Abstract: There is disclosed a system for supplying liquids to potted plants through feeder conduits fluidly connecting with the lower ends of the plants and leading from a main distribution conduit to which the liquid is admitted from a water main or other pressurized source.

Abstract: A valve is operated between open and closed positions by respective solenoids. The valve is latched in each of the open and closed positions by a snap disc mounted in a position fixed relative to the plunger, and a pair of shoulders fixed relative to the valve body.

Abstract: An electrothermally operated valve which comprises a housing provided thereon with first and second ports and with a hermetic chamber in communication with the respective ports, a bimetallic element having a stationary end secured to an inner wall of the housing and a movable end, a cut-off valve including a valve body fixed on the movable end of the bimetallic element to co-operate with one of the first and second ports, and a heating coil coupled with the bimetallic element and adapted to be connected with a source of electricity. When the bimetallic element is heated upon energization of the heating coil, deflection of the bimetallic element is assisted by snap action to open the cut-off valve so as to communicate the first and second ports to each other through the hermetic chamber.

Abstract: A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a snap-action mechanism, coupled to the motion transmitting member, rapidly moves a shuttle in a fluid valve from one position to another to open or close a fluid circuit.

Abstract: A valve assembly is described for closure of resilient tubes and protection of the ends of such tubing from contamination when the valve is in its closed position. The valve assembly is fabricated from two trough-like members which are connected by a linkage having bi-stable characteristics to facilitate one-handed operation. The assembly is particularly useful when employed at the end of drainage bag outlet tubes in hospital applications, where the likelihood of contamination of the tube end must be minimized.

Abstract: An electro-thermal gas valve uses a mechanical energy storage device, preferably a C-spring or a coil spring, to effect a snap opening and closing of a poppet in response to the position of a heat warpable bimetal member and, therefore, is relatively insensitive to gas pressure in the valve enclosure. Application of heat to the bimetal member causes relative movement of the opposite ends of the energy storage device to effect over-center travel of one end relative to the other end, whereupon the stored potential energy in the energy storage device is released as kinetic energy to snap the poppet open or closed. The valve is adjustable and due to its relative insensitivity to pressure in fact may be calibrated before the valve container and cover are assembled. A stop mechanism may be provided to assume affirmative support of the energy storage device whether the valve is open or closed, and a light bias spring may be utilized to help maintain the poppet closed until snapped open.

Abstract: A multi-function safety service valve operable both manually and automatically through a toggle fuse-linked joint as located to interconnect the piping of an LP Gas bulk storage tank and a flexible hose connected to fill an LP Gas transport tank on a truck.

Abstract: This invention provides a faucet assembly which includes a fluid passageway with valve means adapted to close and open the passageway, and a shaft which operates the valve means by rotating. Resilient biasing means are provided to the form of a spring-biased finger to induce the shaft to rotate in the direction closing the valve means whenever the shaft is less than a given angle away from the fully closed position. This given angle corresponds to a condition in which the passageway is at least partly opened.

Abstract: A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a tripping mechanism, operated by the motion transmitting member, provides a positive biasing force for actuating and enhancing the operation of a fluid valve in controlling a fluid circuit. Means is provided for actuating the timing device in response to a relatively short-term activating pulse.

Abstract: A multiway valve with a spool as a closure member is axially movable in a central bore in a valve casing and has associated with each of its axial ends diaphragms of elastic material secured by their outer circumference to the casing and operating with a snap action. Associated with each of the diaphragms is a support wall bearing on a face of the diaphragm made of rigid material and made up of a plurality of flexibly-assembled sector-shaped component parts to provide flexible support of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A timing device includes a timing means which effects movement of a motion transmitting member at a selected rate to provide a timed interval of selected duration, upon expiration of which interval a snap-action mechanism, coupled to the motion transmitting member, rapidly moves a shuttle in a fluid valve from one position to another to open or close a fluid circuit.

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

Abstract: Ventilator with an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle having a servo controller with an inlet adapted to be connected to supply gas under pressure and also having an outlet. The controller has control valve means movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of gas from the inlet to the outlet of the servo controller. The control valve means is an open position during the inhalation phase of the ventilator and in a closed position in the exhalation phase of the ventilator. Means is provided for supplying gases to the patient from the servo controller until a predetermined pressure has been reached. After the predetermined pressure is reached, means is provided to supply an additional flow of gases to the patient to provide an inspiratory apneustic plateau for the patient. After a predetermined period of time, the patient is permitted to exhale and thereafter the same cycle is repeated.

Abstract: A high pressure safety valve which automatically closes when high pressure conditions exist. The high pressure valve includes a diaphragm valve and a snap acting assembly connected to the diaphragm valve which acts to snap it closed when a high pressure condition is detected. The safety valve of the present invention may also include a relief valve which opens when the diaphragm valve closes to relieve pressure at the outlet of the safety valve. In addition, the safety valve of the present invention can be manually reset only after the high pressure condition has been corrected.

Abstract: Discloses a conveyor-type, hydraulic-powered, material-spreading apparatus comprising a material-storage hopper, a conveyor for conveying material from the hopper for spreading same and a hydraulic, power-transfer system comprising two double-acting, hydraulic cylinders in communication with and operatively connected to valves which control and direct hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic cylinders to drive the conveyor. Each hydraulic cylinder has two drive strokes per cycle, with each drive stroke approximating 160.degree., each hydraulic cylinder is 90.degree. out of phase with the other, with positive drive resulting throughout the cycle.Also discloses the hydraulic, power-transfer system described above for use in driving a conveyor for use with a material-spreading apparatus having a source of material to be spread, with such conveyor being disposed beneath the material for conveying same for spreading.

Abstract: A device for dissipating the accidental over-pressure of a fluid contained in an enclosure provided with a sealing membrane intended to be deformed and broken by the over-pressure comprises a mobile piston applied against the membrane subjected to the action of a spring by means of an overcenter spring mechanism having a threshold of balance which, when exceeded, causes the sudden releasing of the piston and the breaking of the membrane, the threshold being reached by the movement of the piston under the action of the deforming of the membrane. The invention applies to the protection of the enclosures under fluid pressure.

Abstract: For use with an air outlet assembly having a damper valve therein with a crank arm extending from the side of the outlet, a combination lever and positioning spring adapted to engage the crank arm and pivot between first and second operative positions corresponding to open and closed positions of the damper. One end portion of the combination lever and spring which engages the crank arm has a bifurcated configuration with integrally jointed strip portions extending on either side of the crank arm. The lever is pivotally supported at a mid-portion and has a second end adapted for manual actuation. The bifurcated end portion forms an opening between the integrally joined strips through which the crank arm extends.

Abstract: A valve construction having a housing provided with an inlet and an outlet and a movable valve seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A movable valve member is provided for opening and closing the valve seat. A condition responsive unit is operatively associated with the valve member to move the valve member relative to the valve seat in response to the conditions sensed by the condition responsive unit. A snap opening unit is interconnected to the valve seat to rapidly move the valve seat away from the valve member when the valve member has initially opened the valve seat a certain amount.

Abstract: Timed release of measured quantities of an aerosol spray is accomplished by attachment of an improved dispenser to a conventional aerosol container. The contents of the container are controllably passed through a porous sintered plug and a flow restricting orifice into a measuring chamber in the body of the dispenser. The exit passage of this chamber is sealed by a spring disk which is concave upward with its periphery seated against a shoulder encircling the exit orifice. As the container contents enter the chamber, the pressure therein rises until it is sufficient to overcome the spring resistance of the disk. When this occurs, the disk snaps into its stressed condition, assuming a concave downward shape. It is then supported on projections formed on the exit orifice shoulder. These projections retain the stressed disk in spaced relation to the exit orifice and allow a quantity of the chamber contents to pass around the disk and escape through a nozzle mounted on the exit orifice.

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

Abstract: A drain closure assembly including a resilient, dome-shaped plug member which may be changed from stable "closed" convex configuration to a stable "open" concave configuration by applying pressure to either an edge portion or a central portion of the plug member. The plug member is carried by a stem means which in the preferred embodiment is biased upwardly by spring means from a depressed position under the influence of pressure to a stable upper position when the pressure is released.

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

Abstract: A pneumatically operated pilot relay having an outlet for sending a pneumatic pilot output when the pilot relay receives a pneumatic signal of a certain magnitude, the pilot relay having a selector for selecting within limits the magnitude of the pneumatic signal that is required for the pilot relay to produce the pneumatic pilot output. The pilot relay terminates the pneumatic pilot output when the pneumatic signal falls to another certain magnitude, the other certain magnitude being a fixed differential from the selected magnitude thereof.

Abstract: A thermally sensitive check valve is disclosed in which a bimetallic snap disc functions in one position as the check valve element and in another position to either maintain the valve open as in one illustrated embodiment, or to maintain the valve closed as illustrated in another embodiment. By combining the check valve function and the valving function in a single bimetallic snap disc, a simple and reliable device is provided.

Abstract: A high pressure safety valve which automatically closes when high pressure conditions exist. The high pressure valve includes a diaphragm valve and a snap acting assembly connected to the diaphragm valve which acts to snap it closed when a high pressure condition is detected. The safety valve of the present invention may also include a relief valve which opens when the diaphragm valve closes to relieve pressure at the outlet of the safety valve. In addition, the safety valve of the present invention can be manually reset only after the high pressure condition has been corrected.