Abstract: A fluid control valve includes: a valve housing in which a flow path having gas inlet and outlet is formed; a drive device attached to the valve housing; a valve shaft connected to an output shaft of the drive device and moving in an axial direction; and a valve body attached so as to radially extend to an axis of the valve shaft, and opening and closing the flow path by being moved with the valve shaft so that one side surface moves away from or comes into contact with a valve seat formed in the flow path, wherein the valve housing is attached to an attachment target member so that the valve shaft is tilted, and the valve body includes a wall portion corresponding to a portion where a liquid inside the flow path collects due to its weight, within a portion having the valve seat, and formed along an edge portion on the other side surface opposite to one side surface of the valve body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control cone for control valves, in particular angle control valves, for critical operating states resulting from cavitation or flashing of abruptly vaporising and erosive media, the control valve comprising a valve seat (2) and a valve stem (3) with a conical valve head (4) guided longitudinally movably therein. Starting from the rear, tapered end of the conical face (6) of the valve head (4), on the front portion adjacent thereto of the valve stem (3), a plurality of coaxially extending ribs (5) is arranged on the valve stem (3).

Abstract: A valve assembly and a method for use, including a seat with one or a plurality of grooves along a periphery of the seat, the seat comprising a gasket inserted within the one or a plurality of grooves, with a portion of the gasket raised above an external surface of the seat, and a piston, having a first face configured to matchingly cover a portion of the seat and a second face to matchingly cover a portion of the gasket, configured to apply pressure to the gasket to cause expansion of the gasket within the one or a plurality of grooves, forming a tight seal between the gasket and the face of the piston.

Abstract: Pulse valves and methods of using pulse valves are provided. The pulse valves include a dampening mechanism to decrease mechanical stresses, decrease operating noise, decrease compressed air waste and increase operational life expectancy. Such dampening mechanism is arranged within an internal area of the pulse valve housing. Additionally, fluid within the internal area of the pulse valve provides cushioning effects during operation of the pulse valve.

Abstract: A relatively quiet pulse valve and a method of using the pulse valve are provided. The pulse valve includes a dampening mechanism to decrease mechanical stresses, decrease operating noise, decrease compressed air waste and increase operational life expectancy of the valve. Such dampening mechanism is arranged within an internal area of the pulse valve housing.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, a green tire, once formed, is transferred into a vulcanization mold and pressed against the holding walls of a molding cavity. Concurrently with the pressing step, a fluid present between the green tire and the holding walls is evacuated through vent valves. The tire is brought into contact with the closing head of each valve so as to push it toward a closed position at which the closing head forms a contact seat spaced apart from the inner surface of the molding cavity in order to define an embedding recess between the inner surface of the molding cavity and the closing head.

Abstract: Valve seat apparatus having positive retention for use with fluid control devices are described herein. An example valve seat apparatus includes a metallic ring and an elastomeric ring coupled to the metallic ring and having a sealing surface to sealingly engage a flow control member of the fluid control device. At least a portion of an outer surface of the elastomeric ring includes an annular lip to sealingly engage an annular recess of a body of the fluid control device.

Abstract: A flow control valve is disclosed that includes a valve body member having a seating surface that is seated on a valve seated surface. Multiple inflow orifices and multiple outflow orifices may be formed on the valve seated surface or the seating surface, and may be formed so as not to overlap each other in a state in which the seating surface is seated on the valve seated surface. An inside inflow channel that is in communication with the inflow channel and the inflow orifice may be formed inside a member where the inflow orifices are formed and an inside outflow channel that is in communication with the outflow channel and the outflow orifice is formed inside a member where the outflow orifices are formed.

Abstract: An intake valve for a cylinder of the high-pressure fuel pump of a common rail injection system has a valve body with an inlet opening and a closing member. The closing member closes the inlet opening in a first end position. The member can be moved relative to the inlet opening depending on a pressure difference. The intake valve has a non-linear volumetric flow characteristic.

Abstract: A fluid flow valve, the fluid flow valve having a body comprising a body inlet, a body outlet, and a housing; a movable member positioned within the housing and having a lower face, the movable member being movable between a position spaced from a position in said body when said valve is in an open position and movable to a sealing position when said valve is in a closed position; an elongated channel between the body inlet and the body outlet, wherein the channel has at least an essentially uniform internal diameter, with the exception of a raised seat therein, from the body inlet to the body outlet, and a raised seat positioned within the channel, wherein the lower face of the movable member is in the sealing position when positioned against the raised seat and a lip formed in the body.

Abstract: A regulating valve for flow control of a medium in a heating or cooling system includes a valve body including an inlet connection, an outlet connection, and a valve neck in which a valve seat and a flow through opening are provided. In the valve neck, a complete valve trim and a valve hand wheel are provided. The valve body includes a first cone to determine the preset (Kvs-value) of the maximal flow through the complete regulating valve. The first cone has at least one opening for flowing through of the medium, where the design of the opening determines the regulating characteristic of the complete regulating valve, and where the Kvs-value of the valve is changed continuously, with maintained regulating characteristic. The first cone is arranged continuously, axially displaceable relative the valve seat, whereby selected parts of the opening of the first cone are shielded by the valve seat.

Abstract: An illustrative valve cartridge for a pump system is disclosed. In one example the valve cartridge includes a cartridge body, a mounting flange operatively coupled to the cartridge body, wherein the mounting flange is adapted to be coupled to a housing of a pump, a valve member that is adapted to sealingly engage a valve seat within the pump housing and an actuator positioned within the cartridge body, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled to the valve member via a connector and wherein the actuator is adapted for selectively moving the valve member relative to the valve seat when the valve cartridge is operatively coupled to the pump housing.

Abstract: A slide gate having a frame assembly including an intermediate cross member coupled between a first and second gate guide members defining a corresponding pair of side channel elements each containing an elongate side seal which abut opposed ends of an elongate top seal secured to the intermediate cross member to seal a gate slidely engaged in the pair of side channel elements.

Abstract: A pilot valve is provided with a conical first contact surface, and a pilot valve seat is provided with an annular second contact surface of which an initial contact portion with respect to the first contact surface has a circular-arc cross-section. The first contact surface is formed of a resin with elasticity, and the second contact surface is formed of metal. When a pressure-contact load is small, the first contact surface and the second contact surface come into line-contact with each other. When a pressure-contact load increases, the first contact surface and the second contact surface come into plane-contact with each other.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a fluid includes a closing body and a valve seat. The closing body opens and closes a passage at the valve seat along a sealing line. The valve seat and the closing body have a rotationally symmetrical region where the sealing line between the valve seat and closing body is formed. The valve seat and/or the closing body also has a nonrotationally symmetrical region, which adjoins the rotationally symmetrical region in a throughflow direction of the valve.

Abstract: A sealing element of a valve, e.g., a gas valve, for controlling a medium includes a base body having a sealing surface, the sealing surface either (i) being inclined in relation to a center axis of the sealing element or (ii) having at least one inclined area. In addition, a valve seat support of the valve for controlling a medium includes: a first ring-shaped valve seat in a first valve seat plane; a second ring-shaped valve seat in a second valve seat plane; and a passage aperture situated between the first valve seat and the second valve seat, the first and second valve seat planes being perpendicular to a center axis of the valve seat support.

Abstract: To provide a check valve which can be used even under a high temperature condition by overcoming a drawback “valve element sticking to sealing member” associated with high temperature use while enhancing heat resistance. An opening of a fluid path formed in a first body is brought into a closed state by bringing a valve element biased by a biasing member into contact with a sealing member. The sealing member is formed of a post-cured perfluoro elastomer packing. An annular sealing portion which is brought into line contact with the sealing member is formed on the valve element.

Abstract: In order to, in a short period of time, reduce to zero a measured flow rate value measured after fully closing a fluid control valve, the fluid control valve having a configuration suitable to decrease the inside volume of the fluid control valve is configured together with a valve element member, and a valve seat block provided with: an in-valve flow path that is formed inside of the valve seat block; and a valve seat surface that is brought into contact with or separated from a seating surface of the valve element member is provided with a cutout that is formed in a part of a protruded rim so as to be communicatively connected to a downstream side flow path.

Abstract: A method of forming a poppet valve having a stem, a valve head and a valve seat while concurrently maintaining compressive residual stress without grain coarsening on both the valve body and the valve seat. The method includes forming a rounded cladded part on the valve head of the poppet valve by welding and forming a valve seat surface at a predetermined aperture angle and cutting the cladded part to form a smooth surface which is subjected to uniform contact pressure at a temperature less than the recrystallization temperature of the base material or cladding material, whichever is lower, to enhance the durability of the valve seat.

Abstract: A nozzle of a valve includes a nozzle edge limiting a nozzle opening with a sealing surface that can be sealed or released by a nipple. Spaced apart from the nozzle edge at least one supporting surface for the nipple is provided on the nozzle. The supporting surface is spaced apart from the nozzle edge by a distance area.

Abstract: A three-way poppet valve that can restrict or eliminate backflow without the use of an external check valve. Unlike conventional three-way poppet valves wherein both inlets can be open to the outlet at the same time during movement of the poppet, the valve according to the present invention can be configured to close both inlets prior to opening one of the inlets to the outlet. The valve features a poppet valve assembly that is operable to prevent both inlets from being open to the outlet at the same time. The valve assembly also reduces the force needed to close the valve against at least one of the inlets thereby allowing the use of a smaller actuator. A unique seal including a valve seat that is configured to conform to a valve member under sufficient pressure.

Abstract: A seat block capable of maintaining a well-fitted state of a seat portion in a simple and reliable manner regardless of use conditions. A seat portion base body (43) is provided in a housing (67) provided with a valve passage (66) and allows a piston (28) for opening and closing a valve passage (66) to be pressed on the seat portion base body (43). A spring member (23) applies an elastic force to the seat portion base body (43) such that the elastic mechanism (23) cooperates with the housing (67) to retain the seat portion base body (43).

Abstract: A vacuum valve closes a flow path in a gas-tight manner using a linear movement and includes a closure member, a first sealing surface of the valve housing that encloses the opening, and a corresponding second sealing surface of the closure member. In the closed position, the second sealing surface is in sealing contact with the first sealing surface. In the region between the opening and the first sealing surface, the valve housing includes a first sloped surface that encloses the opening, and the closure member includes a corresponding, parallel second sloped surface. The sloped surfaces, which have a sloping angle between 3 and 15 degrees relative to the geometric adjustment axis, are located such that, in the closed position of the closure member, the second sloped surface is arranged in a parallel position opposite the first sloped surface at a distance of 0 and 0.6 mm.

Abstract: A dispensing device includes a housing having a material chamber in fluid communication with a material inlet port and a nozzle. The dispensing device also includes a valve in fluid communication with the material chamber and the nozzle. The valve includes a tip, a stem, and a seat. The stem is configured to move relative to the seat to control the flow of material exiting the housing through the nozzle. The tip is fixedly attached to the stem at a second distal. The tip includes a rounded head and a neck, the tip being fixedly attached to the stem by inserting the neck into a bore disposed within the stem.

Abstract: A multi-piece valve disk of a sliding and/or seat valve, a ring seal with an elastic sealing ring with an external sealing zone is placed in a ring groove of the valve disk onto a dimensionally stable backup ring, and where an elastic restoring region effectively positioned between the backup ring and the external sealing zone is arranged in the backup ring, the restoring region being embodied in one piece with the sealing ring of its material adjacent to the external sealing zone of the sealing ring.

Abstract: A flow rate control apparatus includes a valve mechanism capable of controlling a flow rate of a pressure fluid that flows from a second port to a first port. Second stopper walls are formed on a seating section of a needle valve constituting the valve mechanism and which is capable of advancing and retracting in an axial direction. In addition, in a total valve-closed state when the seating section of the needle valve is seated on a seat of a first body, the second stopper walls come into abutment and are stopped in a circumferential direction of the needle valve with respect to first stopper walls of the first body.

Abstract: A valve assembly for sealing a port of a housing includes a primary sealing member and a secondary sealing member mounted to a valve body. Valve body includes a lower body with an upper portion depending from the body having a cross sectional diameter less than the upper body, and a lower portion depending from the upper portion having a cross sectional diameter less than the upper portion. The primary member includes apertures and is slidably mounted to the upper portion, and the secondary member is mounted to the lower portion. In a closed position the secondary member seals against the primary member, and the primary member seals against the port. Downward movement of the valve body unseals the secondary member from the primary member allowing venting through the apertures, and then unseals the primary sealing member from the port allowing full venting through the housing.

Abstract: A double seat valve having a seat for cooperation with two valve disks which are linearly adjustable relative to each other and together relative with respect to the seat, for a seat valve function and a sliding valve function, each of the valve disks containing a ring seal with an elastic sealing ring in a ring groove, both sealing rings being manufactured with the same shapes and dimensions, each sealing ring being positioned in the ring groove with a backup ring, and both sealing rings being arranged in rotational positions differing with respect to the respective sealing function relative to the direction of adjustment of the valve disks.

Abstract: A typical rotary face seal employs a seal ring rotating relative to a sealing surface and also employs means to urge the seal ring towards the sealing surface in order to effect a seal. The seal ring may itself comprise a seal face bonded to a backing ring. In certain applications, the seal face may deform significantly as a result of the temperature variations experienced and an undesirable crowning of the seal face may occur. Such crowning may be reduced by employing an improved seal ring with anti-crowning features in which the thickness of an edge of the seal face is different from that in the middle of the seal face, or in which a relief slot is employed in the seal face. The improved seal ring is particularly suited for rotary face seals used in a rotary valve in a rotary gas separation device.

Abstract: An offset type camming plug valve comprising a housing having inlet and outlet ports connected by a reduced orifice, a plug capable of swinging to and from said orifice and motivated by a rotating shaft whose center is offset from the axis of said orifice and wherein said plug has a slotted opening communicating with the orifice when the plug has been rotated from the close position.

Abstract: A regulating valve for flow control of a medium in a heating or cooling system includes a valve body including an inlet connection, an outlet connection, and a valve neck in which a valve seat and a flow through opening are provided. In the valve neck, a complete valve trim and a valve hand wheel are provided. The valve body includes a first cone to determine the preset (Kvs-value) of the maximal flow through the complete regulating valve. The first cone has at least one opening for flowing through of the medium, where the design of the opening determines the regulating characteristic of the complete regulating valve, and where the Kvs-value of the valve is changed continuously, with maintained regulating characteristic. The first cone is arranged continuously, axially displaceable relative the valve seat, whereby selected parts of the opening of the first cone are shielded by the valve seat.

Abstract: A valve for controlling fluids with an improved flow behavior includes a valve element with a through opening and a valve seat, wherein the valve seat is formed on a first conical region of the valve element, and closing element opens and closes the through opening at the valve seat, wherein the through opening has a shape which widens in the flow direction.

Abstract: A valve device includes a first valve body including a first seat portion that defines a first opening, a shaft reciprocatable in a direction of a center axis of the first opening, and a first valve member supported by the shaft to contact or be separated from the first seat portion in accordance with the reciprocation of the shaft. The first valve member contacts the first seat portion in an entire circumference of the first seat portion with deforming elastically due to a force from the first seat portion when the first valve member contacts the first seat portion in a state where a reciprocation direction of the shaft is inclined from the center axis of the first opening. Accordingly, air sealing of the valve device can be ensured even when the reciprocation direction of the shaft is inclined from the center axis of the first opening.

Abstract: A miniature poppet valve assembly for a high-speed compressor, the miniature poppet valve assembly includes a plurality of miniature poppets, each characterized by a stem and a head with a maximum head diameter of no more than 0.9 inches; a cage having a plurality of counter bores disposed therein, each counter bore disposed for receipt of a poppet; and a seat plate overlying the cage, the seat plate including a plurality of through bores axially aligned with the counter bores of the cage. Each counter bore includes a chamfered edge against which the head of the poppet seats, thereby forming a seal. The chamfered edged is provided with a chamfer angle of approximately 30 degrees. In one embodiment, poppet heads have a convex head surface and are shaped so that the tangent angle at the point of contact between the edge and the head is approximately 30 degrees.

Abstract: A booster valve comprising a housing having a signal port, an actuator port, a supply port, and an exhaust port disposed therein. Disposed within the housing are upper and lower plugs. The upper and lower plugs and the housing collectively define a signal chamber which fluidly communicates with the signal port, an actuator chamber which fluidly communicates with the actuator port, and a supply chamber which fluidly communicates with the supply port. The upper and lower plugs are selectively moveable between neutral, delivery and discharge positions. When in the neutral position, the actuator chamber is fluidly isolated from both the supply chamber and the exhaust port. When in the delivery position, the actuator chamber fluidly communicates with the supply chamber but is fluidly isolated from the exhaust port. Finally, when in the discharge position, the actuator chamber fluidly communicates with the exhaust port but is fluidly isolated from the supply chamber.

Abstract: Redundant metal-to-metal seals for use with internal valves are described. A plug having redundant sealing functionality for use with a poppet of an internal valve includes a tapered surface to sealingly engage a seat of the poppet. Additionally, the plug includes a seal adjacent the tapered surface and disposed in a groove defined by the plug to sealingly engage the seat.

Abstract: A fluid jet device including a fluid chamber with variable capacity and a capacity varying section adapted to vary the capacity of the fluid chamber in response to supply of a drive signal. A drive waveform section making the capacity varying section operate so as to compress the capacity of the fluid chamber and a restoring drive waveform section making the capacity varying section operate to restore the capacity of the fluid chamber before compressing the capacity in a signal waveform. The drive signal supply section controls supply content of the drive signal to provide a restoring period adapted to restore a steady state of the fluid flowing toward an inside of the fluid chamber in a period from when the compressing drive waveform section in the drive signal is supplied to when a subsequent compressing drive waveform section is supplied.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.

Abstract: A fluid regulating device includes a valve disc and a valve port adapted to provide a secondary seal during an obstructed closing operation, whereby the valve disc directly engages a housing component of the valve port to maximize the integrity of the secondary seal and advantageously reduce the size and complexity of existing valve ports. The valve port comprises a housing and a cartridge slidably disposed in the housing. The valve disc directly engages a primary seat carried by the cartridge during a normal closing operation. During an obstructed closing operation, however, the cartridge is pushed into the housing such that the valve disc directly engages a secondary seat carried by the housing at a location that is downstream of the cartridge.

Abstract: A blow valve of a blow-molding machine for containers, having a valve seat which is arranged in a valve chamber between an inflow channel mouth and an outflow channel mouth and has assigned thereto a valve piston which is shiftable linearly between a shut-off position and a lifted open position and which with a piston extension carrying a closing surface passes sealingly shiftably through a bore of a wall defining the valve chamber, wherein a flow path which extends through the valve chamber between the mouths is shut off in the shut-off position and released in the open position, at least one guide surface which is generally inclined relative to the shifting direction of the valve piston is provided for the lateral forced deflection of the flow on the wall and/or on the piston extension.

Abstract: In a microvalve, a valve seat includes a cylinder portion that includes a through hole in a central portion thereof, and a flange portion that is provided around an axial end of the cylinder portion and that has a thick seal portion on a periphery of the flange portion. The cylinder portion is disposed in an opening of a valve housing with a gap ? therebetween, and the seal portion is able to move away from the seal surface provided around the opening and away from the displacement member. In an open state, at least one of a flow path through the through hole and a flow path through the gap between the cylinder portion and the opening is open, and in a closed state, the seal portion is sandwiched between the displacement member and the seal surface.

Abstract: A conical portion is provided at the tip of a main valve body. When brake fluid hits the conical portion of the main valve body, the brake fluid is bounced back at substantially the same angle at which it hits the conical surface of the conical portion. However, the movement direction of the bounced brake fluid is not largely inclined from the direction that the brake fluid is to be caused to flow. Therefore, the flow resistance is reduced. Further, generatrices of the conical portion agree with tangent lines to the spherical surface and the boundary area between the spherical surface and the conical surface is continuous without a step. Therefore, the brake fluid is rectified by these surfaces when it flows. It is possible to reduce the amount of fluctuation in pressure differential relative to fluctuation in the flow rate of brake fluid.

Abstract: A faucet, which includes a seat defining a bore, and a one-piece construction metallic valve stem movable toward and away from the seat, the improvement comprising retainer structure associated with a lower end portion of the structure defining a head to locate in axial alignment with the bore, and a shank, and a non-metallic elastomeric O-ring installed on the shank, the O-ring sized to fit the bore between the head and stem structure above the shank, the O-ring received in the bore and captivated to directly seal off between the shank and the bore, seating with the bore, and a second O-ring carried by the stem and sealing off between the stem and a second bore defined by a bonnet as the first defined O-ring is moved by the stem toward and away from the first defined bore.

Abstract: A fluid control valve is configured in a manner that a first passage has at one end portion thereof a first port communication passage communicating with a first port, and at the other end portion thereof a first valve hole communication passage communicating with a valve hole, and the first port communication passage and the first valve hole communication passage communicate with each other. The resin valve body is provided with a valve seat support part which supports the valve seat and which is provided between the valve chamber, and the first port communication passage and the first valve hole communication passage. The valve seat support part has a valve seat reinforcement part, and the valve seat reinforcement part is formed so as to partially close the inside of the first passage.

Abstract: A valve module for removable installation inside the outer case of a sprinkler after removal of a riser with a nozzle turret normally mounted for reciprocation within the case. The module includes an upper valve support housing and a lower support basket removably connected to the valve support housing. A valve member is vertically reciprocable within the valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat in the support basket. The support basket is loosely connected to the valve support housing so that the valve seat can reciprocate relative to the valve support housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve control device (1) having a housing (2) which has a vacuum chamber (3) and an atmospheric pressure chamber (4) which are separated from one another in a gas-tight manner by a spring-loaded diaphragm (5); having a diaphragm plate (8) arranged on the diaphragm (5); and having a regulating rod (6) which, in the region of a regulating rod head (6A), is operatively connected to the diaphragm (5), wherein the diaphragm plate (8) is formed as a plastic injection-molded part.

Abstract: Solenoid operated fluid control valve for controlling the pressure of a fluid in a fluid control system comprises a solenoid housing having therein a solenoid coil, an armature movable in response to electrical current applied to the solenoid coil, a valve member for controlling fluid flow to a fluid passage, an actuator pin disposed between the armature and the valve member for moving the valve member in response to armature movement, and one or more features including an armature damping member, tubular actuator pin support body, flow diverter, coil bobbin support sleeve, and/or internal particle gettering magnet to improve valve operation.

Abstract: In a face sealing annular valve, an annular valve member is retained around or within a guide. The annular valve member is configured so that, when the annular valve member and the annular valve seat are coaxial, the spacing between the guide means and the guide-engaging surface region increases with distance along the central axis from a minimum of spacing between the annular valve member and the guide means. An end stop limits the tilt of the annular valve member. Advantageously, the annular valve member has restricted radial movement, enabling a good seal to be formed, while being unable to simultaneously contact diametrically opposite sides of the guide and jam.

Abstract: The air admittance vent (“AAV”) includes a cup shaped vent body and a vertically reciprocating valve element that seats against a valve seat that has two separate contact areas defined by an annular ridge and a conical face formed in the bottom of the vent body. When the valve element moves into its closed position, the pliable diaphragm of the valve element initially contacts the annular ridge, which forms a first part of the valve seat before moving fully into sealing contact with the conical face, which forms the second part of the valve seat. The contact with the annular ridge provides a first initial seal before the diaphragm nests into contact with the conical face to form a second seal with the valve seat.

Abstract: A coaxial valve (10) has a valve housing (11) with an inlet port (12) and an outlet port (14) for a medium (15) flowing through the coaxial valve. A control tube is movable in its longitudinal direction in the valve housing (11) and interacts with the inlet port (12) and the outlet port (14) such that with the valve (10) opened medium (15) flows through the control tube. A valve seat within said valve housing has a valve seat face, the control tube interacting with the valve seat face in one of its axial end positions for closing the coaxial valve (10). The valve seat face is formed on a replaceable sealing element (22) which is arranged in an opening (19) of the valve housing (11), said opening (19), running essentially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction.