An electro-pneumatic converter device with modular components and with supporting housing structure enabling the device to be readily convertible from a current to pressure positioner to a current to pressure transducer. A valve positioner with an enclosure having a housing, a modular base, and a separable field terminal box. A self contained cover mounted to the enclosure with no additional mounting components. A plastic pneumatic relay ultrasonically welded together to eliminate metal mounting parts and lower assembly time. Open channels in a housing surface cooperating with a gasket to provide fluid passageways between the housing and the modular base. Pressure gauges are removably mounted on a modular unit for location completely within the housing. A floating interconnect terminal board permits self-aligning of mating terminals as the modular unit is inserted into the housing. A supply biased pneumatic pressure relay has supply pressure channeled to the supply port and also to a supply bias cavity through a capillary hole.

Electro-pneumatic converter

A 3-way valve for controlling the flow between first and second ports and a common port. The 3-way valve comprising a valve body having an integral flow portion and a valve stem having first and second valve members. The valve stem is pressfit assembled into the flow portion of the valve body where at least one of the first valve member and the flow portion momentarily deforms. The valve stem operates between a first position where fluid is allowed to flow between the common port and the second port and a second position where fluid is allowed to flow between the common port and the first port.

Three-way plastic valve

The valve has flexible resilient tubes which respectively communicate with the fluid supply conduits and which are pinched by control members to control fluid flow. Each tube has a reduced-diameter center or neck portion intermediate its ends which is engaged by the control member. The internal cross section of the neck portion is circular when relaxed and when pinched closed does not require any greater cross-sectional space than do the tube ends. Single-control and dual-control embodiments are disclosed. In the dual-control embodiment the two tubes are carried in a single cartridge assembly which is removable as a unit.

Valve with resilient tubes having constricted portions

A valve cartridge is provided. The valve cartridge includes a cartridge retainer having a cartridge axis and a generally cylindrical sidewall having first and second openings and first and second pinch tubes disposed within the cartridge retainer. The pinch tubes respectively have tube axes substantially parallel to the cartridge axis and axial bores therethrough. The valve cartridge also includes first and second poppets disposed in the first and second openings and movable in a direction not parallel with the tube axes for engagement respectively with the pinch tubes, and an actuator rotatable about and movable along the cartridge axis and encircling the cartridge retainer. The actuator has an interior surface engaging the first and second poppets and having a cylindrical portion having an inside diameter which, when engaged with the poppets, holds the poppets against the pinch tubes for closing the bores, and an eccentric portion tapering outwardly from the cylindrical portion which, when engaged with the poppets, permits variations in the cross sectional areas of the axial bores to control the rates of flow through the pinch tubes.

Faucet valve with external cam and pinch tubes

A valve for controlling flow of abrasive media from a blast tank to a nozzle, utilizes rollers for constricting a straight-through tube. In this way the valve meters the flow of the abrasive media into a blast hose through which air is directed under pressure as a carrier for the media. Contact with the media within the valve is limited to a radially constrictable tube adapted for ready replacement as the only component subject to the destructive characteristics of media such as mineral grit, sand, or the like. In association with the pinch tube housing, means is provided permitting ready interchange of manual and automatic tube-constricting assemblies. In the automatic configuration, the size of the valve orifice through which the media passes can be accurately and swiftly regulated by varying the pressure on a diaphragm. The control air pressure exerted on the diaphragm determines the extent to which the pinch tube may open under pressure directed through the blast hose, against the force of a spring mounted within the diaphragm housing. Fine adjustments, including selective pre-adjustment of the spring tension and tube constriction, aid in precise regulation of the media flow.

Valve for regulating the pressurized flow of abrasives, in particular blast media

Line valve of the compressible-tube type

A valve assembly for use in building water systems where a hot and cold water supply line pressures vary, and having separate valve means for regulating the hot and cold water pressures. Independently mounted pressure equalizing means operated by the supply water pressures are connected to operate each of the valve means responsive to any pressure differential caused by changes in the supply pressures, to change the water pressure regulated by each of the valve means, with the magnitude and sense of the change reducing any such differential to zero and equalizing the pressures. The separate valve means and pressure equalizing means are contained in a cartridge having separate supply water chambers and hydraulic fluid chambers associated with each water chamber. A pair of movable walls are mounted in the cartridge each one separating one water chamber from the associated hydraulic fluid chamber, and the cartridge has restricted orifice means interconnecting the hydraulic fluid chambers to equalize the pressures therein while dampening movable wall oscillations due to changes in water chamber pressure. Each movable wall operates one of the valve means, so that the water pressure in one water chamber acts against one side of the movable wall and hydraulic fluid pressurized by the water pressure in the other water chamber acts against the other side of each movable wall.

Pressure balancing valve

A valve assembly for use in building water systems where hot and cold water supply line pressures vary, and having separate valve means for regulating the hot and cold water pressures. Independently mounted pressure equalizing means operated by the supply water pressures are connected to operate each of the valve means responsive to any pressure differential caused by changes in the supply pressures, to change the water pressure regulated by each of the valve means, with the magnitude and sense of the change reducing any such differential to zero and equalizing the pressures. The separate valve means are actuated by diaphragm assemblies forming a pair of movable walls mounted in a cartridge each one separating one water chamber from an associated hydraulic fluid chamber. Each diaphragm movable wall assembly includes a nonperforated diaphragm clamped between elements and held at its periphery in the cartridge to form a movable wall.

Diaphragm movable wall assembly for hydraulic systems

A diaphragm valve cartridge for a faucet wherein a generally cylindrical valve body has a surface recess which receives at least one resilient valve member of rubber-type material of conforming size. An inlet port from a support duct and an outlet port to a discharge duct are located in the valve body recess in spaced relation with the recess walls and bottom engaged by the valve member. A retainer holds the valve member in the recess and applies sufficient pressure on the marginal portion of the valve member to establish a liquid-proof seal between the valve member and valve body which exists at least at low liquid pressure. The resilient valve member responds to liquid pressure within the valve, and the seal with the valve body is enhanced in proportion to liquid pressure, giving the valve a self-sealing characteristic over a wide range of liquid pressures. A movable actuator has a cam surface which positions the resilient valve member in relation to the inlet port, closing the port in one position, and in other positions varying the spacing between the valve member and port for varying the rate of flow through the valve. The various parts of the valve, including the actuator, are preassembled economically, and the valve is installed at the point of use as a unit, thereby avoiding any installation step, such as conventional compression seal, which might permit leakage in the valve. The disclosed valve has two supply lines, and when one of these is externally blocked, the valve operates as a single supply line valve. The liquid handled by the valve flows from the supply duct to the discharge duct without traversing a region within the valve cartridge from which leakage is possible as a result of abuse or improper installation. Valves embodying the invention easily can be installed by the user without tools of any kind, and the structure involved in installation is such that leakage at the couplings for the supply and discharge lines is virtually impossible.

Richard L. Ritzenthaler

Papers

Line valve of the compressible-tube type

Pressure balancing valve

Diaphragm movable wall assembly for hydraulic systems

Diaphragm valve cartridge