Abstract: A surface controlled subsurface safety valve for use in a well tubing string including a valve closure member, an operator tube for opening the valve closure member, an annular piston on the operator tube responsive to control fluid pressure conducted from the well surface, and a spring biasing the operator tube to a position closing the valve. A lockout sleeve mounted in tandem with the operator tube for movement to a position in which the lockout sleeve holds the valve open. The operator tube having multiple flow paths and barriers to prevent accumulation of debris from well fluids within the safety valve. One flow path including a plurality of small ports extending through the upper portion of the operator tube. Another flow path defined in part by a reduced outside diameter portion of the operator tube near its lower end and multiple channels in the valve housing adjacent thereto.

Abstract: This invention is a safety device for cigarette lighters fueled by butane or other compressed or liquified gas. The invention is a barrier adapted to selectively engage the thumb layer of the lighter to restrict the motion of the thumb layer, thereby to prevent the release of gas to the burner tip. The restricting member is supported by a band or sleeve that is adapted to at least partially surround and slidably engage the body of the lighter. A sliding motion of the band on the lighter engages or disengages the restricting member with the thumb lever; this motion may be selectively prevented or allowed by the selective engaging or disengaging of a spring-loaded member having a laterally extending projection adapted to fit into an opening in the lighter's structure.

Abstract: A valve lock comprising a valve stem, a valve actuator stem axially alined therewith, square ends on the stems, a barrel clutch with a square interior selectively connecting or disconnecting the square ends of the stems, and a key to actuate the clutch barrel.

Abstract: A device is provided, designed to prevent unauthorized operation of fire hydrants by completely concealing the hydrant operating nut and weather shield within freely rotating sleeves, thereby rendering the hydrant inoperable. The hydrant is made operable by the use of a specially designed self-contained magnetic operating wrench. The hydrant again becomes inoperable when the magnetic wrench is disengaged. The device is externally mounted for easy, quick field installation with common tools, and requires no modification of the internal hydrant mechanism. The device is designed to be used on all hydrant makes and models having an operating nut extending vertically above the hydrant bonnet.

Abstract: In a fresh air valve device having a throttle valve member (2) controlled by a humidity sensitive member (10), the control may be interrupted by means of a manual adjusting device (17) for compulsory opening and compulsory closing of the valve member.

Abstract: A valve actuator which allows complete isolation, controlled torque actuation, and tamperproof operation of valve by incorporating a magnetic coupling. An actuator cap is shaped to fit over a sealed valve stem. Permanent magnets are attached to the valve stem and actuator cap. The magnets provide a magnetic coupling between the actuator and valve stem and across a static non-magnetic bulkhead. The actuator cap is not physically attached to the valve and can be manually decoupled. The magnetic coupling and decoupling eliminates the need for a dynamic valve stem seal and the corresponding high sealing loads. Decoupling prevents accidental or unauthorized actuation. Safety is also enhanced by elimination of the dynamic seal. New magnetic materials can now provide high torque operation if needed for high pressure applications.

Abstract: The present invention is for a freezeless ground hydrant having a nozzle above ground and having a main valve adapted to be connected to an underground source of water pressure at a point located below the frost line in the soil. Also underground is a drain water storage system including a storage cylinder. When the hydrant is turned off, the residual water in the nozzle drains into the cylinder and is retained there until the hydrant is turned on again. When the hydrant is turned on, a mechanical linkage connected to the hydrant handle causes the cylinder to expel the drain water therein through a drain line which extends upwardly above the ground.

Abstract: The ground hydrant of the present invention includes an outlet nozzle above ground and a drain water collection cylinder located below the frost line of the ground. When the hydrant is shut off, the residual water in the nozzle drains into the ground water cylinder and is stored there below the frost line. The next time that the hydrant is turned on, the piston within the cylinder forces the stored water in the cylinder outwardly through a drain line where it is expelled above the ground. The force for moving the piston within the cylinder is provided by water pressure which is diverted from the water source to move the piston and force the stored drain water out of the cylinder and onto the ground. When the hydrant is turned off a second time, the residual water within the hydrant drains again into the cylinder where it is stored until the next time the hydrant is turned on.

Abstract: An actuating device operated by a pressure medium, such as compressed air, acting within a housing, can be secured to a valve by a mounting member attached to the valve. The actuating device includes a first piston guided in a cylinder part positioned on one side of the center part of the housing. A toothed rack is attached to the first piston and is in meshed engagement with a pinion shaft located within the center part of the housing. The pinion shaft is connected by a coupling part to the valve shaft. The same actuating device can be used for a larger valve by placing a second piston in another cylinder part on the opposite side of the center part from the first piston with a toothed rack attached to the second piston and in meshed engagement with the pinion shaft. The first and second pistons act in opposite directions and double the torque acting on the pinion shaft as compared to the torque delivered by the first piston.

Abstract: A valve for use in controlling a plurality of fluid operated functions, for example the functions of a hydraulic mine roof support, comprises a valve body 10, a plurality of valve members 13 each movable independently to carry out a fluid flow control function, a plurality of valve actuating members 21, movable in a direction tending to actuate the valve members 13, and an interposer device 25 movable to prevent at least one of the valve actuating members 21 from actuating its associated valve member 13, thus enabling the valves to be selectively operable.

Abstract: A portable machine for carbonating liquid contained in a bottle is adapted to support the bottle (5) by the neck (81) through a bayonet connection and for a seal (64) which closes the bottle neck to be driven into engagement with the bottle neck by a piston (60) actuated by the first burst of gas supplied to the injection nozzle (66). The bottle is loaded into the machine through a front opening (6) and a cover (7) for closing the opening is interlocked with a gas supply valve (12) so that gas can only be delivered to the nozzle (66) when the cover is closed. The cover is opened and closed by rotating a knob (23) which is depressed to open the gas valve. The knob (23) is coupled to the gas valve (12) through a device (27) which prevents the valve being opened if the machine is tilted at more than a given angle to the upright position.

Abstract: An orifice valve is disclosed comprising a valve body having a cylindrical upstream chamber, a downstream chamber having an oblong cross-sectional configuration adjoining and coaxial with the upstream chamber, and a shoulder comprising a pair of blind holes at the juncture of the upstream and downstream chambers. A downstream disk having a pair of fluid openings is mounted in the upstream chamber against the shoulder and comprises a pair of blind holes aligned with the blind holes in the shoulder. Rigid pins extend from the blind holes in the shoulder into the blind holes in the downstream disk to prevent rotation of the downstream disk. A rotatable upstream disk having a pair of fluid openings is mounted against the downstream disk and comprises a pair of blind holes. An operator member is provided comprising a forked turning member with a pair of tines, each having a blind hole in alignment with a blind hole in the upstream disk.

Abstract: An improved operating mechanism is provided for controlling the operational state of an electrical switch or interrupter between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism includes a switch operating member that is selectively movable in switch-opening and switch-closing directions to effect opening and closing of the switch. The operating mechanism stores energy to selectively close the switch and to immediately thereafter be capable of opening the switch as required. A carriage is driven to charge an opening spring and a closing spring while the switch operating member remains latched in a stationary position. The closing spring acts between the carriage and the switch operating member. The opening spring acts between the carriage and the frame or housing of the operating mechanism. An independent latch is provided for each of the switch operating member and the carriage; each of the latches directly operating on a respective one of the switch operating member or the carriage.

Abstract: A latch device for controlling a valve in a mud pulse telemetry system for imparting data pulses to drilling fluids circulating in a drill string is disclosed. A latch device and valve arrangement including an improved shear type, solenoid operated valve for modulating the pressure of the circulating drilling fluid is disclosed. A latching solenoid armature is connected to the valve gate through separate open and close solenoids having their armatures operatively connected to act as a single unit. The single unit armature is normally restrained from movement by the solenoid deactivated latch device. The latch device is arranged so that the vibrational and impact loads on the drill string serve to further maintain the modulating valve in a closed position.

Abstract: A butterfly valve or a similar quarter-turn valve is provided with a locking mechanism which permits the disc assembly to be rotated from the open position to the closed position, but prevents the disc assembly from being rotated back to the open position. The locking mechanism includes a cam carried on a rotatable stem supporting the valve disc assembly. The cam has a camming surface including a detent notch situated at a location corresponding to the open position of the disc assembly. A plunger, which is spring loaded into engagement with the camming surface, is urged into the detent notch when the disc assembly is rotated from the open to the closed position and prevents the disc assembly from being rotated back to the open position.

Abstract: A valve and particularly a safety valve for use in controlling flow from a well in which an external motor is utilized to shift the actuator of a valve such as a ball valve. The reciprocating rod of the motor is protected by resilient means between the crosshead attached to the motor and the reciprocating actuator. The actuator is latched when the valve is in the open position so that it cannot be moved to closed position except by movement of the reciprocating motor. The valve and seat assembly are designed to be replaced as a unit and can be fabricated as a subassembly with the valve in exact open alignment when the reciprocating actuator is in full valve open position as determined by a stop against which the valve member bottoms.

Abstract: An improved sewer relief valve which is vandal-proof and automatically opens responsive to a back flow of sewage and drain water within a plumbing system.

Abstract: A tap operated by a push button which acts to open a valve member which is biassed to the closed position, the valve member being for normal operation of the tap; also operated by the push button, but only on initial operation of the push button, is a plugging means which plugs the inlet of the tap and which after the initial operation remains out of the inlet. The arrangement ensures added protection against oxygen penetrating into a container fitted with the tap and is particularly useful for wine containers where the added protection ensures a longer shelf life. The use of a plugging means fitted tap avoids the necessity of special sealing equipment for the containers in the winery where containers are filled.

Abstract: A valve stem and lock include a housing surrounding a valve stem, a solenoid affixed to an interior wall of the housing, an armature affixed to the valve stem and a locking device for coupling the armature to the housing body. When the solenoid is energized, the solenoid moves away from the housing body, permitting rotation of the valve stem.

Abstract: A magnetically locked fluid valve having a particular utility in a fire hydrant to prevent unauthorized usage thereof. The fire hydrant includes an operating nut mounted on top of one end of a hydrant actuator shaft, and a magnetic lock is located in immediate proximity thereto. A shaped magnet is adapted to be placed around the actuator shaft adjacent to the magnetic lock, after which a wrench can be applied to the operating nut to control operation of the fire hydrant. The magnetic lock includes magnetic tumblers which are shifted in position in response to placement of the magnet on the actuator shaft. The actuator shaft includes an upper section coupled to the operating nut and a lower section coupled to the hydrant valve. The magnetic lock is positioned between the upper and lower shaft sections, and the upper shaft section is freely rotatable relative to the lower section when the magnet is removed, but is locked relative thereto when the magnet is positioned thereon.

Abstract: A lubricator valve apparatus adapted for use when running wireline tools into an offshore well during a production test of the well. The valve includes a valve body having a central flow passage and a ball valve element for opening and closing the passage, hydraulically operable means responsive to surface-controlled pressure for opening and closing the ball valve, latch means for releasably holding the ball valve in both the open and the closed positions, and bypass valve means for equalizing pressures across the ball valve prior to opening thereof and arranged in response to pressure applied at the surface to the production pipe to be opened to provide a flow path for well control fluids.

Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for use in wells, preferably adapted for placement in a tubing string, having a lock open mechanism for temporarily maintaining the safety valve in the open to flow position. The safety valve includes a closure device, such as a rotatable ball, located in the flow passage of the valve and is opened and closed by a biased operator tube. The operator tube is movable in response to hydraulic fluid conducted to the safety valve operating on a piston carried on the operator tube. A shiftable sleeve and collet is positioned above the operator tube and has a profile for receiving a shifting tool. When shifted, the collet and sleeve act on the operator tube to hold the valve in the open to flow position. The collet engages a recess on the bore wall of the safety valve upon shifting, and the sleeve moves behind the engaged collet head to prevent unlocking. The safety valve can be returned to operation by shifting the sleeve and collet to their original, normal position.

Abstract: A toner container includes a displaceable member located within the container and attached to one end of a flexible membrane utilized to seal the container closed. A bellows member also forms part of the container. Once the container is inserted into the copy machine in a sealed condition, operator initiated pressure upon an outer wall of the container causes the bellows member to collapse and further causes the displaceable member to move downward carrying with it the membrane member. As the membrane member is thus deflected, the seal of the membrane member to the toner container is broken allowing the contents of the container to escape into the copy machine. A safety mechanism is utilized with the container to prevent accidental operation of the displaceable member during shipment or handling.

Abstract: The shutoff device for closing a large cross-sectional area gas duct comprises a lock chamber defined by the gas duct walls and the two rows of swivel louvre grills held to the housing of the shutoff device which accommodates also a mechanical actuator, said louvre grills being arranged in the gas duct at an angle to the vertical plane in such a manner as to be spaced more widely apart in the top portion of the gas duct than in the bottom portion thereof. When the gas duct is being closed the lock chamber is filled with bulk free-flowing material from the top hopper located in the gas dust upper portion, whereas when the gas duct is being opened, the lock chamber is emptied of said bulk material, which is free to pour by gravity into the bottom receiving hopper, both of said hoppers being interconnected through a conveyer for the bulk material to return to the top hopper.

Abstract: In a railway tank car bottom outlet lading valve assembly, an operating handle assembly for the lading valve includes an operating shaft extending vertically within a lading outlet chamber. The shaft is provided with a non-round shaft tool connection portion near the bottom thereof. An operating handle is pivotably mounted on the outlet chamber adjacent the non-round connection portion. The operating ratchet includes a handle non-round connection portion which engages the shaft non-round connection portion. A handle-storing bracket for the distal end of the operating handle is mounted upon the tank body or on an upper mounting flange portion of the outlet chamber adjacent a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange. The bracket is preferably U-shaped and includes a removable pin extending between opposite arms of the U-shaped bracket.

Abstract: A pedestal extends upwardly from the body of a gate valve housing in a straddling relationship to the gate. An operator, detachably attachable to the pedestal, includes a hand wheel operating through a pinion gear to impart translatory movement to a vertically oriented rack. A clevis is disposed at the lower extremity of the rack for attachment through a pin to the upper end of the gate. A removable pin is employed to secure the gate, in either a raised or a lowered position, to the pedestal and to maintain the gate in position after removal of the operator.

Abstract: A novel locking clip is disclosed for use with either fire or smoke dampers, which locking clip normally does not interfere with the operation of those dampers but, which under activation conditions, allows the blades of the damper to move into the desired position, but effectively prevents the blades from moving out of that position until fire conditions have passed.

Abstract: A substantially spherical hollow body is filled with a fire extinguishing chemical under greater than atmospheric pressure. The top of the body is provided with a normally closed exhaust valve biased open by a handle. The handle is also used to throw the extinguisher into a fire.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating an operating valve unit for winch comprising a casing, a first shaft fixedly supported within said casing, second and third shafts rotatably supported within said casing, said second and third shafts being operatively connected with a hook lever and a boom lever, respectively. Said valve unit includes six valves for operating a hook clutch, a hook brake, a boom clutch, a boom brake, a lifting clutch, and a lower clutch, respectively.First and second cams are slidably and rotatably mounted on said first shaft and a third cam is rotatably but not slidably mounted on said first shaft. Said first shaft is operatively connected with said second and third shafts, respectively, so as to selectively actuate said valves in response to operations of said hook lever and said boom lever.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve actuator includes at least one piston mounted for reciprocating movement in a cylinder for bidirectionally rotating a valve shaft mounted in the housing. A resilient spring member is held in compression between one side of the piston and an end wall of the cylinder for yieldably urging the piston to rotate the shaft in one direction, in the absence of a sufficient opposing hydraulic pressure. A hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor selectively drives the piston against the force of the spring member for rotating the valve shaft in the opposite direction. An electric solenoid operated valve is connected with the cylinder at either side of the piston, to provide a selectively openable path for hydraulic fluid, by-passing the pump to relieve the pressure applied thereby.

Abstract: An actuating valve serves as a pilot to a control valve for a valve controlled flushing system for a tank-type toilet installation which comprises a siphon flush valve, and a control valve that allows supply water to flow into the tank to initiate siphonic action, to supplement flow through the siphon flush valve and to refill the tank, which control valve utilizes a piston which is ordinarily seated in a closed position by supply line pressure. The actuating valve is located in a bypass passage between the supply pressure and a timing pressure chamber of a control valve.

Abstract: A valve controlled flushing system for a tank-type toilet installation comprises a siphon flush valve, a control valve that allows supply water to flow into the tank to initiate siphonic action, to supplement flow through the siphon flush valve and to refill the tank, which control valve utilizes a piston which is ordinarily seated in a closed position by supply line pressure, and an actuating valve to relieve the pressure on the piston of the control valve thus initiating the flushing cycle. In the preferred embodiment, the control valve utilizes a pressure biased piston which is ordinarily seated in a closed position against the water supply by supply line pressure which is transferred by a bypass circuit to a timing pressure chamber behind and exposed to the rear face of the piston.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for the pumps or valves of small hand-held dispensers, especially aerosol containers, which are actuated by depression of an actuator member such as a button, includes a stationary component adapted to be mounted on a pressurized dispenser and a collar in screw-threaded engagement with the stationary component and surrounding an actuator member, which collar when tightened down on its screw prevents depression of the actuator member but when turned to slacken it back allows such movement. Preferably the collar moves downwards to tighten it and this movement may be translated into upward movement in opposition to depression of the actuator member by an arrangement of rocking levers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to detent mechanisms for use with valve spools wherein the detent mechanisms are operable to releaseably secure the valve spool in various predetermined axial positions and to apply various biasing forces on the valve spool depending upon its axial position thereby permitting the valve operator to sense or feel the position of the valve spool. The detent mechanism of the invention includes a generally cylindrical housing which supports a pair of spaced magnets and which receives a shaft coaxial with and connected to the valve spool. The shaft is received through bores in the magnets and is slideable with respect to the magnets. The shaft also supports a pair of contact rings which are comprised of magnetically attractable material and which are received in the space between the magnets. Upon axial movement of the valve spool, the contact rings are brought into contact with one of the magnets.

Abstract: Valve for controlling the flow of gases under high pressure from storage vessels such as cylinders comprising a solenoid operated pilot valve built into the valve body and operable to cause a floating piston to actuate a main valve stem by moving against a shoulder on said stem, there being a clearance between a seat for said piston and said shoulder to permit the introduction of a safety pin or fork to lift and immobilize the piston to avoid its acting under pressure and causing accidental discharge.

Abstract: A remote control system for the jack cylinders of a hydraulically operated crane includes a plurality of regulating valves for controlling respective jack cylinders, the regulation of each valve being controlled by the movement of a respective valve spool connected to a respective lever forming part of a linkage including an arm mounted on a rotatable shaft and connectable to the shaft by a respective electromagnetically operated clutch so that by engagement of one said clutch and rotation of the shaft to a predetermined position the corresponding valve spool may be correspondingly positioned to move the associated jack cylinder accordingly.Engagement of the clutches and rotation of the shaft can be controlled by a portable actuating unit connected to the rest of the system by an electrical cable, the system including a control means which adjusts the position of the shaft to correspond with the setting of a control member on the actuating unit.

Abstract: An airline lubricator is disclosed with a tamper-proof, oil-metering adjuster provided for adjusting the quantity of oil delivered by the lubricator, and for preventing tampering or accidental readjustment. The tamper-proof construction for a selectively adjustable screw controller includes a lock therefor wherein an elongated, rotatable, screw controller is provided with a splined portion, and the stationary body is also splined for cooperation with an axially movable lock collar that normally engages both the splines on the controller and the splines on the body to prevent tampering or accidental readjustment, and with a removable knob-like adjuster provided to selectively move and disengage the lock collar and to then also effect selective screw adjustment of the controller. When the adjuster is removed, the device becomes substantially tamper proof.

Abstract: A manually resettable valve comprises a valve body having a cylindrical portion with a wetted enclosure defined by an internal coaxial aperture within which a magnetically attractable plunger is slidable between two terminal positions establishing the states of the valve. A spring urges the plunger toward a first terminal position; and an electromagnet mounted on the body and responsive to an electrical signal when the plunger is in its first terminal position magnetically attracts the plunger and moves it to a second position against the action of the spring. Finally, a permanent magnet in a magnetic circuit, whose elements include the cylindrical portion of the body and the plunger, holds the plunger independently of the electromagnet in its second terminal position thereby holding the valve in its "latched" state.

Abstract: A control valve for a fluid actuator has a slide valve member mounted within a housing with an external knob on one end and a piston on the other end. The knob may be manually operated for resetting the piston. When the main flowline pressure reaches a high or low pressure outside the fluid pressure operating range the piston is seated and fluid is exhausted from the actuator for effecting movement of the main valve member. The control valve is maintained in its exhaust position by a spring continuously urging the piston into a seated position. An annular seal engages the face of the piston in seated position to expose only a relatively small surface area of the piston to fluid pressure when the piston is seated and the control valve is in an exhaust position. Means are provided to permit a venting or bleeding of fluid around the piston in the seated position of the piston in the event of leakage of fluid past the annular seal or temporary unseating of the piston resulting from vibrations or the like.

Abstract: An improved sewer relief valve which is vandal-proof and automatically opens responsive to a back flow of sewage and drain water within a plumbing system.