Abstract: A two stage float actuated shutoff valve for preventing overfilling of an underground storage tank has a first float actuated valve flapper movable to a closed position to block a major portion of the fuel inlet passage of the underground tank when the level of fuel in the tank rises to a first predetermined level. Closure of the first valve blocks a first portion of the flow passage while maintaining a second portion of the flow passage open to permit a reduced flow of fuel through the flow passage, thereby generating an observable water hammer effect signalling that the filling operation should be terminated. If the incoming flow is not terminated, the continued rise of the level of fuel in the tank will in time actuate a second float controlled valve to completely close the fuel inlet passage. The incoming fuel is supplied from a delivery truck tank, fuel flowing gravitationally from the truck tank through an operable shutoff valve on the tank, a delivery hose and a drop tube into the underground tank.

Abstract: Bi-leaflet heart valves have improved flow characteristics in their open position as a result of employing valve bodies of elongated axial dimension. By elongating the axial dimension of valve bodies which have straight, smooth interior wall surfaces oriented parallel to the centerline through the valve and to the flow path of blood, and by employing a pair of occluders which have major surfaces that are rectilinear and can assume an orientation that is substantially parallel to the centerline in the open position, a streamlining of blood flow occurs. The pivot arrangements avoid the use of acute angular surface orientations and cause the occluders, although aligned substantially parallel to blood flow in the open position, to promptly pivot toward the closed position upon reversal of blood flow. This streamlining substantially reduces turbulence and results in low head loss, both significant advantages in bi-leaflet heart valve performance.

Abstract: A valve is provided for controlling fluid flow through a flow path, such as a conduit, duct or tubing. The valve includes at least two gate members which abut each other at a fluid-tight interface, so that fluid flow past or through the gate members is prohibited. The gate members are made of resilient elastomeric material which is compressible under fluid pressure in order to force the gate members apart at their interface and, thus, allow fluid to pass therebetween. The invention also includes a flow connector and valve combination for controlling the introduction of additional fluid into the single flow path created within the connector.

Abstract: An improved cyclone trickle valve assembly is provided, which includes a cyclone that has a vertical dipleg having an inner cylindrical wall. An annular ring is horizontally disposed in the dipleg and is joined to the inner wall. Importantly, a pair of cooperably clamshell doors are positioned within the dipleg and are pivotably supported by the annular ring for mutual opposite swinging movement between a closed position wherein the doors adjoin along a midline, and an open position wherein the doors swing outwardly with respect to the midline, thereby substantially preventing gases from progressing upwardly through the dipleg above the annular ring when the clamshell doors are in a closed position and permitting solids to progress downwardly through the dipleg when the doors are in an open position.

Abstract: A two stage float actuated shutoff valve for use in underground fuel storage tanks having a co-axial vapor recovery system utilizes a drop tube co-axially mounted within the storage tank fill pipe. Fuel flowing into the tank is passed through the drop tube which projects downwardly into the interior of the tank to a valve housing located at the lower end of the drop tube. Tubular floats slidably mounted on the drop tube within the tank independently operate pivoted flapper valves to a closed position within the valve housing, a lower float closing one valve flapper to block a major portion of the incoming fuel flow passage when the level of fuel in the storage tank reaches a predetermined first level and a second upper float closing a second flapper to completely close the flow passage when the level of fuel rises to a predetermined level about the first level. A float actuated locking arrangement for preventing inadvertent premature closing of either valve flapper is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving mixing of fluids has at least two static mixing stages connected in series with a bypass valve connected in parallel across each but the last of the mixing units. The capacity of each downstream mixing unit should be such that its minimum flow requirements overlap the opening point for the check valve of the preceding mixing unit. Pressure drops exceeding predetermined limits cause the bypass valves to open allowing fluid flow therethrough thereby preventing further pressure drop through the mixing unit.

Abstract: The valve, which is intended especially for compressors, comprises a valve seat (1) with passage channels (2), a catcher (3), and at least one sealing element (5), which is arranged in the intermediate space between the valve seat (1) and the catcher (3). The passage channels (2) of the valve seat (1) are controlled by sealing rings (10), which project into their assigned passage channel (2) with one part of their profile when the valve is closed. The sealing surfaces (13), against which the sealing rings (10) abut when the valve is closed, extend at oblique angles to the direction of the lifting movement of the sealing rings (10). To ensure that the valve is sealed even when the sealing rings (10) in their dimensions do not fit accurately with respect to the valve seat (1) and to its sealing surfaces (13), e.g.

Abstract: A float actuated valve for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid into a storage tank when the tank is filled to a predetermined level includes a pair of shutter plates movable transversely across the flow passage from an open position wherein the plates are retracted clear of opposite sides of the passage and a fully closed position in which the plates project into and cooperatively block the passage. A spring biased rotary trip plate underlying the shutter plates controls actuation of the shutter plates and may be held by first and second detents in rotative positions locating the shutter plates in the fully closed or a partially closed position. A lower float located within the tank releases the first detent to cause the trip plate to drive the shutter plates from the fully closed to the partially closed position when the level of fluid in the tank rises to a first level.

Abstract: A shut off valve assembly for preventing overfilling of an underground fuel storage tank or other storage tanks where the incoming flow is not metered, utilizes a two stage valve closure, the first stage closure signaling the tank is nearly filled to capacity and the second stage closure subsequently completely stopping flow into the tank.

Abstract: A collection container for reusable material with a closed upper structure, which has a bottom opening to a base and to which is pivoted a bottom which can be swung outwardly for emptying, the upper structure having at its top at least one insertion opening, can be very simply and economically made and has a high stability because the upper structure is formed two housing halves, facing each other in a vertical plane and connected to one another by a connecting profile which holds the housing halves together and extends around the upper structure in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A low-noise, variable discharge area, valve (10) is constructed having opposed recesses (46, 48) within which a pair of gates (42, 44) are slidably disposed. Each of the gates (42, 44) is provided with upstream edges (50) having a radius thereon, the radius enabling smooth, accelerated, low-noise flow therebetween. The gates (42, 44) are further provided with tracks (62, 64) along each side, which in turn slide along splines (66) set in side walls (54, 55) of the valve (10). A threaded rod (80) which rotates in a threaded insert (82) in a rear wall of each of the gates (42, 44) serves to move the gates within their respective recesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slide valve for flow lines that carry fluid. The slide valve includes a stationary valve plate and two separately movable sealing plates, which like the valve plate have a plurality of flow openings formed by ribs. Oppositely disposed pressure plates, moving toward one another, each close off one-half the area of the flow openings. The division of the closing motion considerably shortens the closing time of the slide valve and also allows flow openings that can be approximately twice as large in area as the ribs.

Abstract: A regulator valve includes a spring casing and a lower casing sandwiching a diaphragm. A cylindrical orifice tube defines an inlet and terminates short of an in-line outlet port. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes cam surfaces for directly engaging a movable disk holder. The disk holder moves in a straight line in the orifice tube and the cam surfaces move the holder at a non linear rate with respect to the diaphragm. The distal portion of the orifice tube houses a boost mechanism. A movable piston in the inlet side of the orifice tube has two pairs of spirally converging grooves on its inner surface for supporting a pair of flat gates that are rotated relative to each other to vary flow area when the piston moves responsive to differences between the inlet pressure and the pressure on the underside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A valve for the proportioning of fluid flow between orifices (14,15) consists of a first cylinder (16) provided with a tapering circumferential groove (19) in its periphery, and a pair of cylinders (17,18) contacting the first cylinder respectively in the path between those orifices and a single orifice (13). The pair of cylinders (17,18) have tapered circumferential grooves (20,21) arranged so that rotation of the cylinders causes opening of one path and closing of the other.

Abstract: A fluid control valve of the kind in which a pair of cylindrical rollers (26,27) are provided with complementary peripheral grooves (32) the cross-section of which is tapered so as to form an aperture the size of which is varied by rotation of the rollers. For sealing the rollers within a chamber formed by a valve liner (34,35) the cylinder peripheries are provided with oppositely inclined sealing teeth (43,44) and resilient sealing projections (43) which engage in the closed position of the valve. Complementary ramped formations (46,47) are provided on the lining and ends of the rollers.

Abstract: A motorized control damper having at least one damper blade mounted to a drive journaled within a framework. An electric motor is directly connected to one end of the drive shaft on one side of the framework and a return spring connected to the other end of the drive shaft, preferably concentrically. Operation of the electric motor opens the damper blade by rotation of the drive shaft. Upon de-energization of the electric motor, the return spring counter rotates the drive shaft to close the damper blade.

Abstract: A valve actuating device for a hopper is comprised of two spherical shaped shutters or registers which pivot about common suspension axles. Each of the registers is carried by two pairs of arms located on either side of the bottom of the hopper and is capable of pivoting about two axles mounted respectively on brackets fastened to the bottom on either side of the hopper. The supporting arms of one of the registers are connected respectively to the piston rods of two hydraulic jacks mounted pivotally on the brackets; and the first pair of supporting arms experiencing the action of the hydraulic jacks are connected respectively to the second pair of supporting arms by use of a linkage articulated on the bracket.

Abstract: A fluid control valve has two cylinders arranged parallel to each other with their surfaces in contact. The cylinders are rotated in opposite directions such that their contact surfaces move in the same direction. At least one of the cylinders has a groove formed in its surface extending partially around the circumference and varying in depth along its extent to define an aperture for fluid to flow through. This aperture can be varied in size by rotating the cylinders thereby controlling the flow rate of fluid through the valve. The cylinders are formed with gear teeth on their surfaces which intermesh with each other to provide a seal between the cylinders. The cylinders are rotated by engaged pinion gears driven by suitable drive means.

Abstract: A sluice type apparatus for discharging batches of material from a pressurized enclosure has a container with an upper inlet and a lower outlet each closable by a slide gate. Preferably, each slide gate has two slide gate members driven by respective piston cylinder devices so that one gate is closed while the other gate is open and vice versa. At least the slide gate members for opening and closing the inlet are withdrawn from their inlet closing position into a respective outwardly closed or sealed chamber for making it easier to keep the container pressurized. The seals between the chamber entrance slots and the respective slide gate member are not required to be precision seals because any material that may pass into these outwardly closed or sealed chambers is easily removed again.

Abstract: An arrangement havign a closing member for filling mouthpiece of a filling machine for filling material of a pasty up to a chunky or lumpy consistency, whereby during the filling packaging containers are stepwise moved underneath the filling mouthpiece. When the filling material is very tough and hardens rapidly, it is desirable that the heap-like remanent tip Z of the filling material, which remains after the filling operation,is disposed in the middle of each packaging container. This achieved by means of a closing member that includes two identical oppositely rotatably movable cylinders, each one of which is provided with a rectangular recess. These recesses extend to each one of the cylinders in such a way that a disc-shaped base portion and a shank remain, which shank has a circular segment-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, the entire mechanism is adapted to pivot as a whole about the pivot axis of the registers.

Abstract: An opposed blade balanced damper includes three sector-shaped damper blades individually mounted to a frame for pivotal movement around a pair of pivot tabs integrally formed on each damper blade. A user-actuable control assembly simultaneously controls the relative rotational position of each damper blade so as to selectively regulate airflow through a duct. The damper blades and control assembly function to direct airflow toward the center of the duct and thereby maintain symmetrical airflow through the duct. This is achieved by rotating the damper blades so that the inner ends of the damper blades move downstream, and the outer ends of the damper blades move upstream, as the damper blades are rotated from a closed to an open position.

Abstract: A metering valve comprised of two rotary registers are each provided with cutouts which are symmetrical in relation to the axis of the central opening defined by the movement of the registers. In accordance with the present invention, a mechanism for operating the registers synchronously and in opposite directions is composed of levers and connecting rods acting on the axis of suspension and rotation of the registers through the action of, for example, hydraulic jacks. In order to avoid the offsetting of the flow because of the difference between the radii of curvature of the registers, one of the connecting rods acting on the axis of the registers is adjustable in length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulating a subsurface, oil-bearing reservoir, in which a fuel is burned in the presence of a combustion-supporting gas to produce an essentially uncontaminated flue gas at a pressure significantly above the reservoir pressure, water is intimately mixed with the flue gas, the water is vaporized to produce a mixture of flue gas and steam and the operating parameters of the water vaporization and, particularly, the fuel combustion are controlled by passing the mixture of flue gas and steam through an iris-type shutter having a variable diameter opening and varying the diameter of the variable diameter opening.

Abstract: The metering device for powdered material comprises a storage container (10) for the powdered material and a discharge opening in the bottom of the storage container which is opened and closed, respectively, by a closing mechanism (12). The powdered material flows through the discharge opening into a drawing cup (13). In order to obtain a defined bulk density of the powdered material in the drawing cup (13), a vibration mechanism (14) imparts vibrations to the metering device when the discharge opening (11) is open. The closing mechanism (12) can be designed in the manner of a blade diaphragm, and in that case the closing mechanism (12) can be actuated by a grooved disk (17) which at the same time is a part of the vibration mechanism (14).

Abstract: An automatic temperature responsive damper assembly for use within the conduit of a ventilating system designed to exhaust the air from a confined space to the atmosphere when the confined space reaches a preselected temperature greater than that in the conduit adjacent to the atmosphere includes at least one vane pivotally mounted within the conduit and preferably two. The vane or vanes are mounted so that they are movable between a generally opened position, wherein air can pass freely through the conduit, and a generally closed position, wherein air passage through the conduit is restricted. A temperature responsive drive assembly that detects the temperature of the air within the conduit is mounted therein and opens and closes the vanes. Biasing the vanes to a normally closed condition is accomplished by placing a greater portion of each vane beyond its pivotal axis and having the smaller portion of one vane cooperate with the larger portion of the other to maintain the generally closed position.

Abstract: A pressure relief device for a throttle-type engine exhaust suppressor comprises a valve bore opening into the exhaust pipe in the region of an end face of the throttle valve when the throttle valve is in closed position. The valve bore incorporates a spring loaded valve poppet. When a predetermined back pressure is established in the exhaust pipe, the valve poppet opens against the spring pressure and provides a bypass around the throttle valve.

Abstract: A device for permitting controlled emission of a volatile substance, in particular an air-treating agent. The device comprises a container having an annular ledge with two recesses on opposite sides and a frustro hemispherical hood open at the top, that fits on to the container. The hood has two studs protruding on opposite sides of its inner wall. Inside the hood are situated two shutters that are moveable in relation to each other on relative rotation between the container and the hood by means of slots, which are moved by the studs, to close or open the opening to an infinitely variable degree.

Abstract: A control valve utilizing the conventional dual wafer check valve, which check valve has a pair of semicircular plates pivotally mounted about a pivot rod at the adjacent straight edge surfaces thereof. The plates are mounted by hinge brackets that allow initial translational movement of the pivoted edges of the plates before the rotation about the pivot shaft, so as to provide a clearance between the seal and plates at the pivoted edges. A control mechanism simultaneously and continuously controls the rotation of the wafer plates so that each plate rotates in opposite directions but the same arcuate distance. The control mechanism has a pair of levers with one lever pivoted to the rear surface of one of the plates, while their other ends are pivoted together at one end of a linear translational clevis member. The other end of the clevis member is connected to a pivotal cam follower via a lost-motion connection to convert rotary motion to translational motion.

Abstract: An air damper having a housing, a strut mounted across the housing, a pair of damper panels hinged on the strut, and swingable between open and closed positions, an adjustable control above the strut, and, linkage on the upper side of each panel extending to the control to cause the panels to swing from one position to the other.

Abstract: A seal for coupling or valve assemblies employing flapper valves or the like has two axially and radially offset annular sealing members that are integrally joined by a relatively thin folding web section that provides the necessary flexibility to the seal. The radially outer sealing member is adapted to be clamped by a valve plate to the coupling or valve assembly housing to provide a first static seal surrounding the flow passage in the housing, whereas the radially inner sealing member essentially floats at the axial inner end of the web. The radially inner sealing member is adapted to be engaged by the flapper valve when moved to the closed position to provide a second static seal at the flapper valve face preventing flow through the coupling or valve assembly in either direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a proportioning valve is presented. The valve consists of a pair of registers, each register having a cut-out portion defining a variable area orifice which is generally symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis through the orifice. The registers are respectively connected to a first and second drive shaft, the drive shafts being mounted about a common axis and being mounted in bearings in a frame such that by pivoting about the common axis, the drive shafts will urge the registers to simultaneously move in opposite directions. Each of the two drive shafts are provided with an arm which are pivotably connected to a tilting lever via a connecting rod. The two tilting levers are mounted on a pivot shaft which is parallel to the common axis of the two drive shafts. The tilting levers are also connected to a driving device, i.e., a hydraulic jack which acts to pivot them about their pivot shaft so that the registers are simultaneously actuated in opposite directions.

Abstract: An air discharge installation for supplying air into the interior space of a vehicle, in which an air regulating element connected with an actuating device is arranged in a housing within the area of an air inlet opening. To provide an installation which requires a small structural space combined with good and reliable functioning and which further enables a metered control of the air space, the air regulating element includes at least two valve sections pivotally connected with each other which are adapted to be moved from a folded-together, open position in which the two valve sections are disposed one above the other, into an unfolded closing position by way of intermediate positions.

Abstract: A high pressure bidirectional flow throttling valve includes a pair of rotatable throttling discs mounted in a cavity for slight lateral movement in the flowpath. The operating mechanism for rotating the discs includes a toggle arrangement located outside the flowpath.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control valve for flow of solids or fluids which controls flow over a full range and provides a full opening for solids dumping. The control valve includes an orifice plate, a pair of slides disposed adjacent to and downstream of the orifice plate which are relatively moveable toward and away from one another to closed and open positions, and a flow control port in one of the slides which is closed when the slides are in the closed position and which is progressively opened as the slides are moved away from one another. An exit liner is provided downstream of the slides which centers flow after passage through the control port protecting the downstream side of the valve body from serious erosion. Guides for the slides are spaced apart at the center of the flow passage in the valve so that any buildup of solids are cleared on closing the slides. The wear prone parts of the valve are removable from the valve for repair or replacement without removing the valve from the line.

Abstract: A pressure relief device for pneumatic conveying lines to serve as a safety device in the event of an explosion or sudden pressure increase within the conveying line. The device includes a pair of semi-cylindrical shells normally joined together by a shear pin or pressure sensitive key which ruptures when excessive pressure in the conveying line exerts excessive force on the shell sections. When the joining device ruptures, the shell sections open up to relieve line pressure. A suitable mounting arrangement is provided including guide bars for the shells, bumpers and spring return arrangement.

Abstract: The delivery of charge material to the hearth of a pressurized blast furnace under the influence of gravity is accomplished without the necessity of changing the direction of material flow at a point exterior of the furnace. The rate of flow of the charge material, which moves in a vertical stream, is controlled by a metering device including a pair of overlapping register elements which define a variable size aperture which remains generally symmetrical with respect to the stream axis.

Abstract: A diaphragm regulating valve for the flow regulation of a fluid medium. The valve includes a housing having two halves defining a flow channel. A plurality of diaphragm elements in contact with one another are arranged for insertion into the flow channel to control fluid flow therethrough. An actuating mechanism is provided to move these diaphragm elements as desired. One or both of the housings have radial ribs forming a star in the flow channel and covering the contact edges of the diaphragm elements when the valve is closed.

Abstract: An adjustable orifice assembly adapted for use in a homogenization apparatus for intermixing a multicomponent stream includes a pair of opposed orifice defining elements removably secured to a control assembly to provide a variable orifice in effecting the homogenization of the stream.

Abstract: A mechanical central buffer coupling for a so-called model Scharfenberg for rail vehicles which have a main conduit connected to a coupling lock in a brake actuator coupling lock, comprises a controlled pneumatic valve for opening the lock which is characterized by an air valve connected with the main air conduit and to the pneumatic valve. The air valve is connected to the brake actuator so that in case of unintentional severing of the central buffer coupling the air valve actuates the brake of the rail vehicle by venting the main conduit. The model Scharfenberg mechanical central buffer coupling generally includes an arrangement of a rotary pivotable lever system between two mechanical coupling members in such a way that the mechanical coupling members can pivot even without moving the lever system, so as to make possible an actuation of the air-shut off member only upon actuating the releasing device of the coupling members but not heretofore upon an unintentional severing of the coupling members.

Abstract: An intravenous flow control valve includes in-line valving mechanism wherein flow through the valve at low flow settings increases slowly with displacement of a valve controller disc. The disc, which is free to rotate with respect to an axis but is longitudinally fixed, includes a threaded stem which engages a threaded bore and a sluice gate member. The gate member is permitted to move only longitudinally in a valve control chamber in response to disc rotation and includes a control passage defined therethrough which tapers in the direction of gate member motion so as to graduate the cross-sectional area of the passage exposed to flow as the disc rotates. A locking arrangement permits the disc to be positionally locked to avoid inadvertent change of the valve setting. The disc and stem provide an hermetic seal for the valve control chamber to avoid contamination of the intravenous fluid being controlled.

Abstract: A coal pulverizer is connected to the burner nozzles of a tangentially-fired furnace with conduits of varying lengths through which air-entrained coal is supplied for combustion within the furnace. An externally adjustable orifice assembly is mounted in each connecting conduit to equalize the flow of coal/air through the conduits to nozzles in the windboxes. Each orifice assembly comprises pivotable plates which move transverse the axis of the conduit to form an orifice in controlling the coal/air flow.

Abstract: An improved annular blowout preventer having a housing, an annular packer mounted in the housing, and a piston mounted in the housing for the application of an axial force to the annular packer; the annular packer includes a resilient annulus with a circular series of rigid interengaging inserts embedded in its upper face with the inner ends of the inserts being thicker than the outer ends so that the inner ends of the inserts move inward as the resilient annulus is moved and interengaging side projections and recesses with shoulders to ensure substantially uniform inward movement of the inner ends of the inserts to a preselected inner support position for the resilient annulus.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a housing with a vertical bore therethrough, a packer within the housing including a resilient annulus and upper and lower series of irising metal inserts adapted to increase the support for the annulus when it is deformed axially and extended radially to constrict the vertical bore, a support ring in the annulus under the outer ends of the irising metal inserts to support against upward movement of the inner ends of the inserts on closing of the annulus and an annular piston movable in the housing to apply an axial deformation load to the packer to move it to closed position sealing the bore.

Abstract: An annular blowout preventer having a body with a central bore, a piston chamber, and a packer chamber surrounding the central bore, a piston in the piston chamber, an annular packer in the packer chamber, the annular packer including a resilient annulus and a plurality of metal irising inserts embedded in the annulus and having upper triangular plates, lower triangular plates, a stem connecting the plates and means interconnecting adjoining plates to avoid inadvertent separation of one or more of said inserts, the annular packer moving between open and closed positions responsive to movement of the piston.

Abstract: A feed-control valve for use in a pipe for pneumatically conveying a granular material or transporting a sticky liquid comprises a tubular valve housing, a valve ring having the same inside diameter as that of the tubular valve housing and angularly movably disposed therein, a plurality of flexible, strong and highly stretch resistant and cord spans connected between the valve housing and the valve ring at substantially equally spaced angular positions along their inner surfaces and each span having a length which is substantially the same as the inside diameter of the valve housing or valve ring, and a flexible and strong inner tube mounted in the valve housing and the valve ring and disposed radially inwardly of the plurality of cord spans. The inner tube can be contracted or squeezed radially inwardly by the cord spans from a fully-open position to a fully-closed position in response to angular movement of the valve ring with respect to the valve housing.

Abstract: A relief valve has a pair of poppet valves mounted to seal against each other when in the closed position and to uniformly move apart when opening to place one of the poppet valves outside configuration on an aircraft to create a ram air effect through the opened valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing an additive into a drilling mud system, which includes a hopper for containing the additive mounted substantially over a flow line for the flow of mud from the system therethrough. The hopper has a funnel-shaped lower portion terminating in a neck connected to the flow line. The neck of the funnel-shaped lower portion has a variable size orifice to control the rate of the flow of additive therethrough. A nozzle is provided in the flow line substantially below the neck for mixing the additive with the mud. A vibrator is provided for vibrating the lower portion of the hopper to encourage movement of the additive toward the neck. An air nozzle is provided for fluidizing the additive.

Abstract: A valve body is enlarged to contain the area of throttling vanes which are mounted on actuating shafts; the body is tapered along with the vanes to provide a loss of body area which is uniform to the throat section of the valve body; regulation of the vanes is accomplished by the shafts which extend outwardly of the valve body.

Abstract: In an embodiment thereof, the closure device comprises a leaf-type, planar, closure element pivotally coupled to a supporting shaft. The shaft is fixed in traverse of a fluid conduit, and the closure element is rotatable therewithin for opening and closing the conduit to fluid flow. Shape-memory alloy components are engaged with the element, and a bearing surface, to cause the element to move from an opened or closed position to the other thereof, or to some intermediate positioning for metered or damping fluid flow, in response to prescribed temperatures.