Abstract: An air release valve comprising a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve plate within the housing between the inlet and outlet, the valve plate having a pair of apertures; a valve seal assembly including a seal engageable with the valve plate overlying the apertures; a float located in the housing upstream of the valve plate and connected to the seal, the float displaceable between first and second positions in the housing such that displacement of the float in one direction opens the apertures, the float having a tapered end remote from the seal, the tapered end having a truncated substantially flat bottom surface and a groove extending across the flat bottom surface.

Abstract: A vehicle air outlet assembly having a sliding shutoff door for blocking and unblocking air therethrough. The assembly includes a housing having a tubular form including inlet and outlet ends and defining an air passage between the ends. The shutoff door is movable between an open position along one side of the housing and a closed position across the inlet end of the housing to block air flowing through the housing. The door is made from a plurality of panels hingedly connected together. Followers such as pins are disposed along laterally opposite edges of the panels. Guides or tracks are formed on opposite sides of the housing and receive the pins for guiding sliding movement of the door between open and closed positions, respectively, unblocking and blocking the inlet end of the housing. Actuating means are connected with one of the door panels for sliding the door panels between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system mode control film belt that uses a single drive shaft to shift the belt back and forth. The belt follows a continuous loop that begins and ends at the single drive shaft, wrapping around idler rollers, where necessary, to maintain defined runs of the belt against one or more vent windows in a housing. Thin, long, and widely spaced pairs of drive bands at either end of the belt wrap around the single shaft in opposite directions, clear of one another, wrapping or unwrapping from the shaft in opposite directions as it turns in either direction. The belt is thus able to shift back and forth to open or close the vent widows, while air is able to flow unobstructed between the widely spaced belt drive bands and out to the vent windows.

Abstract: A valve device comprises a valve having an outlet passage (6, 7), a stationary surface, and a rotatable support member (15, 16) at a distance from the stationary surface, and a membrane (19) provided between the stationary surface and the support member. The membrane (19) is attached to the stationary surface and the support member in such a manner that when the rotatable support member is in a first rotating position in relation to the stationary surface the membrane covers an orifice (6, 7) associated with the outlet passage and located at the stationary surface and when the support member is in a second rotating position said opening is uncovered. The support member (15, 16) is provided rotatably about an axis (12) which in a plane, in which the axis (12) extend, forms an angle together with the generatrix of the stationary surface (10, 11).

Abstract: A band controlled valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow from a source to a sink, including a base (12) having an upper surface and an aperture (16) extending from the upper surface through the base (12) allowing the flow of fluid from the source through the base (12) to the sink when the aperture (16) is not covered, an elongate flexible band (8) with a first portion (8a) in contact with the upper surface of the base (12) and a second portion (8b) extending forwardly of the first portion (8a) then upwardly and rearwardly above at least a part of the first portion (8a), the second portion (8b) being actuated to selectively move the second portion (8b) of the band (8) forwardly or rearwardly to cover or uncover, respectively, the aperture (16) with the first portion (8a) of the band (8) to thereby prevent or allow, respectively, fluid flow through the aperture (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a stream of air consists of an independent module that comprises a support structure on which two rollers are mounted for rotation. A film, having open regions and closed regions, is wound between the two rollers, so that when the rollers are rotated to displace the film between the rollers, the relative positions of the open and closed regions of the film gives selective control of the flow of an air stream directed on to the film. The support structure includes a drive mechanism, for driving the rollers in alternate rotary motion and including a synchronizing shaft for synchronizing the rotary motion of the two rollers.

Abstract: A roller drive mechanism for an automotive HVAC film valve belt includes a single motor type drive that automatically compensates for continually differing belt wind up and wind off rates, while maintaining at least a minimal belt tension, and without the necessity for precise adjustment. A central motor drive shaft is split between a fixed end and a yieldable, slidable end. The two ends can turn at the same rate from the single motor, but the ability of the second end to slide back and forth allows one roller to match its belt handling rate to the other roller automatically, while the always stretched spring maintains a certain minimum belt tension, while also accommodating adjustment tolerances.

Abstract: An air release valve includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve plate within the housing between the inlet and outlet, the valve plate having a pair of discrete apertures isolated from each other; a valve seal assembly including a seal engageable with the valve plate overlying the apertures; a float located in the housing upstream of the valve plate and connected to the seal, the float displaceable between first and second positions in the housing wherein displacement of the float in one direction progressively detaches successive portions of the seal from the apertures, the float having a tapered end remote from the seal.

Abstract: An improved film type air temperature control valve for an automotive HVAC assembly has a flexible, apertured belt that wraps closely around both faces of a heater core case internal to the HVAC housing. Winding and unwinding of the belt around the heater core case, and across a heater core bypass passage, simultaneously opens up more of the bypass passage as it closes off more of the heater core faces, and vice versa. Because of the close conformance of the belt to and across the heater core faces, both faces of the always hot heater core can be completely closed to direct or indirect air flow, preventing any undesired incidental heating of the air flow.

Abstract: An air flow control device is of the film obturator type, and is in the form of an independent module comprising a support frame on which two rollers are mounted for rotation. A film or blind, having open regions and closed regions for selectively controlling the flow of a stream of air, is wound on the rollers. The support frame comprises a guide frame which lies between the two rollers, for guiding the film and for contact with the film; and a press frame is arranged in facing relationship with the guide frame. The press frame carries springs for pressing the film against the guide frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of a stream of air consists of an independent module that comprises a support structure on which two rollers are mounted for rotation. A film, having open regions and closed regions, is wound between the two rollers, so that when the rollers are rotated to displace the film between the rollers, the relative positions of the open and closed regions of the film gives selective control of the flow of an air stream directed on to the film. Thus, when the apparatus is placed across an air flow aperture, this air passes through a window formed in the support structure and overlying the film.

Abstract: A flow control device for controlling the flow of a stream of air through an air passage aperture, such as the open end of a duct in a heating and/or air conditioning apparatus of a motor vehicle, comprises a strip of film, the two ends of which are wound on two rollers spaced apart from each other. The film has an active region extending between the rollers and displaceable across the aperture by rotation of the rollers. The active region has open regions and closed regions for the selective control of the air stream. The device has a case defining two reserve spaces, each surrounding a respective roller, and serving as a magazine for receiving a slack loop of the film resulting from the differences between the overall diameters of the two rollers.

Abstract: Opposite ends of a first film-like damper with a plurality of air vents defined therein at a given position are wound respectively on first and second takeup shafts, and a drive wire is coupled to the first and second takeup shafts. A wire has an end directly coupled to the drive wire at substantially intermediate position between the first and second takeup shafts. The other end of the wire is connected to a manually operable knob. When the knob is manually turned, the wire directly displaces the drive wire in the direction indicated by the arrow A or B, moving the film-like damper.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator device including a stationary support and a buckled, moveable support mounted to enter into contact with the stationary support. At least three electrodes are employed. The first is mounted on the moveable support and a second electrode is on the stationary support. A third electrode is mounted on one of the supports such that the electrodes are positioned to form two pairs of electrodes for electrostatic attraction therebetween. The electrodes are powered by a voltage supply to provide electrostatic attraction between pairs of electrodes and move them into electrostatic contact. The buckled electrode has a shape configured to transmit a restoring force to its portion in contact with stationary support upon application of voltage to another pair of electrodes.

Abstract: In an air duct selector, a supporting member has a grid shape, and is formed with four penetration holes. Since a film member is affixed to two fitting portions which are arranged on two ends of the supporting member, the film member is fixed on the supporting member. The supporting member and the film member are arranged in a duct to move in a vertical direction. When air flow is blown against the inside surface of the film member through the penetration holes 24a.about.24d, the film member is bent to swell against the film member, and presses against a peripheral portion of a cool air bypass opening portion to entirely cover the cool air bypass opening portion.

Abstract: A bistable valve useful for paper handling applications is disclosed. The valve can be batch fabricated in two dimensional valve arrays, with each valve in the array being controlled by passive matrix addressing. Typically, each valve includes a valve housing having an aperture plate defining an aperture therethrough, and an opposing plate positioned in spaced apart relationship to the aperture plate. A flexible film or strip is attached at its first end to the aperture plate and at its second end to the opposing plate. Valve action is provided by use of at least two switching electrodes for moving the flexible film between an aperture blocking position and an aperture open position, with at least one of the switching electrodes positioned adjacent to the aperture plate and at least one of the switching electrodes positioned adjacent to the opposing plate. To reduce unswitched movement when the switching electrode bias is reduced or not present, at least two electrostatic or mechanical catches are used.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an air conditioner for a vehicle, when the cool air passage is opened, the sliding door slides so as to incline with respect to the flowing direction of the cool air in such a manner that an end portion of the sliding door at a side of said cool air passage is located at the most air downstream side. That is, when the sliding door is controlled to fully open the cool air passage (i.e., the warm air passage is fully closed), for example, in the maximum cool mode, the sliding door slides while inclining with respect to the flowing cool air. In this operation, the air is blocked from flowing into the warm air passage, and such air is smoothly guided into the cool air by the sliding door, because the sliding door inclines with respect to the flowing direction of cool air, thus increasing the amount of cool air into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: An air release valve includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve plate within the housing between the inlet and outlet, the valve plate having a pair of discrete apertures isolated from each other; a valve seal assembly including a seal engageable with the valve plate overlying the apertures; a float located in the housing upstream of the valve plate and connected to the seal, the float displaceable between first and second positions in the housing wherein displacement of the float in one direction progressively detaches successive portions of the seal from the apertures, the float having a tapered end remote from the seal, the tapered end movable into a tapered internal inlet when the float moves to the second position.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an automotive air conditioner system, a link mechanism is provided by using a cool air passage provided in parallel with a warm air passage and a cool air/heated air mixing chamber provided at a downstream side of the warm air passage and the cool air passage. The clearance between a sliding door and a cooler can be set to a minimum distance as required. Further, it is not necessary to ensure a space for installing the link mechanism outside the case of the air conditioner. As a result, the size of the air conditioning unit including the sliding door can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a sliding door is positioned between the cooler and the heater and slidable in a direction crossing both the cool air passage and the warm air to control each amount of air flowing to the warm air passage and air flowing to the cool air passage, and the sliding door slides vertically in such a manner that an upper portion of the sliding door inclines toward the cooler. Since the sliding door slides itself in the vertical direction, with the upper portion of the sliding door inclined to the cooler, condensed water, which is likely to move with the blown air from the cooling unit to the air downstream side, can be smoothly guided downwardly with the air flow along the inclination of the sliding door, thus preventing the stench caused by mold and corrosion of the heater.

Abstract: The inventive device produces compressed gas. It is provided with a compressor, wherein the compressor has a compression chamber (25), a suction chamber (10) and a pressure chamber (6). The compression chamber (25) can be connected to the suction chamber (10) via a suction valve (12, 21, 54) and to the pressure chamber (6) via a pressure valve (3). When the receiving-end pressure reaches a predetermined level, the pressure chamber (6) is connected to a compressed-air supply container (44). This connection is via a device for the discontinuation of compressing action (23, 51). In addition, the pressure in the pressure chamber (6) is monitored by a control valve (26), which is a sensing device with a control output (38). The sensing device (26) is designed to produce a control signal at the control output (38), when the pressure in the pressure chamber (6) or compression chamber (25) of the compressor reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A fluid-responsive vent control valve for an automobile fuel tank in which a liquid level responsive float controls a flexible, ribbon type valve member to peel it on and off a valve seat to open and close the valve. In one embodiment the float and outlet structure are offset. In an alternate embodiment the float and vent outlet are coaxial, and the ribbon valve is attached between the float and the valve body with a vent closure portion aligned with the outlet and a hinge portion offset from the outlet and connected to the float to provide opening and closing force to the ribbon valve. The outlet is preferably circular, and further includes a roundoff notch which cannot be closed by the pressure differential across the ribbon valve, but requires a final closing movement by the float and closure assist structure to fully close the valve.

Abstract: An industrial roll-up damper that contains all welded internal attachment components and during normal operation, all moving parts are isolated from the duct flow. In one particular embodiment, the roll-up damper is designed to be used as a gas turbine inlet shutoff damper in conjunction with an inlet dehumidification system. The roll-up damper comprises a single sheet membrane stored on a roll-up spool and an inflatable rubber seal which when applied to gas turbines, functions to isolate the turbine inlet, thereby allowing dehumidified air to be introduced into the intake of the turbines while the engine is not in operation.

Abstract: A register of a forced air system is sealed by placing a heavy flexible magnetic panel over the register and adhering the entire panel to the entire register for preventing escape of forced air from the register. The flexible magnetic panel is used on wall registers, on floor registers and on ceiling registers.

Abstract: Keys on legs of a U-shaped stator are in keyed engagement with keyways on diametrically opposite sides of the O.D. of the sidewall of a valve seat member to axially and circumferentially locate the seat member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas valve capable of switching gases to be introduced within a vacuum chamber with high speed thereby enhancing the controllability of the composion of a semiconducting thin film growing on a substrate and shortening the time required for growth of the thin film. The gas valve comprises a bendable film between a pair of parallel plate electrodes whereby operating the film by an electrostatic force and opening and closing a port for releasing gas to a substrate mounted on the wall surface of a gas chamber and a port for exhausting an unnecessary gas to an exhaust passage. The gas valve is mounted in the vicinity of the substrate within the vacuum chamber for supplying a working gas in a minimum amount required for the film growth.

Abstract: A milking pulsator comprises a housing, forming a chamber, in which a vacuum passage opens via a first opening. A pulsation channel to be connected to at least one teat cup communicates with the chamber and with atmosphere via a second opening. Valve means are arranged to close and open said first and second openings. Each valve means comprises a membrane, and a pivoted member, the membrane being attached between the pivoted member and the housing. The pivoted members are journalled in the housing for pivotal motion back and forth between closing positions, at which said openings are covered by the membranes of the valve means, and opening positions, at which said openings are uncovered. In addition, adjustment means are adapted to adjust the pivoted members of the valve means such that the first opening is closed when the second opening is uncovered and vice versa.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus for an automobile in which a desired tension of a film damper is always maintained regardless of a movement of the film damper. A third shaft 14 is connected to a truncated conical-shaped first tapered pulley 21, and a fourth shaft 15 is connected to a truncated conical shaped second tapered pulley 22. The second film damper 18 is wound on the third and fourth shafts 14 and 15, and a second wire 20 is spirally wound onto the first and second tapered pulleys 21 and 22. The first and second tapered pulleys 21 and 22 are arranged such that they are oppositely tapered in such a manner that the amount of movement of the damper film 14 and the wire 20 is substantially equal, not only between the third shaft 14 as a drive shaft and the first pulley connected to the shaft 14, but also between the fourth shaft 15 as a driven shaft and the second pulley 22 connected to the shaft 15. Therefore, an excessive stretching and slackening of the damper film and the wire is prevented.

Abstract: A valve apparatus comprises at least one valve device having a chamber, an inlet and an outlet. A moveable member in the chamber is arranged to displace a membrane such that the membrane is rolled against the wall of the chamber between a closing position at which the membrane covers the opening of the outlet and an opening position at which the opening of the outlet is uncovered. A flow passage is formed for a fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet. The moveable member is provided with an entrainment member arranged to extend into and be displaced in the flow passage during at least a substantial part of the displacement of the membrane between closing and opening positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for venting a building such as a greenhouse, by means of a sheet member which can be mounted in one or several openings of the building. The sheet member comprises a frame with four sides wherein are provided on at least two horizontal controls, which are formed as first rack bars. The frame has a horizontal edging and several parallel slats provided on at least one side hereof with a layer made of windproof and elastic material. A pinion is mounted in rotatable position opposite each guide on the edging, said pinion comprising a first and a second gear, the first gear being in mesh with the mentioned first rack bars, and the second being in mesh with teeth on the second rack mounted in movable position on the edging.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device comprises a duct having a masking membrane arranged within the duct for movement between a first position, in which it closes the duct, and a second position in which it allows fluid to pass through the duct. The masking member is in the form of a deformable membrane disposed across the duct, the membrane having two portions having bellows-type folds and opposed end elements defining between them a flow aperture, which can be opened or closed to adjust the fluid flow.

Abstract: The apparatus for controlling a damper in an air conditioning system for a vehicle. The damper is used for selectively opening air outlets, and is constructed as a film damper having one end wound on a drive shaft rotatably supported in a casing. The drive shaft is formed as a hollow shaft having an axial bore therein, in which an electric motor with a reduction gear is arranged. The outer body of the motor is fixedly inserted to the shaft, and has an output shaft fixedly connected to the casing, so that a rotation of the motor causes a relative rotation between the motor body connected to the hollow shaft and the outlet shaft connected to the casing. As a result of the rotation of the motor body, the drive shaft is rotated, resulting in a desired movement of the film damper.

Abstract: An automotive air-conditioner has a heater core and a flexible film damper in a duct. A bypass passage is defined between the heater core and an inner wall of the duct. A heated air passage is defined downstream of the heater core. An air outlet for discharging air from the duct into a passenger compartment is disposed downstream of the duct. A flexible film damper having at least one damper opening therein is arranged to open and close the heated air passage, the bypass passage and the air outlet. The flexible film damper is driven by an driving mechanism to change the position of the damper opening so that the size of the air outlet is adjusted in response to the selected ratio of the cross-sectional areas between the heated air passage and the bypass passage.

Abstract: An air distribution apparatus for an automotive vehicle, comprising a chamber for receiving air conditioned by at least one heat exchanger, the chamber includes an inlet opening and a plurality of discharge openings and mechanism downstream of the inlet opening for selecting at least one of the discharge openings. The mechanism for selecting comprises a pair of rollers, a flexible material disposed between the rollers and having at least one cutout area; and a mechanism for bidirectional driving of the rollers for positioning the flexible material such that the cutout area is either positioned for allowing air flow through at least one of the discharge openings or for preventing air flow through any of the discharge openings.

Abstract: A novel planetary roller type flow control valve, which can precisely control a flow rate and has a small friction, is provided.

Abstract: A valve is installed into an underground conduit to control drainage of water through that conduit. The drainage control valve includes a perforated plate across the conduit. The latter plate is formed with a peripheral groove rectangular in cross section and a hollow tube made of flexible material is inserted into this groove to seal the joint between the plate and the inner surface of the conduit. A flap also made of flexible material is applied against the upstream surface of the plate and is formed with a peripheral edge taper whereby pressure applied on the flap by water upstream of the drainage valve forces the edge taper against the upstream plate surface to form a sealed joint between these flap and plate. The upper portion of the flap is attached to the upper portion of the plate through screw and nut assemblies. These assemblies traverse rigid washers inserted in respective holes made in the flap.

Abstract: To control the flow of a fluid from an environment to a vacuum source, a device including a piston (2) is mounted in the path of the fluid. The path is not vented so that the mass of fluid entering the device is equal to the mass exiting the device. The piston (2) is mounted so that it may constrict the path at a constriction point (5), and so that it may move in a direction (14) transverse to the flow of the fluid at the constriction point (5). The frontal face (15) of the piston (2) is exposed to the fluid in the path, and the distal face (16) of the piston (2) is exposed to a reference pressure (17). A restoring force, such as a spring (10) or the weight of the piston (2) is exerted on the piston (2) so as to tend to widen the path at the constriction point (5).

Abstract: A drinking fountain attachment for a faucet, such as a kitchen or bathroom faucet, the attachment having a tubular body portion threaded at the upper end for attachment to a downwardly extending faucet and having an orifice opening in the tubular side wall, a spigot element fixed to the exterior of the tubular body communicating with the orifice, providing means for discharging water therefrom in an upward direction to provide a fountain drinking stream. A tubular control member is rotatably supported to the tubular body lower end. A tubular elastomeric member is received within the body and control member and secured at each end in tension whereby the control member is retained in rotatable axial alignment with the body member, the elastomeric member serving to restrict flow of water through the tubular body and control member when the control member is rotated to thereby direct water out the orifice and the spigot to produce a drinking fountain.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is provided which comprises a valve body and a flexible curtain member. The valve body defines at least one fluid flow conduit, and a transverse curtain member track. The flexible curtain member is slidable positioned within the curtain member track, with ends projecting outwardly therefrom. Opposite ends of the curtain member are anchored securely in position, to define a curtain member orientation having opposite roll-cups defined thereby, projecting outwardly from the curtain member track. As a result of the roll-cups, the curtain member can slide between first and second extreme positions, to operate the valve arrangement.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve meters, in response to a fluid control signal, fluid flow received at a supply pressure and released at an output pressure utilizing a folded elastomeric diaphragm as the fluid flow metering member. The diaphragm regulates fluid flow through a passageway in a piston disposed in a valve body, which passageway provides for fluid communication between a fluid supply port and a fluid output port. The piston is displaced as a function of control signal fluid pressure, which in turn produces a change in the relationship between the folded-over portion of the diaphragm and an outlet duct of the piston passageway.

Abstract: A reelable flow stopper for plugging fluid flow within a pipe having a guide housing with an enclosed guide channel. A guide housing sealably secures to at least one side of a full port gate valve and the opposite side of the full port gate valve is in communication with the inside of the pipe. The pipe has an access hole in a pipe wall of the pipe. The guide channel is in communication with the access hole. At least one guide prong of a fork extends into the pipe. The guide prong is secured to the guide housing. A roller bearing is rotably mounted to each guide prong of the fork. A take-up spool is secured to the bearing and the take-up spool rotates with respect to each guide prong of the fork. A stopper tape has a spool end secured to the take-up spool and an opposite end contacting the guide pins located within the guide housing. The guide pins route and guide the stopper tape into and out of the pipe. A crank is secured to a crank gear. A drive gear is secured with respect to the take-up spool.

Abstract: A connection device for connecting two spaces, comprising two connector parts (1,11) (4,14) each having a flexible tubular member (2,12) (5,15) which members have sealing surfaces (3,13) (6,15) which on connection are brought to bear on a surface belonging to the other connector part by the first tubular member being introduced into the second connector part and inverted inside out.

Abstract: A valve assembly (10) for controlling high pressure gas with low controlling gas pressures. The assembly includes a valve housing (12) having a cavity (22), an inlet port (26) and two outlet ports (28, 30). Mounted within the housing in communication with each outlet port are tubular members (38), each having a closed end (38.3) and an aperture (42) in a smooth cylindrical sidewall (38.2). A wobble bar (50) within the cavity is associated with a rubber-like sheet of material (54), which sheet has two sealing portions (56.2, 56.4) draped over the apertures. A very soft sponge-like resilient block (56) normally holds the sealing portions against the apertures to cause the apertures to be sealed. Actuating structure causes the wobble bar to be moved from a normal position to an operative position, an end of the wobble bar bearing down upon another portion of the rubber-like sheet of material to cause an adjacent sealing portion to peel away from the aperture to permit flow through the aperture.

Abstract: A fluid flow valve such as a faucet or air-purge valve comprising a housing having defined therein a fluid through-flow aperture with a valve seating formed in the housing and bounding said aperture. A flexible closure membrane is secured at one end to the housing and is adapted to be biased, under fluid pressure in the housing, against the valve seating so as to seal the aperture. Membrane displacing means are secured to an opposite end of the membrane so that displacement of the displacing means in a first sense progessively detaches successive transverse portions of the membrane from the seating so as to open the aperture while displacement of the displacing means in an opposite sense allows for the membrane to become sealingly biased against the seating.

Abstract: This invention discloses a control valve comprising a plurality of circular cylindrical wall partitions separating a first compartment open to an inlet port from a second compartment open to an outlet port of the control valve, wherein each of the circular cylindrical wall partitions including a plurality of groups of holes disposed therethrough and arranged in an axially distributed pattern in groups is wrapped by the belt under tension provided by at least one idler roller disposed in an orbiting relationship about the central axis of the circular cylindrical wall partition, which belt covers up all of the groups of holes except one group when the idler roller is orbited to each of the predetermined positions about the circular cylindrical partitioning wall by a rotary actuator.

Abstract: A valve in which a rotary valve member includes rollers which support two endless belts to roll along the cylindrical wall of a valve housing as the valve member is opened and closed. The belts seal tightly against the wall and close off inlet and outlet ports when the valve member is in its closed position.

Abstract: An air eliminator for liquid handling systems comprises a cylindrical container having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet which are separated from one another by a cylindrical porous barrier positioned to subdivide the interior of the container into first and second chambers. The cylindrical barrier comprises a porous membrane which permits liquid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber while preventing the passage therethrough of any gases which are entrained in incoming liquid supplied to the first chamber. Any such entrained gases accumulate in an air space located in the first chamber and are vented from the first chamber at atmospheric pressure. Liquid passing through the membrane, free of entrained gases, accumulates in the second chamber within the cylindrical barrier, and then passes to the liquid outlet via a modulating valve in the second chamber.

Abstract: A valve acting as a gate valve or as a cock, whose body is divided into two chambers that communicate respectively with the inlet and the outlet. A fixed tubular sealing element is arranged therein, which consists of a flexible sleeve that, when in its swollen configuration, seals the holes of a riddled hollow cylinder in which it is housed, said sleeve acting thus on the flow from the first chamber to the second one through said holes. A third chamber is obtained within said tubular sealing element, a small part of the total flow passing through said chamber; thus, by the regulation of the flow rate of said mirror flow, by means of a stem valve assembly, the automatic regulation is corresondingly obtained of the main flow passing to the outside part of said sleeve, so that the regulation is obtained of the whole fluid stream.

Abstract: A multi-port fluid valve apparatus is used to control the flow of fluids through a plurality of valves and includes a web, which preferably is a stainless steel endless belt. The belt has an aperture therethrough and is progressed, under motor drive and control, so that its aperture is moved from one valve mechanism to another. Each of the valve mechanisms comprises a pair of valve blocks which are held in fluid-tight relationship against the belt. Each valve block consists of a block having a bore through which the fluid flows, a first seal surrounding the bore and a second seal surrounding the first seal, with the distance between the first and second seals being greater than the size of the belt aperture. In order to open a valve, the motor progresses the belt aperture to where it is aligned with the two bores of a pair of valve blocks, such alignment permitting a flow of the fluid through the valve.

Abstract: An improved metering valve, or flush valve, incorporates a rolling diaphragm mechanism of a cylindrical elastomeric material providing a smoothly transitioning flow rate control from the full open to the full close position. The rolling diaphragm sealing means is actuated by a floating cup driven by the differential pressure between the valve fluid inlet and an intermediate actuation control chamber. The valve control is spring biased to the normally closed position and is actuated by dumping all fluid from the control chamber through a poppet mechanism which is triggered mechanically through a sealing diaphragm. Upon dumping fluid from the metering chamber, the actuating cup is compressed by the pressure of the inlet fluids to roll the diaphragm to a substantially open position.