port; and a heater for heating the thermal expansion material within the displacement control part. The displacement control part includes a container containing the thermal expansion material, the container being coupled to the body and an expansion plate for regulating the degree of opening of the outlet port by being expanded in accordance with an expansion of the thermal expansion material, the expansion plate being hermetically coupled to the container.

Abstract: An integrated micro thermister type flow control module in which, when a fluid enters the integrated module past a fluid channel and a suspended microstructure into a thermally-driven microvalve zone, the latter utilizes heat actuation to drive a silicon microbridge with mesa to open a linear proportional flow microvalve. A thermister type flow sensing unit is disposed in the fluid channel to sense the flow amount. The sensing unit is synchronously made with the microvalve and the silicon microbridge structure in an integration process so as to reduce manufacturing steps and minimize the size of the module.

Abstract: A blowout preventer (10) is provided for use in a hydrocarbon recovery operation to prevent a well blowout. The BOP body (20) has a central passageway (22),therein for receiving an oilfield tubular T. First and second radially opposing doors (16) and (18) are provided for sealing engagement with the corresponding side face (15) on the BOP body. First and second ram assemblies (12, 14) are each supported on a respective door and may be pressure energized for driving first aid second ram blocks (24) into engagement with the oilfield tubular. A door connector (60, 90, 110, 140, 160 and 180) is provided for securing each door to the BOP body. Each door connector includes an upper connector bar and a lower connector bar (62, 64, 92, 94, 112, 114, 142, 144, 146, 148, 160 and 180) each having a bar axis generally perpendicular to the BOP body central axis.

Abstract: A microfabricated valve includes a substrate with a fluid path. A main cantilever is positionable in a resting closed state to prevent fluid movement through the fluid path and a resting open state that allows fluid movement through the fluid path. A ratchet cantilever supports the main cantilever in either the resting closed state or the resting open state, such that the main cantilever does not have to be energized to maintain the resting closed state or the resting open state. A valve state transition mechanism selectively energizes the main cantilever or the ratchet cantilever during a valve state transition period to selectively transition between the resting open and closed states.

Abstract: A thermostatic control valve has an expansion composition held in a cavity thereof. The composition contains electrical conductor particles dispersed throughout an electrical isolator. The particles conduct electrical current through the isolator when the electrical isolator has a volumetric size that is less than a predetermined expanded volume. When the isolator expands to the predetermined expanded volume, the distance between the particles is increased to the extend that the electrical current cannot be conducted.

Abstract: The valve has a chamber (11) in a housing (10), wherein a valve seat (17) closed by a valve body (19) is arranged. The valve seat (17) is abruptly moved by an actuator (15), the valve body (19) not being able to follow due to its inertia and the valve seat (17) being opened a little. Thereafter, the valve body (19) hits a plunger (20) moved by the actuator (15) together with the valve seat (17). By this impact, the valve body (19) is moved fully off from the valve seat (17) so that the outflow opening (13) is cleared entirely. Then, the flow drives the valve body (19) back into the closed position. Using this valve, short switching periods with a large valve opening degree may be achieved.

Abstract: A mechanism to control the size of particles flowing through it, even to the nanometer scale, that contains a beam or plate effectively anchored at the bottom of each of a plurality of adjacent chambers, and, wherein the top of the beam or plate and the bottom of the chambers are polished to a degree finer than the particle size to be excluded, and with the polished surfaces normally brought into intimate contact to close off the chambers; an extension to the beam or plate acting as a force source to the beam or plate, such that when the extension is deflected a known large amount, the resulting deflection in the neighborhood of the anchoring point is very small, enabling the extension to create a transmission effect with the bending of the extension down, making the beam or plate act like a cantilever and opening the system for flushing; while bending the beam up, puts the beam in three point bending, and guides the substances from one chamber to another, with appropriate exit seal.

Abstract: A housing for a (silicon) micromachined body (for instance an injector valve system, a detector or a stream selector for a gas chromatograph instrument) is field assemblable and disassemblable and mechanically self-aligning so that the micromachined body may be replaced in the field without tools and without adhesives or permanent bonding. The housing includes a top plate and a bottom plate spaced apart by two side rails and accommodating the micromachined body. The various tubes carrying fluids and pneumatic pressure to and from the micromachined body are attached to the housing by adhesives or brazing or by detachable screw-type fittings. The housing is held in alignment by alignment pins passing through it and is clamped together by a spring clamp which also clamps the housing to a printed circuit board and associated planar heater element. In addition to easy field assembly, this assembly allows manufacturing without precision alignment tools, adhesives, or welding.

Abstract: A valve and method of operation for controlling the flow of fluid from a pressurized fluid source while maintaining a secure seal against fluid leakage over long periods of time. The valve includes a valve body formed with an inlet channel which extends through a strain concentrating portion. The strain concentrating portion has an ultimate strength less than that of support portions of the body. An actuator applies a load to the valve body sufficient to create a stress which exceeds the ultimate strength of the strain concentrating portion. The strain concentrating portion then fractures into parts separated by a gap. The fracture forms openings from the inlet channel into the gap to create a flow path from the fluid source into an outlet channel.

Abstract: A method and a device for replacing a seal element in an undersea blowout preventer is provided. A complete system includes a control center on the surface, an umbilical from the control center to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and a seal element carrier manipulated by the ROV. The carrier includes either retrieving tool or a running tool, which retains a cartridge which is to be inserted into or has been retrieved from a BOP. The cartridge is split along a vertical plane, with each half of the cartridge becoming a temporarily integral part of a pipe ram on either side of the BOP. Alignment ramps on the cartridge mate with complementary surfaces on the respective faces of the pipe rams.

Abstract: A liquid distribution system comprising a reaction cell, two or more feeder channels, a separate conduit for each feeder channel connecting that feeder channel to the reaction cell, and a expansion valve for each conduit, wherein the expansion valve has an expanded state that fills a cross-section of the conduit and prevents fluid flow through the conduit and an contracted state that allows fluid flow through the conduit is disclosed.

Abstract: A microminiature valve having an actuator member that includes a central body suspended on radially spaced legs, with each leg having first and second layers of materials having substantially different coefficients of thermal expansion. The legs include heating elements and are fixed at one end to allow radial compliance as selected heating of the legs causes flexure. An actuator member includes a boss having an actuator face. A seat substrate having a flow via defined by a valve seat is aligned with the actuator face. Asymmetrical thermal actuation of the actuator member moves the actuator face from the valve seat in a rotational displacement relative to the flow orifice, thereby offering improved control of the fluid flow through the orifice.

Abstract: A suck back valve is proposed, comprising a suck back mechanism for sucking a coating liquid inside a fluid passage under a negative pressure action of a diaphragm displaced by a pilot pressure, an ON/OFF valve for opening and closing the fluid passage under action of the pilot pressure, and a flow amount control device for controlling the pilot pressure supplied to the ON/OFF valve.

Abstract: A submersible work vessel and a method of using the same are disclosed. The vessel contains an internal work space. It also contains a set of openable jaws that are designed to engage an underwater pipe. When the pipe is engaged, it will pass through the internal work space of the submersible work vessel. When the jaws have engaged the pipe, the internal work space should be substantially watertight, at which point the water in internal work space may be pumped out. When the water has been substantially evacuated, a worker may enter the internal work space and work on the pipe. One of the principal tasks the work vessel is designed to facilitate is the installation of a blow out preventer. The worker will install the blow out preventer on the pipe. The blow out preventer is designed to remove a section of the pipe and then to seal the severed pipe. This is preferably done with a cutter mounted on a hydraulic arm and a sealing block also mounted on a hydraulic arm.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a first flow amount control device for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to an ON/OFF valve, and a second flow amount control device for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to a suck back mechanism, wherein the first and second flow amount control devices are operated based on activating and deactivating signals output from a main controller.

Abstract: A blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus for use in a ram-type blowout preventer used in oil and gas drilling operations is disclosed. The blowout preventer has a body with an axial bore, a pair of opposing bonnet assemblies and a pair of opposing rams laterally moveable within the bonnet assemblies by a pressurized fluid source to control flow of well fluids through the blowout preventer body axial bore. The blowout preventer ram automatic locking apparatus includes a bonnet header sealingly connected to the side of the blowout preventer body with an operating cylinder sealingly connected to the bonnet header. An operating piston is connected to the ram and moves axially within the operating cylinder in response to pressurized fluid supplied through porting in the bonnet header and end cap. A plurality of locking pistons are circumferentially spaced about the operating piston in locking piston chambers and are axially moveable in response to fluid pressure.

Abstract: A mass fluid flow controller has a valve which is controlled by a controller rod structure which is substantially pivotally mounted on a metallic diaphragm which stretches and unstretches with the movement of the rod structure. In the relationship between the controller rod structure and a ball which acts as a gate-member for the valve, an elongated stem rod having a sleeve about it may be used in fixing the ball to the controller rod structure. The stem rod may be mounted by fixing it to the elongated sleeve, a distance from the gate-member side of the controller rod structure that is substantially greater than the distance of the position of the ball from the gate-member side of the controller rod structure.

Abstract: A plate-type valve and method of using same to control fluid flow are disclosed, wherein the plate-type valve contains:a first valve plate having a first channel formed therein;a second valve plate having a second channel formed therein and a valve seating portion;a flexible member having a movable free end and being disposed between the first channel and the second channel, the movable free end of the flexible member being disposed for movement onto and off of the valve seating portion by means of an actuating force such that movement of the movable free end onto the valve seating portion prevents fluid flow between the first channel and the second channel and movement of the movable free end off of the valve seating portion allows fluid flow between the first channel and the second channel.

Abstract: A blowout preventer 10 is provided for use in a hydrocarbon recovery operation to prevent a well blowout. The BOP body 20 has a central passageway 22 therein for receiving an oilfield tubular T. First and second radially opposing doors 16 and 18 are provided for sealing engagement with the corresponding side face 15 on the BOP body. First and second ram assemblies 12, 14 are each supported on a respective door and may be pressure energized for driving first and second ram blocks 24 into engagement with the oilfield tubular. A door connector 60, 90, 110, 140, 160 and 180 is provided for securing each door to the BOP body. Each door connector includes an upper connector bar and a lower connector bar 62, 64, 92, 94, 112, 114, 142, 144, 146, 148, 160 and 180 each having a bar axis generally perpendicular to the BOP body central axis.

Abstract: Pressure can build up on one side of a valve bore sealing mechanism when it is closed. This can make the mechanism difficult to open. A bore network is provided which extends through the valve housing side wall from the inlet end of the valve bore to its outlet end. The network bypasses the sealing mechanism and its sealing areas. Needle valves, operative from outside the valve, are used to open or close the network. The network can be temporarily opened to enable pressure to equalize across the closed sealing mechanism, thereby freeing the mechanism so that it can be turned.

Abstract: A variable optical density print system and method for continuous variation of the optical density among successive droplets expelled from the same nozzle, the print system comprising a fluid channel connected to a basis fluid supply and a fluid channel connected to a colorant concentrate fluid supply. Each fluid channel is in fluid communication with a single ink firing chamber. Appropriate amounts of basis fluid and colorant concentrate fluid are delivered to the firing chamber by briefly opening a microvalve positioned within each fluid channel. The fluids mix in the firing chamber and are then ejected as a single ink droplet which possesses a desired optical density.