Abstract: Movable valve apparatus having conditioned lubricating surfaces are described. An example valve includes a valve packing having a graphite packing ring disposed within a bonnet of the fluid valve and a stem or shaft has a conditioned surface to hold a lubricating material. The conditioned surface of the stem or shaft is disposed within the bonnet and moves the lubricating material relative to and in contact with the graphite packing ring during operation of the fluid valve.

Abstract: An automotive engine valve stem, engine valve and method of producing both. The valve includes a head and a stem joined to the head. Lightweight, high-temperature materials, such as titanium-based materials may be used to make up at least a the majority of the valve. These materials are combined with fabrication techniques that may vary between the head and the stem, where at least a part of the valve is made by dynamic magnetic compaction. While a majority of the stem may be made from a titanium-based powder material, its tip may be made of a high strength hardened material, such as a steel alloy. The valve head may be made by single press and sintering, double press and sintering, forging and machining, forging and sintering, and dynamic magnetic compaction and sintering.

Abstract: A method for enhancing surface smoothness of a ball valve stem comprises contacting and pressing a surface of the ball valve stem with a pressing roller so as to even tool marks on the surface of the ball valve stem, thereby enhancing surface smoothness of the ball valve stem.

Abstract: A throttle body for an automobile includes a throttle shaft defining a rotational axis. The throttle shaft includes deformable members integrally formed about an exterior surface of the throttle shaft. A housing includes a bore. The throttle shaft extends through the bore with the deformable member partially-located within the bore. A bearing includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The bearing inner surface forms a press-fit connection with the deformable members to substantially prevent movement between the throttle shaft and the bearing in a direction parallel to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A valve stem (13) for use with a metering valve, said valve stem (13) comprising an elongate stem element (12) having an elastomeric sleeve (9) molded onto at least a portion thereof and a sealing element (16) having an inner surface (7), said sealing element (16) being affixed onto the elongate stem element (12), such that at least a portion of the inner surface (7) of the sealing element (16) is overlying at least a portion of the elastomeric sleeve (9); as well as methods of manufacturing such a valve stem.

Abstract: A valve for an aerosol container suitable for use in dispersing a quantity of the contents thereof is disclosed. The valve components comprise a fluorinated polymer and/or a fluorinated coating which have been found to reduce drug deposition in the valve.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a movable core having a valve shaft, of a solenoid valve with which the movable core and the valve shaft can be easily and accurately aligned with each other. The valve shaft and the movable core are manufactured by sintering as follows. First, with a lower punch inserted in a cavity of a first mold, SUS powder having an average particle diameter of 150 micrometer is put in the cavity. The powder is compacted into a powder compact in the shape of a valve shaft by lowering an upper punch into the cavity. The first mold is slightly lowered so that the powder compact slightly protrudes from the cavity. Fe powder having an average particle diameter of 150 micrometers is put in a cavity of a second mold so as to be deposited on the powder compact in the cavity of the first mold. The upper punch is lowered to compact the powder in the second mold into a powder compact in the shape of the core. After releasing the powder compacts, they are joined together by sintering.

Abstract: A method for adjusting piezoelectric valve components to create a precise interface between a piezoelectric actuator and a movable valve plunger is provided which includes the steps of conducting a coarse adjustment prior to assembly followed by a fine adjustment after assembly. The method includes measuring a first difference between a valve body and a valve plunger, and compensating for this first measured difference such that surfaces of the valve body and the valve plunger are in a common plane. A second common plane is established between an end surface of an actuator housing and an end of an actuator rod. The step of compensating for the first measured difference can comprise machining the surfaces in the first common plane or using a shim. A second adjustment is conducted by rotating a nut disposed axially with the actuator rod to adjust the axial position of the valve plunger.

Abstract: A valve stem installation system (10) includes a conveyor (24) for moving wheel rims (14). A detector (50) is cooperable with the conveyor (24) to detect size of the wheel rim (14) and a location of an aperture (12) of the wheel rim (14) to receive various valve stems (16, 18). Two robots (110, 112) are adaptable for matably moving the valve stem (16, 18) to the wheel rim (14). A controller (60) is operably communicated with the robots (110, 112) and the detector (50) for receiving a signal from the detector (50) as the detector (50) identifies configuration of the wheel rim (14) and then transmitting the signal to the robots (110, 112) thereby directing the robots (110, 112) to selectively engage the valve stem (16, 18) to be inserted into the aperture (12).

Abstract: A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths. A valve packing comprises a vertically stacked array comprising alternating metal pressure rings and graphite seals.

Abstract: A valve stem has a thickness of hardfaced material on its outer diameter in the area contacting the stem packing where the seal is formed which prevents corrosion, erosion and/or scratching of the valve stem, thereby preventing formation of leak paths.